This YouTube video was taken a few years ago on my campus. The preacher apparently makes rounds to all the colleges in the area, preaching hell fire and brimstone to all the students. In this particular video he gets into an argument with a lesbian woman. It is very interesting to observe the two completely opposite views of Christianity and salvation, both of them wrong.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5yuXStr6Io
On the one side, the preacher claims that everyone is going to hell if they don't start living their lives right. Apparently Jesus didn't do a whole lot according to him, because we still have to be perfect to get into heaven.
On the other side is the guy making the video and the lesbian. According to them, their friend Jesus loves people just the way they are. It doesn't matter if you're living in unrepentant sin, Jesus loves you anyway.
I though it was pretty interesting to see both of these confusions of law and gospel portrayed in this video.
(On a side note, this is also really interesting to me because it happened right in front of my dorm. You can see the window to my room in the background. I wasn't there at the time this happened, but I wish I had seen it.)
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thoughts on the Economy
So the semester is over, and I'm home for Christmas. Tonight, probably for the first time since the summer, I was able to watch the news, and observe just how badly our world is falling apart. Of course the main topic of discussion was the current economic situation. Automotive companies are failing, the government is bailing out banks and businesses alike, people are loosing their jobs, and we are spiraling into what will probably become a depression.
NBC played a story about the CEO's of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae hearing before congress. I found several aspects of the clip quite interesting. For one thing, the government is looking for someone to blame for the current financial crisis. It is true that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae contributed to the problem by extending loans to high risk applicants. They extended these loans in the hopes of making a buck- a rather common goal among most institutions. It is also true that the government encouraged this type of loaning behavior by offering more money to banks which made more loans. But now the bubble has burst, and everyone is looking for a reason. The American people are crying out for someone's head on a platter. It doesn't matter whose head, just so long as someone can be blamed. Now it seems that the government is on witch hunt for the culprit who caused our economic decline. Big wig CEO's are easy targets right now- it's all their fault, it must be them, blame them! But is it really their fault?
I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It takes place during the great depression, and so there are a few parallels between the book and the current situation. People in that dark era were searching for answers as well. They were searching for someone to blame, and easy scapegoat. They tried to blame the big land owners, the government, taxes, and labor unions. But Steinbeck made an interesting point- these things are all results, not causes. The causes are deeper, simpler, and bigger than one person or one bank or one leader. The causes of that crisis and this one are basic human greed and ignorance.
I don't think that CEOs caused a global recession. I think that the greed of the people caused them to take out loans that they could not pay, so that they could buy things they did not need. I think the greed of the banks caused them to give out loans that could not be payed back, so that they could make a buck. I think that the greed of the politicians caused them to promise legislation that would cater to the greed of the people, so that they would be re-elected. I think that it is greed that is now driving us to find a culprit, so that we will not be held accountable for our own actions.
The world and the economy are spriling out of control, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. God promised that the last days would be filled with such events. All we can do is put our trust in God, and pray for His return.
NBC played a story about the CEO's of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae hearing before congress. I found several aspects of the clip quite interesting. For one thing, the government is looking for someone to blame for the current financial crisis. It is true that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae contributed to the problem by extending loans to high risk applicants. They extended these loans in the hopes of making a buck- a rather common goal among most institutions. It is also true that the government encouraged this type of loaning behavior by offering more money to banks which made more loans. But now the bubble has burst, and everyone is looking for a reason. The American people are crying out for someone's head on a platter. It doesn't matter whose head, just so long as someone can be blamed. Now it seems that the government is on witch hunt for the culprit who caused our economic decline. Big wig CEO's are easy targets right now- it's all their fault, it must be them, blame them! But is it really their fault?
I am currently reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It takes place during the great depression, and so there are a few parallels between the book and the current situation. People in that dark era were searching for answers as well. They were searching for someone to blame, and easy scapegoat. They tried to blame the big land owners, the government, taxes, and labor unions. But Steinbeck made an interesting point- these things are all results, not causes. The causes are deeper, simpler, and bigger than one person or one bank or one leader. The causes of that crisis and this one are basic human greed and ignorance.
I don't think that CEOs caused a global recession. I think that the greed of the people caused them to take out loans that they could not pay, so that they could buy things they did not need. I think the greed of the banks caused them to give out loans that could not be payed back, so that they could make a buck. I think that the greed of the politicians caused them to promise legislation that would cater to the greed of the people, so that they would be re-elected. I think that it is greed that is now driving us to find a culprit, so that we will not be held accountable for our own actions.
