I just do not get this.
Do we offend Christians, or non-Christians in our ministry? That is the choice put forth in Steve Benke's theology of the tension of offense. I would suggest that the choice has been already made, that God's Law and his Gospel offends the old Adam of all people.
As many are prone to say these days, What Would Jesus Do? Jesus offended those that did not believe in him, calling down judgement on their sins and comparing them to foxes and white washed tombs. He undoubtable offended his own followers when he called Peter the devil. The Law offends the old Adam in both believers and unbelievers!
Likewise he offended his followers when he refused to take up arms and overthrow the government and instead stand silent as that government wrongfully arrested him, beat him and killed him-- the man who hangs on the tree is damned! While he lay in the grave I would not doubt that his disciples cursed God and turned away in unbelief. Likewise, the idea of his resurrection offended the unbelievers so much that they tried to stop it and when it happened they tried to cover it up and looked like fools in the process. Yes, the Gospel offends the Old Adam in both believers and unbelievers!
Thus, in our practice, offense should not be the concern of the Christian. Rather that Law and Gospel be preached boldly, clearly and rightly in our lives, in the Creeds, in the readings, and through the pastor's mouth and that the Sacraments be administered properly in bold faith in the promise of grace that God attached to them. The Word will never return empty, even if it returns with the offended ear of the hearer.
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1 comments:
Well said, Dan.
Benke's theology is being played out in the leadership styles of his church body rather than that kind of offense which comes when Law and Gospel are rightly distinguished and proclaimed.
A juxtaposition: (Rom 14:13) "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother."
But also, (Rom 9:33) "As it is written, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.'"
I think you "get" what Benke is saying quite well -- and you hit the nail on the head, exposing it and addressing it for what it is. It's always encouraging for me to read observations like yours.
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