<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder Q: I read a post on America Online in which a Roman Catholic said that Luther added "alone" to his translation of "we are saved by grace," and that no one before him said "alone." How does one respond? A: Actually, Luther did use "grace alone" in some places where "grace" would have been the literal translation. He didn't do this to add to Scripture, but to clarify a Biblical doctrine. It is fallen human nature to think that there is something in us that makes us innately likeable to God. Nor is there something we can do to put ourselves in a good position in dealing with him. When Luther translated such passages as Ephesians 2:8, he paired "alone" with "grace" to counter these false beliefs. Grace is God's attitude of love toward us, but not because we are loveable. God favors us not because of whom we are, but on account of Christ. See how this connects in Ephesians 2:8-9, "Yes, by His grace you are saved through faith. It was not your own doing; it is God's gift." The "alone" is implied in the first sentence by virtue of the second: "It was not your own doing...." If it's not you, it must be the grace of God--alone. Now that you are saved, verse 10 shows how works enter the picture. We've not been saved to be spiritual couch potatoes, for "He has made us what we are, creating us in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Q: Ever since I have attended my current church we have done a "Burial of the Alleluia" for Lent and not sung any songs with Alleluia in them during Lent. Our interim pastor says he never heard of the "Burial of the Alleluia," nor of not singing it during Lent.... I asked our Elders and was told..., "the other Pastors just did it because they were told it was tradition. If Pastor doesn't want to do it, that's OK." What now? A: I sent a longer reply, but for the column, here's a summary. The liturgy of the Western Church grew and changed slowly. By the Middle Ages, there was a feeling that the joy of the Alleluia (Hebrew for "Praise Yahweh/the Lord") was too much for the solemn season of Lent. During this time preceding Easter, when the focus was on the Passion (suffering) of Christ, portions of the service using Alleluia were omitted, as were other sections deemed too celebratory. Later, a formal "burial" service for the Alleluia was developed, and was used either on the last Sunday before Lent, or on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. Should it be done? That is in the realm of freedom under the Gospel. Many Lutherans do omit the Alleluia during Lent, often using a burial service such as the one you mention. Martin Luther would probably have disagreed. He wrote, "Nor is it proper to distinguish Lent, Holy Week, or Good Friday from other days, lest we seem to mock and ridicule Christ with half of a mass and the one part of a sacrament. For the Alleluia is the perpetual voice of the church, just as the memorial of His passion and victory is perpetual." Q: I left the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod because of abortion. The Synod told me that it was wrong unless the life of the mother is at stake. I still struggle with this. I thought God made it clear that "thou shalt do no murder." How can we as the Church rationalize this to make an exception? A: We are not to murder and should do everything possible to help preserve life. Sometimes the only thing that might save a woman's life will kill her unborn child. In tubal pregnancies, the child will surely die. In advanced cancers, and some other diseases and accidents, the mother's life may be lost, and also that of the child. Risk alone is no determinant. If this were so, then all women should get abortions, since having babies is always risky. I prefer to ask this question: "Will one die, or will two?" As for which one, this unfortunate choice still resides with the parents. Does the husband who says, "Let my wife die," murder her? Does the mom who says, "Save the baby," commit suicide? If they say, "Let the child die," do they murder? I am extremely grateful that the Lord has never put Stephanie and me into this situation, and I have utmost compassion for those who have been forced into making such decisions. Parents have lost children; husbands have lost wives. Ultimately, what the Missouri Synod has said is that it believes that a kind and merciful God will not condemn people who make either choice under such extreme duress. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.