The Quarterly Newsletter of Wittenberg Academy
The Ninety-Sixth Thesis
Chaplain's Corner- p. 8 John 6:1-15 Rev. David M. Juhl
Contents
Teaching: a Work of Mercy
Poetry- p. 10 Holy Baptism George Herbert Tech Tips- p. 11 Online, But Not Alone On the Road with Wittenberg Academy- p. 18
From the Classroom- p. 13 Paideia I Theology Rev. Eric N. Andersen
According to Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, mercy is “that benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy that which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.” When we think of mercy, we think first of feeding the poor and caring for widows. William Löhe offers this definition of mercy: “Mercy is goodness, goodness is love, and, therefore, mercy is love. Mercy is goodness and love but in a specific relationship, namely, in relation to the unfortunate and wretched. Love is manifold. When it is directed to God on high, it becomes devotion and adoration. When it is directed over the whole earth to other redeemed brothers, it becomes goodness, affability, and friendliness. But when it enters areas led with misery and brings with it consolation, relief, and help, then it becomes mercy.” Löhe says further, “Mercy is only one thing, but its relations are without number, and in every relation it appears in a different form. This is why one can say that mercy is manifold. Misery, however, comes in just one form. And the greatest misery that there is, the origin and source of all other misery, is sin. It is difficult for mercy to relate to sin because they are so opposite. But in the end, mercy wrestles with justice and holiness and comes into a cleansing fire, and it emerges with a new name. From then on it is not called mercy anymore but grace.” In the liturgy of the Divine Service and various prayer offices, we confess ourselves to be poor, miserable sinners deserving nothing but God’s temporal and eternal punishment. Yet, in those same rites, because of Jesus’ work on the cross, we pray God to be gracious and merciful to us poor, sinful beings. We are all sinful and unclean in thought, word, and deed. We need God’s grace and mercy. The ultimate showing of grace and mercy was Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As eluded to by Löhe, in many and various ways God showers His mercy upon us. But, can we think of teaching as a work of mercy? We confess, “I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” What does this mean? “I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them…..” (Small Catechism) God cares for our bodies through our parents when we are children, spouse when we are married, farmers, grocers, butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers, to name a few. God cares for our eyes and ears through many of the same, but also through doctors, pharmacists, scientists, and the like. The same would be true for all of our members (limbs). God cares for our souls by providing parents, spouse, and pastor. So, who might God use to care for our reason? Parents, pastors, and others are used of God to care for our reason. Any in the office of teacher may be considered caretakers of reason. Father Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal puts it this way: “there is hardly anything more merciful than teaching the Truth to others…”(1) John 8:32 tells us that those who know the Truth will be set free. This, of course, is speaking of freedom in Christ. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Freedom from the misery of sin comes only through Jesus Christ. Teaching Jesus, the Truth, to others, is certainly for life in this world and the next. Also in this world, this side of heaven, we teach to equip students to serve their neighbor. Docendi sunt Christiani. Christians are to be taught. Christians are to be taught because they are poor, miserable sinners and because all knowledge does not reside within them. Christians are to be taught for life in this world and the next. Christians are to be taught that they might then teach the next generation. Were we not depraved and in need of teaching, teaching would not be a work of mercy. But, given our deep need to be taught, teaching is most certainly a work of mercy. God’s charge to be workers of mercy is extensive. We might begin just prior to Jesus’ Ascension when He says, “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.” (Matthew 28:19-20) Or, perhaps we look to Deuteronomy 6: 7-8 or Proverbs 22:6. This day and always, let us give thanks to God that He provides teachers to be instruments of mercy. + JCB (1) http://www.cardinalnewmansociety.org/ CatholicEducationDaily/DetailsPage/tabid/102/ ArticleID/4617/In-Year-of-Mercy-%E2%80%98 Hardly-Anything-More-Merciful-Than-Teaching-the- Truth%E2%80%99.aspx To read Löhe on Mercy, visit www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=722
From the Head Teacher's Desk- p. 3 Teaching: a Work of Mercy Mrs. Jocelyn C. Benson
Heart from the Home- p. 5 Dear Jane... Mrs. Glenda F. Mumme
Heart from the Home
Teaching: A work of Mercy
