What to do...

Here's some really good, scriptural and common sense advice, from Pastor Joel Brandos, for those who are in a liberal-leaning Lutheran church and you are a layperson:

1) Support your pastor. Encourage him to speak the truth in love. If he complains about how bad things are, urge him to keep commending what is good, right, and salutary;

2) Show up at local and regional meetings and conventions;

3) When you are at these events, don’t get angry. Don’t even look perturbed. Instead, take along with you one or two Bible passages and one or two quotes from Luther and the Confessions, not more than one paragraph long. Find the opportunity to share them with the group, telling people how much these words mean to you. To start out with, don’t speak against things — tell people what you are FOR and why you are for it. Identify people in the group who are interested in your words, even if it is only one or two. Make their acquaintance; get their e-mail; get to know them, but don’t be psychotically overwhelming. You might point them to one or two constructive blogs and The Wittenberg Trail;

4) If you find someone who doesn’t agree with you, first of all, just LISTEN to them and ask clarifying questions. Don’t get into a knock-down drag out argument. Sometimes you will hear them make outlandish statements. Press them hard to give evidence and make them PROVE that what they are saying is true. Don’t let them make generalizations. After you listen, THEN you may explain to them once again what you think is helpful and important based on the Scriptures, Confessions, and Luther’s writings;

5) Buy a copy of “What Luther Says.” This publication is full of excerpts from his writings on many different subjects organized alphabetically by Topic. Read it;

6) Read the PREFACES to Luther’s Large and Small Catechisms. Amazing! Read the Large Catechism if you have never done so. Re-memorize the Small Catechism as part of your daily devotions;

7) Get a copy Bente’s “Historical Introductions to the Book of Concord.” Understand Lutheran theology in its historical context - very important! Note how it was all LAYMEN who signed the Augsburg Confession.

On choosing a redeemer...

I read a quote today that will compel me to read a book:

“…’I mean–I mean that I have given Him my heart.’ The older man’s face became suddenly as solemn as the grave. ‘Do you consider that something to give Him?’ … ‘But sir, if you do not give your heart to Jesus, you cannot be saved.’ ‘You are right, my boy. And it is just as true that, if you think you are saved because you give Jesus your heart, you will not be saved. You see, my boy, … it is one thing to choose Jesus as one’s Lord and Savior, to give Him one’s heart and commit oneself to Him, and that He now accepts one into His little flock; it is a very different thing to believe on Him as a Redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief. One does not choose a Redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one’s heart to Him. The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap. A fine birthday gift, indeed! But a wonderful Lord passes by, and has mercy on the wretched tin can, sticks His walking cane through it and rescues it from the junk pile and takes it home with Him. That is how it is.’ … ‘And now you must understand that these two ways of believing are like two different religions, they have nothing whatever to do with each other.’”

~The Hammer of God, by Bo Giertz

Differences among synods

The latest battle in the Missouri synod has people searching on the internet for alternatives. My blog's search statistics show that. It is my own opinion that most confessional Lutherans refuse to look at other synods seriously because of a long list of mis perceptions and hearsay. I know the pain of switching synods; I did so myself about five years ago. The only thing I can offer is that once you do make the switch with a whole heart, the pain goes away. The things that I thought might bother me, i.e. the role of women in ministry and close communion, were not issues for me once I was sold on the ELS' ability to preach the gospel.

I would never encourage anyone to leave their synod or church, but if you feel that it is what you are being called to do then I hope you consider the ELS. I have been (mostly) very happy there. The ELS, though not perfect, is remaining faithful. We are small, manageable and pretty transparent. If I wanted to I could make an appointment with our president and ask him any question. There is no division among pastors, beyond the usual human divisions (style, age, personality, which football team they cheer for, etc). Do your research from there. I can also tell you that the ELS is not the same as WELS, yet we are in fellowship with WELS. A WELS pastor writes:

If you find differences, then, it is more likely to be in the area of culture or ways of doing things aside from Bible doctrine and practice. Norwegian and German people (and their descendants to a degree) don't always reflect the same personality traits or enjoy the same food or entertainment. And many ELS churches use different editions of catechisms and hymnals than most WELS churches do. Welcome to America and cultural diversity. But especially give thanks that these two church bodies enjoy confessional fellowship centered in Christ and his Word.

Are you looking for another confessional Lutheran synod? Ask others. Pray. I found this opinion at WELS.net Q & A feature very interesting...

...the majority of truly conservative or orthodox pastors and congregations have already left the LCMS or have chosen to hunker down to protect their own parish as long as they can. And they will die or retire before they do much else.

Easter at King of Grace

Our church looked particularly beautiful on Easter morning. I meant to take photos, but wasn't able to get up front after the service before members began to take their particular flowers home. Good thing Jack did! He sent them to Norman and Norman posted them. Thanks guys!

Norman's Demesne: Easter at King of Grace

Issues, Etc. cancellation

Issues, Etc., the popular and nationally broadcast was suddenly and without any warning removed from the air and its hosts were fired. The official statement by the LCMS-owned radio station, KFUO, explains virtually nothing:

For programmatic and business reasons, the decision was made this week to discontinue the "Issues, Etc." program on KFUO-AM. We look forward to bringing you new programming in this time slot in the near future. Also, we thank "Issues" host Rev. Todd Wilken and producer Mr. Jeff Schwarz for their years of service on behalf of the station.

