Esgetology

IMPORTANT: New location - http://esgetology.com

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:18:00 +0000

This blog has moved to http://esgetology.com - please update your links, bookmarks, and feed reader subscriptions. Please visit, say hello, and invite your friends!

UPDATE: If you read blogs in a feed reader such as Google Reader, you can subscribe to the blog by entering the feed http://esgetology.com/feed/

And we're back

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 08 May 2008 19:36:00 +0000

Blogger had some major problems yesterday and today; some blogs didn't seem to be affected at all, while others (including mine) were completely offline. Thanks to some good advice from Sean Connolly, I reverted to a "classic" template which fixed the problem. In the process, all the custom items on the sidebar were lost, but that's a small price to pay. I think I'll be moving to Wordpress soon, using one of the custom domains I was given - I'll make sure to let you know when that happens. Thanks for reading my humble blog, and thanks to those of you who were kind enough to send me an email alerting me to the problem.

Now Hiring

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:24:00 +0000

David Strand, who fired Pastor Wilken (and Jeff Schwarz) from KFUO because he claims there wasn't enough money to pay him, is now looking for a replacement. What happened to the financial crisis? Could it be that there were other reasons than the alleged ~~business~~ stewardship reasons?

Also, Mollie Hemingway at Augsburg1530 has more questions about Strand's latest statement. It would appear his answers contain many factual errors.

Obama will bring the kingdom of God

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:08:00 +0000

So said Rev. Joseph Lowery, campaigning for Barak [middle name censored] Obama in North Carolina. “Tomorrow, we shall achieve the victory, that the kingdom of God may come on earth as it is in heaven, and all those who love the Lord and will vote for Obama, say Amen.” You can read all about it at National Review.

"I feel the earth | move | under my feet"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:53:00 +0000

Frantically grading some Latin tests before my 1:40 class this afternoon, I heard a strange rumbling sound, and felt the floor of my office vibrate ominously. I've worked in this office seven years and never heard or felt anything remotely like it. It turns out it was an EARTHQUAKE. In Virginia. Well, the Washington Post is calling it a "micro-quake," but I'm in a mood to sensationalize. Hmmm - the Epistle read in traditional churches this past Sunday said, "The end of all things is at hand" - now why couldn't this have happened right when I was starting my sermon?

"Irreversible" vegetative states

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:03:00 +0000

I am not at all convinced that physicians always know when death is near, or when a condition is "irreversible." This story reminded me of the Terry Schiavo murder a few years ago. Here's the summary:

Last winter, just as the state’s highest court was about to rule that a girl in an "irreversible vegetative state" should be removed from life support, 14-year-old Haleigh Poutre started to breathe on her own.

Mortal and venial sin

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Sat, 03 May 2008 16:32:00 +0000

Pr. Petersen was kind enough to link to my post of Chrysostom's statement regarding Adultery and Fidelity. What you may be interested in is the helpful discussion there in the comments regarding mortal and venial sin.

"Issues" Q&A under the microscope

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Sat, 03 May 2008 15:29:00 +0000

The website "Save the LCMS!" has published a four-part series analyzing the "Q&A" document published by David Strand regarding the "Issues, Etc." cancelation and his firing of a pastor and the show's producer. Here is the summary:

1. Finances were the only reason that can be discussed in public for the cancellation of Issues, Etc. and the terminations of Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz. There were a "number of other factors" which cannot be discussed in public.
2. Mr. David Strand is solely responsible for the decision with the knowledge and approval of BCS Chairman Clauss, (and by his own statement, Pres. Kieschnick), to the exclusion of the BCS, the Board of Directors, and the officers of the Synod, including Mr. Thomas Kuchta.
3. Responsibility for the show's deficit and its share of KFUO-AM's deficit rests with Todd Wilken and Jeff Schwarz, who were called upon to be self-supporting and yet were denied the opportunity to raise money independently.
4. The secrecy surrounding the decision is solely the result of Human Resources' employee confidentiality policy.
5. Responsibility for the ensuing controversy rests with unreasonable critics who unexpectedly exploited the scandal to attack the Synod and criticize the Kieschnick administration and its Ablaze! program.
6. Cancellation of the show during Holy Week, though regrettable, saved $5500.
7. The abruptness of the cancellation and terminations was the result of Human Resources policy and a financial exigency (extreme emergency) at KFUO-AM.

