Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Make my life a Bethlehem, Part 2
As I sat in worship on Christmas Eve at the 11 p.m. service, I found myself paying more attention to the hymns we were singing. One hymn was "O Little Town of Bethlehem." There's a line in that song that goes like this - Where meek souls will receive him, still the dear Christ enters in - just another place within the Lutheran hymnal that mentions the active will of the human being when it comes to our relationship with Christ. I believe even more that Christ has already done the job of saving us, but our relationship with Him isn't going to go anywhere if we don't accept, receive, and believe Him. It's not enough to believe in God. I think God is calling me to not simply believe in Him, but to believe Him, to believe what He speaks to me through His word. God is calling me to believe Him and nobody else. What everybody else says, I need to compare it with God's Word, the Holy Scriptures, and discern from there what He wants me to be doing with my life and how he wants me to act.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Make my Life a Bethlehem
This morning, I heard a sermon on this very phrase. The pastor mentioned that this was the advent theme this year at Central Lutheran Church in Elk River. The title of his sermon was "Shepherds and Angels," yet somehow he was able to tie in the advent theme as well, which led me to walk away excited for Christmas. Check out www.clcelkriver.org to hear the sermon. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click on "sermons online." It should be up in a couple of weeks. You might need Itunes in order to listen to it.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Life of Praise
Ephesians 5:12 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
"If we are to live a life of praise, we must be imitators of God - not imitators of the pastor, the head of the deacons, the well-dressed businessman at the end of the pew, or the lady up front who always raises her hands in worship, apparently sensing something we must be missing. A life of praise is authentic. It is personal. It is unmistakably stamped with the seal of the King of the universe. There is no doubt to Whom a person living a life of praise is surrendered. . . . When I faithfully pursue God, spending time with Him in Bible study and a spirit of unceasing prayer, then I'm completed by Him. He indeed is all I need. Somehow, Sunday shifts places within the week. It is no longer the last and merely dutiful day of the weekend before another mundane Monday. Instead, it's the first day of a new week of new life. It is first-fruits to God. When I walk into church, I see people like He sees them. I see others as people who need to see the love of Jesus through me. In other words, I recognize and acknowledge that I'm an instrument. I walk in and want to sit by others as a ministry. I want to help greet visitors. I want to make sure somebody called those who were sick. Why? Because a life of praise comes from understanding that this life is not about us. It's about something bigger than us. It's about loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments. (Matthew 22:35-40). . . . Look back at Ephesians 5:1-2, which gives two instructions. Not only are we to be imitators of God, but we also are to live a life of love. Exactly. When we imitate a holy God, we live a life of love. We live a life of praise." - Mark Hall, LifeStories, pg. 98, 101, 103
"If we are to live a life of praise, we must be imitators of God - not imitators of the pastor, the head of the deacons, the well-dressed businessman at the end of the pew, or the lady up front who always raises her hands in worship, apparently sensing something we must be missing. A life of praise is authentic. It is personal. It is unmistakably stamped with the seal of the King of the universe. There is no doubt to Whom a person living a life of praise is surrendered. . . . When I faithfully pursue God, spending time with Him in Bible study and a spirit of unceasing prayer, then I'm completed by Him. He indeed is all I need. Somehow, Sunday shifts places within the week. It is no longer the last and merely dutiful day of the weekend before another mundane Monday. Instead, it's the first day of a new week of new life. It is first-fruits to God. When I walk into church, I see people like He sees them. I see others as people who need to see the love of Jesus through me. In other words, I recognize and acknowledge that I'm an instrument. I walk in and want to sit by others as a ministry. I want to help greet visitors. I want to make sure somebody called those who were sick. Why? Because a life of praise comes from understanding that this life is not about us. It's about something bigger than us. It's about loving God and loving others, the two greatest commandments. (Matthew 22:35-40). . . . Look back at Ephesians 5:1-2, which gives two instructions. Not only are we to be imitators of God, but we also are to live a life of love. Exactly. When we imitate a holy God, we live a life of love. We live a life of praise." - Mark Hall, LifeStories, pg. 98, 101, 103
Praise you with the Dance
"There is so much of my salvation that He arranged and performed - and I have so little to do with it - that it just makes me want to worship Him even more.
