The Nelson Family Indonesia

The last two days have been a blur of teaching.

I’ve been teaching most of my professional life in one form or another. But this is the first time I’ve taught in the mountain jungles of southern Philippines. Working with the Tagakaulo Lutheran Church of Christ in the Philippines (TLCCP). Pastor Roeske is my translator but really more a partner, a co-teacher. Frequently he apologizes either before or after he interjects far more than just a translation of my words. I wave his apologies away. I’m not there because he’s not more than capable of teaching, hasn’t been teaching these people for 30 years. I’m there for solidarity, as a physical reminder the TLCCP isn’t alone in the world, and that others know of them and are willing to help as they reach the mountain tribes of Mindanao with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I keep the format somewhat loose – this is my style. Allowing the students – whoever and wherever they might be – guide the discussion rather than insisting on a rigid outline. Knowing little about these people I start general. What makes us Christians? We explore the Apostles’ Creed together as the unifying statement of faith that joins Lutherans to Anglicans to Catholics to Baptists. The sandbox of the faith as it were. We all believe more than what the Apostles’ Creed states, but no Christian can believe less than this.

And, as typically happens whether in a suburban church in the US or the jungles of the Philippines, there are questions and dialogue points. What seems simple rarely is. And theology rarely even seems simple, though the Gospel message comes the closest to a purity of simplicity – if we let it. We spend most of the first morning on this topic. Remembering the basics of the faith as the disciples were handed it by Jesus himself.

In the afternoon we narrow the focus to Lutheran distinctives, those theological teachings and practices that stem from Martin Luther and many other faithful followers over the past 507 years. These teachings often separate us from other Christians or, as we would say, cause other Christians to separate themselves from us and the historic and Biblical understanding of life both spiritually and physically. Law and Gospel. Vocation. Two Kingdoms. Theology of the Cross vs. Theology of Glory. This takes up the afternoon session and part of the following morning.

And then it’s open-ended Q&A. It has been all along but now they’re given free reign to ask and talk about what they want. Patterns in topics emerge. Concern about worship practices. What about pastors or congregations who do things a little differently than the rest of the TLCCP congregations? Where does freedom in the Gospel bleed into teaching or practice that requires separation? I stress the importance of unity while acknowledging there are times when separation is necessary. Yet even in these conversations – as in countless others I’ve had around the world – the seams are strained and stretched by the sinful human desire for the Law.

But, there was food also.

Each morning before class officially started there was unofficial banter and theological conversation around a table outside. Plenty of steaming hot water for instant coffee or tea. Rice, scrambled egg, a bit of sauce with meat. Theology is hard work and it’s best not to start it on an empty stomach.

And twice a day, midway through our session, snack time. Sometimes a bit of bread with the obligatory instant coffee. Other times, other yummies.

This is a grilled banana coated in palm sugar over the fire. So simple and so delicious I can’t even begin to do it justice with words.

Culture here is clearly divided between men and women. There is great respect, but there are firm ideas about who does what. The women are there to cook and clean up. They were worried that I wasn’t eating enough. I think they were amused by my insistence at thanking them for their provisions, walking through the ‘kitchen’ area to survey their domain. I love kitchens, regardless of what they look like. So much good comes from them, so much love. It doesn’t seem fair the women get to enjoy all of that to themselves! They laugh, particularly at my extremely limited language skills. I smile.

It’s ok to be laughed at here. There is no malice in it, only honesty. How can one so unskilled in language possibly teach about the things of God? How indeed, if not for God himself at work? In spite of me. Around me. Through me. Past me. No, there’s no glory to be seen in me. Nothing to be seen but a bumbling foreigner whacking his head on low overhead beams. And yet in the audacity of it all, the Holy Spirit is at work, thank God.

It was a good two days together. Another glimpse of the body of Christ that is so incredibly diverse and colorful and delicious.