I recently exchanged some e-mail messages with a parent who was concerned about the content of some material we publish here at Concordia Publishing House. The parent was upset that for several times in a row, we had chosen to address frankly with the target audience of the resource the issue of sin in our lives. Why did we have to keep bringing up this dreary, depressing topic? Children need to hear the Gospel, to hear about God's love!
I don't believe I got anywhere with this customer. What was wanted was not possible while remaining true to our Lutheran beliefs and what the Scriptures teach us about sin and grace.
Teaching the Gospel without first teaching the Law is ineffective, even spiritually dangerous. The Gospel message will be treated lightly ("God loves me; that's nice.") or even ignored ("That's probably fine for others, but I don't really need that right now."). Until the sinner (and the Bible is clear, that is all of us) is convicted of the sin and fully aware of the consequences of sin (God's wrath and eternal death), the promises of forgiveness, life, and salvation through the work of Jesus our Savior will have no sweetness. They will literally fall on deaf ears.
The goal of Christian education would seem to be making both the Law and Gospel as personal as possible for each student. Not just "Peter sinned" but "I sinned." Not just "God loves the world" but "God loves me and gave His Son Jesus for me."
Teach the Law each week. Find it in the Scripture text and in your own life and the lives of your student. Then teach the Gospel and apply it fully and richly. Make each lesson the cause of celebration. "Rejoice with me! That which was lost has been found!"
No comments:
Post a Comment