"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." John 3:17
The recent turmoil in the Middle East that resulted in the killing of
four Americans including a U.S. Ambassador causes fear and uncertainty
to security and stability in the world. Once discussion over the
political ramifications settled down I listen to my leaders hoping to be
comforted. I deplore the senseless violence human beings engage in, and
the desire to be immersed in its perpetual circle. I look to God for
security and comfort in times like this.
What I want is for God to rid
the world of those who participate in evil acts that harm or take the
lives of others. However, when I look to God I find him in Jesus Christ
crucified on a cross. Christians not only look to the cross but proclaim
Christ crucified. We speak about a God who is vulnerable, who seems
weak through a human point of view. This is a stumbling block to some
and foolishness to others (1 Corinthians 1:23). The cross in an
instrument of pain, suffering and death that Christ has used to save us.
Lutheran Christians are adamant about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on
the cross that declares us innocent of sin and brokeness.
As another
Reformation Sunday approaches our witness to the world is still
relevant. Lutheran Christians are a religious tradition centered on the
cross of Christ. We believe in a God that does not want to participate
in the perpetual circle of violence. On the cross, Jesus Christ puts an
end to sin, death and all evil. I quickly realize that my initial
desire to rid the world of people who cause harm would include me ("If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand?" Psalm
130:3). I also realize that It is the desire of our God for all to be
saved (John 3:17). I continue to pray for victims and all those
affected by violence and warfare throughout the world. I also pray for
those that are responsible for the violence. As people of faith the
only weapon in our arsenal is the good news of Christ Crucified in a
dark and broken world. This message may seem like foolishness to some
and serve as a stumbling block to others (1 Corinthians 1:23), but for people of faith, it
gives us hope. Through the Cross the circle of violence is destroyed and life is eternal. God defeats evil with love and wins for us life through his
death. "For God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength." (1 Corinthians 1:25) Thanks be to God!
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, August 3, 2012
2012 ELCA Youth Gathering serves as a Lutheran Revival
"Citizens with the saints" was the theme, and throughout the week, we practiced Justice, Discipleship and Peacemaking.
This was certainly a mountain top experience that is extremely hard to put into words. Imagine a gathering with over 33,000 youths and adults from Lutheran congregations all over the country being one loud voice in the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, and collectively embodying our call to ministry in the city of New Orleans.
This Youth Gathering invited us to see the church and the world more clearly through a "Lutheran Lens".
We are a church that defines itself by what we are FOR and NOT by what we are against.
We are a church that is radically inclusive proclaiming that this Good News of Jesus is for ALL people.
We are a church that needs to be reminded of our sinfulness and brokeness, but get to hear how our God continues to forgive us, renew us and uses us to be the body of Christ in the world.
We are a church centered in Word and Sacrament, reminded of our baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, fed and nourished and the table.
Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber is the Pastor of the House of All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. Grounded in Lutheran theology and tradition, Pastor Nadia made a theology of grace and Christian vocation accessible to people of all ages at this Youth Gathering. She knows what it means to be a Saint and a Sinner at the same time. Here is the video of her speech!
Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber at 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering
This was certainly a mountain top experience that is extremely hard to put into words. Imagine a gathering with over 33,000 youths and adults from Lutheran congregations all over the country being one loud voice in the Mercedes- Benz Superdome, and collectively embodying our call to ministry in the city of New Orleans.
This Youth Gathering invited us to see the church and the world more clearly through a "Lutheran Lens".
We are a church that defines itself by what we are FOR and NOT by what we are against.
We are a church that is radically inclusive proclaiming that this Good News of Jesus is for ALL people.
We are a church that needs to be reminded of our sinfulness and brokeness, but get to hear how our God continues to forgive us, renew us and uses us to be the body of Christ in the world.
We are a church centered in Word and Sacrament, reminded of our baptism, marked with the cross of Christ, fed and nourished and the table.
