“We twentieth-century Christians have chosen the way of compromise. We withdraw our Christian consciousness from the fields of public, commercial, and social life. We have not Christian vocabulary to match the complexities of contemporary political, social, and industrial life. How should we have? A language is nurtured on usage, not on silence, however high-principled. And we have long since ceased to bring Christian judgement to bear upon the secular public world.” – Harry Blamires
This was even clarified and solidified further in my belief the past few days. I have been speaking at fundraising events and introducing the man I will be working with and sitting under in Bangalore, India, and through various conversations with leaders in the Christian circles there seems to be a consensus of Mr. Blamires’ quote.
Many of the leaders I spoke with and many conversations I listened to regarding our Christian culture today have much the same sentiment in that there is a lack in our Christian circles, and in particular in the area of academia and being able to hold conversations beyond the simple platitudes. Unfortunately we have given up in many ways on the 1 Peter 3:15, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” and Jude 3, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
We are lacking in apologetics, and many get turned off by this term, thinking that it is only for those who want to debate, write articles or work in academia, but that is not true. Apologetics is for everyone, and we are told in 1 Peter 3:15 to defend, apologia in Greek, the faith. Not only those with credentials, but all of us. We need to understand and be able to explain what we believe. If someone asked you why you believe what you believed, what would you say? Would you say you believe in Christ because the Bible says that Jesus is the Savior?
But, why do you believe the Bible and not the Koran or the Book of Mormon? They claim to be the final authority as well. How can you believe in the virgin birth, resurrection or that Jesus is coming back again some day? Are those kind of miracles really possible? Why believe in miracles at all? You get into the circle argument if you say the Bible again.
Today more then ever we need to know understand in a deeper fashion why we believe what we believe. We need to stop drinking milk and start living off of solid food.
Hebrews 5:12-14, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Sola Scriptura for Charismatics
Posted: 05/17/2008
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/3523/By_K_Jentoft
By: K. Jentoft
The article below was posted on the website above, and are not my words. I do find the argument interesting and worth considering in its entirety and I agree on many fronts with what is being conveyed.
Article:
The presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit is central to living Christianity. Charismatics have emphasized the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and see His power as what separates them from “dead religion.” It is true that he Holy Spirit must be present and active in the life of a believer, this is the very claim that the Reformers made, especially Luther. The reformers and Charismatics agree on this. However, they disagree on something just as crucial – their understanding of how the Holy Spirit comes and how He is active in the lives of believers. Luther believed the Holy Spirit only comes through the external Word, written and preached. This understanding of how the Holy Spirit exercises His authority in both individuals and the church is where Charismatics have wandered from the foundations of the Reformation. The Reformation was built upon sola scriptura which means “the authority of scripture alone.” More completely, this is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is:
· self-authenticating,
· clear to the rational reader,
· its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"),
· sufficient of itself to be the final authority of Christian doctrine, teaching and guidance.
This concept was the bedrock of the Reformation and the source of the other four solas; sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). While most Charismatics consider they believe in sola scriptura and have words to that effect in their church statement of faith, in practice they deny it. How? Precisely because of their beliefs describing how the Holy Spirit interacts with their lives and churches. Let us be clear, both the reformers and Charismatics agree that an intellectual understanding of the gospel and simply agreeing that it is true does not make saving faith. In other words, people merely acknowledging the authority of scriptures and the truth of gospel are not necessarily born again nor do they necessarily have the Holy Spirit. Both Luther and Charismatics complain of “dead churches” that are devoid of the Holy Spirit and “anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Rom. 8:9). But how does what is dead become alive and active in the Holy Spirit? What are the means of the Holy Spirit’s activity and power? Sola scriptura claims that the means is the scripture, the external Word written and preached. In contrast, Charismatics believe that the means include internal feelings, impressions, and subjective experiences. The pursuit of the Holy Spirit through these Charismatic means is a rejection of sola sciptura and a return to the Catholic paradigm that new internal revelations of men are from the Holy Spirit and have authority. The goal of this article is to show that this conflict is not “new” nor is the Charismatic paradigm the result of some new “outpouring” of the Holy Spirit unique in our time – this error was not even “new” in Luther’s time five hundred years ago. This error was destructive then and the repeat edition continues to harm people today – and the remedy is still the same, sola sciptura.
The Means
The way or mechanism through which we interact with the Holy Spirit is crucial, a key element in understanding sola scriptura. According to John 16:13 when the Holy Spirit comes, “He will guide you into all the truth.” John 14:26 tells us the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. Galatians 5:18, 25 addresses this same concept,” if you are led by the Spirit…If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” This mechanism of “being guided by,” “being taught by,” being led by,” living by,” and “walking by” the Holy Spirit is the means or way the Holy Spirit carries Christians and rules in their lives – it is how He exerts his authority. Christians who submit to His means exhibit the fruit of His rule in their lives. For Charismatics, the means the Holy Spirit operates in their lives is through internal impressions, feelings, thoughts and “anointings.” The presence of the Holy Spirit is “felt” or perceived internally and His leading sensed subjectively by those seeking to be led by Him. This is seen in a worship service whose goal is to “feel the presence of God” – God being the Holy Spirit (as Jesus is bodily in Heaven with his Father). The Charismatic means are seen in the pursuit of internal “words” or revelations people feel are from the Holy Spirit. It is seen in where someone gives a “personal meaning” to scripture that is pulled from context and the meaning of the original author. It is also seen in prayers inviting the Holy Spirit to come and manifest his presence as an internal feeling or sensation. I am not implying that the goal of this pursuit of the Holy Spirit is bad. In fact, the goal of the Charismatics’ pursuit of the Holy Spirit is a clearer understanding of God’s guidance, will and direction for individuals and the congregation – people seeking God’s answers to their questions and afflictions. They want to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their lives and act as the Holy Spirit leads them to accomplish God’s will in their lives and on this earth. But their means are flawed; this pursuit of the Holy Spirit leads to error instead of their goal and delusion instead of truth.
