The Laying Of Our Foundation... 8:52 AM

During the time of Martin Luther there were theological presuppositions that had been ingrained in the lives, thoughts and actions of the people.  For the sake of simplicity, two things summarized the theological culture and attitudes of the day: ascent theology and the theology of active righteousness. 

It was commonly held from medieval teachings that mankind needed to ascend to God.  It was taught that one needed to climb a metaphoric ladder towards a Holy and Righteous God through: pious good works, devotion to God, accomplishments, indulgences, holy living, penance, religious duties, etc…  Eugene Klug comments on this saying, “Ascetics (i.e. those trying to climb to God) desired to achieve more and greater conformity with the will of the holy God, climbing rung by rung the ladder of God-pleasing acceptance before the throne of the loving Lord and Savior.”  (Note: Parentheses added) People during the time of Luther saw themselves in a spiritual journey that required strenuous effort and endurance to elevate ‘self’ to the same level of God. 

In ascent theology the emphasis is placed on mankind and the strategic goal becomes mankind’s climbing pursuit of God.  As a result, man does not need a descending Christ; which means that Jesus becomes a simple model of holiness that needs to be emulated in the ascending journey.  Consequently, how does one know if he/she has ascended enough?  What are the best methods to ascend to God?  What methods get the best bang for the buck? 

The other presupposition that was commonly held during the time of Luther was the theology of active righteousness.  Active righteousness simply taught that if one were to be considered righteous that he/she needed to achieve righteousness by the way of the Law and effort.  For example: the Law says, “Do” and the person actively “Does it” which results in a presumed “Righteousness.”

The teaching of active righteousness goes right in line and is in harmony with ascent theology.  Both put the emphasis on mankind’s efforts.  Both have a starting point of mankind.  Both appeal to the flesh.  Both undercut the centrality of the work of God in Christ. 

During the time of the reformation, Luther understood these theological presuppositions that were embedded in the church.  He furthermore realized that he needed to rebuild the theological foundation of the day in order that the Word and fundamental teachings of scripture might be adequately understood.   Eugene Klug says that Luther, “…first had to rebuild theology in the church on a truly biblical base; he had to knock down, destroy, and clear the away the rubble, getting down to the bedrock on which Christian theology must rest:  God’s grace alone, through Christ alone, by faith alone.”   According to Klug, in the Heidelberg Theses’ of 1518, Luther, “…publicly broke from a theology of glory—the frenetic effort to climb into God’s favor through personal pious strivings—to a Gospel-centered theology of the Cross.” 

According to some historians, the Heidelberg Disputation is considered as more important to the 16^th century reformation than the 95 theses of 1517.  The reason being, the teachings of the Heidelberg Theses adamantly argue against ascent theology and active righteousness and shows forth from scripture a completely contrary and opposite way of seeing the Christian life: descent theology and passive righteousness.

The theology of descent puts the emphasis on Christ and His strategic goal of drawing close to and pursuing mankind.  As a result, man does not (and cannot) ascend to God; which means that Jesus is the one who descends to mankind as to rescues and bring sinners home to God.  Consequently, one is granted confident assurance as scripture continually reveals the glory of the descending Christ to a bloody cross to completely atone for mankind… us!

The teaching of passive righteousness taught by Luther and the scriptures puts the focus on what Christ has accomplished on behalf of mankind.  Passive righteousness simply teaches that if one is to be considered righteous that he/she needs to receive this righteousness by the way of the Gospel and Gift.  The Gospel says, “Believe This And Receive It As Gift” because “Everything Is Already Done For You.” (Note Theses 26 of the Heidelberg Disputation)

Luther from scripture proposed a theological foundation in 1518 that was fundamentally different and completely contrary to the already established theological foundation of the day.  He held that ascent theology and the theology of active righteousness contradicted the Gospel itself.  “For Luther, there was no substitute for the Gospel-centered theology of the cross.”

Klug states,

“At the Heidelberg conference, the theology of the cross gained a new and necessary hearing in the life of the church.  According to Luther, under the cross, the church finds its life and hope.  With this foundation, the church goes forward with lightened step, joyfully and willingly bearing its crosses and burdens in the knowledge of salvation through faith in Christ’s vicarious suffering and death for sinners’ sake.”

It is in this same context that the church of the 21^st century can move forward in joyful step.  The church of the 21^st century can be reminded of and gratefully embrace the theological foundation that has already been laid forth for it by Luther in the Heidelberg Disputation of 1518.  Upon this already established foundation, the church of the present day can gracefully yet confidently cast aside ascent theology and the theology of active righteousness.  For as long as the presuppositions of ascent theology and active righteousness go unrecognized, the fundamental teachings of scripture will continually grind against these underlining presuppositions.

