Martin Luther

A very important part of Reformation teaching is on the Will of God. What does God command? What does God forbid? And what should we do when God gives us neither a command nor a prohibition? Read more…

John Calvin

The third question above focuses on what are called “indifferent things” or “morally neutral” things (“adiaphora” – “not at the heart”)—things God neither commands nor forbids. The topic has had a huge impact on my life.

Christian Freedom has several features. One is “external freedom.” It includes, first of all, freedom from ceremonial and civil features of the Law of Moses.

Martin Luther (1483-1546), as with other key reformers, saw the Mosaic Law as having three features: moral, civil and ceremonial (for some New Testament support for these distinctions, see: Mark 7:18-19; Acts 10:9-15; Acts 15:5-11; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6).

The moral law (such as the Ten Commandments) continues as binding on Christians. This law is found throughout scripture and constitutes God’s will for his children.

The civil law governed the theocratic nation of Israel and continues to provide wise counsel, but God does not place it on civil governments today.

The ceremonial law governed such matters as feasts, holy days, food laws and sacrifices and, for the Christian, does not retain governance after the coming of Jesus. Rather, the ceremonial law has pictures and types that point to Jesus and are fulfilled in his life and ministry.

Luther wrote: “Thus it does not belong to the new law to set aside certain days for fasting and others not, as the law of Moses did. Nor does it belong that we make an exception of and a distinction between certain kinds of food…
Nor does it belong to designate some days as feast days and others not.”

Then he carries this thought over into Christian ceremonial observances like ornaments, kinds of songs or instruments used in worship, altar decorations, chalices and statues, religious garments. These are indifferent things, “shadows and signs of the real things.”

“For every day is a feast, all foods are permitted, every place is sacred, every time is a time of fasting, every kind of apparel is allowed, all things are free, only that we use moderation in their use and that love…be practiced.” *

Churches likewise are limited in the degree which they may constrain the consciences and conduct of the faithful. The Church may not add new articles of doctrine, command new works or ceremonies, interfere in secular law or give bishops power to issue commands as they will. **

Churches may employ special days, ceremonies, garments and the like in the worship of God so long as these practices show themselves useful and are not made mandatory or viewed as acts of merit before God.

The man or woman who lives by faith is able to freely partake of the things legalistic religion forbids, whereas the person with an evil heart corrupts even what is good. The Christian whose heart is formed by the Holy Spirit can make use of both “useful and delightful things in a holy manner with thanksgiving.”

“Everything he does in faith, even though in outward appearance it is most unimportant—such as the natural activities of sleeping, being awake, eating and drinking, which seem to have no godliness connected with them—is a holy work that pleases God.” “Secular” tasks are as holy as so-called spiritual tasks like praying and meditating. The only restrictions are that good things not be abused and the commandments of God (the moral law) be observed.

And here is a quote from Luther that I love: Our freedom as Christians “pertains to things about which God has given no command, as for example, outward actions. At table one is at liberty to take either pears or apples, to drink either beer or wine, to dress either in white or in black, and to go either to the one friend or the other. In such matters man has a choice, and it is certain that even these optional works become a worship of God and please God if you walk in the faith and abide by the commands of God or have a good conscience. People need to be taught such things.” *** Amen to that!!!

This is but “the tip of the iceberg” on indifferent things according to the reformer Martin Luther. I will explore other aspects of “indifferent things” later. But how can we apply what we have already seen?

First, how do we know the Will of God in situations where God has given no positive or negative commandment (adiaphoristic situations)? Consider this little story (Genesis 2:8-9, 15-17 New International Version):

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.’”

Adam (and Eve) didn’t have to wake up in the morning and pray, “God, what is your will for my life today? Should I eat apples? Pears?” God had already given a positive commandment. “You may freely eat” (a very strong statement in the Hebrew). In fact, to ask “What is God’s will?” would show a lack of faith in God’s Word! And should Adam and Eve “crucify the flesh” and eat only out of necessity, lest they enjoy the good things of life a bit too much? No, the trees of the garden were both “pleasing to the eye and good for food.”

Were there any limits on liberty? Emphatically yes. God had given a negative command. “You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Man also had duties: tend and care for the garden.

How does this apply to us?

We don’t have to ask about God’s will in the everyday matters of life. We are free to make our own choices bound only by God’s moral law and principles found in Scripture.

We don’t have to ask, “What is God’s will?” even in the mega-choices of this life. “Should I buy this house or that car?” or “Which college should I choose?” or “What career should I enter?” We may use our minds and hearts, prayerfully informed by the Bible and good counsel, abridged or enhanced by circumstances, to make our own decisions in these matters. ****

In 1983 I had to make a decision whether to continue to teach at a Christian university or become the pastor of a church. Someone asked me, “Don, have you asked God what his will is on this?” My heart could confidently say,
“I don’t think God cares whether I continue to teach or become a pastor!” *****

Christian Freedom increases our enjoyment of life, our participation in God’s creation, our ability to be flexible in how we respond to different people and situations. But it also increases our responsibility for the decisions we make. No “punting” to “Well, I felt ‘led of the Lord’” in something that failed or “Well, I haven’t heard from God yet” for a decision that needs to be made.

