Why Faith and Culture Side-By-Side? Because God so love the WORLD that He gave Christ to us!

Dear Christians,

This why this blog exists. 

From Classical Apologetics: A Rational Defense of the Christian Faith and a Critique of Presuppostional Apologetics by R.C. Sproul, John Gerstner, and Arthur Lindsley (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984):

"Taken in its pejorative sense, secularization may mean the capitulation of the church to secularism, the surrender of her redemptive mission to the spirit of this world. In this sense the church would cease to be the church; its identity would be lost, its message but an echo of secularism. The fear of such an amalgamation moves some to embrace the reservation as a place where the pristine purity of the faith may be jealously guarded (while it dies in peace). But the church must be profane if it is to be the church; profane not in the vulgar sense but in the sense in which Luther used it -- that the church must come outside of the temple (pro fanus) and into the world. It is not the profanity of blasphemy but the profanity Christ inaugurated by the Great Commission. The process of secularization in the meliorative sense, began the moment Christ intruded into the Upper Room where the disciples had withdrawn into hiding because of their fear: Pentecost impelled the church into the here and now. The power was from on high but its focus was on the here and now." (pg. 6)

This is why this blog exists.

In Your Service and To His Glory,

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa

Faith That Sees Through the Culture Chapter 7 The Lutheran Lens: "What Am I?"

Dear Christian Friends,

It's easy to complain about the culture, but if we look closely into the mirror, we see one of the main contributors to the troubles where we live, move, and have our being: ourselves. It is easy of course to cast blame, but if we must do it, then we ought always begin with the person in our reflection. In every-day life it is easy to point out what that person did on the road, or what this other person did in the grocery store, or how uncouth another was at the dinner party. The blunders and offenses seem obvious to us, but then how often are we the ones not paying attention -- just not thinking while being distracted -- and oblivious when the traffic light changes; or when we hold up the line unprepared to conduct the transaction, or having had a little too much to drink while being sloppy with appropriate boundaries at that party? It is the easiest thing in the world to criticize, and then we are that person!

Why are we that person? St. Paul: "For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate" (Romans 7:15). You see, we carry with us this carcass of the old sinner around our necks. We rise up in the morning confessing it and drowning it once again that we might walk with God this new day, but at every turn, that nasty self is trying to break out from the grave to once again invade our lives.

The Christian faith knows this as the conflict or the battle. Every Christian -- if they're being honest -- knows exactly what I'm talking about. And this is the duality discussed in chapter 7 of Faith That Sees Through the Culture. On page 112 I offer these insights:

1. The conflict itself is not an indication that a Christian is not really a Christian. Much to the contrary, the conflict is a crucial sign that a Christian is truly a Christian.

2. The conflict, however, is not the Christian's focus, as if the conflict were a badge to take pride in or a suffering that makes them real Christians. Rather, its real purpose is to lead Christians back to Christ, their true focus.

3. The conflict is surpassed by an even more important experience, namely, the Christian's life in the Spirit -- the daily remaining in Christ -- which leads to living in faith and the active expression of that faith, especially love, which is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.

The conflict is used by God to bring us back to Him on a daily basis; it is blessed reminder -- in-spite of its real unpleasantness -- that we can't go it alone; that we mustn't take our faith for granted. There is only One who can keep us alive in faith, hope, and love: The Lord! The conflict slaps us daily to wake up to see that we must call on the Lord to save us from the mess we're in... that begins with ourselves.

If this offends you, then don't waste your time with the Christian faith. Evidently, you don't need it, because it is just everyone else who messes up. The saving faith is only for those needing salvation. It is only for sinners...for those who know the conflict...and for those who rejoice in Christ all the more, because His forgiveness is constantly given, daily affirmed, and perpetually received. We know it through the conflict. Just remember that conflict itself is not our preoccupation, but rather the Lord Jesus we hold to!

