In 2014
the CTCR published a six-part Bible study in response to a request to examine
hostility towards Christians. Such hostility is present around the world and in our own
country. The title to the study is “Why Are You Persecuting Me? A Christian Response to
Hostility and Persecution” I have just finished it.
This
is an excellent and comprehensive treatment of the subject and is something of
a blend between a sermon, a Bible study and a survey of persecution from New
Testament times to today. The documentation includes first-rate internet links to
resources at the end of the study. Perhaps the best way to give you a taste of
the study is to provide a few quotes.
In the past decade, the Christian population of the city of Mosul in Iraq
dropped from 35,000 to 3000; more recently these remaining Christians fled
after ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria) militants took control of
the city. In Iraq and Syria, ISIS militants demanded that Christians convert to
Islam, pay a protection tax, leave, or face death. (3)
The world that hates us needs our witness and our prayers. In 1523, an
Augustinian monk and pastor, Henry of Zütphen, was arrested in Antwerp for embracing
the evangelical faith of the Reformation. He was freed and continued preaching
in other cities, but two years later Henry was kidnapped and murdered by an
angry, drunken mob. After Henry was martyred, Martin Luther wrote to the
Christians in Bremen to console them at the death of their pastor. Brother
Henry was with the Lord; it was his murderers who needed the prayers of the
Bremen Christians: “His murderers have already been repaid enough and more than
enough by staining their hands so terribly with innocent blood and heaping upon
themselves such great and awful guilt in the sight of God. There is really far
more reason to weep and lament for them than for the sainted Henry, and to pray
that not only they, but the whole land of Dithmarschen, may be converted and
come to the knowledge of the truth.” God could use even the evil deeds of
Henry’s murderers “to strengthen his Word so that it wins more people than it
otherwise would.”(9)
In a wave of anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal in India, churches were
desecrated and destroyed, Christian homes were burned, and hundreds of
Christians were tortured and murdered. Yet a man who had been part of a mob
later said of the Christians, “They are still suffering. But they have no
complaints and they are living happily . . . If Jesus could influence people’s
lives to such an extent, I would prefer to be part of that faith.” Another man
said, “I have seen the violence and their suffering. Yet they have not given up
their faith. So I decided to embrace their faith.” (10)
One
ofthe many features I found
enlightening was the treatment of the Lord’s Prayer as a prayer for the
persecuted. (Of course, Lutheran’s never tire of finding spiritual gold in the
Lord’s Prayer.)
For anyone who comes to this blog often, they will note that I have posted numerous reviews of CTCR reports. CTCR stands for the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LC-MS). Readers may be wondering about this commission, when was it formed, what are its duties, who is on it, how does the commission determine topics to issue reports or opinions about and how much "authority" the commission has.
The link below will take you to a four page document that answers such questions. It was posted in 2013 and I expect it will be updated following the upcoming Synod Convention listing the four members such a convention is charged with electing. Because it is a couple of years old, some of the pending projects listed have actually been accomplished.
A
Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
of The
Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod
February
1994
56
pages
Racism
is alive and well in the USA and around the world. That, however, is not the focus
of this
report. Its focus is “Racism and the Church.” That is to say, what God’s
position on Racism is (and therefore what our position as Christians should be),
how has it crept into the Church (especially into the LC-MS) and what we can do
based on guidance from the Bible.
The preface
of this excellent study says:
In April 1986 the officers and staff of the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, at the request of the President of the Synod, met with a
number of African American pastors in the Synod to discuss issues related to
black ministry and to share matters of mutual interest. Following this meeting,
the Executive Director of the Commission on Black Ministry expressed
appreciation for this opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions and, at the
same time, forwarded a request from black leaders in the Synod that a document
on racism be prepared. The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
responded positively to this request and immediately placed this study on its
agenda.
Calling on all of its members “To Combat All Racism,” the Synod at its
1992 convention in Pittsburgh urged “the rapid completion of the CTCR study”
and asked the members of the Synod “to make maximum use of this study upon its
completion and to pray the Lord of the church to bless this study and cause it
to effect appropriate changes in attitudes and actions.” The Commission on
Theology and Church Relations joins in the prayer that this document on Racism
and the Church will be a blessing to the Synod, assisting us all not only
in understanding the problem of racism, but also, with God’s help, in dealing
with it in our own personal and corporate life. For those who wish to explore
in more detail what the Scriptures teach regarding racism and its consequences,
a Bible study has been included with this report (pp. 45-56).
