When will we learn?
Ideas have consequences, and bad ideas can bring real devastation. A two-kingdom perspective about how God is at work in the world brings a certain sanctified “common sense” to many of the issues we struggle with today. If one studies history, or even gets involved in trying to make this world a better, civil, more humane place, one learns very fast that things are really broken. Even the good things that we seem to accomplish bring consequences of which we weren’t aware. A two-kingdom perspective on how to preserve the world even as God saves it realizes that human beings are sinful and bent towards evil by nature. All efforts that we engage to overcome our failings and make things right tend to get skewed along the way (we can NEVER be saved by our works). Therefore, “the quest for perfection” is often the enemy of a better (not perfect) solution.” And, there will be times we all face the reality that there is no “good solution” to an issue, but there is the lesser of two evil ones that will require action and forgiveness, even with the best of intentions.
For that reason, we must be aware of the foolishness that seems to be invading our college campuses.[1] In our history, Americans have always suffered a propensity to pietism, the notion that we could create, by our efforts, a perfect society. It stems from our puritan roots, though those roots were helpfully tempered and directed by an obedience to God. But pietism in all its forms wrongly overestimates our ability to do what’s right and underestimates the scope of our propensity to destruction even through our “best,” most passionate efforts.
Neo-Marxist thought alarmingly amplifies “pietism” even as it disconnects it from any notion of God, faith, morality, and obedience. Its self-righteous is built on the premise that human beings aren’t sinful or evil by nature. No. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, they claim that it is merely the structures of our world that are evil. And if those evil structures are removed (even if by violence), and if pure, just, and egalitarian structures are put in their place, good people will be good to one another the way they were meant to be. This myopic focus on systemic, structural “sin,” not personal sin and responsibility, masks rather than illuminates.
So, what’s the point? Well, because of the reality of our universal “sinfulness, depravity,” utopian intentions tend to bring tyrannical, despotic results. Say what you will about the violence caused by religion in history; it’s nothing compared to the violence and murder perpetuated by the likes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Mussolini, Pol Pot, and others, all seeking the perfect structure for the perfect society. With a sanctified, common-sense view of the depravity of the human heart (including ourselves), with a knowledge of our propensity to evil in amidst the best of circumstance, public service is at best a “tradeoffs endeavor seeking the most good,” with a humble knowledge that even our best efforts may be a lesser of two evils, needing moral action (directed or limited by God’s commandments) and forgiveness both. With that in mind we can strive to think as the Bible teaches “to think about others more highly than ourselves,” and seek to serve others with our strength, motivated by God’s love, directed by His moral truth. In God’s preserving work, we must always seek “good” solutions, or at least the lesser of two evils solutions, always remembering that salvation (the perfect solution) is something that only God can bring to humanity in the person and work of Jesus. That’s wisdom that works for all, if we’d only learn it anew!
The Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz is the executive director of the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty.
Be Informed
Lutherans Have Been Valuing Life For As Long As We’ve Existed! Learn About The Value Of Life As Its Written Even In Our Lutheran Confessions With The Rev. Michael Salemink, Executive Director Of Lutherans For Life.
Be Equipped
Our Savior Lutheran Church in Carol Stream, Ill., serves families in the community through its monthly Breakfast with Baby event. Any chance your congregation would consider doing the same?
Be Encouraged
Our lesson for today comes in the context of another healing event in the ministry of Jesus. It not only demonstrates Christ’s power over all things, but also the power of faith IN HIM amidst all the doubts and struggles that we may be facing. There is so much to learn from the honest confession of the father in this reading. This dad knew what his son needed, but felt helpless in response. He also knew what he needed -- stronger faith. When he meets Jesus, he expresses sentiments something like these:
“I’d like to have great faith, but I know that I’m inadequate, especially now when I need it most. In fact, I’m overcome by circumstances and doubt. Lord Jesus, while I believe, help my unbelief.”
In his letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Rom. 13:1-2).
With that statement, Paul defines the relationship between Christians and government. Throughout the Book of Acts, Paul invokes his Roman citizenship to make a passionate defense of the Gospel. Instead of shying away from engagement with the governing authorities, he engages them by proclaiming truth. However, he also puts his trust in God’s sovereignty because he knows that the ultimate authority and judge is the Lord, who has allowed those to be in authority so God’s purposes can be accomplished.
Discover why America’s Evangelicals are shrinking in number and influence, and how you can help bring back biblical faithfulness and political engagement by tuning in to The Liberty Action Alert.
There’s a question that many are asking today. Actually, people have been asking questions like that for almost 2000 years. Here’s another one: “How can you believe that Jesus is the only Savior, the one that is the Savior for all people?” You can believe it because there is no one like Jesus. You could try to give me another name or show me another savior, but there isn’t one.
Last month, former President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together.
Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).
Join Dr. Seltz and Dr. Victor Davis Hanson as they expose the secular Left’s false promises and explore what it means to be 2 Kingdom citizens in today’s divided world—listen now for powerful insights and a path forward!
Have you heard about the class action lawsuit aimed at a company called Second Chance Body Armor? Second Chance manufactures bulletproof vests for police officers and security personnel. Their products are used by hundreds of police departments throughout the country.
Apparently, several policemen have been killed while they were wearing the vest. Following some independent field tests on several of their vests, a flaw was discovered in some of them compromising their ability to do what they were intended to do, to stop a bullet that was fired at those whom the vest was designed to protect.
One of my junior catechumens asked that last week. Politics, and political advertising, are wall-to-wall and around-the-clock here in Iowa these days. By “these days,” I mean most of the 10 years since I was called to Iowa. . . . The answer to that question is never short. Instead, I point our members to two basic Scriptures about the relationship of the Christian to government and politics
Discover the legal, cultural, and faith-based perspectives on educational choice and parental rights in the latest episode of The Liberty Action Alert—listen now!
When we take God’s Word and try to “domesticate” it, as if it were something we could add to, alter, improve, or manipulate in our futile efforts to fulfill it, we do as the Pharisees did, only to be unmasked and exposed by Jesus. Such confusion creates a false religion based on human rules and works. Jesus says clearly, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” Replacing God’s Word with human observances is empty at best and, at worst, destructive to the eternal life and salvation God desires us all to have as His free gift
How can an informed Lutheran talk about violations of conscience? How do we speak about our religious liberties? What if our neighbor asks us to explain freedom of religion? Here are some questions you might hear and ways to respond.
The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.
The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.
Discover how “secular blasphemy trials” are challenging freedom and faith abroad and at home—don’t miss this eye-opening episode!
I tried to come to grips with the depth of the questions and the issues that are at hand in our text for today. Think about it. There is Jesus in the flesh, the Savior of the world, teaching a group of followers and disciples. Just when Jesus starts to lay things on the line, calling people not just to some generic faith, but faith IN HIM, many who had followed began to leave. This prompts His question to His disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Wow! That’s almost too hard to imagine.
I remember well holding my youngest daughter in my arms the day after she was born. But I do not remember thinking, “This is not bone of my bones or flesh of my flesh.” My only thought was that the Lord had given me this girl and that I was her father.
Discover why Bible-believing Christians must reclaim their voice in the public square in this week’s powerful episode of The Liberty Action Alert with Cheryl Chumley.
As we think about our text today, we need to be reminded again of the situation that we are in. We are seeking to live the life that we’ve been given by God. But it’s a strenuous one, full of challenges, opportunities, and even dangers. No matter our perceived expertise, there is one thing that finally matters for the climb.
“What is marriage?” It seems like a silly question. But its one our society is vigorously fighting about. For thousands of years, and for all of recorded history prior to the year 2000, societies around the world recognized that marriage was an exclusive relationship of faithful permanence between one man and one woman, who vowed to remain together until death parts them.
Dive into the debate on political unity with David Harsanyi and explore its implications for Christians on this week's Liberty Action Alert.
What do you seek for your life so that it might be what God intends it to be, an eternal one, full of love and grace? Do you seek something that’s merely “shiny?” Do you seek things like the “bread and miracles” that even the religious people of Jesus day yearned to see? Or do you seek what God offers, a reconciled relationship with the one who created you and redeemed you in the person and work of Jesus Christ?
Former President Donald Trump has survived an assassination attempt. We thank God for his protection, and like many other voices this week, we abhor such political violence, boldly praying to God that virtue and civility might return to our public life together. As Christians, we are called into the middle of the chaos of the world in which we live with the power and wisdom of God’s preserving voice of the Law and His saving voice of the Gospel.
Prayer Partner Thursday provides a month-long prayer emphasis in one of the four Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty areas of emphasis: Religious Liberty, Sanctity of Life, Educational Freedom, and Marriage as an Institution (family).
Join Congressman Robert Aderholt and Senator James Lankford as we discuss the Supreme Court's decisions on life issues and their impact on our society.
This world is a frightening place. So much so that even the most seasoned among us can become unhinged at the challenges before us. Just ask a veteran who has been in combat. Just ask a policeman who must patrol the cities at night. Just ask a person struggling with illness, disease, or the loss of a loved one who meant everything to them. Those are comparable to the fear the disciples of Jesus felt one dark evening on the Sea of Galilee.
There are times when the church’s teaching on an issue sparks discussion and controversy because there is some debate over the precise meaning of critical words or ideas in the teaching. Other times, a doctrine of the church generates keen discussion and disagreement because the teaching is exceedingly plain and clear but difficult to practice. The church’s teaching about divorce falls into the latter category.
The dates identifying the LCRL bulletin blurbs are only suggestions. Please feel free to use any and all of the bulletin blurbs as your ministry needs allow.
The Bulletin Insert is designed to be printed and cut in half to fit conveniently inside a Sunday worship bulletin. Each month an insert will offer insight, encouragement, and information from the LCRL on the topics of Religious Liberty, Life, Marriage, or Education.
Discover the challenges and opportunities of promoting the message of life in today's America with Dr. Seltz and Montana Senator Steve Daines on The Liberty Action Alert.