Lutheran Funerals

I recently attended a Christian, but non-Lutheran, funeral. In itself, this isn't unusual. Many non-Lutheran relatives and friends over the years have died and I've attended their funerals. The nature of this funeral wasn't unusual, either, unless you count the deceased dying in a skiing accident unusual. But shortly after this, Minnie from the Protestant topic had a feature on funerals and this got me thinking about funerals--Lutheran and non-Lutheran.

As we've seen in the past, Lutheran theology is sin and grace. We are all sinners, hence "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 7:23a). The grace is that, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Thus "the gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 7:23b). Lutherans also hold Scripture above Tradition and Reason. Thus it stands that the message in a Lutheran funeral is based on Scripture and focuses what God did in the life of and the life He gave to the deceased. (In the case of an unbeliever, or when the pastor is unsure of the spiritual life of the deceased, a sin and grace message is directed as hope for the survivors to number their days aright.)

The funeral I recently attended had flaws. The homily by the priest questioned why such a tragedy should befall someone so good and so loving. "This shouldn't have happened" and "This shouldn't happen to someone as good as Edward."

First, let's address the concept of "good." In Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18, and Luke 18:19 clearly state that no one but God is good. In Luke 11:11-13, Jesus even says the basics of providing for our children, apart from God, are still the works of evil! Through the blood of Christ and with the power of the Holy Spirit are our deeds seen as good and acceptable in God's eyes. By referring to the deceased as good, we take the focus off of God and back on people. Theologians call this theology aliquid in homine -- something within man(kind). And as St. Paul pointed out to the Galatians in his letter to that congregation, one is saved either by faith in Christ or by keeping the deeds of the Law. There can be no co-mingling!

Realize that in James, as well as in Paul's letters, our deeds, or good works if you prefer, are fruits of faith. Because of our faith in Christ we follow his commands out of love. But these deeds do not effect our salvation but are the affects of our salvation.

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