May our foundation be the theology of the cross in which all of our theology flows in and out of.  May we rest upon this rich foundation and great news of God’s descent to us in Christ and the simple gift of faith that receives the righteousness of Christ that is imputed to us.

Our Savior has descended to gift us His righteousness… may we receive Him by faith!  What a foundation!

Source: Eugene Klug; Lift High This Cross: The Theology of Martin Luther (Concordia Publishing, 2003), 49-55.

Glimpse Project: Taiwan - Update #1 9:11 AM

The Glimpse Project is a series of episode-based DVDs on Lutheran Brethren International Missionaries in Chad, Japan, and Tawian.

visit > the Glimpse Project website


As I write this, heavy drops of rain are pounding on the the plastic roof creating a cacophony of sound. I've missed that sound for the last twelve years in Western Washington, where the rain/mist makes almost no noise when it lands. Yes, in some ways this is home (I grew up here). There is still a sense of the exotic as I see the world of Taiwan with the eyes of an adult and experience the creative flow of traffic patterns, but being able to understand almost everything that is being said around me makes this Glimpse Project different than the others (Japan and Chad). I don't have to wait for the translation. I can ask people if it's okay to video tape (and no one has said no yet, though one merchant said it was only okay for me since I was Andy Larsen's friend).

The weather is nice here, though you might not think so. I'm really enjoying the heat and humidity—the never being cold (just like my experience in Chad). And that makes me reflect on my previous trips to shoot video in Japan and Chad. Each place has a bit of adventure, and a lot of normal in it. I rode the high speed trains in Japan and Taiwan, and I'm not sure if I could tell the difference between mangos in Chad and Taiwan (they're both delicious). All three places boast of poisonous snakes. I'm not sure if that counts for adventure or normal. Maybe some of both.

But my focus is not the snakes, or the transportation, or the languages, or the weather. It is the people. I talk with the missionaries about their mission to proclaim the Gospel to people who haven't heard. I hear about the cultures and the barriers that stand between would-be-believers and Christianity. I see people that God loves. I see people whose lives have been changed because of what God has done for them.

How do I capture all this with digital video and share it with the North American churches? I can't—at least not all of it. But one shot at a time, and interview by interview, the material will come together. And then I'll spend two months holed up in my office trying to organize it and communicate the stories of God's mission in Taiwan.

Micah Nordtvedt

visit > the Glimpse Project website

Please Don't Give A Swimming Instruction Manual 4:24 PM

I was listening to a sermon tonight while I was mowing the lawn and the pastor said, “What does a drowning person need?  Do they need an instruction manual on how to swim or do they need a lifeguard?”  

It is easy to identify struggling people in the congregation and community.  The heaviness on their face, the deep breaths, the look of hopelessness and helplessness!  Whether their lives are falling apart due to their own sin, the sin of others or simply the effects of original sin, it is easy for us to respond to this despair by handing out an instruction manual.  Seriously, how often do we as Christians fall into the trap of handing out instruction manuals to people who are drowning not in water but in the muck of sin?  It is all too easy for us to highlight and bookmark certain chapters of our metaphoric instruction manuals and then toss it upon their already drowning bodies saying, “I know that you are drowning but if you just learn the swimming technique on page 13 you will be just fine.  Don’t worry; there is a great diagram that illustrates the proper technique for you, just study it really hard!  Pray a little harder, devote yourself a little more, kick those legs a little more and you will be fine.” 

The pastor in the sermon said something to the effect, “If you are tempted to give an instruction manual to a drowning person, please just spare them the pain and let them drown in peace.  They don’t need extra help from you in drowning.” 

Even though there is a comical touch to this illustration, it is painfully true about us as well-meaning Christians.  We sometimes so badly want to help people that we end up imparting all of our life lessons to them with the idea that they can simply follow our wise principles and swim right out of their drowning sin predicament.  The only problem is that we end up putting more weight and demands upon someone who is essentially already spiritually dead.

C.F.W. Walther speaks on this in his classic book, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel.  In Thesis VIII he states, “In the fourth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when the Law is preached to those who are already in terror on account of their sins…”   Walther goes on to say in Thesis IX, “In the fifth place, the Word of God is not rightly divided when sinners who have been struck down and terrified by the Law are directed, not to the Word and the Sacraments, but to their own prayers and wrestlings with God in order that they may win their way into a state of grace; in other words, when they are told to keep on praying and struggling until they feel that God has received them into grace.”

