is ou ! .L e e St th nc in for fere ou 22 on e y 9- s c Se ly 1 ng Ju Thi r he Hig
/ SUMMER / 2005
W W W. H I G H E RT H I N G S . O R G
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Contents T A B L E
O F
Volume 5/Number 2 • Summer 2005
FEATURES 4
Losing Stupid By Rev.Tim Pauls News about professional atheletes on steroids is commonplace these days. Do 21st century sports emphasize winning at any cost—even breaking the law? Read Pastor Pauls’ thoughts on winning, losing, and healthy competition.
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Trendy Change and the Changeless One By Elizabeth Meckler
By Rev.Todd Peperkorn
After confirmation day, what comes next for the young Christian? Pastor Peperkorn gives some important tips for the post-confirmation years.
28 The Day I Got Punched when I Dared to Be Lutheran By Rev. Paul McCain Ever been punched for standing up for the Gospel? Read Pastor McCain’s story to find out why doctrine matters.
Has Christianity been taken over by fads? Elizabeth Meckler explores Christian mass marketing as well as other “trendy” events like See You at the Pole.
COLUMNS
See You at the Pole By Stanley C. Lemon
14 MINING THE RICHES: Lord, Have Mercy! By Rev. John Bart Day
See You at the Pole has become a major back-toschool event in many communities. Is prayer at the flagpole a helpful annual ritual? Stan Lemon takes a look at this fall event.
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20 Life after Confirmation
“Salvation Unto Us Has Come” Hymn Study By Rev. Peter Lange Take a closer look at the Dare to Be Lutheran 2005 conference hymn.
10 Myths on Prayer By Rev.George F.Borghardt III Can a heartfelt prayer come from words in a hymnal? Read Pastor Borghardt’s article as he delves deeper into thoughts on prayer.
11 Majestic or Merely Mediocre? A Look at the Musical Quality of Contemporary Christian Music By Mollie Ziegler
Is mediocre music sanctified by pious lyrics? In this follow-up article on Contemporary Christian Music, Miss Ziegler takes a look at the musical quality of CCM today.
12 Etiquette Moved by Grace: Why Ceremonies Matter By Rev. David Petersen Does it really matter whether you stand or sit to shake hands? Does it matter if we have ceremonies in the way we worship? Pastor Petersen offers some insight on why ceremonies make a difference in the life of the Christian.
Pastor Day reflects on the cry of two blind men pleading with the Lord for mercy. Just who is Jesus, this merciful Savior?
16 Scared of the Dark By Kathy Luder Fear factor—Kathy Luder style! Check out Kathy’s latest installment filled with horror movies, strangers in dark cars, and facing our deepest fears.
22 Why the Pope Has Nothing on Lutherans By Dr. Gene Edward Veith In Dr. Veith’s latest column, he reflects on the new pope and the implications of the papacy on Lutheranism.
25 Ex Cathedra For the summer to ponder: college students and credit cards, the “freshman fifteen,” and abortion.
26 Pulse: Aliens and Avatars: The Christology of Science Fiction By Rev. Dan Woodring Pastor Dan Woodring takes a closer look at popular sci-fi movies and TV shows and finds echoes of Scripture in unexpected places.
30 Catechism: God’s Gift of Life By Rev.Todd Peperkorn
Pastor Peperkorn looks at issues related to the death of Terri Shiavo and God’s gift of a life worth living.
HigherThings Executive Editor REV. TODD PEPERKORN Assistant Editor JULIE STIEGEMEYER Editorial Assistant ADRIANE DORR Art Director STEVE BLAKEY
Editorial Associates REV. GEORGE BORGHARDT REV. TIM PAULS REV. DAVID PETERSEN REV. ERIK ROTTMANN
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REV. WILLIAM CWIRLA REV. BRUCE KESEMAN SANDRA OSTAPOWICH SUE PELLEGRINI REV. KLEMET PREUS JEFF SCHWARZ MOLLIE ZIEGLER REV. MARCUS ZILL Higher Things Magazine ISSN 1539-8455 is published quarterly by Higher Things Inc., 2026 22nd Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the executive editor of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2005. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at Fort Wayne, Indiana. For subscription information and questions, call 260-357-5094 or email subscriptions@higherthings.org.
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Losing T
he Pauls Family Rule of Sports goes like this: we don’t mind losing, but we hate losing stupid.
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It’s bad grammar, but here’s what it means—playing sports isn’t about winning. It’s about discipline, sportsmanship, fitness, and fun. Losing by slop or sloth is “losing stupid.” I’d rather play as hard as I can and lose than play a sloppy game and win. And I’d much rather stick to the rules and lose than cheat to win.There’s nothing worse than a tainted victory. Some will call this the “Pauls Family Rule of Dignity Preservation” since we’re not exactly Olympic athletes. Part of me suspects that “Pauls” means “lacks upper body strength,” as the typical male in my family would get snapped in half like a twig if he ever ventured onto a football field. We don’t always win. We lose quite a bit. That’s okay. My kids play sports because I want them to learn some lessons for life.You win some, you lose some. Don’t play to be the best, but to do your best. Play for the team, not for yourself. This one is really important: Never, ever determine your worth by the score at the end of the game. After all, it’s just a game. Don’t get me wrong— if you can play, I’m impressed. But there’s so much more to you than athletic ability. However, there’s always the temptation to believe you’re only worth something if you win. That’s where steroids come in. Athletics is about competition and I have no problem with that, but many athletes have turned to steroids to increase strength and power. There’s major risk involved, like getting arrested. Like girls going irreversibly bald and growing facial hair or guys developing breasts. (Now, there’s a lovely prom couple!) Like permanently stunting growth. Like uncontrollable rage. Like dying young from a heart attack or a cyst that makes your liver bleed out. Not only professional athletes use steroids. Steroids are used in college, high school, even middle school. Many think it’s worth the risk. But why? We can list some reasons.There’s greed, since the best players get the top scholarships, contracts and endorsements.There’s pride, since the star gets the
recognition and glory.There’s fear of not being the best.They’re just symptoms, though, of the false belief that your ability determines your worth. If you want one good reason not to determine your worth by sports, here it is: entropy. Everything falls apart. Even if you’re the best today, you won’t be that good for long. Michael Jordan—even without steroids— used to be unstoppable; now LeBron James can leave him in the dust. In a few years, LeBron will be history. Establishing your worth by sports is a treasure that quickly passes away, even if you play clean. Using steroids creates an inflated worth that isn’t there. It comes crashing down—if not by time, then by shame. Everything done by a player who’s juiced is tainted. Have you seen Barry Bonds or Mark McGwire smiling lately? Never determine your worth by the scoreboard or your athletic ability.The scoreboard goes dark by the end of the night, and your abilities will fail. Of course, this goes well beyond sports. Some girls are taking steroids just to try for a toned look, trying to look more like a supermodel. (A bald, bearded supermodel?) But beauty also passes away. It’s just as foolish to set your worth by singing ability, SAT scores, or sense of humor. Instead, these gifts of God can become a god that wants your worship, but leaves you dead and worthless in the end. Putting your value in things that pass away is losing stupid. Now, here’s the Good News: you have worth that
By Rev. Tim Pauls
Stupid doesn’t change. You have eternal value.“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Cor. 6:20). And God “did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all” (Rom. 8:32). You were bought at a price. God has made you worth the blood of His only-begotten Son.That’s what He has paid to set you free from sin, death, and the devil.That’s what He paid to raise you up to everlasting life where things—and you—don’t fall apart anymore.That’s what He paid to forgive you for all the times that you fall for the temptation of finding worth in yourself. Christ died. Christ is risen. He shares that victory with you, and that victory is never going to pass away. Good luck in sports. And when you sign your contract with the billion dollar bonus, remember Higher Things. And the Pauls’ Retirement Fund. If the contract never happens, fear not.You’re worth more than the world—and you’re going to outlast it, too, because you’re among those redeemed by Christ. Rev.Tim Pauls is associate pastor and acting school administrator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Boise, Idaho. He recently beat a nine-year-old in a game of “horse.” No steroids were involved. His email address is tpauls@goodshepherdboise.org.
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Trendy Change and t T
his world moves at a fast pace. One day your Tommy Hilfiger jeans are in, the next day they’re out. It seems like there’s always a new trend in the media; things are always changing. In light of all this change, we look to Christianity for a firm foundation. But lately it seems like popular Christianity is just as trenddriven as secular pop culture.
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One big trend over the last fifteen years has been “See You at the Pole,” an annual prayer meeting around school’s flagpoles. Students gather at their high schools to pray for their friends, schools, and communities.There’s nothing wrong with praying for these things. In fact, we should all pray for them! One of the problems with “See You at the Pole” is that it has become the fashionable thing to do. It is now about grandstanding and making a statement to the media rather than praying. When you go to the website, you find t-shirts, wristbands and “pole passes” for sale.You also find a section that’s specifically for journalists, complete with a history of the event and pictures of the praying students to be used in articles. Perhaps this was never the original intent of the Texan students who first prayed for their schools one night in 1990. But however you look at it, it’s not just about prayer anymore. It’s about doing the “in” thing, making a splash in the media, wearing the right merchandise. One trend that seems to have lost its popularity is the WWJD bracelet.These bracelets, which stand for “What Would Jesus Do?,” were huge when I was in high school. It seemed like everyone had one, including me. But what does this really mean? The bracelets (and key chains and necklaces, etc.) were meant to remind the wearer to think about every
action and how Jesus would act in that situation.This is a pretty hefty task. Jesus, after all, lived a perfect life. How can you or I possibly live up to that requirement? We can’t! That bracelet didn’t motivate me; it just made me feel crushed by the law. I couldn’t live up to its standards. I don’t think anyone wears WWJD bracelets anymore; they’ve been replaced with accessories from The Passion. Christian music has its ebbs and flows as well. One major trend has been modern praise and worship songs. Some of these songs are doctrinally sound and good, but some of them are fluff and stuff, the same seven words eleven times over.Yet many churches have rushed to abandon traditional liturgies and hymns and replace them with praise and worship bands, multimedia video screens, and sometimes poorly written “updated” liturgies. However, according to one of the latest issues of CCM Magazine, modern worship is out and traditional hymns are back in, so I guess those churches are out of style again. Like secular pop culture, pop Christianity is awfully fickle. In the scramble to find the next best trend, the real concern of the Church—the Gospel of Jesus Christ—can get lost.This shouldn’t be
the Changeless One By Elizabeth Meckler surprising though. As human beings, we naturally live in a world of constant change. Fashion, music, movies, life, death—everything changes. And sometimes we run after the change, seeking the next thing that will make us comfortable or cool. Sometimes change leaves us feeling tossed on a stormy sea, alone and afraid. In both of these situations, the Gospel can get lost. But thanks be to God! He has given us more than a trend; He has given us His Son to die for us. By His death, Jesus forgives us for seeking after the wrong things. He focuses our attention on an unchanging fact: His death and resurrection. We can look to that and cling to it. In it we find comfort in a changing world.The writer of Hebrews declares,“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can rest assured that even when life is constantly changing, Jesus is unchanging.
