JULY EDITION... (2017)

I. Month of Freedom... July

    July is the month of "summer vitality" as the poets call it.  Crops are growing in the field, families are vacationing, and people are generally enjoying the summer with no school for the children.  But as a nation, it is time for us to celebrate the 4th of July.  It has been noted in many ways, but it is celebrated with the date, July 4, 1776, when the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the thirteen colonies broke their colonial relationship with Great Britain.   Later, after the American Revolution,  it would note the inauguration of George Washington as our first President, which some have said we acknowledge as America our "Our American Birthright."

II. THE CHURCH'S JOURNEY ... THE REFORMED TRADITION...

   We have have been talking about the journey of the Church in a rather limited but informational framework.  Since we are in the west, we tend to see it from our own perspective of "denominations," and this is the path we have taken.  We have reflected on the Roman Catholic tradition, the Lutheran Church as documenting the Protestant Reformation, and now we will see the ripples of Luther's writings and commentary, produce yet another version of the Reformation.

    Church historians look to Ulrich Zwingli and John Calvin as the founders and leaders of the Reformed Movement within the Protestant Reformation.  Ulrich Zwingli (1484-1531) was born in Switzerland.  He graduated from the University of Vienna and the University of Basel.  He was interested in classic languages, music, and theology.  In 1506 he graduated with a Masters degree and entered the priesthood the same year. Eventually he will become a Chaplin in the Swiss Guard who were assigned to the Pope and the Papal Court.  The politics of this religio-military unit proved too much for Ulrich, since they were at this point, rented out to other monarchs of Europe.  Being disillusioned by such actions, Ulrich denounced the Pope and became ever increasingly critical of the church.
    By 1519 he was reassigned as the parish priest in Zurich, Switzerland.  Technically, the government of Switzerland at this time was called, "The League of Upper Germany."  There were by this period, thirteen Cantons or states in this confederation.
    While Ulrich was in Zurich, he observed the selling of indulgences and denounced the practice.  Interestingly, with his influence, he encouraged the government to stop the sale.  At some time in this period, he hears and reads the works and writings of Luther.  Consequently, he became more outspoken in such areas as fasting, private confession, monasticism, and boldly rejects celibacy.  He became obsessed with influences on the laity by the church.  He therefore, denounces the use of images, and pictures and is opposed to the use of instruments in worship.  He continued to broaden and extend his influence and the government supported his various moves.  Through the government he furthermore was able to take action by the removal of all pictures, statutes, candles and organs.  Altars were removed in the churches with their ornamental structures and replaced by a simple table, to be used as the Lord's Table.  He ordered the bones of the "saints" to be buried and changed the use of communion by permitting the congregants to partake in "both kinds"; meaning the bread and the cup. Scripture was translated into the language of the common people.  These ideas, being spread governmentally, were seen as a more official activity of the church as it combined its interest with the state. Therefore, they were spread into other Cantons in  Switzerland and southern Germany.
    By 1530, Charles V, monarch of the Holy Roman Empire, orders these reformers to present a document presenting their "beliefs."  Zwingli and a board of scholars responded with what was called the "Confessio Tetrapolitana" or a defense in three parts.
    As the Protestant Reformation progressed, its leaders among Luther and Zwingli brought about a strident number of differences.  Here are listing of a few of these differences:
1. Zwingli would use government to enact reforms, while Luther, seeing the state as a legitimate force, felt the propagation of ideas would bring reform through reason.
2. Zwingli felt the church should be active in political affairs as he will illustrate by eventually dying while leading an army against catholic forces.  Luther on the other hand, was not active in politics or government.
3. Their major difference was in the area of a "Sacramental Controversy."  Zwingli saw the Lord's Supper as simply "symbolic" in its significance, while Luther and his followers produced the now noted "Consubstantiation," that stated the Lord was present in, under, and with the elements of communion or the Lord's Supper.

