Lessons from Issues 4: "True Piety Flows from Pure Doctrine"

Three more weeks to go! Previous "Lessons" are here and here.

• Is teaching/theory (doctrine) different from/inferior to practice (works/piety)? Our culture's sole contribution to Western philosophy is pragmatism: truth is what works. In other words: "God, You're so impractical!" But guess what Scripture says? Love (works, piety) flows directly from doctrine. We can't take the pragmatism of science, lift it out, and apply it to God. See testimony #5002 on the petition.
• Works do not produce faith; rather, faith produces works. Preach the Gospel (Christ's works); this leads to faith, which leads to our works (Christ in us).
• Passages: Philippians 1:3-11; Ephesians 1:15-21 and 4:11-15; 1 Corinthians 1:18-25; Colossians 1:3-10; and 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
• Also: John 1:9-13 (not us, but Him). Elsewhere, too, more emphasis is placed on KNOWING the truth of God's Word than on works.
• Hand in hand: faith and love, doctrine and works.
• God's will: that all come to know Christ.
  

Easter 6: defending the faith

Today's readings were Acts 17:16-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22 (sermon text), John 14:15-21, and Psalm 66.

Being ready to give a gentle, reverent answer when asked about our hope...Our adolescent catechumens are being questioned today about this faith.

Sanctify/set apart Christ as Lord in your heart; look not at your persecutors, but at your Savior and Lord. Our hope is grounded in Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and returning. This is a sure thing. He will receive us to Himself.

"Who hopes in what he sees?" No one. Yet we know for certain that Christ's promise holds - He is about to come back for each of us believers. Our Savior is with us and has paid in full for our sins! Be able to tell others about it, even in our postmodern, relativist culture that believes in nothing and death. Compare Peter's and Paul's responses to their respective audiences. Be able to speak clearly concerning God's mysteries, our hope, with gentleness and reverence - no need to be a jerk (Philippians 4:5).

The catechumens mentioned above were questioned later that morning about general Bible knowledge, short-answer Catechism questions, more involved questions, and expounding a Bible passage in terms of law and gospel. IMO, my confirmation class was much less well-prepared. On the subject of apologetics in general, I recommend you read The Defense Never Rests by Craig Parton, who spoke at our church a few years back about it. Also see Cao's post today.

Tidbits

You know how, every so often, you think of a catchy phrase or comparison that you either don't write down or write it down and don't follow up? Here are a few I've heard and/or thought of:

• During a Bible study recently, my mother noted how a verse would often "hit" her. This procured visions of baseball bats and also of verses "sticking." So...the Bible is like a porcupine. When God wills, a verse will come out and stick to you (sometimes painfully) and is hard to remove thereafter.
• A question in that same Bible study asked, "What actions in your life are reflections of this sanctification?" The answers given by other members, all of a sudden, formed an acronym. I give you the Lutheran TULIP (nothing to do with the Calvinist TULIP): Thirst for the Word, Upholding the faith (apologetics), Love for others, Indignation at sin, and a thriving Prayer life. (Other tulips are welcome in the comments!)
  
• According to some studies, the heritability of homosexuality is about 20%. Proponents love this statistic because it implies that, in some cases, one can claim s/he was "born that way." Since the phenomenon occupies such a small segment of the population, one could reasonably assume that it is caused at least in part by a mutation in whatever gene theoretically causes it (not that there is one). Allow me to make an analogy to another disease caused by a mutation plus environmental interaction: Marfan syndrome. Would a person born with the mutation simply say, "I was born that way. Why are you trying to hurt my self-esteem and be intolerant, when I can't change the way I was made?" No?

Two editorial notes:

• Many of those who read my blog don't comment. That's fine; there's no requirement. But if comment moderation is deterring you, please don't worry about that. As of today, I have had to reject a grand total of three comments - one for profanity, the other two for ranting and going off on tangents that had absolutely nothing to do with the post. Three out of 321 total (yes, I'm a statistics freak too) is a badge of honor to my readers.
  
• This summer, The Renaissance Biologist will try to become more of a Biologist. Post topics will shift accordingly.
  

Science tidbits

For you, dear readers, here are links to several articles I noticed during the past few days.

HT my literate, gray-headed friend who has contributed to several posts before, "Leading scientists tell politicians to stop interfering over ethics of embryo research." Essentially, these scientists want to do science only, without having such issues as ethics, morals, and *opinion* muck things up.

A preview of an article from New Scientist; this relates to that gray-headed friend, who broke both bones in his lower leg two days before Thanksgiving 2007 and is now transitioning from his cane. Hooray! If only we could have treated it that way...

I learned a little from this, too: a link-filled article from New Scientist. While I don't subscribe to that magazine for obvious reasons, I'll have to learn all about evolution in order to fulfill my career goals. (sighs) Goal: Learn now, refute later.

Lessons from Issues 3: the contemporary evangelical compromise

We could use this to start a movement of WHJD ("What Has Jesus Done") bracelets, not WWJD...