You can read the entire series here:

A good marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Sat, 03 May 2008 10:43:00 +0000

From St. John Chrysostom:

A good marriage is like a spiritual castle. When husband and wife truly love and respect each other, no one can overcome them. If a man is unmarried and is attacked with lies and slander, his confidence and self-esteem may crumble; he may even begin to believe the lies said against him. But if he has a loving wife, she would reassure him with the truth, and so uphold his spirit. If a woman is single and is the subject of vicious gossip, she may feel that her reputation is being cut to shreds. But if she had a loving husband, his faith in her goodness and honesty would both comfort her and also impress those who doubted her.

Similarly, a good marriage is like a buttress when a person's religious faith is shaken. Single people who are beset by religious doubts may feel that the house of god is collapsing around them, and that they are helpless to prevent it. But married people can turn to their spouse to express those doubts; and it is almost certain that the spouse's faith is sufficiently solid to allay those doubts. In the providence of God, when a husband is spiritually weak, his wife is spiritually strong; when a wife is weak, the husband is strong.

Adultery and fidelity

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:38:00 +0000

From St. John Chrysostom:

What shall we say about adultery? Let us ask an adulterer why he commits this sin. "It is the tyranny of lust," he replies. "Why," we ask, "are you under this tyranny? Why could you not satisfy your sexual desire through intercourse with your spouse?" The adulterer replies: "I am consumed with passion for someone else's spouse." Yet this very reply reveals the contradiction in which the adulterer places himself. If it is a physical lust which impels him, then he could resist that lust; no physical desire is stronger than the power of the soul to resist it. If it is a loving passion which impels him, then he should be repelled by the very thought of adultery: a truly loving man could not indulge his love for someone else's wife at the expense of his own wife. Besides, love can never force someone to do anything: love is gentle, not violent, even when it is passionate. Sexual desire is a very powerful craving which even a life of celibacy does not suppress. But adultery is always a matter of choice; no amount of lust, and no passion of love, can overwhelm a person's capacity to choose between fidelity and betrayal.

Shroud of secrecy over "Issues" extended to BCS

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:24:00 +0000

The minutes from the last Board for Communications Services meeting have been released. Key items gleaned are that David Strand acted alone, without notifying his board, and that the board is sharply divided (4 against "Issues," 3 in support). Much of the meeting was conducted under a "shroud of secrecy," i.e., executive session; however, some aspects of the meeting are summarized. What is particularly interesting is the following passage, revealing that 1) the BCS was not informed about the financial problems in the LCMS and how it related to "Issues"; 2) there has been a lack of communication regarding the "strong inclination" of some to take "drastic action"; 3) the action (assuming severance packages) would not result in significant savings; 4) the program had been praised by the board in the report to the last convention; 5) problems with station management have not been addressed.

Discussion among board members focused on the lack of information regarding (1) the extreme pressures to reduce expenditures because of the significant shortfall in the Synod’s unrestricted funds, and (2) the strong inclination expressed by some officials to take drastic action relative to KFUO. There had been no indication in previous board meetings that this program, or any specific program on KFUO, and its personnel were at risk of the action taken. “Issues, Etc.” had been cited in the report to the 2007 synodical convention as a model of AM program national syndication, and as recently as November the board’s Subcommittee on KFUO Intervention had
indicated that no savings this fiscal year were likely to result from staff reductions because of the cost of severance packages. Some board members were satisfied that the action was rightfully taken by the ED and the chairman of the BCS according to the board policy manual; others expressed disagreement, along with concern and dismay that a decision with predictable public ramifications would not be preceded at least by board consultation and preferably action. Lack of knowledge of the ED’s action led to a number of awkward situations when questions were addressed to some board members. Concern was also expressed that station management has
apparently not been properly tasked with making the necessary budgetary decisions and reduction of expenditures.

It is very difficult to read a passage like that and believe that this was handled properly. You can read the minutes by clicking here. You can read other comments here, here, and here.

The Ascension of Our Lord: Mark 16.14-20

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:58:00 +0000

For forty days, the sign out front has read, “Christ is risen. Alleluia!” Now it’s time to change it, and the other day I was wondering if there was something “Ascensiony” to put there. My first fleeting thought turned out to be inappropriate: “Christ is gone. Alleluia!”

Yet isn’t that the way we treat the Ascension? Christ is gone, so we can live as we please.

Christ is gone, and so His Word can be ignored.

Christ is gone, and we must make our own way.

Christ is gone, but He has left us rules. -OR- Christ is gone, but He taught us to throw away all rules.