We've entered Holy Week! Day 1 -- Palm Sunday -- saw Christ riding triumphantly into Jerusalem. He rode in to save us from sin and death. Day 2 "Holy Monday," is the day Jesus cleansed the temple: tables were overturned, His whip chased away those dishonoring God in the holy court. Jesus was angry...and full of love. He was getting our attention: we need to wake up about how we are treating His new Temple: His Church on earth, and the individual members of that Temple (those with mini temples called "our bodies"). We need to make the most of our conflict, so that we look to Jesus who has ridden into our lives and is desirous -- always -- of cleansing our temples that we might live for God.

We are also in the midst of the coronavirus, a terrible thing that is causing great anxiety, fear, and is bringing many to the portal of life's end. Yet, the LORD is still at work. He desires that His people delivered from any condemnation their conflict might have resulted in, might respond to Him by helping others during this time. His people are permitted to be little Christs, God's lights during this time; and people full of hope. Practicing all that must be practiced to properly care for our neighbor: whether it is proper isolation and distancing, the avoidance of hording, or being vigilant against a lax attentiveness that would miss the neighbor close by to encourage them during this stressful time. Such conscientious comes when people know much they have been helped by God...always helped in the daily conflict...and want to give back; who want to respond to God's love by loving God back. Knowing at the same time that to love God back requires love towards the neighbor -- sinners like us -- and since the LORD has loved and loves us...we love. It's just that simple from those who have been saved by Christ; from those who daily rise above the conflict by holding to Jesus, the Author and Perfector of their faith.

In Your Service and To Christ's Glory,

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa

Chapter 6 from Faith That Sees Through the Culture: The Lutheran Lens -- What Is Real? And status report on new book submission: Engagement Triangle: Faith That Engages the Culture

Dear Friends in Christ,

Chapter 6 in the book Faith That Sees Through the Culture is the first big duality or paradox discussed in the book. It is extraordinarily important and is the theological basis for the truism: "never judge a book by its cover," or "things are not as they seem." Behind this from a Christian theological perspective, is the theology of the cross. When our Lord was on the cross of Calvary, He appeared as anything but the Victor overcoming sin, death, and the power of the devil. What the world "saw" was a dying man in agonizing pain. And to add insult to injury, one who saved others, but was helpless for saving Himself. He could not back-up His claim to be the Son of God, because He would not (evidently could not) come down from the cross as He was dying. To the fleshly eye: He was failure.

What appeared to be the case, however, was categorically not the case at all. Instead, the Lord remained on the cross precisely to finish the work of atoning for the sins of the world and winning the forgiveness of sins and overflowing life (yes, through His death) for all people who might hold to His victory through faith.

In this Gospel, wondrous news of God's loving and merciful work for us, we learn that things indeed are not as they seem. Instead, Christians do indeed walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 which was the main Scriptural theme of the book Faith That Sees Through the Culture).

In the new book -- Engagement Triangle: Faith That Engages the Culture -- that I hope will come out by January, 2021, I summarized the right perspective on the chapter elaborating upon 1st Peter 3:15, the biblical perspective for loving engagement with people for the sake of truly serving the neighbor with the life-saving and life-giving Gospel of Christ. The point here in the "Luther syllogism" I propose, is that Christians have good reason to have hope against all appearances contrary to hope. Why?

"Luther's logic:

Premise 1: God works good through what appears to us as either good or bad.

Premise 2: When we sanctify Christ in our hearts and live in faith, God works good.

Conclusion: Therefore, whatever happens to us good or bad, [we may] affirm God working good."

God is working good even through the terrible circumstances we are facing at this time with the coronavirus. This does not make the virus itself good. It isn't, but what the Lord will do in the midst of it, especially through the demonstration that human beings have continued to pour out sacrificial love toward their neighbor, shows the world that there are indeed signs of our gracious God. Look at the neighbor who serves at great risk. This is love.

In Your Service and To Christ's Glory,

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa

Published "Nursing as Ministry for Diverse Populations and Faiths" in the book Nursing as Ministry (Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2021)

Dear Christian Friends,

In Faith That Sees Through the Culture, we considered the royal priesthood (chapter 5). All Christians are priests in Christ, extensions of the chief Priest, Jesus. In lives of faith in Christ, we live out what the Holy Scriptures reveal to all baptized into the Triune God: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you many proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

But where does this happen? It occurs in holy vocation in the culture. Vocare -- from the Latin -- means "to call;" where we get the idea of our various "callings" in life. In Christ, these callings or vocations are holy. God works through them to bless those around you.

