After he participated in an interfaith memorial service for the Sandy Hook Elementary students a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Pastor was asked to apologize to the LCMS for worshipping with non Christians. The request came from the LCMS President and elicited the requested apology from the Newtown Connecticut Pastor. He apologized not for participating in the service but for causing offense to others in the Church. A minor but important distinction.
I honestly am confused about the reason for this apology and fear it may further antagonize those who judge the Church to be unwelcoming. Perhaps its hard for me to understand the concern because of my location outside the tradition.
From my perspective I don't see interfaith worship services as expressions of theological agreement. I think its possible to worship together without minimizing differences. In fact I think it is imperative to do so. It seems to me that this was a pastoral act intended to help a community heal rather than a statement of theological agreement.
If the Pastor had held a service in his Church just for those who were members to help them heal, wouldn't that send the message that the Church exists only for those who are already part of the club?
The real threat to the Gospel in this situation isn't theological compromise but rather the inability to live out the Good News.
I know that there are many LCMS members and Pastors that are also frustrated by this. There are also legitimate questions about whether this is merely an internal matter for the lcms. The bigger question however is whether there can be a distinction between internal and external issues for the church? I'm not sure there is... But that question requires some more thought.
(This is an edited version of my original post. I'm grateful to a colleague who rightly pointed out that some of the original language and conclusions were rather harsh. I apologize for allowing my frustration get the better of me.)
I think your rant is a little misguided. Pastor Rob Morris, participated in a pan-Christian/pan-heathen worship service as a minister of the Gospel (not lay person). It is not the pastoral care that and desire to share Jesus with others, that started this response from LCMS (see http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=26555 & http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=26762).
ReplyDeleteYour charge of incensitivity and narrow-minded is in reality (in LCMS) a value of non-unionism and non-syncretism with folks (Christians and non-Christians) who hold to false teachings.
Kind of reminds me of that dude ... Jesus .. and the narrow road, and St. Paul about not adding any leaven. But forget it, in this day and age, WHO listens to the whole Bible and its council ?
This issue is an internal LCMS issue and all outsiders should really "butt out".
ReplyDeleteWhat we should all really be focusing our attention on is the suffering families of the murdered children and teachers and let the LCMS handle its internal affairs regarding the involved pastor in private.
Why did the LCMS react in this manner? A joint worship service with non-believers, in which prayers are directed to a generic "God" is idolatry, in our conservative, orthodox Lutheran belief system. We aren't trying to force you or any other liberal Christian to accept our views, we are not trying to force you or anyone else to become LCMS. But this is our belief, this is our Church, this is our internal policy.
The pastor involved knew the rules and chose to break them, even though he had very good intentions and I'm sure was under a tremendous amount of stress, grief, and pressure. I certainly have no intention of throwing stones at him. However, as an LCMS pastor, he knew the rules, he knew the probable consequences, but he chose to break the rule.
Bottom line: if you join a "club", and have been advised of the club's rules, abide by the rules, or join another "club".
If an LCMS pastor or congregation doesn't like our rules, they can leave at any time. We are not the Episcopal Church. We are not going to come with a pack of lawyers, take your building and church property, and force you into the street. Go in peace. We pray that you will be happy in the ELCA. However, don't expect us to change our belief system just because it seems unfair to outsiders.
The ELCA and the LCMS may have their origins in Martin Luther, but they began parting company years ago and are now headed down very different paths. The two groups have two very different views of Christianity.
The ELCA, out of genuine Christian love, desires to be as inclusive, kind, open, and loving as possible to ALL.
The LCMS believes that being true to God, to the Gospel, to the Bible, to the Church Fathers, and to the Lutheran Confessions must be our highest priority. We believe this is necessary because by being true to the above, we are being true to our Lord and Savior, who instituted the Church almost two thousand years ago. We do not believe in changing the two thousand year old doctrine and practice of the Church. Even if it seems harsh, cold, indifferent, bigoted, or discriminatory, we CANNOT betray these ancient beliefs and practices, for in our minds, to do so is to betray Christ.
