Christians tend to gather on Sunday, because it is the Lord's Day - the Day Christ rose from the dead. But what do we gather for? Why do we come together?
Christians come to be in the presence of their Lord, and we believe that Jesus is present with us in His Word and Sacrament. And not just in the "He lives in my heart" sense - but in the real sense - in a reality we perceive by faith. We know He is there to give us His gifts - forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. We know He is there to wash us in Baptism, speak promises to us in His Word and feed us in His Supper. We gather to be with Jesus.
This is why the earliest Christians always celebrated the Lord's Supper every time they gathered. It was why they gathered, because they believed that Jesus - their Lord who had ascended into heaven - was present with them in this Supper He instituted for His Church. This is the most substantial way He comes to be with His people.
Think of the Lord's Supper as a kiss shared by husband and wife. The minute you have to place rules on how often, the kiss loses its affectionate force. But no one would ever say, "I think we have kissed enough," or "That kiss will have to do for the rest of the day." No one says, "How often do we have to kiss?" Instead we ask, "How often do we get to kiss?" Let's face it, we kiss and get kissed as often as we can (at least when there is peace...hehe).
And with Christ there is ALWAYS peace. Because the Lord's Supper is more than a kiss from God. It isn't merely something we want - it is something we need. It is the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation in, with and under the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is God's New Testament for His people - His New Covenant Promise that we are reconciled - and this reconciliation - this Oneness - is in the blood of His Son. So let us not ask, "How often do we have to commune with our Lord?" But "How often do we get to commune with our Lord?"
Monday, 31 March 2014
Friday, 21 March 2014
What is the correct interpretation?
There is an expression that has become extremely popular in the last decade, one that you know very well.
"Well, that's just your interpretation."
It doesn't give certainty. It doesn't communicate truth. It doesn't offer the correct interpretation. All it does is throw doubt into the situation. Confuse things. It reminds me of the garden of Eden, when the serpent asked Eve, "Did God really say...?" My dear Eve, are you sure you aren't interpreting it wrong? (Notice the double negative)
Do you see the deception in this question, in this statement? Nothing is added. But certainty is removed. When someone says, "Well, that's just your interpretation," they are not saying "The interpretation is this... because of these reasons." They are simply saying, "I don't like what you are saying, so I want you to feel like what you are saying is only true for you. I want to remove your certainty."
Here's the million dollar question: Is there a correct interpretation of God's Word that is true for all people of all times and places? God certainly thinks there is. And He says we can know it, believe it, confess it to others. He has not given us His Word so that we stumble around in the dark, but so that He may draw all people to Himself. There are true interpretations and there are false interpretations.
Then, how do you know which is true and which is false? So many people will throw their hands up in the air at this point, as though they don't know how to do this. We do it with everything else in life, but when it comes to God's Word we suddenly feel like it is impossible to do. It is not. Because God has spoken His Word in a real language - that has real rules - and real plain meaning.
The reason "various interpretations" arise is because people read wrong, they bring their own ideas to the plain text and "look" for things. We all do it, but it is important to know how we do it. This is most evident in the post-Reformation era where all the various denominations (confessions/interpretations of teaching) have sprung up. The post-Reformation era was the Enlightenment, in which, for the first time, "man was the measure of all things." People were influenced by philosophies not present when the Bible was originally written - yet they brought these philosophies to the text of Scripture. We can trace how those secular philosophies continue to impact a denomination's tradition and interpretation of Scripture to this very day.
Let's look at a household example of how different interpretations arise.
Mom: "Clean up the dishes."
Child 1: "Mom wants us to clean up the dishes."
Child 2: "No, Mom is telling us she wants us to clean up the dishes, AND we are able to do it."
Ok, these two children have a slightly different understanding of Mom's words. The first child has taken the plain meaning of her words. We ought to clean up the dishes. But child #2 has added something - ability - we can clean up the dishes. Evidently, child #2 has brought this to the text, because the plain meaning of the words "Clean up the dishes" only communicate the ought. The can is assumed. For whatever reason, child #2 wanted to interpret the words this way. It is not the basic meaning of the words. Should Mom have wanted to communicate what child #2 "heard" she would have said something like, "You are able-bodied and have no other responsibilities, and I know I can count on you to clean up the dishes. Please do so." It is certainly possible Mom also assumed they could do it - but that is not in the words. An assumption made on both sides is the epitome of bad communication.