"Many believers assume they somehow initiated a relationship with God, which creates misunderstanding in many areas. Think about it: If I created this moment, I can un-create this moment. If I began this relationship, I can end it. If I did something that connected me with God, I can possibly do something that will disconnect me from Him. No, we must remember that when (we) were dead in our trespasses, God reached down, enlightened us, quickened our spirits, gave us the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit, and yanked us out of deep garbage.
"There are days in which, for some inexplicable reason, I attempt to drag Him back through that garbage, but He always pulls me out. It's not my grip on Him that matters; it's His grip on me. I did nothing to make Him love me, and I can't do anything to make Him stop.
"It's enough to make me want to praise Him. Maybe even with a little dance." - Mark Hall, LifeStories, pg.89-90
"Many believers assume they somehow initiated a relationship with God, which creates misunderstanding in many areas. Think about it: If I created this moment, I can un-create this moment. If I began this relationship, I can end it. If I did something that connected me with God, I can possibly do something that will disconnect me from Him. No, we must remember that when (we) were dead in our trespasses, God reached down, enlightened us, quickened our spirits, gave us the gifts of faith and the Holy Spirit, and yanked us out of deep garbage.
"There are days in which, for some inexplicable reason, I attempt to drag Him back through that garbage, but He always pulls me out. It's not my grip on Him that matters; it's His grip on me. I did nothing to make Him love me, and I can't do anything to make Him stop.
"It's enough to make me want to praise Him. Maybe even with a little dance." - Mark Hall, LifeStories, pg.89-90
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
A case for infant baptism
I was reading in Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians (yes, I know, it seems like the only thing I've been reading lately) and what I read was really interesting. It never dawned on me until this afternoon that God bestowed upon Abraham the promises many many many years before God gave Moses the law. Here's the quote from Luther:
Galatians 3:17 says: "This is what I mean: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void."
Here's what Luther says about this verse:
"God acted properly in giving the promise such a long time before the Law, lest it be said that righteousness is given through the Law, not through the promise. Moreover, it was intentional that He preceded the Law with the promises; for if He had wanted us to be justified by the Law, He would have given it four hundred and thirty years before the promise or certainly with the promise. But now He is completely silent about the Law at first; He establishes it finally after four hundred and thirty years. Meanwhile, for that entire time, He speaks about His promises. Therefore the blessing and the gift of righteousness came before the Law, through the promise. And therefore the promise is superior to the Law. Thus the Law does not abrogate the promise. But faith in the promise, by which believers were saved even before Christ was revealed, and which is now being preached through the Gospel to all the nations of the universe, destroys the Law, so that it can no longer increase sin or terrify sinners or reduce to despair those who take hold of the promise by faith.
"A great emphasis, or rather irony, is concealed in Paul’s explicit reference to four hundred and thirty years. It is as though he were saying: “If you understand arithmetic, count on your fingers what the interval is between the giving of the promise and the Law. Certainly there was a promise a long time ago, even while there was no Law (that is, for four hundred and thirty years).” Therefore this is a rather vigorous argument based on a specific interval.
"Here Paul is not speaking about the Law in general but only about the written Law. It is as though he were saying: “God could not regard our worship, works, and merits that did not yet exist, because there was as yet no Law that commanded worship, required works, and promised life to those who kept it. ‘He who does them’ He says ‘shall live by them.’ Thus if I were to give a field or a house to a man to whom I owed nothing and did so not out of constraint but purely out of good will, and if after twenty or more years had passed since I did him this favor I imposed a law upon him about doing this or that, he could not say that he had merited the favor by his works when he had received it from me so many years before by sheer grace, without my having requested anything of him. In the same way God could not regard works and merits that preceded righteousness, because the promise and the gift of the Holy Spirit came four hundred and thirty years before the Law.” This is what Paul stresses in irony."
