The Theology of the Cross

The Theology of the Crossin our Vocation

“God Calls You and Everyone Else to the Ordinary Things of Life”

Schedule

• Two Natures of God• Biblical Basis• Pastoral Theology• Teaching• Our Vocation• End of Life

2

Now How Shall We Live?• Law establishes temporal order, structure

• Gospel attributes righteousness of Christ to YOU already accomplished and bestowed

• Therefore, believer called to serve neighbor in temporal things: live, work, play

• True piety or holiness: hidden possession of Christian not demonstrable attribute, nor activities

• “The Law was given through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus Christ” (John 1: 17)

God at Work in Life• God works in the ordinary things of life

– The water in Baptism– The wine and bread in Communion– His followers as they work, live and play in a Christian

life of faithfulness• ‘Voco’ – Latin for “I call”• Vocation tells us

– Given way of life– Standing and position in community– Participation in and contribution to life of community

• Demands us to live lives of faith & faithfulness

Stations in Life• Three basic stations

– Economic (earthly provision)– Political (earthly order)– Ecclesiastical—includes parents (spiritual provision)

• Means God creates and preserves humanity

• Establishes order, justice and peace in world

Example: Vocation as Son• Called to:

– Trust he’s truly their son and part of family– Trust that parents have claim over him– Trust in love of parents and membership in family

• Results in:– Lives daily under a call to be a faithful son– Obeys parents in their authority– Uses time and abilities for welfare of the family

• Receive vocational call to life of faith in Baptism– Tasks are acting out our faith in His calling– Means of expressing our faithfulness to Him & family

Dual Citizenship?• Vocation flows from God’s call and love in Christ

– Temporal life—called to serve neighbor, but has end– See call of God and higher tasks of faithfulness as

transcending our involvement in them– Eternal life—in Baptism, never ends, highest purpose– So, faithful in temporal because of eternal call– First duty, self-discipline and spiritual devotion

• Wrong response is asceticism and seclusion– Called to bring Christ to world through daily life– Consider Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 39:29)

Hiddenness of God• Jesus

– Son of God hides in flesh– Hides obtaining pardon for us in cross– Luther: “man hides his own things in order to conceal

them; God hides His own things to reveal them”• You and I

– New creation in Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit– Called to life of faith & faithfulness in the old creation– Belong to family of God and family of man

• Christ rules Heavenly Government by Gospel—Earthly Government by Law

Your Vocation• Call to follow Christ

– Not to religious vocation removed from daily life– Changed attitude & understanding of one’s station

• Gospel frees and motivates to serve– Frees us for good of neighbor and world– Calls us back into world

• God needs nothing from us– Serve God by serving neighbor– Roles in life teach us how to live life of faith– All that we are and have are His blessings

Characteristics of Vocations• All equally important• Vocation is a Divine call to station in life• More than career–spouse, parent, teacher• Many and varied ‘vocations’• Work is but one of our vocations

Vocation as Channel for Love

“Vocation without Gospel is only drudgery or condemnation, for then the purpose of the law as love for the neighbour will not be seen. However, love is drudgery only for the old self. The Gospel invites us to see our vocation as a concrete way of expressing our faith—not as a limitation on love but as a channel for it.” (Marc Kolden)

Radical Results• Understanding changed

– Service comes from “fear, love and trust” in God– Go from faith to faithfulness– Separation from life in monasteries ended– Education of clergy and laity changed

• Vocation = calling = life of service• Heart hidden from world—seen by faith• Work: trust in Christ & love for neighbor• Outward works seen by all, love hidden in heart

Work IS Good• God created work before Fall (Genesis 1:28; 2:15)

• And God called work “very good”! (Genesis 1:31)

• Fall changed view/ease of work, but not role (Genesis 3:17–19; Ecclesiastes 2:18–23)—provision

• God rested and created rest (Exodus 20:9)

Work in the New Testament• Supports call for work—not selfish gain—

response to THE call (Matthew 6:25-34, Luke 16:13)

• Jesus accepted all legitimate work• Paul promoted work as service (Acts 20:33 – 35)

• Work glorify God (I Cor. 10:31, Eph. 4:1, 4:28) selfishness is destructive (I Timothy 6:3-21)

• Idleness–despise call (II Thessalonians 3:6–15)

• Exists to meet needs of others (Acts 6:1-7)

Protestant Work Ethic• Calvinist origin• Work: expression faith• Gain: display God’s glory• Puritans & Pharisees• success = salvation• personal wealth = righteousness

• Capitalism legitimized

Wealth Gift from God, but…• Misrepresents equal status of all ‘calling’• May lead to despair• Unemployment destructive• From service to selfishness• Theology of Glory—secure in achievement• Theology of Cross—solace in Christ• OT Job–wealthy, yet suffered• Jesus, “Blessed are the poor” (Luke 6:20)

• Reliance on wealth—destructive (Luke 12:14 – 21)

Teaching—Everyone’s Vocation• Priesthood of believers• Bring God’s will to lives of others• Provide example to be modeled

• Bring care (grace)—Holy Spirit work!• Teachable moments—love into life• Means are Law/Gospel• Get permission!

Some Practical Questions• How decide on my vocation?

• Does my vocation = earthly happiness?

• Changing careers—denial of vocation?

• Where does witnessing faith come in?

• Is retirement Scriptural?

• Is retirement a vocation?

Unemployment• How to fit into Christian faith?• Solution economic not spiritual?• Christian voice• Unemployed• Disabled

• Government?• Work ≠ Value

Thoughts

1. Churcha. Assistance—food, shelter, counselingb. Employment—meaningful work

2. Attitudea. See person & giftsb. Don’t devalue what God loves

3. Valuea. Value in home, volunteer, encouragementb. Mankind created to be creative

Schedule

• Two Natures of God• Biblical Basis• Pastoral Theology• Teaching• Our Vocation• End of Life

21