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• Holy Jesus, Holy You! • True Blood • Two Voiceless Prophets • Fish Don’t Want to be Caught 2 0 1 2 _
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You have a Voice. You can be theirs. Now’s the time to speak. LCMS Life Conference ─ Jan. 25-26 Don’t let another 40 years pass with another 4 million babies aborted. Join us for the LCMS Life Conference, January 25-26, 2013, in the Washington, D.C., area. Learn how to use your voice with a special youth track designed just for you!
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You, your friends, your youth group — get ready to take your stand on this momentous 40-year anniversary of Roe v. Wade. CUW students at 2012 March for Life
Register: www.lcmslifeconference.org #lcmslifeconf www.facebook.com/lcmslife
Contents t a b l e o F
Volume 12/Number 2 • Summer 2012
Special Features 4
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Holy Jesus, Holy You
by rev. Mark buetow Will the real “sanctification” please stand up? Rev. Buetow pinpoints exactly what this theological mouthful-of-a-word is in the Christian life and directs the conversation where it needs to go: toward Christ!
On Being “Simul” New Software on Old Hardware
by rev. William M. Cwirla So what does a cool Latin phrase have in common with 21st century computer technology? If anyone can tie them together, Rev. Cwirla can. And in doing so, he brings clarity to our understanding of the battle between Old Adam and New Man.
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True Blood
by rev. Jeffery W. Grams It seems like every movie season features a new twist on the old vampire story. Well, it turns out that our fascination with the undead might actually be linked to the greatest redemptive story ever. Rev. Grams skillfully connects the dots throughout his article.
10 Lutherans on Facebook
by Jon Kohlmeier Whether you spend hours a day on Facebook or have sworn off ever signing up for an account, you will find something to appreciate in Mr. Kohlmeier’s explanation about service to our neighbor via Facebook. The principles he elaborates on apply to any social interaction we might have.
12 The Emperor’s New Clothes Part One of a Two-Part Series
by barbara S. helmkamp, Ph.d. Although Neo-Darwinism can lend itself to some highly technical lingo, Dr. Helmkamp carefully walks us through the fatal flaws of that theory in this first of a two-part series and shines the light of the Gospel on the discussion as well.
16 Church is Boring
by rev. anthony Voltattorni You caught yourself yawning at church last Sunday. Did you look around and make sure nobody noticed? Were you bored? It might surprise many people in today’s culture to know that the purpose of church isn’t to entertain us. Rev. Voltattorni focuses on what it is about church that is truly music to our ears.
18 Two Voiceless Prophets
by rev. tim lorenz The David and Bathsheba story: adultery, murder, major sinful deeds. There are, however, two players in this Biblical account that you might not have given much thought to before. Rev. Lorenz insightfully shows us how important their roles truly are.
24 Knowing Jesus
by Magdalena teske Do you really know Jesus? How do you know? Miss Teske shares a personal account about that very challenge someone once made to her and how it firmed up what she can confidently say about knowing Our Lord.
Regular Features
Christ on Campus Special 4-Page Section: 20 Connected to Christ at College by Sarah dooms If college is on the horizon for you, it is a wise step to read something from someone who has walked that path already. Miss Dooms eloquently offers great counsel and wisdom for those who are nearing that big step in their lives.
21 Fish Don’t Want to Be Caught
by rev. Philip Young Starting a college ministry in five easy steps! Not! And there’s a reason this is unrealistic. Every campus is different but one thing generally remains the same: Students are not naturally clamoring to be a part of a Christ-focused group. Rev. Young’s own experience provides encouragement to those who are fishers of men on campus.
22 A Fond Farewell from Pastor Marcus Zill 23 Higher Things Farewells to Rev. Marcus Zill and Rev. David Kind 26 Poetry Page 28 Catechism Our Father
by rev. William Cwirla Our Lord desires that we come to Him as children come to their father…with expectancy, eagerness and trust. Rev. Cwirla reminds us of all the comfort we have to gain as he unpacks these first simple but profound words of the Lord’s Prayer.
30 Bible Study Holy Jesus, Holy You
Here is a sample of one of our student Bible studies that links up with Rev. Buetow’s article on P. 4.
