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Theology
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Posted At: 8:37pm by Rachel Engebretson
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As a popular comedian, Dane Cook has caused a considerable stir among college crowds. His often vulgar jokes and references can be a representation of how this particular age group views the world. He makes several references to his Catholic faith; one joke he tells on stage surrounds the idea of the Eucharist, describing how the priest “makes snacks” during service. He then mentioned how he would like to package this snack:”Start each day out the holy way, with Christ Chex, it's a miracle in a bowl. Just open the box and you hear ‘AHHHHH’....and then a little angel flies out and says, 'Good morning, life is beautiful!’”
Of course, Dane Cook’s joke on the “snacks” during communion is a poor and somewhat insulting depiction of a very sacred sacrament, although this disrespect for the elements is by all means on the extreme end. We would hope that through instruction within the Lutheran church, all members would fully respect the sacrament. However, is there a trend within the Lutheran church to allow more laxity within the distribution? As a result, does increased disrespect naturally follow?
There was a discussion in Bible class last Sunday over Article XXII in the Augsburg Confession: “Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament.” The article refutes an ancient tradition of laity receiving one kind, the bread, during communion while only priests were able to partake of the blood. Of course, this doctrinal issue is clearly against scripture. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul writes specifically about congregations receiving both kinds. The disciples during the Last Supper also received both Jesus’ body and blood.
While this is clearly a doctrinal issue, it is interesting to note how some congregations are divided over non-doctrinal issues regarding the Lord’s Supper, i.e. the use of individual cups, or red wine vs. white wine. Since Christ instituted the sacrament in a certain fashion, Lutherans have followed suit. The use of the literal “is” in the words of institution are the basis surrounding the mystery of the bread and wine being body and blood without attached rituals or symbolism. The use of wine in the traditional meal is used instead of grape juice. The body is distributed before the blood. These are only a handful of examples exercised directly since the first meal. We can distinguish very simply what is correct and what is not by what the Bible tells us; beyond this, it is unnecessary and probably even foolish to speculate further.
The right and wrong of the sacrament of the altar are very different from respect, however. Respect for the supper as it is and as close to how Christ instituted it can be difficult to uphold and maintain within laity circles who forgot most of their instruction. To a common layperson, it is a logical no-brainer to use disposable individual cups for the sake of convenience. They are told that no matter what vessel the elements are in, they remain unchanged. If this is the case, why not use disposable individual cups? Some pastors are up in arms about this. It’s a matter of respect, not doctrine.
If respect for the sacrament is most critical, by all means, the greater spectrum of disrespect within Lutheran denominations should be considered. What about the very fellowship we have with the sacrament? Even within the LCMS, many people cannot feel comfortable communing in some parishes affiliated with their denomination because they exercise open communion, or the practice allowing any believer in Jesus Christ to come to the table. If the fundamental issue of a person’s confession with their synod at the altar is at stake, the fact that the blood of Christ is being distributed in a chalice or individual cups becomes a null debate.
As congregations, we need to recognize and act on this disconcerting movement. The very basic of beliefs and practices need to be reviewed. The sacrament is not a mere church dinner; there are no committees to be formed or sign-up sheets to be passed around. The examination of the Lord’s Supper is a critical aspect to even our salvation. Are we to make a confession at the table that we accept heresy or blatant sin? Continuing on 1 Corinthians 11, we are warned not to eat or drink of the sacrament in a non-worthy manner, without first examining ourselves. This is not a sacrament to be taken lightly, and neither should our faith.
Respect flows from discernment. When the proper learning takes place, we can wrestle with practices unrelated to doctrine. However, Lutheran churches within every synod are becoming increasingly more lax in their communion practices. Within any synod, a division is increasingly evident as many members cannot be in fellowship with certain parishes at the table. The unity and identity of individual synods is cracking. The damage will continue until it becomes almost impossible to determine any difference between Lutherans and more evangelical denominations. If any parish has conviction left, have the backbone to draw the line for the preservation of the doctrine we hold precious for a reason.