Essentially, the metaphor is pointing out the futility of giving a swimming instruction manual to a drowning person.  The reason being, how can a person who is already helpless even begin to read an instruction manual in the midst of calamity?  Furthermore, to come and give the swimmer the solution of ‘self’ when ‘self’ is the problem to begin with is simply counterproductive. 

Problem:  You are drowning because you can’t swim.

Swimming Manual Solution:  You need to swim better to keep from drowning. 

The same can be true about giving law or pointing someone to ‘self’ when they are already poor in spirit and in terror on their account of sin.  Even though the advice or biblical principle may be totally solid it simply isn’t the proper response to someone who is already struck down.

Problem:  You are spiritually dead because you are sinful and helpless at the core of your being.

Swimming Manual Solution:  Figure out how to be less sinful at the core of your being so you can be less spiritually dead.

What is the proper response to someone who is drowning in water or sin?  Very simply they need a lifeguard.  They need something ‘outside’ of themselves, something external to save them… namely Christ.  A drowning person needs a lifeguard to jump into the water, approach them, grab a hold of them and save them.  Equally, a person drowning in sin needs the ‘external Word of the Gospel’ to be ministered into the drowning circumstance of sin… they need Christ not self.

What a relief for us as Christians!  When someone is struggling with sin, what we get to do is simply proclaim Jesus.  The burden is off of us because their spiritual well-being is not dependent upon the trustworthiness and reliability of our instruction manuals, techniques and principles… it is dependent upon the life giver, Christ.

As drowning sinners ourselves, we not only get to point others away from themselves to Christ, we get to be continually rescued by the external Word of the Gospel that casts itself into the murkiness of our very own lives.  Jesus is our life guard… our life giver and He came not to impart to us an instruction manual but to impart His very life so as to rescue us unto life!

Please don’t give a swimming instruction manual for there is a lifeguard… there is Christ.  May we be continually saved by this all sufficient life giver. 

Returning Soldiers Story #1 11:17 AM

The latest issue of Faith & Fellowship covered the topic of returning soldiers, asking the question, "How can the Church help?" We invite you to share any stories of your experience in ministering to returning soldiers in your congregation and community. Here is our first entry in that series of blog posts from Brad and Nancy Meyers at Community Church of Joy in Sammamish, WA.
(click > here to email your story)

One of the great comforts provided by our Pastor and our church, Community Church of Joy (Sammamish, WA), was the continuing prayer for our son through 3 deployments of which two involved being in a combat zone. Although our son never attended the church except for visits home, Pastor Jim Jensen prayed for him as fervently as if he was his own son. It was a little uncanny that on many occasions Pastor Jim would mention Matthew and pray for him from the pulpit or he would call us personally to ask about Matthew and to tell us that he was praying for Matthew and we would later find out that Matthew had been in difficult and dangerous circumstances during that same time-frame. It happened so frequently that I do not believe it was coincidence that Pastor Jim was praying for him and thinking of him during those times. Prayer is a powerful gift for not only the soldier but for his family waiting at home. For the prayers that Pastor Jim offered for the sons of our congregation, including our own, we will always be grateful and touched.

Brad and Nancy Meyers

Final Contribution Report! 9:04 AM

From the depths of our hearts, we want to thank our family of churches for their support and encouragement – expressed most recently by the outpouring of financial support in our fiscal year ending month of April. By any of our historical contribution standards, it was an excellent month, allowing us to end the fiscal year at 95% of our contribution support goal when we entered April at just 73%.

But the really exciting news is that, after tallying up all other sources of income and factoring our actual expenses, we should end up with an overall fiscal year “bottom line” surplus of right in the vicinity of $176,000 – just enough to cover (wipe out) the combined carryover negative fund balance of $175,727. So for the first time in about 20 years or so, our operating ministries (as a whole) are NOT IN THE RED. It’s as though God’s intention was to give us just enough to poke our nose above the water…after all, holding your breath underwater for 20 years gets a little exhausting! Praise be to Him!

Brad Martinson
Director of Finance and Personnel

Statement on Missional Theology Available 2:22 PM

Announced today on the CLB Blog:

Below you will be able to download a copy of the Report from the Study Committee on Missional Theology. The Report of the Study Committee on Missional Theology is being received by the Theological Council which will, through the Council of Directors, bring a recommendation to this year's Convention. This is an important subject worthy of your reading prior to the Convention and discussion during the hour it will be presented to the Church.