Dear Jane, I was glad to hear from you and am excited to learn you are thinking of homeschooling Billy, Jean and any future children with whom God blesses you and Dick. Homeschooling has been a wonderful experience for our family and quite an adventure. David and I have learned much about ourselves and what it means to educate our five children. Until you are able to come over for a cup of coffee, a glass of wine, a pint of David’s home-brew, I’ll just give a few basic answers to your questions. I certainly remember starting out, wanting to know what to do, looking for advice. I’m sure you’ll be overwhelmed (I know I was when I started and I still am many days), but I hope I can also give you some encouragement. First of all, remember that educating your children at home gives you great advantages. All day, all night, even on the weekends you will see Billy and Jean learning. While doing chores with you, cooking meals, running errands, your world is their classroom. Their peers in the building down the street are being trained that learning happens only in the classroom from 8:30am-3:00pm, Monday through Friday, for 12 or 16 years. Billy and Jean will grow up recognizing that all of life is learning, and that there is always more to discover! Don’t rush academics. Give Billy and Jean the gift of time. Time to play. Time to read. Time to explore. Time to be bored. Time to be children. Fill them with love, surround them with learning opportunities, encourage their interests, and embrace the weirdness that is homeschooling. By all means read books on homeschooling, and talk to moms who are on this journey, but I have a suggestion. Also read the books and talk to the moms who aren’t educating their children in the manner you are considering. Learning from the un-schoolers, the classical blogs, the curriculum-in-a-box people, and others has helped me to see the forest for the trees. Each publisher is trying to sell you their curriculum and every website and blog will portray the perfect family with brilliant kids. You will be tempted daily to buy the product or despair that you will ever be able to educate your children. You will have to learn to shut your eyes to most of it, learning to utilize these only as an aid to help you educate your children. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with books. Buy Honey for a Child’s Heart by Gladys Hunt. It will teach you how to find good, beautiful, classic books in the library, in thrift stores, and in used bookstores. In it, you will find lists ranging from favorite picture books to young adult novels. We have found so many delightful books through these lists. The children and I got lost together in their stories, their pictures, and their adventures. Enjoy reading picture books to your children. Enter the wardrobe and explore Narnia with them. Introduce them to Anne (“spelled with an ‘e’!”), to Betsy and Tacy, to Laura and Mary, to Tom and Huck, to Charlotte and Wilbur, to Charlie and Willie Wonka, to Pippi, to Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, and to so many more. While you read to them, allow them to play. Notice how they are building Shelob’s lair, or that they’re shipwrecked on the island with the Swiss Family Robinson. You will give them a generous gift by filling their days with books. Continued on p. 7 Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with nature. Spend time outside, in the yard, the garden, at the park. Point out the names of the trees and flowers you know, while challenging yourself to learn new ones. Tell them that whistle which sounds like “pretty, pretty, pretty” is a cardinal. Take bike rides to the lake or creek. Skip rocks, make up stories about the crawdads you catch. Pack a picnic lunch and find a spot to throw your blanket on the ground. Lie in the sun making up stories about the pictures in the clouds. Follow the ants, play I spy the bird’s nest, watch the squirrels chase each other. Pull weeds, hoe the garden, harvest and can the vegetables. Let them spend hours finding rocks, sticks, bugs, and nuts. Give them a jar to catch lightning bugs. While sitting around the campfire, show them how the chimney swifts swoop around at dusk before descending into the chimney. Teach them to look at the moon and tell whether it is waxing or waning. Point to the constellations, or look when your child points to them. When it is winter, go sledding, build snowmen, skate on the ice, have snowball fights, dig tunnels, or just walk around admiring the beauty, especially the sun dogs on those beautifully brisk, bright days. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home not only with books but with music. Dancing in the kitchen to Ralph’s World or singing along with the silly words on Beethoven’s Wig gets your heart pumping and the giggling started. On Spotify you can make a playlist which includes the soundtracks of your favorite movies. We have several—from Disney to Lord of the Rings. Periodically get lost in the lives of the great composers with the Classical Composers series or learn music from ballets with the Classical Child at the Ballet series. While baking cookies or sitting together in the evenings, play Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s cello suites, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Share your love of country or Rush or jazz while going for a walk or picking up the toys. It is rare that there is not some sort of music playing in our home. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with chores. Have Billy and Jean help sort their dirty clothes—colors in one bin, whites in another, darks in a third. Enlist them to match socks as well as put away their underwear and pajamas. Standing on stools in the kitchen, give them the measuring spoons and cups. Can they find the one you need? Help them count out the 44 caramels needed to make caramel bars. Show them the bubbles in the yeast. Let them help knead the dough. Give them the beaters and the bowl to lick clean. Make them set the table, being sure to count the correct number of people. Teach them to load and unload the dishwasher, to wash cups and spoons. Teach them how to keep track of money by writing down everything they spend and everything they receive. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with creativity. Give them space and copious amounts of scrap paper to color, glue, tape, cut, and write. Provide them with googly eyes, pipe cleaners, stickers, sequins, buttons, cotton balls, and other simple treasures with which to create their masterpiece. When it is complete, hang it on the wall. Better yet, designate a wall or stairwell for display and let them hang it up. Let them paint picture after picture after picture. Provide play dough or clay to create dinosaurs and tea saucers. You're rolling your eyes, I would guess, because you know how much I hate messes. Did I really do this? I did! (Admittedly, I often said no to painting unless they could go outside.) Also, I often had to turn my back to their creativity till it was all done. Take heart! Even I had room for creativity in my home! Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with patience. Billy and Jean have plenty of time to master their math facts, the Periodic Table of Elements, or the five Latin declensions. Give them time to learn and grow at their own pace. Time to read Harry Potter for the 13th time. Time to build elaborate scenes in the basement with Legos, Playmobil, Lincoln Logs, and train sets. Time to practice piano for hours or not at all. Time to watch a million YouTube videos on card tricks. Time to bake, fish, take pictures, or knit. Time to pretend they are a member of the fellowship, or one of the black riders in pursuit. Time to be themselves, to discover and develop their own interests and talents. All of this you provide them in the safe space of your own home, where family members love them, encourage them, protect them, forgive them. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with God’s Word. Order your week not by a school calendar but by the church year. Live from Sunday to Sunday. Teach them to pray—morning and evening and at the dinner table. Daily recite the Catechism, Bible Verse, and sing the hymn verse for the week. At bedtime, we had each of our children pick a hymn to sing after prayers. Continuously fill their ears with God’s word, modeling to them that a Christian life is a life of catechesis, one of learning the language of the holy faith, learning how to receive God’s gifts in the Divine service, how to pray, how to confess their sins and their faith, and how to live where God has called them in the freedom of the forgiveness of sins, with faith in Christ and love to the neighbor. Don’t rush academics. Fill your home with conversation. Answering “why” for the umpteenth time is tiring, but don’t stop. Lively discussions around the dinner table about politics, Dr. Who, favorite sports teams, or last Sunday’s sermon are great ways for all to learn logic and sharpen rhetorical skills. When listening to your child’s opinion, you are encouraging them to think clearly and speak well. Having been corrected countless times for saying “me and Johnny,” Billy will eventually hear, stop, and correct himself. But be prepared for him to correct you too! My kids treasure those times. Well dear Jane, I’ve made this longer than I intended. My ramblings are meant to show you that your home and daily life is the best place to teach your children. It really would be better for you and Dick to come over so that we can chat in person. Bring Billy and Jean, my kids will keep them occupied while we chat. You can ask me all the questions you want, and I’ll gladly answer them. The men can grill something (and keep our glasses filled!). What day works for you? Love, Glenda
"Don't Rush academics."
Mrs. Glenda Mumme fulfills her vocations of wife and mother in Waterville, Minnesota. When not anticipating Bullhead Days (really, it is a thing), she and her husband teach their three youngest children at home and provide never-ending love and support to their two college students. Mrs. Mumme also serves on the Board of Directors of Wittenberg Academy.
Rev. David M. Juhl serves as Chaplain of Wittenberg Academy. Additionally, his vocations include husband of one wife, father of five children, and pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church in Momence, Illinois.