John Calvin: (Jean Cauvin)- (1509-1564)-  The other noted figure of  the reformed movement of the Protestant Reformation was John Calvin.  He was born in Paris and his father was a secretary to one of the Bishops of the Roman Church.  At age twelve John received a "benefice" or a grant to further his education, eventually being obligated to enter the priesthood.  The chronology of his life seems to move quickly at this point.  In 1523 he enter the University of Paris to enter the priesthood. In 1528 he changes his major to study law with a decided propensity to argue positions and the validity of these positions.  In 1533  a new Rector by the name of Nicholas Cop came to the university.  As was customary at this time, gifted students helped the Rector in his inauguration speech.  Calvin fills this speech at a Catholic University, with "reformation ideas" especially the concept of "grace."  This would not do for the standing of the university. Due to this controversy Calvin leaves in 1534.  By 1535 he is drawn to Basel, Switzerland a hotbed of reformation communities.  Here he is influenced by Luther's ideas and writings. In 1536 he writes his first version of the now famous, Institutes of the Christian Religion.  It will later be revised in 1556 and 1559.
    Without too much detail, this work was defined in four areas: God the Father, God the Redeemer, God the Holy Spirit, the Church.  Generally speaking, Calvin will view the gospels as a set of laws and actively proclaim a lack of distinction between the Old and New Covenants.  Man is "totally depraved" said Calvin, and he can do nothing to respond to God's grace.  Faith must be put "in him" and that response by faith is known as "election" according to John Calvin.
     By 1536 Calvin leaves Basel and moves to Geneva in the Canton of Vaud.  Between the years 1538 and 1541 Calvin will travel to Strasbourg, serve as a pastor to a congregation and returns to Geneva when the government becomes more lenient.  With his now noted reformation writings and ideas he is asked to specifically lead in the reformation government in Geneva. As a leader, Calvin will compose a series of laws to regulate the church by 1541.  These "Ecclesiastical Ordinances" as he called them, divided Geneva in twelve parts, one for each Elder which were to visit, as shepherds, each family in their area at least once a year.  The twelve Elders plus the pastors made up the "Consistory" of the church.
     By 1549 the western and eastern reformers merged in Switzerland with a concept of proper "propagation" of this Reformed version of the reformation.  Calvin believed profoundly that the ministers of the reformed movement should have a "formal" education.  To this end he will establish in Geneva the Genevan  Academy.  Here the curriculum consisted of Classical Languages, French, Logic, Theology, and Philosophy.  Accordingly then, the reformation faith of Calvin, distinguished by the concept of "Predestination" went forth and spread. The Reformed Church then spread into southern Germany and became the German Reformed Church, to the east into Bohemia and Hungary they became known as the Hungarian Reformed Church, and into France as groups began to title themselves as Huguenots.  In the Netherlands these Reformed Churches took the title of Dutch Reformed Churches.
John Knox a noted reform leader would leave Geneva and move to Scotland where he founded the Presbyterian Churches, with a reformed tradition.  All of these churches of the Reformed tradition will establish nuances of the theology of Predestination and Election as noted by Calvin and later leaders in this denominational tradition.

III. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... A Liberation Sermon for the 4th...

Title: Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom-

Text: II Corinthians 3: 17

Introduction: We tend as Americans to think of liberty and liberation as a series of political movements.  That may be a narrow perspective, but the foundation of true liberation comes from the soul being set free from sin and its consequences. John will declare, "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (Jn. 8:36) So let us consider this "Liberty" as King James puts it, or Freedom in other translations.  

I. A Declaration of It's Source-  Paul as an inspired Apostle was careful with his theology.  He believed in the full Godship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and their place in the life of the believer. Here he boldly proclaims, "Now the Lord is the Spirit..."  In other words, the Holy Spirit as it works and does its important function of conviction, correction and sealing us in our salvation produces power is God. Theologians throughout history have attempted to give to the Godhead certain characteristics.  These of course, fall short of explaining the work and natural presence of God in the world and in the universe. God just is...and the Holy Spirit as Lord is... beyond definition. We see its result and effect by looking through spiritual eyes.  Thus our praise and thanksgiving.

II. A Durability of It's Quality-  With the Holy Spirit coming into the world with power on the day of Pentecost and the birth of the Church, new horizons are and have been present for two thousand years. One of the most durable truths and realities of this eternal "liberation" of man from sin is through Christ's death, burial and resurrection which is the certified true "Freedom."   Illust: My mother use to tell the story of the ecstasy of relief at the end of WWII.  We see it in old black and white newsreels today, the famous kissing of the sailor and nurse in Time Square and so on.  But my mother said this was such a relief for the whole country that words could not express it.  The men and women would be returning, death on a  wholesale level would end.  Although this was temporary, our freedom and liberation from sin is eternal because of Christ.  We see great dividends in the lives of people every day.  This liberation or liberty of the soul is grand and glorious and has eternal consequences.

