So, What did you Think?

For those of you who were able to attend the open forum on Sunday, you experienced quite a treat. For those of you who missed it, I apologize for this post. I normally try to write in such a way as to include everyone. So please bear with me on this one.

When I was in college I enrolled in a series of classes offered by the religious studies department. This were classes on Christianity, Judaism, The Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. For a kid who had spent his whole life in congregations in the LCMS I should have known better. But I went into these classes expecting the teachers to teach the truth of what I had learned growing up at home, in Sunday school and Confirmation. That was not the case. And it hit me quite hard. So much so that I went and spoke with my pastor about this. I didn't understand how the teachers of these classes could teach things that were not true. (One of the professors told the class that if we believed in any kind of god we were not thinking on an elevated level and were not worthy to talk to him).

What I did not fully understand at that point, was that my professors had a right to their opinions, even if they were wrong. Now, I don't want get caught up in a great debate on this one. The other thing I didn't realize is that for most of them, they were teaching religion from a purely human perspective. A couple of these professors taught me some great life lessons, and I am very much in debt to them.

My point is that sometimes we are going to hear from people that we do not agree with. So what do we do with this? Especially when the areas we disagree on are pretty big, like Jesus is God. While the answer is simple, it is not easy. And that is simply this we listen, love and respect. Chances are, when you bring in a Rabbi, to talk to a congregation, as happened here this past weekend, a few questions from complete strangers are not going to cause him to say, "You know, you are right. I've changed my mind." Our time with him is best spent listening, and learning and what believes and how he sees the world. Because there is a lot that we can learn from that. Does that mean we will agree with everything? No. But it means that an experience like that is very valuable and one that we should be grateful for.

He was more brave that I. Can you imagine going into a room full of people who see the world very differently and then be asked to defend your point of view and why you do not accept theirs?

Whatever your experience of Sunday was, know that we will have plenty of time to talk through the things that were brought up. So put together a list of questions, and we will add them to our topics. This will be sure to provide us with many interesting conversations in the future.

God's blessings and peace in Jesus be yours.

Sincerely,
Pastor CJ

The Only Way?

Today's question is another in a series of difficult questions. It is one that we again we must address with humility, respect and love. How can Christians say that Jesus is the only way to God? One of the things that I learned in seminary is that when a question is asked, you are never being asked just the question itself. In other words there is always something deeper that is influencing the question. So when a question like this comes up, there is usually something under it as well. That is not to say that the questions are being asked dishonestly, it is simply a reminder of the sensitivity needed in responding to such a question.

So then, how can Christians say that Jesus is the only way to God? Because Jesus said it himself in John 14:6. That is the major reason why Christians say it. Now the problem with this is that we have people who will make this claim and then they act and live their lives in ways that contradict the love of God. That Jesus is the way, truth and life is a gracious and loving invitation from God to be able to live life in relationship with him. It is not like an episode of "Let's Make a Deal" and you have to pick curtain 1, 2 or 3. And let's really hope that you pick the right one, because no one wants to end up with the piece of junk.

The fact of the matter is that there is no one else like Jesus. He is truly 100% God. He is truly 100% a human being. And only this combination works in saving people from their sins. Anything else, anything less would leave us without hope. Seeing Jesus as the way, truth and life is not meant to hurt or harm people, but is instead a gracious invitation to life and experience life as it was always meant to be experienced. So what do we as Christians do with this? First we live thankfully and confidently in the salvation that God freely offers, not because of what we do, but for the sake of Jesus. Because he is the way, truth and life, we can be confident of where we stand in our relationship with God. Second we live lives where we make sure that making the love of God known is a top priority. This does not meaning going out and abusing, using, and scaring people. It simply means speaking the truth in love without sacrificing truth or love. It means being persistent in that love even if the people we are loving will not love us back. This is a hard a difficult life to live, but Jesus said, "If any would come after me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me." After all, if we are to be salt in the earth, how can we do anything else in life?

I am looking forward to this discussion and the implications of it. I pray God's peace and joy in Jesus would be yours.

 

Sincerely,

Pastor CJ

If God is Good, Why is There Evil?

The topic for this week is one that is difficult to discuss (especially in the electronic format). It is difficult because there are always stories and experiences of deep and real pain, and when we talk about such topics it can be seem like we are ignoring or lessening the pain and significance of those stories and experiences. This is something that we certainly do now want to do. So please read these words and know that they are being written with deep respect and awe for the turmoil that people go through. These words are not being offered as a simple or cheap answer. Nor are they being offered as the final end of say. They are simply the beginning of a discussion, and one that I pray is a blessing to all involved.

It is difficult for us to understand why, if God is good and all-powerful (omnipotent) why evil still exists in our world. Isn't this something that God can just swoop down and stop and save the day? After all, this strategy works just fine for superman, batman and spider-man. Why not God?

My initial reaction has two parts, and I will leave it that, so as to allow for the conversation to continue. First, this idea does not fully understand, or take into account human beings. We are sinful beings. We do things in our own interests and to the detriment of others and as a result there are consequences. This does not mean that when bad things happen to us it is because we did something to deserve it, but think of it more as a ripple effect. When we sin there are consequences. Evil is in our world because human being chose to do evil. Things like sickness and death are in our world because it is a world that is corrupted by sin. It was not made in the current state that we find it.

Second, this idea above also assumes that God is not currently working on the problem. He is, it is just that we expect a big miraculous work and instead God chooses to work through the common and ordinary. God is actively about the work of restoring creation to himself. With the death and resurrection of Jesus the powers of sin, death and the devil have been defeated forever. We still see them and war against them, but they are ultimately defeated. At the same time God sends his church into the world to proclaim this restoration. As God's people we are to, as much as we are able, live in this restored reign of our God. Because we are the ones that God has chosen to work through. It is almost like medication. You take it, and you don't always feel the effects instantly, but that doesn't mean that it isn't working.

Those are my thoughts for now. I look forward to hearing from you. God's blessings and peace in Jesus be yours.

 

Sincerely,

Pastor CJ

Where did it come from?

That's the question for this week. Where did it come from? Of course, I am talking about nothing other than the Bible. Where did the Bible come from? How did it come to be the book that we know now? Why are there some books in it and not others? Is it reliable? The answer is really quite simple. The Bible comes from a publishing house somewhere.

All joking aside. The process that has brought about our scriptures is really quite impressive. It is not like the Bible floated down from heaven in the form that we now know it. Human beings were quite involved in producing the book that we now know and love so dearly. At the same time, you can see how the hand of God has guided the process too.

At David's school, the first graders all get a copy of the bible. That day, when he came home, he was super excited. "Dad! I've got my own Bible. And it is holy. It is a Holy Bible. It says it right on the front." He was beside himself with awe. The more we are able to learn and understand about the Bible and the history behind it, the more we will be able to appreciate and learn from it. Studying the Bible is something that requires much humility. But as we make this journey, I am confident that we will find it a blessing and well worth our time. My prayer is that in this process we would also be excited about the Bible, the Holy Bible.

Bring your questions on Sunday. If you are unable to make it on Sunday, or if you don't want to wait that long, feel bring to start the conversation in the comments section of this blog. God's blessings and peace in Jesus be yours now and always.

Sincerely,
Pastor CJ