By His death and resurrection, He has given us life, salvation, and forgiveness of sins.These gifts do not pass away with passing trends, but remain for those who have faith. God has also given us the best “accessories” through which He imparts His forgiveness, gives us faith and strengthens it, and reassures us that He is unchanging.They are the means of grace: the Word and Sacraments.The Lord feeds us daily through His Word through which the Holy Spirit imparts the Gospel to us. In baptism, God places His seal upon us, making us His. We are reminded of this unchanging fact every Sunday when the pastor speaks the words of the Invocation,“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Lastly, God gives us Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion, once again giving us forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.These are unchanging gifts from God. They remind us that in a world of change only one thing remains the same: God and His unfailing love for us in Christ Jesus. Elizabeth Meckler is a member at St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel in Iowa City, IA. She is a deaconess student in the graduate program at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Her email address is elizabeth.c.meckler@gmail.com.
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Bible Study
“Salvation Unto Us Has Come”
by Rev. Peter Lange
7. Let me not doubt, but trust in Thee, Thy Word cannot be broken; Thy call rings out, "Come unto Me!" No falsehood hast Thou spoken. Baptized into Thy precious name, My faith cannot be put to shame, And I shall never perish. 8. The Law reveals the guilt of sin And makes men conscience-stricken; The Gospel then doth enter in The sinful soul to quicken. Come to the cross, trust Christ, and live; The Law no peace can ever give, No comfort and no blessing. 9. Faith clings to Jesus' cross alone And rests in Him unceasing; And by its fruits true faith is known, With love and hope increasing. Yet faith alone doth justify, Works serve thy neighbor and supply The proof that faith is living. 10. All blessing, honor, thanks, and praise To Father, Son, and Spirit, The God that saved us by His grace,All glory to His merit! O Triune God in heaven above, Who hast revealed Thy saving love, Thy blessed name be hallowed. Salvation unto Us has Come by Paul Speratus, 1484-1551 Hymn 377 • The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Rom. 3: 5 • Translated by: composite Titled: "Es ist das Heil uns kommen her" Tune: "Es ist das Heil" • German melody, c. 1400
5. Which stanzas of this hymn speak exclusively about sin and the Law of God? 6. Read aloud as many lines of the hymn as you can find that speak of the Law and sin and teach us how salvation does not come to us. 7. List some words and expressions in this hymn that teach us that our sin requires far more than a mere tune-up or little correction from God? 8. Which of the three functions of the Law is described in stanza 3 where it says, “The Law is but a mirror bright to bring the inbred sin to light that lurks within our nature”? 9. Which two stanzas of this hymn are most thoroughly descriptive of the Gospel? 10. Read aloud as many lines of the hymn as you can find that speak of Christ and the Gospel and how salvation does come to us. 11. Define and discuss briefly the following Gospel words: atone/atonement (st. 1 & 6); Redeemer (st. 1); ransom (st. 6); grace (st. 1, 6, 10). (cf.The Small Catechism on the 2nd Article of the Creed.) 12. Does this hymn speak at all about any of the sacraments? 13. What several things does stanza 9 teach us about faith? 14. According to stanza 9 is there any place at all for good works in the life of a Christian? Explain. 15. The last verse ascribes all blessing, honor, thanks, and praise to whom? 16. What do we call such a hymn stanza that ascribes praise to the Triune God? 17. What kind of actions (one physical and one verbal) are customary among Christians when singing a doxological stanza? 18. The Lutheran Hymnal lists Romans chapters 3-5 as the scriptural basis for this text. As time allows, discuss how various portions of Romans 3-5 are confessed in this hymn.
Dare to Be Lutheran Conference Hymn
6. Since Christ hath full atonement made And brought to us salvation, Each Christian therefore may be glad And build on this foundation. Thy grace alone, dear Lord, I plead, Thy death is now my life indeed, For Thou hast paid my ransom.
4. Which stanzas of this hymn speak about both the Law and the Gospel within the same stanza?
Answers:
5. Yet as the Law must be fulfilled Or we must die despairing, Christ came and hath God's anger stilled, Our human nature sharing. He hath for us the Law obeyed And thus the Father's vengeance stayed Which over us impended.
3. What two basic things must we distinguish between in order to understand the Bible?
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
4. From sin our flesh could not abstain, Sin held its sway unceasing; The task was useless and in vain, Our guilt was e'er increasing. None can remove sin's poisoned dart Or purify our guileful heart,So deep is our corruption.
2. According to the second line of the hymn, what can never secure our salvation?
7.
3. It was a false, misleading dream That God His Law had given That sinners should themselves redeem And by their works gain heaven. The Law is but a mirror bright To bring the inbred sin to light That lurks within our nature.
1. This ten verse hymn beautifully confesses how salvation comes to us. According to the opening (summary) line of the hymn, how is it that salvation comes to us?
By God’s free grace and favor. Good works. Law and Gospel; cf. the Small Catechism, Question 6. Stanzas 1, 5, 8. Stanzas 2, 3, 4. Some examples:“Good works cannot avert our doom,”“They [good works] help and save us never,” etc. Stanza 2: man, the vile offender, lost is our condition; stanza 4: our guilt was e’er increasing, none can remove…, so deep is our corruption; stanza 5: or we must die despairing. This describes the second function of the Law. See the Small Catechism, Question 77. Stanzas 6, 7. Some examples:“Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone,”“faith alone doth justify,” etc. Baptism in stanza 7. Some examples: Faith clings to Jesus’ cross, rests in Him, etc. Yes, works serve neighbor, supply proof that faith is living, etc. The Triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit. A doxology or a doxological stanza. Standing and singing “Amen” at the end.
2. What God did in His Law demand And none to Him could render Caused wrath and woe on every hand For man, the vile offender. Our flesh has not those pure desires The spirit of the Law requires, And lost is our condition.
Questions:
8. 9. 10. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17.
1. Salvation unto us has come By God's free grace and favor; Good works cannot avert our doom, They help and save us never. Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone, Who did for all the world atone; He is our one Redeemer.
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From Inside or Outside the Heart?
mazing things happen when we pray. Almighty God, who made the heavens and the earth, sits at the edge of His throne ready to tear open heaven to shower down good gifts on us. He commands us to pray and He Himself has promised to hear us. It’s really unbelievable, but it is most certainly true!
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If our Heavenly Father is going to open heaven when we speak to Him, we want good words, don’t we? What makes a good prayer? The world tells us that good prayers come from inside of us and are spontaneous and genuine. We are tempted to believe that the best prayers, after all, come from our hearts (also called “ex corde” prayers from the Latin). What happens when we pray as the world tells us? Our hearts, desperate to please God, come up with a really long, religious-sounding prayer. Usually, that prayer is centered on one thing—us! That’s often my problem when I try to “wing it” with a prayer. What comes out of my mouth is what I like to call a “we-we-we prayer.”They sound like this:“Lord, WE are so glad. . . . WE just want to thank you. . . WE praise you. ” Our prayers from the heart tend to go,“wee wee wee” all the way home! Have your ex corde prayers ever sounded like that? The Lord Jesus knows better than to leave our prayers to what’s going on in our hearts. He says,“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (St. Matthew 15:19). Maybe our hearts aren’t the best place for our prayers to come from. If I’m not to pray from my heart, where should my prayers come from? The best prayers come from outside of you.The Word comes to you from outside yourself; so do your prayers. Pray our Lord’s words back to Him. Pray the Psalms, the Lord’s
Prayer, and pray the Apostle’s Creed. What about those specific prayer requests? That’s what your prayer book is for. Did you know that your hymnal is your prayer book? It has the Psalms in it, has hymns, spiritual songs, the catechism, and even prayers.Your hymnal is full of the ancient prayers of the Church, prayers that have been prayed for thousands of years.These prayers begin with God and what He has done for us in Christ, then proclaim God’s promises, then make petitions clinging to those promises. What’s great about them? They are completely outside of you. Don’t have a hymnal? Ask your pastor for one.The hymnals weren’t designed to sit in the pews all week.They were made for you to have with you in your home, to use, to sing, to praise God, and especially to pray to Him all week long. The disciples asked Jesus,“Lord, teach us to pray.”They knew prayer was hard and wanted to know how to pray. What you will learn over time is that the more you pray these prayers, the more they become a part of you.Then, when find yourself – shudder the thought – hymnal-less, you’ll discover that you know them by heart.You probably already know a lot of them since you have heard your pastor praying them in church.Those prayers are already a part of you, or better, the Lord has made them a part of you, having put them into your ears from outside you. Salvation was won by grace alone on the cross, and is delivered to us freely in the Word and the Sacraments.The same is true for our prayers. God hears our prayers because He loves to hear His Son. So in His Son He loves to hear us too. It’s not that God doesn’t want to hear your prayers in your own words.The prayers that come from our heart aren’t better than those outside of us just because we are coming up with them ourselves. No, the Father loves to hear Jesus, so in Jesus He loves to hear you too. Since you have a heavenly Father who can’t get enough of you and your prayers because of the cross, pray away! Mean your prayers. Believe that God will answer your prayers. Pray with all your heart (ex corde). Pray outside of you. He’s already poised to rip the heavens open and give you gifts upon gifts because you bear His Name, delivered to you in Holy Baptism. “But because He is God, He claims the honor of giving far more abundantly and liberally than anyone can comprehend — like an eternal, inexhaustible fountain which, the more it gushes forth and overflows, the more it continues to give. He desires nothing more ardently than that we ask many and great things of Him; and on the contrary, He is angered if we do not ask and demand confidently.” (Large Catechism III, 56) Rev. George F. Borghardt III is the assistant pastor of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe,Texas and a member of the editorial board of Higher Things. His email address is revborghardt@sanctus.org.
By Rev. George F. Borghardt III
Myths on Prayer
Majestic or Merely Mediocre? usic, whether it’s in the form of hymns, classical sonatas, hip-hop jams, or rock n’ roll anthems, is a beautiful gift from God.Tempo and rhythm, pitch, melody and harmony, and the pattern and repetition of songs combine to inspire creative thoughts, heal emotional wounds, and expose listeners to other cultures.