One vocation in particular that is replete with opportunities to serve in the Name of the Lord is nursing. I was blessed to serve (teach) many nursing students at Concordia University Irvine in the nursing school over the years. I was especially motivated to write a chapter in a new book. The book is Nursing as Ministry. My contribution is chapter 10: "Nursing as Ministry for Diverse Populations and Faiths."

An excerpt from page 174: "The objective Gospel accomplished in Christ absolutely guarantees God's unconditional love and mercy upon those whom they serve. Christian nurses are called, therefore, to treat those whom they serve this way. These nurses are set free from the need for judgment that Bonhoeffer warned about. No matter people's background or current position or worldview, they are completely loved by God in Christ. Christians do not wait until a person jumps through this or that hoop, gives such and such an expression of sincerity or worthiness, or expresses a confirmation of faith. No, the objective love and mercy of God in Christ is already in place. For this reason, Jesus said from the cross of Calvary, 'It is finished' (John 19:30). All that had to be done for salvation to be won for all people was completed. It is now the call of the disciple of Jesus to live out this reality and serve others in the completed reality of the gospel.

God has planned these things for us. When we are faithful to those universal truths, God takes over. When by God's spirit nurses are made low to see that they need the Lord as much as anyone to cease their labor and receive Christ's rest, then those whom they serve will be drawn to one like them. The feeling that someone relates grants great comfort to the suffering soul that he or she is not alone. And then, when by God's spirit we are filled with the love of Christ -- His unqualified mercy -- people, regardless of what they believe, will be drawn again to the servant of God who loves unconditionally. What does such a milieu of humility and grace produce? It produces open hearts eager to learn more. 'Why does this nurse treat me this way?' It is at this juncture that Christian nurses are invited to say more, and that is when the Gospel may be clearly articulated."

I am constantly excited by the objective reality of God's love and mercy in Christ for all people. All of the flaming darts of the evil one that try to render the Christian faith as irrelevant fail to stop God's people dedicated to loving people unconditionally, showing Jesus to a world in desperate need of its Savior.

In Your Service and To Christ's Glory,

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa

Southern California Defending Life Conference, September 6th and 7th, 2019 at Pacific Lutheran High School, Gardena, CA

Marriage, Life, and Family.

Dear Christian Advocates,

As a member (and just newly re-elected for a longer term) of the Board for National Mission of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, I have had the privilege to be the leading advocate on our national board for this resolution. We will now (in The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) be investing more than ever in these crucial areas which stream from the Word of Christ and His Holy Church. For all who confess Christ as Savior, please continue to pray with me that these things are protected, defended, nurtured, and expanded in our culture. The resolution passed earlier today in national convention (Thursday, July 25th, 2019). Soli Deo Gloria!

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Espinosa

Here is the resolution as passed:

To Support Marriage, Life, and Family
RESOLUTION 1-06A
Overture 1-06 (CW, 387–88)

WHEREAS, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them,” (Gen. 1:27) and brought them together thereby instituting holy marriage between a man and a woman (Gen. 2:21–24; Matt. 19:4–7; Eph. 5:22–33); and

WHEREAS, God’s will for the married man and woman is clearly stated, “Be fruitful and multiply …” (Gen. 1:28), thus perpetuating the gift of life; and

WHEREAS, Marriage and life lead to family for God’s Word to spread: “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul … You shall teach them to your children …” (Deut. 11:18a, 19a); and

WHEREAS, The marriage rite from Lutheran Service Book reminds us:

• Marriage is an honorable estate instituted and blessed by God in Paradise, before humanity’s fall into sin
• In marriage we see a picture of the communion of Christ and His bride the Church
• Marriage and family are to be confessed and taught in the church in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God for the benefit of both church and society
• The union of husband and wife in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for mutual companionship, help, and support that each person ought to receive from the other, both in prosperity and adversity
• Marriage was also ordained by God so that man and woman may find delight in one another and thus avoid sexual immorality
• God also established marriage for the procreation of children, where and when He wills; and