I, on behalf of the Church, thank the members of the Study Committee for their many hours of reading, deliberation, and writing. Presenting the summary backgrounds of many aspects of the missional theology conversation, they lead us to Biblical and confessional foundations for evaluation of that particular emphasis followed by affirmations and denials. This paper will be a teaching guide for mission that is domestic and international ministry and evangelism to those who do not yet confess Jesus Christ as Son of God and their Savior.

Anticipating your fellowship during the Convention, June 20-22nd,

Joel Egge, President

Download > Statement on Missional Theology
View > the committee's recommended reading list

SAGE Leadership Event May 19 11:48 AM

This Wednesday (5.19.2010) you’ll have a chance to watch an online event for Christian leaders called SAGE from 12pm-4pm. There’s no cost. The event will feature brief messages from over 40 different prominent leaders. Feel free to catch part or all of the event.

SAGE is produced by Leadership Network. If you’re nearby, you can join us at Praise—just email or call if you think you’ll be attending.

For most of you who are farther away, you can watch it at your own computer by registering here in advance.

Leadership Network hosted a similar online event last fall called The Nines, and several PCF leaders caught it and enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to SAGE.

Below is a message from Todd Rhoades, the producer of SAGE:

I have a very important message for you today. I hope you'll take a couple minutes to read this and take advantage of this opportunity for you and your staff.

If you've been involved in ministry for more than five minutes, I'm sure that there's something you would have done differently. Ministry is one of the hardest jobs in the world. Church work can be stressful, both for you and your family.

Because of the extreme demands of ministry, few leaders are able to make it twenty, thirty, or forty-plus years in our vocation. Those who do have an incredible amount of wisdom to share.

Over the last few weeks, Leadership Network has had the opportunity to search out a group of these long-time, seasoned ministry leaders and ask them one simple question: "What would you have done differently?" Their answer to this one question can save you literally years of frustration.

On May 19th, you'll get a chance to sit across the table from nearly forty pastors and church leaders that, admittedly, have made mistakes. They'll share with you... if they could do it all over again... the one thing they would do differently. Their wisdom and insight will be an encouragement to you. And, something they say could help you and your staff deal with the tough ministry situations you're now facing.

We're calling this online event, SAGE. The definition of a sage is someone that 'has or shows great wisdom, especially that gained from long experience of life'. These men and women definitely fit the definition.

You'll hear from great leaders like Wayne Cordeiro, Joel Hunter, Chip Ingram, Elmer Towns, Walt Kallestad, Carl George, Michael Slaughter, and many others. We've added up their experience. Get this: the speakers you'll hear in just under four hours have more than 1,000 years of ministry experience! And they're excited to share with you!

It all starts on Wednesday, May 19th at noon eastern time. It will last for around four hours. And it's all online... all on your computer.

No travel. No hassle. And it's free!

We do need to know that you'll be attending for our planning purposes. Please take a moment to register right now. Just let us know who from your team will be attending and we'll send you all the sign-in information as the date approaches.

Please take a moment right now to register. It's free!

Have a great week!

Todd Rhoades - Sage Producer
Leadership Network

The Slippery Slope Of Post-Gospel Legalism 4:34 PM

It has been called the greatest enemy of the Gospel.  Just a little ruins everything.  It is sneaky, sly and often goes unnoticed.  It is ingrained in all of humanity.  Yes, we are talking about legalism. 

Most Christians are familiar with the term of legalism.  Who doesn’t like to read about how Jesus went after the Pharisees in Matthew 23, for they were a bunch of tightly wound legalistic nitpicks.  It invigorates us to see Jesus knock their check list clip boards from their hands and rumble their theological law-driven worldview. 

As Christians it is all too easy for us to point our fingers at the Pharisees and say, “I am glad I will never be like them.”  The only problem is that by nature we are them.  Pastor Mark Driscoll once said something to the effect, “We forget that the Pharisees were the good guys!  They were the Bible believing conservatives of the day.  If we were alive during the time of Jesus, these Pharisees would be on our team!” 

The problem with legalism is that it is in tune with our sinful nature (i.e. our old Adam).  As Christians we continually struggle with legalism for it resonates with the old-Adam, it jives with our normal way of thinking and resonates with the worldview of what Ecclesiastes calls, “life under the sun.” 

