2007 Summer - Higher Things Magazine (with Bible Studies)

D A R E

T O

B E

L U T H E R A N

igher Things

Inside this issue:

• The Top Ten

Films All Lutherans Should Know and Love

• Ballroom Dancing: A Lesson in Life • Questions and Answers about Virginia Tech

W W W. H I G H E RT H I N G S . O R G

/ SUMMER / 2007

We’ve compiled a sampling of some notable blurbs from the Higher Things blogs. Check them out and read more online at http://blog.higherthings.org/.

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Contents T A B L E

O F

FEATURES 4

To Burn or Not to Burn

By Jess Norton Your friend just got the new Nelly Furtado CD, and it’s the same one you’ve been wanting to get. He offers to let you have it after school so that you can burn your own copy. Do you take him up on it? Or do you fork over the eighteen bucks and buy your own? Read Jess Norton’s article on music piracy if you’re unsure about how you’d answer.

6 Film History 101

By Doktor Martin Luther It’s summertime. Instead of whining to your parents that you have no life, pop in one of the ten films all Lutherans should know and love.

Doktor Luther has outlined several classic movies that you’re sure to enjoy. And if you don’t, well, it’s better than sitting on the front porch waiting for the ice cream truck.

12 Money . . . Money . . . and More Money

By Rev. George F. Borghardt III While you might have a summer job, we’re betting that you’re still begging your parents for more money. But who ultimately gives us all that we need? Believe it or not, money doesn’t grow in your parents’ wallets, but it does come from God who knows just how much you need.

14 The Wife of a Pastor

By Julie Stiegemeyer When we think of pastors’ wives, we usually think they should play the organ, make coffee for Bible Study, lead the Altar Guild, and teach Sunday School, right? Or maybe not.To get an inside scoop on what it’s like being married to a pastor, check out this interview with Julie Stiegemeyer.

18 Letters Home

By Chaplain Richard Townes Chaplain Richard Townes saw a lot of things, both painful and joyful, when he was deployed to Iraq with a Marine battalion for several months.Through a series of letters written home, he shares the struggles and successes of being a pastor to some of the men and women who fight to protect us.

24 Saved Sex: A Plea for Virginity

By Rev. Tim Pauls Society tells us that sex outside of marriage is okay, that it won’t hurt anybody, and that it’s a sure cure for loneliness. But that’s not God’s plan for you. Read Pastor Pauls’ article to find out why God wants you to wait and why He loves and forgives you, even if you do fall prey to temptation.

28 Let’s Dance

By Rev. Jason Braaten Ballroom dancing is regaining popularity all across America. It’s graceful, classic, and fun. But Pastor Braaten, a ballroom dancer himself, believes you can learn more from dancing than just the cha-cha and waltz. It’s a lesson in leading, following, relationships, and love.

COLUMNS

Volume 7/Number 2 • Summer 2007

10 A Moonlight Drive

By Kathy Luder What started out as an innocent drive to listen to music and hang out with Molly turns disastrous for Kathy when a drunk driver loses control of his car. As a result, Kathy is forced to grow up quickly when she finds herself hurt and in trouble.

16 Christ on Campus: Questions from Virginia Teach

By Rev. Paul Siems The recent shootings at Virginia Tech left many Americans wondering why and how it happened. While the thought of such a tragedy happening in your own school might frighten you and give you concern about your safety, Pastor Siems reminds us that Christ has won eternal security for us in heaven.

22 Mining the Riches: God’s Breath

By Rev. Bart Day God spoke, and things were created. His words had their intended effect. Sin has tainted that perfect creation, and now we live in a sinful world. At the same time, Pastor Day expounds on why we can wait with eager anticipation for Christ’s new creation where we will live with Him forever.

30 Good Government

By Rev. David Petersen Have you ever considered that a good government is one of the ways in which your heavenly Father gives you your daily bread? It’s true! For a lesson in history, tyranny, freedom, and liberty, go straight to Pastor Petersen’s article.

Also in this issue:

2 Blurbs from the Blogs 20 News and Notes

HigherThings Volume 7/Number 2/Summer 2007 Executive Editor REV. TIM PAULS Managing Editor ADRIANE DORR Assistant Editor

JULIE BECKWITH Art Director STEVE BLAKEY Editorial Associates

REV. PAUL BEISEL REV. DAVID PETERSEN REV. GREG ALMS REV. ERIK ROTTMANN Bible Studies Editor REV. DAN MACKEY Business Manager

LYNNETTE FREDERICKSEN Subscriptions Manager ELIZABETH CARLSON No Anabaptists were harmed in the making of this magazine.

____ Christ on Campus Executive REV. MARCUS ZILL Conferences Executive REV. BRUCE KESEMAN Internet Services Executive REV. GEORGE F. BORGHARDT

III

Retreat Executive LANDON REED

_____ Board of Directors President REV. KLEMET

PREUS

Vice President REV. WILLIAM Secretary SANDRA

CWIRLA

OSTAPOWICH

Treasurer LYNN FREDERICKSEN

REV. BRENT KUHLMANN MARK PFUNDSTEIN BRUCE PARADIS REV. RICHARD RESCH DR. BEVERLY YAHNKE ___________ Higher Things Magazine ISSN 1539-8455 is published quarterly by Higher Things, Inc., 5009 Cassia, Boise, ID 83705. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the executive editor of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2007.

Printed in the United States. Postage paid at St. Louis, Missouri. For subscription information and questions, call 1-888-448-2359 or e-mail subscriptions@higherthings.org. (This phone number is only used for subscription queries.)

For letters to the editor, write letters@higherthings.org. Writers may submit manuscripts to: submissions@higherthings.org.

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That is the Question To Burn or not toBurn:

Illustration based on Adam and Eve. Dürer in America: His Graphic Work, Charles W. Talbot, editor. (New York: Macmillan, 1971) with apologies to the artist.

By Jess Norton

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veryone wonders whether or not it is ethical or Christian to share music by burning copies of CDs that they do not own or by illegally downloading music from the Internet.

Even if you disagree with the laws, we as Christians are commanded by the Bible to submit to the laws of the land that God has established.This is made clear in the first two verses of Romans 13, which say,“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” If the law of man is set in place through the authority of God then for us to go against such a law is clearly un-Christian. It is not only an offense to the state but to God as well. Human laws bind the Christian.

We should also consider whether or not the Bible says anything else concerning the subject.The Seventh Commandment admonishes men not to steal. So we should also consider if making copies of CDs or pirating music from the Internet is really stealing.

Suppose that you have been working very hard for five years to build an invention that is all your own.You are about to get a patent on it and begin to gain an income from all of your very hard work. Someone comes along and copies your pattern without your knowing it and passes the pattern around so that everyone can have their own version of your invention without paying for it.That would not only upset you, but it would also hurt you financially. It would mean that you had wasted the time that you had given to the project expecting to gain a profit from it.The future income that you anticipated was taken from you. It is in a sense as if the people who stole your invention stole from your future.They took what was yours from you before you even got to enjoy it.

Music is very much like an invention because every time it is played, it is slightly different. Even if sheet music is used, there can be many quite different interpretations of the same piece of music. Each recording that musicians make is their own invention. No one else can play it quite like they do.Their style and abilities are unique to them, just as any invention is the physical outflow of the inventor’s unique thoughts.This can be seen in the various bands that have their own distinctive sound and in various singers who have a style like no one else does. For example, no one sounds quite like Frank Sinatra or like Elvis or The Beatles.While they can be imitated, they can never be replaced because they are each special and have a sound that is particular to them and to no one else. Musicians practice and work very hard to develop their own style and skill.They are working with the hopes of gaining a profit.

Paid Advertisement

myTunes Besides all of this, the musician is quite the individual and cannot really be replaced by anyone else, because no one else can play quite like he or she does. Music is much more dependent upon personality and individuality than most other kinds of work. It truly is stealing to take the music a musician has produced without paying for it knowing that he or she has worked and prepared with the hope that wages will be earned in return for work accomplished.

Many people make the argument that it is okay to illegally distribute music because professional musicians do not really need the money.That very same logic could be used to justify robbing a bank since banks do not really seem to need all of that money and no individual would be hurt by the robbery. Nonetheless, it is wrong.The appeal of stealing music lies in that it is easy to do.There are often no consequences to pay, and it usually goes unnoticed. But just because you don’t get caught doesn’t mean that you are not doing wrong.

As cliché as it might sound, God is watching. Not only that, but when a Christian borrows CDs from his friends and burns them, he is making a confession to that friend. He is saying,“I serve God and obey Him in so far as it does not inconvenience me or keep me from having what I want.” At that point, your friend may wonder why you would even bother to be a Christian if you are not at least going to make the attempt to act like one.

That’s at least three strikes against the practice of sharing music.

First of all, it is against the law of the land. Consequently, it is also against God’s Law because according to St. Paul, it was God that instituted such laws through men.

Second of all, it does in fact seem to be stealing because a musician is working with an expectation of being paid for his music just as a person who works in a store works for wages. In Dr. Luther’s explanation of the Seventh Commandment, he writes,“We should not take our neighbor’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.”It is good to note that he never mentions how rich the neighbor is, but only that we ought to be honest toward him and protect his interests.

Finally, the third strike against sharing music is that you make a public confession that may hinder others from coming into the Church because they do not see you honoring God in your life.The evidence seems conclusive.We as Christians should make every effort to see to it that all of the music we own was obtained through legal means, both out of a concern for pleasing God and out of a desire to set a godly example to those around us.

Jess L. Norton is a Master of Arts Student at Concordia Theological Seminary studying Historical Theology and intends to teach theology after he has received his degree.

He may be reached at JLN83@aol.com.

Hey there. My name is John Wiederander, and I have been operating my Web site for pert-near two days now.Thanks to Higher Things Magazine’s ridiculous ad rates, I hereby offer you this chance to download some of the greatest music available on the Web today. If I like it, I know you will too. So, warm up the MP3 player of your choice, go to my Web site, and start spending money on the latest downloads.

“99 Copies of A Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope’ on the Wall” Helmut Thorkellson and The Accordiannes “Love Song for the Parsonage Lawnmower in Forty-Three Stanzas” Cutter Tiebold. Soloist

“Hip Hop Memory Work” DJ Sven

“The Athanasian Creed Set to Haiku and Mandolin” Sergei Strauss

This is what satisfied customers are saying: “myTunes is great.There. I said it. Now give me back my skateboard, little brother, before I give you an atomic noogie.” –Ned Wiederander “I think it’s all very nice, dear, and much better than when you were setting the lawn on fire.”

–My mom Legal Disclaimer: Helmut Thorkellson, Cutter Tiebold, DJ Sven, and Sergei Strauss are all unfortunately dull pseudonyms for John Wiederander. Mr. Wiederander’s efforts have been awarded“Worst Possible Tunes,”“Worst Possible Lyrics,”“Best Proof of the Fall of Western Civilization,”“Poorest Excuse for a Fake Ad in a Youth Magazine” and “Stupidest Use of A Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope in a Song Title.” His music has been condemned by legislatures in four European countries, six African nations, and the town council of Mr.Wiederander’s own hometown of North Lincoln (by a vote of 7–0, [Uncle] Charlie Wiederander politely abstaining); is used in Central America only for the purposes of driving large numbers of rats out of abandoned buildings and in Canada for motivating lost whales to return to sea. Possession of Mr. Wiederander’s recordings, or even the thought of thereof, may mean a fine of up to €1000 and six months imprisonment in Sweden, Portugal, Albania, and Austria.

Prolonged use of this music (defined by medical experts as “anything longer than pressing the Play button”) may lead to scurvy, pattern baldness, rickets, unwanted body odor, and infestations of tone-deaf parakeets. Use of this music for interrogation purposes may violate several statutes of the Geneva Convention, cause premature molding in dairy products, and attract stray dogs, snow leopards, walking catfish, werewolves, land squid, sad clowns, and asteroids.

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2 0 0 (Legal Dept. Note:“Act now!” in the context of this page should be interpreted in no other way than “Run away as fast as you can, and never admit you even read this 7 advertisement.” Higher Things Magazine apologizes for the presence of this ad and __

Act now!

promises in the future to read the material before signing the contract.)

5

Film History

By Martin Luther (Doktor) Sub-adequately assisted by Anthony Sacramone

e meet again, my Lutherans. It is I, Martin Luther (Doktor), back to shepherd you through the vast wilderness of ick that is contemporary motion picturedom. Summer is upon us, and the usual collection of prequels, sequels, cartoons, and bloodfests is bursting forth in cineplexi nationwide.

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Now, how are you to distinguish the junk from the gems, the “just good fun” from the “that’s gonna leave a mark on my soul”—in short, how do you separate the wheat from the chaffe when stepping up to the box office and plunking down the vast sum charged for one lousy ticket?

The same way you would spot a counterfeit $20 bill, not by studying a phony, but by studying the real thing—again and again. And that is where we must begin—with a deep appreciation of the classics! Learn what is good, noble, lovely, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8) and you will know how to spy a clunker every time.

Yes, my Lutherans, there were movies before The Matrix and Spider-Man—even before Star Wars Episode 1: What a Disappointment! I am too often horrified at the historical obliviousness of so many of our youth today, with their long hair and crazy music and the talking back to their elders and—TURN THAT RACKET DOWN! I CAN’T HEAR MYSELF THINK! As I was saying ...I present to you Ten Films Every Lutheran Should Know and Love,that is,if you want to be considered truly cinema-savvy and film literate.One film per month—not too much to ask in exchange for the ability to know a good film when you see one.So get out your Blockbuster Card or your Netflix username.Here we go!

1. Citizen Kane (1941).The story of a wealthy newspaper tycoon—told and retold and retold from multiple perspectives, angles, and narratives. But when all is said and done, do we ever really know someone, especially someone of great achievement?

Every scene, every shot, is a sign, a signal, about the characters’ relation to each other and their environment. And the ending? Does it truly solve the mystery of Charles Foster Kane? I think not—but you be the judge.

2. My Uncle (1958). A French comedy. Just what you were looking for, no? But fear not—there are virtually no words. Jacques Tati, writer, director, and star, is Mr. Hulot, a man who is always out of place. He wears a raincoat in sunny weather and sports a pipe he never smokes. As he tries to negotiate his way around a smart new home filled with modern conveniences, the laughs start in trickles and end in guffaws—but you also learn something about that $10 word alienation. Was technology made for man, or man made for technology? Is the faster, shinier, newer always better?

3. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). No one likes to be lectured to, especially during what is supposed to be entertainment. But lawyer Atticus Finch, played with an incomparable panache and subtlety by Gregory Peck, is not out to teach a lesson but simply to do his job—save an innocent man from a false charge in a racially divided community. Mockingbird is a study in quiet dignity, homespun eloquence, and everyday courage.

4. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).The tag line for Ridley Scott’s Alien was “In space, no one can hear you scream.” For Stanley Kubrick’s 2001, it should have been,“No one can hear anything but classical music.

A slow, hauntingly beautiful depiction of a future come and gone, and one science-fiction writer’s vision of what it means to be human—which demands a response from Christians. Despite being almost 40 years old, 2001 still looks cutting edge.