Lutherans everywhere are saddened at the loss of a venue which could bring people of faith together across the country for an hour or two. They are also amazed at the cold, callous and non-sensical nature of the cancellation. In the radio world, sudden cancellations are hardly unusual, but in the Lutheran world I guess we expected a bit more from the powers that be. The show was their MOST LISTENED TO PROGRAM, with plenty of sponsors.

The show archives are back up and will be available for who knows how long. Pastor Todd Wilken has sent show listeners a message of thanks for the prayers and gifts of cash to him and his producer, who are suddenly out of work:

My thanks to everyone who has been so generous and supportive. Thank you for demonstrating such brotherly concern toward me, Jeff and our families. We are encouraged by everyone's Christian compassion and friendship.



Everyone, go to church. Eat and drink the body and blood of Jesus. Celebrate His death for us. Await His resurrection. It's Holy Week - the best week of the year.



Wir sind alle Bettler,

TW

If you would like to sign a petition, go here. If you would like to offer financial assistance to Pastor Wilken and Mr. Schwarz as they make this difficult and sudden transistion, The Wittenberg Trail is organizing a drive to offer financial support. They have set up a secure PayPal account. Follow the directions at the Wittenberg Trail website(free membership may be required) and click on the "Donate" button on the right side of the screen. Visit The Wittenberg Trail at: http://wittenbergtrail.ning.com.

Tithe or you will be cursed!

In the middle of a CBS Sunday Morning piece, To Tithe or Not to Tithe, on churches which demand or strongly encourage a tithe from their congregants, a small gem of scriptural reason was featured:

"I'm somewhat suspicious of people who want to turn giving ten percent into virtually the only law that applies to people who are under a covenant of grace," says Hudnut-Beumler, "where God saves freely, not for ten percent down."

He says he's reminded of Martin Luther, father of the Protestant movement, who broke away from the Catholic church because it was selling indulgences: Promises of a quicker road to heaven in exchange for cash.

"Stripped down to its basics," he says, "I don't think it's different than indulgences. What we see today, though, is a return to 'this-for-that religion,' give God this and God will give you that."

Words of wisdom from a Lutheran? I couldn't find any reference to him being raised Lutheran (except for being raised in Michigan). James Hudnut-Beumler is dean of the divinity school at Vanderbilt University.

Another gem, of sorts, from a woman who strongly believes in tithing: "It makes me feel good."

Here is a bit of considered opinion on tithing, which (of course) is not a bad practice, but it is not mandated to Christians, by a Lutheran theologian:

It is always a horrible abuse of the Word of God - and a legalistic binding of consciences - to try to use the law to motivate and "drive" Christians to fruits of faith, rather than seeking to empower and inspire them through the gospel. Such "law-forced" good works are nothing but the rotten fruit of grudging obedience or pharisaic pride. The tithe is not a club with which we are to beat God's people over the head. It is merely one guide with which we can measure our gifts over against the gifts which God's Old Testament people brought him.

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

The antidote for me

Reading through the New York Times summary of the findings of the latest Pew report, this quote caught my eye: “The trend is towards more personal religion, and evangelicals offer that." I find this quote and trend very sad because I believe that a church which makes religion about ME is like following a dead-end road. I spent too long on that road before finally figuring out that worshiping God is not about ME; it's the ANTIDOTE for me. Here on this earth, I have no problem making nearly everything about me. It's my best (and worst) habit. We all do it, if we are honest with ourselves. Divine worship is that brief respite FROM me.

While the ranks of the unaffiliated have been growing, Protestantism has been declining, the survey found. In the 1970s, Protestants accounted for some two-thirds of the population. The Pew survey found they now make up about 50 percent. Evangelical Christians account for a slim majority of Protestants, and those who leave one evangelical denomination usually move to another, rather than to mainline churches. Prof. Stephen Prothero, chairman of the religion department at Boston University, said large numbers of Americans leaving organized religion and large numbers still embracing the fervor of evangelical Christianity pointed to the same desires. “The trend is towards more personal religion, and evangelicals offer that,” Professor Prothero said, explaining that evangelical churches tailored much of their activities to youths. “Those losing out are offering impersonal religion,” he said, “and those winning are offering a smaller scale: mega-churches succeed not because they are mega but because they have smaller ministries inside.”

The Pew survey, available on the Web at http://religions.pewforum.org/, was conducted between May and August of 2007.

God, government and politics

It seems to me that those who ardently support Mike Huckabee tend to think that America has been created as a Christian nation by God himself. Along with that thinking there seems to be the idea that we can bring about God’s blessings or judgment on our beloved country. Are we not all sinners in need of a savior, destined to live on this sinful earth until the day Jesus returns? Since turning from Evangelicalism, I have learned that even when government turns to evil, God’s providence cannot be thwarted. In all things, He works for the good of His people. Below is a long opinion piece from a Confessional Lutheran theologian. I tried to summarize, but its too good. It reflects what I have learned about God and government and politics in recent years.