Second, what about church ceremonies and practices? Have you ever known a Protestant church that argued over choir robes? Or pews? Or what garments the ministers should wear? Or how Communion ought to be served? Or what kinds of songs are “God’s songs”? (And you can think of many more!)

These are all areas of Christian Freedom. Many times a church has to make a decision because it can’t do things every way (like when services should start, their length and optional details). In these cases, members should speak their piece and then live in peace, following what their leaders decide.

Third, what about rules on how we choose to live our lives (such as what we may eat or drink)? Many churches and Christian institutions are very un-Reformation-like in their rules. If Jesus declared “all foods clean” (Mark 7:19) and the Apostle Paul instructed us that the Kingdom of God is not what we eat or drink (Romans 14:17), can’t we accept these clear words and mold our conduct and attitudes by them, offering liberty rather than judgments?

* Martin Luther, “Instructions for the Visitors of Parish Pastors,” Luther’s Works 40, p. 304.
One who observes some contemporary worship scenes today should wonder what has happened to “moderation” along with modesty.

** Martin Luther, “On the Councils and the Churches,” Works of Martin Luther V, pp. 193-99.

*** Martin Luther, Lectures on Genesis II, Luther’s Works, II, pp. 348-50.

**** I recommend Decision Making and the Will of God (Multnomah, 1980; revised 2004) by Garry Friesen. My views on knowing God’s will are basically the same, but I had already arrived at them before reading the book and discussing issues with Garry.

***** When we feel we must find positive signs of God’s will, we are also likely to take setbacks and failures as signs that we are not in God’s will, forgetting that problems and setbacks, even rejection and persecution, are features of life and service.

Religious Liberty Vigilance –

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – 1st Amendment

President Trump’s Executive Order on Religious Liberty and its impact on the “Johnson Amendment”

– By Donald Shoemaker

President Trump has often leveled strong criticism against the “Johnson Amendment.” With a lot of fanfare the Trump Administration issued an executive order [reproduced in an addendum at the end of this newsletter] on May 4 which, in fact, did nothing about it—after all, it is the law of the land and can only be changed by Congress.

What the president did do was to usher in a new ethos, a supportive spirit on religious liberty issues, a commitment “to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech.”

The “Johnson Amendment” forbids tax-exempt churches and other 501(c)3 organizations from endorsing or opposing a candidate for political office. It also forbids these groups from using a “substantial” portion of their resources to influence legislation. “Substantial” may be understood as “more than 5%”, a threshold that only the most politically activist churches would be in danger of crossing.

The “Johnson Amendment” had a nefarious origin. Lyndon Johnson, facing some pesky opposition to his re-election to the Senate in 1954, pushed this through Congress to stifle his critics. Johnson’s wily action meant it did not go through any of the proper vetting or hearing processes. As a result, there was no “sense of Congress” understanding that would help clarify exactly how the limitation applies [see endnote in addendum]. So it has had a murky history ever since.

It is my understanding that Johnson received support from the Catholic Church in his re-election bid. If so, it is unlikely that Johnson ever intended or thought about the sort of sweeping limitations on churches that have existed ever since. It is also quite unlikely that the ban was originally intended to influence what was said from pulpits.

President Trump’s executive order protects what the “Johnson Amendment” never forbade: the right of ministers and religious organizations to speak out on “moral or political issues from a religious perspective” so long as such speech would not be viewed as participation in a political campaign.

While I’m all in favor of the president restating religious rights and committing his administration to defend those rights, we should not make more of this statement than it actually said.

What may we say about repeal of the “Johnson Amendment” itself? Its repeal would be good news and bad news. Some observations…

First, it should be obvious but isn’t, restrictions on political activism by churches is not a First Amendment issue. It’s an issue of statutory law (the “Johnson Amendment”). We may feel it is in the “spirit” of the First Amendment, but Constitutional Law it is not. I mention this because some criticism of repealing or not enforcing the “Johnson Amendment” is so ballistic you would think the Constitution was at stake.

Second, it is odious that any person or any organization should have to give up their Constitutional right to free speech in order to receive a tax exemption. A court might someday overturn the “Johnson Amendment” on First Amendment grounds (free exercise of religion and freedom of speech).

Third, even if pastors were free to endorse or oppose candidates or to get heavily into political issues, I do not recommend this as healthy for churches. While our Gospel certainly has societal and political implications,
I truly believe we will be diluting, if not even corrupting, our message by lowering ourselves into the muck of partisan politics.

(I see rare exceptions to the above. For examples, if a state or national politician shows deep animus against religion in general or your own faith in particular, or if a local politician is outspokenly opposed to a church’s presence or ministries in the community, why should the church have to be neutral about such politicians?)

The biblical prophets and Jesus said much about issues that touch politics. But Jesus also said, “My kingdom is not of this world”. The Apostle Paul asserted his citizenship rights on occasion, but he also stressed, “Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).

