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Lutheran Central |
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NY Pastor Shares Thoughts On Matter and Speaks Of Petition |
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I'd like to share two thoughts on the Benke matter:
--St. Paul in Athens (Acts 17) seems to provide a somewhat analogous
situation to Yankee Stadium. Paul enters a "marketplace of religions"
(literally!). He makes a statement that acknowledges that, in some sense,
all people are brothers and sisters ("We are all his offspring" - v. 28,29).
He recognizes the legitimacy of the thirst for God expressed in the human
religious impulse (vv. 22-23, 27) But after beginning with these universal
themes, he moves to focus to Jesus Christ. Isn't this, essentially, what
Dr. Benke did? First affirm our common humanity before God, then focus on
Christ as our true hope? One had best be careful about throwing stones at
Dr. Benke, lest one hit St. Paul who stands squarely behind him.
--I'm struck by how Dr. Benke's critics treat this matter as if it were
simply an abstract exercise in theology. Since most of them reside in
places far, far from Ground Zero, they have that luxury. We in the metro
NYC area, who have eaten and slept this tragedy for over nine months, are
denied that luxury. We've looked into too many sad eyes, attended too many
memorial events. The planes that penetrated the sides of those buildings
also pierced our little vacuum-sealed LCMS reality. The enormity of the
event, the need for healing and hope, was such that "normal" rules of
engagement (or disengagement!) simply seemed beside the point. I know that
my conservative brothers and sisters consider this line of argument
"emotionalistic"--but frankly, a theology that can't connect with human
reality is an impoverished, hothouse theology that doesn't do justice to God
or humanity.
I have a petition from my congregation with 125 signatures calling for Dr.
Benke's reinstatement. (What my people keep saying over and over again is:
"He was the only one who mentioned Jesus! How can he be in trouble for
that?") We plan to present our petition to Dr. Kieschnick (and mail it to
all concerned). I encourage other congregations to do the same. And may
the precious Name of Jesus be exalted!
Cordially,
Pastor David Anglin
St. Paul's Lutheran Church/Amityville, NY
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