Pastor's Pen 10/26/2021
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- Published: 04 November 2021 04 November 2021
- Last Updated: 04 November 2021 04 November 2021
Pastor's Pen 10/06/2021
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- Published: 08 October 2021 08 October 2021
- Last Updated: 08 October 2021 08 October 2021
The Texas Abortion Law: “The Destruction of Democracy”
A Message from Pastor Hale
The recent Texas law that puts severe limits on abortions in the state might seem a cause for celebration. However, the outcry against it suggests the alternative reaction. The critics have been blunt. They have called it “horrific,” “disgusting,” and “reproductive terrorism.”
The supposed “right” of abortion has become quite ingrained in this country – and it is considered more American than apple pie and the flag, by some. Liberals have cried out “I fear for my country,” as if the murder of babies was the foundation of the United States. This particular Texas law has been called “the destruction of Democracy,” as if the founding fathers were fighting for the singular privilege of ripping babies from the womb in the most unwelcoming fashion. How did the U.S. survive before Roe v. Wade, it might be asked? Whereas now, a Christian can hopefully see how poorly we have done as a whole since Jan. 22, 1973.
This harsh media reaction shows that abortion is not just a political issue. It is much more than that. It is perhaps more of a religious conviction to liberals than conservatives, who are becoming less orthodox by the year. The first arguments for abortion peddled rare exceptions and stories of sad pregnant women that pulled at the heartstrings. Now, to curtail abortions significantly is “a stain on human decency,” as one has recently described this Texas partial ban. Decency has nothing do to with the child anymore – this ban is portrayed as instant death and destruction to all women. The Washington Post ran an article entitled: “Who is going to Save Texas' Women and Girls?” Abortion has become a central tenet of modern America – a matter of secular salvation.
Pagans have tasted the freedom of a sexualized feminism and unrestrained indulgence without the necessity of children and are addicted. They cannot imagine a life without abortion – it is inconceivable. Some companies are even publicizing assistance for employees to leave the abortion wasteland north of Mexico. To do without the possibility of doctor assisted murder is simply not living – it is the worst case, for the unbeliever.
But why abortion? This inalienable “right” – presumably written into the first paragraph of the current constitution – is necessary to uphold the fiction that women are men and men are women. The most visible and life-altering aspect of femininity is motherhood – a most dangerous thing to say today. Of course, a lack of babies does not make a woman into a male, anymore than a man in high heels and a dress can be a woman. But it allows the lie to perpetuate just enough to sustain the illusion and false religion that male and female biology have no real bearing on how we should live. It allows for a sexual free-for-all, and makes homosexual unions (which are inherently childless) very similar to heterosexual ones. There is no major difference in roles or outcomes – that is, until a real, crying baby shatters the dogma that women are just men who look a little different.
Of course, not all women hate babies and not all men are opposed to future adults. But the few sob-story cases must speak for all women – even though it has become hard for the modern to define a woman, with all the transgender confusion. Their role is not fixed by children or marriage anymore, it has been decreed. Abortion upholds this gender-bending theory. It allows the right to unlimited sexual immorality to be assumed. Pleasure is easy and taken for granted, while children are painted as impossible burdens to be chosen most carefully – reversing God’s Word. Children have been separated from marriage and the holy one flesh union with which God blesses male and female. The problems of the soul of this nation go much deeper than laws.
Man’s talk is worthless. We have built a tower of Babel and said to little girls and boys: “you can do anything you want.” But a helpless baby is restricting in many ways, especially when carrying one lovingly to birth and raising him up with care. So sinful human plans and selfish aims get in the way of God’s design. And it is God these people are ultimately opposing – not politicians or judges or Christians. No law requires sexual relations or pregnancies, this is simply God’s design for male and female in marriage – His hidden working. It is this biological reality, a fact of God’s good creation, that people hate – not the money or time or suffering a child demands. The original excuses for limited abortion are now shown to be just evasions – all along. It was never an act of compassion to prevent a child. It is selfish to murder every time – no matter how stark the conception of that child is described.
