My Apology
No, I'm not saying sorry. A theological apology is a formal justification, defense or explanation for what you believe and why. Below I have staged an interview with myself full of questions I'm often asked about my theology and faith. Agree or agree to disagree, knowing that we are unified in what truly matters - salvation in Jesus Christ.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
I think there’s a more important question you could ask me. Has God accepted me as a lost and penitent sinner? The answer to that question is a vehement YES.

But when did you find Christ?
To be quite honest, I’ve never been entirely successful in my “search for Christ”. Perhaps that’s because I’m the lost sheep, the lost coin. None of us are ever separated from God because God is everywhere all the time. God clings to us with a persistent and patient love that never dies. God is here even when I wish He wasn’t. That means that I’m lost and God’s the one finding me, calling me, restoring me.

Does your church have altar calls?
You bet we do. It’s called Holy Communion. Jesus calls us to the altar to forgive our sins, make us new creations and promise eternal life.

When were you born again?
December 13, 1981.

But you were just two months old.
God’s sacraments are not about knowledge or how much we have figured out. Why should being marked with the seal of the Holy Spirit be withheld until we know what’s going on? Baptism without restrictions like age or comprehension levels let God be big and totally in charge. It lets the Holy Spirit work in mysterious ways beyond our logical understanding of faith. Baptism is about what God does, not about the mountaintop experiences we try to create for ourselves. Because when that buzz wears off, I’ll want to create another “starting over moment of purity” and my faith will become all about what I do for God instead of what God has done for me.

I think it’s cool that I can’t remember my baptism. That means God is working in me whether I like it or not, whether I know it or not. It means that God is in control and bestowing faith as a gift to me. It reminds me that everything I do is a mere response to the God who loved me first and chose me first.

Yeah. You’re not answering my questions.
We just use different grammar structures. I try to keep God as the subject of these theological sentences. The Word is about what God has done, is doing and will do to bless, save and love the world. My efforts are secondary, but it’s easy for the things I do to take the driver’s seat. If our conversations always focus on what we do to accept Jesus, we forget to accent the most important part – the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that made our belief possible. If we speak predominately about what we do and what we choose…aren’t we just saving ourselves?

So do you have a problem with adult baptisms?
Not at all. I think it’s beautiful to watch adults becoming part of God’s family. I just don’t think baptism should ever be withheld. Jesus called the little children to him and told us not to stop him. In Acts 16, Paul and Silas’ jailer had his whole family baptized. The church father Origen (185-255) is quoted saying, “The church has been baptizing the children of Christians since the apostles and still now.” Sometimes faith inspires baptism, but sometimes baptism inspires faith. I would never want to limit God and his power in the sacraments.

Lutherans aren’t known for their evangelism skills. Does that word scare you?
Nope. I am a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. I think that the word “evangelical” is first because that is our call as Christians – to share the good news. I try to live as a witness to the freedom and new life that comes from trusting Christ with our burdens and believing that he has defeated the power of sin, death and the power of the devil. This is my joyful call as a Christian.

Unfortunately “evangelism” has some sticky stereotypes and associations. When non-Christians hear the word, they often turn and run because they’re expecting fire and brimstone. Ironically, “evangelism” means being a messenger of the good news. I try to keep this in mind when I’m sharing my beliefs with someone else. I don’t phrase this good news as a “take it or leave it” scenario. Instead, I share the gospel and God’s love with a “too bad, too late – He loves you and chooses you no matter what you decide and you can’t escape it”. I put an emphasis on what God has done and let that speak volumes instead of a weighty decision they must make. You’d be surprised how many people respond with curiosity and faith when other approaches to evangelism have turned them off in the past.


But Is there more than one way to proclaim the gospel?
Everyone shares the gospel in different ways. Some evangelists propose a decision to believe or reject and find great success with unbelievers. I just share the gospel in ways I know my own personality would be receptive to and ways that reflect my own genuine faith. God has called us all to share and care in different ways. As long as we proclaim for the sake of Christ and his love, it is beautiful.