Brothers and sisters in Christ:
After not updating this blog much over the last two weeks because of our Revelation hiatus, it was determined last night that I should just pick something for us to go over together. The book of this week is Galatians. Why, you ask? (because apparently you’re really curious…) I’ll answer that in a bit, but first a few things to note:
1) THE BBQ is going to be this Saturday at 6:00 pm at my house. Weather is always a factor, but you just gotta pick a date and go with it sometimes. I know we’re losing momentum a bit because of the summer, but whoever shows up will be most appreciated. Again, it’s open to just about anybody who would consider themselves young adults and kids are invited. If you do come, bring a simple side to
polish off the burgers, dogs and drinks that will be provided (anything complex or simple works, just try to bring something)
2) NEXT WEEK—–ADVENTURELAND! It’s Lutheran day, so admission is just $20. This is a great opportunity to just hang out and the like, so we’ll be suspending regular meetings for an evening at the amusement park. I’ll be at the gates at 6:30 pm. Anyone who shows up would be appreciated and we’ll just spend some time together.
Now on to Galatians.
Why Galatians?
The book is critical to us, especially LCMS-type folks, for these reasons:
1) It’s most likely Paul’s first letter that we have. If this is the case, then it’s the first book chronologically written in the New Testament, written around the year 51 AD. This puts the book less than 20 years after Jesus ascended, which is pretty cool.
2) It’s a fundamental book for understanding the two concepts Lutherans just love to talk about: Law and Gospel. This is where we get a lot of our material for these concepts. The Law is essentially the bad news that we don’t deserve God to give a rip about us. Period. This is humbling and startling news, and this reality shakes us to our cores and shows us that we are helpless and powerless before a good God. It clears our perspectives and opens our eyes to our need for God’s intervention. It prepares us for…..the Gospel. The Gospel is essentially the reality that in Christ God chooses not to abandon us. In the mission of Jesus God rescues us from our fate and God’s wrath.
3) Though we have no absolute definitive moment when we know Martin Luther had his breakthrough, many suggest it was when he studied the book of Galatians. This really has no bearing on us in the grand scheme of things, it’s just a cool historical detail for LCMS-types to know. Save that up for Trivial Pursuit sometime, will ya?
4) It’s short. 6 Chapters does the trick, so a chapter a day will get you through the week. Think about that! We’ll all be Biblically literate before we know it.
That’s all for me. See you soon.
Peace:
Pastor J
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