Bishop Juhana Pohjola Archives - International Lutheran Council

Grace for the Ungodly – Reformation Day 2025

by Mathew Block | Oct 31, 2025

by Juhana Pohjola

*The Crucifixion of Jesus by Alonso Cano, c. 1637.*

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.… God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.” – Romans 5:6,8-9

When we commemorate Reformation Day, we can recall many good things that the Reformation brought about—ecclesiastical reform, cultural transformation, the development of languages, and societal impact. But ultimately, it all returns to the fundamental question of the Holy God and the sinful human being.

Who is this holy God before whom we now stand—and will one day also stand at the judgment? God’s righteousness reveals what human beings, by nature, are not and what we lack. God’s wisdom reveals your foolishness. His love exposes your selfishness. His mercy, your hardness. His goodness, your ingratitude. His patience, your impatience. His faithfulness, your unfaithfulness.

Can you name a single attribute of God that does not also reveal your own wretchedness? Can you point to any characteristic of God that does not remind you that, by nature, you are His enemy? Wherever you go, He meets you—at church and at home, by day and by night. Whether you pray or read Scripture, numb yourself with entertainment, work or intoxicants—God’s consuming holiness surrounds you!

Why do we observe Reformation Day? Because there is nothing more terrifying than the dark night of the soul, the torment of conscience that knows it is an enemy of God—with no help in sight. “Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!” (Psalm 130:1).

This depth, this tribulation in the face of God’s burning wrath was something young Martin Luther knew very well. And though he saw his own wretchedness and God’s holy wrath revealed on every page of Scripture, still he clung to the Word of God, searching desperately for comfort. And finally—in the Letter to the Romans—the Holy Spirit revealed the Reformation discovery.

What did Luther find? What did the Spirit make clear through the Word? That God’s righteousness is what God gives us in Christ. He justifies us by grace, through faith. St. Paul writes: “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).

For whom did Christ die? For the “ungodly”—those unable to love God, those who defy God’s will—enemies of God! “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us,” Paul writes. He does not say: “When we had overcome our sins” or “when we had cast off our favourite sins” or “when we had sufficiently wept in repentance” or “when we had begun to fix our lives.” No! While we still sinners—utterly hopeless, impure, lustful, wicked, ungrateful, easily offended, and unforgiving—it was then that Jesus, in love, wiped away all our transgressions with His blood.

Are you hopelessly sinful, unable to free yourself from sin? Oh, how blessed a sinner you are! For the Lamb of God has washed away your sin with His blood! God does not see your sins; He does not remember them anymore!

When we did not long for the Lord… when we did not cry out to Him… when we did not believe in Him… when we did not thank Him… when we loved only ourselves, and our neighbour only if it benefitted us… when we cared nothing for Him but blamed Him in the day of trouble… when we His very enemies… it was then that He loved us. He gave as a sacrifice of atonement not a bull or a lamb, but His own Son.

Now where is God’s wrath? Laid upon Christ. Where is God’s enemy? Hanging on the cross. Where is all sin? Nailed to a tree. And so, God has changed you from an enemy to His friend—and not only a friend but His own dearly beloved child.

In His wrath, He once destroyed the world with flood. But you He has raised from the waters of baptism to new life!

Everything that belongs to God, in Christ Jesus is now yours: God’s omnipotence is your strength in weakness. God’s wisdom is your light and your guidance. God’s holiness is your garment of righteousness. God’s faithfulness is your refuge. God’s love is your gift. God’s glory is your inheritance. Now every attribute of God is for you, prepared for you in Christ, given to you by the Holy Spirit.

And Christ is not only for you—He also lives in you. He gives Himself to you in the Holy Supper. And wherever you go—whether to church or to work, whether awake or asleep—Christ’s grace surrounds you always.

Why do we observe Reformation Day? Because every single promise of the Holy Spirit in the Bible is true—for your sake—both in the present today and in the future on the day of judgment!

May this Good News ring out loud and clear from every pulpit around the world!

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Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola is Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Chairman of the International Lutheran Council (ILC).

