According to the Small Catechism, "A creed is a statement of what we believe, teach, and confess." And for a Scripture reference, it cites Romans 10:10 ("For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."). I'm reminded of another Scripture passage when I study and confess the three Ecumenical Creeds. In the 16th chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" And Simon Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." This reminds me of the Creeds. Who do we say Jesus is? It's easy to think, "This is my perception of Jesus..." or "This is who I think Jesus is..." But who do we say He is? The Creeds answer this question. Who do we say God is? We believe in the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
-- Jonathan
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Worldly vs. Biblical Philosophy
"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." -- Colossians 2:8 (NASB)
As a college student, I run across many different philosophies and worldviews, and it's certainly a temptation to simply shrug them off and surrender to the whim that everyone's entitled to their own opinion and interpretation of the Bible. It's a temptation I've fallen into myself; but reading Paul's words here in Colossians, I see how immensely important it is to have a discerning heart and mind when it comes to worldly philosophies. Paul lived in the days of Greek philosophers who told the public to look within themselves to find fulfillment and meaning. It's easy to be taken captive by these ideas, but we must remember that Christ is where we should look to, not ourselves. We live in a world with countless corrupt philosophies including evolution and moral relativism. The world blindly accepts them, but we must be on our guard not to. Don't be like the world. We now have the mind of Christ. Don't corrupt that mind... But even as it is, if and when we do fall into these non-biblical worldviews and are taken captive through philosophy and empty deception, Christ forgives us, and welcomes us back to His Word and Sacraments, in which are no sinful philosophies to be found.
-- Jonathan
As a college student, I run across many different philosophies and worldviews, and it's certainly a temptation to simply shrug them off and surrender to the whim that everyone's entitled to their own opinion and interpretation of the Bible. It's a temptation I've fallen into myself; but reading Paul's words here in Colossians, I see how immensely important it is to have a discerning heart and mind when it comes to worldly philosophies. Paul lived in the days of Greek philosophers who told the public to look within themselves to find fulfillment and meaning. It's easy to be taken captive by these ideas, but we must remember that Christ is where we should look to, not ourselves. We live in a world with countless corrupt philosophies including evolution and moral relativism. The world blindly accepts them, but we must be on our guard not to. Don't be like the world. We now have the mind of Christ. Don't corrupt that mind... But even as it is, if and when we do fall into these non-biblical worldviews and are taken captive through philosophy and empty deception, Christ forgives us, and welcomes us back to His Word and Sacraments, in which are no sinful philosophies to be found.
-- Jonathan
Where Heaven Meets Earth
"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." -- Acts 2:42 (NASB)
Since the First Century, Christians have been gathering to 1. Hear the Word of God, 2. Have fellowship with one another as the Body of Christ (not the type of fellowship that the world thinks of, simply spending time together, but actually unifying as one Body), 3. Take Holy Communion, and 4. Pray (prayers consisting of psalms and hymns). Christianity (known then as "The Way") has always gathered for the Word and Sacraments in a setting similar to what we call Church. When we talk about "the historic liturgy," we're not tossing about a meaningless term. The Liturgy of the Church is hundreds upon hundreds of years old, and much of it is taken from biblical texts that are thousands of years old. The liturgy creates such unity between the church of today and the church of the First century. People, in their own laziness or arrogance, often ask why they need church if they already have faith. Because it's where Heaven meets Earth. It's where God pours out His Gifts. And genuine, saving faith in Christ does not refuse the Gifts of Christ. The Christians of the AD 30s knew this. But it seems like a lot of Christians have forgotten.
-- Jonathan
Since the First Century, Christians have been gathering to 1. Hear the Word of God, 2. Have fellowship with one another as the Body of Christ (not the type of fellowship that the world thinks of, simply spending time together, but actually unifying as one Body), 3. Take Holy Communion, and 4. Pray (prayers consisting of psalms and hymns). Christianity (known then as "The Way") has always gathered for the Word and Sacraments in a setting similar to what we call Church. When we talk about "the historic liturgy," we're not tossing about a meaningless term. The Liturgy of the Church is hundreds upon hundreds of years old, and much of it is taken from biblical texts that are thousands of years old. The liturgy creates such unity between the church of today and the church of the First century. People, in their own laziness or arrogance, often ask why they need church if they already have faith. Because it's where Heaven meets Earth. It's where God pours out His Gifts. And genuine, saving faith in Christ does not refuse the Gifts of Christ. The Christians of the AD 30s knew this. But it seems like a lot of Christians have forgotten.
