Much has been written about lutefisk. Actually most of what has been written is a repetition of the same thing, but writing about the craziness of the traditional lutefisk dinner has become somewhat of a tradition in and of itself. So I thought, with my congregation, Zoar Church, keeping up this time-honored culinary custom on Saturday, I would give it a go with a theological twist.
Lutefisk is dried and salted. Jesus said we are to be the salt of the Earth. Salt was used to heal in the ancient world, in fact people still use it today for sore throats. Followers of Christ are to be a part of the healing of the brokenness of a broken world. Salt also preserves – and so we are to be about the business of preserving and conserving the goodness of His creation.
Lutefisk theology says that if we are to be the salty Christians Jesus calls us to be we should heal and preserve, and everything we touch should taste better for it.
Lutefisk is soaked in water and lye. Christians are soaked in the waters of baptism. Through baptism God claims us as His children, He calls us by name and says “you are my child and I love you, you belong to me.” In baptism the Holy Spirit is at work creating and sustaining us in faith and commissioning us for service in the world.
Lutefisk theology says “remember your baptism” every day – live your life claimed, called, sustained, and commissioned.
Lutefisk is best with melted butter poured on top. God pours his grace out on His people of faith through the saving blood of Jesus. The simple message of the Gospel is this – that while we were still sinners, God sent His son to die for us. The apostle Paul wrote: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
Lutefisk theology says that we can’t earn our way into heaven any more than a dried and reconstituted slab of cod can earn its way onto the regular menu of any self-respecting restaurant. Our golden salvation is only by the grace of God.
Lutefisk is kind of stinky but Norwegian Lutherans love it anyway. We get kind of stinky sometimes too, but God loves us anyway. In fact St. Paul said, “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do I keep on doing…what a wretched man I am!” Luther loved to say we are at once saints and sinners.
Lutefisk theology says that despite our best efforts we’re going to mess up. It’s what being a fallen human means. But every day we confess our failings to God and one another and find forgiveness in the God who walked among us – the God who gets it.
Lutefisk is a trial for some, but it’s worth it in the end. Jesus said we’d have trials, but He will be with us to the end – and the end is pretty amazing!
I have to confess that lutefisk isn’t my favorite holiday delight. All the usual lutefisk articles point out that Norwegians in Norway don’t even eat the stuff very often anymore. It’s really all about nostalgia. And nostalgia is a powerful thing indeed.
As I think about the gelatinous plate before me I think about the stalwart Norwegian settlers of Tofte and my own ancestors who settled in a new land bringing their faith with them and passing it on to their children. They are a part of that great cloud of witnesses for me. Throughout times of trial they turned to a risen Savior – a Savior who upheld and sustained them – and who greeted them with open arms in eternity. Lutefisk theology says the worst thing is never the last thing – you can count on it!
Did I mention the lefse?
Each month a member of the Cook County Ministerium will offer Spiritual Reflections. This week our contributor is Daren Blanck, pastor of Zoar Church in Tofte, a former Wilderness Canoe Base guide/counselor, and a student of Beyond the River Academy, a ministry program of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
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