It is believed by the author, that the average Christian has enough of a Biblical base to recognize the hazardous teachings of Pre-Gospel Legalism.  Pre-Gospel Legalism occurs when: one imposes requirements, hoops or duties as prerequisites[1] that need to be earned, obtained or acquired so that one may receive God's forgiveness and acceptance in Christ.  Pre-Gospel Legalism occurs for the purpose of mankind acquiring salvation, which leads to a man-centered theology.  Pre-Gospel Legalism injects human effort into justification which results in a law-based justification theology.  In Pre-Gospel Legalism, mankind’s legalistic agenda exists before or pre-conditions the Gospel.  As previously stated, the author of this article believes that there is enough of a Biblical base for the average Christian to see the unscriptural truths of Pre-Gospel Legalism, for the average Christian knows that the forgiveness of sins, credited righteousness and eternal life are ascribed to and come from Jesus Christ and Him alone. 

The problem that arises with legalism is not in the area of Pre-Gospel Legalism but in the area of what is called Post-Gospel Legalism.  Post-Gospel Legalism happens when: one codifies[2] the response to the gospel by prescribing what the response to the gospel should mean, when it should happen, how it should happen, how it should be done, how often it should happen and where it should happen so as to legitimize God's forgiveness and acceptance in Christ.[3]  Post-gospel legalism occurs for the purpose of mankind legitimizing salvation, which leads to a man-centered theology.  Post-gospel legalism injects mankind’s effort into sanctification which results in a law-based sanctification theology.  In Post-Gospel Legalism, mankind’s legalistic agenda exists after initially receiving and hearing the Gospel…the Gospel is post-conditioned. 

What makes legalism tragic and toxic is that one can reject and abhor Pre-Gospel Legalism while at the same time subconsciously slip into Post-Gospel Legalism.  In other words, one can confess a gospel-centered understanding of salvation and simultaneously contradict and undercut this gospel-centered view of salvation with a law-centered view of what it looks like in living out the Christian life.  For example: Jesus accomplished salvation for me and now “I” need to legitimize it; Jesus saved me, past tense, and now “I” must figure out how to live in the present and stay saved; the gospel has given me eternal life and now I need 10 steps so that “I” can live my paramount life in the present day.  Dreadfully, Post-Gospel Legalism can actually bleed back into the foundational truths of our salvation and infect our whole salvation existence in Christ.[4]

Man-centered prerequisites that are prescribed so that one might acquire salvation undercut the finished work of Christ.  Equally as dangerous are man-centered codified responses that are prescribed so that one might legitimize salvation, for this also undercuts the finished work of Christ.  The reason being, anytime mankind takes credit for acquiring or legitimizing salvation, the emphasis is taken off of Christ’s atonement and placed on mankind, the accent mark is moved off of Christ.  It is Christ and solely Christ that acquires and legitimizes salvation for us, anything less waters down or confuses the message of the Gospel and strips away assurance.

In Hebrews 12:2 we see that Jesus is the “founder” and “perfector” of our faith.  Our faith is a gift through the Word and we are also sustained day to day by the Spirit through the Word and Sacraments.  Quite frankly Jesus saved us, Jesus saves us and Jesus will continue to save us!  As Christians we need Jesus just as much today as we did yesterday and the day before.  Growth in the Christian life isn’t growth from dependence to independence but rather growth from independence to dependence; it is growth into Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, not away from it.[5]  Pre and Post-Gospel Legalism promote and teach the exact opposite, that we should move to independence so that we can try to establish and perfect our own faith.

The underlining premise in scripture and the Christian life is that it is all about Jesus.  May these sins of Pre and Post-Gospel Legalism be continually exposed and crucified in us by God’s Word of Law.  May God through His Word of Gospel and Sacraments strengthen our faith and protect us from the slippery slope of Post-Gospel Legalism.  May God through His Word and Sacraments sanctify us away from self to dependence upon Christ. 

Jesus is the founder and perfector of our faith.  He has already met the prerequisites and legitimized salvation for us, and best of all… 

           

            …He gives it to us as a gift! 

---

[1] Prerequisites such as: one needs to reach a certain standard of moral perfection and rid himself of certain moral vices so that he can obtain forgiveness; one needs to do good Christian deeds in order to exchange these deeds for forgiveness; one needs to improve his socio-economic standing in order to be worthy of receiving grace; etc…

[2] Codified responses such as: one needs to pray for ‘X’ amount of time per day at specific times with a specific formula to validate that they are really a committed believer; one needs to listen only to praise music or only hymnal music because that is the music of choice for faithful believers; one needs to do family devotions in a specified manner from a specific book to be a true family man of God; one needs to evangelize to ‘X’ amount of people per day in a certain evangelism technique in order to show that they are truly disciples of Christ, etc...

