What did Jesus Look like?

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about Jesus' appearance:

Q:  How do we know what Jesus looked like?  If we do not know what He looked like, is it appropriate to attempt make a picture or statue? 

There are many characteristics which we have come to recognize as characterizing a picture of Jesus in our culture.  Typically, we see Jesus portrayed with a light complexion and long hair, smooth skin, and a beard.  There are often additional features which alert us to His identity, such as a praying posture or emanation of light, or that he is portrayed in the context of a Biblical story.

At the time Jesus lived, there were obviously no cameras or video recordings, and much of the art of that time did not survive until our present day.  When we combine this lack of visual evidence with the fact that there is no description of Jesus physical appearance given in the Gospels, we are left to look for other sources for information. 

The image we typically see today is based primarily on two sources.  The first of these is ancient art made by Christians two or three centuries after Jesus’ resurrection.  It is during this time period, the beard and long hair that we find so common in images of Jesus today became a standard feature. 

The second of these sources is the Shroud of Turin, which is an ancient piece of cloth which bears the image of a man’s body.  The legend concerning this item is that it was one of the burial cloths in which Jesus was wrapped when He was buried.  It is held that when Jesus rose from the dead, the energy discharge in that event burned his image into the shroud.  Even though these claims regarding the Shroud of Turin can neither be conclusively proven nor refuted, its image remains a primary source for modern depictions of the physical appearance of Jesus. 

While no description of Jesus physical appearance is given in the Gospels, the Bible does give us several pieces of information that inform our knowledge of what Jesus would have looked like.  In predicting the coming of the savior, Isaiah prophesies that Jesus would have “no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53:2 ESV) In other words, He had the appearance of an ordinary man.  This is further evidenced by the Pharisees and other people during His life who rejected His claims to be God. 

We also know from the Bible that Jesus was Jewish.  This means that recent depictions of Caucasian, African, Asian, and other ethnic portrayals of Jesus are certainly inaccurate.  Instead, He would most likely have had an appearance more similar to lighter-complected residents of the modern-day Middle-east.  Additionally, we know that Jesus’ stepfather Joseph was a construction worker and therefore, Jesus would have almost certainly followed in learning that trade until He began His ministry at age thirty.  Because of the harsh work of building by hand with stone and rock, Jesus would have likely had a pronounced ruggedness not often seen in our depictions. 

The final and most important feature revealed about Jesus in the Bible is that He continued to have the scars from His crucifixion, even after He rose from the dead.  The most certain and obvious way to tell that a picture or statue portrays Jesus is to look for these marks.  The statue in the front of my church has pronounced red markings on the hands and feet, leaving no doubt that it is intended to portray Jesus.  This is a much more specific and clear way of indicating the figure is Jesus than any other.

Ultimately, there is no hard evidence regarding Jesus precise physical appearance, but if our depictions of his appearance are faithful to what we do know about Him from the Bible, instead of portraying Him the way that we would like Him to look, especially when they use clear signs such as the wounds of the crucifixion, then they have served their purpose.  This is particularly true when we remember that we are not worshipping the statue or picture, but instead the risen Lord who sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.

Graven Images

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about graven images.

Q:  Why do so many churches have pictures or statues of Jesus and other Biblical figures when in Exodus 20:4-5, the Bible says, “You shall not make for yourself any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water below the earth.  You shall not bow down to them or serve them.”?

These verses, and their implications for the life of the Church have been a topic of discussion among Christians for most of the history of Christianity.  They have been interpreted in a wide variety of ways throughout Christian history, and have been used as the basis for widely varying rules regarding the propriety of different types of ecclesiastical art. 

For example, Eastern Orthodox Christians forbid any kind of free-standing, three-dimensional statues in their churches and their worship.  They interpret these verses as only prohibiting statues, but not paintings, drawings, mosaics, carvings, or any other art that is not a free-standing statue.  When Jesus is depicted, this interpretation even allows for this type of representation, called an icon, to be venerated—that is that the person can pray to God “through” the icon while not actually praying “to” it.

Many Christians in the tradition of John Calvin do not allow for any type of depiction of Jesus or God to exist in the spaces where they worship.  Paintings or drawings of scenes from Bible stories are sometimes considered acceptable in one’s home, but are not considered appropriate in a worship space or for devotional use.  Symbols, such as a cross or dove, are typically allowed, but in some very strict traditions, even these are avoided.

