American Spectator Magazine Covers the Luther Seminary Meltdown

 

Article author - Ellie Gardey Holmes - A Notre Dame Alumnus

For over a century, Luther Seminary has called its beautiful campus in St. Paul, Minnesota, home. Apart from its buildings in the Collegiate Gothic style, the campus is also the site of the log cabin Old Muskego Church. The chapel was constructed in 1844 by devoutly Lutheran Norwegian immigrants in Wisconsin. In 1904, the chapel was transported, piece by piece, to Luther Seminary’s campus.

Luther’s students and faculty are now leaving all of that behind. Last week, the seminary’s board of directors announced that they have voted to sell the campus. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal has reported that the value of the site is greater than $8.7 million.

While the seminary was once the bustling home of those aspiring to become pastors in the nation’s largest Lutheran denomination, it has in recent years grown increasingly quiet. More and more students have opted to simply take classes online on a part-time basis. Meanwhile, international students have become a large portion of those populating the physical campus. Luther Seminary remains, however, the ELCA’s largest seminary.

Over the decades, those aspiring to be pastors in mainline denominations such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have grown increasingly older. The number of pastors who work full-time jobs in addition to their time preaching on Sundays has also grown. Online learning options therefore make more sense to this majority for whom being a pastor is a capstone achievement rather than a life mission.

Robin Steinke is on the left of the other professor.

The seminary is seeking to purchase a much smaller physical location in Minneapolis, at which “periodic in-person learning” will take place. Evidently, the online model will take over, with occasional seminars to reinforce the seminary’s mission. This model, said the seminary’s president, the Rev. Robin Steinke, will make the school more “nimble.” She explained, “The way students learn and prepare for ministry has changed. Now is the right time to align our resources with that reality and evolve how we deliver on our mission.” [gag, ptui]

Luther Seminary has experienced an endless downward spiral of lower and lower enrollments alongside financial difficulties. Its enrollment has fallen from more than 600 students in 2007 to 183 students in 2024, when measured by full-time student equivalency, according to the Association of Theological Schools. Its current president arrived at the school after the previous president resigned following multimillion-dollar deficits. Many, if not most, mainline seminaries have experienced similar fates.

Luther Seminary’s decline also matches that of the ELCA more generally. According to religion statistician Ryan Burge, from 2003 to 2023, the membership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America declined 46 percent. While the ELCA had just under 5 million members in 2003, that number fell to 2.79 million baptized members in 2023. 

What is astounding about Luther Seminary’s decline is that almost all students receive a full-tuition scholarship. Even still, potential students don’t think losing several years of income is worth the value of the degree. The problem, at base, is that the ELCA is struggling to attract candidates for ordination.

*****

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a left-leaning denomination. It has, since its formation, ordained women as pastors. In 2009, the denomination allowed “LGBTQIA+ individuals” to be ordained. On abortion, the denomination says, “A developing life in the womb does not have an absolute right to be born, nor does a pregnant woman have an absolute right to terminate a pregnancy.” Officially, the church says that it “lacks consensus” on the topic of homosexuality, but the reality is much different.

This Pride Month, the week before the ELCA’s largest seminary announced the upcoming closure of its campus, the denomination’s presiding bishop, Elizabeth Eaton, delivered a message to her church in which she said the teachings of the apostle Paul and Martin Luther call people to “honor the full dignity of every person: every sex, every gender, and every body.” (RELATED: How Naivety Is Allowing Unbiblical Progressivism Into Evangelical Churches)

“We have a chance to renew our commitments to the LGBTQIA+ community,” she further said, “to speak with grace and unity that we are a part of God’s great creation.”

On its website, Luther Seminary prominently features a “land acknowledgment” about its campus: “Luther Seminary is on Miní Sóta Makhóčhe, the homelands of the Dakhóta Oyáte. The Ojibwe, Ho-Chunk, Cheyenne, Oto, Iowa, and the Sac & Fox also inhabited Minnesota land.”

