Happy Reformation Day -- A synopsis of Luther's 95 Theses

Today marks the 497th anniversary of Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses, often regarded as the birthday of the Lutheran Reformation.  While many people are familiar with the words "95 Theses," the theses themselves remain somewhat unknown to most people even in Lutheran circles.  For a complete reading of Martin Luther's 95 Theses--at least one version of it-- you can click here.

For a little background about these theses, Luther recognized that people were being taught that the purchase of indulgences from Roman Catholic priests/salesmen was running rampant.  (For a definition of indulgences, you can visit this Roman Catholic source here.)  People were being led to believe (if they were not flat out being told so) that peace with God was something that could be purchased for florins and pfennings, that is, cash.  There was no talk of faith.  There was no encouragement to pursue good works.  The purchase of indulgences, rather, encouraged impious living.  After all, if you can buy your way out of punishments, why not sin all the more?  A few more florins means more forgiveness.  (For what it is worth, you will not find salesmen trafficking indulgences today, but that does not mean they are gone.  Click here for a recent article on it.)

Luther, at first, did not declare the sale of indulgences unscriptural.  The 95 Theses addressed mainly the abuse of the sale of indulgences.  And Luther's attack was not done to stir up dissension.  It was written in Latin for scholars to read.  It was an invitation for scholars to debate.

But it was quickly translated into German.  Pamphlets of Luther's 95 Theses were copied and sold.  It was a best seller in no time at all.  Luther's theses were appreciated and applauded by many people around Germany--both for noble (comfort for people's consciences) and misguided (keep Saxon florins in Saxony) reasons.

The debate Luther sought never really happened.  (His debate with Dr. Eck in Leipzig, 1519, was as close as he got to honest discussion about it.  But Eck was not interested in discussion.  Eck sought entrapment and condemnation.)  The 95 Theses, however, did get people questioning the practice of selling indulgences.  Luther went on not just to question the practice, but to condemn it.  He also began to question many practices in the Roman Catholic Church.  He compared everything to the Holy Scriptures.  Whatever was opposed to the Bible, he vehemently condemned--sometimes so vehemently that it would make modern readers blush.

Luther never intended to split the church, but he finally recognized that it had to be that way.  Rome had no interested in reforming itself, even though Rome acknowledge that it had problems.  Luther's only desire was that the Gospel of Jesus Christ, divine mercy and grace, justification by faith alone, and comfort for grief-stricken consciences by fully and freely proclaimed.  For preaching, promoting, and defending that doctrine, Luther was condemned and excommunicated.  So let it be known: Luther did not rebel and start something new; he preached Jesus and was ousted for doing so.  The Lord, however, saw fit to preserve Luther's life.  The Gospel was heard in clear tones for the first time in centuries.  It was cherished by some and despised by others.  The church today still stands divided, and for the same reasons.

In the interest of highlighting a few portions of Luther's 95 Theses, some of them are printed below.  Happy Reformation Day!

Disputation of Doctor Martin Luther
on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
by Dr. Martin Luther (1517)

Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place. Wherefore he requests that those who are unable to be present and debate orally with us, may do so by letter.

In the Name our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, (Repent! or literally, "Do repentance!") willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
2. This word cannot be understood to mean sacramental penance, i.e., confession and satisfaction, which is administered by the priests.
3. Yet it means not inward repentance only; nay, there is no inward repentance which does not outwardly work divers mortifications of the flesh.

4. The penalty [of sin], therefore, continues so long as hatred of self continues; for this is the true inward repentance, and continues until our entrance into the kingdom of heaven.
...

50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the pardon-preachers, he would rather that St. Peter's church should go to ashes, than that it should be built up with the skin, flesh and bones of his sheep.

...

52. The assurance of salvation by letters of pardon is vain, even though the commissary, nay, even though the pope himself, were to stake his soul upon it.

...
62. The true treasure of the Church is the Most Holy Gospel of the glory and the grace of God.