In Catholic and Lutheran traditions, three dimensional art depicting Jesus, and even the saints, is extremely common.  In the Catholic tradition, these sculptures, particularly of Mary and Jesus, may even be treated in a worshipful manner with acts such as kneeling and bowing before them, especially if they are reported to be connected to a miraculous event.  In Lutheran traditions, this is not the case, but in some circumstances Lutherans may bow toward the crucifix (a cross which includes a carving of Jesus’ body) out of respect for Jesus, but with the understanding that they are not worshipping the crucifix itself.

While the first look at this passage might seem to condemn many practices that occur in churches today, a closer look at the precise wording reveals that the meaning is much more precise than it might appear at first glance.

First, this passage addresses the depiction of created things “in the heavens above or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water below the earth.”  Because God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are invisible, it would not be possible to depict them in art other than by symbol (such as a bright light for the Father or a dove for the Holy Spirit), and to do so should not be attempted.  To depict Jesus in art during Old Testament times would have been similarly impossible, since He had not yet become man and therefore had not yet been seen.  Today, however, Jesus has become man and has been seen.  Since He is eternal God and not created, it would not be forbidden to depict Jesus.

Secondly, even though the prohibition in these verses includes depictions of created things, this prohibition only exists if they are to be worshipped.  In many of the world’s religions, especially in ancient times, people would carve or shape a statue of a bird, animal, or mythical creature, and worship it, not just as a representation of an unseen god, but actually as their god. 

To worship any created thing in place of the One True God would be idolatry, regardless whether it was a statue, a painting, or the real thing, but it is perfectly acceptable for Christians to own a statue of George Washington or the mascot of their favorite sports team, paintings of wildlife, or the portraits of their children, as long as they do not worship them.  Likewise, a picture or statue of Jesus is not forbidden by God as long as it we do not worship it.  The matter is not a question of what is depicted or how it is done, but rather it is a question of attempting to visibly portray the invisible God or to worship any created thing in place of God.

Readers are encouraged to submit questions for inclusion in future issues.  You may submit questions by email to revjpeterson@yahoo.com or by mail to P.O. Box 195; Burt, IA  50522.

Rev. Jason P. Peterson

Pastor, St. John’s Lutheran Church – Burt

Do human souls exist before this world?

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about the pre-existence of human souls:

Q:  If Jesus always existed, even before He was born to the Virgin Mary, what about other people?  Do human souls exist somewhere before the person is born in this world?

This is a topic of much speculation in conversations I have heard.  There are many theories and stories about the status of people before they are born, but sadly, most of these bear a closer resemblance to fairy tales than they do to reality.  There is a general consensus that humans exist in a material aspect, called the body, and an immaterial aspect, commonly called a soul or spirit.

Even though one of the most popular of these ideas, called reincarnation, comes from non-Christian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, it is believed anyway by numerous Americans.  This belief holds that there is really no beginning or end to the existence of the soul.  Instead, reincarnation teaches that a soul moves from body to body, living numerous lives.  A good life would ensure a promotion to a better species in the following life—from a fly to a dog, for example.  An immoral life would result in a demotion in the next life—from a human to a raccoon, for example.

Another category of these stories teaches that a human soul exists in heaven, on other planets, in other spiritual realms, or any of a number of places, before finally being introduced to a body at some definite point in time.  Adaptations of this story portray bodiless human souls being born as a result of some intimate relation between the souls deceased humans.  Others picture these souls spending time with God, conversing with their dead relatives, or any of a number of other imaginative scenarios.  I even encountered one person who was convinced that her child had been given an orientation to earthly life by his grandfather during the short time between the grandfather’s death and the child’s birth.

Still other types of stories portray humans as existing as angels before being assigned to human bodies.  These stories seem to be quite appealing to those who also hold the misconception that people become angels after death.  All of the stories mentioned to this point are no more reliable than fairy tales, and some, in fact, are quite unbiblical. 

Jesus did exist eternally with the Father before He was born, but for those of us who are not God, this is not the case.  God has no beginning and no end.  He has always and will always exist; therefore Jesus also existed from before the creation of the world, even though He would not be born as a man until only about 2000 years ago. 

Unlike God, humans do have a definite beginning, although their existence does not end—even at death.  At the time a human child is conceived by his parents, he exists for the first time—both in body and in soul.  Before this moment, the person does not exist.  Even after death, a person’s body and soul both continue to exist, although separated for a time—the body in the grave and the soul either with Jesus or imprisoned awaiting judgment. 

When Jesus physically returns to earth on the last day, the bodies of all the dead will be raised from their graves and reunited with their souls.  Each person will be judged and will live eternally, in both body and soul, in eternal blessing or eternal punishment, according to their trust in Jesus or lack thereof. 

