Posts

Showing posts from May, 2007

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Image
The Visitation, like the Ascension, is one of the many festivals of the church that receives little to no notice in many parts of the church today. One of the benefits of this blog for me has been the opportunity to share these forgotten festivals with others despite the fact that many churches like mine will not gather for any act of worship in honor of the occasion. The more modern three-year lectionary places the date of this minor festival on today, May 31. However, the older lectionary places it on July 2. I have to admit that I do not understand the shuffling of dates that has occurred between the calenders in the last century or so. Certainly there is a good reason, but it will require more research. This festival is also a relative newcomer to the church calendar. According to The Christian Calendar by Cowie and Gummer , "It was the Franciscans who first observed it in the West and their devotion was confirmed at the Council of Basle ." They also note t

The Lessons of History

Image
Occasionally someone from a news program or talk show will quiz those passing by on the street as to their knowledge of basic American history. Sadly many fail the simplest of questions. As a nation we are weaker for our lack of historical awareness, for without the past to illuminate the present, we are often no better than a man groping in a dark room inches from the light switch. The darkness offers no hope and no direction. The Christian church, as well, is also weaker when it is ignorant of its history, or chooses to ignore its lessons. Yet many Christians are oblivious to their history, and the consequences of this void of knowledge is that they are forced to reinvent the church and its mission in every era. They are also captives to the current crisis with no way of looking beyond by looking behind. In our time there is a fascination with the present, and the tools we prefer are the social instruments of polls and surveys and questionnaires . What do people think?

Pentecost and Pentecostal

Image
With the festival of Pentecost the church has again celebrated the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the faithful according to the promise of our Lord. This year in our lectionary (series C) the Acts 2 account of the Pentecost event was read, which included the familiar phenomena of the sound of the loud rushing wind, the tongues of fire, and the disciples speaking in many languages. It is an inspiring account of the church's official beginning, leaving no doubt as to the Lord's presence with his people or the fulfillment of his promise they they would receive power to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. In the beginning the church had no doubt about the empowering and renewing force of the Holy Spirit which it received through the living Word and the blessed sacraments. Children and adults alike received the "gift of the Holy Spirit" in the sacrament of Holy Baptism, and they were regularly strengthened by that same Spirit as they were fed the B

Creation Museum and American Beliefs

Image
In the few moments I was able to catch the news headlines on ABC this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see a feature on the new Creation Museum opening this weekend in Petersberg , Kentucky. This is a project of Ken Ham's Answer's in Genesis organization. I was also surprised when they quoted a poll result on the number of Americans that actually believe in a six day creation: 60%. The museum, which is a high-tech $27 million facility, aims to present the ancient pre -history of the world in light of biblical truth. To that end they have included dinosaur exhibits which combine the presence of man, a view not held by secular scientists who claim that the big lizards died out millions of years prior to the arrival of homo sapiens . Obviously there are critics of the new museum. Mainline teachers and scientists are fearful that the high-tech presentation will too easily influence young impressionable minds, who might now - heaven forbid! - question the scientific v

Women and Jewelry

Image
As a Lutheran there are issues in Christian living which for me are very neutral and minor, but for others are significant aspects of the Faith. One of those "issues" that surfaced recently in a discussion with a parishioner was the matter of whether women should wear jewelry. The question arose from some comments given by a person new to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. I knew that this faith had strict laws regarding food and abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and caffeine. However, I was unaware, until recently, that they were among those who regarded the wearing of jewelry to be contrary to God's will. Like the Amish, the appeal to 'plain living' with respect to clothing and adornment stems largely from two passages in the New Testament: , 1 1 Timothy 2:9, 10 and 1 Peter 3:3, 4. In the first Paul calls upon women, especially in the context of the worshiping assembly, to "adorn themselves modestly and sensibly in seemly apparel," then addin

The Real Presence of Christ in the Supper

Image
Although Lutherans have often been viewed as part of the larger "Protestant" community, our commitment to the doctrine of the "real presence" in the Lord's Supper sets us apart sacramentally as more catholic. It would seem that embracing real presence would be the most natural move for a literal Bible-believing evangelical. Yet somehow, when it comes to this one area, many Protestants balk. Despite the clear language and clear intent of our Lord, reason slams the door on the truth and says: "It doesn't make any logical sense." Then, with the argument of reason presented, Biblical proof is sought to under gird the argument. Aside from the scriptures, however, there is also additional assurance of the real presence to be found in the witness of the Early Church. The Rev. Paul T. McCain on Cyberbrethren : A Lutheran Blog has amassed a nice collection of testimony from the Early Church in defense of the real presence. The list is entitl

That They May All Be One

Image
This morning's Gospel reading included the favorite text of the ecumenical movement: John 17:20-21 - "Jesus said: 'I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one...." The existence of the World Council of Churches, the premier ecumenical organization today among Christian denominations, is based on the fact that these words of Jesus are fulfilled only when we achieve a visible organization of churches in the appearance of unity. As the Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Best is quoted on the website for the WWC : "The ecumenical movement rests on ecclesiological convictions: one is that the churches' unity in Christ is greater than all the differences in belief, and all the tragedies of history, which divide them. Another is that Christ wills that this unity must be both visible and effective [emphasis added](John 17:20-21). " Yet is the prayer of Jesus to the Father fulfilled when we successful

But What God do the Mormons Believe In?