Perhaps Luther Seminary will decide to give back its stolen land.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 1 Lazarus - "So we see now in the example of the rich man that it is impossible to love, where no faith exists, and impossible to believe, where there is no love; for both will and must be together, so that a believer loves everybody and serves everybody; but an unbeliever at heart is an enemy of everybody and wishes to be served by every person and yet he covers all such horrible, perverted sins with the little show of his hypocritical works as with a sheep’s skin; just as that large bird, the ostrich, which is so stupid that when it sticks its head into a bush, it thinks its entire body is concealed. Yea, here you see that there is nothing kinder and more unmerciful than unbelief."

 

First Sunday after Trinity

6. But where unbelief reigns man is absorbed by these vanities, he cleaves to them, seeks them and has no rest until he has acquired them, and after he possesses them, he feeds and fattens himself with them as the swine wallow in the mire, and finds at the same time his happiness and felicity there. He never inquires how his heart stands with his God and what he possesses in God and may expect from him; but his belly is his God; and if he cannot get what he wants, he imagines things are going wrong. And lo, these dreadful and wicked fruits of unbelief the rich man does not see, he covers them over, and blinds his own eyes by the good works of his pharisaical life, and hardens himself until no teaching, exhortation, threatening nor promise can help him. Behold, this is the secret sin which to-day’s Gospel punishes and condemns.

7. From this now follows the other sin, that he forgets to exercise love toward his neighbor; for there he lets poor Lazarus lie at his door, and offers him not the least assistance. And if he had not wished to help him personally, he should have commanded his servants to take him in and care for him. It may have been, he knew nothing of God and had never experienced his goodness. For whoever feels the goodness of God, feels also for the misfortune of his neighbor; but whoever is not conscious of the goodness of God, sympathizes not in the misfortune of his neighbor.

Therefore as he has no pleasure in God, he has no heart for his neighbor.

8. For the nature of faith is that it expects all good from God, and relies only on God. For from this faith man knows God, how he is good and gracious, that by reason of such knowledge his heart becomes so tender and merciful, that he wishes cheerfully to do to every one, as he experiences God has done to him. Therefore he breaks forth with love and serves his neighbor out of his whole heart, with his body and life, with his means and honor, with his soul and spirit, and makes him partaker of all he has, just like God did to him. Therefore he does not look after the healthy, the high, the strong, the rich, the noble, the holy persons, who do not need his care; but he looks after the sick, the weak, the poor, the despised, the sinful people, to whom he can be of benefit, and among whom he can exercise his tender heart, and do to them as God has done to him.

9. But the nature of unbelief is that it does not expect any good from God. By which unbelief the heart is blinded so that it neither feels nor knows how good and gracious God is; but as Psalm 14:2 says: he cares not for God, seeks not after him. Out of this blindness follows further that his heart becomes so hard, obdurate and unmerciful that he has no desire to do a kindness to his fellow man; yea, he would rather harm and offend everybody. For as he is insensible to the goodness of God, so he takes no pleasure in doing good to his neighbor. Consequently it follows that he does not look after the sick, poor and despised people, to whom he could and should be helpful and profitable; but he casts his eyes upward and sees only the high, rich and influential, from whom he himself may receive advantage, gain, pleasure and honor.

10. So we see now in the example of the rich man that it is impossible to love, where no faith exists, and impossible to believe, where there is no love; for both will and must be together, so that a believer loves everybody and serves everybody; but an unbeliever at heart is an enemy of everybody and wishes to be served by every person and yet he covers all such horrible, perverted sins with the little show of his hypocritical works as with a sheep’s skin; just as that large bird, the ostrich, which is so stupid that when it sticks its head into a bush, it thinks its entire body is concealed. Yea, here you see that there is nothing kinder and more unmerciful than unbelief. For here the dogs, the most irascible animals, are more merciful to poor Lazarus than this rich man, and they recognize the need of the poor man and lick his sores; while the obdurate, blinded hypocrite is so hard hearted that he does not wish him to have the crumbs that fell from his table.

11. Now all unbelieving people are like this rich hypocrite. Unbelief cannot do nor be different than this rich man is pictured and set forth by his life.

