The Nehemiah Project

Here is an interesting article about The Nehemiah project. It was featured on NPR. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has over 20 years' involvement in such pursuits. LCMS World Relief and Human Care Executive Director Matthew Harrison has moved our church to do incredible things in the US and around the world.

Low-Cost Brooklyn Housing Sees Few Foreclosures

by Jim Zarroli

Yvonne Ziegler had an apartment in a central Brooklyn housing project and a decent job in an office. But like a lot of New Yorkers, she figured she'd be renting forever. Owning a place seemed beyond the realm of possibility.

Thanks to the Nehemiah project, a church-run affordable housing program, Ziegler now owns a trim, neatly maintained three-bedroom house, where she lives with her elderly mother in the Brooklyn neighborhood known as East New York. The program has built more than 4,000 houses in Brooklyn and the Bronx since the 1980s.

"When it came to light that these churches were building affordable houses and how low the mortgages were, I thought, 'Well, maybe this is something I can aspire to,' " Ziegler says.

The Nehemiah project, named for the biblical prophet who rebuilt the Temple of Jerusalem, has provided a bulwark of stability in neighborhoods once devastated by arson and neglect. That's been especially true during the mortgage crisis. In a part of the city where foreclosures topped 10 percent last year, few of the program's homeowners have defaulted on their loans.

Read the entire article here.

St. Luke, The Evangelist

On October 18 we remember that God has truly blessed the Christian Church through the work of St. Luke, The Evangelist. He was St. Paul’s companion. He researched the life of Jesus in order to write the Gospel bearing his name. In his research he may have talked to Mary or someone very close to her so that he is able to tell us about the manger and the shepherds. Many parts of our worship come from Luke such as: The Benedictus—Song of Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79; The Magnificat—Song of Mary, Luke 1:46-55; The Gloria in Excelsis—Luke 2:14; and The Nunc Dimittis—Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32. Many other well know events in the life of Christ are recorded by Luke such as: Jesus words to the thief on the cross, “This day you will be with me in paradise,” Luke 23:43 and that in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus’ sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, Luke 22:44. St. Paul calls Luke the Beloved Physician, Colossians 4:14. As Paul’s companion he witnessed St. Paul fight the good fight of faith and records his activities in The Acts of the Apostles. The sweet message of salvation through Christ that the Holy Spirit directed St. Luke to write comes to us like water in the wilderness.

Here is a reading from the Book of Concord for St. Luke, Evanglelist:

The Formula of Concord, The Epitome

Article III, The Righteousness of Faith Before God, 4.

We believe, teach, and confess that our righteousness before God is this: God forgives our sins out of pure grace, without any work, merit, or worthiness of ours preceding, present, or following. He presents and credits to us the righteousness of Christ’s obedience [Romans 5:17-19]. Because of this righteousness, we are received into grace by God and regarded as righteous.

Lutheran Survey Results - Concordia University Wisconsin

Check out Lutheran Survey Results - Concordia University Wisconsin

Religion and politics are always ticklish subjects but here is an interesting look at the LCMS and ELCA. I was surprised that the LCMS turned out to be as far right as the study indicates and also surprised that the ELCA turned out to be as far left.

This makes the ELCA's actions this summer seem much more understandable. As to the LCMS, I would be interested to know how various groups in leadership compare to the attitudes of the general population of clergy and lay.

Sunday, Oct 11, 2009 - Some thoughts on the Rich Young Man

The first thing I noticed is that LSB cuts the Gospel lesson in half. October 11 is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 23 B. The appointed Gospel is Mark 10:17-22 which makes no sense to me. This pericope occurs in LW on Pentecost 21 but it is the entire section, Mark 10:17-30. Likewise in RCL Proper 23 and ELCA Pentecost 23 the entire reading is included but ending at the 31st verse (Mark 10:17-31). In LSB we have to wait until next week to finish the story and hear Jesus’ explanation (LSB Proper 24, Mark 10:22-31).

This is the account of The Rich Young Man. I cannot imagine how one would properly preach on this account without including the second half of the story. And then what does one do next week? I solved the dilemma this year by putting the account back together this week. What will I do next week? Fortunately this year, next Sunday is St. Luke, the Evangelist and the appointed Gospel is Luke 10:1-9 so I won’t have to figure this one out until three years from now.

