www.higher things.org / WINTER / 2002
from
the
editor-in-chief The Great Christian Adventure For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) I admit it. I’ve been a Lord of the Rings nerd since I first read them when I was eleven. I distinctly remember sitting up when I was recovering from surgery, reading stories of far-away places and great adventures, and thinking to myself,“Why can’t that be me? Why am I stuck here with a hurt ankle where I can’t do a thing?” This is often the life of the Christian. We look at life and think to ourselves, “There’s got to be something more. Life cannot possibly be this boring all the time.”Toss in a relationship gone sour, troubles at school or at home, and you have yourself a great combination of self-pity and depression. Is this all there is to life? Surely there must be something beyond all this.
There is a great battle going on. Not like the battle found in the Lord of the Rings, but the battle for the souls of men and women throughout the world. This battle may not look as glamorous or as noble as the war in Afghanistan or elsewhere, but it is. It is the battle for eternal life. It is the war of the ages.
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Stories like The Lord of the Rings remind us that great things may be accomplished by the lowly and despised of the world. It helps our imagination take flight, and reminds us that there is a whole world out there that others cannot see. Satan seeks to enslave and destroy everyone and everything in his path. It reminds me a little bit of The Matrix. This is not a battle that we can see, but it is nevertheless true. For you see, there is a great battle going on. Not like the battle found in the Lord of the Rings, but the battle for the souls of men and women throughout the world. This battle may not look as glamorous or as noble as the war in Afghanistan or elsewhere, but it is. It is the battle for eternal life. It is the war of the ages. In this issue of Higher Things, you will hear stories of Christians around the world, living out their lives where God has placed them. Whether as a chaplain, a scientist, or even in the Sudan, being a Christian is the greatest adventure of all. It may not always look that way, but like the hobbits in Lord of the Rings, looks can sometimes be deceiving. In Jesus Christ, all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. And that greatest of all warriors, God’s only-begotten Son, dwells in you by grace through your Baptism. It may not always feel like it, but you are in the battle, the battle that Christ has already won.
Pastor Todd A. Peperkorn Editor-in-Chief Higher Things: Dare to Be Lutheran
CONTENTS O F T A B L E
FEATURES
HigherThings
6
Editor-in-Chief REV. TODD PEPERKORN
Service to God in the Military
By the Rev. John C.Wohlrabe, Jr., Captain, Chaplain Corps, U.S. Navy, Brunswick, ME
Can the killing and destruction that war brings be justified? Better yet: Can a Christian serve in the military and still be a Christian? Yes.They are acting as God’s servant to defend their country and its citizens against violence and injustice in order to preserve peace.
8
Notes on Islam
By the Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Baue, Editor, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
The Rev. Frederic W. Baue provides a glimpse into the world of Islam and its ever-growing effect on Christianity.
10 Diary of a Chaplain By the Rev. Dean Kavouras, FBI Chaplain; Assistant Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church, Cleveland, OH
Take a glimpse into the diary of the Rev. Dean Kavouras and see how the love of Christ helped heal and support people in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
12 Contending for the Faith By the Rev. James Winsor, Pastor at Risen Christ Lutheran Church, Arvada, CO
God’s grace is under attack. Learn how to defend it. It’s worth fighting for.
14 Wizards, Witches and Hogwarts Should Christians read the Harry Potter books? By the Rev.Todd A. Peperkorn, Pastor at Messiah Lutheran Church, Kenosha, WI; Editor-in-Chief of Higher Things.
Good question. Find out what the Rev. Todd Peperkorn has to say about these popular books and their role in the Christian life.
15 There’s a Snake Around My Neck. By the Rev.Tim Pauls, Assistant Pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School, Boise, ID.
As Christians, we all deal with the snake called “sin”. Luckily for us, we know the snake’s power was crushed when Christ died for us on the cross.
17 The Power of Prayer By Mollie Ziegler, Director of Strategic Development for an economic research institution in northern Virginia. She resides in Washington, D.C.
Falsely imprisoned in China for espionage, Dr. Gao Xue describes how Christ and the power of prayer sustained her during this horrific experience.
19 Survivor of War By the Rev. Daniel Woodring, President of Higher Things, Inc.
Every war has its heroes. Read how one Lutheran pastor miraculously survived the ongoing war of abortion by being born.
20 Hope in Christ in a World of Problems By Julie Stiegemeyer, Freelance Writer, Pittsburgh, PA
Find out how a Lutheran pastor, equipped with the Word of God, is making a real difference in the lives of the young people of Sudan.
22 Deliver Us from Evil By the Rev. David Petersen, Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, IN
Evil surrounds each of us daily.Take heart in knowing that Christ has and will deliver us from evil.
