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Each month in our church newsletter - the Trinity Messenger - Pastor Hofmann authors a couple of pages. The topics range from current events at Trinity to scriptural teachings to things going on in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Using the Links at the top you will be able to access previous month's articles from Pastor Hofmann. Pastor Hofmann's May 2008 Message: “2You should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3knowing this first of all that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4They will say, ‘Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.’ 5For they deliberately overlook this fact [literally: they are stupid on purpose], that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly” (2 Peter 3:2-7 ESV).
In my April Messenger article, I referred to our “post-modern times”—something I also refer to from time to time in sermons. When people talk of post-modern times, three stages of societal history are generally spoken of. The first is the pre-modern era before the 1700’s. The second is the modern era from the 1700’s to the 1960’s. The third is the post-modern era from the 1960’s to the present.
The pre-modern period before the 1700’s was characterized by a transcendent view of life. That is, there were thought to be absolutes of right and wrong, and truth was largely thought to be found in God.
The modern period from the 1700’s to the 1960’s was characterized by rationalistic and romantic views of life. Man felt he was evolving beyond God. Truth was largely thought to be found in science and psychology. Absolutes of right and wrong were set aside in favor of doing what seemed to make sense or what seemed to work (utilitarianism).
The post-modern period from the 1960’s to the present is characterized by individualism. Science and psychology are seen as having failed to deliver what they promised. For instance, while more people are living longer, medical science has not given longer life connected with quality of life, nor is its promised 150 year life span seen as an attainable goal anytime soon—if ever. The promise to eradicate poverty and disease, end wars, or do anything else connected with producing a “utopia” has failed.
Because of this, there is a deep poverty of meaning in life and people are trying desperately to create their own meaning. So reality is viewed as that which feels right to me personally. The authentic things in life are thought to be found in “being me” and in the freedom to choose. Moral standards are now whatever a person says they are. They no longer come from outside the self or from any kind of objective standard set by society—especially the Bible. This is seen in removing the Ten Commandments from court houses and public schools and other public places. This is seen in homosexuals being viewed as morally good people.
The views of post-modernism are also not without effect on the church. Instead of concern for what God reveals, the temptation is there to have a primary concern for what “I feel”. Rather than being concerned with what God wants for me, the temptation is to be concerned with what “I” want for me. This is always true of our Old Adam, but in this post-modern period, society puts its stamp of approval on this attitude as well.
It’s important for Christ’s Church to understand prevailing world views. We are indeed affected by the times in which we live. It’s also important to remember that the answer to human need in all times is the same. It is Jesus Christ! He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
The answer to our suffering is Christ suffering for us! The answer to our sin is His sacrifice for us! Heaven and earth shall pass away, including these post-modern times in which we live, but the Word of God will endure forever (Matthew 24:35). The scoffers that Peter predicted coming in his second letter have come. They are here in every fabric of society denying God and His creation and also their need for a Savior from sin.
Power in this post-modern age is what humans seek—especially the ungodly. We risk our souls to gain power over God’s creation and our neighbors. Power is also what Jesus promises, but it is totally different from that power we know best. Jesus’ power is in humility, in service, and in acceptance of the cross. It’s a power that only the Holy Spirit can give. It’s power that Christians wait expectantly for as they gather together around Word and Sacrament. By His Ascension, Jesus has honored and exalted our human nature, but greater honor awaits us. “After His resurrection [Jesus] appeared openly to all His disciples and in their sight was taken up to heaven that He might make us partakers of His divine life” (Proper Preface for Ascension Day). The failures recognized in post-modernism show the affect of sin on the world. It shows that when ungodly men turn in on themselves they become stupid on purpose, which leads to destruction. But that is not the end for those who are in Christ Jesus! Christ’s Ascension shows us that the best is yet to come. The Lord whose leaving we honor on Ascension Day will return in like manner. He now rules all things for the benefit of His Church. In other words, He rules for “our” benefit. He ascended to be with us more than ever through His means of grace.
The post-modern view of Ascension Day is that it is irrelevant to our basic needs in life, and that idea has also affected God’s Church in these latter days. That’s why most churches who still observe it, ours included, have such weak attendance in the divine service on that day. That’s why every publishing house I know of discontinued printing Ascension Day bulletins. It’s a sad state of affairs when such a significant day in the church year is relegated to historical insignificance because of felt needs.
In these days of sore distress, God grant you to wait in faith for Him to come again. Please raise your voice in praising the Ascended Christ and encourage those gathered there with your presence for the Ascension Evening Service on Thursday, May 1st, at 7:00 pm (See Hebrews 10:25).
On Christ’s ascension I now build, The hope of mine ascension; This hope alone has never stilled, All doubt and apprehension; For where the Head is, there full well I know His members are to dwell When Christ shall come and call them. (TLH 216:1) Pastor Hofmann |
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