5. His Girl Friday (1940). Was 2001 too slow for you? Then this is the perfect antidote. Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell star as newspaper editor and reporter, respectively, in the second of what turned out to be four big screen incarnations of the classic Ben Hecht/Charles MacArthur stageplay The Front Page. The rapid-fire repartee between Grant and Russell set the standard for comedies to this day. Who will get the better of whom?

(Never mind the last word!)

6. Meet John Doe (1941). You probably know this director already, Frank Capra, the magic man behind It’s a Wonderful Life and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. But Doe is a neglected gem that highlights a serious theme: how modern

communication methods can be used to create consensus and community—or manipulate the masses into angry mobs. It stars Gary Cooper, a man of few words but big screen presence (think High Noon).

7. Bicycle Thief (1948). A story of utter simplicity: in postwar Italy, when jobs are few and far between, a man’s bicycle is stolen, and with it his means of making a living. He has one weekend to find it or lose his job. What can desperation—and societal indifference—drive an ordinary family man to do? The first winner ever of a Best Foreign Film Oscar (Italy).

8. Bridge on the River Kwai (1957). Director David Lean and stars William Holden and Alec Guinness in a war picture to end all war pictures. A British colonel and his men are taken prisoners of war by the Japanese in World War II. Rather than wither away in the sun with self-pity, Nicholson is determined to help his captors build a bridge that will stand as a monument to British integrity and workmanship, despite the awful circumstances they must endure. But little does the colonel know that he is unwittingly working against the very cause he is willing to die for.That is the insanity of war.

9. City Lights (1931). Charlie Chaplin virtually dances his way through this Depression-era social satire about a tramp and a blind girl who find each other in the heart of a heartless big city. It’s one of the most visually referenced and influential silent movies ever made.

10. Rear Window (1954). Jimmy Stewart is a photographer laid up in his apartment with a broken leg. With nothing to do but stare out his window at the goings on in the homes of strangers across the way (and avoid discussion of marriage with his lady love, Princess Grace Kelly), he one day catches a glimpse of what he’s convinced is a murder. What does he do with this information, especially given his immobilized condition?

Legendary director Alfred Hitchcock creates a claustrophobic and tension-ridden movie experience.

Martin Luther received a doctor of theology degree in 1512. He launched the Reformation in October 1517. He died in February 1546 and now operates a blog (lutheratthemovies.blogspot.com). Anthony Sacramone (not pictured, thank goodness) graduated a University Honors Scholar in cinema studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and is currently the managing editor of First Things magazine. He also provides Dr. Luther with technical assistance and an ample supply of Count Chocula. Dr. Luther can be reached at martinluther@earthlink.net. If you expect him to reply to you, expect him also to be grumpy.

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Planning on attending a Higher Things Conference in 2008? Do you want to make travel cheaper and help others get there also? Why not host a preconference HT lock-in?

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reconference HT lock-ins are designed to help your group coordinate with others in your region, making travel to a conference less expensive. More importantly, a preconference lock-in will give your groups an opportunity to gather together for worship, study, and fun. HT will help you put on a lock-in in your area using only small fees and donations from participating (or sponsoring) congregations. This will allow all confirmed to college-aged youth to attend the lock-in for free and will encourage them to invite their friends to hear the Gospel and have fun together.

Interested? For more information, contact Landon Reed, Higher Things Retreats Executive.

Upcoming Retreats:

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October 12–14, 2007

February 16–18, 2008

June 19–20, 2008

How to Argue about Jesus

“Be Mine” (Jeremiah 30:22)

To Be Announced

Messiah Lutheran Church 9209 State Ave Marysville, WA 98270-2214 Speaker: Pastor Klemet Preus For more information, contact Pastor Kurt Onken of Messiah Lutheran Church, Marysville, Washington, (360) 659-4112.

YMCA in the Rockies Estes, Colorado Speaker: Pastor George Borghardt III and Mrs. Sandra Ostapowich For more information, contact Landon Reed at (281) 744-6986.

Redeemer Lutheran Church 175 N. Willow Jackson Hole, Wyoming Speaker: Pastor Brent Kuhlman For more information, contact Pastor David Bott (307) 733-3409 or via e-mail redeemer@wyoming.com.

Look for a full line-up of extreme retreats in the next issue, including more information on the now famous Jackson Hole HT Extreme Retreat!

by Kathy Luder

The parking lot of Lacey’s Bar and Grill

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had only one car in the parking lot.The orange Camaro was sitting perfectly between the lines, just outside the circle of light that shone down from the halogen lamp.

Its driver’s side door was open and the dome light on. A man was leaning back against the open door and a quiet splashing sound filled the air.Then, the man grunted, flinched, and spun around, falling into the car behind the steering wheel, his feet still on the gravel. He sat there for a moment without a sound or movement.Then, he slowly leaned forward until his head was between his knees. Sounds of coughing and gagging could be heard.

It was followed by more splashing noises then by silence.

Finally, he swung his feet inside and slammed the door.

The car roared to life, and the windows shook with the heavy bass of rap music blaring inside.The car’s headlights showed a parking lot covered with loose fast food wrappers and beer bottles.The car tore out of the lot and headed toward the interstate.

Kathy bounced to the music, and her hands slapped the steering wheel heavily. Her face was flushed as she sang along with the lyrics and sped down the highway.

Molly reached over from the passenger side and turned the music down. She said,“I don’t know how you can stand this music.”

“You have to give it a chance,” Kathy said.“Eminem grows on you.”

“He’s gross. Do you hear what he’s saying?” Molly asked.

“Yeah,” Kathy said in a sarcastic tone, rolling her eyes.“Do you? He’s a genius. I know. He’s vulgar. But he’s also poetic.

You can’t deny it.” She reached over to turn the music up again.

“You need to slow down. We’re going almost 80 miles an hour!” Molly squealed, reaching over again to turn down the music.

“Oops,” said Kathy, taking her foot off the pedal.“I can’t help it.This music moves me. I can’t keep still. I love driving to it.”Traffic was light, but one

car was coming up behind her.“Is that a cop back there?” Kathy asked.

“Just slow down, and it won’t matter,” Molly shrugged.“Anyway, I think you’ve lost your mind.There is a certain power in speaking unspeakable things, but that is mainly just sensationalism.

Just because it rhymes doesn’t make it poetry.”

“Have you ever got off the highway in Gary, Molly? It’s dirty there.

Dangerous. Sad. Eminem didn’t come from Middleville like us.You should have a little compassion.The amazing thing is that in the midst of that criminal existence, forsaken by the police, he falls in love, he gets hurt, he has hopes and aspirations,” Kathy said. She looked at the speedometer and tapped the brake.

For a brief moment, the needle had gone over the number 80.“That car behind us is getting close.The lights look too low to be a cop.”

Molly twisted in her seat.“You’re safe.

It’s orange. I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen an orange cop car.”

“I really like the music, Molly. It speaks to me. It takes me places I’ve never been before. It runs through an incredible emotional gamut, righteous anger over the inequities and injustices of the world, sadnesses and hope, and even love,” Kathy went on.

Molly folded her arms across her chest and looked out the window.

“Whatever. But you need to slow down.

You’re freaking me out.”

“Sorry,” said Kathy. She took her foot off the gas.

Molly said softly,“I really think you like it just because Brad gave it to you.”

“No! That is not it. I like the music.

Okay? Why can’t you just let it go?”

Kathy asked through clenched teeth.

“Let it go?” Molly asked, putting her hands on the side of her head.“It’s not even legal. He didn’t buy you a CD. He gave you an illegal copy.”

“Oh, come on. It didn’t hurt anybody.

What was I supposed to say to him?

Something like,‘Sorry, Brad, but Christian girls don’t listen to illegal music,’” Kathy said in a sing-song voice.

“Why not?” Molly said.“ You could also add,‘Stop trying to corrupt me.’ Or maybe even,‘Quit looking at my chest and ogling me behind my back.’”

Kathy sighed, her teeth clenched again.“He’s not trying to corrupt me. It’s just flirting. It’s a game. I don’t know what is wrong with you.”

Molly went on,“Or how about, ‘Christian girls don’t listen to songs about adultery, prostitution, drug use, killing cops, and . . .’”

“Oh, just shut up already!” Kathy said, her face bright red, as she clenched the steering wheel.“I’m so sick of this. It’s no big deal.They’re just songs, and I happen to like them!” She reached over and turned the music up as loud as it would go.

Molly wiped the corner of her eyes and whispered,“Please just slow down.”

The needle was now past 90.The orange Camaro had stayed right with her in her increase, too close for comfort. Kathy took her foot off the gas and tapped the brake just as Molly reached over to turn the music down.

Instead of slowing down, the Camaro swerved violently into the passing lane, missing their back bumper by only a

few inches. His music was so loud the bass notes shook their windows and the air blast forced them into the gravel on the side of the road. Kathy tried to pull back into her lane but pulled too far and bumped the speeding Camaro. Kathy and Molly spun around while Kathy pumped the brake. Suddenly, they were traveling backwards down the highway, but they were going straight and the Camaro was past them.Then, the Camaro, a few seconds too late, slammed on his brakes. Kathy’s car hit his back end, and then Kathy and Molly were in the air, upside down, when the air bags went off.

——————————— Kathy awoke in the hospital to find Molly, her mom, and her dad, standing over her. Her mom and Molly started crying. Her dad was busy rubbing her arm and saying that she wasn’t really hurt other than a mild concussion and some bruises and cuts.Then, her dad started crying and went to the bathroom to get some tissues.

Kathy asked,“What happened to the other driver?”

“He puked on himself and wet himself,” said Molly.“But he was fine. Not a scratch on him. He is in jail.”

“Good,” Kathy sighed.

“The cops said that your skid marks showed you were going 70 when you slammed the brakes, just inside the speed limit,” Molly said, smiling, as she wiped her eyes.

“What were you thinking when you were crashing?” Kathy’s mom asked.

“I wasn’t thinking, Mom. I was praying,” Kathy said.

“Me too,” said Molly.

“What were you praying?” she asked.

Both girls grinned and said in unison, “Lord, have mercy!”

Molly leaned down to hug Kathy.

When she got close, Kathy whispered, “Get that CD out of my car, and throw it away before anybody sees it.”

Molly sighed through her tears and nodded.“I’d love to,” she said.

Kathy Luder finds more genius in M&Ms than she does in Eminem.

She can be reached at kathyluder@hotmail.com.

S U M M E R

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Money Money... Law and Gospel:

By Rev. Ge orge Borg hardt

Money, Money, and More

M

“For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine” (Psalm 50:10–-12 ESV).

oney. Stuff. Mammon. It's all His, His, His. From the cattle on a thousand hills to the bird on the mountain, it’s all His. Everything belongs to the Lord—all of it.

H I G H E R

T H I N G S __ 12

And unlike us, He doesn't horde it all to Himself. He doesn't sit at the poker table guarding all His chips.

He tosses them out, gives them away to all men. He gives His gifts to good people. He gives them to evil people, even to you and me.

Everything you have in your wallet is His. The lint in your wallet is His too. Even the wallet is His. Hey, isn't that wallet yours too? I mean, after all, it is your wallet, right? Of course it is. But it comes to you as gift from above from your Father who excels at giving everything from wallets to, as the Small Catechism says, “clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have.

He richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.”

You are probably going to be earning and getting more in the coming years. As you get this stuff called mammon, don't forget that it's all His. You'll have it for a while, use it, probably abuse it, and He will give you more anyway. That's the way your Father is. He gives without asking anything in return.

Consider God demanding something in return from you. Now that's scary. If He wants something from you, then it's everything. It’s all you have and are and all you acquire. Everything. Not only would He want it all, but He'd want it given with a cheerful heart too. That's the opposite of how we normally give.

Usually, we give Him what we can spare or whatever is leftover after we get and use what we want.

Christ paid all that is due to God for us, all that we deserve for our mismanagement, for desiring more than we have been given, for not trusting that He's going to provide for us.

The Father has already paid what God demanded of you in the giving up of His Son. Receive His gifts without fear, and then cheerfully give Him what's due.

Be certain and sure that He'll give and provide more.

He hasn't failed you yet, has He? That's how you face the tough decisions that are coming up in life, such as when the credit cards arrive.

My eight-year-old son already gets them in the mail.

Watch out for those credit cards. They are a good tool for developing credit, but they must be paid off. The only thing free in this world is salvation; everything else probably needs to be paid for. Not only will you have to pay that credit card back, but you’ll have to pay it back with interest.

You'd be surprised how much things cost, like books, gas, insurance, food, and cars. I still am. As a result, it might be good to sit down with a piece of paper and plan ahead a bit. Just how are you spending what you’ve been given? How can it best be used? Prioritize what you actually need before what you only think you need or what you really want.

What did you write first on your budget? Was is DVDs, junk food, or a new stereo for your car? Then that's your idol.

Repent, and erase your idol and start over. It’s to be the Lord first and then you. He will not suffer Himself to be second on anyone's list. You don't get around to giving to the Lord. No, He's first, and after Him comes everything else.

Just because everything is His, don't fall into the trap of thinking that He needs it. He doesn't. You aren't doing Him any favors, nor do you get extra credit for giving Him stuff. In fact, if you think you might earn His favor by giving a bit more, you might as well keep your money. All things are His, remember?

And when there isn't enough, don't despair. When there is enough, don't feel secure. In both cases, He is the same giftgiving Lord who loves us in the giving up of His only-begotten Son. When times are tight, spend less. When times are fruitful, you might want to put that extra money away for when times are tight. You never know when those will be given to you.

But never doubt Who is tending to and caring for you. Your Father is doing the tending and caring. He adorns with lilies the grass of the field that is here today and tomorrow is tossed into the oven. He feeds the birds of the air; He doesn't let one of them drop to the ground apart from His loving care. If He tends to them, He'll certainly tend to you in Christ.

The cattle on the hills are His as are all the beasts and birds.

He who has everything gives you everything in Christ. Live that way. Use your money that way. He has given you all things in Christ.

“So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours . . . you are Christ's, and Christ is God's” (1 Corinthians 3:21–-23).

Rev. George F. Borghardt III is the assistant/youth pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe,Texas. He is the Internet Services Executive and the southeastern chairman of the For You Higher Things 2007 conference. Check out his blog at http://blog.higherthings.org/borghardt/ or e-mail him at revborghardt@higherthings.org.

S U M M E R

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I

Wife of a

the

t’s been a couple of issues now since Julie Stiegemeyer left Higher Things Magazine. Since we’re always the sort to look up old friends, especially when we have to fill up a couple of pages, we thought we’d take a walk inside the fishbowl for a hard-hitting interview on what it’s like to be . . .

H I G H E R

T H I N G S __ 14

HT: It’s been six months now since you left the magazine.

How is life without the expense account and company car?

JS:You have an expense account? And a car? Since when did— HT: Er, that came out wrong. We meant to say,“What’s it like being a pastor’s wife?”

JS: Just to clarify, my husband is not currently a parish pastor. He’s— HT: Batman!

