Four loves by CS Lewis

I just finished reading “The Four Loves” by CS Lewis (1960).  It’s a good treatment of the topic of love…the natural loves and the perfect love of God.

Greek has four words for love.  “Storge” is natural affection, such as parents have for children and pet owners for their pets.  “Phileo” is friendship, usually expressed in the English with like.  “Eros” is romantic love (Lewis distinguishes between romance and sex, which he calls Venus).  All three are blessings from God, necessary for human beings, and beneficial.  But none can be wholly good without the perfect love of God, “agape”, reflected in the Christian’s life.  This reflection of God’s love Lewis calls charity.   Charity improves and perfects the natural affection, friendship, and romance that people universally seek.  Perfect love is gift-love, which seeks to give to others.  Need-love (such as when a child is drawn to her mother for comfort and care) is necessary and good, but is of a lower quality.

God showed us perfect love when he, who is love, sent his Son to the world so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.  Lewis is in my opinion one of the best writers of the 20th century.   This book will help you understand love on a deeper level.

Mom

On Sunday morning, Feb 1, 2009, about 2 AM, Jesus gathered my mother to himself. She had battled cancer four times since 1985. The advances in medicine and treatment between 1985 and 2008 were amazing. But the disease is still a terrible scourge. It is a reminder that we live in a world that has been cursed because of human sin. Disease, disaster, and death are merely ways that God wants to use to drive us away from our connections to sin and this world, to the perfect forgiveness we have in Jesus Christ.

As far as I know, Mom did not have any of the things that make a person more likely to have breast cancer or to have a recurrence. She didn’t smoke, drink to excess, or eat to excess. She had healthy habits of hygeine and diet. She had three children and breast-fed us. She was married and monogamous.

Yet at the age of 70, the Lord called her home after this long struggle. It was merciful in that she did not have the kind of suffering at the end that I have seen with some cancer victims. Her brother Leroy visited from Iowa until Thursday last week. They had a good chance to talk. She knew when her cousin Lois and her husband Tom visited. She told Leroy as they said good-bye, “I’ll see you again in heaven.” On Thursday night, she slept peacefully (with the help of some morphine) and she woke only for a short time on Friday. Saturday she slept, and in the afternoon her breathing became labored, deep, and raspy. At 2:30, my dad called (I had made sure my phone was right by my head as I slept) to tell me she was gone to heaven.

As Christians, we are accepting of God’s will. In fact (and this is a little surprising) I have not yet shed a tear. I am sure the tears will flow when I travel to Arizona, see my dad and brothers, the rest of the extended family, and participate in the celebration of her life at Grace, Casa Grande AZ Sunday at 4 PM. But my thoughts about Mom are more those of relief that her suffering and struggle are over, and joy that she is enjoying heavenly glory now. It’s not because she was a good person (although if anyone who has been highly praised and glowingly eulogized at a funeral had a claim on personal piety, Mom is one). It is because Jesus was so good. Before the world was created, she was chosen by God to be saved through the work of Jesus 2000 years ago. Through her washing of baptism, Jesus’ righteousness covered her as a clean robe 70 years ago. Through the Word and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, she was strengthened personally in her faith. I had the privilege of leading our family in worship and serving the Lord’s Supper at their home in Sun City shortly after Christmas. Mom had the joy of meeting my youngest brother’s fiancee that week (solving a “problem” that Mom perceived–she wanted all three of us, her sons, to be happily married, and by the way she would have loved to find a wife for Leroy).

Mom was born to Erwin and Gertrude Riemer in 1938. Grandpa Riemer was a dairy farmer, with a herd of Guernsey cows. Gertrude was a consummate farmer wife. I can remember going to visit her when she was selling their produce at the farmers’ market when I was really small. Grandma passed away 1996 at the age of 86. She had Alzeimer’s and for about her last 8 years did not appear to know any of us. Grandpa Riemer died in 1998, age 91. Grandpa Wagenknecht died ten days later, age 84. Noteably, he passed away in the same bedroom where Mom died. Grandma Wagenknecht is doing great at age 89 today in Glendale, AZ.

