Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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On March 20th, we had our lesson on Christian Denominations. At the same time (after the lesson), we had two teens who live in our community share with us during a question and answer time. One of them was a practicing Jew and one was a practicing Muslim. They were able to share their perspective and help us understand a little more from last weeks lesson (World Religions).
Christian Denominations
Bible Text:
Matthew 16:13–20; John 17:6–21; Ephesians 2:1–22
Lesson Focus:
The various Christian denominations share core beliefs.
Big Question:
If we all worship the same God, and Jesus is Lord of all, where did all of the different "churches" come from?
Key Words:
PROTESTANT, CATHOLIC, ORTHODOX, CREED, ECUMENICAL, INFALLIBLE, INERRANT
Definition of Key Words
PROTESTANT: refers to the multiple reform movements started within the Roman Catholic Church of the 15th and 16th centuries. These reform movements resulted in many denominations within the Christian church.
CATHOLIC: with a capital C, refers to the Roman Catholic Church; with a small c, refers to the union of all believers in Jesus Christ.
ORTHODOX: Means "correct" or "true" belief. The Eastern Orthodox Church began the process of Christian councils to determine which teachings were true to the Christian faith and which would be considered outside the faith or heretical.
CREED: A statement of faith. Creed comes form the Latin word credo, meaning "I believe." Three ecumenical creeds are accepted among Christian denominations—the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athenasian Creed.
ECUMENICAL: A reference to partnerships, joint discussions, and shared ministries among Christian denominations.
INFALLIBLE: Means that it cannot be wrong. This term is used to describe certain teachings from the papal office and also to describe the teachings of the Bible.
INERRANT: Means that there are no errors. Similar to the idea of infallibility, this term is used to describe scripture as handed down from God without any human mistakes included.
Lesson Overview
The history of the Christian church shows that Christians tend to agree about the core teachings of the faith. At the same time, they disagree about how to implement those teachings in the lives of the faithful. Interpretation of scripture is at the heart of many of these disagreements.
The first major split in the Christian church came in A.D. 1054—the "Great Schism" between the Eastern and Western faith traditions. While several matters were being debated at the time, the central conflict was about the Holy Spirit's relation to the other two persons of the Trinity. The wording in the third article of the Nicene Creed shows the heart of the matter. The Eastern church was saying the Holy Spirit "proceeds from the Father," while the Western church was saying the Holy Spirit "proceeds from the Father and the Son." This difference in how scripture speaks about the Holy Spirit in relation to the Father and the Son led to angry exchanges between the bishop of Rome and the patriarch of Constantinople. Eventually these leaders excommunicated each other and their supporters. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church were separated and have remained separate for 1,000 years.
Both the Eastern Orthodox tradition and the Roman Catholic tradition trace their heritage back to Simon Peter. The Orthodox expression begins with Peter's founding of the church in Antioch. The Catholic expression sees Peter as the first bishop of Rome. This office became known as the papal office, and the bishop of Rome (the pope) is seen as the shepherd of the church—the teacher of other ordained leaders.
As the Roman Catholic Church continued through the medieval period, a variety of corrupt practices made their way into church teachings. The 15th century saw the beginnings of organized attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church and its teachings. Some early reformers were executed as heretics. Others went into hiding. The 16th century brought some success to the goals of the reformers. Changes began to sweep through the European churches. This reform movement spread to England and to other continents as colonies were established by the various countries.
The Protestant movements grew, split further, came together, and developed into families with shared ideas and practices. Among the most prominent families found today are Anabaptist/Baptist, Anglican/Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Reformed, and United Church of Christ.
Reminder
Our world has become a global neighborhood. The people that we encounter on a daily basis are very diverse in national origins and in faith traditions. You have already begun to learn how to meet and work with people of these diverse backgrounds. You have also seen, and perhaps been taught, stereotypes of other peoples that are far from accurate. We encourage you to seek out accurate information whenever you encounter new ideas and perspectives. Jesus treated people whose faith differed from his own and to respond to all people with respect, kindness, and fairness.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Make-Up: March 13: World Religions
Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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On March 13th, we began a 3-week series on Faith and Religion. Our first lesson (13th) was on World Religions. We took time to look at five of the main world religions.
Lesson Highlights
Bible Text:
Genesis 17:1–7; 21:1–21; Isaiah 11:1–10; Matthew 15:21–28; Acts 10:1–35
Lesson Focus:
Christians who are knowledgeable and confident about their own faith can communicate and collaborate respectfully with people of other faiths.
Big Question:
How are Christians supposed to interact with people of other faiths?
Key Words:
JUDAISM, HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, ISLAM, MUSLIM
Definition of Key Words
JUDAISM: a monotheistic faith founded on a covenant made by God with Abraham and Sarah. They were "blessed to be a blessing" to the world.
HINDUISM: a faith that sees this world as an illusion and seeks to help people become one with a divine being that is understood through many forms.
