Mason Beecroft

I cannot imagine a more appropriate Gospel lesson for Memorial Day Weekend. Tomorrow, on Memorial Day, our  nation remembers or give memory to those who died in its military service. Tomorrow, in the midst of our sumptuous BBQ feasts, we might even remember what we celebrate. It is more than a day off work and the Indy 500. Tomorrow is a day of American patriotism. So our Gospel lesson seems fitting. It is a great American tale. It is a “rags-to-riches” story. It is a story of the mighty being brought low. We Americans love those stories.

The rich man had it all. He wore the finest robes and even had expensive underwear. He lived a life of luxury. He feasted everyday. Wine, women, and song. This guy had the good life. He was Donald Trump. He was Ted Turner. He was Paris Hilton. His was a “Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous.” All the benefits of extravagant wealth were his. This man had everything that we want. We watch such people with envy. We are intrigued by them. Our heart has lustful greed for such things. Why else do we play the lottery? Why else do we work so hard? Yet our envy also fosters jealousy and distaste for people who have it all. It seems unfair that some people have so much and we are not them. So when he dies in the story, we are not sad. We might even admit pleasure in the torment he faces. He used to be something important, but not any more! As he languishes in Hades, the man cries out for help. None is given. This rich man is now a beggar in hell with an eternity of suffering and affliction. There is no relief. He appeals to Abraham for a small measure of mercy. Nothing. This man made his choices and now he must live with them forever. We love it when the mighty fall. We love it when the seemingly perfect show imperfection. We love it when the powerful are made weak. We love it when the great are toppled. We say to ourselves, “See, they are nothing real special!” We take perverse pleasure in the foibles and falls of the rich and famous. Consider what really sells papers, magazines, and ad time. 

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Thanks to Nagel for a few phrases and general direction. 

Megan loves “roley-poley” bugs. You know, those little bugs that curl up into a ball when you pick them up. If we lift up a rock in the backyard, she is entertained for hours. But those poor “roley-poleys.” Once Megan has one in her grasp, its life is soon over. She will squeeze it too hard. She will drop it. She will give it water and it will drown. When Megan holds the “roley-poley” in her hand, you wonder what it understands. Probably, there are two things it realizes: first, it is in the power and control of something much greater than itself, and second, a fear that it can be crushed and destroyed. This is why it rolls into a ball. That is all a “roley-poley” can understand of Megan, or any other human being for that matter. How much more can we, in the hand of God, know about the nature of God?

If we pause for just a moment to reflect on our place in this universe, then we are confronted by profound questions far beyond our grasp. The vast complexity of this world and its universe boggles the mind. The depths of the oceans and the reaches of galaxies put us in our place. We are small. All of our knowledge and learning, our science, philosophy, and technology, can barely scratch the surface. They raise more questions than they can answer. Human theories meant to bring insight and order to life are easily debunked and replaced. Just when we think we have life and this universe all figured out, we are surprised and it all slips through our fingers. We are so limited in our understanding. If honest and wise, we would admit that we are well-wadded with ignorance when it comes to our own lives and this vast universe. Creation, life, and existence are shrouded in mystery. Then, beyond all of this mystery, is One who has created and sustains all things by His power. We will not be foolish enough to entertain the impossibility that we are the random product of some cosmic spontaneous combustion or the result of a haphazard evolution from mud. The Psalmist was correct. Only a fool says there is no God. 

So, what is God like? This is an important, even troubling question. We know so little about ourselves and our world, what hope do we have of acquiring any significant knowledge of God? We do know that God must be powerful. This is unmistakable. Only One with immeasurable power could have brought all of this complexity into an order. Only one with indescribable power could grant life, especially human life that struggles and grasps for meaning and purpose. Indeed, His glory is above the heavens and He has created all things, visible and invisible. God is powerful, yet His ways are inscrutable and His judgments are unsearchable. We cannot presume to know the extent of His power. It would be the height of arrogance to think we could. St. Paul reminds us: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” Certainly not any of us. We are like “roley-poley” bugs in His hand. We cannot grasp God as He is. We only know He is powerful. To know God is powerful should stir up a sense of fear. If we realize that we are under the control of something, or someone, much greater than ourselves, then we should also come to the conclusion that we are in danger of being crushed and destroyed. The days of the “roley-poley” are numbered in Megan’s hands. So are our days in God’s hands. 