This is what I see happening: The LCMS, along with other conservative (confessional/orthodox) Lutherans, Eastern Orthodox, conservative Anglicans/Anglo-Catholics, will eventually form some type of loose association with the Roman Catholic Church, currently the largest and strongest guardian of the orthodox Christian faith.
The evangelicals will go their own way. Many of them do not even consider us orthodox or you liberals to be Christians.
The ELCA, the Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, some Presbyterians and Methodists, and other liberal Christian Churches will eventually merge into one great liberal Protestant Christian Church.
And I predict that within one or two generations after this merger, this "Church" will cease to believe that Jesus Christ is the "only way" and will drop the name "Christian" and adopt a univeralist theology that "all roads lead to God...whomever, he, she or it may be".
Let's part in peace, dear brother. Our views of Christianity are completely different. Let's stop sniping at each other.
Gary
Delete"What we should all really be focusing our attention on is the suffering families of the murdered children and teachers and let the LCMS handle its internal affairs regarding the involved pastor in private."
100% AGREE. During this time of mourning and reflection, I am saddened to see the national media making news on this internal church affair.
"The pastor involved knew the rules and chose to break them, even though he had very good intentions and I'm sure was under a tremendous amount of stress, grief, and pressure. I certainly have no intention of throwing stones at him."
From my reading of the incident, the LCMS pastor (Rob Morris) was told that it was not going to be a joined-worhsip service, and the organizers switched things at the last minute. Talk about having the rug pulled from under you.
I am grateful for our archbishop (president Matthew Harrison) and Pastor Morris for the way they handled this delicate situation.
I applaud Rev. Harrison for his very pastoral approach to a very sensitive matter. I am sad this is playing out in national media again. The world will not 'get' this, anymore than they did the problems with the 9/11 interfaith prayer service. When these things occur and the argument is played out on the court of public opinion, the church suffers terribly. BUT the Gospel suffers all the more when we give the impression of a unity in faith that does not exist.
ReplyDeleteA syncretistic/unionistic participation on a stage in which all participants are seen as equally contributing to the “comfort” of the sorrowing is, by its very nature, a confused, pluralistic, witness. As was the case at Yankee Stadium, Jesus simply becomes one more option among equals. Letting the truth stand along side falsehood is the very definition of confusion. Absolutely nothing can be beneficial from listening to error. Sadly, this is now “confusing” to our Synod when it used to be crystal clear. As our Constitution says with respect to obtaining and retaining membership in the Synod, it is necessary to “renounce unionism and syncreticism of every discription.” Tragically it is the Gospel that is fundamentally compromised by such well-intended silliness. Other options would have been far superior to this business.
ReplyDeleteIt is especially troublesome that this is done in the full knowledge that it would become divisive in the Synod. This kind of crass disregard for the unity and peace of the Synod is simply unconscionable and inexcusable whether it was done by David Benke, Pr. Morris, or Dick Bolland. As Scripture clearly says, "That which does not proceed from faith is sin." The confusing mixed witness given at Newtown or Yankee Stadium is a participation in the sins of others regardless of the "purity" of the witness given.
I understand that some of you consider the actions of President Harrison to be embarrassing to the name Lutheran and that you are uncomfortable having LCMS people confused with you ELCA types. Welcome to our world! How often have LCMS Lutherans been "guilty by association" when the ELCA has pulled some of the bonehead things it has done like ordaining homosexual pastors, ordaining women, declaring altar and pulpit fellowship with those who deny the real presence, or abandon proper biblical interpretation for methods that permit human reason to override the plain meaning of Scripture?
Thanks for the comments. Obviously this is an issue that many are passionate about.
ReplyDeleteBut here's my fundamental question...Do you think that the Muslim, Jewish, and other faith leaders participating in that ceremony fully agreed with Pastor Morris' beliefs? I certainly don't. And I doubt anyone else did either. So why then does his participation indicate acceptance of their beliefs?
For that matter...when did Jesus ever ask about the faith of those around him before he prayed, preached, or worshipped? Is Jesus a "unionist" because he worshipped in the synagogue? Clearly not everyone present in that setting had the same beliefs that he did.
