"Membership in the family of God is neither inconsequential or something to be casually ignored. The church is God's agenda for the world. Jesus said, "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." The church is indestructable and will exist for eternity. It will outlive this universe, and so will your role in it."
- Rick Warren
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Helmut Thielicke was one of the most influential pastor/preacher/theologians of his time. I know, you're thinking, "Who?" Thielicke was a German theologian and preacher extraordinairre.
My first introduction to him was through the little book "A little exercise for young theologians", which is not for kindergartners, like it might sound. It's for anyone who is on the threshold of studying, really studying, theology.
But Thielicke did so much more than that.
When he spoke out against the Third Reich, he lost his teaching post and went to the German countryside to be a pastor.
After WW2, the world discovered him. He wrote the three-volume systematic theology, "The Evangelical Faith." He continued to teach, and on the weekends preached to thousands. He wrote an important book on Charles Spurgeon. He is said to have said, "Sell all you have and buy Spurgeon."
Many of his sermons were translated into English and were published here in the States. Thousands used to flock to hear him preach. If you can find anything by him, buy him. You won't be disappointed.
I can't tell you how much he has had an impact on me personally. My church members probably get tired of hearing about him...
I have learned more from him about the importance of the balance between head and heart when being a pastor-teacher than anyone else who has ever lived. (Yes, even more than D.A. Carson and John Piper. His autobiography, "Notes from a Wayfarer" should be required reading. In fact, it is. From now on, you are required to read it, because I said so;-) The story of him going to a little church in the German countryside during the war, is a story of a theologian learning how to be a pastor. It's powerful stuff. When he eventually regains a teaching post, he never forgets the lessons he learned about the importance of connecting God and people. The dude was real and he's my hero.
By the way, if you're going to start reading him, you better know how to pronounce his name. tea-LICK-eee. Practice it, because I plan to start telling you more about him... :-)
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Comments on "Let Me Introduce You To My Friend, Helmut":
3. Shrode
- 06/23/2010 1:07 pm CDT
Oh my goodness...
Richard, that's quite the name drop. Os Guiness. wow. I'd love to hear more about what you like about Thielicke...
Bobbi, where is this question coming from? All I was doing was giving the facts, not expressing a personal statement... ;-) What a tough question!
Thielicke tried to stay "out of it" for as long as he could. He knew Bonhoeffer, and Thielicke also had some contact with those actively plotting against Hilter, but he chose not to fight back that way. He tried to be a force for good for as long as he could at his teaching post...but there came a point when the Nazi's couldn't tolerate the stuff he was saying anymore...By the grace of God, he wasn't arrested. He went to go be a pastor at a little church in the german countryside where he ministered to people who's family members were at war, and was the pastor when his church building got bombed to rubble.
I don't know about teachers...I know more about preachers. Even though Thielicke was a theology professor, he also had a pastoral role to students and to the thousands he preached to every Sunday night. When he spoke, people listened...how could he not talk about what was right?
Since you asked my opinion...
I think there's a difference between "politics" and "morality". Granted there's overlap - but I see politics as deciding where the county line should be drawn, how much taxes should be paid, how to pay for health care, regulating oil etc...
But the state murdering people...that's moral. I think not only the preachers and teachers, but every Christian is obligated to speak against that in some way. I don't see that as "getting involved in politics" I see that as being God's representative in the world, no matter what your job is.
If someone has a platform, and there is a great moral outrage, then I think that platform should be used to speak out for God's values. (not politics.) Esther is a great example. She had a platform, given to her, to save lives. Even though there was great risk for her.
Thielicke chose a different path than Bonhoeffer but it was no less brave.
Tell me more what you are thinking?
4. Richard
- 06/24/2010 9:49 am CDT
Yeah, sorry for the name drop. Thielicke was the first Lutheran I heard who talked about law and Gospel and how that affects us in the way we deal with the world in ethics and what he referred to as "borderline situations." From what I recall Guinness was interested in Thielicke's take as an alternative to the Christian pacifism that was rampant in England while we were living there (in the 80s).
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Thielicke IS priceless. I was introduced to him attening a weekly study in the home of Os Guinness, going through his muti-volume books on ethics. An excellent work.