Sunday, September 30, 2012

Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture - 2012



Commemoration of Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture
September 30, 2012

The Lord be with you

Jerome - Guido Reni
Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius, more commonly called Jerome, the Anglicized from of Hieronymus, died September 30, 420. Marking the day of his birth into glory, the Church commemorates this great saint on this day. Jerome was born in the little village of Stridon, on the Adriatic Sea, around 345 ad. Jerome came from a moderately well-off Christian family. He was tutored at home until about the age of twelve, when he went to study in Rome. He was an outstanding student, and he acquired a considerable reputation. His moral life was far from blameless, but he remained close to Christianity, and at the close of his studies at the age of nineteen, he was baptized. After extensive travels, he chose the life of a monk and spent five years in the Syrian Desert. There he learned Hebrew, the language of the Old Testament. After ordination into the priesthood at Antioch (against his wishes) visits to Rome and Constantinople, and attending the Second Ecumenical Council (381), Jerome settled in Bethlehem.

While in Rome, Pope Damasus commissioned him to do a fresh translation of the Bible from the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, into Latin, the common language of his time. There were other translations already, but their reliability was uneven, at best. Jerome’s translation, called the Vulgate from the Latin meaning “common,” was the authoritative version of the Bible in the Western Church for more than a thousand years. While many of his works and letters have survived to this day, the Vulgate was the great work of his life and for what he is most remembered. He is considered one of the great scholars of the Early Church. He was originally interred at Bethlehem, where he died, but his remains were eventually taken to Rome.

Collect for the Commemoration of Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture: O Lord, God of truth, Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light on our path. You gave Your servant Jerome delight in his study of Holy Scripture. May those who continue to read, mark, and inwardly digest Your Word find in it the food of salvation and the fountain of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Other things you might want to include in your prayers:
  • For an increase love of the Scriptures
  • For students and scholars of the Bible
  • For translators of the Scriptures
  • For the spread of the Scriptures

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Saturday, September 29, 2012

Festival of St. Michael and All Angels - 2012



Festival of St. Michael and All Angels
September 29, 2012

The Lord be with you

September 29 is the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels. The name of the Archangel Michael is Hebrew and means “Who is like God?” Michael is mentioned in the Book of Daniel (10:13ff; 12:1), as well as in Jude (v. 9) and Revelation (12:7). Daniel portrays Michael as the angelic helper of Israel who leads the battle against the forces of evil. In Revelation, Michael and his angels fight against and defeat Satan and the evil angels, driving them from heaven. Their victory is made possible by Christ’s own victory over Satan and His death and resurrection, a victory announced by the voice in heaven: “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come” (Revelation 12:10). Michael is often associated with Gabriel and Raphael, the other chief angels or archangels who surround the throne of God. Tradition names Michael as the patron and protector of the Church, especially as the protector of Christians at the hour of death.

Most Feasts, Festivals, and Commemorations for individuals fall on the anniversary of their death. Quite obviously, that is not possible for Michael, must less “all” the angels. This date was selected because, on it, the basilica of St Michael the Archangel on the via Salaria outside Rome was dedicated in the fifteenth century.

Angels are very popular these days, but much of the “information” concerning them is from extra-biblical sources. However, the Bible is far from silent concerning these, the chief creatures of the invisible creation. The word “angel” appears 194 times in the English Standard translation of the Bible. The word “angels” appears 89 times. The majority of these references (77) occur in the book of Revelation. The word “angel” means “messenger” and so it is not at all surprising that they are often depicted as being messengers (Genesis 16:7; Luke 1:26-38; 24:23; etc.). We are told that they are keenly involved in the worship of God (Psalm 103:20; 148:2; Revelation 7:11; etc.), and this is reflected at the end of the Preface during a Communion Service, where we pray “Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your glorious Name; evermore praising You, and saying …”, thus joining our worship with the worship of the angels. Unlike humanity, angels have no natural physical body (Hebrews 1:7). They are spiritual beings only. However, they can appear with physical bodies as their duties require it (Genesis 19:1-2; Luke 24:4-5; etc.). No human actually knows how many angels there are, but we know that they are extremely numerous (2 Kings 6:17; Matthew 26:33; Revelation 5:11). While they know a lot, they are not all-knowing (Matthew 24:36; 1 Peter 1:12). While they are far more powerful than anything in the visible creation (2 Chronicles 32:20-21; 2 Peter 2:11), they are not all-powerful (Daniel 10:13). Jesus tells us that they watch over children (Matthew 18:10) and rejoice when someone repents and comes to faith in our Lord (Luke 15:10). No one knows exactly when the angels were created but, based on Genesis 2:1-2, it is safely assumed that their creation was sometime before the end of day six of the creation week. Angels are also genderless, being neither male nor female (Matthew 22:30). The Bible often depicts the visible manifestation of angels as men, but that is probably simply to accent their power. Sometimes they also appear as fantastic beings. For example, the name seraphim (Isaiah 6:2-6) means “burning ones,” and these angels apparently can appear like living fire. The cherubim (which means “mighty ones”) in Ezekiel 10 are so strange looking that I don’t think an artist can fully depict them. (See also Revelation 4:6-8.) While more could be said about angels, based on the Bible, I think the most remarkable thing about them is that they serve us! That doesn’t mean that the angels are at our beck and call, but that God assigns them to serve us, carrying out God’s will for us (Hebrews 1:14).

Collect for the Festival of St. Michael and All Angels: Everlasting God, You have ordained and constituted the service of angels and men in a wonderful order. Mercifully grant that, as Your holy angels always serve and worship You in heaven, so by Your appointment they may also help and defend us here on earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Other things you might pray about:
  • For an enlarged sense of God’s creation
  • For awe before the immensity of creation
  • For purity to join the songs of the angels
  • For an awareness of the unity of the praise of heaven and earth
  • Thanks for the ministry of angels among us
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Did Jesus Have A Wife?



What Does the Coptic Fragment Entitled the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife Tell Us?