And especially is this the character of the clergy-, as we see before our eyes, who never do a truly good work, but only seek a good time, never serving nor profiting any one; but reversing the order they want everybody to serve them. Like harpies they only claw everything into their own pockets; and like the old adage runs they “rob the poor of his purse.” They are not moved in the least by the poverty of others. And although some have not expensive food and raiment, yet they do not lack will power and the spirit of action; for they imitate the rich, the princes and the lords, and do many hypocritically good works by founding institutions and building churches, with which they conceal the great rogue, the wolf of unbelief; so that they become obdurate and hardened and are of no use to anybody.

These are the rich man.

Studio B Is Starting Its Trials Today

 

Studio B Is Starting Its Trials Today

Some of the equipment is ready, thanks to modular devices, and more should come soon. The idea is to broadcast using the outdoors from inside.

Zoom has provided the hours of anguish that come from new approaches, which are a far cry from UStream and other attempts. Ustream was a boon, especially since I was gifted with a web camera. 

Studio B is where the birds gather together in a combination of roses, butterfly flowers, and various examples of God's Creation.

Catastrophic Disaster - The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - Plus the Pee-Wees

 

Unfortunately I landed on a video of two LCMS clergy discussing how horrible Archbishop Liz Eaton was when they asked about ELCA liturgical language. She talked about the Gospel (schock!) while they said it must be Scripture (as endorsed by CFW Walther, taught by his Bishop Martin Stephan, STD. Yes, Walther signed the bishop's paper before they went ashore at New Orleans.)

To be more precise - both groups argue the same error by declaring the entire world to be absolved of all sin, using Objective or Universal Justification (yet absent in the Scriptures).

Justification by Faith has no cosmetics to turn it into Universalism and or plain atheism from their Father Below. Walther and Pieper are just as bad as Eaton, just as proud of themselves, just as sure of their blind eyes.

Tokens of atonement - I may be wrong, but I have found a lot of synonyms about the Atonement but only one Justification by Faith. Notice that the faux-Lutherans, whatever their claims, cling to their imaginary OJ, UOJ, and UJ while daintily avoiding Justification by Faith, the Chief Article of Christianity.

The Atonement is what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross, through hideous torture and death.

More later.

Part Two - ELCA in Despair - They All Came Tumbling Down

 

Part One - ELCA Seminary Summarized Merger Disasters

LSTC - Seven mergers rolled into one stink-bomb.

Luther Seminary - Partnered Northwestern Seminary, Sinking Fast

United - Gettysburg and Philadelphia - New President Accused of Heterosexualism

Pacific - Rolled Down the Hill, To Make Room for Muslim Education

Part Two - Even Worse ELCA Seminary Mergers?

• Southern is the nickname for the $30,000 a year cost to study at Lenore-Ryne College, where the chickens have come home to roost. They include various denominations (Babtist, Mefdist) to beef up their enrollment. Shrinking and moving the seminary has become a lively sport in ELCA.
• Trinity in Columbus gathered Hamma Seminary at Capital University to shame the Scriptures, the Reformation, and their $90 million losing lawsuit. 55 students? Maybe less. Sodom and Gomorrah is their theme, which they were parading decades ago, as I saw on their notices about upcoming ordination.

• Wartburg Seminary promotes the DEI pronouns, which are hilariously goofy on their faculty page, only for some of the women and men, looking like fad-conscious grammar idiots. 

Their grammar is not so hot either - "It’s always a great idea to seek out additional funding sources.  We maintains (sic) a list of outside scholarship opportunities."

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 1 - " Here one traces the secret sins of his heart as the evil fruit. For where faith is, there is no anxiety for fine clothing and sumptuous feasting, yea, there is no longing for riches, honor, pleasure, influence and all that is not God himself; but there is a seeking and a striving for and a cleaving to nothing except to God, the highest good alone; it is the same to him whether his food be dainty or plain, whether his clothing be fine or homespun."

 

First Sunday after Trinity

Text. Luke 16:19-31. Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they who would pass front hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.


