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95
Theses for the Present Age
On
October 31, 1517, Martin Luther hammered a paper to a Church Door
that read as follows:
“Out
of love and concern for the truth, and with the object of eliciting
it, the following heads (theses) will be the subject of a public
discussion at Wittenberg under the presidency of the reverend father,
Martin Luther, Augustinian, Master of Arts and Sacred Theology, and
duly appointed Lecturer on these subjects in that place. He requests
that whoever cannot be present personally to debate the matter orally
will do so in absence in writing.”
From
this conventional manner of seeking scholarly debate on current
issues, the second major schism in the Christian Church evolved. The
rising nationalism among northern European political entities, along
with the educational explosion due to the invention by Guttenberg of
a system of movable type in the printing process, protected Luther
when his convictions got him in deadly trouble with the Church, and
enabled vast new multitudes of concerned persons to know what was
going on and to take positions on the issues.
Within
a decade, the Lutheran Church and much of the western world will
observe the 500th anniversary of this Wittenberg event and
pay some homage to Luther, perhaps the most significant reformer of
the Christian Church since the age of St. Paul. In that light, we
propose a process that will, “out of love and concern for the
truth,” shape 95 theses for our present age.
The
focus of Luther’s challenge was the ideology behind the selling of
indulgences with the promise of speedy release from purgatorial
suffering of deceased family members and avoidance of it for the
buyer, thus obviating the need for a penitential spirit and the
subsequent changes in life. While arguing these theological
positions, Luther made significant mentions of the nature of
scripture, personal faith, the Grace of God and the need for a social
consciousness. Thus we can freely address these theological and
social issues of our day and not simply rephrase the important issues
of the 16th century.
The
Holy Cross Worship Committee has assembled these “theses for the
present age” both to honor the approaching 500th
anniversary of Martin Luther’s discussion at Wittenberg and to
foster open Christian discussion among members of this congregation.
It is our hope that the following 95 questions, reflections and
references will lead to thoughtful dialogue as to what it means to be
a Christian in the world today. Quotes from Luther are marked ML
at the end. Many other sources are also noted if known.
Concerning
the Word of God
“Almighty
God, we thank you for planting in us the seed of your word. By your
Holy Spirit help us to receive it with joy, live according to it,
and grow in faith and hope and love…” E. L. Worship p. 42
As
Luther said, scripture is the “cradle” in which Jesus, the
Christ, is found.
We
hold that the Bible is God’s Word, the source and norm of the
church’s life. But that concern becomes ideological when it talks
more about the Bible than the Bible’s Lord.
The
first 11 chapters of Genesis came out of centuries of Oral
Tradition. The rest is a reliable historical record of God’s
action to call a nation to serve Him and proclaim Him as true God.
“The
true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and
the grace of God.” ML
A
refusal to preach the real, truly physical Resurrection of Christ
makes modern evangelism world centered and weak.
Peter
was an Evangelist and Paul a Theologian. The book of Acts shows
that both were needed.
God
used His Prophets to speak words of truth to His people in their
current situation. He did not make them crystal ball gazers.
We
stand for the reading of the Gospel and sing “Alleluia…Lord, to
whom shall we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.
Alleluia…” What a breath of fresh air in this age of
communication overkill.
Jesus
loves me. This I know, for the Bible tells me so.
Concerning
Paul, the Lord said: “…he is a chosen instrument of mine to
carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel”
Acts 9:15
“In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word
was God”. … “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth”. John 1:1 & 1:14
“For
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. John
3:16
“But
the counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance
all that I have said to you”. John 15:26
“Do
your best to present yourself to present yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling
the word of truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15
The
fruits of the Spirit are not having visions, speaking in tongues or
enthralling multitudes. They are “love, joy peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”
Gal. 5:22-23
Paul
on evangelism: “I have become all things to all people,
that I might by all means save some…,” I Cor, :24-25 He
managed to do this with personal integrity and authenticity.
“…and
hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured
into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.”
Romans 5:5
“The
Word is not the bible as a written book because the gospel is really
not that which is contained in books and composed in letters, but
rather an oral preaching and a living word, a voice which resounds
throughout the whole world and is publically proclaimed.” ML
Hope
in the life to come springs from the Resurrection which assures us
that God’s plan of salvation has been fulfilled, and we, through
the Holy Spirit, partake in that new life.
“The
cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood
of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the
body of Christ?” I Cor. 10:16
Concerning
Theology.
For
those who believe the Only Son of the Almighty Creator God“
emptied Himself, taking the form of
servant,
being born in the likeness of men”, the Bethlehem story and the
cross are then not hard to accept.