JS: —the director of admissions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. However, he served at a congregation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for seven years.

HT: He’s not Batman?

JS: No. HT:You could just be saying that to conceal his real identity.

JS: I suppose so.

HT: Hmm.Well, describe a typical day in the life of pastor’s wife.

JS: Most days were filled with the usual humdrum activities of everyday life—cooking, cleaning, putting a sick child to bed, weeding the garden, or taking the pets to the veterinarian.

HT: Good thing you didn’t put the pets to bed and take the kid to the vet.

JS: That’s very funny.

HT:You’re just saying that.

JS:Yes, I am.

HT: Oh. Where were we? Ah.“Humdrum activities.”

JS: Well, occasionally, something interesting would happen.

Like the day we set off the smoke alarm trying to burn our palms for the Ash Wednesday ashes. Or the day my son sent a baseball through a church window. Or the day our dog escaped the parsonage yard and ran into church during VBS.

Or the night a homeless man arrived on our doorstep at midnight.Typically, however, the days spent in the parsonage were uneventful.

HT: It’s a good thing your son didn’t send the dog through the window on Ash Wednes— JS: (sighs) Do you have any other questions?

HT: Maybe a few true or false statements.

JS: Okay.

HT: True or false: pastors’ wives don’t cuss, spit, or burp.

JS: Is that really appropriate?

HT: Well . . .

JS: I’ll say this: we’re not perfect. We’re sinners just like everyone else, and crummy days have a way of getting to us as much as the next person.

HT: True or false: pastors’ wives are skilled in Greek, Hebrew, and family issues so they can give answers when their husbands aren’t around.

JS: Hmmm. I love God’s Word, and I’d never want to diminish pastors’ wives’ interest in or joy they take from learning about theology. Some pastors’ wives are deaconesses or social workers or counselors and their vocation is all about deeds of mercy and caring for people. But many of us are just average laywomen who may be able to give a defense for our faith, but we can’t quite articulate it like our pastor-husbands can. I can listen to my friends’ problems and hopefully on occasion dish out decent advice, but I’m not a counselor.

HT: Ok.True or false: Pastors’ wives love to play the organ.

JS: That’s easy. It’s true for those who do. Personally, I’m a singer, not an organist. Keyboards and pedals leave me a blubbering nervous wreck.

Pastor HT: True or false: Pastors’ wives are always excellent cooks.

JS: Again, true for some, not for others.

HT: But you can make coffee.

JS: Sure.

HT: If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like a latte.

JS: Anything else?

HT: And a poppyseed muffin.

JS: No, I meant do you have any more questions?

HT: Just a couple more. True or false: pastors’ wives know everything that’s happening in a congregation.

JS: Not true, nor should it be. I may have known about someone being in the hospital before others simply because I took the message. But that doesn’t mean I know the intimate details of a confession my husband heard—nor should I ever.

The pastor speaks God’s Word and breathes the forgiveness and blessing of Christ on those seeking Absolution. But that’s not part of his marriage. Often, I’m the sounding board for my husband, just as he listens to me. But he’s got to keep some things to himself.

HT: True or false: when pastors and their wives have kids, their kids are perfect.

JS: Aren’t you a pastor’s kid?

HT: Enough said. One more. True or false: pastors’ wives don’t have first names.

JS: Wrong. Pastors’ wives want to be known as Julie who writes or Sara who weaves or Meg who teaches or Jinger who homeschools.

HT: And you would want to be known as . . . Sara?

JS: Julie.

HT: Right.

JS: The truth is that we’re all different. We all have different strengths, weaknesses, interests, and opinions—just like everyone else. We’re individuals who have lives apart from our husbands and our Church. That doesn’t diminish our faith. We try our best to find our niche in God’s kingdom and serve others, rejoicing in the forgiveness that is ours in Christ. We have disappointments and imperfect relationships, but we also have wonderful friends who love and help us. We have cancer or infertility or depression or other problems to deal with, but we also have the blessings of Christ poured out on us.We live out our vocations, love our husbands, tend to our children, and make the occasional pot of coffee for forty people.

HT: About that latte . . .

JS: To go?

HT: Yes. JS: Coming right up.

HT: A final word?

JS: The truth is that I, a pastor’s wife, am redeemed by Christ, loved

by Him, and devoted to serve Him the best way I know how. But it doesn’t mean that I am better than anyone else or have some special prayer link with God. It means simply that I love my husband, and I am just trying to be myself without the myths.

S U M M E R

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QUESTIONS VIRGINIA TECH

University Lutheran Chapel, Minneapolis, MN ✠ University Lutheran Church & Student Center, Champaign, IL ✠ University Lutheran Church, Bloomington, IN ✠ Zion Lutheran Church, Alva, OK ✠ Zion Lutheran Church, Morris, MN

✠ CHRIST ON CAMPUS CHAPTERS ✠ All Saints Lutheran Church & Student Center, Slippery Rock, PA ✠ Christ the King Lutheran Chapel, Mt. Pleasant, MI ✠ Concordia Lutheran Ch

FROM

T

By Rev. Paul Siems

he shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, sent a chill through many souls throughout the world. A similar chill was felt on September 11, 2001.

While shocking, September 11 was easily explained: terrorism, but the Virginia Tech shooter’s motives were a mystery.

H I G H E R

T H I N G S __

Because of the events at Virginia Tech, the question “Why?” remains unanswered for many. The questions begin with “Why did this happen?” and “How could this happen?” and go on to “Why does God let such evil things happen?” and “How or where can we ever find safety?”

On school and college campuses throughout the world, no one goes to class expecting a mass shooting. When such things occur, they serve as stark reminders that no one is safe in this world.

Here is where our comfort begins. God took care of all of our needs even before our needs existed. He encountered evil and overcame it even from eternity. As Revelation 13:8 declares, the Lamb was slain for us to secure our names in the book of life even from the foundation of the world.

We experience discomfort and illness and pain and suffering and death, and we count these as evil.

Yet the Lord our God works good through all these things. In Acts 5:41, we read that having been imprisoned, beaten, and commanded to speak no more in the name of Jesus, the apostles “left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name” (ESV).

The Lord doesn’t give us specific answers about Virginia Tech shootings, but He gives us something better. All the questions of “Why?” are answered by the Lord’s suffering and death on the cross. There

the never-ending mercy of the Lord is lifted up for all to see. There His limitless patience is shown as Jesus offers Himself as the sinner of sinners and prays for His enemies to be forgiven. There we understand why God does not simply wipe out evil and those who do evil. As the Lord Jesus Himself declared to Nicodemus in John 3:16–17, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (ESV).

The Lord is not like the gods of this world, the gods that we create in our image. The Lord created man is His image. God created man in Christ. When man turned aside from trusting in Christ and thereby lost God’s grace, the Lord stepped in with the Gospel to restore His gracious image to man.

Throughout history, God has been patiently working to bring about the promise of the Gospel.

Rather than wiping out all who opposed Him and His good and gracious will (remember the definition of evil), the Lord set forth to restore His good and gracious will through the Lamb of God who takes the sin of the world. Had God wiped out our evil ancestors, we would not be born to hear the Gospel and receive the regeneration of Baptism and the Holy Communion that God has planned for us from the beginning.

16

eran Church, Gunnison, CO ✠ Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chico, CA ✠ St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church & Campus Center, Laramie, WY ✠ St. Paul’s Lutheran Chapel, Iowa City, IA ✠

NS H

hurch & Student Center, Vermillion, SD ✠ Grace Lutheran Church, Muncie, IN ✠ Luther Memorial Chapel &

Rev. Paul Siems is the pastor of Bride of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church and husband of Stephanie. His e-mail address is pastor@brideofchristelc.com.

University Student Center, Shorewood, WI ✠ Lutheran Campus Ministry, Knoxville, TN ✠ Lutheran Student Fellowship at Berkeley, CA ✠ Lutheran Student Fellowship of Pittsburgh, PA ✠ Lutheran Student Fellowship at

In all things, even though we become distracted by our lack of faith so that we forget, God does not forget His good and gracious will, and He continues to work patiently and steadfastly to bring it to reality for us. It is as St. Paul so wonderfully and boldly declared in Romans 8:28–32, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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?” (ESV).

Through the most evil thing imaginable, the torture and murder of the Lord of glory, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, the one true hope of the world, God secured for all mankind the safety that we all long to know. Through the hands of evil men, as St. Peter declared in Acts 2:22–24, God determined from the foundation of the world that Jesus would suffer and die to save God’s enemies. God allowed evil to be done in order to defeat all evil forever. He’s joined you to that victory in your Baptism and feeds you His body and blood to keep you in it. In Christ, you’re safe forever, no matter what evil things you may encounter in the world.

Christ on Campus is: ✠ The campus ministry arm of Higher Things ✠ Pastors and laity interested in confessional Lutheran campus ministry ✠ A great source for campus ministry resources ✠ Discussion forums for college students and campus ministry workers ✠ College retreats and service opportunities ✠ A growing and developing network of campus ministry chapters ✠ A great resource for apologetics

Christ on Campus Chapters Twenty three strong and growing!

The newest chapters include: ✠ Gloria Christi Lutheran Church, Greeley, CO (Serving students at the University of Northern Colorado) ✠ Concordia Lutheran Church, Louisville, KY (Serving students at the University of Louisville) Apply online today to be a Christ on Campus Chapter.

Upcoming Fall Retreat Locations Dates, themes, and speakers to be announced for retreats at the following locations and several others. ✠ Boulder, CO ✠ Knoxville, TN ✠ Minneapolis, MN

2008 Annual Campus Staff Conference Make plans to join us next summer in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the Sixth Annual Christ on Campus Staff Conference. More details to come.

Special Edition: Virginia Tech Be sure to check out our special online edition of resources in response to the Virginia Tech massacre.

Learn more about Christ on Campus http://christoncampus.higherthings.org Contact: Rev. Marcus Zill, Christ on Campus Executive: zill@higherthings.org or (307) 745-5892 S U M M E R

2 0 0 7 __ 17

Stanford, Palo Alto, CA ✠ Lutheran Student Fellowship at Wright State University, OH ✠ Mt. Calvary Lut

Letters Home from Chaplain Richard Townes, First Battalion, Seventh Marines Stationed in al Qaim, Iraq on the Euphrates River at the Syrian border in 2006.

H I G H E R

T H I N G S __ 18

sent and it’s s u o r e ng in my er is da to rega ing g n e a m f r o d y stand e long fo This kin idn’t tak here were man ibution. d It .

In n a d t T etr ille

by Sa March posure. ediate r s m rst KIA (K who m o fi c r im n u d o ia te sire red qi Christ ho wan their de s w tly suffe at the very Ira s e n a e m d c e e d t r r a We aroun eir orde d out th e medry frustr It turne as on the sam can imagine were ve match with th onflict of ). y n e io h t T c A u ew e) didn’t en I saw their c to Pastor ictim. Yo r Marin (reveng shot ou n flight as his v ose of us who Wh ck in th assion). diately fell ba ance. Then I io t p n a io m u t o c o a (c v m e e . id de ctors ard him ns I imm to pray for gu . sion an emotio felt tow psmen and do i’s n t the ten a us h s g e e ig J b fl f was the ice o y cor e and e Iraq v v d h d a t o a N d e m e d that it But I h le greeted v r t b a a r a s e e k h r ff d a o n e o av emies.’

Our rem tely to work a arines nearby , began t rd said, “You h t M your en a dia y e o e h t n L T hose a a . m r h g u , m s im O in sav iend ray for t were went h p fr e t r r d u e o n o h y a w t s t e my v ie no ugh said, ‘Lo ve your enem hese words on le life was motion of the , we life, tho is h t t a lo th e re ith u: peop who felt came from the emies, therefo who tell yo secute you.” W o counsel our r t e, t our en even on those is is the who pe heart I began of cours e are no emy. Th also the y c d n W r e n . e t a r n m u d e o d in ke m it’s mom n an n. ne re not li and us, mpassio wn dow said, at we a etween them God and the o s h t show co d one of our o ard that it was b t e u nes e u r e B e c e t n .’ h differen between the love and forgiv d just gun aid, “You have oth for a tooth one n e a ’s c e s o at om Jesus differen y follows - God face of horror ye, and ge on s se for e n e n v a e e r r m h t r e fo our ene ough even in ‘An eye you: do not tak not an easy ve ood hr t s s ll a I e w t e a cold s I a is t h w shines t no u.” T men tly. I hav s o o s y o m s r m g , la n y u o death. eligiou d health who wr r at that partic he well an t’s alright. My R een busy g him t onestly say ea in m h a iv I o g t e e rin m ve b tha nh ung Ma the Dying. I ca erienced true ow, but st (RP) and I ha Michael’s – so o n y t a h r ig e r t. ov xp of Speciali el. We apel – S y life I e ndation Program to our new ch he warrior ang for us Comme e first time in m th e. ving in ig day ow God hael is t that for scared m urch, I know h an who mo because Mic ter Sunday. A b it d n a am Eas called he Ch hatred s, but as ate it on ing. I stor of t ill dedic aim.

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Howe t. I really d Come on, y’s cross. st and all oing, e us to ore im I cou Chap on’t w ver, le S not ju turn to tell h am a porta ld tel s, cha sprea ss tha ant to n i m s x l U ng d n time ious to p more ab ntly, spirit t perce out on th two wee hear abo e the M r it wil u n k e l be a ay with h out the Lo ually. I am M he w t of his bo trauma c s later he t it.”

T i h m r p d e r , a r as ali E comm efore, ne yer of th again, on and I ve an dy burne enter gur was ly ne xt tim anksg R ney w on lit d, fig d con x n t e iving hting tle bi i orma sciou you s . r for lif th 65 s.

2 His g l action o d of the fi ee a little e, but f our eld, th race t s parro 0 Lord hrou i then, n w, a k abo for gh 0 thank Him. Jesus wor us, the be ut the 7 s k on __ Rick the c towal of ross, and 19

September

depart I will very soon as ls ai m ey m of emotions.

This is the last mes a flood of co e ur rt pa de my e pressures this place. With e boys under th es th ith w ed ediately The bond form seled men imm un co g in av H . rong em, having of combat is st ives deserted th w r ei th at th s w rdy actions, following the ne kes and foolha jo id up st ly al r re h, having laughed at thei 0 degree hooc 11 e m sa in t nigh ts of the having slept at bone fragmen d an d oo bl e h th ly with helped to was ving wept open ha d an s, ce fa r ei t flesh that insurgent off th e mass of burn th to xt ne d oo rstand the them as they st re you can unde su am I y, dd r bu used to be thei connection. r war is so ou of th streng , “It is well that id sa ce on e Le h.” He is Gen. Robert E. like it too muc to ow gr ld ou w nothing terrible, or men one of us desire y er ev d an ch ea also regret correct. Though d ones, we will ve lo r ou to rn tu s here. We have more than to re part of ourselve nt ca ifi ne enough gn si a g leavin t we haven’t do bu , gs in th t ea gr means more accomplished e after us, that m co to ve ha ted States because others men of the Uni e th t gs on m A e. jobs. We are Marines will di able. We finish pt ce ac un is is th e protection of Marine Corps, eedom and th fr of e us ca e aving is not as dedicated to th d citizens, so le an s st re te in s our own nation’ ht expect. ng justifiably easy as you mig d States have lo te ni U e th of submit the The people o generation, I Tw ar W ld or W e serve to be appreciated th gement also de ga en t en es pr e will be no warriors of this anner. Yet ther m e m sa e th le at the appreciated in for a few peop pt ce ex d, an , en again, parades for them no mass hero’s welcome. Th be ill es because for airport, there w for these Marin te ria op pr ap ose who that might be reserved for th be ld ou sh o” er ve their lives them the title “h d those who ga an , nd yo be d do their duty. went above an showed up to ho w e os th to y ese missives and not merel d I hope that th an l al u yo s es e here – a May God bl pse into our lif im gl a u yo ve have helped gi CNN or u won’t see on yo at th t in po view ’s lies or t let the media n’ do , lly na Fi .

