This Side of the Pulpit » Entries tagged with "Orthodoxy"
Rubrics: Maximal and Minimal
I’ve gone on a rubric kick the last week as I contemplated (now preparing for) ministry at Grace Lutheran Church. They are higher church than Redeemer, and so I have some studying and homework to do. For instance, at Grace the Pastors genuflect during the confession, at the Words of Institution etc.. They use a lavabo and incense as well. All things I do not use here. What’s funny about this is that the Lutheran blogosphere is in a tizzy about rubrics and ceremony even as I am doing this homework and study. They are debating how much and how far and “is it necessary” and all. What I want to do is learn. We don’t have a good published official ceremony and only the mere suggestion of rubrics in our hymnal … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Breaking into Our World
This is a must read post from Steve Robinson. Read the whole thing and then watch the video after. It will make your day. Maybe your week. Maybe your life. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
A Conversion
My friends Ben and Emily Harju and their children were chrismated into the Orthodox Faith Saturday. Congratulations and many years to you. You can read about it on Ben’s blog here. Incidentally, a few of the regular readers here were also involved in the chrismation, as pictured at his site. … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Perspicuity and Mystery
Note: Here is the post I’m still working on. And I still would like your feedback. Does it make sense? Am I creating a straw man fundamentalist/perspicacious reader? What else am I missing/getting wrong? The great mystery of the incarnation remains a mysteryt eternally. Not only is what is not yet seen of it greater than what has been revealed–for it is revealed merely to the extent that those saved by it can grasp it–but also even what is revealed still remains entirely hidden and is by no means known as it really is. St. Maximos the Confessor, First Century of Various Texts I think this quotation encapsulates the greatest difference between Catholicism–meaning both Roman and Eastern Orthodox–and Protestantism. For Protestants, especially of the fundamentalist sort, the revelation is what it is: clear, perspicuous. Jesus … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Acronymn Soup: LXX, NETS, OSB
I’m thinking about getting A New English Translation of the Septuagint (The Septuagint (LXX) is the Greek translation of the Hebrew OT that was in use in the early Church–most of the quotations of the Old Testament that appear in the New Testament were from the LXX). It’s similiar to the Orthodox Study Bible in that they translate the LXX based upon an existing translation; in other words, it is not a fresh translation. They start with an existing version and change it only when the original text differs. It’s different than the OSB because, by many accounts, the OSB messes up the translation. How could that have happened? I don’t know, except to say that perhaps they weren’t as careful as they could have been, or there were editorial considerations. How do … Read entire article »
I Almost Didn’t Read this Post Because Something Else Grabbed my Attention
The sons of the world consider distraction to be something innocent, but the holy fathers recognize it to be the origin of all evils. The person who is given up to distraction has, concerning all subjects and even the most important ones, a very light and most superficial understanding. One who is distracted is usually inconstant. The feelings of his heart usually lack depth and strength; they are not solid but transitory. As a butterfly flits from flower to flower so also a distracted person passes from one earthly satisfaction to another, from one vain care to another.- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov HT: Mind in the Heart … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Where Did This Come From?
Two churches on a small Grecian island have the tradition of firing rockets at each other on Easter morning. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8007506.stm The video there is short, with quiet audio and is amazing! HT:Steadfast … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones: Romanizing Bunker Blaster?
We had our first-ever Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord on March 25 at my parish. Because we are rotating pulpits for Lent, my friend Pr. Eric Brown presided here, while I served a contemporary Lenten service at another congregation. He did a good job, my spies report. When the Director of Music and I were selecting hymns for the service, I immediately thought of “Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones.” But there was controversy: do we sing “Alleluia” for this feast or refrain because we are still in Lent? I decided not to sing “alleluia”. Correct me if I am wrong. The big issue, however: how in the world did this hymn ever make it past our doctrinal review? Here are the words. Ye watchers and ye holy ones,Bright … Read entire article »
Filed under: Theology
Conversionism Again
The second issue with conversion: so many who leave seem to be saying, “The LCMS is not Lutheran enough…so I’m becoming Orthodox (or Catholic).” The modus operandi of many of those who leave is unflagging criticism of the LCMS followed by unflagging praise for their new communion. It doesn’t make much sense. But there is something else going on here: crisis. Something overturns the apple cart and it gets these pastors thinking. Something forces these pastors to wonder if the struggle is not lost, if the LCMS is something other than it says it is. Often the sacramental and worship life or practice in the LCMS serves as the tipping point. They realize that the LCMS does not do what it says Lutheranism says it does. This brings them to question … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
Another Enters Orthodoxy
Pr. Ben Harju has resigned the clergy roster and will be received as a catechumen in the Orthodox Church tomorrow. Old news by internet standards–Ben announced it yesterday. But the vitriol, angst, incredulity, accusations and so forth has already begun. I’ve blogged about some others who have left the LCMS before. See these posts. What I’ve said before hold true here as well. God bless him for the courage to follow his convictions…and not try to make the LCMS into something it’s not. There are a couple of issues I’d like to explore. The first is, Why East? Why are so many leaving the LCMS and entering the Orthodox Church? I can name a dozen or more who have in the last four or five years. Maybe more. Granted, in a denomination of … Read entire article »
Filed under: Uncategorized
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