The example seems silly, I know, but I used it because it is a real discrepancy that different Christian denominations have over the text of Scripture. Certain interpretation traditions assume human ability into God's commands. They cannot imagine how God might want to communicate what ought to be happening, even if it can't happen right now. Like the frustrated parent that wants their one year old to speak with words so they know what they want! Not going to happen, no matter how much you want it...haha.
What does all of this mean? Words matter. The words of the text matter. What do the words say? The plain meaning is always the truth unless the context can prove it is otherwise. So read your Bible. But don't look for the social problem in the text. Don't look for the agenda. Look for the plain meaning - what is good in faith - because Christ is speaking there.
"Well, that's just your interpretation."
It doesn't give certainty. It doesn't communicate truth. It doesn't offer the correct interpretation. All it does is throw doubt into the situation. Confuse things. It reminds me of the garden of Eden, when the serpent asked Eve, "Did God really say...?" My dear Eve, are you sure you aren't interpreting it wrong? (Notice the double negative)
Do you see the deception in this question, in this statement? Nothing is added. But certainty is removed. When someone says, "Well, that's just your interpretation," they are not saying "The interpretation is this... because of these reasons." They are simply saying, "I don't like what you are saying, so I want you to feel like what you are saying is only true for you. I want to remove your certainty."
Here's the million dollar question: Is there a correct interpretation of God's Word that is true for all people of all times and places? God certainly thinks there is. And He says we can know it, believe it, confess it to others. He has not given us His Word so that we stumble around in the dark, but so that He may draw all people to Himself. There are true interpretations and there are false interpretations.
Then, how do you know which is true and which is false? So many people will throw their hands up in the air at this point, as though they don't know how to do this. We do it with everything else in life, but when it comes to God's Word we suddenly feel like it is impossible to do. It is not. Because God has spoken His Word in a real language - that has real rules - and real plain meaning.
The reason "various interpretations" arise is because people read wrong, they bring their own ideas to the plain text and "look" for things. We all do it, but it is important to know how we do it. This is most evident in the post-Reformation era where all the various denominations (confessions/interpretations of teaching) have sprung up. The post-Reformation era was the Enlightenment, in which, for the first time, "man was the measure of all things." People were influenced by philosophies not present when the Bible was originally written - yet they brought these philosophies to the text of Scripture. We can trace how those secular philosophies continue to impact a denomination's tradition and interpretation of Scripture to this very day.
Let's look at a household example of how different interpretations arise.
Mom: "Clean up the dishes."
Child 1: "Mom wants us to clean up the dishes."
Child 2: "No, Mom is telling us she wants us to clean up the dishes, AND we are able to do it."
Ok, these two children have a slightly different understanding of Mom's words. The first child has taken the plain meaning of her words. We ought to clean up the dishes. But child #2 has added something - ability - we can clean up the dishes. Evidently, child #2 has brought this to the text, because the plain meaning of the words "Clean up the dishes" only communicate the ought. The can is assumed. For whatever reason, child #2 wanted to interpret the words this way. It is not the basic meaning of the words. Should Mom have wanted to communicate what child #2 "heard" she would have said something like, "You are able-bodied and have no other responsibilities, and I know I can count on you to clean up the dishes. Please do so." It is certainly possible Mom also assumed they could do it - but that is not in the words. An assumption made on both sides is the epitome of bad communication.
The example seems silly, I know, but I used it because it is a real discrepancy that different Christian denominations have over the text of Scripture. Certain interpretation traditions assume human ability into God's commands. They cannot imagine how God might want to communicate what ought to be happening, even if it can't happen right now. Like the frustrated parent that wants their one year old to speak with words so they know what they want! Not going to happen, no matter how much you want it...haha.
What does all of this mean? Words matter. The words of the text matter. What do the words say? The plain meaning is always the truth unless the context can prove it is otherwise. So read your Bible. But don't look for the social problem in the text. Don't look for the agenda. Look for the plain meaning - what is good in faith - because Christ is speaking there.
Tuesday, 18 March 2014
What am I afraid of?
I can't!
Well, why don't you... I CAN'T! I just can't.
