500 years ago on October 31, 1517

   In one week from today, 500 years ago on October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther posted his Ninety-Five Theses on a church door in Wittenberg.  Issues involved were critical, and the result was epic.  Here I simply state the denomination which dominated in the West had distorted Biblical soteriology teaching to the tragic point of insisting that salvation involves buying forgiveness.  Yet Martin Luther courageously took the stand that the Biblical truth is salvation is a loving gift from God, as Jesus was the sacrifice for the sins of people.
   One Saturday this early fall, I went to the library at my Alma mater Colorado Christian University where there are over fifty volumes of Luther’s writings.  Having only read excerpts from him, I wanted to see what was in the depths of those volumes.  I was surprised how brash and degrading he could be.  It was not what I was expecting.  Yet in what little I read, he was making key Biblical points, convictions which went against the church authority.
   Regarding gaining a good historical overview of Luther’s ministry, I recommend chapter seven of the book Turning Points by Mark Noll.(1)  This was one of three textbooks assigned for my History of Christianity class with the superb Dr. Megan DeVore at CCU.  Though I have some disagreements with Dr. Noll in the first chapter, his chapter on Luther gives a wonderful overview, and he is gracious in his treatment.
   I remain in utter disagreement with numerous Roman Catholic doctrines even in this age in the wake of their Second Vatican Council.  Granted I am also in disagreement with certain doctrines of certain Protestant groups, such as certain doctrines of “TULIP Calvinist” theology.  Yet just this year my friend Dave, who is Roman Catholic, has blessed me more than I can describe, being a caring friend and supporting my ministry calling.  I am thankful for the love today between Christians who have major theological differences.  We are to care about everybody, while not compromising our convictions.  May we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to continue to courageously stand firm in our Biblical convictions!  And may we Christians rely on the Holy Spirit to tell the truths of Jesus Christ to everyone in love!
Hunter

(1) Mark Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1997), 151-174.

Ask

Luke 11:9-13   “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.  Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?  Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?  If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (NIV).

   It is imperative we put this verse into context.  Jesus is teaching there is something specific which will be given to all who ask the heavenly Father, and that is the Holy Spirit!
   When I was a new Christian, I was a bit confused about why there are some teachings recorded by Matthew which are similar to teachings recorded by Luke, but which have some differences also.  Many scholars attribute these differences to their claim Luke copied some of Mark and Matthew.  If that had been the case, Luke the doctor was a poor copier.  Yet if you look closely, Jesus simply gave teachings on different occasions which had similarities, yet differences also.  His teaching was not rote!
   For example, in Matthew, Jesus gave what is popularly termed the Sermon on the Mount.  Preceding that teaching, Matthew tells: “Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down…” (Matthew 5:1 NIV).  Whereas before giving similar teachings recorded by Luke in chapter 6: “One of those days, Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God” (Luke 6:12 NIV).  Then in verse 17, Luke states: “He went down with them and stood on a level place.”  The teaching in Luke is a different location, thus a different occasion.
   Going back to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus gives a similar teaching to the passage we are pondering, then goes on in verse 12 to give what people often term the “Golden Rule;” do to others what you would have them do to you.  But can anyone truly live the “Golden Rule” without help from God?  I think Jesus wanted to get people thinking here.
   The teaching captured by Luke gives us a more direct statement about what, actually “who,” we are able to receive: the Holy Spirit.  What Jesus was teaching on both occasions is that people need to ask to receive Him, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.
   There have been plenty of times in my 27 years of following Jesus when I have asked our heavenly Father for something, and I never got it.  Yet God will always give Himself to anyone who asks!  And that gift results in eternal life, and results in more and more blessings to come.
   Receiving Jesus results in eternal life, because Jesus died on a cross for the forgiveness of sins of anyone.  He was the substitute for the wages of sin, which is spiritual death.  If you believe in Jesus, He will forgive you of your sins, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit, and He will be your forever Father.
Hunter Irvine