The "Other" Martin Examination of Trent

Martin Chemnitz, a 16th-century Lutheran theologian, wrote a comprehensive critique of the Council of Trent's decrees, arguing that they were erroneous and contrary to Scripture. His work, "Examination of the Council of Trent," became a standard Lutheran response to the Catholic Counter-Reformation and remains a valuable resource for understanding the theological differences between the two traditions.

Here are some quotes from Martin Chemnitz's "Examination of the Council of Trent":

* **On Justification:** "The Council of Trent, in its doctrine of justification, confounds justification and sanctification, making them one and the same thing."

* **On Scripture and Tradition:** "The Council of Trent places Scripture and tradition on an equal footing, which is contrary to the teaching of the apostles."

* **On the Sacraments:** "The Council of Trent teaches that the sacraments confer grace ex opere operato, that is, by the very act of their performance, which is a Pelagian error."

* **On the Mass:** "The Council of Trent teaches that the Mass is a true and proper sacrifice, which is contrary to the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on the cross."

More to come

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An Observation: Women's Liberation - Proverbs 31 Style! Rev Irvin Stapf

Let me tell you of some Proverbs 31 women. This chapter in the Book of Proverbs speaks of the virtue, abilities, talents, and beauty that women can possess. The whole issue of men's and women's rolls in scripture is often discussed, and at time railed against by the women's liberation movement. But this advice by the mother of King Lemuel sets things in the right order and truly elevates the image of a Godly woman. 

 

First, King Lemuel is mentioned nowhere else in scripture. However, Strong's Concordance points our that Lemuel is a Hebrew word that is related to words that mean "belonging to God" and is a symbolic name of Solomon. Further, Jewish legend identifies him as Solomon, taking advise from his mother Bathsheba, though there is no clear evidence for this. Solomon is the author of the book of Proverbs, and it seems to me that both parts of this 31st chapter should be included as one. Verses 1 to 9 are not separated from verses 10 through 31. They all become a description of God's intended rolls for men and women. 

 

Let me deal with a couple of side issues, though sometimes prominent, that can get in the way. If Lemuel is identified as Solomon, which seems likely to me, Solomon is said to have had many wives and concubines. Also, Solomon's mother was Bathsheba who was a married woman take in adultery by Solomon's father, David after he murdered Bathsheba's husband. Quite a mess, and not one out of which we would expect any good and Godly advice. It is important to understand that these things happened with God continuing to use people involved does not indicate our Lord's approval for their life's choices, They were clearly sinful. David recognized this and repented. This is the context of David's Psalm 51 as he cries out to the Lord for mercy. Further, Solomon's love poem in the book Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon, speaks to one particular woman, the Shulammite, to whom he is devoted. This love poem has also been taken as Christ's love for the Church.

 

There is great hope for us in this. For all have sinned an fall sort of the Glory of God as St. Paul says in Romans Chapter three ....²¹ But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all ^[f]and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, ²⁶ to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (NKJV)  In their repentance God was able to continue using them to do His will, and they ultimately became forbearers of our Lord Jesus.

 

Ah! But now let me get back to the Proverbs 31 advice. Of this wise and energetic woman it says that "Her husband is known in the gates as he sits among the elders of the land."(vs.23) He seems to be having a good time with his friends while his wife does all the works! But the gates of the city were a place of leadership, protection, and order. This was his task. He was not just sharing a drink with his buddies. This is what the King's mother cautions him about in verses 3 to 5. His heart and all of his strength is given to being sure that his wife and family was properly guided, protected, and free to carry on her duties. His love is always with her. (vs.28) 

 

Look at all she is doing!  Verse 10 begins with a commendation; "an excellent wife.... her worth is far above jewels. The heart of her husband trust her. She does him good... all the days of her life."(vss.10-12) Then her activities: she seek out materials to work with her hands; she brings her food from afar providing for her household and those under her; she is able to judge  values and purchase property to plant a vineyard; she is wise, strong and generous; and has a sense of security. She is a lovely woman and along with all her attributes strength and dignity are her clothing. Her speech is wise and she oversee all that is involved with her household. This is a tremendous commendation for the abilities of a godly woman. There is no lack of dignity, ability or beauty in this description of a woman. There is nothing lacking that a woman's liberation movement could add. The only distinction is that her life and her joy is established for the good of her husband, her children, her household and the community around her. She isn't seeking to make a name for herself but to honor the Lord in all she does.

