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Inside this issue:
• Higher Things Magazine Turns Five Years Old • Memories from The Feast • Setting the Record Straight on Confession and Absolution W W W. H I G H E RT H I N G S . O R G
/ FA L L / 2006
We’ve compiled a sampling of some notable blurbs from the Higher Things blogs. Check them out and read more online at http://blog.higherthings.org/.
From Aaron Fenker on the God Who Forgives: ———————————————————— You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds. Psalm 99:8 Is that truly our God? He is to us “God-Who-Forgives” but yet must take vengeance upon us? Doesn’t this seem how it goes? We are sealed by His name in our Baptisms, but yet we suffer? Does God still love us? We look to Christ and we get an emphatic YES!! http://blog.higherthings.org/aaronfenker/user/ aaronfenker.html
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From Heidi Bamattre on Growing Up: ———————————————————— What is it to grow up? Is there some magical turning point where you turn from a child into an adult? Sometimes I wish there was. When I think of becoming an adult, I think of . . . knowing more, of being certain of more things, of having a family of my own and responsibilities of my own.Those things seem to come very slowly rather than all at once. I know more now than I did a year ago, and I definitely hope that next year I’ll know more than I do now. Eventually I’ll move out, in a year and a half, I’ll be a nurse (hopefully) and have an actual job. Sometimes it seems like that’s a long ways away, and sometimes it seems like it’s just around the corner. I’ve noticed something in my four years of teenagehood. It’s confusing being a teenager. In some ways, you’re still a child.You live with your parents, you have to go to school, you hopefully don’t have to completely support yourself. But then there are moments where you feel like you’re almost an adult. I have quite a few adult friends at school.That happens when you go to a community college. And they all treat me as if I’m on their level. Along with that, there’s the confusion of trying to figure out what exactly to do with your life. Maybe it was easier when that was decided for you. When YOU have to make that decision—what college to go to, what to major in, what job to get when you graduate, who to marry (in quite a few years!)—it’s pretty scary. Sometimes it feels like every decision you make could have some catastrophic effect on your life. And at times like that, it’s good to remember that God will work all things for good, that God HAS worked all things for good. If you do make some great mistake in your life, it’s forgiven in the death of Christ. And no matter what your vocations end up being, God will work through you to the aid of others. It’s not all on us. http://blog.higherthings.org/nurseheidi/ article/1313.html
From Hannah Adickes on Scars: ———————————————————— Some scars are there to be relied upon fully. Christ scarred Himself for us. When He could have risen from the dead pure and without blemish . . . He didn’t. He rose with those scars to show all the Didymuses (Thomases) in the world that He did it. He conquered death, hell, and Satan for us! His scars are there for us! He suffered all of that just so that we could be granted eternal life with Him. How cool is that!? His scars make ours not matter. They are there, and you may not be able to get rid of them . . . but because of His, ours become beautiful.We are scarless then in His sight because of the blood that came out of Him. By His body that was shed, we are given forgiveness. We are washed clean in Baptism and given His body to eat and drink so that we might be forgiven. What more could we ask for? We may be just like Thomas and allow ourselves to doubt, but all we have to do is look at those scars on Christ.They are there to point us back to Him, that we might live in Him and point others to Him. We can live in that forgiveness and the freeness that He delivered to us by suffering on the cross!! Our scars are healed! http://blog.higherthings.org/femlem1/article/1422.html
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From Anna Joy Holbird on Preparing for College: ———————————————————— I think my fears have been calmed some. Am I still slightly nervous? Yep, I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t be. Am I excited? Of course. I guess college is kind of like surfing (or all of life): you ride this board on waves that go up and down. Sometimes you fall off, but you get back up when the next big one comes along and you try again. The best thing about it all? Jesus is working everything together to the good for you. For me. :) That totally rocks, doesn’t it? http://blog.higherthings.org/annajoy/article/1800.html
From Heidi Bamattre on The Feast: ———————————————————— It was wonderful. I think it was the best HT conference so far. It’s funny how they just keep getting better and better. It made me decide that I have to go to one of the “For You’s” next year, because I’m not sure if I could survive a HT conference-less year. There’s something wonderful about being so immersed in Word and Sacrament for four days . . . and we had two divine services this year! That was wonderful . . . as was having two in-depth sectionals! The gifts just keep on coming. http://blog.higherthings.org/nurseheidi/ article/1766.html
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Contents
Volume 6/Number 3 • Fall 2006
HigherThings Volume 6/Number 3/Fall 2006
FEATURES
COLUMNS
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Save the Whales By Rev. Tim Pauls Animals may be cute and fun, but have you ever considered their place in God’s creation? And why did He give us charge over them? If you like animals, Pastor Pauls’ article on creation, stewardship, and nature is for you.