Our duty as church is to preach God’s law, not to reform Caesar’s law. It should be clear to us that all of a Christian’s actions must be guided by God’s moral law, regardless of what the civil law of the land may allow. The means of promoting morality which God has given to his church are teaching its members God’s will as it is revealed in his law and motivating them with the Gospel. Equipped with such teaching, they will not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but will be transformed by the renewing of their minds so that they test and approve the good, pleasing and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

The church’s goal for those outside the church is not to regulate their conduct, but to change their hearts. This can be done only by a fearless preaching of God’s law, which produces contrition, and by the life-giving message of the Gospel, which produces the faith without which no genuine moral improvement is possible. The church’s primary concern in the area of law is to use the law as a mirror to expose and condemn sin, and then, when the Gospel has done its work, to use the law as a guide or rule for Christian life.

Nevertheless in this realm of sinners, the law must function also as a curb or restraint of evil doers. “The law is not made for good men, but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slavetraders and liars and perjurers.” (I Tim. 1:9) It is this restraining function of law which is the concern of the state. In fact, such a restraining function is the only purpose which civil law can serve. Offenses like adultery, pornography, drunkeness, drug abuse, etc are not person matters, but are harmful to society and may be regulated by law.

So the question remains, “How hard should a Christian fight to bring the civil laws of the state into agreement with God’s moral law?” This is a question of great practical importance when we consider laws concerning abortion, divorce and marriage, sexual conduct, pornography, capital punishment, and other matters.

Here again, there are two different, and in some respects, opposing factors which we must consider. The first is that God holds all nations responsible for their violations of his moral law and punishes them for such conduct. The Canaanites were exterminated because of their flagrant disregard for God’s moral law. When the sin of the Canaanites reached its full measure, the land vomited them out because their rottenness had become intolerable. (Gen 15:16, Leviticus 18:24-25) The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were burned to ashes as an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly. (II Peter 2:7) Isaiah cries out to the nations, “The earth is defiled by its people. They have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes, and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth. Its people must bear their guilt.” (Is. 24:5)

A nation is not excused for its sinful practices, simply because it is not a theocracy or a truly Christian nation. God’s wrath justly falls on those who suppress the natural knowledge of God and who sin against the inscribed law and their own consciences. God begins his judgment against such people by giving them over to uncleanness, to sinful desires, and to a depraved mind, so that they receive the due penalty for their error, even in their own bodies. (Romans 1 and 2) Although God temporarily spares the world from the general judgment which it deserves (Gen. 8:21, Acts 17:30), he already is sending warning judgments against those who trample on his moral law. The principle still holds, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Prv. 14:34)

As a general rule, nations as well as individuals reap what they sow. Respect for family life and for authority tend to contribute to the stability and welfare of a nation. Conversely, a society usually pays for the breakdown of the family and of respect for authority with increased crime and disorder. Sexual immorality and drug abuse exact both a physicial and emotional price. The first payment of the wages of sin is usually delivered already in this life. The life of a prodigal son leads to shame and ruin; the life of a Pharisee leads to earthly honor.

Of course there are apparent exceptions. Some of the guilty escape, at least for awhile. Sometimes the innocent suffer along with the guilty. Nevertheless, the general principle holds. This principle of divine retribution is one reason that Christian citizens are interested in good laws and in the outward morality of their land. Such morality contributes to the welfare and security of the land and its citizens. Immorality which disregards the basic principles of God’s law brings judgment on a nation. For this reason Christian citizens want the laws of their land to reflect the moral principles God’s law.

On the other hand, because of the darkness and hardness of human hearts it often is impossible for civil law to correspond with the ideal set forth in God’s moral law. Sinners have partially lost or suppressed the knowledge of what is right. Natural knowledge of the law is not clear and complete. It is partial and weak.

Sometimes people know what is right, but simply refuse to do it. Even the civil law which God gave to Israel made concessions to the hardness of the human heart. For example, divorce was permitted in the civil law, even though this was contrary to the will of God which was revealed when marriage was established.

The chief purpose of civil law is to maintain as much peace and order as is possible in a sinful world. If a woman had to remain with a husband who was embittered against her, great harm and disorder could have followed. The permitting of divorce, even on questionable grounds, could actually be a protection for the wife. She might be better off if she was sent away by a hardened, embittered husband, than if they had been compelled to remain together. The civil law accepted the evil of divorce to minimize the evil of bitter domestic warfare which would have been even more disruptive of the peace of society. (It should be mentioned that the divorce law in Dt. 24, does not encourage divorce or establish grounds for divorce. It discourages divorce by restricting the possibility of remarriage.)

The aim of civil law is to produce the greatest degree of outward peace and order. Every law is an attempt to legislate outward morality. That is, every law is an attempt to prevent individuals from harming other individuals or the interests of society as a whole by imposing punishment on those who violate the standards of society. Civil morality is generally defined on a utilitarian basis. Whatever a society judges to be harmful is considered to be immoral and is declared illegal. When a society is convinced that an act is harmless, it becomes legal. A civil law will normally be effective only if the majority of the citizens are convinced that violating that law is harmful and if punishment is certain enough and severe enough to deter those who remain unconvinced.

