Are we too shallow?

This morning I listened to one of my favorite programs, White Horse Inn. http://www.whitehorseinn.org/ The program today was actually from a couple of weeks ago but I only listen once a week. Think of it as a special ritual.

"Today's" program got me to thinking (dangerous, I know). It was about how our society and the church are becoming more shallow. http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/The_White_Horse_Inn/archives.asp?bcd=4/27/2008 We don't want to read and study and learn. We want things spoon fed to us. We watch "news" that's made to entertain and entertainment is served up as "news"

There are whole churches of people who don't want to know any more than necessary (and not even that much) about theology or doctrine. Excuse me? How do you know what you believe then?Schools and christian education water things down, dumb things down to the point that you come out of school (or your Sunday School) knowing little more than you did when you started at the age of 5. OK, perhaps that's a bit of an exageration but not by much.

Back in Luther's day, children were, for the most part, uneducated. Education was for those who's families could afford it. Most were illiterate. Even among those who could read, few of those advanced very far. Luther's Small Catechism (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/luther/smallcat.pdf) was written to educate illiterate children in what we as Christians believe. Luther's Large Catechism (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/luther/large_cat/files/large_cat.html) was for the fathers to read and study so he could properly teach his household, including the household servants, who were also, very likely, illiterate. It's not light reading, but it's not meant to be. It's too important for that.

I'm currently reading The Large Catechism. It's not a particularly "updated" translation. In fact, the copyright is 1959. It's a good read. But it's not for those who are afraid of theology or, heaven forbid, doctrine! It's meat and potatoes. It's for those who aren't afraid to expose themselves to some good old theology.

When I go to church, I don't want to hear a nice, little homily. I don't want to hear how Jesus loves me and wants what's best for me. (I know it's true, but that's not the whole of the Gospel.) I want to hear theology. I want to hear sound doctrine. If something's a sin, I want to hear it. I don't want it sugar coated. Like one of the men said on White Horse Inn (or words to that effect), "If I don't want a doctor who's afraid of blood, do I want a pastor who's afraid of sin?"

The question came up of having a "personal relationship" with Jesus. If you go to a friend of yours and say, "Hey, I'm in a new relationship" your friend is going to ask about that person. Would you say you love how s/he smells? Their smile, the way you enjoy long walks on the beach, yada, yada, yada? You know, how that person makes you feel? If your friend asks you what that person is like, do you even know? And if you don't know, then how can you have a relationship? You have an infatuation at best. That's shallow!

My relationship with Christ is based upon what I know of Him and what He has done for me. I know that through hearing and reading His Word.My relationship is not how I feel about Him. It's a real relationship. He came to save me from my sins.

But, like the rest of humanity, I've been so ungrateful of His gifts for me. I'm blessed with a wonderful husband and 3 terrific children. Do I appreciate them the way I should? No. Do I yell at them when I'm irritable? Yes. Do I show my impatience? Oh, you betcha.

I'm fulfilling my dream of living in another country. Since I was young that's what I've wanted to do. Do I complain about where I live? Yes. Do I wish we were living in Spain or France? You know, places like what I had in mind? Yes.

I've wanted to be a teacher since I was in kindergarten. Do I complain and wish things were different? Yes.

I have a Bible (actually several) containing God's Word. It's there for me study and learn everything He wants me to know. Do I get busy doing other things before opening it? Yes. Do I fall asleep while reading it? Yes. Do I sometimes (OK, maybe more like, often) skip it? Yes.

I've taken just about everything He's ever given me and tossed it back at Him in one way or another at one time or another. Still, knowing I'd do that, He chose to die for me. When my parents brought me to be baptized as an infant, He knew that I'd do all this with His gifts. He still sent His Holy Spirit. He still allowed me to hear Him every Sunday and during quiet times and not so quiet times. He still blessed me (and still blesses me) with the gift of faith. He still made me His child. Knowing all that.

Baptism and the Eucharist are means of grace. They're how I receive the Holy Spirit and how I remember His great sacrifice for me. When I worship with a body of believers, when we are praying and worshiping and hearing His Word corporately, that's where my relationship with Christ becomes personal. That's where I learn of Him and receive Him. We don't invite Christ into our hearts. He's not standing around waiting for us do something. We don't choose Him. We don't do anything ourselves. It's all done by Him through us. I believe because He gave me the gift of belief. I don't have faith because of anything I did myself. He gave me my faith through my Baptism and hearing the Gospel. That's what's personal about my faith. That it's a gift for me.

I apologize if the link to the Small Catechism doesn't work. I had to log in to open it. If you don't already have a username and password for this website, get one! It's a wonderful, free way of reading great classical writing.