So, what is God like? If we watched the news this past week, then there might be cause for fear. Over 100,000 dead in Burma as a result of a cyclone. The death toll still rises. The earthquake in China kills tens of thousands. Bodies are still being unburied as we sit here. Tornadoes rip the midwest and take dozens of lives in their paths of destruction. On a smaller scale, tragedy, disease and death are everywhere. We are born to trouble and we die. Why? For what purpose? Is there a reason? People look around the world and don’t like what they find. Many then argue that God must be a distant architect allowing the mechanisms of this creation to run its course in its own time. There is no reason or purpose. Life just happens and then you die. No worries, mate. Some perceive God is a cosmic punisher, looking for a reason to take us out. You better watch out, your time is coming. For others, God is an ineffectual oaf. He is powerful enough to create, but not powerful enough to intervene and stop all the tragedy and evil, or He doesn’t care enough to do it. People get angry with this God.

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Sorry for the Seinfeld reference. My impiety is now evident to all. Anyway, Rev. Randy Asburry has an interesting post on a report from the Southern Baptists that correlates a decline in membership with seeker-sensitive techniques. Sounds like the recent Willow Creek report. These reports do not surprise me at all. Personally, I would stay home on Sunday rather than be subject to the saccharine banalities utilized by such egotistical pragmatists. Life lessons enveloped in mawkish music is something, but it is not an engagement with the Creator of the visible and invisible.

My contention is that the human person needs to be engaged by the culture of Christ, which involves the proclamation of repentance and faith; the administration of Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, and the Holy Communion; the Holy Scripture; hymns of beauty and depth; and an environment of reverence for the Holy Triune God. If these are removed or diminished, then the person is reduced to a consumer of emotion. Unfortunately, many do not care and choose to appeal to emotion rather than rely on God’s established means. After all, it works. Just see Osteen and company. Christendom in America is in jeopardy. Spirituality is flourishing, but that is not the same. Our consumption ought to be of God’s gifts rather than a consumption of our own misguided selves. Of this I am convinced. Our lives ought to be directed by life in the Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church with its creeds, liturgies, texts, sacraments, seasons, and such. Of this I am convinced. What else is there?

Special thanks to Rev. Mark Buetow for a couple phrases in the section on “mom” and in the conclusion. The rest can be blamed on me.

Today is a high holy day in the Christian Church. It is Pentecost. Of course, it is also Mother’s Day. Woe be to the preacher who does not preach about mom on Mother’s Day! So today is all about the Holy Spirit and mom. Fortunately, a connection between the two is not difficult to make.

We all have mothers. Some of you are even mothers. Every person that has ever walked on this earth has had a mother. You may not have known her and some are better than others, but we all have a mother. Even with all the human manipulation of procreation, mom remains a necessary part of the equation. This is the way that God has set it up. Mothers are the means through which God brings new life into this world. There are no storks making deliveries. Babies do not simply fall out of the sky.  Moms give birth. God established this order and ordained these means. Of course mothers are not simply for giving birth. They are also God’s means for protection, nourishment, and the care of children along with the father and husband. The family is an important institution in God’s eyes. It is so important that God gave the commandment, “Thou shalt honor thy father and mother.” Luther encourages us to ask, “What does this mean?” It means “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise or anger our parents and other authorities, but honor them, serve and obey them, love and cherish them.” In other words, mom is God’s gift to us and we should treat her accordingly–honoring, serving, obeying, loving, and cherishing her. God gave her to care for us. She was given to feed us when we were hungry; put us to bed when we were tired; put a band-aid on our knee it was scraped; scold us when we were bad; console us when we were distraught. When you needed clothes or food, God did not have them suddenly appear out of thin air. He gave you a mother to provide such things.  Sometimes, of course, moms do not do their jobs. God still provides grandmothers who fill the role. Sometimes, another woman steps in and does the job. Sometimes, dad doesn’t do his job, and mom needs to fill that role too. In any case, moms accomplish much in our lives. For this, we give thanks this day for our mothers. Woe be to the husband or child who does not get mom a card or giver her a call on this day! If you are a mother, learn and believe today that God has given you this role to nurture your children. You are God’s established means for care and provision.  