 

In Genesis chapter one God created the man and the woman. He established the monogamous marriage bond, essentiality creating the home and family. That is the natural structure intended for our life and growth on earth. [That doesn't mean that a life of singleness is wrong either for a man or woman, but that is a whole other topic.] The point here that is carried through both Testaments is that of proper order. This gets to the terms the modern world has confused and rejected, headship and submission. But this also is part of the image of God given to man and woman in their creation. There is headship and submission within the Holy Trinity. We confess for example, in the Apostle's Creed that the "Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and Son and with the Father and Son is worshipped and glorified". Further, Jesus is clear about His relationship with the Father explaining to the Jewish leaders in John 5:19 and following that He only does what He sees the Father doing. The Holy Trinity is truly one, co-equal, and co-eternal. The three are one true God, but the principle of headship and submission still function among them. There is no sense of one being more important than the others, or more value or dignity than the others. So it is intended to be reflected in marriage. 

 

So, while there are far fewer verses about the man's virtues in Proverbs 31 his task is established and important. I wrote earlier that his sitting with the elders in the gates of the city was a place of leadership, protection, and order. I would also include something I consider of utmost importance, as it has always been but is especially in our times. That is of solid Biblical values and understanding. The man is responsible for sharing God's truth and correction with his family. This principle is supported throughout scripture. It is why God first gave the command not to eat of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil to Adam who later conveyed it to Eve. What this means is that the Father is responsible for studying scripture, praying for his family, and deepening his own relationship with his Heavenly Father, to whom he is called to submit.

 

This Biblical order for man, woman, and family is the best and most joy-filled plan for living. It is difficult! Keep in mind the rebellion of our first parents which we inherited and are all by nature sinful and unclean. Too often we act and react out of that nature. We are also ignorant of the full satisfaction that our proper place can bring. Thus, we are called to repent before God, depending on the cleansing blood of our Saviour, Jesus the Christ. We should also, when needed, be willing to humble ourselves before our mate or children asking their forgiveness. It is in this that we can grow more firmly as one in the image of God.

 

I am old, which allows me the perspective of many years. Also, my share of failures needing to ask forgiveness and to forgive. But I wanted to share what I've seen in my family and church congregation. Particularly about the Proverbs 31 woman.

 

First, let me mention the names of Mildred who gave me a solid start while providing a portion of the family income and caring for an Alzheimers stricken husband for the last 15 years of his life, and Ruth who gave me my dear wife after raising her three other children, getting her college degrees, and supporting herself and family, all after her husband was killed on duty with the Baltimore City police force.  I will go on to name Audrey, Helen, Janice, Jeane, Carolyn, Jan, Meryl, Carol, Jane, and I apologize if my memory has failed to bring up any others. These are strong capable women who are the back bone of our fellowship. They are spiritually grounded prayer warriors. They have already given a start to the next generation of Proverbs 31 women who have take their place in the fellowship. And they are praying for the third and fourth generations of their offspring. To these could be added dozens upon dozens of other women in our larger church body and the churches we are affiliated with. There is nothing that women's liberation could add to them.

 

While the scriptural order of headship and submission is essential we never indicate that one is greater or lesser than the other. Nothing is demeaning or of lesser value in God's order. All is of God's perfect plan. It is our part to continually seek and find.

 

“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” (Prov. 31:29 - NKJV)

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Holiness - An Observation

Sometime back in grade school, many ..... many years ago, we were introduced to the 1913 poem Trees by Joyce Kilmer with its beginning line, "I think that I shall never see a poem as lovely as a tree." The speaker insists that no human art or creation can match the beauty and majesty of nature. A commentary states that "The poem can thus be read as a hymn of praise to God’s creation, celebrating both the wonder of the natural world and its maker." 

 

Why this came to mind now I have no idea but the description in the above commentary with the words "beauty", "majesty", and "wonder", are a strong parallel for my thoughts this morning. I'm thinking about the concept of holiness, the awesome wonder and holiness of our Lord God. I think of Moses doing the mundane work of tending a flock of sheep and being confronted by God appearing to him in the form of a burning bush that is not consumed. He heard the words, "take the shoes off your feet for you are standing on Holy ground". (Exodus 3:5) Later, in the Exodus account, Moses has spent time with God and returning to his people with his face radiating light from his holy encounter. (Exodus 34:29f) Or the prophet Isaiah falling prostrate trembling before his vision of God Almighty. (Isaiah 6) There are many such descriptions of encountering God's holiness.

