1.  The Dramatic Model: Life in the Wilderness Rev. Dr. Leopoldo Sánchez Werner R.H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

2. Christian Life  Conflict between God and the devil  Standing firm against spiritual attacks  Faith and salvation in Christ  Using the «sword» and prayer  Ephesians 6:10-20  Battle, vigilance, firmness

3. In the desert…  The experience of Jesus is paradigmatic  “Where the Spirit and the Word are, the devil too is prowling around” (Sánchez, p. 103)  Matthew’s theme: Israel’s unfaithfulness, the Son’s faithfulness  Solidarity of the Son with those who are tempted (Heb. 2:14ss)  “The vicarious theme is present when we see the fight in the desert from the cross, for Jesus frees Himself from the evil one in the desert and at every occasion the evil one tempts Him to fall on the way to the cross, so that He might free His brothers from the power of the devil in their lives” (Sánchez, p. 106)

4. …and in the Garden  On two gardens, Eden and Gethsemane  Adam/New Adam contrast  “Abba Father” (cf. Mk. 14, Ro. 8)  “…both the Son and the sons address the same Father in the midst of their pains. The church shares in the prayer of the Son at Gethsemane and has access to the Father through the Son alone. The Spirit accompanies the Son in the agony of the garden, and likewise accompanies the sons in their worst hour when they do not know how to pray (Ro. 8:26)” (Sánchez, p. 108).  Functions of narrative: Consolation and admonition

5. Other Biblical Images The gladiator’s firmness in combat The boxer’s targeted fight The athlete’s discipline for the race  Fighting on the way to the promised goal  1 Corinthians 9:24-27, 10:1-13  Warning about Israel’s desert wanderings  Danger in the desert

6. Renouncing the Devil  Luther – Baptismal Booklet (1523)  “Luther is not afraid to say that, before baptism, the child to be baptized is ‘a child of sin and wrath.’” (Sánchez, p. 112)  “The baptizer shall say: ‘Depart, you unclean spirit, and make room for the Holy Spirit.’” (11)  “I adjure you, you unclean spirit, in the name of the Father (+) and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit (+), that you come out of and depart from this servant of Jesus Christ, N. Amen.’” (15)  Baptism brings one into a struggle with the devil, hanging “around the child’s neck a mighty, lifelong enemy,” and provides the baptized with spiritual strength “so that the child might resist him valiantly in life and death.” ( Baptismal Booklet, 3-4)

7. Dramatic Model Cycle  A cycle of prayer and meditation…  …in the midst of spiritual attacks  Luther: Oratio – Meditatio – Tentatio  Anfechtung and God’s devil  ¿How do we get rid of the devil?  A real struggle, filial dependence  Dealing with the need for security, safety Prayer Word Attacks

8. In Adam, in Christ  Bonhoeffer: “two stories of temptation”  “To be precise, the Bible tells only two temptation stories, the temptation of the first man and the temptation of Christ … All other temptations in human history have to do with these two stories of temptation. Either we are tempted in Adam or we are tempted in Christ. Either the Adam in me is tempted—in which case we fall. Or the Christ in us is tempted—in which case Satan is bound to fall.” ( Creation and Fall Temptation: Two Biblical Studies, 115).  Two stories of the “fall”: Adam, Satan

9. Highlights  Neither indifference nor fascination  C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters : "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or magician with the same delight.”  Everyone has a desert, a garden  Achilles’ heel, vulnerabilities  Greater vigilance in some areas  External corporal disciplineWord and prayer

10. Questions for reflection…  1. What are the “deserts” and “gardens” of your life where Satan often attacks? What types of temptation are you most vulnerable to? What is your Achilles’s heel? In which situations, or even places, are you most likely to fall into sin? What attitudes, thoughts, speech, behavior, habits, etc. often drive you away from faith in God and love of neighbor? In short, in what areas of your life and ministry do you most often suffer what Luther calls tentatio or Anfechtung. Identify/unmask your “idols” or “inner demons.”

11. For further reflection…  2. The apostle Paul uses many images to speak about the Christian life as a battle against the evil one. He speaks of the disciplined athlete who runs through the desert against the enemy in order to win the race. He presents the image of the gladiator who wears the armor of God to resist the flaming arrows of the devil. He also speaks of the boxer who does not hit the air but is focused in order to hit the target or be faithful to God’s call.  ¿Which image do you identify yourself with the most as you face struggles in life? ¿Is there another image that is more helpful to you?

12. Liturgy and Hymnody  A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (LSB 656, 657)  Fight the Good Fight (LSB 664)  Onward, Christian Soldiers (LSB 662)  Rise, My Soul, to Watch and Pray (LSB 663)  The Lord Is My Light (LSB 723)

13. Fight the Good Fight 664 LSB 1Fight the good fight with all your might; Christ is your strength, and Christ your right. Lay hold on life, and it shall be Your joy and crown eternally.

14. Fight the Good Fight 664 LSB 2Run the straight race through God’s good grace; Lift up your eyes, and seek His face. Life with its way before us lies; Christ is the path, and Christ the prize.

15. Fight the Good Fight 664 LSB 3Cast care aside, lean on your guide; His boundless mercy will provide. Trust, and enduring faith shall prove Christ is your life and Christ your love.

16. Fight the Good Fight 664 LSB 4Faint not nor fear, His arms are near; He changes not who holds you dear; Only believe, and you will see That Christ is all eternally.