Edited on: March 05th, 2008 10:11 pm
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Posted At: 2:31pm by Rachel Engebretson
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Rarely does theology enter into very secular classes at a very secular university, and when it does, it usually ends up a train wreck. I was a little surprised, then, when my English professor starting making valid points about Mark 1:40-42, the healing of the leper.
First of all I wondered, how did he get away with even mentioning the Bible at school, let alone quoting it, putting it up on a projector, and then discussing it extensively?
It left me intrigued.
I suppose background information is in order: we are right now analyzing the “deep thinkers” in history: Aristotle, the Dalai Lama. Right now the topic is compassion. It makes sense that he would choose this passage to illustrate compassion. It even says it right in the story; Jesus had compassion on the leper and healed him.
My professor’s point was that Jesus did not so much heal the man as he did alleviate the alienation he had from the rest of his community. This is true. Lepers in Jesus’ time were unable to be near “normal” people without loud bells and hand gloves.
I started taking it a step further. Does it not make sense that the righteousness we receive from God is a compassion, the Father sending his only Son to the cross and heaping our sinful pain onto him as a response to the awareness of imminent death for his beloved sinful creatures? We are then reconciled with a God that could be rightly angry with us. Christ’s death removed the alienation from our Lord.
In this way, we too could be seen as the leper. What sorry creatures we are, fundamentally. Thankfully, Christ opened himself up to our suffering, the very definition and personification of compassion, and relieved it in a way no one else could.
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Posted At: 1:56pm by Rachel Engebretson
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Sometimes blogging is difficult because there is really nothing substantial to say. Material did conveniently present itself, however, after I read an article from an issue of a Christian magazine.
The article had pictures of lima beans everywhere. The purpose of the article was to warn the reader that the Christian gospel was very bland and uninteresting, like a lima bean, and was in danger of being ineffective to the unbeliever if not presented in an attractive way. The author went on to describe Christians as being perceived by the general public as too rigid, not allowing the gospel to reach every unique person.
Reading this with a Lutheran mind brings up some red flags immediately. The Spirit working through God’s Word isn’t good enough, so we have to pick up the bland and uninteresting slack? We know we don’t have the power to do so in any capacity. Also, who determined that the Gospel is bland? Is it supposed to be tasty, conforming to a sinful world?
We see examples of this in our churches everywhere from people who, fundamentally, have decent intentions. Jesus said, “Go now and make disciples of all nations…” and for many, the goal has been reached when every pew is full every Sunday. That would be nice, of course, but what really happens is there are lots of empty spots in the pews and eventually you wind up in a voter’s meeting when the budget is presented and the church isn’t making the cut. The instinctual reaction when this occurs is to then blame the church, as if the Gospel is too uninteresting for others and this is the sole reason as to why they don’t worship. The result, then, is to change the worship service to conform around modern taste, often cutting parts of the liturgy entirely and introducing simple, catchy music and generic messages in its place.
Question: If this is the solution, why do so many churches incorporating these techniques continue to have empty pews?
Answer: It doesn’t work.
Altering the Gospel message in any way is dangerous and counterproductive. The righteousness of Christ through faith is a very interesting concept. Your personal salvation is, in no way, bland. Why taint the essence of this truth with lots of Law and misleading messages? The problem here is that the Gospel rejects, or even better, repels the sinful nature which thinks it has the ability to call the shots.
I’ve noticed that by being on several campus churches that this is can be a very difficult ministry. When most of your members are in their early 20’s, it can be tempting to then custom-make your service to fit their stereotyped desires. Men and women in their early 20’s, though, do have the same fears and need for forgiveness as the men and women in their early 60’s. The beauty of the Gospel is that it applies to everyone regardless of age, and there is nothing we have to do to change it to fit teenagers, hippies, middle-aged crises, or anyone else.
While traditional liturgy can be perceived by some as very archaic, it is, by far, the most comforting to the sinner. When facing the painful hardships of life, or even facing death, the Christian can do so with confidence - not because of his or her own strengths, but the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the gifts of forgiveness through the Sacraments, and that is far from bland.