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Some songs are better than others, and some bands more skilled than others. It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in music theory to know that the Beatles are better than Britney Spears. Similarly, you don’t have to be a musical expert to know that much of Contemporary Christian Music sounds boring and lifeless compared to its secular counterparts. The reason why so much modern Christian music sounds so awful is because too many Christian musicians think the message contained in the song is more important than the musical quality. Some Christian musicians think they’re more holy by writing songs that name-drop Jesus than by simply making great music. And even if their lyrics weren’t theologically vague or false most of the time, they would still be wrong to think a mediocre song is holy just because it has a moral message. Our Lutheran forefathers dealt with this problem before. In Martin Luther’s time, the Roman Catholic Church taught it was nobler to leave the secular world and hide away in a monastery than to be a student, farmer, or shopkeeper. But Luther said that we serve God and our neighbors by doing our work and hobbies to the best of our abilities. “[T]he works of monks and priests, however holy and arduous they may be, do not differ one whit in the sight of God from the works of the rustic laborer in the field or the woman going about her household tasks, but that all works are measured before God by faith alone,” Luther said. God gives each of us different abilities, responsibilities, and interests.These combine to form our vocation. Some people are students, some are not. Some are artists,
By Mollie Ziegler
Contemporary Christian Music:
some are not. Some are math whizzes, some are not. Whatever your vocation, you should do your work to the best of your ability. And that’s how you serve God. Not everyone has the piano skills of Alicia Keys, the lyrical flow of Kanye West, or the vocal range of Kelly Clarkson. Many contemporary Christian songwriters and musicians seem to think their musical shortcomings don’t matter.They believe they can save a bad song by slapping an “I Heart Jesus” sticker on it.The Contemporary Christian Music industry knows that pious Christians – seeking to avoid the evil lyrics and culture of some secular music – will purchase Christian tunes no matter what. What’s worse, rather than utilizing God’s gift of creativity – which would enable Christian musicians to develop new sounds, new rhythms, and new expressions – most contemporary Christian artists ape secular sounds that have already been developed.They mimic the same popular trends, creating disposable and boring music. Certainly this is not the best way to showcase the everlasting and vibrant message of the Gospel of Christ! Christians with musical vocations should not produce cookie-cutter, artless music that ties vague, moral messages to the latest flash-in-the-pan musical trends. And Christians shouldn’t reward such mediocrity. Instead, musicians should craft a body of music that intrigues the listener through originality, passion, and artful descriptions of moral themes. God sends the gift of rain on the just and unjust, according to St. Matthew. Similarly, musical creativity – a gift from God – can be found among Christians and non-Christians. It’s up to you – the listener – to discern what is valuable to listen to as a Christian. It is also just as important for you to determine which songs and lyrics are harmful or worthless. There’s a world of music out there waiting to be discovered and rediscovered. It’s your vocation to find quality music and enjoy it. And for those budding Christian musicians out there, we’re counting on you to create amazing music that challenges and inspires the world – not copies it. Mollie Ziegler is a member of the Higher Things board of directors. She lives in Washington, D.C. and attends Immanuel Lutheran Church in Alexandria, Virginia.You can contact her at mollieziegler@gmail.com. S U M M E R 2 0 0 5 __ 11
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confession because they witness to the world what we believe. Using traditional ceremonies is a form of humility and submission. It is a discipline. I stand up to shake hands to this day because that is what my father taught me. It is impossible to worship without ceremonies. When our Lord admonished us to worship Him in spirit and truth He did not mean that we are to worship Him without ceremonies. He meant that we are to worship Him in faith and knowledge and not superstitiously. Everything we do in worship, even the fact that we are there, says something about who we are and who we believe God is. Everything we do outwardly in worship is ceremony and, therefore, confession. There is great freedom in ceremonies. God has not given us rules about the outward forms our worship takes. But that freedom is not without limits. It is not appropriate to change God’s Name to something more comfortable like “Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier” or to substitute grape juice for wine in the Holy Communion.That would be like being introduced to a man named “Mr. Smith” and saying,“I will call you Baggy Pants. It is a better fit.”We receive what God has given. It is not ours to change. It is also inappropriate and idolatrous to take on the worship forms and customs of pagan religions such as placing a Buddha statue on a cross or praying traditional Native American prayers to the Great Spirit in the Sky.That would be like meeting a man and mooning him or sticking out your tongue instead of shaking his hand. Despite the great freedom we have in worship, it is never appropriate to be irreverent or disrespectful of God. My dad taught me that men stand in order to shake hands. But not all men stand to shake hands. I often meet men who do not stand, and I do not mind. I know they are not being rude or disrespectful.That is the way they do it. They shake hands and say “Hello” or use some other such greeting.They listen to my name and say their own. And even though their ceremonies are slightly different than mine, they communicate the same respect. So it is that some of us have been taught to wear our finest clothing to worship, to treat an invitation to the Lord’s Supper with no less preparation or fuss than we would treat an invitation to the White House. Some of us
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hen I was twelve, I was at a restaurant with my dad when a friend of his came over to say hello. My dad introduced us and the man reached out to shake my hand. Still seated, I reached back to shake his hand, for which I received a cuff on the shoulder. My dad said,“You stand up to shake a man’s hand.”That is a lesson that has stuck with me. Even when people say, “Don’t get up,” I get up. I always stand to shake hands.
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What my dad taught me was how to act respectfully. He was making me behave so that I would seem respectful and courteous, whether I was or not.That is what ceremonies do.They are an outward sign, a form of communication.They are also a discipline of manners. We say “please” and “thank you” because we want to be courteous and thankful.These ceremonies tell those around us what we think is good. I would not have tried this with my dad, but I suppose I could claim the higher ground. I could insist that being respectful is the essential thing and not the outward act of shaking hands. When I meet people I could refuse their hands, remain seated, and not look them in the eye or listen when they said their names. But such inaction would also be a ceremony. It would say something about who I am and what I think of the person I was meeting, about what I think is good. No matter how respectful I might be in my heart, that respect would be a secret. No one would know it. Few would believe it. Ceremonies are a form of
have been taught to stand for praise and in honor of the Trinitarian Name in doxological hymn stanzas or to bow in submission and humility at the words of the Creed “and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made Man.” Some of us have been taught to make the sign of the cross or to kneel or to pray certain prayers from memory. But none of us has been taught to be sloppy, lazy, or casual about God’s gracious presence for us in Word and Sacrament. None of us has been taught to take His promise to hear our prayers and forgive our sins lightly. None of us dares to pretend that God is amused by our sins or that we can approach Him as equals. All of us engage in ceremonies that embody what we believe and hope. It is not true that what really matters is what is in the heart. Our confession and witness also matter. For without confession and witness what is in our heart is a secret. But what if we do not feel the way the ceremonies act? Then it is all the more important to engage in them. When we have true and heartfelt affection and a history of intimacy, we might forgo shaking hands and hug someone. We don’t need a lot of ceremony with our grandmothers. But when we are uncertain or not feeling our best, ceremonies help to put us in the proper frame of mind. Saying “please” and “thank you” keeps us civil. Ceremonies always affect the way we feel. Even though we are still the same people, we act a little differently, a little nicer and more sophisticated, when we are dressed up for the prom and at a fancy restaurant.
Standing up and shaking hands helps us remember to be courteous and polite. It sets the stage for the meeting. Ceremonies not only affect what other people think of us. They also affect what we think of ourselves. When we are in heaven we will not need ceremonies. It will be like being in the comfort of our grandma’s house. But here and now we do need them and we benefit from them. That is why it is best if what we do during the service is deliberate. It is best if our actions are done with understanding. Whether sitting, standing, or kneeling, singing or speaking, bowing our heads, folding our hands, or making the sign of the cross, we do what we do in worship best and to our own greatest good when we have been taught how, when, and why to do it. Rev. David Petersen is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana and on the editorial board for Higher Things. His email address is dave.h.petersen@att.net.
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General ceremonies and their common meaning in Worship
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Standing – praise, honor, prayer Sitting – learning, listening Kneeling – confession of sins, humility, prayer Speaking – praise, prayer, instruction, confession Singing – same as speaking but more joyful or celebratory Bowing – humility, submission Folding hands – prayer, submission, listening Sign of the cross – reception and acknowledgment of a blessing, remembrance of Baptism, thanksgiving
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Jesus Heals the Blind Man (detail). Rembrandt. Pen and brush drawing. Ca. 1655-60. Rotterdam, Museaum Boymans-van Beuningen.
MINING THE RICHES
As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him.Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder,“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” Jesus stopped and called them.“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. “Lord,” they answered,“we want our sight.” Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:29-34
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“Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!” I screamed. I remember laying in the grass, almost in tears, fingers throbbing with pain. I loved playing “Mercy!” with my best childhood friend. We locked fingers and had at it for hours. He was a manageable opponent. It never failed that his older brother had to get into the act. It wasn’t that he destroyed us, but that he made us beg for mercy. He never stopped.“Mercy! Mercy! Mercy!” He didn’t care that we cried and pleaded. He wasn’t interested in compassion. He was pleasured by our pain. The two blind men sitting by the roadside knew Jesus even though they had never seen Him. But you don’t need to see to believe. Faith comes from hearing, but from hearing more than only passing footsteps. They heard the Word of eternal life, and in that Word they placed their hope. And even more than believe in that Word, they held Jesus to it. “Lord, have mercy on us!”Show us Your compassion. Be the gracious Lord that You have promised to be for us. Be the Lord who opens the eyes of the blind and unstops the ears of the deaf.“Lord, have mercy on us!” St. Matthew tells us of a woman, a wretched Canaanite, who also dared ask the Lord for mercy even when He refused (Matt 15:21-28). She was unbending.“Jesus, be the Lord you have promised to be!” Mercy was shown to her daughter at that very hour.The mighty King David too acknowledged his sickness from sin (Psalm 41) and praised the Lord for the mercy he was shown. To call Him Lord is to confess Him as Son of God and Son of Mary.To call Him Lord is to see His weakness as power, His bloody death as victory and life.To call Him Lord is to expect mercy from His nail-pierced hands.To call Him Lord is to hold Him to His promise, the promise He made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever. Mercy has been given to us through the suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension of the only-begotten Son of God. In His sinless flesh the curse of the law would be undone. Lovingly and willingly He came to taste death for us. For Him there would be no mercy. Neither from the world nor from His Father. He would drink the Father’s cup of wrath to the dregs. As a lamb alone He bears willingly a betrayer’s kiss, Pharisees’ accusations, Roman whips, the bite of nails, and abandonment by His Father. What the world meant for evil God has used for good.The Christ died to sin, once for all, so that sin and death no longer have power over us. In the sleep of death the devil was undone. His lying mouth closed forever.“Lord, have mercy!” Mercy is not an abstract thing. It is the very Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth. And because He is mercy, we gather where He is, receiving what He desires to give us: the forgiveness of sins and the seal of eternal life.
Lord Have Mercy! By Rev. John Bart Day
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In the Divine Service, after the Lord has come among us in His flesh and blood through the power of His word, we stand and adoringly sing: Lamb of God,You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God,You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us. Lamb of God,You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace. His body and blood bring mercy. In the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood, we receive the mercy that faith desires. We come like the blind men, the Canaanite woman, and David. We come confessing our blindness, our hellish desires, our sin and sickness. At the table we lay down all our sorrows and burdens to have them taken up by Christ.The mercy we have first received in the gift of Christ now lives in us through His body and blood. We go forth from the table sharing one another’s sorrows and burdens, sharing the Lord’s mercy, His forgiveness, with those in the world around us. We have been given more mercy than imaginable. So much that it overflows into the lives of our neighbor.“Lord, have mercy!” Rev. John Bart Day is associate pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston,Texas. You can email him at bjdayfamily@sbcglobal.net.
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Molly’s parents and brother were out of town visiting relatives for the weekend so I went to stay with her so that she wouldn’t be all alone. Molly kept saying,“Kathy, it’ll be the great ‘Horror Movie Palooza.’” Problem is that I don’t like scary movies. Never have. Never will. I don’t like feeling like someone is looking over my shoulder. I don’t like gross stuff and can barely stomach sci-fi. I can’t imagine why anyone would. But some people do, and sadly for me, Molly is one of them. I had to work Friday night and didn’t get there until late. As soon as I arrived, Molly clutched my arm and said,“Oooh! We’re going to get good and scared, Kath.” She could barely stand still.