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Higher Things magazine Five-Year Birthday Tribute By Rev. Tim Pauls and Julie Stiegemeyer Higher Things magazine just turned five years old! From the very first staff members to the best-loved articles, we’re giving you the finest highlights of your favorite magazine.
10 The Feast Collage Another Higher Things conference has come and gone. Summer is over. School has resumed. Homework is never ending. The future looks bleak. But cheer up, because we’ve got tons of pictures and quotes from The Feast!
14 What's Love Got to Do with It? By Rev. Scott Stiegemeyer How does God make His love known to us? Pastor Stiegemeyer contemplates this question as he writes about Valentine's Day, warm fuzzies, and what love's got to do with it.
26 Myths about Confession and Absolution By Rev. Brent Kuhlmann Do you think that Confession only takes place in a dark booth? Or that your pastor tells your parents every sin you just confessed to him in confidence? Pastor Kuhlmann sets the record straight about what really goes on during Confession and Absolution.
Dare to Be Lutheran: Nice Isn't Enough By Rev. Todd Wilken Life is all about loving Jesus, right? The sweet, kind, polite Jesus who thinks you’re great no matter what? Before answering, read Pastor Wilken’s article about how Jesus’ death on the cross is more and better than just nice.
20 Mining the Riches: He Rides! By Rev. J. Bart Day Why did Jesus allow Himself to be crucified? How could He love those who despised, rejected, and killed Him? And why are the suffering, death, and resurrection so important to us as Lutherans? Check out Pastor Day’s article for those answers and more.
23 Pulse: Jesus in the Movies By Rev. George F. Borghardt III There’s been a lot about Jesus in the media lately. From movies to books, He’s popping up everywhere. But can you trust what the secular world teaches about Him? Read Pastor Borghardt’s article to find out what the media has right about Jesus and what it’s got really wrong.
24 Confessing Christ on Campus By Rev. Derek Roberts College is more than just homework, late nights, and bad cafeteria food. It’s also an opportunity to discuss Jesus with those who haven’t heard of Him. For tips on how to start conversations about Christ, read Pastor Roberts’ article.
28 Enemies to Love By Kathy Luder With school back in full swing, teachers and students are bound to butt heads. Our very own Kathy Luder already has, and she shares her story of frustration, fury, and forgiveness— all over homework.
30 Honor Thy Pastor By Rev. David Petersen Get a load of this. The catechism says you’re supposed to honor your pastor! Are you surprised? amazed? intrigued? To find a few good ways to show him that you appreciate what he does, start by reading Pastor Petersen’s article.
Also in this issue: 2 Blurbs from the Blogs 15 “For You” Conference Information 19 News and Notes
Interim Editor
REV. TIM PAULS Interim Managing Editor JULIE STIEGEMEYER Assistant Editor ADRIANE DORR Art Director
STEVE BLAKEY Editorial Associates
REV. PAUL BEISEL REV. GEORGE F. BORGHARDT III REV. DAVID PETERSEN REV. ERIK ROTTMANN Bible Studies Editor REV. TIMOTHY SCHELLENBACH Business Manager LYNNETTE FREDERICKSEN
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Christ on Campus Executive REV. MARCUS ZILL Conferences Executive REV. BRUCE KESEMAN Internet Services Executive REV. GEORGE F. BORGHARDT
III
Retreat Executive LANDON REED Interim Publications Executive MOLLIE HEMINGWAY
_____ Board of Directors President REV. KLEMET
PREUS
Vice President REV. WILLIAM Secretary SANDRA
CWIRLA
OSTAPOWICH
Treasurer LYNN FREDERICKSEN
REV. BRENT KUHLMANN MARK PFUNDSTEIN BRUCE PARADIS REV. RICHARD RESCH DR. BEVERLY YAHNKE ___________ Higher Things Magazine ISSN 1539-8455 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 executive editor of Higher Things Magazine. Copyright 2006. Printed in the United States. Postage paid at Fort Wayne, Indiana. For subscription information and questions, call 208-343-4690 or e-mail subscriptions@higherthings.org. (This phone number is only used for subscriptions queries.) For letters to the editor, write letters@higherthings.org. Writers: you may submit manuscripts to: submissions@higherthings.org. Please check http://higherthings.org/magazine/ writers.html for writers’ guidelines and theme lists.