Two newspaper articles published on September 18, 2012, one by Laurie Goodstein in the New York Times and one by Lisa Wangsness in the BostonGlobe, broke a story that has prompted a lot of buzz in the media. Karen King, the Hollis Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School and a specialist in Gnosticism, shared evidence with both the general public and scholars about a small fragment of papyrus, dated to the 4th century A.D. and measuring about 1.5 inches by 3 inches, that has a Coptic text on it which includes a supposed statement of Jesus to His disciples that reads (when translated): “Jesus said to them, ‘My wife . . . .’” The fragment, which King provocatively titled the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife, has set off some speculation that Jesus was indeed married (e.g., Simcha Jacobovici of The Lost Tomb of Jesus fame) or at least some “early Christians” taught so. Before jumping to such conclusions, it is important to evaluate the authenticity of this fragment and what it does or does not tell us.

To her credit and unlike the shroud of secrecy surrounding the announcement of the Gospel of Judas just a few years ago, King has released a high-resolution photograph of the fragment and the pre-publication version of an extensive article detailing her research that is scheduled to be published in Harvard Theological Review 106:1 (January 2013). It is noteworthy that the third sentence of her article addresses speculation head-on: “It [this fragment] does not, however, provide evidence that the historical Jesus was married, given the late date of the fragment and the probable date of original composition only in the second half of the second century” (p. 1; emphasis original). The release of this information to the general public coincided with her announcement of the find to the Tenth International Congress of Coptic Studies that was meeting in Rome. Based upon the information that has been released, what can we reliably know?

First, although the dating of this papyrus fragment to the 4th century A.D. has been confirmed by two papyrologists, the ink has not been tested to confirm that it is consistent with ink used in documents of a similar age and hardly anything is known about the history of this fragment. With some finds like the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Nag Hammadi Codices, the manuscripts that came to the attention of scholars could be traced back to where they were actually discovered. What is known about this fragment’s history prior to an antiquities dealer delivering it to King for evaluation in December 2011 is that its previous owner apparently had it examined by a German scholar in the early 1980s. That information is not of much help in understanding the history of this fragment, except that it does not appear to be a forgery done in the past three decades. It is noteworthy that some of the scholars of Coptic at the international congress who examined the fragment had serious doubts about its authenticity; even a non-specialist like me is suspicious when the Coptic proclitic pronoun translated “my” in “my wife” appears darker than the rest of the text. It is surprising that more has not yet been done to confirm its authenticity. If the ink can be dated to the age of the papyrus on which it is written, however, the logical conclusion would be that it was originally from Egypt where Coptic, which is a language that developed from Greek and Middle Egyptian, was widely used on papyrus.

Second, it is important to emphasize that it is very difficult to interpret this small amount of text without a context. All we have is eight partial lines of Coptic that have been cut off on both sides, which means that it is even difficult to see how the eight lines are related. From the few phrases that we have, we can gather that the text contains a supposed conversation between Jesus and His disciples about “Mary” (Mary Magdalene or his mother?) and “my wife” being worthy to be among His disciples. This text does not match the text of any extant biblical or extra-biblical writing. Because the fragment contains a supposed conversation of Jesus, it has been theorized that it is from an unknown Gospel, yet King herself states: “With a fragment this small, it is impossible to claim too firm a conclusion regarding the question of genre” (p. 20). The limited amount of text without any context prevents firm conclusions from being drawn on the meaning of the few lines that we do have, including the meaning of the phrase “Jesus’ wife.”

Third, even with this limited amount of text, it is certainly appropriate to theorize about the source of the ideas set forth in this fragment and to conclude, as King does, that this fragment may have been part of a Gnostic document. Gnosticism is a broad label given to the teaching of various sectarian “Christians” who denied central truths of Christianity such as Jesus’ death for the atonement of sins and in its place taught, among other things, salvation through esoteric knowledge (“gnosis”) supposedly given by Jesus but often drawn in part from Platonic philosophy. The teachings and writings of various Gnostic groups posed a significant challenge in the 2nd to the 4th century and were regularly condemned as heretical by Christian leaders familiar with their teachings, such as Irenaeus who wrote primarily in the last three decades of the 2nd century. The discussion concerning the worthiness of “Mary” to be a disciple of Jesus in the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife does seem similar to texts found in some Gnostic documents also written in Coptic, like the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Mary, and the Gospel of Philip. King demonstrates a probable relationship between the ideas expressed in this fragment with the ideas expressed in these Gnostic Gospels. This fragment, therefore, may assist us in understanding the teaching of a Gnostic group concerning Jesus and His marital status, but it does not help us to understand the teaching of the historical Jesus or His actual marital status.

Then where should we look for reliable historical evidence about Jesus, including His marital status? There are four first century Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—whose testimony was proclaimed and written while eyewitnesses were still alive and whose Greek text is widely attested by many 2nd-7th century papyri manuscripts as well as some 4th-5th century parchment manuscripts that contain the complete text or most of the text of these books. These Gospels testify prominently to many aspects of Jesus’ humanity, including that He was known as Joseph’s son, had a mother, had brothers, attended weddings, supported life-long marriage and had several women who were among His wider group of disciples but not one of the 12 apostles (see especially Richard Bauckham, Gospel Women: Studies of the Named Women in the Gospels, Eerdmans, 2002). There is no historical evidence in these Gospels, however, that Jesus was married to a woman. If He would have been, the result would have been a wife and children who would have attracted significant attention after His resurrection and ascension. Instead, it appears historically probable that the only “bride” Jesus has ever had is the church (Ephesians 5:25-32).

Dr. Charles A. Gieschen is Academic Dean and Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. His Ph.D. is from the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Michigan (1995) where his studies included the Coptic language and Gnostic writings.

This article was found on the web page of Concordia Theological Seminary.

Worship for Pentecost 18 - 2012



Thursday after Pentecost 17
September 27, 2012

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the 18th Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the Commemoration of Jerome, Translator of Holy Scripture. As Commemorations have no specific readings assigned in our lectionary, we will use the appointed lessons for Pentecost 18, which are: Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29; James 5:[1-12] 13-20; Mark 9:38-50. The reading from James has the first verses in brackets. The idea behind this is that each church that uses our lectionary series may choose to read the entire chapter, or may choose to use only verses 13 through 20. We will be reading the entire chapter. However, because of the length of both the Old Testament lesson and the Epistle lesson, the print for the Scripture lessons on the bulletin insert will be quite small. If your eyesight is not what it once was, you will need to depend on the reader alone.

