The Three Cs

This was one of the most unique assignments I have been given since coming to Concordia Theological Seminary. I was tasked with outlining the Salvation History of the Old Testament in 800 words or less, while hitting all of the major points, and introducing you and me into the story. I did miss one major event: the exile. But here is my entry ... in 800 words, on the nose. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life, and through that life, through that light ... He will send his messengers to herald His coming and to turn the hearts of all who long for the life we lost.  The genesis of John coupled with the conclusion of Malachi, which buttress in their own way, is a wonderful starting point to begin a conversation about where we are in Salvation History. Here, we see the past meeting the future. Here, we see that from the beginning, the Old Testament isn’t mere history; it isn’t just law; it really isn’t old; and it certain...

Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Sadly, I wasn't bold enough this morning to post this entire passage to my Facebook page: I wimped out with only the rhetorical questions from verse 4: "Who has ascended ... gathered the wind ... wrapped up the waters ... established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely, you know! I do know, and so do you. Don't you? Really, I wanted to post it all, especially that first part. That passage leaped off the page at me, like most of them do. This time it reminded me of who I am. I am wretched, and I shouldn't be ashamed to admit it....

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded. If you are a regular Bible reader, I am sure you must have looked quizzically at the title of this post and my Bible reference. The title is James 1:22. So, what's with the Proverbs reference, you ask? Yesterday, I had lunch with a Christian friend of mine who has been struggling with his faith, struggles that have him occasionally wondering if he is really saved. Maybe I am doing too much, he says. Maybe I am not doing enough. Maybe I don't really believe. Maybe my faith is dead. Passages like those in James have a way of doing that to every Christian. Do not merely listen to the Word, James writes, do as it says (James 1:22 NIV). Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (James 2:20 ESV) For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it (James 2:10 NIV). Am I really goo...

Listen without interrupting. (Proverbs 1:8) Speak without accusing. (James 1:19) Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26) Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9) Answer without arguing. (Proverbs 17:1) Share without pretending. (Ephesians 4:15) Enjoy without complaint. (Philippians 2:14) Trust without wavering. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Forgive without punishing. (Colossians 3:13) Promise without forgetting. (Proverbs 13:12)

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. This verse jumped off the page at me, probably for all the wrong reasons. When I read 1:17, I could think only of one particular TV preacher. I am not sure what his name is, but I can clearly see his face. I have tried to listen to him from time to time, but I am always struck by his incessant rambling about things other than either the law or the gospel. Actually, he normally is talking about the law. So when I see his show, I sometimes try to listen for the gospel -- that is, the good news. You caught that last phrase, didn't you? The good news? It's why I attend a Lutheran church. Lutheran pastors are trained to deliver the law with a heavy dose of gospel, in fact, more gospel than law. Clearly, as Scripture reminded me, quarreling doesn't advance our cause. But the Gospel does. Yet, too many "Christians...