63. But this treasure is naturally most odious, for it makes the first to be last.
...
81. This unbridled preaching of pardons makes it no easy matter, even for learned men, to rescue the reverence due to the pope from slander, or even from the shrewd questionings of the laity.

82. To wit: -- "Why does not the pope empty purgatory, for the sake of holy love and of the dire need of the souls that are there, if he redeems an infinite number of souls for the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? The former reasons would be most just; the latter is most trivial."

Sermon -- 19th Sunday after Trinity (October 26, 2014)

MATTHEW 9:1-8

JESUS HAS AUTHORITY TO DELIVER 
THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Have you heard about Brittany Maynard?  She had recently been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and was given no more than six months to live.  She knows her end is soon, and she was told that it would be painful.  Her solution?  On November 1, she intends to end her life by physician assisted suicide.  She has taken it upon herself to choose the date of her death, a right that belongs to God alone.  Just as God determines where and when we enter the world, so it is God’s prerogative to determine when and where we depart.  Sadly, it appears that Brittany Maynard will die outside of God’s promises and mercy.

     Many people are calling Brittany Maynard a hero.  Her parents and husband are saying how proud they are and how brave she is.  The right-to-die groups are using Brittany’s case, with Brittany herself endorsing it, to promote death with dignity.  It is a sad testimony that our society views suicide as compassionate, and even as medical treatment!  More people are buying into the idea that it is good to tell others: You are better off dead.  It will be cheaper and easier.  It will be less stressful, less painful for you to endure and for us to watch; so, we encourage you to die more quickly. 

     Now, you could argue that Brittany’s quality of life is not what it should be.  Granted.  It isn’t.  No one wants terminal cancer.  Nor does anyone want to be blind, deaf, or bed-ridden.  Soldiers who come back from Afghanistan don’t like living without legs or eyes.  Burn victims do not like having people turn away from them in horror.  It is not the quality of life anyone wants.  Even people with allergies or colds do not have quality of life they want.  They want to be free from such things.  The paralytic that was brought to Jesus wanted a better quality of life, too.  His friends brought him to Jesus to restore his strength so that he could walk again, so that he could be a productive member of society and a provider for his family.  That is the quality of life he sought.  He was brought to Jesus so that Jesus would supply it.  He was not disappointed.

     Behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed.  And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)  I suspect that no one was ready to hear that.  The paralytic wanted to hear Jesus give the word so that his legs would be strong again.  But Jesus understood what we do not.  You can enter heaven if you suffer from paralysis, psoriasis, or even cirrhosis.  But you cannot enter heaven if your sins are clinging to you.  Sin is what makes us unclean and corrupt.  Sin is what brings death and damnation.  Therefore, in true compassion, Jesus told the lame man, “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)  He would not perish or face eternal punishment.  Jesus would deliver him from that.  Jesus has the authority to deliver the highest quality of life.

     The Pharisees were not ready to hear Jesus’ words either.  Behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” (Matthew 9:3)  They knew that the right to pardon sinners belongs to God alone, for all the sins that we commit are committed against God.  Every sin is rebellion against God’s Law.  Every sin proves that we have hearts that are bent on evil, that are corrupt, and that are unclean.  The most any man can do is try to convince you that your sins are excusable.  “Oh, it’s okay,” we say.  Our consciences know better.  Sins are never okay.  Neither are they excusable.  God’s Law convicts and condemns us.  We are guilty, and that is not excusable.  Sin marks us for divine punishment, both now and eternity.  That is not okay.  Repent.

