ST. LOUIS — “Have we forgotten that we are exiles?” Dr. Jeffrey Gibbs asked in a Bible study today (July 11) during the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, here July 10–15.
Addressing nearly 1,200 voting delegates and assembled leaders of the Synod, he likened the lives of Christians on earth to being pilgrims — exiles traveling in a foreign land — who live with the absolute hope of getting home.
His question was based upon the exhortation of St. Peter to the earliest Christians to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give reason for the hope you have” (1 Peter 3:15).
Christians are exiles on earth, he said, sojourners who have true hope of the future. Jesus Christ is that hope, said Gibbs, associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The human condition and the search for hope remains the same, he said, adding that the convention theme “One Mission Ablaze!” extends to “… to the ends of the earth.”
Gibbs’ presentation was the first of four daily Bible studies to be presented during the five-day convention.
Posted July 11, 2004
