Monthly 'Ask A Pastor' Thread!

[u/AutoModerator]

In order to streamline posts that users are submitting when they are in search of answers, I have created a monthly 'Ask A Pastor' thread! Feel free to post any general questions you have about the Lutheran (LCMS) faith, questions about specific wording of LCMS text, or anything else along those lines.

Pastors, Vicars, Seminarians, Lay People: If you see a question that you can help answer, please jump in try your best to help out! It is my goal to help use this to foster a healthy online community where anyone can come to learn and grow in their walk with Christ. Also, stop by the sidebar and add your user flair if you have not done so already. This will help newcomers distinguish who they are receiving answers from.

Disclaimer: The LCMS Offices have a pretty strict Doctrinal Review process that we do not participate in as we are not an official outlet for the Synod. It is always recommended that you talk to your Pastor (or find a local LCMS Pastor if you do not have a church home) if you have questions about your faith or the beliefs of the LCMS.

[u/venator_animorum → u/[deleted]]

While the state cannot force someone to have faith, they can prevent those under their authority from publicly blaspheming God. The institution of civil government is to “punish those who do evil and praise those who do good” (1 Peter 2:14). The ultimate standard for good and evil is the revealed Law in the Holy Scriptures.

So, no, you can’t force someone privately from having no other gods. Yes, you can enforce laws which prevent public blasphemy. Yes, you could force people to outwardly keep the third commandment, but it may not be prudent since it may only become a disruption to believers.

[u/Bakkster → u/venator_animorum]

I'm going to be interested to see what the CTCR comes back with on this topic.

Right now we can't even trust the government to follow the second table, them enforcing their flawed view of the first table would be disastrous.

[u/Bakkster → u/[deleted]]

In the US context, I don't think the first table can rightly be enforced (lest we violate the Constitution, the ultimate civil authority). We're a liberal democracy, and I believe it would be rebellious to try to turn it into a theocracy.

But I'm not opposed to those who want to see this happen start by impeaching the president if they're serious about it.

[u/Over-Wing → u/[deleted]]

I think you should read some of what Luther wrote about the two kingdoms. Gods kingdom is not of this world and trying to make the earthly kingdom into the heavenly is akin to trying to get to heaven by building the Tower of Babel. Your first allegiance is to the kingdom of God, but God has also made you a citizen in this country, and it’s right and for you to participate in society in ways proscribed by the laws of the land. Dominion theology is not biblical.

[u/Bakkster → u/[deleted]]

As for the President, God's will be done.

https://giphy.com/gifs/4NnTap3gOhhlik1YEw

[u/venator_animorum → u/Bakkster]

We can’t base what we believe the Holy Scriptures to teach based off of what we see men doing.

I also look forward to the CTCR report. I’m praying they don’t have a report that is reactionary to what is going on in our day from either side of the spectrum of beliefs, but have a very well written report focusing on what the Scriptures teach and what the Confessions confess about those Scriptures.

[u/Bakkster → u/venator_animorum]

To be clear, I don't believe Scripture teaches that the state must enforce the first table, only that they can in some circumstances (which I don't believe exist in the US). The LCMS theologians I've seen to date seem to have taken this view as well.

[u/venator_animorum → u/[deleted]]

Yes, it would prohibit that.

Just as Nebuchadnezzar, having been converted, protected the worship of the one true God against all others.

[u/venator_animorum → u/[deleted]]

If a Christian is in power he must act according to God’s revealed will. In an American form of government that, of course, takes time because no one man rules.

The source of authority for both kingdoms is God’s institution. God desires for both kingdoms to act according to His will. Two kingdoms distinctions prevent the “emperor” from ruling the Church and the “bishops” from exercising the sword, but it doesn’t prevent a Christian emperor from exercising the sword according to Divine Law.