The world and the economy are spriling out of control, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. God promised that the last days would be filled with such events. All we can do is put our trust in God, and pray for His return.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
On Relationships
Whoa! Where did the semester go? It feels like school just started a few days ago! Alas, I am almost through with my first semester of college. It has been a very interesting experience. I have learned many things over the past four months. I have learned about various ancient civilizations, and the ways in which they kept order. I have learned how society and societal norms can define people. I have learned how to give and listen to a speech. I have learned how to write words using the International Phonetic Alphabet. My classes have been fun and exciting, but I have also learned many things outside of class.
A very good friend told me that the hardest thing in life is handling relationships with other people. School and work are easy by comparison, you only have to preform an assigned task. Religion should be easy- be nothing but given to by God, it's all laid out in the Bible! (Unfortunately some people make this the hardest aspect of their lives.) Health can be complicated, but I doubt it consumes as much energy or causes as much anxiety as relationships do. Of course relationships can be so amazing that they change our lives forever, but they can also hurt us so deeply that we are never the same and are forever wounded.
Why do I bring this up? I have been struggling with relationships quite alot this semester. Specifically the romantic type. I feel that it is important to know what a healthy relationship looks like, and each person's role in that relationship.
The man should be the head of the relationship, but not an opressive head. He should love the woman as Christ loves the church- enough to die for her. He should be protective and supportive. He should encourage her when she feels overwhelmed or depressed. He should show his affection by not putting her down with words, but by building her up with everything he says. He should be motivated to provide for the woman. He should excell in school or work and show that he is able to hold responsibility. He should listen to and consider the woman's opinion before he makes a decision. He should not try to manipulate the woman, but he should be completely honest with her. He should take his responsibility as head of the household seriously.
The woman should be submissive to the man, but not in a slavish or oppressed way. She should look to the man to provide for her needs and to protect her. She should care for the man and make life easier for him by taking care of the tasks of daily living. She should encourage him in everything he does, and support him in his decisions. She should build him up with everything she says, and show affection through her words and actions. She should not try to tear him down trough sacastic and malicious words and actions. She should not attempt to manipulate him, but be honest in everything she does. She should provide emotional support. She should listen to his cares and worries, and respond with love and encouragement.
Both the man and the woman should have a healthy understanding of their relationship with God- they should not be unequally yoked. Christ should be the center of the relationship, so that they can grow in faith togeather and not be trying to pull each other away from the church.
At the beginning of the semester I had the choice between two guys. I said yes to the wrong one. The guy I've been dating meets almost none of the above criteria. I broke up with him this weekend because he ridicules everything I do, he tries to convince me to skip class, he pulls me away from my friends, he is failing out of school, and he blames me for everything that goes wrong in his life, even if it has nothing to do with me. I'm still friends with the other guy, we usually eat breakfast togeather. (My boyfriend was too lazy to wake up that early, but he was always invited) The other guy treats me the way my own boyfriend should have been treating me. He is genuinely concerned about how I'm doing. He always says positive things that build me up. He is highly motivated an is a very high achiever. He encourages me in my classes and activities. I doubt that he will ask me out again because I blew it the first time. But looking back I can see I made the wrong choice. However, this experience has taught me what to look for in a guy. Hopefully I will not make the same mistake twice. God has a plan, and he has someone out there for me. All I can do is trust in God to provide for me and to guide me through these tough relationships.
A very good friend told me that the hardest thing in life is handling relationships with other people. School and work are easy by comparison, you only have to preform an assigned task. Religion should be easy- be nothing but given to by God, it's all laid out in the Bible! (Unfortunately some people make this the hardest aspect of their lives.) Health can be complicated, but I doubt it consumes as much energy or causes as much anxiety as relationships do. Of course relationships can be so amazing that they change our lives forever, but they can also hurt us so deeply that we are never the same and are forever wounded.
Why do I bring this up? I have been struggling with relationships quite alot this semester. Specifically the romantic type. I feel that it is important to know what a healthy relationship looks like, and each person's role in that relationship.
The man should be the head of the relationship, but not an opressive head. He should love the woman as Christ loves the church- enough to die for her. He should be protective and supportive. He should encourage her when she feels overwhelmed or depressed. He should show his affection by not putting her down with words, but by building her up with everything he says. He should be motivated to provide for the woman. He should excell in school or work and show that he is able to hold responsibility. He should listen to and consider the woman's opinion before he makes a decision. He should not try to manipulate the woman, but he should be completely honest with her. He should take his responsibility as head of the household seriously.