Catholic Mysticism and Charismatic Means
The battle Luther fought was not against a “dead church” with no manifestations of the spiritual – some dry hierarchy of church government denying the supernatural. Luther’s battle was about spiritual revelations and the means the Holy Spirit ruled His church. It obviously had much to do with the papacy, as seen below. The reason the reformers fought the papacy was that this system looked to their own revelations as having authority along with scriptures. They claimed the Holy Spirit directly inspired their leader and his claims. Luther states:
The papacy, too, is nothing but enthusiasm, for the pope boasts that “all laws are in the shrine of his heart,”8 and he claims that whatever he decides and commands in his churches is spirit and law, even when it is above and contrary to the Scriptures or spoken Word.[1]
Beyond the pope himself, the Catholics also taught that special or elite Christians could also interact with the Holy Spirit directly through various practices called spiritual disciplines. Luther strongly opposed Catholic mysticism that taught people to seek God’s presence inside themselves. Sola scriptura invalidated the Catholic traditions of mysticism that had been embraced by the church for hundreds of years including:
· Direct revelations to popes and other “holy people.”
· “Contemplative prayer” which used eastern style meditation to empty the mind.
· “Lectio divina” which used repetitive reading of the words of scriptures to empty one’s mind.
However, this battle went much further than just revelations within the papacy. In fact, some of Luther’s main battles for sola scriptura were against freestyle spirituality and revelations claimed by the new “Charismatics” emerging within the Protestants that embraced these mystical traditions. The Charismatics Luther battled were broadly called “enthusiasts” because of their excessive emotional zeal and “subjective” means to approach the Holy Spirit. These enthusiasts included Anabaptists and the followers of various leaders people perceived as having some special “anointing.” Luther opposed both Catholic mysticism and protestant enthusiasts because they both rebelled against the authority of scripture. For Luther and the reformers, the Holy Spirit came to them and interacted with them through the scriptures alone not through internal feelings. Here is what Luther says concerning their freestyle spirituality.
It is good to extol the ministry of the Word with every possible kind of praise in opposition to the fanatics who dream that the Holy Spirit does not come through the Word but because of their own preparations. They sit in a dark corner doing and saying nothing, but only waiting for illumination, as the enthusiasts taught formerly and the Anabaptists teach now.[2]
Luther was not necessarily claiming that these people openly rejected or denied the scripture, but that they rebelled against its authority by rejecting the meaning originally intended by the author. The enthusiasts made scriptures say what they felt or wanted them to say through personal interpretations and allegory they claimed were revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. Luther observes:
In these matters, which concern the external, spoken Word, we must hold firmly to the conviction that God gives no one his Spirit or grace except through or with the external Word which comes before. Thus we shall be protected from the enthusiasts — that is, from the spiritualists who boast that they possess the Spirit without and before the Word and who therefore judge, interpret, and twist the Scriptures or spoken Word according to their pleasure. 1[3]
Once freed from the tyranny of the Catholic Church, these enthusiasts continued the Catholic paradigm and rejected the legitimate authority of the Holy Spirit speaking through the scripture. They practiced freestyle Christianity interacting with the Holy Spirit through whatever means they felt inspired. These enthusiasts demanded interactions with the Holy Spirit outside of scriptures - revelations felt and perceived internally by individuals as the “voice of the Holy Spirit.” Luther attacked these “revelations” because they had no authority and resulted in people following their own imaginations.
For the Holy Spirit does not—as the enthusiasts and the Anabaptists, truly fanatical teachers, dream—give His instruction through new revelations outside the ministry of the Word.[4]
Error Costs
Luther saw this appetite for new revelations as both dangerous and damaging. He physically witnessed these “revelations” cause the deaths of thousands and misery to tens of thousands who were deluded by their own internal feelings and those of their “spiritual leaders” like Thomas Munzer. Münzer, beheaded in 1525 after the Peasants’ War, was one of the leaders of the radicals claiming spiritual revelations as the basis for his rebellion. Luther was opposed to mysticism because it was as damaging among the Protestants as it was within the Catholic Church. Luther fought this Charismatic paradigm with as much vigor as He did the abusive Catholic Church – the mystical root was the same. Sola scriptura was the foundation that mysticism sought to undermine with internal revelations. Luther says:
Away with our schismatics, who spurn the Word while they sit in corners waiting for the Spirit’s revelation, but apart from the voice of the Word! They say one must sit still in a corner and empty the mind of all speculations, and then the Holy Spirit will fill it. [5]
The modern Charismatic “paradigm” and their concept of the means to interact with the Holy Spirit is not new. The concepts Luther wrote against in the 1500s are the same issues Charismatics struggle with today when they dilute the authority of scriptures with mysticism, internal feelings, or allegorical and personal interpretations of the scripture as how the Spirit communicates. Again, the Reformation considered the work and power of the Holy Spirit essential and crucial in the life of the individual and the church. However, the means through which the Holy Spirit came to the church and exerted His rule – how the Holy Spirit interacted with Christians – this was Luther’s battle.
