Necessary Words

Thanks to Pr. Weedon for posting this on his blog. You can find the original link here.

From Pr. Weedon's post:

[HT to Dr. Tighe for providing me with these]

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN KENYA ON THE CHURCH APOSTATE

This is the statement of the executive committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya that met on the 12th November 2009, on the Apostasy of the church of Sweden to consecrate not just a woman to the office of bishop but a lesbian bishop on the 8th November 2009 in Uppsala cathedral.

We, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kenya, are watching with shock, dismay and disappointment, the news about these recent developments on what we would call “ the mega” Church bodies in the world are up to, when they work so hard and tirelessly to lead the world into religiousless society (leave alone Christianity)

In addition to our statement on what took place in the USA when ELCA in its Church wide Assembly held on 21 August 2009, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, resolved officially to open the door of the office of the public ministry to those who are in “committed” same gender sexual relations, we further state that it beats our logics and saddens us very much that the church of Sweden, which at the reformation was the pillar of Biblical Reformation within Christendom has now decided to go apostate by consecretating a lesbian woman as bishop on the 8th November 2009 and indeed women in the office of the Ministry over and above its earlier decision to allow same sex partners to hold the Sacred office of Word and Sacrament.

We therefore again reiterate as we did in our statement condemning the decision of ELCA issued on the 25th of September 2009;

1. that we condemn in the strongest terms possible this unfortunate and anti-scriptural development in a church body that bears the name of the great reformer, Dr. Martin Luther;
2. that these Church Bodies have rejected the faith of Christendom as have been confessed all along starting with the Apostles and the fathers as is also confessed today in the three ecumenical creeds.
3. that these church bodies have out rightly rejected the Authority of the Scriptures as the Word of God
4. to the Lutherans, Dr. Martin Luther brought the Church from being under the authority of man and speculations of human philosophies to be under the authority of the Scriptures.
5. that we want to remind those Lutheran Churches and others who ordain women into office of the Word and Sacrament that these unfortunate practice is a novelty that just started some fifty year ago and indeed an epicenter of spiritual lesbianism in the Church today.
6. that we condemn sexual perversion in all its manifestations;
7. that same sex marital union is not only contrary to God’s will as clearly expressed in the Holy Scripture, but also repugnant to the natural created social order;
8. that God’s plan and purpose of marriage is fulfilled only in heterosexual (one man - one woman) life long commitment;
9. that this act by the Church of Sweden constitutes a loveless and callous disregard of the spiritual condition of those caught in homosexual bondage; and
10. that, most seriously of all, it is nothing less than a denial of the transformative power of the love we know in our Savior Jesus Christ, Who seeks all sinners in order to restore them to communion with the Father through the ministrations of His Holy Spirit in Word and sacrament.

Therefore, we must confess the Word of God and be faithful to it. In the name of our crucified and risen Lord Jesus Christ, we call upon the Church of Sweden to repent of its apostasy from the truth. We feel compassion for those among us who are caught in homosexual bondage and want them to know the transforming power of God’s forgiveness and love. Thus we hereby dedicate ourselves anew into the service of Him Who came to serve us sinners, including those caught in homosexual bondage, and Who by the power of His cross and resurrection creates in us a new will to please Him in patterns of living that are chaste and pure. In saying these things, we are standing with our fellow redeemed in the great consensus of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, particularly with those church bodies in the International Lutheran Council. We want to assure the remnant Church bodies in the world, that as much the apostasy may continue aggressively, we believe the Church will not be defaced from the face of the earth. We therefore want to encourage and stand with the remnant Church bodies in Europe like Mission province in Sweden, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in America, Faithful Lutheran Churches in Africa and the rest of the World to stand up and take the Challenge to remain faithful to the Scriptures - for by the Scripture the Lord will save the Church in the World even unto end of the earth.

Signed this 13th day of November 2009:
Most Rev. Dr. Walter Obare Arch Bishop
Rev. John Halakhe General Secretary

MESSAGE FROM THE MEETING OF THE BALTIC LUTHERAN BISHOPS
The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania met in Tallinn on the 3rd and 4th of November, 2009 to strengthen the long experience of unity of the Lutheran churches in the Baltic countries and to pray for the fellowship among Christians of the whole world, recognizing that in our time the ties among and within Christian communities in many places are put to the test. Bishops also discussed tasks and responsibilities of their churches looking for better ways of co-operation in the future. Christian faith means living with Christ and serving one another.

Especially at times of the economic difficulties when so many people have lost their external foothold and inner peace, we invite our compatriots to expand their appreciation of their Christian roots and to utilize all the spiritual wealth that is revealed in the Holy Scripture and offered to everyone who turns to God and puts their trust on Christ. The present crisis in the world economy is a fruit of a long term failure to act accordingly the principles which God has laid in the foundations of His creation. Consumerism and individualism of the modern society have taken their toll. To look for solution only by means of mending economy would mean to repeat the same mistake.

A spiritual renewal must come first, a renewed sense of balance between rights and obligations, communion empathy, solidarity, and mutual support. We believe that the most convincing inner motivation for that change is found in an encounter of a person with the living Christ. To facilitate that encounter by word and deed is the first and foremost calling of the Christian church. Jesus Christ said: “Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matt.28:19-20)

The Christian community as a part of the society is not separated from issues related to the natural and human environment both locally and globally. Justice in the society and life quality of the people or protection of our Baltic Sea against the state negligence and corporate exploitation are some of the critical examples of this area of concern. As communities gathered around the Word of God and the keepers of Christian ethos our churches must address the spiritual root-causes of the contemporary problems. The churches must remember that the main instrument entrusted to them by God is His word – the law and the gospel - and the service to the neighbour in charity.

