Fizzled--or is it still Ablaze?

[RadMan]

.....................Several aspects of Ablaze! have raised the yellow flag of caution in Lutheran hearts and minds. Surely no one would discourage proclaiming the Gospel message to a world in need of it. Neither is that the intent of this essay. Yet, certain words and the means put forth as integral to the "movement" pose serious questions that merit careful thought and analysis.

1. Various attempted rationales to the contrary, tallying “critical events” (however they are defined) applies a worldly quantitative standard of success to the work of God’s church. We have, to my knowledge, one apostolic count of those added to the number of believers at one very special event (Acts 2:31). While a number might occasionally be found in or derived from a biblical text, the post-Great Commission Scriptures stress (a) the content of the message, i.e., doctrine, (b) keeping the message pure, (c) the centrality of the Sacraments, and (d) sanctified lives that reflect a thorough and correct understanding of the message and “win the respect of outsiders” (I Thess. 4:10-12). Paul’s constant focus is on right teaching, living the life of faith, and praying for those who are chosen to spread the Gospel (cf. Col. 4:3; 2 Thess. 3:1).

2. The use of the term “uncommitted” (with its implied opposite, "committed") suggests that one can read the hearts of people. How can (does) one distinguish between a committed and an uncommitted person who has been exposed to the Gospel message? Who determines the criteria? Does decision language, even if unintended, have any place in the context of sin and grace and the Holy Spirit’s gift of saving faith? (See also “How to....” below.)

3. Ablaze! envisions “every member [to be] fully engaged in personal mission involvement through the Seven Mission Responses.” Where do we find clear scriptural support for such a “vision.” Are the distinctive gifts of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:11) no longer applicable? “It was He who gave some to be . . . evangelists.” Lutherans know and accept the scriptural teaching of vocation. Christians serve God by living exemplary lives that serve others and give witness to their faith. We have, to be sure, paid serious attention to Paul’s declaration that “He gave some to be pastors and teachers.” That is not to say that only called evangelists spread the Gospel or witness to others, but rather that we take care not to lay an unintended load of secret guilt on faithful Christians who aren’t sure that they have ever scored(?) counted(?) a “critical event.” Possibly buried in the vast online literature of Ablaze! this issue is addressed.

4. Most troubling, however, is the lack of primary – front and center – emphasis on the Sacraments, especially infant Baptism, and on substantive preaching and teaching of the Word (the "business as usual" referred to below?) as the God-given means of creating faith and spreading the Gospel. Surely the Baptism of a child is a “critical event.” A lack of emphasis on God’s gifts can easily be understood as de-valuing the God-given means of grace and, by extension, the means He has provided for bringing the gifts to a world in need..........................
http://seminary.csl.edu/facultypubs/Home/tabid/36/ctl/Details/mid/512/ItemID/109/Default.aspx

 

[Studeclunker]

One can only hope. However, Rad, it would be helpful to know where you got this, who wrote it, and when.

 

[RadMan]

One can only hope. However, Rad, it would be helpful to know where you got this, who wrote it, and when.

If ya read all the way through to the bottom of the post you will see the link.

 

[Studeclunker]

Ah, I missed that. The article was a bit... heavy. Hence, when I got to the end of it, the link wasn't obvious. Sorry, my lack of attention there.

The Revrand might find this interesting as Concordia St. Louis is his Alma Mater, isn't it? Turns out the article is located on their Theological website. Looks like at least one of the Profs is awake there...

In this provocative and detailed article, Dave Berger gives his take on some of the theological "streams" that he sees in the Ablaze! Movement.

 

[Radiata]

Ephesians 4:11...

That's why I don't find much success (if any) in evangelism.





I'm back.

 

[filosofer]

I know the LCMS pastor who I have mentored the past 6 years has identified more and more problems with the entire Ablaze program. And it is a program, which itself is a problem that LCMS has struggled with for at least 60 years.

 

[DaRev]

Ah, I missed that. The article was a bit... heavy. Hence, when I got to the end of it, the link wasn't obvious. Sorry, my lack of attention there.

The Revrand might find this interesting as Concordia St. Louis is his Alma Mater, isn't it? Turns out the article is located on their Theological website. Looks like at least one of the Profs is awake there...

The vast majority of profs there are awake.

 

[RadMan]

Dr. C.F.W. Walther, the first President of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod:

Yet now I seem to hear all our enemies say sneeringly: “Reine Lehre, pure doctrine, orthodoxy – that’s it and that’s about all you glory in. Vainglory!” But, my brethren, let them mock us if they will; by such mockery they reveal of what manner of spirit they are. Surely theirs is a different spirit from David’s, who, after beseeching God not to take the Word of Truth from his mouth, adds: “For I have hoped in Thy judgments.” These judgments, these pronouncements of God, in other words, this pure doctrine of the divine Word, that was the only hope of his soul. And so has it ever been with all the true children and servants of God. For what is “reine Lehre”? Pure doctrine is the pure Word of God, the pure bread of life eternal, the pure seed of the children of the Kingdom, a pure fountain of faith and love, a pure well of divine comfort, in a word, it is the clean, sure, and straight way to Christ and into heaven. Truly pure doctrine, then, is more precious than silver and gold, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, stronger than sin, death, devil, and hell, more than heaven and earth. And pure doctrine is never an idle or dead thing; from it, and from it alone, flows spiritual, Christian divine life. . . .Wherever there is purity of doctrine, there will be found miracles of divine grace.”
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Many say, ‘Instead of disputing over doctrine so much, we should rather be concerned with souls and with leading them to Christ.’ But all who speak in this way do not really know what they are saying or what they are doing. As foolish as it would be to scold a farmer for being concerned about sowing good seed and to demand of him simply to be concerned about a good harvest, so foolish it is to scold those who are concerned first and foremost with the doctrine and to demand of them that they should rather seek to rescue souls. For just as the farmer who wants a good crop must above all be concerned about good seed, so the church must above all be concerned about right doctrine if it would save souls.
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