This week's devotions are written by Vicar Steve Bond.
First, a word of introduction about what we’ll be using for devotions. The next week and a half or so worth of material will come from an essay by a Methodist theologian and ethicist named Stanley Hauerwas entitled, “Only Theology Overcomes Ethics,” in which he dialogues with Lutheran theologian Robert Jenson. That may sound like a lot of people’s thoughts packed into one day’s devotions, but it’s got a lot of good stuff, too. Let’s give it a whirl, anyway…
“Theology is thinking what to say to be saying the gospel….” Theology is therefore the ongoing activity of the church to explore the prescriptive grammar required by the presumption that to be known and to know the one God of all requires that the God Christians worship is the decisive fact about all things.”
That’s a mouthful! The point, however, is profoundly simple: God matters. And theology, rather than being solely the task of trained professionals, not to be attempted at home, is the call to all believers to work out in life how it is that God matters. What’s more, the character of the God we know if Jesus Christ re-orients all of how we live, speak, and act. Because we know God’s goodness and mercy in Jesus, and most clearly in his cross and resurrection, we are not bound by fears of being worthy enough to earn God’s favor or worries that God is uninterested in us, nor are we constrained by other people’s judgments about us. God’s claim on us is truer, God’s grace more real, and God’s love for us is fiercer than any other claims the world makes on us.
Connection: The claim that God matters at least means that before my own brokenness or other people’s assertions define me, Jesus has already re-defined me as his own. What would it look like if I lived this day in the freedom of knowing that God’s claims on me truly matter?
Gracious God, you have claimed us as your own before we knew you, and your love holds onto us through each day. Open our eyes this day to live in the freedom of knowing that before all else, you have made us your own daughters and sons. We ask it in the name of your Son, Jesus.
Romans 14:8—“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.”
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Monday, August 30, 2004
Tuesday, 31 August, 2004
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
For the next three months, several people will be contributing to these devotions.
The sine qua non of the transformation is, as we have claimed, “union with Christ.” Christ is the one who transfers a sinner to Christ himself and who changes the sinner. The transformation also means that Christ hides the Christian from God’s wrath until it has passed. But we are hid in Christ throughout our earthly life, because sin is always present in a Christian. A Christian can be saved only under the condition that he or she has the gift of faith, through which one can be hidden under the protection of Christ.
One note I have written in the margin next to this piece is “no one can deny the faith of another person or deny one’s relationship in Christ.” Trusting that God acts in such a profound way on our behalf so as to have us sheltered in Christ – in any time and in all situation –means that God places each of us above the condemning words and actions of others. Who is to be a judge among us? No one…not one of us. The power in the community of Christ is that we trust what God does for us…all of us…in Christ. Within that power is a freedom that lets our hearts rest and our lives begin to blossom from the deep soil of God’s gracious will for us. Yes, there are plenty of ways to claim to build up a church on the bases of a litany of nit-picking demands and restrictions, but in all of them, the transformative power of God is boxed up and put away. In union with Christ, we are let lose in the world and we are both blessed by the presence of others and we become a blessing to all.
Connection: Where in this day will the freedom of God’s love take you as your life interacts with others?
Lord God, sometimes we wear masks that hide the beauty you see within us and sometimes, we do not take off those masks and we too never are able to see ourselves as you see us. Give us the courage to see as you see and to trust in your love so that we will be free to share ourselves with the world. Amen.
For the next three months, several people will be contributing to these devotions.
The sine qua non of the transformation is, as we have claimed, “union with Christ.” Christ is the one who transfers a sinner to Christ himself and who changes the sinner. The transformation also means that Christ hides the Christian from God’s wrath until it has passed. But we are hid in Christ throughout our earthly life, because sin is always present in a Christian. A Christian can be saved only under the condition that he or she has the gift of faith, through which one can be hidden under the protection of Christ.
One note I have written in the margin next to this piece is “no one can deny the faith of another person or deny one’s relationship in Christ.” Trusting that God acts in such a profound way on our behalf so as to have us sheltered in Christ – in any time and in all situation –means that God places each of us above the condemning words and actions of others. Who is to be a judge among us? No one…not one of us. The power in the community of Christ is that we trust what God does for us…all of us…in Christ. Within that power is a freedom that lets our hearts rest and our lives begin to blossom from the deep soil of God’s gracious will for us. Yes, there are plenty of ways to claim to build up a church on the bases of a litany of nit-picking demands and restrictions, but in all of them, the transformative power of God is boxed up and put away. In union with Christ, we are let lose in the world and we are both blessed by the presence of others and we become a blessing to all.
