Social Media: What's the use? 3:31 PM

I really do like much of what the "Social Media" revolution has brought us. Through e-mail we can send out quick notes to people instead of letters, saving paper and the cost of stamps. Through blogging we are linked to untold numbers of articles, pictures and videos that we never would have known existed otherwise. Through Facebook many of us have "re-connected" with old friends, and maybe even made new acquaintances. Through Twitter we can see what all our favorite celebrities, politicians and friends are up to at that very second. I participate in all of these things because like I said, "I really do like much of what the 'Social Media' revolution has brought us."

That being said, Social Media also can be a HUGE waste of time. We can spend half our day sifting through junk e-mail or responding to unimportant e-mail. Blogging can easily turn into the rantings of mad men (that no one besides him reads), with hyper critical analysis of everything and everyone. Facebook can consume a person with games, constant narcissistic status updates (Example: "Heading to 7-11 for a bagel, yeah, that's how I roll." To which the first comment should be: "Who cares?"), even silly debates in the comment section of someone's post. (Frank Admission: I'm not picking on anyone in particular here except for myself; I have played the annoying games, posted incredibly self-exalting stuff, and debated people all in the alternate universe of Facebook). Yes, social media is ultimately media. It's not something inherently bad, nor is it inherently good. It is media that we can use for good or use for bad.

As a Pastor I use Facebook and Twitter to quote Scripture, or link to articles by thoughtful Christian writers. I send out sermons on video, and will make announcements to my Church body about upcoming events. Social Media is useful that way. It can be a small part of Pastoral ministry.

But there are things I just can't do through Social Media that are absolutely essential to serving the sheep. I can't hold the hand of the suffering through Social Media ("Sorry I didn't visit you in the hospital, but I did send you a message via Twitter."); through Social Media I can't see facial expressions so all I can do is "take a person's word for it" (That can be very deceiving. What they are writing may not be what they are saying). I can't hug a person, or counsel a person; I can't speak the Word into their lives at just that right moment, nor can I pray with them.

No matter how much media we have come between us, ultimately the calling of the Christian is to be next to and live with people; real flesh and blood people face to face. The model is Jesus: "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us...." Helmut Thielicke commenting on the importance of all this said:

“Jesus Christ did not remain at base headquarters in heaven, receiving reports of the world’s suffering from below and shouting a few encouraging words to us from a safe distance. No, he left the headquarters and came down to us in the front-line trenches, right down to where we live and worry about what the Bolsheviks (Communists) may do, where we contend with our anxieties and the feeling of emptiness and futility, where we sin and suffer guilt, and where we must finally die. There is nothing that he did not endure with us. He understands everything.”

Social Media is fine. Use it. Ultimately though use it in a way that shows we're like our Media-tor Jesus Christ, who indeed did come down, got his hands dirty (bloody) and in the process saved the world.

A Theology of the Cross 12:22 PM

"For if I should see heaven standing open and could merit it by picking up a straw, I would not do it, lest I might say: Behold, I have earned it! No, no, not to my deservings, but to God be the glory, who has given me his Son to abolish sin and hell for me."

- Martin Luther

The Glimpse Project: Taiwan Update 12:18 PM

Micah Nordtvedt from Hope Church in Everett, Washington, traveled to Taiwan in June to record interviews and footage for the next installment of The Glimpse Project. The past two Glimpse Projects were from Japan (watch videos) and Chad, capturing the heart of God's work through our missionaries as they spread the Gospel to the unreached people in those countries. Here is an update from Micah.

With just over 90 hours of editing done, I've finished a radio cut. A
radio cut is basically the complete story in audio (what you will hear)
that's made up of interview responses (from the missionaries and others,
as well as the voice over narration). This is the essence of the project.

I've now begun sound editing, and will soon be adding B-roll (footage
showing what the narrator and interviewees are talking about). Then I
still have color correction, titles, graphics, and DVD design left to
do. I hope to have a rough draft finished by the end of July. It'll be a
busy next two weeks.