Sola Scriptura or Popes (one, many or me)
If we reject Luther’s concept of sola scriptura we reject the Reformation – regardless of what is in a statement of faith. Rejecting sola sciptura is to return to serving popes and the foundations of Catholicism, namely God’s will is still revealed to men by the Holy Spirit through freestyle internal revelation. The only question left to answer is which pope to serve; the Catholic one, a new “anointed” leader, or perhaps setting oneself up as a “personal pope” receiving revelations for oneself. Dr. Karlstadt was once such leader in Luther’s day teaching people to be quiet and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking inside them through “self abstraction.” The means he emphasized was an “inner word” that was “felt” in contrast to an external word that was spoken or read. Karlstadt’s means are the same ones embraced by Charismatics today. This is what Luther says:
But should you ask how one gains access to this same lofty spirit they do not refer you to the outward gospel but to some imaginary realm, saying: Remain in “self abstraction”101 where I now am and you will have the same experience. A heavenly voice will come, and God himself will speak to you. If you inquire further as to the nature of this “self abstraction,” you will find that they know as much about it as Dr. Karlstadt knows of Greek and Hebrew. Do you not see here the devil, the enemy of God’s order? With all his mouthing of the words, “Spirit, Spirit, Spirit,” he tears down the bridge, the path, the way, the ladder, and all the means by which the Spirit might come to you. Instead of the outward order of God … and the oral proclamation of the Word of God he wants to teach you, not how the Spirit comes to you but how you come to the Spirit. They would have you learn how to journey on the clouds and ride on the wind. They do not tell you how or when, whither or what, but you are to experience what they do.[6]
Luther rightly condemns this Charismatic teaching. Why? Because our internal feelings do not have the authority of God. God’s Word has the authority of God and is the means through which the Holy Spirit speaks to us individually and as a congregation. The Holy Spirit speaks to us with an external voice found in the words of scripture, as we read it or hear it preached, and empowers these same words to change our hearts and actions. Here is Luther speaking on the role of the Holy Spirit described in John 16:1, “For He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak.”
Here Christ makes the Holy Spirit a Preacher. He does so to prevent one from gaping toward heaven in search of Him, as the fluttering spirits28 and enthusiasts do, and from divorcing Him from the oral Word or the ministry. One should know and learn that He will be in and with the Word, that it will guide us into all truth, in order that we may believe it, use it as a weapon, be preserved by it against all the lies and deception of the devil, and prevail in all trials and temptations. For there is, after all, no other way and no other means of perceiving the Holy Spirit’s consolation and power, as I have often demonstrated from Holy Writ and have often experienced myself. [7]
The Reformation view of the Holy Spirit’s ruling the church and the authority the leaders themselves exercised was centered on the concept of sola scriptura. The activity of the Holy Spirit working through these leaders was viewed through the lens of sola scriptura, not mysticism with personal revelations or modern prophets. Scripture was the means that the Holy Spirit interacted with the individual and the congregation. This is where they heard the certain voice of God. The message and words of their songs of worship, taken from scripture, were the means through which the Holy Spirit was active in their worship – an understanding of what they were singing about. While Luther may not have believed in a literal millennium, He did understand the rule of the King through the Holy Spirit at our present time through the scriptures and says:
the Holy Spirit establishes a wide difference among teachers and gives the right rule by which the spirits are to be tested. He wants to say that there are two kinds of teachers. There are some who speak on their own authority; that is, they evolve their message from their own reasoning or religious zeal and judgment. The Holy Spirit is not to be that kind of preacher; for He will not speak on His own authority… In this way Christ sets bounds for the message of the Holy Spirit Himself. He is not to preach anything new or anything else than Christ and His Word. Thus we have a sure guide and touchstone for judging the false spirits. [8]
While I believe that scriptures clearly promise a literal Messianic Kingdom for Israel that will come to pass with Jesus reigning in Jerusalem for a thousand years as the actual king over the entire world, now this kingdom is only spiritual and found with the Holy Spirit. Sola scriptura is the means through which the Holy Spirit rules now in the lives of individuals and the church; the visible precursor to the coming reign of the literal kingdom of God that will be manifested in the second coming. Rejecting sola scriptura for freestyle spirituality in the name of the Holy Spirit is rebellion against this kingdom – the actions of an enemy of God. Matthew 7:21.
“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'”
8 Corpus juris canonici, Book VI, I, 2, c.1.
[1]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (312). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
[2]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (212). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
1 E.g., Luther’s “Against the Heavenly Prophets” (1525).
[3]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (312). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
[4]Luther, M. (1999, c1960). Vol. 2: Luther's works, vol. 2 : Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 6-14 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (2:162). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
[5]Luther, M. (1999, c1972). Vol. 17: Luther's works, vol. 17 : Lectures on Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (17:8). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
101 One of the seven stages in the mystic apprehension of God. Cf.p. 88, and MA3 4, 373.
[6]Luther, M. (1999, c1958). Vol. 40: Luther's works, vol. 40 : Church and Ministry II (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (40:147). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
28 Cf. Luther’s Works, 22, p. 330, note 42.
[7]Luther, M. (1999, c1961). Vol. 24: Luther's works, vol. 24 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 14-16 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (24:362). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
[8]Luther, M. (1999, c1961). Vol. 24: Luther's works, vol. 24 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 14-16 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (24:362). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/article.php/3523/By_K_Jentoft
By: K. Jentoft
The article below was posted on the website above, and are not my words. I do find the argument interesting and worth considering in its entirety and I agree on many fronts with what is being conveyed.