BUDDHISM: a faith that is founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and seeks to help people become enlightened or achieve Nirvana.
ISLAM: a monotheistic faith founded on the revelation of Allah to the prophet Muhammad that guides how people should live so that they will enjoy paradise after their death.
MUSLIM: a person who follows the teachings of Islam.
Below is more of a thorough understanding of the religion and the main teaching.
Modern Judaism
Modern Jews trace their heritage to Abraham and Sarah through their son, Isaac. The faith practices of the "Children of Abraham" that we see in our Christian scriptures and the people we often refer to as "Jews" are very different from the people of modern Judaism. We must be careful not to apply information from our scriptures to modern people in ways that they don't accept for themselves. We also must keep in mind that a deep animosity developed between Christians and Jews during the time between Jesus' death and the mid-1600s. At some point during history, Jews were expelled from every Christian country in Europe except Holland and the Scandinavian countries. The Holocaust and the establishment of the modern State of Israel have also changed the identity of the Jewish people in fundamental ways.
At the core of modern Judaism are three basic concepts: God, Torah, and Israel. As Judaism explains who God is, there are several key points to keep in mind. God is the creator of the universe. God is the redeemer who freed the people from slavery in Egypt and will provide the final redemption. God is the revealer of the teachings and laws that constitute the Torah. God created human beings and entered a covenant relationship with the Jewish people through Abraham. The people continue the covenant relationship with God within a community through observance of the mitzvot or "commandments." Hebrew scripture has 613 mitzvot, which are interpreted over the ages by the rabbis.
The Torah is also a complex concept in modern Judaism. The Torah is first and foremost the five books of Moses (which we know as Genesis through Deuteronomy) as "revealed" on Mount Sinai. Torah also includes a long history and tradition of rabbinic interpretation of these Books. Torah is continually growing and changing as the body of interpretations of rituals, theology, and ethics is added to over the years.
Islam
As a beginning, a few words must be clarified. Islam is the name of the religion or faith. It means "peace" or "submission" in Arabic. Muslim is the person who practices this faith. Qur'an(sometimes spelled Koran) is the name of their holy book, which contains the revelations given to the prophet Muhammad by Allah (God) through the angel Gabriel. Allah means "the one, the only"—and is one of the names of God. Muslim people write the name in all caps as a way of honoring God. Jihad is best understood as the spiritual challenge to achieve piety, submission, and obedience to Allah (the common interpretation of jihad as merely "holy war" is misleading). Muslim people do not consider Islam to be a religion, in the sense of being separate from the rest of life. Islam is the entirety of life—no part of life is separate from it.
Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is monotheistic and traces its heritage back to Abraham. Abraham's first child, Ishmael, is the ancestor of the Muslim people.
Islam identifies seven "Principles of Faith" that are comparable to the Christian creeds: Belief in Allah, Belief in his angels, Belief in his books, Belief in his messengers (including many "prophets" from the Bible, such as Moses and Jesus; Muhammad is believed to be the final messenger), Belief in the Day of Judgment, Belief in life after death, Belief in divine preordainment
There are also "Four Pillars" that summarize the practice of Islam:
Salah or prayer—performed at least five times each day
Zakah or charity—setting aside money for those in need
Sawm or fasting—during the month of Ramadan
Hajj or pilgrimage—requiring all who are able to travel to Mecca once in their life
Hinduism (Vedanta)
Hinduism encompasses many different sects unified by their common holy texts—the Vedas. Veda means "knowledge" in Sanskrit. The primary interpretation of the Vedas is Vedanta, which means "the culmination of the Vedas." The focus of Vedanta philosophy is to address the relationship between God, humankind, and nature. Brahman is the name of God—the ultimate reality. Brahman is not a personal God, as Christianity would describe God. Brahman is infinite, undivided, unchanging reality.
Hinduism also holds that all religious paths lead to the same God. The goal is to "wake up" to your true nature. Hinduism recognizes several spiritual practices (yogas) for realizing your true nature:
Karma Yoga —taking the path of selfless action
Jnana Yoga —affirming your true nature
Bhakti Yoga —developing a loving relationship with a personal aspect of God
Raja Yoga —gaining control over the mind
Buddhism
The term Buddha is a title that means "one who has been awakened" or "the Enlightened One." Any person has the potential to become a Buddha, although the title generally refers to Gautama Buddha, who was born into wealth as "Siddhartha," but upon seeing the suffering of others renounced that wealth and resolved to share the enlightenment he had gained about how one can deal with suffering (dukkah).
The core beliefs of Buddhism are the enlightened teachings (dharma) of Gautama Buddha, known as the "Four Noble Truths":
Life is suffering.
There is a reason for this suffering (namely desire and attachment).
There is a way to end suffering.
The way to end suffering is the "Eightfold Path."
