Which Gospel?

Which Gospel?

This video, The Gospel Message, posted at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj4IUkkrEP0 and referred to by several people I know, has some glaring errors in it.

As I began viewing the video, my first impression was that it did not mention the Gospel, at least not at first. It confronted people with Law, sin, death, but seemed devoid of Gospel at least until after it made some other errors. I'll comment on them as they show up in the video.

This video it suggests that the soul is the "real" you and lives on for eternity. It thus denies the bodily resurrection and the importance of the bodily life. This is warmed-over Gnosticism and does not represent any sort of orthodox Christian faith.

The illustration of the judge convicting someone of murder could be positive. But it seems to bind God to our opinion of what justice would be. It convicts all of us in our guilt. Still, by about two and a half minutes in, there is absolutely no Gospel message.

Finally, there's mention of good news at 3:49. What's the good news? Jesus is perfect. Yet the good news is mediated in a made-up discussion suggesting first that God the Son is not omniscient and second that he would like to save people from sin based on what they might believe. We are no longer Gnostics, but we are definitely Pelagian here. Maybe it isn't hard-core Pelagian, because at least Jesus does something for salvation. Yet it remains dependent on our asking Jesus to exchange our imperfect record for his perfect record. This is not good news. It requires people to do something the Bible says they cannot do in order to somehow earn God's forgiveness. So the mention of good news turns back into bad news.

At 5:09 the video asserts we must do something more to be forgiven. What we must do is ask Jesus to forgive us. It denies the power of Word and Sacraments. All of salvation is ultimately based on our willing repentance. This is stated to be clear in the Bible, but the video does not say where or how this is stated in Scripture. We are also required to surrender to Jesus. This also has no clear Scriptural documentation in the video.

The video continues with bad news, talking about what we have done which earns shame. But then we earn merit by surrendering to Jesus. He only saves us because we ask him in a sufficiently heartfelt manner. Though we are forgiven forever, we need to be refined daily and forgiven daily so we can remain in the faith and continue to earn our salvation.

At 8:50 we see that the good news is that Jesus made it possible for us to ask for forgiveness. I'm sorry. This is not good news. This is terrible bad news. It leaves Jesus' death on our behalf as ineffective unless our actions and attitudes are added to it. It leaves God's revelation through Word and all creation as ineffective. We are the mediators of our salvation. Salvation is based ultimately on what we do, not on what Jesus has done. Salvation is based on our decision, not on God's word applied to us.

In summary, the video continues to say that we must do two things – repent and surrender entirely – in order to be saved. This is no Gospel at all.

It grieves me deeply to see the kind of pseiudo-Christian teaching that passes for the Gospel. If we substitute something else, like our decision or the quality of our repentance for God's powerful, living and active Word, placed upon us from outside of ourselves, we create a false gospel, not good news at all, but bad news. Rather than the Gospel being the power of God to salvation, we end up teaching a gospel of self-help.

Let us flee from that foolishness and trust the pure Gospel, unadulterated, which is indeed the power of God to salvation.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Lectionary Posts on Sabbatical

For about three years, on one forum or another, I've been making more or less daily posts on the lectionary readings. I'm finding with a full-time school teaching schedule as well as participation in a seminary course and work as a vacancy pastor I need to remove something from my time budget. So the lectionary posts that have been fairly regular are going to become nonexistent, or virtually so. That will ease my schedule a little bit, and every bit is helping right now.

I've enjoyed reading Pastor Leistico's posts, which, though not daily, seem to capture much the same kind of devotional Law/Gospel thoughts I've shot for. His blog is at http://leisticotdp.blogspot.com/. 

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Deuteronomy 1.37-2.15, Matthew 6.1-15 - Lectionary for 9/30/10

Today's readings are Deuteronomy 1.37-2.15 and Matthew 6.1-15.

Today Moses points out to the people of Israel how their efforts without God's blessing are utterly fruitless, while their efforts with God's blessing are sure and certain to produce God's results.

How often do we despair of the sufficiency of God's revealed will? Is there not enough illustration in Scripture that our Lord does really say what he means to say, then does what he says he will do?

This seems to be a pretty clear evidence of the fallen nature of humanity. We are wired by God to trust someone or something. Yet we seem utterly unlikely to look to our creator in trust. We will trust anyone but the true God. Sadly, this fallen nature seems to persist in believers as well. When is the last time we did something in complete love and trust of our Lord? It was right before we decided to feel proud of our goodness and our great choice to trust God so very well because we're just good that way. Yep, we messed up again.

May the Lord work a change in us, giving us a heart to trust him in all things.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Deuteronomy 1.19-36, Matthew 5.21-48 - Lectionary for 9/29/10

Today's readings are Deuteronomy 1.19-36 and Matthew 5.21-48.

We read today of Moses' reminder to the people of Israel that they had just spent forty years in the wilderness due to their unbelief. It seems that whatever God did to show his presence and care for the people they still mistrusted him. It didn't matter that they had walked through the sea on dry land. It didn't matter that they had seen the scary army drowned behind them. It didn't matter that they saw God's presence in the fire by night and the cloud by day. It didn't matter that they had the commandments of God. It didn't matter that they had food to eat and water to drink in a desert. None of this mattered.

