In April 2014, some 19 year old punk decided to urinate in the Mt. Tabor reservoir in Portland. He was caught on a surveillance video. The reservoir shut down and flushed that particular reservoir reserve, 38 million gallons of water. The reservoir decided that they would rather get rid of the millions of gallons water than to allow people to drink possibly contaminated water.
Each church body has its own reservoir of theology, doctrine. Historically, Lutherans have not communed (a banner of fellowship) with many others because the teachings on the Lord’s Supper were completely different. It’s why the German Lutherans came to Missouri in the first place! Two opposing teachings on God’s Word cannot both be correct. At least one is a contamination of God’s Word. Yet there are some Lutheran denominations that not only have no problem with two opposing views of God’s Word but in fact, they embrace it. Pure, clear, refreshing doctrine is allowed to be contaminated and then it’s celebrated when people drink it!
If the church allows a reservoir to be contaminated it can drive people to despair and doubt. Imagine someone who is receiving communion in a joint communion service of two denominations that do not teach the same thing. One says you taste forgiveness and the other says you don’t. After he communed, what did he receive? Was he faithful to God’s Word? Is God’s Word a solid rock I stand on or play-do that I mold as I see fit? This and many more problems arise because the reservoir of God’s Word is contaminated.
Scripture is very serious on pure teaching:
Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Matthew 28: 19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Doctrine, dogma, catechism, theology, these are all words we use in the church. Essentially they all mean the same thing; teaching. Not referencing just any teaching, they are the teachings of God Himself in His Word. So doctrine, dogma, catechism, theology, they are the pure, life giving, spiritually refreshing reservoir of God. It is of more value than anything on this planet because it is what gives eternal life, it is what lasts.
There comes a time when contamination is poured into doctrine. Sometimes even we Lutherans think we can dilute a contamination with our Lutheran mindset. Contamination is contamination. We can either look away as we drink it up or we can flush it out. The world does not understand the importance of keeping God’s teaching pure. They see it as a waste and as unloving. What could be more loving than desiring to give God’s Word, clear, free of impurities, removing doubt and despair because it clearly provides the Water of Life? We want everyone to drink of the same reservoir but we will not tolerate others contaminating God’s teachings. If we allow contamination then we show a flippant disregard for God’s Word and the people He seeks to save through His Word.
Our Confessions, the Book of Concord, are a litmus test of purity. As members of the LCMS, we confess that the teachings of the Confessions are the proper explanation and presentation of God’s Word. So we could go to any reservoir and, using these Confessions, check to see if it is contaminated or not. When we find another reservoir that is pure, we are joyous to join these reservoirs together. For those that are contaminated, they first need flushing. By doing this, God’s Word remains pure and His name is kept Holy even among us!
From Luther’s Small Catechism, Lord’s Prayer – First Petition
Hallowed be Thy name.
What does this mean?–Answer.
God’s name is indeed holy in itself; but we pray in this petition that it may become holy among us also.
How is this done?–Answer.
When the Word of God is taught in its truth and purity, and we as the children of God also lead holy lives in accordance with it. To this end help us, dear Father in heaven. But he that teaches and lives otherwise than God’s Word teaches profanes the name of God among us. From this preserve us, Heavenly Father.