Article:
The presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit is central to living Christianity. Charismatics have emphasized the working of the Holy Spirit in their lives and see His power as what separates them from “dead religion.” It is true that he Holy Spirit must be present and active in the life of a believer, this is the very claim that the Reformers made, especially Luther. The reformers and Charismatics agree on this. However, they disagree on something just as crucial – their understanding of how the Holy Spirit comes and how He is active in the lives of believers. Luther believed the Holy Spirit only comes through the external Word, written and preached. This understanding of how the Holy Spirit exercises His authority in both individuals and the church is where Charismatics have wandered from the foundations of the Reformation. The Reformation was built upon sola scriptura which means “the authority of scripture alone.” More completely, this is the assertion that the Bible as God's written word is:
· self-authenticating,
· clear to the rational reader,
· its own interpreter ("Scripture interprets Scripture"),
· sufficient of itself to be the final authority of Christian doctrine, teaching and guidance.
This concept was the bedrock of the Reformation and the source of the other four solas; sola fide (faith alone), sola gratia (grace alone), solus Christus (Christ alone), soli Deo Gloria (to the glory of God alone). While most Charismatics consider they believe in sola scriptura and have words to that effect in their church statement of faith, in practice they deny it. How? Precisely because of their beliefs describing how the Holy Spirit interacts with their lives and churches. Let us be clear, both the reformers and Charismatics agree that an intellectual understanding of the gospel and simply agreeing that it is true does not make saving faith. In other words, people merely acknowledging the authority of scriptures and the truth of gospel are not necessarily born again nor do they necessarily have the Holy Spirit. Both Luther and Charismatics complain of “dead churches” that are devoid of the Holy Spirit and “anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Rom. 8:9). But how does what is dead become alive and active in the Holy Spirit? What are the means of the Holy Spirit’s activity and power? Sola scriptura claims that the means is the scripture, the external Word written and preached. In contrast, Charismatics believe that the means include internal feelings, impressions, and subjective experiences. The pursuit of the Holy Spirit through these Charismatic means is a rejection of sola sciptura and a return to the Catholic paradigm that new internal revelations of men are from the Holy Spirit and have authority. The goal of this article is to show that this conflict is not “new” nor is the Charismatic paradigm the result of some new “outpouring” of the Holy Spirit unique in our time – this error was not even “new” in Luther’s time five hundred years ago. This error was destructive then and the repeat edition continues to harm people today – and the remedy is still the same, sola sciptura.
The Means
The way or mechanism through which we interact with the Holy Spirit is crucial, a key element in understanding sola scriptura. According to John 16:13 when the Holy Spirit comes, “He will guide you into all the truth.” John 14:26 tells us the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. Galatians 5:18, 25 addresses this same concept,” if you are led by the Spirit…If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” This mechanism of “being guided by,” “being taught by,” being led by,” living by,” and “walking by” the Holy Spirit is the means or way the Holy Spirit carries Christians and rules in their lives – it is how He exerts his authority. Christians who submit to His means exhibit the fruit of His rule in their lives. For Charismatics, the means the Holy Spirit operates in their lives is through internal impressions, feelings, thoughts and “anointings.” The presence of the Holy Spirit is “felt” or perceived internally and His leading sensed subjectively by those seeking to be led by Him. This is seen in a worship service whose goal is to “feel the presence of God” – God being the Holy Spirit (as Jesus is bodily in Heaven with his Father). The Charismatic means are seen in the pursuit of internal “words” or revelations people feel are from the Holy Spirit. It is seen in where someone gives a “personal meaning” to scripture that is pulled from context and the meaning of the original author. It is also seen in prayers inviting the Holy Spirit to come and manifest his presence as an internal feeling or sensation. I am not implying that the goal of this pursuit of the Holy Spirit is bad. In fact, the goal of the Charismatics’ pursuit of the Holy Spirit is a clearer understanding of God’s guidance, will and direction for individuals and the congregation – people seeking God’s answers to their questions and afflictions. They want to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in their lives and act as the Holy Spirit leads them to accomplish God’s will in their lives and on this earth. But their means are flawed; this pursuit of the Holy Spirit leads to error instead of their goal and delusion instead of truth.
Catholic Mysticism and Charismatic Means
The battle Luther fought was not against a “dead church” with no manifestations of the spiritual – some dry hierarchy of church government denying the supernatural. Luther’s battle was about spiritual revelations and the means the Holy Spirit ruled His church. It obviously had much to do with the papacy, as seen below. The reason the reformers fought the papacy was that this system looked to their own revelations as having authority along with scriptures. They claimed the Holy Spirit directly inspired their leader and his claims. Luther states:
The papacy, too, is nothing but enthusiasm, for the pope boasts that “all laws are in the shrine of his heart,”8 and he claims that whatever he decides and commands in his churches is spirit and law, even when it is above and contrary to the Scriptures or spoken Word.[1]
Beyond the pope himself, the Catholics also taught that special or elite Christians could also interact with the Holy Spirit directly through various practices called spiritual disciplines. Luther strongly opposed Catholic mysticism that taught people to seek God’s presence inside themselves. Sola scriptura invalidated the Catholic traditions of mysticism that had been embraced by the church for hundreds of years including:
· Direct revelations to popes and other “holy people.”