Hopefully you can figure out what I'm thinking without my articulating it.
Galatians 3:17 says: "This is what I mean: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years afterward, does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void."
Here's what Luther says about this verse:
"God acted properly in giving the promise such a long time before the Law, lest it be said that righteousness is given through the Law, not through the promise. Moreover, it was intentional that He preceded the Law with the promises; for if He had wanted us to be justified by the Law, He would have given it four hundred and thirty years before the promise or certainly with the promise. But now He is completely silent about the Law at first; He establishes it finally after four hundred and thirty years. Meanwhile, for that entire time, He speaks about His promises. Therefore the blessing and the gift of righteousness came before the Law, through the promise. And therefore the promise is superior to the Law. Thus the Law does not abrogate the promise. But faith in the promise, by which believers were saved even before Christ was revealed, and which is now being preached through the Gospel to all the nations of the universe, destroys the Law, so that it can no longer increase sin or terrify sinners or reduce to despair those who take hold of the promise by faith.
"A great emphasis, or rather irony, is concealed in Paul’s explicit reference to four hundred and thirty years. It is as though he were saying: “If you understand arithmetic, count on your fingers what the interval is between the giving of the promise and the Law. Certainly there was a promise a long time ago, even while there was no Law (that is, for four hundred and thirty years).” Therefore this is a rather vigorous argument based on a specific interval.
"Here Paul is not speaking about the Law in general but only about the written Law. It is as though he were saying: “God could not regard our worship, works, and merits that did not yet exist, because there was as yet no Law that commanded worship, required works, and promised life to those who kept it. ‘He who does them’ He says ‘shall live by them.’ Thus if I were to give a field or a house to a man to whom I owed nothing and did so not out of constraint but purely out of good will, and if after twenty or more years had passed since I did him this favor I imposed a law upon him about doing this or that, he could not say that he had merited the favor by his works when he had received it from me so many years before by sheer grace, without my having requested anything of him. In the same way God could not regard works and merits that preceded righteousness, because the promise and the gift of the Holy Spirit came four hundred and thirty years before the Law.” This is what Paul stresses in irony."
Hopefully you can figure out what I'm thinking without my articulating it.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Even more from Martin Luther
Therefore a man becomes a Christian, not by working but by listening. And so anyone who wants to exert himself toward righteousness must first exert himself in listening to the Gospel. Now when he has heard and accepted this, let him joyfully give thanks to God, and then let him exert himself in good works that are commanded in the Law; thus the Law and works will follow hearing with faith. Then he will be able to walk safely in the light that is Christ; to be certain about choosing and doing works that are not hypocritical but truly good, pleasing to God, and commanded by, Him; and to reject all the mummery of self-chosen works. - Luther's Commentary on Galatians 3:2.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
More from Martin Luther
Now these words, “who loved me,” are filled with faith. Anyone who can speak this brief pronoun “me” in faith and apply it to himself as Paul did, will, like Paul, be the best of debaters against the Law.
I am revived by this “giving” of the Son of God into death, and I apply it to myself. This applying is the true power of faith.
As I have said, faith grasps and embraces Christ, the Son of God, who was given for us, as Paul teaches here. When He has been grasped by faith, we have righteousness and life. For Christ is the Son of God, who gave Himself out of sheer love to redeem me.
Therefore read these words “me” and “for me” with great emphasis, and accustom yourself to accepting this “me” with a sure faith and applying it to yourself. Do not doubt that you belong to the number of those who speak this “me.” Christ did not love only Peter and Paul and give Himself for them, but the same grace belongs and comes to us as to them; therefore we are included in this “me.” For just as We cannot deny that we are all sinners, and just as we are obliged to say that through his sin Adam destroyed us and made us enemies of God who are liable to God’s wrath and judgment and worthy of eternal death—for all terrified hearts feel and confess this, in fact, more than is proper—so we cannot deny that Christ died for our sins in order that we might be justified. For He did not die to make the righteous righteous; He died to make sinners into righteous men, the friends and sons of God, and heirs of all heavenly gifts. Therefore since I feel and confess that I am a sinner on account of the transgression of Adam, why should I not say that I am righteous on account of the righteousness of Christ, especially when I hear that He loved me and gave Himself for me? Paul believed this most firmly, and therefore he speaks with such πληροφορία.