“I
believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in
Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has
called me through the gospel…” (Apostle’s Creed 3rd
article) ML
Paul
writes, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not use
your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be
servants of one another.” Gal. 5:13
“Pour
your Holy Spirit, the power of your living Word, that those who are
washed in the waters of baptism may be given new life”. (Holy
Baptism, in E. L. Worship, page 230)
“Joined
to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s
mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism.”
(Thanksgiving for Baptism, in E. L. Worship, page 97)
In
the Apostle’s Creed, we confess: “I believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord…” Too many people forget the words
“only” and “Lord” are parts of that
confession.
“But
God showed his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ
died for us”. Romans 5:8
“Situation
Ethics” should not be allowed to “replace” or “correct”
the Decalogue.
There
must be a clear distinction for scholars, between interpreting the
Scriptures and re-writing them.
It
is good, when interpreting the Scriptures, to remember the martyrs
who died trying to preserve them.
Luther
begins his explanation to the 2nd article of the
Apostle’s Creed “I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten
of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin
Mary, is my Lord;” ML
St.
Paul wrote “We were buried therefore with him through baptism into
death; that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the
glory of the Father, we also might walk in newness of life”.
Romans 6:4
“Eternal
life is the inexpressible peace, joy, and glory of the children of
God, which is begun on earth and made perfect in heaven”. ML
“The
church teaches that both law and gospel must continually be preached
in the congregation of the faithful: the law to convict people of
sin and to promote God’s temporal justice, the gospel to forgive
people of sins and to proclaim God’s eternal righteousness.”
Apology of Augsburg Conf.-Article IV
“The
distinct Lutheran dialectic simil justus et peccator (at
the same time justified and a sinner), is hard for most Christians
to understand. Small wonder that Luther said that no one can get it
right without the Holy Spirit as “Schoolmaster and Instructor.”
ML
We
err when Law and Gospel are replaced by ideology and therapy:
ideology often norms what is politically correct and therapy often
excuses what was once considered sinful.
“Comfort,
comfort now my people, tell of peace!’ so says our God. Comfort
those who sit in darkness mourning under sorrow’s load. To God’s
people now proclaim that God’s pardon waits for them! Tell them
that their war is over: God will reign in peace forever.” Hymn by
J G Olearius based on Isaiah 40
“He
(Luther) then realized for the first time that justification did not
presuppose some inner change in man, an inner healing, as had been
formerly taught; now he knew that it was something outside of man,
the belief in Christ’s atoning death, that liberated man…”
“Luther and His Times” Schweibert p. 288
At
Whittenberg, Luther came to understand “The God of St Paul did not
wait for man to prove himself worthy of grace; He came and sought
man even before man realized that he was a condemned and a lost
sinner.” Ibid p. 290
Concerning
the Church, Past and Present
Now
the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and
your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will
make of you a great nation…” Gen.12:1-2
The
Judaic/Christian tradition is the history through which the Creator
employs Self-revelation.
“Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…and lo, I
am with you always, to the close of the age.” Matt.28:18-20
A
Church was created at Pentecost, not a faith that could be lived
apart from others.
When
religions try to coerce and control, they fail. Check the Spanish
Inquisition.
When
a Church tries to control government, it is in for a Reformation.
“The
Scholastics…improperly mingled philosophical and civil ethics with
the Gospel. …These notions prevailed, feeding a trust in human
powers and obscuring the knowledge of the grace of Christ. Apology
of A. C. .II
If
the church is found to offer only what the world already wants, then
as soon as the world sees that it can get it elsewhere, the world
will look elsewhere.
The
Church of Christ is found wherever the Word of God is preached in
its truth and purity and the sacraments are administered according
to the Word and institution of Christ. ML
“The
Church is divided into many denominations because not all Christians
have faithfully held to all the Word of God, and also because
opinions have differed as to the meaning of certain portions of
God’s Word”. ML
Lutheran
attempts to promote the “unity of the Faith” through
reconciliation with other Christian denominations should not be at
the expense of the “Formula of Concord” of 1530.
“And
to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree
concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the
Sacraments.” Augsburg Confession Art. VII
Paul…”The
apostle to the Gentiles, who was especially committed to taking the
good news to all peoples, left no stone unturned for unity and
harmony among all Christians” Pope Benedict XVI, 2008
“Together
we confess: By Grace alone, in faith in Christ’s saving work and
not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and
receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping and
calling us to good works.” Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of
Justification by the Vatican and the Lutheran World Federation,
1999.
The
Holy Spirit selected and called Saul (Paul) to be the evangelist to
the Gentiles. He was not selected for that call from among three
candidates.