Supreme Court of Finland holds new hearings in “Bible Trial”

by Mathew Block | Oct 30, 2025

*Dr. Päivi Räsänen (front left) and Bishop Juhana Pohjola (front right) in court on October 30, 2025. Photo: ADF International.*

FINLAND – On Thursday, October 30, the Supreme Court of Finland held hearings in the case of Finnish Member of Parliament, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF). It was the third court since 2022 to consider what has been dubbed Finland’s “Bible Trial.” The two are accused of hate speech as a result of articulating historic Christian teaching on human sexuality.

“It is difficult to overstate to overstate how surreal [it has been]—to see my faith, my conscience, and even the Bible itself placed on trial in a democratic nation,” said Dr. Räsänen. “Whatever the outcome of this trial is, my conscience is clear and my faith is firm. My hope is that this ruling will affirm the right of every person to express their beliefs freely, without fear and without punishment.”

*Dr. Päivi Räsänen arrives at court on October 30, 2025. Photo: ADF International.*

Bishop Pohjola noted that the doctrinal beliefs for which he and Dr. Räsänen are being prosecuted is “shared widely across Christian churches.” As a result, he said, “Any possible conviction would not only stigmatize me and the Lutheran church body that I lead as criminals, but also send a dangerous signal to all Christians and Christian denominations. Such an outcome would not contribute to building a genuinely free society proud of its rule of law.”

Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola were first charged with hate crimes in 2021 for the publication of a 2004 booklet which articulates historic Christian teaching on human sexuality, with Dr. Räsänen charged as the author and Bishop Pohjola as the publisher. Dr. Räsänen was also charged for a 2019 tweet which included a picture of a Bible verse and for comments made during a 2019 radio program.

The two stood trial in 2022 at the Helsinki District Court, where they were unanimously acquitted by a panel of three judges who declared: “It is not the role of the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” An appeal by the prosecution was subsequently heard in the Helsinki Court of Appeal, with the two again unanimously acquitted on all charges in 2023.

Despite two unanimous rulings in favour of Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola, the prosecution appealed the decisions related to the booklet and the tweet to the Supreme Court of Finland (the acquittal of Dr. Räsänen for her radio comments was not appealed). The court announced earlier this year that it would allow the appeal. While the Supreme Court of Finland often simply reviews the records from lower courts, the court in this case decided to also hold new hearings.

*Bishop Juhana Pohjola arrives at court on October 30, 2025. Photo: ADF International.*

The hearings today saw a new prosecutor in charge of the case, and observers noted a marked difference from proceedings in the lower courts. While in the past the prosecution has directly interrogated the defendants on their theological beliefs at trial, today’s hearings at the Supreme Court saw the prosecution abstain from questioning the defendants entirely.

The International Lutheran Council (ILC) continues to urge prayer for Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola as they endure a fifth year of prosecution for their articulation of historic Christian doctrine. “We pray for an end to this legal persecution,” said ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz. “Christians must be free to speak openly about their religious convictions without fear of prosecution. We pray that this third round of hearings would be the last, and that they would lead to the same conclusion as the lower courts: a unanimous acquittal of Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola on all charges.”

The International Lutheran Council recently reaffirmed its support for Bishop Pohjola during the ILC’s 2025 World Conference in the Philippines, during which time members reelected Bishop Pohjola to a second term as ILC Chairman. The ILC also issued a public letter in 2021 signed by the leaders of 45 Lutheran church bodies and associations worldwide, protesting the unjust decision of Finnish prosecutors to charge Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen.

Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen expressed their continued thanks for the support of Christians around the world, including the ILC. “I am extremely thankful and grateful to all those who have supported me and Juhana,” Dr. Räsänen said. “Even though this process has been long—and of course there have been also dark moments during these years—my main experience is that I have gotten much more joy than any troubles… I think that God has been so good to turn bad things to good things.”

Bishop Pohjola likewise highlighted the good which God has brought forth out of evil. The trial is “bringing us closer to the Word of God and to prayer,” he said. “I also hope that this case has been an encouragement for many Christians,” he continued, to “say publicly: ‘I am a Christian. I’m not ashamed of it. This is what I believe, and this is what I want to share with you.’”