But listen to this legacy! The four Riemer boys studied for the ministry in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. They have served world missions in India, Philippines, and Korea, taught at Concordia, Austin TX, and served congregations in Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Iowa. Mom attended Concordia-River Forest, and taught at Lutheran Elementary schools in Cullman and Huntsville, Alabama, before meeting and marrying Dad, who started Lutheran missions in Huntsville, Alabama, and Fort Worth, TX. Later, she also taught at Immanuel, Fort Worth. She and Dad raised us three boys with Word and example to love Jesus, His Church, and His people. Among us three boys, we have served congregations and missions in Florida, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, California, Idaho, and Arizona. Actually, I could include other places too since Nathan has been travelling to several other Latin American countries to teach future pastors, and is moving to Brazil this Spring. Mom’s sister Sylvia and family farm in Cedarburg, WI, and are pillars of their church in West Bend. I am extremely proud of them, too.

I say this not to boast in my family, but just to express words of thanks and praise to God who has blessed us so much. I am thankful for the legacy of faith that my grandparents and parents have left for me and my family. I pray that when Jesus returns he will find my descendants faithful. Jesus died for all, and lives and reigns eternally for all his children. With this confidence we say, “Mom, see you later–in heaven!”

Pastor’s and Missionaries Conference

Good morning.
Monday and Tuesday, Vicar Bode and I attended the California Pastoral Study Conference (WELS pastors from CA, Hawaii, and Nevada) in Thousand Oaks. Prof. Lawrence Olsen from MLC presented us with the opportunity to train lay leaders in the congregation through local classes using the Congregational Assistant Program and Pastoral Studies Institute. CAP provides a basic education on Bible, Church, and Practical pastoral work. PSI trains pastoral candidates from nontraditional backgrounds such as men who seek to enter the ministry after having been in other professions, students from minority groups, foreign cultures, etc. Maybe some of our members would like to receive training through CAP, which would culminate in receiving certification as a Congregational Assistant.

Prof John Schuetze of Wis Luth Seminary presented a study on three American Christian church trends. The Church Growth method of mission work focussed on marketing, psychology, and sociology. This took the focus off the gospel as the only means of making disciples. CG methodology is full of problems, although there are common sense ideas that can certainly be found in their writings. For instance, CG writers stress the importance of knowing the people and the community in which the church operates. Maintaining the property, using advertising, and keeping a positive public image in the community are also important, but we didn’t need Church Growth Methods to teach us that. Some things taught in the CGM are the “homogeneous unit principle” which teaches that churches grow best and fastest when they consist of one cultural group, instead of being diverse. That principle does not hold water. The fact is, that entering the Christian church is a cultural change for everyone who enters it, and the Christian church forms a unique culture unto itself, where diversity in race, age, income, etc. is welcome; the unity comes from the gospel, not skin color or economic level.

The megachurch movement is interesting, but not new. It is only the big proliferation of megachurches that began in the 1980s that is new. There are at least 1200 megachurches in the USA today. A megachurch is one in which over 2000 people worship each week. At the same time that megachurches proliferate, however, there is a movement toward smaller, independent churches, and even within the megachurch is an emphasis on small Bible study groups.

The “Energing Church” movement is a response to the emerging generation, with its recognition of a paradigm shift from “modernism” to “postmodern”. While Modernism likes structure, belonging to an organization, and values absolute truth, postmodernism values diversity, friends and family, and symbolism, but tends to deny absolute truth. There are certainly many good things to learn from the proponents of the emerging church. We need to understand the mindset of the people we want to reach with the gospel, value the connections of people with people, use technology to communicate in an appropriate way, and us symbolism and narrative preaching styles. But we need to maintain the good things we have–focus on the Bible as God’s determinitive Word of truth, Law and Gospel preaching and witness, and keeping Christ crucified and risen again in the center.

I also gave a report on our California missions. The world economic crisis has been felt in the church, too. Two congregations in Southern California are having to release their pastors from their Calls because they cannot afford to pay them. Because individuals and congregations have seen their income and offerings decrease, many are lowering their support for the synod. CLHS just announced that they will have to decrease the salary of all faculty and staff by 7% to balance their budget. In the current 08-09 fiscal year, WELS is facing a $2.3 Million deficit. In 09-10 that deficit may be in the rance of $6 Million. Missions may have to cut a significant portion of their expenses. Some missions may be closed.

The response…I encourage everyone who can do it, to make a special contribution to our church and to the WELS. But most of all, I implore your fervent prayer for our synod and its people, and for those who do not yet know Christ as their Savior. Pray that we may still be able to preach and teach the Word and train future teachers and preachers.