What’s the point of this event? Clearly the issue is not being able to recognize one’s own sinful condition. Unfortunately most will get hung up on the fact that the young man is rich and will conclude that Jesus is speaking against riches. Dividing the pericope in the manner of LSB only reinforces this mistaken notion. You cannot understand Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man without hearing this dialog between the disciples and Jesus in verses 26 and 27: They were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Who can be saved? No one! (by their own thoughts, words or deeds.) It is only God’s action in Christ through the cross that makes salvation possible!

In light of this, the reading from the Book of Concord that I have chosen for this Sunday is:

The Smalcald Articles
Part II, Article I, The Chief Article, 1-5.

The first and chief article is this:
Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-24).
He alone is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all (Isaiah 53:6).
All have sinned and are justified freely, without their own works or merits, by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood. (Romans 3:23-25).
This is necessary to believe. This cannot be otherwise acquired or grasped by any work, law, or merit. Therefore, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us. As St. Paul says:

For we hold that one is justified by faith apart form works of the law. (Romans 3:28).
That He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [Romans 3:26].

Nothing of this article can be yielded or surrendered, even though heaven and earth and everything else falls [Mark 13:31].

For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
And with His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Upon this article everything that we teach and practice depends … Therefore, we must be certain and not doubt this doctrine. Otherwise all is lost…

(The ellipsis in both places are references to the pope and I made the determination that those comments would detract from the purpose of this reading in the setting of Sunday morning.)

Reading from the Book of Concord for Propper 22 - Pentecost 18

We read from the Book of Concord each week. I try to find a reading that reflects the Bible readings of the day. I've decided to post them on my blog each week so that others may reflect on them.

Luther’s Large Catechism--The Sixth Commandment, 206-208

Understand and mark well how gloriously God honors and praises this estate [of marriage]. For by His commandment He both approves and guards it. He has approved it above in the Fourth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother.” But here He has (as we said) hedged it about and protected it. Therefore, He also wishes us to honor it [Hebrews 13:4] and to maintain and govern it as a divine and blessed estate because, in the first place, He has instituted it before all others. He create man and woman separately, as is clear [Genesis 1:27]. This was not for lewdness, but so that they might live together in marriage, be fruitful, bear children, and nourish and train them to honor God [Genesis 1:28; Psalm 128; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4].

Therefore, God has also most richly blessed this estate above all others. In addition, He has bestowed on it and wrapped up in it everything in the world, so that this estate might be well and richly provided for. Married life is, therefore, no joke or presumption. It is an excellent thing and a matter of divine seriousness. For marriage has the highest importance to God so that people are raised up who may serve the world and promote the knowledge of God, godly living, and all virtues, to fight against wickedness and the devil.

The other lessons for this week are:
Old Testament Reading Genesis 2:18–25
Epistle Reading Hebrews 2:1–13
Holy Gospel Mark 10:2–16

Is Everyone Endowed With The Inner Light?

From: The Aroma Of An Empty Bottle
by Carl E. Braaten

My second suggestion is that the ELCA has succumbed to the same ailment as liberal Protestantism. What is that? Modern Protestantism is an amalgamation of historic Christianity and the principles of the Enlightenment, its rationalism, subjectivism, and anthropocentrism. The underlying assumption is the neo-gnostic belief in the innerdwelling of God, such that everyone is endowed with the inner light that only needs to be uncovered. The light of truth does not shine through the Scriptures and the Christian tradition as much as through scientific reason and individual experience. This is what happened in Minneapolis: appeals to reason and experience trumped Scripture and tradition, punctuated with pious injunctions of Lutheran slogans and clichés. The majority won. And they said it was the work of the Spirit, forgetting that the Holy Spirit had already spoken volumes through the millennia of Scriptural interpretation, the councils of the church, and its creeds and confessions.


(Emphasis mine)


This insight from Braaten is key to understanding not only the ELCA but many of the other protestants around us (both liberal and conservative).

People think that their experiences are authentic revelations from God rather than needing the Holy Scripture.

How the ELCA Left the Great Tradition for Liberal Protestantism

Here is an insightful analysis of the ELCA published online by Christianity Today. I think that you will find it interesting.

How the ELCA Left the Great Tradition for Liberal Protestantism
There is no authoritative biblical or theological guidance in the church. There are only many voices.
Robert Benne | posted 9/02/2009 09:21AM

Quote of the Day

The Book of Concord’s confession of the Lord’s Law and Gospel is so destructive of the world’s religions that it is ever under attack both blatant and subtle, with the latter ever the more sinister.