For our liturgy we will be using Morning Prayer (page 235). This is one of our services based on the Prayer Hours that developed in the monasteries and intended for daily use. As such, it does not incorporate the Lord’s Supper. Also, instead of the Introit for the Day it uses the appointed Psalm for the day, which is Psalm 104:27-35. The antiphon is verse 24. Our opening hymn is “One Thing’s Needful” (LSB 536). This is the hymn we are currently learning. The sermon hymn is “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing” (LSB 737). Our closing hymn is “Have No Fear, Little Flock” (LSB 735). The sermon text is Numbers 11:10, and the sermon is titled “Did God Drop the Ball?”

In our public prayers we will continue to lift up other Christian denominations and their leaders. This Sunday we will remember the various Methodist churches, the United Methodist Church, the Primitive Methodist Church in the U.S.A., and the Free Methodist Church – USA. Methodist denominations tend to use the title “bishop” for their leaders. We continue to pray for our LC-MS missionaries around the world. This month we remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, who is in South Africa. She specifically asks us to petition the Lord to use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to others with challenges in their day-to-day lives. We ask the Lord to protect Ginger and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity. Finally, we also thank the Lord that Ginger has answered His call to serve in South Africa.

We will remember the persecuted believers in Tibet (China). Tibet is an “Autonomous Region” region in China. As Tibet is part of Communist China, the greatest threat to any religion comes from the government. Tibet lost its short-lived independence as a theocratic Buddhist state in 1950 when China re-invaded the land. China’s central government has systematically sought to destroy the culture, religions and ethnic identity of the Tibetan people. Resistance to the occupiers has resulted in frequent revolts and unrest. More than 6,000 monasteries have been destroyed, over one million people may have lost their lives and a further 100,000 may have been forced into exile, including the Buddhist and political leader of Tibetans, the Dalai Lama.

Tibetan Buddhism permeates society and has a powerful hold on the people. It incorporates many elements of the pre-Buddhist Bon religion, which still exists in its own right. Bon has powerful demonic and occult influences and spirit appeasement. The high places of the Tibetan plateau are known to be a spiritual stronghold highly resistant to the gospel. In Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), there are still 1,789 monasteries and 46,000 Buddhist monks.

There may be just over 1,000 evangelical and 2,000 Catholic Christians among the five million ethnic Tibetans in the world. Christian materials in Tibetan languages and dialects are limited, but growing. Political sensitivity and tensions in Tibet make entry and travel in the country difficult for both Chinese and foreign Christians who desire to share the love of Jesus there. (There are also a few, maybe 400, Moslems in Tibet.)

Our main prayers for Tibet is for open doors and freedom to proclaim the gospel and that present sufferings may be God’s means for bringing spiritual freedom to Tibetans.

We will also remember, in our prayers, our sister SED congregations: St. Matthew, Bel Air, MD; Pilgrim, Bethesda, MD; First, Bowie, MD; Trinity, Bowie, MD; and Grace, Summerville, SC. We will continue to remember those who have been misled by our cultures acceptance of abortion and advocacy of sexual immorality, asking God’s grace for their lives that they may be healed and restored by the Holy Spirit. We will also continue to remember those trapped in the modern practice of slavery and ask God to bless all efforts that are pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will also remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative’s effort to end malaria in Africa by 2015.

I could not find a video for any of our hymns this Sunday.

Our adult Bible class meets at 9:00 Sunday morning. We are currently in Matthew 27. The chapter has the death of Judas, Jesus before Pilate, soldiers mocking Jesus, our Lord’s crucifixion, death and burial. In other words, we are almost through the book. Join us for these pivotal events in world history.    

Preview of the Lessons

Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29:          This is one of the stories about when the Israelites grew dissatisfied with their lot and grumbled against Moses. In this case they were complaining about the manna, and longed for the “the fish [they] ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.” It is remarkable that, in their grumbling, they forgot their lot as slaves and thought of Egypt as a time they lounged around eating the fat of the land. Such, though, is the short-sited nature of sinful man. Moses doesn’t come off much better than the “rabble.” He grumbles to God, thinking it would be better to die than put up with the constant complaints of the people. God provides leadership relief for Moses. Of the seventy men who God designates for this role, two had not gathered with the others. When God provided them with a one-time-only gift of prophecy, the two who were not in attendance, prophesied in the camp. Joshua, alarmed, asked Moses to rebuke them. Moses responds with the memorial words, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord ‘s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” This desire of Moses is fulfilled in the New Testament, for all Christians have the Holy Spirit and all Christians have the word of Christ to share with others. This gift is strengthened through regular worship.

James 5:[1-12] 13-20:    Verses 1-6 deal with wealthy people. One should note that James doesn’t condemn wealth, per se, but the misuse of wealth. The wealthy are always tempted to believe the here and now is the ultimate good, and use their wealth to oppress others and gain more wealth for themselves. Those who use their wealth this way will face Judgment on the Last Day. Verses 7-11 deal with the poor. Again, poverty itself is not condemned. How the temptation of the poor is to grumble against God, wealthy people, and even against other poor people. James urges patience, knowing that all will be settled on the Last Day. Verse 12 deals with being true to your word, something both groups should attend to. In general, these verses remind us that sin is a divisive thing. Unity is a gift from God through faith in Christ. As we are able to get along with each other, our witness to the unbeliever is enhanced. As we quarrel and grumble against each other, our witness to the love of God in Christ Jesus to the unconverted is hurt. Verses 12-18 deals with the value of faith when facing various trials and struggles. A faith in Jesus enables us to endure all kinds of things, for the glory of our Lord. Verses 19 and 20 deals with the importance of caring for each other, especially in the area of the content of our faith. If someone wanders from the correct faith, we are to restore them in a loving fashion. It is not a matter of winning a battle, but winning a soul. You can win an argument and lose the person. Through Gospel of Christ the Spirit converts and restores people, as our confessions say, “when and where” he chooses.