 

In the fast paced and event crowded days we become calloused to a sense of the awe and wonder of the Lord God who appears to us in many and varied ways if we are willing to look around, to think, to meditate, to offer a brief prayer, to worship. The message in today's sermon at church was about a Jealous God who will not allow worship due Him to be shared with any idols we may create. But this is not because He is a vain and egotistical lord. Rather, His jealousy is for us. We are His creation. He knows that our best good, our most joy-filled life, most secure and a life of peace, is only found when we are enfolded in the presence of His Holy Life. He is the source of life upon which we draw n worship, whether from the wonder of nature or the setting of corporate worship. It is important for us to look for and enter into that sense of God's Holiness.

 

It is why we call the room for our worship a Sanctuary. It is why, in that room, we have an altar separated by a chancel rail. It is from this area that we hear the Word of God and receive the Holy Sacrament. There have been times at that rail that I have been unable to speak, and holy tears were the only response I could give. I don't expect everyone to respond the same way, but however you respond realize that you come into the sacred presence of Almighty God. Be humbled and rejoice in it! It is in God's blessed presence you find your life.

 

"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. .......

“You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain;

And they will all grow old like a garment Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. But You are the same, And Your years will not fail.” (Hebrews 1:1-4, & 10-11)

 

 

 

 

(Words we can trust: Jeremiah 18:1-6; 29:11; 31:3,

                  & above all Romans 8:38-39)

 

Irvin F. Stapf, Jr.

Pastor Emeritus

Christ Lutheran Church, TAALC

Germantown, Md. 

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Entertaining Angels -- An Observation

 The writer of Hebrews advises that we "not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."(13:2) It is interesting how these can turn up in a variety of ways and situations. My wife is in Frederick Memorial Hospital after a nasty fall and subsequent bout with phenomena. The hospital staff has been wonderful, kind, and thorough. but there was one particular woman that was impressive. On the scale of education, type of position, and salary level was probably on the lower end of the scale. She was the lady who came by daily to dry mop the floors of each room. She came in with a smile, did her work carefully, but then stopped to ask how my wife was. She was glad she was improving and said she would pray for her. She repeated the promise on subsequent days.

 

A real angel? Maybe, maybe not. In any event a beautiful spirit and one who brightens whatever area to which her work takes her. The medical staff is doing much towards Audrey's healing, but so too does this humble working woman. Many aspire to advanced professions which is both wonderful and important. But helping, healing work can come from many. They are an example of how we can all share in healing. And who know we may really encounter and angel along the way.

 

 

 

(Words we can trust: Jeremiah 18:1-6; 29:11; 31:3,

                  & above all Romans 8:38-39)

 

Irvin F. Stapf, Jr.

Pastor Emeritus

Christ Lutheran Church, TAALC

Germantown, Md. 

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An Observation: Right Or Left? Rev Irvin Stapf, Christ Lutheran, Germantown AALC

 

In the midst of this political season the terms right and left are in constant use. Each speaker, whether an average citizen, a news commentator, or a politician, is pegged as being some place on a scale between right and left. These supposedly represent a conservative or a liberal point of view. Whatever that is supposed to mean. And when its expressed as "far right" or "far left" it is said with an ample amount of derision. As I mentioned in my last observation this election cycle has raised an excess amount of animosity.

 

It has also brought the Christian faith into the picture. Particularly after the assassination attempt on Mr. Trump which was for many people seen as God's grace protecting him. I will not disagree that our Lord protected him, but neither will I say that it was God's stamp of approval on his candidacy. That is my point in raising these right and left labels. There must be more to our understanding, and to the guidance of our lives than arbitrary labels.  

 

How would one classify Jesus? Was He to the right or to the left? If we were to ask the Jewish leaders of His day they would probably peg Him as being far left. After all, according to their thinking, He certainly seemed to play fast and loose with the teachings of the elders. If we could ask the man whose withered hand was healed on the Sabbath (Mark 3), and in the midst of the Synagogue service to boot, he would likely say Jesus was far right. Though he would be much too grateful and rejoicing to care about any labels. To God be the Glory!