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Posted At: 6:42pm by Rachel Engebretson
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We’re Lutherans. It’s only natural for us to feel a bit special. It’s not Catholics and Protestants, it’s Lutherans…and everyone else. If you belong to a particular denomination, this generalization might stretch to even those of other Lutherans. It might be Lutheran Church Missouri Synod…and everyone else. Of course, any other denomination equally applies to adopting this logic.
The clincher is not particularly who may be more theologically correct. It may simply be the way a Christian advertises the truth to the world. I find myself cringing more at a bubbly charismatic Pentecostal than an atheist at times. Is it possibly because, as a Lutheran, I feel the Pentecostal does more damage to the Christian faith than an atheist? How is the Lutheran approach to the Gospel and evangelism superior or even critical to reaching non-believers?
If we’re looking for a particular component that sets Lutheranism apart from other mainline denominations, starting at the Law/Gospel distinction is helpful. From our perspective, the distinction is simple. In its most basic definition, Law is everything we do, and Gospel is everything Christ does for us. However, remembering other Christians may not necessarily perceive Law/Gospel the same way can be important in recognizing the underlying flaws in evangelism approach.
While observing law-oriented Christians, one might notice how incredibly happy they are all the time. The youthful spring they are drunk on is “God.” Inserting the word “God” somewhere in any sentence can be both exuberant and annoying: “I am so full with God today.” “I am in love with God.” In the same way, the word “Jesus” can also be used frequently and in statements of positive excitement. Gospel as what “Christ does for us” quickly turns into a concept of unconditional love. While this is certainly an example of grace, the status of man’s inability to do anything is not taken into account when discussing the Gospel. There is no use for the Gospel, indeed, the Gospel is nonexistent without our need for a savior. God is certainly praised by Christians as omniscient or all-powerful, and if this is the case, why must man be doing so much to continue the happiness they enjoy from their religion?
The charismatic techniques in both evangelism and youth organizations may seem almost foolproof. In youth situations, normal teenagers from a variety of backgrounds actually want, by their own omission, to go to Bible study and engage in all the other fun activities which come after. They choose to devote their lives to “God,” who, in turn, gives some helpful advice on how to live those lives. If the afore mentioned is reaching young people, many youth leaders wonder why they can’t integrate the same approach into their own groups. Youth are consequently underestimated in their capacity to learn theology, and anything deemed too “stiff” or “confusing” is not taught. Thus, while youth are learning how to accept Jesus and be a good person, there is no insurance for the times they sin, doubt, or fear - outside of finding help within themselves.
Every once in awhile, a documentation of a dangerous cult leader emerges in the news. The background of some leaders lies in affiliation with a mainline or non-denominational Christian organization, and some have even been Christian leaders. While their history and evolution into the occult is certainly disconcerting, what’s most frightening is how people are fooled into thinking the former Christian leader’s cult may offer some of the same Christian dynamics.
How can the lines be blurred so easily? The first thought that comes to mind is one of the main complaints from atheists: How can you be so sure your religion is the truth, if every other one is the same, just with different interpretations? If a person grows up under the impression that Christianity is good-life philosophy, the basis of faith is not set apart from other religions.
We have before us the reality of life versus death. It occurs for every human being, at any time, everywhere. How does one deal with this often painful realization of eventual death? Do we work as hard as we can to make a difference in the world before we die? Even atheists think this. Do we hope that somehow we’ll get to heaven, if we’re good enough? Even Muslims think this. Do we want a paradise on earth, and will pick and choose verses out of context from the Bible to make us feel better? Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses think this. It’s all subjective, and all about what we can shell out.
The common denominator is earth, what we’re familiar with, and our surroundings. We have no experience in heavenly affairs. We’ve never been there. It’s barely explainable in any language. It must be too good to be true. But it isn’t.