We also invite our political powers to realize more clearly the spiritual dimension of the human life and the good fruits of a positive co-operation between state, municipalities, schools and the church. Teaching and implementing Christian principles strenghthen the family as well as the whole community. Liberty of conscience and freedom of speech belong to the values of society defining religious life not only as a private but also as a public social right which has to be fostered. Religious education and religious studies form an inseparable part of this right.

At the present time a common witness of churches is vitally important, therefore we express our deepest concern about modern tendencies that weaken the fellowship among Christians and cause divisions in and among churches. The recent decisions made by some member churches of the Lutheran World Federation to approve of religious matrimony for couples of the same gender and to equate such conjugal life with marriage or to ordain non celibate homosexual persons for pastoral or episcopal office epitomize these tendencies that are tearing apart fellowhip among Christians. We affirm that the marriage is the conjugal life between a man and a woman and that a homosexual activity is incompatible with the discipleship of Christ. We believe that in following the modern trends, churches are departing from the apostolic doctrine of human sexuality and marriage. We see the Lutheran communion and eccumenical efforts endangered by such decisions and actions because they lead to a situation where the Lutheran churches, members of the Lutheran World Federation are not able to fully recognize each others ecclesiastical offices, to exchange the ministries and to participate together in preaching the Word and celebrating the sacraments.

We call upon our Lutheran sisters and brothers to unity and co-operation based upon the foundation of Holy Scripture and loyalty to the Lutheran confessions. Contemporary challenges demand a firm stand based upon timeless truths and values. The common understanding of the Gospel by churches is a treasure we cannot afford to lose and it needs to be passed on to the current and future generations. Our mission is to be faithful in that which we have received, God’s mercy. We are to serve our Lord and our neighbours thus until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:13)

Archbishop of Riga Janis Vanags Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
Bishop of Daugavpils Einars Alpe Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
Bishop of Liepaja Pavils Bruvers Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia
Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania
Archbishop Andres Põder Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
Archbishop emeritus Kuno Pajula Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church
Bishop Einar Soone Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church

Uncomfortable at the Altar

Pastor Peters at Pastoral Meanderings has a great post on the importance of learning how to conduct the liturgy as well as preaching a good sermon. It is well worth the read, as most of Pastor Peters posts are. Here is the link.

Commemoration of Martin Chemnitz

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:

Martin Chemnitz, Pastor and Confessor

Aside from Martin Luther, Martin Chemnitz (1522-86) is regarded as the most important theologian in the history of the Lutheran Church. Chemnitz combined a penetrating intellect and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and the Church Fathers with a genuine love for the Church. When various doctrinal disagreements broke out after Luther's death in 1546, Chemnitz determined to give himself fully to the restoration of unity in the Lutheran Church. He became the leading spirit and principal author of the 1577 Formula of Concord, which settled the doctrinal disputes on the basis of Scripture and largely succeeded in restoring unity among Lutherans. Chemnitz also authored the four volume Examination of the Council of Trent (1565-73), in which he rigorously subjected the teachings of this Roman Catholic Council to the judgment of Scripture and the ancient Church Fathers. The Examination became the definitive Lutheran answer to the Council of Trent, as well as a thorough exposition of the faith of the Augsburg Confession. A theologian and a churchman, Chemnitz was truly a gift of God to the Church.

Lord God, heavenly Father, through the teaching of Martin Chemnitz, You prepare us for the coming of Your Son to lead home His Bride, the Church, that with all the company of the redeemed we may finally enter into His eternal wedding feast; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Commemoration of Johannes von Staupitz

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:

Johannes von Staupitz, Luther's Father Confessor

Johannes von Staupitz (ca. 1469-1524), vicar-general of the Augustinian Order in Germany and friend of Martin Luther, was born in Saxony. He studied at the universities in Leipzig and Cologne and served on the faculty at Cologne. In 1503, he was called by Frederick the Wise to serve as dean of the theological faculty at the newly founded University of Wittenberg. There Staupitz encouraged Luther to attain a doctorate in theology and appointed Luther as his successor to professor of Bible at the university. During Luther's early struggles to understand God's grace, it was Staupitz who counseled Luther to focus on Christ and not on himself.

Almighty, everlasting God, for our many sins we justly deserve eternal condemnation. In Your mercy, You sent Your dear Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who won for us forgiveness of sins and everlasting salvation. Grant us a true confession so that dead to sin we may hear the sweet words of Absolution from our confessor as Luther heard them from his pastor, Johannes von Staupitz, and be released from all our sin; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Update

I've been quite busy today building things and helping out around the house. It feels good to be physically active after literally two days of computer work. It also feels good to be getting things done that I have been putting off for too long.

On a side note, I would recommend Rifftrax to anyone who wants a good laugh. It is essentially an audio commentary that you play along with the movie it lampoons. My wife, a friend, and I all watch the "Batman and Robin" commentary, and it was quite good. I had forgotten how odd and awkward that movie really was until I watched it again.

It's been rather somber in Dickinson lately, as three women from Dickinson State University, my Alma Mater, were found dead this week. You can read the story here. There has been a lot of media attention over the story.

Come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Make Mine Freedom

An old cartoon from 1948. Worth watching!

More than a Feeling

I'll be the first one to admit that I get a little choked up at times because of some hymns. There is a surpassing beauty and richness in some hymns that seem to evoke a physical response in me. Consider the well-known hymn that was likely sung in many Lutheran churches throughout the world today:

For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor's crown of gold!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia! (LSB 677)

I cannot help but feel emotional when I hear the words of this song sung by the saints here on earth and know that it is also sung by the saints who are in heaven. There is a great comfort in knowing that all Christians of all time stand before the throne of God and the Lamb. It brings to mind the words of Elisha: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16 ESV). Christ the Lamb has conquered, and we all stand before Him in glory on account of His sacrifice.