The woman should be submissive to the man, but not in a slavish or oppressed way. She should look to the man to provide for her needs and to protect her. She should care for the man and make life easier for him by taking care of the tasks of daily living. She should encourage him in everything he does, and support him in his decisions. She should build him up with everything she says, and show affection through her words and actions. She should not try to tear him down trough sacastic and malicious words and actions. She should not attempt to manipulate him, but be honest in everything she does. She should provide emotional support. She should listen to his cares and worries, and respond with love and encouragement.
Both the man and the woman should have a healthy understanding of their relationship with God- they should not be unequally yoked. Christ should be the center of the relationship, so that they can grow in faith togeather and not be trying to pull each other away from the church.
At the beginning of the semester I had the choice between two guys. I said yes to the wrong one. The guy I've been dating meets almost none of the above criteria. I broke up with him this weekend because he ridicules everything I do, he tries to convince me to skip class, he pulls me away from my friends, he is failing out of school, and he blames me for everything that goes wrong in his life, even if it has nothing to do with me. I'm still friends with the other guy, we usually eat breakfast togeather. (My boyfriend was too lazy to wake up that early, but he was always invited) The other guy treats me the way my own boyfriend should have been treating me. He is genuinely concerned about how I'm doing. He always says positive things that build me up. He is highly motivated an is a very high achiever. He encourages me in my classes and activities. I doubt that he will ask me out again because I blew it the first time. But looking back I can see I made the wrong choice. However, this experience has taught me what to look for in a guy. Hopefully I will not make the same mistake twice. God has a plan, and he has someone out there for me. All I can do is trust in God to provide for me and to guide me through these tough relationships.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Food
I can now say that I am a true college kid: I will do almost anything for free food. I will attend informational meetings about groups on campus, or even join clubs that meet over the lunch break if food is offered. In fact, I will even listen to Baptist preaching for a quick bite of lunch. It's really a matter of convenience. On Thursdays I simply don't have time to run 15 minutes to the cafeteria, wait in line, eat, and get back in time for my next class. However, I do have time to run three minutes to the Baptist Student Union, pay two dollars for a home cooked meal, and listen to a speaker while I eat.
This is a very clever tactic that the Baptists use to draw in students such as myself. We get food, and at the same time we get to find out how to live our lives more like Jesus. We hear all about how God wants to give us His power in our lives, and He will give us His power if we just do our part. We learn all about how great our lives will be if we just allow God's power to enter our hearts. Jesus usually gets honorable mention, if that. It's a bit depressing to listen to, but the food is really good...
There is also a Lutheran Student Fellowship on campus. Of course it's very small, maybe seven or eight people, but we meet every Monday night. Pizza is included of course. The Lutheran pastor here is very mission minded. Church, Sunday school, and Monday night... meetings, are very focused on making the church more inviting, accessible, dare I say relevant. I can't call what we do on Monday night a bible study, since we never open a bible, and we don't discuss theological topics. We use a Methodist program that discusses issues more 'relevant' than God's word. Our first study was about whether gambling is bad and whether the church should accept money from gambling. The second one was about how to make people with disabilities more comfortable at church. These are interesting topics to ponder, but our pondering never leads to God's word. Jesus doesn't even make honorable mention in these studies.
Last night a friend invited me to a Reformed University Fellowship bible study. They are a group of reformed Presbyterians and Baptists, more conservative than their mainstream counterparts. My friend told me they would sing some praise songs and then do a lecture style bible study. Based on afore mentioned experience, I wasn't expecting much. But it was something to do, so I decided to go see what they were all about.
It was true that they did sing songs with a guitar and a beat, but I was very surprised at the songs they choose. They were hymns, same words, same tunes, songs that can be found in LSB. They syncopated the beat and added a guitar, but otherwise nothing was changed. That was surprising, but after the songs was the message, and I settled in, ready for half an hour of headache. The study opened with a prayer, and again I was surprised. There were no "I just want to... (fill in the verb) Lord" phrases. The prayer could have easily fit into a Lutheran church! We prayed that the Holy Spirit would reveal God in His word, and that He would bless the study and make it fruitful. No verbs for us!
