Pip: A View from the Nest is a blog that looks at faith, culture, and the American moment — and this week, Allen Frederick is asking a question that cuts against the grain of most religious commentary right now.
Mara: The post challenges a widespread diagnosis — that what America is missing is biblical literacy — and argues the real crisis runs deeper than that. Let’s start with what that argument actually looks like.
Mara: The post opens by acknowledging what most commentators say: that America’s cultural collapse traces back to losing the vocabulary of Scripture. Then it pivots — the real problem isn’t that we’ve forgotten the words, it’s that we’ve abandoned the God the words point to.
Pip: And the case doesn’t rest on opinion. The anchor is Hosea, where God tells Israel their destruction came from rejected relationship, not missing information. The post puts it plainly: “The issue was not literacy but lordship.”
Mara: That framing matters because the post immediately applies it to the present: “The United States has more access to Scripture than any nation in history. Bibles fill our shelves, apps fill our phones, sermons fill our feeds, and theological resources are available at the tap of a screen.”
Pip: So if information were the cure, we’d already be cured. The argument is that abundance of text without encounter with the Author produces exactly the condition Jesus diagnosed in the Pharisees — the most biblically literate people of their time, and yet He told them they were missing life entirely.
Mara: The post quotes that confrontation directly: “Ye search the Scriptures… and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” The crisis was spiritual, not interpretive.
Pip: Then comes the Saul of Tarsus example, which is the sharpest move in the piece. Trained under Gamaliel, fluent in every theological category — and he used all of it to persecute the Church. Literacy without encounter produced the opposite of faithfulness.
Mara: The post’s diagnosis of the Church follows from that: “We have built churches that teach principles but do not produce disciples.” The concern is that religious environments can inform the mind without transforming the heart.
Pip: Which is, admittedly, a much harder problem to solve than opening a Bible app.
Mara: The post closes with John Adams and Proverbs 14:34 — “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” The argument is that what sustains liberty isn’t institutional religion or even literacy, but hearts genuinely transformed by God.
Pip: The stakes the post names are worth sitting with — a nation can be religious and still be corrupt, biblically literate and still spiritually dead.
Pip: The distinction between knowing the text and knowing the Author — that’s a tension that doesn’t resolve easily, and it’s the kind of question this site keeps returning to.
Mara: More of that territory next time. Worth watching.
“Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”** (Jeremiah 6:16**)
The Ancient Paths and the Modern Highway
There’s a quiet wisdom built into every well‑marked road. The lines don’t shout, they don’t argue, and they don’t demand attention. They simply guide. Jeremiah called them the “ancient paths,” the good way laid down long before we arrived, the road that leads to rest. Those ancient paths were never meant to be decorative. They were meant to be followed.
But even the best paths need maintenance. When a road is neglected, it stops feeling ancient and starts feeling hazardous. A once‑smooth drive becomes an obstacle course, a vehicular game of dodgeball or bumper cars. Instead of enjoying the journey, you spend your time bracing for impact.
Anyone who has driven a Pennsylvania backroad in early spring knows the feeling. One moment you’re admiring the scenery, and the next you’re praying your suspension survives the pothole that just tried to swallow your front tire. Potholes have a way of reminding us that even the oldest, most trusted paths require care.
Learning to Drive on the Roads That Teach Us
Many country roads don’t have lane markers at all, but that doesn’t mean the driver is free to improvise. Your driving habits were shaped on the roads that did have lines, the ones that trained your eyes, your instincts, and your sense of responsibility. The driving test wasn’t about memorizing rules; it was about forming habits that would keep you and everyone around you safe.
God’s Kingdom works the same way. His boundaries are not burdens; they are blessings. They are not restrictions; they are protections. They are not obstacles; they are guidance.
Scripture tells us that God set the planets in their courses and told the ocean how far it may come (Job 38:11, Psalm 19:6). All of creation honors the lines He drew. The stars don’t wander. The tides don’t rebel. The seasons don’t negotiate. Creation stays in its lane.
And then there is humanity, the only part of creation that looks at God’s markings and says, “I think I’ll try something different.” One person ignoring the rules of the road can cause a wreck. One believer ignoring the wisdom of God can cause spiritual damage that ripples far beyond their own life.
Returning to the Good Way
Jeremiah’s call to “ask for the ancient paths” wasn’t nostalgia. It was an invitation to return to the well‑marked road, the one God laid out for our good. The one that leads to rest, not chaos. The one that keeps us from turning life into a demolition derby of our own making.
The lines are there because God loves us. The boundaries exist because the journey matters. The ancient paths still lead to rest but only if we stay on them.
