“We need to train pastors to deal with these issues,” commented someone at an LFL planning meeting. I disagreed. We don’t have to train them. They already have what it takes—the theology they learned at seminary. The Lutheran understanding of biblical teaching makes their theology “tailor made” for life issues. Some examples:
Sin. Lutherans take some “ribbing” now and then for confessing that we are “poor miserable sinners.” But that’s good theology! It enables us to address the life issues from a level playing field. We know that it is not the sin of abortion or other sins against life that separate us from God. SIN separates us from God! All have fallen short. All are in need of forgiveness. That means we can address the life issues in a way that is not condescending, judgmental, or condemning. We can boldly speak the truth, but we do so in love knowing that we all depend upon the mercy of God.
Justification. Lutherans know we have received God’s mercy freely and without merit. Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross, validated by His resurrection from the dead, stands as an objective fact. Circumstances cannot change it. Feelings cannot change it. As God said through the prophet, “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for” (Isaiah 40:2). Payment for sin is past tense, a “done deal”! What value God places on human life to purchase such a gift! What a powerful message for those filled with the unparalleled guilt and hopelessness because of an abortion.
Law and Gospel. Lutherans articulate this better than most. In a world of relative truth, we proclaim, “There is truth.” In a world of moral pluralism, we make known, based on the Word of God, that some things are morally wrong. Silence, when God’s ways and truth are being maligned, proclaims Satan’s favorite line, “Did God really say?” (Genesis 3:1). Holding up the mirror of God’s Law convicts the sinner of sin and of the inability to do anything about it.
But there is only one reason we call wrong things wrong—to lead people to Christ. Paul says, “The Law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24). When the Law forces people to say, “There is no way out of this,” the Gospel gives Jesus who is “the way” (John 14:6). When the Law creates hopelessness, the Gospel gives Jesus the “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). When the Law condemns, the Gospel gives Jesus in whom there is “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1). The Gospel transforms people to live differently, to view life differently and, therefore, to view the life issues differently.
Theology of the Cross. Lutherans understand the biblical truth that God “hides” in suffering. When we look at the horribleness of that Friday we now call “Good,” when we see the suffering and pain, when we witness the utter forsakenness and hear the cry of the Forsaken One, there, in the midst of it all, we see God. We see God at work bringing from the greatest suffering of all time the greatest good of all time—forgiveness and eternal life. This scene becomes the lens through which we view the horribleness that life can bring. Through this lens we see God “hiding” in the midst of pain and suffering and working things together for good according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). What a uniquely powerful message for those dealing with the struggles of disease and disability.
Yes, Lutheran theology is “Life Theology”! It is “tailor made” for the life issues faced by our society and by God’s people. Lutheran pastors need no training to deal with the life issues. They are well equipped. I pray God will bless our pastors who courageously apply their theology to the life issues and that, working through His undershepherds, the Good Shepherd will change hearts and minds and make a difference in people’s lives.
I invite you to read the various articles in this issue of LifeDate that apply Lutheran theology to the life issues.