NBC e you – rhetoric confus ’ ns ia ic lit po e th g for eyes on the fla just keep your s of Christ os cr m and the do ee fr y hl rt ea re. an eternal natu for freedom of .

I’ll see you soon Rick H I G H E R

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HIGHER THINGS

News & Notes Higher Things Internet Services Has New Reflections Editor For the past two years, Higher Things has been pleased to provide daily Reflections on our Web site for college students, youth, and their families. These Gospel devotions have been the product of volunteer writers’ and editors’ hard work, and they keep everything we do on the Internet centered around Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

As the Internet Services Executive, I get to oversee the writing and editing of these Reflections. This has been one of the most enjoyable parts of my work as an executive. But due to the great expansion of our Web site this year, it has come time to pass this wonderful task to Pastor Mark Buetow.

Pastor Buetow received his Master of Divinity degree in 1998 from Concordia Seminary but stayed there to earn his Masters of Sacred Theology in 2000. He serves Bethel Lutheran Church in Du Quoin, Illinois. He has been married to Susan for thirteen years, and they have three children (twins Naomi and Anna, and Emily). In his free time, Pastor Buetow enjoys playing strategy and board games and is responsible for starting my Linux addiction.

—Pastor George F. Borghardt III

Higher Things Internet Services Gets myHT Editor Internet Services is almost completely run by volunteers who give their talents to putting the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the ears of young people via the Internet. The much-anticipated myHT project—with the code name B.A.M.B.I.—has gotten its own editor. Pastor Rich Heinz has agreed to serve as the editor of this online project where Christian freedom meets the Internet in a way that it has never been seen before.

Pastor Heinz is the senior pastor of Saint John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and School in Lanesville, Indiana, near Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois, in 1991 and from Concordia Seminary in 1995.

Higher Things Internet Services Releases myHT In the beginning was the conference, then the magazine, and now, myHT is here! Be sure to bookmark the new landing page through which you may enter and enjoy the Lutheran Internet community of Higher Things. Regular columns are there for your enjoyment, and you are also able to read the daily Reflection, surf the latest HT news, and see what new HT blog topics are available for browsing.

Now you can read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest even more.

The themes and topics of myHT are wide open. In other words, while many opportunities abound to discuss articles regarding God’s Word and the holy gifts and the life of prayer He gives us, other columns will pursue issues that face us in the world.

Here we invite you to continue to dare to be Lutheran. Part of being Lutheran is a life of catechesis and dialogue. As you browse myHT, be sure to speak up. Comment on articles. Add your two cents. We will all benefit as we confess Christ to one another and share the knowledge and experience that He gives. myHT is your HT. Join the catechesis. Join the fun. Join us in saying, “This is myHT!” Check it out at http://www. “where christian freedom meets the internet” higherthings.org/myht/

myHT

Higher Things for Junior High You have come to know Higher Things as your source for high school to college age Lutheran activities and resources. Now, HT dares to dip into the junior high level. This 2008, Higher Things will be putting on “Why Go to Church?” junior high retreats wherever we can find pastors and congregations to help host them. Wherever a few are gathered, we want to be there. Landon Reed, the retreat executive, is looking for laymen and pastors to share their time to help HT put on retreats in their local areas, and it doesn’t matter where. We hope to not only help bring local youth and churches together but also to bring youth from all over to each retreat to receive the Gospel and have some fun. Please contact Landon at retreats@higherthings.org if you are able to help or host. Make sure to keep a close watch on upcoming retreats!

Higher Things is all about one thing: proclaiming the Gospel that sinners are forgiven because Jesus died and rose for them. The forgiveness of sins for Christ’s sake is the center of everything. As the catechism says, “Where there is forgiveness of sins, there is life and salvation.” That’s why we go to church. That’s why youth ministry is important. That’s why HT wants to go junior high too—with retreats across the U.S. Make plans to attend one of these retreats. As the Gospel (the forgiveness of sins) has its way with you, your faith in Jesus will be strengthened. You’ll rejoice in what Jesus does and gives in your Baptism, Absolution, the sermon and the Sacrament of the altar. You won’t be able to live without these gifts.

But wait—there’s more. As you receive forgiveness by these means, faith will bear fruit in your lives. Your love for your neighbor (e.g., dad, mom, little brother, big sister, classmates, teachers, etc.) will increase. The Gospel—that’s great youth ministry!

—Pastor Brent W. Kuhlman

hrist Academy is a two-week residential program for highschool-aged 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 one day becoming a pastor.

C Front row, l-r Adriane Dorr, Julie Beckwith, Carolyn Cockey.

Back row, l-r: Rev. Tim Pauls, Rev. Erik Rottmann, Rev. David Petersen, Rev. Paul Beisel.

Higher Things Magazine Staff Meet in Chicago It’s a busy time of year. While some members of Higher Things are busy planning conferences and finalizing retreats, the magazine staff met in Chicago to plan for the upcoming year. With the necessities of chocolate chip cookies and candy close at hand, the team spent quality time brainstorming article ideas and potential authors for the 2007–2008 year. Executive Editor Tim Pauls was pleased with the results, and he’s not talking about how much of Giordano’s Chicago-style pizza the group was able to put away after the meeting was over.“The meeting was especially helpful for charting out future issues of Higher Things. This magazine is a challenge because it’s for youth who live in challenging times. We want to provide the best counsel we can from God’s Word and apply it to those situations they face. Some of those will be tough to talk about, while some can be pretty light-hearted. Future issues of Higher Things will address the broad array of questions, temptations, and trials that youth encounter.”

✠ ✠ ✠ ✠ ✠

Worship, the Center of the Experience Life-Changing Studies Clarity of Direction Fun Activities June 15-28, 2008

For more information, please call:

1-800-481-2155 www.ctsfw.edu ChristAcademy@ctsfw.edu

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Fort Wayne

MINING THE RICHES

God’s

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he self-giving love of God in the holy Trinity comes to full expression in His glorious creation. All things are made at His speaking, reflecting His perfect order and holiness. As the crowning jewel of creation, man and woman are given life through God’s breath. As those uniquely created in His image, they are to steward the Lord’s creation. “Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28 ESV). “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them” (Genesis 2:1 ESV). God’s self-expression was complete. He and His creation could now live in perfected bliss for time and eternity.

Then, the deceiver spoke. His mouth was filled with half-truths meant to delude and destroy. “Did God really say?” was his litany of lies. All that was good was now subjected to frustration.

Cursed is the ground. Work is filled with painful toil. Pains increased in childbirth. For the deceiver, it meant crawling for transport and dust for sustenance. Even worse, enmity was created between the deceiver and the truth. The promise of victory and restoration was that the deceiver’s head would be crushed by Eve’s greatest offspring.

Today, as the Church lives in the great end times, we balance precariously between two worlds. In one, we see the harsh realities of sin, death, and the power of the devil. In the other, we hear the Word made flesh speaking words of eternal life. The tension between what we see and what we hear lies at the heart of the Christian life. In Christ, the Lamb who was slain, all is complete. Sin is forgiven, death swallowed up, the deceiver’s

Da y Ba rt By Re v. J .

lying mouth shut forever. In Christ, the guarantee of heaven is a present reality.

The image “God’s Breath” by Lutheran artist Tom DuBois depicts not only the beauty of what once was but the veiled reality of what is and the promise of what is to come. As St. John received his glorious revelation from heaven, he saw the creation of a “new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1 ESV) as well as the garden restored (Revelation 22:1–5). The Lord’s final act of salvation will be to give His children their inheritance—the restored earth and garden. Creation, in its original splendor, will live again as God intended. It was, and will be, good.

Most striking in the painting is the artist’s choice of depicting eight horses, a number used throughout the history of the Early Church as a symbol of the Christian vision of history. The seven days of creation were viewed as a closed cycle, returning perpetually on itself, having no beginning or end. In the New Testament, we are told that Jesus was raised on the first day of the week

(Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1) and that one week later he appeared to Thomas on the first day of the week (John 20:26). Sunday, the first day of the week, is the day of the Lord, the eighth day that is beyond the cosmic cycle of creation. This day is without succession. Sunday, the eighth day, is the day of the Church. On this eighth day, a day without end, the Church gathers to receive the presence of Christ. On the eighth day, the Church returns to splash in baptismal water, hear Holy Absolution, and eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ as the seal of forgiveness and the guarantee of immortality. All of this is a foretaste of the feast to come, the restoration of earth, the recreation of the garden, the perfect union of God and man for eternity.

Rev. J. Bart Day is associate pastor and headmaster of Memorial Lutheran Church and School in Houston, Texas.

You can e-mail Rev. Day at revday@mlchouston.org.

“ And

God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds—livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds.’ And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind.

And God saw that it was good” (Genesis 1:24–25 ESV).

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Saved Sex: A Pl I

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t’s a mystery—a great mystery, this two becoming one.

This is about marriage and sex, which go together.

Marriage without sex is crippled. Sex without marriage is devastating. Both are about the two becoming one, about as inseparable as you and your left arm. It’s not just an act. It’s far more profound. It’s about a bond of body and mind and emotion, a trust unlike any other, built over years of working hard to love each other. It’s a deep communion unlike any other relationship. See, one of the greatest curses in this world is being alone. A lifetime of loneliness is terribly painful. Marriage is meant to be the opposite— a union that’s so together that you’re incomplete without the other. That’s what God designed marriage and sex to be. Beyond that, I can’t explain it. It’s beyond words. It’s a mystery well worth waiting for.

It’s a powerful mystery for another reason, too: it’s how God brings life into the world. He could keep making people out of dust and ribs if He wanted; but He uses a man, woman and sex to create new life. Think about that: God has created you with sexuality and the capability to produce new life. That’s powerful stuff.

That’s where virginity comes in. It’s not an unfortunate state you find yourself in because the Church frowns on fun. It’s not a mark of shame that you haven’t really lived. It’s part of the plan. God desires you to remain pure until you meet the one with whom you’ll become one for life.

Thus my plea: save yourself. Go to your marriage bed a virgin.

I understand that’s not a real popular thing to say. It’s a matter of believing God’s

Word, in spite of what you see and feel.

It’s hard to honor virginity in our world today. Why? Because the world, in a paradoxical tantrum, both obsesses on sex and strips it of almost all meaning.

This is hardly news. Primetime TV is full of good-looking characters who dress provocatively and sleep around, rarely suffering any consequences. The Internet has introduced the staggering temptation of online porn; this is especially a hazard for guys, easily turned to lust by what they see.

Meanwhile, fashion pressures women into clothes that are low-cut, short, tight, revealing; it’s all designed to leave them exposed, unwrapped, as if their sexuality is no big mystery, no great treasure to be cherished. The world parades sex and sexuality around every day. Sex is cool to the world. Virginity is decidedly not.

But even while the world obsesses with sex, it strips it of almost all meaning. It’s no longer a profound mystery that helps build a lifelong bond between a husband and wife. It’s not a communion of body, mind, emotion and more. It’s just a physical act. It’s something that animals do, and you’re

many university campuses, dating and courtship have just about disappeared, replaced by hooking up. Guy and girl meet at party. They go somewhere and have sex. They may or may not talk to each other again. Doesn’t matter, because hooking up requires less commitment than studying together for a history exam.

The consequences are astounding.

Some are common knowledge, like alarmingly high rates of STDs which are lifelong and sometimes deadly. That’s no exaggeration: abuse something as powerful as sex and the consequences are going to be powerful, too. In the world’s opinion, pregnancy is a danger, not a blessing, so it must argue to kill the unborn to keep sex divorced from marriage and responsibility. Sex isn’t about intimacy and life anymore; it has themes of exploiting others and death.

I’d like to propose two more lesserknown consequences of promiscuity, since the world ignores them. One is an enduring loneliness. Remember, sex is about that profound, mysterious oneness between two. If you opt for casual sex, you train yourself not to feel

house, only fooling yourself.

So flee immorality. Go to your marriage bed a virgin. The consequences of sexual sin are disastrous. The blessings of waiting for the mystery are phenomenal.

It would be foolish, of course, to assume that all who read this are virgins now. The temptations are strong and many fall. So we end on this note: all are guilty of sexual sin in thought, if not in deed. While premarital sex has far more serious consequences than sins of thought, all are in need of forgiveness.

When Paul speaks of the mystery of marriage, note what he says next: he’s really talking about Jesus and His bride, the Church. In a far greater mystery, Jesus has joined you to Himself. In your Baptism, He joined you to His death for your sin, as well as your resurrection. In His Supper, He gives you His own body and blood for forgiveness of your sins— for all of your sins. In a mystery far greater than we can understand, He speaks His Word and declares you righteous for His own sake. Before Him, you’re pure and holy.

ea for Virginity just another animal. It’s not for building a bond between two people for life. It’s a selfish act designed to use somebody before you move on.

Which leads us to another big problem: thanks to sin, you’re selfish by nature. Since sex is such powerful stuff, and sexuality is a big part of you, you can bet that you’ll face powerful temptations to abuse it. Most reasons for premarital sex are selfish. “I just want to see what it’s like,” or “I really want that guy to like me.” It might be “If I give up my virginity, maybe the group will stop making fun of me.” (They won’t.)

Whatever the words, it’s a selfish desire to ignore God’s Word and plan.

A prime (and terrifying) example is the hook-up culture of college life. On

or care about the other—either because you train yourself to use others for your own desire, or because you’re painfully betrayed and stifle the hurt.

Training yourself not to care is the exact opposite of God’s plan. It’s difficult to reverse, too, and you stand a good chance of feeling like a stranger alone, even when you’re married.

The other consequence is one the world will never talk about: immorality destroys faith. Either guilt or love for sin will drive you away, and you’ll find all sorts of reasons to skip church. Or you may be able to convince yourself that God overlooks your immorality and keep going to church: but promiscuity destroys faith (1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

That makes you a stranger in God’s

Rev. Tim Pauls is associate pastor and acting school administrator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Boise, Idaho.

He is also the Higher Things Executive Editor. His e-mail address is tpauls@good shepherdboise.org.

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H I G H E R

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TALKBACK We want your feedback, so start the conversation already!

Send your e-mails to: letters@higherthings.org.