Scared of the Dark by Kathy Luder
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“Molly, why can’t we just watch TV?” I asked. “Because you agreed, that’s why. Just relax! You’re going to love it.” I had agreed, but she had bullied me at the lunch table and now I regretted giving in. But I didn’t want to go back on my word. I flopped myself down on the couch and tried not to pout. I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. Molly turned on the VCR, flipped the lights out, and sat down on the other end of the couch. Molly was fast-forwarding through the previews with the remote when we heard a car pull into the driveway.“I wonder who that is,” she said. She stopped the movie and went into the kitchen. I followed her. She peeked through the blinds.“They’re leaving,” she said.“But their lights are off.” She started to stand up, but then she gasped and let the blinds snap shut.“Kathy, it looks like there is someone in your car!” “Where?” I asked, moving up beside her.
“In the driver’s seat,” she whispered. “That’s just a shadow,” I whispered back while we both peered through the crack.Then something moved in my car. We both jumped back. “That is not a shadow,” she said. “Yes, it is,” I said.“Look again. Quit being spooky.” “No. Don’t look. He’ll see us.” She moved to the front door and wiggled it.“It’s locked.”Then she ran upstairs.“I’ll be right back,” she called. My heart was racing, but I didn’t want Molly to think I was scared. I kept praying,“Lord, have mercy.” Molly came back downstairs and whispered,“I’ve got my dad’s hunting knife. We can go in the bathroom and lock the door.That’ll be safe.” She turned toward the bathroom. “Hurry!” she said but I was right behind her. We sat down in the dark bathroom on the cold tile floor. She looked like she was about to start crying. I’d had enough. I pulled out my cell phone.“What’s your uncle’s number?” “You can’t call him!” She practically screamed it. “This is not funny, Molly. I am scared. I don’t like this,” I said. “I’m scared, too,” she said. “Then give me the number or I’ll call 911,” I said. “He won’t understand! He’ll get mad,” she said, looking past my shoulder. “So what if he gets mad? It’s better than being raped or dead.” I saw tears in the corner of her eyes.“No,” she said.“You’re right. It was only a shadow. Forget it. Let’s go watch TV.” She started to stand up. I didn’t believe her and I put my hand on her arm to keep her down with me.“I saw something,” I said.“And I’m scared. So are you. Let’s just call your uncle to be safe. It’s not that late.” “No, it’s okay,” she said.“It’s nothing. Don’t be a baby. We can handle this.” She tried to get up again. “Fine. I’ll call my dad,” I said. “Yes!” she said, relief in her voice.“Call your dad.” I did, and he and my mom came right over. My mom came in and turned on all the lights and started making hot chocolate. My dad checked out my car and walked all around the house with a flashlight. He didn’t find anything. My car doors were still locked. It really had been just a shadow. Molly and I didn’t want to stay alone, but we couldn’t go to my house because Molly was afraid her parents would call and not know where she was. She couldn’t call them because it was too late. So my dad went home and my mom stayed the night with us at Molly’s house. We didn’t watch the movies. We just talked and drank hot chocolate. Once we felt safe, we had a blast listening to my mom’s stories and jokes. After my mom fell asleep on the couch, Molly and I talked in our sleeping bags on the floor before drifting off. “Why couldn’t we call your uncle?” I asked.
“Because he’s mean. He would have made fun of us and tried to scare us even worse.Your parents are nice.” “Yeah, I guess they are.” “It was stupid to get so scared. But at least they took us seriously. As soon as you called them I felt better. I knew they’d be nice.” “Yeah, me too,” I said. My parents can be weird and very unfair at times. But I do trust them. Molly and I overreacted. But as stupid as the whole thing was, I was glad I had someone to call. Like I said, I don’t like scary movies. Never have. Never will. But I think I am beginning to understand why some people do. It is not that they want to be scared. What they want is the adrenalin rush that comes from being scared and then feeling safe.They know movies aren’t real, so even when they’re scared they feel safe. It is all emotion and no substance, which is probably why I don’t like it. But I did like hanging out with Mom and Molly that night. It was very comforting. There wasn’t anything that would have actually hurt me. It was all in our worked–up imaginations.There wasn’t anything there. But I still needed Molly and my parents. I think that without them I might have had a nervous breakdown or something. And maybe that is why Luther included “devout husband or wife,” “faithful neighbors,” and “good friends” in his list of things necessary for the support and needs of the body under the fourth petition. We need each other – in more ways than one. It is not just so that we don’t get hurt physically or have enough to eat. We need each other mentally and spiritually.Through our parents and friends, teachers and pastors God takes care of us. I don’t think Molly will try to bully me into watching any more scary movies. But if she does, I’m standing my ground. I can get my thrills in other ways. I don’t have to get scared to feel safe. I know that whatever happens, good or bad, I am safe in Christ Jesus and He will see me through. He will take of me. Always has. Always will. Kathy likes flowers in spring, snow in winter, melons in summer, and pumpkins in fall. But she never likes mud or bugs, spiders or snakes. If you’d like to chat with her about this or anything else, you can e-mail her at kathyluder@hotmail.com S U M M E R 2 0 0 5 __ 17
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Ultimate Event
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hrist Academy is a two-week residential program for high-schoolaged men, founded by Concordia Theological Seminary. It is a place where students can study about Christ who is present in His Word and Sacraments and who died that their sins would be forgiven. It is a place where students can experience seminary life. It is a place where students can explore the possibility of someday becoming a pastor. @ @ @ @ @
Worship, the Center of the Experience Life Changing Studies Clarity of Direction Fun Activities June18-July 1, 2006
For more information, please call:
1-800-481-2155 www.ctsfw.edu ChristAcademy@mail.ctsfw.edu
Life After
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Have I learned everything I need to know to get to heaven now that I’ve been confirmed? Yes, but that’s a bad question. Catechesis in the faith isn’t simply about getting all of the answers right. That would be like saying that the Christian faith is about doing good things or feeling a certain way. In confirmation, your pastor has taught you the building blocks of the Christian faith. Some of it you probably knew beforehand; some of it may have been totally new to you. But the point of confirmation is not to get you all of the right answers so that you can go to heaven.The Christian faith is not like a math quiz.“Well, I got a Cin Jesus. Not great, but I should still pass the pearly gates.” Rather, the Christian faith is a gift that God gives to you in His Word and Sacraments. Your pastor has taught you about the gift (Jesus) and the delivery of the gift (Word he gown is off, memory work is done, and your and Sacraments). But that 278 questions on the Christian faith have all been teaching is not over. It is answered.You’ve eaten the cake and thrown away only beginning.
the lapel rose. So now, young Christian, you are faced with questions.
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What’s next after confirmation? What is next for you when it comes to the Christian faith? Have you learned everything there is to know about God, and so now you can simply coast along, blithely unaware that the devil, the world, and your own sinful nature are warring against you every day? If you are like many who have finished confirmation and are trying to understand the next step, you may very well be in danger of forgetting the whole point of confirmation instruction.To that end, we at Higher Things have developed a little, uh, catechism, for those who are moving into the post-confirmation years.Tell us what you think!
Do I have to go to church now that I’ve been confirmed? No and yes.“Have to” implies a law that must be obeyed or else. That isn’t finally the point of going to church. Going to church is about receiving those gifts for forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation which our Lord continues to give to us by His Word and Spirit. I would suggest to you that if you believe that going to church is about obligation and LAW LAW LAW, then something is missing in your understanding. God draws you to church so that He may forgive your sins and give His gifts to you. If you don’t go to church, or don’t want to go to church, what you are saying is that you don’t want God to forgive your sins and bring you to heaven. Is that really what you want?
Confirmation By Rev.Todd Peperkorn
I really liked learning more about the Christian faith. How can I keep learning? First of all, you can keep coming to the Divine Service, hear God’s Word, and receive His Body and Blood.That’s a good start. Go to Bible class. If your church doesn’t have a youth Bible class, go to the adult class. If you church doesn’t have Bible class, make your pastor teach you some more theology! He will love it. Read Higher Things. Come to conferences. Check out some of the online forums about theology (http://higherthings.org/forum/). I have also listed a few good post-confirmation books to read in the sidebar. But the important thing is to engage with other Christians who want to dig into the faith. Don’t be afraid to even argue a little! Some of my favorite conversations as a youth were with my best friend who was a Baptist. In addition to that, my confirmation pastor pushed me to read theology. Real books, not silly books that treated me like I was four. Don’t be afraid to wade into the deep water. You can take it! My church doesn’t have a youth group, and I feel like no one cares. What do I do? Youth groups, in my experience, ebb and flow based on how busy the youth are, whether there are any adults available to help lead, and whether the pastor is engaged in the process or not. It probably doesn’t mean that no one cares. Sometimes it means that no one knows what to do. If you’re in that situation, start one! It doesn’t have to be fancy and complicated. Get together with friends from church and go to a movie. Ask your pastor to teach a Bible study once a month. Help some other members of your church who need help around their house together. Not everything has to be big and fancy. Sometimes meeting for a soda can be a great opportunity to talk theology.Try it.You might like it! These are just a few of the questions I receive occasionally. But if you have more, please let me know (peperkorn@higherthings.org), and I’ll be happy to try and answer them as best as I can. Rev.Todd Peperkorn is pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church. He is the executive editor of Higher Things. His email address is peperkorn@higherthings.org.
Five books to read after confirmation: Concordia: The Lutheran ConfessionsA Reader’s Edition of the Book of Concord. Concordia Publishing House, 2005. A new reader’s edition of the Book of Concord with charts and maps and pictures. What more could you want? The Hammer of God, by Bo Giertz. Augsburg Fortress, 2005. A great story about the life of a parish in Sweden. Handling the Word of Truth, by John T. Pless. Concordia Publishing House, 2004. In direct language that is both engaging and easy to understand, Pastor Pless leads the reader through perhaps the greatest Christian art of dividing Law and Gospel. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, by J.R.R. Tolkien. I know, I know.They aren’t specifically Christian. However, the discussions about truth, morality, temptation, sacrifice, and many more subjects just can’t be beat in these books.They are about as good as it gets. The Spirituality of the Cross, by Gene Edward Veith. Concordia Publishing House, 1999. Sometimes after confirmation you may get the sense that you have all of the facts, but you don’t quite know how to put it all together.This little book is a great way to start connecting the dots.
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Why the Pope Has Nothing
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on-Catholics might be excused for feeling a little envious at the media coverage of the death of one pope and the accession of Pope Benedict XVI. No way would Lutherans ever get that kind of press.
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More than that, the pageantry, the ancient customs, and the tangible institutions built around a single man have a certain attractiveness, at least to me. Wouldn’t it be nice to be part of a church of a billion people, rather than always being in such a beleaguered theological minority? Wouldn’t it be nice to be part of such a vast global and historical institution? Even Christians with a megachurch way of thinking had to be impressed.You judge a church by the numbers it attracts? The Pope’s funeral service was the biggest worship event of all time, with some 500,000 people in attendance, and hundreds of millions taking part on simulcast television hookups worldwide. And the service did not consist of 1960s-era praise songs or entertaining, seeker-friendly programming. It was three hours of ancient liturgy. In Latin. It was not just Catholics but non-Catholics and nonChristians—even rampant secularists—who were caught up in the papal frenzy. The mystery and the grandeur of it all seemed to overwhelm the usual cultural objections. For example, it was amusing how the media pundits praised the late Pope John Paul II, even though his pro-life and pro-morality stance went against everything the media usually stands for. As for the new Pope Benedict XVI, the pundits expressed a little worry about him since he is reported to be conservative. And yet, they say, he actually seems nice, so how conservative could he really be? (Note the common assumption, that if you are conservative—or religious, or confessional—you must be mean.) Actually, this new Pope may well reverse some of the religious relativism that has plagued the Roman Catholic Church. He may crack down on the nominal Christianity that has plagued much of American Catholicism, with its feminist nuns, pro-choice politicians, and sappy guitar masses. If Benedict XVI gets the Catholic house in order, we may see a revival of genuine Catholicism. Many secularists looking for spirituality, evangelicals looking for a historic faith, and—yes—disaffected Lutherans may well head for Rome. But they would be wrong.We Lutherans are part of the history of the papacy.We share much of Rome’s liturgy, creeds, and sacramentalism. Many Lutherans describe themselves as “evangelical catholics,” that is, as catholics who embrace the Gospel. And there is the rub.