[3] Pastor Patrick Thurmer, Legalism (http://www.livingfaithcapecoral.com/Galatians.html), May 16, 2010.

[4] See Galatians 5:9

[5] See Matthew 18:1-4

Over Saved? 1:14 PM

Another good laugh from Michael Junior.  Enjoy!

Armed Forces Day (U.S.) 2:24 PM

I suppose I am somewhat partial to this day designated by President Truman in 1950 to commemorate the women and men serving in our military. Fifty years ago I was one of them. Today I was unable to find any reference to the Day in either of our Twin Cities newspapers. Sad. Over these past 60 years, American military personnel have served and sacrificed through peacetime and wars - and continue to do so in a world where tensions are higher than ever. They deserve our thanks and our prayers.

If you know someone currently serving in the US Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard why don't you call them or their family and tell them "Thanks" and that you have been reminded this day to pray for them?

And thank you for praying for our troops, where ever they are serving.

Shalom - A reminder that they serve because there is no peace in this world.

Shel Sorensen (CLB Prayer Team Coordinator)

The Convention Blog 3:26 PM

Remember the convention blog when you are wondering what this year's biennial convention has to offer. The registration forms are ready for the Pastors Continuing Education (In-Service seminars).

Click here to read about the two sessions on Saturday, June 19th.
Download the registration form at the end of each post or check out the right side-bar where there are other forms and links related to this year's convention.

Click here to download the schedule for this year's convention.

Each congregation will be receiving a packet with all the needed forms and information for their pastors and delegates. Everyone is welcome to attend the convention, but the voting rights are reserved for delegates only.

Coming Back To The Heart Of Repentance... 8:46 AM

During the time of the 16^th century Reformation the emphasis and understanding of sin was primarily on the series of actions that one did or did not do.  Sin wasn’t based upon evil thoughts or inclinations of the heart but upon the actions that manifested themselves physically and visibly.  As a result of this narrow view of sin some people did not consider themselves to be guilty of sin.  The reason being, they ran to the monasteries and religious communities and diligently worked on repenting of external sins in order to be in the good standing of holiness.  In the Smalcald Articles Luther comments on his days in the monastery saying, 

“We fought against evil thoughts by doing such things as fasting, staying awake, praying, saying Mass, wearing coarse garments and sleeping on hard beds.  According to our teaching, some monks were regarded as holy, without sin, and full of good works.  Also, since we had more good works than we needed to get to heaven, we could communicate and sell our good works to others.[1]”

The problem with seeing sin primarily in the dimension of a series of external actions is that it leads to what the Reformers called ‘False Repentance.’  Through all the diligent work of external repentance, “these holy ones did not need repentance.  What would they repent of, since they had not indulged their wicked thoughts?  What would they confess about words they never said?  What should they render satisfaction for, since they were so guiltless that they could even sell their extra righteousness to poor sinners?.[2]” 

The crux of the problem in the 16^th Century was how people understood sin.  Is sin a series of actions (i.e. what I do) or is sin a condition of the heart (i.e. who I am)?  In other words, do my sinful actions make me a sinner or am I a sinner that sins[3]?  To be perfectly clear the scriptures teach that unholy actions as wells as the condition of mankind’s heart are both sin (i.e. actual sins and original sin).  Both views are taught biblically.  The only question is which one has the heavier emphasis, which one has the primary and foundational focus in Christianity… outward actions or an internal condition? 

As previously stated, people in the 16^th century primarily saw sin in the context of evil actions.  The neglecting of teaching sin as a condition of the heart resulted in repentance not being taught correctly.  Consequently this produced false repentance or what can be called partial repentance.  Without considering the ramifications of the internal heart problem, people of the 16^th century resorted to believing the falsehood that all they needed to do was to polish up their external actions through tireless self-effort (i.e. external repentance) and ‘bam’ they would arrive at holiness!  This kind of partial repentance only scratched the surface and did not touch the fundamental issue of sin.

Seeing repentance primarily in the external realm can be equated to putting a band-aid over top of a cancerous internal tumor and saying, “all better!”  In using a biblical phrase from Jesus, this kind of external repentance results in becoming a whitewashed tomb[4].  It also leads to a mess of works righteousness and man-centered theology.  The reason being, focusing primarily upon external repentance of sin never addresses the deep-seated core of our sin problem, namely the sinful nature.