Higher Things reserves the right to edit for content, clarity, and length.

To the Editor: My youth group and I are getting way excited about the Higher Things conference this summer. It’s the first time we’ve ever gone. We even started a countdown at church! Anyway, we’re just wondering if Kathy Luder or anybody from the magazine will be there. Can you let us know so that we can keep an eye out?

Thanks!

Ashley Dear Ashley, Conference time is here, and you’re the perfect example of all the excitement that is in the air! We’re anxious to get to the conferences too so that we can meet you and all of your friends. Miss Luder hopes to be at both conferences—if she doesn’t collapse from exhaustion in between—but we know for sure that at least one person from the magazine

staff will be at each conference besides her. So make sure you stop by the magazine booth, say hi, and check out all the cool stuff we’ll have— free magazines, chances to win Higher Things Magazine t-shirts, and even some free subscriptions give-aways. The coolest magazine ever having booths at the coolest conferences ever—coincidence? We think not. __________________

Dear Editor, You may have just printed your best article yet. Pastor Pauls’“Save the Whales” piece was clever, witty, and well-written. The subject matter is more than relevant to this day and age, and he addressed it with humor and honesty. Well done!

Sincerely, Jason

Dear Jason, Well, now that you’ve mentioned it and Pastor Pauls has blushed modestly, we kind of thought so too. __________________

Dear Editor, I really liked the article about what it means to be a Lutheran by Betsy Schroeder. I grew up going to a Lutheran church and my parents were Lutheran, but we didn’t really know what the difference was between our church and other churches. Now we’ve got a great pastor who can answer all our questions, we are beginning to understand what goes in the Divine Service a little better every week, and I’ve got Higher Things Mag to share with my friends. So anyway, thanks for all that you do!

Kaziah Dear Kaziah, You’re right. Lutherans are definitely different from others in what we believe. A lot of people may not understand why we hold to what we do, and to most of the world, we probably seem a little strange.But we’re thankful that you and your parents are eager to learn more and that you understand the essentials.It all comes down to the fact that the Lord gives and we receive.

That about sums it up, right?

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Danc Let’s

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B

allroom dancing is back. The popular prime-time show Dancing with the Stars has helped to raise awareness of this almost lost art. Now, with movies like Take the Lead and Shall We Dance? appearing on the silver screen, we’ve even learned a few more things about it. What we find is something rarely found anywhere else in society. Whether dancing the Foxtrot to Sinatra or the Salsa to Shakira, one thing remains the same—the man leads and the woman follows.

I have often joked that everything I know about marriage I learned from ballroom dance. It’s corny, but there’s some truth to it. Even Jane Austen recognized it when she wrote that she considers dancing to be a picture of marriage—charity

ce

and fidelity are the principle duties of both. And really, she’s right. They are the same. The details may vary, but the roles remain the same. The man leads, the woman follows, and both are done with charity and fidelity, love and honor.

By the grace of God, I am a husband. And also by the grace of God, my wife is willing to dance with me (if you’ve ever seen me dance, you’d understand why).

Sometimes dancing is easy. Sometimes leading with fidelity and charity come so easily I wonder why I practice or even take lessons. It comes out beautifully, even naturally— two people taking separate steps, each successive flowing into the next, as if they are one singular motion.

More often than not, however, it isn’t

By Rev. Jason Braaten so easy. It is difficult. It’s frustrating and exhausting.

Sometimes it is outright painful. A stubbed toe here and a cracked knee there, watch out! You’re going to run into . . . .

Amid all this, however, the rules remain the same; whether it is difficult or easy, frustrating or joyous. Men lead and women follow. And both accomplish it through fidelity and charity, each loving and honoring his partner.

But what does it mean to lead? To lead in dance is to invite your partner to follow you on an exquisite adventure of singular motion between two people. This leading is not forced or demanded. You invite her to come along for the ride.

The male sets the example, he decides what steps, what form, how fast, and where to end up. He is the frame; she is the picture. He presents her as spotless, graceful, the essence of

If you're interested in reading more about dancing, check out CPH's new release Marriage Is Like Dancing by Richard Eyer.

beauty for all to behold. His lead is providential; everything he does is for her.

If she does not follow, he continues to lead. He can’t make her follow. In fact, he can’t make her do anything. All he can do is lead with fidelity and her well-being in mind. So he simply continues to invite her to join him on this journey where the two become one fluid and artful dance. And if she wants to be in on it, she will follow. If she wants to partake of this, she’ll follow.

In a similar way, husbands lead their wives in marriage.

They invite their wives to embark with them on a singularly fluid motion toward the same goal. The Bible teaches that husbands are to lead their wives in marriage. They set the pattern, the paradigm for their life together. Yet this is not forced upon wives; you can’t make them follow. The task of the husband is to lead not to make his wife follow. If she doesn’t follow, he continues to lead; he continues to invite her to follow in this singular motion. His concern is for her; not by working to get her to follow but only by continuing to lead.

Sometimes this is easy. But more often than not it is difficult, frustrating and painful. It is a task that I am constantly failing to do. As a full-fledged sinner, my response to wayward following is not a continuance of the invitation. It is not a perpetual leading but ultimately devolves into a blaming of what she has not done or could not do. I thus try to bend back into joint the out-of-joint; I force, coerce, constrain, and assert my will to lead upon my partner’s lack of following. In the end, however, I have essentially forsaken my role as the husband. I have forsaken the lead. I have given up fidelity and the wellbeing of my partner for something more controllable.

By the grace of God, I am a husband. And in this same grace I also live as one. For Christ Jesus, our husband, gives himself for us, his sinful spouse, the church. Through his death and resurrection, he presents us blameless and spotless, pure and holy, forgiving us all our sins, even those of wayward leading and following. Our Lord’s death and resurrection lead and draw us to himself, where we daily live in his forgiveness.

Right now you’re in training to be one day by the grace of God husbands and wives. Until then, through dating and friendships, you are discovering the difficulties and joys of courtship. You are learning about charity and fidelity, love and honor. Meanwhile, why not dance? What better preparation could there be for this than learning to dance? If you’re not quite ready to sign up for lessons, rent Take the Lead. Watch it with your friends even. I wish I had. So, let’s dance. Let’s dance with the hope that the picture will be the reality.

Rev. Jason Braaten penned these thoughts last year after taking his first ballroom dancing lesson with his wife, Lauren. He currently serves as an admission counselor at Concordia Theological Seminary and can be reached at braatenjm@ctsfw.edu.

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Good

by Rev. David Petersen

Government

he Small Catechism confesses that daily bread includes good government. Good government is that which provides an environment where its citizens are free to pursue their God-given vocations. Thus are we called to realize that good government comes from God and to receive it with thanksgiving.

The Declaration of Independence also shows that good government comes from God. The authors of the Declaration argue that governments have duties toward those they govern. If they do not carry out those duties, they must be deposed. The signers of the Declaration were not in favor of rebellion against lawful governments. In fact, they worked hard to prove to the world that the American cause was just and that the colonists were forced to revolt for the good of all men. As such, the Declaration is mainly a catalog of tyranny and oppression, of how the government in England failed to carry out or obey the law. Whether or not King George and the parliament were truly guilty of these charges is debated by historians, but that was the claim made by those who wrote the Declaration.

Likewise, Christians are free to disagree about whether or not the American revolution was justified. But it should be noted that whether it was or not, the Declaration itself espouses neither anarchy (chaos and no government) nor ochlocarcy (rule by the mob). Liberty in America has never meant citizens had the freedom to do anything they choose or that they had the freedom to rebel. The Declaration and the Constitution both understand that liberty sets all people, rulers and subjects alike, as equals before the law. This is the heritage of freedom in the West and what most of us think of when we speak of a good government.

What liberty is comes more sharply into focus when it is contrasted with tyranny. Consider life under Joseph Stalin or Adolf Hitler. Their people were not free, not because they could not do as they chose but because they had no standing before the law. They could be taken away in the middle of the night and sent to Siberia without a trial or evidence.

Their property could be confiscated without excuse.

Stalin and Hitler were not accountable to the law, and their subjects had no recourse in it.

Americans often take for granted that police officers serve and protect the public from thieves and criminals. In most places, times, and thought, police officers did not serve the public. They served the government against the people. Their purpose was to protect the government from the people. The fact that we are not afraid of the police is an incredible benefit of freedom. We are not afraid of the police because we have rights under the law.

There is no doubt that political liberty is a great blessing, and the American government easily qualifies for the Catechism’s understanding of good government. It comes from God, and we should receive it with thanksgiving. Indeed, despite the

T

The Fourth Petition Give us this day our daily bread.

What does this mean?

God certainly gives daily bread to everyone without our prayers, even to all evil people, but we pray in this petition that God would lead us to realize this and to receive our daily bread with thanksgiving.

What is meant by daily bread?

Daily bread includes everything that has to do with the support and needs of the body, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, home, land, animals, money, goods, a devout husband or wife, devout children, devout workers, devout and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, self control, good reputation, good friends, faithful neighbors, and the like.

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imperfections and historical problems, I remain personally convinced that we enjoy the best government and constitution the world has ever known. It has served more than us. For it is not merely responsible for the great prosperity of the United States, but it has also helped to spread freedom and human rights all over the world.

The Declaration of Independence belongs to that heritage. It is our foundational political document. That alone should give it a place of honor among us. But even if that were not true, it is simply one of the most inspirational pieces ever written. We would all do well to read it frequently for it reminds us of what tyranny is—a government above the law—and what liberty promises— equality before the law and justice.

We do not define God by creation. We do not work backwards from political or secular realities to spiritual truth. The Creator gives definition and body to all things. Nonetheless, the definition and understanding of true political freedom can help us to better understand spiritual freedom, what St. James calls the “law of liberty.” For Christ has freed us from the Law’s condemnation. He has died for us, and there is no one left to accuse us. The devil’s head is crushed, his mouth is shut. The Lord Jesus has answered for all our sins and liberated us from hell’s claims. We are free. But freedom in Christ is not freedom to sin, to do whatever we choose. Whoever commits sin commits lawlessness. Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfill it. God has not given us freedom in order that we might break His Law. He gives us freedom in Him that we would stand before the Law without fear. We are not afraid of the Law because we know that God keeps His Word. He is just, and there is no divine double jeopardy. If Christ has paid our debt, met the Law’s demands, and suffered all that hell could dish out, then there is no more. Justice has been satisfied. It cannot ask any more than Jesus has already paid. Our sins are forgiven, and we are declared righteous and holy according to the Law for Jesus’ sake. This is not spiritual anarchy or ochlocracy. It is the truest liberty.

God’s holy Law is not a secret policeman that God uses in the way of a tyrant against His people. We are a free people, a royal priesthood, the beloved of the Lord, and God gives His Law to serve and protect us. Thus, whether we are blessed with good government or not, we are free to pursue our primary God-given vocation, that of Christian.

The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

(Romans 8:2 NKJ) Rev. David Petersen is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and is also on the Higher Things editorial board.

His e-mail address is David.H.Petersen@att.net.

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8 3 7 0 5

Watch for information about the 2008 Higher Things conferences to be released soon. We were just so excited, that we couldn't keep from saying AMEN!

I D

AMEN isn’t just a word we say (a lot!) in the liturgy or when we pray, it's the entire life we lead as ones who have been set free in Christ.

B o i s e ,

AMEN. Gift received. It is as you say. Yes, yes, it shall be so.

AMEN.

C a s s i a ,

AMEN at our Baptism. AMEN when the Lord Absolves.

AMEN when His Word goes into our ears – preached, spoken, read and prayed.

AMEN again when Christ gives His Body and His Blood in the Supper. AMEN.

5 0 0 9

AMEN is the receiving word – Christ forgives and we receive it by faith. AMEN.

Amen

This year, we've rejoiced in the FOR YOU of the Gospel.

Christ lived, suffered, died, and rose FOR YOU. The only faithful response to the Lord giving Himself FOR YOU is...AMEN. Christ died for you.

Faith says, AMEN.

God’s Breath – Called to Freedom Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Luke Zimmerman

With the gift of life – the new creation we have in Jesus Christ – comes responsibility.

Pastor Day captures this idea in his article, God’s Breath, when he says, “As the crowning jewel of creation, man and woman are given life through God’s breath. As those uniquely created in His image they are to steward the Lord’s creation.” This responsibility is not under the Law; rather, as a new creation, we live and serve God and one another in the freedom of the Gospel.

“Freedom.” Freedom may even be foremost on your mind, a desire you have as you mature into adulthood. But freedom is also a concept that is addressed in the Scriptures, especially by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians. He teaches all Christians what divinely-given freedom is really all about and how it is to be used responsibly.

I. Read Galatians 5:13-15.

A. How have you been “called to freedom”?

The call to freedom for the Christian comes when they are recipients of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. When the Holy Spirit calls and sanctifies the Christian by the Gospel—through the preached Word and the administered Sacraments—He also brings freedom to the Christian. The Holy Spirit delivers the freedom from sin, death, and the power of the devil. This freedom was won by the crucified and risen Christ.

B. What temptation does freedom bring to the Christian? (v13) The Christian is tempted to use freedom as “an opportunity for the flesh.” Like our ancestors Adam and Eve, we are tempted to use freedom for sinful desires. We want to be autonomous, to make our own decisions regarding morality and goodness, and can confuse our Christ-given freedom with liberty to do whatever we want, even things contrary to the Lord God’s will.

C. How does St. Paul direct the Christian to use their freedom? (vv13-14) The apostle instructs us to use our freedom to serve our neighbor in love. The divine freedom that the Holy Spirit brings us by call, enlightenment, and sanctification motivates us to do the will of God, even good works of neighborly love. Before the Spirit’s work in us, we were not free to do such things but were bound to sin; in fact, that is all we know how to do by nature is to sin. But now, we are directed to use our freedom to obey and fulfill the divine law.

II. Read Galatians 5:16-21.

A. What struggle in the Christian does St. Paul identify? (vv16-17) St. Paul identifies the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh within the Christian. [See Romans 7 for another of St. Paul’s descriptions of this struggle.] We also describe this struggle with the terms Old Man vs. New Man in the Small Catechism. As we lead our earthly lives, our sinful natures want to use freedom as liberty, an excuse to sin; our spiritual nature desires to follow and obey the Lord God’s will.

B. How does “the desires of the flesh” make themselves known? (vv19-21) The desires of the flesh are seen in the sinful acts that we do. St. Paul lists a whole series of sins that reflect desires and actions contrary to the Ten Commandments. The list may be of things you are quite familiar with, even frequently see and experience in school and society. All of them are evidence of our sinful nature we are born with—the desires of the Old Man. The apostle also warns that the people who “do such things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

III. Read Galatians 5:22-26.

A. What “desires of the Spirit” does St. Paul describe? What does he say does not exist against these things? (vv22-24) St. Paul lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as “the fruits of the Spirit.” These are not qualities that we have by nature. Rather, they are what the Holy Spirit works in us forgiven followers of Christ, as He continues to sanctify and keep us in the true faith. These are the things we are made free to exhibit, as we are recipients of the Gospel. We are free to act this way, as the Holy Spirit empowers us, and because St. Paul says, “against such things there is no law.”

