Lenten Book Club - Introduction/The First Evangelicals

It was years ago when this book first found it's way into my personal library and it quickly became a favourite. It came at a time when I was becoming aware of other Christian faith traditions (one of the other "rooms" off the hallway that C.S. Lewis likens it to, page 16**) and felt compelled for several reasons to explore the rooms to compare to my own.  I am, after all, in the same "room" I was born into, one where I was baptized into Christ as an infant, confirmed and made an adult member after 3 years of being catechized, attended part of grade school, all of high school and part of college still in the "room" and went on to marry a Seminary student who was also in this same "room".  To be specific, my "room" is the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. I like it here! It's familiar, comfortable and the potlucks are awesome. More importantly, I believe everything I've been taught here. So what good can come from exploring other "rooms"?

On a fairly superficial level, it satisfies my curiosity. In my day to day life, I'm more often rubbing shoulders with people outside my room. I hear them talk sometimes using terminology that's familiar to me but I start to suspect has different meaning when used in their context. I feel a kinship with these fellow Christians who believe as I do in the God of the Bible and Jesus as their Saviour, but I also feel like I'm in a different "room" -  because I am. And so I ask myself the question every good Lutheran asks: "What does this mean?". 

In my journey so far to answer that question and with the help of "The Spirituality of the Cross", it has drawn me closer to Christ.  It has done that because it has made me go back to the Word to answer the question. This book was just a catalyst, a jumping off point. But it's the Word of God that brings us to faith, that strengthens that faith and that points us to Jesus on every page.  As I've compared what I've been taught with what others may believe using Scripture as my guide, I am appreciating and cherishing my Room. Not because of the name above the door but because of how carefully and methodically everything in that room is designed to point towards the cross of Christ.  As I consider differing theology and dare to imagine what life would be like without real presence in the Lord's Supper, that Baptism saves, closed communion, roles of men and women, and proper distinction of Law and Gospel to name just a few, I quickly realize that the grass is certainly not greener on the other side nor following the Biblical path that God desires for his children.

The term "evangelical" is confusing in today's Christian culture. Page 18 talks briefly about this misunderstanding. He goes on to define what "Gospel" means which is also a common word that's not always easy to define. I desired more of an explanation than what he gave and I came upon the following from the Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord V 3-6:

It is used in two ways in the Holy Scriptures and also by ancient and modern Church teachers. Sometimes it is used to mean the entire doctrine of Christ, our Lord, which He proclaimed in His ministry on earth and commanded to be proclaimed in the New Testament. Therefore, this includes the explanation of the Law and the proclamation of the favour and grace of God His heavenly Father. For it is written, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). And shortly afterward the chief points are stated: Repentance and forgiveness of sins. So when Christ after His resurrection commanded the apostles to "proclaim the gospel to the whole creation" (Mark 16:15), He compressed the sum of this doctrine into a few words. He also said, "Thus it is written, that Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that rependence and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all nations" (Luke 24:46-47). Paul, too, calls his entire doctrine the Gospel (Acts 20:21). He summarizes this doctrine under two points: Repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. In this sense the general definition of the word Gospel, when used in a wide sense and without proper distinction between the Law and the Gospel, is correctly said to be a preaching of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. For John, Christ, and the apostles began their preaching with repentance and explained and taught not only the gracious promise of the forgiveness of sins, but also God's Law. Furthermore, the term Gospel is used in another way. In its proper sense, Gospel does not mean the preaching of repentance, but only the preaching of God's grace. This follows directly after the preaching of repentance, as Christ says, "Repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). 

Now that we have that cleared up, we move onto the term "spirituality" that the author defines as having to do "precisely with the content, what fills abstract theology, mundane institutions, and the everyday life of the Christian with their substance". (page 20,21)

May it be said (just in case it needs to be said) that Lutherans do not worship Martin Luther. Sure, some of us may have Marty and Katie bobbleheads but that's beside the point! I agree with the author on page 23 where he writes, "One of the great strengths of the Lutheran tradition is that theology is taken seriously and has been thoroughly worked out. Sophisticated theology, biblical scholarship, and vigorous polemics are to be found in abundance among Lutherans."