- All of these come from Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians 2:20. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."
I am revived by this “giving” of the Son of God into death, and I apply it to myself. This applying is the true power of faith.
As I have said, faith grasps and embraces Christ, the Son of God, who was given for us, as Paul teaches here. When He has been grasped by faith, we have righteousness and life. For Christ is the Son of God, who gave Himself out of sheer love to redeem me.
Therefore read these words “me” and “for me” with great emphasis, and accustom yourself to accepting this “me” with a sure faith and applying it to yourself. Do not doubt that you belong to the number of those who speak this “me.” Christ did not love only Peter and Paul and give Himself for them, but the same grace belongs and comes to us as to them; therefore we are included in this “me.” For just as We cannot deny that we are all sinners, and just as we are obliged to say that through his sin Adam destroyed us and made us enemies of God who are liable to God’s wrath and judgment and worthy of eternal death—for all terrified hearts feel and confess this, in fact, more than is proper—so we cannot deny that Christ died for our sins in order that we might be justified. For He did not die to make the righteous righteous; He died to make sinners into righteous men, the friends and sons of God, and heirs of all heavenly gifts. Therefore since I feel and confess that I am a sinner on account of the transgression of Adam, why should I not say that I am righteous on account of the righteousness of Christ, especially when I hear that He loved me and gave Himself for me? Paul believed this most firmly, and therefore he speaks with such πληροφορία.
- All of these come from Martin Luther's commentary on Galatians 2:20. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. The life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Monday, December 3, 2007
Martin Luther quotes and reflections
Consciences should be carefully taught to understand the doctrine of the distinction between the righteousness of the Law and that of grace. The righteousness of grace simply does not pertain to the flesh. For the flesh must not be free but must stay in the grave, in the prison, and on the couch. It must be subjected to the Law and be disciplined by the Egyptians. But the Christian conscience must be dead to the Law, that is, free from the Law, and must have no business with it. This important and basic doctrine does much to comfort afflicted consciences. Therefore when you see a man terrified and saddened by a consciousness of sin, say: “Brother, you are not distinguishing properly. Into your conscience you are putting the Law, which belongs in the flesh. Wake up, get up, and remember that you believe in Christ, the Victor over the Law and sin. With this faith you will transcend the Law and enter into grace, where there is neither Law nor sin. And although the Law and sins still exist, they have nothing to do with you; for you are dead to the Law and to sins.”
This is easy enough to say. But blessed is the man who knows this properly amid a conflict of conscience, who, when sin attacks him and the Law accuses and terrifies him, can say: “Law, what is it to me if you make me guilty and convict me of having committed many sins? In fact, I am still committing many sins every day. This does not affect me; I am deaf and do not hear you. Therefore you are telling your story to a deaf man, for I am deaf to you. But if you really want to argue with me about sins, then go over to my flesh and my limbs, which are my servants. Teach them; discipline and crucify them. But do not trouble my conscience, which is lord and king; for I have nothing to do with you. For I am dead to you; I now live to Christ, where I am under another Law, namely, the Law of grace, which rules over sin and the Law. - Luther's Works on Galatians 2:19.
No Law, no matter how divine or holy, has the right to tell me that I obtain justification and life through it. I will grant that it can teach me that I should love God and my neighbor, and live in chastity, patience, etc.; but it is in no position to show me how to be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell. - Luther's Works on Galatians 2:4-5.
I've been reading a lot of Martin Luther lately and I've been thoroughly enjoying all of it. These are just some of the highlights. Luther also talks a little bit about Galatians 2:20, which says, "It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me." "I" is no longer the subject. "Christ" is now the subject and the "I" that was the subject becomes the "me" that is the object. Therefore, Christ is the subject and I am the object. Never do I want to be the subject of my relationship with Christ, therefore I wake up everyday and apply Galatians 2:20 to my life. I will post the exact quote at a later point in time with clearer thoughts on that idea.