Incarnation

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about the Incarnation

Q:  I believe Jesus was a real man who lived around 2000 years ago, but I’ve heard that He is God.  Which is true?

It is correct to conclude that Jesus was a real man who lived in Jerusalem at the time described.  It is also a true statement that Jesus is God.  Jesus is a real person who was fully God, but at the same time completely human.  The Church’s ancient councils described this by saying that He was one person composed of two natures—divine and human.  It is not that he was half God and half human or sometimes God and sometimes human, but at all times He was both God and human simultaneously, and continues to be today.  It is also important to note the distinction that a man did not become God, but that God became a man.

Jesus is called the Son of God by scriptures because God is His Father.  Although there is only one God, He is three persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  All are equally God, but there are not three Gods—only one.  Jesus existed as God with the Father and the Holy Spirit eternally, and He is called the Son of God because, by a supernatural act of the Holy Spirit, God is His Father and the Virgin Mary is His mother.  We call this miraculous event the Incarnation, which we remember as we celebrate Jesus’ birth at Christmas.

He was conceived when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary and told her about God’s promise that she would be the mother of God’s Son, and the Holy Spirit caused Jesus to be conceived even though Mary never had an intimate relationship with her fiancé Joseph, or any other man.

Because of the miracle of the Incarnation, Jesus is like all other humans in every way, except for one.  He is sinless.  Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” 

While we are inclined to act against God’s laws from our very beginning, this was not so for Jesus because of the extraordinary way in which He was conceived and born.  While we continue to fail at living up to God’s law throughout our lives, Jesus faced every temptation known to humans, but did not sin against God’s law. 

When he had become an adult, and after three years of preaching and teaching, Jesus was executed by being nailed to a cross, and on the third day following His execution, He rose to life again.  By His death, he acted as a substitute for all people in suffering God’s wrath as punishment for sin, and by rising again, He proved that His sacrifice was accepted by God. 

Because God is righteous, He could not leave sin unpunished, but because He is compassionate, He does not desire to punish the people who He created.  So, it was necessary that He arrange a way in which He could be compassionate toward humanity while at the same time satisfying His righteousness.  Therefore it was necessary that God become a man Himself as Jesus Christ, and the Incarnation became reality. 

In order for Jesus to be the substitute to suffer God’s wrath in our place for sin, it was necessary that He be human, because only the death of an innocent human could pay the price for sin.  At the same time, only God could satisfy the requirement of perfect innocence according to His law. 

In the life, death, and resurrection of the God-man, Jesus, God did all that was necessary to save humans from the punishment they rightly deserve for their failure to comply with His law.  In order to accomplish this, it was necessary that Jesus be both God and human, and all who trust in Him for the forgiveness of their sins receive it as a gift from God. 

Cremation

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about Cremation:

Q: You mentioned in your last article that Christians bury the bodies of the dead. Does this mean that cremation is not an acceptable option for Christians?

Cremation is becoming a more and more common choice for Americans today, and even though it was also an option at the time the Bible was being written, there are no specific commands for or against cremation in the New Testament.

If there are no specific Biblical commands for or against cremation, we might wonder if it matters whether a body is cremated or buried. There are two things to consider when answering this: What do Christians believe about the body? What do our actions say to others about our beliefs?

In ancient times, cremation was practiced among those that did not believe the body would rise, either because they saw the body as only a temporary fixture or because they saw the body as an undesirable thing which acts as a sort of “prison” that the soul must endure during earthly life. At times cremation was also used in some places as a way of intentionally dishonoring the bodies of criminals, traitors, heretics, and other condemned persons.

Christians, on the other hand, believe that the body and soul together are God’s creation, which He intended to always exist together. Even though the two are separated for a time at death, they will be reunited to live as a whole person for eternity when Jesus returns to judge the living and the dead. Bodies are not buried and cremation avoided among Christians for the purpose of keeping to some religious law.

Instead, Christians care for and bury the bodies of the dead as a way of illustrating what we believe about Jesus—that He is coming back. Placing a body safely in a grave or tomb is a way of illustrating our belief that the dead are not finished with their bodies, but they are merely awaiting resurrection. Because Christians believe that all the dead will rise on the last day, they treat their bodies accordingly.

In Old Testament times, and among Orthodox Jews to this day, burial was considered the only appropriate means for attending to the bodies of the dead. Among the Apostles and the first Christians, burial was also the only way that the bodies of their dead were handled, and burial typically remained the only method for handling Christians’ bodies for over 1800 years after Jesus rose from the dead.

