I received the following question on yesterday's post, and thought it would be good to reply to it on the blog. It is edited, but the root of the question is still there.
Hi Pastor! I just read today's blogpost ... regarding confession at the beginning of the worship service. Hmmmm. We have the confession & absolution at the end of our service . . . partly because it makes sense. I'm wondering if you've changed your mind now ... or were you just addressing Divine Service ... or does it really even matter?!?!
The first thing to point out is that whenever we do anything as Christians we want to ask ourselves, "What does God's Word say about this issue?" If it speaks on the issue, that is our position. We conform ourselves to what God says and not the other way around. Another way to say that is this; God's Word is the rule and norm for everything we believe and do. If God's Word doesn't speak directly to an issue we leave it as a matter of freedom.
God's Word has a lot to say about atonement and forgiveness. Yesterday's reading from Exodus 29 gave graphic testimony to the need for atonement for Aaron and his sons before entering the priesthood. Additionally, the Word says that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The Word also teaches that His one death was died for all; the righteous one (Jesus) dying for the unrighteous ones (us).
Furthermore, it is essential for us to remember that righteousness is something that is given to us through Jesus' death and resurrection. Romans 3 speaks eloquently to this: ". . . no one will be declared righteous in [God's] sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
This atonement is the main thing for our faith, and, therefore, it is the main thing in our worship services. "The righteous will live by faith."
Now, that being said, we should ask what God's Word says about worship. When we do, we find that the Bible is more descriptive than prescriptive. There are descriptions of worship in the Old Testament, and records of preaching in the New Testament. But the only prescription, or command, that we have for worship is that it be done in a "fitting and orderly way." (1 Cor 14:40 NIV) I would translate this passage, "But do all things properly and according to good order."
A worship service should have order. It shouldn't be chaotic. It should be proper; that is focused on the right things, which is forgiveness and the righteousness of God given to us in Christ through the Word and Sacraments.
When Christians gather for worship, we gather as people who are forgiven and in need of forgiveness. We are righteous in Christ, but we know we are unrighteous because of our sins. This is the paradox of our existence. We are simil justus et peccator - at the same time saint and sinner.
Confession and absolution are an important part of our worship because God's Word comforts us by giving us forgiveness. (This is important: God's Word gives forgiveness, and does not merely tell us about it.) In addition the only way we can enter into the presence of God is through His absolution/forgiveness.
It does NOT follow, though, that every worship service MUST start with confession and absolution. There are a few reasons for this:
So whether or not we speak of forgiveness of sins and Christ's atonement is not at all a matter of freedom for us. We have no other message or hope than Jesus crucified and risen. There is no other reason for us to gather! But how we proclaim that message, as long as we're consistent with God's Word, is not commanded by God. Nor is the timing of when that forgiveness is proclaimed in a worship service commanded.
The heart of the matter when we gather is we want to proclaim forgiveness and salvation in Jesus' name. And it doesn't happen only at one point. It happens throughout the service! It happens in confession and absolution. It happens in the reading of the Word. It happens in the sermon. And it definitely happens in the Lord's Supper.
Thanks for the question. I love having the opportunity to hear what you are thinking and respond. I hope this helps clarify the issue.
Hi Pastor! I just read today's blogpost ... regarding confession at the beginning of the worship service. Hmmmm. We have the confession & absolution at the end of our service . . . partly because it makes sense. I'm wondering if you've changed your mind now ... or were you just addressing Divine Service ... or does it really even matter?!?!
The first thing to point out is that whenever we do anything as Christians we want to ask ourselves, "What does God's Word say about this issue?" If it speaks on the issue, that is our position. We conform ourselves to what God says and not the other way around. Another way to say that is this; God's Word is the rule and norm for everything we believe and do. If God's Word doesn't speak directly to an issue we leave it as a matter of freedom.
God's Word has a lot to say about atonement and forgiveness. Yesterday's reading from Exodus 29 gave graphic testimony to the need for atonement for Aaron and his sons before entering the priesthood. Additionally, the Word says that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness. The Word also teaches that His one death was died for all; the righteous one (Jesus) dying for the unrighteous ones (us).
Furthermore, it is essential for us to remember that righteousness is something that is given to us through Jesus' death and resurrection. Romans 3 speaks eloquently to this: ". . . no one will be declared righteous in [God's] sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus."
This atonement is the main thing for our faith, and, therefore, it is the main thing in our worship services. "The righteous will live by faith."
Now, that being said, we should ask what God's Word says about worship. When we do, we find that the Bible is more descriptive than prescriptive. There are descriptions of worship in the Old Testament, and records of preaching in the New Testament. But the only prescription, or command, that we have for worship is that it be done in a "fitting and orderly way." (1 Cor 14:40 NIV) I would translate this passage, "But do all things properly and according to good order."
A worship service should have order. It shouldn't be chaotic. It should be proper; that is focused on the right things, which is forgiveness and the righteousness of God given to us in Christ through the Word and Sacraments.
When Christians gather for worship, we gather as people who are forgiven and in need of forgiveness. We are righteous in Christ, but we know we are unrighteous because of our sins. This is the paradox of our existence. We are simil justus et peccator - at the same time saint and sinner.
Confession and absolution are an important part of our worship because God's Word comforts us by giving us forgiveness. (This is important: God's Word gives forgiveness, and does not merely tell us about it.) In addition the only way we can enter into the presence of God is through His absolution/forgiveness.
It does NOT follow, though, that every worship service MUST start with confession and absolution. There are a few reasons for this:
- First, God does not command any particular order to a worship service. Indeed, He leaves a lot of freedom in this area in the how of our worship.
- The focus of our worship on the other hand is very rigid. It is salvation through Jesus' Christ, crucified, risen, ascended and coming again. Forgiveness and reconciliation must be proclaimed through the Cross of Christ. Apart from that message it is not Christian Worship.
- We are not the first Christians, and the practice of the Church over the last 2000 years teaches us that not all worship services had corporate confession and absolution. Matins is a good example of this. While there is no corporate confession and absolution in this liturgy, it is very much focused on God's salvation.
- As a matter of principle when someone says that something has to be one way or another we become very cautious. We do not want to set up any law apart from God's Word. Salvation is always a free gift, and we do not earn it in any way, shape, or form. To say we have to have a particular order in our worship runs the risk of setting that activity as a requirement or work that contributes to our salvation. The Bible is clear we do not contribute to our salvation at all.
So whether or not we speak of forgiveness of sins and Christ's atonement is not at all a matter of freedom for us. We have no other message or hope than Jesus crucified and risen. There is no other reason for us to gather! But how we proclaim that message, as long as we're consistent with God's Word, is not commanded by God. Nor is the timing of when that forgiveness is proclaimed in a worship service commanded.
The heart of the matter when we gather is we want to proclaim forgiveness and salvation in Jesus' name. And it doesn't happen only at one point. It happens throughout the service! It happens in confession and absolution. It happens in the reading of the Word. It happens in the sermon. And it definitely happens in the Lord's Supper.
Thanks for the question. I love having the opportunity to hear what you are thinking and respond. I hope this helps clarify the issue.
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