Bible Study on First John

John’s Letters

Now until February 15, we will be studying the three Epistles of the Apostle John. These letters have several important characteristics.
· Strong teaching of the gospel (1Jn 2:1,2; 1Jn 3:1,2; 1 Jn 4:9,10)
· Strong arguments against error of the early Gnostics, especially Cerinthus
· Gospel encouragement and stimulation toward good deeds

The author of these letters does not self-identify. Yet we have confidence it is a genuine writing of the apostle because
· Irenaeus (140-203), Clement of Alexandria (150-215), Tertullian (155-222), and Origen (185-253) designated John as the writer
· The language is simple Greek, and abounds in the use of contrasts, just like the Gospel of John
· Striking similarities of expressions
· Mention of eyewitness testimony
· Authority
· Heretics described in thundering condemnations
· Indications of the writer having a close relationship with the Lord

John was one of two sons of Zebedee and Salome, who were disciples. John and James were fishermen on the sea of Galilee. Jesus called them Boanerges, “Sons of Thunder.” Salome was a sister of Mary, making John also Jesus’ cousin. Peter joined the two brothers as one of the “inner circle” of disciples.

First John 1
The Word of Life
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our[a] joy complete.
Walking in the light
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all[b] sin.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
Footnotes:
a. 1 John 1:4 Some manuscripts your
b. 1 John 1:7 Or every
1-2 Note the similarities with John 1.
How does John assert his first-hand experience with Jesus?

What does it mean that Jesus is the Word of Life?

3. How is fellowship established and built up?

“Father and Son”…. What about the Holy Spirit?

4 How is our joy made complete?
Your= hmwn; Our = umwn

5 Explain the contrast between light and darkness.
6 What problem of Christian living does John address here?

7 What does it mean to walk in the light?

How does this establish fellowship?
Is Jesus’ purifying us from all sin dependent on our good living?
Why is this verse extremely comforting?

8 How can someone self-deceive like this?
Why is acknowledgement of sin necessary to having and knowing the truth?

9 Is it necessary to confess every sin in order to be forgiven?

10 How does this verse combat the error of “perfectionism?”

First John 2
1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for[a] the sins of the whole world.
How does John’s greeting demonstrate the relationship between the writer and those who read this letter?
In chapter 1, John has written that “if awe claim to be without sin, we deceives ourselves.” Now John says his purpose in writing is that we will not sin. Is John taking on an impossible goal?
How does this show us Jesus’ work for us as the great high priest?
In verse 2, comment on the importance of the present tense “is” rather than past tense “was”.
3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love[b] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
What is one way to have confidence that we are God’s children?
How do we test the authenticity of our own faith?
In what ways should our walk imitate Jesus’ way of life?
7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
What is the command to which John is referring, which is not a new command, but an old one; but which is a new command?

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him[c] to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
12I write to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, dear children,
because you have known the Father.
14I write to you, fathers,
because you have known him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.
How does hatred blind a person?
How does hatred contradict Christian faith and life?
Do Not Love the World
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
In John 3:16, he has written that “God so loved the world.” Here, John says “Do not love the world.” How can we resolve this paradox?
Warning Against Antichrists
18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[d] 21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.
Children of God
28And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.
29If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

Footnotes:
a. 1 John 2:2 Or He is the one who turns aside God’s wrath, taking away our sins, and not only ours but also
b. 1 John 2:5 Or word, love for God
c. 1 John 2:10 Or it
d. 1 John 2:20 Some manuscripts and you know all things
© New International Version International Bible Society
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984

Characteristics of antichrists:

Relationship between faith and works:

dog

The Wagenknecht house has a new resident. We adopted a dog. Jack is a 2 year old Beagle-Jindo mix. We call him Jack. He is a good dog and has bonded well with our family. The cat and dog are keeping their distance from each other. Jack seems very interested, but Squeaker is indifferent.

Why adopt a dog? I have never been a dog owner before; DeLyn had dogs growing up. We hope that this will give the kids some beneficial experience in caring for an animal–taking daily responsibility, learning to be consistent in discipline and training, etc.

So far, Jack has been scratching at the door and barking when left alone. We’re doing what the books and video tell us to in order to break this bad habit. We’ll see how that goes!

Lutheran Pioneers

We had our first meeting today to begin organizing for Lutheran Girl Pioneers. This is an organization to help our young girls and young ladies be and remain “loyal to Christ,” which is their motto.

Twelve women from the congregation enjoyed lunch, then heard a presentation on LGP. Our goal was to recruit seven volunteers, and we had seven ladies volunteer. Praise the Lord!

