FaithCapo.com Lectures

Arianism is a fourth‐century heresy within the Church. This heresy affirmed Christ to be divine, but not in the same full sense in which God the Father is divine. Arius, in his doctrine, stated that the Son of God is not of the same substance as God the Father but was created as an agent for creating the world. The Nicene Creed emerged out of this controversy and properly defined Christ as being of one substance with the God the Father.

What Luther said about worship is discussed in this last session of Faith Academy 2018. Luther says Christian worship should primarily center in the Word and Sacraments, which are the instruments by which God's means of grace are delivered. The sacraments are signs and testimonies of God's will toward Christians for the purpose of awakening and strengthening faith. Our faith, together with Christian liberty, makes law and works unnecessary for man's righteousness and salvation. Luther viewed the importance of music in worship only secondary to God's Word and Sacraments. Preaching style and liturgy are also discussed in the concluding lecture.

Martin Luther emphasized service to God in one's calling in life, not artificial forms of piety. He called this the doctrine of Vocation. Government, instituted by God in the Fourth Commandment, Honor your father and mother...,was good but there are limits to governmental and temporal authoritys power. Dr. Mackenzie explains Luther's Two-Kingdoms doctrine, spiritual (Church) and temporal (State). Mixing the Church's Gospel into the State as well as mixing the State's law into the Church creates problems. The Church, not State, is to combat false religion using God's Word. A Christian lives not in himself, but in Christ and in his neighbor. A Christian lives in Christ through faith, in his neighbor through love, doing works directed toward the benefit, honor and salvation of others. Today we live in these "two kingdoms" and have responsibilities toward others in both.

At the time of the Reformation in Germany, there was no unifying German Language. Regional dialects existed under account of the government system of regional princes. In Luther's writings, he chose the court dialect of Frederick the Wise, Elector of Saxony, in his writing of the German Bible. During this period, Luther's Bible, and other of his writings, along with Lucas Cranach's pictures, promoted the Gospel. The reading of the Bible had more interest than what the Priest was doing at the front of the church. Luther promoted Scripture alone vs. the authority of the Church. This evening's lectures end with statistics on the scope and impact of Luther's writings in the early Reformation period.

This session, Day 2, focuses on Martin Luther's theology. The word "evangelical" summarizes his faith and includes five criteria: must be Biblically based, have the doctrine of Justification is central, be active in opposing errors that conflict with the Gospel, be in agreement with the true church through the ages, and understand that good works result as a fruit of faith. Luther's writings are a public record of what it means to be a Christian. Four of these writings are examined by Dr. Mackenzie. Luther's view on the sacrament of baptism is given by Dr. Mackenzie in response to a question from the audience at the 1:44:00 (1 hour and 44 minute) point of the audio file. The conclusion of the evening is that an evangelical faith is Bible-based, Christ-centered, and active in love.

Dr. Cameron MacKenzie, professor at Ft. Wayne Theological Seminary, gives a

description of the early days of the Reformation. He shows how little Martin Luther's 95 Theses contained his eventual

clarification of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, in comparison to his Heidelberg Theses, published six months later.

Martin Luther's life and the people, places, events and government officials that influenced Luther in the early Reformation up until 1525 are described.

This first evening concludes with a statement about the need for Christians to speak out and talk back to power in the secular, left-hand kingdom when Biblical truth is being ignored. We are to listen to God, and not the government in these situations, just as Luther did in his day. Suggested readings are listed below.

Dr. Cameron Mackenzie gives a lesson on the history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod from Germany to America.

Christie and Brett Kittelsen describe their 30 day tour of Germany in June of this year using slides and video. Together with their fellow students, they toured prominent Luther sites in Germany and provide a commentary on their travels. Pepperdine University, where both attend, sponsored the event.