Large Catechism, The Creed

Yes, our Large Catechism series on KFUO's "Studio A" continues, even as I'm currently in South Africa. (Ah, the marvels of radio technology, planning ahead, and pre-recording!) Click on this link to listen to yesterday's installment. In addition to discussing Creeds in general, we covered Luther's treatment of the Apostles' Creed as he brings out just how completely God gives of Himself as He creates us, redeems us, and sanctifies us.

Teaching in South Africa, part 1

So I woke up yesterday morning and found myself in South Africa, on the other side of the world, in the southern hemisphere, in Pretoria (Tshwane), to be exact. What a whirlwind of activity - combined with long hours on a plane - that brought me here!

On 31 August, Rev. Dr. Al Collver, Assistant to LCMS President Matthew Harrison, called me up and asked if I would be willing to travel to South Africa and teach a class on Luther's Catechisms at Lutheran Theological Seminary Tshwane, the seminary of the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa. A matter of church relations necessitated them finding teacher different from the one originally scheduled for this class. After some initial praying, pondering, and planning, a unanimous blessing given by the Board of Elders at my congregation, and gracious support from many members at Hope, St. Louis, the decision was made. Yes, I would be happy to travel to South Africa to teach one of my beloved and "specialty" topics: Luther's Catechisms.

Flag of South Africa

Time for departure came on Tuesday, 13 September. My dear wife had to drop me off at the airport early, so that she could get to work at a decent time. I lounged at the airport, sipped some Starbucks, went through TSA security check (nope, no full-body scans or pat downs), and then traveled to Atlanta. Once there, I had to journey all the way across the Hartfield Airport, pretty much from one corner of the rectangle diagonally to the opposite corner. But since I had plenty of time - and plenty of hours of sitting yet to come - the walk would do me good. Finally, between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, the international flight ensued. It would take sixteen hours ... including sitting in a middle seat, watching a few movies, enduring an aching backside, and getting precious little sleep ... and then I would arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa, at about 5:15 p.m. (local time) on Wednesday, 14 September (Holy Cross Day).

After the usual passport, collection of checked bag, and customs routines, I finally made my way to the new Gautrain, a high speed rail, for the final leg to Pretoria. That train is quite a nice ride, even if it did mean more sitting and traveling. The seminary student assigned to pick me up was there in Hatfield (in Pretoria), with a fellow student, and then we took the short drive to the guest house at Lutheran Theological Seminary.

Segoe Guest House

The LTS provides nice accommodations in the Segoe Guest House, and it's fabulous to have two other American guests here as well--Ginger and Zeal, LCMS missionaries en route to service elsewhere, but for a few weeks serving here at LTS, assisting the secretary with various odd jobs.

After a night of restful sleep (the SA climate and cool nights must be agreeing with me as we head into Spring here), I began teaching on Thursday, 15 September. The class of seven students (two more to join later) proves to be very interested in learning God's Word and, specifically, how to teach the Catechism when they reach their future congregations. Now if they can just get their American teacher to pronounce their names correctly!

LHF Hall (Classroom)

On the first day of class, we began with rehearsing the Catechism itself--the texts of the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer. Then we read together the little editor's introduction to Luther's Catechisms in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. The students enjoyed learning the roots and meanings of words such as catechism, catechumen, and catechesis. We also learned and discussed why Luther kept and rearranged the three parts of Christian teaching--the Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer--and thus cleared the Catechism of much medieval clutter. And, finally, we discovered together Luther's great pedagogical insights for teaching the Catechism: first, pick a text and stick with it; second, teach the meaning, again with a fixed text; and third, bring in the Large Catechism for deeper meaning and applying the Catechism to various needs. Not only was I pleased with a first full day of class sessions, but the greatest delight came in hearing one student say, "I think I understand the Catechism better now." And we've only just begun!

St. Timothy Church

The worship life at LTS is a great blessing for the community. Each week day Matins is prayed together at 10:00 a.m. and Vespers at 6:00 p.m. Students lead the liturgy, and pastors/professors preach the sermon. It is truly an amazing thing to behold--African brothers and sisters eagerly singing and praying God's Word, a la Lutheran Service Book, and thus showing the great catholicity of the Church's worship and hearing the Gospel boldly and clearly proclaimed.

