Professors Pless’ sermon

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

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Prof. John Pless from CTS Ft.Wayne (IN) preached during the Confession and Absolution service this morning on St.Matthew 21:28-32. Thankfully he has agreed to have it posted here for your edification: Wednesday in Lent II

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 4th March 2015

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

Baptism-of-Saint-Augustine-of-Hippo:

I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. (Psa 41:4 KJV)

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (Jam 5:15 KJV)

Today’s reading emphasizes that our fall into sin has necessitated healing. Without sin and in paradise everything was fine and whole and very good. Now however things have changed fundamentally and not for better, but rather for much worse. It’s not just Adam to be blamed for this, but me too. I myself have sinned against the Lord and done, what is wrong in his eyes. That’s not all, I am also not as I should be. My being is utterly corrupted, mortally wounded and hence prone and destined for death and dying and that rather sooner than later. I’m really just a can of worms and scumbag waiting to return to dust.  That’s why healing, repair and restitution are so desperately needed. That’s why we so deeply crave for salvation. That’s why our heart is so restless in us until it finds rest in the triune God, our Lord and saviour.

The awesome miracle and wonder is that our Lord and God does just that right there in baptism – in the washing off all our sins, granting us forgiveness and release from all debt and turning wrath into gracious favour. For his son Jesus Christ’s sake he forgives us all our sins and grants us eternal life and blessed salvation. The Lord does not forsake us as we have rightly deserved to be, but rather adopts us as his children, let’s us be heirs of heaven and restores us to heavenly perfection and to the original state – just that then we will no longer be able to sin. Healing that is not just skin deep, but goes to the core and makes everything good and right once more.

This he will do through our very death and dying. Until then sin, illness and corruption cling to us as very part of our being. This will only stop and disappear, when they put us into the grave and our bodies decay and go back to where they come from: Ashes to ashes, dust to dust! Through the resurrection of this very body from the dead and out of the grave, the new creation of our very selves, our own flesh and bones will arise in restituted righteousness, purity and just as our Lord had intended us to be from the very start of things. Holy Baptism gets us into this dying and rising again on a daily basis. Here this is in faith, there we will experience it – feel it, see it, hear, touch and taste it. Now it’s just in the hearing of God’s promise even as we struggle with the cause and effect of our sinfulness. Yet, what he says is true and real – more than anything else – even if we can’t grasp, prove or demonstrate it – not even to ourselves. It remains hidden to our senses. Yet, just as the Lord rose Lazarus from the dead so too shall we rise again, but not to die again like Lazarus, but rather to be like himself in eternal glory and light. There were the head has gone, the limbs will follow suit. He is no longer subject to death and dying, so we too shall be free from suffering and illness, from corruption and godless faith, doubt in God’s goodness and grace and all other such terrible sins and vices. There healing will be complete and we too shall at last say: It is done. It is finished. We have arrived. Just because he has already paved the way. He has opened up the door. He has granted forgiveness of all our sins, life and salvation. Praise be to the lamb of God, who bears all the sins of the world now and forever. Amen.

“Who Knows when Death May Overtake Me” by Aemilie Juliane, 1637-1706

1. Who knows when death may overtake me!
Time passes on, my end draws near.
How swiftly can my breath forsake me!
How soon can life’s last hour appear!
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

2. The world that smiled when morn was breaking
May change for me ere close of day;
For while on earth my home I’m making,
Death’s threat is never far away.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

3. My end to ponder teach me ever
And, ere the hour of death appears,
To cast my soul on Christ, my Savior,
Nor spare repentant sighs and tears.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

4. Help me now set my house in order
That always ready I may be
To say in meekness on death’s border:
Lord, as Thou wilt, deal Thou with me.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

5. Reveal the sweetness of Thy heaven,
Earth’s galling bitterness unfold;
May I, amid this turmoil riven,
Thy blest eternity behold.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

6. My many sins blot out forever
Since Jesus has my pardon won;
In mercy robed I then shall never
Fear death, but trust in Thee alone.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

7. Naught shall my soul from Jesus sever;
In faith I touch His wounded side
And hail Him as my Lord forever.
Nor life nor death shall us divide.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

8. Once in the blest baptismal waters
I put on Christ and made Him mine;
Now numbered with God’s sons and daughters,
I share His peace and love divine.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

9. His body and His blood I’ve taken
In His blest Supper, feast divine;
Now I shall never be forsaken,
For I am His, and He is mine.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

10. Then may death come today, tomorrow,
I know in Christ I perish not;
He grants the peace that stills all sorrow,
Gives me a robe without a spot.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

11. And thus I live in God contented
And die without a thought of fear;
My soul has to God’s plans consented,
For through His Son my faith is clear.
My God, for Jesus’ sake I pray
Thy peace may bless my dying day.

