Thursday, November 1, 2007
1 Corinthians 8:10-13 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
EXAMPLES FROM THE REFORMATION: CARLSTADT
He was one of the few men who publicly expressed agreement with the 95 theses when Martin Luther posted them. Andreas Von Bodenstein was a professor at the University of Wittenberg with Martin Luther. He began the Leipzig debate with John Eck, but Luther finished it. If the name Andreas Bodenstein doesn't sound familiar, it's because we know him as Carlstadt.
Carlstadt was eager for reformation, eager for change -- but often too eager. When Martin Luther went into protective hiding in the Wartburg castle, Carlstadt put his plan in action. He turned the congregation at Wittenberg into a mob. He encouraged them to tear down statues, artwork, and crosses. He preached against music in the church. While Martin Luther had said it was wrong for the Catholic church to forbid marriage to priests, Carlstadt said they had to marry and he led the way by marrying a teenage girl. Finally, the Elector kicked him out of Saxony altogether. Carlstadt trampled the faith of the simple because he sought change too quickly. He is a poor example.
St. Paul said that if the eating of meat offered to an idol would trouble a fellow Christian, he would never again eat meat. He was concerned about the faith of his fellow believers, especially the simple. We should be as concerned.
As the days pass and we are faced with changes in tradition, we should also in Christian love take care that we do not offend or trouble the young and the simple. In these matters we will proceed slowly and not insist upon our rights. We will stick to Scripture and exercise our faith in love.
All are redeemed, both far and wide,
Since Thou, O Lord, for all hast died.
Oh, teach us, whatsoever betide,
To love them all in Thee!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 439:4)