Image
The Rev. Al Sharpton indicated he was simply making a comment about a presidential candidate and did not intend it to be a slight against the Mormon faith. But you know how words can be. They are usually interpreted, it seems, in the worst possible light. For the record he stated that "as for the one Mormon running for office [Mitt Romney], some who really believe in God will defeat him anyway, so don't worry about that, that's a temporary situation ." He claims that he "wasn't saying that Mormons didn't believe in God. I was saying that we weren't going to have to rely on atheists " to defeat Romney. OK . But what is wrong with admitting that Mormons believe in a different "god"? I know, I know, it's a horrible faux pas to even imply that people of any 'faith' do not believe in the same generic god. Admittedly Romney's faith, whatever it is, is somewhat immaterial to his competence as a public official. Gra

The Ascension of Our Lord

Image
Unfortunately the festival of the Ascension has fallen on hard times. Like so many wonderful observances of the historic church, this festival seems to command little attention in today's church - at least among many Lutherans. Since it usually draws only a small attendance, it is easy to eliminate on the grounds of practicality. And admittedly, this festival is probably not the easiest for many to appreciate. Unlike Easter Jesus is not appearing to a relieved band of terrorized disciples, but his very appearance is being 'hidden.' And the hiddenness of God has always been a difficult point for Christians to grasp. So of what great value is this day? Permit me to point out a few from my perspective - 1.) His ascension signals a transition in the mission and direction of the church. Our Lord's mission of salvation was completed in the cross and empty tomb. The Comforter has been promised. The living Lord will continue his mission to all the world, but n

The Rev. Jerry Falwell Died Today at 73

Image
Jerry Falwell was one of those names that dominated the face of public Christianity in this country for decades. His visibility certainly rose with his entry into the political scene in the late 80's as he molded together a new conservative political organization known as the Moral Majority. However his Thomas Road Baptist Church with 22,000 members (founded 1956), along with the Liberty University complex (founded 1971), now over 7,000 students strong, were also visible reminders of his significant presence in the world of the Evangelical movement of our times. Although my theology is quite different from Falwell's Baptist views, I appreciated his straight-forward support of traditional morals and ethics, as well his defense of such biblical truths as the divine 6-day creation. Despite the differences any might have had with him, you had to respect his consistent commitment to the ideals he held, unwilling to sway with the vacillations of public opinion. He held stron

Pope Speaks Out Against Drug Trafficking in South America

Image
Standing before a cheering crowd of 6,000 at the Fazenda de Esperanca (Farm of Hope), a drug treatment center in Guaratingeuta , Brazil, Pope Benedict XVI warned drug dealers: "God will call you to account for your deeds." The pontiff told the people that "human dignity cannot be trampled upon in this way." So noted Vivian Sequera of the Associated Press. Brazil, Sequera reports, "is the world's second-largest consumer of cocaine, after the United States..." Big cities across this country are "plagued with drug violence." This drug related violence is a "huge problem, driven by gangs that control street-corner dealing and the transshipment of drugs to Europe and the United States from elsewhere in South America." "In Rio de Janeiro's teeming slums, gangs recruit children and engage in near-daily shootouts with police that frequently kill bystanders." But it is not limited to Brazil. Sequera notes tha

St. Lydia

Image
Tomorrow I will be preaching on the appointed first reading for Easter 6, which is from Acts 16, the account of Lydia's conversion in Philippi . Given the fact that it is also Mother's Day a sermon involving Lydia seemed appropriate, although I try to avoid giving in to the " Hallmark Holidays." While studying and investigating Lydia's background I was surprised to find that she was not generally included in the books of saints. An Internet source indicated that her feast day is August 3, but even among the minor saints I counld't locate it in my books. The LCMS , to its credit, now includes a list of saints' commemorations in the new Lutheran Service Book , and along with Phoebe and Dorcas, Lydia has a commemoration date of October 25. It is not surprising that she would be overlooked, since her name appears in Holy Scripture only in Acts 16. However, it can be shown that she was a successful and well-to-do businesswoman in Philippi in her day

Churches as Sanctuary for Illegal Immigrants

Image
According to an AP article out of Los Angeles , "Churches in five big U.S. cities plan to protect illegal immigrants from deportation, offering their buildings as sanctuary if need be, as they pressure lawmakers to create a path to citizenship for the nation's estimated 12 million illegal immigrants." It further reports that "On Wednesday, a Catholic church in Los Angeles and a Lutheran church in North Hollywood each sheltered one person, and churches in other cities plan to do so in coming months as part of the 'New Sanctuary Movement.'" This 'movement' according to the AP is "loosely based on a movement in the 1980's, when churches harbored Central American refugees fleeing wars in their home countries." In an on-line newsletter for the "New Sanctuary Movement," they state that, " In the early 1980's, thousands of Central American refugees poured into the United States, fleeing life-threat

