April 2008

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By Dan King, Guest Blogger On the Horizon

I have recently had several visits from some very faithful people who came to share the hope of their salvation with me. But as a Ministry Leader, and an Instructor at a small Bible College, why would they be so interested in me? Well, according to them, I’ve got it all wrong! While I read the “same” Bible as them, we have very different interpretations about what we believe.

So I wanted to dig in a little bit and figure out what I should believe. And as a student of the Bible, I wanted to try to stay as objective as I could. I really wanted to discover the truth in the differences between what we believed. What I discovered is something that I hope helps you to understand these differences, but also gives you something practical to take with you when it comes to dealing with these differences.

I also have to say that my views have drawn praise and harsh criticism. But rather than taking my word for it, and judging what I have written, I simply challenge you to take it to the Word yourself. The best way to get to the truth is to find it on your own. Just ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in finding it. Here is a summary of what I learned, with links to the full posts on each of these topics.

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The focus of most religious belief systems is upon what happens after our earthly life ends. Although advice is dispensed on the issue of how to live harmoniously in this life, there is also a significant amount of energy devoted to teaching followers how to attain immortality.

The Lutheran church is no exception. What does the Lutheran church say about death and life after earthly death? 1 Corinthians 15:1-58 is an excellent starting point from which to understand Lutheran teaching on the subject.

Nine Myths About the Lutheran View of Death and Life After Death

Life here on earth is better than death, thus, the physical body must be kept alive at all costs.

Lutherans believe in eternal life beyond the grave. Therefore, the church teaches that the quality of life must be considered in relationship to preserving it. Heroic measures to keep a physical body alive may not always be appropriate. However, if you are looking for bright-line rules on this topic, you won’t find them anywhere in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) official position statements.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion is the same as “last rites” so it must be given when a person is dying.

Holy Communion is celebrated on a regular basis as part of the worship service. The Lutheran church does not use the term “last rites.” There is, however, a special service called “The Commendation of the Dying” which can be used when a person is close to death and loved ones are gathered around the bedside. If a person who is close to death is physically able to receive Holy Communion, it can be provided either by an ordained minister or layperson. If not, it is common for Lutheran pastors to use oil to anoint the person who is dying, making the sign of the cross on that person’s forehead and reaffirming his or her baptism. Scripture is read, prayers recited, hymns sung, etc., depending upon the desires of the family and wishes, to the extent known, of the person who is gravely ill.

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Welcome to the Carnival of Family Life, the weekly blog carnival spotlighting posts discussing what it means to live within and be part of a family. There are many excellent submissions included in this week’s edition that will inform, enlighten, inspire, and amuse you. Make sure that you leave a comment at each author’s site, letting him or her know how much you enjoyed his or her contribution!

Education

Tiffany Washko shares Finding Your Child’s Strengths published at Natural Family Living Blog.

Marjorie shares Taking Off the Training Wheels published at Life Without School.

Melitsa shares Monitoring progress published at Play-Activities.com.

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