Connection: Where in this day will the freedom of God’s love take you as your life interacts with others?
Lord God, sometimes we wear masks that hide the beauty you see within us and sometimes, we do not take off those masks and we too never are able to see ourselves as you see us. Give us the courage to see as you see and to trust in your love so that we will be free to share ourselves with the world. Amen.
Monday, 30 August, 2994
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
This is the next to last devotions from this resource.
Luther’s doctrine of justification contains a conception originating in the mystical tradition that a Christian might be caught up (raptus) in Christ. It means not only that a Christian is joined with Christ but that he is in this union transformed into a likeness of Christ. This change is a process, and it creates in the Christian the same form (forma) as Christ.
So whenever you hear that popular word the “rapture” among some portions in the Church, don’t think in terms of those “Left Behind” books. Think…caught up as a reality that we live here. We are caught up and live in union with Christ. There is no flying away. There is a staying in place and living as fully as Christ…here and now…for our living is caught up in reign of Christ, Jesus. Don’t fall for the stories that tell of an end in which some will be “caught up” and removed from this world. Instead, be caught up in that story that tells of Jesus, the beloved child of God, who does not fly away but stays with us unto death…all the way, for this is the life God created for us. There is nothing about our created humanity from which we must run. Rather, we are called to be caught up in its fullness as it comes to life in Christ.
Connection: So, how will you be caught up within the life of Jesus today?
Lord God, when you bless us, it is for life. Continue to shower upon us the beautiful reign of your Beloved, Jesus, and pull us into his story of life. Amen.
This is the next to last devotions from this resource.
Luther’s doctrine of justification contains a conception originating in the mystical tradition that a Christian might be caught up (raptus) in Christ. It means not only that a Christian is joined with Christ but that he is in this union transformed into a likeness of Christ. This change is a process, and it creates in the Christian the same form (forma) as Christ.
So whenever you hear that popular word the “rapture” among some portions in the Church, don’t think in terms of those “Left Behind” books. Think…caught up as a reality that we live here. We are caught up and live in union with Christ. There is no flying away. There is a staying in place and living as fully as Christ…here and now…for our living is caught up in reign of Christ, Jesus. Don’t fall for the stories that tell of an end in which some will be “caught up” and removed from this world. Instead, be caught up in that story that tells of Jesus, the beloved child of God, who does not fly away but stays with us unto death…all the way, for this is the life God created for us. There is nothing about our created humanity from which we must run. Rather, we are called to be caught up in its fullness as it comes to life in Christ.
Connection: So, how will you be caught up within the life of Jesus today?
Lord God, when you bless us, it is for life. Continue to shower upon us the beautiful reign of your Beloved, Jesus, and pull us into his story of life. Amen.
Friday, August 27, 2004
Friday, 27 August, 2004
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
…Luther goes on to argue that a Christian is provided with two firm and immensely strong foundations or supports, namely grace and gift. Because of them the still remaining and real sin is not able to bring damnation to a Christian.
In sum, Luther’s understanding that God the Father is favorable to a sinner and that Christ renews a sinner is based on the idea of “union with Christ.” This same idea explains why grace and gift are necessary to each other. Gift is not only a consequence of grace, as is usually emphasized in Lutheran theology, but it is in a certain sense a condition for grace as well.
This is not merely a way to see one’s own life. This is the way to view others. How would it be if we in the Church could look across the aisle and not be so consumed by what is wrong or “sinful” about those-over-there, and instead, give thanks to God who brings us all into union with the Christ? We find much to limit the abundant grace of God and by that; we become a people whose graciousness is diminished to the point of being completely hidden to the world.
Connection: What a gift we are to the world. By grace we can leap into this day and offer ourselves as gifts to those around us and in that whole event, the one who gift’s us with new life is seen by all around us. Take the chance and leap into the promise of God’s love today.