Rev. Nadia Bolz Weber is the Pastor of the House of All Sinners and Saints in Denver, Colorado. Grounded in Lutheran theology and tradition, Pastor Nadia made a theology of grace and Christian vocation accessible to people of all ages at this Youth Gathering. She knows what it means to be a Saint and a Sinner at the same time. Here is the video of her speech!
Monday, July 16, 2012
St. John Lutheran (Windfall) 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering
The theme for the 2012 ELCA Youth Gathering is "citizens with the saints." "For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconicle both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:14-20)
Youth and adults from St. John Lutheran Church (Windfall) Cardington, OH are getting ready to travel to New Orleans, LA for the 2012 ELCA youth gathering.
I pray that the Holy Spirit transforms us through this experience! We have checked our bags and gone through security. Our fellowship on this trip has begun! Christ our conerstone with lead through some joyful surprises as this journey unfolds.
Keep us and the over 30,000 other Lutherans who are attending this gathering in your prayers.
posted from Bloggeroid
Friday, April 6, 2012
Good Friday: He was more afraid than ever...
"We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has claimed to be the Son of God." Now when Pilate heard this, he was more afraid than ever. (John 19:7-8)
When reading the passion according to St. John it certainly is obvious that Pilate does not take this Jesus threat seriously. In fact, he does not want to be bothered with a problem that he believes could be easily sorted out among the Jewish authorities. Perhaps Pilate believes that he should not be engaged with "internal affairs" among the Jewish people.
Pilate is not concerned with reports of Jesus being King of the Jewish people. However, when it is reported that he is the Son of God we suddenly have a problem. Pilate was "more afraid than ever." Why? Is Pilate afraid because it might be true or that enough people could believe its true. Either way it is a threat to the empire, a threat to the status quo, a threat to their power and authority.
On Easter Sunday, Mark's gospel ends with the women being afraid at the discovery of the empty tomb. Here, Pilate is afraid when discovering something about Jesus. The woman at the tomb and Pilate before the crucifixion are afraid because they encountered the truth about Jesus. They learned something about his identity and what that means for their lives.
Are we afraid when we discover the truth about the living God and what that means and exposes about ourselves? On Good Friday, we know that, through the death of Christ, the world is forever changed. We are afraid, because we do not want the Old Adam in ourselves to die. We pray that the Easter proclamation can fill our hearts with the gift of faith so that we may live with joy in the new creation we are in Christ!
When reading the passion according to St. John it certainly is obvious that Pilate does not take this Jesus threat seriously. In fact, he does not want to be bothered with a problem that he believes could be easily sorted out among the Jewish authorities. Perhaps Pilate believes that he should not be engaged with "internal affairs" among the Jewish people.
Pilate is not concerned with reports of Jesus being King of the Jewish people. However, when it is reported that he is the Son of God we suddenly have a problem. Pilate was "more afraid than ever." Why? Is Pilate afraid because it might be true or that enough people could believe its true. Either way it is a threat to the empire, a threat to the status quo, a threat to their power and authority.
On Easter Sunday, Mark's gospel ends with the women being afraid at the discovery of the empty tomb. Here, Pilate is afraid when discovering something about Jesus. The woman at the tomb and Pilate before the crucifixion are afraid because they encountered the truth about Jesus. They learned something about his identity and what that means for their lives.
Are we afraid when we discover the truth about the living God and what that means and exposes about ourselves? On Good Friday, we know that, through the death of Christ, the world is forever changed. We are afraid, because we do not want the Old Adam in ourselves to die. We pray that the Easter proclamation can fill our hearts with the gift of faith so that we may live with joy in the new creation we are in Christ!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Maundy Thursday
Jesus commands us to love one another. He gives us the gift of the community of believers we call the church. What does this command mean in a society that values individualism? What does this command mean when popular versions of Christianity seek to emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus, as opposed to a communal relationship with Jesus Christ?
The world knows Jesus through the love that exists in and through the community of believers known as the body of Christ, the church.
