Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"Rewrite Holy Writ"
April 23, 2015
As we have said before, so now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a Gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:9-10
For five years, Frank Bruni was the chief restaurant critic for the New York Times. Since I wasn't eating a lot in New York City, I never read his reviews. Apparently, Bruni did a good job as a critic. I say that because, in 2011, he was promoted to be the fellow in charge of the prestigious Opinions and Editorials page of the Times.
To be honest, I still didn't read what Bruni was writing because I wasn't especially interested in the causes he was espousing.
That all changed when Bruni's recent column told the world it was time to rewrite the Bible.
Yup. That's what he said. The Bible should be rewritten so it might be more accepting of the gay and lesbian community. There were a number of reasons that forced Bruni to this conclusion.
1. The Bible is based on "ancient texts" founded on the "biases and blind spots of their authors, cultures, and eras." That, he says, keeps Christians stuck in ancient beliefs.
2. The Bible ignores and disregards humanity's advances in science and knowledge.
In contrast to the op-ed writings of Frank Bruni, I have the inspired thoughts of St. Paul. By the Holy Spirit's inspiration, Paul seems to have anticipated and responded to both of Bruni's logical points.
First, are Christians stuck in an ancient belief system? To that St. Paul would say, "You bet we are." Ours is an unchanging system based on the unchanging love of the Lord. Ours are beliefs which are the same yesterday, today and forever, because they tell of the salvation plan God put into effect to save humanity from the condemnation of our sin.
Second, does the Bible ignore humanity's advances? Not at all. We rejoice that the Lord has given wisdom to brilliant men and women. But when humankind tries to usurp the Lord's position of leadership, when they wish to rewrite the Word to make it more accepting of whatever sin might happen to be in vogue at the time, then Christians just say, "We don't think so."
That opinion is expressed beautifully by Paul who says we aren't trying to please men; we are dedicated to serving the Savior who gave Himself to destroy the penalty of sin -- not pretend sin doesn't exist.
Now I most certainly wish Frank Bruni well. On the other hand, I say to him and all who agree with him that now and forever we Christians "must obey God rather than men" (see Acts 5:29).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we live in a world where sinners are very outspoken in their challenges against You. In so doing they show how clearly their thoughts are not Yours, and their ways are not Yours. May the world see the Savior's sacrifice and realize He alone is life, light and salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was the "disciple whom Jesus loved"? John calls himself that in His Gospel instead of using "I" or "Me".
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By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"Rewrite Holy Writ"
April 23, 2015
As we have said before, so now I say again: if anyone is preaching to you a Gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:9-10For five years, Frank Bruni was the chief restaurant critic for the New York Times. Since I wasn't eating a lot in New York City, I never read his reviews. Apparently, Bruni did a good job as a critic. I say that because, in 2011, he was promoted to be the fellow in charge of the prestigious Opinions and Editorials page of the Times.
To be honest, I still didn't read what Bruni was writing because I wasn't especially interested in the causes he was espousing.
That all changed when Bruni's recent column told the world it was time to rewrite the Bible.
Yup. That's what he said. The Bible should be rewritten so it might be more accepting of the gay and lesbian community. There were a number of reasons that forced Bruni to this conclusion.
1. The Bible is based on "ancient texts" founded on the "biases and blind spots of their authors, cultures, and eras." That, he says, keeps Christians stuck in ancient beliefs.
2. The Bible ignores and disregards humanity's advances in science and knowledge.
In contrast to the op-ed writings of Frank Bruni, I have the inspired thoughts of St. Paul. By the Holy Spirit's inspiration, Paul seems to have anticipated and responded to both of Bruni's logical points.
First, are Christians stuck in an ancient belief system? To that St. Paul would say, "You bet we are." Ours is an unchanging system based on the unchanging love of the Lord. Ours are beliefs which are the same yesterday, today and forever, because they tell of the salvation plan God put into effect to save humanity from the condemnation of our sin.
Second, does the Bible ignore humanity's advances? Not at all. We rejoice that the Lord has given wisdom to brilliant men and women. But when humankind tries to usurp the Lord's position of leadership, when they wish to rewrite the Word to make it more accepting of whatever sin might happen to be in vogue at the time, then Christians just say, "We don't think so."
That opinion is expressed beautifully by Paul who says we aren't trying to please men; we are dedicated to serving the Savior who gave Himself to destroy the penalty of sin -- not pretend sin doesn't exist.
Now I most certainly wish Frank Bruni well. On the other hand, I say to him and all who agree with him that now and forever we Christians "must obey God rather than men" (see Acts 5:29).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we live in a world where sinners are very outspoken in their challenges against You. In so doing they show how clearly their thoughts are not Yours, and their ways are not Yours. May the world see the Savior's sacrifice and realize He alone is life, light and salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was the "disciple whom Jesus loved"? John calls himself that in His Gospel instead of using "I" or "Me".
--
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