This is easy enough to say. But blessed is the man who knows this properly amid a conflict of conscience, who, when sin attacks him and the Law accuses and terrifies him, can say: “Law, what is it to me if you make me guilty and convict me of having committed many sins? In fact, I am still committing many sins every day. This does not affect me; I am deaf and do not hear you. Therefore you are telling your story to a deaf man, for I am deaf to you. But if you really want to argue with me about sins, then go over to my flesh and my limbs, which are my servants. Teach them; discipline and crucify them. But do not trouble my conscience, which is lord and king; for I have nothing to do with you. For I am dead to you; I now live to Christ, where I am under another Law, namely, the Law of grace, which rules over sin and the Law. - Luther's Works on Galatians 2:19.
No Law, no matter how divine or holy, has the right to tell me that I obtain justification and life through it. I will grant that it can teach me that I should love God and my neighbor, and live in chastity, patience, etc.; but it is in no position to show me how to be delivered from sin, the devil, death, and hell. - Luther's Works on Galatians 2:4-5.
I've been reading a lot of Martin Luther lately and I've been thoroughly enjoying all of it. These are just some of the highlights. Luther also talks a little bit about Galatians 2:20, which says, "It is not I who live, but Christ who lives in me." "I" is no longer the subject. "Christ" is now the subject and the "I" that was the subject becomes the "me" that is the object. Therefore, Christ is the subject and I am the object. Never do I want to be the subject of my relationship with Christ, therefore I wake up everyday and apply Galatians 2:20 to my life. I will post the exact quote at a later point in time with clearer thoughts on that idea.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Does God change His mind?
For the past couple of weeks, I've been hearing in a couple of my classes that God changes His mind. This could be due to His intimate relationships with the prophets of the Old Testament or maybe the prayers of people who are suffering in various situations today. However, tonight as I was reading in Genesis, I read something I found rather interesting.
"The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth---men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air---for I am grieved that I have made them." - Genesis 6:6-7 - Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
Here's what the commentary says about these verses: "Does this mean that God regretted creating humanity? Was he admitting he made a mistake? No. God does not change his mind (1 Samuel 15:29). Instead, he was expressing sorrow for what the people had done to themselves, as a parent might express sorrow over a rebellious child. God was sorry that the people chose sin and death instead of a relationship with him."
I then went to read the verse in 1 Samuel, and here's what verses 28-29 say: Samuel said to (Saul), 'The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors---to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.'" This text leads me to Numbers 23:19 which says: "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
Malachi 3:6 says: "I the Lord do not change." James 1:17 says: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
This gives me reason to believe that God doesn't change His mind, but instead by calling us into a relationship with Him, gives us just a taste of what He's up to in the world and how He wants us to join Him in accomplishing His purpose in the lives of individuals and communities we come in contact with everyday.
"The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, 'I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth---men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air---for I am grieved that I have made them." - Genesis 6:6-7 - Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
Here's what the commentary says about these verses: "Does this mean that God regretted creating humanity? Was he admitting he made a mistake? No. God does not change his mind (1 Samuel 15:29). Instead, he was expressing sorrow for what the people had done to themselves, as a parent might express sorrow over a rebellious child. God was sorry that the people chose sin and death instead of a relationship with him."
I then went to read the verse in 1 Samuel, and here's what verses 28-29 say: Samuel said to (Saul), 'The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors---to one better than you. He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.'" This text leads me to Numbers 23:19 which says: "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
Malachi 3:6 says: "I the Lord do not change." James 1:17 says: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
This gives me reason to believe that God doesn't change His mind, but instead by calling us into a relationship with Him, gives us just a taste of what He's up to in the world and how He wants us to join Him in accomplishing His purpose in the lives of individuals and communities we come in contact with everyday.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
An Abraham type of call story
Three years ago, I was teaching band in Seymour, IA. When God started calling me to ministry, more specifically to Luther Seminary, I fought it. Maybe it's more accurate to say I didn't fight it because I'd fought it twice before. But I still thought the idea was nuts because at the time, I had no desire to come back to the Lutheran church. God made clear to me what Paul said in one of his letters to the Corinthians. He said, "who is Apollos? Who is Paul? Nothing, but servants through whom you came to believe. For it is Paul who planted, Apollos who watered, but God who gave the growth." So I decided to pray this out and see what God was up to.
