I had a fascinating conversation today with an Sacred Theology Masters student while looking for a coat and suit in the Clothing co-op. His dissertation was on mission models specifically in the LCMS. He traces the shift towards a pietistic viewpoint through the last 70 years of Synodical bylaws and other convention proceedings. It was quite a fascinating discussion that perhaps I can delve into in greater detail later with his permission. In summary, he has seen the influence of self-help, personal piety grow in influence in the church to the point of squelching the need for pastors and dumping the responsibility on ill-equipped lay-people. This has led to false interpretation of scripture and worse yet a misunderstanding of the various vocations God has given to his people not just as pastors and lay-people. Consider today how dangerous our gender role-reversal game has played with two homosexual parent families and women in combat in the military. Our vocations are a gift to be honored and respected.
The core component to his thesis revolves around “the Great Commission.” In his opinion it has been taught gradually that this section of scripture relates to all believers. Go and make disciples! In today’s context, this could mean anything from show them your faith by having your premium coffee at the back of the church or through the awe-inspiring performance of the band, lights, and video. These things are the adiaphora. While not objectionable in their own merits, the question remains do they reflect the things of God? Better yet, do the create faith? What is essential for “church” and what constitutes effective missions?
Matthew 28:16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.
17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.â€
Who is Jesus speaking to? The disciples. Who is he giving authority? The disciples. Who is he instructing to baptize and teach? The disciples. If time permitted I would further discuss the institution of the ministry. I have discussed this a bit in my past post: Why Seminary? .
In all this example, there is no call to all people to perform these tasks. Christ specifically instructs his disciples (later Apostles). This tradition is maintained today. God sets apart men to be pastors as he did his apostles. This people are given priviledge of delivering his means of grace in the form of the Word and the sacrament. The Spirit works in these individuals to unfold and unpack scriptures.
A sticky issue in all of Christendom is the so called “priesthood of all believers.” There is little agreement between Romans, Protestants, and Lutherans on this doctrine. Believers are called “Kings and Priests” or a “royal priesthood” as a reflection of their privileged status as heirs to the kingdom and servants of the Almighty God and of the Lamb. And because of this privileged closeness with God, no other earthly mediator is necessary whether Pope or pastor. Secondly, believers are called priests because salvation is not merely a fire escape from hell, that once believers have it, they can then do their “own thing.” We are scared of this freedom. How would you react with unconditional salvation? Sin boldly or live a life of reflection of this gift?
Rather, believers are called by God through faith to serve Him by offering up spiritual sacrifices, i.e., being a people zealous for good works and by giving praise to the One who has given us the great gifts of His Son’s sacrifice on our behalf, His love, forgiveness, adoption into His family, etc., all for us, an undeserving people. For further consideration read my recent posts, SIN BOLDLY: Lutheran aversion to sanctification and Sancification, pietism and the Law redux. This doctrinal concept is drawn from 1 Peter 2:
1 Peter 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
6 For this is contained in Scripture: “Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone,
And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed.†7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve, “The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the very corner stone,†8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offenseâ€; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. 12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
To suggest this refers to all people as teachers of the Word is to eliminate the need for pastors. Yet what was a Priest in the OT or in 1st century? Merely temple clinicians or teachers? Maybe we have an anti-authority complex? Perhaps we don’t want anyone to tell us what we believe? Or perhaps we don’t desire to learn what the Word says but rather want to limit its efficacy by superimposing our own constructs on the Word or replacing the offensive bits with theologies of health, wealth, and prosperity?
In either case, who is best equipped to “make disciples”? What are disciples anyway? The Seminary is a disciple-making venture, teaching and training for effective service in the church. Is this what we do in congregations? Or do we teach people how to be stewards of God’s gifts and demonstrate his love in other ways than assault with a myriad of Bible quotations or making church “fun?” Perhaps the best witness is acts of compassion and mercy. When Christ saw the crowds at the feeding of 5000 and 4000, he didn’t just have compassion, literally his insides churned. Today we would call that a gut-wrenching feeling. He was compelled to act. How do we respond to this same conviction?
In my own life in these situations, I turn inward to my own self. I become wholly selfish for what are pitiful unjustified reasons. It is far too easy to avoid the call, twist God’s command, or flat out think you can do better than God. When we read the Great Commission we all want to be included. We don’t want anyone to tell us how to worship or interpret scripture. In some ways we should not diminish the efficacy of the Holy Spirit. perhaps he can work in personal study or in small group ministries. In the same way we should not ignore, diminish, or suggest that preaching (teaching) of the Word is a lesser, equal or unnecessary means of receiving God’s Word. In fact, he instituted the office of the ministry for the very purpose doing this preaching.
Christian self help books, devotional materials, and self-study Bibles are not substitute for hearing the Word spoken and preached by someone set apart by God for this purpose. We demonstrate our devotion through prayer, its intercessions, and a life of service in our various vocations. If you feel the itch to teach, interpret, or preach the Word, come to the seminary and learn to do so. Read your Bible, know the words on the page, attend worship and learn what it means. Live for Christ in your life through all your vocations, serving him int he way he would have you do.
Of course this raises the question, what if your pastor is not faithful to the Word? What if he can’t teach? The answer is this question: is he fit for ministry? In these situations is best to find some expostional materials to substitute for find a pastor who preaches the Word? We can’t understand why God would instruct us that faith comes through hearing. Our reason tells us that personal head reading is as good or efficacious. Unfortunately scripture doe not agree. Why hearing? I don’t know. I don’t need to know.
As a pastor I have no intention to sit complacency in my study waiting for divine inspiration for my homilies. Rather I will attend wickels (sp? mini-conferences), Biblical conferences, continuing education classes. Yes, I will read sermons. I don’t expect to get much from that (I don’t now.) Maybe internet audio will work?
This topic raises many questions. In the end we run dangerously away from scripture when we diminish the role of pastor. I can tell you that the gift of interpretation (exegesis) is not an easy one. It comes through understanding, understanding comes through instruction.
Far too much emphasis has been placed on person and too little on community. As Luther says in his explanation to the third article of the Apostle’s Creed, “I cannot by own reason or strength come to him.” Return to sunday (or more often) worship. It works. Try it.
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