· “Contemplative prayer” which used eastern style meditation to empty the mind.
· “Lectio divina” which used repetitive reading of the words of scriptures to empty one’s mind.
However, this battle went much further than just revelations within the papacy. In fact, some of Luther’s main battles for sola scriptura were against freestyle spirituality and revelations claimed by the new “Charismatics” emerging within the Protestants that embraced these mystical traditions. The Charismatics Luther battled were broadly called “enthusiasts” because of their excessive emotional zeal and “subjective” means to approach the Holy Spirit. These enthusiasts included Anabaptists and the followers of various leaders people perceived as having some special “anointing.” Luther opposed both Catholic mysticism and protestant enthusiasts because they both rebelled against the authority of scripture. For Luther and the reformers, the Holy Spirit came to them and interacted with them through the scriptures alone not through internal feelings. Here is what Luther says concerning their freestyle spirituality.
It is good to extol the ministry of the Word with every possible kind of praise in opposition to the fanatics who dream that the Holy Spirit does not come through the Word but because of their own preparations. They sit in a dark corner doing and saying nothing, but only waiting for illumination, as the enthusiasts taught formerly and the Anabaptists teach now.[2]
Luther was not necessarily claiming that these people openly rejected or denied the scripture, but that they rebelled against its authority by rejecting the meaning originally intended by the author. The enthusiasts made scriptures say what they felt or wanted them to say through personal interpretations and allegory they claimed were revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. Luther observes:
In these matters, which concern the external, spoken Word, we must hold firmly to the conviction that God gives no one his Spirit or grace except through or with the external Word which comes before. Thus we shall be protected from the enthusiasts — that is, from the spiritualists who boast that they possess the Spirit without and before the Word and who therefore judge, interpret, and twist the Scriptures or spoken Word according to their pleasure. 1[3]
Once freed from the tyranny of the Catholic Church, these enthusiasts continued the Catholic paradigm and rejected the legitimate authority of the Holy Spirit speaking through the scripture. They practiced freestyle Christianity interacting with the Holy Spirit through whatever means they felt inspired. These enthusiasts demanded interactions with the Holy Spirit outside of scriptures - revelations felt and perceived internally by individuals as the “voice of the Holy Spirit.” Luther attacked these “revelations” because they had no authority and resulted in people following their own imaginations.
For the Holy Spirit does not—as the enthusiasts and the Anabaptists, truly fanatical teachers, dream—give His instruction through new revelations outside the ministry of the Word.[4]
Error Costs
Luther saw this appetite for new revelations as both dangerous and damaging. He physically witnessed these “revelations” cause the deaths of thousands and misery to tens of thousands who were deluded by their own internal feelings and those of their “spiritual leaders” like Thomas Munzer. Münzer, beheaded in 1525 after the Peasants’ War, was one of the leaders of the radicals claiming spiritual revelations as the basis for his rebellion. Luther was opposed to mysticism because it was as damaging among the Protestants as it was within the Catholic Church. Luther fought this Charismatic paradigm with as much vigor as He did the abusive Catholic Church – the mystical root was the same. Sola scriptura was the foundation that mysticism sought to undermine with internal revelations. Luther says:
Away with our schismatics, who spurn the Word while they sit in corners waiting for the Spirit’s revelation, but apart from the voice of the Word! They say one must sit still in a corner and empty the mind of all speculations, and then the Holy Spirit will fill it. [5]
The modern Charismatic “paradigm” and their concept of the means to interact with the Holy Spirit is not new. The concepts Luther wrote against in the 1500s are the same issues Charismatics struggle with today when they dilute the authority of scriptures with mysticism, internal feelings, or allegorical and personal interpretations of the scripture as how the Spirit communicates. Again, the Reformation considered the work and power of the Holy Spirit essential and crucial in the life of the individual and the church. However, the means through which the Holy Spirit came to the church and exerted His rule – how the Holy Spirit interacted with Christians – this was Luther’s battle.
Sola Scriptura or Popes (one, many or me)
If we reject Luther’s concept of sola scriptura we reject the Reformation – regardless of what is in a statement of faith. Rejecting sola sciptura is to return to serving popes and the foundations of Catholicism, namely God’s will is still revealed to men by the Holy Spirit through freestyle internal revelation. The only question left to answer is which pope to serve; the Catholic one, a new “anointed” leader, or perhaps setting oneself up as a “personal pope” receiving revelations for oneself. Dr. Karlstadt was once such leader in Luther’s day teaching people to be quiet and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking inside them through “self abstraction.” The means he emphasized was an “inner word” that was “felt” in contrast to an external word that was spoken or read. Karlstadt’s means are the same ones embraced by Charismatics today. This is what Luther says:
But should you ask how one gains access to this same lofty spirit they do not refer you to the outward gospel but to some imaginary realm, saying: Remain in “self abstraction”101 where I now am and you will have the same experience. A heavenly voice will come, and God himself will speak to you. If you inquire further as to the nature of this “self abstraction,” you will find that they know as much about it as Dr. Karlstadt knows of Greek and Hebrew. Do you not see here the devil, the enemy of God’s order? With all his mouthing of the words, “Spirit, Spirit, Spirit,” he tears down the bridge, the path, the way, the ladder, and all the means by which the Spirit might come to you. Instead of the outward order of God … and the oral proclamation of the Word of God he wants to teach you, not how the Spirit comes to you but how you come to the Spirit. They would have you learn how to journey on the clouds and ride on the wind. They do not tell you how or when, whither or what, but you are to experience what they do.[6]
Luther rightly condemns this Charismatic teaching. Why? Because our internal feelings do not have the authority of God. God’s Word has the authority of God and is the means through which the Holy Spirit speaks to us individually and as a congregation. The Holy Spirit speaks to us with an external voice found in the words of scripture, as we read it or hear it preached, and empowers these same words to change our hearts and actions. Here is Luther speaking on the role of the Holy Spirit described in John 16:1, “For He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak.”
Here Christ makes the Holy Spirit a Preacher. He does so to prevent one from gaping toward heaven in search of Him, as the fluttering spirits28 and enthusiasts do, and from divorcing Him from the oral Word or the ministry. One should know and learn that He will be in and with the Word, that it will guide us into all truth, in order that we may believe it, use it as a weapon, be preserved by it against all the lies and deception of the devil, and prevail in all trials and temptations. For there is, after all, no other way and no other means of perceiving the Holy Spirit’s consolation and power, as I have often demonstrated from Holy Writ and have often experienced myself. [7]
The Reformation view of the Holy Spirit’s ruling the church and the authority the leaders themselves exercised was centered on the concept of sola scriptura. The activity of the Holy Spirit working through these leaders was viewed through the lens of sola scriptura, not mysticism with personal revelations or modern prophets. Scripture was the means that the Holy Spirit interacted with the individual and the congregation. This is where they heard the certain voice of God. The message and words of their songs of worship, taken from scripture, were the means through which the Holy Spirit was active in their worship – an understanding of what they were singing about. While Luther may not have believed in a literal millennium, He did understand the rule of the King through the Holy Spirit at our present time through the scriptures and says:
the Holy Spirit establishes a wide difference among teachers and gives the right rule by which the spirits are to be tested. He wants to say that there are two kinds of teachers. There are some who speak on their own authority; that is, they evolve their message from their own reasoning or religious zeal and judgment. The Holy Spirit is not to be that kind of preacher; for He will not speak on His own authority… In this way Christ sets bounds for the message of the Holy Spirit Himself. He is not to preach anything new or anything else than Christ and His Word. Thus we have a sure guide and touchstone for judging the false spirits. [8]
While I believe that scriptures clearly promise a literal Messianic Kingdom for Israel that will come to pass with Jesus reigning in Jerusalem for a thousand years as the actual king over the entire world, now this kingdom is only spiritual and found with the Holy Spirit. Sola scriptura is the means through which the Holy Spirit rules now in the lives of individuals and the church; the visible precursor to the coming reign of the literal kingdom of God that will be manifested in the second coming. Rejecting sola scriptura for freestyle spirituality in the name of the Holy Spirit is rebellion against this kingdom – the actions of an enemy of God. Matthew 7:21.
“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'”
8 Corpus juris canonici, Book VI, I, 2, c.1.
[1]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (312). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
[2]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (212). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
1 E.g., Luther’s “Against the Heavenly Prophets” (1525).
[3]Tappert, T. G. (2000, c1959). The book of concord : The confessions of the evangelical Lutheran church (312). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
[4]Luther, M. (1999, c1960). Vol. 2: Luther's works, vol. 2 : Lectures on Genesis: Chapters 6-14 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (2:162). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
[5]Luther, M. (1999, c1972). Vol. 17: Luther's works, vol. 17 : Lectures on Isaiah: Chapters 40-66 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (17:8). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
101 One of the seven stages in the mystic apprehension of God. Cf.p. 88, and MA3 4, 373.
[6]Luther, M. (1999, c1958). Vol. 40: Luther's works, vol. 40 : Church and Ministry II (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (40:147). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.
28 Cf. Luther’s Works, 22, p. 330, note 42.
[7]Luther, M. (1999, c1961). Vol. 24: Luther's works, vol. 24 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 14-16 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (24:362). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.
[8]Luther, M. (1999, c1961). Vol. 24: Luther's works, vol. 24 : Sermons on the Gospel of St. John: Chapters 14-16 (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (24:362). Saint Louis: Concordia Publishing House.Distributed by www.ChristianWorldviewNetwork.com
Monday, May 12, 2008
In Light of Eternity
2 Corinthians 10:5, “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
“Ever since the first glimmerings of his own awakening, [Jonathan Edwards] was acutely aware that the human problem was to see one’s condition in its true perspective. Human self-centeredness was so overwhelming and this world was so alluring, that each person was by nature incredibly short-sighted, self-absorbed, and blinded by pride. People had to awaken to their true interests.”—George Marsden
Do we do this today? Take every thought captive in light of eternity. Today the Christian Worldview has become pretty much anything but Christian in our American culture. One only needs to look at the commercials on T.V., ads in the magazines or what comes across the screen when signing on the internet. If our “Christian” nation really acted accordingly, the majority of what is seen today would vanish.
It is even deeper then this, because those things mentioned above are only outcomes of what has happened to our view of Christianity and God. If we truly took everything into consideration before doing it then how would our lives change? How would the country change? When you choose your career or what you buy do you take it before God first and see what the value is in light of eternity? Do you weigh it before the Bible?
What about our thought process? If I am thinking Christianly then there will be a war waged against me, both spiritually and culturally (and I include the church culture in this). How does someone like Bono gain so much praise in the Christian circles when the man thinks that Muslims worship the same God? How does someone like Joel Osteen become so popular with his ‘self’ mentality? Making sure you have a positive self-esteem or a positive self-image is not in the Bible I read, just look at a few verses written by many different authors form both the Old and New Testaments (Romans 5:8, 3:23; 1 Timothy 1:15; James 4:8; Jeremiah 3:25; Psalm 106:6). They become popular because they appease the world. Did you ever wonder why the world loves them? Especially when the Bible tells us that if we are followers of Christ the world will hate us.
How about the way you vote? Does Christ enter there? Do you look at what the candidates’ platforms are and then take them to the Word of God to see if they line up with eternity? Or do you look at what “you” think would be best, and hope that lines up with God? Or do you just look the other way on certain issues, voting for the lesser of two evils, which by the way is still evil? I personally do not believe any of the Presidential candidates would be able to run if we as citizens thought in light of eternity. Just on morality issues alone, two of them wash out vehemently and the other one washes out, but not as drastic. Just look at what they vote for, what they write and say and you can see this.
We need to think Christianly in everything. Every area of our lives needs to be controlled by Christ and not the media, or the world.
Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
“Ever since the first glimmerings of his own awakening, [Jonathan Edwards] was acutely aware that the human problem was to see one’s condition in its true perspective. Human self-centeredness was so overwhelming and this world was so alluring, that each person was by nature incredibly short-sighted, self-absorbed, and blinded by pride. People had to awaken to their true interests.”—George Marsden
Do we do this today? Take every thought captive in light of eternity. Today the Christian Worldview has become pretty much anything but Christian in our American culture. One only needs to look at the commercials on T.V., ads in the magazines or what comes across the screen when signing on the internet. If our “Christian” nation really acted accordingly, the majority of what is seen today would vanish.
It is even deeper then this, because those things mentioned above are only outcomes of what has happened to our view of Christianity and God. If we truly took everything into consideration before doing it then how would our lives change? How would the country change? When you choose your career or what you buy do you take it before God first and see what the value is in light of eternity? Do you weigh it before the Bible?
What about our thought process? If I am thinking Christianly then there will be a war waged against me, both spiritually and culturally (and I include the church culture in this). How does someone like Bono gain so much praise in the Christian circles when the man thinks that Muslims worship the same God? How does someone like Joel Osteen become so popular with his ‘self’ mentality? Making sure you have a positive self-esteem or a positive self-image is not in the Bible I read, just look at a few verses written by many different authors form both the Old and New Testaments (Romans 5:8, 3:23; 1 Timothy 1:15; James 4:8; Jeremiah 3:25; Psalm 106:6). They become popular because they appease the world. Did you ever wonder why the world loves them? Especially when the Bible tells us that if we are followers of Christ the world will hate us.
How about the way you vote? Does Christ enter there? Do you look at what the candidates’ platforms are and then take them to the Word of God to see if they line up with eternity? Or do you look at what “you” think would be best, and hope that lines up with God? Or do you just look the other way on certain issues, voting for the lesser of two evils, which by the way is still evil? I personally do not believe any of the Presidential candidates would be able to run if we as citizens thought in light of eternity. Just on morality issues alone, two of them wash out vehemently and the other one washes out, but not as drastic. Just look at what they vote for, what they write and say and you can see this.
We need to think Christianly in everything. Every area of our lives needs to be controlled by Christ and not the media, or the world.
Philippians 2:12-13, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Alan Speaking on India
If you would like to hear Alan talking about why the family is moving to India then click the link below. Scroll down until you see Alan sitting on a motorcycle and press play on the tool bar below the picture.
http://www.graystonepc.org/index.cfm/pageid/531/index.html
http://www.graystonepc.org/index.cfm/pageid/531/index.html
Can You See It?
“In the truest sense, Christian pilgrims have the best of both worlds. We have joy whenever this world reminds us of the next, and we take solace whenever it does not.” – C.S. Lewis
Have you ever just sat back and wondered what the New Heaven & New Earth will be like? Walking in the New Jerusalem, seeing familiar faces, new faces and the face of our Savior, Jesus Christ; seeing the buildings, the trees, the landscape, and all of God’s perfected Glory. What an amazing place this is going to be for those who are followers of Christ!
Sometimes I think we put too much of our efforts on this life instead of the next one. We forget that this life is just a “vapor in the wind,” where the next life is for eternity. Many times I find myself spending too much energy on the worries of the world, or desiring too much of the world. It is at these times I have lost my focus of Heaven, aiming high. I have taken my eyes off the prize for the temporary fix. Of course, it does not mean that we neglect our responsibilities on earth by focusing on Heaven, but it does mean that we do not give them more credence then they deserve.
Some will say that it is so easy to become wrapped up in this world because we do not know what Heaven will be like. But this is not true. The Bible is filled with visuals of what Heaven will be like. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of what the New Jerusalem will look like in Heaven. It is going to be a mammoth city! The ground floor would be two million square miles alone, and if there were a story for how high the Bible reports the walls to be then there would be 600,000 floors if we gave 12 feet for every story. This is just the city. Can you see it?
Tolkien and Lewis have both said that, “Pagan fables of paradise were dim and distorted recollections of Eden.” Meaning that the good things we have today are reflections or shadows of what it will be like in Heaven. Everything here currently is tainted by sin, but in Heaven nothing will be tainted by sin. I believe there will be educational buildings, arts, entertainment, and everything else “good” that a city offers, and none of them will be sinful in anyway, as sin is gone and Satan and the rest of Hell is cast into the Lake of Fire. Can you see it?
For those of you who are not city folk, not to worry, because Heaven is talked about as a country (Luke 19:12; Hebrews 11:14-16) as well. Heaven is going to be a glorious place that will forever be filled with the Eternal God; giving us an eternity of beauty, majesty, and glory to fill our time.
Just take a moment to think about it for a minute. Since all our senses are corrupted by sin, maybe they will be enhanced by perfection. Maybe we will see new colors, like infrared or ultraviolet. Maybe we will taste everything better and there will be new kinds of chocolate. Maybe we will hear new sounds. I believe all those maybes, and I am sure I am not even coming close to imagining what Heaven will be like. Can you see it?
Then all the people we will meet. Relatives you have not seen in a long time. I for one cannot wait to see my grandpa. Maybe you will meet people that accepted Christ because of your witness to them directly or because of someone you witnessed to witnessed to them. How about meeting with the Apostles? The church fathers? Martyr’s from all over the world? Listening to their stories and enjoying rich, sinless fellowship.
Saving the best for last. You will be with Jesus Christ forever. If that does not excite you then I am not sure why you want to go to Heaven in the first place. In reality, we should not care about all the other stuff, though fun to think about, if we know Jesus is going to be there. We will be able to sit at His feet, be in His presence completely. That should just blow your mind. We have the privilege of being with God incarnate, our Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I for one cannot wait!!
Part of what makes Heaven so wonderful to think about is we can use our imaginations to think about what it will be like. It gives hope, dreams, and a longing for the better place than are current location and there is a place infinitely better yet to come. We live in a tainted shadow of what was suppose to be and will one day become, but we can imagine and then live for that day when we will walk into eternity and be face to face with Christ. O’ what a glorious day that will be. Till then reflect on His wonders here and think how much better they will be on the New Earth. I pray that it comes soon.
Can You See It???
In the words of Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
Have you ever just sat back and wondered what the New Heaven & New Earth will be like? Walking in the New Jerusalem, seeing familiar faces, new faces and the face of our Savior, Jesus Christ; seeing the buildings, the trees, the landscape, and all of God’s perfected Glory. What an amazing place this is going to be for those who are followers of Christ!
Sometimes I think we put too much of our efforts on this life instead of the next one. We forget that this life is just a “vapor in the wind,” where the next life is for eternity. Many times I find myself spending too much energy on the worries of the world, or desiring too much of the world. It is at these times I have lost my focus of Heaven, aiming high. I have taken my eyes off the prize for the temporary fix. Of course, it does not mean that we neglect our responsibilities on earth by focusing on Heaven, but it does mean that we do not give them more credence then they deserve.
Some will say that it is so easy to become wrapped up in this world because we do not know what Heaven will be like. But this is not true. The Bible is filled with visuals of what Heaven will be like. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of what the New Jerusalem will look like in Heaven. It is going to be a mammoth city! The ground floor would be two million square miles alone, and if there were a story for how high the Bible reports the walls to be then there would be 600,000 floors if we gave 12 feet for every story. This is just the city. Can you see it?
Tolkien and Lewis have both said that, “Pagan fables of paradise were dim and distorted recollections of Eden.” Meaning that the good things we have today are reflections or shadows of what it will be like in Heaven. Everything here currently is tainted by sin, but in Heaven nothing will be tainted by sin. I believe there will be educational buildings, arts, entertainment, and everything else “good” that a city offers, and none of them will be sinful in anyway, as sin is gone and Satan and the rest of Hell is cast into the Lake of Fire. Can you see it?
For those of you who are not city folk, not to worry, because Heaven is talked about as a country (Luke 19:12; Hebrews 11:14-16) as well. Heaven is going to be a glorious place that will forever be filled with the Eternal God; giving us an eternity of beauty, majesty, and glory to fill our time.
Just take a moment to think about it for a minute. Since all our senses are corrupted by sin, maybe they will be enhanced by perfection. Maybe we will see new colors, like infrared or ultraviolet. Maybe we will taste everything better and there will be new kinds of chocolate. Maybe we will hear new sounds. I believe all those maybes, and I am sure I am not even coming close to imagining what Heaven will be like. Can you see it?
Then all the people we will meet. Relatives you have not seen in a long time. I for one cannot wait to see my grandpa. Maybe you will meet people that accepted Christ because of your witness to them directly or because of someone you witnessed to witnessed to them. How about meeting with the Apostles? The church fathers? Martyr’s from all over the world? Listening to their stories and enjoying rich, sinless fellowship.
Saving the best for last. You will be with Jesus Christ forever. If that does not excite you then I am not sure why you want to go to Heaven in the first place. In reality, we should not care about all the other stuff, though fun to think about, if we know Jesus is going to be there. We will be able to sit at His feet, be in His presence completely. That should just blow your mind. We have the privilege of being with God incarnate, our Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I for one cannot wait!!
Part of what makes Heaven so wonderful to think about is we can use our imaginations to think about what it will be like. It gives hope, dreams, and a longing for the better place than are current location and there is a place infinitely better yet to come. We live in a tainted shadow of what was suppose to be and will one day become, but we can imagine and then live for that day when we will walk into eternity and be face to face with Christ. O’ what a glorious day that will be. Till then reflect on His wonders here and think how much better they will be on the New Earth. I pray that it comes soon.
Can You See It???
In the words of Paul, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)