The sad thing is, there were Christians in favor of requiring permits, or even putting restrictions on home Bible studies… All in the interest of keeping their property values higher. It was not the importance of people coming to Christ, growing in discipleship, or even exercising freedom of religion, but more so their property values. Money appeared an even greater concern than the constitution, the great commission, and even the salvation of souls.

Its a sad deal indeed, when Christians put aside discipleship, when they put aside the needs of the local church, when they put aside the constitutional provisions for freedom of religion. Society as a whole sees this, and then no wonder (as taken from Newt Gingrich) that American culture has been marked by “a steady increase in hostility to religion over the last 70 or 80 years, in ways that are a profound challenge, both to Western Civilization and to America as we know it.”

I’m into church history, not so much our nations history… but 1000:1, Quakers would be spitting tacks with the cavalier and greed driven attitudes of much of contemporary Christianity when it comes to freedom of religious practices.

Sure, Christians will fuss over loosing a nativity scene, loosing a display of the ten commandments on public ground, or restrictions on prayer in schools. Those are easy, as they are of little to no cost personally to fuss over… but for far too many, as soon as the call to follow Christ comes, and that it might mean personal monetary sacrifice, Christ looses. I know this all too well… its easy to get caught up in mammon, which is why I tend to be pretty hard core about not doing so going forward.

Now, for those who do not want to sell out Christ or the constitution, this is not the type of deal where one can sit back fat dumb, and happy. For those drafting the zoning regulations, they get pounded on by the economic powers that be, so much so, they may forget things like the constitution, and if they do remember it, they will try to whittle around it due to the pressure they are under.

Even for the faithful drafters of legislation, they may feel they are duty bound to do so as they have to serve all, and thus exception for faith related issues seem out of place. Then add in that the the constitution is so commonly sold out, restricting freedom of religion may in a perverted sense may actually appear the “right” thing to do.

The best way to make sure Jesus is kept first, and that the constitution is upheld is for Christians to be proactive. Its a whole lot better to make ones views known, and lobby before regulations are approved, than having to jump hoops, and spend a kazillion dollars to get them overturned after the fact.

As such, lets look at a few different points of view when it comes to the zoning issue, and practices of the church.

Churches need the ultimate flexibility when it comes to what their work may entail. Perhaps its a commercial looking operation, say a religious bookstore in a facility, or perhaps a kitchen to prepare meals, or perhaps a soup kitchen, or even a homeless shelter, daycare, or school which might fall within a churches domain, or something unusual like a waiver against noise ordinances when it comes to church bells or carillons.

Even public safety issues like new/remodeled construction building codes for kitchens, schools, daycare, housing, while possibly good ideas could interfere with faith practices. If so, and if following Christ and the constitution are held in high regard, reasonable exemptions should be lobbied for and drafted into the regs. The key is reasonable, ie the FDNY code is incredibly intense, and churches are exempt from some parts, but as a touring Christian musician years ago, well, lets just say I learned of some exemptions the hard way. Those lobbying went too far, reasonable is key when it comes to public safety.

Usage on the other hand is another matter entirely. Pretty much any usage a church is led * to via scripture, needs to be as free as possible from government restriction. First, in order to foster the churches mission, but also to uphold their constitutional rights to freely practice their religion.

Fortunately, the courts sometimes do come down on the side of the church and the constitution in such matters. That is of course, when the church has enough money to take it that far, or a religious freedom or constitutional rights organization such as Alliance Defense Fund or the ACLU can step in. In far too many cases, the church simply gives up or runs out of money, and both they, and the constitution loose out to greed.

By the same token, there does need to be a limited level of definition. Just as churches are granted freedom to practice their faith as they see fit… unscrupulous entities must not be allowed to take on the appearance of the church to run rampant over a communities zoning laws. Ie, Acme widget manufacturing, should not be able to call themselves First Acme Church of Widgets to get around zoning codes. The courts have also read through the lines, when a commercial entity tries to call themselves a church in order to build multifamily or transient housing in areas where such is outside the scope of such usage, they do almost always get their chain yanked.

