Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Sacerdotalism


Sacerdotalism. It’s a big word. A theological word. A word denoting a certain false teaching. Some within Lutheranism are familiar with this word. Others are not. So, to begin the conversation, first let me list two consistent definitions from reputable publications.

The online Lutheran Cyclopedia defines sacerdotalism as follows: “View according to which the laity can establish relation with God only through priests.” (source)

The online Merriam-Webster dictionary defines sacerdotalism as follows: “Religious belief emphasizing the powers of priests as essential mediators between God and humankind.” (source)

Confessional Lutherans believe, teach, and confess what God’s Word says about mediation. “There is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is that one mediator. The pastor is not that mediator. Nor is the pastor the Good Shepherd, the Savior, or the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. And yet, by means of the Office that Christ established and into which the Church places them, pastors are called to distribute Christ’s gracious gifts in Word and Sacrament. All those who are rightly called into this Office are “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1 Corinthians 4:1).

But there are some Lutherans who define sacerdotalism differently. One such alternate definition that recently came across my desk is the following: “Sacredotalism is a pastor taking upon himself the right to do things that have little if anything to do with Word and Sacrament ministry.”

I find such a definition troublesome for a few reasons. First, unlike the Lutheran Cyclopedia and Merriam-Webster citations above, I cannot find such a definition in any reputable source (I am happy to be corrected if there is one). Second, where does Holy Scripture or the Lutheran Confessions forbid a pastor from doing things outside of “Word and Sacrament ministry” (either voluntarily or when he is asked)? After all, most pastors do things that have “little if anything to do with Word and Sacrament ministry.” Many pastors do such things regularly. Below are twelve examples of things that many pastors in smaller congregations may do to one extent or another (many more could be listed):
  • pick up office supplies for use at church
  • place orders with suppliers via phone or internet
  • prepare and print the worship bulletins
  • assist with changing the paraments, banners, etc.
  • set up tables and chairs for various classes and functions
  • help clean and vacuum
  • help decorate the sanctuary for various liturgical seasons
  • help mow lawn in the summer
  • help shovel snow in the winter
  • help with various projects to better the church property
  • write letters to village or business personnel on matters that affect the congregation
  • track membership records, statistical data, etc.
None of these is essential to “Word and Sacrament ministry.” Does that mean that the pastor who does one or more of these is guilty of sacerdotalism? I don’t believe so. Why not? Because these things have nothing to do with the “view according to which the laity can establish relation with God only through priests” (see Lutheran Cyclopedia citation above). They are adiaphora—things neither commanded nor forbidden by God’s Word.

As Lutherans, we need to agree on a common definition and stick with it. I believe this would help clear up a lot of the misunderstandings and false accusations out there. Perhaps it would even lead to greater faithfulness in our Witness, Mercy, and Life Together!

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Gaudiness Refuses to RIP


It started out as a single day. October 31. Halloween. A day for school kids to dress up—mostly in handmade costumes—and have a party. Bobbing for apples. Silly games. Freshly baked cupcakes and homemade apple cider. Then, near sundown, the trek through the neighborhood trick or treating.

Now it’s a season. A month-long celebration of gaudiness. Plastic tombstones, phony ghosts, blowup spiders, fake cobwebs, and a plethora of other lawn monstrosities. The costumes—once a work of art in their creativity—are now mostly bland replicas of the latest “in” thing. How much money do Americans spend on all this tacky stuff? A total of $8 billion in 2012 ($2 billion in candy and $6 billion in stuff). Is all this stuff really worth it? All the RIP signs I see around this time of year all scream the same message: Gaudiness refuses to “rest in peace.”

Thankfully, we live in a country where you are free to make your front yard the eyesore of your street. You are free to make believe your landscape is spooky. You are free to drop loads of money on all this pretend paraphernalia. You are even free to believe that you are enriching your neighborhood in the process.

I’m not anti-Halloween. My wife and I give out candy and love seeing some of the cool costumes—especially the creative handmade ones—worn by the neighborhood kids. But if you really want to make someone’s day in a meaningful way, skip the gaudiness in your yard and make a financial donation to your local food pantry or homeless shelter this Halloween. It’s one of the greatest “treats” you can give to those in your community.

If everyone did this, just imagine how much good $6 billion could do!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

United in Christ

Jeff Soukup & Charlotte Weberling

United in Marriage
28 September 2013
Las Vegas, Nevada

Christ’s Blessing Received
12 October 2013
Divine Shepherd Lutheran Church
Bolingbrook, Illinois

“Let marriage be held in honor among all.” [Hebrews 13:4]

Friday, October 11, 2013

Keep Scrolling


Are you bullied on Facebook? Bullied by Christians who are laying unwarranted guilt trips on you or promising you things that God Himself hasn’t promised?

Guilt trips regularly seen on Facebook:
  • “Repost if you love Jesus. Keep scrolling if you love Satan.”
  • “Send to all your friends if you love God.”
  • “Only true Christians will repost this.”
If you come across this garbage in your News Feed, keep scrolling in good conscience. You are not denying Jesus or hating God when you scroll past a post without reposting it.

Unfounded promises regularly seen on Facebook:
  • “Repost this and you will receive a blessing in [number] minutes.”
  • “Pray this prayer and you will receive a blessing before the day is over.”
If you come across this garbage in your News Feed, keep scrolling in good conscience. God’s blessings do not depend on what you do with a Facebook chain letter.

Finally, if you feel the need to confess the Christian faith in some way, then post a Scripture passage about what Jesus Christ has done for the salvation of the world. Or artwork, a hymn, poetry, or faithful commentary that does the same. Do it without attaching any conditions or promising any blessings. In other words, don’t be a bully. Who knows? Maybe someone will rejoice in your Christ-centered post and keep scrolling with a good conscience!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Mocking the Lord with “Undying Reverence”


Recently a Chicago restaurant named Kuma’s Corner came up with a special burger it called the “Ghost” to honor a Swedish band no one knows.

What’s special about this burger? In the restaurant’s own words, it includes “Red Wine Reduction (the blood of Christ) with Communion Wafer garnish (the body of Christ). Come pay your respects!” Kuma’s Facebook page tells the world that it offers this burger “in the spirit of our undying reverence for the lord and all things holy.”

Undying reverence does not take that which is normally used for the sacred and holy and use it in a profane and unholy way. Undying reverence does not use a communion wafer and wine in a common meal and call it the body and blood of Christ. It’s one thing to cook with or use bread and wine in a meal, something people have done since the dawn of time. It’s another thing to mock the sacred meal Christ has given to His people to impart His blessings. While the Constitution may protect such mockery as “free speech,” it’s too bad the owners are unwilling to use some common sense.

Kuma’s, you have my pity. I feel sorry for those within your organization who know of no better way to market a burger than by mocking our Lord Jesus and those who bear His name. Mock us, ridicule us, even make fun of us if you want. You won’t see me using civil disobedience or legal challenges to squash your First Amendment right. But know this. Try as you may, you cannot rob me or any Christian of the forgiveness, life, and salvation Christ won on the cross and freely gives in Word and Sacraments. I pray someday you will be on the receiving end of that grace too.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23:34]