1. We have hitherto heard in our Gospel lessons of various examples of faith and of love; for as they all teach faith and love, I hope you are abundantly and sufficiently informed that no human being can be pleasing to God unless he believes and loves. Now in this Gospel text the Lord presents to us at the same time an example of faith and of unbelief or of the state of the godless, in order that we also may abhor the contrary and the opposite of faith and love, and that we may cleave to faith and love more diligently.

For here we see the judgment of God upon the believers and the unbelievers, which is both dreadful and comforting. Dreadful to the faithless and comforting to the faithful. But in order that we may the better grasp the meaning of this text we must picture to ourselves both the rich man and poor Lazarus. In the rich man we see the nature of unbelief and in Lazarus the nature of belief.

PART I. THE RICH MAN.

2. We must not view the rich man according to his outward conduct; for he is in sheep’s clothing, his life glitters and shines beautifully, while he tactfully conceals the wolf. For this Gospel text does not accuse him of adultery, of murder, or robbery, of violence or of having done anything that the world or reason would censure. Yea, he has been as honorable and respectable in his life as that Pharisee who fasted twice a week and was not as other men, of whom Luke 18:11f. speaks. For had he committed such glaring sins the Gospel would have mentioned them since it examines him so particularly that it describes even the purple robe he wore and the food he ate, which are only external matters and God does not judge according to them. Therefore he must have led outwardly an exemplary, holy life; and according to his own opinion and that of others, he must have kept the whole law of Moses.

3. But we must look into his heart and judge his spirit. For the Gospel has penetrating eyes and sees deep into the secret recesses of the soul; reproves also the works which reason cannot reprove, and looks not at the sheep’s clothing, but at the true fruit of the tree to learn whether it is good or not, as the Lord teaches in Matthew 7:17. Hence if we judge this rich man according to the fruits of faith, we will find a heart and a tree of unbelief. For the Gospel chastises him that he fares sumptuously every day and clothes himself so richly, which reason never considers as especially great sins. Besides, the work-righteous people think it is right, and that they are worthy of it, and have merited it by virtue of their holy lives, and they do not see how they thus sin by their unbelief.

4. For this rich man is not punished because he indulged in sumptuous fare and fine clothes; since many saints, kings and queens in ancient times wore costly apparel, as Solomon, Esther, David, Daniel and others; but because his heart was attached to them, sought them, trusted in and chose them, and because he found in them all his joy, delight and pleasure; and made them in fact his idols. This Christ indicates by the words “every day,” that he lived thus sumptuously daily, continuously. From this is seen that he diligently sought and chose such a life, was not forced to it nor was he in it by accident, or because of his office or to serve his neighbor; but he only thereby gratified his own lust, and lived to himself and served only himself.

5. Here one traces the secret sins of his heart as the evil fruit. For where faith is, there is no anxiety for fine clothing and sumptuous feasting, yea, there is no longing for riches, honor, pleasure, influence and all that is not God himself; but there is a seeking and a striving for and a cleaving to nothing except to God, the highest good alone; it is the same to him whether his food be dainty or plain, whether his clothing be fine or homespun. For although they even do wear costly clothes, possess great influence and honor, yet they esteem none of these things; but are forced to them, or come to them by accident, or they are compelled to use them in the service of others.

ELCA in Despair - They All Came Tumbling Down

 

LSTC built their dark and brooding disaster near the U. of Chicago. Whoopie.

 Maywood was created by selling the Chicago Cubs, the World Series victor...finally.

As many know, Christina and I were graduating from Augustana College and getting married at the end of 1969. People said, "Oh, you are going to attend Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago!" I said, "No." 

"Why not?" Answer - "Chicago." LSTC moved out of Maywood Seminary in Chicago, into the grand and glorious new buildings. LSTC was glued together from seven seminaries and it kept shrinking faster than wool socks in the dryer. They had to abandon their hideous LSTC to adopt a morganatic marriage with the Roman Catholics, renting a floor. 