Of course, between the two, ie a church whose primary functions are worship and service, and a disguised church whose primary function is the activity they wish to bypass zoning for, is a significant amount of grey area. Accessory service of churches can include quite a range of activities, some of which might come pretty close to making them appear primarily not so much like a place of worship anymore. Thats the subtle nuance that sadly leads to a ton of headaches and legal hoop jumping.

I do think the process is something every Christian should be aware of and take part in, such that their church doesn’t get put in the position down the road of having to choose whether to follow Christ or follow the law of Caesar. Most certainly there should never be any restrictions on home Bible studies, nor any other activities that clearly fall within the churches mission. That is of course, unless one ranks the importance of money more so than the words of Christ.

*one caveat… churches, and even home Bible study groups should be good neighbors. Just because the constitution grants freedom to practices ones faith, it should not result in a damaging witness to ones neighbor. Blocking neighbors driveways by errant parking, excessive noise all hours of the day or night is not cool. Bearing in mind of course that the cross is offensive… The word of God should never be compromised to placate those who take offense.

The third use of the law in a nutshell is preaching the law to the regenerate, as contrasted with the first use, civil order, and the second, to convict folks of their sin/their need for Christ.

The reason for preaching the law to Christians, ie the third use from SDvi

(21)So, too, the doctrine of the Law, in and with [the exercise of] the good works of believers, is necessary for the reason that otherwise man can easily imagine that his work and life are entirely pure and perfect. But the Law of God prescribes to believers good works in this way, that it shows and indicates at the same time, as in a mirror, that in this life they are still imperfect and impure in us, so that we must say with the beloved Paul, 1 Cor. 4:4: I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified. Thus Paul, when exhorting the regenerate to good works, presents to them expressly the Ten Commandments, Rom. 13:9; and that his good works are imperfect and impure he recognizes from the Law, Rom. 7:off ; and David declares Ps. 119:32: Viam mandatorum tuorum cucurri, I will run the way of Thy commandments; but enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified, Ps. 143:2.

But one needs to make a distinction as to who one is preaching too, again from SDvi.

(26) Accordingly, we reject and condemn as an error pernicious and detrimental to Christian discipline, as also to true godliness, the teaching that the Law, in the above-mentioned way and degree, should not be urged upon Christians and the true believers, but only upon the unbelieving, unchristians, and impenitent.

***** to me, SDvi26 is a prohibition of fire and brimstone preaching to Christians, other folks mileage may vary.

I’ve been following C21 via twitter feed. Its fascinating to pick up the audiences perceptions, albeit its nothing like a video feed or even better being there in person.

A common thread through the twitter feed from Seth Donovan’s talk.. if only church was a place for love, and a place where one could be whole, ie decompartmentalized.

Its as if, believers are getting whacked with the third use so much, and either confession and absolution is skipped, or church is buried so much in whacked third use, confession and absolution arent even heard. Granted, not all churches provide for corporate confession and absolution, nor do many Lutheran churches make known, much less even promote private confession and absolution.

Another possibility is folks are putting on such a show, a perception of violating SDvi21 ie perfection is possible, or even must be the norm in church. A friend uses the term snowglobe Christianity.

Thus, if one adds in imbalanced third use, plus the inavailability, or downplaying of confession and absolution, or promoting snowglobe Christianity masks, absolutely things are going to get backed up in a huge way. Its like opening a fire hose, but then blocking off the sewer. There are going to be problems.

The solution… stop it, just say no to imbalanced third use of the law. If someone is going on a power trip over third use, whack em. Ok, well thats oversimplification, and its unlikely anyone would go that far. On the other hand, once a problem is brought to light, to sit back and do nothing, or just crab about it is as nearly as bad as creating the problem in the first place.

I would hope that when folks return form #C21, they will have their ears on to detect problems, and when they do, heart to heart talks will occur. Conferences are about useless, unless one can come back to ones own venue, and at least apply 1 thing which was learned. Addressing imbalanced third use is likely one of them, and its a biggey. I believe it creates many more stumbling blocks for believers, than nearly any other activity in the contemporary church. Overuse and imbalanced third use would be nearly equivalent to skipping the law entirely.

I generally don’t like to judge another Christians faith practices, nor approach to ministry, as I do fully believe we are all on the same team. About the only time I get really concerned is when abuse, toxic soteriology, or other such issues present themselves where individuals are or potentially are being hurt or damaged.