How often, though, do people get caught up in their emotions and expect them to break forth as evidence of the Spirit's presence! Too often we hear that God is among us because we can feel it. If there isn't an outpouring of emotion, then you weren't really into it, and you might need to question whether God was really there.

We should never base anything on our feelings. Feelings can and will deceive us. We all have likely experienced at one point in our lives a strong feeling for someone else that later proved to be false. Emotions can be deceptive, and they are always subjective. Subjective feelings do not make an objective base on which our faith can stand.

God does indeed sometimes allow us to have feelings like the one I described earlier, and there is nothing wrong with having them. The glory of heaven will encompass our entire experience, including our emotions, for God made us as emotional beings. However, our faith cannot stand upon them, for Christ is Lord and is present among us no matter how we feel about the matter. He has promised to be among us in His Word and His Sacraments, and His promises never fail. It doesn't matter whether I feel like He is there, for I know that He is, no matter how I feel about it.

There are days when our faith will lag, and there are days when we are more interested in getting out of church than what we are getting in it. Nevertheless, Christ died for us on the cross to save us even from our sinful emotions, and He will accomplish His salvation fully and faithfully.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

All Saint's Day

A blessed All Saint's Day to all!

Around the throne of David,
The saints, from care released,
Raise loud their songs of triumph
To celebrate the feast.
They sing to Christ their leader,
Who conquered in the fight,
Who won for them forever
Their gleaming robes of white. (LSB 672, v. 3)

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Disasters and Repentance

In the news:

Thank heavens for the downturn? Some people think so

The news article speaks of a recently conducted poll that found 25% of those surveyed said that the economic downfall helped them to reevaluate their priorities in life. Money, not surprisingly, was found to not be all that it is hyped up to be.

Dr. Louis Brighton, in his video commentary on Revelation (You can find it here. Open the iTunes store and go to the commentary on Revelation.), remarks that we should never consider any disaster as "accidental." There is no such thing. God sends natural disasters in order to convey one message: repent!

He also writes in his commentary concerning the three series of judgments in Revelation:

The purpose of each vision is to work repentance and give the encouragement of faith and hope. The hearer is meant to receive each vision in such a way that, as he fearfully heeds its sevenfold message, he is moved to repentance and faithful hope in the reigning Christ. (153, emphasis original)

While the original story is not at all true repentance, it demonstrates a shadow of how we are to react to disasters that God permits to happen. Those people surveyed understood how money had led them astray through the disaster. Some of them may have experienced true repentance, and we should also truly repent. When we hear of or suffer a disaster, we should respond in love to those affected, but we should also heed the clear warning that God is sending us. "Repent before it is too late!"

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Feast of the Reformation

A happy and blessed Feast of the Reformation to you all!

A mighty Fortress is our God,
A trusty Shield and Weapon;
He helps us free from every need
That hath us now o'ertaken.
The old evil Foe
Now means deadly woe;
Deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight;
On Earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done,
Soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One,
Whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, Who is this?
Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabaoth Lord,
And there's none other God;
He holds the field forever.

Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpower us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.

The Word they still shall let remain
Nor any thanks have for it;
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone,
They yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom our remaineth. TLH 262

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

The Day is Surely Drawing Near

I submit this for your consideration:

We grow ever closer to the "little season" of Satan and subsequently the end of time.

Never before in the history of the world have there been headlines such as these:

Pastors unite to support same-sex marriage in D.C.

Obama signs first major gay rights law

Paterson says gay marriage bill will pass in NY

Same-sex marriage fight roils Maine

Vatican seeks to lure disaffected Anglican

Vatican thumbs up for Karl Marx after Galileo, Darwin and Oscar Wilde

Even pagan Rome did not fall to the levels we are seeing in the world today. Never before in the history of mankind have those who claim to be homosexual demand to be "married."

Could the Pope's invitation to the Anglican communion be a sign that his power may be once again growing?

Of course, I cannot be dogmatic about any of this. It is indeed open to interpretation. However, I think that the direction the world has gone lately points to a much more sinister influence.

Even if Satan has been released once again, I do not fear him, for Christ has conquered him forever. Satan has no power over the children of God, for they bear the mark of the living God as a seal placed upon them in their Baptism.

The day is surely drawing near
When Jesus, God's anointed
In all His power shall appear
As judge whom God appointed.
Then fright shall banish idle mirth,
And flames on flames shall ravage earth
As Scripture long has warned us.

The final trumpet then shall sound
And all the earth be shaken,
And all who rest beneath the ground
Shall from their sleep awaken.
But all who live will in that hour,
By God's almighty, boundless pow'r,
Be changed at His commanding.

The books are opened then to all,
A record truly telling
What each has done, both great and small,
When he on earth was dwelling,
And ev'ry heart be clearly seen,
And all be known as they have been
In thoughts and words and actions.

Then woe to those who scorned the Lord
And sought but carnal pleasures,
Who here despised His precious Word
And loved their earthly treasures!
With shame and trembling they will stand
And at the judge's stern command
To Satan be delivered.

My Savior paid the debt I owe
And for my sin was smitten;
Within the Book of Life I know
My name has now been written.
I will not doubt, for I am free,
And Satan cannot threaten me;
There is no condemnation!

May Christ our intercessor be
And through His blood and merit
Read from His book that we are free
With all who life inherit.
Then we shall see Him face to face,
With all His saints in that blest place
Which He has purchased for us.

O Jesus Christ, do not delay,
But hasten our salvation;
We often tremble on our way
In fear and tribulation
O hear and grant our fervent plea:
Come, mighty judge, and set us free
From death and ev'ry evil. (LSB 508)

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

The Votes are In: 132 out of 142 Against the Word

Margot Kaessmann was elected today in Germany to head the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland (Evangelical Church in Germany, also known by the abbreviation EKD). Yahoo News was quick to publish this headline:

Lutheran Church elects 1st female leader

Here is another article on the subject with more information.

