The Burr in the Burgh

Enrich your Lenten Season by listening to the Seminary Audio Devotions, hosted by the Admission Department and featuring meditations from students, faculty, and staff of the Seminary. February 21st – April 8th (including Easter Sunday) Click here.

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A mama Rottweiler rejected her puppy and this mama cat willingly obliges and lets him in to nurse.

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I heartily commend the Bishop of Rome for this helpful statement.


Pope Benedict XVI reportedly lashed out against laws that he said threaten the family and social order, saying none "can overturn that of the Creator."

"No law made by man can overturn that of the Creator without dramatically affecting society in its very foundation," said the pope, according to the I-Media news agency, which reports on Vatican affairs in French.

The pope's remarks to a delegation attending a conference on "natural law" at the Pontifical Lateran University came as Portugal moves to liberalise abortion and Italy plans to grant legal status to unwed couples.

"Weakening the family is punishing society," he told the delegation. Natural law "has rules that supersede all human laws (and) does not allow for derogations by anyone."

Natural law has "concrete applications" such as protecting human life from conception to its natural end, and the institution of marriage between a man and a woman, Benedict said.

"Awareness of natural law is inscribed in our very being," he said. "The law inscribed in our nature is the true guarantee offered to everyone to be able to live freely and in dignity."

The Vatican II Council of the 1960s "reaffirmed that the institution of marriage is established by divine order, and therefore this sacred bond for the well-being of spouses, children and society" cannot be severed, he said.

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Those who knew Prof. Kurt Marquart know that in addition to being a brilliant scholar and teacher, he also had a burning zeal for mission work. Of particular interest to him was Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere.

In his honor, the graduating CTS class of 07 have established a fund for pastoral education in the Lutheran church of Haiti. Go here to help.

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Aha! The best evidence that Darwinism is a farce is the skull of Charles Darwin himself. Look at these two photos. I see very little advancement btwn the caveman and the 19th century British naturalist. It just proves that Neanderthals never became extinct. One of them just wrote that they did.

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Funny.

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I just visited the wonderful new public library in downtown Fort Wayne, IN. And, as expected, came home with a bag of books. I've been wanting to read a biography of John Lennon for some time and in searching for one, I came across a collection of his sayings. Here is one that immediately struck home for me:

Part of me suspects that I'm a loser, and the other part of me thinks I'm God Almighty.

At their best, artists assist humanity in understanding reality. Here John gives us all a helping hand. I think many many (if not all) people have this same dual consciousness, the feeling that one is worthless AND the feeling that one is the center of the universe. When you understand that this is the basic modus operandi of most people, it really helps you know how to apply God's Word to their lives.

Part of you needs to be comforted and assured of God's love and His kindness toward sinners. But the other part of you needs a swift kick in the britches.

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As you may recall, I am a fan of Anne Rice's novel about the childhood of Jesus. Here is a terrific review on the book by Dr. Gene Veith.

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I just finished reading the latest Michael Crichton novel. It's called Next. I am a pretty big fan of Crichton's books but this one was disappointing. It deals with the dangers of genetic engineering and gene therapies of the possible future.

His other recent cautionary tale, Prey, about nano-technology, was quite a thrill ride. And his politically incorrect, State of Fear, about global warming deserved every bit of controversy it generated, to my delight.

To its credit, Next does bring attention to many of the troubling ethical and dangerous scientific implications of advancing genetic technologies. Crichton does not represent the religious concerns that many share, but he does highlight devastating potential abuses.

These issues sharpen even further when you understand human life to comprise more than just a random jumble of minerals and chemical reactions. A Christian author would see a much more three-dimensional problem with the current research trajectories. Nonetheless, it is useful for a secularist to observe many of the same problems and come to similar conclusions.

My problem with Crichton's latest book is not philosophical or theological. It's just not that great of a story, esp when compared to his other works. The characters are under-developed. The plot is uncertain and confused.