They sold the LSTC to move to the Roman Catholic merger of mergers. But wait, there's more.

Luther Seminary, once known as Luther-Northwestern Seminary, has sold off its property - as they were already doing - to find a new nest to lay more rotten eggs. It was quite large at one point, but numbers shrink while costs soar.

Philadelphia-Gettysburg is a fairly recent merger of two more ELCA seminaries, known for each one's loathing for the other. The merger began with the students accusing the new leader of having heterosexual tendencies. 

 Latini was ousted as the first Gettysburg-Philly Seminary President.

Pacific Seminary sold its campus to Muslims so they could go down the mountain and rent some space.

Awfully Funny with the Emphasis on Awful - LutherQuest And Precious Subjective or Maybe Objective Behavior

 

The Waltherians Are Clueless, Which Is Why They Love ELCA

“DEFINITION OF JUSTIFICATION.

“As soon as a contrite sinner believes the divine promises of grace which for Christ's sake is offered to him in the Gospel, or as soon as he puts his trust in the vicarious satisfaction which Christ has made for the sins of the world by His perfect obedience, he is justified, or declared righteous before God, Rom. 3: 23-24. This is the so-called subjective justification, Rom. 4: 6, or the personal application, through faith, of the merits which Christ has secured for the whole world by His substitutionary atonement (objective justification), 2 Cor. 5: 19 ff…

“Subjective justification may therefore be defined as the act of God by which He removes from the believer the sentence of condemnation to which he is subject because of his sin, releases him from his guilt, and ascribes to him the merit of Christ.

“When defining justification by faith, we must bear in mind that justification by faith without works is based upon the justification of the whole world, secured by Christ's vicarious satisfaction and offered to all men in the Gospel, Acts 10: 43. Because of the objective justification (reconciliation) subjective justification takes place “freely," Rom. 3: 24, no work on the sinner's part being necessary to complete the justification of Christ. If the vicarious satisfaction of Christ is denied, no room is left for justification by faith. On the other hand, the perfect redemption effected by Christ leaves no room for the papistic justification by works. The Gospel contains full pardon for every sinner, and as soon as he accepts the pardon by faith, he is justified subjectively.”

(Mueller, Christian Dogmatics, 367-8)

One of the challenges of Lutheran theology is to be able to explain clearly, biblically, and without resorting to unfamiliar categorizations the doctrine of Justification. It seems as though oftentimes even Lutherans have trouble distinguishing between what is called objective and subjective justification. Indeed, most Lutherans outside the old Synodical Conference do not have a tradition of using these terms, and even LCMS Lutherans may wonder what exactly they mean, or if they are simply an archaic legacy of Walther and Pieper. Some may even go so far as to say that the terms are helpful, but not absolutely necessary when explaining the doctrine of Justification.

Part of the issue is that Melanchthon’s magisterial Apology IV is not a thetic, systemic presentation of Justification. Gerhard attempted to fill the gap with his Justification through Faith, but his also admirable work is hampered by relying upon scholastic categories to define the doctrine via causes. Neither Melanchthon, Gerhard, nor the later orthodox dogmaticians use the terms objective or subjective justification.

The reason that these terms came to exist in the Missouri Synod was due to a close understanding of the Book of Concord, particularly Luther’s Smalcald Articles. Here, Luther defines the chief article in as succinct, biblical, thetic fashion as he ever would. Romans 4:25 is significantly the first point, followed by John 1:29, Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23-4, and finally Romans 3:28 and 26. The first four passages define what the LCMS would term objective justification, while the last two verses define what is called subjective justification. Luther himself does not use these terms.

Women Bishops in ELCA - A New Turnover - 60/40 Favoring Women

 

The latest ELCA woman bishop above follows the NY female bishop - Katrina Foster - with a wife and "kid."

The first four women bishops, including Liz Eaton, posed for their onslaught against the male bishops taking away their perks. Liz quickly rose to become the Archbishop of ELCA.

ELCA Bishops Who Happen to Be Women

If the posted numbers are true, with two more female bishops replacing male bishops, the teeter-totter is more like 60% female to 40% male bishops. Oh, what a glorious time to young and full of adventure, breaking all barriers, leaving the victims behind on the side of the road!

