09/28/2025
From The Pastor’s Study
So What
Over the last few months I have really been exploring my own faith. It has been an adventure to say the very least, and not always a painless one. Forcing myself to look closely in a mirror and admitting I live a life I do not deserve and have lived one that I should not have survived is a very scry thing. While I have gained much from this adventure, like some who have survived climbing the highest mountains, I am thankful that I have the experienced.
I began this by looking deeply into the history of the Christian faith. I found it very interesting that the Christian faith is attacked by almost every other religion including atheists and agnostics. With some exceptions Christians have taken the quiet road, not condemning those of other faiths, even while sharing the opportunity for salvation.
Christians have made some missteps along the way. Early missionaries approached evangelism with the expectation of convincing different indigenous peoples to accept the European or American lifestyles. While good intentioned this approach often resulted with the destruction or near destruction of traditions and even histories often older than Christianity. This often cost the lives of missionaries.
This resulted in divisions and splits within the Christian community, it also resulted in weakening of the church. A particularly painful example of this concerns the church’s response to Adolf Hi**er and the N**i party. The Roman Catholic church stood strong against the N**i political leadership while the Protestants not only cooperated with the Third Reich, a large percentage even celebrated it. Christians also bought into the national socialist program for supposedly Christian reasons.
At least two matters need to be emphasized: 1) even members of the “Confessing Church” — the most openly evangelical Christians of the time — took an ambivalent or even positive attitude toward N**i rule; 2) even in the later years of N**i rule, both Protestant and Catholic church leaders continued to believe that N**ism was in conformity with Christian beliefs. In the later years, the meaning of N**i rule should have been apparent, but the Christian response was weak or worse.
My initial purpose for digging deep into church history was seeking the events that have brought the church, particularly in America, to where we are today. I didn’t get into this due to any lack in faith but more by the weakening and divisiveness within the church in general.
What do I mean by “weakening”? Most who know me are aware of how my concern about denominationalism, but I doubt I have made my reasoning clear, I will try to explain.
The church’s foundation is, of course, Scripture. That in it’s self sounds simple, but few would disagree, is anything but. Look at the title I have given for my collection of writings, “From The Pastor’s Study”. Does this refer to the location, pastor’s office, or the act of research. While neither is incorrect, the only way to be certain is to ask the author the purpose of the title. In my case it is the “Study”, the location.
The same is true of scripture. If we simply read scripture without understanding the environment of the time, intent of the author, study of the original language, reference scripture, and being open to new understandings. Sometimes that means trying to discard old understandings, “Ignorance is bliss” doesn’t apply to our faith, gaining clearer understanding of God’s Word can be very exciting.
Going back to history of the church and N**i government. Had the church in Germany made a stronger stand on Biblical teaching, perhaps Hi**er’s reign wouldn’t have been so successful. What is scary is existence and expanse of the American N**i Party in America.
I began my personal study before I even knew the name Charlie Kirk but his presence only reinforced what I have learned. The term “Freedom Isn’t Free” doesn’t just speak to the sacrifices made by Americans, it also relates to our Christian faith. Most of the disciples suffered painful death and probably greater pain and suffering because they refused to deny the truth.
It makes me feel weak as a pastor and a a Christian because I have been willing to remain silent to what I know is wrong. Paul reminded us to always speak truth, to share salvation but to do so with respect. Whether a person believes a gay lifestyle is of little importance to me, what is important is respecting their position and their relationship with Christ. I will not argue either way, but if someone wants to discuss it respectfully, I am fine with that.
There are absolutes; Jesus said, “…I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”; Jesus died so we might live. Jeus left us two commandments; to love God and our neighbor and to share the gospel. To share the Gospel isn’t just words, it is our lives.
Jesus taught His disciples during His three years with them and He teaches us through His Word today. That Word directs our lives today; each of us have a different particular task; for some it is music, some teach, some outreach, some caring for others, all to be done in love.