We should encourage good citizenship, participation by our members in the political process, social critiques and activism, and vocations in government (in the great biblical tradition of Joseph, Nehemiah and Daniel). But the church’s message and mission does not include partisan politics.

I don’t want to go to church to hear a politicized message. I want the church to be open to liberals and conservatives alike—a witness to the world that the love and truth of Christ transcend temporal barriers like politics.

This said, I would stress that liberal churches seem to transgress on this matter more than conservative churches do. And scarcely an election goes by where liberal and leftist candidates don’t get lauded in church services and receive the endorsement of ministers. I believe a leftist church is much more likely to alienate attendees who don’t share its political message. Still, excluding people over politics is a practice that crosses the religious spectrum.

Fourth, while endorsing or opposing candidates should not be part of our message and mission, the church shouldn’t look to the government to restrain it from doing what it shouldn’t do, or from being what it shouldn’t be. That’s one government aid to religion we don’t want or need!

Good News from Grace

www.gracesealbeach.org

I had the privilege of writing and delivering the vows to the congregation and to the pastor when Grace Community Church of Seal Beach installed its new pastor on May 7. Pastor Bob Wriedt has been an associate pastor since 2006, beginning under my ministry. In fact, quite remarkably our church has called its new pastors from within the congregation four consecutive times.

Here are the vows for the Congregation:

As scripture requires, will you respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you? Will you hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work? If so, all together you may say, “We will!”

Will you live in peace with each other for the wellbeing and testimony of Christ’s church and strive to keep it a place of joy? Will you strive to “love one another as Christ loves you,” so that people who know us in the community will see us as Jesus’ disciples? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you, as the flock of Grace Community Church, follow the shepherds of this congregation as they lead you according to the Word of God and as they keep watch over you as those who must give an account? Will you honor and follow them so that their work may be a joy and not a burden? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you honor Pastor Bob as senior pastor? Will you pray for him often? Will you support and encourage him and his family? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you see the pastor as a finite human being, not expecting more of him than should be expected of any man or woman deeply committed to the church? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you discover and nurture the spiritual gifts God has given you, so that together we may all work for the building up of the church, remembering that the duties of church life fall on all of us, not just on the Pastor? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Will you live and serve for the good of the church today, appreciating the past but not bound to it, striving to build up the church through outreach and service in the present, and anticipating the great future God may have in store for our church? If so, you may say, “We will!”

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

June 4 – Pentecost Sunday – Speak on the meaning of Pentecost (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach’s Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00). Lead a “Communion Service” in the tradition of the first Christians, who broke bread together.

June 26 – Speak on “Forgiveness” at Stephen Ministry meeting at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

July 25-27 – Attend the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, meeting in Fremont, Ohio. Present resolutions to the delegates as Chair of the Social Concerns Committee. Participate with the military chaplains as Associate Military Endorsing Agent.

July 30 – Speak at Sunday Morning Worship Services at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Memorial Day 2017

Thanks to God for all who have protected our country! A sticker on a car near my home said it well:

“All gave some; some gave all”

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

Addenda:

Endnote on the Johnson Amendment:

The 1954 addition of the “political activity” ban to § 501(c)(3) was proposed by Senator Lyndon Johnson. However, because Senator Johnson’s amendment was made on the floor, there was no opportunity for it to be debated in committee. Accordingly, the legislative history contains no discussion of the intentions of Senator Johnson or the 83rd Congress’s thoughts on the definition of “political activity.” Thus, the prohibition began without a clear indication of the activities the amendment sought to prohibit, and it remains with the same limited clarity today. [Page 117 of “EYES WIDE SHUT: THE AMBIGUOUS ‘POLITICAL ACTIVITY’ PROHIBITION AND ITS EFFECTS ON 501(c)(3) ORGANIZATIONS”, pages 114-141 of Houston Business and Tax Journal, 2008.]

President Trump’s Executive Order on Religious Liberty (May 4, 2017)

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, in order to guide the executive branch in formulating and implementing policies with implications for the religious liberty of persons and organizations in America, and to further compliance with the Constitution and with applicable statutes and Presidential Directives, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom. The Founders envisioned a Nation in which religious voices and views were integral to a vibrant public square, and in which religious people and institutions were free to practice their faith without fear of discrimination or retaliation by the Federal Government. For that reason, the United States Constitution enshrines and protects the fundamental right to religious liberty as Americans’ first freedom. Federal law protects the freedom of Americans and their organizations to exercise religion and participate fully in civic life without undue interference by the Federal Government. The executive branch will honor and enforce those protections.

Sec. 2. Respecting Religious and Political Speech. All executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall, to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech. In particular, the Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure, to the extent permitted by law, that the Department of the Treasury does not take any adverse action against any individual, house of worship, or other religious organization on the basis that such individual or organization speaks or has spoken about moral or political issues from a religious perspective, where speech of similar character has, consistent with law, not ordinarily been treated as participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) a candidate for public office by the Department of the Treasury. As used in this section, the term “adverse action” means the imposition of any tax or tax penalty; the delay or denial of tax-exempt status; the disallowance of tax deductions for contributions made to entities exempted from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26, United States Code; or any other action that makes unavailable or denies any tax deduction, exemption, credit, or benefit.