Keep us mindful of your love, O God, so that as we again face what will be, we will be filled with your love and that love will begin the wonderful transformation of each of us and the whole world. Amen.
…Luther goes on to argue that a Christian is provided with two firm and immensely strong foundations or supports, namely grace and gift. Because of them the still remaining and real sin is not able to bring damnation to a Christian.
In sum, Luther’s understanding that God the Father is favorable to a sinner and that Christ renews a sinner is based on the idea of “union with Christ.” This same idea explains why grace and gift are necessary to each other. Gift is not only a consequence of grace, as is usually emphasized in Lutheran theology, but it is in a certain sense a condition for grace as well.
This is not merely a way to see one’s own life. This is the way to view others. How would it be if we in the Church could look across the aisle and not be so consumed by what is wrong or “sinful” about those-over-there, and instead, give thanks to God who brings us all into union with the Christ? We find much to limit the abundant grace of God and by that; we become a people whose graciousness is diminished to the point of being completely hidden to the world.
Connection: What a gift we are to the world. By grace we can leap into this day and offer ourselves as gifts to those around us and in that whole event, the one who gift’s us with new life is seen by all around us. Take the chance and leap into the promise of God’s love today.
Keep us mindful of your love, O God, so that as we again face what will be, we will be filled with your love and that love will begin the wonderful transformation of each of us and the whole world. Amen.
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Thursday, 26 August, 2004
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
For those who are in Christ, there is no damnation despite the fact that they still are more or less sinful (Romans 8:1). Luther says: “The reason why there is no condemnation is not that men do not sin…but because – as Paul says – they are in Jesus Christ; that is, they repose under the shadow of his righteousness as do chicks under a hen. Or as is said more clearly in Romans 5, they have grace and the gift through his grace.”
Here is that wonderful notion of the rest that comes from God alone. It would do us all well to consider the fact that we can begin and end our day “under the shadow of (Christ’s) righteousness. The metaphor of the hen and the chicks is always one that brings clarity to me about the place Jesus puts himself for us. What is seen is the hen alone. When we are “in Christ” that is what informs us each day so that we can both be assured of our status before God and we can know how we will begin this day as we set out to be among others.
Connection: Today will be filled with opportunities to let the light of Christ shine even when we are persistently falling into the trap of our brokenness. Remember, you are given a light to let shine under all conditions.
You, O Gracious Lord, are the one who holds us and gives us a place to rest and then sends us off with a way to take on the day. When we stumble, remind us of your presence and your power to renew us. Amen.
For those who are in Christ, there is no damnation despite the fact that they still are more or less sinful (Romans 8:1). Luther says: “The reason why there is no condemnation is not that men do not sin…but because – as Paul says – they are in Jesus Christ; that is, they repose under the shadow of his righteousness as do chicks under a hen. Or as is said more clearly in Romans 5, they have grace and the gift through his grace.”
Here is that wonderful notion of the rest that comes from God alone. It would do us all well to consider the fact that we can begin and end our day “under the shadow of (Christ’s) righteousness. The metaphor of the hen and the chicks is always one that brings clarity to me about the place Jesus puts himself for us. What is seen is the hen alone. When we are “in Christ” that is what informs us each day so that we can both be assured of our status before God and we can know how we will begin this day as we set out to be among others.
Connection: Today will be filled with opportunities to let the light of Christ shine even when we are persistently falling into the trap of our brokenness. Remember, you are given a light to let shine under all conditions.
You, O Gracious Lord, are the one who holds us and gives us a place to rest and then sends us off with a way to take on the day. When we stumble, remind us of your presence and your power to renew us. Amen.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Wednesday, 25 August, 2004
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
According to Luther, baptism does not just guarantee the death of sin and the Christian’s resurrection on the first day of eternal life. Its meaning is realized through a firm faith already in this life. Baptism initiates through faith the realization of death and resurrection, joins us with God, and empowers us to struggle against sin.
As we are empowered through our baptism to faithfully consider the reality of death and resurrection, we are lifted up into this day with a new vision for what is at hand. I like the word “already” when we talk about baptism and with that death and resurrection because it implies no waiting…no task to accomplish…no some day to come. Rather, baptism is a power for life now also. In our Baptism we are given the power to trust what God says about us and does for us. That power is able to face death and to expect and begin to live within the glory of the resurrection…already. Already…means not merely on our death bed…but also during every day we awake to whatever the day may bring. Already it is a day of resurrection and death is conquered.
