This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "ethics"
Man in “Vegetative State” Answers “Yes” and “No” Questions
In a study that challenges the diagnosis of vegetative state, doctors found that the brain of a seemingly unconscious, vegetative man responded to yes-or-no questions in the same fashion as an alert, conscious person. This discovery not only complicates the medical definition of consciousness, but seems to call into question centuries of philosophy dealing with the nature of life and the self. Here’s the story If this pans out it doesn’t take a genius to see that it will revolutionize medical ethics. Lord help us! … Read entire article »
Maine becomes 5th state to allow same-sex marriage
Maine becomes 5th state to allow same-sex marriage. I predict it will become a federal law in the next 12-18 mos. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Three to Go: An Excursus on Writing Sermons
I finished up three sermons yesterday. Granted–I used some heavy borrowing from myself. Hate having to do that, but as Christopher Orr suggested below (in the comments) it’s all borrowing and copying one way or another. When I was at the Seminary, the homiletics professors squirmed a lot on this point. Being academics–and ethical types, anyway–they were loathe to admit that sermons should borrow anything–at least unattributed. It’s the ethical way to be. On the other hand, they admitted that the Gospel is not copyrighted and if the pastor is inventing new ways of looking at it, understanding it or interpreting it, he is wrong. The pastor’s–the theologian’s–job is not to invent new things, but to be faithful to the Gospel as it has been handed down to us. How do I … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Meaningless Promises
DETROIT – Ford Motor Co. will tell Congress that it plans to return to a pretax profit or break even in 2011 when its CEO appears before two legislative committees this week. Also, CEO Alan Mulally said he’ll work for $1 per year if the automaker has to take any government loan money. (Source) Why doesn’t the guy work for $1 now? Obviously he doesn’t need the paycheck. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
"That we do not lie or deceive…"
Here’s what Kieschnick wrote in his letter to The Wall Street Journal: What is even more disturbing is the false and misleading picture [Mollie Hemingway] presents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as a deeply divided church regarding its mission and ministry. And, More importantly, I wish to address the unfortunate comments in the column that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is deeply divided and that it is pushing “church marketing” over the historic confessions of the evangelical Lutheran Church. In truth, last summer the LCMS had its most positive and unified convention in years. Our church remains faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, an integral part of our identity as a church body. As stated in a resolution adopted last summer by the national Synod convention: “From the founding of our Synod 160 … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
On Anonymity and Pseudonymity (II)
One newly-sprung blog has a page to explain their pseudonyms: These are dangerous times for Lutherans who have not signed onto Kieschnick’s Purpose-Driven Ablaze Movement. The cancellation of the Issues Etc. radio program is proof enough for us that Kieschnick intends to use corporate take over tactics and informational subterfuge to destroy any and all who would dare to question and challenge HIS vision for the LCMS. Therefore, in order to protect ourselves while we shine the light of truth on Kieschnick’s agenda so that there can be real debate regarding its merits or lack thereof, we have no choice but to write from behind a mask. Their blog is important. Obviously they have some inside information. Much of what they write is investigative in nature. But one thing … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
An Accounting Scandal Too
The “Issues, Etc.” scandal has taken on an added dimension. Many blogs have reported on the strange financial aspects of the radio show, and how that factored in with its cancellation. Save the LCMS–which is apparently run by someone with some serious connections–has received a leaked copy of KFUO AM and FM’s financial statement. It has some seriously fishy numbers. What does this mean? There are several options: 1. There are unseemly accounting practices at KFUO, the BCS, the Board of Directors (or somewhere) of a criminal nature. 2. The economic reason was an excuse, and in haste to back that up, mistakes were made in reports. In other words, someone lied, and in covering up the lie, a worse appearance was given. 3. Someone has been cooking … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Confessionals Are No Better
“Transitioning” a congregation can be a minefield–”Transitioning” meaning taking an established congregation and completely overhauling it to make a modern, consumerist church on the Willow Creek/Saddleback model (there has to be a better word for all this). It is difficult work that some in the congregation will oppose, many will eventually accept, and some gladly welcome. Most troublesome is the perception of what happens: a pastor, called to shepherd his people, begins his ministry in order to destroy and re-create. It makes the pastor an enemy of the congregation that called/hired him, for the purpose of making it into something new when all will be reconciled to the new way. Confessional pastors in the LCMS point out the harm such men do to congregations and wag our … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Giving Alms to a Murderer
A friend of mine gave breakfast to a mass-murderer. Those are his words. My friend was the Samaritan, but this one he helped was not the beaten and broken one, but the thief who was about to do his evil business. He was near a church (not mine), getting into his car when a clean-cut Indian walked up to him, early 50s maybe, wearing a button down shirt and clean trousers. “I love Jesus!” he called out. My friend said, “Me too…but I don’t work here.” “I was hoping for a cup of coffee,” the man said. My friend took the bait. “Do you want coffee or breakfast or money?” “Well, I was hoping for some breakfast, really.” So my friend invited him into his car and drove across town … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Sad News from the ELCA
I’ve hesitated to post this, but it is important enough.Here is the resolution that passed the ELCA Convention: Resolved, that in an effort to continue as a church in moral deliberation without further strife and pain to its members the Churchwide Assembly prays, urges, and encourages synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those congregations and persons who call into the rostered ministry otherwise-qualified candidates who are in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship, and be it further Resolved, that the Churchwide Assembly prays, urges, and encourages synods, synodical bishops, and the presiding bishop to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining those rostered leaders in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship who have been called and rostered in … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
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