In this case, short of the inherrant dangers of decision theology, if appropriate safety precautions are taken, there really isn’t much danger, other than perhaps folks throwing up, or a few folks being offended. Kids are smart, they are not going to go out and do stupid stuff like this on their own. Same deal with adult/youth interaction, ie as soon as a line is crossed from gross to seedy, such will be called out in a heartbeat. Granted, if this were a lone ranger or even small church ministry, I’d be a whole lot more concerned with the potential for crossing that line.

That being said, there are bigger issues here, and they transcend nearly all of ministry, not just youth ministry trying to go viral.

The first issue: Why on earth do we try to be relevant by going exclusively contemporary? Egads, you want fear factor, look to the Bible and John the Baptist. You want sex in the city on steroids, look to Esther, or Songs of Solomon. You want crazy animals, look at the bear eating youth in Elijah. You want an action adventure story, look to Moses. The old testament mirrors just about every crazy crowd attraction in todays society. Even Burning Man is in the OT, albeit one does need to add in a bit of later history, but its a pretty clear connection in scripture. The problem of course, is not a lack of material, but more so I think the ability to draw the connection to it. Perhaps even an element of “what will they think?” if we mention some of the more intense, violent, or sexual stories in scripture, especially is ones church tends to downplay those parts of scripture.

The second issue: Why the numbers game? Why open the door for the possibility of boasting? I think one can be absolutely positively on fire for God, and yet stay far away from worldly promotion techniques. I’m not saying we can’t learn from the world, nor that we should put talents under a cover… but take the high road.

Look at the latest Ipod… do they span, do they use bots, do they promote Steve Job’s over the product, do they use for the lack of a better term, booth bimbos? No, Apple takes the high road… only the seedier products lend themselves to low road promotion. Should we take what is holy, and promote it in a low road fashion? Should we take Jesus, and market Him like porn, spam, or get rich quick schemes? I don’t think so…

None of the above is to suggest relevance, or creative promotion of ministry is to be avoided. Its merely to suggest much relevance is already laid out in scripture, and if there is a choice when it comes to promotion, consider how it may come across to those you are trying to reach. Associating Jesus with Viagra spam is not cool.

In some communities, the focus is on the poor and the least of these to a huge extent… in some cases, Jesus is rarely mentioned if at all.

In some communities, the focus is on uber orthodoxy, and its so easy to get wound up in the “right way” that Jesus doesn’t takes a second chair to policy and procedure, or in other cases, He doesn’t get mentioned at all.

In some communities, the focus is on so much scholarship and wisdom, somewhere, somehow Jesus sort of pales in comparison, or current psychology dominates so much of the environment, Jesus doesn’t get mentioned at all.

In some communities, the focus is on sex, hetero or homosexuality to such an extent, that the talk of sex is much more prevalent than Jesus. In some cases, he doesn’t get mentioned at all.

In some communities, the focus is on wealth and personal growth to such an extent, that talk of Jesus pales in comparison.

In some communities, adherence to political ideology is so great, that if a homeless and hungry immigrant happened by, he would be unwelcome, as would Jesus.

In some communities, the fear of sexual stumbling is so great, that folks run from those with minimal clothing and they are unwelcome. Jesus would not get clothes.

In some communities, imprisoning folks and throwing away the key as a penal solution, and not attending to their medical needs as it costs too much is common practice. Jesus would be left alone to suffer in his cell.

In some communities, the injured man along side the road is walked on by, because ministry is too important. Jesus would also be walked on by, but in fairness, folks would pray that Caesar or a Samaritan would come to Jesus rescue.

In some communities, the focus is on abortion to such an extent, that the talk of the unborn is much more prevalent than Jesus. In some cases, he doesn’t get mentioned at all.

The deal is…. Jesus is not missing, Forest is right in that. Yet when Jesus stands at the door and knocks, and the community keeps the door shut and lets other, even things that could be good keep them from opening the door, a serious problem exists. What good can come from a community to upholds Jesus in name, and yet keeps him from entering?

Lest I be a rock thrower, I’ll fess up to botching the above list in its entirety at one time or another. Its very easy to get on what one thinks is the right path, only to end up shutting the door, and not letting Jesus in.