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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The ILC’s 2025 World Conference in Brief

by Mathew Block | Sep 29, 2025

*Participants in the ILC’s 2025 World Conference.*

ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz and the new board of directors: LCC President Timothy Teuscher (North America), SLM President Omar Garza Martínez (Secretary), IELP President Alceu Alton Figur (Latin America), ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola (Chairman), LCU Bishop Charles Bameka (Africa), and LM-A President Matt Anker. Archbishop Rinalds Grants was unable to attend in person.

PHILIPPINES – The International Lutheran Council (ILC) held its 28^th (13^th) triennial World Conference took place September 14-19, 2025, in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines. In total, more than 130 people representing more than 60 different church bodies and 55 nations participated in the event.

During the conference, Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) was reelected as chairman of the ILC. Bishop Pohjola was first elected to the position in 2022 during the ILC’s World Conference in Kenya. Elected or reelected to serve alongside Chairman Pohjola were:

Africa – Bishop Charles Bameka (Lutheran Church of Uganda)
Asia – President Matt Anker (Lutheran Mission – Australia)
Europe – Archbishop Rinalds Grants (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia)
Latin America – President Alceu Alton Figur (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay)
North America – President Timothy Teuscher (Lutheran Church–Canada)
Secretary: President Omar Garza (Lutheran Synod of Mexico)

Representatives of church bodies received as full members during the ILC’s 2025 World Conference. Pictured are ILC Chairman Juhana Pohjola, FLM Bishop Denis Rakotozafy, CLCMS President Davis Robert Wowa, LM-A President Matt Anker, ELCK Bishop Alexander Burtsev, ILK/ELCB representative Rev. Mikko Tiira, and ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz.

The conference also saw six observer member churches received into full membership in the ILC: the Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod (CLCMS); Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan (ELCK); the Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK)/Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bulgaria (ELCB); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH); and the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM).

Unity in Christ

The theme for the ILC’s 2025 World Conference was “Unity in Christ: Confession and Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” The keynote speaker for the event was Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Winger of St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, who gave a three-part presentation entitled “The Spiritual Temple,” focused on Ephesians 2:11-22.

The conference also featured several sessions with a regional focus, including an Asia Regional Focus on Shamanism and Syncretism; a Latin America Focus on migration; and an African Regional Focus on the charismatic movement. The ILC’s General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz, gave a presentation entitled “Affirming Constants in an Everchanging World,” and the conference also heard presentations on history, Bible translation, and Christian publishing.

On the final day of the ILC’s world conference, participants adopted two statements: one on the Nicene Creed and the other on unity in Christ. The first of these—An Affirmation of the Nicene Creed—was adopted in light of this year’s anniversary commemorations of the Council of Nicaea. The second statement adopted—Unity in Christ and His Gospel—reflects on the theme of this year’s ILC World Conference.

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Full news from the ILC’s 2025 World Conference can be found here.

2025 World Conference: Membership Votes and Board Elections

by Mathew Block | Sep 19, 2025

PHILIPPINES – The final day of the International Lutheran Council’s 2025 World Conference saw six observer member churches accepted as full members in the ILC and the election of board members for a new triennium.

The day began with a service of matins led by Rev. Michael Blodgett, with the ILC’s Europe Regional Representative, Chairman George Samiec of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE), preaching a sermon on Luke 8:1-3 and 1 Timothy 6:2-12.

“The New Testament is not a how-to-book for running an organization,” Chairman Samiec noted. “Sure, we hear about financial issues and organizational issues… [but] the Church has never wanted to impose burdens.” Organizational details like constitutions and bylaws vary depending on “your churches, your countries, finances, relationships, and the fine print each of us work under,” he said. What matters is that “the heart, attitude, and desires are right—godliness with contentment,” he continued—and consequently we find St. Paul talking “big picture things” about living relationally “first with Jesus and then with those around you.”

“Our goal is not empire building for ourselves,” Chairman Samiec continued. “If we have food and clothing—today we might say ‘basic necessities’—and Christ, then we can live in His Kingdom and do Kingdom work as we have means, as we are able.” We do not need to be “supermen;” we are called simply to daily patterns and rituals of faithfulness: “[moving] away from what causes us to sin towards absolution, towards Holy Communion,” and [striving] and [confessing] the hope we have in Christ Jesus.” He concluded: “Coming close to Jesus, the God who serves, and realizing that He is the one who comes to us gives us our daily identity… and so we flee from sin and pursue righteousness because Jesus is our loving Lord who has saved us, declared us righteous already—and we want this for our church—and we want this for the world.”

The matins service also featured a special musical performance by members of the ILC’s African region, singing the hymn “Mfurahini, Haleluya” (“Christ has Arisen, Alleluia”) in Swahili.

Acceptance of Full Members and ILC Elections

Following worship, the conference turned to a discussion of ILC business. Among other business, six observer members were received as full voting members: the Confessional Lutheran Church – Malawi Synod (CLCMS); Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan (ELCK); the Istanbul Lutheran Church (ILK)/Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bulgaria (ELCB); the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH); and the Malagasy Lutheran Church (FLM).

The ILC also held elections for members of the board of directors for the new triennium. Bishop Juhana Pohola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) was reelected to another term as ILC Chairman. Other elections and reelection include:

Africa – Bishop Charles Bameka (Lutheran Church of Uganda)
Asia – President Matt Anker (Lutheran Mission – Australia)
Europe – Archbishop Rinalds Grants (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia)
Latin America – President Alceu Alton Figur (Evangelical Lutheran Church of Paraguay)
North America – President Timothy Teuscher (Lutheran Church–Canada)
Secretary: President Omar Garza Martinez (Lutheran Synod of Mexico)

ILC Chairman Pohjola took the opportunity to thank ELCE Chairman George Samiec (Europe) and LCP President Antonio Del Rio Reyes (Asia) for their faithful service to the board. Neither stood for reelection at this year’s conference. Chairman Pohjola also acknowledged the service of other board members who completed their service on the board during the past triennium or in the lead up to this year’s conference, including LCU Bishop John Donkoh, LCK Archbishop Joseph Omolo, and LCC Past President Robert Bugbee. He further noted with thanks the blessing of ELKB President Gisjbertus van Hattem, whose service with the ILC lasted until his death in 2024.

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For more news from the ILC’s 2025 World Conference, click here.

Finland hosts Nordic bishops’ conference

by Mathew Block | Feb 28, 2025

*Participants in meetings of the Communion of Nordic Lutheran Dioceses.*. Back: LCMS Regional Director for Eurasia, Rev. David Preus; ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola; and ELMDF Dean Joel Kerosuo. Front: ELMDF Bishop Emeritus Risto Soramies; DELSIN Bishop Thor Henrik With; Lutheran Foundation Bishop Emeritus Maati Väisänen; and MPS Bishop Bengt Ådahl.

FINLAND – On February 5, the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (Suomen evankelisluterilainen Lähetyshiippakunta – ELMDF) hosted a meeting of bishops from the Communion of Nordic Lutheran Dioceses.

Participating in the meetings were Bishop Thor Henrik With of the Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway (Det evangelisk-lutherske stift i Norge – DELSIN); Bishop Bengt Ådahl of the Mission Province in Sweden (Missionsprovinsen i Sverige – MPS); and ELMDF Bishop Juhana Pohjola, as well as his predecessors Bishop Emeritus Risto Soramies and Bishop Emeritus Maati Väisänen.

Also participating in the meetings were the ELMDF’s Diocesan Dean Joel Kerosuo and Rev. David Preus, Regional Director for Eurasia for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS).

*Conversations during meetings of the bishops from the Communion of Nordic Lutheran Dioceses.*

“Gatherings like these are an important way to keep each other apprised of current events in our church bodies and to pray for each other and express the unity we have in shared confession,” said ELMDF Bishop Pohjola. “May God continue to strengthen our ties as we bear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this part of the world.”

Among other business, Bishop Pohjola noted, the meeting saw the church leaders discuss the office of bishop in the light of their churches’ shared Lutheran confession, as well as how the extra-congregational ministry of oversight is all about the Word and Sacrament ministry—sending men through ordination to serve at the pulpits and altars of local congregations, and to shepherd by visitation those who already serve. Discussion also noted how the office has sometimes become a cause of division in the Church for the sake of personal ambition or tolerance of false doctrine. It is important that bishops—through the office entrusted to them—support the common mission and unity of the Church across national borders, remaining faithful to the words of the OverShepherd.