The practice of Buddhism follows this "Eightfold Path," which can be divided into three parts:
Wisdom
Right views—understanding Buddha's teachings and truth/reality
Right aspirations—having high and noble aims
Morality
Right speech—speaking kind words and truth; not lying, gossiping, or being verbally abusive
Right conduct—practicing good, moral, compassionate behavior
Right livelihood—having an honest living that does not cause suffering to others
Concentration
Right effort—persevering in goodness and clearing the mind
Right mindfulness—being attentive to reality and the present moment
Right meditation—concentrating on Buddha and the dharma (teachings), using meditation as an instrument to attain enlightenment
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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On March 13th, we began a 3-week series on Faith and Religion. Our first lesson (13th) was on World Religions. We took time to look at five of the main world religions.
Lesson Highlights
Bible Text:
Genesis 17:1–7; 21:1–21; Isaiah 11:1–10; Matthew 15:21–28; Acts 10:1–35
Lesson Focus:
Christians who are knowledgeable and confident about their own faith can communicate and collaborate respectfully with people of other faiths.
Big Question:
How are Christians supposed to interact with people of other faiths?
Key Words:
JUDAISM, HINDUISM, BUDDHISM, ISLAM, MUSLIM
Definition of Key Words
JUDAISM: a monotheistic faith founded on a covenant made by God with Abraham and Sarah. They were "blessed to be a blessing" to the world.
HINDUISM: a faith that sees this world as an illusion and seeks to help people become one with a divine being that is understood through many forms.
BUDDHISM: a faith that is founded on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and seeks to help people become enlightened or achieve Nirvana.
ISLAM: a monotheistic faith founded on the revelation of Allah to the prophet Muhammad that guides how people should live so that they will enjoy paradise after their death.
MUSLIM: a person who follows the teachings of Islam.
Below is more of a thorough understanding of the religion and the main teaching.
Modern Judaism
Modern Jews trace their heritage to Abraham and Sarah through their son, Isaac. The faith practices of the "Children of Abraham" that we see in our Christian scriptures and the people we often refer to as "Jews" are very different from the people of modern Judaism. We must be careful not to apply information from our scriptures to modern people in ways that they don't accept for themselves. We also must keep in mind that a deep animosity developed between Christians and Jews during the time between Jesus' death and the mid-1600s. At some point during history, Jews were expelled from every Christian country in Europe except Holland and the Scandinavian countries. The Holocaust and the establishment of the modern State of Israel have also changed the identity of the Jewish people in fundamental ways.
At the core of modern Judaism are three basic concepts: God, Torah, and Israel. As Judaism explains who God is, there are several key points to keep in mind. God is the creator of the universe. God is the redeemer who freed the people from slavery in Egypt and will provide the final redemption. God is the revealer of the teachings and laws that constitute the Torah. God created human beings and entered a covenant relationship with the Jewish people through Abraham. The people continue the covenant relationship with God within a community through observance of the mitzvot or "commandments." Hebrew scripture has 613 mitzvot, which are interpreted over the ages by the rabbis.
The Torah is also a complex concept in modern Judaism. The Torah is first and foremost the five books of Moses (which we know as Genesis through Deuteronomy) as "revealed" on Mount Sinai. Torah also includes a long history and tradition of rabbinic interpretation of these Books. Torah is continually growing and changing as the body of interpretations of rituals, theology, and ethics is added to over the years.
Islam
As a beginning, a few words must be clarified. Islam is the name of the religion or faith. It means "peace" or "submission" in Arabic. Muslim is the person who practices this faith. Qur'an(sometimes spelled Koran) is the name of their holy book, which contains the revelations given to the prophet Muhammad by Allah (God) through the angel Gabriel. Allah means "the one, the only"—and is one of the names of God. Muslim people write the name in all caps as a way of honoring God. Jihad is best understood as the spiritual challenge to achieve piety, submission, and obedience to Allah (the common interpretation of jihad as merely "holy war" is misleading). Muslim people do not consider Islam to be a religion, in the sense of being separate from the rest of life. Islam is the entirety of life—no part of life is separate from it.
Like Judaism and Christianity, Islam is monotheistic and traces its heritage back to Abraham. Abraham's first child, Ishmael, is the ancestor of the Muslim people.
Islam identifies seven "Principles of Faith" that are comparable to the Christian creeds: Belief in Allah, Belief in his angels, Belief in his books, Belief in his messengers (including many "prophets" from the Bible, such as Moses and Jesus; Muhammad is believed to be the final messenger), Belief in the Day of Judgment, Belief in life after death, Belief in divine preordainment
There are also "Four Pillars" that summarize the practice of Islam:
Salah or prayer—performed at least five times each day
Zakah or charity—setting aside money for those in need
Sawm or fasting—during the month of Ramadan
Hajj or pilgrimage—requiring all who are able to travel to Mecca once in their life
Hinduism (Vedanta)
Hinduism encompasses many different sects unified by their common holy texts—the Vedas. Veda means "knowledge" in Sanskrit. The primary interpretation of the Vedas is Vedanta, which means "the culmination of the Vedas." The focus of Vedanta philosophy is to address the relationship between God, humankind, and nature. Brahman is the name of God—the ultimate reality. Brahman is not a personal God, as Christianity would describe God. Brahman is infinite, undivided, unchanging reality.