Three years later, I'm at seminary. When I realized God was calling me here and wasn't going to let me run away from it this time, I had no clue what God was doing. I was just simply stepping out in faith. I was talking to someone about my candidacy committee's decision on my endorsement, which I'm 100% OK with. I had been asked by someone on my committee if I had ever thought about going to a Baptist seminary and pursuing ordained ministry within the Baptist denomination. I said I hadn't because when I began praying and asking God how He planned on carrying this out, He revealed Luther Seminary to me. So I decided to do the MDiv track which leads to ordained ministry, though I had no idea why I even decided to do that. Maybe I could have become a member of a Baptist church and gone through candidacy in the Baptist denomination but still have gone to Luther, but that's not exactly the way God paved for me. Somehow, He paved this way for me, and I have no idea why.
Back to the conversation with one of my classmates. I was telling her about this and she related my story to Abraham's story in Genesis. God called Abraham to simply go to the land He would show him. Abraham obeyed while not having any idea what God was up to. I have no idea what God is up to, but I believe God's in total control and will reveal what He's up to when I need to know. Right now, I'm just simply praying about a particular type of ministry that God is slowly giving me a desire for and doing some of my own research about that ministry. Even as I pray about that ministry, I still have no clue if that's why God called me to Luther to begin with. So I continue walking down this journey, trusting that God will bring to fruition what He has begun in me.
Three years later, I'm at seminary. When I realized God was calling me here and wasn't going to let me run away from it this time, I had no clue what God was doing. I was just simply stepping out in faith. I was talking to someone about my candidacy committee's decision on my endorsement, which I'm 100% OK with. I had been asked by someone on my committee if I had ever thought about going to a Baptist seminary and pursuing ordained ministry within the Baptist denomination. I said I hadn't because when I began praying and asking God how He planned on carrying this out, He revealed Luther Seminary to me. So I decided to do the MDiv track which leads to ordained ministry, though I had no idea why I even decided to do that. Maybe I could have become a member of a Baptist church and gone through candidacy in the Baptist denomination but still have gone to Luther, but that's not exactly the way God paved for me. Somehow, He paved this way for me, and I have no idea why.
Back to the conversation with one of my classmates. I was telling her about this and she related my story to Abraham's story in Genesis. God called Abraham to simply go to the land He would show him. Abraham obeyed while not having any idea what God was up to. I have no idea what God is up to, but I believe God's in total control and will reveal what He's up to when I need to know. Right now, I'm just simply praying about a particular type of ministry that God is slowly giving me a desire for and doing some of my own research about that ministry. Even as I pray about that ministry, I still have no clue if that's why God called me to Luther to begin with. So I continue walking down this journey, trusting that God will bring to fruition what He has begun in me.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
CPE and submitting to God's Will
Last week, I was offered a position to fulfill my CPE requirement at a nursing home in the spring. I spent some time thinking about it knowing I didn't really want to do it in the spring. Last Thursday, I had a conversation with God about it and less than 24 hours later, I got an email from the supervisor at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN about scheduling an interview. I went down for an interview today and was offered a spot for the summer down there. My roommate had suggested a month ago that I send her an email letting her know of my interest, but I never felt like I was supposed to.
I've also discovered recently that when I lay things down at the foot of the cross, God gives me a peace about what I've prayed about. My experience this past week with CPE interviews are a good example about that.
Hopefully, tomorrow's entry is much more coherent.