Then the leader, Ben, handed out sheets with a reading from Mark. I was surprised again, this study was actually bible based! As Ben started teaching the lesson I could feel my eyes bugging out. My jaw must have been close to the floor. A quick summary of the lesson: We are all sinful and our sin is the only thing that seperates us from God, but Jesus came to forgive that sin and restore our relationship. Time and time again the people try to figure out what they can do to get rid of their own sin, but Jesus continues to turn their world upside down by showing that all their good works amout to nothing. Without Jesus' forgiveness they are left dead and so are we.
It was amazing! I listened closely for the punch line, for Ben to say 'now here's what you need to do, here's why Jesus isn't enough." It never happened. The study was far more biblical and in line with Lutheran teaching than anything I've heard from the Lutheran church in town!
The situation is ironic: the Lutherans here are so worried about being relevant that they have ditched God's word, focusing on what we do rather than what Jesus does. They do this out of a sincere desire to grow the church (the pastor has said as much). So far the pastor has brought in five or six kids. The Reformed Presbyteriean group is focused on God's word and Jesus' saving work for us. Ben was not saying good church growing things- he was telling us how sinful we are an how we can't do anything about it. There were at least thirty or forty kids in that room.
Forget the numbers- Give us the Word, that's the food we really need.
This is a very clever tactic that the Baptists use to draw in students such as myself. We get food, and at the same time we get to find out how to live our lives more like Jesus. We hear all about how God wants to give us His power in our lives, and He will give us His power if we just do our part. We learn all about how great our lives will be if we just allow God's power to enter our hearts. Jesus usually gets honorable mention, if that. It's a bit depressing to listen to, but the food is really good...
There is also a Lutheran Student Fellowship on campus. Of course it's very small, maybe seven or eight people, but we meet every Monday night. Pizza is included of course. The Lutheran pastor here is very mission minded. Church, Sunday school, and Monday night... meetings, are very focused on making the church more inviting, accessible, dare I say relevant. I can't call what we do on Monday night a bible study, since we never open a bible, and we don't discuss theological topics. We use a Methodist program that discusses issues more 'relevant' than God's word. Our first study was about whether gambling is bad and whether the church should accept money from gambling. The second one was about how to make people with disabilities more comfortable at church. These are interesting topics to ponder, but our pondering never leads to God's word. Jesus doesn't even make honorable mention in these studies.
Last night a friend invited me to a Reformed University Fellowship bible study. They are a group of reformed Presbyterians and Baptists, more conservative than their mainstream counterparts. My friend told me they would sing some praise songs and then do a lecture style bible study. Based on afore mentioned experience, I wasn't expecting much. But it was something to do, so I decided to go see what they were all about.
It was true that they did sing songs with a guitar and a beat, but I was very surprised at the songs they choose. They were hymns, same words, same tunes, songs that can be found in LSB. They syncopated the beat and added a guitar, but otherwise nothing was changed. That was surprising, but after the songs was the message, and I settled in, ready for half an hour of headache. The study opened with a prayer, and again I was surprised. There were no "I just want to... (fill in the verb) Lord" phrases. The prayer could have easily fit into a Lutheran church! We prayed that the Holy Spirit would reveal God in His word, and that He would bless the study and make it fruitful. No verbs for us!
Then the leader, Ben, handed out sheets with a reading from Mark. I was surprised again, this study was actually bible based! As Ben started teaching the lesson I could feel my eyes bugging out. My jaw must have been close to the floor. A quick summary of the lesson: We are all sinful and our sin is the only thing that seperates us from God, but Jesus came to forgive that sin and restore our relationship. Time and time again the people try to figure out what they can do to get rid of their own sin, but Jesus continues to turn their world upside down by showing that all their good works amout to nothing. Without Jesus' forgiveness they are left dead and so are we.
It was amazing! I listened closely for the punch line, for Ben to say 'now here's what you need to do, here's why Jesus isn't enough." It never happened. The study was far more biblical and in line with Lutheran teaching than anything I've heard from the Lutheran church in town!
The situation is ironic: the Lutherans here are so worried about being relevant that they have ditched God's word, focusing on what we do rather than what Jesus does. They do this out of a sincere desire to grow the church (the pastor has said as much). So far the pastor has brought in five or six kids. The Reformed Presbyteriean group is focused on God's word and Jesus' saving work for us. Ben was not saying good church growing things- he was telling us how sinful we are an how we can't do anything about it. There were at least thirty or forty kids in that room.