First woman to lead German Protestants says she will speak out

Yet Scripture has this to say on the subject:

Therefore an overseer must be . . . the husband of one wife. (1 Timothy 3:2 ESV)

The Greek is not ambiguous. It could be more literally translated "the man of one woman."

What is worse about all of this is that all Lutherans will be painted with the same brush, perhaps much in the same way as the recent ELCA disaster paints all Lutherans with the same brush. Lord, have mercy!

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Festival of Sts. Simon and Jude

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:

St. Simon and St. Jude, Apostles

In the lists of the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13), the tenth and eleventh places are occupied by Simon the Zealot (or "Cananaean") and by Jude (or "Judas," not Iscariot but "of James"), who was apparently known also as Thaddaeus. According to early Christian tradition, Simon and Jude journeyed together as missionaries to Persia, where they were martyred. It is likely for this reason, at least in part, that these two apostles are commemorated on the same day.

Simon is not mentioned in the New Testament apart from the lists of the twelve apostles. Thus he is remembered and honored for the sake of his office, and thereby stands before us--in eternity, as in his life and ministry on earth--in the name and stead of Christ Jesus, our Lord. We give thanks to God for calling and sending Simon, along with Jude and all of the apostles, to preach and teach the Holy Gospel, to proclaim repentance and forgiveness, and to baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (John 4:1-2; Matthew 10; 28:16-20; Luke 24:46-49).

Jude appears in John's Gospel (14:22) on the night of our Lord's betrayal and the beginning of His Passion, asking Jesus how it is that He will manifest Himself to the disciples but not to the world. The answer that Jesus gives to this question is a pertinent emphasis for this festival day: "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him" (John 14:23).

Surely both Jude and Simon exemplified, in life and death, their love for Jesus and their faith in His Word. Not only are we thus strengthened in our Christian faith and life by their example, but, above all, we are encouraged by the faithfulness of the Lord in keeping His promise to them to bring them home to Himself in heaven. There they live with Him forever, where we shall someday join them.

Almighty God, You chose Your servants Simon and Jude to be numbered among the glorious company of the apostles. As they were faithful and zealous in their mission, so may we with ardent devotion make known the love and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 9

CONCLUSION

In short, I have covered several topics throughout this series on the documentary Jesus Camp. There are certainly many other things that need to be addressed in the film, but I have touched on the major ones.

I wish to state in closing that I have attacked no individual in particular. There is a difference between an ad hominem attack and attacking the ideas presented. I am not "out to get" anyone. I am only revealing the problems present in Jesus Camp, and I know that these problems are not unique to this radical group.

If anything, the greatest thing that can be done is to point out the difference between the Law and the Gospel. If one has at least a marginal understanding of that distinction, many of the other problems will disappear.

A proper distinction of Law and Gospel will help distinguish the difference between the Two Kingdoms, since the Left-Hand Kingdom is under the Law and the Right-Hand Kingdom is under the Gospel.

A proper distinction of Law and Gospel makes clear that all people are saved in the same way and that there is not a special method of grace reserved just for the Jews, as is so commonly professed in an Israeliocentric understanding.

A proper distinction of Law and Gospel brings into focus the true force behind the Church's mission, Jesus Christ. He and He alone will build His Church through the spreading of His Gospel.

A proper distinction of Law and Gospel eliminates an "us vs. them" mentality, for the Law rightly points out that we are all under judgment according to the flesh and do not deserve the mercies of God.

A proper distinction of Law and Gospel removes any notions of a hierarchy of Christians according to works, for under the Gospel we are all the same. We are no longer condemned by the accusations of the Law on account of Christ and His work on the cross.

Finally, a proper distinction of Law and Gospel clarifies the use of the spiritual gifts. They are a gift to build up the Church and not a requirement to prove membership in the Church. They are tools for the spreading of the Gospel, not yet another requirement to fail in fulfilling under the Law.

Indeed, learning the distinction between the Law and the Gospel is the highest and most important art that every Christian should work to master as best as he or she can. We stand rightly condemned under the Law, but Jesus Christ has died on the cross for us to remove the curse. All glory be to Him alone!

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Commemoration of Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:

Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt, Hymnwriters

Philipp Nicolai (1556-1608) was a pastor in Germany during the Great Plague, which took the lives of thirteen hundred of his parishioners during a sixth-month [sic] period. In addition to his heroic pastoral ministry during that time of stress and sorrow, he wrote the texts for "Wake, Awake, for Night Is Flying" and "O Morning Star, How Fair and Bright," known, respectively, as the king and queen of the Lutheran chorales.



Johann Heermann (1585-1647), also a German pastor, suffered from poor health as well as from the ravages of the Thirty Years' War (1618-48). His hymn texts are noted for their tenderness and depth of feeling.






Paul Gerhardt (1607-76) was another Lutheran pastor who endured the horrors of the Thirty Years' War. By 1668, he had lost his pastoral position in Berlin (for refusing to compromise his Lutheran convictions) and endured the death of four of his five children and his wife. He nevertheless managed to write 133 hymns, all of which reflect his firm faith. Along with Martin Luther, he is regarded as one of Lutheranism's finest hymnwriters.

Almighty God, the apostle Paul taught us to praise You in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. We thank you this day for those who have given to Your Church great hymns, especially Your servants Philipp Nicolai, Johann Heermann, and Paul Gerhardt. May Your Church never lack hymnwriters who through their words and music give You praise. Fill us with the desire to praise and thank You for Your great goodness; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 8

7. A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Out of all of the doctrinal problems of the documentary Jesus Camp, the misunderstanding of the spiritual gifts is perhaps the hardest to pin down. In the documentary, people on several occasions "speak in tongues." It is not hard to find. Whenever they begin to speak incoherently, this is a specific manifestation.