The Reformers of the 16^th century shifted the emphasis and primary focus of sin from external actions to the internal condition of mankind.  This shift resulted in a fuller and more complete understanding of repentance.  In looking at repentance through this new lens one “does not debate what is or is not sin.  Rather it (i.e. true repentance) hurls everything together and says:  Everything in us is nothing but sin!  What is the use of always investigating, dividing or distinguishing?  For we cannot think of any good thing to pay for sin.  There is nothing left.  There is only a sure despairing about all that we are, think, speak and do, and so on.[5]” 

“This repentance teaches us to discern sin:  We are completely lost; there is nothing good in us from head to foot; and we must become absolutely new and different people.[6]”  Seeing sin as an internal problem levels the playing field that we are all guilty alike.[7]  Seeing sin as an internal heart problem also drives us to despair of our own perceived ability of being able to do spiritual surgery on ourselves.  In other words, it undercuts and destroys the idea of works righteousness as a solution to our sin problem and drives us to receptivity so that we might receive the all sufficient Savior of Souls, Christ… the Gospel.  Luther comments on this saying,

“In a Christian, this repentance continues until death.  For through one’s entire life, repentance contends with the sin remaining in the flesh.  Paul testifies that he wars with the law in his members (Rom. 7:14-25) not by his own powers, but by the gift of the Holy Spirit that follows the forgiveness of sins (Rom. 8:1-17).  This gift daily cleanses and sweeps out the remaining sins and works to make a person truly pure and holy.[8]”

Confessing and acknowledging that we are the problem is the heart of repentance and this is a beautiful thing!  The reason being, God will not despise this status of brokenness and helplessness[9].  “God does not cast aside sinners, that is, those who recognize their sin…[10]”   For it is in this very brokenness and fallen-ness that God meets us with His tender Word of Gospel, that all has been forgiven and completed by His Atoning Son, Jesus Christ.[11]

May God’s holy and precious Word of Law continually convict us and expose to us our ingrained sinful condition as well as our ongoing series of sinful actions (i.e. repentance).  May God’s holy and calming Word of the Gospel daily absolve and heal us in the declaration of the cross that there is “now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus[12]” (i.e. assurance.) 

---

[1] Martin Luther, The Smalcald Articles:  Concordia, The Lutheran Confessions (Concordia Publishing, 2006), 275.

[2] Ibid.  Also take note how this conflicts with 1 John 1:8 & 10.

[3] Mark 7:20-23.

[4] Matthew 23:25-26, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.  You blind Pharisees!  First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.”

[5] Martin Luther, 276.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Romans 3:10-12

[8] Martin Luther, 276.

[9] Psalms 51:17

[10] Martin Luther, The Lutheran Study Bible (Concordia Publishing, 2009), 1586.

[11] See Matthew 5:1-6

[12] Romans 8:1

Glimpse Project - Taiwan 7:54 PM

Micah Nordtvedt left May 6th for Taiwan where he will begin taping the next installment of the Glimpse Project. Over the next several weeks our missionaries, serving in Taiwan with the Hakka people, will work with Micah to communicate the message of their ministry.

• Pray for God’s wisdom for Micah and our missionaries on how best to communicate their mission and ministry.
• Pray that the final DVD will touch hearts here in our congregations in North America.
• Pray for safe travel for Micah.

Read more about the Glimpse Project on the International Mission website

The Motive For Prayer 10:55 PM

(1) And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.  (2)  He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.  (3)  And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'  (4)  For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,  (5)  yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"  (6)  And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.  (7)  And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?  (8)  I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:1-8 ESV)

Luke 18:1-8 is probably one of the most frequent passages that I hear quoted in connection to the topic of prayer.  Parishioners and pastors will often quote this passage and expound on it in the following way, “We need to never give up on prayer...  we need to be persistent… we need to be bold… we shall never cease in prayer… etc…”  Now, I will be the first to admit that I agree with these previous statements, but not for the same reason or motive.    

From my interaction with various individuals over this verse I have found that the reason or motive of persistence in prayer is often connected to and derived from the example of the persistent Widow.  “We need to be persistent like the Widow!  We need to follow her example!”  While her persistence is something to be commended, I would like to pose the question, “Why was she so persistent to begin with?” 

As we examine the text more carefully, the widow was persistent, bold and shameless because: the Judge did not fear God (i.e. he had no moral compass); the Judge did not care about man (i.e. he had no compassion for the Widow); the Judge was slow to give justice (i.e. he refused to listen for a time).  This persistence and boldness of the Widow makes perfect sense within the context of a ruthless, worthless and uncompassionate Judge.