On Pentecost we also celebrate another gift of God, the Holy Spirit. It was 50 days after Passover and Jerusalem was filled with pilgrims who had come to celebrate the Feast of Weeks. It was a high holy day in the city. People were there in obedience to the Lord’s command, “On the day of first fruits, when you present to the Lord an offering of new grain during the Feast of Weeks, hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work.” So the faithful from all over the empire gathered in Jerusalem on Pentecost, the fiftieth day, to present a freewill offering of new grain to the Lord in thanksgiving for His provision. The disciples, Luke tells us, were all together in one place on that day, waiting for the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send them the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, a “mighty rushing wind” filled the room and “divided tongues of fire” rested on them. The message was clear: God Himself was present. God answered Job out of the violent, rushing wind. God descended on Mt. Sinai in fire. Both the rushing wind and the tongues of fire were signs that God was in their midst. Actually, God was in them.

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Yes, I think scandal is the most appropriate term for the events surrounding the cancellation of the radio program and the subsequent scurrying of bureaucrats. Letters to the WSJ, an incensed blogosphere, flaccid public statements from officials, overtures by districts, silence by the leadership, and now a job posting for a new radio host on the LCMS website, which has now been removed. The intrigue surrounding the scandal may not be the stuff of a Ludlum novel, but I hope that this is all addressed in a cogent manner. The public actions taken demand an honest construction, which may be painful for some. The best construction is not always the easiest.

Personally, I nominate M.Z. Hemingway. Her blog Augsburg 1530 has the most up-to-date information and critical engagement on the issue. And she is a journalist with the skills to pull these connected strands together. If you haven’t visited the blog, then I would encourage it. I would also encourage continued pressure on the Synod for transparency and integrity, both key themes in these leadership books that are so treasured by the LCMS intelligentsia.

I just finished a fascinating book by D.G. Hart, “The Lost Soul of American Protestantism.” I would highly recommend it. Hart’s thesis is that the problem with American Protestantism is its infatuation with relevance. In fact, he contends the traditional categories of “liberal” and “conservative” are insufficient. Rather, Hart argues that there are “pietistic” and “confessional” Protestants.

The Pietistic Protestants are the equivalent of Hybelspongists. They preach the immediate relevance of Christian faith. In its evangelical, fundamentalist, and revivalist expressions the focus is on individual conversion consisting of “devout feelings and good intentions.” This individual conversion provides immediate benefits for the individual and society. It is the “don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t dance” crowd. They are moral and sincere in their spirituality, which is all that really matters. They reject historic expressions of Christian faith with their creeds, liturgies, sacraments, catechisms, ceremonies, and ordained ministers. Instead, they opt for what works in the religious sphere. They are pragmatists. They are utilitarian. In its mainline forms, the “devout feelings and good intentions” are played out in the public sphere. It is the Social Gospel at work. It is relevant to the immediate ills of our society. Likewise, they reject the historic expressions of Christian faith. In both the evangelical and mainline expressions the focus is on the relevant, immediate results for the individual and society.

On the other hand, there are Confessional Protestants that retain their Christian identity through their catechisms and creeds, liturgies and ceremonies, preaching and sacraments, and ordained ministry. Confessionalism stresses the pilgrim character of the Body of Christ, which makes it largely irrelevant to the consumers and idealogues of this world. It does not have the energetic activism, moralism, and individualism so prized in our Pietistic Protestant environment. Pietistic Protestantism understands Christianity “as inherently activist and reform minded; it creates virtuous individuals who pursue an equally virtuous society.” The doctrine of Two Kingdoms is lost. Doctrine is lost. The Confessional Protestants have resisted such influences, trying not to have their distinct identity worn away by pietism and revivalism. It seems, however, that they have largely lost the fight. Hart laments that the “soul of American Protestantism” has been lost to the pietists.

