This Side of the Pulpit » Theology
Ceremonies and Their Purpose
Here is an excellent post by Fr. Larry Beane (yes, a Lutheran “Father”–believe it) about our worship “style” or “height” be it High Church or Low Church. There are really too many passages worthy of being a pull quote, but here’s one: Ceremonies are not about looking pretty, but rather about communicating well and with excellence. Ultimately, it’s all about charity, humility, and love. A man who loves his wife will “take pains” in the way he acts around her, treats her, and speaks to her. Christ took great pains for us on the cross. And we “take pains” to confess this truth with clarity and in love. In the final analysis, it is all about God’s grace. My congregation has grown in ceremonies over the years I have been here, from a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Pastor Peters and Policing
Pastor Peters’ blog Pastoral Meanderings is a real gem. He offers the kind of pastoral wisdom that comes from years of experience, but retains the courage and conviction that all too often dies out as years in the pulpit increase. He posts today about a Roman Catholic priest removed for refusal to pray the Mass according to the rubrics. He does not advocate such policing in the LCMS but raises the point: whatever happened to submitting to one another for the sake of good order? Go over there and read his blog and add it to your reader. You’ll be enriched because of it. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
There is Only Today
It’s an extra day. The world lengthened just a few hours, a 29th in a world of 28ths, an eighth day in a week. What to spend this extra day doing? For most of us it’s just the same: work and the usual Wednesday commitments. The same old same old grind. And its February. But it’s another thing. It’s “Today.” It is the day of salvation. Heaven and earth, angels and demons hang on this day and … Read entire article »
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Specific and Particular
I am called to particulars. I serve and minister to particulars. A pastor is called to such-and-such congregation and those actual, living, breathing people there in the pews and walking in the doors. There are no generic congregations, and there are no generic Christians, and there is no such thing as generic people. God’s Law is proclaimed and applied to that person, sitting right there, and the death of Christ is for this person’s salvation, sitting right there. This is how God works–He gives His eternal Word, but not in a vacuum. He gives it to this or that person, each one. This is the way God works. He became man–but not men, or humanity: Jesus is a guy. A dude. With a Mom, holy and virgin, but Mom nonetheless. God … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Does Pastor Have an Opinion?
“How does Pastor feel about that? Does he have an opinion about it?” Such a loaded question! Yes, you can be sure pastor does have an opinion about it. Pastors are human; we have opinions about having opinions and more opinions about not having opinions. Of course we have our own ideas and expectations. But the pastoral ministry means realizing that you have opinions about half of everything and of those, half you really feel strongly about. Half of those may be things that need to be addressed sometime. Half of those things need to be addressed soon, and half of those need to be nipped in the bud. That leaves us at about 3%. That still may be too high. Maybe it’s only 1/4 of things that you have opinions of. The … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
President Harrison Goes to Washington
Matthew Harrison, President of the LCMS spoke to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform today regarding the HHS decision to mandate contraception and abortificant pharmaceuticals for all heath care providers or insurers. Below is the transcript of his opening remarks. You can also find links to the video of the testimony, including questions and answers and other information at the LCMS Website. “Mr. Chairman, it’s a pleasure to be here. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is a body of some 6,200 congregations and 2.3 million members across the U.S. We don’t distribute voters’ lists. We don’t have a Washington office. We are studiously non-partisan, so much so that we’re often criticized for being quietistic. “I’d rather not be here, frankly. Our task is to proclaim, in the words of the blessed … Read entire article »
The Philosophy of Lutheran Sermons
Lutheran sermons don’t just teach you what the Bible means. Lutheran sermons are not intended to give you simple information. They are not for instruction purposes. Oh sure, we do instruct and explain the word of God. We tell you what the parables mean, and who the central players are, and what some of the background of the text is. But this isn’t the primary purpose of the Lutheran sermon, just like the primary purpose of Scripture is not to give information*. The primary purpose of the Lutheran sermon is to confront you with the word of God. The Lutheran sermon is experiential–or existential of that other word gives you heartburn. The Lutheran sermon is an experience of being shown, or exposed to, or receiving the Spirit of Christ. It is hearing … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Darkness of the Human Heart
Susan Powell went missing on December 7, 2009 after her husband left the home for a sub-zero, spur of the moment camping trip in the middle of the night, only to return later the same day. Joshua Powell was under investigation for her disappearance and presumed murder. He lost custody of his two children in September 2011 after his father was arrested for child pornography and voyeurism charges. He had been living with his son and grandchildren. On February 12, 2012, Joshua separated his children from a social worker during a supervised visit, locked them in his home and then engineered a gas explosion. Later investigation suggests he took a hatchet to his own children before carbon monoxide poisoning killed him and the children. How can such things happen? You can blame demon possession, I suppose. … Read entire article »
A Rant which May not Impress You, if Read Correctly
“How many of us have actually ever read through the Bible? We get bits and pieces of it, but never read through chapter-by-chapter.” A layperson said this to me the other day. The more I think about it, the more upset I get. I get upset with myself for not reading Scripture devotionally as often as I should. But I get really upset with others if its true. Is it true? Are you all completely ignoring the Word of God to such an extent that your only exposure to it is the readings on Sundays and the bits and pieces and verses you might read in The Witness or the occasional Bible study you attend? Seriously? You call it the Word of God, the eternal Truth, the Revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Law/Gospel Outlines?
I preached an unusual sermon Sunday. It was the infamous Law/Gospel outline. You probably have heard thousands of these. I’ve preached my fair share. Here’s the way they usually go: Here’s the Word of God. Oh, there’s law. God says you should be doing such and such. You don’t. You need Jesus to forgive you. Conclusion. It’s not a horrible outline, but I think it should be generally avoided. While Lutherans are supposed to properly distinguish Law and Gospel, that doesn’t mean to use it as an outline. Rather, it means to distinguish between the works of the Law and Gospel, the work of law and law of love, the work of flesh versus the life of the spirit and all kinds of other things. But this Sunday I saw the need to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
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