The writer and producer explains the two versions of the Luther movie

Last updated on: April 14, 2017 at 1:53 pm By Gene Veith

We reviewed the new dramatized documentary, Martin Luther: The Idea That Changed the World, and then expressed puzzlement when we learned that it existed in another version, A Return to Grace: The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther.

In the comments and on FaceBook, we discussed why there are two versions, with the latter being the version screened in Wisconsin Synod churches. We did a lot of speculation about whether there were fellowship issues or theological concerns behind the changes that were made.

I am very grateful that the writer and producer of the film, Mark Trinklein, weighed in at the comments. He explained why there are two versions. He said that the movie was, in fact, designed for multiple versions and that they are planning new ones for Europeans, Chinese, grade schoolers, and other kinds of audiences. He did say that they denied the request of a television network to “remove the religious material”!

Also weighing in was Rev. Mark Schroeder, the president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. His comment is worth a separate post, which we will post tomorrow.

Again we see that we should always “put the best construction on everything.” Read Mr. Trinklein’s explanation after the jump. (more…)

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The connection between Martin Luther and Martin Luther King

Last updated on: April 12, 2017 at 10:55 am By Gene Veith

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As the world reflects on the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation, it is evident that some people–and not just the young and history deprived–confuse Martin Luther the Reformer with Martin Luther King, Jr., the civil rights leader.

One thing I learned from the new Luther documentary is that there really is a connection. Rev. Michael King, Sr., was an African-American Baptist minister, whose son was named Michael King, Jr. Rev. King, an early civil rights activist, attended a conference in Germany, where he became interested in Martin Luther.

When he returned home to Atlanta, he changed his name to Martin Luther King, Sr. And he also changed his 5-year-old son’s name to Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both Rev. Kings saw Luther as an example of someone who instigated great change by non-violent methods.

UPDATE: But is the account of “Mike King” changing his name really true? Carl Vehse, who has developed a specialty in exposing Luther myths, gives evidence to the contrary in the comments here.

Photo of Martin Luther King, Sr., By White House Staff Photographer, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11753583 (more…)

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Russell Westbrook for MVP

Last updated on: April 9, 2017 at 10:19 pm By Gene Veith

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The Oklahoma City Thunder marketing office called our church a couple of months ago, saying they were offering special deals for church groups. So we got some folks together and got tickets to last Tuesday’s game. They were playing the Milwaukee Bucks, the only other NBA team that I’ve seen in person. The Thunder game began with a local pastor giving a Christian invocation–how common is that in professional sports? (tell me if you know)–and after lots of opening razzle dazzle, the game settled in. The Thunder won 110 to 79. A good time was had by all.

We got to witness Thunder star Russell Westbrook tie the record for triple doubles (double figures in points scored, rebounds, and assists [passing the ball that leads to a basket]). We can tell our grandchildren that we were there when Westbrook ties Oscar Robertson’s record of 41 triple doubles set back in 1962. Actually, it will be easy for me to tell my grandchildren, since a number of them were with us and witnessed it too. The next game Westbrook didn’t make a triple double, but he made enough rebounds so that his average performance for the year was a triple double. And Sunday, Westbrook set the record after leading his team to a comeback win over Denver, which was leading 10 points in the last two minutes. Westbrook scored 50 points.

The entire state of Oklahoma is Thunder crazy. Kevin Durant was everyone’s hero until he signed with the hated Golden State Warriors. But Westbrook stayed with the team! One fan started a petition to change the name of Durant, Oklahoma, a small town that had that name long before the Thunder was even thought of. The petitioners wanted to change the name of Durant to Westbrook, which is actually a good name for a town. So, of course, all Oklahomans think Westbrook should win the league’s MVP award.

But how could he not win it? Not only has he made history with his triple doubles. He leads the league in points scored! And yet some pundits and fans are championing former-Thunder James Harden of the Houston Rockets. After the jump, I will make the case why Westbrook is the NBA’s most valuable player. (more…)

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Martin Luther as inventor of freedom

Last updated on: April 6, 2017 at 9:06 pm By Gene Veith

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Lutherans aren’t the only ones celebrating the 500th anniversary of Luther’s posting of the 95 theses. Nor are Protestants or other Christians. Luther had a monumental impact on Western Civilization, so even the secularists are taking the opportunity to study Luther’s cultural contributions, from his impact on universal education to his pioneering use of information technology (the printing press).

