"In the first place, I ask that people make no reference to my name; let them call themselves Christians, not Lutherans. What is Luther? After all, the teaching is not mine [John 7:16]. Neither was I crucified for anyone [1 Cor. 1:13]. St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3, would not allow the Christians to call themselves Pauline or Petrine, but Christian. How then should I-- poor stinking bag of maggots that I am -- come to have people call the children of Christ by my wretched name? Not so, my dear friends; let us abolish all party names and call ourselves Christians, after him whose teaching we have."
     Martin Luther-- 1522

Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear my children reporting at home about playground conversations with their elementary classmates regarding how they define or express their religious backgrounds. Labels are important for our own self-definition, but they oftentimes fall short of what they need to do. Of course, ultimately these reports from school come back to a basic question-- "What is the relationship between Lutheran and Christian?"

Some days I think Lutheran Christians need to reclaim this title "Lutheran" because I often feel our expression of the Lordïs church is more a best kept secret than a party-spirited rallying cry. Other days I become so enriched by the faith and commitment of our ecumenical church partners that I can do without the label "Lutheran" and settle in to simply "Christian." Many days I live -- sometimes comfortably and sometimes not so comfortably -- with the tension. I appreciate the plot of ground on which I stand. But I also know that all particular spots upon which we stand rest chiefly upon Christ or they become shaky and shifting.

Let us pray. . . Lord, we thank you for our particular experience of your church. We also thank you for the shared experiences of those from other corners of your kingdom. Help us to lift up together the name of Christ in all we say and do. Amen

Contributed by Pastor Dan
Published Monday May 26, 2003
Week 26 of Liturgical Year B