So today, as you drive, let the road preach. Let the lane markers remind you of God’s steady guidance. Let the potholes remind you that neglect creates danger. Let the whole journey point you back to the One who laid out the path long before you ever set foot on it.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the ancient paths You have laid before us. Teach us to honor the lines You have drawn, not as restrictions but as gifts of protection and peace. Keep our hearts attentive, our steps steady, and our lives aligned with Your wisdom. Strengthen us to walk in the good way, to maintain the paths entrusted to us, and to travel with humility, gratitude, and obedience. Lead us safely, guide us faithfully, and grant us rest for our souls as we follow Your road. Amen.
The winds howl. The headlines scream. Homes are shattered, hearts are heavy, and the world trembles beneath a thousand storms—natural, emotional, spiritual. And in the middle of it all, an old hymn whispers with unwavering faith:
Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm.
This isn’t just poetic comfort—it’s spiritual survival. A Shelter in the Time of Storm, written in the late 1800s by Vernon Charlesworth, was born out of a world worn down by hardship. It became a lifeline sung by fishermen steering into stormy harbors, echoing through orphanages ministering to broken souls, and later reimagined by Ira Sankey to stir congregations across oceans. Its refrain is timeless—because the Rock it speaks of is eternal.
Storms will come. And when they do, it’s not doctrine or dogma that saves us—it’s Christ Himself. Scripture declares:
“The Lord has been our dwelling place in all generations… He is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.” (Psalm 90:1, 18:2)
But in the middle of the storm—when thunder drowns out reason and lightning blinds perspective—it’s difficult to fix your eyes on anything but the chaos. That’s why it’s vital to know the Rock before the storm hits. Calm seas are the classroom. Quiet days are the training ground. Every peaceful moment spent abiding in Him becomes a spiritual anchor when the winds rise.
When you know Jesus in the stillness, you recognize Him in the storm. He’s not just refuge; He’s recognition. Not just shelter; He’s strength. Not just security; He’s sovereign.
And as the world reels from wildfires, floods, wars, and heartache—this hymn becomes a holy declaration: we are not unmoored. The storm may be raging, but the Rock is not shaking. In Him, we find not just protection—but peace.
So today, as tempests swirl around us, let this truth settle deep into your spirit: Jesus is sure, sound, safe, and secure. He is your Shelter. He is your Storm-Calmer. He is your Rock—now and forever. This has been a View From the Nest, please like and share and don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date when new posts are added. Thank you for stopping by.
“When the Church Becomes a Non-Prophet Organization”
🔥 The Silent Reformation: When the Gifts Go Missing
The Church today faces one of its most sobering realities. There is a quiet elimination of the very leadership gifts the Holy Spirit gave to equip and mature the Body. In many congregations, only the role of Pastor/Teacher remains visible. Even that role is often reduced to a weekly sermon and administrative oversight. The Evangelist was once a fiery voice calling the lost to repentance. Now, they are more often rebranded as a “missionary.” They are tucked away in foreign fields rather than stirring hearts at home.
But what of the Apostle? The Prophet? These foundational gifts (Ephesians 4:11–13) are not just absent—they are often unwelcome. Mainline churches have institutionalized themselves into a form of godliness in many cases. They deny the power and structure that God originally ordained.
This isn’t just a leadership issue—it’s a spiritual crisis. When the Church becomes a “non-prophet organization,” it loses its ability to:
Hear and declare the word of the Lord (Prophet)
Pioneer new territory and establish Kingdom order (Apostle)
Stir the hearts of the lost (Evangelist)
Shepherd and teach with clarity and compassion (Pastor/Teacher)
The result? A body that is undernourished, under-equipped, and often unaware of its true calling.
👤 Apostles as Fathers of the Faith
Apostle Peter
The early Church Fathers were direct disciples of the apostles. They were seen not just as theologians but as spiritual patriarchs. They preserved doctrine, corrected error, and nurtured the Church into maturity. Clement of Rome, for example, emphasized apostolic succession as a way to preserve the integrity of the faith. This idea of spiritual fatherhood was foundational to early Christian identity and governance.
Your framing of apostles as “fathers of the faith” aligns with this tradition. Apostles weren’t just pioneers. They were builders, correctors, and nurturers. They resembled a father raising children into maturity. Consider 1 Corinthians 4:15: “Though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers…”
Fatherhood as a Lost Art in America
Modern sociologists and psychologists have echoed your concern about the decline of fatherhood in American culture:
Ray Williams describes America as becoming a “fatherless society,” with massive social consequences including poverty, crime, and emotional instability.
