Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872)

Nikolai Fredrik Severin Grundtvig (1783-1872)

Today, September 2, in the Lutheran saints calendar, marks the commemoration of the Danish bishop, pastor, theologian, philosopher, poet, politician, historian, teacher, and renewer of the church, Nikolai F.S. Grundtvig. 

He was born the son of a Lutheran pastor,, Johan Ottosen Grundtvig, in Udby. Educated at the University of Copenhagen during the period of rationalism—Nikolai was quite non-conformist. Indeed, his ordination sermon harshly criticized rationalism to the extent that his ordination was postponed to a later date. Moreover, the church authorities refused to give him a parish to serve for several years. In the meantime he wrote poetry and tutored a wealthy family and then taught at a boys’ school. Eventually however, the church did offer him a parish, where he served right up to the time of his death—his last sermon was preached only a few days prior to his death. He died a week before his 89^thbirthday.

Nikolai, in addition to being a church renewer, was influenced by Danish nationalism and Norse mythology. For example, he was one of the authors of the Danish constitution.

Nikolai also wrote or translated about 1500 hymns—sung in Lutheran churches today around the globe. 

Throughout Scandinavia, Nikolai became known as the “Father of the Scandinavian school system,” founding folk high schools in Denmark, which also became popular in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

[According to wikipedia: “The common denominator of all Grundtvig's pedagogical efforts was to promote a spirit of freedom, poetry and disciplined creativity, within all branches of educational life. He promoted values such as wisdom, compassion, identification and equality. He opposed all compulsion, including exams, as deadening to the human soul. Instead Grundtvig advocated unleashing human creativity according to the universally creative order of life. Only willing hands make light work. Therefore, a spirit of freedom, cooperation and discovery was to be kindled in individuals, in science, and in the civil society as a whole.” 

Nikolai was honoured by the Danish church and government with the title of bishop, even though he never headed a diocese. 

Thought-Provoking Quote

"Love without justice leads to rivalry, and eventually to hate. Justice without love is devoid of the humanising forces of compassion and mercy. We need both. This unique ethical vision – the love of God for humans and of humans for God, translated into an ethic of love toward both neighbour and stranger – is the foundation of Western civilisation and its abiding glory.” -Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Gustavo Gutiérrez dies aged 96

The Rev. Dr. Gustavo Gutiérrez is regarded as the father of liberation theology. I remember Gutiérrez giving a lecture series which I attended many years ago. He was wise, insightful, and had a sense of humour. He reminded me a lot of the president of our seminary, the Rev. Dr. William Hordern, like Hordern he had a strong theology of grace. For more on Gutiérrez, read the following tribute here.

Good Friday Prayer of the Day/Collect

Holy One of heaven and earth: On this most solemn of days in the church year, we confess that we, along with all of humankind, crucified, and continue to crucify Jesus your Son with our betrayals, denials, hostile rejections, hatreds, countless isms that divide us from one another and cause brokenness in our relationships with others, pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, destructive self-indulgences, indifference to the suffering and injustices of the poor, marginalized and oppressed, and a host of other sins. Have mercy on us, forgive us, and lead us in the way of the cross, that we may be ever grateful for the eternal love of Jesus our Suffering Servant-Saviour and Messiah; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Thought-provoking Quotes

 

"When piety becomes fanaticism, then faith becomes arrogance, and goodness inevitably becomes cruelty."

"Modern technology, for instance, cannot free us to serve what we count the good. In a strange way modern civilization far from solving our difficulties, seems rather to eternalize them. We are better cared for, but we have more cares." 

-Both quotes are from: "Burdened With Erudition and Paralyzed With Indecision--A sermon on Paralytics," preached by the Rev. Dr. William Sloane Coffin, Jr., on March 2, 1967, at the Duke Divinity School Chapel. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Today, January sixteenth, the people of the United States of America celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Here are a few quotations attributed to him, worth consideration to inspire, instruct, and motivate readers who seek to live justly and peacefully.

“Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” —“The Purpose of Education” from Morehouse College student newspaper, The Maroon Tiger, 1947

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives [human beings] knowledge, which is power; religion gives [human beings] wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.” —“A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart” sermon, August 30, 1959

“We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor, it must be demanded by the oppressed. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” -—"Letter from Birmingham Jail," April 16, 1963

“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.” —Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, Oslo, Norway, 1964

“We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop... I've looked over and I've seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land.” —“I've Been to the Mountaintop” speech, April 3, 1968 

The Eastern Church, Luther, and the Protestant Reformation

Professor Jennifer Powell McNutt has written the following article, making the connection of the Eastern Church with the Protestant Reformation. -Eclecticity

Image: Illustration by Rick Szuecs / Source images: Sean Gallup / Staff / Getty / WikiMedia Commons

Protestants engaged with both the Eastern Orthodox tradition and Oriental Orthodox traditions in a few consistent ways. To Protestants, it mattered immensely that Eastern branches of the church did not follow the Catholic practices of preaching purgatory, selling indulgences, or observing petrine supremacy. Luther marveled at how the churches of Armenia, Ethiopia, and India had avoided the private masses that developed in the West since Gregory the Great’s time. Luther also regarded it significant that, before there was a “pope,” there were the bishops of Ethiopia, Syria, Antioch, and Rome. The Orthodox branches were a link back to a purer, more apostolic era.

The church of Ethiopia, especially, was mentioned among early modern Christians. Some scholars have noted that Luther mentions Ethiopia at least 85 times in his written works. (It was a common though mistaken belief to view Ethiopia as the first Christian kingdom. That belief was based on a particular reading of Acts 8.) Luther’s esteem only grew after he was visited by Michael the Deacon, an Ethiopian cleric, in 1534. As Daniels explains,

For Luther, the Church of Ethiopia had more fidelity to the Christian tradition. ... Thus, the Church in Europe needed to be reformed in the direction of the Church of Ethiopia. Possibly for Luther the Church of Ethiopia was proof that his reform of the Church in Europe had both a biblical and a historical basis. To read the whole article, click here.

A COVID-19 Lament by the Rev. Eclecticity

 

Image credit: patheos.com

Introduction

Lament, for people of faith, has been a popular genre for centuries. Prophets like Jeremiah were familiar with it. Many of the Psalms are laments—both communal and individual. Jesus lamented over the city of Jerusalem. Laments often originate out of the contexts of suffering and injustices. They address God by expressing, among other aspects of the human condition: pain and hurt, despair, doubt, anger, disappointment, impatience, and some of them even end with faith, hope and confidence. The longer COVID-19 lasts, the more I find myself lamenting over so many things in life that I probably took way too much for granted. Problems and issues on local, provincial, national and international levels that existed prior to the coronavirus seem to me to be even more pronounced now, during COVID-19. Suffering and injustices that, in our right hearts and minds, ought to draw us all closer together, seem to divide humankind even more. Violence and hatred seem to be flourishing, while love, kindness and non-violence wane. The rhetoric of some political leaders seems to be adding even more fuel to the fire. In light of so many people of faith over the centuries, I think one thing we all need to do is bring it all to God. In what follows is my all-too-imperfect and fragmentary attempt to do that.

 

A COVID-19 Lament-words by the Rev. Eclecticity (I wrote this as a litany for our recent area clergy cluster meeting.)

One: How long, O God must we cry to you before you deliver us?

All: This coronavirus has wreaked havoc with all humankind;

One: Do you not see? Do you not hear the cries of suffering and despair? Do you not care?

All: COVID-19 has made more explicit what many a prophet has known for so long;

One: That in times of trouble the rich and powerful are ever the more selfish and exploitative;

All: That the poorest of the poor are at greatest risk of being infected with the coronavirus

One: Since they lack adequate water to wash their hands;

All: Have little if any access to masks and sanitizer;

One: And far too many are overcrowded in refugee camps.

All: The old are often locked up in long-term care facilities and dying of loneliness;

One: Many are separated from their families and die alone in hospitals. We cannot even say goodbye to them and grieve properly together.