Hinduism also holds that all religious paths lead to the same God. The goal is to "wake up" to your true nature. Hinduism recognizes several spiritual practices (yogas) for realizing your true nature:
Karma Yoga —taking the path of selfless action
Jnana Yoga —affirming your true nature
Bhakti Yoga —developing a loving relationship with a personal aspect of God
Raja Yoga —gaining control over the mind
Buddhism
The term Buddha is a title that means "one who has been awakened" or "the Enlightened One." Any person has the potential to become a Buddha, although the title generally refers to Gautama Buddha, who was born into wealth as "Siddhartha," but upon seeing the suffering of others renounced that wealth and resolved to share the enlightenment he had gained about how one can deal with suffering (dukkah).
The core beliefs of Buddhism are the enlightened teachings (dharma) of Gautama Buddha, known as the "Four Noble Truths":
Life is suffering.
There is a reason for this suffering (namely desire and attachment).
There is a way to end suffering.
The way to end suffering is the "Eightfold Path."
The practice of Buddhism follows this "Eightfold Path," which can be divided into three parts:
Wisdom
Right views—understanding Buddha's teachings and truth/reality
Right aspirations—having high and noble aims
Morality
Right speech—speaking kind words and truth; not lying, gossiping, or being verbally abusive
Right conduct—practicing good, moral, compassionate behavior
Right livelihood—having an honest living that does not cause suffering to others
Concentration
Right effort—persevering in goodness and clearing the mind
Right mindfulness—being attentive to reality and the present moment
Right meditation—concentrating on Buddha and the dharma (teachings), using meditation as an instrument to attain enlightenment
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Make-Up: February 27: God Gives & Forgives
Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Lesson Highlights
God Gives and Forgives
Bible Text:
Exodus 12, 16; Matthew18:23–34; Luke 6:35–36; 22:14–23
Lesson Focus:
God gives us gifts of daily bread and forgiveness.
Big Question:
I'm doing okay. What do I need God for?
Key Words:
MANNA, SIN, FORGIVENESS
Definition of Key Words
MANNA: breadlike food provided by God for the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness.
SIN: not only what one person does wrong, but also all human limitations. Institutions, systems, societies, and governments can (and do) also sin.
FORGIVENESS: something that comes freely from God and that we are called to give freely to others.
Lesson Highlights
In the Small Catechism, Luther expands and deepens the definitions of daily bread and sin.
Daily bread includes whatever we need for daily existence, such as food, clothing, family, work, and so forth.
When we see those who do not have enough "daily bread," we may be tempted to think that God has withheld the necessities, but God desires all to have enough.
As God's hands in the world, this prayer calls us to be sure all can participate in God's abundance.
The petition on forgiveness invites us to a deeper level of understanding what sin is. We damage each other and the creation in ways we don't intend.
The popular idea of sin focuses on things we do wrong—it doesn't usually acknowledge the deeper level of sin that rises from our human limitedness.
We pray for what we need: daily necessities to sustain this life and necessary forgiveness for freedom in this life and the next.
As we are assured of God's forgiveness, God invites us to forgive others. As we are assured of our daily bread, God invites us to share our daily bread with others.
Click the Link Below to watch a music video from Chris August that emphasizes the lesson on forgiveness:
Chris August
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Lesson Highlights
God Gives and Forgives
Bible Text:
Exodus 12, 16; Matthew18:23–34; Luke 6:35–36; 22:14–23
Lesson Focus:
God gives us gifts of daily bread and forgiveness.
Big Question:
I'm doing okay. What do I need God for?
Key Words:
MANNA, SIN, FORGIVENESS
Definition of Key Words
MANNA: breadlike food provided by God for the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness.
SIN: not only what one person does wrong, but also all human limitations. Institutions, systems, societies, and governments can (and do) also sin.
FORGIVENESS: something that comes freely from God and that we are called to give freely to others.
Lesson Highlights
In the Small Catechism, Luther expands and deepens the definitions of daily bread and sin.
Daily bread includes whatever we need for daily existence, such as food, clothing, family, work, and so forth.
When we see those who do not have enough "daily bread," we may be tempted to think that God has withheld the necessities, but God desires all to have enough.
As God's hands in the world, this prayer calls us to be sure all can participate in God's abundance.
The petition on forgiveness invites us to a deeper level of understanding what sin is. We damage each other and the creation in ways we don't intend.
The popular idea of sin focuses on things we do wrong—it doesn't usually acknowledge the deeper level of sin that rises from our human limitedness.
We pray for what we need: daily necessities to sustain this life and necessary forgiveness for freedom in this life and the next.