Mark 9: 38-50:     The first part of this reading echoes the concerns of Joshua in our Old Testament reading. Someone was casting out demons in the name of Jesus but the twelve tried to stop him “because he was not following us.” The “us” probably also included the “70” Jesus sent out, and maybe others. The point, though, is that they were viewed, for whatever reason, as a break-off group. Jesus tells the disciples to not hinder the man, “for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us.” Such an admonition from our Lord should help us when it comes to dialogue between denominations. The reason such care should be taken is because of the offense that can be given. Such offense can be a real stumbling block, specially to weak Christians. Why would we engage in actions that can hinder entrance into heaven? Heaven is so wonderful that nothing should keep a person away (the point in the remainder of this reading). The Church should always be seeking to bring the Gospel of God’s grace in Christ Jesus to bear. In him we have a loving God.

Tidbits
  • A speaker from the Gideon’s will be with us Sunday.

  • The LWML will have a meeting following the worship service Sunday.

  • The October newsletter will be posted on the blog before next Sunday.

  • Print copies of the October newsletter will be available Sunday for those who do not have internet access.

  • We are sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, October 27, at the Fats restaurant (http://www.superpages.com/bp/Boiling-Springs-SC/FATZ-Cafe-L0006431720.htm) in Boiling Springs, to support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI). Members are asked to sell tickets for $7.00 (of which $4.00 will go to LMI and $3.00 will go to Fats to cover their costs) for this event. Tickets will be available Sunday. Additional help will be needed in the form of greeters who will also sell tickets at the door and/or accept donations. You can expect more information over the next two months on this blog about our Pancake Breakfast and LMI.

Well, I pray I’ll see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Commemoration of Jonah - 2012



Commemoration of Jonah
September 22, 2012
 
The Lord be with you

Today we remember the prophet Jonah. A singular prophet among the many in the Old Testament, Jonah the son of Amittai was born about an hour’s walk from the town of Nazareth. The focus of his prophetic ministry was the call to preach at Nineveh, the capital of pagan Assyria (Jonah 1:2). His reluctance to respond and God’s insistence that His call be heeded is the story of the book that bears Jonah’s name. Although the great fish is the most remembered detail of his life, it is addressed in only three verses of the book (Jonah 1:17; 2:1, 10). Throughout the book, the important theme is how God deals compassionately with sinners. Jonah’s three-day sojourn in the belly of the fish is mentioned by Jesus as a sign of His own death, burial, and resurrection (Matthew 12:39-41.).

Collect for the Commemoration of Jonah: Lord God, heavenly Father, through the prophet Jonah, You continued the prophetic pattern of teaching Your people the true faith and demonstrating through miracles You presence in creation to heal it of its brokenness. Grant that Your Church may see in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the final end-times prophet whose teaching and miracles continue in Your Church through the healing medicine of the Gospel and the Sacraments; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert
(This post is basically taken straight from Treasury of Daily Prayer, published by CPH.)

Friday, September 21, 2012

Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist - 2012



Feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
September 21, 2012

The Lord be with you

September 21 is the feast of St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. St. Matthew, also known as Levi, identifies himself as a former tax collector, one who was therefore considered unclean, a public sinner, outcast from the Jews. In general, tax collectors were despised for two reasons. First, they were viewed as traitors, for they worked for the Romans. Second, they were viewed as thieves. This was because of how the Romans “paid” their tax collectors. Rome set the amount of money a tax collector needed to raise, not what each individual owed. The tax collector’s “pay” was what ever he collected above what the area owed Rome. Many tax collectors collected far more than what was owed to Rome, becoming wealthy, but earning additional ire from their fellow citizens. A third typical facet of a tax collector’s life didn’t help their reputation. As “good” people would not associate with them, their associates often came from the despised of society. “Birds of a feather,” and all that type of thinking, further solidified their position as public sinners.

Yet it was such a one as this whom the Lord Jesus called away from his occupation and wealth to become a disciple (Matthew 9:9-13). Not only did Matthew become a disciple of Jesus, he was also called and sent as one of the Lord’s twelve apostles (Matthew 10:2-4). In time, he became the evangelist whose inspired record of the Gospel was granted first place in the ordering of the New Testament. Among the four Gospels, Matthew’s portrays Christ especially as the new and greater Moses, who graciously fulfills the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17) and establishes a new covenant of salvation in and with His own blood (Matthew 26:27-28). Matthew’s Gospel is also well known and beloved for its record of the visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12); for the Sermon on the Mount, which includes the Beatitudes and the Lord’s Prayer (aka as the Our Father) (Matthew 5-7); and for the institution of Holy Baptism and the most explicit revelation of the Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:16-20).

Tradition is uncertain where his final field of labor was and whether Matthew died naturally or a martyr’s death. It is suggested that Matthew was the oldest of the apostles. Eusebius (263-339 AD) says that after the ascension Matthew preached for fifteen years in Judea and then went to foreign nations. Socrates Scholasticus (born around 280) says he labored in Ethiopia; Ambrose (330-397) sends him to Persia and Isidore (560-636) to Macedonians, while others hold that he preached among the Meds and Persians. Clement of Alexandria (150-215) said that Matthew was a vegetarian. The Gnostic Heracleon (flourished about 175) says that Matthew died a natural death, but no one else supports this. Both Eastern and Western tradition hold that he was martyred, though how is vague. It seems the most accepted view is that he was martyred by a sword, or perhaps a spear, though the exact method is not revealed in the ancient martyrologies, perhaps while preaching in Ethiopia.

In celebrating this festival, we give thanks to God that He has mightily governed and protected His Holy Church through this man who was called and sent by Christ to serve the sheep of His pastures with the Holy Gospel.