The ELMDF, DELSIN, MP, and LCMS are all member churches of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a global association of Lutheran church bodies and groups, dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the basis of a shared commitment to the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Finnish Bible Trial: Supreme Court will hear appeal against MP and Bishop

by Mathew Block | Apr 22, 2024

Bishop Juhana Pohjola (left) and Dr. Päivi Räsänen (right) at the appeal hearings in Helsinki. Photo: ELMDF.

FINLAND – The Supreme Court of Finland has announced it will allow prosecutors to appeal the exoneration of Finnish Member of Parliament, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland. A date for the trial has not yet been set.

Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola were first charged with hate speech in 2021 for their articulation of historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. They stood trial at the Helsinki District Court in 2022 but were unanimously acquitted by a panel of three judges, declaring: “It is not the role of the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” That decision was appealed to the Helsinki Court of Appeals, where the two were again unanimously acquitted on all charges in 2023.

“I’m not surprised but I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to grant leave to appeal,” Bishop Pohjola said in response to the latest developments. “I am confident that the Supreme Court will also deliver an acquittal which, as a precedent, may in the future help to ensure that no one else in a state under the rule of law has to endure such an incomprehensible and tiresome process—a situation which we have been facing now for nearly five years.”

The charges against Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola focus on a 2004 booklet by Dr. Räsänen, as well as comments made by her during a radio interview and in a tweet (which included a picture of a Bible verse). Bishop Pohjola was charged for his role as the publisher of the 2004 booklet. Following the ruling of the Helsinki Court of Appeals, the prosecution has appealed only two of the three acquittals to the Supreme Court: those related to the booklet and the tweet.

In response to the Supreme Court’s decision to allow another appeal, Dr. Räsänen said that she is “ready to continue to defend free speech and freedom of religion before the Supreme Court and, if need be, also before the European Court of Human Rights.” She continued: “I have considered it a privilege and an honour to defend freedom of expression, which is a fundamental right in a democratic state.”

In the face of state-sanctioned persecution, Bishop Pohjola continues to encourage Christians to speak openly about their faith. “Although I’m accused of hate speech incitement against a group of people, we continue boldly to teach the intrinsic value of every human being and also God’s will and design for human sexuality and family,” he said. “This is not the time to step back and be silent but in love and truth to confess the good created order and God’s institution of marriage between a man and a woman, and to share from the empty tomb Christ’s wonderful gift of forgiveness of sins for all people.”

The ongoing prosecution of Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola has drawn global expressions of dismay and concern over the state of freedom of religion and freedom of speech in Finland. “The news of the Finnish Supreme Court to hear the case against Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen is disturbing to all who have followed the situation closely for some time now,” said Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz, General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). “The trial process seems endless and tiring. Our thoughts and prayers are with both Dr Rasanen and Bishop Pohjola in hope of a ruling that finally exonerates them of all prosecution.”

The ILC has drawn repeated attention to the situation in Finland, encouraging prayer, organizing a speaking tour, and issuing a public letter signed by the heads of 45 Lutheran church bodies worldwide. In another show of support, church leaders gathered in Kenya for the ILC’s 2022 World Conference elected Bishop Pohjola to serve as Chairman of the ILC. As he and Dr. Räsänen face the prospect of another trial, Bishop Pohjola is expressing gratitude for all those who have supported and prayed for them: “I am thankful for all the support, encouragement, and intercession among ILC churches and beyond.”

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Prosecution appeals to Supreme Court in Finland’s Bible Trial

by Mathew Block | Jan 15, 2024

Bishop Juhana Pohjola (left) and Dr. Päivi Räsänen (right) at the appeal hearings in Helsinki in November 2023. Photo: ELMDF.

FINLAND – The prosecution of Finnish Member of Parliament, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, and Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) are not yet at an end. On January 12, the prosecution announced that it would appeal the decision exonerating the pair to Finland’s Supreme Court.

The two were charged in 2021 with hate speech for their articulation of historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. Charges centre around a 2004 booklet authored by Dr. Räsänen, as well as comments made by her during a radio interview and a tweet (which included a picture of a Bible verse). Bishop Pohjola was charged as the publisher of the 2004 booklet.