Dr. Norman Nagel

The Lord’s Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz

Forward to
The Lord’s Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz by Bjarne Wollan Teigen

Dr. Scott Murray on Promises

Scott Murray really has a handle applying God's Word to living in today's world. His "Memorial Moment: He Promises" is a good example.

I would do it an injustice to try to summarize it here. I encourage you to read his daily devotion.

The Latest Trend--Gregorian Chant!

Jeffrey Tucker writes:

"The most exciting, vibrant, and young movement in Catholic Church music today involves the revival of Gregorian chant, and also the old and new music that flows from its stylistic sensibility and texts. Workshops around the country are growing larger. Sales of chant books are booming, to the point that distributors can hardly keep them in stock. Membership in chant-support organizations is growing. Discover this energy is as easy as typing a few search terms.

I'll only mention one program taking place in late September at the National Shrine in Washington, D.C.. The Church Music Association of America, working with the John Paul II Cultural Center and St. John the Beloved parish in McLean, Virginia, have put together a Pilgrimage for people seeking to learn Gregorian chant. It is under the direction of chant conductor to the nation Scott Turkington.

Already one week before, more than 160 people have signed up to attend. This includes mostly young people, but also many middle-aged people seeking to upgrade their skills."

I'm sure this is off the radar screen of most people. It will be interesting to see how far it goes. There seems more and more evidence that young people are gravitating to formal and structured worship. I doubt that there are many 50-60 year-olds who can get a handle on this.

You can read the rest of the article here:

The Lutheran Study Bible

We have ordered two cases of The Lutheran Study Bible. It is the least expensive edition. I believe that the price is $35. The price will go up significantly after Oct. 31. Stop into the office and get yours.

Here is some information about it.

The Bible uses the English Standard Version translation and contains more than 26,500 study notes prepared by Lutheran theologians, scholars, and pastors, representing more than 20 Lutheran church bodies. A CPH release says this Bible is "Christ-centered, devotional, and practical," and designed for use by Christians from "confirmation through the senior years."

According to a CPH Web site, the new Bible "offers the English-speaking Lutheran Church what it had enjoyed before while using the German language: a 'from-the-ground-up' Lutheran study Bible, making exclusive use of Lutheran notes, commentaries, articles, and annotations.

The Web site includes excerpts, product comparison charts, and other related media including a podcast interview with one of the project's associate editors, Dr. Jerry Joersz, former associate executive director of the Synod's Commission on Theology and Church Relations.

"We are excited to offer all English-speaking Christians a study Bible that offers such a comforting and powerful Christ-centered understanding of the Scriptures," said Rev. Paul McCain, CPH publisher and executive director of editorial. "The Lutheran Study Bible invites Lutheran Christians to engage in a conversation that has been unfolding within and around God's Word throughout the centuries."

If you want to order your own or one of the leather editions go to: www.cph.org/lutheranbible.

Health Care Debate Information

From the LCMS:

To help you engage as an informed citizen in the national health care debate, find useful information focused on abortion, end-of-life care, and ethics in the public square, in the proposed health care legislation. Read more here.

Concordia Theological Seminary Responds to Actions at ELCA Convention

The following is from Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN:

“Concordia Theological Seminary, with the Christian church throughout history, confesses the sanctity of marriage as a union between a man and a woman—God’s gift of marriage at creation is a beautiful and abiding blessing upon all of humanity.

Similarly, we believe the living and healing voice of Jesus through His prophets and apostles—Sacred Scripture—when He calls us to fidelity in marriage and warns about the harmful and destructive impact upon human beings when adultery, promiscuity, or homosexuality are practiced. In departing from two thousand years of Christian teaching and practice as well as challenging the majority of present day Christians, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has exhibited sectarian behavior that saddens a large spectrum of the Christian community.

We pray that the Lord will strengthen those who remain faithful to His healing Word and recall those who have so tragically abandoned that Word and its healing and absolving Truth.

Read the entire article here.

90 percent of worship services targeting a younger generation run into serious trouble after three years.

Costly conformity

Only one thing surprised Dan Kimball about the Axis reorganization: it took 10 years. Kimball, who teaches and oversees the Sunday gatherings for Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, has tracked many young adult ministries over the years. He estimates that 90 percent of worship services targeting a younger generation run into serious trouble after three years. One factor is the way these age-specific ministries isolate young people from the rest of the church.

Read the rest of the article here.

