Theology On Tap

The Body of Christ- by Mark Siegert

His body looking shoddy hanging up there on the cross

This is how He gets a win?

This is not a loss?

There’s extra room in His tomb No body in that prison

This IS how He got the win

See! He has risen!

This now done He makes us one – one body resurrected

Our hostile traits are crushed to death

In Him we’re all connected

This now done He makes us one – one body resurrected

Our hostile traits are crushed to death

In Him we’re all connected

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Some things we might mean when we say or hear the phrase, “Body of Christ.”

1. The literal physical body of Jesus.

2. Or, we might think about His body which is truly present in Communion

Matt 26:26. Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24

3. Or – more probably – we use the phrase as a metaphor – a really powerful metaphor to describe the Church and our place in it.

Ephesians 1:22,23

Romans 7:4

1 Cor 10:16,17

koinónia spiritual fellowship an association involving close mutual relations and involvement—‘close association, fellowship.

Ephesians 2:14-16

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Season three drops May 7th. 

Our theme this season is "The Body of Christ."  

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Natural Revelation- What we learn about God from Creation – the natural world.

As our beginning point, we will notice that the Bible itself does say that creation does have something to say to us.

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Over time the Bible’s statements like these led believers to look at creation in order to see what creation might be saying. These observations are now sometimes categorized as “arguments” for the existence of God.

If you are a Christian, you do not need to stand in opposition to science. Rather, you can embrace science. This is where we learn important and useful stuff about the natural world. We may or may not learn about God, but we can learn about nature. So, please don’t assume that because you are a Christian you have to ignore science or speak against it. If fact, if you think God might be calling you to work in a scientific field, feel free to explore the possibilities.

When it seems that “science” and the Bible are contradicting each other, we as Christians can’t simply ignore that observation AND we can’t automatically conclude that science is always wrong.

It could be that our interpretation of the Bible is incorrect.

It could also be that what we think we “know” from science is incorrect.

“What can we learn about God from the natural world?”

- We can learn that God exists.

- What else can we learn?

And I think there are a few other related – and very important – questions:

- What do we NOT learn about God from nature?

- What do we learn about God from the Bible’s story of creation?

- And again do we NOT learn about God from that story?

Put another way:

- What do we learn – and not learn – about God from His creation?

- What do we learn – and not learn – about God from His account of creation?

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Five Keys to Interpreting the Bible:

1. All Scripture is the inspired, inerrant word of God - not just the stuff we like.

2. All of Scripture is centered on Christ.

3. The mission of God (Missio Dei) is evident in every book of the Bible.

4. All of Scripture's passages have one of two possible messages: Law or Gospel.

• Law: statements tell us what to do
• For our own good – so that life might go well for us
• For the good of our neighbor – so that life might go well for our neighbor
• To eventually remind us that we don’t won’t can’t perfectly follow His laws
• To make it clear what the consequences are for that disobedience.

• Gospel: What He does to restore our relationships with Him

5. The best way to understand how to apply that Bible to your life today is to understand what it meant to the first writers/hearers.

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If you haven't listened to our episode on Scripture Alone from last season, you might want to listen before you get into this week's episode.  Here is a direct link: https://anchor.fm/theologyontap/episodes/Theology-On-Tap--Episode-1-03-Sola-Scriptura-Scripture-Alone-elfsct/a-a3km05l

What is the Bible?

Actually not a single book, but a library of 66 books

In short, it is God’s revelation about Himself to His people for His people.

It is History

It is Inspired- or breathed out -  by God

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the people of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

It doesn’t just contain the inspired Word of God, It is the Word of God

It is Inerrant- It doesn't contain errors.

It is Living and Active- Not simply ink on a page or pixels on a screen

Genesis 2:7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.

Ezekiel 37:9 Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

It is Performative- It has the power to do things.

Psalm 29: The voice of the Lord is powerful;  the voice of the Lord is majestic. 5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon…  The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. 8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks  and strips the forests bare.

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Mark's Poem:

From the powerful words of creation

And the prophets’ proclamation

God’s chosen people had great expectation

Of God’s coming salvation

Yahweh had spoken

This is the way

The angels then made declaration

The baby born to a virgin is the incarnation

This infant is the culmination

Of God’s promised salvation

Yahweh has spoken

This is the way

In life this God in flesh found humiliation

But the cross and His rising were God’s manifestation

He brings hope to every nation

For all who believe, He provides salvation

Jesus has spoken

“I am the way”

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Pastor Seth Moorman and Kayleigh Lopez bring some Christmas greetings and get you ready for Season 2 of Theology On Tap.

Episode One of Season Two drops on Friday January 8th.  

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In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses the hymn "A Mighty Fortress" and the Psalm behind it, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

A Mighty Fortress & Psalm 46

Luther wrote words and music between 1527 & 1529.

Ein feste Burg ist unser Got

It became known as the “anthem of the Reformation.”