No anti-abortion law will be effective, if most people believe that abortion is not much different than a tonsillectomy. No law restricting pornography will be very effective, if most people believe that pornography is harmless or even enjoyable. Capital punishment is of little value if public opinion is so against it that no judge or jury will use it. We cannot expect a country to have laws which uphold sound moral values if its people are abandoning even those moral standards which are supported by reason and the natural knowledge of the law.

The first priority for Christian citizens is to educate. We should help to bring society back to its senses by promoting sound moral values. We will have moral laws only when a majority of the citizens and public officials of our land recognize the value and necessity of such basic moral principles as the right to life, high regard for marriage and the family, and the accountability of every individual for his actions. On the basis of such standards, we can then promote good, moral laws. In doing this, we are not trying to force Christianity on anyone by law. Reason, the inscribed law, and the conscience of natural man all testify to these standards, and when we are promoting civil laws, we must argue on this basis.

Even if we are successful in obtaining good, moral laws, we must recognize the severe limitations of civil laws. Legislating and enforcing good moral laws does not make a nation and its people any more Christian or any more moral in a true spiritual sense.

Such laws cannot change the inner motivation of the heart. They only restrain outward conduct. For example, when we promote laws that restrict abortion, we are not trying to create hearts obedient to the fifth commandment, nor can such laws make an unwanted child wanted. The only thing which the law may be able to accomplish is to protect the life (and incidently the time of grace) of some of our neighbors who are unable to protect themselves. Laws restricting pornography can’t legislate chaste and decent hearts, but they may diminish temptations to sexual immorality, which harms society. They may help stem the shocking tide of sex crimes in our land. They may help restore an atmosphere in which stable family life, which is a needed foundation for society, can be maintained. All of these are only outward functions which do not touch the heart. Laws against racial prejudice cannot make anyone love neighbors of a different race, but they may prevent him from interfering with their life and livelihood.

In short, good laws cannot do anything to Christianize a nation or to promote true inner morality, but they have value as a curb which protects individuals and society from the evil effects of rampant immorality. As Christian citizens we should promote such laws as part of our concern for our neighbors’ life and property.

However, a number of cautions should be observed. Even when the cause is good and the case is clear-cut, as in the effort to gain laws which restrict abortion, we should be very cautious about trying to influence legislation as a church body or as members of church-affiliated societies. Such efforts can very easily re-inforce the common impression that the church is basically a moral reform agency, whose goal is to make the world a better place to live. As a church we should not substitute the goal of reforming society for our higher goal of reforming human hearts. Our tools are God’s Law and Gospel, not man’s law and sword.

Even in our efforts as citizens, careful discernment and balanced judgment are needed. We should remember that even when Christians are agreed on the moral goals that are desirable for society, they may disagree about the best way to achieve those goals in given circumstances. We may agree that pornography is evil. One of us may feel that a certain restrictive law is a partial solution. Another may oppose that law, because he believes that it is so broadly worded that it could threaten legitimate freedom of expression. None of us would argue in favor of having holdup-men shoot grocery clerks, but we might disagree on whether a specific law restricting handgun ownership would increase or diminish the possibility of that happening.

Even when we are agreed on identifying evils, we must be careful in prescribing a specific solution as the Christian solution because the problem may be very complicated in its nature and in its response to specific remedies.

Christians should apply Christian principles and sound thinking to public policy as best they can, but with a proper degree of humility concerning the remedies that they suggest. We need to find the balance between thinking we can reform the world by legislation and withdrawing into a shell and letting the world go its way.

Although we should seek good laws, we realize that civil laws will never conform to the standards which God’s moral law sets for us. Even when civil law is lax, we must always guide our conduct by God’s law. Even the best civil laws will never produce the kind of morality that God desires. None of this causes us to despair. Even when the standards of society crumble, we have a sure foundation to build on.

Today, many are echoing the despairing question addressed to David, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” It is important that we remember his answer, “The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold. His eyelids test the sons of men. The upright shall behold his face” (Ps. 11).

No matter how much indulgent rulers, lax laws, and vile sinners undermine the foundations of God’s moral law, this truth still stands, “God’s solid foundation stands sure, sealed with this inscription: the Lord knows those that are his, and everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness” (II Tim. 2:19).

Source: WELS.net Question and Answer section

Koehler's A Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Holy Scriptures, part 3

Koehler writes,

It is not our business to sit in judgment on what we have learned to be the plain sense of the Bible text, accepting what agrees, and rejecting what does not agree with our personal views and rationalizations. This judicial or critical use of human reason is absolutely out of place with respect to divine truths. Where God has spoken, the right of private judgment ceases. (2 Cor. 10:5) We must take the words of the Scriptures in the sense and meaning they convey; we may not add thereto nor take away anything from it (Deut. 4:2), nor corrupt the Word of God by putting our own meaning into the text (2 Cor. 2:17). We must, therefore, not "correct" the Scriptures according to our ideas and logical deductions, but we must correct our thoughts and ideas according to the Scriptures.