All: Church doors are closed, pastors and congregations miss corporate worship and koinonia.

One: How can we sing our songs without spreading the virus?

All: Come to us now in this time of need; deliver us from this ocean of death;

One: For you have promised to be with us always; so we commend our lives into your hands.

All: God of resurrection deliver us.

Ask the pastor

How do Christians observe Lent?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent in Western Christendom. However in some Eastern churches, Lent actually begins on the Monday prior to Ash Wednesday.

   

In the Western churches, ashes from burnt palm leaves, usually mixed with oil, are placed on the forehead of worshippers to remind them of their mortality. In biblical times, ashes combined with sackcloth were worn by God’s people to express their repentance of sins before God. However, in some Eastern churches, ashes are not used on Ash Wednesday.

   

The colour for Lent is purple in the Western churches. In some Eastern churches the colour is red. In both Eastern and Western churches, purple and red are penitential colours.

   

At first, Lent was 36 days, a tenth, a tithe of our 365 day year. However, at about the end of the seventh century, Lent was extended to 40 days (not counting the Sundays), and has remained the same since then. There is something magical about the number 40. The flood in the days of Noah lasted 40 days. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. Jesus fasted for 40 days and was tempted by the devil.

   

The word Lent may have Anglo-Saxon origins, meaning to lengthen, as in referring to the longer days in the season of spring. Over the centuries, Christians have developed several traditions to assist them in their preparation for the celebration of Easter Sunday, and the resurrection of Jesus. Here are a few of them:

• Preaching, reading, studying, praying, and focussing on the New Testament Passion Narratives, which highlight the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry; along with his journey to Jerusalem, his arrest, trial, sentence, crucifixion, suffering and death.
• Worship Services that communicate a more reflective, sombre mood by omitting (in some denominations liturgically burying) the singing or saying of hallelujah and alleluia; as well as singing hymns with tunes in the minor key, which are often inspired by and based on the Passion Narratives. In Lutheran tradition, it has been (perhaps more so in previous generations than today) common to listen to J.S. Bach’s Passion of St Matthew and Passion of St John during the Lenten season. Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Palm-Passion Sunday, and Good Friday Worship Services are especially designed to engage worshippers in acts of sincere confession and repentance of sin—both personal and collective; remembering with humility our mortality and hence our utter dependence on God; and the desire to journey with Jesus in the way of the cross.
• The practice of giving something up in a sacrificial way for Lent in order to be in solidarity with Christ and the world’s poor. In our part of the world, that might include no television, no movies, or no Internet during Lent. The operative principle for giving something up in a sacrificial way during Lent is that it needs to be sacrificial; i.e. something that you value and takes up much of your time, energy and resources. For example, it is pointless to give up chocolate for Lent if you do not eat chocolate.
• The practice of taking something extra on for Lent. For example, you may wish to spend extra time in prayer, meditation or study. Many churches offer their parishioners special mid-week Lenten Worship Services or Study opportunities or social justice projects that connect us with the world’s poor through benevolent organisations like Canadian Lutheran World Relief <www.clwr.org>.
  
  
      The Lenten season has inspired poets, musicians and
  artists alike down through the ages. Here is the first of 21 stanzas, (divided up into 7 parts to coincide with the Good Friday Tenebrae Service on the 7 last words of Jesus on the cross) one of my favourites, by the nineteenth century hymn writer, Thomas B. Pollock: “Jesus in thy dying woes, even while thy life-blood flows, craving pardon for thy foes: Hear us holy Jesus.” One of my favourite works of art is Salvador Dali’s 1951 painting, “Christ of St John of the Cross.
  
  
      Whatever you do to observe Lent, may you find meaning and purpose in it to enrich, inspire and deepen you in your faith journey. I invite readers of this post to make a comment and share how you observe Lent. A blessed Lent to you.