-- Jonathan
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Grandeur of the Gospels
Every time I crack open my Bible to one the the Gospels, I get something new out of what I read that I've never gotten before. No matter how many times I read Matthew's account of Jesus' parables, Mark's account of Jesus' miracles, Luke's Passion narrative, or John's writing of Jesus' words and deeds after the Resurrection, something new pops out at me. Digging through the many levels of the Gospels is never boring to me. How could I be bored with something so complex, something that I'll never master the understanding of? I always enjoy standing for the Gospel reading before the Sermon. So often, the Gospel reading contains words from the very lips of Jesus! I just love each and every Gospel, and one could make a case for each one as to which is the best. Matthew's writing makes so many parallels to the Old Testament, helping the Jews make the connection. It's organized and neat, making it the favorite of most Type A personalities. Mark's writing is fast-paced and exciting, giving it the nickname of "the man's Gospel." Luke's writing is certainly the most intellectual, making it the Gospel of choice for most academics. And who could forget John? The disciple whom Jesus loved... His Gospel contains deep emotion that Christian women often find moving and relatable. But no matter which Gospel happens to be your favorite, it is a Gift from the Lord, every word of which was inspired by the Holy Spirit, some of which were spoken by the Father and the Son Himself. Give thanks for the Gospels! Their majesty is unmatched.
--Jonathan
--Jonathan
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Salvation is NOT a Mere Business Transaction
"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'"
-- Romans 4:1-3 (NASB)
In all of the world's false religions, a man's salvation is believed to be acquired by his good deeds. His works. In all of the world's false religions, eternal salvation is a simple business transaction. This might sound attractive to many people, which explains paganism's wide following. It sounds great to say: What you have to do to get to heaven is pray 5 times a day, read this book for 20 minutes a day, and go to this sacred place at least once in your life. If you do that, you're in!... Too bad sin has a much higher price than that in the real world. A price so high that it can only be forgiven by the blood of a perfect and sinless sacrifice. Jesus Christ. So how do we achieve the righteousness that Father Abraham possessed? Sola Fide. Through Faith Alone. Abraham had faith, and God credited it to him as righteousness. Abraham wasn't right in God's eyes because of the good works he did in his life. Good works can't take away sin. But Jesus can and did. And through Abraham's faith in the promised Messiah, he achieved that righteousness we all desire. The world needs to shake the idea that salvation is like a mere business transaction, that if we give God something, we'll get it. Salvation is a free gift won for us by Christ's death and resurrection. That's the Story and I'm stickin' to it.
-- Jonathan
-- Romans 4:1-3 (NASB)
In all of the world's false religions, a man's salvation is believed to be acquired by his good deeds. His works. In all of the world's false religions, eternal salvation is a simple business transaction. This might sound attractive to many people, which explains paganism's wide following. It sounds great to say: What you have to do to get to heaven is pray 5 times a day, read this book for 20 minutes a day, and go to this sacred place at least once in your life. If you do that, you're in!... Too bad sin has a much higher price than that in the real world. A price so high that it can only be forgiven by the blood of a perfect and sinless sacrifice. Jesus Christ. So how do we achieve the righteousness that Father Abraham possessed? Sola Fide. Through Faith Alone. Abraham had faith, and God credited it to him as righteousness. Abraham wasn't right in God's eyes because of the good works he did in his life. Good works can't take away sin. But Jesus can and did. And through Abraham's faith in the promised Messiah, he achieved that righteousness we all desire. The world needs to shake the idea that salvation is like a mere business transaction, that if we give God something, we'll get it. Salvation is a free gift won for us by Christ's death and resurrection. That's the Story and I'm stickin' to it.
-- Jonathan
Sunday, April 8, 2012
My Teacher! My Savior.
"Jesus said to her, 'Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?' Supposing Him to be the gardener, she said to Him, 'Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' She turned and said to Him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!' (which means, Teacher)."
-- John 20:15-16 (NASB)
Easter... a day of celebration and thanksgiving. A day to remember what happened after Jesus' suffering and death... His resurrection. When Peter, John, and Mary saw the empty tomb on that Sunday morning, they thought someone had taken Jesus' dead body. No. He had risen. Jesus' followers didn't quite understand Jesus' prophesy about His own resurrection just yet. They thought he was gone for good. But with the word 'Mary!' uttered from the lips that never lied made Mary see the truth. 'Teacher!' she cried.
When we are weeping, distraught beyond comprehension, or wrapped up in our own sinful flesh, this same Jesus says to us: 'Jonathan!' (or whatever your name may be), and we respond, 'Teacher! The only-begotten Son of God! The one who was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and made man! The one who was crucified for me under Pontius Pilate! And the one who on the third day rose again! Teacher! Alleluia!' And all is well.
-- Jonathan
Friday, April 6, 2012
Into Your Hands
"And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, 'Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.' Having said this, He breathed His last."
-- Luke 23:46 (NASB)
Upon the cross on this holiest of Fridays, our Savior Jesus cried out His seventh and final word: "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit." Most people think that "It is finished." was His final word, but in actuality it was His sixth. But with this final word, He gives up His Spirit to the Father. It is a phrase that sounds similar to what we say in Martin Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers: "Lord, into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things." With these words, we entrust our body and soul and all things to the Lord. We put them under His protection. But with Jesus' words, He gives up His Spirit. He knew it was finished and He chose to die... for us. And having said this, He hung His sacred head and breathed His final breath. The Passion narrative, while full of sorrow, simultaneously brings me great joy. It is because of what He did for me that I will one day inherit life eternal. And the best part about that is, I will be with the One who made life eternal possible, and gave it freely to me.
-- Jonathan
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