B. What does St. Paul say Christians have done with the flesh and its desires? How do you do that? (v24) The Christian has “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This is done in Holy Baptism, as we are joined with Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection. But, as we sin daily, we must also return to our baptism. By daily contrition and repentance, we again “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires,” so that the New Man led by the Spirit may arise and live.

C. What does St. Paul encourage every renewed Christian to do? What is necessary for this to happen? (v25) “Live by the Spirit; walk by the Spirit.” We are called to be led by the Holy Spirit in heart, mind, and soul, so that our actions are consistent with God’s will. Without the Holy Spirit, this new way of life is impossible. But with the Holy Spirit working in us, we can live and walk in the way that Christ our Lord has laid out for us. The necessity of the Holy Spirit for this means that we must locate ourselves where the Holy Spirit is promised to be – namely, in the Holy Christian Church on earth, where the Scriptures are taught and the Sacraments are administered for our forgiveness and renewal.

As we can see from St. Paul’s words, our Christian freedom is not boundless liberty.

Rather, it is a gift the Holy Spirit gives, so that we may be Christ’s own people, obeying His will and living in the newness of life He has won for us by His death and resurrection. That is our calling from the Holy Spirit given through Holy Baptism and the hearing of Christ’s Word. And every day, the Holy Spirit works in us, so that a new man may “daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

To close, pray the words of LSB 693, stanza 2: Help us that we Thy saving Word in faithful hearts may treasure; Let e’er that Bread of Life afford new grace in richest measure.

O make us die to ev’ry sin, each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish.

God’s Breath – Called to Freedom Bible Study Pastor Luke Zimmerman

With the gift of life – the new creation we have in Jesus Christ – comes responsibility.

Pastor Day captures this idea in his article, God’s Breath, when he says, “As the crowning jewel of creation, man and woman are given life through God’s breath. As those uniquely created in His image they are to steward the Lord’s creation.” This responsibility is not under the Law; rather, as a new creation, we live and serve God and one another in the freedom of the Gospel.

“Freedom.” Freedom may even be foremost on your mind, a desire you have as you mature into adulthood. But freedom is also a concept that is addressed in the Scriptures, especially by St. Paul in his letter to the Galatians. He teaches all Christians what divinely-given freedom is really all about and how it is to be used responsibly.

I. Read Galatians 5:13-15.

A. How have you been “called to freedom”?

The call to freedom for the Christian comes when they are recipients of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel. When the Holy Spirit calls and sanctifies the Christian by the Gospel—through the preached Word and the administered Sacraments—He also brings freedom to the Christian. The Holy Spirit delivers the freedom from sin, death, and the power of the devil. This freedom was won by the crucified and risen Christ.

B. What temptation does freedom bring to the Christian? (v13) The Christian is tempted to use freedom as “an opportunity for the flesh.” Like our ancestors Adam and Eve, we are tempted to use freedom for sinful desires. We want to be autonomous, to make our own decisions regarding morality and goodness, and can confuse our Christ-given freedom with liberty to do whatever we want, even things contrary to the Lord God’s will.

C. How does St. Paul direct the Christian to use their freedom? (vv13-14) The apostle instructs us to use our freedom to serve our neighbor in love. The divine freedom that the Holy Spirit brings us by call, enlightenment, and sanctification motivates us to do the will of God, even good works of neighborly love. Before the Spirit’s work in us, we were not free to do such things but were bound to sin; in fact, that is all we know how to do by nature is to sin. But now, we are directed to use our freedom to obey and fulfill the divine law.

II. Read Galatians 5:16-21.

A. What struggle in the Christian does St. Paul identify? (vv16-17) St. Paul identifies the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh within the Christian. [See Romans 7 for another of St. Paul’s descriptions of this struggle.] We also describe this struggle with the terms Old Man vs. New Man in the Small Catechism. As we lead our earthly lives, our sinful natures want to use freedom as liberty, an excuse to sin; our spiritual nature desires to follow and obey the Lord God’s will.

B. How does “the desires of the flesh” make themselves known? (vv19-21) The desires of the flesh are seen in the sinful acts that we do. St. Paul lists a whole series of sins that reflect desires and actions contrary to the Ten Commandments. The list may be of things you are quite familiar with, even frequently see and experience in school and society. All of them are evidence of our sinful nature we are born with—the desires of the Old Man. The apostle also warns that the people who “do such things will not inherit the kingdom of heaven.”

III. Read Galatians 5:22-26.

A. What “desires of the Spirit” does St. Paul describe? What does he say does not exist against these things? (vv22-24) St. Paul lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as “the fruits of the Spirit.” These are not qualities that we have by nature. Rather, they are what the Holy Spirit works in us forgiven followers of Christ, as He continues to sanctify and keep us in the true faith. These are the things we are made free to exhibit, as we are recipients of the Gospel. We are free to act this way, as the Holy Spirit empowers us, and because St. Paul says, “against such things there is no law.”

B. What does St. Paul say Christians have done with the flesh and its desires? How do you do that? (v24) The Christian has “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” This is done in Holy Baptism, as we are joined with Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection. But, as we sin daily, we must also return to our baptism. By daily contrition and repentance, we again “crucify the flesh with its passions and desires,” so that the New Man led by the Spirit may arise and live.

C. What does St. Paul encourage every renewed Christian to do? What is necessary for this to happen? (v25) “Live by the Spirit; walk by the Spirit.” We are called to be led by the Holy Spirit in heart, mind, and soul, so that our actions are consistent with God’s will. Without the Holy Spirit, this new way of life is impossible. But with the Holy Spirit working in us, we can live and walk in the way that Christ our Lord has laid out for us. The necessity of the Holy Spirit for this means that we must locate ourselves where the Holy Spirit is promised to be – namely, in the Holy Christian Church on earth, where the Scriptures are taught and the Sacraments are administered for our forgiveness and renewal.

As we can see from St. Paul’s words, our Christian freedom is not boundless liberty.

Rather, it is a gift the Holy Spirit gives, so that we may be Christ’s own people, obeying His will and living in the newness of life He has won for us by His death and resurrection. That is our calling from the Holy Spirit given through Holy Baptism and the hearing of Christ’s Word. And every day, the Holy Spirit works in us, so that a new man may “daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.”

To close, pray the words of LSB 693, stanza 2: Help us that we Thy saving Word in faithful hearts may treasure; Let e’er that Bread of Life afford new grace in richest measure.

O make us die to ev’ry sin, each day create new life within, That fruits of faith may flourish.

To Burn of Not to Burn?

Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Robin D. Fish

Jess Norton examines the topic of the morality of copying music, or “burning” music from the CD’s or iPods of our friends. It is an inviting practice, since our friends have purchased their music (presumably) and it is an easy, convenient, and inexpensive way to share music. In his article, To Burn or Not To Burn: That Is the Question, Mr. Norton cites Scriptures, Luther, and common sense. We want to examine his work – as we should examine the work of every teacher – and see if what he is saying is true and useful guidance for us.

I. The first issue is pretty straight-forward: Do the laws of our land speak about the issue of copying music, and do those laws apply to us? There is no Bible passage that tells us whether there is a law, that comes from knowing our nation’s laws, and YES, they do proscribe (forbid) copying copyrighted music for any purpose, without the permission of the record company and the performer. Does that mean we cannot do it? Read Romans 13:1-2.

A. Does this passage address the issue?

Yes, it addresses the issue of obeying the law, because the law derives its authority from God. B. Must we follow that law, even though it is so easily and commonly ignored?

Disobeying the law of the land is to disobey God and to dismiss Him. We expect unbelievers to ignore God anyhow.

C. What does ignoring or disobeying the law in this case mean, according to the text?

It means that we are disobeying or ignoring God. He promises to deal with us on that basis. We, His people, are to respect His authority wherever He shows it to us.

D. Even if the act of burning a copy were wrong for no other reason than this law of the land, are we still obligated as faithful children of God to keep it?

Yes. We don’t make morality. God’s Word tells us that the Law is God’s authority, not merely the authority of the state.

II. The second issue requires more thought. Mr. Norton points to the Small Catechism, particularly the Seventh Commandment. He reasons that the musician’s work is his “possession and income” in the face of this commandment.

A. Do you agree? Explain your answer.

They should. The argument of the article is fairly clear. It can be simply put: the musician’s music is his commodity. When we take it without paying for it, we steal from him.

B. What other commandment might you be transgressing when you “burn a copy” of someone else’s CD? (Be prepared to explain your answer here, too.)

The Ninth Commandment comes into play. “Craftily seek to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house” would also include finding a way to take what is his without paying

for it – and the coveting is the desire for something which is strong enough to lead us to sin to acquire it.

C. Look up the following passages. Do they apply? How? 

Exodus 18:21



Proverbs 28:16



Isaiah 56:11



Ezekiel 22:12-13

 Habakkuk 2:9 Obviously the answer in each case is “yes.” In each passage, God speaks about unjust gain or evil gain, and clearly condemns it.

D. What do these passages tell us about God’s attitude in this matter?

Unjust gain is wrong, and God will deal with us about it. God is not happy with sin, period.

Remember, forgiveness is for the repentant.

III. The third issue Mr. Norton presents is the issue of your confession of Christ.

A. Mr. Norton says that by burning a copy you confess, “I serve God and obey Him in so far as it does not inconvenience me or keep me from having what I want.” Is that how you would describe it? Put it into your own words: Answers will vary, but it is good for the students to think this through. We confess not Christ but our own sin and greed and self-importance in such acts. We deny Christ.

B. Can we confess Christ clearly while we compromise with the world?

No. Our behavior will often confess our faith – but it sometimes confesses our faith as weak, stumbling, or absent.

C. How does 2 Samuel 12:14 apply?

Our unfaithfulness and sin give people cause to blaspheme against God. When they speak evil of the Christian faith or the Christian Church they are attacking God, and not merely speaking evil of us, for we are the body of Christ.

D. Can you see how Romans 2:21-25 might apply in this issue?

We hold ourselves out as the children of a holy God. We appear to confess that we understand right from wrong and good from evil. When we participate in this sort of thing we leave the impression that either the Christian faith is an empty sham, a shell game for our own profit, or a weak and powerless thing in us.

E. Explain Matthew 5:16 as it applies to this question.

Our good works and holiness are seen by the world. Most of the time, they hate it, because it accuses them in their sin. Still, our decency and goodness will illustrate the goodness of God for those who watch us – and everyone is watching us, including angels and demons, and God Himself (although God watching us is not what the passage is about).

IV. Do you agree with Jess Norton’s analysis? Is it Scriptural? Is it useful guidance for us?

The answers should be yes, but this is a personal judgment. The discussion is more important than starting out with the right answer.

To Burn of Not to Burn?

Bible Study Pastor Robin D. Fish

Jess Norton examines the topic of the morality of copying music, or “burning” music from the CD’s or iPods of our friends. It is an inviting practice, since our friends have purchased their music (presumably) and it is an easy, convenient, and inexpensive way to share music. In his article, To Burn or Not To Burn: That Is the Question, Mr. Norton cites Scriptures, Luther, and common sense. We want to examine his work – as we should examine the work of every teacher – and see if what he is saying is true and useful guidance for us.

I. The first issue is pretty straight-forward: Do the laws of our land speak about the issue of copying music, and do those laws apply to us? There is no Bible passage that tells us whether there is a law, that comes from knowing our nation’s laws, and YES, they do proscribe (forbid) copying copyrighted music for any purpose, without the permission of the record company and the performer. Does that mean we cannot do it? Read Romans 13:1-2.

A. Does this passage address the issue?

Yes, it addresses the issue of obeying the law, because the law derives its authority from God. B. Must we follow that law, even though it is so easily and commonly ignored?

Disobeying the law of the land is to disobey God and to dismiss Him. We expect unbelievers to ignore God anyhow.

C. What does ignoring or disobeying the law in this case mean, according to the text?

It means that we are disobeying or ignoring God. He promises to deal with us on that basis. We, His people, are to respect His authority wherever He shows it to us.

D. Even if the act of burning a copy were wrong for no other reason than this law of the land, are we still obligated as faithful children of God to keep it?

Yes. We don’t make morality. God’s Word tells us that the Law is God’s authority, not merely the authority of the state.

II. The second issue requires more thought. Mr. Norton points to the Small Catechism, particularly the Seventh Commandment. He reasons that the musician’s work is his “possession and income” in the face of this commandment.

A. Do you agree? Explain your answer.

They should. The argument of the article is fairly clear. It can be simply put: the musician’s music is his commodity. When we take it without paying for it, we steal from him.

B. What other commandment might you be transgressing when you “burn a copy” of someone else’s CD? (Be prepared to explain your answer here, too.)

The Ninth Commandment comes into play. “Craftily seek to get our neighbor’s inheritance or house” would also include finding a way to take what is his without paying

for it – and the coveting is the desire for something which is strong enough to lead us to sin to acquire it.

C. Look up the following passages. Do they apply? How? 

Exodus 18:21



Proverbs 28:16



Isaiah 56:11



Ezekiel 22:12-13

 Habakkuk 2:9 Obviously the answer in each case is “yes.” In each passage, God speaks about unjust gain or evil gain, and clearly condemns it.

D. What do these passages tell us about God’s attitude in this matter?

Unjust gain is wrong, and God will deal with us about it. God is not happy with sin, period.

Remember, forgiveness is for the repentant.

III. The third issue Mr. Norton presents is the issue of your confession of Christ.

A. Mr. Norton says that by burning a copy you confess, “I serve God and obey Him in so far as it does not inconvenience me or keep me from having what I want.” Is that how you would describe it? Put it into your own words: Answers will vary, but it is good for the students to think this through. We confess not Christ but our own sin and greed and self-importance in such acts. We deny Christ.

B. Can we confess Christ clearly while we compromise with the world?

No. Our behavior will often confess our faith – but it sometimes confesses our faith as weak, stumbling, or absent.

C. How does 2 Samuel 12:14 apply?

Our unfaithfulness and sin give people cause to blaspheme against God. When they speak evil of the Christian faith or the Christian Church they are attacking God, and not merely speaking evil of us, for we are the body of Christ.

D. Can you see how Romans 2:21-25 might apply in this issue?

We hold ourselves out as the children of a holy God. We appear to confess that we understand right from wrong and good from evil. When we participate in this sort of thing we leave the impression that either the Christian faith is an empty sham, a shell game for our own profit, or a weak and powerless thing in us.

E. Explain Matthew 5:16 as it applies to this question.

Our good works and holiness are seen by the world. Most of the time, they hate it, because it accuses them in their sin. Still, our decency and goodness will illustrate the goodness of God for those who watch us – and everyone is watching us, including angels and demons, and God Himself (although God watching us is not what the passage is about).

IV. Do you agree with Jess Norton’s analysis? Is it Scriptural? Is it useful guidance for us?

The answers should be yes, but this is a personal judgment. The discussion is more important than starting out with the right answer.

