On the tax collectors OR Luke 19 can't get here soon enough!

I confess, the IRS scandal is only making it more and more amazing that Jesus was so gracious toward the IRS agents of his day. But we should remember that, in the instructive case of Zacchaeus (the "wee, little man"), Jesus said, "salvation has come to this house, for he too is a son of Abraham," in direct response to the tax man's repentant resolution: “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” (Luke 19:8-9)

Meanwhile, if you need to catch up on this story, tax professor Paul Caron is serving as primary aggregator.

Another law prof, William Jacobson has collected key links (fewer to sort through) at Legal Insurrection.

Among them, Kim Strassel's article demonstrates how open and public has been the process of authorizing the ideological targeting of conservative groups and taxpayers for intimidation, audits, delays in granting tax-exempt status, etc. No smoking gun needed. Nevertheless, ... 

Jeffrey Lord at The American Spectator appears to have detected the smoking gun itself. Read the whole thing, but here is the rub:

"... it will be a curious sight indeed to see the efforts the media will go to ignore/dismiss the tight, on-the-record connection between the President personally and a vociferously anti-Tea Party union. A union that has the literal run of the IRS — and whose union chief is recorded as having met with the President in the White House the day before the IRS launched “a Sensitive Case Report on the Tea Party cases.”

It not only looks bad, it is bad, coming or going, covert or overt, before and after the election, which ever way you slice it. Time for the tax collectors — and the chief executive who "sets the tone" — to take a page from Zacchaeus, the wee, little man.

Trinity Sunday (D)

1Kings 9:1-9; 11:1-13 OR Ecclesiastes 8:1-17

Psalm 35

John 15:18-25 (26-27); 16:1-4a

2Corinthians 12:11-21; 13:1-10 (11-13)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with your servant!

Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise to our aid!

O LORD, who is like you? For you deliver the weak from those

too strong for them, the needy from those who despoil them.

Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers.

Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.”

         Then my soul shall rejoice in the LORD,

         exulting in his deliverance!

You have seen, O LORD; do not be silent! O LORD, do not be far from me!

Wake up! Bestir yourself for my defense, my God and my LORD!

Let those who desire my vindication shout for joy, be glad, and say,

“Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his people.”

INVOCATION 

Almighty Father, your Son, Jesus Christ, is our Savior and Lord, yet he has also graciously called us his friends, for he has made known everything that he has heard from you. He has chosen and appointed us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, and promised that you, our heavenly Father will give whatever we ask in his name. Christ Jesus, Son of the Father, you have commanded us to abide in your love and to love one another. Spirit of truth, sent from the Father, you testify on behalf of Jesus Christ, and you empower us to testify as well, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Now, therefore, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, grant that we may free from the world that does not know you. Consecrate this house that you have built, that your name and your glory may reside here. Watch over this place and all who worship you here; let your heart be near to us as we draw near to you. Help us to walk uprightly and with integrity of heart, doing according to all that you have commanded. Keep us from stumbling. Let us never turn aside from following you, but, rather, let your kingdom, your glorious reign, be establish over this place and over all who enter here, now and forever. This we ask in Jesus’ name, with the full assurance that you will do this for you glory.

CALL TO CONFESSION

Examine yourselves to see whether you are living in the faith. Test yourselves. For Jesus Christ is in you, unless, of course, you fail to meet the test! The servant is not greater than the master. If the world persecuted the Son of God, the world will not leave the followers of Jesus untouched. If Christ had not come and spoken to the world, the world would not have sin; but now there is no excuse for sin. If Jesus had not done the works that no one else did, the world would not have sin. But now the world has seen and hated both the Son of God and the heavenly Father. This was to fulfill the word that is written in the law: ‘They hated me without a cause.’ But because the sentence against evil is not executed speedily, the human heart is prone to do evil. Though sinners do evil a hundred times and prolong their lives, yet it will be well with those who fear God, because they stand in awe before him, but it will not be well with the wicked, neither will they prolong their days, because they do not fear God. 