The appearance of five barley loaves and two fish in the wilderness harkens back to Elisha purifying a poisonous stew. After Elisha purified the stew, a man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, “Give to the men, that they may eat.” But his servant said, “How can I set this before a hundred men?” So he repeated, “Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’” So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the Lord. In Second Kings chapter four it was a man from Baal-shalishah. In John chapter six it is a child, but not an ordinary child. The child is a παιδάριον. The word means "little child" and it is a derivative from the word that describes how someone is being reared and educated to be an ideal member of the city. In Greek culture, one who is trained in παιδεία would possess intellectual, moral, and physical refinement. They received what we would call today a liberal arts education, not to mention training in wrestling and gymnastics. You might say a παιδάριον is a well-rounded individual physically, morally, and spiritually. John knew what he was doing when, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he used that term for a young child. There are other words he could have used, but this one is a perfect fit. The young child, perhaps with his parents, is prepared for the inevitable. You go into the wilderness following Jesus. The crowd had been there for some time. They needed refreshment else they go hungry. That is why Jesus asks the loaded question, Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat? The excuses come flying. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” Sounds a lot like the excuse in Second Kings chapter four: How can I set this before a hundred men? There Elisha already said what he intended to do: Give to the men, that they may eat. Andrew brings the lad to Jesus, but even he has an excuse: What are they for so many? The disciples are caught unprepared. Woe to you when you are unprepared! A friend of mine likes to say, "I wouldn't tie my shoes without a backup plan." Yet you tie your shoes every day and are still unprepared for what could happen. You love to sing and talk about God's providential care, yet when that care is late you change your tune and tone. There's not enough money. There are not enough resources. It's too far to buy what you need. It's too late in the day to go buy what you need. You are not prepared, even though you think you have everything figured out. King David writes in Psalm 122, I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Here you are, and you're still not as prepared as you could be. You can read the Psalms all you want before the start of the service, you can make a spiritual inventory to prepare for the forgiveness of sins, and you can even fast, pray, and give alms all you want. Yet when those words fall from David's pen about being glad to enter God's house, you're still not prepared. Your nature is sinful. Your thoughts are elsewhere. Your concentration lags. You'll be thinking about lunch or supper. You'll be counting the minutes until the sermon ends. The silent inner monologue playing in your head never stops, especially when the hour of giving the Gifts arrives. What is the big deal about words, water, bread, wine, a man dressed in fancy vestments, and a simply adorned church building? Jesus uses these humble things from His Father's creation to do wonderful things. He catches you unprepared for His providence and His spiritual care, but in being caught He still provides, forgives, and strengthens you. Elisha says concerning the bread of the firstfruits, Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, "They shall eat and have some left." The Lord is never slack in His promises. He keeps His perfect record intact as twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain are enough to satisfy a hundred men with some left. The little child, the learner who is prepared for whatever may come, teaches the adults something about being prepared. Andrew's bringing the boy to Jesus seems like a million to one shot, but Jesus himself knew what he would do. The boy is in the right place at the right time with the right amount of what is needed. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. If Jesus can do that for five thousand men, what more can He do for you, O you of little faith! The refreshment Jesus provides for you here pales in comparison to what we will hear Him do over the next few weeks. Jesus provides everlasting refreshment as He gives you His perfect righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, while taking on your sin, death, and hell. Jesus bears all this willingly for you. Jesus is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world. He comes not only to speak peace from our heavenly Father, He also comes to make that peace for you. Only He is able to climb the mountain to make the ultimate Passover sacrifice for your salvation. Only He prepares you for eternal life in hearing His Word of forgiveness, being washed in the baptismal water of forgiveness, and being fed with His Body and Blood for forgiveness. You remain a παιδάριον until life everlasting, always learning what He provides for you, both earthly and spiritually, is a good gift from a gracious, generous, and giving God. Hence, all fear and sadness! For the Lord of gladness, Jesus, enters in. + DMJ
Chaplain's Corner
John 6:1-15 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand 6 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” 15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
Holy Baptism George Herbert Is he that sees a dark and shady grove, Stays not, but looks beyond it on the sky ; So when I view my sins, mine eyes remove More backward still, and to that water fly, Which is above the heavens, whose spring and vent Is in my dear Redeemer's pierced side. O blessed streams! either ye do prevent And stop our sins from growing thick and wide, Or else give tears to drown them, as they grow. In you Redemption measures all my time, And spreads the plaster equal to the crime : You taught the book of life my name, that so, Whatever future sins should me miscall, Your first acquaintance might discredit all.