I confess that I find myself doubting God's providence, despite all the signs to the contrary. Probably most of us do. It really doesn't matter what our Lord has revealed to us. It really doesn't matter that Jesus has made promises of resurrection to us. It really doesn't matter that Jesus has shown he has power over death by rising to life again. No, it doesn't matter. I stubbornly cling to my doubts, just like I expect my readers do.

Want the good news? God did bring his people into the promised land. He didn't leave them in the desert forever, despite their unbelief. And he's the very same God today. He will work in and through us, despite our unbelief.  "Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief."

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Deuteronomy 1.1-18, Matthew 5.1-20 - Lectionary for 9/28/10

Today's readings are Deuteronomy 1.1-18 and Matthew 5.1-20.

What Moses lays out for us today in our reading from Deuteronomy is strikingly similar to the idea of elders laid out in the New Testament. In fact, if we look at the use of the term "elder" throughout the Bible, we find that there are leaders in every age, both in Judaism and in Christianity, called elders, detailed with the same kind of responsibilities. they are to guard the Scriptures, nurture people in God's Word, give wise counsel, and judge between people in conflict.

It strikes me that very often that role has been restricted to "professional clergy." Yet throughout history we see examples of godly men taking their responsibilities seriously, whether they are on the payroll of a religious organization or not. I can think of innumerable men I would trust implicitly to search the Scripture responsibly, to look at what others have said about it, to take matters seriously and fairly, and to judge in a dispute. Many of those men are pastors. Many are not. Yet all of them are biblically qualified to be elders in every sense of the word.

Yes, we want to raise up leaders in the Church. Yes, we value a trained clergy who have time to devote themselves fully to the Word of God, to prayer, and to visiting their flocks with Christ's care. But we also want to raise up other leaders who live out different callings for their economic life alongside the calling they have to serving as elders, shepherding the flock they are with. These people need even more of the time and effort that pastors can provide, as the pastor is the one providing his elders with the kind of discipleship and training he received through years of seminary study and which he cultivates in hours of study time each week, knowing that the lay elders don't have that luxury. It's a big job, but it's one our Lord has given us. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Malachi 3.6-4.6, Matthew 4.12-25 - Lectionary for 9/27/10

Today's readings are Malachi 3.6-4.6 and Matthew 4.12-25.

Our Lord makes two things crystal clear in Malachi today. First, God doesn't change. He has always been the very same merciful and loving God who rejoices in the repentance of his people, pouring out his loving forgiveness on them. Second, fallen people don't change either. we are always turning aside from God, departing from the faithfulness we pledge, failing to love and trust him perfectly. In effect, the entire Bible is about those two concepts. God is faithful and is always quite himself. We are always unfaithful, in need of a Lord who is loving and gracious.

In the opening of chapter 4 of Malachi, God promises to send his prophet Elijah, who will turn people's hearts, with the ultimate result that they will be turned back to God in repentance.

Lord, you who never change, give us a heart to trust in your eternal lovingkindness. May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. We pray this through Jesus Christ, who ever reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com

Luke 16.19-31 - Sermon for 9/26/10

Sometimes it seems if it weren't for bad luck we'd have no luck at all. Know anyone like that? Some years ago I had a couple of people working for me who were like that. One of them looked forward to his annual performance evaluation. He was a diligent employee. He received a cost of living pay raise and a merit pay raise. Together they boosted his income just enough to raise him to a different tax bracket and lower his monthly take-home pay. Another one had run into trouble with the law due to a violent temper outburst. He left his home with his electronic shackle on his ankle. His car wouldn't start so he got into a rattly old pickup truck he kept for snow plowing and farm use. On the way to work he got a flat tire. Yes, it was raining. Yes, the sheriff's deputy was waiting for him at work when he arrived. He had been out of range for too long. I hope these are extreme hard luck stories but I fear they aren't. It seems that no matter what we do, sometimes we just can't win.

What about Lazarus in our Gospel passage today? We don't know why he was poor. He just was. He had some health issues, probably related to malnutrition or the inability to groom himself, maybe both. He was a beggar who had nothing. The only solace he could get was the dogs, and their nursing care isn't really the best for people. He was hungry, he was cold in the winter, hot in the summer. This is a hard luck story, no doubt. Lazarus wasn't the kind of person most of us would choose to associate with. In fact, I dare say he was the kind of person that none of us would choose to associate with unless we were doing it from a desire to serve him. We probably wouldn't want to be too near him. If he came in to worship with us no doubt the up-wind seats would be at a premium and he would have a lot of people watching him closely. And if it weren't for bad luck, Lazarus would have no luck at all.

What do we know about the rich man? We don't know why he was rich. He just was. Maybe he had been left a lot of money. Maybe he was a successful businessman. Maybe he was a crook of some sort. People became rich two thousand years ago in the same kind of ways they become rich now. We do get an impression that the rich man doesn't seem too committed to charity. Then again, maybe he is a charitable man. We don't know that he denied beggars access to his trash can. In fact, it may be that Lazarus hung out at his gate because he was fairly liberal with his leftovers. It's altogether possible. We simply don't know. He was rich and Lazarus was poor.

