I think it's folly that we sometimes believe we are more intelligent than those who have gone before us. Sure, folks in the past didn't have to deal with the technology we have today; yet, they did have to deal with human nature. They had to deal with relationships. They had to deal with many of the same questions we continue to struggle with today. And some of them found answers that worked--at least for them.
When a group found answers that worked for them, they became a part of that group's practice. Over the years, such things became tradition, and many such traditions are still alive and well.
The Christian faith has undergone much scrutiny over the 2000 years it has been around. There are various and many traditions which are alive and well. Too bad we generally neglect them.
In my last post, I dealt with the elaboration of an article of a document I produced called the "Cat Spring Confession." The overall document is a wrestling of sorts that I have undertaken to help me define what I believe Lutheranism in this century is all about, and as I worked with the document last week, I was astounded at something I came across in one of the important documents of Lutheranism: The Augsburg Confession.
One of the Lutheran Church's greatest struggles in this time and place is grappling with how we interpret Scripture--specifically how do we deal with the Law. Many Christians and non-Christians are familiar with the Law of Christianity. It's all the dos and don'ts. Many a debate has taken place on what should be done and not done according to the Bible. Many a time someone rises and begins an argument in the church with the words, "The Bible says..."
And they are usually correct. The Bible does say a whole lot. It gives a whole lot of guidance and instruction. It tells us what God expects and doesn't expect. I don't know of a single Christian who doesn't take at least part of the Bible to heart in such a manner.
However, I also know of no Christian who practices every single command in the Bible. I know of no Christian who practices every law or considers the breaking of some laws to be sinful.
What do I mean by such a comment?
In my Bible study this Sunday, I asked the question of the group, "If a Christian soldier has an enemy in his sights and pulls the trigger, does that soldier commit a sin?"
The resounding response from the group was, "NO!!"
"O.K." I replied. "Now put that example up to what the Bible tells us. Put that example up to what Jesus tells us."
"Turn the other cheek," one lady proclaimed.
"Deeper," I said. "Jesus said, 'Pray for your enemies and bless those who persecute you.' He also said, 'If you have anger against your brother you commit murder."
In no uncertain terms, if we follow the letter of the law, a Christian soldier who pulls the trigger with an enemy in his/her sights commits a sin. Yet, most Christians do not believe this is such. Why?
There are several options. One is that we are hypocritical. We pick and choose what we want to think is a sin. We build our churches and gather people who are like-minded in our understanding. We proclaim which sins are acceptable and which are not, and we drive off anyone who doesn't think like us.
The other option is similar, but with a subtle difference. It was the path the reformers chose in writing the Augsburg Confession. They recognized the church did not adhere to all of the laws given in the Bible. They used the example of women wearing head coverings and the example of eating the blood of an animal or an animal which has been strangled. In both of these instances, the reformers noted that following or not following such commands does not affect the chief article of the Christian faith. In addition to this claim, the reformers said no one is offended that such commands are not followed. Therefore, these laws, included in the Bible and mandated by the inspiration of God--are now loosed.
Think about that for a moment. If a Law which is contained in the Bible does not diminish the chief article of the Christian faith and if no one is offended that folks do not follow it, it is therefore rendered unimportant.
Uncomfortable with this?
I was. And still am to a certain extent. Yet, as I told my Sunday School class--this is the price of living by Grace. For the chief article of the Christian faith according to the Lutheran Church is we are saved only by God's grace through faith in Christ Jesus--not by any work or following of the law on our part. Only by God's grace.
I think the reformers had a terrific understanding of St. Paul's words in 1 Corinthians when Paul said, "All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial." Because of God's grace, there is only one unforgivable sin--the sin against the Holy Spirit (which, according to Lutherans is a rejection of Christ). All things are lawful. But not all things are beneficial. We can do all things--if we so choose. As long as it does not cause offense.
I personally understand that part about not causing offense in the same manner that Paul talks about eating meat sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8-10). If eating meat caused brothers and sisters in Christ to stumble--if it caused dissension--if it caused division and a lack of Christian love, don't eat the meat, Paul says.
"All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial."
Such a stance by St. Paul, by the reformers and by others leaves us in a constant state of "greyness." There is no black and white, cut and dried, understanding of what is right and what is wrong. We are left to struggle with ourselves, with a community of faith, and with God as we seek to do the right thing. If you thought Christianity was easy...think again.
It seems to me, in the battles which are fought in many churches between people wielding the sword of the Scriptures versus those who want to loosen certain laws, they are both right, and they are both wrong. On the one hand, the Law contained within Scripture is to be taken seriously, but we can loosen it. It's not automatically set in stone for forever. And yet, when loosening such laws, we must discern when the church is ready for such a thing and not when we want it to be ready. We must seek paths which do not seek division, dissension, and offense of our brothers and sisters to the point they wish to leave the church. Again, if you thought it was easy to be a Christian...think again.
More thoughts continue to ramble around in that lump of tissue situated between my ears, but perhaps this is enough for now.
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