Theology Blog

I have long argued that denominations are imperfect institutions but do in fact have great value. My primary view of a denomination is that it is a theological home. As a Lutheran Pastor I do not question my theological home even though there are aspects of the home that I do not love or completely fall in line with. One of the greatest strengths of my theological home is our theology of the cross. A colleague from another theological home once told me “Lutheran’s really get Lent. Lutherans have a great understanding of the cross.” Luther’s theology of the cross is complex, yet simple. It is both rich and deep. Perhaps one of the greatest concepts that Luther brought to light is that “everything is hidden and revealed in the shadow of the cross.” There is far too much depth to that statement to address in my simple little blog here, but it is a phrase that I continually revisit. There is great revelation and mystery in the cross.

My favorite author, Brennan Manning said this about the cross: “The cross confronts the Christian with the cost of discipleship, reminds him there is no cheap Pentecost, and carries within it the living power to enable him to endure the inevitable humiliations, rejections, sacrifices and loneliness that the journey to higher Christian consciousness imposes.” This is a powerful summary that scratches the surface of what the cross means to us in contemporary American society. We are a people of the cross! Discipleship is not cheap, the church is not easy, we are not alone. The cross demonstrates that our suffering is both significant and insignificant. Christ allowed himself to feel alone (my God why have you forsaken me) so that we never have to be alone. Pain is inevitable, but the story of redemption is that God can use our journey of pain to draw us closer to Him, to make us more like Christ. I often wish there was an easier, less painful way than suffering. As I look at the cross, I know that Christ understands that sentiment well.