Volume 2/Number 1 Winter 2002
Managing Editor PAM KNEPPER
Assistant Editor JULIE STIEGEMEYER
Editorial Associates REV. DAVID PETERSEN REV. JAMES WINSOR DR. GENE EDWARD VEITH Art Director STEVE BLAKEY
Business Manager LYNN FREDERICKSEN
HIGHER THINGS, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President and Executive Director REV. DANIEL WOODRING Vice President REV. TODD
Secretary REV. SCOTT
PEPERKORN
STIEGEMEYER
Treasurer LYNN FREDERICKSEN
REV. KLEMET PREUS REV. MARCUS ZILL SANDRA OSTAPOWICH REV. JAMES WINSOR MOLLIE ZIEGLER Higher Things Magazine is published quarterly by Higher Things Inc., 2026 22nd Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the editorin-chief of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2002. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at Fort Wayne, Indiana. For subscription information, write to: Higher Things Magazine, P.O. Box 580111, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158-8011 or e-mail to Subscriptions@higherthings.org. Higher Things Magazine is mailed to most pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the United States and Canada. For general information about Higher Things, Inc., please e-mail info@higherthings.org.
Christ’s death on the cross bruises the serpent, Satan, and destroys his power. The hymn verse is from Lutheran Worship #33, verse 6.
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Service to God
I N T H E M I L I TA R Y By John C. Wohlrabe, Jr., Captain, Chaplain Corps, United States Navy
ince the terrible events of September 11th, our country is again at war. Is such killing and destruction justified? Can a Christian serve in the military and still be a Christian?
S
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An 18-year-old United States Marine who is a Christian has been inserted with his battalion into Afghanistan, near Kondahar, and soon he may be tasked with investigating the caves in that area looking for al-Qaida terrorists. He may have to shoot and kill the enemy if they resist. He recalls the Fifth Commandment. He remembers “We should fear and love God so that we do not hurt or harm our neighbor in his body, but help and support him in every physical need” (Luther’s Small Catechism). Can he carry out his duties with a good conscience? At the same time, a 20-year-old female sailor, a Christian woman who has been trained as a Fire Control Technician in the United States Navy, is serving aboard a guided missile cruiser in the Arabian Gulf. She has been ordered to fire a tomahawk missile into Afghanistan. Even though she cannot see the result of her action because the missile will land hundreds of miles from the ship, she knows that this weapon has the capability of killing or wounding many people when it strikes. Can she, in good conscience, prepare the missile for launch and push the button that fires it? Similar questions could be raised by a Christian in the United States Army, Air Force or Coast Guard. In December 1526, Martin Luther addressed this very issue in a treatise that he wrote entitled,“Whether Soldiers, Too, Can Be Saved.” Based on the clear teachings of Holy Scripture, Luther noted that there are two kingdoms which God has established in this world. Lutheran theologians call them the Kingdom of the Right and the Kingdom of the Left.The Kingdom of the Right is also known as the Kingdom of Grace or the Holy Christian Church. Here God works through the ministry of His Word and Sacraments to call people to faith and give them salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord.The Kingdom of the Left, an extension of God’s Kingdom of Power, is what we refer to as the State or God-ordained civil government (see Romans 13:1ff; 1 Peter 2:13ff).To the government, God has given the sword or the power over life and death to protect the good, punish evil, and maintain peace. Luther put it this way,“For He [God] has set up two kinds of government among men. One is spiritual, through the Word and without the sword, through which men might become devout and righteous, so that along with this righteousness they might receive eternal life.This right-
eousness He administers through the Word, which He has hatred fill his heart and mind.The truth is that all of us, military committed to His preachers.The other is an earthly governand non-military alike, are poor, miserable sinners, totally ment through the sword, in order that they who refuse to be dependent upon God’s grace in Jesus Christ.That is why made devout and righteous unto life eternal shall by such Luther wrote this beautiful soldier’s prayer: earthly government be compelled to be devout and righteous “Heavenly Father, here I am, according to Your divine will, before the world.This righteousness He administers through in the external work and service of my government, which the sword.Though He does not reward this righteousness I owe first to You and then to my government for Your with life eternal, He nevertheless insists on it, in order that sake. I thank Your grace and mercy that You have put me peace may be maintained among men; and He does reward it into a work of which I am sure that it is not sin, but right with temporal gifts.” and pleasing obedience to Your will. But because I know Thus, an individual human being may not take the life of and have learned from Your gracious Word that none of another; but God is free to do so. And one way He does this is our good works can help us and no one is saved as a solthrough the governments that He has ordained in order to dier, but only as a Christian, therefore, I will rely not at all maintain order, punish evil, and protect good in a fallen, sinon this obedience and work of mine, but put myself freely filled world.Those who have been given the office or vocation at the service of Your will and believe from the heart that of working in the government (national leaders, judges, police, only the innocent blood of Your dear Son, my Lord Jesus military personnel, etc.) are to carry out this important Christ, redeems and saves me, and this He has shed work as their God-appointed duty.They are not acting for me in obedience to Your holy will. On this I stay; Our Lutheran as individuals on their own behalf, but in an appointon this I live and die; on this I fight and do all. Dear Confessions ed office on behalf of all the citizens of their country, Lord God the Father, preserve and strengthen this confirm,“It and ultimately, as God’s servant.To defend its people faith in me by Your Spirit. Amen.” is taught and punish evil, a government may, under certain ciramong us Could you, as a Christian, serve cumstances, wage war. Sometimes that all God and your neighbor in the milithe government cannot protect government in the world and all established tary, even in times of war, even if and defend its subjects against viorule and laws were instituted and ordained you must kill another human lence and injustice without using by God for the sake of good order, and that being? Most certainly! This duty is such force.War is therefore an Christians may without sin occupy civil indeed a loving act, intended by offices or serve as princes and judges, render extension of a government’s God for the protection of others. decisions and pass sentence according authority to punish outside its borto imperial Thus, our Lutheran Confessions ders for the purpose of preserving and other confirm,“It is taught among us that all government peace against aggression or any such breaking of the existing laws, in the world and all established rule and laws were peace like occurred on September 11. Understood in punish evilinstituted and ordained by God for the sake of good this way, even waging war is a work of love, and a milidoers with order, and that Christians may without sin occupy tary member can be “blessed”, that is, he or she can be the sword, civil offices or serve as princes and judges, render and remain a Christian in his or her military service, engage in decisions and pass sentence according to imperial even when this involves killing others. just wars, and other existing laws, punish evildoers with the serve as In his 1526 treatise on the salvation of military persword, engage in just wars, serve as soldiers…” soldiers…” sonnel, Martin Luther also noted that the disposition or (Augsburg (Augsburg Confession, Article XVI). motivation of an individual soldier is an important facConfession, Even if you do not serve in the Armed Forces of tor. He writes,“The married state, also, is precious and Article XVI). our country, nor have any inclination to do so, for not godly, but there is many a rascal and knave in it. It is everyone is called to serve in this vocation, you can just the same way with the occupation or work of the still pray for those who are currently serving in this important, soldier; in itself it is right and godly, but we must see to it that the God-pleasing work. persons who are in the occupation and who do the work are the right kind of persons, godly and upright.”Those soldiers, sailors, O Lord God of hosts, stretch forth your almighty arm to airmen and Marines that perform their important work out of a strengthen and protect those who serve in the Armed sense of duty to God and their country are maintaining a proper Forces of our country. Support them in times of war, and in disposition and motivation. However, those who perform their times of peace keep them from all evil, giving them duties motivated by hatred, revenge, or greed are not performcourage and loyalty and granting that in all things they ing a godly and upright service. may serve honestly and without reproach; through Jesus Maintaining a godly disposition is a real challenge for us Christ, our Lord. Amen. (Lutheran Worship, p. 130) all, isn’t it? Even a Christian is susceptible to evil thoughts, To God be the Glory words, and deeds as he or she struggles with the temptations Chaplain John C.Wohlrabe is Command Chaplain for the of the devil and the pull of the old sinful nature. How many of Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine. He is a veteran with 28 us, regardless of our vocation, haven’t felt a sense of hatred toward terrorists since September 11th? A Christian Marine or years of military service. He and his family are members of soldier, who is serving out of a sense of duty to God and coun- Redeemer Lutheran Church, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He is the father of three teenagers, all of whom are prayerfully considering try, may be confronted with the gruesome death of a close military service as possible vocations. friend in combat. Suddenly, duty is forgotten as revenge and
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Isla
Notes on
The
Five Pillars of
Islam The Duty of Reciting the Creed
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The Duty of Worship and Prayer
The Duty of Almsgiving
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The Duty of Abstinence during Ramadan
The Duty of a Pilgrimage to Mecca
O