You know these words and so do I. They are the words we use when we know we're supposed to do the right thing, but we find ourselves unable to do it. I can't. I can't be in the same room as that person. I can't bring myself to tell the truth about what I've done. I can't go back to that place. I just can't.
These words are almost instinctual. They are like the reaction you get when your wound is poked. They come from deep within, almost without thinking. Something lies hidden deep down inside of us, something we are trying to protect. Something we react to like an animal caught in the corner.
Because the truth is we are afraid. We are afraid of something. These words declare our fear. But do we know what it is? Could we put our fear into words? Or are we afraid to?
Do you want to know what I'm afraid of? This is what I'm afraid of. I am terrified that when I look into that dark, hidden place inside me. When I stop defending it like a cornered cat, and actually look at it, I will find something I hate. In fact, my true fear is that I know I will find something I hate, so 'I can't' bring myself to look at it. I want it to stay in the dark, where nobody - not even me - can see it. I'm not afraid of the dark. I'm afraid of the light. I'm afraid that when the light hits it - and I see it - I will have to acknowledge that I deserve to die. That I truly am despicable.
And it is here that Jesus meets me. Not to expose me. Not to condemn me - for I am already condemned. But to save me. To love me when I know no one should. He Himself said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17). At the exact point when I know I deserve to die, Jesus says "I'll die for you." At the moment when I know I am despicable, Jesus says, "I love you anyway. I'll clean you up. I'll be your light. I'll take your fear."
"This is the judgment," Jesus said, "the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19-21). I don't need to be afraid to expose my darkness, because Jesus has taken it to the cross. I can come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that Jesus has done this for me. That God Himself is my light.
Too many Christians are concerned with their own righteousness. Are we trying to protect our self-righteousness, or are we confessors of the truth "I am a sinner, whom Christ has forgiven"? Let us give God the glory and cover our own unrighteousness no longer - let us instead be covered by Christ - covered by His blood - covered by His light, for that is why He came - for you.
Well, why don't you... I CAN'T! I just can't.
You know these words and so do I. They are the words we use when we know we're supposed to do the right thing, but we find ourselves unable to do it. I can't. I can't be in the same room as that person. I can't bring myself to tell the truth about what I've done. I can't go back to that place. I just can't.
These words are almost instinctual. They are like the reaction you get when your wound is poked. They come from deep within, almost without thinking. Something lies hidden deep down inside of us, something we are trying to protect. Something we react to like an animal caught in the corner.
Because the truth is we are afraid. We are afraid of something. These words declare our fear. But do we know what it is? Could we put our fear into words? Or are we afraid to?
Do you want to know what I'm afraid of? This is what I'm afraid of. I am terrified that when I look into that dark, hidden place inside me. When I stop defending it like a cornered cat, and actually look at it, I will find something I hate. In fact, my true fear is that I know I will find something I hate, so 'I can't' bring myself to look at it. I want it to stay in the dark, where nobody - not even me - can see it. I'm not afraid of the dark. I'm afraid of the light. I'm afraid that when the light hits it - and I see it - I will have to acknowledge that I deserve to die. That I truly am despicable.
And it is here that Jesus meets me. Not to expose me. Not to condemn me - for I am already condemned. But to save me. To love me when I know no one should. He Himself said, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17). At the exact point when I know I deserve to die, Jesus says "I'll die for you." At the moment when I know I am despicable, Jesus says, "I love you anyway. I'll clean you up. I'll be your light. I'll take your fear."
"This is the judgment," Jesus said, "the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19-21). I don't need to be afraid to expose my darkness, because Jesus has taken it to the cross. I can come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that Jesus has done this for me. That God Himself is my light.
Too many Christians are concerned with their own righteousness. Are we trying to protect our self-righteousness, or are we confessors of the truth "I am a sinner, whom Christ has forgiven"? Let us give God the glory and cover our own unrighteousness no longer - let us instead be covered by Christ - covered by His blood - covered by His light, for that is why He came - for you.
Monday, 10 March 2014
What makes the Bible unique?
How would the typical person react when they hear you regularly read the Bible?
The Bible?!? Why would you read the Bible? What makes the Bible so special that you would actually read it instead of other books?
Take a look.