Sec. 3. Conscience Protections with Respect to Preventive-Care Mandate. The Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13(a)(4) of title 42, United States Code.

Sec. 4. Religious Liberty Guidance. In order to guide all agencies in complying with relevant Federal law, the Attorney General shall, as appropriate, issue guidance interpreting religious liberty protections in Federal law.

Sec. 5. Severability. If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any individual or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its other provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

Sec. 6. General Provisions.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Donald J. Trump,
The White House, May 4, 2017

West is a self-described “radical democrat” who supported Bernie Sanders. George is a prominent conservative intellectual.Both are academics (Harvard and Princeton, respectively). But they have more in common than that. Both are committed to Free Speech; both oppose silencing Free Speech on campuses! Read on…

Truth Seeking, Democracy, and Freedom of Thought and Expression – A Statement by Robert P. George and Cornel West
March 14, 2017

The pursuit of knowledge and the maintenance of a free and democratic society require the cultivation and practice of the virtues of intellectual humility, openness of mind, and, above all, love of truth. These virtues will manifest themselves and be strengthened by one’s willingness to listen attentively and respectfully to intelligent people who challenge one’s beliefs and who represent causes one disagrees with and points of view one does not share.

That’s why all of us should seek respectfully to engage with people who challenge our views. And we should oppose efforts to silence those with whom we disagree—especially on college and university campuses. As John Stuart Mill taught, a recognition of the possibility that we may be in error is a good reason to listen to and honestly consider—and not merely to tolerate grudgingly—points of view that we do not share, and even perspectives that we find shocking or scandalous. What’s more, as Mill noted, even if one happens to be right about this or that disputed matter, seriously and respectfully engaging people who disagree will deepen one’s understanding of the truth and sharpen one’s ability to defend it.

None of us is infallible. Whether you are a person of the left, the right, or the center, there are reasonable people of goodwill who do not share your fundamental convictions. This does not mean that all opinions are equally valid or that all speakers are equally worth listening to. It certainly does not mean that there is no truth to be discovered. Nor does it mean that you are necessarily wrong. But they are not necessarily wrong either. So someone who has not fallen into the idolatry of worshiping his or her own opinions and loving them above truth itself will want to listen to people who see things differently in order to learn what considerations—evidence, reasons, arguments—led them to a place different from where one happens, at least for now, to find oneself.

All of us should be willing—even eager—to engage with anyone who is prepared to do business in the currency of truth-seeking discourse by offering reasons, marshaling evidence, and making arguments. The more important the subject under discussion, the more willing we should be to listen and engage—especially if the person with whom we are in conversation will challenge our deeply held—even our most cherished and identity-forming—beliefs.

It is all-too-common these days for people to try to immunize from criticism opinions that happen to be dominant in their particular communities. Sometimes this is done by questioning the motives and thus stigmatizing those who dissent from prevailing opinions; or by disrupting their presentations; or by demanding that they be excluded from campus or, if they have already been invited, disinvited.

Sometimes students and faculty members turn their backs on speakers whose opinions they don’t like or simply walk out and refuse to listen to those whose convictions offend their values. Of course, the right to peacefully protest, including on campuses, is sacrosanct. But before exercising that right, each of us should ask: Might it not be better to listen respectfully and try to learn from a speaker with whom I disagree? Might it better serve the cause of truth-seeking to engage the speaker in frank civil discussion?

Our willingness to listen to and respectfully engage those with whom we disagree (especially about matters of profound importance) contributes vitally to the maintenance of a milieu in which people feel free to speak their minds, consider unpopular positions, and explore lines of argument that may undercut established ways of thinking. Such an ethos protects us against dogmatism and groupthink, both of which are toxic to the health of academic communities and to the functioning of democracies.

Cornel West is Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy in the Divinity School and the Department of African and African- American Studies at Harvard University.

Robert P. George is McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and Director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University.

Bible Insight –
The Meaning of Jesus’ Ascension
By Donald P. Shoemaker

And [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. – Luke 24:50-51 (English Standard Version)

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. – Acts 1:6-9

“He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead…”
– The Nicene Creed (325 AD)

The “Ascension of Jesus” is the back book cover to Jesus’ earthly life. While Good Friday and Easter are big days for most Christians as we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, Ascension Sunday*** gets little or no attention in many Evangelical churches. Odd.

Yet the Ascension is clearly taught in the Bible and has great significance.
In his “ascension” Jesus, having completed his earthly tasks, left earth and his followers and entered the dimension of “Heaven” at the right hand of God the Father. There he assumed the glory and tasks befitting the Ascended Lord.

As to artistic and laypeople’s impressions, your guess is as good as mine on what it looked like when Jesus ascended. The biblical material is incredibly conservative and cautious in what it conveys.