Now we move to the crux of this article.  Are we to be persistent like the Widow because God is a ruthless, worthless and uncompassionate God like the Judge?  Obviously, we can all take a step back and say, “of course not!”  So, this raises the question of, “what on earth is this text about?”

In looking at this text one must be careful not to compare mankind to the Widow and God to the Judge, for God and the Judge are complete opposites and our relationship with God is totally different from the Widow’s relationship with the Judge.  If we compare God to the Judge in the text we limit and idolatrize God’s Character.  R.C.H Lenski on page 892 of his commentary on the Book of Luke states, “This parable is not a parable on perseverance in prayer.”  Rather the main thrust of the parable is to compare and contrast the ‘Unjust Judge’ with a ‘Just God’ who brings about Justice.  The New Bible Commentary comments on this on page 1009 saying, “If even an unjust judge who does not honor the laws of God and man can be induced to act by the incessant appeals of a widow, how much more will God act to uphold his people when they cry to Him….   The parable is essentially an encouragement to continue in prayer without losing heart right through the difficult times or waiting before the Son of Man comes.” 

This text shows us that we can continue in prayer because:  our God is not unjust but He is Just; our God is not uncompassionate but He is compassion; our God is not One who is deaf but One who listens.  Our God is good not evil!  As believers we continue in prayer not to overcome or persuade an evil God, rather we pray because God is good and just.  We pray not to overcome an uncompassionate, ruthless and worthless God; we pray because we already have a compassionate, caring and worth-ful God.  Just think about it!  If a ruthless and lousy Judge will respond to an insignificant Widow with no influence, how much more will a listening, just and gracious God respond without persistence to His own Children… even if the response is no or if God seems to put His answer on hold.    

In conclusion, one final note of context for us in prayer.  As we pray to our Gracious God, “…the general rule, whenever believers pray for temporal blessings, they pray conditionally (Matthew 26:39); but for temporary blessings, they pray unconditionally, since God has promised to grant them His grace, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation under all circumstances (2 Corinthians 12:9)”[1]

Let us persist in prayer for God is Good!

---

[1] J.T. Mueller, Christian Dogmatics (Concordia Publishing, 1934), 433.

Ending the "Worship Wars" 1:52 PM

Those who love hymns say that the new worship music doesn't have the depth that they so love. Those who love the new worship music say that the hymns are too dry sounding and "out of touch." And the war drags on; but both have valid points. How about doing more of what Page CXVI is doing? Here, a great modern band sings the old classic hymns. They just released their second album, and it is, in my opinion, excellent. Go to the link and you can hear all the songs in their entirety for free!

It seems to me that they find a healthy medium: Holding on to the lyrical depth of the great hymns, but tweaking it's tune a bit for a contemporary feel. I know, I know, purists on both sides will still have their preferences, and that's fine. But really, can we stop warring over worship and just get to worshiping? Theological depth and drums, I think can go together just fine..

Living Faith (CLBA) 10:47 AM

I just received this video of the church planting work being conducted in Watford City, ND. Living Faith LB Church is the result of God stirring hearts in Watford City, ND and giving the church the desire to simply share the gospel with their community.

Several Western Region Churches have been joining in the mission with Watford through financial giving, filling of the pulpit and prayer.

Video Link to Living Faith (CLBA):
Living Faith (CLBA)

National Day of Prayer - MAY 6th 9:20 AM

I hope you will take time to join millions of Americans to pray for our nation on Thursday, May 6th. If your church or a neighboring church is not opening its doors, you may want to invite a few friends to join you and your family.

The theme of this year's National Day of Prayer is:
Prayer - For such a time as this.

"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7

Pray humbly and with a repentant heart for our sins and the sins of our nation. Have we shared God's heart for the poor? (Matthew 25:37) the fatherless? the stranger in our midst? (Matthew 25:38) Have we done justice, loved kindness and walked humbly with our God? (Micah 6:8) Are we guilty of trusting in the "multitude of our chariots... but have not looked to the Holy One of Israel?" (Isaiah 31:1)

God have mercy on us and forgive us for Christ's sake.

Shel Sorensen
(CLB Prayer Team Coordinator)

PS Do not let controversy about the event keep you from praying; it will not keep God from hearing and answering!

PPS Would you please report back and tell us about your experience? We would like to share it with others.