 

Seeking justice and peace in Israel-Palestine

The following video by the Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, albeit brief, makes a strong case for political advocacy for justice and peace, and critiques evangelical Christians for their biased, and blind-sighted theological views.  Well worth watching. It reminded me of the words of the prophet Micah 6:8: "He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" 

Holy Week

Image credit: ctkgrace.org

For Christians around the world, this week—April 14-21, 2019—is referred to as Holy Week. It is, along with the Christmas season and birth of Jesus, the most important time of the church calendar year.

    The 40-day season of Lent, not counting the Sundays—with its traditional emphasis on prayer, fasting, almsgiving and repentance—comes to a close on Friday, known as Good Friday, of Holy Week.

    Holy Week begins with Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem on what is referred to as Palm/Passion Sunday. The crowds gathered for the Passover festival awaited with anticipation for another act of freedom from their Roman oppressors—which many believed would be led by the Messiah, a powerful military and political leader. Many may have believed Jesus to be such a Messiah. However, his entrance into Jerusalem by riding on a donkey was a clear sign that he was not that kind of Messiah. Rather, the donkey was one of the humblest of animals, and also a symbol of peace. Jesus’ messianic mission and ministry was one that epitomised humility, non-violence and peace. So the crowds welcome Jesus with the waving of palm branches and by spreading their cloaks on the road ahead of Jesus. This entrance into Jerusalem was regarded by the gospel writers as the fulfillment of Isaiah 62:11; Zechariah 9:9; and Psalm 118:26-27.

    According to Luke’s chronology of Holy Week, which is the liturgical year (Year C of the Revised Common Lectionary) that we are now in, the following events unfolded as follows—unfortunately this post would be too lengthy to go into detail of all these events, so I suggest that you read these chapters of Luke’s Gospel, and allow them to inspire your time in meditation and prayer, and, if the Spirit moves you, journaling:

• Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem: Luke 19:28-40
• Jesus weeps over Jerusalem: Luke 19:41-44
• Jesus cleanses the Temple: Luke 19:45-47
• Jesus’ authority is questioned: Luke 20:1-8
• Jesus tells the parable of wicked tenants: Luke 20:9-19
• Jesus is questioned about paying taxes: Luke 20:20-26
• Jesus is questioned about resurrection: Luke 20:27-40
• Jesus is questioned about David’s son: Luke 20:41-44
• Jesus denounces the scribes: Luke 20:45-47
• A poor widow’s offering: Luke 21:1-4
• Jesus foretold the Temple’s destruction: Luke 21:5-6
• Jesus speaks of signs and persecutions: Luke 21:7-18
• Jesus foretold Jerusalem’s destruction: Luke 21:20-24
• The future Son of Man’s coming: Luke 21:25-28
• The fig tree parable: Luke 21:29-33
• Jesus exhorts his followers to watch: Luke 21:34-38
• The plot to kill Jesus: Luke 22:1-6
• Preparation for the Passover: Luke 22:7-13
• Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper: Luke 22:14-23
• The disciples dispute about greatness: Luke 22:24-30
• Jesus predicts Peter’s denial: Luke 22:31-34
• Sayings about purse, bag, sword: Luke 22:35-38
• Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives: Luke 22:39-46
• Jesus is betrayed and arrested: Luke 22:47-53
• Peter’s denial of Jesus: Luke 22:54-62
• Jesus is mocked and beaten: Luke 22:63-65
• Jesus before the council: Luke 22:66-71
• Jesus before Pilate: 23:1-5
• Jesus before Herod: 23:6-12
• Jesus sentenced by Pilate to death: Luke 23:13-25
• The crucifixion of Jesus: Luke 23:26-43
• The death of Jesus: Luke 23:44-49
• The burial of Jesus: Luke 23:50-56
• The resurrection of Jesus: Luke 24:1-12
• The resurrection appearances: Luke 24:13-49

The New Year, gratitude, and the longing for peace with justice

The following quote, attributed to Lord Allton, is worth our consideration as we begin another New Year:

   If you have never been in war, imprisoned or suffered from starvation, then you are better off than five hundred million other people. If you can read, then you are better off than two billion who are unable to do so. If you can attend a church without fear of harassment, or worse, then you are better off than three billion people in the world.