Hymn #598  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Ps. 90:12
Author: Aemilie Juliane, 1686, ab. Titled: “Wer weiss, wie nahe mir mein Ende”

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Herrenhuter Readings for Tuesday, the 3rd March 2015

Posted on March 3, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

dear in sunlight

The earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. (Psa 33:5 KJV)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (Jam 1:17 KJV)

The seasons are changing. Autumn is upon us. Summer is history and the windy chill is pointing us towards winter. |The leaves are changing colour and we’re also going grey reminding us of the dry white season up ahead. Still we hear of the Lord’s goodness, which fills the earth so that my cup runneth over and there’s plenty to spare. Just look around you and watch that glorious sunrise, the intricate patterns on every leaf and those marvellous birds still singing although their time is getting lots tougher now too. So much goodness, beauty and compelling loveliness! Priceless – not countable, not measurable and for no practical reason. Not just a pragmatic means to an end, but an end in itself – good, perfect gifts of our Lord – the triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit +

Martin Luther in his eloquent way goes quite some more distance elaborating this goodness of the Lord, which fills the earth. He does so in the 1st Article of the Creed of course as we read in the explanation of the Large Catechism:

I hold and believe that I am God’s creature, that is, that he has given me and constantly sustains my body, soul, and life, my members great and small, all my senses, my reason and understanding, and the like; my food and drink, clothing, nourishment, spouse and children, servants, house and farm, etc. Besides, he makes all creation help provide the benefits and necessities of life—sun, moon, and stars in the heavens; day and night; air, fire, water, the earth and all that it yields and brings forth; birds, fish, animals, grain, and all sorts of produce. Moreover, he gives all physical and temporal blessings—good government, peace, security. Thus we learn from this article that none of us has life—or anything else that has been mentioned here or can be mentioned—from ourselves, nor can we by ourselves preserve any of them, however small and unimportant. All this is comprehended in the word “Creator.” (Kolb & Wengert,  432)

He goes on in the brief explanation of the 4th petition of the “Our Father”. He writes there in most impressive terms and lists all that belongs to daily bread:

Everything included in the necessities and nourishment for our bodies, such as food, drink, clothing, shoes, house, farm, fields, livestock, money, property, an upright spouse, upright children, upright members of the household, upright and faithful rulers, good government, good weather, peace, health, decency, honour, good friends, faithful neighbours, and the like. (ebd 357)

Finally Dr Luther goes on to admonition us, that we should recognize that this bountiful goodness from our Lord, which fills heaven and earth for us and all people, is given to us so that we would thank, praise and serve him all the days of our lives. We should pray to him without ceasing, knowing that if would ever draw away his gracious and forgiving hand, we would pass away most dreadfully. Thankfully he is faithful and does not falter nor change. He is not as fallible, fickle and feeble as we are, but rather is as the Father of light there is with him no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Hallelujah!  Luther continues in the explanation of the 4th petition in the Large Catechism:

Out of it a person might make a long prayer, enumerating with many words all the things it includes. For example, we might ask God to give us food and drink, clothing, house and farm, and a healthy body. In addition, we might ask God to cause the grain and fruits of the field to grow and thrive abundantly. Then we might ask God to help us manage our household well by giving and preserving for us an upright spouse, children, and servants, causing our work, craft, or occupation, whatever it may be, to prosper and succeed, and granting us faithful neighbours, and good friends, etc. In addition, we may ask God both to endow with wisdom, strength, and prosperity the emperor, kings, and all estates, especially the princes of our land, all councilours, magistrates, and officials, so that they might govern well and be victorious over the Turks and all our enemies, and to grant their subjects and the general populace to live together in obedience, peace, and concord. Moreover, we might ask that he would protect us from all kinds of harm to our body and to the things that sustain us—from storms, hail, fire, and flood; from poison, pestilence, and cattle plague; from war and bloodshed, famine, savage beasts, wicked people, etc. It is good to impress upon the common people that all these things come from God and that we must pray for them. (ebd 451)

We join in and thank him for all his goodness and mercy, which is new every morning. Amen.

1. All glory be to God on high,
Who hath our race befriended!
To us no harm shall now come nigh,
The strife at last is ended;
God showeth His good will to men,
And peace shall reign on earth again;
Oh, thank Him for His goodness!

2. We praise, we worship Thee, we trust,
And give Thee thanks forever,
O Father, that Thy rule is just
And wise and changes never.
Thy boundless power o’er all things reigns,
‘Tis done whate’er Thy will ordains:
Well for us that Thou rulest!

3. O Jesus Christ, Thou only Son
Of God, Thy heavenly Father,
Who didst for all our sins atone
And Thy lost sheep dost gather:
Thou Lamb of God, to Thee on high,
From out our depths, we sinners cry,
Have mercy on us, Jesus!

4. O Holy Ghost, Thou precious Gift,
Thou Comforter unfailing,
O’er Satan’s snares our souls uplift
And let Thy power availing
Avert our woes and calm our dread.
For us the Savior’s blood was shed;
We trust in Thee to save us.

The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #237  Text: Luke 2:14 Author: Nikolaus Decius, 1490-1541  translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878 titled: “Allein Gott in der Hoeh’ sei Ehr‘”

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Herrenhuter readings for Saturday, the 28th February 2015

Posted on February 28, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

ChurchPeople

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (Psalm 40,9)

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1.John 5:3)

The Psalmist echoes the conviction of countless people around the globe, that rejoice in the Lord and delight to do his will, which they carry in their hearts. That’s why they gather around the Lord’s most precious gifts – his means of grace – listen attentively to his holy Word in readings, quotations, sermons and elaborations, sing godly hymns of adoration, remembrance and gospel witness and kneel down at the altar to receive the very body and blood of our Lord and saviour for the forgiveness of our sins, the strengthening of our faith and our blessings and keeping unto life everlasting, deeply grateful for his goodness and mercy which is new every morning – and which he shows to us especially on Sundays and in his holy Church.

Christians worldwide delight in the holy will of God, which is inscribed into the hearts of all people. That doesn’t mean that they are by any measure perfect and not plagued by faithlessness, despair and other terrible evils day in day out – even if those divine commandments are not hard to keep. They are not too grievous nor too plenteous to abide by – just 10 simple instructions – and yet we have failed in every one of them. Just look at your calling and then measure that up to God’s most holy will. You’ll see, that we can’t even hold one of them perfectly – never mind move heaven and earth or save this or that one. Or did you love, trust and fear God above all else for just one day, hour, minute? You understand? We can’t save ourselves by means of the law, doing this or omitting that. It was not meant for that purpose in the first place. We’re just not able to use the law perfectly and in such a way as to measure up to God’s absolute standards by keeping it – for if we sin but in one regard, we are guilty of all.

Still we do know that God’s law is good and perfect. It  was not given for our destruction, but rather to guard the gift of blessed life in God’s holy presence – not to achieve or earn it. Now in our fallen state it is but a clear instruction towards Jesus Christ our saviour and redeemer, because he has had mercy on those heavily laden and burdened with doubt, insincerity, lack of love, hope and goodwill etc etc and therefore has forgiven all of our sins and iniquities of the world for his own sake – paving the way to heaven and eternal bliss with him in heaven.

We stand under the obligation to fulfil the will of God and follow the commandments of the Lord. Our sinfulness does not excuse our non-fulfilment, nor does it work as an excuse or cover-up for continuing as we are. Rather God want’s us to live according to his holy will, comply with his commandments and be like him – holy, perfect and good. That’s what we’re supposed to be like. Yet, there is no other way but to seek the grace and forgiveness of the very same God and Lord so as not to cast us away from his presence, but to let his face shine graciously upon us, remitting our sins and letting us live under his loving care  now and always. In this tension we live our lives – and the triune God has kindled the faith in our hearts that we would trust in him for his mercy and favour for Christ’s sake so that we can go our way gratefully and full of his praises. Amen.

1 “Come, follow Me,” the Saviour spake,
“All in My way abiding;
Deny yourselves, the world forsake,
Obey My call and guiding.
Oh, bear the cross, whate’er betide,
Take my example for your guide.

2 “I am the Light; I light the way,
A godly life displaying;
I bid you walk as in the day;
I keep your feet from straying.
I am the Way, and well I show
How you must sojourn here below.

3 “I teach you how to shun and flee
What harms your soul’s salvation,
Your heart from ev’ry guile to free,
From sin and its temptation.
I am the Refuge of the soul
And lead you to your heav’nly goal.

4 “Thus when you find most hot the fray,
I at your side stand ready;
The fight is Mine, I lead the way,
At all times firm and steady.
A soldier false who will not heed
when Christ the Captain takes the lead!

5 Then let us follow Christ, our Lord,
And take the cross appointed
And, firmly clinging to His Word,
In suff’ring be undaunted.
For all who bear the battle’s strain
The crown of life they shall obtain.

Johann Scheffler 1624-1677 translated by Charles W. Schaeffer 1813-1896

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Herrenhuter readings for Friday, the 27th February 2015

Posted on February 27, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

jesus-in-synagogue-kosovo-14th

Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. (Psa 25:8 KJV)

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. (Rom 14:1 KJV)

It was Luther’s reformational insight that God’s righteousness is such, that it does not only describe his essential being, judgement and doing, but rather that his righteousness is so overwhelming and effective that it swallows the unrighteousness, justifies sinners and declares them forgiven. The same holds true for his goodness and uprightness. This does not just pertain to and describe/list God’s qualities and attributes, but rather teaches sinners the way, grants them forgiveness, pardon and divine favour thus  showing them the light, truth, life and salvation.

This is the basis for the wonderful exchange that Jesus Christ – the Son of God and our true brother and friend – practiced all along in his saving mission and lifelong ministry/service. He received the weak, faint hearted, poor, ill, diseased, afflicted, heavy burdened, miserable sinners – and took on himself their afflictions, iniquities, distress and burdens and made them free, whole and acceptable in God’s sight instead. He, who was rich became poor, so that we would gain his all in heaven.

The saving Gospel of our Lord is therefore not some learned tractate, which needs to be learnt of by heart or some tricky questionnaire, which has to be filled out adequately before one passes the divine judgement and enters into the graduation hall of heaven. No – that’s not it. That’s why our chapels and churches are not really some lecture halls or class rooms for the intellectuals of the ages either. They are rather places, where the Lord our God hands out his gracious gifts, does his miracles and wonders and lets us depart in peace. It’s far more like a hospital or clinic than some school or college. That’s why St. Paul also adds this admonition: Don’t pull in the weak for doubtful disputations, were speculations run rife, conspiracy theories are hatched and myths, fables and other ideologies are fabricated. No, it’s not about rhetorics or clever theories, but rather about the facts of life and realities of God. He speaks and it stands there. He promises and fulfills it all and always. He’s truly good and righteous. What he does is good, meet and salutary too. That’s what we teach and learn at Seminaries too. Praise be to him now and always + Amen.

Oh, How Great Is Your Compassion by: Johannes Olearius

Ho, how great is your compassion,
Faithful Father, God of grace,
That with all our fallen race
In our depth of degradation
You had mercy so that we
Might be saved eternally!

Your great love for this has striven
That we may, from sin made free,
Live with you eternally.
Your dear Son himself has given
And extends his gracious call,
To his supper calls us all.

Firmly to our soul’s salvation
Witnesses your Spirit, Lord,
In your sacraments and Word.
There he sends true consolation,
Giving us the gift of faith
That we fear not hell nor death.

Lord, your mercy will not leave me;
Ever will your truth abide.
Then in you I will confide.
Since your word cannot deceive me,
My salvation is to me
Safe and sure eternally.

I will praise your great compassion,
Faithful Father, God of grace
That with all our fallen race
In our depth of degradation
You had mercy so that we
Might be saved eternally.

Hymn # 364 from Lutheran Worship Author: Hirtenlieder
Tune: Ach, Was soll Ich Sunder Machen 1st Published in: 1653

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Vater Wilhelms Rundbrief

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber
eltern-weber
Karin wurde gefragt, warum wochenlang kein Brief von mir gekommen sei, und sie begründete es Sonnabend damit, dass Gulbranssens “Und ewig singen die Wälder” und “Das Erbe von Björndal” mich wieder einmal beschäftigten und festhielten.  Das stimmte für Sonnabend. Es war aber ein anderer Grund: Der Brief, den ich am 31. Januar angefangen hatte, war eine Reaktion auf Veröffentlichungen, die mir nicht gefielen, die ich gern meiner Überzeugung gemäß beurteilen wollte und mich doch scheute, nachdem ich es niedergeschrieben hatte, so in einem Wochenbrief in die Welt zu schicken, dass ich ihn nicht losschickte und noch keinen neuen Brief schrieb.
Es genügt mir, dass die Übersetzung von der Veröffentlichung von John Pless in Deutsch inzwischen erschienen ist, mit den Fragen, die Prof. Barnbrock jedem Prediger und damit ebenso jedem Schreiber, der in kirchlichen Blättern Gedanken oder Urteile zu Papier bringt, zur Beachtung ans Herz legt. Deshalb überlasse ich es lieber dem Herrn, dass in unseren Kreisen, wo diese Bücher gelesen werden, in Zukunft solche Lobeshymnen von einmaligen menschlichen Leistungen oder Anerkennungen nicht wieder gedruckt werden.
Ebenso habe ich von Prof. Dr. Armin Burchholz einen schönen Artikel im Lutherjahrbuch 2014 gelesen, der manches recht überzeugend und klar von einer erstaunlichen Kenntnis aufgrund von Luthers Katechismen, der lutherischen Bekenntnis- und Lutherschriften gesagt hat, dass kein gutes Werk, auch nicht der Erweis christlicher Liebe gelobt werden sollte, ohne daran zu erinnern, dass das alles nur dann Gott gefällig ist und gut genannt werden kann, wenn es dem offenbarten Willen Gottes entspricht und Frucht des Glaubens an die Vergebung der Sünden und die Gerechtigkeit Christi aus Gnaden ohne eigenes Verdienst ist. Es geht dabei um den Glauben, dem aus Gnaden ohne eigenes Verdienst die Gerechtigkeit Christi  in der Taufe geschenkt, in der Beichte im Namen des dreieinigen Gottes mit der Vergebung der Sünden zugesprochen und im Heiligen Abendmahl durch den Empfang des wahren Leibes und Blutes unseres Herrn bestätigt wird.
Schweden-Wildnis
Dieser Glaube, diese wort- und bekenntnisgemäße Lehre darf durch keine kirchliche Gemeinschaft mit Anderslehrenden auf Kosten einer falsch verstandenen Liebe in Frage gestellt werden, sei es, dass das Evangelium, die Taufe, das Abendmahl, die heilige Schrift als Grundlage aller wortgemäßen Lehre anders verstanden und gelehrt werden oder aufgrund von sonstiger schrift- und bekenntniswidriger Gründe in Frage gestellt wird.
Armin BuchholzBernhard Schütze hatte mir auf meine Nachfrage mitgeteilt, wer Prof. Armin Buchholz (Bild oben – vor dem Walch) sei. Mich hat es gefreut, wie dieser Professor (2013 ✝), der an der FTU in Gießen und Leiter eines Theologischen Seminars in Taiwan war, auf die Unterscheidung von Gesetz und Evangelium wert legt und auch auf Luthers Unterscheidung zwischen den Menschen, die alle von Natur aus Sünder sind, dann aber als erlöste Gottes Kinder mit den unterschiedlichsten Aufgaben beauftragt sind. Da freut man sich z. B. auch daran, dass nicht unterschiedslos geliebt werden soll, sondern unterschieden wird zwischen ehelicher, verwandtschaftlicher, freundschaftlicher, glaubensbrüderlicher u. s. w. Liebe.
Unterscheidungskunst PlessDer Beitrag im Lutherjahrbuch 2014 von Armin Buchholz: “Luthers reformatorische Katechismus-Spiritualität: Lernen wahren Menschseins” hat mir gut gefallen und ich halte ihn für beachtens- und lesenswert; auch die Übersetzung von Prof. Barnbrock des Buches: “Unterscheidungskunst” von John T. Pless. Wenn die Grundsätze, die dort vertreten werden, nicht mehr gelten sollten, wäre die Mühe C. F. W. Walthers Buch von der “rechten Unterscheidung von Gesetz und Evangelium” in Setswana zu übersetzen eine vergebliche Liebesmüh. Der Herr schenke es auch in dieser Zeit und in Zukunft, dass der heilige Geist durch das Wort der heiligen Schrift und die lutherischen Bekenntnisse Bischöfen, Dekanen, Pröpsten, Superintendenten, Kirchen- und Diözesan- bzw. Kirchenbezirksleitungen und Gemeinden in den unions-, staats- und weltbundfreien Lutherischen Kirchen die Liebe zu Schrift und Bekenntnis festige, und damit die Gabe, zu unterscheiden zwischen Gesetz und Evangelium, zwischen den Geschlechtern, zwischen den Ständen, zwischen genuin lutherischer Lehre und Irrlehre, zwischen Kirchen, die die Bindung an Schrift und Bekenntnis ernst nehmen und diese Bindung schrift- und bekenntnisgemäß annehmen, und den Kirchen, die sich nicht mehr schrift- und bekenntnisgemäß daran binden, Schrift und Bekenntnis nach eigenem Gutdünken zeitgemäß umgedeutet wissen möchten. Ich zitiere einen Abschnitt aus WA 40/ii, 51f, der sich übersetzt findet auf Seite 22 der Übersetzung von John T. Plessens Unterscheidungskunst:  “So ist ein Vergleich zwischen Lehre und Leben in keinem Sinn zulässig. Ein Tüpfelchen der Lehre ist mehr wert als Himmel und Erde. Deswegen lassen wir es uns nicht gefallen, dass diese auch nur im Geringsten verletzt wird. Aber hinsichlich der Irrtümer des Lebens können wir leicht ein Auge zudrücken. Denn auch wir irren täglich im Leben und in unseren Bräuchen, es irren auch alle Heiligen, wie sie auch voller Ernst im Vaterunser und Glaubensbekenntnis bekennen. Unsere Lehre ist Gott sei Dank, rein, wir haben alle Artikel des Glaubens fest und gegründet in den heiligen Schriften. Diese reine Lehre wollte uns der Teufel gern beflecken und zerstören, daher kommt er so verschlagen mit diesem großartigen Argument von der Liebe und der Einigkeit der Kirchen, die nicht verletzt werden dürfe.”
Buchholz nennt eine erfreuliche Beobachtung, wie der Kleine Katechismus Luthers über Generationen hinweg das Leben in Kirchen, Völkern, Gemeinden und Familien geprägt hat gerade durch die Erklärungen der drei Glaubensartikel und der zehn Gebote. Leider hat die Revolution von 1789 der Prägung durch den Glauben, und die von dem Ende der sechziger Jahre die Prägung durch die zehn Gebote sehr geschadet. Nicht nur die Freude an Björndal hat mich am Briefschreiben gehindert, auch einiges andere. Die letzten Verse von Ps 19, den wir heute morgen lasen, geben mir die nötige Courage, diesen Brief nun heute am 26. 2. postfertig zu machen und loszuschicken.
Thomas Beneke
Gestern haben wir uns gefreut und es sogar ein wenig gefeiert hier auf Welbedacht, dass Thomas sein zweites theologische Examen gut geschafft hat. Zur geplanten Ordination am zweiten Ostertag ist die Reise von Ruth und Walter schon geplant. Sonntag soll nun die Einführung des neuen Bischofs der LuKiSA in Salem stattfinden. Walter, der als Kirchenvorsteher von Lüneburg teilnehmen wird, will mich mitnehmen. Am Sonntag sollte ein Regionalkirchenvorstehertreffen nachmittags in Wittenberg stattfinden. Walter wollte mich nach dem Gottesdienst in Salem dann zu meiner Schwester Marie Luise bringen. Das Treffen findet nicht mehr statt; deshalb sicher auch nicht mehr der Besuch bei Niebuhrs. Wir freuen uns auch über die Geburt von Noah Maximilian und Greta Johanna Pontow, den Kindern von Thomas und Ines. Die Mutter musste monatelang im Krankenhaus möglichst stille liegen. Der Junge wog fast 6 Pfund und das Mädchen fast 5. Eine angekündigte Thrombose im Bein entpuppte sich als falscher Alarm, dass wir uns dankbar mitfreuen können mit Eltern und Großeltern der beiden. Hier haben wir es gerade miterlebt, dass auch ein Zwilling gesund geboren worden ist.
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Herrenhuter readings for the 26th February 2015

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

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Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. (Jeremiah 31:18 KJV)

And one of the malefactors which were hanged said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42 KJV)

We Christians rejoice that our Lord and God leads us to repentance and returns us ever again to crawl back into our Baptism. It’s worth noting that Luther describes it as a “crawling back”. That’s not a triumphant and victorious procession with military pomp and celebration – nothing much of walking tall as an Egyptian either. Getting down on ones knees and crawling to the baptismal font, where initially our sins were washed away, the Holy Spirit was poured over us richly and sanctifying, making us  children of God and heirs of heaven. In Confession & Absolution the same happens – again: “I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit + Depart in peace +” Not much of development, not much advancement or so-called progress and climbing some sort of imaginary ladder of some sort! No – nothing like that. Rather a constant return to God’s baptismal grace (regressus ad baptismum!). Every day the old Adam is to be drowned in us “by daily contrition and repentance … to … die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever” (Small Catechism 4th Main Part – Sacrament of Holy Baptism – 4th Question) Essentially that is what Luther wrote in his first of the ninety five theses posted at Wittenberg in those reformational beginnings:

When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said “Repent”, He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.

Conversion is nothing else than turning back from the old, vain and wrongful ways and returning to the path the Lord would have us walk. No longer serving the idols of this world or the vain ideologies of our forebears, but rather walking in the light of the Lord – following his will and commandments, and receiving forgiveness, life and salvation from him in fullest measure. This however is solely by God’s grace and doing, that we are stopped in our tracks and turned around: Turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. (Jeremiah 31:18 KJV) – Cleanse me and I will be clean etc. Going to the Lord’s supper we used to repeat the words of the Centurion:   “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (Mt 8:8)

It reminds me of that old granny I recall in Enhlanhleni, where I was a regular guest at the Lord’s table after my confirmation – at least every first Sunday of the month. Well, that old granny was a regular too. She would sit in the first row up front, but would get down on all fours and having shod her shoes during the “Dala gimi  inhliziy’ emhlope, Nkosi … ” (Offertory from Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart o Lord...) Altar of the Lord, she would draw near to the Altar when all others had returned to their seats. She would then receive the most precious body of Christ and his very true blood, which keeps and sustains us through the forgiveness of all our sins to life everlasting. It is the Lord, who makes the last be first and even those coming from the highways and byways are bidden to be seated at the Lord’s table. Together we then all join in the wonderful confession of St. Simeon (Indumiso kaSimeyoni):

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant
depart in peace
according to Thy Word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation
which Thou hast prepared
before the face of all people.
To be a Light to light on the Gentiles
And to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost,
As it was the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.

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Sermon during Confession & Absolution

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

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Professor Dr. Werner Klaen (LTH Oberursel i.T.) is preaching during the confessional service this morning. He has kindly provided his sermon to be made public and you can read it here: LTSConfession and Absolution_2015_02_25

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu/seTswana

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

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The Lutheran Order of Service for Reminiscere (Second Sunday in Lent) is available here in isiZulu and seTswana. Today it comes with a sermon based on God’s word from the gospel of St. Mark in the twelfth chapter the verses 1-12 written by Pastor Jafta Rrabontsi Lenkwe (+) in seTswana (wt1516150301 Remiskere) and translated as usual into isiZulu (wz1516150301 Reminisere) by my father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

The readings for Reminiscere are:

  • Old Testament:       Isaiah 5:1-7
  • The Epistle:            Romans 5:1-5 (6-11)
  • The Gospel:            St. Mark 12:1-12
  • Psalm:                    10:3-4.12.18

The liturgical colour is purple.

May you have a very blessed weekend and have time to meditate on the watchword for this week of Reminiscere: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:8 KJV)

A collect for Reminscere: O God, You see that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all  adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may assault and hurt the soul;  through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. (LSB Altar Book 871)

If you are called to preach this weekend, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 25th February 2015

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Wilhelm Weber

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Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? (Habakuk 2:6 KJV)

St. Paul writes: “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.” (1Thessalonians 4:11 KJV)

St. Paul admonishes those lazy Thessalonians to work with their own hands and not to just twiddle their thumbs. This admonition was necessary as those Christians in this ancient city were living in the sure expectation of Christ’s imminent return in glory. So they gave up their daily chores and sat down waiting expectantly. Very much like those in Jerusalem, who sold everything they had, joined hands in fervent prayer waiting. Well, that’s not the thing for Christians to do. Even if we are to constantly pray, wake and be ready for Christ’s 2nd coming, we still ought to go about our business, work with our hands and for a living. That’s why Luther has got quite a lot to say against begging and those making a general nuisance of themselves – despite being able to do positive service, helping, cleaning, building, repairing, farming, creating, counting etc.  St. Paul goes so far as to state this as a command. This is not just friendly advice. He doesn’t just leave it up to our discretion. No, rather he commands us to get up and work – even as we are expecting the coming of our Lord soon.

The prophet Habakuk scolds those, who go about adding goods, property and wealth to their belongings by wrongful means – stealing, fraud, extortion, daylight robbery, white-collar crime. Thereby he first of all acknowledges the right to property and in line with the 7th commandment: Thou shalt not steal! protects it against those, who covet it and would take in even though it’s not theirs and it’s not up for grabs. The ancient story of King Ahab murdering Naboth and subsequently taking over his cabbage patch just because he thought he could get away with murder and blatant robbery under the guise of legality and regal privileges shows this kind of falsehood and knavery. Luther explains this commandment in his Small Catechism: “We should fear and love God so that we do not take our neighbour’s money or possessions, or get them in any dishonest way, but help him to improve and protect his possessions and income.” (LSB 321) In the Large Catechism he then laments the fact, that in our world it is common practice to hang the small thieves, but to let the big ones run free. Well, the prophet Habakuk cries out: “How long?” How long shall this iniquity go on? And we’re sure to join in this lament, when we remember the terrible gangsterism of the banks, which left the world economy reeling even in our times – or if we recall landgraps of colonialism and neo-colonialism – or the Russian annexation of the Crimean peninsula and parts of E.Ukraine.

The Zulus have a proverb that goes something like this: “The stolen cow eats the own ones too!” This is very close to Luther’s idea shared in the Large Catechism that stolen money lets all money in the wallet/pocket disappear. God himself is judge over these things as the terrible end of king Ahab and his terrible queen Isabel goes to prove. Even if crooks and thieves seem to get away more than not, they still will face God’s judgement and punishment too. We should not fret about that so much, but leave that to God and his wise discernment, wrath and justice and for our own part work diligently and according to our calling there, where our service is needed most and where we are called and stationed to do so. Amen.

O God, My Faithful God by Johann Heermann:

O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.

Give me the strength to do
With ready heart and willing
Whatever you command,
My calling here fulfilling.
Help me do what I should
With all my might, and bless
The outcome for my good,
For you must give success.

Keep me from saying words
That later need recalling;
Guard me lest idle speech
May from my lips be falling;
But when within my place
I must and ought to speak,
Then to my words give grace
Lest I offend the weak.

When dangers gather round,
Oh, keep me calm and fearless;
Help me to bear the cross
When life seems dark and cheerless;
Help me, as you have taught,
To love both great and small
And by your Spirit’s might
To live at peace with all.

Hymn # 371 from Lutheran Worship Author: Ahasverus Fritsch
Tune: Was Frag Ich Nach Der Welt 1st Published in: 1630

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