     The scribes were right about one thing: Who can forgive sins but God alone? (Mark 2:7)  Since every sin is rebellion against God and his word, then only God can pardon the guilty.  But God does not merely wave a magic wand and say sins are gone and no longer count.  The guilty are guilty as charged.  And this guilt is deserving of punishment—both now and in eternity.  Therefore God himself became man so that the eternal God could take the punishment of all sin here and now.  Jesus Christ did not simply dismiss the sins of the paralytic.  They were not okay, and they were not excused.  They were paid for by Jesus who suffered and died for them.  Jesus has suffered and died for every one of your sins, too.  Jesus gave his body into death for these corrupt, unclean, broken, frail, and mortal bodies of ours.  After he gave himself into death to be the payment for our sins, Jesus rose from the dead.  He lives, victorious over death.  He reigns, and declares: “Take heart; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2)  He has authority to do that because he has paid the price for your sins.  He has absorbed death and damnation for you.  He has conquered death and declares you to be victors with him.  Jesus has authority to give you the highest quality of life.

     Of course, you still live in a corrupt and broken world.  Veterans don’t automatically get their limbs back.  Burn victims have to live with skin grafts.  People who suffer from allergies or colds either take Sudafed or pack extra Kleenex.  But Jesus assures you that it will not always be this way.  He who delivers you from the curse of sin also will deliver you from every last consequence of sin.  And Jesus demonstrated that he has authority to do both.

     Jesus knew the thoughts of the scribes and said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?  But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”  And he rose and went home. (Matthew 9:4-7)  It is easier to say that a person’s sins are forgiven.  Who could prove that they are not?  The promise of forgiveness is only worth as much as the authority of the person who declares it.  And Jesus has risen from the dead to prove his authority to say it.  What’s more, Jesus has promised to his ministers, “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.” (John 20:23)  The absolution given through your pastor is not just happy words.  If it were, it is as useless as saying your sins are okay when you know full well that they are not.  It is as worthless as telling an invalid, “Walking is good for you,” when he can’t walk at all.  But this absolution in Jesus’ name has the authority of Jesus behind it.  Therefore, you can be sure that your sins are forgiven.  Jesus has declared it to be so, and he has given authority to men to say so.  Jesus has the authority to deliver the highest quality of life—a life that is free from guilt.

ParadiseParadise

     If you should have to suffer weakness or illness in this world, it is only because your Lord wants to you crave what will come.  Unlike Brittany Maynard, you do not have to resort a lethal dosage of drugs to enter eternity—and most likely not on good terms.  Your Lord Jesus supplies you with a regular dosage of his body and blood to supply you with forgiveness, life, and salvation.  That is true mercy that delivers eternal life.  And there is no better quality life than what Jesus gives you.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

MLS Football vs. Birch Run

This past Thursday, the Michigan Lutheran Seminary JV traveled to Birch Run for their final game of the year.  Going in, it was suggested that MLS was going to be handed a devastating, crushing defeat by a big and talented team.  Now, unless there was a flu epidemic wiping out the larger members of the Birch Run JV squad, they were not nearly as big as I thought they would be.  In fact, it is probably one of the smallest offensive lines we had faced all year.

I also think that the MLS freshmen have really learned quite a bit this year, and they have gotten more polished as the year has gone on.  That seemed to show itself this game, especially with the blocking.  MLS ended up winning the game 40-30.

Here are some photos below.

 Caleb's diving attempt at the tackle came a little too late in a long Birch Run TD run.

On Friday night, the MLS varsity hosted the Birch Run Panthers.  We had heard that Birch Run was big and talented and were destined to give us way more than we could handle.  As it turned out, we were barely able to handle ourselves with four turnovers and a blocked punt returned against us for a TD.  Nevertheless, MLS' defense was swarming around the ball again.  Though we gave up 171 total yards on the night, 71 came on one long play for a TD.  Otherwise, the defense was solid and hit hard.

Offense put up four TD's, with some big plays called back due to yellow flags (and we were pretty sure that some of them were actual penalties).  With MLS up 27-20 and about 1:50 to go in the game, MLS got the ball back after Birch Run turned it over on downs deep in their own territory.  This was time to run out the clock.  Instead, we fumbled on our very first play--never wanting to make anything easy on this night--and gave it right back to Birch Run.  Right after that, Birch Run was throwing a pass down field and Andrew jumped the route, leaped over their receiver, and made the interception to seal the game.  That may have been his favorite catch all season.

