This week's article asks the question about what the church is. Answer: it is simple the people (the believers) who hear the voice of the Jesus. In other places in the confessions, the church is described as being the place where the gospel is preached purely and the sacraments are administered correctly.
That doesn't seem so bad, but if you read the article it can sound pretty harsh. Is this article saying that members of the Roman Catholic Church are not really church? Not at all. The point that is being made here is a helpful distinction. The church is not a building or an institution. The church is simply the people of God who hear the voice of Jesus.
Remember the situation that this is written in. In those days the leaders of the church were not always the most godly of people. There was much corruption by power and money and it was everywhere. Often, teachings or practices would be devised in order to maintain that power and money. So it was more often about that, than it was about the truth.
Luther and other reformers were being accused of not being the church and falling away from the church. That is they were not going along with the abuses of power that they witnessed in their day. And so, Luther and others define church as we see it in this article.
This is an important lesson for us to remember and hold onto today. It is all to easy to see church as an institution and not as the people of God. It is too easy for "church" to become a word about a building where we spend a couple hours a week.
But the church is important, because it is the community where God's love, and grace and mercy are seen and proclaimed. The church is important because she takes these things out into the world. The church does not exist for the sake of the church, but the church exists for the sake of the world. Because this is true, the church should act accordingly.
This is all wonderful and exciting stuff. I look forward to the opportunity to continue this conversation in the days ahead. God's blessings and peace be with you this week.
Sincerely,
Pastor CJ
3 comments:
So, would it be correct to say that the church exists in order to enact the Great Commission? Matthew 28:16-20. If the answer is yes, or a qualified yes, why do we as Lutherans find evangelism and witnessing to others so difficult?
Are Mormons considered part of the church using the definition in the Smalcald Articles? I think not, but would appreciate your take on it.
My question is not on point with this week's article, but is topical nonetheless. What do you think will be the result of the ELCA's change in position that will now allow openly gay and lesbian to serve as pastors. Some think it will hurt the ELCA, but I've heard others say they feel the church will grow since it will now be "comfortable" for those who have chosen to live in sin. I would be interested in hearing your take on this.
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