...We have been set free from A. The Penalty of Sin...
B. The Curse of Sin...
C. The Power of Sin...
... We have been Freed to... A. Serve the Lord in Freedom...
B. Share the Gospel in Love...
C. Free Ourselves from Ourselves... because He is Lord and we are His servants in Freedom.
WHY?  "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."

IV. QUOTE FOR FREEDOM... RELYING ON GOD...

        A Prayer for the United States of America... (by Peter Marshall(1902-1949) Former Chaplin of the Congress of the United States.

God our Father, we pray that the people of America, who have made such progress in material things, may now seek to grow in spiritual understanding.  For we have improved means, but have not improved ends.  We have better ways of getting there, but we have no better places to go.  We can save more time, but are not making any better use of the time we save. 

We need Thy help to do something about the world's true problems--- the problem of lying, which is called propaganda; the problem of selfishness, which is called self-interest; the problem of greed, which is often called profit; the problem of license, disguising itself as liberty; the problem of lust, masquerading as love; the problem of materialism, the hook which is baited with security.

Hear our prayers, O Lord, for the spiritual understanding which is better than political wisdom, that we may see our problems for what they are.  This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

JUNE EDITION... WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE...

                                                    by Dr. Keith J. Wise

INTRODUCTION: June is the month of Father's Day, Flag Day and historically the month of weddings and graduations.  We won't cover all these in this issue but will attempt to give some interesting trivia on Father's Day and Flag Day. We will continue some insights into Church History and some apologetic material to help you "give an answer to those who ask." The sermon outline will enhance the preaching and teaching for individuals who choose to use them. As we enter a busy month of planting, nurturing and anticipation of the harvest, may God bless us.  This cycle is not only applicable to the physical world but also to the spiritual world. Introspection is always welcome at this juncture.What is the seed in your hand? What are you doing in daily life to enhance your future harvest and ultimately, eternity?  The intention of this blog is to help you to understand your impact as an individual Christian in light of the fleeting days of your life.. Beloved, make every day count for the Lord..."work for the night is coming, when men work no more."

DIGGING DEEPER... Some Insights to Church History...(Denominations)

This Post provides some overviews to Church history. It is an intentional desire to foster understanding of how we have arrived at this current stance in the western Church.  Please understand, the church in the world is much larger and  equally significant as the church which exists in the United States or Europe.  The imperative then, is to look at major developments and consider their impact on both of these facets of the Church universal. This blog has  briefly covered the rise of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox tradition in light of their varied views.  Now  consideration will be given to the historical context in which the Lutheran Church  emerges from the larger study of the Protestant Reformation.  Long before the 16th century, there were already anti-clerical and anti-organized church protests.  These forms of protest centered around church doctrines that had transmuted themselves from the simplicity of the New Testament teaching, and the corruption of the clergy(or church government).  

    Historians and theologians have focused their activity on the 16th century in several movements designated as the Protestant Reformation. This has been primarily noted and documented in the life and impact of German friar and scholar Martin Luther. (1483-1546)  Furthermore, a new dynamic of "new technologies" will spread and energize ideas of the Reformation along with an insatiable hunger for learning.  This phenomina is the scholastic movements of Europe for the common man.

    Martin Luther was born a Roman Catholic. He planned and realized a law career, receiving an A.B. degree in 1502  and a Masters Degree from the University of Erfurt in 1505.  As he returned home from his studies he and his horse traveled through a violent thunder storm. At some point, lightening struck near him and threw him off his horse. For Martin Luther,  this was a monumental event in which he saw a sign from God to preserve and to redirect his life.  This new self evaluation prompts him in 1505 to enter a monastery in the tradition of the Augustinian Order that was considered regular clergy.  Martin Luther became an ordained priest in 1507 and becomes intensely convicted about his sins.  In the Catholic thinking and practice of the time, he fasted often, offered many prayers, and sought to punish his body to abstain from sexual temptation. Wittenberg University was his first appointment where he taught in 1508, In 1510 he was sent to Rome for further teaching and instruction.  While in Rome Luther was shocked by the worldliness and practices of the Roman Church and Papacy.  Luther returned to Germany in 1513 and taught at the University of Erfurt. He later moves on to a vacancy at the University of Wittenberg. Here Luther spent the next decade teaching in particular books of the Bible. During this decade Luther taught the book of Psalms,  the book of Romans, and also the books of Galatians, Hebrews, and Titus.  This is the period in which Martin Luther develops his theology, notably, his profound discovery of Romans 1:17 and Romans 5:1 which he believed taught salvation by Faith alone.  This was a departure from biblical teaching and also came about by his reaction yo the "works" salvation of the Roman Church.