Good Government Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Eric Brown

I. Blessings of a Good Government - Read Romans 13:1-7.

A. As Christians, what is to be our attitude towards our government? Why is this to be our attitude?

We are to be respectful and obey those in authority. This is not done for simple, practical reasons like getting along or personal advancement, but because we realize that government is placed there by God. Government is a tool God uses to check evil in the world.

B. At the time of the Reformation, some people argued that Christians shouldn’t work in the government because the government’s job was just earthly in focus and not befitting a Christian. What is the work of the Government? Can a Christian work for the government with a clean conscience? Why or why not?

As we recognize that governments are ordained of God to punish civil wickedness and reward civil righteousness, we understand that such work is indeed God pleasing and shows love to the neighbor. Therefore, as Lutherans we have always say that a Christian may rightly work for the government, but ought not to abuse his power – rather use it in service of the neighbor.

II. Dangers of Dissatisfaction – Read 1 Samuel 8.

A. The people of Israel were served by the Judges – and yet, in Samuel’s time, the people no longer wanted a Judge. What do they want and why? Was this a good reason?

The people of Israel wanted to have a King – like all the other nations. Israel had taken no king because they recognized that God was their King. Rather than being content with the government they had, they sought to do things like the rest of the world does them, and so gave up many freedoms and blessings.

B. Samuel lists off many things that a king will demand of his people. Are these rough things? Yet are the people, if they get a king, supposed to do them? What do we learn from this?

The King will do many things (verses 10-18) – but a King has that right and power. And the people are supposed to obey. While we have a democracy today, we ought to choose our leaders with care and be careful with the powers we give our government – because we will be called upon to obey them.

C. God did not want His people to be under the yoke of a king. Yet, who was the second King of Israel? Why is he important? Who was the third King of Israel and what important thing did he do?

David is the second king of Israel – and indeed, he ends up being a forerunner of Christ – an image or example of what Christ’s Kingship is like – to say nothing of the psalms David wrote. Solomon is the third King, and he builds the temple – providing the people a

place to worship. Even though God did not desire His people to have a king, yet He does bless them through these kings.

III. Living on the Earth – Read “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” (LSB 851, LW 402, TLH 442).

A. When we approach our life on this earth, what is the overarching idea that we remember?

Everything we see in this life is shaped by the fact that God does not begrudge us lost ones the forgiveness Jesus won upon the Cross. Whatever happens in life, the Cross stands over all.

B. As Christ has died for us, how is our attitude towards our life here shaped?

As Christ’s own redeemed, we realize that our service to others is in fact our service to God. When we obey the government, we are in fact obeying the God who established that government. When we serve our neighbor, whether as a private citizen or as an agent of the government, we are in fact serving God. Our focus when dealing with our neighbors is always to be to show love.

Good Government Bible Study Pastor Eric Brown

I. Blessings of a Good Government - Read Romans 13:1-7.

A. As Christians, what is to be our attitude towards our government? Why is this to be our attitude?

We are to be respectful and obey those in authority. This is not done for simple, practical reasons like getting along or personal advancement, but because we realize that government is placed there by God. Government is a tool God uses to check evil in the world.

B. At the time of the Reformation, some people argued that Christians shouldn’t work in the government because the government’s job was just earthly in focus and not befitting a Christian. What is the work of the Government? Can a Christian work for the government with a clean conscience? Why or why not?

As we recognize that governments are ordained of God to punish civil wickedness and reward civil righteousness, we understand that such work is indeed God pleasing and shows love to the neighbor. Therefore, as Lutherans we have always say that a Christian may rightly work for the government, but ought not to abuse his power – rather use it in service of the neighbor.

II. Dangers of Dissatisfaction – Read 1 Samuel 8.

A. The people of Israel were served by the Judges – and yet, in Samuel’s time, the people no longer wanted a Judge. What do they want and why? Was this a good reason?

The people of Israel wanted to have a King – like all the other nations. Israel had taken no king because they recognized that God was their King. Rather than being content with the government they had, they sought to do things like the rest of the world does them, and so gave up many freedoms and blessings.

B. Samuel lists off many things that a king will demand of his people. Are these rough things? Yet are the people, if they get a king, supposed to do them? What do we learn from this?

The King will do many things (verses 10-18) – but a King has that right and power. And the people are supposed to obey. While we have a democracy today, we ought to choose our leaders with care and be careful with the powers we give our government – because we will be called upon to obey them.

C. God did not want His people to be under the yoke of a king. Yet, who was the second King of Israel? Why is he important? Who was the third King of Israel and what important thing did he do?

David is the second king of Israel – and indeed, he ends up being a forerunner of Christ – an image or example of what Christ’s Kingship is like – to say nothing of the psalms David wrote. Solomon is the third King, and he builds the temple – providing the people a

place to worship. Even though God did not desire His people to have a king, yet He does bless them through these kings.

III. Living on the Earth – Read “Lord of Glory, You Have Bought Us” (LSB 851, LW 402, TLH 442).

A. When we approach our life on this earth, what is the overarching idea that we remember?

Everything we see in this life is shaped by the fact that God does not begrudge us lost ones the forgiveness Jesus won upon the Cross. Whatever happens in life, the Cross stands over all.

B. As Christ has died for us, how is our attitude towards our life here shaped?

As Christ’s own redeemed, we realize that our service to others is in fact our service to God. When we obey the government, we are in fact obeying the God who established that government. When we serve our neighbor, whether as a private citizen or as an agent of the government, we are in fact serving God. Our focus when dealing with our neighbors is always to be to show love.

A Moonlight Drive Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Benjamin Harju

In Kathy Luder’s story, Kathy and Molly are Christians. Their conversation touches upon popular music, reacting to the pains of “real life,” sexuality, theft, and the Christian’s place in all of this. The story presents a fundamental question for the reader: What is reality? This is followed by another fundamental question: What is my place in that reality?

First, have everyone in the study write down some of the things that they resonated with from Kathy, then from Molly. Second, have them share what they wrote down in a small group. Then have the groups share what they collectively thought with the whole study group. If the study group is small enough, you can omit the second step.

I. Read Galatians 6:14–15. What does St. Paul mean that he is crucified to the world, and vice-versa? What is the new creation?

To be crucified is to die with Christ or through Christ. Our relationship with the world is broken through death. The new creation is the Life of Jesus’ resurrection. It is not of this world, but the next world. It is something entirely different from this world, characterized by the faith, hope, and love taught throughout the Scriptures (for good examples, see Luke 6:20–49; Ephesians 2:1–10; 1 Peter 1:3–21).

A. How do we describe the world? Read Romans 3:10-19, Ephesians 4:17-19, and 1 John 2:15-17 and write down what Paul and John say the world is all about.

The world is characterized by evil speaking and cursing, violence, no fear of God, lewdness, lust, pride, separation from the life of God, etc.

B. Read John 16:33 and Romans 6:1-11. What has the Lord Jesus done in regard to the world? What has He done with sin by dying? Why did He need to do this?

What has Jesus Christ done with you through your Baptism?

The Lord Jesus has overcome the world by being faithful to God in everything and dying for our sins. By dying the Lord Jesus brings sin to an end, because he who has died has been set free from sin. He needed to do this because no one is righteous, the entire world is under sin. By being baptized into Christ’s death, we die with Him to sin and its power, and we enter into a new life in the Holy Spirit.

C. Consider Galatians 6:14–15 again. What is the Christian’s relationship to the world in Christ?

In Christ the world is dead to us, and we are dead to the world. To become like the world is to cut ourselves off from the life of God given in Baptism through the

death and resurrection of Jesus. Help the youth to see that there are two realities: the way of life and the way of death. The way of life is Christ, the way of death is the world. God created us to have life, and have it to the fullest. One’s place in reality depends on one’s faith – a faith which is always tested to see if it is genuine (see 1 Peter 1:3-9).

II. In Luder’s article, Kathy says the music she’s listening to “takes me places I’ve never been before.” Is the experience of life she’s getting from her music genuinely Life as it comes from God, or is it life in this world?

A. What does the Lord Jesus do about “life in the world?”  He saves us from it. Life in this world is really death leading to condemnation (see John 3:16–18). Life in Christ is true Life leading into God’s kingdom.  Jesus lifts up and transforms the grittiness of this life by putting it to death and raising it up new. The raw vulgarity and powerful emotionalism of Eminem or other performers is applauded by this world, because it shows strength in the face of adversity. However, in the face of God’s Word this so-called power is a symptom of being totally separated from the true power of Life – the God who breathed His own Life into Adam’s nostrils. The same goes for the power of lust and stealing (even when it hurts no one). God tells us these are symptoms of death, which are called sin. The Lord Jesus deals with all of this first and foremost by dying to it on the cross. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ brings the pathway of this world to its final conclusion on the cross, and then He opens up the new reality, the new creation by rising from the dead to never die again.

B. In the article, were Molly’s instincts correct? Was everything Molly was pointing out as harmless as Kathy made them out to be? Read Galatians 5:16 – 6:10.

The flesh corrupts, and if you do what it wants, then you will be corrupted by it.

The Holy Spirit gives everlasting life, and if you submit to the Spirit’s leading, you will inherit everlasting life, for the flesh will be defeated by God’s grace. We receive the Holy Spirit in His Word faithfully preached and His Sacraments rightly administered. St. Paul speaks of then living from the Spirit’s work through what he says in 5:23-25. It’s not merely about good morals, but first about putting to death the passions and desires of the heart through repentance (contrition and faith),and then following through in our actions.

C. The article ends with a dramatic crash, a near-confrontation with death, and a change of heart for Kathy. What do you think was going on for Kathy and Molly that made her think, “Lord, have mercy!”?

Whatever answers are given, suggest also the following: When death comes right at you, that’s when the difference between the false life of the world and the genuine Life in Christ becomes crystal clear. The only salvation from sin, from permanent death, and everything that belongs to life in this world is the Lord’s sure, blood-bought mercy in Christ and in Him crucified. The sinner only ever has one prayer at that point – whether you are Kathy or Molly, or St. Peter or the thief on the cross: Lord, have mercy! Cite John 3:16 or another favorite passage that speaks of God’s desire to save all by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake alone.

A Moonlight Drive Bible Study Pastor Benjamin Harju

In Kathy Luder’s story, Kathy and Molly are Christians. Their conversation touches upon popular music, reacting to the pains of “real life,” sexuality, theft, and the Christian’s place in all of this. The story presents a fundamental question for the reader: What is reality? This is followed by another fundamental question: What is my place in that reality?

First, have everyone in the study write down some of the things that they resonated with from Kathy, then from Molly. Second, have them share what they wrote down in a small group. Then have the groups share what they collectively thought with the whole study group. If the study group is small enough, you can omit the second step.

I. Read Galatians 6:14–15. What does St. Paul mean that he is crucified to the world, and vice-versa? What is the new creation?

To be crucified is to die with Christ or through Christ. Our relationship with the world is broken through death. The new creation is the Life of Jesus’ resurrection. It is not of this world, but the next world. It is something entirely different from this world, characterized by the faith, hope, and love taught throughout the Scriptures (for good examples, see Luke 6:20–49; Ephesians 2:1–10; 1 Peter 1:3–21).

A. How do we describe the world? Read Romans 3:10-19, Ephesians 4:17-19, and 1 John 2:15-17 and write down what Paul and John say the world is all about.

The world is characterized by evil speaking and cursing, violence, no fear of God, lewdness, lust, pride, separation from the life of God, etc.

B. Read John 16:33 and Romans 6:1-11. What has the Lord Jesus done in regard to the world? What has He done with sin by dying? Why did He need to do this?

What has Jesus Christ done with you through your Baptism?

The Lord Jesus has overcome the world by being faithful to God in everything and dying for our sins. By dying the Lord Jesus brings sin to an end, because he who has died has been set free from sin. He needed to do this because no one is righteous, the entire world is under sin. By being baptized into Christ’s death, we die with Him to sin and its power, and we enter into a new life in the Holy Spirit.

C. Consider Galatians 6:14–15 again. What is the Christian’s relationship to the world in Christ?

In Christ the world is dead to us, and we are dead to the world. To become like the world is to cut ourselves off from the life of God given in Baptism through the

death and resurrection of Jesus. Help the youth to see that there are two realities: the way of life and the way of death. The way of life is Christ, the way of death is the world. God created us to have life, and have it to the fullest. One’s place in reality depends on one’s faith – a faith which is always tested to see if it is genuine (see 1 Peter 1:3-9).

II. In Luder’s article, Kathy says the music she’s listening to “takes me places I’ve never been before.” Is the experience of life she’s getting from her music genuinely Life as it comes from God, or is it life in this world?

A. What does the Lord Jesus do about “life in the world?”  He saves us from it. Life in this world is really death leading to condemnation (see John 3:16–18). Life in Christ is true Life leading into God’s kingdom.  Jesus lifts up and transforms the grittiness of this life by putting it to death and raising it up new. The raw vulgarity and powerful emotionalism of Eminem or other performers is applauded by this world, because it shows strength in the face of adversity. However, in the face of God’s Word this so-called power is a symptom of being totally separated from the true power of Life – the God who breathed His own Life into Adam’s nostrils. The same goes for the power of lust and stealing (even when it hurts no one). God tells us these are symptoms of death, which are called sin. The Lord Jesus deals with all of this first and foremost by dying to it on the cross. He who knew no sin became sin for us, that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ brings the pathway of this world to its final conclusion on the cross, and then He opens up the new reality, the new creation by rising from the dead to never die again.

B. In the article, were Molly’s instincts correct? Was everything Molly was pointing out as harmless as Kathy made them out to be? Read Galatians 5:16 – 6:10.

The flesh corrupts, and if you do what it wants, then you will be corrupted by it.

The Holy Spirit gives everlasting life, and if you submit to the Spirit’s leading, you will inherit everlasting life, for the flesh will be defeated by God’s grace. We receive the Holy Spirit in His Word faithfully preached and His Sacraments rightly administered. St. Paul speaks of then living from the Spirit’s work through what he says in 5:23-25. It’s not merely about good morals, but first about putting to death the passions and desires of the heart through repentance (contrition and faith),and then following through in our actions.

C. The article ends with a dramatic crash, a near-confrontation with death, and a change of heart for Kathy. What do you think was going on for Kathy and Molly that made her think, “Lord, have mercy!”?

Whatever answers are given, suggest also the following: When death comes right at you, that’s when the difference between the false life of the world and the genuine Life in Christ becomes crystal clear. The only salvation from sin, from permanent death, and everything that belongs to life in this world is the Lord’s sure, blood-bought mercy in Christ and in Him crucified. The sinner only ever has one prayer at that point – whether you are Kathy or Molly, or St. Peter or the thief on the cross: Lord, have mercy! Cite John 3:16 or another favorite passage that speaks of God’s desire to save all by grace, through faith, for Christ’s sake alone.

Questions from Virginia Tech Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Eric Brown

I. Read John 21:18-25.

A. As Christians, we are in the world with all of it’s dangers – and being a Christian doesn’t eliminate those dangers. In fact, sometimes bad things happen even to Christians. What happens to Peter because of his faith?

Peter would end up crucified for professing the faith. His arms were stretched out upon his own cross, and he was dressed for burial and the grave.