Statement on the Obama Health-Care Plan

From
Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

The LCMS supports the protection and nurture of human life from conception through death. We would not endorse any component of a plan that includes funding for abortion. Currently, federal money cannot fund abortions (Hyde Amendment, 1976), and there appears to be nothing in the health-care reform plan at this time that would change that. However, some versions do propose a sliding scale of health-care premiums based on income, with government money making up for the lower premiums of poorer people. As pro-life advocates, we would want to prohibit any government money from being used, even indirectly, for insurance that covers abortion.

Read the entire article here.

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President LCMS

Statement of the president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in response to certain actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
August 24, 2009

Says in part:

Doctrinal decisions adopted already in 2001 led the LCMS, in sincere humility and love, to declare that we could no longer consider the ELCA "to be an orthodox Lutheran church body" (2001 Res 3-21A). Sadly, the decisions of this past week to ignore biblical teaching on human sexuality have reinforced that conclusion. We respect the desire to follow conscience in moral decision making, but conscience may not overrule the Word of God.

We recognize that many brothers and sisters within the ELCA, both clergy and lay, are committed to remaining faithful to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, are committed to the authority of Holy Scripture, and strongly oppose these actions. To them we offer our assurance of loving encouragement together with our willingness to provide appropriate support in their efforts to remain faithful to the Word of God and the historic teachings of the Lutheran church and all other Christian churches for the past 2,000 years.

Read the entire statement here

Address to ELCA Churchwide Assembly

Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Address to ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 22, 2009

Here is a portion of his address:

I speak these next words in deep humility, with a heavy heart and no desire whatsoever to offend. The decisions by this assembly to grant non-celibate homosexual ministers the privilege of serving as rostered leaders in the ELCA and the affirmation of same gender unions as pleasing to God will undoubtedly cause additional stress and disharmony within the ELCA. It will also negatively affect the relationships between our two church bodies. The current division between our churches threatens to become a chasm. This grieves my heart and the hearts of all in the ELCA, the LCMS, and other Christian church bodies throughout the world who do not see these decisions as compatible with the Word of God, or in agreement with the consensus of 2000 years of Christian theological affirmation regarding what Scripture teaches about human sexuality. Simply stated, this matter is fundamentally related to significant differences in how we understand the authority of Holy Scripture and the interpretation of God’s revealed and infallible Word.

Read the entire address here: Address to ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 22, 2009

Silliness

Here's a headline I just read:

Temptation Harder to Resist Than You Think, Study Suggests

Christians have long known that we do not struggle against flesh and blood. Our constant battle with the temptations of the World, the Devil, and our own sinful self can only be overcome with divine help!

The article by Jeanna Bryner begins:

If you think you're generally good at resisting temptation, you're probably wrong, scientists now say.

"People are not good at anticipating the power of their urges, and those who are the most confident about their self-control are the most likely to give into temptation," said Loran Nordgren, senior lecturer of management and organizations at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, in Illinois.

Read the rest of the article here.

The Best Stuff

I only put the best stuff here. It turns out that the best stuff comes overwhelmingly from Dr. Scott Murry. Here is part of today's devotion:

There is a great deal of pressure on theologians to reduce that implication or to soft pedal it. A pastor friend of mine recounted calling members of his parish who had been absent for quite some time. At first, they declined to speak of their reasons for being absent. Finally, however, the husband simply said, "Every sermon is about sin and grace, and we are sick of hearing it. So we won't be back." The pastor quietly admitted that every sermon was about sin and grace, "That is unlikely to change." Of course, every sermon is about sin and grace! That is what the Christian religion is "about." There is no greater problem in the world and no better solution.

Read the rest at: Memorial Moment

Lifted Hands?

Should we lift our hands in prayer and praise? It turns out this question is older than I thought. Tertullian (who lived from A. D. 160-220) already considered this question. It seems that in his day as well as ours some Christians were making a big show of lifting their hands over their heads in prayer. Here's what this Church Father has to say:

"But we more commend our prayers to God when we pray with modesty and humility, with not even our hands too loftily elevated, but elevated temperately and becomingly; and not even our countenance over-boldly uplifted. For that publican who prayed with humility and dejection not merely in his supplication, but in his countenance too, went his way 'more justified' than the shameless Pharisee. The sounds of our voice, likewise, should be subdued; else, if we are to be heard for our noise, how large windpipes should we need! But God is the hearer not of the voice, but of the heart, just as He is its inspector."

On Prayer
Chapter XVII. ----Of Elevated Hands.