HigherThings
®
Volume 12/Number 2/Summer 2012 Bible Studies for these articles can be found at: higherthings.org/ magazine/biblestudies.html Editor
Katie Micilcavage Art Director
Steve BlaKey Editorial Associates
Rev. gReg alMS Rev. Paul BeiSel Rev. BaRt Day Copy Editors
lu FiScheR Dana toMa Bible Study Authors
Rev. MaRK Buetow Rev. John DRoSenDahl Rev. Paul BeiSel Subscriptions Manager
elizaBeth caRlSon IT Staff
Stan leMon Jon KohlMeieR Conference Coordinator
SanDRa oStaPowich ___________
Board of Directors President
Rev. williaM cwiRla Treasurer
chRiS loeMKeR Secretary
Rev. Joel FRitSche Rev. Jonathan FiSK Rev. BRent KuhlMan Sue PellegRini Matt PhilliPS chRiS RoSeBRough ___________
Executive Staff Conferences and Deputy Executive
Rev. geoRge BoRghaRDt Business Executive
connie BRaMMeieR Media Services Executive
Rev. MaRK Buetow Christ on Campus Interim Executive
Rev. ian Pacey
Higher Things® Magazine ISSN 1539-8455 is published quarterly by Higher Things, Inc., PO Box 156, Sheridan, WY 82801. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the executive editor of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2012. Higher Things® and Christ on Campus® are registered trademarks of Higher Things Inc.; All Rights Reserved. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at St. Louis, Missouri. For subscription information and questions, call 1-888-448-2359 or e-mail subscriptions@higherthings. org. (This phone number is only used for subscription queries.) For letters to the editor, write letters@higher things.org. Writers may submit manuscripts to: submissions@higherthings.org. Please check higherthings.org/ magazine/writers.html for writers’ guidelines and theme lists.
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SANC
IFICATION
Holy Jesus, Holy You! By Rev. Mark Buetow
But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NKJV) H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 4
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o you do drugs? Sleep around? Look at porn? Steal stuff? Gossip about others? Treat your parents like dirt? Blow off church? How can you be a Christian and do those things? Or maybe those aren’t your sins. You know people like that but it’s not you. Ah, so it’s pride then? Proud of how well behaved you are? Wonder why those other people can’t make the good choices you do?
So, either you’re in the first group—the hardcore sinners who just live like animals, with no common sense and even a little effort to stop doing stupid things, or else you’re in the second group—the selfrighteous folks who look pretty good outwardly but whose hearts are full of pride and a self-satisfaction about how few sins they think they actually commit. Big theological word alert! SANCTIFICATION. The work of being SANCTIFIED. To SANCTIFY. What’s it mean? The Latin word “sanctus” means “holy.” Okay, we’ll try that. HOLY-FICATION. The work of being HOLY. To HOLY-FY something. Still not getting it? “Holy” means “set apart.” When something is holy, it is set apart by God to be special. Are you special? Or do you just blend in with the worldly crowd that could not care less about what it does or how it looks to God or others? Or do you think you’re holy and special because you live a better life than others? Do you see something wrong yet in this article you’re reading? Here’s what’s wrong: We’re talking about everyone but Jesus! You can’t have sanctification or be sanctified without and apart from Jesus. So watch out! When some people talk about sanctification, they want to make it about you. Usually sanctification is described as “how you live as a Christian” but that’s not it at all! Sanctification is about how Christ lives in you. A church member once accused his pastor and said, “Pastor you never seem to talk to us about good works and how we should be living a good life.” (Incidentally this guy thought he was doing a much better job than some in the congregation.) The pastor replied, “But we don’t do good works. Jesus does them in and through us. ‘For it is not I who live but Christ who lives in me.’ Galatians 2:20.” “But pastor,” he cried, “then you make it sound like Jesus is responsible for your sins, too!”“Exactly!” The pastor smiled, “Now you understand the Gospel and what it is that Jesus has actually done for you!” The point of that little exchange is this: When we talk about the “Christian life” we can’t ever mean anything else by that than Jesus: Jesus who became man. Jesus who took our sins. Jesus who bore our sins to the cross of Calvary to face our punishment. Jesus who suffered, bled and died for our sins. Jesus who descended into hell, who rose from the dead, and left all your sins buried in His tomb forever and ascended to the right hand of the Father and sent the Holy Spirit through His Word. Jesus who washed you at the font, who absolves you week after week and who feeds you with His pure and perfect body and blood and so actually lives in you. The Jesus whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and, yes, our sanctification. Jesus is your “Christian life.”