Christianity has a lot going for it. Christ is a God who saves, and does not expect personally achieved salvation. He is a savior, not an overseer. He is a judge, not a coach. He sees the righteous clothed in Christ, not from the number of times they donated to charity.
Certainly, as Lutherans, we teach a Gospel-rich, Christ-alone theology. How is the message being proclaimed to a sinful world?
I’ve heard the illustration of a young boy, a pastor’s kid, playing in his father’s office while he wrote a sermon. Realizing he didn’t have his study Bible next to him, the pastor asked his son if he would go retrieve it from the next room. After several minutes, the pastor wondered what was taking so long. He walked into the next room, noticing his son reduced to tears, sitting next to the book. “What’s wrong?” the pastor asked. “The book is too heavy,” the boy explained. “I can’t lift it.” The pastor then carried both his son and the book, and walked back into his office.
As humans, we’re a lot like the little boy. We’re helpless. It’s Christ who paid the price, and does the hard part. The stripping of all worth makes us realize what faith really means…
…and why Christians must be different.
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Posted At: 9:36pm by Rachel Engebretson
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Grace and peace to you this Advent season.
Next to Lent, Advent is my favorite season of the church year. Admittedly, it’s a bit flashy, with bright colors and cheer and joy and happiness and lots and lots of frosted cookies.
I was driving home last night, thinking of what to write about Advent. As usual, I was paranoid while driving, thinking at any given second a deer would fly out of the woods and take a torpedo nose-dive into my windshield. It was typical northern Wisconsin weather: dark at 4 PM, snow caking everything, icy roads, and fog on top of everything else. I was scared. But I didn’t have to be, for Christ was with me and will be forever.
The word Advent means “come” or “coming.” Indeed, this is not a past tense verb for our Lord, although during Christmas, we hear the story about the nativity which was an event in history. This was an innocent child born in the most humiliating way, and still God in human flesh. Someday, the child would grow up to redeem the world of sin voluntarily by means of crucifixion. In Isaiah it is appropriately worded, “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter…” Why must a baby be born in the world if He is doomed to die? But Christ was no ordinary human. He suffered unimaginable pain on our behalf, and yet rose on the third day after His death. Only God is that powerful and loving.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Christ comes to us helpless sinners and we receive Him. A great model of this helplessness is a human infant, unable to speak or act on their own behalf. And yet Christ, in His infinite wisdom, comes to the baptized and gives to them a most precious gift: The Holy Spirit. He or she is claimed by Christ. Christ has come to them.
“Take eat, this is my body. Take drink, this is my blood.” We are invited by Christ to His table, and he gives us His very own body and blood. We receive forgiveness, without end and without payment from us. Christ looks on us, clothed in His righteousness, and loves us. Christ comes to us at His feast.
“I am coming soon.” Through His Holy Word, we learn and are reminded that He is always with us, and will come again. Next time, he won’t be a baby grown up to die. Sin is already dead. What comes next is our direct route to heaven, and the end of a mixed-up world. Christ, transcending time, comes to us.
Jesus told his disciples, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). It might have been helpful, at the time of my drive, to remember that my life is eternally sealed in heaven. Nothing on earth, regardless of what happens, should ever matter compared to my eternal salvation in faith.
Okay, so I enjoy the cushy aspects of Christmas, with cheer and good will and yes, even the snow. I enjoy the decorations and listening to Christmas carols. I enjoy the blue paraments, and watching the culture war over Christ in Christmas. Christians are on edge around this season, along with being excited over the holiday. Yes, Christmas has been secularized, and Santa is no Jesus. Christians urge everyone to especially remember the “Christ” in “Christmas”…But stop there. The agitated hype around the church vs. commercial world is certainly a good way to increase awareness of the good news, but Christ comes always, not just at Christmas. Christ gives his gifts without restraint.
I support, then, the enjoyment of everything traditional about Christmas. It’s wonderful to be closer to family and friends, and to have that extra hair of increased happiness. Know always that Christ is continually with you, presenting you with priceless treasures of forgiveness, love, and life forever.
Come, Lord Jesus.
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