Deus Misereatur

  (The following is from my letter to the congregation today, 25 October 2023) In 1971, Francis Schaeffer published “The Church at the End of the 20 th Century” where he gave several far-sighted warnings of what was coming down the pike, and what we should do. His primary emphasis for the future was on two major needs for the church as it weathers the storms ahead: orthodoxy of doctrine, and orthodoxy of community. Regarding the orthodoxy of community, he placed love and unity as the centerpiece: “Our Christian organizations must be communities in which others see what God has revealed in the teaching of His word. They should see…that it is possible to have something beautiful and unusual in this world in our communication and in communities at this point of history. We may preach truth. We may preach orthodoxy. We may even stand against the practice of untruth strongly. But if others cannot see something beautiful in our human relationships, if they do not see that upon the basis o

  Lord, your servant John concluded his letter with these words: “ And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols ” (1 John 5:20-21). For these reasons we make bold to call on you, to call on you in truth (Psalm 145:18). For your church on every continent, including this congregation, First Lutheran, Immanuel, St. Paul’s and Ascension Lutheran Church, we pray. Help us to keep ourselves from idols, whether they’re the handmade kind or heart-made! Bring us to grow in understanding you, your purposes, your Word, and your ways for us. Deepen our perception and knowledge of Jesus who is true and is the true God and eternal life. And draw us together in him. Bless and enrich the upcoming Oklahoma Conference on Reformed Theology in November. Give Jim Elliff your gracious guidance and presence. Ca