"One Ring to rule them all, and in the Darkness bind them!"

Feast of the Holy Trinity - 2025.

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Pastor Gregory Jackson

Springdale, Arkansas 72762

• The melody site is linked here.
• TLH Lyrics and artwork are here.

The Hymn # 476                              Ten Thousand Times Ten Thousand              

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: 

of Him and through Him and to Him are all things.

Psalm. O Lord, our Lord: 

how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who hast given unto us, Thy servants, grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity and in the power of the Divine Majesty to worship the Unity, we beseech Thee that Thou wouldst lump us steadfast in this faith and evermore defend us from all adversities; who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, who beholdest the deep; 

and who dwellest between the cherubim.

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: 

and greatly to be praised forever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers: 

and greatly to be praised and glorified forever. Hallelujah!

   

The Gospel               

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Athanasian Creed             p. 53
The Hymn # 246                              Holy, Holy, Holy       

We Praise Thy Name

The Hymn #250                  Holy God We Praise Thy Name

The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657                                  Beautiful Savior          

Prayers and Announcements

• Diagnosis and treatment - Sarah Buck, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit Way, Lito Cruz; those with emotional and metabolic distress.
• Happy Father's Day!

     

KJV Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

For God So Loved the World

KJV John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

Two leaders, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea (Mark 15:43-45), risked their lives in dealing with the convicted person, Jesus. 

(Mark 14:46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. 

They were both high in the ranks and therefore the most vulnerable. This episode might be called a prequel, Jesus knowing all about Nicodemus, who was soon to understand genuine faith in the Savior. 

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

Coming to Jesus in the pitch black night was good proof that Nicodemus was cautious, fearful. A knock on the door would give me goosebumps, but Jesus already knew this. Nicodemus honored Jesus as one of God's teachers and a miracle worker besides. However, he was timid in approaching the Son of God, as many are today. That is really the theme of this passage - being tentative, shy, and anxious.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Jesus countered with a black and white statement, a yes or no. Verily twice was emphatic, there is no maybe with seeing/experiencing the Kingdom of God. Testing Jesus is a way of Nicodemus displaying his tentative trust in the Savior. Our lives are filled with that much and more. Fears in our lives and faith in God are a battle, and many fall over onto the side on fears, which is natural. This is a battle between fear and faith.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

The emphasis from Jesus is so strong that Nicodemus, highly educated, falls into absurdity. That shows us how easily someone falls down the fear slide, sometimes to the bottom. What we want is absolute insurance and a few back-ups as well. The dial for us has to move over to certainty to take comfort in what we expect.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

This is the turning point of the passage. "Never take counsel of your fears," as the saying goes. This is clearly stated in John 16:9 - the Spirit condemns those who do not believe in Jesus. The Spirit (also known as the Word) does not condemn except for not believing in the Savior. It is very convenient to be condemning all the time, when one statement alone condemns those who do not trust the Good Shepherd, which is beautifully described in Luke 15. The lamb is lost and alone, bleating away, and the Savior lifts it up, takes it home, and rejoices with all his friends - he was lost but now is found, -

Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. [Not - How many times have I told you?] 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 

This is a real person and he represents all of mankind. This is the point where the Savior emphasizes with great detail.

10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? 13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

There is the option of the Law, which only makes the burden greater. Or - the option of faith, which is an ongoing blessing and enlightening Spirit. We can stink-eye the neighbor or relative, or unleash friendship, help, joy and cheer. 

The Gospel of John repeatedly teaches us the Little Gospel - 3:16 - and expresses it in many ways. I had the burden of hearing about the Great Depression because my parents' adult life started with that era. As one comic said, "It must have been Great because they never stopped telling us about it." But the complaint was true, even though we moaned about the stories. The more I grew into adulthood, the more I appreciated the automatic responses of perfectionism, working hard, helping a neighbor, etc.

And also, I realized how much older people knew and responded.