David Bahn – Reflections

Late breaking news… Pres. Harrison has issued a letter of apology and pastoral letter regarding this controversy. I applaud his candor and pray for healing and grace in abundance throughout our church body. Perhaps this will be an opportunity for us to show the world that we are disciples of Jesus by the way in which we love one another. The link below will take you to letters from Pres. Harrison and Pastor Rob Morris and District President Timothy Yeadon.

http://www.lcms.org/page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwmltblog.org%2f2013%2f02%2fpastoral-letters-on-the-newtown-tragedy%2f&srcid=30890&srctid=1&erid=2702260&trid=ab840627-3b4c-4746-9abe-137880cabaa1

Because this has previously been posted, I have included my original response to this sad series of events.

Some have asked about the “Public Prayer Controversy” making the front pages of newspapers across the nation and stirring the rank-and-file of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod…the national denomination to which St. John, Cypress belongs. It’s newsworthy because of its association with the mass shooting of school children at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. A young, recently ordained pastor of the LCMS, was required to apologize for “exceeding the bounds of practice allowed by the Scriptures, our Lutheran Confessions, and the constitution of our Synod.”

As Senior Pastor of St. John, I agree with the Scriptural warning (“…to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” Romans 16). I am not convinced, however, that LCMS President Harrison’s application of that Scripture in these kinds of situations is appropriate. I believe the requirement that this young pastor apologize for praying at the community service in the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut is misguided at best if not flat wrong. The agenda that this sets puts a pall over bringing the name of Jesus into the public square – precisely where the name of Jesus belongs.

The fear is that by praying in public along side of representatives of other Christian and non-Christian faiths provides a false witness implying that we are in agreement with these people or the faiths they represent. We do have one agreement with these people – as well as those who claim no faith at all: this was a terrible tragedy. We believe the message of Jesus brings comfort to such situations; we want to express that faith and hope in the public arena. Pastor Stephen Hower of St. John Lutheran Church in Eillisville, MO wrote about this recently. His commentary is worth reading:

I am of the opinion that a pastor who shares the gospel without compromise is NOT (by his presence) providing legitimacy to other faiths nor creating confusion among “simple laypeople” who won’t know the difference. In fact, I believe his participation achieves the true purpose of that admonition and gives honor to the gospel. A faithful pastor’s message on such an occasion, so long as he doesn’t compromise the truth to avoid offense, provides a clarion call to the gospel in stark contrast to those who offer only human comfort and sentimental platitudes.

Someone said, and I agree, there are only two world religions. Those who teach what a person must do to please God, and the true Christian faith that teaches what God has done through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus to make you pleasing. The difference is so profound, no one could possibly conclude religious leaders of these diametrically opposed viewpoints honor the same God or teach the same truth. Had the young pastor removed himself from that venue, who would have proclaimed the true gospel? Instead of being censured for appearing, he should be applauded for his courage. The same apostle who urged Christian leaders to avoid giving a mixed message and encouraging false teachers, also wrote:

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” –Romans 10

Is there such a thing as absolute truth, and can it be discerned from a study of the Bible? Yes, absolutely. Should Christians avoid giving the false impression that all Christians agree on biblical truth, or that one “faith” is as good as the next? Yes, of course. Does a Christian pastor violate this teaching when he joins in a community service designed to comfort victim families and the nation after a tragedy like 9/11, the Kirkwood, Missouri, City Hall shootings, or the massacre of children and adults in Newtown, Connecticut? No, I don’t believe he does.

To his credit, President Harrison concluded his explanation by saying, “I am not Jesus. I’m not omniscient. I’m not infallible.” Good for him. I must say the same of my perspective, but I am of the opinion the required apology gave more offense than the pastor who shared Jesus with those grieving the horrific tragedy in Newtown. I’m not alone in my opinion. The former president of the LCMS issued a different perspective on the matter as well.

President Emeritus Gerald Kieschnick says it this way…

To the question whether it is OK for a Lutheran pastor to pray publicly in circumstances such as just described, my perspective is: Absolutely! Anytime! Anywhere! In the presence of anyone! Like Peter and John in Acts 4, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard, even if it means persecution or imprisonment!

In the end, the worst part of this controversy is that it distracts us from celebrating, living and sharing the abundant life of Jesus. It puts the infighting and disagreements that we may legitimately have around issues such as this front and center for the world to see, rather than placing the love of God and the grace and truth of God’s word front and center of all we do. That’s the saddest thing of all. For the Great Commission is to make disciples of all nations.

And here’s the most amazing thing of all: God does this through imperfect sinners who don’t even get it all totally accurate all the time. But if we wait until we have every “T” crossed and every “I” dotted before we get started doing what Jesus commands, we’ll never go anywhere at all.

Pastor DeMik and Pastor Schultz have read this blog post; we stand in solid agreement regarding this issue. We believe the name of Jesus belongs in the public square. We believe that when a pastor such as this young pastor in Newtown, CT prays in Jesus’ name in public or offers a Scripture passage and benediction he is not giving a false witness to the validity of any false religion. He is giving witness to his faith in Jesus and helping us all to remember that Jesus loves people and that the message of Jesus’ redemption is exactly what will give the truest comfort and greatest hope to people who have experienced such tragedy and loss. If you have further questions we stand ready to visit with you in that regard. In Jesus…

Abundant Blessings!
David Bahn, Senior Pastor
Jesus says, “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that you may have life in abundance.” – John 10:10