How do we faithfully live out this command of Christ in our society today? Particularly in a context that seeks to preserve and survive rather than give and be vulnerable enough to receive.
The world knows Jesus through the love that exists in and through the community of believers known as the body of Christ, the church.
How do we faithfully live out this command of Christ in our society today? Particularly in a context that seeks to preserve and survive rather than give and be vulnerable enough to receive.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Forgiven and Freed from Terror
Sermon for Sunday September 11th 2011
This manuscript was turned into an outline that I preached from. In other words this is not an identical transcript on what was proclaimed on this Sunday at the two services at St. John Lutheran in Cardington, OH .
The readings for this Sunday call us to think about forgiveness. That may be the last thing some of us want to think about as this day marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
Personally this day brings back some pretty intense memories and feelings. The smoke could be seen from my college campus for weeks, on that day, the site of the attacks was named ground zero and where I was in Queens, NY it was like a war zone.
Disbelief, anxiety and fear was felt throughout our campus community. Students were waiting to hear from relatives who worked in the buildings or served as first responders. I attended prayer services, worship services in weeks and months that followed, and they were very draining.
Friends of mine lost family and friends in those towers.
I remember the anxiety and fear quickly turned into anger. Forgiveness was far from my heart.
Fear, anxiety and uncertainty about what could happen next gave me a heart of stone that caused me to feel the need for revenge, violence and war in order to feel safe.
I remember soon after the attacks buying a poster to hang on my dorm room window for people in the quad could see. It was of the American flag and it said “these colors don’t run.”
I remember telling my spiritual director about it in college. And he asked me, “Adam, what does that mean?” He challenged me on this vengeful spirit, and I realized that my heart was not set on Christ, but because I was afraid my heart was set on violence.
I am not saying that I am against war or that there is never a just war or a proportional response. I am not even saying that I am a pacifist.
What I am saying is that I realized that those who committed those heinous acts on September 11th 2001 had brought me down to their level. I realized just how dangerous my brokenness is when it comes to wanting revenge and confusing it with justice.
The reason that I continually seek to be converted and freed to the road of forgiveness is because I know just how heinous I could be if I let terrorist or criminals win. I know if punishments were up to me my gut instincts is to make “water boarding” sound like something you do on vacation.
Which is why I need to be forgiven and freed from my reactions to acts of terrorism.
Violence begets violence, and I am not saying there is no such thing as a just war, but on the other hand, if war could truly bring peace to this world it would have been achieved a long time ago.
Soon after 9/11 we heard and still hear that we live in a “post 9/11” world. As Christians, we must reject this statement!
You and I don’t live in a post 9/11 world! Saying that we live in a post 9/11 world means that we allow the marks of terror, death and destruction to permanently change and transform us and the world.
The marks of 9/11 do not have the final say! Because we don’t live in a post 9/11 world, we live in a post resurrection world!
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the only event in human history that leaves a lasting mark on all time and creation!
Love, Grace, and Forgiveness has the last word!
If you watch TV today, and I am sure you have heard reflections already on how we will never be the same. Sure, these events and tragedies in our own lies have impacts on us but, they are not everlasting marks.
Through the cross, we have been released and forgiven from out debts! Not even death will have its final sting because of what Jesus has done for us.
We are then called to be a people freed in a world that keeps us hostage to the threats of the unknown, prisoners of fear.
You and I, are called to live as free people, filled with hope and God’ abundant love for this broken world.
God calling us to forgive is not just for our own good, God calling us to forgive is like giving us the key to our handcuffs, so we can free ourselves from our own hearts, and allow God to create in us a clean heart.
In a post resurrection world, we let all people know that our God is with us and is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
In a post resurrection world, we know that our God has not dealt with us according to our sins nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
And we are called to love as God loves.If God forgave as we forgive, wouldn’t we be in trouble? Yet that is what we ask for in the Lord’s Prayer. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This petition of the Lord’s Prayer is a petition for conversion because if God in the end does forgive as we forgive than we are in some trouble.