Online, but not alone
Parents ask, how can I be part of my child's online learning? Especially when online learning is new: Sit with your child at the computer occasionally (or frequently). Make it a weekly routine to discuss weekly expectations from the teachers and how the student intends to meet those expectations during his day. When will I read? When do I have papers due? When will I write my papers? When will I study? When do I have a quiz? Time management comes naturally to very few people, so use this time to teach a valuable lifelong lesson! Sit in on live discussions (even if it means sharing headphones!). Ask your child to choose a forum discussion question from class to discuss at the supper table. Watch prerecorded class lectures together. Read the Literature your child is reading for class. Discuss what you are reading, perhaps over coffee or tea. Proofread papers and discuss what the student has written.
From the Classroom
A point of confession
Take note...
2016-17 Academic Calendar Michaelmas Term: September 6- November 23 (Thanksgiving Break: November 24-27) Christmas Term: November 28-March 3 (Christmas Break: December 24- January 8) Easter Term: March 6-May 26 (Easter Break: April 13-17) Trinity Term: June 5- August 25 (No Class July 4) http://www.wittenbergacademy.org/high-school-registration.html
72] Here, now, we consider the poor bread basket, the necessaries of our body and of the temporal life. It is a brief and simple word, but it has a very wide scope. For when you mention and pray for daily bread, you pray for everything that is necessary in order to have and enjoy daily bread and, on the other hand, against everything which interferes with it. Therefore you must open wide and extend your thoughts not only to the oven or the flour-bin, but to the distant field and the entire land, which bears and brings to us daily bread and every sort of sustenance. For if God did not cause it to grow, and bless and preserve it in the field, we could never take bread from the oven or have any to set upon the table. Luther's Large Catechism- The Fourth Petition
Thanks to generous gifts from individuals and The Randolph Foundation, Wittenberg Academy is pleased to offer for the 2016-17 Academic Year: A Tuition Discount!!! Full time students are eligible for the tuition discount as defined below: The student will receive a 25% tuition discount when meeting the following qualifications: Registers for and successfully completes at least 6 credits. Student must pass at least 6 credits or the discounted money will be owed back to Wittenberg Academy. Is registered for 6 credits for the academic year (must be high school or junior high school courses) and sets up FACTS payment plan for applicable terms by August 1 of the academic year. Is not eligible for or receiving tuition reimbursement from any other sources. If there is a reasonable instance where student should be eligible for tuition discount and receive other tuition reimbursement a written appeal may be made to the Wittenberg Academy Board of Directors stating the reason(s). First time students are eligible for the tuition discount defined below: The student will receive a 50% discount on the second and third credits that they take after registering for one credit when meeting the following qualifications: Is a first time student at Wittenberg Academy. Is registered for at least 2 credits in the academic year (must be high school or junior high school courses) and sets up FACTS payment plan for applicable terms by September 1 of the academic year. Student must pass the first credit and all discounted credits or the discounted money will be owed back to Wittenberg Academy. Is not eligible for or receiving tuition reimbursement from any other sources. If there is a reasonable instance where student should be eligible for tuition discount and receive other tuition reimbursement a written appeal may be made to the Wittenberg Academy Board of Directors stating the reason(s). Students are only eligible for one discount program.
This article by Pastor Andersen was read by the Paideia I students during Easter term. In addition to Paideia I Theology teacher, Pastor Andersen's other vocations are husband of one wife, father of five children, and shepherd of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Summit, Illinois, and Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hodgkins, Illinois.
Congratulations to Wittenberg Academy Seniors and Graduates!
This Summer at Concordia Theological Seminary- Fort Wayne: The Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education Conference and The Wittenberg Academy Youth Colloquium July 19-21, 2016 Register for the Youth Colloquium: http://www.wittenbergacademy.org/youth-colloquium.html Register for the CCLE Conference: http://www.ccle.org/payment-information/
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On the Road with Wittenberg Academy Recent and upcoming travels Vine and Branches Conference April 16, 2016 Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield, MN Wittenberg Academy Family Retreat April 28-30, 2016 Camp Okoboji (LC-MS) in Milford, IA Wittenberg Academy Commencement May 21, 2016 Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Chatfield, MN Issues, Etc. Making the Case Conference June 10-11, 2016 Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL Concordia Catechetical Academy Symposium June 15-17, 2016 Peace Lutheran Church in Sussex, WI Higher Things: Bread of LIfe July 5-8, 2016 University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA Return to Wittenberg Conference July 26-29, 2016 Wisconsin Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI