Let's be honest - no one really wants to die a martyr's death. But Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller loves to talk about Christian martyrs. Telling about the death of a martyr seems to excite him. I was afraid his new book would be titled Wolfmueller's Book of Martyrs. It's not.
The first chapter of A Martyr's Faith in a Faithless World is called Christians Need Heroes. Going forward with that theme, Pastor Wolfmueller begins each of the book's five sections with a brief account of a famous Christian martyr. He then teaches about faith by explaining an aspect of The Parable of the Sower.
In section one, Pastor Wolfmueller introduces the parable. In the next three sections, corresponding to the first three seeds, he handles the dangers to the Christian faith. The final section tells of the seed that falls on the good ground and the hope of the harvest.
And in teaching the parable, Pastor Wolfmueller manages to include many Biblical accounts and probably every aspect of the Christian faith, including Adam and Eve, Job, Christian vocation, sin, lust, money, and more.
When I read a book like this, I always ask myself, "What do I take with me? What impacted me?"
But this book is profuse with truth, with each chapter containing teachings that I could study and meditate on for hours and days. I especially appreciate the extensive quotations from the Bible, from Luther's Works, and from the Lutheran Confessions.
So, I've chosen one quote from each section to share, and it wasn't easy to choose just one.
1. ...the death of Jesus is the most significant event in the history of the world, and it is the most significant event in the history of your life (and in your death). The cross of Jesus is the most important thing to know, to believe, and to understand. (Page 26)
For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
2. The devil can twist everything you do and say and use it against you. Everything but prayer. (Page 85)
...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:18a
3. We know that there are things that the Lord wants to give us - things such as endurance and character - and the only way to get them is in the school of suffering. (Page 132-133)
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4
4. If you had leprosy on your hand and broke your finger, you wouldn't know. In a similar way, we are so profoundly sinful we don't even know it or feel it. We must be told in the Scriptures. (Page 144)
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
5. There is no secret to spiritual warfare. There is no fast track to Christian maturity. We finish where we start: the kindness of God promised to us in the humble preached Word. (Page 188)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
Thanks, Pastor Wolfmueller.
Two years ago, I watched my first Marvel movie, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. Then my sons took charge. I watched all the old movies and got "caught up" on the story lines. I was able to see Avengers: Infinity War at the theater, and join other Marvel fans in waiting a year for the final movie. Avengers: Endgame hit the theaters in April, and is now available on DVD.
But I'm left asking, "Is that it?"
You see, Endgame is a perfect and a satisfying movie. Loose ends are tied up; story lines are brought together. Past story lines are referenced and revisited. All questions are answered.
But now it's over. There's no looking forward to future movies or contemplating the "something greater" still to come.
That's the way of satisfaction in this world. Satisfaction doesn't last, which leaves us constantly wanting more and always moving "on to the next thing."
And I think about the Christian life. Similar to waiting a year to see Endgame, my Christian life is a waiting - a waiting for Jesus to return, to fulfill His promise.
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3
Amen, come Lord Jesus.
But then what?
As I think about satisfaction, perfection, and wanting more, C.S. Lewis's The Last Battle comes to mind.
The Last Battle is the final book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, stories that place the Christian narrative in the mythical world of Narnia. The Last Battle is Narnia's take on the book of Revelation. And as the characters are taken into eternity, Lewis talks about them going further up and further in - always, always more. And I love this quote:
But for them
it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this
world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the
title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great
Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which
every chapter is better than the one before.
C.S. Lewis,
The Last Battle
With that paragraph, Lewis nails it. Jesus's second coming, as anticipated and as glorious as it will be, is only the beginning of the real story. And it's hard to imagine it or to comprehend it. I can only read:
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Revelation 21:22–23
...so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:17b
I've been thinking about this quote:
Certain
new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of
Christian theology which can really be proved. G. K. Chesterton
In other words, Chesterton is saying that, contrary to what some people may argue, by nature all men sin, and the universality of sin is easily proven.
We see evil every day - lying, cheating, and stealing. Sadly, sometimes sin occurs in a horrific manner; the recent mass shootings come to mind.
And the news reports about any violent incident always include talk of injustice, racism, conspiracies, and the like. Bottom line - people know something is wrong with this world.