Our forebears who wrote the Lutheran Confessions determined that the papacy—not the person who holds the position but the office of a human being who presents himself as the vicar of Christ on earth who speaks infallibly by the Holy Spirit—is a manifestation of the Antichrist. Luther said that the “papists” and the “enthusiasts” are alike in believing that the Holy Spirit speaks through human beings apart from the Word of God. (Luther went on to say that the charismatic-like enthusiasts were worse because at least Rome only has one pope. For the charismatics who think God speaks directly to each of them, they are all popes.) And, most profoundly and tragically, the papacy undermines the Gospel. As Paul McCain observed on his Cyberbrethren blog, at the Pope’s funeral, everyone was saying how holy this man was on account of all of his good works. And yet, at the same time, the whole service (if you read the subtitles) was one of desperate pleading to God—and to Mary and to the saints and to anyone who would help—that this man be allowed to enter heaven.
on Lutherans By Dr. Gene Edward Veith
For religions that base salvation on good works— rather than on the work of Christ alone—there can never be enough good works, so that assurance of salvation is impossible. Religions of law can be impressive and can contain much that is good. But without the Gospel, they are incomplete.Theologies of glory—whether in a success-preaching, name-it-and-claim-it megachurch or in a billion-member denomination housed in a Renaissance palace—will have their allure. But for a soul in need, they cannot compare with the theology of the cross. But if there is a Roman revival, we “evangelical catholics” can be in a position to supply what is missing, proclaiming to both catholic and protestant legalists the fullness of the Gospel, in both Word and Sacrament.
Dr. Gene Edward Veith is the cultural editor for WORLD magazine, the Director of the Cranach Institute, and a contributing editor for Higher Things.
Rome’s Teaching on Salvation
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he first Canon on Justification from the Council of Trent reads:“If any one saith, that man may be justified before God by his own works, whether done through the teaching of human nature, or that of the law, without the grace of God through Jesus Christ; let him be anathema.”This sounds good to us at first. We also reject that man is justified by works. But notice the qualifier “without the grace of God through Jesus Christ.”1 The Roman Catholic Church teaches that men are justified by works WITH the grace of God through Jesus Christ. This is clearly shown in the other canons on Justification from Trent. Their teaching is not justification by works alone.They do not believe that people earn their way into heaven or that heaven can be bought through indulgences and good works.They believe that indulgences and good works only serve to buy time off of purgatory and to keep believers in the faith.That is a whole another can of worms. But that is what they teach.They believe that sinners are accepted by God though the merits and passion of Jesus Christ AND by their works. God provides the initial grace to overcome original sin but then men must add their own works to God’s works in order to stay in the faith and to reach heaven. It the “AND” that gives us fits. Consider also these two statements from the Catholic Catechism: 2025 We can have merit in God’s sight only because of God’s free plan to associate man with the work of his grace. Merit is to be ascribed in the first place to the grace of God, and secondly to man’s collaboration. Man’s merit is due to God. 2027 No one can merit the initial grace which is at the origin of conversion. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we can merit for ourselves and for others all the graces needed to attain eternal life, as well as necessary temporal goods.2 We suspect that some Roman Catholic believers would not like Dr. Veith’s summary that their teaching is in essence “justification by works. ” But since they teach that man’s merits must be added to, or collaborated with God’s works, we agree with his assessment. So did Martin Luther. -The Editors 1 The canons and decrees of the sacred and ecumenical Council of Trent: the Sixth Session, Trans. J. Waterworth (London: Dolman, 1848), 30-53. From the Hanover Historical Texts Project Scanned by Hanover College students in 1995. http://history.hanover.edu/texts/trent/ct06.html 2 The Catholic Catechism 3:3:1 “In Brief” http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/ p3s1c3a2.htm#brief
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AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano
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A Higher Things Wedding
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On June 4th, two longtime friends of Higher Things and Mouthhouse were married at Emmaus Lutheran Church in South Bend, Indiana. Nick Kavouras and Naomi Rhein are now the First Couple of Higher Things (to our knowledge!).They even took their honeymoon at the Higher Things International Headquarters in Kenosha, Wisconsin. We have pictures to prove it. Congrats to the newlyweds!
Breaking into the world of blogging, Higher Things has asked a few people who we think have interesting things to say to say them on a blog: The Confessional Cowboy - http://blog.higherthings.org/zill/ by Rev. Marcus Zill, Chair of Higher Things Campus Ministry. The Lutheran Logomaniac http://blog.higherthings.org/peperkorn/ by Rev.Todd Peperkorn, Executive Editor of Higher Things Magazine. Madre’s Missives - http://blog.higherthings.org/madre/ by Sandra Ostapowich, Secretary of Higher Things. Bloghardt’s Reflector - http://blog.higherthings.org/borghardt/ by Rev. George Borghardt, author of the Higher Things Reflections, and member of the Higher Things Magazine Editorial Board.
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Ex Cathedra From Advice to Absurdity Dear Ex Cathedra, I’ll be starting college soon and many of my friends are getting credit cards. Should I get one too? —George Dear George, Hmmm. Let me think.Why would a bank be willing to give a credit card to someone who doesn’t have a full-time job, will be paying for college, and belongs to an age demographic that is known to make purchases impulsively? Could it be because they see the bold, black letters on your forehead which spell out “SUCKER?!” That may seem harsh, but what else would you call someone who is dumb enough to pay an annual fee for the “privilege” of paying interest to them? If you are craving plastic, go for a debit card. But never, ever buy something you can’t afford.—EC Dear Ex Cathedra, I just finished my freshman year of college. I enjoyed my first year, but I also put on several pounds. What’s up with that?—Becky, 19 Dear Becky, Ah, yes.You have become a victim of the “freshman fifteen,” or what we used to call at my alma mater,“Concordia Butt Disease.” A lot of things can contribute to CBD: changes in your eating habits (late night study break pizza or Taco Bell), less physical exercise, and normal metabolic changes in your body.
The best advice I can give you is to watch your diet (especially before bed), go easy on junk food, and get physical exercise on a regular basis.This may also help relieve stress and increase your energy level. Finally, whenever you either gain or lose a lot of weight, it’s never a bad idea to ask your doctor. —EC Dear Ex Cathedra, I just learned that my older sister, who isn’t married, recently had an abortion. I strongly believe that abortion is murder which means that my sister is a murderer. I am so mad at her and have pretty much stopped talking to her. I just don’t know what to say.—Joanne Dear Joanne, It is true that your sister committed murder and broke the sixth commandment as well. She probably realizes this as well.We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.There is no sin too big for Jesus.You need to tell her that.Your sister needs to see from your actions that God’s forgiveness and love are available to her.You also need to encourage her to go see your pastor.You should talk to him, too. Your anger is understandable. But it will not change what happened and, if you hold on to it, it will become an obstacle to message of the gospel.—EC S U M M E R 2 0 0 5 __ 25
Aliens and The rior to his conversion, C.S. Lewis held that Christianity could not possibly be true because it “borrowed” so many themes from mythologies and religions that “supposedly” predated Christianity. He would, for instance, point to the myths about Greek and Roman gods taking human form. His Christian friends, J.R.R.Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, convinced him that those myths, even if distorted, could embody truth.
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The fact that we can find parallels to Christian theology in non-Christian religions and myths should not surprise us.The God-man Messiah, for example, was prophesied to Adam and Eve. We can easily presume that their apostate descendants could incorporate parallel ideas to the true religion in their own beliefs and stories. Nor should it be astonishing to us to find parallel themes in the modern mythologies depicted in movies, television, and literary fiction.The science fiction genre is no exception. The television sci-fi series Stargate SG-1, based on the 1994 movie Stargate, is currently in its ninth season.The stargate, a piece of ancient alien technology discovered during an archeological expedition, establishes wormholes to other worlds throughout the galaxy, many of which are populated by descendants of ancient earthlings. SG-1 is the designation of one team of travelers who visit these worlds in search of alien technology in order to defend the earth against the Goa’uld, a race of parasitic, snakelike aliens, who invade the bodies of humans and pretend to be gods.The Goa’uld usually bear the names of the deities of ancient Egyptian, Norse, or other religious systems. Not unlike our Lord, who has both a human nature and divine nature, yet is one Christ, these false gods have the divine nature of the Goa’uld parasite and the human nature of their enslaved hosts. While the Goa’uld are false gods bent on evildoing, thievery, and domination, the series provides no clear indication who the true God is or even if He exists. But using Martin Luther’s dictum that a god is “that from which we are to expect all good and to which we are to take refuge in all distress” (Large
Catechism), one can conclude that the true god in Stargate SG-1 is the knowledge of the Ancients, the race of beings that created the stargates and other advanced and powerful gadgets. Individuals who have gained this ancient knowledge can obtain celestial attributes by entering a higher plain of existence through a process called “ascension.”The human nature is united with the divine which, in this case, is the knowledge of the ancients. Sci-Fi Channel’s new spin-off series Stargate Atlantis is based on a similar premise.The Ancients, who once lived in the aqueous city of Atlantis (located in a far away galaxy), had ascended.They abandoned the city to be found by
Avatars Christology of Science Fiction by Rev. Daniel Woodring
explorers from earth, only to discover the threat of another race of life-sucking creatures known as the Wraith, who, in spite of their advanced weapons and spacecraft, seem to have no knowledge of facial skin products. Another sci-fi series now airing on the Sci-Fi Channel is Gene
Roddenberry’s Andromeda. The Andromeda Ascendant, a sophisticated starship, and her captain, Dylan Hunt, are rescued three hundred years after being frozen in time at the edge of a black hole. Hunt awakens in a universe in which the system’s commonwealth, which once brought order and civilization to the universe, had fallen and left the universe in anarchy. Enlisting the crew of his rescuers, Hunt tries to restore the commonwealth with the backing of his powerful ship. The god from which the crew “expects all good” and in which they “take refuge in all distress” is the Andromeda Ascendant. But the Andromeda is not just a
ship. It is also the ship’s artificial intelligence that takes on a human nature as a holographic image and android. This personality is called the ship’s “avatar,” which in Hindu mythology designates a deity which descends into an incarnate form. In fact, in one episode, Andromeda is called “the ship incarnate.” Last, but by no means least, is the Star Wars saga. Regarding the initial Star Wars episode, A New Hope, George Lucas admitted,“There’s a mixture of all kinds of mythology and religious belief that have been amalgamated into the movie.” Subsequent episodes were more of the same, as the idea of the force became developed.The force is the divine power that, in the words of Obi Wan Kenobi,“surrounds us and permeates us. It holds the galaxy together.”While the force is omnipresent, it is found particularly strongly in the Skywalker family. In Episode 1- The Phantom Menace, a blood test reveals that Anakin has a high midichlorian count, demonstrating the potent dwelling of the force within his human body. While some fans have objected to this uniting of the force with human flesh, preferring Yoda’s platonic aphorism,“Luminescent beings are we, not this crude matter” (Episode 5), it is strangely reminiscent of the uniting of the divine and human nature in the person of Christ. Another striking parallel is Anakin’s virgin birth through the power of the force. This is not to suggest that Star Wars in any way portrays a Christian worldview. It doesn’t. While Christians may appreciate Star Wars and other science fiction as entertainment, it must be recognized that theologically there is usually a lot to be desired. But examining the religious motifs in modern mythologies can help us understand the cultures in which we live, and perhaps also find embodiments of the Truth that, in reality, fills the universe. Rev. Dan Woodring is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in New Buffalo, Michigan, Earth and supreme galactic chancellor of Higher Things. His email is woodring@higherthings.org.
S U M M E R 2 0 0 5 __ 27
got punched the day I first dared to be Lutheran. I grew up in the deep South and the public high schools in my home town were really bad.The year I was in the eighth grade at my Lutheran grade school, there was a big race riot on the campus of Escambia County High School, the very school I was supposed to go to in a few months! My parents thought that sending me to a place where rioting was a team sport wasn’t such a good idea. So they sent me to Pensacola Catholic High School instead.
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One day in religion class, Father Foley from Ireland was telling us how the Roman Catholic Church teaches that a Buddhist or Hindu or Muslim, if they are sincere, will go to heaven. I blurted out,“What are you saying? If that is true, why did God bother to send His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins?” I remember quoting that verse I learned in confirmation class from Acts 4:12,“There is no other name given among men under heaven by which we must be saved.” Father Foley got red in the face and tried to change the subject. And then it happened. A guy reached over and let me have it . . . smack! I got punched hard for sticking up for Jesus and daring to be Lutheran.
Pu
The Day I Got
school they awarded me religion student of the year. I worked really hard to explain and understand carefully what they believed as Roman Catholics and to understand what I believed as a Lutheran. Wrong as they were in many of their important beliefs, God used my Roman Catholic teachers to set me on a path that has led me to where I am today. Let’s do what we can to understand Roman Catholics and witness to them and speak about what we have in common and gently lead them to put Christ at the center and trust entirely in Him. Maybe you’ll get smacked around a bit when you dare to be Lutheran. Jesus went through worse than that for you and He’ll see you through whatever might happen when you dare to be faithful to Him. So, dare to be Lutheran!
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By Rev. Paul McCain
I was really upset by how cloudy and murky the Gospel was in Roman Catholicism. It made me dig deeply into what I had been taught as a Lutheran. I had to go to Mass at least once a month for four years. I sat respectfully, not participating, but I was listening intently.They sounded and looked a lot like Lutherans, but the preaching was just terrible.They never talked about Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. I admired and liked some things about Roman Catholicism, but then, smack! They got it all wrong.They didn’t talk much about Christ and the forgiveness of sins. In other words, the Gospel was just not there clearly and consistently.
When I Dared to Be Lutheran in High School
After I graduated from Roman Catholic high school I didn’t want to have anything to do with anything that even looked “Roman Catholic.” If it looked or sounded to my eyes and ears even remotely Roman Catholic, I was angry! I hated it. I thought that if I could get as far away from Romanism as possible in outward things, I would not have to worry about falling into the errors of Rome in doctrine. I was wrong. I learned more about the Lutheran church and its history. I remember reading for the first time in the Augsburg Confession, our most important Lutheran confession, how our fathers in the faith said that they never intended to do anything contrary to the truly “catholic” or “universal” church but to correct errors. It dawned on me that what is truly “catholic” is not necessarily “Roman” and what is wrong about Roman doctrine is actually deeply anti-Christian and, therefore, not “catholic” at all! It’s not what is believed on the basis of the Bible, by all people, everywhere, at all times.That was quite a revelation to me. And so now I rejoice in the good customs and traditions of the historic Lutheran Church. Being Lutheran is great. Dare to be Lutheran? You bet. And you want to hear something I’ve not told many people? God has a great sense of humor, I’m convinced. One big reason I’m a Lutheran pastor today is because so many of the priests and nuns and monks at my Roman Catholic high school, each, in their own kind way, quietly urged me to be a Lutheran pastor. In both my junior and senior year in high
Rev. Paul McCain is Interim President and CEO as well as Executive Director of Editorial at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, Missouri. His email address is boc1580@aol.com.
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God’s Gift of Life
The Angel Opening the Sepulchre by Benjamin Gerritz Cuyp
THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT You shall not murder. What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every physical need.
DEFINITIONS: MURDER killing a human being outside of the government’s God-given authority to execute criminals and wage just wars ABORTION murder of a baby before birth H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 30
SUICIDE murder of self EUTHANASIA murder of someone who wants to die
By Rev.Todd A. Peperkorn
I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
B
etween the death of Terri Schiavo and Pope John Paul II, there was an abundance of talk about life and death in the media. One of the common questions beginning to come up was the question of living wills, DNR clauses (do-not-resuscitate), and a general discussion about what kind of life is worth living. Now at one level, talking about life and death is always healthy, because for the Christian, any time we are talking about life and death, we are talking about Jesus’ life and death. As St. Paul writes,“For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3 NKJV). Because of our baptism into Christ, everything that we are is shaped by Jesus’ death and life again. However, in recent years, partly due to advances in medical technology, the conversation in our culture has taken a new direction. Now it is very popular to speak about the quality of life that a person has or will have based on their physical and mental health, or even their economic and family situation. It is quite common, for example, to hear arguments in favor of euthanasia and abortion that run along the lines of,“Because so-and-so won’t be able to live the kind of life that they would want, it is actually more humane to let them die.” So if someone is on a feeding tube, or is suffering from a painful and debilitating disease, or if a child might live in poverty, then, so the argument goes, it appears only right and appropriate that we let such a person die, because after all, it is what they would want. But is this right? Before we answer this question, let’s do a quick review of the Fifth Commandment.Take a look at the sidebar and see what I mean. Notice some of the language we find in the commandment. Murder means taking a life that is not yours to take. Do not murder means we are to never hurt or harm another person, but we are to actually help them in every way we can with every physical need.
Now in understanding that, we can start to understand what the danger is about quality of life as an approach to making life and death decisions. Once we start talking about what kind of life is worth living, we have moved ourselves into the realm of God’s judgment. We are, in effect, playing God by determining what kind of life should live and what kind of life should die.This is dangerous business, and can lead to evaluating a life based on economic needs, personal needs, and a whole host of selfish questions that inevitably will come up. So what this means for us today is that our answer to questions of life and death are both simpler and harder.The question for the Christian is not what quality of life a person has or may have.The question for the Christian is, “Are they alive?” If a person is alive, then we should “help and befriend them in every physical need,” and leave their dying to the Lord of life and death. But if a person is not actually alive, then our obligation is to help and befriend their family. Even this is not always the easiest of questions to answer. Is brain-dead alive? What exactly does it mean? But while these questions may also be hard and painful, that is asking the right question. Now I realize that this may be an unpopular view to some. Life is not easy. We all live with suffering and hardship in one way or another. But life is a precious gift, a gift that Jesus died in order to give us. We dare not forget that when God gives us such a gift, it is not ours to evaluate and determine whether it is worth receiving. Rather, we pray that we may receive all such gifts, even life itself, with thanksgiving to Him. O Lord, one whom I love and care about is dying.Yet Your love of him is still greater, for You have redeemed him with the precious blood of Your Son. If it be Your will that he should pass out of this mortal life, receive him to Yourself in glory. If this be his last night on earth, let Your holy angels take him into Your presence, where there is no more pain and suffering and sin, but fullness of joy forevermore.Wash him of all sin, and accept him for Jesus’ sake. Strengthen our faith, and keep us close to You. In Jesus’ name we ask it. Amen. (From the Lutheran Book of Prayer, p. 217) Rev.Todd Peperkorn is pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He is the executive editor of Higher Things.You can email him at peperkorn@higherthings.org.
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Etiquette Moved by Grace Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. Richard Zeile St. Paul sent Timothy some advice on how people’s prayers should show respect for God and others. As you read the following selections from I Timothy 2 and answer the questions that follow, consider what it means 1) to respect authority and 2) to respect differences. I.
Read verses 1-4. A. How does Paul suggest that special respect be shown to all in authority? Pray for them. Since many depend on them, many are blessed through their work. B. Why would it be disrespectful to God to pray only for your own family, nation, or church? Yes, God desires all to be saved, and has commanded us to pray for all. We care because He cares!
II. Read verses 5-8. A. Paul claims to be a messenger. How does one show respect for a messenger? One shows respect by listening to (honoring) the message. Watch out for the church member who gives generous gifts to the pastor but does not attend worship! If time, check out the sad story of I Kings 13. B. What does Paul warn would take our attention away from God during prayer? Anger and argument divert our attention from God toward others, as if satisfying our own feelings were more important than pleasing God! III. Read verses 9-15. A. What is Paul’s point about women’s dress, hair and jewelry with regard to prayer? These may become a distraction to the women as well as to the men. A woman’s desire to look “attractive” must take second place to giving honor to God. Point out that our custom of “dressing respectably” for worship is pleasing to the Lord so long as we do not become self-conscious (or judgmental). B. How do we know that God originally intended the husband to take spiritual leadership in the home and the church? Paul refers to Adam and Eve to show God’s original intent was for the man (or “husband”) to be the leader. Emphasize that women are not “paying” for Eve’s sin; rather Paul warns against repeating her mistake. There may be objection that God made men and women equal. Point out that treating people “equally” is not the same as treating them fairly. In fact the whole idea of respect is acknowledging and valuing our differences. Nowhere is this needed more in our age than between the sexes. For this reason, do not allow any “put-downs” in connection with this teaching. C. What special calling is available to women that is not available to men? Paul alludes the uniquely feminine calling of bearing (and nursing) children. Point out that not all women are called to be mothers, but it is an example of a vocation closed to men. Furthermore, since we all needed a mother to survive infancy, this calling deserves universal respect.
Etiquette Moved by Grace Bible Study Rev. Richard Zeile St. Paul sent Timothy some advice on how people’s prayers should show respect for God and others. As you read the following selections from I Timothy 2 and answer the questions that follow, consider what it means 1) to respect authority and 2) to respect differences. I.
Read verses 1-4. A. How does Paul suggest that special respect be shown to all in authority?
B. Why would it be disrespectful to God to pray only for your own family, nation, or church?
II. Read verses 5-8. A. Paul claims to be a messenger. How does one show respect for a messenger?
B. What does Paul warn would take our attention away from God during prayer?
III. Read verses 9-15. A. What is Paul’s point about women’s dress, hair and jewelry with regard to prayer?
B. How do we know that God originally intended the husband to take spiritual leadership in the home and the church?
C. What special calling is available to women that is not available to men?
God’s Gift of Life Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. Robin Fish I.