This is exactly what the gospel text is calling us to do this morning, free others from the debts, sins and trespasses against you as God has freed you!
Peter’s question to Jesus, “how often should I forgive?” comes from a heart that is sinful, broken and violent. A heart that you and I both have. A heart that wants to have limitations on forgiveness.
The slave who is forgiven and freed from his debts is released and called to live a free life but does not live a life of freedom. The slave violently oppresses his fellow slave.
Jesus warns us that our nature is not to live a freed life even when we receive and experience God’s forgiveness.
The so called post 9/11 world that we live in seeks to push our buttons, causing us to live out of fear and anxiety. We are not just afraid of terrorism in our world today, but a shaky economy, limitations in our health care system, cause us to be anxious in uncertain times.
The climate in our society isn’t just to disagree with one another but to demonize each other.
The broken world that we live in will always cause uncertainty, and fear. Which is why, the Good News is that, in Christ we are forgiven and freed from the terror in our dark and broken world.
Marked and claimed by the cross and not by any act of fear or terror, we are called not to oppress or demonize but to release others from the burden, anxiety and fear that they are being tormented with.
Living in a post resurrection world, as Christians we are as Stephen Bouman, former bishop of Metro NY synod says an Easter people living in a Good Friday world.
You and I need to set our hearts on the freedom we have in Jesus Christ and to share the joy of what it means to be released from our debts.
As an Easter people living in a Good Friday world, we pray for leaders of all nations.
We pray that they seek to serve the common good and that they may lead with God’s mercy, grace and peace burning in their hearts.
In our own country, our elected officials serve an important and need role in our society. However, we need to be cautious when they can promise us things that only God can give. Even though they don’t say it, when they campaign and lead, it can easily seem like they are the messiah or superhero to our problems, here to save the day.
Whether it is a proclamation of “Mission Accomplished” from one President, or the promise of “Hope and Change” from another, don’t buy into the fact they our leaders can full erase and free you from fear and anxiety that you and I experience in our broken world.
Sisters and brothers you and I are and Easter people living in a Good Friday world pointing to the love of God on the Cross and the hope of new life and resurrection it gives to humanity and all creation.
We didn’t need a new memorial or bigger and better buildings to find hope after the 9/11 terror attacks. Because we know that God is with us always, even to the end of the age.
God was with the victims on that day he was in the stairwells and smoke filled buildings. He was on the planes and in a burning Pentagon.
I don’t believe that things happen for a reason but, I do believe in a God who is with us will NOT allow terror, death and destruction to have the final mark and say in our lives and in our world.
The victims of these attacks, you and I are not defined by this event but by the event that took place on Calvary when Jesus gave his life for us by way of the Cross.
As an Easter people, we know that in death there is new life.
In our first reading, Joseph’s brothers intended harm and death upon Joseph. Joseph said, “Even though you intended to do harm to me. God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.”
God does not will or rejoice in death and destruction, especially when it is caused by our own hands. But God, who is a God of life, will bring new life in the midst death.
Out of the rubble of ground zero we have hope in new life, from the Cross we have hope in an empty tomb which open the doors to everlasting life.
God is with us, and God’s word and God’s will have the final say. Marked and claimed by the cross, baptized and freed from terror we sing alleluia in the face of death, destruction, fear and uncertainty.
Even though we are like Peter, and want to have limitations on forgiveness our God does not. Our God does not deal with us according to our sins nor repaid us according to our iniquities!
We are forgiven and freed! As Paul says, “whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”
We know how the story is going to end. We are free from the burdens of uncertainty and fear.
The work of Christ on the cross has the last word, and gives to us a new kingdom. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and on that last day, we know that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall give praise to God!
Forgiveness has the last word through the Love of Christ on the Cross…..Mission Accomplished! Amen.
This manuscript was turned into an outline that I preached from. In other words this is not an identical transcript on what was proclaimed on this Sunday at the two services at St. John Lutheran in Cardington, OH .