This "book" is unique in its continuity. It is written over the span of 1500 years. It has 40 different authors from 40 different generations from all walks of life: kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, doctors, tax collectors, herdsmen, poets, statesmen, scholars etc. It is written in different places, from the wilderness, to a dungeon, to a palace, to a remote island. It is written during war. It is written during peace. It is written in times of joy. It is written in times of sorrow and despair. It is written on three different continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. It is written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It speaks of hundreds of controversial issues that even in our own generation would never be agreed upon - and yet the Bible speaks with one, unified voice as though written by one author (say the Holy Spirit?).
This "book" is unique in its circulation. It has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book - even languages that are no longer used!
This "book" is unique in its translation. It has been translated and retranslated and paraphrased more than any other book in existence. By 1966, the whole Bible appeared in 240 languages with one or more of its books appearing in 739 additional languages - totalling 1,280 languages.
This "book" is unique in its survival. The Bible, compared with any other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than any 10 pieces of classical literature combined! It has been persecuted, burned, outlawed, destroyed only to come back in greater circulation. It has been criticized, doubted, said to be "on its last days" hundreds of times over the millennia and remains easily defended by scholars to this day.
This "book" is unique in its teaching. It is the only volume ever produced in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all the peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of One who was to be the Messiah - that can actually be shown to have been fulfilled. It stands alone in historical accuracy and age. It is the only document to outline ethnic and linguistic complexities in such a seemingly "modern" way. It speaks frankly and honestly of the sins and errors of the people, something not found in any other histories, not even the biographies of today.
This "book" is unique in its influence on surrounding literature. "If every Bible in any considerable city were destroyed, the Book could be restored in all its essential parts from the quotations on the shelves of the city public library." "It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many peoples and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount." There are more Christians today than at any other point in history.
No - this doesn't prove the Bible is the Word of God. But it does prove the Bible is unique. It does prove that is SO extremely different from every other volume ever produced that if any person was truly concerned with truth, it would be the obvious first place to start, and perhaps the only place one ever need go.
Read your Bible. Hear the Word of God preached. Ask your pastor questions about anything you read or hear. Because the Lord has revealed Himself to mankind from eternity and His unified message still speaks to those who have ears to hear. And the best part - His sole purpose in speaking - the only reason the Bible exists is to deliver you the promise of forgiveness, life and salvation won for you in His Son, Jesus Christ. You are forgiven. It is true.
The Bible?!? Why would you read the Bible? What makes the Bible so special that you would actually read it instead of other books?
Take a look.
This "book" is unique in its continuity. It is written over the span of 1500 years. It has 40 different authors from 40 different generations from all walks of life: kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, doctors, tax collectors, herdsmen, poets, statesmen, scholars etc. It is written in different places, from the wilderness, to a dungeon, to a palace, to a remote island. It is written during war. It is written during peace. It is written in times of joy. It is written in times of sorrow and despair. It is written on three different continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. It is written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. It speaks of hundreds of controversial issues that even in our own generation would never be agreed upon - and yet the Bible speaks with one, unified voice as though written by one author (say the Holy Spirit?).
This "book" is unique in its circulation. It has been read by more people and published in more languages than any other book - even languages that are no longer used!
This "book" is unique in its translation. It has been translated and retranslated and paraphrased more than any other book in existence. By 1966, the whole Bible appeared in 240 languages with one or more of its books appearing in 739 additional languages - totalling 1,280 languages.
This "book" is unique in its survival. The Bible, compared with any other ancient writings, has more manuscript evidence than any 10 pieces of classical literature combined! It has been persecuted, burned, outlawed, destroyed only to come back in greater circulation. It has been criticized, doubted, said to be "on its last days" hundreds of times over the millennia and remains easily defended by scholars to this day.
This "book" is unique in its teaching. It is the only volume ever produced in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all the peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of One who was to be the Messiah - that can actually be shown to have been fulfilled. It stands alone in historical accuracy and age. It is the only document to outline ethnic and linguistic complexities in such a seemingly "modern" way. It speaks frankly and honestly of the sins and errors of the people, something not found in any other histories, not even the biographies of today.
This "book" is unique in its influence on surrounding literature. "If every Bible in any considerable city were destroyed, the Book could be restored in all its essential parts from the quotations on the shelves of the city public library." "It is evidence of His importance, of the effect that He has had upon history and presumably, of the baffling mystery of His being that no other life ever lived on this planet has evoked so huge a volume of literature among so many peoples and languages, and that, far from ebbing, the flood continues to mount." There are more Christians today than at any other point in history.