The decision to prosecute the pair has drawn widespread concern internationally over the state of freedom of religion and freedom of speech in Finland. The two were initially brought to trial at the Helsinki District Court in 2022, with the prosecution repeatedly questioning them on matters of faith and doctrine. They were eventually acquitted unanimously by a panel of three judges, who declared that “it is not the role of the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” The prosecution appealed that decision to the Helsinki Court of Appeals. In November 2023, that court also acquitted the pair unanimously on all charges.

Now Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen must wait to hear whether the Supreme Court will accept the case. In the meantime, the International Lutheran Council (ILC) is calling for continued prayer for the Finnish politician and bishop. “I encourage Christians around the world to continue to remember Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen in prayer,” said Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz, General Secretary of the ILC. “They have already endured years of fear and uncertainty as a result of this unjust prosecution. May God give them courage to continue their faithful witness to Christ and His Word, and may He give them comfort in the midst of ongoing persecution.”

The ILC has strongly advocated on behalf of Dr. Räsänen and Bishop Pohjola over the past several years as they faced investigation and trial. That support includes a 2021 public letter of support for the two signed by the leaders of 45 Lutheran church bodies from around the world. The ILC’s 2022 World Conference in Kenya made a similar show of support when church leaders elected Bishop Pohjola to serve as Chairman of the ILC.

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Who Are You Bowing To?

by Mathew Block | Dec 22, 2023

*The Adoration of the Magi: Stanisław Samoshootnik, c. 1535.*

by Juhana Pohjola

The story of Jesus’ birth may appear to the reader of the Gospels as a beautiful but random event—something which took place a long time ago in the remote town of Bethlehem. But on closer inspection, we see how this story reveals that everyone—even the adversaries of Jesus, albeit unwittingly—has to serve this Child in the manger. The Emperor, Caesar Augustus, through his Governor Quirinius, carries out the taxation of Judea which leads Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. King Herod announces in his palace to the Magi that the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem. Even the movement of a star in space helps to serve the coming of the King by announcing the time and place of His birth.

But it is the Wise Men of the East—not the Emperor, not the Governor, not the King—who are the first to adopt a posture of worship before the Child of Christmas. They say: “We have come to worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). The word “worship” here literally means “to bow one’s face to the ground.” Bowing is an outward way of expressing respect or even divine worship. Ultimately, it indicates whom a person fears and loves—in whom one put his trust and hope.

This is a theme Matthew carries throughout his Gospel. First, Herod cleverly and murderously replies that he also intends to “bow down to” this newborn King (2:8)—even though in reality he bowed only to his own power and desires. Likewise, the devil offered Jesus the riches and pleasures of the world if He would only “fall down and worship me” (4:8). A synagogue ruler also “came and bowed down before [Jesus]” (9:18), not for Jesus’ own sake, but rather out of fear for his daughter who was ill and in danger of death. Many others bowed to Jesus for various reasons, but Matthew’s Gospel ends with a picture of the disciples, who had denied their Lord, now worshipping with fear and joy the Risen One: “And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him” (28:17)—that is, they bowed before Him.

Matthew’s repeated references to bowing reminds us: everyone bows down to something. Some do it consciously, others unknowingly. Some worship the living God, others idols. Who are you bowing to? This is the most important question of your Christmas. All other topics are trivial in the face of this one question, and its answer has eternal consequences. The Child in the manger asks you: Have you pinned your hopes on Me or on ideologies and idols that will soon disappear? Do you put your trust in My Holy Words or in human promises and opportunities? Will you join Me or the worshippers of the god of this world?

Who do you bow to? The question runs through the history of the whole world, every place, every time, and confronts every man. Do we join Sunday after Sunday the eschatological community of the company of heaven worshipping the Lamb on the throne (Revelation 4:10)? Or do we bow before the might and power of darkness (Revelation 13:4), which directs us to lust after the things of this world—“the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions” (1 John 2:16)?

Who you bow to is not an abstract question but something that affects our everyday life. During the past number of years, I have been tempted from without by the pressures of the media and even by state prosecutors in courtrooms to bow down to the spirit of this age. I have been told: Give up your biblical confession! Give up your Christian understanding of humanity and marriage, and nod your head in acceptance to tolerance, equality, and progress! But even when we are not asked to deny biblical truth and the order of creation, there remains a great temptation to remain silent about the truth out of fear—to consent, effectively, to the lies. Who will speak boldly for life, goodness, and truth if we as the Christian Church remain mute?