· Perhaps used to inspire troops in wars against the Ottoman Empire which was pushing into Europe

· Perhaps used as a battle anthem by the Swedes during the 30 years war

· Perhaps an anthem of the Swedish Socialists in the 19th Century

The hymn has a unique metrical pattern – Luther didn’t borrow the tune. He wrote it and it enhances the lyrics. He did not use a bar tune. His tune fits the lyrics.

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
   a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
   though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
   though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
   the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
   God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
   he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
   how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
   he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
   he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
   the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

A liturgical psalm

Used is worship services by Ancient Hebrews – a song

        · Psalm of Comfort

                o Describing God’s power

                        § As a refuge during crisis

                                · Very present help

                        § A fortress which is a military image    - but…

Interestingly – It doesn’t describe walls built by humans, or human armaments, chariots, or even horses which make this fortress impregnable. It is the Lord of hosts, who in the past destroyed the enemies of the city of God and who still is able to make wars cease to the end of the earth.

The Psalm has its own “rhythm,” perhaps 2 verses which we can find even in English

Verse 1 (verses 1-6)

Refrain (verse 7) “The Lord of Hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.”

Verse 2 (verses 8-10)

Refrain (verse 11) “The Lord of Hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our fortress.”

In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses that moment that the Gospel of Jesus became real to Martin Luther, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

Righteous, Righteousness, just, justice, justified are all usually the same word

Leviticus 19:15 ““You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor.

Luke 10:29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Romans 1:17  For in [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Habakkuk 2:4,  “Behold, [the Babylonian King’s] soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

Luther’s Works 34 pages 325-338 Preface to the Complete Edition of Latin Writings written in 1545, describing the events and circumstances of his early days as professor.

I was once a monk and a most enthusiastic papist… drunk and submerged in the pope’s dogmas … I [defended them] in seriousness, as one who in dread of the last day, nevertheless, from the depth of my heart, I wanted to be saved.

Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience. I could not believe that [God] was placated by my satisfaction. I did not love, yes, I hated the righteous God who punishes sinners, and I secretly, if not blasphemously, certainly murmuring greatly, I was angry with God, and said, "As if, indeed, it is not enough, that miserable sinners, eternally lost through original sin, are crushed by every kind of calamity by the law of the decalogue, without having God add pain to pain by the gospel and also by the gospel threatening us with his righteousness and wrath!" Thus I raged with fierce and troubled conscience. Nevertheless, I beat persistently upon Paul …  most ardently desiring to know what St. Paul wanted.

At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, in Romans 1:17 namely, "In [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, 'He who through faith is righteous shall live.'"

There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith. And this is the meaning: the righteousness of God is revealed by the gospel, namely, the passive righteousness with which merciful God justifies us by faith, as it is written, "He who through faith is righteous shall live."

Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through its gates…. That place in Paul Rom 1:17 was truly the gate to paradise.

With that, Luther came to love the word “righteousness of God” with as much zeal as he had previously hated it.

And he saw comforting analogies to the “Righteousness of God” in phrases like

Power of God, wisdom of God, strength of God, salvation of God.

So, some say that the Reformation didn’t actually begin with the posting of the 95 theses but with this discovery.

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In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses the idea that Christians are both a sinner and a saint at the same time, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

Simul Justus Et Peccator

Simultaneously sinner and saint: The teaching that a redeemed child of God – a believer – someone who is justified by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone as revealed in Scripture alone is

At the same time – a sinner and a saint at the same time.

Sin ἁμαρτίαν missing the mark of God’s perfect law

What the Bible says (Sin)

Genesis 6:5 The Lord looked and saw that every inclination, only evil, all the time

Psalm 51:3,4 My sin is always before me…

1 John 1:8-10 If we say we have no sin we deceive ourselves and we make God out to be a liar.

If we say we are not sinners – lot’s of deception/lies

Romans 3: 10-18 no one, ALL …

Romans 7:18-25 I do not do the good I want to do….Sin dwells in me… I am wretched!... with my flesh, I serve the law of sin.

Saint ἅγιος holy, perfect, pure

What the Bible says (Saint)

Romans 8:1, 2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1: To the saints who are also faithful in Christ Jesus... 9 times in Ephesians

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection!

This topic leads to three important discussions

1. Are God’s children really both of those things?

2. At the same time?

3. If so, how should we teach, and preach and talk to each other?

Balance: How can we comfort the hearts of those who are rightly discomforted? How do we discomfort the hearts of those who are wrongly comforted? How do we know which is which?

It takes a pastor's heart, and perhaps everyone can use a little of that.

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In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses Luther's 95 Thesis and how the posting of these thesis i 1517 sparked the Protestant Reformation and changed the western world, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

The 95 Theses

Two strains of thought coming together:

1. Luther’s 1510 visit to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome

2. Combined with Luther’s “glowing” discovery: the difference between penance and repentance.

a. Matthew 4:17 “From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

b. The difference is profound

penance three steps process to earn God’s forgiveness.

1. contrition, a lamenting all known sins.

2. verbal confession, sorrowfully list all known sins to a confessor,

3. Finally, satisfaction,

a. the priest prescribed actions for the penitent to complete in order to pay for said sins.

b. (Whatever was missed in this process was to be made up for in purgatory.)

