Preparing our minds:

We need the ability to out-think the church’s detractors

By Robert Bugbee

You’ve surely heard reports along the way of how someone wishing to defend the unborn decided to attack—or even murder—an abortion provider. In recent weeks, the world held its breath while a Florida pastor proposed to show his opposition to Islam by scheduling a Koran burning. Centuries ago it was common for established churches in some countries to pass laws forcing everybody into their fellowship, and then to imprison and or even torture dissidents if they refused.

St. Paul knew a better way of handling struggles: “Take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). Forcing and “squashing” those who disagree with Christ’s way might look effective. When all is said and done, however, it neither changes minds nor wins hearts. If anything, it simply kindles resentment others may feel deep inside toward Christ’s people. When His followers try to promote His cause with an iron fist it can cause others to completely lose sight of how Jesus loves them and gave His life for them.

In this bewildering world, it won’t do for the Christian church to merely out-work or out-fight its critics. The church has to out-think its adversaries.

In this bewildering world, it won’t do for the Christian church to merely out-work or out-fight its critics. The church has to out-think its adversaries. Christian people need to know the truth the Lord reveals in His Word, and to understand in some detail how that truth hangs together. Christ’s followers do well to pay attention to the popular ideas swirling around these days, and to grasp how we might respond to them in a way that is both strong and winsome. Just as Peter on Pentecost pointed out that some of the church’s critics were talking foolishness (Acts 2:13-15), it’s a great thing for us to remind ourselves and others that the Good News of Jesus Christ is authentic! It deserves a hearing!

It’s good to remember how Martin Luther went about this. He understood that the renewal of Christ’s church would never happen simply by forcing congregations to agree with him. Instead, he published his Small Catechism and the Large Catechism as a way of planting God’s Word into people’s minds and hearts. He encouraged pastors to teach … and teach … and teach so that men and women, boys and girls would think of how Christian truth has much to say about the way you talk, the way you see other people’s possessions, the way you deal with sexual matters, Who Jesus Christ really is and what He has done to bring you back to God again.

This is one reason our Synod is so thankful for congregations that have established Christian schools. It’s why maintaining seminaries is a core reason for the Synod’s existence. It’s why we treasure the healthy things going on at Concordia University College of Alberta, and it’s why one of our first priorities on the mission field—whether in Nicaragua, southeast Asia, or Ukraine—is providing teaching in God’s holy Word for future pastors and other leaders in the church. Our goal isn’t to raise up people who know how to force and fight with neighbours who don’t confess Christ. Rather, it’s to help Christian people think so they realize the depth of what Jesus Christ does for us, and so they will understand how they might bring His message into lives and places where it is often resisted.

Our goal is to help Christian people think

Teachers in our schools don’t always have it easy. Many of them labour for modest salaries, often in simple surroundings without the latest equipment. Parents who send their children and youth to those schools bear burdens, too, frequently doing without luxuries enjoyed by other families so they can finance a Christian education. The young people attending our schools will face challenges as the climate in Canadian society seems to grow unfriendlier toward the claims of Christ as the years go by.

The Christian church has walked this path before. After all, after Christ’s ascension, what could eleven men have expected to accomplish? In Luther’s day, what could a few teachers and students achieve when faced with the power structures and armies on the other side? How can you and I respond as Christians when so many troubling developments seem to pop up all around us?

I repeat: It won’t be enough for the church to just out-work or out-fight her critics. Christ’s people will need the ability to out-think the church’s detractors. St. Peter said it like this: “Prepare your minds for action” (1 Peter 1:13). Let’s encourage and give! Most of all, let’s constantly pray for our pre-schools, day schools, our seminaries, university college and training programs on the mission fields. How we’ve been blessed by them! What a potential they have to help us live as faithful followers of the ultimate Teacher, Christ Jesus the Lord!

Rev. Dr. Robert Bugbee is president of Lutheran Church–Canada

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