An entire blog could be created based on examples of the modern church "correcting" scripture, but it would be depressing to keep focusing on that! The one example that comes to my mind is how my former Lutheran synod went to great lengths to justify the ordination of women. In the end, it was just a twisting of scripture to meet desires. It doesn't have to make sense to me that God has ordained that women serve in other roles and not as pastors. I can accept that God knows what He is doing.

Koehler's A Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Holy Scriptures, pt 2

If we wish to convey our thoughts to a person, we must do so in a language he understands. Because the Word of God was intended for human beings to learn and to know, it was necessary that it be revealed in words of human language, intelligible to human minds. The Word of God does not work like a magic formula which need not be understood, but we must learn and know what it means (emphasis mine). In searching the Scriptures we must, therefore, use our knowledge of language and grammar, us the faculties of our mind to discover the sense and meaning of what we read, and we may then formulate our findings into doctrinal statements, or creeds, as we do in the Confessions of our Church. Such instrumental use of our mental faculties is proper and necessary if we would know the Scriptures.

We must learn and know what it means....For me, this sentence illustrates the change in my own life over the last few years. Although I was a Christian and I believed that the Bible was God's inspired word, it did not mean much to me in my daily life beyond a list of do's and do not's. People I knew would "claim" Bible verses and memorize them (out of context) in hopes it would come true in their lives. I still know people who do this and I have NEVER seen it work. My goal now is to know scripture and to understand what it means in context of the passage, chapter and book.

Koehler's A Summary of Christian Doctrine: The Holy Scriptures

Before it is possible to determine what is to be regarded as Christian doctrine, it is necessary to agree on the source from which such doctrine is to be drawn, and on the norm by which it must be judged; otherwise it is impossible to reach an agreement.

No one can tell us what God wants us to believe and to do but God Himself. (1 Cor. 2:9-11). Therefore our knowledge of God and of His will toward us can be derived from no other source than from God's own Word. (Is. 8:19-20) This Word of God must also be the norm and criterion according to which teachings and teachers are to be judged. (John 8: 31-32) and (1 Peter 4:11)

The Lutheran Confessions, therefore, state: We believe, teach and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with all teachers should be estimated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone. (Triglot, p. 777)

My thoughts: It is no wonder that confessional Lutheran churches simply cannot join with most other churches in matters of faith. It's not that we don't want to; we cannot out of adherence to scripture.

An introduction never made...

Watch this video on YouTube. Blair Wingo does a great job of explaining what is NOT Jesus today. She claims, in her gentle rapping style, that she will re-introduce us to Jesus, but she never quite gets there. What she does is reinforce God's Law, but she doesn't get to the gospel. Not surprising to me, thought, because the Gospel is often missing in evangelical-style evangelism today. But, the Law alone, as preached by Moses in the 10 Commandments, cannot save without being preached along with the good news that Jesus died to pay for our sins because we are incapable of keeping God's Law, incapable of saving ourselves...and incapable of recognizing who Jesus is! Only the Holy Spirit can plant that seed of faith in us when God's Word is proclaimed. Let's hope that her stylistic rap was followed by someone who preached the gospel.

Thanks to Extreme Theology for pointing me to this video!

An old goodbye...

Going through an old computer this morning, I found the letter I wrote to my former church. I think I wrote it one year (5-5-04) after leaving Calvary Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. I hope I sent it. I honestly don't remember.

I am writing to formally notify you that our family has joined King of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Golden Valley. This church is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. I hope that you will be interested in knowing the reasons for our desire to leave Calvary Lutheran Church and the ELCA.

1. The lack of depth of the youth confirmation program. I greatly value the true confirmation program I participated in under Pastor Nelson in the 1970’s. As a confirmation leader two years ago, I was shocked to learn that we would never formally study Luther’s teachings or memorize key scripture and confessions.

2. The very blatant anti-war sentiment put forth by the pastors, especially Pastor Lynn and the refusal to pray for our local and national elected leaders and citizens serving in the military;

3. The ELCA stance on many matters, including exploring the acceptance of homosexuality and women serving as pastors.

4. Calvary’s pronounced leaning toward evangelical and reformed doctrines through seminars, congregational programs (Maxwell, Schueller, Hybels and others) and Sunday school curriculum.

I am no pastor and would not be able to adequately debate any of these issues with you. I can only tell you that I have searched for a scripturally-sound Christian church for the past 20 years and have finally found a true home in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.

This decision was at least two years in the making and I had many conversations about it with several pastors and leaders. Calvary was my home since 1972 and I shed quite a few tears at the point I knew I had to separate myself from your teachings. I am quite sure that, beyond a polite “We will miss you.”, our family will not be missed because Calvary is headed away from biblical truths and into a state of constantly fluctuating beliefs not founded in inerrant scripture. I personally know of two other families who have left for these very same reasons and one other that is currently considering leaving.

Reformation Sunday

I love Reformation Sunday! I walk in and see the large red folder containing the outline of the familiar long service. Everyone knows to allow an extra half hour. The music is concert quality, though always God-focused and not focused on the performers. Our Senior Choir and Handbell Choir always present something wonderfully beautiful and liturgical. The basic service outline is familiar, though a little longer than usual: invocation, hymns, responsive reading, confession and absolution (my favorite!), various readings, children's message, a good law and gospel sermon, offering, prayers, blessing. Each hymn is tied in to Luther somehow, which is fitting for the day. The sermon ties in Luther. Again, all normal to me. Although I love this service, I must confess that I don't understand why we do some of the things we do in a worship service.