D.G. Hart uses, among others, the LCMS as an example of Confessional Protestantism, although he recognizes the constant challenges posed by pietism. At one point he makes this observation, “Individual members of the LCMS, like those in other confessional traditions, have clearly been tempted by the American Protestant habit of applying the Christian faith to temporal circumstances and, no doubt, many have fallen. But if the LCMS as a corporate body has resisted that temptation, a large amount of credit must go to the confessional outlook that regards worship as an exercise wholly irrelevant to the warfare of this world, whether cultural, political, or military.” I’m not sure we have resisted that temptation as much as Hart gives us credit.

As the LCMS continues to preach the need for change to be relevant to the culture, it slips further into this Pietistic Protestantism. It does not take long for one to notice the prevailing trend toward Church Growth Movement tactics and programming; worship that denies the power of the liturgy and sacrament, opting for the sentimental and emotional; preaching that seeks to meet the “here and now” needs of the individual; and a general dismissal of doctrinal purity and instruction as being somewhat obsessive. The Mass is abolished. Vestments are discarded. Creeds are rewritten. Language is forgotten. Hymns are replaced. Ceremonies are abandoned. Pastors become therapists. The urgency of the immediate triumphs the apostolic and orthodox faith inherited from our fathers.

Now I realize that many of my brethren would argue that the need to reach out demands institutional change for the sake of lost people in our society. In fact, I suspect that many of them would proudly agree that they are Pietistic Protestants of a Lutheran kind as they carry their Warren book and hum the latest ditty from Vineyard. After all, we must do whatever we can to get the message out and attract people. I do not doubt their motivations, only their wisdom.

Pietism and Hybelspongism forget the power of Holy Spirit to work through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our methodism or revivalism only serves to trivialize the Christian faith. We cannot turn the pearl of great price into a cracker jack prize that makes us happy for the moment. The Body of Christ is a pilgrim people, journeying toward the “resurrection of the body and life everlasting.” We are sustained by Christ in Word and Sacrament in our journey. Our faith is nourished and strengthened in this “other-worldly” and irrelevant community through the gifts of the means of grace. And we are to invite others into the Holy Ark of the Christian Church, always knowing that we cannot manipulate the work of the Holy Spirit. Our liturgy, creeds, catechism, sacraments and such preserve the Gospel for us and the world. We are called to the hard work of catechesis and mystagogy, not the easy alternative of trivialization of doctrine and practice. Enough of a rant for this ordinary Wednesday afternoon. By the way, Hart is not from the LCMS.

In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “In that day you will ask nothing of me.” I am familiar with that day, aren’t you? Doesn’t that sound like most of our days, asking nothing of our Lord? It is all too common for us to ask nothing of Christ, or very little. After all, that would entail prayer and our schedules are just too busy. It is so difficult to set aside that time for prayer, to fold our hands and close our eyes and make our petitions and requests. But does it really matter? Things do go relatively well for us in this life. We know little of the tribulation that Jesus mentions to His disciples. For the most part, we are comfortable and secure. We are largely successful. We are capable and self-sufficient. We try to show no weakness, masking our areas of struggle and doubt with the illusion of control. In the darkness of our depression, the shame of our sin, the embarrassment of our public improprieties, and our unfulfilled longings we remain silent, to suffer and to endure in the power of our flesh. Far too often, we choose to simply ask nothing of Christ, ignoring our God’s invitation to pray.

Days of prayer, however, do come for us. Unfortunately, those days arrive with deep pain or grief, distress and hardship. The phone call from home or the news from the doctor will force us to pray. A loved one will pass away or we will be diagnosed. Then we will not know what else to do and so we will pray in desperation. A crisis in the home or office will drive us to our knees. We will get fed up with our spouse or kids or boss. Then we might plead for strength and answers. We will pray, “Why?” and question our place in this world and before God. Prayer also comes when we want something for ourselves. The possibility of a job, a new home or car, a pay raise, or a new relationship will cause us to pray. In our troubles we expect the Father to relieve us. In our desires we expect the Father to satisfy us.  