For a thoroughly Christian work of fiction asking very similar questions about science and human life, see instead P.D. James'The Children of Men (The book, of course. Not the film.).

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Martin Luther once famously wrote that you can no more separate good works from faith in the Christian than you can separate heat from light in fire. This pertains to classic Reformation teaching next to traditional Roman Catholicism (and ironically much of "evangelical" protestantism).

I think a Roman Catholic would want to stress that we cannot separate true living faith in Christ from a transformed life of holiness. We agree that these must not and cannot be separated.

However, even though faith and works cannot be sliced apart, they should be distinguished. Take the fire example once again. I cannot separate the heat from the light but I understand the distinction. Heat and light may be inseparable in fire but they are different and have different functions.

So when I want my plant to grow, I don't subject it to more heat, but place it in better light. And when I want my leftover pizza to taste better, I don't set it in the light, but apply some heat.

So even if faith and works cannot be separated in the life of the Christian, I understand them to serve different functions. Faith is the instrument by which I apprehend the benefits of Christ's life and sacrifice, namely forgiveness and salvation. Works are the natural outflow of living faith.

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If you enjoy the popular music of the last fifty years, you will love this feature from an issue of Rolling Stone magazine. The editors selected fifty legendary musical artists of the rock era and asked current stars to write brief reflections about them. It is a fun and fascinating read.

My favorite is the one on Elvis Presley written by Bono of U2. First of all, Bono is a genius with words. He has a very refreshing way of putting things. Read any of the scores of interviews he's done in the last twenty years and most of them will be full of rich expression, even when about the most mundane things.

Particularly, I was struck by Bono's observation that for Elvis, grace was not amazing enough. He says that in the context of describing the tortured interior life this megastar endured. Friends say that when Elvis was especially upset, nothing soothed him as much as going to be alone and singing old spirituals and hymns with his piano. And yet this was the drug addicted superstar who read the bible, loved his mother and shot the television in his living room.

Amazing grace. How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. It is a profound Christian reality but only if grace is understood for what it is. Grace is not a power that God gives us to become better people. If that were the case, then clearly his grace is insufficient. The evidence for most of us is that we do not become measurably better as time goes on. In some ways, yes. But remember C.S. Lewis who said that whenever I remove the big stones from my field, I just see the thousands of smaller ones that were there all along. And these pebbles are much harder to clear away, thus more pernicious.

God's grace is fundamentally His own mindset toward us. It is the favor He shows sinners on account of Christ. And this epiphany does indeed powerfully change us, but not ultimately until our own resurrection on the Last Day.

I feel bad for Elvis sometimes. I remember exactly where I was in 1977 when I heard about his death. He was certainly a talented man who loved his family, was a patriot, was moved by music and exhibited an abiding Christian faith. God's grace is amazing enough. How painful it is when even believers are taxed with despair.

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If you would like to hear our seminary choir, the Kantorei, singing tune to the Concordia Theological Seminary website to listen. Click on Thursday. I was the preacher.

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Yesterday I posted an explanation of my appreciation for certain contemporary books and movies that deal with dark and depressing subject matter. And while a lot of current media do come from a particularly nihilistic mindset, dark and depressing have characterized great works of art for centuries.

• Oedipus Rex by Sophocles. Man sleeps with mother and murders father. Has his eyes gouged out. Lesson: don't defy the gods.
• Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare. Perhaps the bloodiest and cruelest play ever written.
• Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Murder, guilt, sorcery, divination, treason.
• Othello by William Shakespeare. Deception, distrust, murder.
  
• Anna Karenina by Lev Tolstoy. Adultery, greed, selfishness, gruesome suicide
• Crime and Punishment by Feodor Dostoevsky. Axe murderer redeemed by a prostitute with a heart of gold.
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Adultery, hypocrisy.
• The Tell-tale Heart by Edgar Allen Poe. Murder, guilt.
• Jude, the Obscure by Thomas Hardy. Adultery, depression, suicide.
• Moby Dick, The Great Gatsby, Farewell to Arms, and so forth.