However, there is a distinct problem with this understanding of glossolalia, that is, speaking in tongues. Yes, it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, but take note of what Scripture says about specific manifestations of glossolalia. It is written:

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they [the apostles] were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” (Acts 2:1-11 ESV)

Luke specifically records that speaking in tongues meant speaking in another language. The apostles were given the power to speak in languages they had never known in order to begin the work of taking the Gospel to every corner of the earth. Note well: the one who spoke in tongues was always understood by someone else.

It is also important to note the importance of letting Scripture interpret Scripture. Acts 2 is an extremely clear passage about the spiritual gift of speaking in other tongues. Therefore, it can interpret itself. When Scripture is less clear, however, clear passages must be used to interpret unclear ones. Therefore, when Scripture speaks in other places about speaking in tongues, we should interpret those passages in light of Acts 2.

Some other clear passages about glossolalia is in 1 Corinthians. It is written:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)

All of the spiritual gifts, here listed in 1 Corinthians 12, are given for the betterment of the Church, and they are not given to all (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31). The gift of speaking in tongues was given by the Spirit to build up the Church, while the incoherent speaking of some who "speak in tongues" builds no one up. St. Paul confirms this. It is written:

Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (1 Corinthians 14:1-25)

Chris Rosebrough of Fighting for the Faith says that there are three things to remember when interpreting a Scriptural passage: "Context, context, and context." It is tempting to stop at verse 2: "For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit." It would be easy to say on account of this verse that the incoherent babbling of some is actually the gift of speaking in tongues. Context, context, and context. Paul also says in verse 9: "So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air."

In this passage, Paul says that the gift of tongues is good, but it needs to be able to be understood in order to benefit the Church. Words that cannot be understood do not build anyone up. If tongues are to be employed for the benefit of the Church, someone must be able to understand what is being said. The language employed may be not of this world, but it is always understandable.

In all of this, I am not saying that speaking in tongues is bad or evil. On the contrary, it is truly a gift of God. However, as Paul later says in the same chapter: "All things should be done decently and in order" (14:40). This is also why it is harder to pin down. Speaking in tongues is a gift given to some, and it must be understandable to truly be the gift of God. By and large, this gift has ceased since the times of the Apostles, but it should not be denied if it truly appears again in someone. However, it must always be understandable, and it is always for the building up of the Church.

There is one other thing to remember about what it means to build up the Church. The spiritual gifts point to Christ and His work on the cross. It is written:

“I [Jesus] still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." (John 16:12-15)

If the work of the Holy Spirit is to point to the work of Christ, then His gifts are meant for the same purpose. The supposed glossolalia of some tend to draw attention to themselves rather than point to Christ, and therefore they must be rejected as an abuse. True glossolalia will point to Christ alone.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Commemoration of Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe

From the Treasury of Daily Prayer:

Dorcas (Tabitha), Lydia, and Phoebe, Faithful Women

These women were exemplary Christians who demonstrated their faith by their material support of the Church. Dorcas (also known as Tabitha) was well-known and much loved for her acts of charity in the city of Joppa, especially for making clothes for the poor. When Dorcas died suddenly, the members of her congregation sent to the neighboring city of Lydda for the apostle Peter, who came and raised her from the dead (Acts 9:36-41).

Lydia was a woman of Thyatira, who worked at Philippi selling a famous purple dye that was much in demand in the ancient world. She was also a "worshiper of God" at the local synagogue (Acts 16:14). When the apostle Paul encountered her in prayer among other proselyte women, his preaching of the Word brought Lydia to faith in Christ. She and her friends thus became the nucleus of the Christian community in Philippi (Acts 16:13-15, 40).

Phoebe was another faithful woman associated with the apostle Paul. She was a deaconess from Cenchreae (the port of Corinth) whom Paul sent to the Church in Rome with his Epistle to the Romans. In it, he writes of her support for the work of the Early Church (Romans 16:1-2).

Almighty God, You stirred to compassion the hearts of Your dear servants Dorcas, Lydia, and Phoebe to uphold and sustain Your Church by their devoted and charitable deeds. Give us the same will to love You, open our eyes to see You in the least ones, and strengthen our hands to serve You in others, for the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 7

6. HIERARCHY OF CHRISTIANS ACCORDING TO WORKS

A hyper-focus on the Law will inevitably lead to a sort of hierarchy of Christians according to their perceived works. It is only natural. If it is up to me to secure my salvation (or continue in my salvation in cooperation with God), then I must be certain that I am doing enough to merit it. There are some who are not doing as much as I, so I must be a better Christian than them.

St. Luke records the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee. It is written:

He [Jesus] also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14 ESV)

The Pharisee, trusting in his own efforts according to the Law, viewed others with contempt, for they were not as righteous as he. What great and mighty works he thought he had done! Certainly, there are far worse sinners than he! Certainly, God must take notice of him for all that he had done! However, Jesus flatly states that the Pharisee stands condemned before God, for he trusted in his own merits rather than in the merits of Christ. We are all like the Pharisee in that we trust in our own efforts far more often than we do in the perfect merit of Christ.

The tax collector, who was despised as among the lowest of society in his time, on the level of our modern drug dealers and pornographers, went home justified. He did not trust in his own merit nor did he seek refuge in his good works. He did not view himself as being better than other men. Rather, he recognized the depths of his own sin and cried out to God for mercy. "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" Christ died for him by going to the cross and finishing his salvation. Christ has also died for us and promises the same mercy.

In the documentary Jesus Camp, there are many instances of the hyper-Law, the Glawspel, producing this same hierarchy of Christians. One particularly poignant example of this is the little girl explaining how God doesn't like Christians who go to church and sit quietly in the pews. It isn't worship, because God likes to go to places where people are jumping up and down and having a good time. The Spirit apparently is not present where He promised to be present unless we do something to attract His attention.