ur country is experiencing a new revival of interest in religious things. This new spiritual society will not be friendly toward Christianity. Islam is not friendly toward Christianity. That is because it knows nothing of the Gospel—it has no atonement by a savior, no forgiveness of sins. But our society is becoming friendly with Islam— September 11 notwithstanding. Muhammad was born in Mecca in 570 A. D. In 610 he supposedly saw the angel Gabriel and was given a prophetic revelation.The holiest place was the Kaaba, a very ancient building which they say was built by Abraham and Ishmael. Muhammad’s prophetic utterances were later written in the Qur’an, the holy book of Islam.The word Qur’an means “recite”. Many Muslims can recite the entire Qur’an. Islam is monotheistic. Muslims will say, “There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his prophet.” Muslims believe that there were many prophets, such as Abraham and Moses and Jesus. They teach that Jesus did not die on the cross to take away our sins. He never rose from the dead. He was a prophet, but not the Son of God. Whenever a man claims to have received a new word from God, only one thing results—more law. Yet legalism is one thing about Islam which gives it an advantage over the Christian faith. It is doable. You pray toward Mecca five times a day. You go to the mosque once a week. You recite the Qur’an. The word Islam means “submission” and a Muslim is “one who submits” to the rule of Allah in obedience to his laws. Islam has spread widely. Today, it is the
second largest world religion with over a billion adherents. Muhammad went into his native city and began to preach. He met with persecution. Finally Muhammad and his followers fled to Medina. This escape, known as the Hejira, was to mark the turning point in the fortunes of Islam. The Muslim calendar marks its beginning from this event in 622 A.D. Within a short period of time, Muhammad gained many new converts. Essential to the teachings of Muhammad—and key to the spread of Islam—was the concept of jihad. Usually translated “holy war”, the term actually means “exertion” .The higher jihad is spiritual, the striving of the individual against sin.The lesser jihad is military action for the spread of Islam. Islam promises great reward and immediate entrance into paradise for men killed in battle for the faith. For example, here is a passage from the Qur’an,“This is the recompense of those who fight against God and His Messenger… they shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feet shall alternately be struck off” (V.35). Compare that with the words of Jesus,“Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 7:44). Muhammad returned to Mecca with 10,000 followers in 630. He destroyed the idols in the temple, but himself worshiped Allah at the Kaaba. Then, in 632, Muhammad died unexpectedly. He left no successor, creating a power vacuum that has divided Islam to this day.The largest sect of Islam is the Sunni, a moderate faction.They believe that religious leaders should come from the descendants of Muhammad or his tribe.The second-largest group, the Shiites,
am
By the Rev. Dr. Frederic W. Baue
is a strict faction.They believe that leaders should come from descendants of Ali, Muhammad’s son-in-law. Of the first four caliphs who succeeded Muhammad, three were assassinated. Nevertheless, Islam continued to expand.The many heretical Christians in the Middle East accepted their Muslim conquerors initially. Jerusalem welcomed Uthman, the third caliph, in 638. Finding the old temple area on Mt. Moriah deserted, he cleared away some rubble and made himself a simple mosque—the beginning of what was to become the present-day Dome of the Rock. In time, Muslim conquerors took the faith to Spain in the West and to India and beyond in the East.Today, most Muslims live in Asia, not the Middle East.The Muslims would have conquered Europe, but were defeated at the Battle of Poitiers in 732, and turned back to Spain. Still, Muslim ambition centered on the Christian West, especially after the eight Crusades (1096-1277), which tried to reclaim the Holy Land for Christianity by military means. Finally, in 1453, Constantinople fell to Muslim forces.The Turks entered the city, slaughtered its inhabitants, and converted the magnificent Church of the Hagia Sophia (“holy wisdom”) into a mosque. From there it was a straight run up the Danube and into the heart of Europe. They surrounded Vienna and laid siege in 1529. This military threat forced Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to deploy forces that otherwise might have been used to stamp out the nascent Protestant Reformation that had begun with Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517. Fortunately, the Turks were defeated. At its height, Islam built magnificent civilizations and contributed many things
to Western culture. For one thing, we all use Arabic numerals. During the period of European ascendancy in world affairs beginning in the 16th century, Islamic civilization fell into disarray. Arabia and India came under colonial rule. In the 20th century, petroleum wealth flowed into the Arabian peninsula, and with it, increased political power for Islam. We all know what happened on September 11, 2001. But in fairness it must be noted that the mainstream of Islam is moderate in tone. The terrorist groups are an anomaly. We have today a resurgent Islam, particularly in the United States. It is similar, but opposed to Christianity. As America becomes more “spiritual”, it will become more friendly to Islam and less friendly to Christianity. We find in Islam a religion that emphasizes spirituality, obedience to divine law, and a way to bring religious precepts into the arena of public affairs. No wonder Islam is on the upswing. It’s just close enough to Christianity to lead many astray. All that’s missing is the Gospel. Works cited Arberry, A. J., transl., The Koran Interpreted. 2 Vols. New York: Macmillan, 1955. Baue, Frederic W. The Spiritual Society: What Lurks Beyond Postmodernism. Wheaton: Crossway, 2001. Hoerber, Robert G., ed. The Concordia Self-Study Bible (CSSB). St. Louis: CPH, 1986. The Rev. Frederic W. Baue, Ph.D., is an editor at Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri.This article is adapted from his book,The Spiritual Society (Crossway, 2001).
The
Five Affirmations of
Islam Allah is Great
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Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah
A Day of Reckoning
The Koran
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