In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Japan defeated the United States the other night in the World Baseball Classic – a “world series” that identifies more with the “world” than the MLB version does. This means that for at least a year until we have to concede that we were defeated in our own national pastime by a nation we once fought a world war with. Not only that, they started after us.
The nation of Japan began to become enamored with the sport of baseball in the late 1800’s when American teachers and missionaries living in Japan began to teach the people their this fledgling sport. It took off and Japan became a world baseball power. Well over one hundred years later, it looks like the Japanese have something to teach us.
This makes me think of all of the Christian, and especially protestant, denominations that came into being after 1517. As Lutherans, we paved the way for protestant groups like Presbyterians and Baptists and Anglicans and Pentecostals. Many of those denominations are reaching people with the Gospel that we are not reaching. Many of those denominations are seemingly doing better than we are. It can feel like watching a Japanese home-run hit into our American bleachers.
Perhaps this should give us pause. Recent articles have bemoaned how Major League Baseball has less native born American players, especially those of African American descent. The accusations are that baseball is no longer being portrayed as America’s national sport. Likewise, could we level accusations at Lutheranism? Have we failed and/or given up in the same way that the MLB has? Could we change the tide? Perhaps, if we took it seriously. Or maybe we could just let all of those other denominations take over, hand the keys to our church buildings to them.
But on the other hand, if Lutheran churches are in a losing season, then perhaps that is not of so much consequence. After all, Martin Luther never wanted to create a “Lutheran” church. In all of his writings, he speaks of a “Christian” church. In fact, if we are going to start “playing the game” again – we need to recognize that “the game” is about being Christians, not Lutherans. The game is about the expanse of the Gospel to all people – all nations – all of the world. If we start playing that game, we won’t have to worry about petty rivalries, because that is Jesus’ game.