We are all prone to thinking like this, for we are all sinners. We fight against the flesh daily. Old Adam must be daily drowned in the waters of our Baptism, and the new man must constantly be fed through the gifts God gives us: His Word and His Supper. We are all Pharisees in a very real sense, for we all like to think we are better than the next guy. However, Christ has given us Himself and has brought us unto Himself, so that we can say "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" It is Christ who justifies us and cleanses us from our sins.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Issues, Etc.

Rev. David Gallas has compiled the following promotional video for Issues, Etc. Take a look!

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 6

5. US VS. THEM

While watching the documentary Jesus Camp, I often got the impression that everyone involved had what I term an "us vs. them" mentality. We are trying to take back America for Christ from them. We are making silent protests for life against them. There was even the occasional reference to what they would term "dead Christians" as a them.

This "us vs. them" mentality ultimately stems from a confused understanding of the nature of sin. We, the believers, have become completely righteous, and they, the rest of the world, are completely sinful. We, the believers, have heard the Gospel and follow the Law of God, but they, the rest of the world, have not heard of either one and do not follow them.

A careful distinction must be drawn here. Yes, it is true that those who are in Christ know the Gospel, for the Gospel can be known only by those who believe in it (see my earlier post on Law and Gospel). However, the Gospel is not just for unbelievers, nor is the Law only to be preached to Christians. This would be a gross confusion of the two. The Law must be preached first to all people and then the Gospel must be applied when they realize the depths of their sinful condition.

An "us vs. them" mentality also ultimately attempts to place all sin on "them." It is the evil pornographers and drug dealers that are the root of sin. It is the corrupt politicians and money-grubbing businessmen and women that have destroyed our nation. It is all those false religious teachers and televangelists that have corrupted the Church. There is always a real denial of the very real sin of all people, including Christians.

It is written:

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (Romans 7:24-25 ESV)

Paul laments his sinful condition. There is a very real conflict between the flesh and the spirit.

It is written:

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:3-5)

The Psalmist David here also laments his condition after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. He rightly points out that we are sinful from the moment of conception and rightly stand under the judgment of God.

It is written:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)

John here writes that we must confess our sinful condition. Only then will we be cleansed and made pure in the sight of God. Our righteousness, however, is not something that comes from within ourselves, for if we were made righteous in that way, we would never sin again. Rather, we have been made righteous on account of another, Jesus Christ, even though our sinful condition remains. When God looks at us, He sees only Christ. Only in death will our sin finally be destroyed, and we will rise again on the Last Day.

We must never make an "us vs. them" distinction, for we in our natural condition are no better than anyone else. We are poor, miserable sinners who are in constant need of a Savior. Thanks be to God that He has given us His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior! He now comes to us in His Word and His Sacraments, and He has wrapped us with Himself.

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 5

4. A MISUNDERSTANDING OF MISSION

I had a reader ask me why I am doing what I am doing with this review of the documentary Jesus Camp. My reply to that reader was quite simple: I have to say something. If I stand back and say nothing about what is happening here, then I will be guilty before God of saying nothing. It is written:

If I [the Lord] say to the wicked, "You shall surely die," and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul. Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul. (Ezekial 3:18-21 ESV)

Does this make me some kind of "holier than thou" type of person? Hardly. I am a sinner, born into sin and continuing in sin. God has declared me righteous on account of another: Jesus Christ. I am no saint if left to my own devices. However, God has called me through Christ to proclaim His message to the ends of the earth, for it is written:

But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? (Ezekial 18:21-23)

Indeed, this is the Church's mission: to proclaim the Law and the Gospel to all the world before our Lord returns on the Last Day in judgment, for then it will be too late. The Church will be scorned by many, and she will be persecuted to the end, but God uses her to proclaim His message. The Church, in a sense, is a mouthpiece for God, for she speaks what she has heard, and not what she wants to say. (cf. Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:46-48)

However, the children of Jesus Camp seem to have a very different idea of mission. There is a constant refrain of an attempt to save the lost through various means. The very idea of "taking back America for Christ" has an implicit man-centered view of mission. Hammered by the huge focus on Law with no Gospel, the mission of the Church becomes something that we have to do, because Christ commanded it. There is no desire to do it because we get to do it, rather it is another obligation we will inevitably fail to fulfill.

If the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth is something that must originate from within the Christian, then there is no hope for the Church, for our hearts are desperately wicked, and we will fail in our mission. If, however, the mission of the Church is something that originates from God and is sustained by His power alone, then the Church will never fail in her mission, for it is by His grace and His power that she is sustained.

The witness of history testifies to this fact: the Church in persecution is the Church persevering. Where the Church seems like it would not survive, it is precisely there that she carries out her work. The Church in Africa, for example, is under severe persecution from Muslims, yet she continues her work. The Church in Asia is under severe persecution from the governments, yet she continues her work. The Church in Europe is under severe persecution from the people, yet she continues her work. All over the world, the Church is suffering one kind of persecution or another, yet she continues her work. If this were simply the work of man fulfilling yet another command of the Law, then there would be no Church. There would be no Christians. It is God's work that sustains His Bride, and she trusts in nothing else for her mission.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 4

3. ISRAELIOCENTRISM

The topic of "Israeliocentrism" is a somewhat convoluted one, so I will try to explain it as clearly as I can.

During one point in the documentary Jesus Camp, the mother of one of the children brings all of her brood around the table to "offer pledges." I hesitate to call it prayer, since it was explicitly something to the effect of "I pledge myself to the Bible . . ." and other things. During the course of this pledging, they held three flags: the American flag (see my previous post), the ubiquitous Christian nation flag, and the flag of the nation of Israel. It is the presence of the last flag that warrants the discussion on Israeliocentrism.