In
light of what we hear so often in the news, the need for this report has not diminished
in the two decades since it was published. You may be thinking, but we aren’t a
racist denomination. Consider this one fact. If our membership gains in the
black community had kept pace with our membership gains in the white community,
then we would have over a quarter million black members in the LC-MS right now.
Instead, black membership is somewhere around 20,000. Why? Racism doesn’t
express itself only by taking a gun into a church with membership different
from you.
If
you are not a member of the LC-MS, this report is still an excellent read. The
theological/biblical insights will serve Christians of any denomination well.
The Bible study at the end is also excellent, but would certainly take more
than one meeting. I give this report “two humble thumbs up.”
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our
being gathered to him … 2 Thess. 2:1
A Lutheran Response to the “Left Behind” Series
A Report of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
April 2004
24 pages
A
provocative interpretation of the book of Revelation, indeed of the entire
Bible, was offered in 1995 when Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins published Left
Behind: A Novel of the Earth’s Last Days. By serializing the tribulations
of the book of Revelation the Left Behind novels have become the
all-time best-selling Christian fictional series. It is estimated that Tyndale
Publishing House has sold over 55 million copies of the Left Behind books
at the time the CTCR published this document (2004). There has even been two
movies based on the books, a game and a
children’s series of books based on the original series. It is no surprise at
all, then, that the books have had significant impact on peoples' understanding
of the Bible and what it says concerning the Second Coming of Jesus (or, if you
accept the theology of these books, the second, third and fourth comings of Jesus).
In 2002,
then president of the LC-MS Gerald Kieschnick, sent a memo to the CTCR reporting
”a growing concern in our church about the impact that the popular Left
Behind series of books is having on people today, including members of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.” After sharing his conviction that “this is a
legitimate concern and that some attention needs to be given to the matter,”
the President requested that “the Commission review this topic and prepare a
statement on it that will be helpful to our people as they exercise discernment
when reading such literature.” This report is the CTCR’s response.
The
theology undergirding these books is called “premillennial dispensationalism.”
It is a deeply flawed way to interpret the Bible. If you wish to know how this
view is reflected in the Left Behind books, as well as what the Bible
does actually teach concerning the topics the Left Behind books
fictionalize, then this short report is for you. There is an excellent glossary
at the end of the document, as well as an easily understood diagram comparing
different views of “eschatology” (see the glossary for this word as well as “premillennial
dispensationalism”).
This coming Sunday is Pentecost 14. We will be using the Service
of Prayer and Preaching for our liturgy (page 260). This is a non-communion
service. We use the appointed Psalm instead of the Introit for the Day. Our
readings will be Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9; Ephesians 6:10-20; Mark 7:14-23 and
Psalm 119:129-136 (antiphon v. 132). Psalm 119 is sometimes called the “giant
Psalm.” It is an acrostic poem following the Hebrew alphabet. The first eight
verses all begin with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The second eight
verses begin with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and so on. In this
particular set of verses, the Hebrew letter is “Pe.” The entire Psalm
is about the word of God. You will notice the role of the word of God in the
other readings as well.
I will again be using the epistle lesson for the basis of
the sermon. This will conclude Ephesians in our Sunday readings, and therefore
the end of this little mini-series. The sermon is titled “Stand Together.” The
text is Ephesians 6:11.
The hymns Sunday will all be well known. Our opening hymn
will be “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” (LSB
660). Our sermon hymn will be “Onward, Christian Soldiers” (LSB 662). Our closing hymn will be
“Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You” (LSB
668).
Our adult Bible class is working through the study, Word:
God Speaks to Us. The author is John T. Pless and it is part of the Lutheran
Spirituality series published by Concordia Publishing House. This Sunday we
will continue with the second lesson, “The Words That Kill and Give Life.” To
be honest, the discussion was such that last week we only covered one question.
Some of the questions left to answer are: “What will the Law not do? What will
it do?” “What is the ‘righteousness of God’ and how is it made manifest?” “How
does Isaiah demonstrate the connectedness between Word and Spirit?”
Participants are asked to read 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 to prepare for class. We
have extra study guides. Join us and be blessed by the Word of God, which is a
means of grace.
Below is a video of “The Lutheran Warbler” (Rachel) singing “Onward,
Christian Soldiers,” our sermon hymn.
What follows is a synopsis of Sunday’s lessons, provided by
the synod, then the lessons. As always, the synopsis does not factor in the
appointed Psalm, but you should have no trouble understanding how it relates. Following
the readings are some additional notes. Don’t forget to check out the other
posts from earlier this week. You can also link one or more of our posts to
your personal facebook (or other social media) page. Find one you like and
share it.
