Law and Gospel

I love this Lucas Cranach painting. It illustrates the doctrine of Jesus as savior (Gospel or Grace) and as Judge (Law).

It controversially shows people falling into damnation for following the law of Moses as the basis for their righteousness.

At the time this painting had anti-Catholic connotations but I think it speaks more broadly now.

American culture is infused with the idea that a person can be good enough for God by doing good things. This view is vile because it undermines the whole sacrifice of Christ. If following rules and law was good enough there would have never been a need for anyone besides Moses.

Destroying the World

Charlton Heston is reading an edited version of a chapter of the novel Jurassic Park, solely written by Michael Crichton. The chapter is called Destroying the World.

Breakdown of Denominations

I've been reading a book Christianity's Dangerous Idea by Anglican theologian Alister McGrath.

He brings up an interesting phenomenon. In the 1950's people were devoted to their denominations. An Episcopalian family would move to a new town and look for a new Episcopal Church. They'd not even consider looking at Baptist, Presbyterian, or Methodist Churches.

Now-a-days families are likely to change denominations when they move. Non-denominational factors are more important to church membership now.

A family is more likely to look for a Church where they find preaching they like, or fellowship they like or a child's ministry they like. The denominational identity is losing importance as people place higher importance on other factors.

In some ways I can sympathize with this. I will go along to Churches of other denominations with friends and family on occasion. I appreciate reading the thoughts and theology of people of other denominations. I even pull from non-Lutherans for my own theological views (mostly historical Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians).

However I don't think I'd switch denominations willy nilly just because I've moved. If I ever left the Lutheran Church it would be because of dire disagreements with the national leadership. It wouldn't be because I wanted to find a place with preaching that suited me or fellowship that was more comfortable.

Ash Wednesday

Perhaps it's old fashioned to observe Ash Wednesday.

I notice that none of the four Lutheran Churches in my metropolitan area is having an Ash Wednesday mass. In a city of 300,000 people I find that a bit worrying.

The Anglicans/Episcopalians and Catholics appear to still be observing Ash Wednesday. I may stop at an Anglican Church on my way to work to observe Ash Wednesday mass.

While Ash Wednesday isn't described in the Bible, I think the day serves an important purpose.

Ash Wednesday is a day of repentance. We put ash on our faces as a sign of repentance (Jesus mentions this custom).

It is a day of fasting as we begin Lent.

The seriousness of sin is something hard to communicate in words. The customs of Lent are meant to illuminate our sins and lead us to mourning over them.

Perhaps I'm just a traditionalist but I think our culture is in dire need of seriousness about sin.

The Horror of Grace

I've got a coworker who's a rather vehement atheist. I feel sympathetic for the man since he's in a place where overt religion is expected and often Evangelicals make motions leaving non-Christians excluded.

One time I was with this co-worker and he (knowing I happened to be a Lutheran) asked me questions about the faith. Perhaps he wondered why I wasn't pressuring him or trying to evangelize him. This guy was a former music minister so I assumed he'd heard the Gospel.

So I tried to answer this man's many questions but I notice one thing really disturbs and annoys him about Lutheran doctrine. This man is prepared to mildly and calmly put down and disparage Evangelical faith but he's uncomfortable with the notion of grace.

The atheist co-worker began quoting Bible verses and speaking against a God not saving those he hadn't given faith to.

In fact I think he was angrier at the doctrine of grace than when Evangelicals tried to evangelize him. I can't really see the perspective that hates grace. Grace was only a bittersweet lie (prior to my salvation) or a glorious beautiful experience (after my salvation).

I can't really understand the perspective that's so horrified at God's grace that it must lash out in anger to either deny it or rage against it.

Interesting Links

-Obama skips Church, heads to Gym.
-What a Single Nuclear Warhead Could Do
-Kiwis fleeing to Australia hit record high
-Immigrants Leaving Colorado
-Women to promote male cut

Cubicle Calvinism?

New Communities and Individualism

I've been thinking about the internet lately.

One of the positive impacts is that the internet allows communities that were impossible before to thrive today.

In the old days a community of libertarian atheists would be difficult for the average libertarian atheist to find. Now-a-days a libertarian atheist can choose from several online communities geared towards him.

Some groups had barriers to real world socializing. I frequent autistic/aspergers message boards (I fit on the spectrum). It's a lot easier for people with autism or aspergers to socialize online (without non-verbal cues or as many pitfalls).

A lot of just shy lonely people find some solace and company online.

On the other hand the internet is providing a substitute for real community and real contact.

As much as I enjoy (and even care) for online buddies there's quite a difference between that and a local community. How often do people settle for the online contact in lieu of relationships in person?

I wonder about this quite a bit. I'm a rather eccentric guy. A confessional Lutheran with semi-calvinist tendencies who believes in evolution and is interested in culture and science.

I find that while I connect with people offline that it's on a superficial level. I don't ever feel "close" to people I see often in the real world. I'm not sure if that's my fault or just a part of being an unusual person. I notice it's easier for me to connect on that satisfying level with folks online.

Given that I've been moving every 3-4 years, it may just be that once I begin to develop close friendships that I move away from them. In fact I think that may be the problem.

I was a Sunday School teacher a few years ago (before I moved hundreds of miles away from that city). I was once part of a tightly nit House Church (before I moved hundreds of miles away). I was fairly involved in my last Church (before I moved away).

Maybe the mobility and transience of my generation is what makes real community so difficult and online camaraderie so welcome.

Christian horror movie

For a long time I felt horror films were intrinsically bad. They glorified violence. They depended on anticipation of violence to keep the audience interested. If you cut out the suspense, a horror film would be incredibly boring.

This isn't new. In ancient Rome, crowds cheered as Gladiators fought to the death. The suspense and the gore of combat entertained the common people of Rome.

Today simulated suspense and gore entertain the common people of America.

But is it possible to make a Christian horror movie?

I'm not sure how that would work.

How would the assumptions of Christianity influence or shape a horror movie?
Could it generate suspense without stepping over the line?
Could it depict violence without risking glorifying it?
Could a Christian horror movie be entertaining?

Happy Reformation Day

It was my birthday today. Several months ago I began my job with the Army.

I've got to praise the kindness and tight nit community of the Army.

Today my coworkers took me out to lunch and we had cake back at the office. My boss even let me off work early.

The ladies at work even offered to throw my wife a Baby Shower since we're far away from our friends and family.

I didn't receive any gifts this year but I was so grateful to receive kindness and camaraderie.

Happy Reformation Day!