A short preview of the third installment of the Glimpse Project. Shot in Taiwan in May 2010. Due to be released September 2010.

Knowing Christ 2:10 PM

 

When I was in grade school I collected baseball cards.  My favorite baseball player was Orel Hershiser of the Los Angeles Dodgers. I knew very well that he was the 1988 World Series MVP, earned the 1988 Cy Young Award, received the 1988 Golden Glove award, had 59 consecutive scoreless innings and was known as the 'bulldog.'  I had over 100 different baseball cards of Orel, a book and pictures.  I knew a lot about Orel but ultimately did not know Orel.  He had never met me, he never approached me, called me or wrote me.

The reason why I share this story is that I had a conversation a while back with an individual who was reflecting on their Christian walk.  They said to me, "Pastor Matt, it seems to me that I knew a lot about Christ but I really didn't know Christ."  How can it be possible to know a lot about someone and simply not know them?

In C.F.W. Walther's book, Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible, we read, "What good is it if someone tells me: 'There is a great treasure.  Go get it!  All you have to do is haul it off,' yet he does not tell me where the treasure is, how to get there, what methods to use to get it.  Then I would say, 'Enough of your foolish talk about your treasure!'" Walther goes on to comment about some preachers that employ this, “…a preacher might say, ’Here I have a treasure,’ yet he does not put the treasure plainly before them or give them the key to unlock it.  Then what good would this treasure be to them?  They lock up the treasure in front of us that they ought to lay plainly before us…  They preach the existence of a treasure in fine terms and then take away the key and bridge that would put me in possession of the treasure.”[1]

What Walther is expounding on is the grave error in renouncing or withholding the means by which we obtain Christ.  In other words, Walther is pointing out that many in the church over the ages have spoken a lot about Christ but failed in delivering the Christ.  Christ and the Gospel are pointed out, explained, but then the recipient is essentially told, “now go get Him.” 

What are the ramifications of denying the means by which one obtains Christ and His benefits?  What are the consequences of confessing Christ crucified but then telling one, “good luck finding Christ; good luck acquiring this salvation.”  Essentially, this results in a person knowing a lot about Christ and in effect not knowing Him.  Furthermore and tragically, the Gospel is placed within a framework of Law.  “Here is the glorious treasure.  Now, all you have to do is find it, then go get it and figure out how to haul it off.”  All of a sudden the good news isn’t so good anymore.

In the CLBA statement of faith it states, “The knowledge and benefit of Christ’s redemption from sin is brought to the human race through the means of grace, namely the Word and sacraments.”  
  
What grand news that our God and Savior not only accomplished salvation for us but also delivers it to us!  Salvation has been accomplished (past tense) and is continually delivered to us (present tense).  No having to look!  No having to ascend to God to acquire it!  No having to concoct a strategy to harness and haul off this salvation!  Simply delivered to us!  Simply brought to us!  Simply received by us through faith!  This is my body and blood given for you for the remission of your sins.[2]  Your sins have been washed away.[3]  God has reconciled you to Himself through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.[4]  As a close friend of mine once said, “salvation was achieved by Christ, delivered to us by the means and received through faith.  Achieved, Delivered, Received!”  Now this is good news!

We personally possess Christ and all the benefits of Calvary through the Word and sacraments; therefore, we not only know about Christ but also get to know Christ personally.  We know about the treasure of salvation and we also get to personally enjoy it. 

I am still waiting for my personal visit or maybe that phone call from Orel Hershiser, but in the mean time, I get to enjoy Christ and the benefits of His redemption as they are continually brought to me.

---

[1] C.F.W. Walther, Law and Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible (Concordia Publishing, 2010), 179-180.