Psychology Today notes that the archetype of the father—as protector, moral guide, and stabilizer—has been eroded or distorted in modern narratives.
Don Unger, in Men Can, explores how the image and role of fathers have shifted, often being undervalued or misunderstood in both family and cultural life.
🔗 The Church and the Culture Mirror Each Other
The erosion of fatherhood in society is not just a sociological issue—it’s a spiritual one. The Church, by sidelining the apostolic and prophetic offices, has modeled a form of leadership that lacks fatherhood, correction, and generational vision. This absence has echoed into the culture, where natural fatherhood is now seen as optional, replaceable, or even irrelevant.
When the Church no longer raises up spiritual fathers, the result is a generation of believers who:
Struggle with spiritual identity
Resist correction and accountability
Lack maturity and direction
Chase trends instead of truth
This mirrors the broader cultural fallout of fatherlessness—emotional instability, rebellion, and a hunger for affirmation in all the wrong places.
The Crisis of Fatherhood: In the Church and the Culture
Explaining the need for these missing offices established by God shows a real lack of understanding on the part of the Reformation Church movement, which basically eliminated the Holy Spirit and gifts entirely. The Reformation Church movement, in its zeal to correct abuses, often swung the pendulum too far, sidelining the very gifts and offices that were meant to empower and mature the Body.
Restoring these offices isn’t just about leadership—it’s about reclaiming the Church’s identity and mission. Without apostles, prophets, evangelists, and Spirit-empowered pastors and teachers, the Church risks becoming a hollow institution rather than a living, breathing organism.
The trumpet sounds for a return to the fullness of God’s design—a Church that hears His voice, pioneers new territory, stirs the lost, and shepherds with compassion and clarity.
📖 Scriptural Support for Fatherhood
The Bible provides a wealth of guidance on the importance of fatherhood, both spiritual and natural:
Malachi 4:6: “He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.” This verse underscores the critical role of fathers in restoring relationships and preventing societal decay.
Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This highlights the father’s role in nurturing and guiding their children spiritually.
Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” This emphasizes the long-term impact of a father’s guidance.
1 Corinthians 4:15: “Though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” This verse reflects the spiritual fatherhood role that apostles and church leaders are called to fulfill.
By integrating these scriptures, the Church can reclaim its role as a spiritual family, with fathers—both natural and spiritual—leading the way in nurturing, correcting, and guiding the next generation.
🔮 The Misunderstood Prophet: Truth in a Time of Tension
Prophet Daniel in the lion’s den
The prophetic office has always been controversial—because prophets don’t just comfort, they confront. They don’t just predict, they pierce. In a culture (and Church) that often prefers affirmation over accountability, the prophet’s voice is frequently silenced, sanitized, or sidelined.
🧱 What the Prophet Is Not:
Not a fortune-teller or spiritual entertainer
Not a self-appointed critic with a microphone
Not merely someone who “feels things deeply”
🔥 What the Prophet Is:
A mouthpiece for God’s heart and mind (Jeremiah 1:9)
A watchman who warns of danger (Ezekiel 33:7)
A plumb line for truth and holiness (Amos 7:7–8)
A builder who equips and strengthens the Church (1 Corinthians 14:3)
🚫 Why the Church Resists Prophets:
Prophets disrupt comfort zones
They expose hidden sin and institutional compromise
They challenge the status quo and call for repentance
They often speak what others are afraid to say
📖 Scriptural Anchors:
Jeremiah 1:10 – “See, I have set you this day over nations and over kingdoms, to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”
1 Thessalonians 5:20–21 – “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Amos 3:7 – “Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”
Ephesians 2:20 – “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”
Turning the Church Back into a “For Prophet” Organization
To restore the prophetic office is to restore the Church’s relevance and reverence. A Church that embraces the prophetic voice becomes:
A beacon of truth in a time of deception
A source of hope in a world of despair
A catalyst for repentance and revival
A community that hears and responds to the voice of God
The trumpet sounds for a return to the fullness of God’s design—a Church that hears His voice, pioneers new territory, stirs the lost, and shepherds with compassion and clarity. Let us not despise the prophetic gift but embrace it, test it, and hold fast to what is good.
🌱 The Evangelist: Sowers in the Vineyard
The role of the Evangelist is indispensable in the life of the Church. Without those who sow seeds of the Gospel, there can be no harvest. Evangelists are the planters in the vineyard, tirelessly working to bring the message of salvation to the lost.
