Too often the impact...
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Too often the impact of Easter does not register in our lives. Famed Reformed theologian Karl Barth has written on this subject: "... what really oppresses the world and us in spite of the Easter event, or rather in light of a true appreciation of it, is not really a lack or failure or absence of its efficacy but simply the fact that this is not evident to us, and therefore its apparent absence... what confuses us, but ought not to do so, is the fact that in the Easter even we have to do only with a commencement of the revelation of reconciliation and its fruit" (Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/3, pp. 317-318).
A 2013 Gallup poll indicates that more than 3 in 4 Americans regard the church's influence on America as in decline.
Despite the incompetence of Christians, our weak faith and inability to make much impact on society, Easter is the good news that God will still prevail and use them to make a difference. Martin Luther thoughtfully makes this point: "Outwardly Christians stumble and fall from time to time. Only weakness and shame appear on the surface, revealing that the Christians are sinners who do that which displeases the world. Then they are regarded as fools, as Cinderellas, as footmats for the world, as damned, impotent, and worthless people. But this does not matter. In their weakness, sin, folly, and frailty there abides inwardly and secretly a force and power unrecognizable by the world and hidden from its view, but on which for all that carries off the victory; for Christ resides in them and manifests himself to them" (Luther's Works, Vol. 23, p. 146).
Yet Easter makes a difference, equips us to serve God, gives us new possibilities and a fresh start. Eminent New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann helpfully provides this Easter insight: "Faith includes free and complete openness to the future... it is freedom from anxiety in the face of the nothing. For this freedom nobody can decide of his own will; it can only be given in faith... it is freedom from the enslaving chains of the past. It is freedom from ourselves as the old selves, and for ourselves as the new selves" (Jesus Christ and Mythology, pp. 77-78).
A 2013 Gallup poll indicates that more than 3 in 4 Americans regard the church's influence on America as in decline.
Despite the incompetence of Christians, our weak faith and inability to make much impact on society, Easter is the good news that God will still prevail and use them to make a difference. Martin Luther thoughtfully makes this point: "Outwardly Christians stumble and fall from time to time. Only weakness and shame appear on the surface, revealing that the Christians are sinners who do that which displeases the world. Then they are regarded as fools, as Cinderellas, as footmats for the world, as damned, impotent, and worthless people. But this does not matter. In their weakness, sin, folly, and frailty there abides inwardly and secretly a force and power unrecognizable by the world and hidden from its view, but on which for all that carries off the victory; for Christ resides in them and manifests himself to them" (Luther's Works, Vol. 23, p. 146).
Yet Easter makes a difference, equips us to serve God, gives us new possibilities and a fresh start. Eminent New Testament scholar Rudolf Bultmann helpfully provides this Easter insight: "Faith includes free and complete openness to the future... it is freedom from anxiety in the face of the nothing. For this freedom nobody can decide of his own will; it can only be given in faith... it is freedom from the enslaving chains of the past. It is freedom from ourselves as the old selves, and for ourselves as the new selves" (Jesus Christ and Mythology, pp. 77-78).