But then also, Christ is gone, and so we have no comfort. Christ is gone, and we are left with ourselves – our brokenness, our misery, our failures. Christ is gone, and we have replaced him with constitutions and bylaws, synods and programs, social causes and feel-good music. Yet it all fails, and we are left empty, and finally, alone.

And there is something horrible about being alone. We long for community, to be truly loved and accepted. But even if you find it – in a spouse, in a family, in a friend – you know it comes to an end. We are mortal, unstable and full of corruption.

But throughout Easter we have rejoiced in the victory of Jesus over death. In His body He is immortal, and free of corruption. In the waters of Baptism we were joined to Him, and we also shall be freed from death, freed from the corruption of our bodies, freed from the corruption of our souls by sin. Christ is the firstfruits; those who die in Him shall also rise in their bodies.

Ascension takes this one step further. Ascension fulfills Christmas, fulfills the incarnation. Christ who took on our flesh in the womb of the virgin Mary, was crucified in the flesh, died in the flesh, buried in the flesh, and rose again in the flesh, has now ascended in the flesh into the heavenly places. And that flesh, that human nature, He shares with you. In a mystical yet very real sense, your flesh now sits in the heavenly places. The Apostle says, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2.4-7). Now we are waiting for the ages to come, when He will show us those exceeding riches of His grace, when we with our bodies shall dwell where He has gone.

Yet He does not leave us alone. Jesus is not gone, but is present with His Church in a new and powerful way. How did our Gospel tonight begin? “[Jesus] appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table.” In the New Testament we are given this pattern, that Jesus meets with His disciples at table. On the road to Emmaus, Jesus showed the disciples that He had fulfilled all the things written in the Scriptures, and then He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

It is the same way for us. Christ is not gone. He is with us in the breaking of the bread. Here He not only feeds us with His crucified yet deathless body, He not only infuses us with His healing blood, He also speaks to us His Word: “I forgive you.”

Remember how He said, “Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them”? The Ascension doesn’t change that. Just the opposite – He ascends, is no longer present in the ordinary way, so that He can be present in this extraordinary way, this most wonderful way of being present for us and with us. In that same place our Lord promises that when the Church, gathered in His name, agrees together and asks the Father, the Father will hear and answer our prayers. And again in the same place, He promises that when that church binds sins on earth, they are bound in heaven; and when the church looses sins, forgives sins on earth, they are forgiven in heaven.

So the presence of Jesus is not something that is felt through emotions, although we do have them. The voice of Jesus is not something that whispers inside our minds. The presence and voice of Jesus is located in the Word He speaks to us, forgiving us and guiding us by the Scriptures. The presence and voice of Jesus is located in the absolution the minister says. The presence and voice of Jesus is located in the Holy Communion whereby His crucified, risen, ascended flesh is joined to our poor, lowly flesh.

When things seem to be going poorly for our congregation or synod, remember: Christ is not gone; He is with us, He is our Shepherd, and He is still giving us His gifts.

When things are going poorly for you, or you feel alone, remember you are not alone: the ascended Christ is still with us, and He will not leave you nor forsake you.

When your body is ailing, and you approach death, remember you are not alone. Christ is not gone, but He who endured death and the grave for you will lead you through it, and on the last day, He will bring you to where He bodily ascended. And so we shall ever be with the Lord.

And now let us rejoice, for Jesus of Nazareth, our Redeemer, our Savior, our God, has ascended on high; He has led captivity captive; He has given gifts to men; He fills all things. Where the Head is, there is the body; where Christ is, there is the Church. In His Supper we are with Him in heaven, and He is with us on earth; our sins are forgiven, life is given, we abide in His light and His love, and nothing—nothing—else matters.

Prayer on the Festival of the Ascension of Our Lord

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:46:00 +0000

O King of Glory, Lord of hosts, who didst this day ascend in triumph far above all heavens, we beseech Thee, leave us not comfortless, but send to us the Spirit of Truth, promised of the Father; O Thou who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest, one God, world without end.

From The Lutheran Hymnal

Husband and wife: companions on the journey to heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:33:00 +0000

From St. John Chrysostom:

Some say that marriage was ordained by God as a blessing to the human race. Others say that marriage is a necessary evil for those who cannot restrain their sexual appetites. In truth it is impossible to speak in such ways about marriage in general; we can only make judgments about particular marriages. There are some marriages which bring great blessings to the husband and the wife, to their children, and to all their neighbors. But there are other marriages which seem to bring few blessings to anyone.