WHEREAS, Marriage is the foundation for family and the care and nurture of children; and

WHEREAS, Marriage, life, and family are inextricably linked, as Dr. Martin Luther emphasized and taught on the household estate, and the family vocations of husband and wife, father, mother, and child were a key insight of the Reformation; and

WHEREAS, The Synod in the 2016 convention resolved (Res. 16-02A, [Proceedings, 253–54]) to add a seventh Synod mission priority, “Strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design,” effectively launching the Office of National Mission’s (ONM) Lutheran Family Initiative; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has commended the essay entitled, “Marriage, Life and Family: Reflecting the Holy Trinity,” by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and the booklet, A Small Catechism on Human Life, by John Pless, as well as other excellent resources further demonstrating these three—marriage, life and family—should be treated and defended together; and

WHEREAS, The Synod’s publishing arm, Concordia Publishing House (CPH), has produced a wealth of materials in this area, e.g.: Your Marriage by God’s Design; Grounded in God’s Word: Commentaries on Life Issues; The Lutheran Difference: Marriage and Family; Five Things You Can Do to Make Your Marriage Stronger; Made for Each Other: Newlywed Resource; Ethics of Sex: From Taboo to Delight; United in Christ: Preparation for Christian Marriage; Devoted to God and Each Other; Together is Better: Marriage Devotions and Activities; Hello My Name is Single; Commitment: God’s Plan for Engagement and Marriage (high school curriculum); Without This Ring: Surviving Divorce; Changing Currents: The Bible and Same-Sex Marriage; Five Things You Can Do to Have a Stronger Family; Family Trees and Olive Branches: Creating a Culture of Grace in Your Family; Renewing the Family Spirit; Blessings and Prayers for Parents; Faithfully Parenting Pre-Schoolers; Faithfully Parenting Tweens; Faithfully Parenting Teens; Sexuality Mentality: Creating a Culture of Biblical Integrity; Learning About Sex (sex education curriculum); Sexual Morality in a Christless World; In the Image of God: Gender and Sexual Identity; and many others; and

WHEREAS, Sin, the world, and Satan are clearly attacking marriage and the family by seeking to sever the bond between husbands and wives, and also between parents and children; and

WHEREAS, Murder is condemned by the Fifth Commandment (including abortion, infanticide, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia); and

WHEREAS, There are moral and ethical implications surrounding contraception, assistive reproductive technologies, and related research; and

WHEREAS, There is increased cultural acceptance of gender confusion leading to a denial of one’s own God-given sexuality and ever-new anti-Scriptural categories for “gender identity,” further eroding God’s design for marriage; and

WHEREAS, These assaults against marriage and life are undermining the family and causing harm to society; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod rejoice in the truth that the Lord Jesus Christ has promised to be with His Church until the end of the age, not simply to sustain us, but through the means of grace to bless us; as we call on His name to help marriage, life, and the family (John 14:14); and be it further

Resolved, That the ONM implement the seventh mission priority by boldly promoting the biblical and crucial relationship between marriage, life, and family by generating resources and strategies which counter the cultural assaults against these while also encouraging, uplifting and equipping the Body of Christ in all three areas; and be it further

Resolved, That the ONM offer resources to districts for the development and equipping of district marriage, life, and family coordinators; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod direct the ONM to work diligently with our recognized service organizations, the Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, Lutherans For Life, and other appropriate entities to coordinate in upholding and defending the link between marriage, life, and family; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod direct the ONM, CPH, the seminaries and universities, and the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to provide resources that help the families of our Synod and enable the church to confess the biblical teaching on marriage, life, and family.

Green Light Given for "Faith that Engages the Culture" (working title): please keep in prayer

Now that Christians have been equipped to navigate the culture (Faith that Sees Through the Culture), they need also to be equipped to engage everyone for whom Jesus died and rose (Faith that Engages the Culture)! Part 1 is about the biblical narratives that teach us engagement for the gospel. Part 2 provides handles for engaging in the face of the most challenging culural concerns we face in the 21st century. Please keep this project in prayer! 

To the Glory of Christ and for the equipping of God's people!

Dr. Espinosa