Here are some features of this event:

1. Jesus ascended into Heaven where he took his place at the right hand of God. Here he offers sympathetic intercessory prayer for all who believe in him.

“Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God and indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)

As our “high priest who has passed through the heavens” he is fully able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses. He knows from experience the power of temptation. So we can confidently “draw near to the throne of grace” and “find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

2. Jesus ascended into Heaven so he might be exalted as Lord of all that is in heaven and on earth—the “Lord” whom we are to confess.

Jesus “has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (1 Peter 3:22)

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:8-10)

3. Jesus ascended into Heaven to pour out his Holy Spirit upon his followers.

“Exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” (Acts 2:33)

4. Jesus ascended into Heaven to give gifts of leadership and empowerment to his followers, for the spiritual benefit of his Church.

“When he ascended on high…he gave gifts to men… And he gave the apostles…the prophets…the evangelists…and the shepherds [pastors] and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:8, 11-12)

5. Jesus ascended into Heaven, from where he will return to earth in glory, to judge us all and rule as King of kings.

“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word…” (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

Jesus was faithful and obedient to his Father in throughout his earthly life and is now enthroned in Heaven. He is our example of steadfast obedience through great difficulties. “Let us run with endurance the race that is set us, looking to Jesus…who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Hebrews 12:2-3)

* * *

*** Ascension Thursday falls 40 days after Easter, reflecting Jesus’ 40 days on earth between his resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3). Ascension Sunday is the following Sunday. In 2017, Ascension Thursday is May 25 and Ascension Sunday is May 28.

Ascension Sunday is a day for majestic singing! Great Ascension Songs:

“Crown Him with Many Crowns”
“Look Ye Saints, the Sight is Glorious; See the Man of Sorrows Now!”
“Rejoice, the Lord is King”
“Majesty”
“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”
“A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing” (The Venerable Bede, 8th Century)

If you want to be creative, sing the words of Charles Wesley’s “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise” to the tune EASTER HYMN which churches use to sing “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”

Message of the Month (Part 2) —Are We Called to be “The Church of the Immediate Moment”?

In the April Newsletter I took exception to the idea that contemporary worship should include only what is very recent and trendy. In this column I will talk about when that philosophy is appropriate and when it is not.

“Youth For Christ” had a huge impact on my life when I was a teenager. The main YFC event was the Saturday night “rally” in a school auditorium. Most of the snazzy event took place on the platform—those who attended were the “audience.” Everything, especially the music, was geared to teens, whether they were Christians or possible prospects to becoming Christian (we were always encouraged to invite our high school friends).

In other words, this was an evangelistic event, and every feature of it was planned to impact a specific demographic group in a contemporary way.

But here is the key: Never would we have thought that this “targeted outreach” was “church” for us, or that it replaced “church” for us.
No, “church” happened the next morning. There we found ourselves in a much more pluralistic context. The service didn’t cater to any one group.

Nor should it. To be biblical about it, “church” is where diversity happens: ethnic, social, gender, age, economic, educational diversity, and more.
And “church” also has diverse levels of spiritual growth, passions, priorities, and spiritual abilities (see 1 Corinthians 12). There may be exceptions to this diversity, especially when the church is in a community without it. Military, college and retirement communities are examples that come to mind.

What does this have to do with our worship, music and singing? Much! At the youth evangelistic meeting the music, verbal and instrumental, should be contemporary, carefully planned, rehearsed, and performed. But in the worship gathering of the church the music, verbal and instrumental, should be varied and very congregational*** (hence, not performed but engaging the people, with songs generally known to them). The focus is primarily the worship of God and building up of believers rather than evangelistic outreach.

Contemporary songs have their role to play in the church gathering. So do songs long established in the church that have ministered to people over decades.

One elderly brother in my church remembers the fearful days of World War II. His coastal community in Nova Scotia, with its ideal harbor, knew what it was to have German U-boats (submarines) waiting off the coast and ready to pounce on shipping like flies over fresh meat. Hardly anyone in the region didn’t know someone who had died because of a German torpedo.

For this brother, God was Strong Protector and Comforter. A chorus that sustained many in those fearful days will always minister him to:

God is still on the throne,
And he will remember his own;
His promise is true,
He will not forget you,
God is still on the throne.
Lyrics and Music by Kittie L. Suffield (1929)

Christian congregations must minister to those with songs of this era and style as much as they also reach to those other categories of people we talk about: baby boomers, Gen. X, and Gen. Y (Millennials). (If I missed Gen. Z, was it because they sleep in on Sundays?)

I conclude with a dictum I wrote in “Part 1” of this 2-part series:

Growth as disciples of Jesus leads all of us to move outside our immediate comfort zones and preferences and learn from others. This includes the voices and heritage of earlier generations and today’s generations.

“The Church of the Immediate Moment” misses this heritage and the vital spiritual cross-pollination it brings, and is all the poorer for it.