I've also discovered recently that when I lay things down at the foot of the cross, God gives me a peace about what I've prayed about. My experience this past week with CPE interviews are a good example about that.
Hopefully, tomorrow's entry is much more coherent.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
God, Evil, Suffering, Spiritual Warfare
This semester I'm taking a class called God, Evil, and Suffering. I've been wondering for the last month when it would be a good time to bring up the idea of spiritual warfare. This week is the time. Here is my precept paper I wrote for this week.
This whole semester I’ve been wondering why we haven’t spent any time talking about where the devil might fit into the problem of evil. The whole idea of spiritual warfare is something that I believe to be real and therefore have wondered when it would be best to bring up that subject in precept. Our reading in Hall’s book, God and Human Suffering gave me a reason to bring up the subject of spiritual warfare.
In the section of the Theology of the Cross, Hall writes, “What adjective do we use for God more frequently (especially in our prayers) than ‘Almighty’? Jesus, in our hymns and liturgies, turns out again and again to be the Victor, the Conqueror, the Warrior-prince, the Captain of souls, the Slayer of foes. The church is ‘like a mighty army,’ a powerful and glorious movement, a crusade, waging battle (mission?) against all comers. The life of faith, accordingly, is a fight, a conflict with unbelievers, a struggle against the flesh, and so on.”[1] He goes on to say that this type of power betrays the more subtle “wisdom of the cross” in 1 Corinthians 1-2 and that the only power that can address suffering humanity is the power of love made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I don’t believe that type of power Hall talks about betrays the wisdom of the cross. What I do believe is that on the cross is where we find that power. It’s just not revealed to us until the resurrection occurs. I believe that within the suffering of Christ comes victory. According to 1 John 3:8, “The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Hebrews 2:14 says that since the children of God share flesh and blood, Christ himself shared the same things, “so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Paul also encourages people in his letter to the Ephesians. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”[2]
I believe that we are in the middle of spiritual warfare. In John 10:10, Jesus says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but that He has come to bring abundant life. I believe there is a thief at work in the world, and in individual people as well. But then the question could be raised, “Did God decide to plant us within this spiritual warfare?” I would answer no. When I read Genesis, I read that God created humankind in his image. It was after He created humankind that we were tempted and gave into temptation. I believe it was, and is, our giving into temptation that gives the devil a foothold in this world.
[1] Hall, Douglas John, God and Human Suffering, pg. 106
[2] Ephesians 6:10-12
This whole semester I’ve been wondering why we haven’t spent any time talking about where the devil might fit into the problem of evil. The whole idea of spiritual warfare is something that I believe to be real and therefore have wondered when it would be best to bring up that subject in precept. Our reading in Hall’s book, God and Human Suffering gave me a reason to bring up the subject of spiritual warfare.
In the section of the Theology of the Cross, Hall writes, “What adjective do we use for God more frequently (especially in our prayers) than ‘Almighty’? Jesus, in our hymns and liturgies, turns out again and again to be the Victor, the Conqueror, the Warrior-prince, the Captain of souls, the Slayer of foes. The church is ‘like a mighty army,’ a powerful and glorious movement, a crusade, waging battle (mission?) against all comers. The life of faith, accordingly, is a fight, a conflict with unbelievers, a struggle against the flesh, and so on.”[1] He goes on to say that this type of power betrays the more subtle “wisdom of the cross” in 1 Corinthians 1-2 and that the only power that can address suffering humanity is the power of love made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
I don’t believe that type of power Hall talks about betrays the wisdom of the cross. What I do believe is that on the cross is where we find that power. It’s just not revealed to us until the resurrection occurs. I believe that within the suffering of Christ comes victory. According to 1 John 3:8, “The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” Hebrews 2:14 says that since the children of God share flesh and blood, Christ himself shared the same things, “so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil.” Paul also encourages people in his letter to the Ephesians. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”[2]
I believe that we are in the middle of spiritual warfare. In John 10:10, Jesus says the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but that He has come to bring abundant life. I believe there is a thief at work in the world, and in individual people as well. But then the question could be raised, “Did God decide to plant us within this spiritual warfare?” I would answer no. When I read Genesis, I read that God created humankind in his image. It was after He created humankind that we were tempted and gave into temptation. I believe it was, and is, our giving into temptation that gives the devil a foothold in this world.