Around a century ago, cremation returned to use after several centuries because of unfounded fears about the sanitation of burying bodies, and was embraced primarily by those who chose it for the purpose of denying Christian teaching about the body or as a way of rebelling against society. A number of people in today’s society find cremation attractive because they are uncomfortable with the thought of their bodies decomposing, but the Bible teaches that when a Christian is in the presence of Jesus, they will not feel fear or sorrow, including over the condition of the bodies they left behind.

Keeping in mind that it is not a sin to choose cremation, because there is no command about it in the Bible, burial is the ideal way for a Christian’s body to be cared for after death, because of the fitting way in which it acknowledges the way Jesus body was first buried, then raised from the dead on the third day. For all who trust in Jesus, their bodies await a similar resurrection on the last day.

Since modern life presents so many financial and logistical difficulties, it may simply not be possible for all Christians to commence with a traditional burial, but in cases where cremation is an unavoidable choice, Christians do still have a way to portray the truth about Jesus resurrection and their own coming resurrection in their deaths. Rather than scattering the ashes or having them kept by the living, ashes can be buried just as a casket would.

Many pastors and religious leaders advise this as the best practice for Christians to follow for the ashes of those who have been cremated because it allows the family to progress in grieving much the same way they do at the graveside service when the body is buried. Additionally, it allows them still to exhibit the idea of putting their body away safely alongside the bodies of those who have gone before them to wait for Jesus to come for them.

Communication with the Deceased

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about communicating with the dead:


Q: I’ve heard a lot lately about people who have communicated with their deceased relatives. Is this possible, and is it acceptable to God?

In spite of popular superstition, I can say with certainty that it is not possible to communicate with friends, relatives, or any other person who has died.

In the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16), which provides so much of what we know about existence after death, Jesus clearly teaches that communication between the living and the dead is not only forbidden, but also impossible.

This isn’t to say that there aren’t numerous people who believe they have experienced this type of communication or many others who offer (usually for a substantial price) to help other people
also experience it. There are several possible explanations when people claim have this ability or offer this type of service:

The first possibility is that it is simply a mistake or misunderstanding. When a person is experiencing deep grief, suffering from mental illness, or simply following wishful thinking, they may become quite convinced that they have communicated with a deceased person. However, it is clear in scripture that the dead do not remain on earth to communicate with us. (Hebrews 9:27) It is also stated very plainly that those whose souls have left this earth for heaven or hell are not able to communicate with those who remain on earth.

The second possibility is that there is some type of fraud being perpetrated. It is not incredibly difficult for a deceptive person posing as a “psychic” or “medium” to very convincingly appear to be communicating with a person’s deceased loved one. Through pictures, subtle questions, or seemingly innocent small-talk, they can find out enough about the deceased person to be able to give an extremely convincing performance and appear to have fulfilled their promises to ommunicate with the dead.

Third, and most dangerous of the three, is the possibility that it is actually a demon who is being communicated with rather than the deceased person. Satan’s primary goal is not to make us unhappy or force us to suffer. It is to lead us away from trusting in Jesus. He may, in fact give a person precisely what they desire, or at least fool them into thinking they have been given it. One way that he may do this is to offer the appearance of contact with a deceased loved one. Demons (Satan’s angels) may pose as a deceased friend or relative as a means of undermining the faith of a Christian or blocking a non-Christian from turning to Jesus.

The soul of a person who has died is no longer on earth and has no ability to communicate with those who remain here. In addition, God forbids us to seek out this type of communication, because it is a form of witchcraft.

Heaven or Resurrection?

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about death, heaven, and resurrection:

Q:  I’ve always believed that our souls go to heaven when we die, but recently, I heard that our bodies will be resurrected.  What can we expect after death?

There is often a lot of confusion about what happens after we die, and many ideas, both true and false are circulating in the world.  There are some things we simply don’t know about what awaits us after this life (such as what we will look like, how old we will be, or when Jesus will come back), but there are also several things that we can know with certainty because they have been explained in the Bible.

God created people to have both a body and a soul, but when Adam and Eve sinned, death became a reality, and at death, the body and the soul of a person are separated.  The body remains on earth and is buried or cremated, and the soul goes either to be with Jesus or to eternal punishment. 

Much of what we know about what awaits us after this life, comes from Jesus’ story about the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16.  There, Jesus shows us that we will maintain our individual identities after death, and not simply cease to exist or be absorbed into the universe collectively. 