*** Through my pastoral years I led the worship committee. We strove to emphasize congregational participation in worship and to avoid ever thinking of the people as the “audience.” One who used the “A” word at a committee meeting paid everyone else 25c.

Religious Liberty Vigilance – Get the Government out of the Bathroom!

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” – 1st Amendment

During the 2016 election campaign, the Libertarian Party advertised that it stayed out of your wallet and out of your bedroom. California’s state government keeps digging deeper and deeper into our purses and wallets, but it does stay out of our bedrooms. But look out! It has just entered our bathrooms—at least public restrooms!

A new law (AB1732) took effect in California on March 1, 2017.
“All single-user toilet facilities in any business establishment, place of public accommodation, or state or local government agency shall be identified as all-gender toilet facilities by signage…”

What issues does this law create? Before listing some, I note that most of the opposition to this law during legislative debate was not because of religious convictions, but out of concern for cleanliness and good hygiene. Most women, for example, would prefer to use their own restroom at their Bible study rather than one used by the junior high boys during their game night.

First, concern from a secular standpoint: this law is another example of government intrusion and meddlesomeness. Issues like this should be between management, their employees, and their customers.

Second, enforcement of the new requirement: who will enforce the law? Answer: inspectors, building officials, and other local code enforcers will check for compliance on this issue. So, instead of inspections for legitimate safety issues, the local official becomes a member of the “Ideological Police.”

Third, churches and religious organizations are not necessarily exempt. Are churches places of “public accommodation”? Many say yes; many say no. Some states (recently Iowa and Massachusetts) have claimed that some church gatherings, like dinners, are “public accommodation” events. There has been enough pushback on this that proponents of this way of thinking have relented for now. But it must be closely watched.

Churches must be exempt from this law because how they designate restrooms should be based on their ministry needs and how they feel attendees are best served. Where ideology is involved (in this case, the religious doctrines on humanity and human sexuality), churches must follow their own religious ideals, not those of the government.

But there’s more concern. If churches are places of “public accommodation,” then other rules apply. A person must be free of “harassment” in places of “public accommodation”—no harassment by staff (read: sermons by preachers and lessons by teachers), or even customers (read: church members and attendees). All of a church’s restrooms must be accessible to people based on their gender identity. A church that harasses or denies access by these rules faces legal action because of discrimination.

Churches MUST NOT be viewed as places of public accommodation. Churches MUST BE FREE to define human sexuality by their own religious doctrines. Churches MUST REFUSE to comply with government mandates that violate their beliefs.

Public accommodation laws are well-intentioned; their goal is to ensure that all citizens have equal standing in society and public life. But these laws should not infringe on freedom of conscience. Therefore, churches should not be considered places of public accommodation…

Churches are physical embodiments of religious convictions… The First Amendment protects church autonomy from state intrusion by means of a “wall of separation.”
– “Churches are not places of public accommodation”
by Caleb Wolanek, Harvard Journal on Line, November 28, 2016)

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

June 4 – Pentecost Sunday – Speak on the meaning of Pentecost (Acts of the Apostles, chapter 2) at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach’s Sunday morning worship services (8:00, 9:30 and 11:00). Lead a “Communion Service” in the tradition of the first Christians who broke bread together.

July 25-27 – Attend the annual conference of the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, meeting in Fremont, Ohio. Present resolutions to the delegates as Chair of the Social Concerns Committee. Participate with the military chaplains as Associate Military Endorsing Agent.

July 30 – Speak at Sunday Morning Worship Services at Grace Community Church of Seal Beach.

Mother’s Day 2017
“The Virtuous Mother”

She looks well to the ways of her household?
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;?
her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women have done excellently,?
but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,?
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
– Proverbs 31:27-30 (ESV)

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com
Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net

A Divine Word on Judicial Appointments

(And should one not believe in God, these words still represent the wisdom of the ages rather than the shifty politics of the moment.)

“You shall do no injustice in judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.”
– Leviticus 19:15 (New International Version)

“You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his suit. Keep far from a false charge, and do not slay the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the officials, and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.” – Exodus 23:6-8

Bible Insight – What Makes “Good Friday” Good?

“Ashes represent sorrow, remorse and repentance. Ashes look forward to God’s promise of forgiveness and blessing. God promises “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3).

A long tradition in Christianity observes Ash Wednesday as the start of the Lenten Season. I’ve come to appreciate this observance and have led an Ash Wednesday prayer and Communion service at my church for several years now.

If you are local to Seal Beach, California, I welcome you to our service on March 1 at 7:00 p.m. Grace Community Church is at 8th Street and Central Ave. in “Old Town” Seal Beach, one block from the ocean. Otherwise, please consider attending Ash Wednesday services at a church in your area.

“… in a democracy, civility is not an option, it’s a precondition that makes our system possible . . . Without civility, political discourse becomes hostile and polarized. In the resulting chaos we become vulnerable to tyranny.” – Charles Colson

Bible Insight:

Nehemiah—A Great Reformer Then and Now

The beginning of each new year is a great time to think about REFORMATION. 2017—this new year—will be unlike any other on that topic. My intense prayer is that genuine, biblical reformation, spiritual renewal and revival will be the experience of every major tradition within Christianity. I pray, too, that our major Christian traditions will strive to understand each other. That is needed before we can honestly agree or disagree with one another.