As we are assured of God's forgiveness, God invites us to forgive others. As we are assured of our daily bread, God invites us to share our daily bread with others.
Click the Link Below to watch a music video from Chris August that emphasizes the lesson on forgiveness:
Chris August
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Make Up: February 13th
Theology of the Cross and Theology of Glory
We began a new three week series on Theology. The Cross is the first in the series.
Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Lesson Highlights
Bible Text:
1 Corinthians 2:1–13
Lesson Focus:
God overturns human expectations.
Big Question:
What's so great about the cross?
Key Words:
THEOLOGY, THEOLOGY OF GLORY, THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS, EGOTISM, GRACE
Definitions of Key Words
THEOLOGY: thinking about God.
THEOLOGY OF GLORY: thinking about God that emphasizes human effort and conforms to cultural expectations of God and believers.
THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS: thinking about God that emphasizes God's work—rather than human work—and overturns cultural expectations of God and believers.
EGOTISM: the excessive use of "I."
GRACE: unearned love and acceptance.
The Message
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul speaks of his personal weakness (and even his fear and trembling!) as he preaches about the mighty work of God accomplished through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Paul makes it clear that his preaching is not about him and any thoughts of personal glory, but it is all about Jesus Christ and what he did for humanity by dying on the cross. Paul also says that God's wisdom is "secret and hidden" and that it is the Spirit alone who reveals God's intentions for humanity. The bottom line is that Paul is preaching from a theology of the cross. He isn't seeking to glorify himself in any way. In fact, he fully acknowledges his weakness here and in his other writings. He realizes that his preaching should focus solely on the cross of Christ, and it does. He knows that it is not about him and what he can do. It's all about what Christ did for us in his death. Christ alone can reconcile us with God.
Our contemporary culture is steeped in a theology of glory in which the individual is celebrated as the master of his or her own fate. Worldly success and riches are elevated and seen as "proof" of God's favor. Just watch TV and see how frequently sports and movie stars are the focus of news stories. In our culture, suffering, of any kind, is viewed as a grave weakness. Phrases like "If you really believed in Jesus, you wouldn't have gotten sick" or "Have you found Jesus and welcomed him into your heart as your personal savior?" are not uncommon among Christians whose focus is a theology of glory. They put the emphasis not on Jesus' saving death on the cross but on the actions of the believer. Judgments are often made whether or not others are acceptable to be in God's presence or in the company of believers, as if any human could make that decision.
Luther and his followers addressed this type of thinking that was present in his day, too. The Augsburg Confession states "our works cannot reconcile God or merit grace and forgiveness of sins, but we obtain this only by faith when we believe that we are received into grace on account of Christ, who alone has been appointed mediator and atoning sacrifice through whom the Father is reconciled" ("The Augsburg Confession," Latin, Article XX, Faith, 55.9 from The Book of Concord edited by Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert).
This may be a difficult concept for you to comprehend. You have the drive to achieve, which is thrust on you at an early age in school and through the media. Our culture is based on a theology of glory. It's everywhere we look. The theology of the cross acknowledges that God alone is in charge of our salvation and we rely on God's grace. Our culture expects God to conform to societal expectations of power and authority; instead, we find God in a manger, eating with outcasts, and suffering on a cross?in the last places humans would reasonably expect to find a deity. Theology of the cross is inherently counter-cultural.
We began a new three week series on Theology. The Cross is the first in the series.
Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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Lesson Highlights
Bible Text:
1 Corinthians 2:1–13
Lesson Focus:
God overturns human expectations.
Big Question:
What's so great about the cross?
Key Words:
THEOLOGY, THEOLOGY OF GLORY, THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS, EGOTISM, GRACE
Definitions of Key Words
THEOLOGY: thinking about God.
THEOLOGY OF GLORY: thinking about God that emphasizes human effort and conforms to cultural expectations of God and believers.
THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS: thinking about God that emphasizes God's work—rather than human work—and overturns cultural expectations of God and believers.
EGOTISM: the excessive use of "I."
GRACE: unearned love and acceptance.
The Message
In 1 Corinthians 2, Paul speaks of his personal weakness (and even his fear and trembling!) as he preaches about the mighty work of God accomplished through Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. Paul makes it clear that his preaching is not about him and any thoughts of personal glory, but it is all about Jesus Christ and what he did for humanity by dying on the cross. Paul also says that God's wisdom is "secret and hidden" and that it is the Spirit alone who reveals God's intentions for humanity. The bottom line is that Paul is preaching from a theology of the cross. He isn't seeking to glorify himself in any way. In fact, he fully acknowledges his weakness here and in his other writings. He realizes that his preaching should focus solely on the cross of Christ, and it does. He knows that it is not about him and what he can do. It's all about what Christ did for us in his death. Christ alone can reconcile us with God.