In the flow of significant historical events, other equally significant issues often influence the primary perspective of  a brief study.  During this juncture of Martin Luther's life, a larger series of catalysts emerged which accelerated the development of a profile that would become known as the Protestant Reformation.  First, during this period there was a drive by the Papacy to repair and enlarge St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Archaeologist note that the first building was in A.D. 319.  However, during this period  a larger construction project was started under Pope Julius II (1503-1513) and completed by Pope Leo X (1513-1521). Another considerable influence was the "Black Plague" of the 15th century.  The Roman Church had been in a clergy crisis to fill hierarchical positions in various cities of the Holy Roman Empire. These influences and events come together in our second reason of discord by this following illustration.  Albert of Brandenburg who was the Archbishop of Magdeburg was also the Bishop of Halberstadt; thus holding two offices at once.  This practice of holding two ecclesiastical offices at once was known as "Pluralism."  It was not considered ethical because it tended to corrupt the system of clergy oversight as it was played out in the Roman Church of the day.

In 1514, the Archbishop of Mainz, one of the most prestigious positions to hold in Europe suddenly dies.  In an interesting series of negotiations, Albert of Brandenburg noted above, made it known that he desired this open position as the Archbishop of Mainz.  However, the Pope in the midst of raising money for the new Basilica in Rome told him he would have to "pay" for the office and for the position. Albert suggested 7,000 ducats for the seven sacraments.  The Pope replied that 12,000 ducats was much more appropriate for the twelve Apostles.  They finally reached an agreement for the office of Archbishop of Mainz of 10,000 ducats for the ten commandments of Decalogue.  Albert did not have the monies on hand for the purchase, but was directed to the Papacies primary banking family of the time called the Fuggers.  With permission of the Pope, Albert needed to pay back the loan by selling "Indulgences."  Half of the loan went to help pay toward the building of St. Peter's Basilica and half to repay the Fugger family of Augsburg.  The practice of charging for "Indulgences" had been a minor practice in the Roman Church, but was not considered controversial until this period by its wide and broad use.  An "Indulgence" was the payment of monies for relief of "temporal" sin from Purgatory. Purgatory was the temporary holding place, taught by the Roman Church, for punishment until a person could be released.  An Indulgence "released" the repentent Catholic early because of this donation. The famous "Indulgence Personality" of the day was a priest by the name of Johann Tetzel. He was of the Dominican Order. When Tetzel came to Wittenberg to sell the Indulgences, the people came to Martin Luther to complain.  In October 31, 1517, Luther posted his now famous 95 Theses. In this document he did not directly oppose "Indulgences" but faintly criticized such a practice.  He expressed through this document which he posted on the Wittenberg door, a series of "debatable" practices which he felt needed public exposure. The immediate outcome of this "posting" was to charge Luther as a "Heretic."

In 1518 Luther went on trial in Augsburg under Cardinal Cajetan.  Cajetan after putting Luther under questioning was quoted  saying that "...Luther is irreconcilable to the Church." With all this discussion, numbers of intellectuals within the Roman Church were seeking to find a uniform policy in these controversial matters. Honest scholasticism which had been growing over several centuries stimulated interest in learning and expanding the discussion of ideas. The main vehicle which became a pathway of reaching conclusions in a logical fashion was the model of the debate. In 1519 a famous debate takes place between Johannes von Eck a famous Catholic scholar and Andreas Bodenstein of Karlstadt. This was known as the Debate of Leipzig.  The debate ran from June 27 until July 14 when Luther, who was much more familiar with the language and style of debate, now became the main opponent of  von Eck. Without getting too much into the weeds of this debate, von Eck goaded Luther into saying that the Council of Constance (1414-1418) or the 16th Ecumenical Council  made several decisions that were in error. Among these was the burning at the stake of John Hus the Bohemian protester, an early critic of Roman Catholic teaching and tradition. This debate was won, as history notes, by neither scholar, but aired the new and controversial ideas of Luther.