The difference between these two types of marriages lies in the spirit with which the bond was forged and is maintained. If a man and a woman marry to satisfy their sexual appetites, or to further the material aims of themselves or their families, then their union is unlikely to bring blessings. But if a man and a woman marry in order to be companions on the journey through earth to heaven, then their union will bring great joy to themselves and to others. Some people need a close companion, and for these people God has ordained marriage. Some do not need a close companion, and for these people God has ordained celibacy.

When answers aren't

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 01 May 2008 03:52:00 +0000

David Strand must love upstaging the church year. On the Eve of the Ascension, he finally begins to publicly answer why, on Holy Tuesday, he canceled Synod's best outreach and fired a pastor along with the producer of the popular radio program Issues, Etc. Unfortunately, his answers raise this perplexing riddle: How could it take the rest of Holy Week, and almost forty days of Easter, to come up with only 8.5 pages that simply repeat the same discredited figures?

In attempting to explain the "programmatic" reasons, Strand dodges a bit, and then says in essence, "It was really about money." Yet, it appears that the figures cannot be trusted. How can we trust the argument that this was purely financial, when there are documents that suggest extreme accounting irregularities at KFUO? Where is the answer to that question?

But even if the books haven't been cooked, there are strong allegations that the motive for canceling Issues was theological. An honest Q&A would address the questions that have been raised. A truly honest dialogue would acknowledge disunity in the synod, instead of pretending it does not exist. (And, I might humbly suggest a dialogue about my idea raised by President Kieschnick's question.)

After almost eight pages of not answering the questions, he then goes on the offensive: "Sadly and unfortunately for the church, some critics of the decision attacked the public statements and used the situation to criticize the Synod more broadly." This is Petersen's "Fourth Use of the Law" executed artfully: Do what you will, then call anyone who questions you unloving. Refuse to answer their questions, and then call the response of your critics "unreasonable" and "unanticipated."

When Mr. Strand says that "controversy was not inevitable," he may be right. But when he continues to not answer the real questions, he only fans the flames of the controversy he caused. To say there was no "shroud of secrecy" because "the decision was made and publicly announced" is simply inadequate.

Mr. Strand says he hopes that his answers bring reconciliation and peace. In both my pastoral and personal experience, reconciliation and peace cannot happen until people begin to be honest about their issues. On Day 16 I was waiting, but I suspect we'll have to wait a lot longer for the truth to come out. Until then, I pray sincerely and fervently that we can someday take a real step toward reconciliation and peace.

The Anxious Bench

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:15:00 +0000

We all knew that the spirit of Charles Finney was haunting the LCMS. What was unexpected was that he would start a blog detailing his diabolical work.

Obedience in marriage

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:27:00 +0000

From St. John Chrysostom:

When we speak of the wife obeying the husband, we normally think of obedience in military or political terms: the husband giving the orders, and the wife obeying them. But while this type of obedience may be appropriate in the army, it is ridiculous in the intimate relationship of marriage. The obedient wife does not wait for orders. Rather, she tries to discern her husband's needs and feelings, and responds in love. When she sees her husband is weary, she encourages him to rest; when she sees him agitated, she soothes him; when he is ill, she nurses and comforts him; when he is happy and elated, she shares his joy.

Yet such obedience should not be confined to the wife; the husband should be obedient in the same way. When she is weary, he should relieve her of her work; when she is sad, he should cherish her, holding her gently in his arms; when she is filled with good cheer, he should also share her good cheer. Thus a good marriage is not a matter of one partner obeying the other, but of both partners obeying each other.

Don't Worry, Be Happy - alternate theology of glory lyrics

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:17:00 +0000

Last January I was making up new stanzas for "Don't Worry, Be Happy" to amuse myself. I'd forgotten all about it until I came across my notes for a couple of them. I wish I could remember the rest - it was really funny. Here's what I did write down:

So you did a big fat sin,
Old man death about to do you in,
Don't worry; be happy.

If you broke your marriage vow,
It was Lent but you ate a cow,
Don't worry; be happy.

Happy Birthday, My Love!

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:28:00 +0000

It is my dearest Kassie's birthday today. King Lemuel asks in Proverbs, "Who can find a virtuous wife?" While she would reject the appellation, she is indeed virtuous - loving, kind, patient, gentle, witty; a nurse when I am sick, a chef when I am hungry, a shoulder when I am sad, prayerful when I am impious, calm when I am a storm, sage when I am reckless, hilarious at just the moment I am taking myself too seriously.