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Holy, holy, holy LORD, God of power and might, we confess that we have seen and participated in a vanity that takes place on the earth by which the righteous are treated as wicked, and the wicked are treated as though they were righteous. Even among those whom you have called to be your church there is quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder, impurity, immorality, and licentiousness. Slow to repent of past sins, now we humble ourselves before you. We are as those who lament for a dying mother, we are bowed down and in mourning. Forgive us, O God, for the wrongs we have done, both personally and as your people in this world. Let those who would rejoice at the failings of your church be put to shame and confusion. Rescue us from the ravages of lying and tempting spirits! Set us anew upon the straight and narrow path, O God of Righteousness. Then we will thank you in the great congregation; in the mighty throng we will praise you. Vindicate your people, O LORD, according to your grace. Then we shall tell of your righteousness and sing your praises all day long!

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

The LORD Jesus Christ is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. For though he was crucified in weakness, he lives by the power of God; and though we too are weak in him, yet we will live with him, again, by the power of God. Therefore, let everything be done for the sake of building up one another in faith, in truth, in love. Do nothing wrong, but do what is right, for those who walk the way of Christ cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth, as they grow in the love and the Spirit of Christ toward perfection. Know then that, by the grace of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and free to persevere in faith.

Discounts on Year D are available for bulk purchases

(BUMPED) By the way, a discount code is available for orders placed with the publisher on bulk purchases of 10 or more copies of Year D: A Quadrennial Supplement ...  If your lectionary study group, presbytery, conference, session, council, worship planning team, Sunday school class, reading group, or bookstore would like a discount on a large order, e-mail james (at) wipfandstock.com or tslemmons (at) dbq.edu.

Pentecost Sunday (D)

Exodus 4:1-17 OR Deuteronomy 5:1-15 (6-21) 22-33 OR 31:23-29 OR Daniel 12:1-13

Psalm 119:113-136

Matthew 10:9-23 OR Luke 12:1-12

2Corinthians 11:1-12:1

CALL TO WORSHIP 

The LORD has spoken with a loud voice

from the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness!

Who has heard the voice of the living God speaking,

and remained alive?

Truly the LORD is holy and greatly to be feared!

Yet, just as truly, God may speak to someone and the person may still live.

O LORD, show us your greatness and glory!

Let us hear your voice from the fire!

The LORD has said: If only they had such a mind as this,

to fear me and to keep my commandments always,

that it might go well with them and their children forever!

         Let us draw near and hear what the LORD our God will say.

Let us listen and do all that the LORD commands.

INVOCATION 

O LORD our God, who gave power to Moses to perform signs and wonders, who gives speech to mortals by the Holy Spirit, long ago you made a covenant with all who are here and alive today, when you spoke face to face with our ancestors at the holy mountain! Renew us, we pray, in that covenant of grace! For we live like sheep amidst a generation of wolves. Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us! Fill us with your wisdom and teach us what to say. Give us courage to acknowledge you before others and inspiration to testify to Jesus Christ your Son, that he will in turn acknowledge us before the angels of God! Instruct us anew as your trusting and obedient children to observe your statutes and ordinances, for we know that, when we turn neither to the right nor to the left, but follow the path that you have commanded, it will go well, and we shall live long in this land that you have given us to possess. Yes, fill us with the fullness of your Holy Spirit, that those with whom we share your glorious gospel may believe that you are the LORD, the God of our ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.

CALL TO CONFESSION

Beware of being double-minded and hypocritical. Nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered; nothing is secret that will not become known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and whatever you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. But fear the one who has authority to cast into the fire. For the law of the LORD has been broken. Indeed, it is a witness against our rebellious and stubborn ways, and in time the LORD to act! Therefore, let us lament that God’s law is not kept. Let us learn to hate every false way and direct our steps according to the truth. We confess and renounce our sins, first silently, and then in unison, using the prayer that is printed in your bulletin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Eternal God, Holy and Righteous, your church has been promised in marriage as a chaste virgin bride to one husband, your Son, Jesus Christ. Yet, as the serpent deceived Eve by its cunning, our thoughts too have been led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. You are right to feel divine jealousy, for there are those who proclaim other gospels than the one gospel of Jesus Christ, those who speak in other spirits than the Holy Spirit, and the church of which we are a part, indeed, we ourselves, have submitted to these and become accommodated all too readily. You spurn all who go astray from your statutes; for their cunning is in vain. Yet, your decrees are wonderful; therefore, mindful of our weakness and sin, we now long for your commandments and thirst for your saving Spirit. Make our steps steady according to your promise, and never again let iniquity have dominion over us. Uphold your penitent people according to your promise, that we may live and thrive in your presence. Let not our hope in you be put to shame. Our eyes fail from watching for your salvation, and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servants according to your steadfast love, and give us understanding. Make your face shine upon us, and teach us the Way to eternal life in Jesus Christ.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Blessed be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, for Christ is our hiding place and our shield, and we have hope in him who is the Living Word of God. The unfolding of his words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.  The least little sparrow is not forgotten in God’s sight, and even the hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore, do not be afraid, for you are of more value than many sparrows. The LORD is gracious to all those who love his name. Though there will times of suffering, and in the end, a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations were born, yet at that time you shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book of life. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. But those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. Many shall be purified, cleansed, and refined, but the wicked shall continue to act wickedly. None of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand. Happy are those who persevere, for the one who endures to the end will be saved and shall rise for the reward at the end of days. Blessed be the LORD forever!