No - this doesn't prove the Bible is the Word of God. But it does prove the Bible is unique. It does prove that is SO extremely different from every other volume ever produced that if any person was truly concerned with truth, it would be the obvious first place to start, and perhaps the only place one ever need go.
Read your Bible. Hear the Word of God preached. Ask your pastor questions about anything you read or hear. Because the Lord has revealed Himself to mankind from eternity and His unified message still speaks to those who have ears to hear. And the best part - His sole purpose in speaking - the only reason the Bible exists is to deliver you the promise of forgiveness, life and salvation won for you in His Son, Jesus Christ. You are forgiven. It is true.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Why is Baptism important?
Well, I believe in Jesus. Why would I need to be baptized?
There are many people nowadays that may have this sort of attitude when it comes to the gift of Holy Baptism. What does Baptism give me that I really need?
God has made promises. But how do you know they apply to you? Who are you that the Holy Promises of God should also include you? Here is the eternal refuge of Holy Baptism. All the promises of God are poured upon you in the water and Word of Baptism. When that water touches your body, immediately you are certain - God has promised these things to me. Personally. This IS faith. The devil might attack my faith and make me doubt whether I believe. My sin might rise up and make me feel dirty and unworthy. Death may stare me in the face and cause me to fear. And in all those moments, the Evil One will press hard to take Jesus away from me. But the One thing he can never change is that God has washed me in water and the Word. God's promise that I am His child, forgiven, justified, sanctified in the Name of Christ and by His Spirit, will always apply to me - because I got wet.
So God has given you baptism as the place you can forever return to Him. He has put Jesus in the water. He has given you a place to drown your sin, to cast off old Adam's works, and emerge new in Jesus. No matter what the devil may throw at you, or whisper to you, or remind you of - you may always say in return, "I am baptized!"
But I believe in Jesus. Why would I need to be baptized? How about another look?
Jesus said, "Unless you are born of water and the Spirit you will never enter the kingdom of God."(John 3:5) Jesus tells us baptism is necessary. Yes, God can save those who have not been baptized, those who have not had the opportunity to be baptized (like the thief on the cross), but that is not what He wants. God commands us to be baptized. He has given us baptism for this reason. To save us (1 Peter 3:21) Faith responds to that command in faith - it gets baptized.
He also said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." The certainty of this Word is for those who believe and are baptized. They will be saved. There is also certainty for those who do not believe. They will be condemned. But where is the certainty for those who believe, but are not baptized? What!? They won't be condemned? That is the best we can contrive from these words. And here is the kicker - how do you know that you believe? This is what the devil will immediately throw at you in any moment of weakness. Well, I believe that I believe. But how do you know you believe that you believe? Faith becomes faith in faith - not in Jesus.
But God has given us baptism. New birth. His Spirit. And He wants us to run to it. The Devil cannot go there - all he can do is tell people that they don't need it.
In closing hear the words of St. Paul to Pastor Titus, "[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)
Grace is free, offered to you in the Holy washing of Baptism.
There are many people nowadays that may have this sort of attitude when it comes to the gift of Holy Baptism. What does Baptism give me that I really need?
God has made promises. But how do you know they apply to you? Who are you that the Holy Promises of God should also include you? Here is the eternal refuge of Holy Baptism. All the promises of God are poured upon you in the water and Word of Baptism. When that water touches your body, immediately you are certain - God has promised these things to me. Personally. This IS faith. The devil might attack my faith and make me doubt whether I believe. My sin might rise up and make me feel dirty and unworthy. Death may stare me in the face and cause me to fear. And in all those moments, the Evil One will press hard to take Jesus away from me. But the One thing he can never change is that God has washed me in water and the Word. God's promise that I am His child, forgiven, justified, sanctified in the Name of Christ and by His Spirit, will always apply to me - because I got wet.
So God has given you baptism as the place you can forever return to Him. He has put Jesus in the water. He has given you a place to drown your sin, to cast off old Adam's works, and emerge new in Jesus. No matter what the devil may throw at you, or whisper to you, or remind you of - you may always say in return, "I am baptized!"
But I believe in Jesus. Why would I need to be baptized? How about another look?