There is also another temptation when we see the growing darkness around us. We can turn our back on the Lord from within, by bowing down to fear, despair, and bitterness. We curve in upon ourselves, and start counting how few and weak we are and all the wrongs done to us. We focus more on the darkness and ugliness of our time, and not on the light and hope we have in Christ.

Our hope in Christ lies not only in the fact this small Child in the manger has the power to give renewal to His Church and change the direction of our culture of death for the better. Nor is our hope in Christ something merely eschatological—the knowledge that in the end there will come a time when everything is in perfect order and whole, beautiful and pure. Our hope in Christ is that already now—in the midst of hostility and cultural pressure, apostasy and sufferings—He is graciously present among us. Our hope is not only for the future but is a blessed reality here and now. Our hope understands how He carries us in His Church, nurturing us by His Holy Spirit at the altar and the pulpit. Our hope sees with the eyes of faith how He does not abandon us but encourages us through brotherly love and shared life together. Our hope remembers that everything must ultimately bow down to His good will and plan for us. He can turn evil for the good of His disciples. That is why Christians remember the words of the apostle Paul: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Roman 12:12).

*The Adoration of the Magi: Hans Thoman, c. 1520.*

Today, more and more Christians in our post-Christian culture are paying a high price for not bowing down to lies. How could it be otherwise, since the servant is not greater than the Master (John 15:20)? But what is the price we might have to pay compared to the price which the Son of God was willing to pay for us? He who, as the King of Kings, asks you this question is also Christ crucified for our sins—the King who came not to be worshipped but to bow down to you in humiliation: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Before Him, we do not bow out of slavish fear nor merely for the sake of obedience. Neither do we bow down to Him in order to get something from Him, as payment for our adoration. The Christian Church bows down to the manger and the altar of her Lord out of love for Him who first loved us—Him who still loves us, bearing us up with His grace and filling us with His gifts. Our hope is not in our personal feeling of hope, but in Christ Jesus Himself and His promises! In Him is our hope and joy, and no one can take them away from us. We receive Him in His Words, in the water, in the wine and the bread, so that we rejoice and confess together with St. Paul: “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)!

Therefore, on Christmas night, Christendom joins in the joyful hymn that echoes through the darkness of death, fear, and despair:

O come, all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come and behold Him
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord! (LSB 379)

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Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola is Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Chairman of the International Lutheran Council (ILC).

This article was originally published by The Canadian Lutheran.

Finnish Bishop and Member of Parliament acquitted in “Bible Trial” appeal

by Mathew Block | Nov 14, 2023

FINLAND – Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Dr. Päivi Räsänen, Finnish Member of Parliament, have been acquitted on all charges in a unanimous decision by the Helsinki Court of Appeals. The two had been charged with hate crimes for their expression of historic Christian teaching on human sexuality.

“For me, this has been not only a legal but also a spiritual battle,” Bishop Pohjola said. “It is important for our church to be able to teach publicly what we understand to be the Word of God, the created order, and natural law. I have a calling as a Christian, as a pastor, to guard the faith and to teach it publicly—and then to carry the cross. Carrying the cross is the price we pay in this age to be witnesses for Christ.”

*Bishop Pohjola speaks to supporters outside the Helsinki Court of Appeals. Photo: ELMDF.*

“We were united all the time with Dr. Räsänen,” Bishop Pohjola continued. “There was no discussion that we step back but instead wholeheartedly stand together for the Word of God, for the Gospel of Christ.”

The charges stemmed from a 2004 booklet written by Dr. Räsänen and published by Bishop Pohjola which articulates the historic Christian understanding of sexuality. Dr. Räsänen was also charged for two other statements, one of which was a tweet with an image of a Bible verse. The decision to prosecute the prominent Finnish politician and a Lutheran cleric drew widespread international concern over the state of religious freedom and free speech in Finland.

“While I celebrate this victory wholeheartedly, I’m also saddened at the thought of the enormous state resources expended over the last four years to prosecute us for nothing more than the peaceful expression of our Christian faith,” said Dr. Räsänen. “The basic human right to free speech remains under serious threat in Finland and around the world. No one should be punished for peacefully expressing their beliefs, and we are grateful that the court has upheld this core freedom.”