The readings for this Sunday call us to think about forgiveness. That may be the last thing some of us want to think about as this day marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
Personally this day brings back some pretty intense memories and feelings. The smoke could be seen from my college campus for weeks, on that day, the site of the attacks was named ground zero and where I was in Queens, NY it was like a war zone.
Disbelief, anxiety and fear was felt throughout our campus community. Students were waiting to hear from relatives who worked in the buildings or served as first responders. I attended prayer services, worship services in weeks and months that followed, and they were very draining.
Friends of mine lost family and friends in those towers.
I remember the anxiety and fear quickly turned into anger. Forgiveness was far from my heart.
Fear, anxiety and uncertainty about what could happen next gave me a heart of stone that caused me to feel the need for revenge, violence and war in order to feel safe.
I remember soon after the attacks buying a poster to hang on my dorm room window for people in the quad could see. It was of the American flag and it said “these colors don’t run.”
I remember telling my spiritual director about it in college. And he asked me, “Adam, what does that mean?” He challenged me on this vengeful spirit, and I realized that my heart was not set on Christ, but because I was afraid my heart was set on violence.
I am not saying that I am against war or that there is never a just war or a proportional response. I am not even saying that I am a pacifist.
What I am saying is that I realized that those who committed those heinous acts on September 11th 2001 had brought me down to their level. I realized just how dangerous my brokenness is when it comes to wanting revenge and confusing it with justice.
The reason that I continually seek to be converted and freed to the road of forgiveness is because I know just how heinous I could be if I let terrorist or criminals win. I know if punishments were up to me my gut instincts is to make “water boarding” sound like something you do on vacation.
Which is why I need to be forgiven and freed from my reactions to acts of terrorism.
Violence begets violence, and I am not saying there is no such thing as a just war, but on the other hand, if war could truly bring peace to this world it would have been achieved a long time ago.
Soon after 9/11 we heard and still hear that we live in a “post 9/11” world. As Christians, we must reject this statement!
You and I don’t live in a post 9/11 world! Saying that we live in a post 9/11 world means that we allow the marks of terror, death and destruction to permanently change and transform us and the world.
The marks of 9/11 do not have the final say! Because we don’t live in a post 9/11 world, we live in a post resurrection world!
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is the only event in human history that leaves a lasting mark on all time and creation!
Love, Grace, and Forgiveness has the last word!
If you watch TV today, and I am sure you have heard reflections already on how we will never be the same. Sure, these events and tragedies in our own lies have impacts on us but, they are not everlasting marks.
Through the cross, we have been released and forgiven from out debts! Not even death will have its final sting because of what Jesus has done for us.
We are then called to be a people freed in a world that keeps us hostage to the threats of the unknown, prisoners of fear.
You and I, are called to live as free people, filled with hope and God’ abundant love for this broken world.
God calling us to forgive is not just for our own good, God calling us to forgive is like giving us the key to our handcuffs, so we can free ourselves from our own hearts, and allow God to create in us a clean heart.
In a post resurrection world, we let all people know that our God is with us and is full of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
In a post resurrection world, we know that our God has not dealt with us according to our sins nor repaid us according to our iniquities.
And we are called to love as God loves.If God forgave as we forgive, wouldn’t we be in trouble? Yet that is what we ask for in the Lord’s Prayer. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. This petition of the Lord’s Prayer is a petition for conversion because if God in the end does forgive as we forgive than we are in some trouble.
This is exactly what the gospel text is calling us to do this morning, free others from the debts, sins and trespasses against you as God has freed you!
Peter’s question to Jesus, “how often should I forgive?” comes from a heart that is sinful, broken and violent. A heart that you and I both have. A heart that wants to have limitations on forgiveness.
The slave who is forgiven and freed from his debts is released and called to live a free life but does not live a life of freedom. The slave violently oppresses his fellow slave.