[1] Hall, Douglas John, God and Human Suffering, pg. 106
[2] Ephesians 6:10-12
Dismantling Racism
I'm learning not to take into much account the opinions of other people. My workshop tonight in preparation of a cross-cultural trip to Pine Ridge, SD was very eye-opening. Here's what the handout said.
Defining Racism
1. If we want to work on solutions to racism, we need a common definition and a common analysis of racism.
2. Racism is not the same thing as individual race prejudice, bias and bigotry. All people are racially prejudiced (regardless of racial/ethnic identity). It is part of the air we breathe. It is socialized into every person. But this does not mean that everyone is racist.
3. Racism is more than race prejudice. It is more than individual attitudes and actions. Racism is the collective actions of a dominant racial group.
4. Power turns race prejudice into racism. Racial prejudice becomes racism when one group's racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of a society, giving power and privilege based on racial identity to the group in power, and limiting the power and privilege of the racial groups that are not in power. Racism is, therefore, the misuse of systemic power.
Race prejudice + The power of systems and institutions = RACISM (the misuse of power by systems and institutions)
Our presenter closed with a passage from Isaiah 62:1, which says, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch." My question is, what does salvation look like, not only for white people, but for people of color regarding the issue of racism? When I got home from the workshop, I read some more of that chapter from Isaiah. Verses 2-5 shed some more light on the subject. "The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
Defining Racism
1. If we want to work on solutions to racism, we need a common definition and a common analysis of racism.
2. Racism is not the same thing as individual race prejudice, bias and bigotry. All people are racially prejudiced (regardless of racial/ethnic identity). It is part of the air we breathe. It is socialized into every person. But this does not mean that everyone is racist.
3. Racism is more than race prejudice. It is more than individual attitudes and actions. Racism is the collective actions of a dominant racial group.
4. Power turns race prejudice into racism. Racial prejudice becomes racism when one group's racial prejudices are enforced by the systems and institutions of a society, giving power and privilege based on racial identity to the group in power, and limiting the power and privilege of the racial groups that are not in power. Racism is, therefore, the misuse of systemic power.
Race prejudice + The power of systems and institutions = RACISM (the misuse of power by systems and institutions)
Our presenter closed with a passage from Isaiah 62:1, which says, "For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until her vindication shines out like the dawn, and her salvation like a burning torch." My question is, what does salvation look like, not only for white people, but for people of color regarding the issue of racism? When I got home from the workshop, I read some more of that chapter from Isaiah. Verses 2-5 shed some more light on the subject. "The nations shall see your vindication, and all the kings your glory; and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your builder marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you."
Monday, November 5, 2007
Genesis 1-3
I heard something about Genesis 3 at Alpha last night that I thought was pretty interesting. Our pastor was talking about resisting the devil and talked about the serpent tempting Eve. He talked about this story as if it were happening today. God says to Eve, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." God is punishing Eve by telling her she is going to experience raising kids who choose sin over obedience. God is also telling her she will desire her husband. In today's society, some women love their husbands even though their husbands beat them. God goes on to punish Adam in verses 17-19 by telling Adam he's going to be a workaholic. Adam's job was to till the ground, but now he will seek meaning in life by working constantly.
What's cool about this is that as soon as Adam and Eve ate the apple and discovered their shame and hid, God set in motion a plan redemption that would come to fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Praise God for that redemption from sin!
What's cool about this is that as soon as Adam and Eve ate the apple and discovered their shame and hid, God set in motion a plan redemption that would come to fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Praise God for that redemption from sin!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Life at Seminary
I've decided to enter the world of blogging to let people know what's going on at seminary. It's been quite a journey the last year and a half and I still don't completely understand what God is doing in me. I also decided to try this method of journaling about my own quiet time with God.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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