Collect for the Festival of St. Matthew: O Son of God, our blessed Savior Jesus Christ, You called Matthew the tax collector to be an apostle and evangelist. Through his faithful and inspired witness, grant that we also may follow You, leaving behind all covetous desires and love of riches; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert is Holy Church through this man who was called and sent by Christ to serve the sheep of His pastures with the Holy Gospel.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Worship for Pentecost 17 - 2012



Thursday after Pentecost 16
September 20, 2012

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the 17th Sunday after Pentecost. The appointed lessons are: Jeremiah 11:18-20; James 3:13-4:10; Mark 9:30-37. For our liturgy we will be using the first setting of the Divine service (page 151). This is a communion service. Our opening hymn is “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” (LSB 656). This is the older rhythm, composed by Luther, and has a more rugged tempo and feeling. The sermon hymn is the one we are learning this month, “One Thing’s Needful” (LSB 536). Our closing hymn is “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (LSB 662). Our distribution hymns are: “Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray” (LSB 663 ); “O Lord, We Praise Thee” (LSB 617); and “Children of the Heavenly Father” (LSB 725). The sermon text is James 4:7, and the sermon is titled “Stealth Combat.”

In our public prayers we will continue to lift up other Christian denominations and their leaders. This Sunday we will remember the various Presbyterian churches, The Presbyterian Church (USA), the Presbyterian Church in America, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, along with their leadership. We continue to pray for our LC-MS missionaries around the world. This month we remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, who is in South Africa. She specifically asks us to petition the Lord to use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to others with challenges in their day-to-day lives. We ask the Lord to protect Ginger and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity. Finally, we also thank the Lord that Ginger has answered His call to serve in South Africa.

We will remember the persecuted believers in Tajikistan. It is a small, land-locked country in Central Asia, bordered by China, Afghanistan, and other countries. Religiously, the country is Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10%. In that 10% are roughly 230,000 Christians, mostly Russian Orthodox, though there is at least one Lutheran congregation, a few scattered Baptist and Roman Catholics, and other groups. Tajikistan has a history of treating the minority faiths well, though a recent law putting greater restrictions on them has caused some concern. While Muslim extremists are generally not tolerated, concern over the conversion of Muslims to Christianity has raised tension.

We will also remember, in our prayers, our sister SED congregations: Redeemer, Baltimore, MD; Resurrection, Baltimore, MD; St. James, Baltimore, MD; St. Thomas, Baltimore, MD; and Risen Christ, Myrtle Beach, SC. We will continue to remember those who have been misled by our cultures acceptance of abortion and advocacy of sexual immorality, asking God’s grace for their lives that they may be healed and restored by the Holy Spirit. We will also continue to remember those trapped in the modern practice of slavery and ask God to bless all efforts that are pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will also remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative’s effort to end malaria in Africa by 2015.

Below is a video of “A Mighty Fortress is our God,” our opening hymn.


Our adult Bible class meets at 9:00 Sunday morning. We are currently in Matthew 27. The chapter has the death of Judas, Jesus before Pilate, soldiers mocking Jesus, our Lord’s crucifixion, death and burial. In other words, we are almost through the book. Join us for these pivotal events in world history.    

Preview of the Lessons

Jeremiah 11:18-20:         This is a wonderful passage to discuss different approaches to the Bible, because it “works” well with several different presuppositions. Before we get to those approaches, we should first know that Jeremiah lived in a time of dramatic spiritual decline in Judea. He warned the people that Babylon would come and defeat the people as God’s just judgment. He also urged the people to submit to Babylon, and then Babylon would treat them with real mercy. Needless to say, Jeremiah was viewed as a traitor by many, especially those of the ruling class. There were plots against him, he was arrested, abused, etc. However, he lived to see the Babylonian invasion and the deportation of those who opposed him. Still refusing to submit to Babylonian control, a group of Jews murdered the Babylonian governor and his guard, kidnapped Jeremiah, and fled to Egypt. (You should now read the text to understand the rest of these notes.)

The first approach assumes no divine intervention. Jeremiah was a very intuitive individual who could tell which way the wind was blowing. He took this insight as a gift from God, and warned the people. He, through some confidant, hears of the plots against him, and takes it as a warning from God. However, Jeremiah is confident in God’s ultimate vindication. People in this camp might even think verse 20 was written after the Babylonian conquest of Judea, and the writer saw that as the vindication. The interpreter may apply it in a sermon as he sees fit.

The second approach accepts phrases like “The Lord made it known to me” to indicate a revelation from the Sovereign God to Jeremiah. The accent falls on man’s inability to thwart the plans of God. In the end, God is judge. Jeremiah is a righteous man. Application might be to trust in God and his ultimate justice, or perhaps to be righteous in an evil age.

The third approach also accepts phrases like “The Lord made it known to me” to indicate a revelation from God to Jeremiah. However the text (and indeed the entire life of Jeremiah) is viewed as being Christ-centered. As Jeremiah warned the people of their sins, and the consequences of their sins, so did Jesus. As the leaders plotted against Jeremiah, so the leaders plotted against Jesus. As Jeremiah was vindicated when his words proved true, so Jesus was vindicated when his words proved true on Easter Sunday. The vengeance of God is executed on Jesus as he hung on the cross. This Christ-centered understanding was God’s intention when he inspired Jeremiah to write. The application is that Jesus is our redeemer who has born our sins that we might enter heaven by grace through faith.

As a guiding principle, the third approach take passages like “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he [Jesus] interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Luke 24:27) and “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me [Jesus] (John 5:39). It is the third approach to Scripture that we use at Lamb of God.

James 3:13-4:10:  The book of James has been misunderstood as saying that salvation is granted through a combination of works and faith. He never says that, but people have that misunderstanding. What he says is that a living faith in the living Christ produces results in the lives of the believer. A dead “faith,” that is, an acknowledgement of certain facts but lacking trust in those facts, does not produce results. Such a “faith” even the devils have. The know who Jesus is, but fear him instead of trust in him. I happen to be one of those who believe that James was one of the very first books written in the New Testament, and Paul’s accent on grace flowed, in part, from a misunderstanding by many of James’ epistle. (Others think of it in reverse.)