Our contemporary culture is steeped in a theology of glory in which the individual is celebrated as the master of his or her own fate. Worldly success and riches are elevated and seen as "proof" of God's favor. Just watch TV and see how frequently sports and movie stars are the focus of news stories. In our culture, suffering, of any kind, is viewed as a grave weakness. Phrases like "If you really believed in Jesus, you wouldn't have gotten sick" or "Have you found Jesus and welcomed him into your heart as your personal savior?" are not uncommon among Christians whose focus is a theology of glory. They put the emphasis not on Jesus' saving death on the cross but on the actions of the believer. Judgments are often made whether or not others are acceptable to be in God's presence or in the company of believers, as if any human could make that decision.
Luther and his followers addressed this type of thinking that was present in his day, too. The Augsburg Confession states "our works cannot reconcile God or merit grace and forgiveness of sins, but we obtain this only by faith when we believe that we are received into grace on account of Christ, who alone has been appointed mediator and atoning sacrifice through whom the Father is reconciled" ("The Augsburg Confession," Latin, Article XX, Faith, 55.9 from The Book of Concord edited by Robert Kolb and Timothy J. Wengert).
This may be a difficult concept for you to comprehend. You have the drive to achieve, which is thrust on you at an early age in school and through the media. Our culture is based on a theology of glory. It's everywhere we look. The theology of the cross acknowledges that God alone is in charge of our salvation and we rely on God's grace. Our culture expects God to conform to societal expectations of power and authority; instead, we find God in a manger, eating with outcasts, and suffering on a cross?in the last places humans would reasonably expect to find a deity. Theology of the cross is inherently counter-cultural.
Monday, February 14, 2011
No Crosstrainers on Feb. 20
Remember, we do not have Crosstrainers on Sunday, February 20th. However, I hope to see many (if not all) of you at church (in the worship service).
Friday, February 11, 2011
Help Needed: MMUTB
Hashbrown and Ham Casserole (We need at least 15 of these)
2 lbs. frozen hash browns, Southern style (thawed)
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pt. sour cream
1/2 c. chopped onions
10 oz. pkg. shredded cheddar cheese
2 packages of cubed (not diced) ham
Mix all ingredients. Pour into 9 X 13 disposable aluminum pan. DO NOT BAKE…we will bake at the church.
Please bring to kitchen on Sunday, February 20th prior to the beginning of the 10:45 am service.
Please email Stacey Greathouse @ thesogmom@yahoo.com, if you will be bringing one.
Food Items
Six HUGE cans of green beans
Six HUGE bags of corn
150 rolls
Two big tubs of country crock
If you can bring the items, please email Stacey @ thesogmom@yahoo.com
Last month, we served 130 individuals. Our event is now held in a garage. We do not go out to them, they now come to us. However, many of them do live under the bridges of Indianapolis.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Make-Up: February 6: Ten Commandments: Pt. 4
Make-Up:
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
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On Sunday, February 6th, we looked at the 9th and 10th Commandments. This was our final lesson in our confirmation series. Below, you will see the overarching theme, a movie clip that we watched (with background information) and my message.
Bible Text:
Matthew 6:19–21
Lesson Focus:
We honor God when we are content with what we have and help others keep what they have.
Big Question:
Other people have so much more; how am I supposed to be grateful for what I have?
Key Words:
CONTENTMENT, COOPERATION, ALTRUISM, BENEVOLENCE
Definition of Key Words
CONTENTMENT: an inner sense of calm and peace. This is not to be confused with everything being perfect.
COOPERATION: working together toward a common aim.
ALTRUISM: doing something for the good of the other without regard to recognition or gain.
BENEVOLENCE: an act of kindness or generosity.
Movie Clip (Based on Scripture)
Scene Setup:
Tangled is a Disney remake of the children's story, Rapunzel--about a princess who is locked away in a tower by an evil woman posing as her mother, who kept her hidden from society and unaware of her true identity. On her 18th birthday, Rapunzel wants to escape the tower to pursue a lifelong dream. She accomplishes this with the help of a thief, Flynn Rider.
In this scene Flynn has yet to meet Rapunzel. He has stolen a jeweled crown from the palace and is now being pursued by palace guards—one riding the proud horse, Maximus. In the pursuit, Flynn knocks the guard off Maximus and tries to escape on the horse. Maximus is unwilling to help the thief and attempts to retrieve the stolen crown. Flynn however, will not relent.
Application:
Each of the two characters in this scene are pursuing something they want. Maximus wants to gain back the crown for the king, while Flynn selfishly wants the stolen crown for himself. One motive is noble while the other is a criminal offense.
When the pair reaches the cliff, the prize they both seek becomes precariously
perched in a dangerous situation. Neither Flynn nor Maximus weigh out the consequences of pursuing the prize. They both just go after it until it is too late and the branch breaks, plunging them to the depths below.Was it worth the price of a crown to potentially lose their lives?
