Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead— 2 and all the brothers who are with me,
To the churches of Galatia:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
6 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.
Call night at the seminary in 1979 was a big deal. We fourth year seminarians lined up outside Kraemer Chapel waiting to march in during the processional. We sat together in the first several pews on the right side of the nave. Our families were seated behind us anxiously waiting with us to hear where our first assignment was to be. When my time came, I walked across the chancel and the announcement was made: “David Bahn, Our Savior Lutheran Church, Vernal Utah and Trinity Lutheran Church, Rangely, Colorado.” I thought, great! I wonder where that is.
In the weeks to follow we learned where Vernal, Utah and Rangely, Colorado were. Northeast Utah near Dinosaur National Monument, and 51 miles away in northwest Colorado near pretty much nothing. We also had people tell us, “You’re lucky. You get to go to a foreign mission field without leaving the country.” Utah is Mormon country, and as much as 75% of the people in the outlying areas are LDS. I went to the seminary bookstore and bought every book on Mormonism I could find.
Mormonism is founded on the experience of Joseph Smith who was visited by the angel Moroni and told that he was to join none of the churches of his day. According to Joseph’s account of Moroni’s message, “all their creeds were an abomination in [God’s] sight, [and their] professors were all corrupt.” An angel from heaven (Moroni) had delivered a different gospel – other than the one having been delivered by Paul.
Paul had a striking word for those who perverted the truth of the gospel: “let them be accursed.” The Greek word, “ἀνάθεμα” has sometimes been transliterated in English versions of the Bible. The word anathema means that one is completely separated from God’s favor and grace. That is a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and wailing and the gnashing of teeth. And he doesn’t settle for saying it once. He has to say it again. It weighed heavy on his heart.
I’m not sure we speak of hell as often and with as much warning as we ought. But I am sure I don’t want to be consigned there. I am certain that I do not want to preach a different gospel than what Paul delivered to the Galatians. That’s why I go back to the Bible again and again. That’s why I post these blog posts and record the podcasts. I do it to keep myself focused on the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
A colleague once began his sermon to a group of pastors saying, “They say we preach best what we need most. If that’s the case, then hang on, because you’re in for a doozy!” It was a doozy, and a reminder of the gospel of Jesus Christ our hope, life, and salvation. I needed it then. I need it now. No anathema here!
David Bahn - Reflections 
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