We Are Cleansed
and Sustained by the Word of God
Wickedness and evil come “from within, out of the heart,”
and that is what defiles a person (Mark 7:21–23). Hence, we cannot save
ourselves, because we are sinful and unclean from the inside out. But as the
Lord Jesus “declared all foods clean” (Mark 7:19), so He cleanses us by
His Word, by the preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore,
“listen to the statutes and the rules” of the Lord, “and do them,
that you may live” (Deut. 4:1). For His Word is righteous, and to live
according to it is “your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the
peoples” (Deut. 4:6). Cling to His Word, and also teach it “to your
children and your children’s children” (Deut. 4:9). Put on this “armor
of God” by hearing and heeding what He speaks to you, that you may “stand
firm” in the evil day (Eph. 6:11–13). Gird yourself with the righteousness
of Christ, by faith in the “gospel of peace,” and take up “the sword
of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” by confessing Christ Jesus and “praying
at all times in the Spirit” (Eph. 6:14–18).
Psalm 119:129-136
(antiphon v. 132)
pe
129Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore
my soul keeps them.
130The unfolding of your words gives
light;
it
imparts understanding to the simple.
131I open my mouth and pant,
because
I long for your commandments.
132Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as
is your way with those who love your name.
133Keep steady my steps according to
your promise,
and
let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134Redeem me from man's oppression,
that
I may keep your precepts.
135Make your face shine upon your
servant,
and
teach me your statutes.
136My eyes shed streams of tears,
because
people do not keep your law.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2,
6-9
4:1“And
now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and
do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving
you. 2You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take
from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you. …
6Keep
them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the
sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely
this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7For what
great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call
upon him? 8And what great nation is there, that has statutes and
rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today?
9“Only
take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your
eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life.
Make them known to your children and your children's children—
Ephesians 6:10-20
10Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the
whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the
devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this
present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore
take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil
day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14Stand therefore, having
fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the
readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take
up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of
the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18praying at all times in the
Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all
perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19and also for
me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the
mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains,
that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Mark 7:14-23
14And
he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and
understand: 15There is nothing outside a person that by going into
him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile
him.”a17And when he had entered the house and left the
people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18And he said to
them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever
goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19since it enters
not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods
clean.) 20And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles
him. 21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts,
sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness,
deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these
evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
aSome manuscripts add verse 16: If anyone has
ears to hear, let him hear
Some Additional
Notes
There will be a special called church council meeting following Sunday’s worship service.
The September
newsletter will be available Sunday.
Keep Praying for your
Neighbors and Walking your
Neighborhoods.
The next hymn our ladies will examine at the WBF (September 2) will be “When I
Behold Jesus Christ,” LSB 542.
Rev. Victor Belton - Pastor, Peace Lutheran Church, Decatur, GA, LCMS Board of Directors
Linda Hartke - President and CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Loving Our Neighbor - Jesus' Real Presence in Our Neighborhood
In
light of the events in Baltimore and Charleston (both part of the SED)
and events in other major cities, we have been called to re-examine our
own hearts in the ways that we are loving each of our neighbors. There
are many perspectives that are important; listening to those who are
leading ministry in the city and those to whom they minister, it becomes
evident that:
The
presence of Jesus in the neighborhood is the answer to racism, poverty,
and systems that allow injustice to go unchallenged among us.
The
absence of the church in our communities has left a vacuum that is
quickly filled with fear, discouragement, and hopelessness
The answer to the present urban struggle begins with the step we each take towards our neighbor - wherever it is that we live
It's
important to be in places to listen to the stories of people who live
in the city - the real life stories of our sisters and brothers will
change our perspective
Listening prayerfully leads to a new place in our hearts and possibly a different kind of response
At
our Regional Professional Church Workers Conference we are delighted to
have Linda Hartke and Rev. Victor Belton serve as our presenters
leading us to explore the topic: Jesus' Real Presence in Our Neighborhood.
Optional Workshop - Mobilizing for Sustainable Mission Multiplication
Dr.
Peter Meier, from The Center for United States Missions, will lead us
through models that multiply the Word into new neighborhoods. Principles
of multiplication will be introduced. Ryan Radke, SED Digital Outreach
Coordinator, and Rick Steenbock, from TwoFish Media, will show
participants first hand how to live stream content into homes and
neighborhoods. More information
Please contact Brent Smith, SED Director for Mission Development if you have questions.
Conference registration fee is $50 (Optional Workshop is offered at no additional cost.) Agenda and more information is available on the SED website
Southeastern District, LCMS 6315 Grovedale Drive Alexandria VA 22310 www.se.lcms.org
