Last week I mentioned three items that are considered “adiaphora”, that is, matters that are neither commanded nor forbidden. I mentioned the liturgy, the use of a lectionary (schedule for Scripture readings), and the observance of the Church Year. You may recall my mentioning that the term “adiaphora” as used in the Lutheran Confessions does not mean the matter is unimportant. There are practices that enjoy Biblical precedence, have the endorsement of the Christian Tradition, contain a great deal of wisdom, and are wonderful tools for Christian formation. In our own Lutheran tradition we have ..read more

There is a term used in the Lutheran Confessions that can be helpful. It also can be misunderstood, and used to do a fair amount of mischief. And that term is “adiaphora”. Have you have heard of it before? Please allow me to introduce you to it. In ancient Greek philosophy known as stoicism, the term adiaphora indicates actions that morality neither mandates nor forbids. Used theologically the term refers to things that are not regarded as essential to faith, but nevertheless as permissible for Christians or allowed in church. That is, it pertains to a matter that is not commanded, or forbidde ..read more

An insight that Martin Luther and his fellow reformers brought forth as an aid to understanding the Bible has to do with how various passages function. Broadly speaking, he insisted that the voice of Scripture is either speaking as Law, or as Gospel. And Scripture, as the Word of God, speaks in both ways to us. Sometimes I like to substitute the words Law and Gospel with the words Demand and Promise, for these substitutes help us to understand the distinction. When the voice of God speaks in Scripture of what He has commanded, what He expects of us, and what His will is, this is the Law. And o ..read more

There is a temptation to see the Bible as self-sufficient, that a person really needs no other guide. The idea here is that the Bible itself instructs you how to read it, and that if you just keep reading it with an open mind you will learn everything you need to know about its message. This, I believe, is a misconception! When Lutherans and other Reformers cry Sola Scriptura they are not saying the Bible is the only thing you need. Instead, they are saying that the Bible alone is the highest authority. In Lutheran Confessional terms we talk about Scripture being “the only rule and norm accord ..read more

When you read the Bible during the week try whenever you can to read it along with someone else. Hopefully this can be done in the home with your family. Take turns reading passages out loud to one another. Discuss the passage together. This conversation is part of what is involved in meditating on Scripture. I strongly recommend you having a reading guide. Reading cover to cover is not the best plan. Why? Well, for starters you will be two thirds of the way through until you reach the New Testament. The Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) contains a two year daily lectionary which involves three r ..read more

As many of you are aware not all Christians through time have been literate. And before the advent of the printing press in the fifteenth century not many were able to afford a personal hand copied Bible. So for much of the life of the Church Christians were dependent upon the public reading and hearing of Scripture. Aside from the fact that many did not have the luxury of being able to read privately the Bible, there have been other reasons for the emphasis on the public reading of Scripture out loud and being listened to carefully. So much of the Bible has its context in public address. Take ..read more

There is a reason why I remain insistent on our congregation growing familiar with Luther’s Small Catechism. I know of no better way to learn the essentials of Christianity. It serves as a framework and handbook for the Scriptures. It does not take the place of the Bible, but it reliably distills the essential message of Holy Writ. It also helps to guide a faithful reading of Scripture. You should know that the essential elements of Luther’s Small Catechism predate Luther. Dr. Luther is not being original! The essential elements of the Church’s foundational teaching had long been the Ten Comma ..read more

The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2 that just as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so we are to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him. The images here are from agriculture and construction. And they both have to do with the sufficiency of Christ not only to save us, but also to finish the work he begins in us so that we are made fit to live forever in his kingdom. The roots of a plant draw the essential nutrients that supply the rest of the plant so that it will bear fruit. Just so our lives must be rooted in Christ. It is from His Word and the Holy Spirit that He sends us from ..read more

The Apostle Paul writes in Colossians 2 that just as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so we are to walk in Christ, rooted and built up in him. The images here are from agriculture and construction. And they both have to do with the sufficiency of Christ not only to save us, but also to finish the work he begins in us so that we are made fit to live forever in his kingdom. The roots of a plant draw the essential nutrients that supply the rest of the plant so that it will bear fruit. Just so our lives must be rooted in Christ. It is from His Word and the Holy Spirit that He sends us from ..read more

In Colossians 1:28 the Apostle Paul writes that he proclaims Christ, warning and teaching every person, so that he might present them mature in Christ. So for the Apostle, Christ not only provides us with forgiveness so that we might stand pure before God, but Christ also goes to work on us so that one day our sinful nature might be done away with once and for all and that we desist from sinning. This is presented as spiritual growth, indeed as reaching maturity. At the same time Paul is concerned we might develop some bad ideas about spiritual growth, especially when we begin to act like such ..read more