B. Yet, this doesn’t mean that being a Christian will bring about bad things either. How does Jesus respond to Peter’s question about John’s fate?

Jesus doesn’t answer Peter directly – but rather shows that good things or bad things may happen to John – and that this is not Peter’s concern. Blessings will come as God directs them, but whether we receive them or not, our duty is to follow Christ.

C. Peter was instructed not to worry about John’s fate – rather Peter was instructed to follow Christ. How does this attitude shape our response to tragedy?

There are many things we can’t know, and answers to the question of “why” that we will never understand here on earth. Therefore, our focus isn’t to be upon the unknown, but rather the known – that Christ Jesus has died for our sins. Our focus ought to be upon the Cross and not upon our unanswered questions.

II. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

A. When it comes to being a good Christian and living for Christ, might Paul be able to, from a human perspective, boast about how good a Christian he is?

If he chose, Paul could point to many things that he has done. In fact, when attacked by false prophets, he does so. He points to his knowledge and his suffering.

B. Does Paul focus on his own accomplishments, even though they are many? Where is his focus?

Paul doesn’t focus on his own accomplishments. Rather Paul’s focus is upon Jesus – the fact that Jesus has been gracious and merciful to him, a sinner, and that Paul’s strength is nothing other than Christ’s strength. Apart from Christ, Paul is nothing.

C. With this attitude, Paul notices a wonderful blessing that trials can give? What benefit do trials play in the life of a Christian?

Trials throw us to Christ. The temptation for any Christian when things are going well is to forget that God is the one who gives blessings and to become prideful. When we see struggles in our life, or even tragedy in the world, we are reminded of our own weakness and need for Christ – and thus kept close to Him.

III. Read “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me” – LSB 756, LW 423, TLH 523.

A. Paul Gerhardt lived through the 30 Years War, which were dark, dangerous times. In fact, one might very well be killed for being Lutheran. What was his response to this danger?

One thing trumps all earthly dangers – “Christ is near, with his cheer,/ Never will He leave me.” Gerhardt focused on Christ’s forgiveness, which gives him perspective on all things in his life.

B. Ought our perspective on God change based upon whether we are happy or sad?

Rather, what truth is beyond the trials of our life?

LSB 756 verse 3 is fantastic here: God gives me days of gladness, And I will Trust Him still When He sends me sadness.

God is Good; His love attends me Day by day, Come what may, Guides me and defends me.

Questions from Virginia Tech Bible Study Pastor Eric Brown

I. Read John 21:18-25.

A. As Christians, we are in the world with all of it’s dangers – and being a Christian doesn’t eliminate those dangers. In fact, sometimes bad things happen even to Christians. What happens to Peter because of his faith?

Peter would end up crucified for professing the faith. His arms were stretched out upon his own cross, and he was dressed for burial and the grave.

B. Yet, this doesn’t mean that being a Christian will bring about bad things either. How does Jesus respond to Peter’s question about John’s fate?

Jesus doesn’t answer Peter directly – but rather shows that good things or bad things may happen to John – and that this is not Peter’s concern. Blessings will come as God directs them, but whether we receive them or not, our duty is to follow Christ.

C. Peter was instructed not to worry about John’s fate – rather Peter was instructed to follow Christ. How does this attitude shape our response to tragedy?

There are many things we can’t know, and answers to the question of “why” that we will never understand here on earth. Therefore, our focus isn’t to be upon the unknown, but rather the known – that Christ Jesus has died for our sins. Our focus ought to be upon the Cross and not upon our unanswered questions.

II. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

A. When it comes to being a good Christian and living for Christ, might Paul be able to, from a human perspective, boast about how good a Christian he is?

If he chose, Paul could point to many things that he has done. In fact, when attacked by false prophets, he does so. He points to his knowledge and his suffering.

B. Does Paul focus on his own accomplishments, even though they are many? Where is his focus?

Paul doesn’t focus on his own accomplishments. Rather Paul’s focus is upon Jesus – the fact that Jesus has been gracious and merciful to him, a sinner, and that Paul’s strength is nothing other than Christ’s strength. Apart from Christ, Paul is nothing.

C. With this attitude, Paul notices a wonderful blessing that trials can give? What benefit do trials play in the life of a Christian?

Trials throw us to Christ. The temptation for any Christian when things are going well is to forget that God is the one who gives blessings and to become prideful. When we see struggles in our life, or even tragedy in the world, we are reminded of our own weakness and need for Christ – and thus kept close to Him.

III. Read “Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me” – LSB 756, LW 423, TLH 523.

A. Paul Gerhardt lived through the 30 Years War, which were dark, dangerous times. In fact, one might very well be killed for being Lutheran. What was his response to this danger?

One thing trumps all earthly dangers – “Christ is near, with his cheer,/ Never will He leave me.” Gerhardt focused on Christ’s forgiveness, which gives him perspective on all things in his life.

B. Ought our perspective on God change based upon whether we are happy or sad?

Rather, what truth is beyond the trials of our life?

LSB 756 verse 3 is fantastic here: God gives me days of gladness, And I will Trust Him still When He sends me sadness.

God is Good; His love attends me Day by day, Come what may, Guides me and defends me.

Saved Sex: A Plea for Virginity Bible Study Leader’s Guide Pastor Robin D. Fish

Our culture seems at times to be all about sex. The article takes a reasoned approach to sex, abstinence. and marriage. It also attempts to explain the advantages of listening to God and faithfully disciplining our flesh in accord with the expressed will of God concerning marriage and sexuality. There are all sorts of good reasons to explain the wisdom of doing it God’s way, and this Bible study is about the most significant reason: faithfulness.

I. We begin where the article begins: Read Ephesians 5:31-32.

A. These words about “one flesh” are not unique to this passage. Where else are they found, and who is the speaker in each case?

“One flesh” is spoken of by God in Genesis 2:24, where God is speaking. It is spoken of in Matthew 19:5-6 by Jesus (and in Mark 10:8, by Jesus), and in 1 Corinthians 6:16, where Paul speaks of God’s Word in reference to men using a prostitute. This last use addresses the process of becoming one flesh – at least in part, the act of sex.

B. The article says marriage is a “mystery.” A mystery is something we would not know or be able to reason out unless it were revealed to us. What is the mystery referred to in the Scripture?

The mystery referred to by the apostle Paul is the mystery of the union of Christ and His Church, which Paul compares to the union of husband and wife. As Christians, our union in marriage is a reflection of Christ and the Church – or, at least, it should be.

C. What is the mystery in connection with marriage?

The mystery here is that the union is more than mere physical congress, but that we are united in truth into one flesh – one person in two bodies, so to speak. The reality of that union is illustrated by and reflected in children who are their parents united into one flesh.

II. Read Exodus 20:14.

A. What does this mean? The Small Catechism is a good place to start.

Explanation of the 6th Commandment: “We should fear and love God so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.” Chaste means clean or pure, and decent means that you would not be ashamed to let your parents know about it. It means that we should honor our spouse with faithfulness – before and after the wedding ceremony.

B. What is adultery?

Adultery is sex with anyone other than your spouse, whether in the flesh or in your words or in your mind.

C. Do you think that you can commit adultery before marriage? If so, how? If not, explain your reasoning.

Yes. Students’ answers may vary, and they should be explained. Adultery can be committed by unfaithfulness to your spouse even before you meet that person. The

marriage bed is to remain inviolate, and that means that sex is for your spouse, and only for your spouse. Premarital sex steals that purity from the one you may eventually marry.

And if you never marry, causal sex is like marrying a lot of people – uniting yourself to them by the physical act – whether you think of it that way or not.

III. In the days Scriptures were being written, among the Jews, there was no such thing as a single woman. A young girl (very young) or widow, perhaps, but single, adult women tended to be prostitutes. Exodus 22:16 addresses what we would call premarital sex.

A. To what does God consider sex tantamount?

Sex is considered tantamount to marriage. Given that when caught in flagrante delicto, God commanded that they be husband and wife.

B. What does that say about the topic of saving yourself for marriage?

The Bible knows no other course, except in sin. Marriage is accomplished, in one sense, by sex. Sexual intimacy is marriage before God. C. Read Deuteronomy 22:23-29. How does this shape your understanding of “casual sex”?

Does this help you understand the will of God in human sexuality?

Choosing not to save yourself is choosing to marry, whether you think of it as that choice or not. Multiple partners before marriage, then, is polygamy and adultery, although not necessarily according to the laws of the land. Obviously, God wants you to save yourself for that one, special person.

D. Who is responsible in sexual matters, the man or the woman? Explain your answer.

Oddly, the answer is someone else. Married people are to allow the other to be responsible and in charge – except, perhaps, if they lead toward sin. Single women are to allow their fathers to exercise authority over that for them. In every case, God’s will and Word is first and foremost for us. It is not the man or the woman responsible for themselves, but for the other, and both are guilty of sin and corrupting the other when they sin in sexual matters.

IV. Read 1 Corinthians 7. The entire chapter touches on our topic, although most of it speaks about cultural values which are almost unheard of today. Even in differing cultural settings, these words can offer us guidance.

A. How does Paul appear to think about sexual intimacy?

Culture doesn’t matter; God’s Word is always authoritative. Paul sees sexual intimacy as belonging only in marriage, and there as a curb for lusts and desires which will lead us astray. God and prayer and worship and the Word are all of higher priority, event though the flesh may press itself with greater urgency upon our minds.

B. Who is supposed to be in control in such circumstances?

Again, the answer is someone else. The woman is in control of the man, and the man is in control of the woman, and Christ is in control of both of them.

C. Where is the proper setting for sex, for the child of God? Marriage. Place and time are up to the taste of the couple, and propriety, which should be observed by both. It is marriage that creates the only proper setting for sex.

D. Note the seriousness throughout Scripture with which God approaches sin, particularly sexual sin. What does that say to you?

I should pay close attention and take this seriously, if I wish to stand before God as His child. Faithfulness to our Lord requires that we take this as seriously as He does.

V. If you have sinned in this regard, what two things should you do?

Repent, which includes turning away from the sin and seeking forgiveness, and believe that you are forgiven. Then go and sin no more.

Saved Sex: A Plea for Virginity Bible Study Pastor Robin D. Fish

Our culture seems at times to be all about sex. The article takes a reasoned approach to sex, abstinence. and marriage. It also attempts to explain the advantages of listening to God and faithfully disciplining our flesh in accord with the expressed will of God concerning marriage and sexuality. There are all sorts of good reasons to explain the wisdom of doing it God’s way, and this Bible study is about the most significant reason: faithfulness.

I. We begin where the article begins: Read Ephesians 5:31-32.

A. These words about “one flesh” are not unique to this passage. Where else are they found, and who is the speaker in each case?

“One flesh” is spoken of by God in Genesis 2:24, where God is speaking. It is spoken of in Matthew 19:5-6 by Jesus (and in Mark 10:8, by Jesus), and in 1 Corinthians 6:16, where Paul speaks of God’s Word in reference to men using a prostitute. This last use addresses the process of becoming one flesh – at least in part, the act of sex.

B. The article says marriage is a “mystery.” A mystery is something we would not know or be able to reason out unless it were revealed to us. What is the mystery referred to in the Scripture?

The mystery referred to by the apostle Paul is the mystery of the union of Christ and His Church, which Paul compares to the union of husband and wife. As Christians, our union in marriage is a reflection of Christ and the Church – or, at least, it should be.

C. What is the mystery in connection with marriage?

The mystery here is that the union is more than mere physical congress, but that we are united in truth into one flesh – one person in two bodies, so to speak. The reality of that union is illustrated by and reflected in children who are their parents united into one flesh.

II. Read Exodus 20:14.

A. What does this mean? The Small Catechism is a good place to start.

Explanation of the 6th Commandment: “We should fear and love God so that we lead a chaste and decent life in word and deed, and each love and honor his spouse.” Chaste means clean or pure, and decent means that you would not be ashamed to let your parents know about it. It means that we should honor our spouse with faithfulness – before and after the wedding ceremony.

B. What is adultery?

Adultery is sex with anyone other than your spouse, whether in the flesh or in your words or in your mind.

C. Do you think that you can commit adultery before marriage? If so, how? If not, explain your reasoning.

Yes. Students’ answers may vary, and they should be explained. Adultery can be committed by unfaithfulness to your spouse even before you meet that person. The

marriage bed is to remain inviolate, and that means that sex is for your spouse, and only for your spouse. Premarital sex steals that purity from the one you may eventually marry.

And if you never marry, causal sex is like marrying a lot of people – uniting yourself to them by the physical act – whether you think of it that way or not.

III. In the days Scriptures were being written, among the Jews, there was no such thing as a single woman. A young girl (very young) or widow, perhaps, but single, adult women tended to be prostitutes. Exodus 22:16 addresses what we would call premarital sex.

A. To what does God consider sex tantamount?

Sex is considered tantamount to marriage. Given that when caught in flagrante delicto, God commanded that they be husband and wife.

B. What does that say about the topic of saving yourself for marriage?

The Bible knows no other course, except in sin. Marriage is accomplished, in one sense, by sex. Sexual intimacy is marriage before God. C. Read Deuteronomy 22:23-29. How does this shape your understanding of “casual sex”?

Does this help you understand the will of God in human sexuality?

Choosing not to save yourself is choosing to marry, whether you think of it as that choice or not. Multiple partners before marriage, then, is polygamy and adultery, although not necessarily according to the laws of the land. Obviously, God wants you to save yourself for that one, special person.

D. Who is responsible in sexual matters, the man or the woman? Explain your answer.

Oddly, the answer is someone else. Married people are to allow the other to be responsible and in charge – except, perhaps, if they lead toward sin. Single women are to allow their fathers to exercise authority over that for them. In every case, God’s will and Word is first and foremost for us. It is not the man or the woman responsible for themselves, but for the other, and both are guilty of sin and corrupting the other when they sin in sexual matters.

IV. Read 1 Corinthians 7. The entire chapter touches on our topic, although most of it speaks about cultural values which are almost unheard of today. Even in differing cultural settings, these words can offer us guidance.

A. How does Paul appear to think about sexual intimacy?

Culture doesn’t matter; God’s Word is always authoritative. Paul sees sexual intimacy as belonging only in marriage, and there as a curb for lusts and desires which will lead us astray. God and prayer and worship and the Word are all of higher priority, event though the flesh may press itself with greater urgency upon our minds.

B. Who is supposed to be in control in such circumstances?

Again, the answer is someone else. The woman is in control of the man, and the man is in control of the woman, and Christ is in control of both of them.

C. Where is the proper setting for sex, for the child of God? Marriage. Place and time are up to the taste of the couple, and propriety, which should be observed by both. It is marriage that creates the only proper setting for sex.

D. Note the seriousness throughout Scripture with which God approaches sin, particularly sexual sin. What does that say to you?

I should pay close attention and take this seriously, if I wish to stand before God as His child. Faithfulness to our Lord requires that we take this as seriously as He does.

V. If you have sinned in this regard, what two things should you do?

Repent, which includes turning away from the sin and seeking forgiveness, and believe that you are forgiven. Then go and sin no more.