Connection: And then…today can be a day in which we do not see and do not hear any evidence of resurrection or the power of the Good News over death. And yet, we pray that the “already” of God’s love will take us along through all we may encounter.
Take us up Lord and help us to see the wonder of your love and how your promise of new life can and does overcome all other words that may be spoken to us and all events that may try to dismantle the hope we have in you alone. Amen.
According to Luther, baptism does not just guarantee the death of sin and the Christian’s resurrection on the first day of eternal life. Its meaning is realized through a firm faith already in this life. Baptism initiates through faith the realization of death and resurrection, joins us with God, and empowers us to struggle against sin.
As we are empowered through our baptism to faithfully consider the reality of death and resurrection, we are lifted up into this day with a new vision for what is at hand. I like the word “already” when we talk about baptism and with that death and resurrection because it implies no waiting…no task to accomplish…no some day to come. Rather, baptism is a power for life now also. In our Baptism we are given the power to trust what God says about us and does for us. That power is able to face death and to expect and begin to live within the glory of the resurrection…already. Already…means not merely on our death bed…but also during every day we awake to whatever the day may bring. Already it is a day of resurrection and death is conquered.
Connection: And then…today can be a day in which we do not see and do not hear any evidence of resurrection or the power of the Good News over death. And yet, we pray that the “already” of God’s love will take us along through all we may encounter.
Take us up Lord and help us to see the wonder of your love and how your promise of new life can and does overcome all other words that may be spoken to us and all events that may try to dismantle the hope we have in you alone. Amen.
Tuesday, 24 August, 2004
The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
The essential idea in Luther’s theology of baptism is that baptism is a merciful and consoling union in which God joins himself with the sinner and becomes one with him or her. Thus, baptism is not just a covenant or an agreement between two partners bound together to function or act for the same purpose, the salvation of the baptized. It is much more: through the sacramental act of baptism God binds himself ontologically to a sinner and is one with him through his whole earthly life, if he adheres to Christ in faith.
The “if” at the end here seems to have a conditional bent to it. But look at it again. God’s gift to us is the very faith to trust the proclamation of the Good News. So the “if” serves as more of a reminder to us of what God has given us…our faith. God puts forth and creates the union with us and Christ. We are invited to live within that union and to see how it will be unveiled for us each day. There is no need to contemplate the effectiveness of baptism. It is a sure reality and we need rise to any specific level of life to be a part of it. The reality has already been set in Christ, Jesus. We need only rest upon it in all times.
Connection: It is not easy to rest within the arms of our baptism…unless, of course, we trust what God is all about for us…for then, there is always the opportunity to settle back, rest, and then, rise to new life in Christ every day…even today.
When you hold us, O God, we are comforted and renewed and begin to see beyond the limits we place ourselves and others. Hold us this day and send us off with your loving touch so that our world will be transformed. Amen.
The essential idea in Luther’s theology of baptism is that baptism is a merciful and consoling union in which God joins himself with the sinner and becomes one with him or her. Thus, baptism is not just a covenant or an agreement between two partners bound together to function or act for the same purpose, the salvation of the baptized. It is much more: through the sacramental act of baptism God binds himself ontologically to a sinner and is one with him through his whole earthly life, if he adheres to Christ in faith.
The “if” at the end here seems to have a conditional bent to it. But look at it again. God’s gift to us is the very faith to trust the proclamation of the Good News. So the “if” serves as more of a reminder to us of what God has given us…our faith. God puts forth and creates the union with us and Christ. We are invited to live within that union and to see how it will be unveiled for us each day. There is no need to contemplate the effectiveness of baptism. It is a sure reality and we need rise to any specific level of life to be a part of it. The reality has already been set in Christ, Jesus. We need only rest upon it in all times.
Connection: It is not easy to rest within the arms of our baptism…unless, of course, we trust what God is all about for us…for then, there is always the opportunity to settle back, rest, and then, rise to new life in Christ every day…even today.
When you hold us, O God, we are comforted and renewed and begin to see beyond the limits we place ourselves and others. Hold us this day and send us off with your loving touch so that our world will be transformed. Amen.
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