*Dr. Räsänen speaks to reporters during Finland’s “Bible Trial.” Image: Alliance Defending Freedom.*

“There have been some difficult moments,” Dr. Räsänen continued, reflecting on the toll more than four years of investigation and prosecution have taken. But, she said, “I decided that whatever comes—whatever the consequences will be—I will not give up. Because I felt that this is not only my opinion, it is the Word of God.”

Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen initially faced trial in 2022, during which time the Prosecutor General repeatedly questioned their religious beliefs about Scripture, hermeneutics, and sin. A panel of three judges ultimately ruled that they be acquitted on all charges, stating that “it is not the role of the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” But the prosecution appealed, leading to hearings at the Helsinki Court of Appeals from August 31 to September 1, 2023.

The decision from the Helsinki Court of Appeals to uphold the district court’s decision may not be the end of the story either. The prosecution has indicated it may seek permission to appeal to the Supreme Court of Finland.

“We give thanks to God for the news that Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen have been acquitted,” said Rev. Dr. Klaus Detlev Schulz, General Secretary of the International Lutheran Council (ILC). “Lutherans across the globe have watched the unfolding situation with grave concern since authorities first began investigating the pair in 2019. We are grateful for Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen’s bold witness to Christ in the face of government pressure. May God continue to bless and strengthen them as they wait to see whether the prosecution will again appeal the decision to a higher court.”

The International Lutheran Council has expressed strong support for Bishop Pohjola and Dr. Räsänen throughout the past four years as they endured investigation and trial. That support was notably seen in a 2021 public letter from the ILC signed by the leaders of 45 Lutheran church bodies from around the world. Representatives to the ILC’s 2022 World Conference in Kenya made another show of support for Bishop Pohjola when they elected him to serve as the new Chairman of the ILC.

The International Lutheran Council is a global association of confessional Lutheran church bodies dedicated to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and grounded in the authority of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.

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Appeal hearings in Finnish “Bible Trial” come to a close

by Mathew Block | Sep 1, 2023

FINLAND – The latest round of hearings in Finland’s “Bible Trial” have now come to a close. Hearings were held August 31 to September 1 at the Helsinki Court of Appeals.

Bishop Juhana Pohjola of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF) and Finnish Member of Parliament, Dr. Päivi Räsänen, have been charged with hate crimes for their articulation of historic Christian teaching on human sexuality. The statements objected to by the prosecution include a 2004 booklet authored by Dr. Räsänen and published by Bishop Pohjola, a radio discussion by Dr. Räsänen, and a tweet by Dr. Räsänen which included a picture of a Bible verse.

The trial has drawn international concern over the state of freedom of religion and freedom of speech in Finland. The International Lutheran Council is urging continued prayer for the defendants.

“I’m overwhelmed by the support and prayers pouring out from all over the world,” said Bishop Pohjola. “This is very encouraging for us in the ELMDF, and for Dr. Räsänen and me personally.”

The two were first investigated in 2019, charged in 2021, and put on trial in 2022. They were ultimately acquitted by a three-judge panel who declared: “It is not the role of the district court to interpret biblical concepts.” The prosecution appealed the decision, however, leading to the new hearings in Helsinki.

“This has been a tiring process—already four years since its beginning—and in many ways the process itself is punitive,” noted Bishop Pohjola. “But it is also an opportunity for us to give good witness to biblical truth, to God’s created order, and to His grace in Christ Jesus.”

The appeal hearings did not see the prosecution present any substantial new evidence, instead arguing that the judges in the district court failed to apply the law appropriately. The appeal centered, as the initial trial did, on the religious beliefs of the defendants and the public expression of their faith.

“In the court today, although the prosecutor said that this is not about theological issues, the case nevertheless dealt with many basic questions of Christian doctrine: what is creation, what is the Bible, what is God’s love, what is sin,” Bishop Pohjola remarked. “That is what is shocking: the prosecution is arguing that such religious and biblical teachings should not be protected in and of themselves, and that restrictions should be put on our speech. But in a free society, there must be room for religious groups to publicly teach and confess their faith.”

A judgment from the Helsinki Court of Appeals is due by November 30.

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