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Save the (Collect the Whole Set)
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ut here in Idaho, there’s been a big hullabaloo about wolves. (Hullabaloo is a technical term, meaning “something that takes up more time on the news than I like.”) A long time ago, ranchers destroyed the wolf population because wolves eat sheep.This, however, apparently destroyed the delicate ecology of the area. Without wolves, it was only a matter of time until we’d be overrun by angry sheep and rabbits, and no one would be available to blow down houses made of straw or sticks. So a few years back, some federal department of something started reintroducing wolves to parts of Idaho to reset the environment. Sadly, some wolves apparently missed the sensitivity training courses,and they started killing sheep again.
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Unfortunately for them, some ranchers started shooting them accidentally while cleaning their high-powered rifles with the barrels sticking out the windows of their pickup trucks. I’m sure it was accidental, because shooting wolves is usually a violation of federal law. I actually have a point to this story, and we’re almost there. So far, it’s a discussion of science (ecology) and environmental law, right? It’s about whether or not wolves are necessary for the environment, right? It’s not about religion, right? So far, yes. But one night, the local news station hullabaloostically reported that yet another wolf had been shot, and police suspected foul play.The news station then cut to a spokeswoman for a local conservation group who said,“I can’t understand why anyone would shoot a wolf, because the wolf is a sacred animal.” Huh? Sacred? Sacred isn’t a scientific word or a legal term. It’s a religious word.The woman wasn’t talking science
or law but religion. She was saying that wolves should be protected because they’re holy—because some god favors them—which finally brings us to the question that I was supposed to address a few paragraphs back: What’s up with this whole animal rights thing? I mean, people are attacked for wearing fur coats. Some have said that animals have the same right to live as you, so every burger is a murder in disguise.That’s pretty extreme. On the other hand, cruelty to animals isn’t right either, and few things bug me more than a guy who catches fish and leaves them flopping on the bank instead of throwing them back or taking them home for dinner. So where do you draw the line? We’ll start here:“And God blessed [Adam and Eve]. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth’” (Genesis 1:28
ESV). Note two important truths: God declared that Adam and Eve were superior to animals, and God told them that they were to have dominion over animals. That continues today.You’re superior to animals, and you’re to be a steward of them. After all, God created man in His own image; no animal can say the same. Now this means that animal rights ideas go bad when they teach that man is just another animal (instead of superior) or that man is the greatest threat to nature (instead of its steward). For instance, imagine someone saying,“I worship Mother Earth. It’s the planet and her ecosystem that’s keeping us alive. Animals are part of that system. When you kill an animal, you’re messing with your Mom.”That’s paganism more or less, and you’ll find that a fair number of animal rights activists are in that camp. What does this say about the one true God? It says He doesn’t exist, that He’s not keeping you alive. Instead, the planet is, so the planet is now your god. If God’s not there, then He didn’t send His Son to die for you.Therefore, you’re not going to rise from the dead.Your last act of service to Mother Earth is going to be as compost. Congratulations. Or imagine someone saying,“We’re no better than animals. We’re just an accident. Some cells evolved into snails, and some into human beings. But we all came from the same soup.” It’s a logical result—well, sort of—from that religion called evolution, another faith that questions God’s existence and activities. If God doesn’t exist, you’re not created in His image.You’re not redeemed by His Son.You’re just a cosmic accident. Lucky you that you weren’t the snail. The funny thing is that when people
insist that animals deserve the same rights as people, it doesn’t elevate animals—it cheapens people.You’ll find that animal rights groups and abortion rights groups get along quite well, because if man’s just another animal, it’s okay to terminate unborn children. But save the whales, because we’re running low. Anyway, that’s where animal rights goes bad—when it denies God and worships the creation (e.g., animals, planet, etc.) instead of the Creator. I think Romans 1:22–23 might have something to say about that. Should you take care of animals? Sure. God created you to be a steward of His creation, including animals.That means using some for food and other resources. It may mean destroying some for the sake of peoples’ safety.Think of the mountain lion that wanders into town or the nest of wasps on a playground. Sometimes it won’t be a clear cut decision: if you’re in Idaho, should you side with the sheep or the wolves? The Bible doesn’t give an answer. It’s your call. But the Bible makes this crystal clear: this world, with all of its flora and fauna, is coming to an end.You’re a steward on earth, but this isn’t your final destination. You’re not just another animal. God prizes you so highly that He made man in His own image. And because Adam lost that image, God’s Son took on human form and flesh to save you. He didn’t become a wolf to save wolves. He became man to save man and to save you for everlasting life.” Rev.Tim Pauls is associate pastor and acting school administrator at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and School in Boise, Idaho. He is the Interim Editor of Higher Things. His e-mail address is tpauls@goodshepherdboise.org.
