Reflections of a New Missionary - Lutheran Society for Missiology

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68 Missio Apostolica In order to achieve this spiritual posture, Germany's pastors were to admonish the papists to stop blaspheming God and to admonish the ungrateful, wanton German people to improve their behavior, to honor God's Word and to call on God in prayer. Germany's pastors were to be God's prophetic voices, calling God's people back to Himself through genuine repentance, faith and prayer. The Emperor - The Second Man The second man whose place it was to fight against the Muslim was Emperor Charles. It was his office to war against the Muslim because of their threats towards the Empire's subjects and the Empire itself. It was Charles' duty, as a ruler appointed by God, to defend his own people and land (PE 5:102). If there was to be war against the mus slim, It should be fought at the Emperor's command, under his banner, and in his name.. .[why]. . .Because then everyone can assure his own conscience that he is obeying the ordinance of God, since we know that the emperor is our true overlord and head, and he who obeys him.. .obeys God also, while he who disobeys him disobeys God also (PE 5:102-103). Therefore, advises Luther, the emperor and the princes should be exhorted concerning their office and their duty to God not to let their subjects be ruined, but rather to be reminded that Germany and its people are "given you and committed to you by God, that you may protect, rule, counsel, and help it, and you not only should, but must do this on pain of losing your soul's salvation and God's favor and grace" (PE 5: 106). Concluding Remarks Just as in the days of Noah, so also in Luther's life people lived as Epicureans and skeptics. As a consequence of their thankless hearts, God was just in punishing Europe. For Luther, the Muslims were simply God's scourge and schoolmaster, permitted by God to be the servant of the devil, who not only ruins land and people with the sword but also lays waste the Christian faith and our dear Lord Jesus Christ. The consistent resolve and advice of Luther was to appeal to the two governments instituted by God, namely, spiritual and temporal authority. Sir Christian, as the Body of Christ, was to fight with the Word of God, prayer, and a reformed life. Then the Emperor was to carry out his office and defend his people and land. For "if our kings and princes were to agree, and stand by one another and help one another, and the Christian man were to pray for them, I should be undismayed and of good hope; the Muslim would leave his raging and find in Emperor Charles a man who was his equal" (PE 5:122).
Luther On Islam 69 Missiological Insights and Implications One of the significant contributions of historical theology is that it permits the universal church to derive missiological insights and implications from those who have gone before us. How much longer can God be patient with us This timeless question of Luther must be asked of every generation in light of the reality that God continues to use the nations as His instruments of judgment and correction so that: (1) His honor and divinity is protected; (2) unbelief and wickedness is punished; and (3) I-Iis people might be brought closer to Him through repentance, faith and prayer. God continues to rule His creation through two governments The Christian recognizes that God rules His creation through two governments and that each government has its own proper sphere of influence and authority. Most importantly, Sir Christian is not to use the sword unless called upon by those in temporal authority but, instead, is to devote himself to using those weapons ordained by God such as faith, God's Word, prayer and an evangelical witness. He who has an ear, let him hear A people must cling to and treasure the Gospel while they have the opportunity to hear it: because no one knows how long the Gospel and Spirit will remain. As Luther correctly observed, at one time Asia Minor and Northern Africa were the centers of the evangelical faith but now the Gospel was (and is) rarely heard there. The chief attack of Satan is Christological in nature The chief attack of Satan, and of all heresies, is to deny Christ's incarnation and its benefits. The Islamic error of rejecting Christ's incarnation means rejecting not only the One who was sent but also the Sender Himself. If one is to meet God, he must come to Christ (LW 22:249); for in Christ God is found, and outside of the Person born of Mary He is not to be found (LW 5: 130). In contrast to this fatherly appearance of God in the Son's incarnation, the "harlot at the gate" looks for more attractive externals, such as the five pillars of Islam, which appeal to reason and human eyes (LW 3:110). How is one to stand before God The Muslims see themselves as the true church because of their reverence for Allah and their works of humility and service. Sadly, the Muslim believer, by seeking to become holy, not through Christ, but through hs own self-chosen works, rejects the Biblical witness that Christ alone is the Ladder and the Way.
Page 1 and 2: MISS10 APOSTOLICA EDITORIAL OFFICE:
Page 3 and 4: salvation to those who are groping
Page 5 and 6: Christian Missions in Latin America
Page 13 and 14: Luther On Islam 65 Furthermore, in
Page 15: Luther On Islam 67 worshiped and ad
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Page 27 and 28: A Note for Contributors We welcome
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Page 37 and 38: Are Lutherans Ready for 21'' Centur
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Page 43 and 44: Mission Observer 95 There are mirac
Page 45 and 46: Book Reviews 97 Byzantine aggressio
Page 47 and 48: Book Reviews 99 clearly central to
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Page 51 and 52: fie Lutheran Society for Missiolbgy
Page 53 and 54: Index of Volumes 4-8 105 "A Ministr
Page 55 and 56: Index of Volumes 4-8 107 "The Flip
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