“The
Church is the body of believers whom Christ has gathered unto
Himself. That ‘priesthood of believers’ who are living in vital,
life-giving personal relationship with their Lord.” ML
Selection
of delegates to conventions (Synods) of the Church might be made
without regard to age and gender and other criteria so that the work
of the Holy Spirit is not compromised.
“This
monk will confuse all the Doctors. He will start a new religion and
reform the whole Roman Church, for he bases his theology on the
writings of the Prophets and Apostles. He stands on the words of
Christ…”Wittenburg Professor Polich von Mellerstadt regarding
Luther.
After
enumerating the many clerical and administrative tasks of the Holy
Ministry, Luther writes: “But the first and foremost of all on
which everything else depends, is the teaching of the Word of God”.
ML
Church
professionals are “worthy of their hire” (Luke 10:7) which
should mean that, to the extent possible, they should be paid in
accordance with their training and abilities, neither too low or too
high
.
Concerning
Personal Responsibility
Speaking
of your faith is important, but “faith is caught more than it is
taught”. 62. The redeemed in Jesus
Christ, having been called out of the world, are at one and the same
time called back into it to be its salt, leaven and light.
63. Regarding vocation: “A
Christian cobbler makes good shoes, not poor shoes with little
crosses on them”. ML 64. The earth brought
forth vegetation, plants yielding seed, trees bearing fruit each
according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Gen. 1:12
We wonder what God thinks of it now?
65. “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its
taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good
for anything except to be thrown out and trodden under foot by men.
Matt.5:13 66. We are called to
live our lives in such a way that we demonstrate God’s call to us
in opposition to the many calls of the world that entice us.
67. “A new commandment I
give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you,…By
this, all men will know that you are my disciples…John 13:34-35
68. We “pray without
ceasing” not so God will finally hear us but that we will hear
God. 69. “We should pray
because God has urged us to pray and promised to hear us, and also
because we continually need to flee to Him and open our hearts to
receive His grace and help”. ML
70. “But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only,
deceiving yourselves”. James 1:22 71.
Baptism “signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all
sins and evil lusts, shall be drowned by daily sorrow and
repentance, and be put to death; and that the new person should
daily come forth and rise, to live before God in righteousness and
holiness for ever.” ML 72.
“I am called a Christian, because through baptism I was received
into communion with Christ and His Church, and together with the
Church I believe and confess Jesus Christ to be my Savior.” ML
73. Luther taught of the “Priesthood
of all believers”, where in everyday tasks, Christians were to be
“little Christs”, mediating the gospel in word and deed, to
their neighbors. 74. The
Priesthood of all believers” is improperly practiced when seen as
“the right of private judgment in matters of faith”, “the
right of individual access to God apart from the church”, and “the
priority of the individual over the fellowship of the church”.
75. “You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with
all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as
yourself” Matt.10:27 76. “A
good name is to be chosen rather than great riches…” Proverbs
22:1 77. Being spiritual is
private, focusing on feelings. Being religious is public, faith
demanding action. We define our own spirituality. Religion comes
from the root word “to bind” and makes claims on us.
78. Religion is man’s attempt to find God. The
Gospel is God’s plan to reach man.
79. Modern “secular divorce” poses a significant problem for
God’s people to deal with honestly and fairly. 80.
God is more likely to speak to you with a gentle whisper than with a
loud voice. 81. “If I knew that tomorrow
was the end of the world, I would plant a tree today.” M L
82. “I will preach it, teach it, write
it, but I will constrain no man by force, for faith must come freely
without compulsion…” ML
Concerning
Society
83.
“…in the image of God he created him; male and female he
created them”. Gen.1:27 Yet they are equal; “…there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” Gal.
3:28 84. We hold an honest
concern for one’s country and civic life, but it becomes
ideological when we consider our nation as “elect”, and allow it
to usurp the place of the church.
85. Old Testament Prophets spoke God’s Word to His creation at a
definite time and place yet they continue to be relevant to the human
condition today. 86. The Prophet
condemned those who “make the ephah small and the shekel great”.
Amos 8:5 We still deal with people with our thumb on the
scale. 87. “…and
what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love
kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”. Micah 6:8
88. “And I will show you a still
more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal”. I
Cor.12:31b-13:1 89. Remember, God
loves you for who you are, not the good works you do.
90. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all persons, for kings
and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way”. 1 Timothy
2:1-2 91. The historic
struggle to assure equality of individual personal rights among
people everywhere continues, and merits our continued
participation. 92. Human sexuality is
a topic of such importance that the Church must insure that “personal
agendas” are not driving the study.
93. Just feeling good
about God does not bring you closer to Him.
94. Christian
faith is deeply personal but never private.
95. “Music drives away the devil and makes people happy; it induces
one to forget all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and other vices.
After theology I accord music the highest place and the greatest
honor.” ML
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