Nehemiah was God’s agent for reform—an important official in the Persian government in the years (5th Century BC) when Jewish people were resettled into their land after many years of exile. His heart was grieved when he learned of the broken condition of Jerusalem’s walls and the suffering of his people there. So he received permission and authority from King Artaxerxes to go to Jerusalem and oversee the city’s restoration.

Restoration (reform and renewal) is never a “done deal”! There are setbacks. People regress to their old ways. Revivals, it seems, just “don’t last.” The evangelist Billy Sunday once quipped, “Neither does a bath, but it does you good!” The church is “never so good” that it doesn’t need fresh repentance, change and visitation from God.

So, from the final (13th) chapter of Nehemiah’s book, we learn lessons when Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem again and sees the need for fresh reform.

1. Nehemiah saw that the House of God had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:4-14)

A man named Tobiah had been given a room in the Temple for his own use. But Tobiah was a dedicated enemy of Nehemiah’s effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (2:10). His presence dishonored the Temple.

To make matters worse, the people were not contributing as they should to support the ministries of the House of God (13:10). As a result, the ministers who should have been supported by contributions had to work in the fields and the ministries of the Temple suffered.

Nehemiah’s responses were quick and effective: (1) He threw Tobiah’s household goods out of the Temple and cleansed the room (remember: Nehemiah was a government official with authority, not a freewheeling religious zealot); (2) at his direction, the people restored their contributions to the proper level so the ministries of the Temple would be as they should be.

Lessons for us:

• Without being narrow-minded, we must be sure that the church does not support what is incompatible with our convictions.
• We must give generously so that our church’s ministries and worship are accomplishing what we desire—and even more, what God desires.

2. Nehemiah saw that the Sabbath Day had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:15-22)

The Jewish people were working on the Sabbath Day (13:15). Gentile traders also brought their goods into Jerusalem on the Sabbath (13:16). These actions broke the Sabbath law as found in the Ten Commandments.

Nehemiah rebuked his people for this violation and locked the gates of the city on the Sabbath so the tradesmen could not come in (13:17-22).

Lessons for us:

• Of all the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath command is the hardest for Christians to apply to their lives in the modern world. But surely there is a principle to be followed: setting aside one day in seven for rest and for worship is a sign that we put God first, not our vocations and money.
• We need a dedicated time each week for coming together in worship, prayer and hearing Scripture—we should guard this time zealously.

3. Nehemiah saw that the Institution of Marriage had been corrupted.
(see Nehemiah 13:23-31)

Some had married gentiles who didn’t share their religious faith (13:23). And half of their children were not being taught “the language of Judah” (13:24). Instead, they spoke languages of the non-believing people around them.

Nehemiah’s corrections were bold and decisive (and offensive to many “moderns”). He cursed them, physically punished some of the men, and ordered the people not to marry those outside their faith (13:25-28). He warned them that such compromise had brought God’s judgment in the past.

Lessons for us:

• We live in a pluralistic world. That’s simply the way it is and we must live out our faith accordingly. “The Kingdom of God is no longer identified with any geopolitical kingdom on earth. It is no longer the era of driving the nations out of God’s holy land but of living side by side with unbelievers in charity.” – Michael Horton, The Christian Faith
• At the same time, the distinctive faith, morals and lifestyle of the Christian faith must be practiced in our world. Church life especially must reflect these distinctives, for the church is not the same as the world—at least it shouldn’t be.
• Marriage within The Faith is still affirmed in the New Testament.
• What does it mean for us to teach our children to speak the “language of Judah” today? How about making sure they know:

The books of the Bible
The Ten Commandments
The Lord’s Prayer
The Apostles Creed (and what its points mean)
The importance of Baptism and Communion
The great hymns and songs of the faith

Listen to my sermon on Nehemiah 13

http://www.gracesealbeach.org/sunday/sermons

“Time for a Great Reformation” (go to October 23, 2016)

Honoring Two Very Dedicated Public Servants:

Retiring Los Angeles County Supervisors

Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich

Fifty-six years of combined service on the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors has come to an end with the retirements of Don Knabe and Mike Antonovich. Both of these men are dedicated Christian public servants.

Don was mayor of Cerritos, among other tasks, before becoming a county supervisor. He would mark August 31, 1986 as a critical day in his career—the day an Aero Mexico plane plunged into a Cerritos neighborhood, killing 83 including 15 on the ground. A few years ago he spoke at a men’s breakfast at my church and explained how his Christian values interface with his government service.

One of his accomplishments is the “Safe Surrender” program, which allows the mother of a newborn who feels she cannot provide for the child to bring the child to any fire station or hospital within three days of birth.
No questions, no shame. And no abortion or abused child either.
“Safe Surrender” has received 148 newborn since it began in 2001.