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:22
The question that follows from Chesterton's quote and from people's complaining is, "What do we do about it?"
Amidst all the arguing, it seems that everyone has an idea of how to fix things. But what they're really saying is, "The world would be better off if it's run the way I think it should be run, if things are done my way."
I'm not against progress or making things better. But, but, but...the arguing, the blaming, the fixing...well, it all reminds me of how we break the First Commandment.
We look around at the world, at the situations, at our lives, and we want the world to run as we think it should. We want to be God. I want to be God. I want to fix things.
And we're all guilty. Chesterton is right, in so many ways, about man's sinfulness.
But the truth is, we can't fix it. I can't fix it.
However, once again, Christianity has the answer. It has the answer to how we respond to the evil we see and what we do with our own guilt.
When we see evil in the world, we recognize it for what it is - a consequence of man's sinfulness. And we look to our God to make things right again.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 103:6
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Jesus brings truth, comfort, and strength to us in this life.
And, for our sins, our guilt, our conscience?
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities...As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Psalm 103:10, 13
Sin is with us; it's not going away. But in Jesus, we have hope for the life to come. So, we confess, we receive forgiveness, we forgive, we love, we pray. And we wait...
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
Have you ever had one of those paper napkins that has a question or conversation starter on it?
I recently got one that said, "You were granted a superpower for today only. What is it?"
Now, with all those superhero movies, you'd think I'd have a great response, or at least a movie-related answer.
During this is time of the year our church readings cover The Parable of the Good Samaritan. And I've heard several good sermons on that passage.
So my immediate thought to "a superpower for today only" was - "I want to be able to love my neighbor as myself."
Okay, that might sound lame and a bit underwhelming. Can't I think of something bigger, such as finding a cure for cancer, solving world hunger, or just making life better for everyone, in some way?
But I'm sinful and selfish, which influences my superpower choice.
In explaining the Ten Commandments, Martin Luther points out what each commandment forbids and what each commandment requires.
For instance, in the commandment not to steal, we're forbidden from taking our neighbor's possessions. But we're required to help our neighbor protect his possessions and income, and even to help him improve them.
And all the "keeping of the commandments" boils down to a "loving of one's neighbor."
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not
murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other
commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor
as yourself.” Romans 13:9
And while "loving one's neighbor" sounds so simple, it's not. It's a heart issue. It's an issue that all Christians struggle with. I go to this passage from Paul again and again:
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate...For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Romans 7:15 and 18
I want to love my neighbor as myself, but I can't. And I'm condemned.
But Jesus. He perfectly loved his neighbor. And along with defeating sin, death, and Satan, and in dying on the cross and then rising again, Jesus conquers it all for me.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:12-13
Jesus laid down his life for His friends.
I may not "save" the world from hunger or disease, but I don't need to. Jesus did and does it all, ultimately.
The only "superpower" I need is one I already have. Faith - faith given by the Super Power.
Each day, my prayer is for a new heart - to grow in faith and in the ability to love other people.
My favorite children's story is The Apple of Contentment by Howard Pyle. The main character, Christine, is a lowly goose girl, and she has an apple tree that always has one apple on it. The apple gives relief from all hunger, thirst, cold, sadness, or whatever is causing uneasiness or displeasure. Everyone wants the apple, but only Christine is able to pick it from the tree. And as soon as one apple is taken, another apple appears in its place.
I'm not sure why, as a child, I liked this story. Perhaps it's because Christine is an underdog, a Cinderella type, who marries the king and lives happily ever after.
But, as an adult, I read this story and I think about contentment.
The reality is - I'm not a content person. I have moments of great joy and peace, like at the birth of each of my sons.
But life is hard, I'm weak, and every day brings struggles, uncertainty, pain, and a sense of wanting. When I look around at others, I have to conclude that being discontent is just part of our nature. Like the characters in the story, we're all reaching for "that apple" and can't get it.
And it all started at the beginning, with Adam and Eve in the garden. They weren't content, and that led to the fall of man into sin. And man has been longing for real contentment ever since.
But, as the story goes, "to want and to get are very different things."