Think Progress: Media need to take courses in theology

Here is a helpful article in which the author suggests members of the media should take a few courses in theology. I would only add that we who teach in seminaries normally recommend  — as we have done since before Schleiermacher — starting with survey courses on the Bible.

Meanwhile, the admissions page for Dubuque Seminary would be a good place to start.

7th Sunday of Easter

Jeremiah 9:23-24; 24:1-10

Psalm 115

Mark 11:27-33 [AND Mark 12:35-37 if Ascension not observed]

OR Luke 20:1-8 [AND Luke 20:41-47 is Ascension not observed]

2Corinthians 10

CALL TO WORSHIP

The heavens are the LORD’s heavens,

but the earth he has given to human beings.

Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,

for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.

You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD!

He is our help and our shield.

The LORD has been mindful of us; he will bless us; 

he will bless those who fear the LORD, both small and great.

Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases.

May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.

We will bless the LORD from this time on and forevermore.

Praise the LORD!

INVOCATION

Christ Jesus our Savior, you who are seated at the right hand of God and whose enemies will soon become a footstool for your feet, even King David calls you ‘LORD’! All authority belongs to you, and you, in turn, have authorized your disciples to build and to plant, to pray for an increase of faith, to hope for an enlarged sphere of action in which to reach out with the good news of your kingdom! Therefore, draw near and instruct us in your ways, that we might no longer live according to human standards, but discern the fields that God has assigned to us and proclaim your good news in lands both far and near, for the honor of your holy name, and for the glory of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, with whom you reign as one God, both now and forever!

CALL TO CONFESSION

Those who measure and compare themselves against others do not show good sense. It is not those who commend themselves that are approved, but those whom the LORD commends. Those who manufacture and trust in idols are like the idols themselves. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; they make no sound in their throats. Therefore, let no one make an idol, wither of himself or for himself! But of those who cry out to the LORD, the God of Israel says: “I will build them up, and not tear them down; I will plant them, and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know that I am the LORD; and they shall be my people and I will be their God, for they shall return to me with their whole heart.” Let us confess our sins to God, first silently, and then in unison, using the prayer that is printed in your bulletin.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION

Almighty God, we live among a generation that constantly questions authority. We confess that we too have been slow to heed your messengers, to acknowledge the authority of your Word and your Spirit, to believe and obey the gospel of your Son, our Sovereign, Jesus Christ. We have too often feared human opinions more than your holy judgments. Forgive us, LORD, for our rebellion and for the bad fruit we have borne. Make us new by the transforming power and grace of your Spirit, that we might gain victory over the strongholds that have bound us, and bear good and lasting fruit for the kingdom of your beloved Son, in whose holy name we pray.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise boast in their wisdom, the mighty boast in their might, or the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the LORD. Consider Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who, though meek and gentle did not wage war according to human standards, had divine power to destroy strongholds. He it is who brings down the proud that raise themselves up against the knowledge of God. But you, who are now ransomed and redeemed in Christ, must take every thought captive for obedience to Christ, who by his power and authority, has set you free. I declare to you in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.

SUGGESTED HYMNS:

The Hymnbook

#47 Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies

Ascension (Thursday)

Proverbs 1:1-7

Psalm 119:145-176

Mark 12:35-37 OR Luke 20:41-47

1John 2:3-29

Call to Worship

Let the wise hear and gain in learning.

Let the discerning acquire skill.

         For fools despise wisdom and instruction,

         But the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

Let those who fear the Lord await the Holy Spirit,

that they may come to understand proverbs and figures and words of insight.