To add another voice from the LCMS to the discussion...check out this post from former Missouri Synod President Gerald Kieschnick who supports Pastor Morris's participation in the ceremony. http://www.icontact-archive.com/BLfgmhzNAinjEDvhgKWsUlcib5clKGYU?w=1
And another excellent response from the ELCA Bishop of the New England Synod http://bishoponabike.squarespace.com/blog/2013/2/8/responding-to-the-lcms-reprimand.html
ReplyDeleteWould Jesus have participated in an interfaith prayer service with the followers of Zeus and the followers of Jupiter?
ReplyDeleteI doubt it.
That's the point. By sharing in a worship service with them we are essentially saying "We are all headed to the same destination, just by different paths."
There is only one path to salvation: Jesus Christ.
Let's look at one of the Scripture passages Rev. Kieschnick suggests (being a member of an LCMS congregation, I could give two figs about what an ELCA bishop says about an LCMS matter):
ReplyDeleteElijah prayed in the presence of false Gods (1 Kings 18:20-46). What does the text tell us? Elijah built his altar to the Lord while the prophets of Baal built their altar. And Elijah stood there and MOCKED them. He was making fun of the false prophets. See vs :27, referring to Baal: 'And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, 'Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.'
And we know what happens at the end of the passage(!!): 'And Elijah said to them, 'Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape.' And they seized them. And Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon and slaughtered them there."
So yeah, Rev. Kieschnick is correct. Elijah prayed around followers of a false god. Then Elijah killed them all. Can't imagine the PR nightmare encourage by following the guidance there (!!) But Elijah made his point about the exclusivity of the Triune God.
I would almost be OK with a Lutheran participating in this kind of unionism and syncretism IF they preached of such an EXCLUSIVE SALVATION in Christ Jesus that said Lutheran mocked the false faith of those gathered near him. If said Lutheran was forced off the stage because His preaching of the Gospel did not please the 'itching ears' of those gathered. If said Lutheran actually stood up and said that the prayers offered in the name of Allah fell on deaf ears, or that the Jewish faith has abandoned the promise found in Christ Jesus this would be a different matter.
But these things do not happen at interfaith prayer services, because by their nature, they seek to find common ground where it does not exist. Imagine the terrible things the New York Times would say if Rev. Morris had stood up and expressly said salvation cannot be found apart from Christ Jesus, and that only in Him can we be saved, and that prayers to all other Gods are offered to false Gods who provide no comfort. How would THAT have went over with a pluralistic society? It would cause so much consternation it would be ridiculous. So, best to just no be involved in them at all. Not to say we don't engage the culture or cooperate with other churches to fight, say abortion. Or set up a homeless shelter or open a soup kitchen. But appearing as one option among many, on some kind of religious buffet line is contrary to the Gospel.
Now, looking at Jesus.. there is NO indication that Jesus ever stood in line with pagans and Baal prophets and presented His teaching as one option among many, so those in attendance could pick and choose whatever they liked the most. Yes, Jesus ministered to everyone, but on His own or with His disciples. But never by sharing the stage with idolators and false prophets. And even Jesus was rejected because of the exclusivity of His claims (Matthew 13:53). So, it is to be expected that the church is rejected by many today that do not like its claims of exclusivity.
Thankfully, we have the clear teaching of the Word: Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad. (Matthew 5:11-12)
Hey Brian, Ahab here. I just wanted to let you know that we have been having fantastic success in our interfaith prayer services with the Philistine Baal worshippers (really nice people, by the way).
ReplyDeleteWe don't actually kneel and make sacrifices to Baal, to be sure, but we do bow our heads in respect while the Baal people say their prayers. There is a really great spirit of unity, peace and love at these services. We are starting to notice that our young people are now "hanging out" with Baal-ist youth, and a few mixed marriages have even been celebrated. God/Baal be praised!
We certainly support your position that all people, of all faiths, should join to worship "God". It brings such harmony to our communities!
We are having problems with a few conservative, traditionalists, however. They seem to be under the delusion that showing reverance to the "One true God" is more important than good believer-Baalist relations. They are really ignorant, backward-minded bigots.
Be careful of one guy in particular. He seems to think he can call down fire from heaven and has threatend to purge our houses of worship of all Baalist prophets attending our services.
His name is...Elijah.
By the way, my wife HATES that guy!
ReplyDelete