Additionally, He reveals that our condition is permanently and eternally determined at death.  This is also explained in Hebrews 9:27, when it says, “It is given man once to die, then to face judgment.”  This also rules out the idea of reincarnation, which proposes that we are brought back as another person or animal to live life again, as well as the myth depicted in popular television and literature that some souls roam the planet haunting the living or attempting to reconcile unfinished business after death.

From the story of the rich man and Lazarus, as well as from chapters 4-6 of Revelation, we find out that we will most likely be aware of the events occurring on earth after our departure.  At the same time, these events will not cause us disappointment or sorrow, nor will they be the center of our attention.  Instead, it will be the worship of God and the experience of His presence that will occupy our time and thoughts. 

We also know from what Jesus teaches about marriage in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, that we will not be married or have children after this life.  This is why people are free to remarry after the death of their spouse, and it is reflected in the wedding vows used in most churches when they promise to be faithful “until death parts us.”

When we talk about going to heaven, what we mean is that our soul goes to be with Jesus after we die, and the things mentioned above are all part of the state we typically think of when we talk about going to heaven.  Often people’s understanding of death, and the existence that follows it, stops at this point, but we don’t just “die and go to heaven.”  There is more to the story. 

The third day after Jesus died, He rose to life again, and 40 days later, He ascended into heaven.  At that time, and previously throughout the Gospels, Jesus had promised that He was going to come again.  We are still waiting for this Second Coming happen, and when it does, it will turn a new page in the existence of those who have died. 

When Jesus comes back, He will raise all people who have died, and their bodies and souls will be reunited.  Everyone who trusted in Him to forgive their sins and save them from their well-deserved punishment will live forever in a “new heavens and new earth.” (Isaiah 65-66, 2 Peter 3, Revelation 21) This new heaven and earth will not be like the one we now know, with its sorrows, difficulties, and pains.  Instead, it will be perfect, the way God intended when He first created the world before Adam and Eve sinned. 

In short, the timeline of existence after death looks like this:  A person’s body and soul are separated at death.  The souls of those who trust in Jesus will go to be with Him in heaven, and the souls of those who reject Him will go to eternal punishment.  One day in the future, Jesus will come back, raising all people from death and reuniting their souls with perfected bodies.  Those who trust in Jesus will live forever in these resurrected bodies in a new heaven and new earth.

Reformation

My article from this week's Algona Upper Des Moines on Reformation Day

Q:  What is Reformation Day?  How is it remembered?

Reformation Day is a Christian holy day commemorating the events of the Reformation.  Traditionally, Reformation Day was celebrated by most Lutherans, as well as some Calvinist (Reformed or Presbyterian) churches, with an evening service, a meal, and other festivities on the evening of October 31.  On the campuses of many Lutheran and Reformed colleges and seminaries, and in some congregations, this is still the case.  Recently, however, it has become more common for most congregations to simplify their calendars by celebrating Reformation Day on the Last Sunday of October instead. 

This date of October 31 was chosen because it is the day in 1517 when the Martin Luther, who was a Roman Catholic monk and theology professor, nailed the 95 Theses to the door of his church in Wittenberg Germany so that they would be seen the next morning by the people arriving at Mass for All Saints Day. 

At that time, the Roman Catholic Church was the only religion in most of Europe, and also held a large degree of political power.  The 95 Theses were statements of belief which opposed many practices which were common in the church at that time—most importantly, the selling of Indulgences. 

Indulgences were certificates that could be purchased for varying amounts of money to get forgiveness for sins or reduce a person’s supposed debt in purgatory, either for the purchaser or for his friend or relative.  In spite of many common misconceptions, the Reformation was primarily a theological event.  Although it had far-reaching results in culture and politics, the central focus of the Reformation was Christian Doctrine—specifically, whether sins are forgiven by God’s grace (the position of Martin Luther and the Lutherans) or by human actions, such as charity, financial contributions, or moral behavior (the position of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church). 

Similarly, the Reformation was not really about the Pope or the artistic and ceremonial practices of the Roman Catholic Church, as another misconception portrays.  Lutheran leaders were prepared to acknowledge that the Pope could be considered the rightful leader of the earthly church by human authority (although not by divine authority). 

Lutheran leaders also did not object to stained glass, statues, burning of incense, bowing, kneeling, making the sign of the cross, wearing of robes by priests, or even use of the title “Father” for clergy, although there were some fringe groups who held differing opinions.  Regarding worship, Martin Luther intended to keep as many of the Roman Catholic worship practices as he could, except for those which clearly contradicted Biblical doctrine.  This is why a person, even today, would see so many similarities between Lutheran and Roman Catholic services in most congregations. 

