I recently recorded a Lead Time podcast with Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau, the president of the new Luther Classical College in Wyoming. His writing on the COVID vaccine, pastoral courage (or lack thereof), and the role of the church and state piqued my interest.
I reached out to him and extended an invite to discuss his areas of passion and he quickly agreed. It was a spirited conversation. We could have found points of nuanced disagreement, but the discussion largely focused on our shared struggles with forced vaccination requirements, in some contexts, that stressed many Christian consciences.
Disclaimer: I have not studied the origins of the COVID vaccine as thoroughly as President Ristau. There may have been areas in which I should have asked more questions for clarification. I probably could have gone deeper into understanding the “other side” of the argument before having him on. If I let you down, I am sorry.
Yet, this disclaimer is kind of “the point.” I publicly disclosed, in probably the most clear manner to date, my displeasure with the government and companies mandating an experimental vaccine on the American public. President Ristau vehemently did so. I believe time has shown collusion between big government, big tech, big media, big pharma, and big food in the pursuit of collective greed at the expense of the health of many in the U.S. and around the globe.
You may disagree. You may be surprised at my views and even tempted to stop listening to our podcasts. That would be a bummer. Nonetheless, you are still my brother or sister in Christ.
Or, you may be unsure whether you agree or disagree. You’ve not read and listened to as many commentaries on this problem. Maybe you’re just trying to make it in your various vocations and you think it is a waste of time to worry, or even comment, on such things. God is in control. You are still my brother or sister in Christ.
Humans have a tendency to believe that other humans are their opinions and beliefs. We think their opinions and beliefs are their identity. This is incorrect. Our identity is a baptized child of God, washed of all of our sins, righteous, holy, dearly loved, a royal priesthood, a person who belongs to God. Period.
This is very good news. It is the best news.
President Ristau and I are Lutheran leaders who agree on this point. We also agreed upon areas where Lutheran leaders could have been more courageous in leading through COVID. There are areas where I could have been more courageous. I’ve repented of my sin. I’ve received forgiveness in Christ. I did the best I could to lead with the knowledge I had at the time. I believe other leaders tried to do the same.
President Ristau and I could have focused on areas of disagreement, as nuanced as it may have been. We could have discussed worship, the role of women in ministry, how lay leaders serve as the priesthood, how the church raises up leaders, oversight of the Lord’s Supper, etc. We may talk through these items next time. When/if that time comes, I will think of President Ristau as my friend, colleague, and partner in the Gospel. I will not consider him my enemy in need of correcting.
My prayer is that some of the ULC podcasts model developing friendship and deepening thought partnerships with people who may not normally mix in the various tribes of the LCMS.
We’ve become too tribal in the LCMS. I’ve said this publicly many times. It is unhealthy. It has withered trust. We’ve developed caricatures of the other. A chronically anxious spirit among us needs the peace of the risen and reigning Jesus.
If my podcast with President Ristau offended you in any way and led you to question whether you can learn with the ULC into the future, well, and I’m not being sarcastic…I guess that was part of the point. We should agree. At least until we don’t. Then, disagree agreeably working toward unity and Christian love.
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