📖 Scriptural Foundations:
Matthew 9:37–38: “Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”
Romans 10:14–15: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
2 Timothy 4:5: “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
🌍 The Evangelist’s Mission:
Evangelist John the Revelator
Evangelists are not just preachers—they are heralds of the Kingdom, bringing the good news to every corner of the earth. Their mission is to:
Proclaim the Gospel with clarity and conviction
Call sinners to repentance and faith in Christ
Equip the Church to share the Gospel
Pioneer new ministries and outreach efforts
🚨 The Church’s Neglect:
Many churches have sidelined the role of the Evangelist, relegating it to foreign missions or occasional revival meetings. This neglect has led to a lack of evangelistic fervor within local congregations, resulting in stagnation and decline.
🌟 Restoring the Evangelistic Gift:
To restore the Church’s vitality, we must reemphasize the importance of the Evangelist. This includes:
Recognizing and affirming those with the gift of evangelism
Providing training and resources for effective Gospel outreach
Creating opportunities for evangelistic ministry within the local church
Celebrating the fruit of evangelistic efforts
The Evangelist is a God-ordained gift to the Church, essential for its growth and health. Let us not ignore this vital role but embrace it with the urgency and passion it deserves.
🌟 The Overlooked Gifts: A Call to Action
Beyond the Evangelist, there are many other spiritual gifts that are often ignored or underutilized in the Church today. These gifts, given by the Holy Spirit, are meant to build up the Body of Christ and advance the Kingdom of God.
📖 Scriptural Basis:
1 Corinthians 12:4–7: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
Ephesians 4:11–13: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
🌈 A Diversity of Gifts:
The Holy Spirit has given a wide variety of gifts to the Church, including:
Teaching: The ability to explain and apply God’s Word effectively
Healing: A gift of faith and prayer to bring physical and spiritual healing
Administration: The ability to organize and lead with wisdom and efficiency
Hospitality: A heart to welcome and care for others
Discernment: The ability to distinguish between truth and error
🚀 A Call to Action:
The Church must:
Identify and nurture these gifts within its members
Create opportunities for these gifts to be exercised
Celebrate the diversity of gifts as a reflection of God’s creativity and purpose
By embracing the full spectrum of spiritual gifts, the Church can become the vibrant, Spirit-filled community God intended it to be. Let us not quench the Spirit but fan into flame the gifts He has given for the common good.
🌟 The Pastor/Teacher: Builders of Maturity
The role of the Pastor/Teacher is foundational to the Church’s mission of equipping believers and fostering spiritual growth. These leaders are not merely caretakers—they are builders, charged with developing disciples who can carry forward the work of the Kingdom.
📖 Scriptural Foundations:
Ephesians 4:11–13: “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
Hebrews 5:12–14: “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
🌱 The Pastor/Teacher’s Mission:
Pastors and teachers are called to:
Equip believers with a deep understanding of God’s Word
Foster spiritual maturity and discernment
Develop new leaders and disciples from within the congregation
Create a culture of growth and multiplication
🚨 The Church’s Challenge:
A vibrant church is one that continually raises up leaders from within, rather than relying on external replacements for pastors and teachers. This requires intentional investment in discipleship and leadership development.
🌟 Restoring the Pastor/Teacher Role:
To restore the Church’s vitality, we must reemphasize the importance of the Pastor/Teacher. This includes:
Recognizing and affirming those with the gift of teaching and shepherding
Providing training and resources for effective discipleship
Creating opportunities for leadership development within the local church
Celebrating the fruit of spiritual growth and maturity
The Pastor/Teacher is a God-ordained gift to the Church, essential for its growth and health. Let us not ignore this vital role but embrace it with the urgency and passion it deserves.
🎁 Wrapping It All Together
The Church is called to be a living, breathing organism—a vibrant community that reflects the fullness of God’s design. This means embracing the diversity of gifts, restoring the offices of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, and nurturing the spiritual family with fathers and mothers who guide, correct, and inspire.
Let us rise to the challenge of becoming a “for prophet” organization once again. Let us hear the trumpet sound and respond with faith, courage, and action. The harvest is plentiful, the gifts are abundant, and the Spirit is ready to empower us for the work ahead.
May we be a Church that hears His voice, pioneers new territory, stirs the lost, and shepherds with compassion and clarity. The time is now. The call is clear. Let us answer with all our hearts.
A few new wrinkles in an old classic hymn. From one classic to another I offer you the SENIOR EDITION of Jesus Loves Me even with all my wrinkles and gray hair. Who says just because something is old it is no longer relevant, well this childhood favorite still has charm for the geriatric set. Enjoy and please like and share and pass the joy and JESUS’ love around to bless others. Thanks for stopping by.
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