Israeliocentrism may be briefly defined as the belief that God still needs to deal with the physical bloodline of Israel and that the Christian Church is a sort of "plan B" in salvation history. I will explain everything in more detail below, but I wanted to make this point for two reasons: it will give a starting point to begin the discussion, and I want to extend a query to those who believe in this. If I have misrepresented your position in any way, please let me know.

As I said, Israeliocentrism essentially declares that Israel and the Christian Church are two separate entities with whom God needs to deal separately. When Christ was killed on the cross, God turned to the Gentiles for a time and created a sort of "plan B." Christ was meant to establish an earthly kingdom for the Jews, and He will establish this earthly kingdom at the end of time.

Another important doctrine that always attends this way of thinking is Dispensational Premillennialism, which in a nutshell is the belief of the Rapture and the Seven-Year Tribulation. Dispensationalists believe that Christ will invisibly take away all Christians before the beginning of the end times. The seven year Tribulation that will follow this Rapture will follow the book of Revelation literally. Christ will come again visibly and establish His kingdom. It will last for a literal thousand years. When the thousand years have ended, Satan, who had been bound at the beginning, will be released, and there will be one last battle before the end of this physical world.

What does all of this have to do with Israeliocentrism? Everything. When God raptures away the Christians in an invisible coming of Christ, He is setting the stage for finishing His dealings with the physical nation of Israel. The Church needs to be removed so that He can finish His work. Jews according to the flesh will be converted during this time and will realize that Christ is the Messiah. When Christ establishes His millennial kingdom, it will be for the fulfillment of an earthly Messiah who rules over the nations.

Equally important in their understanding is the modern nation of Israel that was formed in 1948. Dispensationalists believe that this recreation of the nation of Israel is an extremely important sign of the coming end times. Hence, the flag of Israel was one of the flags in the family's pledging.

I understand that this is all a little confusing, even for those who profess it. I would recommend that readers do some further research on the subject. Here is a link to a chart that diagrams the four major views of the end times. Focus on "Dispensational Premillenialism" for now. Here is another link to a web radio program called "Table Talk Radio" that spent an entire episode on the subject of the end times. Issues, Etc. also usually deals with the subject. You can find episodes either here or here. Just use the search function.

What is the problem with all of this? Israeliocentrism and Dispensational Premillenialism both ignore the work of Christ and are flatly unbiblical. The belief that Israel is a special, separate nation that God will save in a different way from the Church contradicts Scripture, which says:

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV)

There are not two Churches, but only one Church. The Christian Church is Israel, and Israel is the Church. There has never been a "plan B" in the plan of salvation. All of the believers in the Old Testament were saved in the same way all believers are now: through faith in Christ, who died on the cross for the payment of their sins. The Old Testament looked forward to the coming Christ, and the New Testament proclaims the Christ who has come.

As for the literalistic reading of Revelation that yields the false teaching of Dispensational Premillenialism, it too must be rejected as not Biblical. Revelation clearly states:

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

It also clearly states:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. (Revelation 1:1)

It is above all a revelation of Christ, and it is a book of comfort, not of fear, for Christians.

I realize that this is too short of an explanation to fully understand everything that is going on here. Time will only permit so much to be said, and this is a broad and complicated subject. I will do two things to alleviate this: I will cover the topic again in a series of its own at a later time, and I would refer those who want to take the time to Louis Brighton's commentary on Revelation. It is an excellent, scholarly treatment of the subject matter.

In summary, the belief that God has two plans of salvation is against Scripture and must be rejected. The Jews of today are not beyond salvation, just as all men are not beyond salvation, but the Jewish religion is quite simply false. They rejected the Messiah when He came the first time, and the true Church continued onward. We must approach them just as we would any unbeliever, not as some special group for whom God has a special plan.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 3

2. THE TWO KINGDOMS

A brief review of the Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms:

There are two kingdoms in this world: the Left-Hand Kingdom and the Right-Hand Kingdom. Christ rules over both of them as the King and Lord of All.

The Left-Hand Kingdom is essentially the secular realm. All people everywhere are members of this kingdom. This especially includes all realms of earthly government. All government is under the rule of Christ, as it is written:

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. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. (Romans 13:1-7 ESV)

Christ also rules over the Left-Hand Kingdom in a hidden way. He rules over all forms of government, even if it does not appear that way. Everything that happens has happened according to His permissive will. The accounts in Job of God allowing Satan to act against Job are an excellent example of this (cf. Job 1, 2). Christ will appear to this kingdom visibly at the Last Day, when it will be finally abolished.

The Right-Hand Kingdom is also called the Kingdom of Grace. In this kingdom, there are only true Christians. Here, Christ rules supremely and in a visible way. Here, Christ comes to us visibly in His Word and Sacraments. Satan has no power in the Right-Hand Kingdom. Christ's statements about the Kingdom of God would apply here.

It is important to distinguish between the two. The state, or the Left-Hand Kingdom, has no business dictating what the Church, or the Right-Hand Kingdom, should do. The two are completely distinct. The state should provide a safe haven for the Church to proclaim its message (though it often fails in this regard and becomes the first beast of Revelation 13). Even if it does not provide this safe haven, the church will continue to flourish.

Likewise, the Church should not dictate what the state should do, for that is not its realm. The Church is called to preach the Gospel. It is not called to rule over all realms of society. Christians can and should work for the betterment of the state, and there is nothing wrong with holding public office. It is when Christians attempt to dictate according to religion how the state should act that they blur the distinction. The state should be ruled by reason, and there is not a specific form of government that the Bible explicitly "baptizes." The Church has flourished under every form of government.

In the documentary Jesus Camp, there is a terrible and gross confusion of the Two Kingdoms. Throughout many parts of the film, there is talk of "taking back America for Christ." These children are being taught to fight to form a theocracy. As I said, the Church is not called to do this. The Church is called to preach the Gospel to all nations until the end of time. Imposing the Christian religion over the state will not form a better government. "Taking back America for Christ" will only result in a state ruled by the Church, not the golden society they seem to expect will result from such a union.