The corrupt and perverse reactions show us that this battle will continue. It cannot be won with laws, but must be an ever escalating political theater – unless the abortionists truly live out their religion of death and produce no offspring. But very few truly enjoy the satanic religious ritual of ending a small infant’s life. It is merely the idea and possibility that gives them a sense of freedom – a god-like power, to be sure, not the actual murder. They want to be able to overcome God’s creative will whenever they please and “choose.” Evidently, this is America today. It has never been about “choice.” It is about power and worshipping one’s own thoughts and imaginations. Which is why laws cannot save this nation or preach a better religion.
But of course, moving women to go against their intrinsic design will not help them. It is hurting them by forcing them to look with suspicion on what they were made to do. But motherhood is not dangerous. Being a faithful wife and bearing children, while hard indeed, is a blessing. It is a godly calling, that if resisted must lead away from the holy God. The power of women is not to act like men, but to bring forth life from God. While Scripture says childbearing “saves,” the world says that children, by default, are destruction and doom.
Abortion, though, is just the tip of the spear. The root of the problem goes to the lack of honoring marriage and actual men who lead in love and are willing to take care of mother and child. Being a mother does make a woman weak and vulnerable. It is not a position of strength. But that is her calling, if God gives a child. Women are not most feminine when they act like men. They have a unique and holy role – that should be elevated and praised. God did not mess up in creating women, it is we sinners who have failed to love life and live in holiness. The Christian should want more life to come forth to hear the Gospel and receive forgiveness in Baptism. Life is more than our wants and ideas – we must be saved from our sinful desires. This can only be done by submitting to God’s will.
Texas still allows mothers to end the life of their babies. This particular law cannot be a victory in any real sense. It is a limitation on abortion, but murder is still allowed and will occur. Hard-hearted people of any means will simply travel across the right border to obtain the evil they seek. The soul of the nation is not changed by a legal statute or democratic vote. And we are a nation addicted to death. It appears we cannot do without it. But killing children in the womb is not a love of life or good. Many Christians have bought into the lie abortion upholds – that children are purely personal choices that must fit into our plans, rather than creations of the righteous Lord.
The religion of secularism requires a human offering – the blood of infants. This worldly freedom requires an unholy sacrifice – the lifeless, broken bodies of babies. Abortion is a sacred ceremony to be preserved and available at all costs for the godless. That is why murder is now part of the fabric of this nation – for as long as our God allows it to exist. But no country so wicked and in love with infanticide will last very long.
Motherhood determines the path of women, as it has throughout history. It limits them to home life more than men. This is good and highlights the blessings women are able to bestow. Freedom in Christ is to submit and love this calling, receiving life as a blessing, even when it thrashes one’s own personal plans. It is God who gives life – a baby is not a choice or natural accident. Christ creates and preserves it Himself.
Don’t let the political war overshadow the battle for the soul of a nation. It is much bigger than what supreme court justices decide. It goes to who people serve and how they live before God. Murder is not good – ever. But children are always good, since they are made by the Father above. Our circumstances, however pitiful, don’t change that truth. Only the holy sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is sufficient to cover the guilt of murder-lovers. There is no other hope that can turn hearts to the living God from the religion of human sacrifice. But will they hear?
Yes, fear for this country. Is she too far gone in rebellion and darkness to see her doom? Murder is not just accepted – it is praised and uplifted as the highest salvation. But worshipping murder is Satan’s religion. Government is no longer seen as an unbiased arbiter and the authoritative protector of all people – it has been co-opted to enforce religious beliefs. Protecting life, by outlawing murder, should not be so radical. That should be the bare minimum of a functional nation.
The salvation of the Christian is not in laws or elected officials. Life is in Christ. His blood alone conveys righteousness to all the world in the Gospel. He frees from the darkness of the religion of baby-murdering and every other wickedness. Just as He condemns taking life for selfish reasons of comfort, He also offers relief from seeking one’s own way. Victory is not in our thoughts or ideas. We must turn from seeing new human life as a natural by-product or optional extra. Life is not ours, and never has been. The gracious God does not give us permission to live as we want, using our bodies however we see fit.
We have a greater freedom than earthly dreams and human success. We live as forgiven, washed by holy blood, no longer to be deluded blood-seekers, but fully satisfied with eternal life from Christ. His goodness is enough for us. Granted in the Word, with His Spirit, this salvation is the only thing we need to live forever. And no baby ever stands in the way of true salvation. Amen. --ed.
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- Published: 02 October 2021 02 October 2021
- Last Updated: 02 October 2021 02 October 2021
Rage / Worship / Iron v. Plastic
A Message from Pastor Hale
Rage
Rage seems to be all the world has in its quest for justice. It is a cheap, unfruitful emotion that does not help anyone – especially the person suffering. Violence – shootings and also pointed, hateful words – are everywhere. Violent speech and actions come from raging, bitter hearts. To blame violence on our justice system is silly. We have a lack of people who want divine justice or think rules of any sort apply to them. Laws and people given to enforce them are not the real problem, it is hearts turned against God and the neighbor, living in the darkness of sin.
Rage says nothing productive and makes the person defended less useful than a child. Repent and believe the Gospel – God’s vengeance cannot be dismissed. “But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not overtake your fathers? So they repented and said, ‘As the Lord of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us’” (Zech. 1:6).
Worship: External and Internal
The acceptance of new and varied approaches to external worship is not the main problem, but it does show a real lack of grounding in Scripture. Many people assume worship styles (external things) are neutral and free (to God and man), and what we do corporately and externally doesn’t really matter, which leads to extreme uncritical thinking and disorder. But God’s Word does have something to say about how we treat our neighbor, especially when gathered together as a congregation around God’s Word. So even if God does not give many worship demands, Christian love cares for the weak and ignorant. But true love does not give in to every worldly spirit and new fad. We are to test the spirits and be critical of what may harm and disturb the weak and good order. Sinful human wishes are not the priority, even in things that are free to God. “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4:25).
Iron vs. Iron vs. Plastic
How much of the current clash of opponents – in every sphere, even the churchly – is simply due to the failure to take one’s one position and argument seriously. Therefore, we do not want to be challenged or tested. We think someone challenging our position is saying we are not right.
But iron does sharpen iron – though plastic does not sharpen iron (or pet ideas safeguarded in bubble wrap). To not consider or listen to a critique or differing vantage point is narrow-minded. Don’t get mad – make a better and more persuasive argument. Let God be your judge – don't try to win the moment right now.
The apostles were willing to meet pagans – and engage their errors – where they were, in order to bring them the precious Gospel – God's eternal truth. “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there” (Acts 17:16-17).
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- Published: 17 September 2021 17 September 2021
- Last Updated: 17 September 2021 17 September 2021
Self-Chosen Identities are Satanic
A Message from Pastor Hale
One of the main facets of pagan living today is that most choose a label to identify themselves and then base their standing and value on some activity or action around it. Mostly, it revolves around sexual preferences or relationships. At its root, this is satanic. This helpful quote is quite revealing:
In modern times, sexual practice – or absence thereof – is a large part of our identities. And in the United States we’re very into identity labels. Our concepts of self are supported by the lists of words demarcating who we are. And who we are is frequently discussed as static, when the reality is that we grow, shift, and develop over the course of our entire lifetimes. You were a swinger. You get to decide whether you want to be one now, and in the future, you’ll have that choice to make all over again (June, 2021, slate.com).
But to determine your own being and life, by naming yourself, is problematic. We are sinners through and through. All our endeavors are sinful, because we do not fear and love the true God. False gods creep in. We also want control over our body – by naming it, choosing our activities, following our passions. In many instances sinners want to brand or tattoo the flesh to make it more fully their own and in line with personal views and desires. The body is dominated and passions are elevated, but at the same time the body is degraded in practice (with meaningless sexual immorality) and not valued much for its natural state or intended purposes.
But all self-chosen identities are idolatry. The fact that so many modern identities revolve around sexual sin and bodily misuse is no surprise. Relationships and gender identity have been separated from God’s creation of the body, so God is denied in practice – by rebellion against the purpose and intention of our own flesh. This is punishment in itself, so Romans 1 speaks of homosexual perversions. It is a crime against nature, as it used to be called by the world, which is truly a crime against God, who made us according to His holy institution of marriage.
Christ Himself formed us and set up our lives, to a large extent. Our lives revolve around being male or female, being a helper or leader in marriage, caring for our families, children, and congregation. We have little say in these things, because we did not create ourselves or choose our bodies. But our good and gracious Lord did. Our physically determined identity is to be accepted as a gift.
The Christian is freed from making and enacting his own sinful identity. Our identity is invisible, not merely one of looks or image or actions. It is rather the resurrection power of Jesus given in Baptism, washing us from sin our entire lives. We are called by the divine promise of Christ to be children of God, not following our own sinful passions, but resisting them and following Jesus through suffering to glory. This is the only identity that does not lead to eternal death. We understand the weakness and mortality of this earthly body, neither worshiping its lusts, nor degrading it in sexual immorality or intentional harm, but having the certain promise of glory in this body to come, when Christ returns.
God chose us. We choose many things in this world, but do not trust in what man desires or values. Our inner sexual proclivities are to be subjugated and the godly Christian is called to exercise self-control – not the worship of what sinners crave and lust after. We serve at the pleasure of our Lord, in this body He gave, for as long as He determines. It is sown in weakness, but will be raised in glory.
We are given a heavenly righteousness in Christ – a divine identity and adoption far above all human choices. We have the eternal Gospel call of our heavenly Father to live in faith and holiness above all earthly suffering and mortal decisions. Whether we are single or married, have a family to care for or live alone, we have been chosen to be a part of God’s family and be renewed daily in the image of the holy Lord, who gives us His own body and righteousness. We are no longer our own, but His. This is our blessed, perfect identity: to live in Christ’s forgiveness.
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- Published: 17 September 2021 17 September 2021
- Last Updated: 17 September 2021 17 September 2021
Pastor's Pen 09/17/2021
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- Published: 17 September 2021 17 September 2021
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Pastor's Pen 08/26/2021
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- Published: 27 August 2021 27 August 2021
- Last Updated: 27 August 2021 27 August 2021
Pastor's Pen 08/03/2021
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- Published: 04 August 2021 04 August 2021
- Last Updated: 04 August 2021 04 August 2021
Carl Schalk, not an LCMS Musician: A Contrarian View
A Message from Pastor Hale
It is claimed by Rev. Dr. James L. Brauer, Emeritus Professor of Practical Theology at the Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, that “while [Schalk’s] feet were planted in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, his winsome erudition gave him frequent voice among Lutherans and other Christians in North America” (see the obituary republished from concordiatheology.org). Schalk is certainly well-known in LCMS circles, and his music is used in the LSB hymnal.
Carl Schalk, though, was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Illinois (the funeral bulletin lists him as such), which left the LCMS in 1977 to be an independent congregation, but one closely in-line with the radical theology of the ELCA. The church has had close ties to what is now Concordia University, Chicago. Schalk’s fellowship – in the preached Word of God and Lord’s Supper – was not with the LCMS, but rather an independent, liberal Lutheran church. In fact, Schalk was on staff as an “assistant director of music at Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest, Ill.,” during his tenure as a college professor at Concordia, River Forest (obituary in the Reporter).
The presiding minister at Schalk’s funeral, Rev. Troy Medlin, boasts on the church’s website: “I live in Oak Park with my husband, Ole.” The source of the picture above of their outdoor wedding during the pandemic, states “Ole is in the process of switching from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, where he was approved for ministry, to the ELCA and its candidacy process. Both hope to eventually land calls in Chicago.”
Besides accepting homosexuality, Grace Lutheran Church, River Forest is a radical church also on racial justice. Its website lists this statement adopted by the church council on June 16, 2020:
To issue a statement of solidarity, for to stay silent is not an option.
To ask and encourage every group within Grace to take up the work of learning more about racism, white privilege, and how to be better allies in the fight for justice and equity.
To conduct an internal audit of what actions Grace has already taken or is currently doing to support people and organizations of color with a goal to do better.
To engage leaders from outside of Grace to conduct seminars and other opportunities for learning and growth, at Grace, surrounding issues of racism.
This superficial and shallow definition of justice is pure worldly appeasement – it is not about Christ or forgiving sinners. Was Schalk accepted outside of the LCMS for his talents, or his tolerant, non-dogmatic approach to Christianity? The funeral service, following Grace’s stated policy, had a communion service with the altar open to all baptized people, regardless of their confession or church. This is shameful and not truly Lutheran or faithful to Christ.
