Plain View Farm, Rural Bryant, SD
Joseph Rangen's Replies to Candid Questions
Joseph Rangen, Young in Ministry, Preaching at Bryant American Lutheran Church, Bryant, SD, Sometime in the Fifties
Question No. 1: Have you ever been in a pit? When, where, and how did you get out?
Reply: I am not sure I know what you mean by pit--but I recall that early on I was facing a life as an adult, with yet many uncertain and unknown possibilities ahead in my life. What would be my vocation, life mate, and so on? I was spiritually uncertain also. Now at the time I was still at home, a year or two out of high school, I was pulled out of this "pit" by an unexpected visit from Norm Backstrom, a friend of mine. He was in Colorado at college preparing for a life in Forestry. In midyear he felt called by the Holy Spirit to enroll in Bible School and came by to invite me to go with him. And the response? "I'll go", which took me to Minneapolis, and Lutheran Bible Institute, and there Norm again was used by God as he introduced me to Estelle Stadem. So out of the pit, by a miracle of God, I found direction, vocationally, spiritually, and a life mate who has helped me for 56 years to stay out of the pit!
2. When did you first see the light of Jesus personally?
Reply: In a conscious experience, on Mother's knee, as she was teaching us the Word of God one Sunday afternoon. We did not have Sunday School at our country church at that time. However, we were home-schooled "in the Word". Mother was teaching "the special day" when on her knee I became aware that I was a sinner. My age was possibly 6-8 years old. I wept and Mother assured me Jesus had paid for my sin, and I was assured He has and will forgive me for my sin. I was liberated and assured.
3. Do you have any enemies? Why not?
Reply: Yes, I do. The Devil, the World, and the Flesh.
4. Why don't we hear more about the Rangen background? Were they all horse thieves or what?
Reply: The first part: I'm not sure I know the answer. Perhaps, a "Rangen Book" needs a lot of updating. Secondly, I can enlighten you a little. As far as I know, with knowledge received, my Grandparents in Norway (Dad's side) were confessing Christians. My Mother's parents in USA were also confessing Believers. Mother's dad was killed by lightning that struck the church building. The service was over, but a thunderstorm and rain kept them from leaving. Mother was eight years old, the eldest of three, and was left in care of a widowed grandmother, Mary. On Dad's side, his grandmother, my great-grandmother, was according to some reports mixed blood, Jewish, Gypsy, and Norwegian. She seemed a little wild, smoked a pipe, etc. She was converted at a later time in her life. Rasmus my dad was a youngster of ten cared for by her, and gave her a word from God that caused her to consider, and she later confessed her sin and received Christ's salvation.
5. What is your favorite cheese?
Reply: Tillamook, from Oregon.
6. Scandinavians can be a pretty phlegmatic bunch! Why are you so jolly and cheerful?
Reply: The reason I believe, and I agree, the Northern Europeans, especially Scandinavians, are conditioned by climate and culture traditionally to be phlegmatic. The Hauge revival that swept Norway also with a strong legalist emphasis in the spiritual practice of daily life and living [further] sobered the Christians. Hallesby writes, "Rosenius's emphasis of Grace and Freedom came from Sweden and got married to Haugeism's legality, so that there resulted a wonderful balance."
7. Have you ever gotten mad or angry about anything?
Reply: Yes, because I am human, and because of having the old nature; it's not hard to yield to the temptation of anger!
8. If you could choose one scripture, what would it be?
Reply: This is difficult. However, at this time in my earthly journey, II Corinthians 9:8 would seem right! "And God is able to make ALL grace abound to you, so that in ALL things, at ALL times having ALL you need, you will abound in every good work."
9. Is America going to survive as a free country with so much going wrong with society?
Reply: The Bible contains a great deal of history. Daniel had a vision, which represented the four kingdoms of the world, Babylon, MedoPersian, Grecian, and Roman. It seems every one experienced that they corrupted themselves and were destroyed. Romans 1:21-31 has a refrain, "God gave them over to their sinful desires." We are reaping what we have sown, and what God may let happen to us may be the answer. Perhaps, repent or perish, America! II Chronicles 7:14: It is our only hope.
10. What is a way to turn things around? Has it all gone too far? Is God unable or unwilling to save this country?
Reply: Luke 1:37, "For nothing is impossible with God."--I surely believe God is able! The question remains with us, "Are we, as a nation, willing to let God have his way with us?" Leadership in a country seemed to make a difference in the history of nations. When Israel had a God-fearing king, it seems that the people responded. If we continue to murder the unborn with Government approval, continue in living as best described in II Timothy 3:2-4, we will destroy ourselves and our generation, not because God is not willing or able to save us, but because we would not be saved. Matthew 23:37: Jesus spoke to the people of Jerusalem, "How often I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings but you were not willing."
Thank you, Pastor and Beloved Uncle Joseph Rangen, for True Wisdom, born of a godly life and very fruitful ministry, and loving relations with God and man!--Editors
Links to other sites on the Web
Candid Questions Directory
New Pages and Links Directory
Happy Birthday Tribute to Joseph Rangen--Age 80
Central for Plain View Farm Road Maps
Plain View Farm Master Directory
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