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.”

No Other Gospel

Galatians 1:6-10

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you,let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

I had the privilege of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in Kenya. I used an "Evangecube" which offers an overview of the gospel story through pictures on an unfolding cube: simple but profoundly true.
I had the privilege of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ at our vision clinic in Kenya. During the week we shared the gospel with more than 1000 people, using an “Evangecube” which offers an overview of the gospel story through pictures on an unfolding cube: simple but profoundly true. Following the group presentation, each person was also seen individually for a “second touch” and opportunity to hear the message of Jesus one-on-one.

There are only two religions in the world: God’s religion, and man’s religion. God has revealed himself, the truth about our origin and the world’s beginning, the sad story of man’s fall, and the glorious story of God’s redemption through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father, and the hope of his glorious return are at the center of the gospel that Paul preached. Through Jesus Christ we have life and salvation.

Through faith in Jesus Christ, trusting in his atoning death and repenting from our sins, we are saved. Anything that would undercut that truth is opposed to God’s religion. Any way that we would add to God’s religion makes it man’s religion. Mans’ religion will never save us; only Jesus can do that. For that reason, Paul calls the Galatian Christians back to the gospel they had forsaken, and anathematizes those who would teach something other than God’s religion.

When we lived in Utah, we encountered a different gospel, contrary to that which centered in Jesus Christ. Despite their insistence that the name of Jesus is part of their church name, the Mormons actually center their faith in a man, Joseph Smith. Through an angel, Joseph is reportedly to have heard a new revelation that would establish the church anew. Such a preacher is to be accursed.

There are plenty of ways in which the church today is corrupted, ineffectual, erring, and in need of reform. There are plenty of preachers who don’t get it right when it comes to the finer points of the faith. But those who center their faith and teaching in Jesus Christ, and return to that center again and again, offer the true gospel that is our only hope. We don’t need new revelations or additional rituals. We need a Savior. Thank God we have one. His name is Jesus, and he has saved us from eternal anathema. I don’t want to forsake that Good News!

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