Bonhoeffer and Jeremiah 45

Jeremiah 45 says this:

1 This is what Jeremiah the prophet told Baruch son of Neriah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, after Baruch had written on a scroll the words Jeremiah was then dictating:² "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to you, Baruch: ³ You said, 'Woe to me! The LORD has added sorrow to my pain; I am worn out with groaning and find no rest.' "

⁴ The LORD said, "Say this to him: 'This is what the LORD says: I will overthrow what I have built and uproot what I have planted, throughout the land. ⁵ Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD, but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.' " (NIV)

Interestingly, Bonhoeffer read the last line as "I will bring evil upon all flesh; but your life will I give unto you for a prey (Beute in Luther's translation, thus NASB's "booty") in all places wherever you go." Bonhoeffer wrote from prison that he could not get away from this chapter. Bonhoeffer felt he was oppressed by Nazi Fascism and the idolatry of the Fuhrer. Yet, as a Christian, he felt that his lot was still with his people. Why? Bonhoeffer writes, "I shall have no right to participate in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany after the war if I do not share the trials of this time with my people." (R. Neibuhr, Death of a Martyr, 1945).

Fact: Bonhoeffer died in prison before the end of the war, hung without a trial for his faith and resistance to the Nazis. He did not personally participate in the rebuilding of German Christianity.

However, he did have a role in the reconstruction of Christian life in Germany because of his on-going testimony, martyrdom story, and teaching influence within the prison walls itself.

He knew his life was forfeit if he stayed in Germany. He knew that God wanted him to stay. "Christians in Germany will face the terrible alternative of either willing defeat of their nation in order that Christian civilization may survive, or willing the victory of their nation and thereby destroying our civilization. I know which of these alternatives I must choose; but I cannot make the choice in security."

Indeed. I cannot make the choice in security. Seems like I make every choice as a matter of security. Am I really willing to live in a way that considers my life as "stolen goods" and only mine because it was spared? Actually, that is what Christ has done for me, right? My life was forfeit until Christ bought it. It is my life only because the one who ransomed it offers it--and that offer requires me to recognize who owns my heart, does it not? Those who are enslaved live for the master, without thought of security. Am I capable of this kind of abandonment? Can I leave security behind?

Bonhoeffer was capable of such thoughts and actions because of his God and his faith. "I am sure of God's hand and guidance. You must never doubt that I am thankful and glad to go the way which I am being led. My past life is abundantly full of God's mercy, and , above all sin, stands the forgiving love of the Crucified."

Ah. To be satisfied with God's love and calling. I am not capable of anything apart from Christ. If he is enough, then I will fulfill my service within his grace, under the shadow of the forgiving love of the Crucified.

NOTE: These quotes and ideas were derived from the reading G. Leibholz's "Memoir" in The Cost of Discipleship by D. Bonhoeffer.

My trip to the BGCT (Back from blogger haitus)

Random thoughts to get back into the groove.

I didn't realize it had been two months since I had posted. Between teaching at WBU and starting a new worship service on Wednesday mornings I just ran out of time. Throw in a couple weeks of travel and intensive church work and--well you don't have time to blog thoughtfully.

I guess I also ran out of desire for the blogs on the Measure of Man as well. Great book. Time to move on. Been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Phew. Very challenging. More on that later.

So, I did enjoy my time at the BGCT, or should I say, the convention with the Texas Baptists. I enjoyed working for the Credentials Committee, and look forward to travelling to McAllen next year. Yes, I did say McAllen.

So, what does it mean to be a Texas Baptist? More separation from a national identity? More provincialism and focus on our own state? The opportunity to start a new North American Fellowship of Baptists? Do most Texas Baptists want to be identified separately from the national body of Southern Baptists? Do most Texas Baptists even care?

I enjoyed the conference itself. Seemed like the attendance was down again. Can't see it getting better in McAllen. Most pastors that I run into believe that the Convention model of church gathering is declining (and it seems so) and dying. Makes me wonder why we do it (business? fellowship? promoting Baptist missions and causes?) and if there is any better way to accomplish these things. Can we gain the same benefit from self-improvement conferences or mission conferences? (By conference, I mean informational and motivational speakers with little of now actual business.) Can the convention model be saved? The younger generation says no. The older generation shrugs and keeps doing what it does.

Speaking of the younger generation, the BGCT had a convention track available for pastors and leaders under 35. I don't know when I became old, but at 41, I no longer fit into the "young leaders" of our convention. I think it stinks being the youngest of an older generation. And yet, I don't know that I have the desire or energy to fit the mold of the "younger" generation. So, does that make me old before my time?

It seems to me that the spirit of decentralization that is striking our conventions and associations is isolating individual churches. This is a danger for the small church and the small church pastor. Where is the support for the single-staff pastor? I may not always agree with what local associations do, but I am glad to have the support and strength that the Lubbock Area Baptist Association provides. I know that I personally benefit from the encouragement and fellowship of the believers and pastors in Lubbock. I am also glad that the BGCT (or should I say, Texas Baptists with assistance from the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) provides funding and a thought process for "peer groups" for pastors. I have gained a greater appreciation and fellowship for other pastors in the wider West Texas area. I have also been challenged professionally, in ministry and missions, and personally through the peer group model. Special thanks to Stacy Conner, FBC Muleshoe, for leading our regional group.

I also think that our universities, like Wayland, can play a huge role in providing networking and encouragement for pastors who are more geographically isolated. If only those pastors could take advantage of the connections available. I know some pastors who are getting educations through Logsdon and Baylor (Truett), but that also means that the network they are moving into is based with pastors located more in central Texas. We really need to support Wayland and help them to grow so that they can continue to support the ministers in this part of the country. And I don't know what those guys up in the northern Panhandle do . . .

And special thanks to Robert Revier for going the Convention with me and keeping things interesting. We "crashed" the "young" ministers fajita dinner Monday night. Great food. Fun times.