Today is a day of great rejoicing! Happy birthday, my love!

Rogate + John 16.23-33

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:08:00 +0000

“A Christian is never safe from the devil and his own flesh, from falling into sin and shame” [Luther]. These words from Luther show why we must pray always, pray without ceasing.

You also should pray because God commands you to pray. But why? He commands you to pray not in order to burden you. He commands you to pray because He desires to hear your prayer. Without the command, we would have no reason to expect we would be heard. It is difficult—nearly impossible—to get an audience with or submit your requests to the president or governor. But if he summoned you into his presence, you would surely go; if he told you to ask for whatever you need, you would be a fool to not respond.

But what did our Lord Jesus say to His disciples? “Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.... Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” The Lord has commanded you to pray, because He wishes to give you what you need. The prayers of the saints are like sweet-smelling incense rising before Him; they give the Lord delight. We have the promise: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” [Ps. 50.15].

“The day of trouble” shall surely come - and thank God for it, because it is the day you are driven to prayer. When all goes well, we are prone to haughtiness, pride, arrogance. We suppose it is by our own reason and strength that we have gotten success. Since the Lord chastens those He loves, we see in the chastening a gift - an invitation to call upon the Lord, an invitation to be heard by Him. And His delight is in hearing your petitions, and answering them in the way that is best for you.

But mark well: “The devil is a scoundrel,” says Luther, “who furtively sneaks up behind us to see if he can somehow divert us from prayer. So, we must prepare ourselves to oppose him and allow nothing to deter us. When he prompts you to think, there’s something else I must do first, then you must say, No, not so; as soon as the need arises, I shall pray; for when I have need to call upon God, that is the right time to do it.” Since a Christian is never safe from the devil and his own flesh, we must constantly pray.

Ah, but what shall we say? Pay no heed to those who say your prayers should begin in silence, listening for the voice of God. That is a lie - the only voice you will hear is the voice of the devil, or your own wicked, perverse flesh. Prayer indeed begins by listening, but not to some internal voice. The voice inside your head, the voice of your flesh, will lie to you. Listen instead to the Word of God. Prayer begins with the Words God has spoken to us by His prophets, the Word that came by the Holy Spirit.

So even the disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And when the Lord taught them to pray, He gave them the prayer we still use today, the Lord’s Prayer. Only, let not those words be mindless repetition. Instead, consider what they mean and build, if you will, your own personal petitions on the foundation of the petitions the Lord Jesus has given us to say. The Lord’s Prayer gathers up all the things the Lord wants us to pray for, and He urges us to pray it, because, again, we are never safe from the devil and our own flesh.

So we begin, “Our Father.” Even when we are alone, we say, “Our Father.” For we always pray not as isolated individuals, but as members of the Holy Christian Church. And we are bidden to pray often with the Church and for the Church. As the Lord has put each of us into families, and commanded us to love our spouses, parents, children and siblings, so we are to love and take care of each other as the family of God.

When we say in the first petition, “Hallowed be Thy name,” we pray first for the Gospel, that the pure teaching of God’s Word would be preserved. So we pray for pastors, that they would be faithful. We pray against heretics and schismatics - those who divide the church by false teaching or failure to show love and patience. Finally, we pray that God’s name would be hallowed by the Word bringing sinners to repentance, and comforting the repentant sinners with the Gospel, the forgiveness of sins in the atoning death of Jesus.

Then, “Thy kingdom come.” Here we pray for an end to the kingdom of death and the devil; we pray that God would establish His kingdom in us and in all men by His Word and Spirit.

And so we pray, “Thy will be done.” This is to ask for the undoing of everything opposed to God’s will; it is to pray against ourselves, asking for submission in our own minds and hearts to God’s desire for us. When we ask for God’s will to be done, we are asking for the quenching of the fires of our passion, the soothing of our anger, forsaking the insistence on doing things our way; in sum, we are asking that our lives, wills, hearts, and minds would be conformed to the Word and will of God.

Only after we have considered the name of God and asked for His kingdom and will do we then pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Here we pray for everything we need in this life - not only food but our family, our rulers, our country and our vocations. God, in His loving-kindness, gives daily bread to all people, even the wicked; but when we pray this, we are acknowledging that everything we have and need comes from God, and we are giving Him thanks for it. By asking just for what we need day-by-day, we are asking at the same time for contentment. Our Father is inviting us to be content, to trust Him to provide for what we need. If He clothes the grass of the field, and provides food for the ravens, will He not much more care for you, O you of little faith?