Forget the numbers- Give us the Word, that's the food we really need.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
A Time for Prayer
School has definitely started. I've gotten through two weeks of classes, meet-and-greets, and orientations. Things have been extremely busy, and to complicate matters even more, I got a nasty virus last week. I don't expect the pace to slow down much. Soon there will be papers due, club functions, and all manner of busy college life to keep up with.
It is interesting to note that, with seemingly fewer and fewer hours in every day, my sinful human nature is quick to cut prayer out first. My daily devotions, which had become a habit over the summer, have been the first things to get shortened or skipped altogether. "Real life" keeps getting in the way! For example, I have made a commitment to exercise for half an hour every day. No one is making me do this, I am doing it on my own because I know it will give me great health benefits. However, when it comes to God's word, which delivers greater benefits than any amount of exercise, half an hour seems unreasonable. I weasel it down to 15 minutes if that. My old adam refuses to make time to be daily drowned in God's word!
Fortunately God is gracious, and so far He hasn't fried me to a crisp for ignoring Him. Instead He keeps calling me to repentance and offering his forgiveness. Fortunately He will not send me to Hell for going out for some late night ice cream instead of saying my prayers. Thank God that my salvation does not depend on how much I pray. Rather, prayer is a gift of faith receiving the promises of God. The question then is why would I refuse the gift of prayer?
It is interesting to note that, with seemingly fewer and fewer hours in every day, my sinful human nature is quick to cut prayer out first. My daily devotions, which had become a habit over the summer, have been the first things to get shortened or skipped altogether. "Real life" keeps getting in the way! For example, I have made a commitment to exercise for half an hour every day. No one is making me do this, I am doing it on my own because I know it will give me great health benefits. However, when it comes to God's word, which delivers greater benefits than any amount of exercise, half an hour seems unreasonable. I weasel it down to 15 minutes if that. My old adam refuses to make time to be daily drowned in God's word!
Fortunately God is gracious, and so far He hasn't fried me to a crisp for ignoring Him. Instead He keeps calling me to repentance and offering his forgiveness. Fortunately He will not send me to Hell for going out for some late night ice cream instead of saying my prayers. Thank God that my salvation does not depend on how much I pray. Rather, prayer is a gift of faith receiving the promises of God. The question then is why would I refuse the gift of prayer?
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Harder Than I Thought...
Well, I'm all moved in, unpacked, and on my own. My room is all set up, I've bought my books, met my roommates, and taken care of countless details that are apparently essential to college life. My dorm is arranged suite style. There are three rooms in a suite, with a common living room and bathroom. This means that I have 1 roommate who I actually share this shoebox with, and share very close quarters with 4 other girls.
I was very relieved to find that we all get along very well, everyone is nice and willing to work together to make this a pleasant place to live. After we had lived here for approximately two hours we got in our pajamas and sat around for a little girl talk. The subject of religion come up almost immediately. (Interestingly, I was not the one who brought it up.) I listened patiently as these girls laid forth their immensely confused ideas about God and Christianity.
My roommate is a good faithful Christian. She knows she has faith of course, because she has had enough experiences that prove it... She thinks. She doesn't want to read anything on the subject of theology, becuase she's afraid that it will make her question her faith. If she ever has a doubt about her faith, she must not really be saved, right?
Another girl grew up in a non-Christian home. He mom is a member of some strange form of mysticsm. This girl had to find Christianity for herself. I can't remember what the name of her church is, but it broke off from the Mormons in the early 1900s. She explained that the bible and the book of Mormon have equal validity. She then proceeded to tell what a great prophet Joseph Smith was, and she recounted the tale of how he formed Mormonism. Of course, neither the book of Mormon or the bible can be taken literally. Take the feeding of the 5000 for example. God didn't actually create more fish and bread. Its just that everyone there had their own food, but they were afraid to eat it because they thought they would have to share. As soon as the little boy showed he was willing to share, everyone got out their own food and they had a great time.
Another girl is just a good Methodist. Wait no, Baptist. Wait, she's not really sure which one she wants to be. She has no idea what her church teaches, but it doesn't really matter, as long as we all love Jesus right? I asked her if the term Bapti-Methocostalism offended her. She thought it was really funny, since she's not really sure what the differences are.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't know you could pack so much confusion into one room! As I listened I tried to counter these crazy ideas with the true teachings of the word of God. I didn't want to be too antagonistic, at least not on the first night. But I also didn't want to comprimise what I believe, or say that's just what's right for me. By the time we went off to our respective rooms I was quite shell shoked. What can I say to these people? Obviously if I say anything, I will have to take a stand on a very unpopular view. I will have to posit that my view is the only correct one: That we are sinners, and that Jesus Christ died and rose for us to take away our sin. That there is only one way to heaven. That the bible is the inspired word of God. That faith does not rest on any kind of feeling. And that there is an absolute truth.
