David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Stubborn or Faithful?

Yesterday we visited the Reformation Memorial in Worms, Germany. This is where Luther said, “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen.” Behind Luther on this monument stand two important Protestant scholars, Johannes Reuchlin (a Hebrew scholar) and Philipp Melanchthon (a Greek scholar and Luther’s companion and helper during the reformation).

Martin Luther Statue at the Reformation Memorial in Worms, Germany
Martin Luther Statue at the Reformation Memorial in Worms, Germany

Our guide said that these two men helped Luther with his translation of the Old and New Testaments. She said that Luther had a lot of mistakes so they helped him. I’m not sure just how true or not her assertion is, but I suspect that in the process of translating the Bible into German one might make some mistakes; it would be good to have scholars who could help correct those mistakes indeed.

We’ve never claimed that Luther was infallible; only the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are infallible! But the fact that Luther would allow others to correct his translation goes a long way to underline that he never thought himself to be above correction.

At Worms he said that unless he was convinced by Scripture or sound reason he would not recant. Scripture in the end held the final word for Luther. He wasn’t just stubborn (though I’m sure he was just as stubborn as any good German!). He was faithful. He allowed the Word of God alone to determine where he would stand. And he would allow the word to correct his teachings.

Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Where do you stand with the Word of God? Do you use it to bolster your own convictions, or do you let it shape you? Are you stubborn or faithful? Are you a true disciple? If so you are free in the truest sense: free from deception and condemnation, and free to serve God and your neighbor in true Christian love.

If you wish to see more photos of our Germany tour, go to my photo website where I have posted photos of each of the sites we have seen so far (and will update and post more as I am able).

If the link above doesn’t work, you can paste this URL into your browser window:

http://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/Travel/Germany

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