We Pray:
Lord Jesus Christ, in this world of unrest and strife You founded Your holy Christian Church through faith as a kingdom of peace and joy. You have established this worldwide communion of saints in which all believers are joined by the invisible bond of faith and in which we are gathered around Your Word and Sacraments. I thank You for making me a citizen in Your holy kingdom through the cleansing waters of Baptism. I praise You for Your goodness because You bestowed upon me and all Your children Your Holy Spirit. Keep the flame of faith alive in all believers through the forgiveness and peace given us through Your precious body and blood in the bread and wine of the Sacrament. Continue to fill us with the spirit of love and peace toward one another. Make us the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Fulfill among us Your promise that the gates of hell shall not prevail against Your church. Extend Your kingdom so that Your salvation reaches to the ends of the earth. Hear us for the sake of Your truth. Amen. (Lutheran Book of Prayer)

*I plan on suggesting some supplemental listening podcasts as we go along for those that are interested. I'm a huge fan of Issues, etc. which is not from my Lutheran denomination but The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Most of the content has not been an issue. As always, be discerning but I will try my best and only suggest those I've listened too. You can listen directly from your computer but I prefer to listen through the app on my phone. This way I can drive around doing my business and listen as I go!
** I am reading from the Revised Edition, 2010

Responding to Evangelical Proof Texts: "Christianity is a Relationship, Not a Religion"

What words popped out at you in this chapter?
What has your experience been in "other rooms"?

Nine is Fine!

The birthday countdown usually starts in March. 11 months and counting. I can usually manage to distract her by focusing on how everyone else in the family needs to have a birthday first. Then after the last family member has his birthday in July, the excitement starts to flare up again. But Christmas comes first! Come Boxing Day, fuggataboutit. The birthday list has started, the menu of the day discussed and plans are made. Bring on the birthday!!

Food is always an important - no - integral part of any occasion in this house. Hosanna requested the following for her special day:

Breakfast - scrambled eggs with feta, tomatoes and basil, to be made by Mom
Lunch - Tomato and basil pizza, to be made by Oma
Supper - Bangers and Mash, to be made by Opa
Cake - Ice Cream Cake, to be made by Dairy Queen

She attempted to throw in a snack of cheese and crackers to be eaten while she opened her presents but I had to draw the line somewhere! 

Oma and Opa drove in from Wisconsin and spent the week before with us. Consequently she enjoyed a week off of school and accompanied me and our houseguests on various shopping outings along with her usual extra-curricular activities. She also enjoyed playing approximately 1000 rounds of Carcassonne with Opa who happily obliged especially when combined with their daily tea party (hot chocolate and cookies). 

I made the mistake of mentioning the day before her birthday that in China it was her birthday already. She took to that like marshmallows in hot chocolate and I fear that I've created a monster - or at least one that comes out for two days instead of one. 

Her birthday was spent seeing aunts and uncles on Skype, going to Lutheran Girl Pioneers and hosting her godparents for dinner. 

All in all, the girl had a pretty successful birthday which she rated as a "10". So far she hasn't brought up next years plans, but then it isn't March yet ... 

Love is All You Need

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth -

for your love is more delightful than wine.

Song of Songs 1:2

Lenten Reflections and Book Club Announcement

I am trying to soak up these last days of Epiphany and savour the Light of Jesus and sing my Alleluias loud and worshipful knowing what is ahead.  I don't look forward in my mind to Lent like I do Advent. It's easier to let my mind and heart look ahead from the End Times focus of the end of the church year to anticipation of the start of a new one: One that begins with Advent. In contrast, I don't like to anticipate Lent until it is Lent. Then I embrace it for the many spiritual blessings it brings. I look forward to that!  

Maybe that's the excuse I'm going with anyway to say that I've procrastinated on this and am now just choosing which book to read and contemplate over here. Join me anyway - despite my last minute mind? 

Love, love, love this book! I've been looking for an excuse to read this again. You can get it here on Amazon and also on Kindle as an ebook. I'll also be putting in an order so if you live near me I'd be happy to sell you one. Also good news - you can buy some time by taking advantage of the first chapter that Amazon has for free! 

I'll be reading a chapter a week.  There are 7 chapters so that will take us through Lent and into the beginning of Easter. I'll be posting on Thursdays my own thoughts and comments and I'd love to hear yours! Get your highlighters out because this is a good one, ya'll!  Oops. That's right. I'm from Canada now. Make that "eh"! 

We'll discuss the first chapter on Thursday, February 26 so plan on meeting me back here to share your thoughts and insights on a book that is sure to be a thought provoking read!