Great art always deals with the truth, even from a non-Christian perspective. Sometimes great art strives for the truth, but misses and embraces falsehood. Even this is important for many are deeply impacted by the lies of great art.

Certain modern films, such as Fargo, Magnolia, and Match Point to name a few, treat the frailties of man in honest, interesting and even helpful ways.

What are your thoughts about classic and modern literature (and serious film) which deal with violence, sin, and the gruesomeness of life on earth? Any good examples I've missed?

Next, I'm thinking I'll write about why horror films are sometimes the most Christian movies made.

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Sometimes people ask me why I "like" books and movies that most people consider dark and depressing. I'm sure there is a sophisticated psychological reason, but my response is more theological.

I appreciate some books and films that examine disturbing subject matter. Occasionally, someone will quote St. Paul to me: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4)." The apostle directs us to fill our minds with thoughts that are lovely, noble, pure and admirable. Indeed. But first he says, think on things which are true. And the truth is not always pretty or pleasant or uplifting. The truth can be gory and upsetting and awful.

I believe that just about all serious novels and films are theological in nature. Everyone is a theologian and a philosopher because everyone expresses views about the ultimate questions. Questions about God, life, death, right, wrong, relationships, love, damnation, etc.

This is not to say that all serious books and films express good theology or correct theology. There is a lot of false doctrine out there, to be sure. However, even a blind pig uproots an acorn once in a while. Artists - even unbelievers - frequently tap into holy truths, either intentionally or not.

Movies that deal with horrible scenarios, despicable people, and upsetting subject matter can do a lot of good in our society I believe. They can be effective preaching of the law. Everything is totally screwed up. People are basically screwed up. And there's nothing we can do about it. Not that I revel in the accusations and condemnations of the law. But in a culture that generally rejects the need for divine intervention, I think a little "dark" can prepare people for the gospel.

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I was happy to be on Issues, Etc. today to discuss trends and issues with current prime time television. Go and take a listen.

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The seminary Kantorei tour is now ended. I'm sitting now in Boston's Logan Airport waiting to begin the trek home to Fort Wayne.

What a terrific tour! It was a joy to be the preacher for our wonderful seminary choir. The people at the churches we visited responded so warmly and generously. I particularly enjoyed getting to meet the people who graciously housed us. I met so many wonderful Christians this week. This morning's concluding services in Boston were most edifying.

All that having been said, I am truly anxious to be home.

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That's Manhattan, NY and not Manhattan, Kansas, in case you were confused. Traveling with the seminary Kantorei, they sang and I preached last night at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Bayside. Tonight we go to Greenwich, Connecticut which is only about 25 miles away. This meant that both yesterday and today, we had time to explore NYC.

In the past two days, I got to see the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, St. Patrick's cathedral, etc. I did so much walking around because the weather has been unseasonably warm and sunny. So my feet are dog tired. I could have seen more - museums and such - but I'm not that kind of traveler.

I like to go to see touristy things, including museums, when I travel but I can't stand trying to cram everything in at once. I like to take my time and maybe only do a few things at a time. That's enough for me. Especially if the trip is supposed to be a vacation, which this isn't.

Certainly, there is a fair bit of free time during the days of choir tour. Often, the choir would be trapped on a bus all day going from one location to the next. But since these New England stops are so near each other, transit time is relatively short. But so far, in my capacity as Admission Director, I have been able to touch base with 5 or 6 prospective students.

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When I was a pastor in Pittsburgh, for the first few years, I used to put a little blurb at the end of the Sunday bulletin called "Why We Do It." I should have kept doing it, but let it slip after a while. This was just a paragraph I wrote each week explaining the reason for some particular worship related practices. Why we bow at certain times. Why we make the sign of the cross. Why the pastor wears vestments. Why we take an offering. Why we stand for the reading of the Gospel. And so forth.