The fruit of faith is very counter-cultural. Selfish ambition, boasting, fighting for your rights, and so on, are all lauded by fallen human nature. Meekness, gentleness, mercy, etc., are all viewed as weakness, and even with contempt. The world, our sinful nature, and the devils, all promote the aggressive, negative, me-first, attitudes. The spirit of Christ leads us in the paths of peace, mercy, understanding, reasonableness, and so forth. To put it in the words of Christ and Moses, the Christian Faith leads us to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is not part of the foundation of our salvation. It is the result of being built on the foundation of salvation, on Jesus.

The devil is always seeking to lure us back to the ways of the world, the ways of enmity, pride, greed, vengeance, anger, and so forth. James, though, tells us to resist the devil, and he will flee from us. This is done through the power of a repentant heart, a heart that has been cleanses by grace through faith, a heart that trusts in Jesus, a heart that has been baptized into the death and resurrection of Jesus. It does not depend on itself, but on Jesus. If we seek to resist the devil by our own might, we fall into his trap. Instead, we humble ourselves before the Lord only to discover that he will exalt us.


Mark 9:30-37:       This lesson ties in with both the OT lesson and the Epistle lesson. First, like Jeremiah, Jesus is aware that evil men are plotting against him, and he knows he will be vindicated through his resurrection. Many have wondered why the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was saying as he was so plain. Well, the text doesn’t tell us, so it is just speculation. First, being raised from the dead isn’t a normal thing. Second, Jesus did speak in metaphors and parables all the time, and the disciples had a hard time with many of them. Third, death of the Messiah just wasn’t on the first century Jewish radar. Put that together, and they didn’t understand Jesus.

The reading ties in with the Epistle lesson because the disciples are arguing about who was the greatest among them. This is the very sort of thing that James warns about. Jesus uses a child, who is basically powerless and has to do what they are told, to make his point that we are not to seek after worldly greatness, but to be servants of all. Notice the word “all.” He doesn’t call us to only be servants to our own, but all people. Just as Christ came for all, even those who reject him, so we care for all people, even those who reject Jesus. When we serve the weak and powerless especially, we serve Christ.

Tidbits
  • The Board of Evangelism will meet after the worship service, Sunday

  • We are sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, October 27, at the Fats restaurant (http://www.superpages.com/bp/Boiling-Springs-SC/FATZ-Cafe-L0006431720.htm) in Boiling Springs, to support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI). Members are asked to sell tickets for $7.00 (of which $4.00 will go to LMI and $3.00 will go to Fats to cover their costs) for this event. Tickets will be available Sunday. Additional help will be needed in the form of greeters who will also sell tickets at the door and/or accept donations. You can expect more information over the next two months on this blog about our Pancake Breakfast and LMI.

Well, I pray I’ll see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Monday, September 17, 2012

The Intersection of Church and State



Monday after Pentecost 16
September 17, 2012

The Lord be with you

The public debate centering on issues of church and state has been growing in recent years. The prominence and the potential impact of these issues make their appearance a regular item in headlines. The recent decision of the Health and Human Services Department to require health plans of religious institutions to pay for contraception is only one example. The Supreme Court convenes and decides on these controversial issues with growing regularity. Politicians line up on both sides of the issues, adding to the rancor.

"The separation of church and state" seems like the easy solution. Both church and state have their unique and separate function. The purpose of the state is to "promote the general welfare" of its citizens on this earth. The purpose of the church is to deal with spiritual issues and truth as people live out their lives in this world, with an eye to the next. Yet the intersection of these two entities is unavoidable; they both seek the improvement of the life of our country"™s citizens. Instead of being a point of controversy, this intersection can and should be an empowering relationship.

The Intersection of Church and State explores the history of this issue, especially in light of the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof"¦." It will explore the surprising fact that every state in colonial times had an established faith. It will examine the origin of Jefferson's description of the church-state relationship as a "high and impregnable wall of separation."

The Intersection of Church and State will trace the history of cooperation between these two groups—in bringing care to the needy, the settlement of refugees, the adoption of children, the service of military chaplains, and others ways. It will also consider how these historical church and state partnerships are jeopardized.

This groundbreaking program will suggest that a far superior metaphor in describing the church-state relationship is not one using a wall or barrier but, instead, an intersection, which benefits us all.


NATIONAL AIRINGS:
FOX BUSINESS
as paid programming
DATE: Sunday, September 30, 2012
TIME: 5:00 PM Eastern, 4:00 PM Central, 3:00 PM Mountain, and 2:00 PM Pacific.

Information for this post was taken from the Lutheran Hour Ministries web site. You can find out more by going to that site. Just click the link.



Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr - 2012



Commemoration of Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr
September 16, 2012

The Lord be with you

Cyprian (ac. 200-258 ad) was born in Carthage, North Africa, where he became a lawyer and a university lecturer. He did not become a Christian until he was about 46, and yet, within two years of his baptism, he was acclaimed bishop of the city of Carthage (around 248 ad). At the time, the Church was deeply troubled with schism. Cyprian had a profound knowledge of Scripture, and used that knowledge to contend for the unity of the Church. In his book On the Lord’s Prayer he wrote, “We say ‘Hallowed be thy Name,’ not that we want God to be made holy by our prayers, but because we seek from the Lord that his Name may be made holy in us, … so that we who have been made holy in Baptism may persevere in what we have begun to be.” It is easy to see how Martin Luther, in the sixteen century, echoed Cyprian’s thought in his explanation of this petition. “Hallowed be Thy name. What does this mean? God’s name is certainly holy in itself, but we pray in this petition that it may be kept holy among us also. How is God’s name kept holy? God’s name is kept holy when the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we, as the children of God, also lead holy lives according to it. Help us to do this, dear Father in heaven! But anyone who teaches or lives contrary to God’s Word profanes the name of God among us. Protect us from this, heavenly Father!”