   If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, then you are richer than three-quarters of your fellow human beings. If you have money in the bank or your wallet or purse, then you are among the top eight per cent of the world's wealthy.

   NOTE: This citation is at least a few years old by now, so the exact numbers and/or percentages I expect may have changed since then. However, that being said, there is much prayer, thought, word and action required to change the unjust political, economic and religious systems around the globe for a better, more peaceful, just world in the future. This is especially true for Christians and Jews who live in countries where they are religious minorities. Even in North America and Europe, the growing number of antisemitic and anti-Christian incidents and sentiment are rather alarming.

   As we begin this New Year, may God help us all to pray, desire, and work for: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven!"   

Bonhoeffer: A Life Of Challenge documentary video

The following half-hour documentary video below on Lutheran pastor, professor and martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was made back in 1978, and is now available on YouTube. I recommend it especially for pastors, confirmation classes and adult inquiry classes, and those interested in church history. 

   

Prayer of the Day/Collect for 4th Sunday in Lent, Year A

Lenten cross by Eclecticity

All-seeing God: Long ago Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath as an act of compassion. Remove the blindness from our eyes, hearts and minds, that we may be able to see you at work in our lives and world physically, mentally and spiritually; and help us to be faithful disciples; through Jesus Christ our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.    

Leonard Cohen dies at 82

Yesterday, November 10, 2016, I saw the news that one of my favourite Canadian poets, novelists, singer-songwriters, Leonard Cohen died at the age of 82 years. 

   The first song I heard of his, if I recall correctly, was Suzanne, when it came out in the 1960s. It was, in a sense, a revelation of what would be for him more to come, with the ever-pervasive motifs of sexual love and spiritual love, sometimes contradicting one another and at other times in a holistic and holy unity. Indeed, in some pundit circles, Cohen was dubbed 'a ladies man,' to which he responded that if that was the case, then why did he spend so many nights lonely and alone? Interesting though that he had two children, a boy and a girl, but he never married. 

   With poetic flair his lyrics spoke volumes not only biographically, but universally. In his most recent album, I like the ponderous turns of phrase in the title track You Want It Darker-especially 'Hineni, I am ready my LORD,' appropriate words to speak or sing at the end of one's life, me thinks. Give it a listen. 

   Rest eternal grant Leonard Cohen LORD, and may your blessed Shalom surround him. 

   

A short story

Joy was a missionary who had taught school in Iraq for seven years. True to her name, she spread the joy of Jesus’s love to whomever she met. Many of her Muslim students fell in love with Jesus through the beautiful songs Joy sang. Joy had the voice of an angel. Listening to her sing inspired the soul, melted the heart, and was like a drink of cold water in the hot desert sun.

   Then, one day without warning Islamic State fighters invaded Joy’s school. One fighter grabbed Joy and threatened to kill her on the spot if she resisted him.

   She was blindfolded, pushed into a truck with other prisoners, and driven to an Islamic State building. They locked her up in a room for two days with nothing to eat or drink.

   Then, on the third day, a man came in and started ordering Joy to take off her clothes. She refused. Instead she started singing the most beautiful rendition of “Jesus Loves Me” that she had ever sung.

   The man pulled out a knife and threatened to kill her if she refused to do his bidding.

   Joy continued to sing. The man then grabbed her, shook her and yelled at her as he brought the knife closer to her neck: “I told you to take off your clothes!”

   Joy ignored his order and continued to sing, she couldn’t stop singing. As she sang, the man began to listen, he soon dropped the knife and let go of Joy.

   A few moments later, he began to cry. He sobbed uncontrollably, and fell to his knees, and buried his head with his arms.

   Joy stopped singing and looked at him and prayed for him in silence. She prayed as she never had before, for an enemy, one who most likely hated her and everything that she loved and believed in.

   After a few minutes, the man looked up at Joy and said gently: “Forgive me. Please sing that song again, it is beautiful.”

   Shocked, and expecting the worst, Joy was surprised and began to sing again.   

   “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:43-45)

   “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)