Messages

1

Your Turn / Re: 1517.org

« on: March 19, 2023, 06:26:04 PM »

It's a pan-Lutheran group of pastors who were inspired by the theological teachings of Gerhard Forde and his students.

2

Your Turn / Question About ELCA Congregation Departures

« on: January 08, 2023, 11:39:32 PM »

In the 2000s, when the sexuality wars in the Mainline were heating up, you were seeing conservative congregations depart for other denominations.

Before ELCA 2009, the PC(USA) had an underreported sexuality controversy in 2006.

Since the late 90s or early 00s, you saw dozens of PC(USA) congregations depart to join the PCA, which itself is a schismatic denomination which left the mainline Southern Presbyterians.

One thing I did notice, however, is that very few, if any, ELCA congregations post-2009 joined the LCMS. They either joined the already-existing LCMC (itself an ex-ELCA denomination) or formed the NALC.

Why is that? Why did the conservative ELCA congregations not follow the Presbyterian example and join an already-existing conservative denomination?

I was always curious about that.

3

Your Turn / Re: Once again, in loco parentis

« on: October 18, 2021, 09:53:16 PM »

The issue is that many kids desist and/or detransition. It's not a good idea to medicalize gender non-conformity.

4

Your Turn / Re: ILC Statement on Freedom of Religion in Finland

« on: August 01, 2021, 11:41:41 PM »

Same sex marriage has been legal in Finland since 2014.
The majority Church of Finland is comfortable with that and allows pastors to help such couples.
Those being investigated are not Church of Finland, but the schismatics who have dissented for years and at times broke state laws in doing so.

That may be true, but it's another argument for why state churches shouldn't exist.

5

Your Turn / Re: Deaths of Despair

« on: July 23, 2021, 05:28:40 PM »

I forgot to mention the "growth" of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on gay marriage.  Both were against it until the party dragged them to the left.

I'm aware of the view that says "they were always for it, they just thought they couldn't say that politically," but I think mine is the more charitable view.  The other basically says they are liars and cowards.  I merely say they are malleable political actors with a mushy moral center.

Couldn't we also say that they learned some new things over the years that produced a change in thinking? I know that I have; and that such learnings have changed my mind about a number of issues. Both μετανοέω and μεταμελλόμαι are words that indicate a willingness to change and be changed. "Hardness of heart" is a biblical term that indicates an unwillingness to change.

We could. But the thing is, those who say "they were always for it, they just thought they couldn't say that politically," don’t say that.

I think Obama was always for gay marriage. If you examine his record as Illinois state senator, it was to the left of how he campaigned in 2008, and to a degree, even in 2012.

6

Your Turn / Re: Book of Revelation

« on: July 22, 2021, 11:35:29 PM »

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I've got evangelical family who buy all the rapture stuff hook, line, and sinker.

7

Your Turn / Re: Deaths of Despair

« on: July 22, 2021, 11:13:31 PM »

That may be. But what I see being given to us by (mainly Democratic) leaders is apocalyptic doom and gloom in the environment and in society. The proposed and demanded solutions would involve a complete deconstruction of society, our economy, our laws, and our way of life. Anything deemed "white" in particular is singled out for repudiation and destruction. Knowing that I am a cause and symbol for everything that is wrong about America (and is there much that is currently held to be good about America?) simply does wonders for my low level, chronic depression.

Democratic policies today are much less liberal than they were in the 1930s-70s.

8

Your Turn / Re: Coronavirus news

« on: July 22, 2021, 11:11:10 PM »

And once again, we are reinforced in the understanding that it is only the unvaccinated who are now getting gravely ill and dying from the virus.
Given that as an actual fact, somebody explain to me excusing the actions of the unvaccinated and those who refuse to take the vaccine.
You do understand of course, not to put too much of a price tag on it, that their care is costing millions of dollars and the financial impact on the families after they die is costing many millions of dollars.

Not to mention that those who get long COVID (and with Delta's potency, long COVID is highly likely) are going to drive up health insurance prices for everyone.

9

Your Turn / Re: Introduction

« on: July 22, 2021, 02:03:58 PM »

Thank you, Pastors. Looks like you guys have quite the lively discussions on here!

10

Your Turn / Re: St. Paul Lutheran Seminary

« on: July 22, 2021, 12:06:58 PM »

You can never go wrong with Dr. Nestingen. Excellent preacher and teacher.

St. Paul's seems like a decent school. I'm Facebook friends with Pastor Marney Fritts, another one who can deliver the goods.

11

Your Turn / Introduction

« on: July 22, 2021, 12:03:29 PM »

Good morning, all, and God Bless.

I would first like to thank Pastor Speckhard for approving my account on here. Next, since I can't find a specific section to post an introduction, I'll just post here, as it seems to be the more lively forum section.

I'm Paul Nicolosi, and I attend an ELCA church in Indiana. I've lurked around this forum for many years, as I was always Lutheran-curious. I finally joined the Church of the Augsburg Confession (officially) in 2017. Hoping to get to know you all!