Jesus warns us that our nature is not to live a freed life even when we receive and experience God’s forgiveness.
The so called post 9/11 world that we live in seeks to push our buttons, causing us to live out of fear and anxiety. We are not just afraid of terrorism in our world today, but a shaky economy, limitations in our health care system, cause us to be anxious in uncertain times.
The climate in our society isn’t just to disagree with one another but to demonize each other.
The broken world that we live in will always cause uncertainty, and fear. Which is why, the Good News is that, in Christ we are forgiven and freed from the terror in our dark and broken world.
Marked and claimed by the cross and not by any act of fear or terror, we are called not to oppress or demonize but to release others from the burden, anxiety and fear that they are being tormented with.
Living in a post resurrection world, as Christians we are as Stephen Bouman, former bishop of Metro NY synod says an Easter people living in a Good Friday world.
You and I need to set our hearts on the freedom we have in Jesus Christ and to share the joy of what it means to be released from our debts.
As an Easter people living in a Good Friday world, we pray for leaders of all nations.
We pray that they seek to serve the common good and that they may lead with God’s mercy, grace and peace burning in their hearts.
In our own country, our elected officials serve an important and need role in our society. However, we need to be cautious when they can promise us things that only God can give. Even though they don’t say it, when they campaign and lead, it can easily seem like they are the messiah or superhero to our problems, here to save the day.
Whether it is a proclamation of “Mission Accomplished” from one President, or the promise of “Hope and Change” from another, don’t buy into the fact they our leaders can full erase and free you from fear and anxiety that you and I experience in our broken world.
Sisters and brothers you and I are and Easter people living in a Good Friday world pointing to the love of God on the Cross and the hope of new life and resurrection it gives to humanity and all creation.
We didn’t need a new memorial or bigger and better buildings to find hope after the 9/11 terror attacks. Because we know that God is with us always, even to the end of the age.
God was with the victims on that day he was in the stairwells and smoke filled buildings. He was on the planes and in a burning Pentagon.
I don’t believe that things happen for a reason but, I do believe in a God who is with us will NOT allow terror, death and destruction to have the final mark and say in our lives and in our world.
The victims of these attacks, you and I are not defined by this event but by the event that took place on Calvary when Jesus gave his life for us by way of the Cross.
As an Easter people, we know that in death there is new life.
In our first reading, Joseph’s brothers intended harm and death upon Joseph. Joseph said, “Even though you intended to do harm to me. God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.”
God does not will or rejoice in death and destruction, especially when it is caused by our own hands. But God, who is a God of life, will bring new life in the midst death.
Out of the rubble of ground zero we have hope in new life, from the Cross we have hope in an empty tomb which open the doors to everlasting life.
God is with us, and God’s word and God’s will have the final say. Marked and claimed by the cross, baptized and freed from terror we sing alleluia in the face of death, destruction, fear and uncertainty.
Even though we are like Peter, and want to have limitations on forgiveness our God does not. Our God does not deal with us according to our sins nor repaid us according to our iniquities!
We are forgiven and freed! As Paul says, “whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”
We know how the story is going to end. We are free from the burdens of uncertainty and fear.
The work of Christ on the cross has the last word, and gives to us a new kingdom. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and on that last day, we know that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall give praise to God!
Forgiveness has the last word through the Love of Christ on the Cross…..Mission Accomplished! Amen.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
What shall I Return to the LORD? (Whom do you worship?)
Gunter Wittenberg puts into perspective the role of tithing in Israelite society. For Wittenberg, the tithe had a close link to Israel’s worship while at the same time served as a “safety net” for society.[1] “Joy and care for the brother and sister on account of a deep gratitude for all the blessings received from Yahweh form the two basic elements of worship as Deuteronomy conceives it.”[2] God’s command to tithe provides for the giver a place in which they become the hands and feet for God. Our giving makes visible God’s justice in our world.
