2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

In the adult Sunday School class, we are studying the historical and theological history behind The Nicene Creed. The reason for this is because this year is the 1700th anniversary of the meeting in Nicea. The reason for the meeting was to discuss various topics but at the top of the list was a new teaching that had made its way into some churches. This new teaching was causing quite the stir because it called into question the identity of Jesus.

The question at hand was whether Jesus was the same God as the father. Part of the problem was trying to figure out how it was possible that Jesus could die and yet still be true God as the father is? A pastor named Arius was the one to really popularize this question.

It is good to consider this because as we get back into the school year, we need to remember how important it is to learn how to reason. It is important to think about things in an intentional way. Do we approach the Bible the same way we approach a textbook in school?

While there are some similarities in how we apply logic and science to the Bible, we must always remember to keep them in their proper place. In our study we came across the terms “magisterial” use of logic and “ministerial” use of logic.

Arius was using logic in a magisterial way. He was putting logic ahead of the Bible and making the Bible fit into a logical framework. “How can Jesus die if he is the same as the father?” This question assumes we can answer that question apart from the revealed word of God. This is where Arius went wrong and why the other bishops had to meet to discuss how to address the false teaching that Jesus is a different type of god.

Instead of using logic in a magisterial role he should remember to use logic in a ministerial way. Ministerial has the word minister connected to it. A minister is a servant or one who serves under the authority of someone else. So, logic needs to serve the word of God. Our human logic according to nature is not God. When God wants to do something contrary to our logic and nature, he is teaching us that he is above the laws of nature.

On the other hand, when it comes to the Bible, we must remember it is not intended to fully guide us on the ways of nature but to reveal to us the nature of God in his son Jesus.

What if the Bible was the only textbook on learning the physical qualities and characteristics of water? We would conclude that there is an occasion where a person could walk on water. However, that is not the point of the account of Jesus walking on the water. One must first understand the common characteristics of water before they can understand that when Jesus does this miracle, he is showing not the qualities of water but his identity.

Arius refused to allow his logic to serve the word of God and because of this he didn’t believe in who Jesus was. Arius who himself was a pastor, is in hell unless he repented. Unfortunately for Arius he has a different god, 1 John 2:23, 23 “No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. ”In addition, Jesus’ own words in John 8:19 “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”

Arius begins with God in his hidden identity instead of beginning with Jesus. God is eternal as is Jesus, but eternity is not where we can go to find Jesus. Jesus comes to us in time so that he may save us. God takes upon himself our flesh, which is eternal, dies so that we might live and be with him for eternity. When God becomes man in Jesus it isn’t as if he loses his godliness. Remember, man was made in the image of God to begin with.

So, as we begin a new school year, remember that we are to always be students of God’s word. We should not only come for the Divine Service but also learn with our fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. We should take opportunity to learn about Jesus and how to use our logic in a ministerial way so that we would serve God in truth and love.

John 8:31, “31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

See you on Sunday!

In Christ,
Pastor Ottmers