 

So where are we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ? What is the foundation for judgments we make as well as the directions we choose to take in life? Jesus certainly based His life and teaching upon Scripture, what we know as the Old Testament. He knew well the teachings of Moses, the Psalms, the writing of the Prophets, as well as the history of Israel. This was God's word to His chosen people. This was the truth from which John the Baptist taught. It was in these writings that told of the coming Messiah and redemption for the people.(Luke 4:21) It was these texts that Jesus followed and fulfilled.

 

If we say that Scripture is our guide for life, which as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we certainly should, then we study and live out of God's Word as Jesus did. We also include the New Testament books with the four Gospels, the history of the early church, and the teachings of Jesus' chosen Apostles. The Bible, all 66 books, we take as God's Holy Word. This is the guide for our decisions and actions.   

 

It is also here that the terms liberal and conservative, or left and right, become attached to different interpretations of various passages of scripture. Some want to set aside this of that section as not relevant today, but we cannot do this. And don't ever think that we are more knowledgeable or advanced than they were. This is God's Word we are talking about. All of our great scientific learning doesn't mean a hill of beans compared to that of the God who created us. We must take the Bible as a whole text, letting the statements and principles of one section be understood in light all the other parts of the Bible. The study of Scripture is a life long endeavor.  Any book worthy of being a guide for human life should be a daily companion for continued study. There are no contradictions in God's Word for "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)  

 

So, forget about being pegged on a left and right scale. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ, stay in the study of God's Holy Word, pray often, and make your decisions to give glory to our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

 

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What About Your Friends?

photo taken over Afghanistan by a fellow veteran who is a former Black Hawk pilot
 

Amplified Bible.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Good people, good people! It's always a pleasure being with you! 

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me a lot about Biblical friendship. Gonna podcast and YouTube about it.  And YES....the Spirit speaks directly to the church in Acts, in 1-2 Timothy (itching ears, etc) and in Rev (hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches), etc. 

I feel like I had to say that because I love my Lutherans and my other bros and sisters in the Lord, but y'all old money churches, Lutherans, y'all be trippin' sometimes when it comes to spiritual gifts, and the activity in the Holy Spirit in your lives. Yes, he works through the Word and Sacraments, but HE also works through the gifts HE has distributed to the church. But that's another podcast! This one is about friendship....so let's pray.

Lord, I thank you for the opportunity to do this podcast and this YouTube channel. I ask that as we discuss friendship, and what it should look like in your church, that you would enlighten us, and give us your gifts of wisdom, and discernment. In fact, I pray Isaiah 11 verse 2 over all who would watch or listen to this show, that Isaiah 11:2

English Standard Version

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

    the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

    the Spirit of counsel and might,

    the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

I work part-time for a Veterans Affairs Hospital as a chaplain assistant which I'm extremely grateful for! So while I'm here helping out the chaplains, I attend a Bible study on Wednesday nights. We are going through the entire book of Proverbs, line by line, but arranged by topics. Well, the topic last night was on friendship, and it hit me hard, because I'm going through things concerning who I call my friends, and defining relationships, boundaries, etc. The first thing that came to mind for me was this passage in 1 Timothy: 

1 Timothy 5:1-2

English Standard Version

Instructions for the Church

5 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 

Wow. That's great advice. Treat older men like fathers, younger men like brothers, older women like mothers, and younger women like sisters, in all purity. You know, that kills a lot of the theology I see now in some churches, where some 30 year old dude claims to be an apostle or a spiritual father. Man that's just crazy! But I want to highlight the instructions for younger men and women. They are to be treated like brothers and sisters. Well what's the glue that holds natural brothers and sisters together? It's love, man! Love and respect go together, it's impossible to separate the two! Man I can argue with my natural siblings all day, but at the end of the day, we will always squash our beefs. Why? Because we're family! But in the body of Christ, sometimes I feel like it's hit or me if brothers and sisters truly wanna fellowship or not. It's just like...man, just be cool. If we're cool, then we're cool. Why all the extra drama and stress? We don't need it! Life is already hard enough. The church should be where we can go to exhale, relax, and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that people have our backs. Lately, I've just been going through some things in that area. Let's look at some of these verses: 

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

A friend loves at ALL times! A brother (or a sister) is born for adversity. It's like maaaan, I'm soooo loyal, y'all. I'm loyal to a fault. I think it's how I grew up, fatherless and in a dsyfunctional family, but then I learned comradery in the military. We are loyal to each other. We come from different cities, countries, etc., but at the end of the day, when bullets are flying, we come together. Why? Because we see the bigger picture. Luther said this: For we are so corrupted by original sin that [by ourselves] we are unable to discern the magnitude of our sin. For our flesh, the devil, and the world are at hand, who persuade us otherwise and obscure the Law of God written on our minds [cf. Rom. 2:15] https://blog.cph.org/study/luthers-disputations-on-theses-surrounding-law-and-sin.