The tithing commands found in Deuteronomy remind us that our worship of God has moral and ethical implications. Wittenberg writes, “Deuteronomy firmly links the tithe with worship. True worship is not possible as a private affair. Worship has both elements, the joyous celebration of Yahweh’s great acts of redemption and gratitude for his blessings, and the enabling of others to participate in this celebration.”[3] Those that we would include in our celebration of God’s blessings would be members of our household along with the poor and marginalized.
If we never include or gather with others for times of devotion to God, then we fail to worship God. Living in the United States in 2011 it seems that, as a society, we forget that we are connected to one another as a community. The concept of a social contract, providing a social safety net for those on the margins, seems to be a foreign concept. Individualism is favored over any sense of communal process these days. We are taught to rely on ourselves and whatever we earn, we have, in fact, earned. God seems to be taken out of the equation when it comes to all that we have received. Some believe that what we earn has been achieved by the individual and with that logic, what reason is there to return anything to the Lord? Ralph W. Klein writes, “self-reliance is a kind of idolatry – one fears, loves, and trusts in one’s own ability, one’s own efforts.” [4] Then failure to return to the Lord risks our violating the first commandment.
Our return to the Lord then links together for individuals and congregations social outreach and worship. There is a difference to what we stand for as a faith community, which is our obedience to a gracious God in comparison to a social service agency. Sometimes congregations share what God has given to them with others. Soup kitchens and food pantries, for example, serve the marginalized in the community. Giving, but failing to share and celebrate disconnects our giving from our faith. Also, a congregation that gathers to worship but fail to reach out beyond the church walls in order to invite and share in the graciousness of God has in a sense failed to worship God. They in a sense are worshiping themselves or have turned the past into an idol, failing to come to grips with a community that has changed around them.
Perhaps these prescriptions in Deuteronomy make a distinction between stewardship and charity. I understand charity to imply that there is a giver and a receiver and isn’t an act of worship. Charity makes the individual the giver as opposed to God, and giving is often based on emotion as opposed to justice. The Old Testament reminds us that Stewardship is a constant response to God’s generosity. Stewardship is not an inconsistent knee jerk response to one time pet causes. Robert R. Ellis writes, “Gratitude gives birth to a desire to serve God’s purposes rather than human ends. Finally, because gratitude is celebrative in nature, it creates an environment in which all stewardship is an act of worship.”[5]
The tithing instruction in Deuteronomy forms the individual and faith community to be counter cultural. The reason it is counter cultural is because it is clear that when one gives a tithe, God is at the center. Whether we are following these teachings in Old Testament times or the 21st century, we are called to turn from the ways of an unjust world and worship a just God.
As Lutheran Christians, we always want to caution against a teaching being turned into some sort of legalism or mandate that could affect one’s salvation. I don’t believe this to be the case. The tithe as described in Deuteronomy is a command to discipleship and faithfulness. Fear of legalism and the reality of failure should not stop us from continual practice at being faithful stewards. God is gracious not only in what God has given to us but even in our falling short of what we are expected to give. Many times in worship when it is time for the offering I have sung the words “Accept O Lord the gifts we bring, we place upon your table, we do not worship as we ought but only as we are able.” What we return to the Lord is an act of worship that has ethical implications pointing to God’s justice in the world. Knowing the connections between stewardship, worship and justice have forever changed how I look at all three because I can no longer separate them.
[1] (Wittenberg 2009) p.94
[2] Ibid., p.97
[3] Ibid., p.101
[4] (Klien 2009) p.331
[5] (Ellis 1995) p.14
Bibliography
Ellis, Robert R. "Divine Gift and Human Response: An Old Testament Model for Stewardship ." Southwestern Journal of Theology , 1995: 4-14.
Klien, Ralph W. "Stewardship in the Old Testament ." Currents in Theology and Mission , 2009: 330-334.
Wittenberg, Gunther. "The Tithe-An Obligation for Christians? Perspectives from Deuteronomy ." Journal of Theology for South Africa , 2009: 82-101.
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