The world believes, and I also believe, that good relationships and friends, status, success, health, and provision will make me happy and give contentment. But even as the sinful me thinks this and lives it, I also recognize that it isn't true, that all those things don't ultimately bring peace. It's a "chasing after the wind."
The truth is, contentment comes from the heart, not from outside circumstances. And it's given to us; we can't "pick it" like an apple or even choose to be content.
Contentment is a God-given treasure. And the more we abide in Him, the more He gives us peace for our souls.
In God alone my soul finds rest; my salvation comes from Him. Psalm 62:1
Contentment comes with real forgiveness of sins. Our God hasn't left us in our sins and misery.
You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me." Isaiah 12:1
Contentment comes when I fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
Who
is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he
should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring
shall inherit the land. Psalm 25:12–13
Contentment comes in loving others as Jesus loves us.
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
And when we fall short, when we sin again, He is there to forgive, to love, and to comfort us.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalm 103:2-5
I just finished Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith. Thinking about my emotions in the context of my Christian faith is a novel idea to me, and a subject that I started considering a few years ago.
My emotional nature is from God and therefore a good gift. But, since I'm a fallen, sinful person, my emotions also reflect that sin nature.
And there's a real tension that goes
on inside of me between the Spirit and my sinful self. My
emotions drive me and can lead me to think and act in ways that aren't
consistent with my faith.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Romans 7:15
I have three take-aways from the book.
First, emotions are not cut-and-dry; they're complicated. All of the circumstances in my life, and all that's going on at the moment - those issues impact how I feel and how I respond to any new situation. And that "tapestry of my life" is ever changing.
Second, my emotions have both positive and negative aspects. I can be righteously angry at an injustice. But, mixed in with that "good" anger, I feel hate, and I justify myself and those feelings. It's complicated.
The book's third and most impactful lesson is the idea of "engaging" my emotions with the Lord. I should take my feelings and emotions to Him, share them with Him, explore them - explore where my sin is and where it isn't in the current situation and in how I feel.
However, this whole idea of "engaging" emotions is a hard thing to wrap one's head around. And talking and thinking about it can seem like mixing psychology with Christianity.
But...as I know and as the book consistently quotes, many of the Psalms, especially David's Psalms, are prayers dealing with emotions.
David takes his fear, his grief, his guilt, and all his emotions to the Lord in prayer.
Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. Psalm 31:9
My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me. Psalm 55:4–5
What I've found is - there's relief and comfort in engaging with the Lord. It's not always easy, as any attempt to expose the sin in my heart is hard and it hurts.
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Psalm 32:5
The gospel is only good news and only shines clearly when placed next to sin and my failure to be perfect, to keep the law.
Come
to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29
Untangling Emotions is a good read, and I'll be reading it and referring to it again.
My son attends a small, conservative Christian college, and he's taking a summer class called Encountering the Bible.
Almost daily, he expresses his displeasure with how the textbook and the instructor are interpreting God's Word.
He's complained about teachings such as:
- Heaven and earth existed before God began His work of creation (that God didn't create them).
- Daniel was written around 150BC (not 530BC) because Daniel couldn't possibly have made accurate, historic predictions.
- Luke didn't believe in the atonement.
Also, some students are saying that the course is causing them to doubt the validity of the Bible.
The class appears to be using the historical-critical method of evaluating and analyzing literature. I call this approach the "text can't mean or be what it claims to be, so let's analyze it" method.
I'm aware of some of the thoughts related to higher criticism. However I find these ideas to be subordinate to how the Bible testifies about itself.
It comes down to, "Can we use our human theories and techniques, our own reasoning, to analyze God's Word?"
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8–9
The Lutheran Confessions (The Formula of Concord) puts it this way:
We cannot harmonize God's revelation with our reason, which we have not been commanded to do anyway.
God's Word isn't like any other literature. In reading it, we have to consider God's character and His intent.
1. God wants to give us and show us His love and mercy; that's His nature.
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15
2. The Bible is all about Jesus; it must be read through that context.
Then he [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Luke 24:44–45
God's Word is powerful. I struggle with it because it always convicts.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
But His Word also comforts.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
And no matter what we may think about using our own theories, logic, and reason, we don't have it all figured out.
Every man is stupid and without knowledge. Jeremiah 51:17a
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