We often chase after things in our own lives that are similar. There are times that our goals—the prize we chase—seem worthwhile, and valuable, and we won't let anything stop us from reaching it. Other times our goals are less noble, and may be purely selfish ambitions. Either way, pursuing something "no matter what the cost" may prove unwise.
Selfish ambitions often end in regrettable situations, as can noble pursuits. Decisions may seem wise at the time, only to leave us out on a limb in the end. There is only one crown in life that we want to pursue no matter what: The crown of life and being a disciple of Christ. Even then, Jesus tells us to count the cost.
The Message
In the First Commandment we encountered a demand from God that reveals our sin as not fearing, loving, and trusting God above everything else. In the Commandments that follow, God puts limits on our sinful actions and calls us into a life in which we love the Lord and our neighbors. If we think we've escaped God's judgment because we haven't broken the other Commandments, the Ninth and Tenth Commandments focus on those who typically think they're pretty good people.
In these last two Commandments, as with the others, God deals with our sinful will. While many traditions speak about free will, Lutherans have argued instead that, as sinful creatures, human beings have a bound will. This means that, while God gives us a will, in our sinfulness we're unable to find or heed the boundaries God establishes. We have an unbounded desire that doesn't recognize God's limits and that keeps putting ourselves at the center of all things. Luther called it a bound will because we just can't help it.
In the Large Catechism, Luther writes that when we think too highly of ourselves, we tend to let loose of our desires and will so that they get out of hand. If we can't see God in front of us, we begin to look for other powers we can trust. That usually comes down to us. So we make ourselves the center of our own universe, and we think our will and desires are the most important.
When we think the world revolves around us, we think of others in terms of what use they can be for us. How can someone else serve me? Why do others who deserve it less have what I should have? Mine! It should all be mine! Thus, while the First Commandment defines sin, the Ninth and Tenth Commandments show how our sinful actions develop out of our basic inability and unwillingness to trust God.
Wherever our sin gets loose in the world, our neighbor stands a good chance of being hurt. That's because by keeping ourselves at the center of things, we see others as less, as tools for us to use to get ahead. Envy creeps in. Keeping up with others becomes our goal. If we insist upon keeping ourselves at the center of our attention, we simply won't care about what our desires mean for others.
So in these Commandments God demands that we regard our neighbors as valuable fellow creatures whose relationships, bodies, lives, safety, reputation, and possessions are equally important to God.
Those who obey the Ninth and Tenth Commandments will keep in check their own desires for others' possessions, relationships, and status. That means they don't scheme and plot ways to get what others have, whether it's clothes, vehicles, the latest electronic gadget, or even their good name. Consequently, they begin to put the needs of their neighbors first.
Beyond this, God calls us to go the extra mile. Jesus tells his followers that if someone wants their coat, they should give that person their shirt too. We should do good even to our enemies and pray for those who want to hurt us (Luke 6:29). We are to watch out for others' needs: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned. And in all of life and with all people, we are called to help others keep what's theirs.
That's hard to do when the devil, the world, and our sinful selves are telling us things like, "First come, first served" and "Take care of yourself." The only way to do it is by realizing how little you really deserve from God, which is a very hard word to hear in today's culture.
After Martin Luther died in 1546, his friends found a scrap of paper in his pocket on which he had scribbled a few words: "We are beggars. This is true." He meant that even though God brings our daily bread to us in so many ways each day, we know that sinners like us don't deserve a bit of it. In truth, deserving has nothing to do with it. Certainly we don't deserve God becoming human in Jesus and then dying for our salvation.
But when we learn how much Christ does for us, it creates what Psalm 51 calls "a clean heart." We can relinquish our hold on the center of the universe. Our unbounded desires will focus on faithfulness in an unbounded service to our neighbor and an undying praise of God. When the fullness of God's mercy hits beggars head-on, even they have something to share.
We ask you to read the material below. The material will include "deep thought", our key words (definition), scripture (link - please read) and some general thoughts and video(s). We ask you to read all material and then comment in the comments section. Share one key thought or concept that came to you and how it will make a difference.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On Sunday, February 6th, we looked at the 9th and 10th Commandments. This was our final lesson in our confirmation series. Below, you will see the overarching theme, a movie clip that we watched (with background information) and my message.
Bible Text:
Matthew 6:19–21
Lesson Focus:
We honor God when we are content with what we have and help others keep what they have.
Big Question:
Other people have so much more; how am I supposed to be grateful for what I have?
Key Words:
CONTENTMENT, COOPERATION, ALTRUISM, BENEVOLENCE
Definition of Key Words
CONTENTMENT: an inner sense of calm and peace. This is not to be confused with everything being perfect.
COOPERATION: working together toward a common aim.
ALTRUISM: doing something for the good of the other without regard to recognition or gain.
BENEVOLENCE: an act of kindness or generosity.