The mention of the Reformation in prayer makes me slightly uncomfortable, but its really not inappropriate. I guess I figure that although God was definitely honored in Luther's Reformation and His church was most definitely reformed, I can't picture God focusing on the day Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses. I mean, I think every day should be reformation day. In the Confession and Absolution, we read aloud Luther's Explanation of the Ten Commandments. Yeah, the whole thing just like your confirmand did. Now, as a confessional Lutheran I love it, but part of me wonders what a visitor would think. Shame on me! But are we done? No! After the each lesson, we state Luther's Explanation of the Apostle's Creed. Again, the whole thing. After the Lord's Prayer, we recite Luther's explanation of it. The whole thing. Very educational, but it just doesn't seem worshipful to me.

Despite my reservations, I do enjoy our church's Reformation Day service. I even willingly went twice this year - on Sunday morning and again on Monday night to bring my working nephew to God's Word. I just think that we should put signs up on the door advising visitors advising that we only do this once a year. I just can't shake the impression that it is very un-Lutheran to focus on Luther throughout the service. We only do it once a year, so I can live with it.

King of Grace Reformation Day Service 2008

The Invocation
Opening Anthem - Thy Strong Word (Senior Choir)
Responsive Reading
Anthem - Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word (ELH #589)
Confession and Absolution
Anthem - Built on the Rock (ELH #211)
Old Testament Lesson - Jeremiah 31:31-34
Epistle Reading - Romans 3:19-28
Gospel Reading - John 8:31-36
Children's Message
Sermon Hymn - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (ELH #250)
Sermon - Our Lutheran Heritage - Our Christian Heritage (based on John 8:31-32)
Offering and Registration while Handbell Choir plays Variations on Ein Feste Burg
Prayers
The Lord's Prayer
Closing Hymn - God's Word is Our Great Heritage
Blessing

Sermon highlights:

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31 & 32

Hold to my teaching:

• King of Grace has been in existence for 38 years, longer when you factor in the two congregations who joined to create it.
• Consider our ancestors who passed on Christian heritage to us.
• Much of modern Lutheranism bears little resemblance to what we teach and confess in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. For the future, it is up to us to maintain sound doctrine for future generations.
• Luther himself didn't want others to call the church "Lutheran", but the name stuck anyway. Luther merely returned the church to its roots - we are dead in our sins and salvation comes by grace alone through truth alone. He made it clear to others that the doctrine was not his and that he had not been crucified for anyone
• Lutheran heritage and Christian heritage are equal; they are the same.

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

What did you see when you looked in the mirror this morning? Did you see a sagging face, gray hair, no hair or even hair in the wrong places? Do you still feel, like I do, that you are that 18 year old looking in the mirror and wondering what in the world happened? What changed? When I look in the mirror, as a child of God, I see the robe of Christ's righteousness wrapped around me.

I've always hated changes. At least that is what I've always told myself. What I hate, or dread (a more accurate term) is anticipating change. The actual change isn't usually as bad as I dreaded...and sometimes is actually fun or exhilarating. Then afterward, there's the typical thought, "Well, that wasn't so bad." or "I'm so glad things changed."

My life this past year has been so full of changes. A year ago, I had a (seemingly) healthy back, a sick body, 30 extra pounds of fat, a child who walked way too close to the line (actually stepping over the line would be more accurate), an illusion of freedom from sin...the list goes on and wouldn't make sense to many. Now, one year later, I am mostly recovered from surgery, coping with moderate back concerns, 30 pounds lighter, witnessing a child making some really good choices, and now very aware of my sin nature (though fully clothed as a saint thanks to Christ).

I'm am fully moved into the stage of life where I feel very vulnerable to unexpected changes. So many people I know have failing marriages, failing dreams and failing health. I'm only 47! What will it be like when I'm in my 60's? Yet, despite all that I could worry about, I have so much to be thankful for. For most people, its not death we fear; we fear life. I was reminded this morning that we don't enter the cemetery to stay there. We merely pass through...like a tunnel.

Today's sermon was about thankfulness and sainthood, based on Psalm 30:4. Pastor Ekhoff asked, "Did you see a saint in the mirror this morning?" He reminded us that we are saints through Jesus Christ, along with those saints already in heaven. We saints are one fellowship. That's a comforting thought.

Psalm 30

1 I will exalt you, O LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2 O LORD my God, I called to you for help
and you healed me.

3 O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.

4 Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.

5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.

8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9 "What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10 Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

God is God and we are not

Words of wisdom from a young man...

It saddens me how so many congregations "chip away" at the rich history of Lutheran liturgy and worship and conform to the ever-increasing popular "seeker services" - and this is occurring to services with traditional music. Confession and Absolution is spoken by the Pastor in a way not to "confuse" unchurched guests. The "Bible reading" takes the place of Scripture readings of Law and Gospel. The sermon is turned into how Jesus can help you. Communion is an act. This list goes on.