In thinking about our daily bread, our heart is drawn also to the Sacrament, where we receive bread from the Lord’s table, and with it, forgiveness. Thus immediately on the heels of asking God to care for our bodies this day is the petition to care for our souls: “And forgive us our trespasses.” In other words, “Do not give us what we deserve, but show us Your mercy, dear Father.” Yet mark how this is joined with a prayer to grow in holiness, to receive grace to do what is so hard: “as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

We know this will be difficult, and that the devil will plot against us, the world will distract us, our flesh will seek to pull us away; therefore we plead, “Lead us not into temptation,” - for the Christian is never safe in this life; we walk in danger all the way.

Finally, we pray that God would be with us at the end of the day, at the end of our life, at the end of the world. “Deliver us from evil,” do not abandon us to the grave, drive away from us the evil one, take us from this vale of tears to Yourself in heaven.

And all of this we pray “in the name of Jesus,” even when the formula is not used, as in the Lord’s Prayer. What does that mean? When we pray “in the name of Jesus,” we are making our prayer rest not on our own worthiness, goodness, or piety, or the eloquence of our words. Everything depends on the standing of Jesus before the Father.

So pray this prayer every day, together with the prayers in the Catechism: the Morning and Evening Prayers, and the prayers at mealtime. Pray because you are not safe. Pray because God commands it. But remember why God commands it: because He delights in hearing your prayers; He delights in giving to you what you need.

He may not give you what you want; but that is because you may not want what is best for you. He may not answer when you wish - but that is because He will answer when you need it. Cast all your cares on Him knowing that He cares for you; call on Him in the day of trouble, the day of sin and death, and He will answer you; ask, in the name of Jesus, for the forgiveness of your sins and deliverance from the grave and hell – ask and you will receive, and your joy will be full.

Faith as commodity

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 16:44:00 +0000

Last month, I noted the teaching of our Confessions that faith is believing the promises offered in the Sacraments. Dominant today is an alternative view of faith as some quality within a person, usually without an object. Thus we can have "people of faith" grouped together, even though the objects of their trust are different and even opposed to one another.

In an article in the April 19, 2008 Washington Post (Page A4, "Pope Stresses Human Rights, Ethical Science"), Ban Ki-moon, the Secretary General of the United Nations, is quoted as making the following fabulously awful statement in introducing the Bishop of Rome to the UN: "Whether we worship one god, many or not, we at the United Nations have to strengthen our faith every day.... We need more and more of this precious commodity. I am profoundly grateful to his holiness Pope Benedict XVI for bestowing some of his faith upon us, and putting his trust in us. May we be strengthened by his visit." Yikes!

Faith is not a commodity that can be shared or bestowed from one person to another. This is what I think is a fundamental problem with the new evangelism theologies; I dare not share MY faith; what people need is the OBJECT of true faith: the incarnation of the Son of God in Jesus of Nazareth, His death and resurrection for us men and our salvation.

"I phart in your general direction"

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 02:22:00 +0000

I appreciate this fellow's service to our country, but would urge him to give more careful thought to his vanity plates in future.

Rewards and Merits

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:46:00 +0000

From time to time I come across people who think they are Lutherans but in fact have embraced the modern antinomianism. In their eyes, it is wrong to encourage Christians to do good works; particularly egregious is the mention of rewards for good works. All that is "legalism" and "works-righteousness." The fact that the New Testament is replete with references to these matters is irrelevant. Here is a passage that, were it not from the Apology, would be rejected by the aforementioned:

Here also we add something about rewards and merits. We teach that rewards have been offered and promised for the works of believers. We teach that good works have merit, not for forgiveness of sins, for grace, or for justification (for these we receive only through faith), but for other rewards, bodily and spiritual, in this life and after this life. For Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:8, "Each will receive his wages according to his labor." There will be different rewards according to different labors. But forgiveness of sins is given alike and equal to all people, just as Christ is one, and is offered freely to all who believe that for his sake their sins are forgiven.

-Apology V.73f (Concordia, 2nd edition, p112)

Sermon at Evening Prayer: John 13.33-36

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:33:00 +0000

“Where I am going, you cannot come.” With these words, Jesus shows us that the difference between the risen, glorified body and the mortal, sinful world is so great that the residents of the latter cannot be where the former is. We see other hints of this in Scripture, such as the risen Jesus saying to Mary Magdalene, “Do not cling to Me,” and how even when the disciples recognized Jesus, in some sense He was so different, so “other” as to not be recognized. The place where Jesus is going is a place where corruptible bodies are not admitted. He said this to stir up their excitement—and ours—so that we will desire to be there too. Our hearts are weighed down with the cares of this life, and the desires for possessions and reputation – but our fervent, longing prayer is to be instead, “Come, Lord Jesus” – “for where You are, there do we also wish to be.”