During the persecution of Roman Emperor Decius (250 ad), Cyprian fled Carthage (for which he was much criticized) because he believed that he was still needed to guide and encourage his people in their suffering. He returned two years later and was then forced to deal with the problem of Christians who had lapsed from their faith under persecution and now wanted to return to the Church. It was decided that these lapsed Christians could be restored but that their restoration could take place only after a period of penance that demonstrated their faithfulness.  Also in 252 a plague broke out in Carthage. Cyprian was tireless in comforting the sufferers, but the pagans blamed the Christians for the epidemic. In 258, another round of persecutions broke out under Emperor Valerian. Cyprian at first went into hiding but later gave himself up to the authorities. He was beheaded for the faith in Carthage in 258 ad.

Prayer: Almighty God, You gave Your servant Cyprian boldness to confess the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, before the rulers of this world and courage to die for the faith he proclaimed. Give us strength always to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Other things Cyprian might inspire us to pray about:
  • For Africa and African Christians
  • For the unity of the church
  • For the sick, specially for those are suffering from a plague like Malaria
  • For all who are persecuted or exiled because of their faith in Jesus
Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Friday, September 14, 2012

Worship for Pentecost 16 - 2012



Friday after Pentecost 15
Holy Cross Day
September 14, 2012

The Lord be with you

This coming Sunday is the 16th Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the Commemoration of Cyprian of Carthage, Pastor and Martyr. I will post something about Cyprian Sunday. If you have a Jewish friend, you might want to wish him a happy Rosh Hashanah, which is also Sunday. Rosh Hashanah is one of modern Jews high holy days (the other is Yom Kippur), and is the Jewish New Years. It is a time of repentance. Traditional Rosh Hashanah Greetings are:
1. L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu
Literal Hebrew to English Translation: "May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year." This traditional Rosh HaShanah greeting wishes others a good year and is often shorted to "Shanah Tovah" (Good Year).
2. Gemar Chatimah Tovah
Literal Hebrew to English Translation: "May your final sealing (in the Book of Life) be good." This greeting is traditionally used between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. It wishes others well in the new year.
3. Yom Tov
Literal Hebrew to English Translation: "Good Day." This phrase is often used in place of the English word "holiday" during the High Holy Days of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. Somes Jews will also use the Yiddish Phrase "Gut Yuntiff," which means "Good Yom Tov" or "Good Holiday."

But back to what we will be doing Sunday. Our assigned readings are: Isaiah 50:4-10; James 3:1-12; and Mark 9:14-29. The appointed Psalm is Psalm 116:1-9 (antiphon v 5). For our liturgy we will be using Matins (page 219). The opening hymn will be “Lord of Our Life” (LSB 659). The sermon hymn will be “‘Away from Us!’ the Demon Cried” (LSB 541). The closing hymn will be “Almighty Father, Bless the Word” (LSB 923). Our sermon will be titled “Sustained by a Word” and the text is Isaiah 50:4.

We will continue to lift up other Christian denominations and their leaders in our public prayers. This Sunday we will remember The Episcopal Church of the United States of America and their Presiding Bishop, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori. We continue to pray for our LC-MS missionaries around the world. This month we remember Ginger Taff-Lagergren, who is in South Africa. She specifically asks us to petition the Lord to use her to spread His love and that she would be a help to others with challenges in their day-to-day lives. We ask the Lord to protect Ginger and keep her in good health, so that she may serve to her fullest capacity. Finally, we also thank the Lord that Ginger has answered His call to serve in South Africa.

We will remember the persecuted believers in Syria. We are all well aware of the civil war being waged in Syria at this time. You may not be aware that about 10% of the country is Christian (about 2 million). The civil war is not generally supported by the believers, as they fear their future will be similar to the Christians in Iraq. While Assad rule is ruthless, he never declared war on the people of God. The Sunnie Muslim majority, if in power as the civil war will result in if successful, and if they follow the patter of such victories, very likely will.

We will also remember, in our prayers, our sister SED congregations: Matrini, Baltimore, MD; Nazareth, Baltimore, MD; Our Saviour, Baltimore, MD; Pilgrim, Baltimore, MD; and Holy Lamb, Myrtle Beach, SC. We will continue to remember those who have been misled by our cultures acceptance of abortion and advocacy of sexual immorality, asking God’s grace for their lives that they may be healed and restored by the Holy Spirit. We will also continue to remember those trapped in the modern practice of slavery and ask God to bless all efforts that are pleasing in his sight to end this sinful practice. We will also remember the Lutheran Malaria Initiative’s effort to end malaria in Africa by 2015.

Below is a video of “Almighty Father, Bless the Word,” our closing hymn. It uses the familiar tune commonly associated with the Doxology, which actually shows up the last verse.


Our adult Bible class meets at 9:00 Sunday morning. We are currently in Matthew 27. The chapter has the death of Judas, Jesus before Pilate, soldiers mocking Jesus, our Lord’s crucifixion, death and burial. Because we usually read these accounts in light of the other Gospel records, it is sometimes difficult to hear “Matthew’s voice.” Why did he leave this or that out? Why did he include this or that? What is Matthew telling us? Such are the questions we will consider Sunday.   

Preview of the Lessons

Isaiah 50:4-10:           This passage is first and foremost about Jesus and his passion. The final verse is a call to all who are in darkness to come to him. We notice the strength the word of the Gospel has, and rejoice that we have that same word.

James 3:1-12: James warns us that not many people should become teachers (pastors) because the Lord judges them at a higher standard. He points out how much trouble false doctrine causes. For those who think Christians become perfect, and therefore do not need to confess their sinfulness and receive forgiveness daily, I point to the words of James in verse 2, “For we all stumble in many ways.” James is not even excluding himself. We must live in the forgiveness of God found in Jesus, or we stray from the Christian Faith.

Mark 9:14-29:            Jesus casts out an evil spirit. The boy had symptoms that seem like grand mal seizures. This does not mean that everyone with such symptoms is demon possessed. It means that demons can mimic real medical conditions. When the disciples ask Jesus why they were unable to cast the demon out, Jesus responds that “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” It is interesting that Mark does not record Jesus as praying. This might reflect the same theology in Luke 18:1, “And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.” Our life should be a life of prayer in all we do. As St. Paul puts it in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Tidbits
  • Church Council will meet after the worship service, Sunday

  • Our Greek Club will meet Monday.