Pastor Peperkorn raises the interesting issues of life and death which have captivated our society in recent years. It might be helpful to look at what the Bible has to say which pertains to these issues. A. The first question is inevitably “Whose life is it, anyhow?” The answer isn’t as easy as some try to pretend. Most want to pretend that our life belongs to us. What does Romans 4:17 have to say about this issue? How does this passage echo Genesis 2:7? God gives life, so it belongs first to Him. It is not ours as a possession, but as something ‘on loan’. Scripture even says that when we die, our spirit returns to God who gave it. The Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul. Life is the breath of God, not our natural condition or possession. B. For the believer, the issue is really much more pointed. Whose life it is, according to Galatians 2:20? How does that change one’s perspective, in the light of Philippians 1:21? Pastor Peperkorn cited Colossians 3:3. Looking at both verses 3 and 4, how does that change the equation about life and death issues? It is Christ’s life, since I no longer live, but Christ lives in me! First, it means that I have to consider how Christ would have His life lived. Secondly, as a Christian, life means Christ – not self. What most people do not come to understand is that their lives are not supposed to be about them. Christ’s life was about tem. Their lives are about Christ – and about our neighbors, whom Christ has given to us to serve. Life and death questions look at the moment, right now. We have no such questions, really. We have already died. Our life awaits revealing in Christ in the resurrection. We don’t have to choose, since it is Christ’s choice already. C. The debate about quality of life is really an ownership debate. How do we decide when life is no longer worth living? The question really becomes, ‘Who decides?’ The following passages each are generally understood to address other questions about life as a Christian. How do they apply to this issue? Romans 8:12-13, Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:15, Luke 12:23. We have no obligation to the flesh. Our considerations in these matters must place the Spiritual first. We cannot judge by how it looks from the outside. Do not be anxious. Your life is about more and better things than ‘how it seems’ at the moment. We walk by faith, and let God’s Word (and not pundits) lead us. What else could the discussion of these end-of-life issues be, especially as our culture frames them, than a form of greed? We lust for the ‘full life”. We want it to be fun and fulfilling in our estimation. We want it to be the sort of life we would consider worth living, without giving though to God’s wisdom and planning. Life is more than we perceive. It is more than the sum of the parts of which we are aware. It is a gift from God, and His to continue or to end at His good pleasure.
Higher Things God’s Gift of Life Leaders’ Guide, page 2 II. If we understand ourselves as God’s people, owned by Him and in His service, the statements of the value of life change. A. Look up Isaiah 45:7. Ask yourself, where do the difficulties of life ultimately come from, according to God? Read Isaiah 45:9. Does this suggest anything to you about these difficult issues? How would you frame the Biblical approach to troubles? God says that He creates them. Surely nothing can happen to us without God permitting it. If bad things could happen to us without God’s awareness or beyond His ability to prevent it, then God would have to be less tan all-knowing, and less than all-powerful. I, for one, would rather live under the thought that God has a plan which I cannot perceive clearly, than to believe that I am without help, because life can do things to me without God’s permission. If God has a plan, I know His ultimate will for me is good – the cross and the empty tomb show me that! Isaiah 45:9 indicates that grumbling too much is my flesh’s attempt to put me in the role of God. God is in charge – and although I do not know the details of what and why I must endure some of life’s hardships, God has a plan and His will is good. I am His to do with as He sees fit. My greatest comfort is that He has shown me His love in Jesus Christ, and called me by name to be His own. When all is finished, I shall live with Him. Along the way, I want to remember that He is God and I am creature – loved and redeemed, but still His to use as He knows is best. B. What is the common thread in these passages? – John 1:4, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Colossians 3:4, and John 10:10? Jesus is life and life is Jesus and the two are inseparably linked. He is the life, in Him is life, He is the bread of Life – true life – eternal life -- is in Him and connected to Him. C. How does Ezekiel 37:12-14 help you understand the “life worth living” questions of our society, in the light of your faith in Jesus Christ? The fullness of life and the reality of life are still to come. Death is not going to get in our way, and nothing else in creation has as much power as death, so come what may, we will live as God’s holy people. Remember Paul’s exhortation: Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” D. Now go back to Pastor Peperkorn’s article. Re-read the last two paragraphs before the prayer. Discuss his conclusions and how you would like to handle those questions about the “end of life” decisions that our society confronts us with. Prepare to explain how you would confess your faith while answering these questions for a loved one – and while preparing your loved ones to face those kind of questions about you (if God so wills). Answers will vary, just steer them to letting God make those “end of life” decisions. It is, after all, part of His job.
God’s Gift of Life Bible Study Rev. Robin Fish I.
Pastor Peperkorn raises the interesting issues of life and death which have captivated our society in recent years. It might be helpful to look at what the Bible has to say which pertains to these issues. A. The first question is inevitably “Whose life is it, anyhow?” The answer isn’t as easy as some try to pretend. Most want to pretend that our life belongs to us. What does Romans 4:17 have to say about this issue? How does this passage echo Genesis 2:7?
B. For the believer, the issue is really much more pointed. Whose life it is, according to Galatians 2:20? How does that change one’s perspective, in the light of Philippians 1:21? Pastor Peperkorn cited Colossians 3:3. Looking at both verses 3 and 4, how does that change the equation about life and death issues?
C. The debate about quality of life is really an ownership debate. How do we decide when life is no longer worth living? The question really becomes, ‘Who decides?’ The following passages each are generally understood to address other questions about life as a Christian. How do they apply to this issue? Romans 8:12-13, Matthew 6:25, Luke 12:15, Luke 12:23.
II. If we understand ourselves as God’s people, owned by Him and in His service, the statements of the value of life change. A. Look up Isaiah 45:7. Ask yourself, where do the difficulties of life ultimately come from, according to God? Read Isaiah 45:9. Does this suggest anything to you about these difficult issues? How would you frame the Biblical approach to troubles?
B. What is the common thread in these passages? – John 1:4, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Colossians 3:4, and John 10:10?
C. How does Ezekiel 37:12-14 help you understand the “life worth living” questions of our society, in the light of your faith in Jesus Christ?
D. Now go back to Pastor Peperkorn’s article. Re-read the last two paragraphs before the prayer. Discuss his conclusions and how you would like to handle those questions about the “end of life” decisions that our society confronts us with. Prepare to explain how you would confess your faith while answering these questions for a loved one – and while preparing your loved ones to face those kind of questions about you (if God so wills).
Myths on Prayer Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. Glenn Niemann 1. “What happens when we pray as the world tells us?” asks Rev. Borghardt. “The World” often fashions its prayers to be heard by an audience; yet according to Scripture, Who is the only intended recipient of prayer? See Psalm 19:14, Matthew 6:5,7-8, Psalm 65:2, Luke 5:15-16. As The Lord is the only one who hears & answers prayer, we should direct and compose our prayers for His ears alone, rather than to impress or address any other “audience.” 2. “The Lord knows better than to leave our prayers to what’s going on in our hearts.” Why is that? See Genesis 6:5, 8:21, I Corinthians 2:9-11, Jeremiah 17:9, Hebrews 4:12. Because of sin, our heart is not to be trusted as the primary source of prayer. 3. “The best prayers come from outside of you…pray our Lord’s words back to Him. Pray the Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, and pray the Apostle’s Creed.” Note in the following passages how Scripture is used to pray: Matthew 21:9, 23:39, Acts 4:24-31, Mark 15:34, Romans 11:33-36. In each example, the one praying quotes/utilizes Scripture passages as the content of his prayer. 4. In addition to The Psalms, The Liturgy, and The Three Ecumenical Creeds, what other kinds of prayer are contained in the hymnal? Search for the following examples: The Collect of the Day, The Morning and Evening Suffrages, The Te Deum Laudamus, The Bidding Prayer, General Prayers, Canticles, The Litany, The Nunc Dimittis. Each of these examples can be found in The Lutheran Hymnal or Lutheran Worship. Hints: In Lutheran Worship the Morning and Evening Suffrages are re-named “Responsive Prayer 1” and “Responsive Prayer 2.” The Te Deum is found in the order of Matins. The Nunc Dimittis is found both in Vespers and as the post-communion canticle in some communion services. 5. It has been said that “He who sings, twice prays.” Discuss – what does this mean? Are hymns actually intended to be prayers? Sample some hymns from your hymnal … which are prayers? Which are not? Rather than entertainment for man, hymns in their very essence are intended as praise addressed to God – therefore, they also often contain petitions to Him. Singing is not only praise of God, but also thanksgiving for the voice that He gives (whether it be melodious or off-key, GOD enjoys hearing our praise!). In addition, singing is a mnemonic device. For example, we didn’t learn the alphabet by rote repetition, but by singing our “A-B-Cs” to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” In like manner, singing a hymn teaches us to pray.
Myths on Prayer Bible Study Rev. Glenn Niemann 1. “What happens when we pray as the world tells us?” asks Rev. Borghardt. “The World” often fashions its prayers to be heard by an audience; yet according to Scripture, Who is the only intended recipient of prayer? See Psalm 19:14, Matthew 6:5,7-8, Psalm 65:2, Luke 5:15-16.
2. “The Lord knows better than to leave our prayers to what’s going on in our hearts.” Why is that?
3. “The best prayers come from outside of you…pray our Lord’s words back to Him. Pray the Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, and pray the Apostle’s Creed.” Note in the following passages how Scripture is used to pray: Matthew 21:9, 23:39, Acts 4:24-31, Mark 15:34, Romans 11:33-36.
4. In addition to The Psalms, The Liturgy, and The Three Ecumenical Creeds, what other kinds of prayer are contained in the hymnal? Search for the following examples: The Collect of the Day, The Morning and Evening Suffrages, The Te Deum Laudamus, The Bidding Prayer, General Prayers, Canticles, The Litany, The Nunc Dimittis.
5. It has been said that “He who sings, twice prays.” Discuss – what does this mean? Are hymns actually intended to be prayers? Sample some hymns from your hymnal … which are prayers? Which are not?
Why the Pope has Nothing on Lutherans Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. Darrin Kohrt Begin your study of God’s word by praying this prayer of Martin Luther, “O Father and God of all comfort, through your word and Holy Spirit grant us a firm, glad, and grateful faith. By it may we easily overcome this and every other trial, and at length realize what your dear Son Jesus Christ himself says is true: Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Amen.” The Pope’s funeral was a media extravaganza. The Roman Catholic Church received priceless, free publicity. Perhaps some worldwide interest in Christianity will be renewed. Yet we must be very clear about some distinctions. As Dr. Veith points out, many Christian theological systems are fatally flawed. They direct the person back to his own strength and merits, rather than solely to Christ. Lutheranism can offer the biblical understanding of Christ and His grace alone for our salvation. I.