Ecclesiastes 7 presents a lot of wisdom in this, verse 16 pretty much nails it. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise—why destroy yourself?

When we get caught up in “good things” to the exception of Christ, we should be asking… Why do we put Jesus outside the door? Why is this “good thing” so important that our savior is not even mentioned?

Some positive aspects of scripture memorization:
Rightly handling the word of truth… if scripture is memorized, life is easier. Its not that one needs a photographic memory of the Bible, but being able to recall specific narratives certainly makes life simpler.

Testifying as to what one believes… who has more authenticity, the one who speaks from his/her heart, or the one who has to pause, look things up, and then read them?

Some scriptural admonitions

Colossians 3:16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Proverbs 7:1-3 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

The underlying problem: Lame youth programming misses the point of nearly all aspects of scripture memorization, as it emphasizes head knowledge over heart knowledge, and competition over community.

Matt presented his objections to scripture memorization in youth programs in a series of 6 premises. While I disagree with his conclusion, ie I am for scripture memorization in youth programs, I do whole heartedly agree with his objections. I’ve categorized them into the following categories.

Head knowledge vs heart knowledge.

• Memorization does not equal maturity or discipleship.
• Memorization is not equivalent to “hiding your word in my heart.”
• Memorization removes scripture from historical tradition and literary context.
• Memorization is not a historical spiritual discipline.

Competition vs Community

• Most memorization programs are reward-driven competitions.
• Memorization elevates certain kinds of students over and above other.

The Challenge

How do we redo/tweek programming to accentuate the positive aspects of memorization, while minimizing the counterproductive nature of current programming.

A few things which we know from educational psychology:

• Short term memory, ie cram for the exam doesn’t lead to long term retention, nor does it impact the heart.
• Memorization of facts without relevant application doesn’t lead to very efficient use of time, nor retention, nor an impact on the heart.
• Some residual retention, even from exam crams, or theoretical non-application, almost always shows up, even in ones heart… but its a very tiny amount. Thus, even a minor tweak to “lame programming” may prove hugely beneficial.
• Evaluation and feedback is needed for learning, but whether its individual, competitive, or group wise is subject to controversy. Ultimately one size fits all doesn’t work, just as a single method of evaluation for all doesn’t work out too well either.
• Intrinsic Motivation almost always produces better outcomes than extrinsic.
• Rote retention of isolated facts, without understanding can and often does lead to errant application.

A few bits from scripture:

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

1 Cor 3: 18-23 18Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a “fool” so that he may become wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a]; 20and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b] 21So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas[c] or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

Romans 11:17-20 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root [1] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.

Proverbs 1:2-6 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, 3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; 4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth— 5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, 6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.

Some ideas for change:

• Competition has to go, we don’t need varsity level competition in scripture memorization
• Focus on application of scripture, not just rote knowledge
• Community of faith involvement
• Need to shift more towards intrinsic motivation, rather than mostly extrinsic rewards… don’t throw all the little sticky stars away, they were cool but lets not just focus on the sticky stars.
• Provide for different methods of feedback
• The self directed concept may have value, albeit implementation is tricky… but if we can do it in flight training, by golly it should mostly certainly fit within Christian education.

One of the things he stated was the following in reference to the Pharisees during Jesus time.

The Pharisees had taken the Law of Moses and, over the years, had reduced its overarching tenets to minutiae:  how far it was permissible to walk on the Sabbath, how much you could carry, what things and people and activities were to be considered ceremonially clean and unclean. In theory, it was a good idea, because if one could not work on the Sabbath, then it was important to know how, exactly, to define “work,” wasn’t it?

Many of todays very orthodox Jewish people have very detailed criteria of what is ok, and what is not. Unlike the Pharisee’s of Jesus time, the orthodox Jewish folks I know are very humble. Rather than looking down on less orthdox folks as not being truly Jewish, they more so adhere to their orthdoxy in an exceedingly cool way of showing reverence to God, and their love for Him. The thought of looking down on ones neighbor is beyond uncool for them. Granted, just as in Christianity, I am sure there are a few jerks here or there who do look down on others.

That being said, I look at some of their lists, and go wow, its not for me, but I still think its pretty cool. One of the more interesting criteria is Sabbath mode. Here are a few examples.