I'm afraid of what will happen when I start proclaiming the truth. Last night I realized that it is so much easier to just nod along and get along. But affirming these girls in their error will not clear any confusion, it will only cause them to sink deeper. I can only trust in God to guide me and keep me firm as I live here and interact with these people. I also thank God that, even though I will inevitably mumble, speak badly, and butcher my words, He will work through me to do His will. This is going to be harder than I thought.
I was very relieved to find that we all get along very well, everyone is nice and willing to work together to make this a pleasant place to live. After we had lived here for approximately two hours we got in our pajamas and sat around for a little girl talk. The subject of religion come up almost immediately. (Interestingly, I was not the one who brought it up.) I listened patiently as these girls laid forth their immensely confused ideas about God and Christianity.
My roommate is a good faithful Christian. She knows she has faith of course, because she has had enough experiences that prove it... She thinks. She doesn't want to read anything on the subject of theology, becuase she's afraid that it will make her question her faith. If she ever has a doubt about her faith, she must not really be saved, right?
Another girl grew up in a non-Christian home. He mom is a member of some strange form of mysticsm. This girl had to find Christianity for herself. I can't remember what the name of her church is, but it broke off from the Mormons in the early 1900s. She explained that the bible and the book of Mormon have equal validity. She then proceeded to tell what a great prophet Joseph Smith was, and she recounted the tale of how he formed Mormonism. Of course, neither the book of Mormon or the bible can be taken literally. Take the feeding of the 5000 for example. God didn't actually create more fish and bread. Its just that everyone there had their own food, but they were afraid to eat it because they thought they would have to share. As soon as the little boy showed he was willing to share, everyone got out their own food and they had a great time.
Another girl is just a good Methodist. Wait no, Baptist. Wait, she's not really sure which one she wants to be. She has no idea what her church teaches, but it doesn't really matter, as long as we all love Jesus right? I asked her if the term Bapti-Methocostalism offended her. She thought it was really funny, since she's not really sure what the differences are.
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I didn't know you could pack so much confusion into one room! As I listened I tried to counter these crazy ideas with the true teachings of the word of God. I didn't want to be too antagonistic, at least not on the first night. But I also didn't want to comprimise what I believe, or say that's just what's right for me. By the time we went off to our respective rooms I was quite shell shoked. What can I say to these people? Obviously if I say anything, I will have to take a stand on a very unpopular view. I will have to posit that my view is the only correct one: That we are sinners, and that Jesus Christ died and rose for us to take away our sin. That there is only one way to heaven. That the bible is the inspired word of God. That faith does not rest on any kind of feeling. And that there is an absolute truth.
I'm afraid of what will happen when I start proclaiming the truth. Last night I realized that it is so much easier to just nod along and get along. But affirming these girls in their error will not clear any confusion, it will only cause them to sink deeper. I can only trust in God to guide me and keep me firm as I live here and interact with these people. I also thank God that, even though I will inevitably mumble, speak badly, and butcher my words, He will work through me to do His will. This is going to be harder than I thought.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
In a Lost Crowd
A word about where I am and where I'm going. My dad graduated from Ft. Wayne Seminary four years ago. He got his call to a very small congregation in the deep deep south. I've come to realize why the congregation is so small, and why this is actually the norm in this state. There are no Lutherans down here!
Imagine the culture shock, leaving an almost entirely Lutheran community, and moving to a wilderness of Bapti-Methocostals! My high school was grades 10-12, and had about 1500 students. A very large school by any standards. My sophomore and junior years, I was one of only two Lutherans at the entire school. My senior year the number picked up to one of six. Six out of 1500. Now there may have been other students who called themselves Lutheran, but since they do not regularly attend any of the churches in the area they don't count in my statistic.
Not only that. I was amazed to find that very few of my fellow students knew anything about Lutherans. I was quite regularly bombarded with questions like: "Lutherans, aren't you guys a cult?" "Are you even Christian?" "Don't you worship Satan?" "You guys aren't much different from Baptists are you?" It was mind blowing how uninformed these people were! And I'm pretty sure that everyone is required to study the Lutheran Reformation in World History!