What we want: Recognition A. People love to be recognized. Human nature craves attention and praise. How is this desire manifested in people’s spiritual lives? Use Luke 18:9-14 to help with your answer. Like the Pharisee, people become spiritually arrogant. We easily develop an attitude of superiority through our moral obedience or sacrificial works. B. What do you think is the ultimate accomplishment (spiritually) that people would like to take credit for? See Gal. 3:1-14 for help. Help the students to see that we ultimately want to take credit for our own faith and salvation. This may be a good opportunity to discuss the problem of how many Evangelicals think it is necessary to make a decision for Christ. Help them see through Gal. 3, how human effort relates to legalism. C. Discuss some religious teaching and practices that encourage the idea of the individual taking credit for his spiritual accomplishments. See Dr. Veith’s article for some examples. Programs for moral uprightness and theologies that teach God blesses you in accordance with your faith and faithfulness can easily lead to this end. II. What we need: Reconciliation A. God doesn’t necessarily give us what we want, but He always gives us what we need. According to Rom. 3:20, what do we need? We need to realize we are sinners worthy of present and eternal punishment. B. Read Col. 1:19-23. How are the consequences of our sin addressed and what does this mean for us? Christ has been crucified for our sins. The peace He has made means freedom from any necessary human effort to help secure salvation. III. What we get: Christ A. Christ and salvation are all or nothing. We can never be partially saved. We can’t partly believe in Christ. And so we cannot take ANY credit for our salvation. See Eph. 2:8-9 Emphasize the completeness and full sufficiency of grace. Any teaching which insists on even the smallest amount of human effort or merit for salvation is fatally flawed. The difference between Christ alone and Christ plus some amount of human supplement is a categorical one, not one of degree. B. According to 1Thes. 2:13, Gal. 3:27 and 1Cor. 11:23-24, how do we “get” the historical Christ in the present? Christ is accessed ONLY through His appointed means.
Why the Pope has Nothing on Lutherans Bible Study Rev. Darrin Kohrt Begin your study of God’s word by praying this prayer of Martin Luther, “O Father and God of all comfort, through your word and Holy Spirit grant us a firm, glad, and grateful faith. By it may we easily overcome this and every other trial, and at length realize what your dear Son Jesus Christ himself says is true: Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. Amen.” The Pope’s funeral was a media extravaganza. The Roman Catholic Church received priceless, free publicity. Perhaps some worldwide interest in Christianity will be renewed. Yet we must be very clear about some distinctions. As Dr. Veith points out, many Christian theological systems are fatally flawed. They direct the person back to his own strength and merits, rather than solely to Christ. Lutheranism can offer the biblical understanding of Christ and His grace alone for our salvation. I.
What we want: Recognition A. People love to be recognized. Human nature craves attention and praise. How is this desire manifested in people’s spiritual lives? Use Luke 18:9-14 to help with your answer.
B. What do you think is the ultimate accomplishment (spiritually) that people would like to take credit for? See Gal. 3:1-14 for help.
C. Discuss some religious teaching and practices that encourage the idea of the individual taking credit for his spiritual accomplishments. See Dr. Veith’s article for some examples.
II. What we need: Reconciliation A. God doesn’t necessarily give us what we want, but He always gives us what we need. According to Rom. 3:20, what do we need?
B. Read Col. 1:19-23. How are the consequences of our sin addressed and what does this mean for us?
III. What we get: Christ A. Christ and salvation are all or nothing. We can never be partially saved. We can’t partly believe in Christ. And so we cannot take ANY credit for our salvation. See Eph. 2:8-9
B. According to 1Thes. 2:13, Gal. 3:27 and 1Cor. 11:23-24, how do we “get” the historical Christ in the present?
The Day I Got Punched… Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. Joseph Fisher I.
“It dawned on me that what is truly 'catholic' is not necessarily 'Roman' and what is wrong about Roman doctrine is actually deeply anti-Christian and, therefore, not 'catholic' at all! It's not what is believed on the basis of the Bible, by all people, everywhere, at all times.” Rev. McCain’s epiphany is that there is after all only two religions in the world. One is the true catholic faith of Grace; the other is the religion of works. Does this revelation come as a shock to you? A. You learned in confirmation that the true Christian (catholic) Church is invisible. Her presence is known by its marks. What are the marks of the true Church? The answer is found in Article VII of the Augsburg Confession: “Our churches teach that one holy Church is to remain forever. The Church is the congregation of saints (Palm 149:1) in which the Gospel is purely taught and the Sacraments are correctly administered. For the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree about the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. It is not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere. As Paul says, 'One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all,' (Ephesians 4:5-6)". (Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, p. 60.) The marks are the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. B. Read Acts 17:10-11. How was Rev. McCain being Berean? He questioned what he was being taught and studied God’s Word to see if it was true. C. What are our responsibilities as students to those who teach us and to ourselves? To study what is taught us and keep what is true and correct what is false.
II. Lutheranism and the true (catholic) religion of grace A. Is the faith expressed by Luther and the Lutheran Confessions the catholic faith? Yes, because they are the confession of what is believed on the basis of the Bible, by all people, everywhere, at all times. B. The next question that might come to mind is the Lutheran Church the universal church? This is a trick question. Lutheran doctrine is the doctrine of the Scriptures and therefore the doctrine of the one, universal (catholic) Church. But Lutheranism as we see it today contains teachers of false doctrine, and the doctrine of the Gospel can be taught in churches which don’t endorse Lutheranism. It all depends on the true teaching of the Gospel. The struggle for those who dare to be Lutheran is how to live with those within the Lutheran church and those not Lutheran who confess the catholic faith correctly at times and incorrectly at other times. The defining point is their public confession if it is correct we can all rejoice and are obligated to express fellowship. If it is in error we must correct our erring brothers gently and with respect, always keeping an eye on our own confession lest we fall also. This is liable to get you smacked or punched from time to time. So Dare to be Lutheran and remember to keep your “right” up.
The Day I Got Punched… Bible Study Rev. Joseph Fisher I.
“It dawned on me that what is truly 'catholic' is not necessarily 'Roman' and what is wrong about Roman doctrine is actually deeply anti-Christian and, therefore, not 'catholic' at all! It's not what is believed on the basis of the Bible, by all people, everywhere, at all times.” Rev. McCain’s epiphany is that there is after all only two religions in the world. One is the true catholic faith of Grace; the other is the religion of works. Does this revelation come as a shock to you? A. You learned in confirmation that the true Christian (catholic) Church is invisible. Her presence is known by its marks. What are the marks of the true Church?
B. Read Acts 17:10-11. How was Rev. McCain being Berean?
C. What are our responsibilities as students to those who teach us and to ourselves?
II. Lutheranism and the true (catholic) religion of grace A. Is the faith expressed by Luther and the Lutheran Confessions the catholic faith?
B. The next question that might come to mind is the Lutheran Church the universal church?
Losing Stupid Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Rev. David Ritoch I.
Pastor Pauls writes, “Never, ever determine your worth by the score at the end of the game,” and again, “Never determine your worth by the scoreboard or your athletic ability. The scoreboard goes dark by the end of the night, and your abilities will fail.” A. We place a great deal of importance on being popular. We like to bask in the glow of our success. How important is being successful to our nation? To your school? To your family? To you? We live in post-modern times where success is highly prized and shortcomings are belittled. Winning, often at any cost, has become a predominant theme in our culture, and therefore also in marriage, school, family, government, business, etc. Success at all costs, whether on the playing field, in the classroom, in the boardroom, or in an individual’s life, is highly prized in our society. Success certainly is not sinful in itself, but winning at the expense of the gifts and natural abilities God has given to us, or at the expense of another person, is. B. There is much talk about self-esteem and self-worth these days. How do you personally determine your worth? Sadly, many people (even some Lutherans!) derive their self-worth through the opinions of others, or by seeing whether their accomplishments outweigh their shortcomings. C. How does our Father in heaven determine your worth? Read Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” Our worth is derived from the price that was paid to rescue us from our sins, mistakes, shortcomings, and failures. Our Lord Jesus paid for all of those things by taking them into Himself on the cross. Our perfection comes not from our own accomplishments, but from the work of Christ Himself, who “purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious Blood and His innocent suffering and death... ” (Small Catechism, Second Article). What are we worth? The very life of God.
II. Barry Bonds, when asked about steroid use in a 2002 interview with the Associated Press, said: “Doctors ought to quit worrying about what ballplayers are taking. What they take doesn't matter. It’s nobody’s business.” A. What do you think of the idea that “It’s nobody’s business?” Satan would like us to believe that what we do in life affects only ourselves, but in truth, others are often negatively affected as well. It does not take much imagination to realize how many people looked up to — even idolized — Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, and other athletes who have been exposed as steroid users. B. Whose business is it according to Holy Scripture? Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” The explanation to the Fifth Commandment states that, “We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body... ” This applies to our own bodies as well. Despite a lot of “freedom of choice” talk, our bodies do not belong to us. They were created to glorify God. Therefore, steroid use — indeed, any abuse of the body — is sinful. Beside all that, it is God Himself who dwells there, and He always provides for His house.
Higher Things Bible Study Leaders’ Guide Losing Stupid, page 2
C. How does the Father take care of our bodies, His temple? We are reminded in the explanation to the First Article of the Apostles’ Creed that He creates and gives us all things needed for our bodies and “still takes care of them.” Dr. Luther further reminds us: “What is meant by daily bread? Daily bread includes everything to do with the support and needs of the body...” (Lord’s Prayer, Fourth Petition). III. Pastor Pauls notes that steroids are not only used by professional athletes, but they are also “used in colleges, high school, even middle school” to obtain that extra edge. A. Most people agree that there is a moral issue to face with steroid use, but there are also legal issues as well. Explain what they are in light of the Fourth Commandment. Luther’s explanation to the commandment looks beyond the letter of the Law to it’s true intent: “that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” We may justify steroid use in our own minds, but the government, which has the responsibility to protect her citizens in God’s Name, has declared that juicing is a criminal action. B. What is ultimately at stake here? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them... To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Ultimately, there is much at stake apart from the harm juicing does to our bodies. When we wear the label “Lutheran,” there are those who watch us closely to see if our actions match our words. What witness do we present when we recite the First Article gifts while all the while injecting harmful chemicals into our bodies? What sort of God would live in a temple like that? We know that the answer is: the One who forgives us our sins and weaknesses, no matter what! Others—even many Christians—will not see it that way. St. Paul wrote, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful” (1 Corinthians 6:12). If something causes your brother or sister to stumble, it should not be done. Athletes exercise self-control in all things in order to perform well, St. Paul says. Yet, the runner runs to win a prize that is perishable. We Christians also run with a purpose, disciplining our bodies and keeping them under control so that after speaking the good news of Jesus to others, we do not find ourselves outside of His Kingdom, but with His help, running strong to finish the race to our home in heaven.
Losing Stupid Bible Study Rev. David Ritoch I.
Pastor Pauls writes, “Never, ever determine your worth by the score at the end of the game,” and again, “Never determine your worth by the scoreboard or your athletic ability. The scoreboard goes dark by the end of the night, and your abilities will fail.” A. We place a great deal of importance on being popular. We like to bask in the glow of our success. How important is being successful to our nation? To your school? To your family? To you?
B. There is much talk about self-esteem and self-worth these days. How do you personally determine your worth?
C. How does our Father in heaven determine your worth? Read Romans 8:32.
II. Barry Bonds, when asked about steroid use in a 2002 interview with the Associated Press, said: “Doctors ought to quit worrying about what ballplayers are taking. What they take doesn't matter. It’s nobody’s business.” A. What do you think of the idea that “It’s nobody’s business?”
B. Whose business is it according to Holy Scripture? Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
C. How does the Father take care of our bodies, His temple?
III. Pastor Pauls notes that steroids are not only used by professional athletes, but they are also “used in colleges, high school, even middle school” to obtain that extra edge. A. Most people agree that there is a moral issue to face with steroid use, but there are also legal issues as well. Explain what they are in light of the Fourth Commandment.
B. What is ultimately at stake here? Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.