Mike came to the Board of Supervisors after serving in the California Assembly, where I first met him. He was and is a staunch pro-life advocate. During one of his terms as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors I met him in a hallway at the State Capitol in Sacramento. What would we talk about? He wanted some Bible verses on a particular topic!
Mike advanced many causes, including children’s issues, adopting animals and protecting land for public use. Both leaders supported keeping a small cross on the county seal (on top of a depiction of a mission, which it would seem is right where it should be) as a symbol of the county’s heritage. One wonders why this should be an issue with anyone!

Both gentlemen are fine examples to men and women on fulfilling opportunities to serve God through dedicated public service.

On January 9th, 2017, partnering organizations in support of law enforcement officers nationwide will promote National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. In light of recent negativity directed toward law enforcement nationally, there is a need to show law enforcement officers that our citizens recognize the difficult career they have chosen, in public service to us all.

There are many positive signs of appreciation that citizens can show. One of the best is simply to thank the law enforcement officers you meet for their protection and service. Donate to C.O.P.S. or your local police foundation.

I urge each congregation in America to take time on Sunday, January 8 to recognize and pray for all who serve in Law Enforcement.

One New Year’s Resolution:

“I will speak no sentences with ‘Look!’ or ‘you know” or “I mean’!”

Religious Liberty Vigilance – throughout the World

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
– United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights (Article 18)

The U.S. Government has seemed slow in responding to threats against religious freedom around the world. I was therefore heartened to learn that President Obama signed the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act on December 16, a bipartisan bill designed to strengthen the U.S. response to religious persecution in the Middle East and elsewhere.
(Please click on the bill title to read the text of this new law.)

“The new effort to bolster the U.S. response to threats against religious freedom across the world is raising hopes that Washington will make the treatment of religious minorities a key issue in its bilateral relations with countries like Iraq, Egypt, Nigeria and India, U.S. allies with a poor record on religious freedom.” (National Catholic Reporter, December 21)

For example, the law calls on any American institution of education that operates in a foreign country to “make every effort in all negotiations, contracts, or memoranda of understanding engaged in with a foreign government to protect academic freedom and the rights enshrined in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights.”

Religious persecution is a subject near to my heart. I believe churches must earnestly pray for those persecuted and help them in every way possible.
I applaud every effort to oppose such persecution, no matter what faith is being persecuted.

At the very least, these seven protections must be sought and maintained:
1. The right to believe as one chooses, without fear of punishment by a government or by a mob.
2. The right to worship as one chooses. This includes the right to be safe while worshipping and the safe preservation of places of worship.
3. The right to live out the dictates of one’s faith in the many arenas of life.
4. The right to raise children according to the family’s belief system.
5. The right of a religious organization to fulfill the obligations it believes it ought to fulfill, free of government interference.
6. The right to evangelize others to seek to convert them to one’s faith, and the right of every person to convert from one faith to another, or from unbelief to faith, or vice versa.
7. The right to secular employment or to service in government without having to meet any kind of religious test.

Cliff Barrows, songleader for Billy Graham’s evangelistic crusades, passed away on November 15.

Mr. Barrows was a very personable and unpretentious man—free of the “full of oneself” problem that affects many in music. When Billy Graham held a crusade in Southern California (1985), my wife and I sang in the crusade choir he directed—a desire I had long cherished.

Months prior to the crusade a retreat for pastors was held in the local mountains. Only a couple of dozen pastors were there, and Cliff Barrows was there with us. I joined him for lunch one day and we talked about the very beginning of Billy Graham’s evangelistic ministry. It grew out of a prayer meeting held at a hotel in Winona Lake, Indiana. I worked at that hotel many years later while attending Grace College. It is now part of the college campus.

I cherish the memory of Cliff Barrows, his persona and his legacy for quality heart-felt song. For the record, he was 93 when he passed away. George Beverly Shea, long-time soloist for the Billy Graham Evangelist Association, passed away in 2013 at the age of 104. Billy Graham lives on at 98.
Evangelistic music must be good for the body as it is for the soul!

Good News from Grace
www.gracesealbeach.org

January of 2017 is a milestone month for my wife and family and myself. During this month 40 years ago we came to this church (known then as “Grace Brethren Church”) in Seal Beach and sat in the back row as first-time visitors.

This led to an incredible journey with many milestones, including serving this church for 28 years as its senior pastor. Other roles have included organist, choir director, board member and, now, Pastor Emeritus.

God bless this church as it moves forward in its eighth decade of service to God and the community.

Don’s Upcoming Ministries

January 17, 2017 – Present “Religious Freedom Day Proclamation” to the Long Beach (CA) City Council

January 31 (7:30 pm) and February 3 (9:30 am) – Teach on the Epistle to the Galatians at Women’s Bible Study, Grace Community Church of Seal Beach

A New Year’s Confession and Prayer

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
From everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Teach us to number our days aright,
That we may gain a heard of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:1, 12 (NIV)

Website: www.donaldshoemakerministries.com

Contact me at: donaldshoemakerministries@verizon.net