The result of the Reformation was that there were now several different types of Christian churches, each with its own theological ideas, in Europe rather than only one, and the connection between church authority and government was broken.  Many things we know today, such as individual rights, freedom of religion, and the ability to read the Bible in our own language are direct results of the events of the Reformation, but the central theme of the Reformation and of Reformation Day is that people are rescued from God’s punishment for their sins “by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone,” and not by their own ability or worthiness and that "Scripture alone" was the only source of religious truth.

Q:  Wasn’t Martin Luther a leader in the civil rights movement?

People often confuse Martin Luther and Martin Luther King Jr.  Martin Luther was a German monk and theology professor who lived from 1483-1546 in Germany.  He is known as the “Father of the Reformation” because he was the leader of a movement to correct the theology of the Church of his time (as further explained above).

Martin Luther King Jr., who lived from 1929-1968 in the American South, was also a preacher, but was not a Lutheran.  He was a leader in the civil rights movement during the mid-twentieth century, seeking racial equality in America

Halloween

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines on Halloween:

Q:  How should a Christian approach Halloween?

There is frequently disagreement among Christians about the suitability of Halloween festivities for Christian families.  The responses can be anywhere on a range from unexamined acceptance to fearful rejection. 

On one hand, Halloween does have a sometimes excessive preoccupation with death and evil.  It can have the effect of trivializing evils of the spiritual realm, such as Satan, demons, and witchcraft, and this is an appropriate concern for Christians.  Critics may even be correct that some American Halloween customs have their origins in the ancient pagan harvest festivals of Western Europe. 

On the other hand, the name “Halloween” itself, as well as the date of its celebration on October 31, actually have Christian origins.  November 1 has long been celebrated by Lutherans, Catholics, and many other churches as All Saints Day.  This day was an occasion in the church for remembering all of the saints, both known and unknown, that is all people who have died with faith in Jesus and are saints because their sins have been forgiven and who now await the Resurrection in the presence of Jesus. 

In times past, Christian churches began celebrating festivals the evening before their date.  As a result, festivals, such as All Saints Day actually began the preceding evening, resulting in church holidays like Christmas Eve and All Hallows Eve (a.k.a. Halloween).  The name Halloween is an old word that really means “the evening before All Saints Day.” In Lutheran and Reformed congregations, October 31 is also remembered as Reformation Day, because it is the day Martin Luther nailed 95 statements of belief to his church door, beginning the Reformation. 

The first generation of Christians encountered a similar question to the one today’s Christians face regarding Halloween.  In the Roman Empire, the temples of Roman gods doubled as meat markets.  After animals were sacrificed to the false god, the meat was then sold in the market.  In 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14, the apostle Paul answers the question of Christians at that time.  He says that, although it would not be acceptable for Christians to worship in those temples, it is not a sin for them to eat meat from the meat markets, because the gods of those temples were really nothing.  At the same time, some Christians, out of weakness, were fearful that eating this meat might be a sin.  He instructs them that they should not go against their conscience by eating the meat. 

This Biblical example is an excellent guide for Christians today in many situations.  Where God has made a command, we seek to follow it.  This means that Christians should certainly avoid any type of witchcraft, destructive pranks, or aspects of the holiday which glorify death and evil, and parents should wisely guide any costume selections made by their children.  On the other hand, there is no harm if children dress like princesses, sports heroes, or what they want to be when they grow up.  Even the carving of pumpkins is nothing more than an innocent art project, which Americans were already doing decades before the Irish brought the superstition of the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern (made from a Turnip) to American shores.  Christians should certainly avoid aspects of Halloween which go against God’s clear commands, but others are a matter of judgment or conscience.

The most important message a Christian can remember about Halloween is that we do not need to fear.  We do not need to fear the power of sin, death and evil because Jesus has conquered all of these by His death and resurrection.  For all who trust in Jesus, even death, demons, and Satan himself are powerless to overcome them because they stand under the protection of the Lord of all creation.  Neither do we need to fear overstepping the regulations of an angry God, because, even though we do desire to please God by our actions, salvation does not rely on our own ability to know and follow a set of regulations.  Paul told the Christians of his day, “The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)  Likewise today, the Kingdom of God is not a matter of carved pumpkins, costumes, and miniature candy bars, but of the peace which comes from relying on Jesus alone for to forgive our sins.

The Shack

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines on The Shack:

Q:  Is the book, The Shack, Christian?  What does it teach about God?  Should I read it?