We come together because there is a BIGGER picture! There is a LARGER story. We wrestle not against flesh and blood....Ephesians 6. My battle is not against my brother, or my sister. My battle is against the Enemy of Our Souls. The devil wants us divided, throwing shade at each other, being deceptive, being in the dark, in the shadows, etc. But Christ said that the things we do in secret will come to light.  

Proverbs 18:24

The man of too many friends [chosen indiscriminately] will be broken in pieces and come to ruin, But there is a [true, loving] friend who [is reliable and] sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 27:6

Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].

Proverbs 27:9

Oil and perfume make the heart glad; So does the sweetness of a friend’s counsel that comes from the heart.

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We Like The Law! It's Easier! Rev. Irvin Stapf

   An Observation: We like The Law. It’s easier!

 

In the last post I mentioned that I was delayed in uploading my post because “life happened and we had to comply”. Well the life that happened was a four day stay in the hospital for my wife who had some respiratory and related problems. We are home now and she is doing well. During that hiatus in other activities I was reading John chapters 14 & 15 where Jesus is preparing his disciples for his soon departure.

 

In the 13th chapter Jesus had washed the disciples feet with the instruction “If I your teacher and Lord washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (Vs.14) The whole evening in that Upper Room was a very intense time for Jesus’ followers. Events were going in a direction they didn’t expect and weren’t sure they wanted. Jesus, seeking to comfort them, said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. ... I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself...” (14:1-3)

 

He continues on in verse 15, “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.” Ah! Commandments. Now there is something specific we can get our mind around! This is why I titled this section “We Like The Law.” Do this the way we were told and all will be fine. We will have done it, and we are good.

 

But then Jesus continues to speak of the coming reality of the Holy Spirit, The Helper, the third person of the Holy Trinity. He is the Spirit of truth who will be in them. (Vs.17) Jesus again speaks of His commandments. “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (vs.21) He goes on further about disciples who keep His word, (vs.23) and how He has kept the Father’s word and obeyed His commandments.(vs.31) “Okay Lord, tell us what the commandment is! We’ll do it.”

 

Then in Chapter 15 of St. John’s Gospel Jesus give the image of the vine and branches. How they have to be tended, pruned, and some parts discarded “so that it may bear more fruit.”(15:2) The whole picture shows us the necessity of the branch - the disciples and us - staying connected to the vine. It is only by abiding in the vine so that there is a continuous flow of nutrients that the vine “can bear much fruit”. “For apart from Me you can do nothing.”(vs.5)

 

The image of abiding in Jesus continues, coming down to verse 12 and 13 where Jesus specifically declares, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” This comes to the depth of the Gospel. Jesus has loved us so much, each and every one of us, that He has laid down His life in atonement for our sins. We are justified and declared forgiven before Almighty God because Jesus has atoned for all of our sins. We, then, are called to abide in Him so continually that we are willing to lay down our life for others. Maybe that means dying to our own pride so we can get on our knees to wash another’s dirty feet. Maybe it does mean sacrificing our own life to save another person. There are all degrees of fruit bearing in between as guided by the abiding presence of God, the Holy Spirit. This is why I wrote of the death and resurrection of parts of our own nature in Christian Maturity - Part 2.

 

We see the Law as much easier. It is by the Law that we like to say, “I’m not a bad person. There are a lot of people worse than me. I followed the law. I do what I’m supposed to do.” But when we truly realize that we have been loved by God our Father, loved so deeply that He gave the life of His only begotten Son in atonement for all of our sins so that we might have a continuing life with Him, it is into that love that we are willing to abide and seek to do the same.

 

May God’s Spirit guide each of us day by day more deeply into Jesus’ love. Amen.

 

 

(Words we can trust: Jeremiah 18:1-6; 29:11; 31:3,

                  & above all Romans 8:38-39)

Irvin F. Stapf, Jr.

Pastor Emeritus

Christ Lutheran Church, TAALC

Germantown, Md. 

istapf@comcast.net

cell: 240-285-4472

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