I got a lot of favorable responses to this, mostly from new church members, but also from life-long folks. What was the purpose? Sadly, the Lutheran church in America is experiencing nothing less than liturgical chaos. In our own biblically conservative denomination of Lutherans, the whole gamut exists.

I was talking with some seminarians this evening over beer and pizza about these matters. And here are a couple of my observations:

• Recognize that you can't know another man's motives for doing something. "Oh, he is just being showy." Or "That person has no respect for the history of the church." Assume the best of others' intentions.


• Give each other liberty. I won't judge you for not using incense or making the sign of the cross or using ashes on Ash Wednesday. Don't you judge me for doing so.
  


• Don't misunderstand my call for liberty as a defense of liturgical chaos. Just because I think some things are not points to fight about does not mean I think anything goes. Doctrine and practice go together. Faith and life. Belief and worship. Substance and style. These things cannot be divorced from each other. You reflect your beliefs in your worship practices.
  

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Most of you have seen video clips and photos of the hanging of Saddam Hussein. The death penalty is a controversial subject in this country. Most of Europe has eradicated it entirely. I know that the Vatican has condemned Saddam's execution though I have not yet read the reports.

Romans 13 is the traditional biblical text supporting the death penalty. God has established government to oversee law and order in a society. From my brief review of the Roman Catholic Catechism, the Church of Rome recognizes this God-given role of government but states that the imposition of the death penalty should be exceedingly rare.

Is it right to take the life of a mass murderer? Yes, it is. But it does not work as a deterrent. That's probably true although I don't know how anyone could know that for sure. But I don't support the death penalty because I think it will deter other criminals. But shouldn't we focus on rehabilitation? That's a great idea. But the fundamental role of government is to make and enforce laws, to protect the innocent and to punish the guilty. Punish.

Some crimes, such as mass murder, are so repugnant and reveal a character so corrupt that the only just response is to resort to capital punishment.

What about forgiveness? There are two realms. The realm of grace, the church. And the realm of law, the state. God is the ruler in both. But he works through them very differently. It is given to the church to preach the gospel and to absolve penitents. That is not and must not be given to the state. That's why we don't ask our governors to be evangelists or missionaries. And that is why judges should not absolve murderers, robbers, rapists, child pornographers, embezzlers, etc.

The state is to raise armies, enforce laws and punish wrongdoers. That is not given to the church. So the church must not imprison people, raise armies, or burn people at the stake.

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Sunday, December 31, 2006
	8:30 & 11:00 a.m.	St Paul's Lutheran Church 12022 Jerusalem Road Kingsville, MD 21087 Contact: Pastor Michael Wollman 410-592-8100
Sunday 31 December, 2006
	5:00 p.m.	Immanuel Lutheran Church 1801 Russsell Rd Alexandria, VA 22301 Contact: Pastor Christopher Esget 703-549-0155
Tuesday, January 2
	7:30 p.m.	Redeemer Lutheran Church 3601 Bell Blvd Bayside, NY Contact: Pastor Brian Hamer 718-229-5770
Wednesday, January 3
	7:30 p.m.	First Lutheran Church 38 Field Point Rd Greenwich, CT 06830 Contact: Pastor Jimmy Coffey Jr. 203-869-0032
Thursday, January 4
	7:00 p.m.	Immanuel Lutheran Church 154 Meadow St Bristol, CT 06010 Contact: Pastor H.L. Bridges 860-583-5649
Friday, January 5
	7:30 p.m.	Our Redeemer Lutheran Church 54 Cedar Swamp Rd Smithfield, RI 02917 Contact: Pastor Larry Nichols 401-232-7575
Saturday, January 6
	4:00 p.m.	St. Luke Lutheran Church 950 East Street Dedham, MA 02026 Contact: Pastor James Butler 781-326-1346
Sunday, January 7
	8:00 & 11:00 a.m.	First Lutheran Church 299 Berkeley St Boston, MA 02116 Contact: Elaine Laaser admin@flc-boston.org 617-536-8851
Sunday, January 14
	4:00 p.m.	Kramer Chapel

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