[2] See Matthew 26:27-28

[3] See Titus 3:5; Acts 22:16

[4] See Romans 1:16, 10:17

The Gospel Coalition 2011 2:33 PM

Last year me and my buddy Tony got to go to The Gospel Coalition biennial conference in Chicago. Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, John Piper and a whole host of others preached through 2 Timothy, and needless to say, it was quite remarkable. So I was thrilled this morning when I saw that they have just announced their next conference in 2011!

The Conference will be held again in Chicago (Downtown), and this time their will be over 50 speakers from all different denominations being brought in to talk about how to preach Christ from the Old Testament (Professor Soenksen are you interested yet?). The title of the conference is, "They testify about me: Preaching Christ and the Gospel from the Old Testament," and the dates are April 12-14.

Check out the video below as Tim Keller and D.A. Carson talk about what to expect at this year's event:

What's Wrong With The World? 1:56 PM

When a newspaper posed the question "What's Wrong with the World?" G.K. Chesterton wrote a brief letter in response:

"Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G.K. Chesterton."

- from Tim Keller's "The Prodigal God"

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

-Paul (1 Timothy 1:15)

Online Audio Bible Commentary 4:03 PM

Here is a great online audio commentary on the Bible from KFUO Radio.

It was recommended to me by a fellow colleague.

The Address and Link is:

http://kfuoam.org/BS_Main.htm
 

This resource is now my new best friend!  I can download the 50 minute MP3 for the upcoming sermon and listen to it while driving or on my MP3 player. One can spend time preparing for a sermon, bible study or simple receive from the word when he/she is on the go.  

Simply look to the bottom right side to the archive section to find the text that you would like.

Yes, I Am A Lazy Christian... 3:49 PM

Several years ago I received the criticism from a parishioner that I was a ‘Lazy Christian.’  They gave me this label in regards to my views on the doctrine of sanctification, the living out of this Christian life.  At first this stung my deeply rooted ambition of workaholism, however, as I gave it some thought I can recall sitting back in my chair and a small smile came over me as I said to myself, “Thank you for the compliment!”

Lutherans are often accused of being weak on sanctification, being weak on their focus of living out the Christian life.  Lutherans have also been accused throughout the ages of not even having a doctrine of sanctification.  I believe the reason for these criticisms is pretty simple.  Lutheran Christians tend to center robustly on justification, what God has done for us in Christ.  As continually struggling sinners, Lutherans constantly focus on the need to hear the external Word of God’s justifying grace in Christ; that we are declared righteous for Christ’s sake.

The sad reality is that all too often we would rather put the spotlight on what we do rather than what Christ has already done, which results in putting the cart before the horse.  Many fail to realize that sanctification is a fruit that flows out of justification.  Good works always flow out of what Christ has done for us and are never a cause of Christ’s accomplishment at Calvary.  Anytime we overemphasize sanctification and deemphasize justification we put the focus back onto self.  Furthermore, when we speak of sanctification before or apart from the context of justification we also put the focus back onto self.  Both of these previous scenarios lead to spiritual bondage and promote an environment of man-centered theology.    

Because sanctification and good works are the fruit of Christ’s justifying grace and forgiveness, we get to look to Christ rather than ourselves and what we are doing.  The reason being, if we look to our good works to spur on more good works, our endeavor will prove to be futile at best and frankly downright foolish.  It is foolish because Jesus, not us, is the author and the perfecter of faith; may we run this race by fixing our eyes on Jesus and His power. (Hebrews 12:1b-2a) 

Mike Mercer commenting on the perception of Lutherans being weak on sanctification says, “I prefer to say we are strong on Jesus, whose sanctifying work in our lives is the fruit of the gospel all along our lifelong journey. I would much rather focus on what he has done than on anything I might do.[1]” 

If being a Lazy Christian means that we are weak or place a secondary focus on ‘what we should do’ and primarily strong on ‘what Jesus has already done,’ then by all means let us acknowledge and embrace the label that we are lazy Christians!  If being a Lazy Christian means that we trust Jesus to do the sanctifying work in our lives as a fruit of the gospel then by all means let us wear this stigma with honor!