And what is that place like? Holy Scripture does not give us detailed descriptions, such as are found in the blasphemous, impious writings of the Koran. We are simply told that there we are with the LORD. That is enough. For the Lord is love, God is love, and there we will be in a place where we are loved by God and where we likewise love, and have no hate, no animosity, no jealousy or bickering or contention; where in everything we are subordinated to the God who made us out of love and redeemed us out of love.

But, Jesus said, that also is to be the characteristic of His holy Church on earth. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Note how He does not say, “All will know that you are My disciples by doctrine,” or, “by right ceremonies.” Obviously these things are important; we are commanded to hold to the pure, apostolic doctrine, and to show every devotion to the Word and reverence to the Sacraments. But without love, these will be empty and dead – a form of godliness while denying the power thereof. For without love, no one will pay heed to the words. Without love, the pure doctrine becomes pure hypocrisy. St. John Chrysostom said,

Nothing so raises respect in the heathen as virtue, nothing so offends them as vice. And with good reason. When one of them sees the greedy man, the plunderer, exhorting others to do the contrary, when he sees the man who was commanded to love even his enemies, treating his very kindred like brutes, he will say that the words are folly…. When he sees us fond of rule, and slaves to the other passions, he will more firmly remain in his own doctrines, forming no high opinion of us. We, we are the cause of their remaining in their error…. They are hindered by our mode of life. To follow wisdom in talk is easy … but they require the proof by works.

This is what St. James means when he says that we see a man is justified by his works, not by faith. We are justified, of course, only by faith in Christ Jesus – but no one can see that faith, except by what you do. If we say that we have faith, but then are slow to hear, swift to speak, swift to anger, what does it profit us?

We all stand condemned. But the God who loved us in the beginning, and who loved us on the cross, loves us still. He promises to create in us a clean heart, and by the Holy Spirit change our hearts of stone. We rejoice in the resurrection, and in the forgiveness of sins shown thereby. We rejoice in anticipation of entrance into that kingdom of love. In rejoicing, let us tonight pray for the grace of the Holy Spirit that such a kingdom of love might break in on our world, on our parish, on our homes, even now, as He makes and strengthens us in being true disciples of Jesus. And finally, may we eagerly await the Sacrament this Sunday, by which we are strengthened in faith towards God and fervent love towards one another, by the power of love which is in that true Body and Blood of our loving Lord.

Cantate: Ps. 98, Is. 12, James 1, Jn. 16

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher Esget) — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 16:11:00 +0000

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” Why then do you care so much for the gifts that are from below? Why are you so quick to speak, when Holy Scripture says that every person should be “slow to speak”? Is it not because you consider your self most important? Do you not most want your will to be done?

And why are you quick to anger, when Holy Scripture says you should be “slow to anger”? Are you God? Or has God made you judge? Your anger “does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” You talk, gossip, grumble, and boast about the things from below, and you get angry when they do not go your way. But there is a better way - the way of listening. But not just to anything. When St. James says, “My beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear,” he is admonishing us to hear the Word of truth, the “implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.”

That is how the Holy Spirit comes to you; that is how the Holy Spirit works in you – by means of the Word, Holy Scripture. The Spirit declares the things to come: how good the last Age will be, when corpses are revived from the dust, when sorrow and sighing are put to flight, when war and conflict will be forgotten, when bitterness and strife will cease, when we dwell in the Kingdom of God around the Lamb who was slain for us. Looking ahead now to Pentecost, this is the work of the Holy Spirit – taking those things of Jesus and declaring them to us, through the inspired Word, through the liturgy and Sacraments, telling us about the kingdom where our true citizenship is, about what is ours in Christ.

And then the Holy Spirit who tells us to stop all our talking and listen, also tells us to open our mouths and sing: “Sing praises to the LORD, for He has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.” Where does joy come from? The joy of the Christian comes from God who is in our midst. As we’ve seen in reading Leviticus at Scripture Study, YHWH dwelt among His people in the Divine Service of the tabernacle. Then, in the incarnation-God the Son taking on flesh in the womb of the Virgin Mary-God dwelt among men, and left this gift to His Church: that where even two or three are gathered in His name, there He is in the midst of them.