This confusion also stems from the gross confusion of the Law and the Gospel (see my previous post on the subject). All people are subject to the Law and have it written on their hearts (cf. Romans 2:12-16). Therefore, since all people are members of the Left-Hand Kingdom, this kingdom is ruled by the Law and must be kept separate. Only Christians know the Gospel, since the Gospel is foolish to the Jews and Gentiles (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-31). Therefore, the Right-Hand Kingdom is a kingdom of the Gospel and not of the Law. True, it is the mission of the Church to proclaim the Gospel to all the world (cf. Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 24:46-48), but this does not mean that we need to "Gospelize" the Left-Hand Kingdom. The Church's mission is to bring all men into the Right-Hand Kingdom through the Word and Sacraments.

Thus, contrary to the false beliefs of the teachers in Jesus Camp and all those who would seek to make America a "Christian nation," this is not the duty of the Church. The Church's mission is to preach the Gospel until our Lord returns. Do not fail to distinguish between the two kingdoms, just as it is of the utmost importance to distinguish between the Law and the Gospel.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 2

1. LAW AND GOSPEL

For those who do not fully understand the distinction being made here, please acquire a copy of C.F.W. Walther's The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel. It is the best resource on the subject.

For the sake of this post, I will briefly say this about Law and Gospel:

The Law shows us our sin, and the Gospel shows us our Savior. We need both preached to us, but distinguishing between the two is the most important thing for a Christian.

The Law is what God requires of us. The Ten Commandments are the best example of the Law. The Law compels us to do good works and threatens us with damnation if we fail. When we face the Law rightly presented, we will realize the depths of our depravity. Preaching all Law with no Gospel leads only to two possible outcomes: hypocrisy or despair.

The Gospel is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. When Christ died on the cross for our sin, He paid our entire debt. There is nothing for us to do, because Jesus did it all. The Gospel rightly presented makes no demands and declares us righteous for the sake of Christ. Preaching all Gospel with no Law will lead to smugness.

When the two are confused, however, it will kill the soul of any believer. If the Law is presented as the means of our salvation, that is, if our own works can save us (decision theology is a prime example of this), then we have killed the Gospel and trust in ourselves for salvation. If the Gospel is presented as a new Law (Jesus saved you, so now you must do something to stay in that grace), then we have reverted right back to ourselves for salvation. (As a side note, my favorite term for this kind of confusion is "Glawspel.")

This confusion of the Law and the Gospel is precisely the key error of the documentary Jesus Camp. These children on several occasions are hammered mercilessly with the Law. All of the occasions where the children are literally weeping are examples of this. The Law kills and reveals our hypocrisy. We have indeed failed to keep its demands, and we rightly deserve all the punishments of death and hell. These children feel the sting of the Law, but they are directed not toward Christ in their despair. They are told to turn inward to themselves and repent. All the comfort of the Gospel has been denied them. Being told to struggle with God is not the message of the Gospel, but of the Law.

It is written:

You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. (Galatians 5:4 ESV)

And again:

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:22-23)

The Gospel is not just for unbelievers. The Gospel is for sinners, which includes all of us. It is written:

Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I [Jesus] came not to call the righteous, but sinners. (Mark 2:17)

When the Gospel is preached to the unbelievers and the Law to those who believe, there can be no comfort. The Gospel assumed is the Gospel denied. The "Law-Gospel-Law" rhythm of Evangelicalism leads to despair, for it is pure Law. Listen to the words of Christ:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

When Christ said "It is finished" on the cross, He meant it. Our salvation was completed there when He died. We are no longer under the demands of the Law, for Jesus fulfilled the Law for us. It is not a case of "Jesus died for you, but now you have to hold up your end of the bargain." It is not a case of "Jesus died to bring you into His Kingdom, but now you have to continually strive to be a better Christian by doing this, this, and this." There is no "but" to it at all. "Jesus died for you" is the whole Gospel. Anything else is not.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!

Reviewing Jesus Camp - Part 1

Though I like to joke with my wife and say that I watch things like "Jesus Camp" out of pure Schadenfreude, I chose this one out of a continual desire to understand the Evangelical movement. I do understand that this may represent more fringe elements and that the documentary was created in such a way as to present a strong bias. However, even the fringe elements may be useful for understanding the core, since fringe groups often represent doctrines taken to extremes.

There are a few things that I will cover over the next few days that I find problematic with the film. Specifically, this group exhibits the following major doctrinal problems:

1. A gross confusion of Law and Gospel
2. A gross confusion of the Two Kingdoms
3. Israeliocentrism and all of its attending problems
4. A misunderstanding of mission
5. The "Us vs. Them" mentality concerning sin
6. Hierarchy of Christians according to works
7. A misunderstanding of the spiritual gifts

I will add more to the list as necessary. There were a host of problems, but some were so fleeting in the documentary that it would not be worthwhile to mention them. I encourage all who have not seen the movie to watch it.

However, in order to be fair, there are a couple things that I felt the group presented well.

1. Though I will cover the attending problems with the major confusion of Law and Gospel, the Law was presented in all of its sternness. The weeping children in the movie represent the full power of the Law to convict sins. However, as I will note in the next post, it was not divided rightly, since the children were not given the Gospel. Therefore, the presentation was all wrong, but the full strength of the Law was there.

2. There was one part where a pro-life speaker talked with the children, and much of what he was saying was good to hear. "A person's a person, no matter how small." The presentation quickly descended into madness from there, however, but it was clear at the beginning.

In the next several posts, I will discuss the items in the list. If there are any topics that anyone feels should be addressed, be sure to leave me a comment. Feedback throughout the whole discussion is encouraged.

Even so, come Lord Jesus, and come quickly!