PASTOR MARTIN’S MESSAGE F0R OCTOBER 2009

“Then what becomes of boasting? It is excluded. By what law? By that of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law?” Romans 3:27-28

Whenever Reformation Day, October 31’^t, comes each year, I have often wondered, what was the immediate response when Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses upon the doors of the Wittenberg Church?   With the invention of the printing press, the 95 Theses took a life of their own, as much of the church and the people of that day were able to read what Luther had nailed to the Wittenberg Church doors. There must have been grave concern about what was going to happen to the church, as Luther asked for a debate with the church on its practices, especially in the “Disputation of the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences.” What Martin Luther invited the church to was to a debate to discuss with the church their current practices and the sale of indulgences for salvation. What came from the nailing of the 95 Theses was much debate and a new understanding of justification coming from Romans 3:28, “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law.”

Like what happened after Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 Theses is some of the immediate response that has come from the ELCA Church-wide Assembly on their debate, discussion and decisions, especially on the Social Statement: “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust.” Some of the immediate response has a number of ELCA churches and church members making decisions regarding their benevolent support, and some churches questioning their affiliation with the ELCA. When it comes to Reformation Day, there would be a variety of “95 Theses” coming from the ELCA that differs from this particular social statement. As Martin Luther asked for the church to debate their current practices, we too need to learn more and be in discussion in what the social statement means for each of us and the entire ELCA. Our sister congregation Resurrection Lutheran Church, at Stop 11, has assembled a variety of resources, which look at the different thoughts and concerns over the Church-wide Assembly. To reach those resources, please go to www.rlcindy.org/members and go to the left-hand side of their website and click on Church-wide Assembly. Bishop Jim Stuck also wants to discuss the matter with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Congregations and he will be meeting with the Indianapolis Congregations Monday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, 6118 Crawfordsville Rd.., 243-6684. Copies of Bishop Stuck’s summary of the Church-wide Assembly are in the Narthex. Finally, here at Bethany, if anyone would like to discuss the social statement with either myself or with other members, please either contact me or a church council member. If there is an interest, we would have a time of discussion during the Sunday School hour one or more Sundays. May all of us of the ELCA take Martin Luther’s invitation for discussion over what has brought concern, so we can continue to do what our Lord Jesus calls us to in bringing everyone to the grace, love and salvation of our Lord and Savior, as all of us are “justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law!” May our loving Savior guide, direct, and bless -our discussion, as we are still a reforming church!

Pastor Martin