The Rev. Dr. Wilhelm Weber, Bishop of LCSA and Rector of LTS, preached at Vespers on 15 September. After the service the good bishop invited me to his home for a delicious dinner, cooked by his gracious wife Angelika, and some great conversation. After returning to the guest house at about 9:00 p.m., my first full day in South Africa was complete.

Homily for 9/11/11

On this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01, we at Hope Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO, observed a "Day of Supplication and Prayer," beginning the Divine Service with the Litany and then using the propers from Lutheran Service Book. With plenty of civil remembrances striking the national pride themes, we thought it best to do what God's people are always called to do: turn to Him in prayer and make supplication for His mercy.

The homily focused on the question that stills vexes us as a nation, and especially those most intimately involved in the aftermath ten years ago: "WHY?" While we may not always be able to answer the "Why?" question, at least not satisfactorily for some, we can certainly look to the Father who does still call us sinners to return to Him because of the suffering, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

To listen to today's homily, "WHY?" on this occasion of a Day of Supplication and Prayer, click on this link and download the audio file.

Hopeful Lamentation

Here's an excellent message from LCMS President Matthew C. Harrison on this tenth anniversary of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks.

"Flash Mob" Plays Ravel

We often hear of "flash mobs" gathering for less than decent purposes. Think of the recent riots in London. However, these new and ad hoc social gatherings sparked and organized by social media can also serve very salutary purposes, as shown in this video. Here's how Dictionary.com defines "flash mob": "a large group of people mobilized by social media to meet in a public place for the purpose of doing an unusual or entertaining activity of short duration."

No doubt, this video is intended to advertise the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra. But what a great joy for those in the train terminal who were treated to a free, one-piece concert! Just look at the expressions on the faces of the onlookers.

Large Catechism, Commandments 4-10

Here are two links to the audio from yesterday's (9/8/11) "Studio A" program on KFUO in which host Roland Lettner and I discuss Commandments 4-10 a la Luther's Large Catechism. These commandments direct us in how God wants us to live with and serve our neighbor and the persons and things in our neighbor's life--even protecting our neighbor from us in our sinful words and deeds! But, as Luther reminds us, these commandments also teach us many salutary good works in which we serve our neighbor in our daily vocations and thus glorify our Father in heaven.

Since this week's installment ran 4:30-5:30 (CT), thus bridging the top of the hour break, you'll have to go to two different links to listen:

For the first half of the show (4:30-5:00), click here, and our Large Catechism segment begins at the half-way point.

For the second half (5:00-5:30), click here and simply listen to the first half of that hour.

More Luther on the Ten Commandments

"So far we have learned the first three commandments, which relate to God.... Now follow the other seven commandments, which relate to our neighbor." (Martin Luther, Large Catechism, I:103)

Be sure to tune in to KFUO Radio - AM 850 (St. Louis area) or kfuo.org (worldwide) - tomorrow afternoon for our second installment of discussing Luther's Large Catechism on "Studio A." Tomorrow we'll discuss the "second table" of the Ten Commandments, that is, Commandments 4-10 which deal with our relationship with our neighbor.

Please note: due to scheduling another guest, our segment on the Large Catechism will run 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. (not the previously advertised 4 - 5 p.m.). This time is only for tomorrow's (9/8/11) show.

Homily for Trinity 11

There is no one so alone as someone alone in his sin. That describes the Pharisee, not the tax collector, in Trinity 11's Gospel reading, Luke 18:9-14. The tax collector may seem all alone--standing in the back of church, too ashamed even to lift his eyes, and beating his breast--but he's not. He has the company of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to be the sacrifice for and friend of sinners. And going back to his house justified, as per Jesus' own declaration, the tax collector is "No Longer Alone." The same is true for you as you realize your sin and plead for God to have mercy on you, the sinner!

To listen to "No Longer Alone," just click on this link and download the audio file.

Talk about someone who "Stands Behind His Product"!

Large Catechism, Commandments 1-3

What a joy it was to begin our radio series on Luther's Large Catechism, yesterday on "Studio A" on KFUO Radio (AM 850 or kfuo.org). We covered the first three of the Ten Commandments, the ones pertaining to our life and relationship with God. Probably a good thing we didn't try to cover more, as we would not do them, or Luther's instruction on them, due justice. So next week - September 8 - we will cover Commandments 4-10. Stay tuned....

Here's the link to the audio archive of yesterday's program.