Jesus is life. He is the author of life, the giver of life, the slayer of death. How then can His presence not give joy? For this life comes to an end. The life which is to come—and has already now begun in Christ—has no end. So when the Church sings, she proclaims to the world the life that is in Jesus. We also sing to strengthen ourselves in that life, because we are prone in our weakness to falter or even fall away.

The name of this Sunday is Cantate, which means, “Sing!” What do we sing in church? The Bible tells us to sing Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. The Psalms comprise their own book in the Scriptures; the other songs or canticles in the Bible are called “hymns,” - but what are these “spiritual songs”? Rightly understood, “spiritual songs” is not a style of music – a “spiritual song” is a song that conveys the message of the Holy Spirit. By the Holy Spirit, St. Paul says, we call Jesus “Lord.” The Holy Spirit, Jesus says, “Will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” So the truly spiritual song will proclaim the Spirit’s message; it will be a song about Christ, who He is and what He has done for us.

In other words, the content of a spiritual song will be the Gospel. The Gospel is not a theory about God. The Gospel is not an experience for you to have. The Gospel is not a set of rules to live by. The Gospel is not a program to improve society. The Gospel is the good news that Christ’s suffering for us has won us forgiveness of sins and life in the kingdom of God; it is the victory of God over all death, all sin, all sorrow. "Sing to the LORD a new song," because "His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory."

So the "new song" that the Christian Church sings has nothing to do with musical style or instrumentation. It is "new" in contrast to the "old song" of hatred and despair, lust and angst, funeral dirges and anthems of kingdoms that are passing away. The new song is the song of the new kingdom that the LORD has inaugurated in the death and resurrection of Jesus.

So the Church’s liturgy doesn’t need new songs; the Church’s liturgy is the new song. In this liturgy, lots of things change every Sunday - the Bible readings that are read, the hymns that we sing, the Psalms and prayers for the day. But there are some songs that are repeated almost every Sunday, even though the music changes from time to time. What are they, and why are they so important to keep on repeating?

Every Divine Service we sing the Kyrie. “Kyrie” is Greek for “O Lord” – Kyrie eleison, “O Lord, have mercy!” We are broken sinners, slow to hear, quick to speak, quick to anger, not producing the righteousness of God. In our brokenness, we have troubled relationships, troubled emotions, and troubled bodies plunging towards death. But one thing we can know and be confident of is that God in Christ is merciful.

From there, we go on to sing the song the angels taught the shepherds at the first Christmas: Gloria in excelsis Deo – “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men.” We sing this Christmas song because every Divine Service is Christmas, every Divine Service Christ comes to us in the flesh in the Sacrament, and what we need most is God’s peace and goodwill toward us men. Since He has shown it to us, what else is there for us to say than, “Glory to God in the highest”?

The third song is one we usually speak: the Creed. Here is the Gospel beautifully summarized for us - The Father created us, the Son died for us, the Holy Spirit has joined us together in the one Baptism for the remission of sins, and we look for the resurrection of our dead bodies and life in the world to come.

Then in the Communion liturgy we sing the Sanctus—”Holy, holy, holy”—another song of the angels. Isaiah heard it in the temple, when one of the seraphim took a burning coal from the altar and touched it to his lips, saying, “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away.” We sing the song Isaiah heard when that happened, knowing that something from the altar is about to touch our lips and take our iniquity away - it is more pleasant than a burning coal and more healing than any earthly food. So we sing the Psalm which the disciples sang to Jesus on Palm Sunday: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Thus from Christmas to Palm Sunday, we have been taken into the heart of Jerusalem, and from there we are led to sing the hymn of the cross immediately before the gift of Communion: the Agnus Dei, “Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, grant us Your peace.” You can see that the songs we sing are not only from Scripture – they are the heart of Scripture, the very center of our faith: We believe in the merciful God, who proclaimed peace on earth in the birth of Jesus, who is Holy, who comes to us with blessing, who hears our prayers and grants us peace.

These unchanging songs are the “new song” of faith. May we never grow tired of them! So stop your talking and listen to the Word of God; stop your anger and see how the LORD, who has every right to be wrathful toward you, has instead turned away His anger that He might comfort you. Put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, for the Holy Spirit has granted you to sing the new song of Christ Jesus the Savior. Shout, and sing for joy, O Christians, for great in Your midst is the Holy One, Jesus your King!