The final was MLS 27, Birch Run 20.  That makes MLS 8-1 on the season, and we will be hosting a playoff game next Friday.  The opponent will be announced on Sunday.  Here are some photos from Friday night.

 Lining up for Parents' Night.

 Here's a Jr. Cardinal ready to storm the field at half time.

 This catch was called out of bounds.  Andrew firmly disagreed, even walking to the 

out of bounds line and pointing to his foot print for the referee.  They did not change the call.

 I missed the best part of Andrew's interception.  Sometimes you just watch the game.  

Anyway, here he is cradling the ball after he had leaped over the receiver to make the grab.

 Post-interception euphoria!

Play-offs, here we come!!!!

Floor Hockey Tournament

On Saturday, October 18, St. Peter's went to the annual floor hockey tournament at St. John's Lutheran School in Westland.  It is a pretty long day with eight teams playing in two divisions.  The top two in each division advance to the final four.  St. Peter's was not expecting to do that well, but we advanced to the finals.

We ended up losing to the host team 3-2.  The last games were all very tight.  In fact, St. John's had to win in a shoot out to get to the final game.

I am always impressed by how hard the kids play and how careful they still are.  I don't recall any high-sticking penalties being called--at least not in the games I watched.  They even made me ref in the championship game.  I had to dubious honor of calling all three goals against St. Peter's.

Philip had a pretty good tournament.  I know he notched a number of goals, and he probably remembers exactly how many, but he's not here right now to clue me in.

Anyway, here are some pics.

Something from the Apocrypha

The Christian Church has always seen its share of persecution.  In America, it is pretty mild, though it appears to be on the verge of changing.  Time will tell how quickly and how intently that will change.  May God preserve us and make us stand firm in the faith!

But in other parts of the world, the persecution is much more intense.  China, North Korea, northern Africa (e.g, Nigeria, Sudan), Syria, and Iraq have seen particularly intense persecution in recent years--exponentially worse than the subpoenaed pastors in Houston.  They are worthy of our prayers.

But we need not think that God has forgotten them.  God still knows and loves his people.  And even the persecution which Christians face comes because God loves his people.

The following words are from the Apocrypha.  They are a sort of interlude in between sections speaking of the persecution and butchery that God's faithful people were subject to in Jerusalem and Judea.  This was occurring sometime around 180 BC, give or take.  The Greek forces--the Ptolemy's in Egypt and the Seleucid's in Syria--were taking turns trying to control the land of Palestine.  So the faithful Jews were getting attacked and slaughtered by both forces.  Many were killed.  Others were forced into hiding.  While God's love appeared to be hidden, it was not withdrawn.  The following words from the Apocrypha help us understand what God does through persecution and that he still loves his Church regardless of what it looks and feels like.  We do well to take these words to heart--as God is still God and we are still his Church.

Now I urge those who read this book not to be depressed by such calamities, but to recognize that these punishments were designed not to destroy but to discipline our people.  In fact, to punish the ungodly quickly rather than leave them alone for very long is a sign of great kindness.  For in the case of the other nations the Lord waits patiently to punish them until they have reached the full measure of their sins; but he does not deal in this way with us, in order that he may not take vengeance on us afterward when our sins have reached their height.  Therefore he never withdraws his mercy from us.  Though he disciplines us with calamities, he does not forsake his own people.  Let what we have said serve as a reminder; we must go on briefly with the story. (2 Maccabees 6:12-17)

Sermon -- 18th Sunday after Trinity (October 19, 2014)

MATTHEW 22:34-46

THE SON OF DAVID ANSWERS THE GREAT COMMANDMENT.

In the name + of Jesus.