This is easily the question which I have been asked more often than any other during the past year.  This popularity to which this book has soared seems to be surpassed only by the size of the controversy surrounding it.  The Shack was authored by William Paul Young as a way for him to pass on his understanding of spiritual things to his children.  At the urging of a few friends, he self-published the book in 2007, and has since sold several million copies.

The events of the book are that Mack, the main character experiences a tragic event in his life, following which he is invited and travels to the “shack” which was the scene of the crime, where he meets God, who is portrayed as a large African-American woman (intended to represent God the Father), a young Middle-eastern man (intended to represent Jesus), and a young Asian girl (intended to represent the Holy Spirit). 

Because of the news I had already heard about the book, I knew this unorthodox portrayal of God was coming before I started to read, but I was willing to look further to see what the author had to say before giving up on the book entirely.

Now, before going further, I must say that the evaluation which follows is necessarily very brief, and therefore incomplete.  Readers who desire a more thorough look at The Shack may find my in-depth evaluation at http://www.LutheranReformission.com.

To begin, there are some details which The Shack initially gets correct as it attempts to describe God and reconcile the idea of a caring God with the suffering and tragedy which afflict the world.  Early on, the book does acknowledge that there is one God in three persons, as well as acknowledging the fact that Jesus is both fully God and fully human.  These facts are in agreement with the Bible and historic Christian teachings.  There are also many isolated quotes from the book, which seem to be refreshingly Christian in a time where much of Christian literature could more properly be called self-help than theology. 

However, as the book begins to deepen its description of God, it factually denies the teachings it first affirmed.  Instead of the Trinity described in the Bible, The Shack actually teaches a concept called Modalism or Sabellianism, which has been rejected by Christians as false for more than 1700 years.  It also gets Jesus wrong in regard to both his identity and mission, and it undermines the truthfulness and authority of the Bible. 

In addition to Jesus and the Trinity, there are also serious discrepancies between The Shack and the Bible in their views of government, authority, creation, God’s law, divine revelation, knowledge of God, sin, grace, vocation, and the Church.

The Shack is often sold as Christian literature, but is its view of God Christian?  According to its vision of the Trinity and Jesus, it is not.  Is its author a Christian?  Perhaps, but if so, he is a seriously misguided one.  Should you read it?  That depends…

For the mature Christian who is strongly rooted in the Bible’s teachings, reading this book with the careful understanding that it is not an accurate portrayal of the true God will not do any harm.  In fact, since so many people are reading it already, I would urge mature Christians to be knowledgeable enough about this book that they can help guide others around its pitfalls.  On the other hand, for those who are young, new to Christianity, or not already well-grounded in the teachings of the Bible, this book should would not be a wise thing to read, because it will  only serve to obscure, rather than reveal, the real truth about God.

The shack is an interesting read, and it does have the potential to make the reader feel good.  Many have even found great comfort in its message.  Unfortunately, it is a misleading comfort because The Shack depicts a different god than that of the Bible and historic Christianity and leads readers away from the true comfort which flows from the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Hardened Heart

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines on the hardening of Pharaoh's Heart:

Q:  What does it mean when it says in Exodus that “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart”?  If God is loving and wants all people to be saved, why would He do that?

The idea of a “hardened heart” is occasionally found throughout the Bible.  When the Bible speaks of a person’s heart being hardened, it means that a person persistently resists God when he reaches out to them through Jesus, the Prophets, or the Apostles, as if their heart had a hard wall around it.  Over half of the instances of this wording are within or in reference to the events between Moses and Pharaoh in Exodus, and the remaining instances of this wording primarily speak of a person hardening their own heart against God or warn the reader not to harden their hearts against God. 

The Bible does say in that “[God] wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4), but that God would also harden a person’s heart against Him is not a contradiction.  Other Old Testament books comment on God’s hardening if Pharaoh’s heart, and clarify what happened.  Samuel points out that Pharaoh actively hardened his own heart against God (1 Samuel 6:6), and Joshua points out that the purpose for which God did this was so that He could save the people of Israel (Joshua 11:20).  Jesus also talks about God hardening the Pharisees’ hearts when they come against Him (John 12:40). 

Two Biblical truths are important to remember when trying to understand why God would harden a person’s heart against Him.  First, if anyone is saved, God always gets all the credit.  Second.  If anyone is lost and condemned, they themselves always bear all of the blame.  In the Bible, God desires to save everyone, but some reject Him.  Sometimes people fear that God might decide to harden their hearts against Him and they will be lost, but it is not necessary to be afraid of this.  God never hardens the heart of those who believe in Him or average unbelievers in the Bible, and it is never done randomly or spitefully. 