Elevators can be programmed to automatically enter and leave Sabbath mode. In a nutshell, pushing elevator buttons is considered a form of work, and is prohibited. As a result Sabbath mode runs the elevator continuously circulating top to bottom and stopping at every floor. It may take a while to go up and down of course, but I think its pretty cool to have such a feature available.

Another option available in ovens provides for a bypass of the automatic 12 hour shut down interval. As a result, orthodox Jewish folks can cook their food the day before the Sabbath, and the oven will enter into a keep warm cycle, and thus prevent the need for any type of manual intervention.

By the same token, there are some fairly extreme situations that seem more a workaround than perhaps showing reverence. I guess it depends on the person, some might show their love this way, albeit I would find it sort of like a person who tithes but doesn’t really want to.

The halachic authorities have determined that electricity used as heat or light is considered fire. Therefore by turning on the burner one is creating a new fire. This action could just as well have been done before Yom Tov and is prohibited because of molid. Turning the dial on your electric stovetop may also initiate a light or icon on a control panel which would otherwise be off. This may be a transgression of kosev, writing, as well as molid. Even when the electric burner was left on from before Yom Tov, if one wishes to adjust the temperature of the burner there is also reason for concern. This is because, as a rule, one does not know if there is electric current running to the element at the time they wish to make the adjustment. Even when there is an indicator light showing that a burner is on, this may not be an indication that electricity is flowing to the burner at that moment.

I dont know that the above shows love to God, shows loving my neighbor, or is mans way to try and rationalize around a given situations. Either way, its probably the sort of thing that becomes near impossible to keep over a period of time, albeit I can think of cooktop design changes which could do so automatically.

Ultimately, I think Christians have to search their heart and pray for wisdom for such issues after consulting the scriptures. Even more so, for actions called out by the law and/or its extensions. Does one revere God with joy and love, or does it become a matter of drudgerous duty? Does such an action show loves for ones neighbor, or aggravate them?

We dont want to make the Pharisee’s mistake which tragic_pizza stated so well What Jesus is confronting is theological purity turned putrid: where the details of doctrine overwhelm and become the focus of faith. Where justice and mercy apply only to those who think, act, and look like us. Where being right is more important than righteousness. Where law smothers love.

Nor do we want to throw works as relative to our neighbor totally aside. We must not spend so much time messing with the stove to remain pure, such that we never cook the food, and the hungry homeless man remains unfed.

1 John 1:5-7 5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

So whats up with the walking in darkness deal? Its interesting to note Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Certainly in this passage from Isaiah, obedience is not the issue, nor is unbelief. Granted, it is possible 1 John 1 and Isaiah 50 are not inter-related, but I think the immediate context of 1 John 1 serves as key. The kicker is lieing, and not walking in truth… not unbelief, nor necessarily any of the myriad of other sins one might want to pick and choose from.

I wonder if Matthew 6-7 ripples throughout this. Ie, putting on a show, individuals doing the pietist thing in public, acts of righteousness, prayer, fasting, and. Storing up treasures on earth, judging, building faith on sand etc.

Jesus is pretty hardcore with Matthew 7:21-34 21″Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ 23Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

It is however way cool, that 1 John 1:7-10 provides an answer. It is not to say we are without sin, It is not to shy away from fellowship, it is not to throw the law out the window. Its a lot simpler than any of that. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives

Presiding Bishop Hanson:

I WANT MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT WORDS FROM ONE YOU HAVE CALLED TO SERVE AS PASTOR OF THIS CHURCH.
I HAVE BEEN STANDING HERE THINKING ABOUT MY 23 YEARS AS A PARISH PASTOR AND HOW DIFFERENTLY I WOULD GO INTO A CONTEXT IF I WAS GATHERING WITH A FAMILY OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAD JUST EXPERIENCED LOSS OR PERHAPS WERE WONDERING IF THEY STILL BELONGED OR IN FACT FELT DEEPLY THAT ONES TO WHOM THEY BELONG HAD BEEN SEVERED FROM THEM.
THAT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT PASTORAL CONVERSATION.
AND I WOULD PROBABLY TURN TO WORDS SUCH AS ROMANS 8, “WHO IS TO CONDEMN?
IT IS CHRIST JESUS WHO DIED, YES, WHO WAS RAISED, WHO WAS AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, WHO INTERCEDES FOR US, WHO WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?
I’M CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS NOR RULERS NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR POWERS, NOR HEIGHT NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
BUT THEN I THOUGHT, “WHAT IF I WERE GOING INTO A FAMILY OR A GROUP, A COMMUNITY THAT HAD ALWAYS WONDERED IF THEY BELONGED AND SUDDENLY HAD NOW RECEIVED A CLEAR AFFIRMATION THAT THEY BELONGED.
ALL OF THE WONDERING ABOUT THE DIVIDING WALLS, THE FEELINGS OF SEPARATION SEEMED TO HAVE DROPPED AWAY.
THAT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.
I WOULD PROBABLY READ TO THEM OUT OF EPHESIANS. “BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS, YOU WHO WERE ONCE FAR OFF HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NEARBY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.
FOR HE IS OUR PEACE.
IN HIS FLESH, HE HAS MADE BOTH GROUPS INTO ONE.
HE’S BROKEN DOWN THE DIVIDING WALL THAT IS THE HOSTILITY BETWEEN US.
IN HIM, THE WHOLE STRUCTURES JOINING TO AND GROWS INTO A HOLY TEMPLE AND LORD IN WHOM YOU ALSO ARE BUILTING TO SPIRITUALLY INTO A DWELLING PLACE OF GOD. “.
BUT THEN I THOUGHT, WHAT IF THOSE TWO GROUPS WERING TO?
WERE TOGETHER, BUT ALSO IN THEIR MIDST WERE THOSE WHO HAD NOT EXPERIENCED LOSS OR THE FEELING OF THE DIVIDING WALL OF SEPARATION COMING DOWN, BUT WERE WONDERING AND WORRIED IF ALL THAT HAD OCCURRED MIGHT RECEIVER THE UNITY THAT — SEVER THE UNITY AND WONDERED IF THEIR ACTIONS MIGHT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RECONCILIATION OR SEPARATION?
IF ALL THOSE PEOPLE WERING TO IN A ROOM — WERE TOGETHER IN A ROOM, I WOULD READ FROM COLOSSIANS, “AS GOD’S CHOSEN ONES, HOLY AND BELOVED, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH COMPASSION, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS AND PATIENCE.
BEAR WITH ONE ANOTHER.
IF ANYONE HAS A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE OTHER, FORGIVE EACH OTHER JUST AS THE LORD HAS FORGIVEN YOU SO YOU MUST ALSO FORGIVE.
ABOVE ALL, CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH LOVE, WHICH BINDS EVERYTHING TO IN PERFECT HARMONY AND LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, TO WHICH INDEED YOU WERE CALLED IN THE ONE BODY AND BE THANKFUL.
LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY.
TEACH AND ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER IN ALL WISDOM, WITH DRAT TUD IN YOUR — GRATITUDE IN YOUR HEARTS, SING SONGS, HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS TO GOD.
AND WHATEVER YOU DO IN WORD OR DEED, DO EVERYTHING IN THE NAME OF JESUS, GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE FATHER THROUGH HIM. “.
THAT PASSAGE GIVES INVITATION AND EXPECTATION THAT THOSE DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED TODAY WILL HAVE IN THIS CHURCH THE EXPECTATION AND THE FREEDOM TO CONTINUE TO ADMONISH AND TO TEACH.
AND SO, TOO, THOSE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED RECONCILIATION TODAY, YOU ARE CALLED TO HUMILITY.
YOU ARE CALLED TO CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH LOVE.
BUT WE’RE ALL CALLED TO LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN OUR HEARTS, REMEMBERING AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT WE ARE CALLED IN THE ONE BODY.
I WILL INVITE YOU TOMORROW AFTERNOON INTO IMPORTANT, THOUGHTFUL, PRAYERFUL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHAT ALL OF THIS MEANS FOR OUR LIFE TOGETHER.
BUT WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT FOR ME IS THAT THAT’S A CONVERSATION WE HAVE TOGETHER.
I ENDED MY ORAL REPORT WITH THESE WORDS.
“WE MEET ONE ANOTHER FINALLY, NOT IN OUR AGREEMENTS OR OUR DISAGREEMENTS, BUT AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS.
WHERE GOD IS FAITHFUL, WHERE CHRIST IS PRESENT WITH US, AND WHERE, BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE ARE ONE IN CHRIST.
LET US PRAY.
OH, GOD, GRACIOUS AND HOLY, MYSTERIOUS AND MERCIFUL, WE MEET THIS DAY AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS AND THERE WE KNEEL IN GRATITUDE AND AWE THAT YOU HAVE LOVED US SO MUCH THAT YOU WOULD GIVE THE LIFE OF YOUR SON SO THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME.
SEND YOUR SPIRIT THIS NIGHT, THE SPIRIT OF THE RISEN CHRIST THAT HAS BEEN BREATHED INTO US.
MAY IT CALM US.
MAY YOUR SPIRIT UNITE US.
MAY IT CONTINUE TO GATHER US.
IN JESUS’ NAME,