     Rabbis who have studied the Torah, that is, the books of Moses, have claimed that there are 613 specific commandments that God has given.  There are 365 negative commandments declaring what God forbids, and there are 248 positive commandments declaring what God desires.  So there is one “Thou shalt not” for each day of the year, and one “Thou shat” for each bone and major organ in the human body.  I would imagine that it is next to impossible to keep track of them all, and yet scribes and rabbis would debate about which of these commandments was the most important one.

     A group of Pharisees surrounded Jesus to ask him his opinion.  One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.  “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” (Matthew 22:35-36)  This was far from genuine curiosity.  The Pharisees were ready to pounce on Jesus for choosing any one commandment over another.  Jesus did not flinch, but answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

     Before we consider the order of the commandments Jesus gave, we must consider a proper definition of love.  Just as sinful mankind perverts the gifts God has given us, so also sinful mankind perverts the definition of love.  Sinful mankind seems to think that a permissive attitude is the very spirit of love.  But a permissive attitude is the very path to destruction.  Permissive parents don’t care what their children eat, where their children go, or what their children do when they are out too late.  Such children are often told by their friends how lucky they are that their parents don’t care what they do.  They assume that such parents must really love their children to let them do anything.  Children often recognize that it is a curse: Their parents don’t care.  Such children who are given neither guidance nor discipline are destined for a hard life and probably a jail term.  Likewise, love is not a permissive attitude which celebrates every perversion or defends them as rights.  Americans might call these rights; God still calls them evil.  While no one should have to lose his job or housing for perverting God’s good gifts—for, everyone does that—everyone should repent for his sins.  It is not love to let people become hardened or persistent in their sins.  God has given his commandments so that we will recognize sins and flee from them.  So, just as it is love to rescue someone from a burning house or to prevent them from eating poison, so it is love to stand firm on God’s word, to expose evil for what it is, and to call sinners to repent.

     Love is properly defined as seeking the good of the other person.  That is what God seeks in the commandments he gives.  God gives his “Thou shalt’s” to bless us and guide us and give us what is good.  The marriage of one man and one woman is good because through it, God acts through a man and woman to conceive, raise, and discipline children.  Obedience to authority is good because godly citizens make for a peaceful society.  God gives his “Thou shalt not’s” for our good too, to protect us and to keep good order.  Lying is evil because it destroys reputations.  Vandalism is evil because it steals money from someone who has to pay for repairs he should have never had to make.  Selfishness is evil because it causes us to look at our fellowman as a rival or worse, as an enemy.  God sets these standards so that we can know what is truly good and what is truly evil.  God gives us these commandments so that we can know how we truly love and serve him as well as truly loving and serving our neighbor. 

     How can you pick which of God’s commandments is the most beneficial or important?  The Son of David answers the great commandment.  “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)  In this way, all of God’s word is honored, observed, and obeyed.  In this way, God is honored as the highest good and the source of all that is good. 

     Now, I can’t see if you truly love the Lord your God above all, and you cannot see it in me either.  Only God can see who truly loves him, for only God can see the heart.  Yet, love is not mere theory.  Love demands an object to love.  So, what does this love look like in our lives?  How do we love God above all?  By loving and serving our fellowman as ourselves.  Jesus said, “On these two commandments [hang (literal)] all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40)

     But not everyone does them.  In fact, not anyone does them.  That is why everything falls apart.  We incur the wrath of our fellowman because we do not love him as ourselves and seek his good as God defines what is the good to be done and what is the evil to be shunned.  We incur the wrath of God because we do not honor, observe, or obey what he commands or what he prohibits.  This is not God’s fault that you are guilty.  It is not your neighbor’s fault that you have sinned.  These are not your enemy.  Your enemy is the devil who tempts and accuses you.  Your enemy is your own sinful flesh which clings to you and condemns you.  Your enemy is death which desires to have you forever.

