Volume I, No 2 Syndouloi November 1999

What made the Lutheran Reformation so successful? Certainly, clearly proclaiming the pure Word of God had to be the main reason, but what earthly tools did the Reformers use to get their message out? At the time of Luther there was a tool so powerful that it had the capability to depose kings and popes and that without any bloodshed. With speed never heard of before, this device could spread the ideas of the Reformation all across Europe and beyond.

This was, of course, the printing press, the most powerful way to communicate in that day. Luther and his fellow reformers used this tool to its utmost effectiveness and all Christendom felt its effect. Just as the Reformation used the most powerful tool of the its day to spread the word, so must we use our most powerful weapon of communication: the Internet.

What follows are some websites that should be useful to you in your studies, and show you just how powerful this tool can be for the spreading of the Word. I hope it will also encourage you to learn more about designing and creating websites, which is already a must for every congregation.

www.lifeoftheworld.com This website is from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne and offers a variety of links and services, including free internet service for the whole country!

www.bham.ac.uk/theology/goodacre/greek.htm This is the Greek New Testament Gateway, with links to great resources for Greek (and Hebrew) study.

www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-home.html Project Wittenberg, a collection of writings from Luther, the Confessions and others.

www.acclaimedmedia.com/holytrinity/welcome.htm Everything a congregation’s website should be!

www.ccaa.edu/~lcmresur/links.htm A collection of other Lutheran Links

If we confess (Read Jn 20:19-23; Jm 5:13-16; LC V.1-35, Tappert p.457)

The Augsburg Confession XI states, “It is taught among us that private absolution should be retained and not allowed to fall into disuse. However, in confession it is not necessary to enumerate all trespasses and sins, for this is impossible. Ps. 19:12, ‘Who can discern his errors?’”

Obviously, things have changed since 1530. Not many of us (and I have to plead guilty as well) regularly use the confessional in order that it might not “fall into disuse.” Yet as both the Scripture and Confession readings state, confession and absolution is commanded by God and blessed with his promises.

One day, God willing, when we are all pastors in a congregation a member of our flock will want confession and absolution. How shall we hear their confession when we refuse to confess ourselves?

And yet, confessing sins to the face of another individual is hard, because it is so humbling. It is easy to kneel at the bedside and privately confess your sins before God. And it is equally easy to take those sins up again. God has given us each other to help keep each other accountable: it is both harder to confess to a fellow Christian, and harder to fall back into that same sin.

But this is not even the main thrust of the Sacrament of Holy Absolution (see the Small Catechism V). What we receive here is nothing short of the very forgiveness of God personally applied to each of us. How can we deny ourselves this blessing?

As Lent approaches, traditionally a time for deeper repentance and self-examination, let us all make a commitment to visit the confessional at least once during these 40 days and receive a true blessing.

By Christ Ahlman

Church Music - one of the greatest can of worms the Lutherans continually spill and try to pick back up. And so Heath Curtis so kindly asks me to write an editorial concerning it. I’ll do the best I can.

Church Music is primarily concerned with the proclamation of the Word of God, and so, it is a form of communication. In order to make correct assessments about church music, one must be able to understand certain aspects of communication: sign and symbol, culture and context, etc. It is not an easy arena to deal with. We, as men undergoing formation for the Holy Ministry, need to be aware of these arenas of communication concerning church music, as in every other area of our future service to the Lord and his people.

Luther once said that music was the handmaiden of theology. He was making the point that theology determines music, and that music serves theology. He also saw music as a work of God. Luther himself was well grounded in music, singing tenor and playing the flute and lute with superior skill in his time. He sought out the most talented composers of his day for new masses, and at times criticized musicians of “moderate” skill. He also sought out the most well-developed musical forms and required musicians to perform with greatest skill possible. He even said that a young man must have musical training before ordination. Why? Because he understood that music served the Word of God, and the Word of God deserved the very best.

Where is all this going? It seems that within the realm of church music we Americans see the Word of God and music as two entities with absolutely no connection to each other. “Man, God doesn’t care what kinda’ music’s goin’ on in church, he’s just glad you’re there praisin’ his name.” Correction: Our God is not an apathetic god, He does care. No, the quality of church music is not an issue of justification (which is constantly used in an absurd and naive attempt to defend mediocrity), but an issue of sacrifice.

In the Old Testament God required the sacrifices arising out of true gratitude and genuine faith, but he also demanded that these sacrifices be the very best - the firstfruits. We can and must learn to give our God excellence in every aspect, including church music.

Suggested reading: Lutheran Worship: History and Practice, edited by Fred Precht from CPH.

Luther on Music: Paradigms of Praise, by Carl Schalk from CPH.

· Syndouloi is still looking to expand its authorship. If you have a book review, devotion, story, opinion, prayer request, or anything else that you think would be a good addition to this publication, please send it to the editor, Heath Curtis, in campus mail.

One issue that Syndouloi would especially like to cover is Bible translations. Which translations are good translations? What makes for a good translation? How do different translations affect our theology? What about God’s Word, a recent Lutheran effort into the wide range of available translations? These and other issues would be worthy to explore and would be sure to find a space in Syndouloi, so please get your thoughts to the editor soon.

· The Pre-Sem Club has three officers, an editor of this publication, and a sponsor, all of whom are there to serve you. Here is their information if you need to contact them: President, Bert Mueller, 8665; Vice President, Dan Wing, 8530; Secretary/Treasurer Chris Ahlman, 8631; Editor, Heath Curtis, 8505; Sponsor, Prof. Block, 7442

· The February and March meetings are all scheduled at the regular time and place: 9pm Wednesday nights in the Pre-Sem Room, Founders 203. These one-hour meetings usually consist of free pop and cookies, a speaker or Bible study, and prayer. If you, or someone you know, would like to lead one of our weekly meetings please contact Bert or Dan.

· As spring approaches, the Editor of Syndouloi and the officers of the Pre-Sem Club will be looking for someone to fill Syndouloi’s editorship next year. If you are interested please let Heath Curtis know in person or on the phone.

Something to Ponder

As we all know, Martin Luther had a lot to say, much of it good, some of it bad, and not a little of it very amusing. The following quotations are from What Luther Says, which can be found in the library or from the Editor.

#4413 I do not like it that folk call our doctrine and people ‘Lutheran’ and that I must suffer them to disgrace God’s Word with my name in this shameful manner. Nevertheless, they shall let this Luther, the “Lutheran” doctrine and people, remain and come to honor.

#4416 The pope says: I have the Bible and the right prooftext; thus I say just what you say. Now what are we to do about this? God alone must be the Judge as to which side is right and most clearly and plainly expounds Scripture strictly according to the content of the words, according to their plain and simple meaning, as they have been put down on paper by the Holy Spirit. We must not misconstrue, understand, and twist them according to the dictates of reason and philosophy. Rather we must accept them as God Himself spoke them through the mouth of His prophets and apostles and godly teachers, as we, thank God, indeed have them, pure and unadulterated. This position I will continue to maintain.

#1169 For the Holy Spirit is of a stout heart. He speaks up boldly [for us], ‘World, death, devil, hell, do not disturb me! You have no share in me. If you do not want me alive, why, I simply die. But you will not gain your point. If you strike off my head, no harm will be done. I have Someone who, I dare say, will put it back on.

#3660 If, then, you want to explain the Old Testament well and safely, place Christ before you; for He is the man to whom everything applies completely