Jesus said, "Unless you are born of water and the Spirit you will never enter the kingdom of God."(John 3:5) Jesus tells us baptism is necessary. Yes, God can save those who have not been baptized, those who have not had the opportunity to be baptized (like the thief on the cross), but that is not what He wants. God commands us to be baptized. He has given us baptism for this reason. To save us (1 Peter 3:21) Faith responds to that command in faith - it gets baptized.
He also said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." The certainty of this Word is for those who believe and are baptized. They will be saved. There is also certainty for those who do not believe. They will be condemned. But where is the certainty for those who believe, but are not baptized? What!? They won't be condemned? That is the best we can contrive from these words. And here is the kicker - how do you know that you believe? This is what the devil will immediately throw at you in any moment of weakness. Well, I believe that I believe. But how do you know you believe that you believe? Faith becomes faith in faith - not in Jesus.
But God has given us baptism. New birth. His Spirit. And He wants us to run to it. The Devil cannot go there - all he can do is tell people that they don't need it.
In closing hear the words of St. Paul to Pastor Titus, "[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:5-7)
Grace is free, offered to you in the Holy washing of Baptism.
Tuesday, 18 February 2014
How old is the earth?
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. When was that? How long ago was it?
There is a lot of confusion these days about Science and Religion. Can they exist together? Do they complement each other? There are those who see there is no problem between the scientific observations made in the last fifty years and the truth of the Bible. Then, there are those who want Science to be the end of Religion, their sword for being rid of God's judgment.
On account of this, the question of the Earth's age is often used to "debunk" the Bible, because man's observation makes it very clear that "billions and billions" of years can be seen in the universe.
But there is something that few people are willing to observe in the Biblical account. When God created Adam, how old was he? Did God make a zygote, or a fertilized egg? No. Adam was created as a full grown adult. If a group of scientists had come at that moment to test Adam's age, though he was only one day old, they would have observed that Adam was 25 or something. He was created with age. The same is true for the whole creation. How old do stars need to look in order to be full grown? What about trees? Rocks? God made everything with man in mind. He wanted the light of the stars to reach Adam's eyes. He wanted the trees to bear fruit and feed Adam and the animals. The reason things look old, is not because they are old, it is because they were made with age (precisely so they WOULD look old) - just like Adam.
There is nothing to fear in Science, because it belongs to God. It is the observation of God's things, and it brings Him glory. However, the truth of God's Word must remain first, because no matter what things look like to man at a given moment in history, the truth of His Scriptures will be shown in their entirety to all on the Last Day. Thanks be to God for revealing Himself to us in His Holy Word, and may He give us faith to rest in His unchanging truth.
There is a lot of confusion these days about Science and Religion. Can they exist together? Do they complement each other? There are those who see there is no problem between the scientific observations made in the last fifty years and the truth of the Bible. Then, there are those who want Science to be the end of Religion, their sword for being rid of God's judgment.
On account of this, the question of the Earth's age is often used to "debunk" the Bible, because man's observation makes it very clear that "billions and billions" of years can be seen in the universe.
But there is something that few people are willing to observe in the Biblical account. When God created Adam, how old was he? Did God make a zygote, or a fertilized egg? No. Adam was created as a full grown adult. If a group of scientists had come at that moment to test Adam's age, though he was only one day old, they would have observed that Adam was 25 or something. He was created with age. The same is true for the whole creation. How old do stars need to look in order to be full grown? What about trees? Rocks? God made everything with man in mind. He wanted the light of the stars to reach Adam's eyes. He wanted the trees to bear fruit and feed Adam and the animals. The reason things look old, is not because they are old, it is because they were made with age (precisely so they WOULD look old) - just like Adam.
There is nothing to fear in Science, because it belongs to God. It is the observation of God's things, and it brings Him glory. However, the truth of God's Word must remain first, because no matter what things look like to man at a given moment in history, the truth of His Scriptures will be shown in their entirety to all on the Last Day. Thanks be to God for revealing Himself to us in His Holy Word, and may He give us faith to rest in His unchanging truth.
Friday, 14 February 2014
Why did God give me a conscience?
The moral compass. Heaven's courtroom. There are many names for our conscience. But what is it for, and how does it work now that everything in this world has been broken by sin?