Okay, well, so what does that look like? Well, first of all, it means you stop doing things to impress the Lord. So many Christians try to live a certain way because they think that it makes God happy. They are the ones who so easily judge others who don’t live such good lives as they do. Because of Jesus, God is already happy with you! Never doubt that! He smiles upon you every minute of your life, forgets your sins and counts whatever else you do as holy and precious. No need to impress God. Repent of ever thinking you can win God over by how you act! But don’t fall off the wagon on the other side! Just living however you want and doing whatever makes you feel good doesn’t help your neighbor. The problem with drugs or porn or anger or gossip or any of that other stuff is that it doesn’t do anyone else any good. In fact, it harms others. It’s selfishness. Repent of thinking only of yourself and treating others like dirt to get what you want! And the key to this daily repentance is found in your Baptism. Remember the Catechism? “The Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires and daily the new man should arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” In other words, as we face temptation, and fall into sin, and struggle with trying to avoid sin, the “Christian life” is lived in Jesus, just as Jesus lives in you. It looks like this: You go and receive forgiveness for your sins over and over. Daily you make the sign of the holy cross and remember your Baptism into Christ. You hear your pastor tell you your sins are forgiven. You hear Christ’s Word and preaching about what He’s done for you. You feast upon His Body and Blood which forgive your sins and by which Jesus lives in you. If you’ve done some nasty sins, Jesus died for those. If you think you’re okay because you haven’t pulled some of those nasties, Jesus died for that, too. And that’s the point of talking about sanctification. Christ is holy and He makes you holy. His holiness covers your sins and makes you look good to the Father. And He lives in you and through you, glorifying the Father and serving your neighbor, which means that you glorify God and serve your neighbor. You can’t not do those things because Jesus lives in you. Holy Jesus, Holy you. That’s what sanctification and the “Christian life” are all about.
Holy Rev. Mark Buetow is pastor of Bethel Lutheran Church in DuQuoin, Illinois and serves as Media Services Executive for Higher Things. He can be reached at buetowmt@gmail.com.
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TrueBlood By Rev. Jeffery W. Grams
“Take, drink; this is the true blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of your sins.”
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eek after week, this phrase is heard in Lutheran churches all around the world. The words have remained essentially the same for hundreds of years. They serve as a reminder of what we are truly receiving from the Lord Jesus Christ every time we celebrate His Supper. Popular culture has a way of messing with the meaning of words, and in 21st century America our obsession with vampires, in movies and on television, can certainly cause confusion. Nevertheless, fiction has a way of imitating life, and sometimes we can find reminders of the truth in the strangest of places. Did you ever notice that the mythology of vampires bears a strange similarity to the truth of God’s Word? Let us use this popular myth to take a look at God’s Word and recall the good news of our salvation. It all begins with the blood. All vampire myths have one thing in common—a vampire must drink blood to survive. Without blood, especially human blood, a vampire will starve and become weak. The drinking of human blood is understood to be the source of true “strength” for the “living dead.” What does God’s Word say about blood? The life is in the blood… When Cain murdered Abel, it was his blood that cried out! And the Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10 ESV) From the beginning, the biblical understanding was that the life of a creature was in its blood: “ Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. And as I gave you the green plants, I give you everything. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” (Genesis 9:3-4 ESV) If you search for the word “blood” in the ESV version of the bible, you will find it over 400 times! Why is blood used so often? Just as our life is in our blood, it is by the shedding of blood that we receive the forgiveness of sins.
In the New Testament we have come to understand that all of the blood shed in the Old Testament was pointing us forward to our Lord Jesus Christ, who as the Lamb of God would shed his blood for our salvation. (See Hebrews 9:11-28 to read more about our redemption through the blood of Christ!) Which brings us to the next interesting myth about vampires: If you drink their blood you will become immortal and live forever. What is fascinating to me is that these myths have some similarities to the truth of God’s Word. After all, what does our Lord Jesus Christ say in John’s Gospel? Jesus said to them,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.” (John 6:53-56 ESV) Clearly this sermon of Jesus is not recommending some form of vampirism or cannibalism! He is pointing us toward His own work of salvation. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the one who would shed His blood on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. He is the one who would give us His flesh to eat and blood to drink in the Lord’s Supper so that we would receive everlasting life. Isn’t that far more comforting and amazing than any myth about blood-sucking undead? Which raises the question: What do so many people find appealing in the myths about vampires? Some people
imagine that becoming a vampire would mean living forever and being forever beautiful. They imagine that as a vampire they would be strong and powerful and fearless. In reality, even the fantastic promises of this myth pale by comparison to the true joy offered by the Lord Jesus Christ in the True Blood of His Holy Supper. Eternal life will never be found in the blood of some undead monster—but is instead truly received in the Blood of our Savior. Eternal youth will not be received through a bite on the neck—but the new life we have received as we were born again in the waters of Holy Baptism will never end! Digging your way out of a shallow grave can hardly seem an appealing future—but we know that on the day of the Resurrection of all flesh we will all rise again in new and glorious bodies that are forever free from the touch of sin and death. The glorious future that is given to us by the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ is far more amazing than any vampire story found in movies or television. For in the end, by the grace of God, this is the vision of our glory: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7:14-17 ESV Rev. Jeffery W. Grams is pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and can be reached at RevJGrams@live.com
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