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by the false doctrine pressing all around me. Outside of my small church community, no one shares the beliefs that are so fundamental to my entire life. I'm sure this will continue on into college. In fact, I'm told it will probably get worse. However, unlike most of the kids who are getting ready to set out on their own in a matter of days or weeks, I have a defense against the relativism of the college campus. I have God's word as an anchor of absolute truth, and as a shield to protect me from the attacks of the world and of Satan. Though I am vastly outnumbered, God is with me, and He will guide me through this wilderness.
Imagine the culture shock, leaving an almost entirely Lutheran community, and moving to a wilderness of Bapti-Methocostals! My high school was grades 10-12, and had about 1500 students. A very large school by any standards. My sophomore and junior years, I was one of only two Lutherans at the entire school. My senior year the number picked up to one of six. Six out of 1500. Now there may have been other students who called themselves Lutheran, but since they do not regularly attend any of the churches in the area they don't count in my statistic.
Not only that. I was amazed to find that very few of my fellow students knew anything about Lutherans. I was quite regularly bombarded with questions like: "Lutherans, aren't you guys a cult?" "Are you even Christian?" "Don't you worship Satan?" "You guys aren't much different from Baptists are you?" It was mind blowing how uninformed these people were! And I'm pretty sure that everyone is required to study the Lutheran Reformation in World History!
Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed by the false doctrine pressing all around me. Outside of my small church community, no one shares the beliefs that are so fundamental to my entire life. I'm sure this will continue on into college. In fact, I'm told it will probably get worse. However, unlike most of the kids who are getting ready to set out on their own in a matter of days or weeks, I have a defense against the relativism of the college campus. I have God's word as an anchor of absolute truth, and as a shield to protect me from the attacks of the world and of Satan. Though I am vastly outnumbered, God is with me, and He will guide me through this wilderness.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Waking Up
Well, It's finally time to face the facts. My childhood is nearly over. I'll be leaving for college in 10 days, and finally enter the world of the grown-ups.
For the past 18 years I have lived in a cocoon of love and support. My family has nurtured me, and sheltered me from the harsh realities of the world. My parents are strong Christians, who have provided a safe haven to nurture my faith in God, and to let the Word grow my faith and my understanding. They have brought me up in the Lutheran Church, teaching me according to the Lutheran confessions.
Over the years I've learned many lessons. Don't touch a hot stove, play nice with others, work hard in everything you do. I've learned to save rather than spend impulsively. I've learned how to study and rejoice in knowledge. I've learned the importance of God and His Word, of Jesus Christ and His saving work, and of the Holy Spirit who works faith. Now it is time to take these lessons with me as I enter the secular college campus.
I feel that in many respects, I am nearly an adult. I can drive, get a job, and balance a checkbook. However, though my faith is growing, it will continue to need support and a strong guiding hand. I will never be able to launch out and support my faith on my own. I can never take my salvation into my own hands and expect to hold onto it. For that I must rely on God. If I ever leave the church or the Word, my faith will be lost. Therefore, though the world sees me as an adult, God willing, my faith will remain like that of a little child. Trusting in God for all things for body and soul.
For the past 18 years I have lived in a cocoon of love and support. My family has nurtured me, and sheltered me from the harsh realities of the world. My parents are strong Christians, who have provided a safe haven to nurture my faith in God, and to let the Word grow my faith and my understanding. They have brought me up in the Lutheran Church, teaching me according to the Lutheran confessions.
Over the years I've learned many lessons. Don't touch a hot stove, play nice with others, work hard in everything you do. I've learned to save rather than spend impulsively. I've learned how to study and rejoice in knowledge. I've learned the importance of God and His Word, of Jesus Christ and His saving work, and of the Holy Spirit who works faith. Now it is time to take these lessons with me as I enter the secular college campus.
I feel that in many respects, I am nearly an adult. I can drive, get a job, and balance a checkbook. However, though my faith is growing, it will continue to need support and a strong guiding hand. I will never be able to launch out and support my faith on my own. I can never take my salvation into my own hands and expect to hold onto it. For that I must rely on God. If I ever leave the church or the Word, my faith will be lost. Therefore, though the world sees me as an adult, God willing, my faith will remain like that of a little child. Trusting in God for all things for body and soul.
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