  • We are sponsoring a Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, October 27, at the Fats restaurant (http://www.superpages.com/bp/Boiling-Springs-SC/FATZ-Cafe-L0006431720.htm) in Boiling Springs, to support the Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI). Members are asked to sell tickets for $7.00 (of which $4.00 will go to LMI and $3.00 will go to Fats to cover their costs) for this event. Tickets will be available Sunday. Additional help will be needed in the form of greeters who will also sell tickets at the door and/or accept donations. You can expect more information over the next two months on this blog about our Pancake Breakfast and LMI.

Well, I pray I’ll see you Sunday.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Ricker

Holy Cross Day - 2012



Holy Cross Day
September 14, 2012

The Lord be with you

One of the earliest annual celebrations of the Church, Holy Cross Day traditionally commemorated the discovery of the original cross of Jesus on September 14, 320, in Jerusalem. The cross was found by Helena, mother of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. In conjunction with the dedication of a basilica at the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, the festival day was made official by order of Constantine in 335 ad. A devout Christian, Helena had helped locate and authenticate many sites related to the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus throughout biblical lands. Holy Cross Day has remained popular in both Eastern and Western Christianity. Many Lutheran parishes have chosen to use “Holy Cross” as the name of their congregation.

On this day we remember the pivotal roll of the cross in our lives by recalling some of what the Bible teaches:

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. (Ephesians 2:14-16)

And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:8)

For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:19-20)

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Prayer: Merciful God, Your Son, Jesus Christ, was lifted high upon the cross that He might bear the sins of the world and draw all people to Himself. Grant that we who glory in His death for our redemption may faithfully heed His call to bear the cross and follow Him, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine

Saturday after Pentecost 14
September 8, 2012

The Lord be with you

Below is the trailer for the movie "Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine". It looks like it will be a great movie.





Blessings in Christ,
Pastor John Rickert

Friday, September 7, 2012

It is in the Translation



Friday after Pentecost 14
September 7, 2012

The Lord be with you

Before there were cell phones, before there were flat-screen TVs, before there was easy access to the internet, in fact, before there were home computers, I purchased a copy of The Confessions of Saint Augustine. This is the classic devotional book, written over 1500 years ago, that had a profound impact on Western culture, and is still read today.

This book is profoundly different from devotional literature written today. It is far deeper. You can’t read it just before you go to bed, and expect to finish it. You have to chew on what Augustine says. You have to ponder it. You have to reflect on it. In other words, it is just too weighty to read before you fall asleep.

One interesting aspect of the book is that it is written as a direct discourse with God. It is an extended prayer. It is as if you are overhearing Augustine as he confesses his sins, and his faith, throughout his life. It takes you from his birth up to the time he writes his Confessions.

Our book club at church selected the Confessions to read for our last meeting. I pulled out my old copy and began to read. I must admit, it was challenging. One of our assignments was to select some quotes to share. When I got to sharing my quotes, everyone began to wonder if we had read the same book. Sure, it had been a demanding read for them, but at least what they read was English.

It seems that, since the Dark Ages when I bought my copy, a newer translation has been produced. Who knows, maybe several. Connie, taking pity on me, has loaned me her copy. Wow! What a difference! The best way for you to understand the difference is to let you see it. What follow is the same passage, first from my copy of the Confessions, and then from Connie’s copy.

GREAT ART Thou, O Lord, and greatly to be praised; great is Thy power, and Thy wisdom infinite. And Thee would man praise; man, but a particle of Thy creation; man, that bears about him his mortality, the witness of his sin, the witness that Thou resistest the proud: yet would man praise Thee; he, but a particle of Thy creation. Thou awakest us to delight in Thy praise: for Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it repose in Thee. Grant me, Lord, to know and understand which is first, to call on Thee or to praise Thee? and, again, to know Thee or to call on Thee? for who can call on Thee, not knowing Thee? for he that knoweth Thee not, may call on Thee as other than Thou art. Or, is it rather, that we call on Thee that we may know Thee? but how shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? or how shall they believe without a preacher? and they that seek the Lord shall praise Him: for they that seek shall find Him, and they that find shall praise Him. I will seek Thee, Lord, by calling on Thee; and will call on Thee, believing in Thee; for to us hast Thou been preached. My faith, Lord, shall call on Thee, which Thou hast given me, wherewith Thou hast inspired me, through the Incarnation of Thy Son, through the ministry of the Preacher.

And now, the same passage, just from Connie’s translation.

i (I)       ‘You are great, Lord, and highly to be praised (Ps. 47: 2): great is your power and your wisdom is immeasurable’ (Ps. 146:5). Man, a little piece of your creation, desires to praise you, a human being ‘bearing his mortality with him’ (2 Cor. 4: 10), carrying with him the witness of his sin and the witness that you ‘resist the proud’ (I Pet. 5:5). Nevertheless, to praise you is the desire of man, a little piece of your creation. You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.
            ‘Grant me Lord to know and understand’ (Ps. 118: 34, 73, 144) which comes first—to call upon you or to praise you, and whether knowing you precedes calling upon you. But who calls upon you when he does not know you? For an ignorant person might call upon someone else instead of the right one. But surely you may be called upon in prayer that you may be known. Yet ‘how shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe without a preacher?’ (Rom. 10: 14). ‘They will praise the Lord who seek for him’ (Ps. 21: 27).
            In seeking him they find him, and in finding they will praise him. Lord, I would seek you, calling upon you—and calling upon you is an act of believing in you. You have been preached to us. My faith, Lord, calls upon you. It is your gift to me. You breathed it into me by the humanity of your Son, by the ministry of your preacher.

I don’t know about you, but Connie’s copy is far easier to understand in my opinion. If you should decide to read the Confessions of Saint Augustine, I recommend you purchase a more recent translation than mine.

By the way, Kitty still prefers the cover of the old edition.

Blessings in Christ
Pastor John Rickert

P.S. I understand that a movie will soon be released, titled “Restless Heart,” on the life of Augustine. The title is, of course, take from the quote from above.