AMEN.

Along that line of thought, the Grace Temple Deliverance Center appears to have been damaged. Photos and some detail are at Hot-For-Jesus Former Fundie.

In checking that out, I spent some time this evening on the Grace Temple Deliverance Center’s website. I’ve often thought that heavy lifting was pretty much the domain of large denominations, and/or mega churches where the economy of scale can come into play. The folks at Grace Temple appear to be a small congregation, but wow, talk about taking on massive projects. Its a rare congregation indeed that can take on school and hospital projects, even more so to do so offshore rather than in ones backyard. That rare congregation seems to exist at Grace Temple.

For sure, our theology is vastly different, yet we worship the same Lord Jesus Christ.  If I were at CWA09, I’d take some time and see what needed to be done over at Grace Temple. Being I’m not, physical help is off the table, but most certainly I will be praying for them. I am just amazed at all they have done.

======21-August-2009 update======

Interesting to note the following, the sun came out in the convention center area, and a rainbow formed near LTSG.

By the same token, experience does play a role in scriptural interpretation. Wesley’s quadrilteral, ie, scripture, tradtion, reason, and experience is very true even for Lutherans, but how we implement it is different. We like to discard the quadrilertal, and say scripture alone… but to be totally honest, if we threw out everything but scripture, we’d likely be in a vastly different place. Imagine if each parishoner had to reinvent the Augsberg confession from scratch, or even the Nicene Creed for that matter.

This is not to say tradition, reason, and experience should triumph, or even balance with scripture. But more so, I think we must admit they do play a role, even if only a small part in our interpretation.

As far as divergent beliefs, we can look towards our own recent history of a couple hundred years. We had pietists, rationalists, pro-slavery, anti-slavery, high church, low church, Missourians, anti-Missourians, and a host of others (the term election controvery is commonly used, but that seems merely a catch-all phrase to me). Then throw in that within some communities, there was a mix of Mormon and Reformed theology within the Lutheran church as well… yet if asked, many likely would say, scripture alone.

In light of such diversity, it is commonplace for there to be divergent thoughts on any number of issues over interpretation. Both sides will state they have the right interpretation. Both sides will provide solid scriptural support for their views, albeit each side likely will doubt how solid that support really is on the part of the other side, even more so if they use differing methods of interpretation. Some might even get out a hammer to pound their view into the heads of the other party, but to no avail.

This is where bound conscience enters in. I think Luther said it quite well.

Luther:  For I am neither arrogant nor so eager for vainglory that for this reason I would be ashamed to revoke ill-founded doctrines. Indeed, it will please me most of all if the truth is victorious. However, I do not want to be compelled to affirm something contrary to my conscience, for I believe without the slightest doubt that this is the meaning of Scripture.

Luther: Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures or by clear reason (for I do not trust either in the pope or in the councils alone, since it is well known that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.

When 2 parties are thus at odds over an interpretation, both likely hold views very similar to Luther. In effect, if one wants to maintain some sense of unity, the really only solution is to agree to disagree, and in doing so respect one anothers views. A Hammer has no place in this.

Luther quotes taken from

http://www.elca.org/~/media/Files/What%20We%20Believe/Social%20Issues/In%20Process/Human%20Sexuality/Wengert_on_Bound_Conscience.pdf