In Luther’s day, the prescribed “satisfaction,” often included buying indulgences.

-Pay money to get a piece of paper certifying remission of sins

-Including the sins of loved ones who were in purgatory

-Basically a big fundraising scam to pay for the remodel of St. Peter’s basilica in Rome.

And for Repentance = change of mind - metanoia about the entirety of life.

Luther in Thesis #1: “the entire life of believers to be one of repentance”

With that backdrop, writes and posts 95 thesis on the door of the Wittenberg church

He was built an argument against

- Penance

- Pope’s authority to forgive sins

- Biblical legitimacy of indulgences

- Biblical legitimacy of purgatory

Long story short, the posting of these theses on the door of the Wittenberg church is credited with sparked the Reformation, which reformed

4. The “church”

a. Roles of the priests

5. Social norms

a. Women’s roles

b. Peasant’s rights

6. Political / government

In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses scripture and how it is the only rule and norm of our faith as followers of Jesus, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

Salvation is gifted to people by God’s grace alone. Through faith alone, in Christ alone.

And this truth is revealed to us in Scripture alone. the ultimate source of Truth about salvation.

What do we mean by “Scripture”?

The 66 books of the Bible (27 NT 39 OT)

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the people of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Alone:

For better or for worse: This truth is only found in the Bible, Scripture

Alone in the sense that other sources of reliable ideas are informed BY the scriptures, not the other way around.

"Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen." -Martin Luther

What is Truth?

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face. Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance." Psalm 89

Reason is helpful!

Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.

Does all that this discussion of Scripture alone mean that, as Christians,  we should ignore authority figures in the church? Are we anarchists? Did the reformers pass along a rebellious legacy?

Do we have to throw all traditions out the window, never establishing any new ones?

Does it mean that we tell our non-believing friends to ignore all their experiences, especially the "spiritual" ones?

And the really big one... Does it mean that Christians can't - or don't - believe in science?

In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses faith and how it is lived out in our lives, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation.

In English faith and believe can seem like two different words – different ideas

- Believe is a verb

- Faith is a noun

In the original language of the NT, the noun and the verb are essentially the same word. There’s no confusion that the same idea is conveyed by both.

Secondly the word always carries a very strong meaning. If it is a hope, it’s a hope that does not disappoint.

Romans 5: we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

So the concept of faith in the Bible is a concept that carries a great deal of strength

- A hope that does not disappoint

- Closer to “knowing” than wishful thinking

What is the object of faith as the Bible speaks of it? – Christ and Him crucified and resurrected – for our salvation.

Our faith – sure hope, knowing trust - is in Jesus. The Jesus of the Cross and the empty tomb.

“Honest about dependance on God” for salvation

What do we mean by faith alone?

- Ephesians 2:8,9 – we don’t/cant “throw anything into the pot.”

- NOT Faith acting alone – apart from God

How do we come across faith? Where do we get faith?

Romans 10: 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

What benefits do we get from this gift of faith?

James 2:14-17 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

What does faith look like?

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matthew 25:31 Sheep and Goats

For further contemplation: We've talked about what faith is, what it does, and where it comes from, now think about how we might use any of that "information" when we are in conversations with people who don't believe?

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In this episode the Theology on Tap crew discusses grace and how it is lived out in our lives, so pour yourself a cold beer, warm cup of milk, hot tea or a bottle of water and enjoy this conversation. 

3 Solas of Lutheranism: Sola gratia, Sola fide, Sola Scriptura are cornerstones of the Lutheran and Reformed understanding of salvation.

Actually, many people think that the “3 solas” may not have been mentioned together by the 16th Century reformers.

Melancthon 1554: Sola Fide & Sola Gratia together. But that seems to be the only place where two of the phrases were used together

Wasn’t until the early early 20th Century all 3 were linked together.

So if we could travel back in time and show off for Luther

- Sola gratia,

- Sola fide

- Sola Scriptura

He might like what he hears, but he wouldn’t necessarily think you were quoting him.

It’s good that they were linked together, and it’s really good that we are talking about them, but like any # slogan, they can be misunderstood.

Leviticus 5:17 “If anyone sins and does what is forbidden in any of the Lord’s commands, even though they do not know it, they are guilty and will be held responsible.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Genesis 6:5-8 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. 7 So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Leviticus 19:33,34 33 “When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

1 Timothy 2:4 God our Savior, desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If you want to join a live recording of Theology On Tap via zoom, send an email to theologyontap1517@gmail.com.

Episode 1-00

Grab yourself a cold beer, warm glass of milk or hot cup of tea, pull up a chair and join us for theology on tap, a round table conversation.  Get ready for a lively discussion of theology, spirituality and sharing life together as followers of Christ.  Listen to the podcast or join us live for our weekly recording on zoom on Thursday nights at 8 PM starting October 8th.

Send an email to theologyontap1517@gmail.com for the zoom link and more information.  We look forward to seeing you there

In this episode Pastor Seth Moorman chats with Zoom moderator Kayleigh Lopez and Theological Guide Pastor Mark Siegert and gets you ready for episode one of Theology on Tap.