Time Magazine has published an article reprinted from History Today by scholar Frank Furedi entitled How Martin Luther Helped Invent Individual Freedom.

Furedi argues that when Luther stood up against Pope and Emperor at the Diet of Wurms, making his stand on his individual conscience, he, in effect, invented personal freedom. His rejection of temporal and ecclesiastical authority would lead, Furedi says, to the undermining of all authority. Including, eventually, to the authority of God.

Read Furedi’s argument, quoted and linked after the jump. After which, I will explain what is wrong with what he says, while acknowledging that Luther did play an important role in the rise of freedom.

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And now, Network Christianity

Last updated on: March 20, 2017 at 11:07 am By Gene Veith

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Lots of Christians supported Donald Trump, for many different reasons. Some didn’t approve of him, but thought that he would be better than Hillary Clinton. Some thought Trump would be more favorable to the pro-life cause. Some thought he would be better on religious liberty. Some thought Trump would bring more jobs, shake up the status quo, and make America great again. Most Christians who supported him probably did so for various of these reasons. But some apparently supported him for theological reasons.

Did you notice how a number of Pentecostal groups, particularly those influenced by TV preachers, were with Trump from the beginning and expressed no qualms about some of his questionable behavior?

According to a recent book on the subject by Brad Christerson and Richard Flory (published by Oxford University Press), there is a new movement within Pentecostal and charismatic circles. The authors call it “Independent Network Charismatic”–or “INC”–Christianity. It doesn’t focus on evangelism or building congregations, nor speaking in tongues or performing miracles. Though of course Pentecostalists and charismatics continue to care about and to practice such things, this particular strain is solely about acquiring influence. And it is based not at all on a church, but on independent networks of leaders known as “Apostles.”

INC Christianity teaches that there are “seven mountains of culture”: business, government, media, arts & entertainment, education, family, and religion. The idea is that if Christians “capture” each of these mountains–that is, assume leadership in these fields–the nation’s problems will be solved and they will “bring heaven to earth.”

These Network Christians still believe in signs and wonders: They are convinced that one of them was the election of Donald Trump, whom they consider to be God’s chosen agent to bring in the kingdom of Heaven on earth.

These are not to be confused with Dominionists or Theonomists, who are Calvinists. Nor do they seem to be millennialists, either pre- or post-, though I could be wrong about that. (Please enlighten me if you know.) They are charismatics, seeing leadership in all of these areas as a sort of spiritual gift. UPDATE: They also strike me as applying the “prosperity gospel”–which these groups also hold to–on the national level. These leaders are part of the New Apostolic Reformation movement, which more fully accounts for their theology.

I suspect all Christians who support Trump or who are active in politics or who seek cultural impact will get tarred with this brush. You can ascend those seven mountains–if that is your vocation–without buying into the theology behind these “networks.” But you should be aware that this new social gospel is in the air. (more…)

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LCMS judge is censured for following her church

Last updated on: March 11, 2017 at 6:41 pm By Gene Veith

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We blogged about (here, here, and here) the case of Judge Ruth Neely, a municipal judge in Pinedale, Wyoming, who mentioned to a reporter that, as a Lutheran Christian, she would not be able to preside at a same-sex wedding. Uproar ensued.

Never mind that no gay couples have ever asked her to do their wedding, so that she never discriminated against gay couples. Never mind that Wyoming law does not require judges to do weddings of any sort. But the enforcers of the new morality complained to the Wyoming Supreme Court, demanding that she be removed from office.

The court has now issued its decision: Judge Neely will be censured, but she will be allowed to keep her position.

After the jump, an AP story about the decision, as well as the reaction of the president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Matthew Harrison.

The title of his message puts the case in vocational terms: “Living Out Vocation under the Cross.”

(more…)

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