It doesn't happen overnight. It doesn't happen through the efforts of one. It happens through Pastors that seek "better ways" to "connect with the lost" and forget the teachings that they confessed to vowed to uphold in their ordinations. It happens to through congregational members who forget or put aside the dear teachings of Luther's Small and Large Catechisms in favor on figuring out ways to grow their church.

It happens by forgetting that God is God and we are not. Christians are to come together on Sunday to worship God - not to attend a seminar on how to understand their life and how God can make it better. The timeless truths of Scripture and God's plan for us is revealed, but it is out of thankfulness for what He has done and humility and reverence and awe for the most powerful timeless loving being in the universe that we come together to worship Him! Liturgy - speaking, singing, chanting the words of God himself as revealed in Scripture. How can man speak more truthfully than with the word of God himself? How can man's feeling - sinful as he is, even as a new creation- be more reverent than the Word from which the universe sprang into being.

Just the ranting of a young Elder that wants to change his church. Thanks for listening.

For myself, I will never forget the relief of coming to a worship service where God comes to me, first and foremost. No longer do I need to come to church with my game face on - dressed well, happy, perfect children, sins neatly under control (not that I don't try to do that, in Christ, already). I now come to church to be reminded of my hopeless condition, then immediately being led through confession of my sins and be a recipient of the good news that I have been forgiven. My liturgical church service is a reflection of God, in that it is about what God has done for me in love because I am His child and am helpless to save myself. From that firm foundation, I am able to approach God with my singing and praise.

Borrowed in full from Cyberbrethren's excellent post on fear of liturgy, Lutheran Worship: Old School ... Too Roman Catholic? Thoughts on Lutheranism and Liturgy.

Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

Lately, I've been listening to a hauntingly beautiful song from The Dream Academy's album, Somewhere in the Sun. I went to great length's to get the song on my iPod. The song was never released in the U.S., so I bought a CD on eBay from someone in London and waited to receive it in the mail. How quaint and yet thoroughly modern.

My favorite cut's title is somewhat embarrassing to me: please please please let me get what I want. Why is it embarrassing to me? Well, for obvious and very grown up reasons, right? I mean, we know that adults aren't supposed to go around begging and demanding like children to get their wishes granted by someone more in charge than they are. We NEVER say things like, "Oh, PLEASE let me get what I want!" aloud, do we? I think, if we are honest, most of us admit to at least thinking like that once in a while. On another level, I've been wondering if it is scriptural for me to ask God, "Please let me get what I want." It could be a prayer. The sentiment certainly is honest and probably echoes many people's thoughts, especially those of us who've suffered more often than not in our lives.

Sinners that we are by nature, we have no right to expect anything from God, let alone that he should hear and answer the requests we make of him. But through the atoning work of Jesus, we have received full access to the “throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). To pray on the basis of who Jesus is and what he has done for us is to “pray in Jesus name.”

When we pray in Jesus’ name, God not only promises to hear us; Jesus says that we will actually receive whatever we ask (John 16:23, Matthew 7:7-11, Matthew 21:22). Of course, we will leave it to God in his wisdom to decide exactly when and how to answer us. Sometimes his answer appears not to match our request exactly. But even then we always receive more and better things than we ask for. Jesus’ promise is always kept.

For us Christians, the problem is never a lack of willingness to hear us on God’s part. At times, however, it is inattention to prayer on our part, or a weak and shaky confidence that God really does hear and answer (Luke 18:8). The rich promises that God attaches to prayer in his Word will strengthen our confidence and move us to pray confidently and often. (From WELS.net)

According to Wikipedia...

Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want was a cover version recorded in 1984 by The Dream Academy. The instrumental version of the song is the better known cover version, since it was used in the film Ferris Bueller's Day Off (during the Art Gallery scene) along with "The Edge of Forever". The single wasn't originally included in their debut album, The Dream Academy but later appeared on the compilation album, Somewhere in the Sun... Best of the Dream Academy.

The art gallery scene in the movie has long been one of my favorite movie scenes. I think the music had much to do with it, along with the wonderful art pieces at my favorite art museum, The Art Institute of Chicago. Time and money aside, I would spend one day a month in that museum...for the rest of my time on earth....with this song playing on my iPod:

"Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want"

Good times for a change.
See the luck I've had
Would make a good man turn bad.
So please, please, please
Let me, let me, let me
Let me get what I want...
This time.

Haven't had a dream in a long time.
See, the life I've had would make a good man bad.
So for once in my life
Let me get what I want.
Lord knows it would be the first time.

Watch the Music video on YouTube

The responsiblity of a preacher and of a congregation

To those false prophets God says:

“You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:2)

To congregations who listen to false prophets, God says:

16 Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“ Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you.
They make you worthless;
They speak a vision of their own heart,
Not from the mouth of the LORD.
17 They continually say to those who despise Me,
‘ The LORD has said, “You shall have peace”’;
And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say,
‘ No evil shall come upon you.’”
18 For who has stood in the counsel of the LORD,
And has perceived and heard His word?
Who has marked His word and heard it?
19 Behold, a whirlwind of the LORD has gone forth in fury—
A violent whirlwind!
It will fall violently on the head of the wicked.
20 The anger of the LORD will not turn back
Until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart.
In the latter days you will understand it perfectly.
21 “ I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran.
I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied.