We have planned two outings–on the 17th we will go to the creation museum in Santee. On the 31st we’ll go to LA for Chinese New Year. Should be an interesting time.

Mom

“Mom has cancer.” That was the news my Dad told me on a dormitory pay phone, while I was at Martin Luther Prep School in 1985. Mastectomy and almost a year of chemotherapy followed. After treatments, Mom was clear of the cancer and had a new appreciation for her life and health.

“The cancer has returned.” That news came in 2001, again in 2004, and again in 2007. Chemotherapy was administered each time, and two times out of three, God used it to cure Mom’s cancer and lengthen her life.

It appears, however, that this time God is using this way to take Mom to heaven soon. Hospice brought in a hospital bed for her to sleep in, and last night for the first time Mom slept straight through 8.5 hours. Morphine is helping with the pain. Rearranging some furniture is helping her move where she needs to go. Dad is with her almost all the time, except when he leaves for a couple hours to play softball in the Sun City league, which is a great activity and recreation for him. His batting average is about .800. Yesterday he said he was “only 3 for 4, so my batting average dropped again.”

Our entire family was with them at the end of December, including my brother Nate’s new fiancee, Julie Majerus. We had a good visit; especially meaningful was our devotion and celebration of the Lord’s Supper. I am going to visit them again Tuesday and Wednesday next week.

The Bible is God’s assurance that He is always with us, even in our most trying times. Through Jesus, God has forgiven all our sins and given us the assurance of eternal life with him. Even though our bodies are used up and spent, returning to the ground from which they came, we believe God’s promise of the resurrection of all flesh when Jesus returns. It appears that Mom will fly to heaven soon. Or anyone of us could be called home sooner. It is important to be ready…and through faith in Jesus, I know Mom is ready, and so am I.

We will miss her, but can say confidently “Until we meet again.”

What do people expect of their pastor?

What do people expect of their pastor?  That answer varies with every individual, but I can answer for myself what I would expect of my pastor.  That should explain for you what kind of pastor I strive to be.  Most importantly, I expect a pastor to be an evangelist.  Sharing the gospel is job one.  It means sharing the gospel not just “professionally” in sermons, Bible studies, and counseling, but being a personal ambassador for Christ.  A pastor shouldn’t hide the fact that he is a pastor.  In fact, when people learn that I am a pastor often there are questions that he or she has that can springboard into talking about the Savior.  Preparation is important.  Reading and studying to understand the Bible’s message is important.  A pastor should spend a good deal of time with personal and professional Bible study.

The pastor needs to know people.  Not just the members and prospects of the congregation, but the people of the community.  Community events, organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, and neighborhood activities help him do this.  The pastor’s work is connecting the gospel with people.  You have to know them in order to know the right message, approach, and application.

A pastor should work hard, and be willing to do whatever he can to serve the church.  The ministry is not a 40 hour a week job.  It is more of a lifestyle.  Like any professional, he is a pastor no matter what he is doing, and should behave accordingly.  Pastors can offer humanitatian assistance to the needy, do any kind of labor, sit quietly with people, play with the kids, spend time with the family, work on administrative duties for the congregation and the church at large.  Time management skills are important to keep the work of the gospel at the forefront, but a pastor should be willing to clean out the storage shed, clean a toilet, and water flowers as needs present themselves.

A pastor should read a variety of literature.  This expands his vocabulary, knowledge, and experience base, making his conversations, sermons, and teaching more interesting and informative.  I am currently reading John Grisham’s novel “Playing for Pizza”, John Morris’s “The Young Earth:  The Real History of the Earth–Past, Present, and Future”, Isaac Azimov’s “Guide to the Bible” (Giving a liberal, secular viewpoint on the Bible which I find offensive and worthless, but which seems important for me to know.)

A pastor needs to maintain the privacy of his contacts.  Confidentiality of counseling situations and personal information must be maintained.  The pastor needs to use discretion in his conversations, and never spread gossip, slander, or hearsay. 

Everyone, of course, has many subjective expectations.  I want my pastor to be likeable, to have a good sense of humor, but also to have the ability to be serious; if married, to have a family that reflects Christian attitudes; and to be balanced in his approach–not focussing overly much on one pet topic or issue, nor spending too much time in one activity while neglecting others.  A pastor needs to be well-organized, but flexible enough to deal with a wide variety of situations and people.