The funeral sermon by Rev. David R. Lyle, senior pastor of Grace, mentions that Schalk preached at Grace, River Forest, in particular on Good Friday in 2002. How sad that Schalk shared fellowship in a church, and in the Lord’s body and blood, with those that denied the most basic teachings of Christianity. There is no mention of sin or guilt in the funeral sermon, just lots of generic “forgiveness” and “grace,” which are equivalent to worldly acceptance in a church where anything goes and sin is never bound on the unrepentant. “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).
Martin Marty wrote the foreword to Schalk’s Singing the Church’s Song: Essays & Occasional Writings on Church Music and also Thine the Amen: Essays on Lutheran Church Music – In Honor of Carl Schalk. The infamous ELCA theologian Marty, who was raised in the LCMS, became very critical of his former church. Carl Schalk had many friendly dealings with the ELCA. He had many sympathies with the ELCA, and his own personal confession of church membership was contrary to public doctrine of the LCMS. That’s simply a fact. That does not negate his useful musical contributions. But his choice of church was heterodox. One’s confession of Christ’s Word and in church fellowship do matter, even for the most gifted of sinners.
It must be asked: does the close relationship between Grace, a heterodox – basically pagan – church and Concordia continue today?
Schalk did not confess with his own church membership the doctrine of the LCMS – but belonged to a congregation that runs counter to the LCMS. That does not invalidate his music or other contributions to the church at large, but it should not be glossed over, since his feet were not planted in Scripture in all his dealings and church relationships. He may have been a talented musician, but his public confession was not good – and should not be emulated or praised without heavy qualification.
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- Published: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021
- Last Updated: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021
Living Together in Sin
A Message from Pastor Hale
The sin of cohabitation, living as husband and wife without the public commitment to live that way until death breaks the union, has become the norm. Despite the fact it does not work very well – leaving families broken and children without both parents, it seems easy and without a permanent commitment. But despite its popularity, it is not compatible with living as a Christian. It is still a bodily commitment, and one that displeases our Lord.
This is a simple issue, but what is lacking is biblical conviction and the willingness to speak clearly – even if those living as pagans in sexual immorality get angry. It is not loving to support people in sin. Many worldly people in churches are certainly ignorant, but avoiding the issue is certainly not the duty of a faithful shepherd. The pastor is to call to repentance – which means their lifestyle actually has to change to match God’s Word. To allow someone to think they are Christian, while publicly sinning, to receive Christ’s body and blood while confessing repentance is terrible and unhelpful. The pastoral tact where “the couple would agree to either move into separate rooms” does not address the public nature of the sin. It allows for private repentance for a public sin – while still giving the appearance of doing the wrong thing, which dishonors marriage. It is simply a way to approve of sin, while the pastor can feel good about doing something. The pastoral permission fails to acknowledge the realities of the sinful flesh and the importance of not living in sin. Vowing to technically avoid sin while confessing marriage doesn’t matter practically is a horrendous disparagement of God’s Word and the Christian walk.
There have been conservative pastors marrying couples who do not get legally married. But marriage is not a private, spiritual experience for believers. There is only one marriage. This approach splits marriage in two – denying the public aspect of it. But marriage, in itself, is a physical, public union. There is no private marriage or life together of husband and wife. Marriage is free (or just a few dollars for a marriage license) and weddings are optional, but honoring the vow of marriage will test the Christian who aims to follow Christ, who says only the unbelieving spouse will leave a marriage (1 Cor. 7:15).
Living a Christian life is simple, but not easy – especially today. The command to avoid sexual immorality encompasses all aspects of life – preserving the holy institution of marriage and keeping our bodies according to God’s creation and the Spirit’s direction. This will re-orient everything about a person’s life. It puts marriage before feelings, lust, and romance. It seems impossibly difficult to the pagan. But not all calling themselves Christians are living according to God’s Word. Sexual immorality outside of marriage is not separate from marriage – it dishonors marriage, the natural body, and our God who made them both.
The pressures of the world, what is convenient, and fleshly desires all impel toward living together without the weighty commitment of marriage. But marriage and avoiding sexual immorality is about obeying Christ. Our body cannot be the Lord’s – and simultaneously used how we see fit.
Repentance allows for following the Lord, and receiving His grace, to live for Jesus in mind and body. This is always the safest place to be. Amen.
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- Published: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021
- Last Updated: 01 August 2021 01 August 2021