By 1520, the next year, nothing was still concluded concerning Martin Luther.  Luther on the other hand has become more dynamic in his approach, by the use of publishing his ideas through the new technology of the printing press.  One can not express how important this was to gaining a larger audience of supporters and powerful interests.  He will produce three pamphlets in which he states that the Pope is hiding behind three great walls.  The title of the first pamphlet was Address to the Christian Nobility of the German Nation.  In this pamphlet he enumerates the following three walls which had been confidently expressed by Rome in the debates and his rebuttal as follows: 1.) Spiritual Powers are Greater than Secular Powers- Luther's counter to this position was that governments were of God and punishments should be carried out by these secular powers. 2.) Only the Pope can properly interpret scripture. Luther responded that if that were purely true, only the Pope should speak and no on else.  Furthermore, this will develop into Luther's instruction on the "Priesthood of all believers." 3.) The third wall proclaimed that "only the Pope could call a church council."  Luther retorted that if one looks at Acts 15 and the Council of Jerusalem, it was called by the Elders and Apostles of the Church.

In likely fashion, Luther aggressively makes twenty seven recommendations to the nobility of Germany to reform the church.  He continued his publishing by producing a pamphlet entitled, The Babylonian Captivity of the Church.  He also wrote a third work called, Freedom of the Christian Man. Following these works a Papal Bull was issued by Pope Leo X which set in motion the later excommunication of Luther from the Roman Catholic Church on October 10, 1520.  He is given sixty days to repent.  On December 10, 1520, Luther publicly burns the Papal Bull along with the canon law.  This he did in the presence of the Wittenberg faculty and students.  Leo X formally excommunicates Luther on January 3, 1521.  Later on April 18, 1521 Luther is ordered to appear before the German Diet of Worms by Charles V the Holy Roman Emperor.  Here he will make his great statement of not recanting his positions unless persuaded by argument from scripture. Charles V denounces Luther "as a true and convicted heretic."  As Luther returned to Wittenberg, he was "abducted" by one of the nobility of the German nation, Prince Frederick the Wise, one of Luther's protectors.  Prince Frederick will take him to an obscure castle called the Wartburg.  There Luther will remain from May 1521 to March 1522, devoting himself to translating the Greek New Testament into German.  Another great player in the Lutheran movement by the name of  Phillip Melanchthon, also known as "the quiet reformer," carried on the principles of Luther's reformation into other parts of Europe.  Again, the proliferation of published material informed a hungry population.

DID YOU KNOW... A FATHER'S DAY LEGACY... A DAY FOR DADS

The impact of fathers has been known for centuries.  Traditionally the backbone and pocketbook of families. Healthy fathers are there in times of crisis to support wives and children.  Recent studies over the last ten years has noted the significant contributions of fathers. 

With these thoughts in mind, and having a wonderful father of her own, Mrs. John Bruce of Spokane, Washington, in 1909 proposed to the Ministerial Association of her city that a day be proclaimed on which to honor fathers.  The association liked the idea and suggested June 6, 1910, a Sunday, as the first official Father's Day.

During Woodrow Wilson's term as President, he gave special recognition to the Spokane observance by pressing a button in Washington which unfurled a great American flag to Spokane, flown on that day especially honoring dads. 

in 1911, Chicago began observing Father's Day, and sincerely believed that the idea was original with the "Windy City."  Two years later, Vancouver, Washington never having heard, apparently, of Spokane's observance, began paying an annual tribute to fathers. 

In 1920, President Calvin Coolidge congratulated Harry Meek, president of the Uptown Lions Club of Chicago, for his "original" idea of honoring fathers each year.  Coolidge wrote that such an observance would "create more interesting relationships between fathers and their children and impress upon fathers the full measure of their obligations."

With other cities taking up the idea from time to time, the sentiment for a national Father's Day began to grow.  Twice bills were introduced into Congress, and defeated; but the third time such a bill was successful, and on June 17, 1934, Father's Day was officially proclaimed as a national observance.

Roses remain the appropriate flower for the day except in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, where the dandelion is the Father's Day flower, because "the more it is trampled on, the more it grows."

QUOTES FOR OUR FLAG...

   "Many have laid down their lives for the red, white and blue without thought or hesitation..."

   "When Prussia hurried to the field, and snatched the spear, but left the shield!" (Walter Scott's statement in Marmion:

   "It speaks of equal rights; of the inspiration of free institutions exemplified and vindicated; of liberty under law intelligently conceived and impartially administered..." from What Means This Flag? by Charles Evans Hughes

  "Its a grand old flag its a high flyin flag..." George M. Cohen