         We shall delight in the words of our Savior,

         the Messiah, the Son of David.

For David himself, by the Holy Spirit,

calls his own son, ‘Lord,’ saying,

         “The Lord said to my Lord,

         ‘Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’”

Let those who fear the Lord seek the Holy Spirit,

that they may gain instruction in wisdom and righteousness, justice and equity.

Then we shall teach discernment to the simple,

         the knowledge of the Lord and prudence to the young.

Opening Prayer

Hear us, O God, our heavenly Father, for you are altogether righteous! Surely everyone who does what is right has been born of your will and your Spirit, and those who do your will shall live forever. Come, Lord Jesus, for you are the Christ, the Son of David and the Son of the Living God, and we would abide in you, so that when you are revealed we may have confidence and not be put to shame at your coming. Come, Holy Spirit! For your anointing abides in us, and with you as our teacher, we need no other. For since you teach us all things needful, and your teaching is true and is not a lie, we ask you to descend upon us and remain with us, instructing, inspiring, and sanctifying us, that we may in turn remain in you, abiding in our holy and righteous Triune God.

                                    

Call to Confession

Whoever says, “I have come to know Christ,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist. Whoever says, “I am in the light,” while hating a brother or sister or another believer is still in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and does not know the way to go, because the darkness has brought on blindness. Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desire are passing away. Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour.  Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. But no one who denies the Son has the Father. Such warnings concern those who would deceive God’s elect, but let us not be deceived about sin and righteousness and judgment; rather, let is confess our sin to the One who has already defeated it, that we might be free to abide forever in his truth and love. 

Prayer of Confession [Psalm 119:145a, 146-49, 153-56, 158-60, 176]

With my whole heart I cry;

answer me, O Lord.

I cry to you; save me,

that I may observe your decrees.

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I put my hope in your words.

My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

In your steadfast love hear my voice;

O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.

Look on my misery and rescue me.      

Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise.

Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

Great is your mercy, O Lord;

give me life according to your justice.

I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

Consider how I love your precepts;

preserve my life according to your steadfast love.

The sum of your word is truth;

and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.

Declaration of Forgiveness

Rest assured, old and young, children of God of every age, for you know the Father who is from the beginning; in Christ you have conquered the evil one, and your sins are forgiven in Jesus’ name. Therefore, be strong in faith, for the word of God abides in you. Whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments, for whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. Beloved, to love God and one another is no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet it is ever new and it is true in him and true in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Everyone who confesses Jesus as the Son of God has the Father also. Therefore, let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he has promised us: eternal life. Thanks be to God!

Kierkegaard's Bicentennial OR May the Fifth see you put down Lucas and pick up the great Dane

A friend asked me the other day how best to observe the 200th anniversary of Kierkegaard's birth on May 5, 2013, and my reply was to refer him to the "The Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air: Three Devotional Discourses." These can be found in Vol. XVIII of Kierkegaard's Writings, entitled Without Authority.

The text (Matthew 6) was a source of endless inspiration for Kierkegaard. So the first series of Christian Discourses, KW, Vol. XVII, is also to be enthusiastically recommended: 

More generally, if you want to know: Will the real Kierkegaard please stand up?  ... the discourses of his second (post-1846) authorship (Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits, Works of Love, For Self-Examination, Judge For Yourself, etc.), along with his (also late) higher pseudonymous works (Practice in Christianity, and Sickness Unto Death) are by far his most important works. 

    

And if you don't believe me, read his autobiographical explanation of his authorial/publication strategy in Point of View, and the highly revealing, if not prophetic, footnote, in which he expresses his (necessarily postponed) desire to write on the distinction between Socrates and Jesus Christ, in The Concept of Irony.

 

The point is simply, as I argued in my dissertation, don't get bedazzled by the early pseudonymous (primarily Socratic) works that have become for so many readers and for most of Kierkegaard scholarship, a sort of philosophical cul-de-sac. Read instead what he wrote when he resolved to pick up his pen once again in order to try and "win men, if possible," (and women, too, of course — many of his most avid readers were women) to Christian faith.

Meanwhile, in the interest of avoiding a similar beguilement, see Chapter 2 in my Groans of the Spirit (not my dissertation, but consisting of some dissertation outtakes) in which I argue by way of a discussion of Kierkegaard and Gadamer for giving pneumatology the priority over hermeneutics in any discussion of biblical interpretation for preaching.