Here's what we do know from our passage today. Lazarus died trusting in the Lord. The rich man died not trusting in the Lord.

Lots of rich people believe. Lots of rich people trust the Lord. Many of them go a lot of extra miles for people in need. Lots of rich people feed and clothe the poor. Many of them are involved in service projects, at least in funding service projects to bring the Gospel and physical relief to people around the world. Having a lot of money is no reason why you can't live out your faith in very positive and concrete ways. And I trust we'd all like to have more opportunities like that. Not one of us would be depressed and discouraged if our Lord brought more money into our lives. And I trust that we would all seriously think about the best way to use that money in Christ's service. Yes, lots of rich people believe and act in accordance with their faith in Christ. There's no reason to doubt it.

How about poor people? Like rich people, some poor people live lives of faith and some don't. I haven't had the opportunity to work much with very wealthy people. But I have had some opportunities to work with poor people. I can testify that nobody is too poor to be a villain. Nobody is too poor to be a liar, a thief, a cheat, and an opportunist. Poor people are, in fact, just like rich people. Some are faithful to the Lord. Some are not. Some will take whatever resources the Lord gives them with rejoicing and try to use them in a godly way. Some won't.

I think in our culture we have a tendency to say that rich people can barely be Christians and poor people are by definition faithful to Christ. But it isn't so. Yet the opposite is not true either. Being wealthy is not a sign of being godly, nor is being poor a sign of being ungodly. That is not what's happening with the rich man and Lazarus.

We need to look to the belief those people have. The rich man trusted in himself and his riches. Lazarus trusted in God. How does this affect their destinations? For those who trust in someone other than God, we see the destiny is eternal torment. there is no relief.

The rich man is in agony. he is surrounded with flames but he is not allowed to burn up. He is going to spend eternity in this fiery torment. He who had resources in abundance finds that he can no longer trust in himself, his bank account, his stock portfolio, his pantry, and his servants. He is in a position where nobody can or will help him. What's worse, he is being tantalized by the knowledge that Lazarus is in a place of comfort and bliss.

Meanwhile, we don't have much of a picture of Lazarus, but he seems perfectly comfortable and at ease. Maybe for the first time in his life he is not being gnawed by hunger and disease. He is at rest. Those who die trusting in the Lord receive comfort and blessing.

So, believe on the Lord and receive eternal bliss. Don't believe on the Lord and receive eternal torment. This seems like a serious no-brainer. Why is it so difficult then? Could it be that we desire to earn merit on our own? Could it be that we spend our time and effort trying to figure out whether we are believing well enough? Could it be that we are looking for signs of God's blessing, like adequate riches, to show us that we are really faithful? Could it be that we are busy counting how many opportunities we have had to share the Gospel in our workplace? Could it be that we are tied up with thinking about how we fall short in solving world hunger? Maybe we fall into doubt about whether we are doing enough for our Lord. And in our attempts to serve our Lord faithfully we end up trusting in ourselves.  Or maybe we fall off the horse in the other direction. Salvation is by grace through faith, so it doesn't matter if we give any food to those beggars. Salvation is by grace through faith and it is applied to me so it doesn't matter if I do any good works. After all, I'm safe. It doesn't really matter if my neighbor is suffering. Helping him won't earn me any merit, so I'll just stay to myself. Both directions are wrong.

Salvation is by grace through faith. Let us make no mistake of it. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world has come to seek and to save that which was lost. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. And he is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  This is public knowledge. It is all over the Bible. We don't need someone to come back from the dead to tell us. We don't need Lazarus to rise and tell our brothers. They have Moses and the prophets. For that matter, they have us as well. Many people will not be moved to believe, even though they are confronted with Jesus who rose from the dead. People seem more ready to accept some sort of secret knowledge and a false gospel that requires them to earn their own merit than they are to accept the true Gospel that Jesus has lived and died on our behalf, right out in front of everyone, and requires only that we believe he is who he said he is and he has done what he said he has done. But this is the liberation of the true Gospel. Salvation is accomplished in the finished work of Christ. And this is the critical message that our world needs to hear. It is a life and death matter.

Our Lord has given godly leaders, like the elders, the church council, pastors, and like you who believe Jesus. He has entrusted this precious Gospel to people like you and like me. Let us go forth, then, believing the Gospel, bearing the liberating news of God's grace to our world. Let us encourage one another in this faith. And let us do it all with the precious Word of God, given to proclaim the freedom of the Gospel of Christ.

Let us rise to pray.

Lord, create in us a clean heart. Renew a right spirit within us. Cast us not away from your presence. Do not take your Holy Spirit from us. Restore to us the joy of Your salvation. We pray that you would make us people who trust in you, whose lives are transformed to lives of hope in the promise of blessing and grace which you have given us. Use us also as servants of that precious Gospel, that we may bear it with us into every situation you place us in. May we see how to bring the good things that you provide as a blessing to our neighbor, showing forth the mercy and grace given to us by our Lord. This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.

--
Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com