The Bible only attributes this action to God on very rare occasions, and in every instance of a heart being hardened in the Bible, it occurs to achieve some greater good.  Pharaoh is hardened so that God can defeat Him and save the people of Israel, who will later give birth to Jesus.  The Pharisees are hardened against Jesus so that they can have Him crucified to suffer punishment for the world’s sins.  Additionally, whenever someone in the Bible is hardened against God, it is always a person who has heard God’s message and seen God’s works, and persistently rejected Him.  God is simply allowing them to have what they already desire by allowing them to reject Him. 

Jesus says in John 6:40, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."  God’s will for the events of world history is to save as many people as possible, by all means necessary.  God knows all things, even those which have not yet happened.  Since He knows that Pharaoh will continue reject Him, He can graciously use his opposition, and even Pharaoh’s death, for His glory and to bring about the salvation of others by freeing the Israelites from slavery and even brought some of the Egyptians to trust in Him when they witnessed these events.  Even when God executes His wrath on an individual, he is doing so for the greater purpose of saving a multitude of others.

Bible Translations

My article from today's Algona Upper Des Moines about Bible Translations:

Q: With so many Bible translations available, which one should I buy? What are the differences between them?

The Bible was originally written in Greek (New Testament) and Hebrew (Old Testament) with a few verses in both testaments being in the Aramaic language. My church denomination and some others still require their pastors to learn to read Greek and Hebrew as part of their training. The English Bibles we read today are translations of these original languages.

When choosing a Bible translation, there are several factors to consider. The two primary factors are accuracy and readability. Buyers also might want to consider the preferred translation used by their church or other Christians with whom they study the Bible. As a Christian advances in their study of the Bible, they often find it beneficial to have several different English translations available to them for comparison.

During a trip to Algona’s local Christian bookstore this week, I was able to count seven English translations available for sale, and as I look at my office bookshelf, I find that I have fifteen English translations of the Bible at my disposal, in addition to Greek, Hebrew, German, and Spanish copies. In addition to these many translations of the Bible text, many of the translations have numerous optional resources, including cross references, study notes, devotional content, and other additional content.

Most pastors and Bible teachers place the accuracy of a translation to be of first importance when choosing a Bible to purchase. Some Bibles translate each word literally, while others may translate several words together in order to better convey the meaning in English. In addition to the varying translations, there are also bible paraphrases, which tell the story in the translator’s own words rather than literally translating. While these paraphrases, such as The Message, and The Living Bible can be easy to understand for casual reading, they are not good choices for deeper study because they rely heavily on the English author’s understanding of the words rather than the Bible’s original way of saying it. Translations such as the New American Standard Bible (NASB), English Standard Version (ESV), and New King James Version (NKJV) are highly respected for their accuracy in translating the Bible.

Although accuracy is an important consideration, a Bible translation also has to be understandable to the reader. For example, the King James Version of the Bible is highly accurate, but some people find it difficult to read because of the older language it uses. The New International Version (NIV), the best-selling Bible translation in America, is highly renowned for its ease of reading. Other translations, such as the New American Standard Bible (NASB) are not very difficult to read and study, but can be somewhat awkward to read out-loud in public. The New Living Translation (NLT) and English Standard Version (ESV) are also known as very readable translations.

A good balance between accuracy and readability is usually the goal. An accurate translation you cannot understand easily and a translation which is readable, but inaccurate will both be poor choices. The guidance of your own pastor, especially if he can read Greek and Hebrew, is a valuable tool in determining which translation is right for your needs. My personal preference in a translation to read aloud publicly or for casual reading at home is the ESV, and my preference for in-depth study is the NASB.

When picking out your new Bible, don’t forget to research all of the available options, such as cover materials, study notes, and other resources. A Bible which is attractive and has the options and resources you desire will be much more appealing to study with regularity. Since my current Bible has begun to literally fall to pieces, I am excitedly anticipating the arrival of my new copy of The Lutheran Study Bible (An ESV Bible from Concordia Publishing House), which I pre-ordered several months ago to be delivered when it is released in October.

Readers are encouraged to submit questions for inclusion in future issues. According to your preference, you may include your first name or submit questions anonymously, and I will do my best to answer your questions as my knowledge and research allow and according to their suitability for publication. You may submit questions by email to revjpeterson@yahoo.com or by mail to P.O. Box 195; Burt, IA 50522.