• Compromise: shift in focus from Biblical doctrine to relationships, dialogue, and emotion. Some churches even ban the seeker-quenching word "sin." This etc. causes doctrinal corruption as a side effect. See 1 Cor. 1:18-25. Don't water down the Gospel.
• Solus Christus (Christ alone). Confessing and upholding this Christ means condemning such false Christs as the Psychotherapist, the Example (WWJD; pure law, really), the Giver of Health and Wealth, and the Lover (Luther's position: Mystical experience is just one more counterfeit "ladder to heaven"). The focus is off; therefore, these are false.
• Matt. 10:34-36. Expect antagonism to preaching the true, whole Word.
• Gal. 1:6-12. Judaizers added works to the Gospel; this led to impurity. Especially verse 10 condemns seeker-driven churches, for example.
• Jude 3-4. We are "to contend for the faith that was once for all [refuting the Roman Catholic position that doctrine continues to be revealed] delivered to the saints."
  

Easter 5

Readings: Acts 6:1-9, 7:2a, 51-60; 1 Peter 2:2-10 (sermon text); John 14:1-14, and Psalm 146.

Three images: milk, stones, and royalty. The odd trio comes together under the theme of growing in Christ, a.k.a. mystagogy (learning the mysteries of Christ; being assimilated into His body).

MILK: We are to crave, like infants, the "pure spiritual milk." This also includes regularly receiving His body and blood. The objective: to grow into the righteous robe Christ gives to each believer. Have you tasted that the Lord is good? If so, don't stop feeding on the Word. Do we, like infants, refuse to stop crying until we are fed? We used to; do we now? Make the Word of God your highest priority.

STONES: What a contrast! - or not? Christ is the Cornerstone; He was rejected by men, but precious in God the Father's eyes. We are becoming like Him, becoming a precious stone, part of God's house, Christ being the foundation and cornerstone. Not one of us deserves this, yet God chose us. Peter backs up this idea with several quotes from the prophets (Isaiah and the Psalms). A secondary metaphor: rocks are not subjective or malleable; their truth does not depend on our opinion. If we reject Christ, He becomes a stumbling block - the fall is long, down to hell.

ROYALTY: Two races, the chosen and the unbelievers. How do we become royalty? Answer: We are adopted brothers and sisters of Christ the King; we are princes and princesses. But what exactly is a priest? Answer: One who offers sacrifices: not bloody animals, but rather ourselves; we offer ourselves to God and to our fellow man. Why? Answer: We are somebodies in Jesus Christ alone.

Anatomy blog

Having taken two semesters of A&P a few years ago, I still get excited when I look at slides of various kinds of cells...a.k.a. hysterical over histology. Recently I stumbled upon Anatomy For Me, written by a "perpetual student who works nights in an ER." Warning for the queasy of heart: There are a few pictures of cat cadavers and that sort of thing, but not on the first page.

Hilarity at the Synod's expense

From the same friend who brought you this and this, I bring you two more links of genuine LCMS satire that will bring tears of malicious laughter to the faces of even the stoniest promoter of pure doctrine and no secrecy. Enjoy; I need say no more.

Another forwarded email

From a friend known only as Darth Kelvin, have a laugh. Yes, it's not quite biblically correct...

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth.

Then God said, "Let there be light."

Shortly thereafter God was in receipt of a notice to show cause why he shouldn't be cited for failure to file an environmental impact statement. He was granted a temporary planning permit for the project, but was stymied by a Cease and Desist Order for the earthly part. At the hearing, God was asked why he began his earthly project in the first place.

He replied that he just liked to be creative.

Officials immediately demanded to know how the light would be made.

Would it require strip mining? What about thermal pollution?

God explained that the light would come from a huge ball of fire, and provisional approval was granted with the proviso that no smoke would result.

The authorities demanded the issuance of a building permit, and (to conserve energy) required that the light be left off half the time.

God agreed, saying he would call the light "Day" and the darkness "Night."

Officials replied that they were only interested in protecting the environment, not in semantics.

God said, "Let the earth bring forth green herb and such as many seed."

The EPA agreed, so long as only native seed was used.

Then God said, "Let waters bring forth creeping creatures having life; and the fowl that may fly over the earth."

Officials pointed out this would require approval from the Department of Game coordinated with the Heavenly Wildlife Federation and the Audubongelic Society.

Everything went along smoothly until God declared that he intended to complete the project in six days.

Officials informed God it would take at least 200 days to review his many waiver applications and environmental impact statements. After that there would have to be a public hearing, and then there would be a 10-12 month probationary period before....

At this point, God created Hell.

Another perspective

Concerning Issues, Etc., I just discovered a very well thought-out post about what is behind the issue. Go over and read it.

While we're on that topic, you may as well go to this blog, this post, and this post (thanks to a gray-haired friend with far too much computer time on his hands and the LCMS ever on his mind). As of 7:20pm today, the petition has 7079 signatures!