By Rev.Tim Pauls
The Creation (1534 Luther Bible) by Lucas Cranach workshop
Whales
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Enemies to B
ecause the boys were all gone for some reason or another last night, my mom and I had dinner alone. We had quiche. My dad and brothers are too fussy to eat it, so it’s a bit of a treat, and it was fun. Afterwards, while I dried and Mom washed, we got into a little debate.
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“Any homework?” Mom asked. “Just this stupid assignment from Mrs. Pavlov, but I’m not doing it,” I said. “Really?” she asked, raising her eyebrows. “Yeah. It’s no big deal. She doesn’t read anything we hand in, and half the time she loses it. It’s just busy work. I’m just going to make it up during lunch and hand it in.” Mom had stopped scrubbing the pan in the sink. Her face was frozen, eyebrows arched, lips pursed. She didn’t say a thing. She just looked at me. I hate that. My heart started racing. I could feel myself getting nervous. I went on.“I’ve got it covered. The whole class knows it’s a joke. It’s not a real assignment. She’s just punishing us
because Jason won’t do his homework. She can’t make him do anything, so she thinks if she is mean enough to us, we’ll pressure him into it.” She turned back to the pot.“What’s the assignment?” she asked. “She wants us to read a column from a news magazine or a newspaper and find four rhetorical devices or examples, like metaphors, and then explain them. It’s supposed to be one page. I can just make it up. She won’t know and doesn’t really care. I hate that class.” “That assignment doesn’t sound that hard,” she said. “But it’s not fair. I can’t make Jason do his homework. And she really doesn’t read our assignments anyway. She is the worst teacher I have ever had,” I said, stomping my foot. “Who is the teacher?” she asked quietly. I kept drying.“Is she asking you to sin?” she asked. “No, but she shouldn’t be a teacher,” I said.“She doesn’t like kids. My English is better than hers.” My voice was
Love
By Kathy Luder
getting louder. “It doesn’t matter. She’s the teacher. You’re not.This won’t hurt you.” Her voice was still quiet. She put the pot in the dish drainer and turned to me.“You have to do it,” she said. “Mom, you don’t understand. She always picks on Molly and me.” I felt my foot stomp of its own accord as I backed away from the sink.“Even the principal thinks she’s mean and unfair. He told us at student council that she was in trouble with the school board.” Now I was pacing the floor. Mom stood still, her eyes following me. I stopped.“He told Molly that he’ll even change her grades if Mrs. Pavlov isn’t fair. He’s done it before.” “It still doesn’t matter,” she said, taking my towel and picking up the pot. I just stood there and heard myself whisper,“I hate her.” Mom froze.“No, you don’t.Take that back.” “She’s the worst. Okay, I don’t hate
her,” I said. “Good,” she said. “But I really dislike her,” I added. “Of course.You can’t help that. But you can be nice. And you can obey,” she said. “Mom . . .” I started to protest. Mom put up her hand.“That‘s enough. She’s a person. She has problems. One of them is the principal. Another is Jason. And you’re one too. Don’t you think she can tell how you feel?” “But she’s mean!” I said. “Maybe she is mean because no one is nice to her,” she said, bending over to put away the pan. “But she started it.” Mom stood up and twisted around, tossing me the towel.“Then you stop it. You show her what love is.” “What? You want me to love her?” I asked. “Yes. Love her. Respect her . . . even though she doesn’t deserve it.
Being mean to a mean person never made him nice. And I seem to recall someone once saying ‘Love your enemies.’” She smirked as she walked out of the kitchen. I grabbed the paper and a notebook and sat down at the table. I figured I’d just plow through it, but Mom came back in with a magazine. She sat down beside me.“I found one,” she said.Then we worked through the assignment together. Mom’s interest got me interested, and I was surprised how much essayists depend on rhetorical devices. We could have finished in ten minutes, but we kept finding better and better examples and really enjoyed ourselves. When we finished, I said,“Mom, I’m sorry I was so snotty about Mrs. Pavlov. I really don’t hate her.“ “I know Kathy.The One who said ‘Love your enemies’ first loved us.That makes all the difference, doesn’t it?” “Yeah, it does,” I said, feeling the grin spread across my face. “Kathy?” she said as she stood up. “Yeah?” I said. I saw that smirk return as she turned to leave and said,“That was a rhetorical question.” Kathy Luder loves quiche and metaphors.You can e-mail her at kathyluder@ hotmail.com.
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