Yes, I am a Lazy Christian for in the words of Martin Luther, "He is not righteous who does much, but he who, without work, believes much in Christ.[2]” 

---

[1] http://chaplainmmercer.blogspot.com/ (March 28, 2010)

[2] Thesis 25 of the 1518 Heidelberg Disputation

Dan Gilbert's Theology of the Cross: 3:45 PM

Dan Gilbert, the owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was not happy with Lebron James after Thursday night's ego-fest (oops, I mean "announcement") that Lebron would be joining the Miami Heat. In a bit of a ranting letter to Cleveland fans, he shares his contempt for Lebron's disloyalty, laziness, etc. etc.

However, what stuck out to me was Gilbert's picture of the cruciform life. He says of Lebron,

Some people think they should go to heaven but NOT have to die to get there. Sorry, but that’s simply not how it works.

I have no idea who Dan Gilbert is, what his faith is, and what exactly he meant by his statement. But I do know that his point is that this life will inevitably have suffering before our final glory. And Jesus said, "You cannot be my disciple unless you pick up your cross and follow me."

A Culture of Distraction 12:28 PM

I've been thinking a lot lately about distraction (that is, for as long as I can focus on the subject before getting distracted!) I have noticed in my own life, with the more social media (blogs, facebook, twitter, e-mail, etc., etc.,) that I have never been more busy doing nothing. Now, obviously, I don't think any of these things are sinful or wrong in it of themselves (I'm blogging now!), but oh how good we are at perverting all things, twisting them into something that hurts, rather than helps, ourselves and others.

With this in mind, I came across a quote from Pascal with commentary by Peter Kreeft on Justin Taylor's blog last night. Why do we have so much distraction? That question is answered rather marvelously:

Here is the line from Pascal:

I have often said that the sole cause of man’s unhappiness is that he does not know how to stay quietly in his room.

Kreeft writes in response to this:

We ought to have much more time, more leisure, than our ancestors did, because technology, which is the most obvious and radical difference between their lives and ours, is essentially a series of time-saving devices.

In ancient societies, if you were rich you had slaves to do the menial work so that you could be freed to enjoy your leisure time. Life was like a vacation for the rich because the poor slaves were their machines. . . .

[But] now that everyone has slave-substitutes (machines), why doesn’t everyone enjoy the leisurely, vacationy lifestyle of the ancient rich? Why have we killed time instead of saving it? . . .

We want to complexify our lives. We don’t have to, we want to. We wanted to be harried and hassled and busy. Unconsciously, we want the very things we complain about. For if we had leisure, we would look at ourselves and listen to our hearts and see the great gaping hold in our hearts and be terrified, because that hole is so big that nothing but God can fill it.

So we run around like conscientious little bugs, scared rabbits, dancing attendance on our machines, our slaves, and making them our masters. We think we want peace and silence and freedom and leisure, but deep down we know that this would be unendurable to us, like a dark and empty room without distractions where we would be forced to confront ourselves. . .

If you are typically modern, your life is like a mansion with a terrifying hole right in the middle of the living-room floor. So you paper over the hole with a very busy wallpaper pattern to distract yourself. You find a rhinoceros in the middle of your house. The rhinoceros is wretchedness and death. How in the world can you hide a rhinoceros? Easy: cover it with a million mice. Multiple diversions."

Confirming this thought are the words of Romans 1, that we by nature "suppress the truth in unrighteousness," always looking for something to draw us away from standing naked before a holy God. But it is just there, naked, with all our warts, imperfections, distractions, and sin, that we must stand before God. And it is just there, that in Christ, we hear the precious words of the Gospel: "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

The Law would say focus all your mind, all your heart, all your soul and all your strength on loving Me and loving neighbor. Christ says, "You have not, but I have."

Now before faith came, you were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was your guardian until Christ came, in order that you might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, you are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.