Religious Sections Being Deleted From Newspapers

Image
According to an article by Sarah Pullam in Christianity Today , financial challenges in the past year "have prompted cutbacks in religion coverage in newspapers." For example, the Dallas Morning News eliminated its religion section in early January and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "folded its Faith and Values action int he Living Pages. The Wichita Eagle likewise plans to remove its religion editor position, and "other newspapers are removing their religion beats." My experience in my previous parish in Traverse City, Michigan was much the same. When the primary religion writer left to go back to school, they never filled the position at the Record Eagle , but simply took the co nvenient AP or RNS article and let that suffice. In our local daily here the paper is too small to have a separate editor or writer (in the traditional sense), but does include religious pieces. Again, though, they are 'cut-and-paste' pieces from the larger news

Between Life and Life

Image
As I carry out my duties doing commital services for spring burials (in the northwoods we often store the remains during the time when the ground is deeply frozen), I endeavor to point the faithful to the day when our Lord will come again and the dead will be raised. Verses from 1 Corinthians 15 are the standard reading. The Easter greeting, "Christ is risen...", completes the event with the sounds of resurrection, not death, echoing in the air. Yet what happens between that last breath of life in this world and the final resurrection at the end of time? In other words, what is there "between life and life"? Seventh Day Adventists propose that the soul goes into a dormant condition, "sleeping" unaware until that last day. And if I understand the position of the Catholic church correctly, most heaven-bound believers enter a state known as "purgatory" to go through a time of "purging" or purification of unrepented sins and other

God and War

Image
Several years ago I had determined to become a chaplain in the armed forces. However, as God does so often, he frustrated those efforts so that after ten years of on-again off-again trying, I finally stopped trying. It wasn't meant to be. At any rate, I had a family by then and was now way over the military's weight limit. While I was still attempting to get in, my view of the chaplaincy was probably far more ' rosy ' than real. In the late 80's we were not fighting a war and the memories of Viet Nam were not as evident. With the latest Newsweek (May 7) issue, we are given a sober and very realistic view of what it means to minister to soldiers in wartime. Eve Conant in her feature article "Faith Under Fire" gives what I would consider a fairly balanced and honest view of the military chaplaincy, in so far as I am not in the military and have no firsthand experience with it. She specifically follows Chaplain Roger Benimoff through his strugg

Easter Bunny is Too Christian

Image
This is one of those stories that is the category of " sadly humorous." I found it in Falwell's National Liberty Journal which I receive unsolicited and free of charge. Apparently there is a Rhode Island public school that has determined that the Easter Bunny is too much of a Christian symbol and has relabeled said bunny as "Peter Rabbit." In response to this Rhode Island State Representative Richard Singleton has introduced legislation he is calling "the Easter Bunny Act." "Like many Rhode Islanders I'm quite frustrated....by people trying to change traditions that we've held in this country for 150 years, like the Easter bunny," Rep. Singleton said during a broadcast of ABC's Good Morning America Weekend Edition . District Superintendent William Rearick said he decided to change the Easter Bunny's name "in an attempt to be conscious of other people's backgrounds and traditions." The ALCU , predictab

Prayer - Battleground of the Cross

Image
Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer ( NDP ) and I intended to take that opportunity to reflect on prayer itself. The NDP , according to Wikipedia , is "a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when all Americans regardless of faith are asked to come together and pray in their own way." The NDP appears to be, in intention, much like the World Day of Prayer, in that its primary purpose is that of encouraging broad-based fellowship and ecumenical unity. Unfortunately, since it embraces prayer so broadly as to include the entire Judeo -Christian culture, it has not been of great value to me. Prayer does not unite people in and of itself apart from the Truth and true faith. Although it can give the appearance that it does. That having been said, however, I would never discourage any American Christian from praying. It's always a good thing (assuming it is done according to God's will.) A national day set aside for prayer does give me th

The Noble Army of Martyrs Praise You

Image
From my experience it has only been in the last 20 or so years that there has been a heightened awareness of persecution of Christians in the world. When I entered the ministry in the late 80's I remember subscribing to a magazine called Voice of the Martyrs , which opened my eyes to a reality of which I was largely unaware. I was amazed when I found out that more men and women have died for the faith in the last 100 years than in the first 300 of the church's history. However, the persecution of Christians, while sometimes a topic on Capital Hill, is certainly not a front and center concern for many in the country - or even in our churches. What a surprise it was then to see a multiple-page color add for the Voice of the Martyrs right in the middle of the secular magazine U.S. News and World Report (May 7 issue)! The opening page pictures a young Asian woman with a tear streaming down her cheek. To the right of her picture appear the words "Christian Persecutio