     Jesus Christ came to deliver you from your enemy.  The Son of David came to take your enemies and crush them as dust under his feet.  Jesus does this not by destroying the great commandment.  God’s commands are good, and Jesus does not destroy what is good.  Instead, the Son of David answers the great commandment by doing it.  How did Jesus love the Lord God with all his heart, soul, and mind?  By doing exactly what his Father had given him to do.  After a life of perfect obedience, Jesus suffered and died for our disobedience.  Jesus loved his fellowman—whether friend or foe—as himself.  Jesus loved you, not by granting you permission to engage in perversion, but by seeking your good.  And what is good for you is to be pardoned for any and every way you have perverted, corrupted, or abandoned God’s commandments for your own selfish gain. 

     The Son of David answers the great commandment by fulfilling it.  Jesus has done the will of the Father, which is to save you from your enemies.  Jesus has taken your sins and let them inflict their deadly wounds on his body.  Jesus has let death deliver its lethal blow on him as he laid down his life for you.  Jesus has endured the assault of the devil and let him pin every infraction of God’s commands upon him.  So your enemies have turned away from you to take Jesus in your place.  But Jesus, since he was obedient to his Father, has destroyed your enemies.  Sin can no longer condemn you; it has been paid for.  Satan can no longer assault you; for Jesus is your refuge against every assault.  Death has no claim; for Jesus has claimed you from death.  The Son of David who laid down his life to deliver you has risen from death to assure you that you have truly been delivered.  He has conquered.  Your enemies are defeated.  Jesus has ascended into heaven where he lives and reigns forever, and where your enemies are a footstool, lying crushed and powerless under Jesus’ feet.

     The Son of David answers the great commandment.  He has loved his Father above all.  He has loved you as he loves himself.  And by these, he has fulfilled the commandments and saved you.  What is more, he has made you followers who recognize that his commandments are good.  Therefore, you love the Lord your God.  You cherish his words.  You conform your heart, soul, mind, and life to them.  For, the God who gave his life for your salvation also lives in you to will and to act so that you love your fellowman and seek his good, just as Jesus Christ has sought yours.

In the name of the Father and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

MLS Football vs. Breckenridge

It was a good week of football for Michigan Lutheran Seminary.  Caleb and the JV team traveled to Breckridge in the midst of a sea of windmills.  As the day went dark, we were surrounded by a sea of blinking red lights.  The wind turbines might do something for energy, but it will take me a long time to be convinced that they do anything positive for the scenery.

Anyway, the MLS JV put together their best game of the year.  They looked their best in all facets of the game.  The result was a 42-22 win.

Caleb almost had an interception, too.  On 4th and about 8, the pass bounced off of a few hands before Caleb saw it bouncing in front of him.  But it continued to bounce--off his hands and to the ground.  My theory is that in a split second, Caleb thought "Hey, if I catch this, it might look good in my personal stats as an interception.  But if I drop it, we will almost certainly have better field position as Breckenridge will turn the ball over on downs.  So the better option is to drop this pass.  Yes.  That is what I will do.  I will drop it on purpose."  Anyway, that is my theory.  Caleb has yet to confirm or deny this.

Photos here.

 Granted, it doesn't look like it here, but this was the pass that almost was intercepted by Caleb. 

On Friday night, Breckenridge traveled to MLS.  MLS had everything working very well again.  Things are coming together very nicely as we are heading into the playoffs in two weeks.  There were a total of 8 TD's scored, 2 each by four different players (Note: M-Live reports disagree with my memory, giving 3 TD's to Kyler Lehr and 1 TD to Owen Heyn).  Andrew had two TD catches and also played QB through the 4th quarter.  The final was an MLS win, 55-0.

It pays to be the game of the week.  M-Live posted serevral articles about the MLS team and game.  You can take a look here, and here, and here.

Photos here.

 Andrew blocks down field to help Owen Heyn get closer to the end zone.

 After the 2 point conversion, you can change that scoreboard to 21-0!  TOUCHDOWN!!!

 Andrew is drooling for an opportunity to get an interception.  

Two passes were in his neighborhood, but not really catchable.

Andrew got to play QB in the 4th quarter.