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And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

Oprah Winfrey is creating quite a stir. In March she started an online course with Eckhart Tolle, a New Age guru and author of the best-selling book, “A New Earth.” The course title asks, “Are you ready to be awakened?” Apparently, millions are ready to be awakened as they have joined her on the web. The course contains the typical New Age cliches and platitudes. “One must live in the now.” “We must attain a higher consciousness.” “You can transform yourself.” “Be the change.” “Get centered.” “Listen to the voice of God within you.” “You are your own best authority. as you work to know and love yourself, you discover how to live a more spiritual life.” “Behave your way to success.”  For Oprah, self-improvement and happiness comes from self-indulgence, self-discovery, and shopping. No wonder she is so popular. Old religious dogma and doctrine is rejected. Oprah goes so far as to reduce Jesus Christ to a moral example. She said, “Jesus came to show us Christ-consciousness… Jesus came to show us the way of the heart… Jesus came to say, ‘Look I’m going to live in the body, in the human body and I’m going to show you how it’s done.’ These are some principles and some laws that you can use to live by to know that way.” Those principles and laws, of course, do not include the cross. The humility and suffering our Lord endured in the body are ignored. She firmly, publicly, and vocally rejects Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross as the means of salvation as well as every other tenet of orthodox Christian faith. In all things, Oprah is an evangelist for the new age movement.

Oprah is quite certain that she possesses incredible reason and an inner light that guides her to truth. Money and fame have a way of breeding a certain arrogance. And, in our culture, it is hard to argue with numerical success. Our Lord Jesus Christ, however, responds that she is a blind fool, living in darkness, who needs to be awakened to the truth of His Gospel. Of course, people do not like to hear such things. There is a prevailing tendency for people to assume their spiritual path, whatever it is they choose, is altogether good, right, and salutary. Even though their spirituality is entirely sentimental, pragmatic, and self-absorbed, it is still enough. Yet when people are told such doings are of no account before God, they become displeased and angry. But, as Luther says, what should that matter to us? Luther continues, “The Scriptures and the Word of God are plain and clear, that the Holy Spirit is to come to convict the world, because it does not know what sin, righteousness, and judgment are. Thus it is determined, there it stands; let be angry who will, Christ does not care.” Our God is concerned with the true awakening that comes through faith in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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Here is an article on this issue by Tim Townsend of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The drama around the cancellation of Issues, Etc. continues. I have had the opportunity to express my concerns with my DP. The conversation was charitable and brotherly. However, it appears that the Synod is not yet able to voice a good reason for its cancellation. The financial reason still does not make sense. If Issues, Etc. and KFUO were in financial trouble, then an appeal for funds was the only logical step. Every other organization in Synod and District is scrambling for money right now so they just could have joined the voracious pack. And Issues, Etc., being so popular, would have been key in any development drive. The cancellation of the most popular show on the station is not a good way to raise more funds.

The programmatic reasons also remain insufficient. The amount of downloads recorded by Issues, Etc. each month is incredible. A member of our parish was astounded when he heard the numbers. He is a professional in marketing and knows a bit about such things.

The political/ideological reason remains. Somebody did not like what was happening and they pulled the trigger. Mollie Hemingway has been active in contacting members of Synod, searching for an answer. The responses, it appears, have addressed surface issues or have tried to discredit her criticism with the usual appeals to the 8th commandment. Further, it appears the responses from officials have ceased. Either the wagons are being rallied for another official statement or the miniscule minority will be allowed to whine and complain in relative obscurity.

I pray that this discussion will continue for the sake of the LCMS. If not, such things done in secret will be considered profitable for a nameless and faceless bureaucracy. If this is the end result, then we all lose in more ways than we might imagine.