(Jeremiah 23:16-21)


These words should be heeded by any Christian. I pray that my own synod's men heed these words.

Contemporary worship as idolatry?

On adopting "contemporary" practices in worship...

Contemporary/Alternative/non-liturgical worship is not a new invention. Short-sighted pastors and congregations get all excited about what a tool such non- or anti-liturgical worship could be for outreach and education.

In 1920, Bjug Harstad, then President of the Norwegian Synod wrote:

"The unclarity, lukewarmness and liberalism of the times are dangerous because several harmful things follow from them. Because people do not stress the heart's inner life of faith and heartfelt appropriation of God's undeserved grace and gifts, the forgiveness of sin, life and salvation through faith alone without the deeds of the law, then no particular desire to dwell much with the doctrine of God's essence, attributes, grace and the Means of Grace, is felt, but mostly the need for cooperating in the externals. Meetings and talks revolve then most around practical things, man's own undertakings, often completely ordinary worldly business which sometimes is praised as Christians' deeds of love, while a precise exposition of one or another important doctrine would produce disturbance and disagreement. Must I ask if such church work is anything other than idolatry before God? Read on...

Drowning myself daily...

To write Drowning Myself Daily as the title of my post makes me feel like I'm borrowing someone's excellent blog title, but the very visual description of drowning one's self daily can be traced a bit further back to Martin Luther. Recently, the WELS Q&A site addressed this concept:

The familiar words and imagery used by Luther may be found in his Small Catechism, under "Fourth" in the exposition of Baptism. Most if not all youth confirmands in Lutheran churches memorize the words, so it is indeed familiar. For additional information, one may ponder Romans 6:1-15, which Luther refers to in the Catechism.

John's call to "Repent" for the "forgiveness of sins" is first of all a call to repentance in the wide sense, including both contrition and faith in Jesus as one's Savior. Whenever the forgiveness of sins is connected to repentance, faith as well as contrition is involved. John indeed proclaimed both law and gospel, exposing sins and identifying the person and work of the Savior. That was his task and is our task, to preach God's Word, law and gospel.

John's call to "Repent" for the "forgiveness of sins" is secondly NOT a command for anyone to do anything by his or her own power. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that no sinful human being can repent on his own. No one can come to Jesus except by God's power (John 6:37, 44) . That's why we often use a term like "gospel imperative" for this kind of speech. It is a command or an invitation that carries with it the ability for the listener to respond. It is comparable to other divine commands like "Let there be light" or "Let the land produce vegetation" (Genesis 1) or "Lazarus, come out!" (John 11) or "In the name of Jesus Christ, walk!" (Acts 3). The command itself supplies the power and moves the person to do what is desired by God.

...What part is our action? To proclaim God's Word, law and gospel, to point ourselves and others to the reality and seriousness of sin and the reality and greatness of pardon through the unconditional gospel, and to call each other to repentance in God's name. What part is God's action? To work true sorrow for sin and true reliance on Jesus Christ in the human heart, and to preserve that miracle of repentance in the human heart.

In my journey as a human and as a Christian, I have struggled with what is my part and what is God's part. In the past few months, I have been wrestled with what I wish was a final step but is more likely just a next step in my journey to heaven.

My many years as an Evangelical taught me a very bad habit. The continual emphasis on my works as the way of salvation, apparently, deeply ingrained in me the idea that I am impervious to certain things, certain behaviors, certain temptations. For example, I would see someone in the church or community who was suffered the result of some sin, such as a crime, or lying (the outward act of lying) or murder or adultery (the list could go on forever), and I'd dismiss that person as an unrepentant sinner. Because I was "saved", I believed that such a circumstance would never happen to me. The spirit of God resided in me because I had asked Him. This was my protection. My faith was actually in myself and it worked...for a while.

It's easy to be full of ideals in your teens and twenties. Everything seems black and white in those days of clarity before a career, spouse and kids. I was right and whomever disagreed with me was wrong, from religion to politics to diet. What I didn't count on is that I would change as I aged. What I didn't count on was that, just perhaps, my so-called clarity was really a near- blind rigidity based on fear of the unknown and poor theological underpinnings. What I didn't count on was that any Christian is capable of any sin, particular ones he or she thinks would never occur.

In equal rigidity, perhaps, it is easy for me to blame that fear of the unknown on a poor education. My parents gave me the best, in their minds. I got the basic suburban high school education and a state college teaching degree. I received a typical ELCA confirmation and then attended various IVCF activities in college. I read scripture often...more often than most college students, I'm sure. Still, my lack of a strong Christian education made me easy prey for many false teachings through the years. Like a Christian not being able to fall into certain sins.

Today, the only thing I know I can do for certain is to drown myself daily in my baptism.

The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

First.

What is Baptism?--Answer.

Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

Which is that word of God?--Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Secondly.

What does Baptism give or profit?--Answer.

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God? Answer.

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Thirdly.

How can water do such great things?--Answer.

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

Fourthly.

What does such baptizing with water signify?--Answer.

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?--Answer.

St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.