Movie Clip (Based on Scripture)
Scene Setup:
Tangled is a Disney remake of the children's story, Rapunzel--about a princess who is locked away in a tower by an evil woman posing as her mother, who kept her hidden from society and unaware of her true identity. On her 18th birthday, Rapunzel wants to escape the tower to pursue a lifelong dream. She accomplishes this with the help of a thief, Flynn Rider.
In this scene Flynn has yet to meet Rapunzel. He has stolen a jeweled crown from the palace and is now being pursued by palace guards—one riding the proud horse, Maximus. In the pursuit, Flynn knocks the guard off Maximus and tries to escape on the horse. Maximus is unwilling to help the thief and attempts to retrieve the stolen crown. Flynn however, will not relent.
Application:
Each of the two characters in this scene are pursuing something they want. Maximus wants to gain back the crown for the king, while Flynn selfishly wants the stolen crown for himself. One motive is noble while the other is a criminal offense.
When the pair reaches the cliff, the prize they both seek becomes precariously
perched in a dangerous situation. Neither Flynn nor Maximus weigh out the consequences of pursuing the prize. They both just go after it until it is too late and the branch breaks, plunging them to the depths below.Was it worth the price of a crown to potentially lose their lives?
We often chase after things in our own lives that are similar. There are times that our goals—the prize we chase—seem worthwhile, and valuable, and we won't let anything stop us from reaching it. Other times our goals are less noble, and may be purely selfish ambitions. Either way, pursuing something "no matter what the cost" may prove unwise.
Selfish ambitions often end in regrettable situations, as can noble pursuits. Decisions may seem wise at the time, only to leave us out on a limb in the end. There is only one crown in life that we want to pursue no matter what: The crown of life and being a disciple of Christ. Even then, Jesus tells us to count the cost.
The Message
In the First Commandment we encountered a demand from God that reveals our sin as not fearing, loving, and trusting God above everything else. In the Commandments that follow, God puts limits on our sinful actions and calls us into a life in which we love the Lord and our neighbors. If we think we've escaped God's judgment because we haven't broken the other Commandments, the Ninth and Tenth Commandments focus on those who typically think they're pretty good people.
In these last two Commandments, as with the others, God deals with our sinful will. While many traditions speak about free will, Lutherans have argued instead that, as sinful creatures, human beings have a bound will. This means that, while God gives us a will, in our sinfulness we're unable to find or heed the boundaries God establishes. We have an unbounded desire that doesn't recognize God's limits and that keeps putting ourselves at the center of all things. Luther called it a bound will because we just can't help it.
In the Large Catechism, Luther writes that when we think too highly of ourselves, we tend to let loose of our desires and will so that they get out of hand. If we can't see God in front of us, we begin to look for other powers we can trust. That usually comes down to us. So we make ourselves the center of our own universe, and we think our will and desires are the most important.
When we think the world revolves around us, we think of others in terms of what use they can be for us. How can someone else serve me? Why do others who deserve it less have what I should have? Mine! It should all be mine! Thus, while the First Commandment defines sin, the Ninth and Tenth Commandments show how our sinful actions develop out of our basic inability and unwillingness to trust God.
Wherever our sin gets loose in the world, our neighbor stands a good chance of being hurt. That's because by keeping ourselves at the center of things, we see others as less, as tools for us to use to get ahead. Envy creeps in. Keeping up with others becomes our goal. If we insist upon keeping ourselves at the center of our attention, we simply won't care about what our desires mean for others.
So in these Commandments God demands that we regard our neighbors as valuable fellow creatures whose relationships, bodies, lives, safety, reputation, and possessions are equally important to God.
Those who obey the Ninth and Tenth Commandments will keep in check their own desires for others' possessions, relationships, and status. That means they don't scheme and plot ways to get what others have, whether it's clothes, vehicles, the latest electronic gadget, or even their good name. Consequently, they begin to put the needs of their neighbors first.
Beyond this, God calls us to go the extra mile. Jesus tells his followers that if someone wants their coat, they should give that person their shirt too. We should do good even to our enemies and pray for those who want to hurt us (Luke 6:29). We are to watch out for others' needs: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and visiting the imprisoned. And in all of life and with all people, we are called to help others keep what's theirs.
That's hard to do when the devil, the world, and our sinful selves are telling us things like, "First come, first served" and "Take care of yourself." The only way to do it is by realizing how little you really deserve from God, which is a very hard word to hear in today's culture.
After Martin Luther died in 1546, his friends found a scrap of paper in his pocket on which he had scribbled a few words: "We are beggars. This is true." He meant that even though God brings our daily bread to us in so many ways each day, we know that sinners like us don't deserve a bit of it. In truth, deserving has nothing to do with it. Certainly we don't deserve God becoming human in Jesus and then dying for our salvation.
But when we learn how much Christ does for us, it creates what Psalm 51 calls "a clean heart." We can relinquish our hold on the center of the universe. Our unbounded desires will focus on faithfulness in an unbounded service to our neighbor and an undying praise of God. When the fullness of God's mercy hits beggars head-on, even they have something to share.
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