Easter 4: Good Shepherd Sunday

Readings: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25 (sermon text), John 10:1-10, and Psalm 23.

These Sundays, being in Eastertide, are when the newly baptized are customarily instructed in the normal Christian life. Today, Peter exhorts slaves; however, why would they be suffering (as they were) for doing the right thing (as they were)? Serve even the unjust masters? Yet it is a gracious thing - according to His mercy, God has caused our salvation. For this reason, some think that 1 Peter was a baptismal sermon.

Follow Christ's example; He died a slave's death in our place, so we should be willing to become lowly to serve others. Even under persecution for the faith, remember that you are walking in and protected by Christ's footsteps, by His sacrifice as a Shepherd. Rejoice in your Savior!

A thought I have increasingly often: Given the incalculable majesty of God, His infinite grace, and the unspeakable sacrifice of His Son, why do we try to put words to praising Him for this? Our language falls so far short that sometimes I am, quite literally, wordless when I think about these things. Perhaps silence is in order more than most think it is.

The importance of doctrinal truth (Issues, session 2)

Apparently, unbeknownst to me, we have switched from the middle of Jeremiah to a seven-session study on lessons learned from the Issues issue. Notes:

• Our church is built on doctrine - there are other important themes (e.g. the Christian life), but the church should not be built on them because it detracts from Christ. If we lose pure doctrine, we lose the Church.
• Style vs. substance? Ultimately, you can't separate them. Example: We're reverent in church because we're meeting face-to-face, so to speak, with the Holy One. The more informal one's worship, the more cheapened our relationship (child-and-father, not child-and-grandfather) with God becomes.
• Are we a fad-driven church? Does Christ change? No and no. Is plain preaching of the Word impractical? Is preaching so outdated that we *must* resort to drama and rock bands? No and no. See 1 Cor. 1:25, 11:23 (institution of Lord's Supper is conservative, preserving what Christ taught, NOT inventing new things), Titus 1:9, Eph. 4:11-16, and Acts 20:25-32.
• Teaching is at the same time positive (preserving correct doctrine) and negative (refuting and rebuking those who introduce false doctrine...ah, how politically incorrect!).
  

Easter 3: "Good News for Life"

This Sunday I was joined by Cheryl, The Elephant's Child, and Boots on the Ground. The guest pastor who conducted the Bible study also preached; the readings were Acts 2:14a, 36-41, 1 Peter 1:17-25 (the sermon text), and Luke 24:13-35.

This "good news" Peter and we talk about - do you ever pause and think about its utter goodness? Christ's life and resurrection speak to us, allowing us to love life from a unique perspective. Examine the Good News:

1. It gives life. As in spring, we have been born again by the eternal, imperishable Word plus the visible water of Baptism. Jesus Christ covers us with holiness through the unholy cross.
2. It speaks to the living of our lives. Peter exhorts us to be holy, like our holy Father. Hear the Good News, then do it - don't ignore it like it doesn't matter. We can make God-pleasing decisions only because the Spirit of Christ lives in us. Christ comes where we are. He has come into our filthy lives, on Golgotha where He atoned for us. And He will never die again. Yet our culture worships death - killing embryos, infants, and the old or suffering to *solve* problems. We should be speaking God's gift of life to them. Nearly 70% of those who undergo abortions are Christian. Brethren, this should not be so.
3. It gives us a unique perspective on life. We are all handmade by God, bought by God, and held by God. What value this gives us! Though our abilities may decrease, our value doesn't - because God loves us. He loves you as well - that is the rounds of your value - what God has done for us.

"The handiwork of God"

We had yet another digression from normal Bible study this week, albeit with a much pleasanter topic. Around now, the Church celebrates the Annunciation of our Lord; in accordance with that theme, here is an excellent study on the whys of the Biblical pro-life position.

• Isaiah 43:1 - God is the Creator of life.
• Genesis 1:26-27 - humans were originally in God's likeness (elevated).
• Genesis 9:6 - even after the Fall, human life is valuable.
• Psalm 8:4-5a - man is only a little lower than the angels.
• Genesis 2:7 - "hands-on." God formed and breathed into Adam - not done for any other created thing.
• Genesis 2:22 - God made (lit. "built" - i.e. out of more structured materials) Eve.
• Psalm 139:13-17 - God knit us (picture of intimate involvement).
• Trophoblast cells (outside of the blastocyst, which leads to the placenta) come from Dad. :)
• BEFORE God formed us in the womb, He knew us.
• Consciousness isn't a criterion for value; God's care, however, is.
• Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God..." - contrasts our sin with His grace.
• Jesus was also originally one cell (but probably only one pronucleus because there was no sperm); the miracle was at His conception. (A sign in Nazareth, not Bethlehem: "Here the Word became flesh.") Why did He have to do this? Answer: Psalm 51:5.
• We also have value because God paid dearly to get us back; God created and redeemed us with His hands.
• God holds our hands: Romans 6:4, Isaiah 42:5, 43:2.