Your conscience is sort of like an umpire in baseball. It is observing all that is happening in your life, and it calls what it sees. Ball! Strike! When you think sinful thoughts, or speak sinful words, or behave in an ungodly manner, your conscience calls it for what it is. Similarly, when someone else does something to you, your conscience makes sure you know - Strike!
But sometimes the umpire is wrong. Baseball fans loath when this happens, but it happens all too often. The pitch comes in and the umpire says "Strike", but it was WAY outside. The same is true for your conscience. Your conscience can get broken and it can be wrong. This happens when the Evil One and sin have their way with you.
Think of the first time you did something wrong, and how badly you felt about it. Your conscience was working. But the second time, the third, eventually, after repeating the same wrong, you don't feel as bad, and before you know it, you don't feel a thing where you used to feel guilty. Your conscience is broken.
But this is where God wants to interject. He wants to pinch hit. He wants to set Himself up at home plate, and hit every pitch that comes flying in. Whether its your failings - forgiven, guilt removed. Or its the offensive behaviour of your neighbour done against you - forgiven, offense removed. Christ has made things new. He has been "hit by the pitch" so that you don't get struck out. He has been "hit by the pitch" so you don't hold your neighbour's wrong against him. And He has knocked the ball out of the park so that you win, even when you should lose.
Christ has established His Church. He has sent out preachers to speak to your conscience as often as possible. To speak into place this pinch hitter, this Christ, who protects you from guilt and shame. And not just your own guilt and shame, but the wrongdoing of your neighbour. You no longer have to see how your neighbour is wrong - now you can see that Christ has forgiven them too, and He calls you to do the same - to forgive them and to help them. This is why we keep hearing His Word preached, so that our conscience doesn't overwhelm us. So that our overwhelmed conscience doesn't hold anything against our neighbour.
Let's face it, the pitch is too fast for us. We don't know if its a ball or strike, and there is no way we can hit it. But Christ has already accomplished His victory on the cross. The game is already over - and though it is still being played in our conscience - He comes to us in His Word and Sacrament over and over again to show us how it ends. You are forgiven. Freed from guilt and shame and fear. See your pinch hitter. Watch Him crank it, and pray that He is all you see. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Your conscience is sort of like an umpire in baseball. It is observing all that is happening in your life, and it calls what it sees. Ball! Strike! When you think sinful thoughts, or speak sinful words, or behave in an ungodly manner, your conscience calls it for what it is. Similarly, when someone else does something to you, your conscience makes sure you know - Strike!
But sometimes the umpire is wrong. Baseball fans loath when this happens, but it happens all too often. The pitch comes in and the umpire says "Strike", but it was WAY outside. The same is true for your conscience. Your conscience can get broken and it can be wrong. This happens when the Evil One and sin have their way with you.
Think of the first time you did something wrong, and how badly you felt about it. Your conscience was working. But the second time, the third, eventually, after repeating the same wrong, you don't feel as bad, and before you know it, you don't feel a thing where you used to feel guilty. Your conscience is broken.
But this is where God wants to interject. He wants to pinch hit. He wants to set Himself up at home plate, and hit every pitch that comes flying in. Whether its your failings - forgiven, guilt removed. Or its the offensive behaviour of your neighbour done against you - forgiven, offense removed. Christ has made things new. He has been "hit by the pitch" so that you don't get struck out. He has been "hit by the pitch" so you don't hold your neighbour's wrong against him. And He has knocked the ball out of the park so that you win, even when you should lose.
Christ has established His Church. He has sent out preachers to speak to your conscience as often as possible. To speak into place this pinch hitter, this Christ, who protects you from guilt and shame. And not just your own guilt and shame, but the wrongdoing of your neighbour. You no longer have to see how your neighbour is wrong - now you can see that Christ has forgiven them too, and He calls you to do the same - to forgive them and to help them. This is why we keep hearing His Word preached, so that our conscience doesn't overwhelm us. So that our overwhelmed conscience doesn't hold anything against our neighbour.
Let's face it, the pitch is too fast for us. We don't know if its a ball or strike, and there is no way we can hit it. But Christ has already accomplished His victory on the cross. The game is already over - and though it is still being played in our conscience - He comes to us in His Word and Sacrament over and over again to show us how it ends. You are forgiven. Freed from guilt and shame and fear. See your pinch hitter. Watch Him crank it, and pray that He is all you see. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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