Messages

1

Your Turn / Re: Political/cultural/religious division

« on: January 18, 2022, 01:18:24 PM »

Brian, rather than quote the whole thing, here is something you wrote in response to Peter:

 "I read the article. No where does it indicate that fraud occurred. It indicates that officials did not have the authority to make the changes they did about turning in ballots - which allowed more people to vote (with probably all legal ballots). What they did is legal in other states, e.g., we dropped off our mail-in ballot at a drop off box." 

I don't believe that people are saying the election was fraudulent.  The claim is that the election was rigged, was unfair.  So many new rules for elections were made in 2020, mostly by unelected officials.  The state legislatures (I'm looking at you PA, GA, WI) sat back and abdicated their role in determining the electoral process for their state.  And now the federal government wants to hijack the electoral process even further, taking more responsibilities for themselves that they do not possess. 

Biden won the election.  It was an election rigged in his favor though.

Jeremy

2

Your Turn / Re: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

« on: January 18, 2022, 09:49:30 AM »

I'm preparing to teach a class on the first 6 centuries of the Church (biggest problem being how to condense this into a set number of classes).  Just finished reading Leo Donald Davis' The First Seven Ecumenical Councils. Cries for unity filled the air during those years even as the Church divided into Nestorian, Monophysite and Orthodox communions and, ultimately, between Eastern and Western branches. Is unity possible at all before the Lord's return?  Part of me says "no", just look at our history.  But another part of me says that more unity will be possible as the enemies of the one true faith grow stronger and wage real war on the saints of God.  Looking back I have to answer no to unity, looking forward I think maybe?

Terry, I recall a seven part series on Issues Etc on the Seven Ecumenical Councils, each between 30 and 60 minutes.  The guest was Rev. Heath Curtis, an LCMS pastor from southern IL.  I don't have any link for this, but if you go to issuesetc.org there is a search capability, if you need more info, additional info. 

To the main thread, when it comes to Christian unity, my main feeling is "What's the point?"  I think I share Terry's comment that the history of the church tells me no, unity is a stupid thing to work for.  How many times does Lucy have to pull the football away before Charlie Brown finally says no, there is no point to this charade anymore. 

But Terry's hope for the future is also something that I resonate with.  It was after 2009 and there was a discussion her about what sort of realignment was taking place, or could take place.  The LCMS was being criticized for its insistent stance against ecumenism when at the very same time the LCMS was meeting with the NALC and the ACNA (Anglican Communion of North America).  Apparently we were being ecumenical with the wrong people.  A poster here (I'm going to call out Marshall Hahn because that is what I remember) said that a realignment was taking place and it wasn't around traditional denominational lines.  The poster said that his tea leaves said that the Seven Sisters of the Mainline (ELCA, Episcopalians, PCUSA, UCC, American Baptists, others) would ultimately join together to form an American Coalition of Churches or something.  There is nothing that distinguishes those churches at all.  And everyone that is not a part of the Seven Sisters would line up on the other side.  So unity will be possible as the enemies of the Church grow stronger and wage their war against God and His Church. 

To sum up: what Terry said.

Jeremy

3

Your Turn / Re: Coronavirus news

« on: January 05, 2022, 01:09:14 PM »

Schools are not closed where we are, maybe KC, but last week they were open.  The suburban school districts in both KS and MO are open.  There are no mask mandates in Jackson, Cass, or Clay counties in MO or in Johnson or Wyandotte counties in KS. 

My sense, as if that means anything to anyone but me, is that the feeling is...this is life.  Minimize things as best you can.  If you have a condition, then you might have to take extra precautions, but that is up to you. 

I'm not a gun person but I think that bullets are one-time use.  Masking and social distancing were the bullet we had against covid.  We fired that bullet.  Vaccines are a different bullet.  I've been vaxxed.  I'm going to take the precautions I need to but I've got work to do and a life to live as imperfectly as I know how. 

Jeremy

4

Your Turn / Re: Coronavirus news

« on: January 05, 2022, 11:15:01 AM »

And a P.S. on life here in Minnesota.
Infections are high in our county, and despite precautions taken in our community, recent testing found five positives out of nearly 200 tests. So we are stepping up some counter-measures; wearing masks in public areas, limiting the size of events to 20 persons, paying more attention to "social distancing." And the entire community will be tested again tomorrow.
   But thanks to the hiring of additional workers; we are returning to served, sit-down meals, with an expanded menu three days a week, rather than the cumbersome, and less toothsome buffets.

 

Cases are up?  Big whoop.  Omicron is proving to be not much of a bother to the vast, vast, vast majority of people.  South Africa has provided the world with great data about the length and severity of the omicron variant and that data is revealing that it is not on the same level as the delta variant. 

I think even the CDC and the federal government are starting to refrain from talking about cases and talking more about hospitalizations and deaths.  And everyone responds, "Finally.  Focus on what is important." 

And open the schools. 

Jeremy

5

Your Turn / Re: Seminex Profs

« on: December 30, 2021, 10:03:23 AM »

Don, thank you for sharing that quotation from Carl Braaten.  It was very interesting.  I have nothing else to add, other than to say that the impact of the Walkout was felt in all Lutheran denominations. 

Jeremy (Mr. Obvious) Loesch

PS- my apologies for stealing Pr. Garrison's bit.

6

Your Turn / Re: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

« on: December 08, 2021, 09:05:27 AM »

Oooooooh Fadduh Hummel, now I'm confused.   

Jeremy

7

Your Turn / Re: Notre Dame cathedral renovation

« on: December 06, 2021, 12:20:29 PM »

John Warwick Montgomery was a guest on Issues, Etc to discuss the "Disneyfication" of Notre Dame.  It was a good conversation, particularly about the religious history of France.  The article came from The Telegraph, which Dr. Montgomery says is rather sensationalistic, and that if common sense and the French tendency toward conservatism prevails, then the light show to evoke emotions and the final bit about environmentalism will likely go nowhere.  That is my hope too. 

Here is a link to the show, about a half hour.  https://issuesetc.org/2021/12/02/3392-the-restoration-of-notre-dame-cathedral-in-paris-dr-john-warwick-montgomery-12-2-21/

Jeremy

8

Your Turn / Re: Christian response to Rittenhouse trial

« on: November 30, 2021, 08:33:42 AM »

Derek Black, son of one of the nation's leading white supremacists, and presumed heir to the website and racist organization his father founded, Klansman David Duke being his godfather, went to a Florida college and was confronted with massive student protests about his presence on campus. he was broadcasting a regular radio show and helping his father with Stormfront, a white nationalist organization and website. He spoke at white nationalist rallies.
In the book, Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow, we learn how, over a period of years and interactions with other people, Black came to renounce his white nationalism.
It is a very fascinating story.
I mention it here because student protests about notorious people on campus is nothing new.

So the hope is that the irrational, childish, and hateful protestors will grow up and renounce their ways.  Like you Charles, I am hopeful for that too.

Jeremy

9

Your Turn / Re: Could we be seeing a return to one-earner families?

« on: November 14, 2021, 08:08:51 AM »

Like Peter and Tom, I agree that a return to one-earner families would be a tremendous thing all the way around.  Yes, it would strengthen neighborhoods and civic groups.  And I also agree that the trend (?) toward homeschooling/parochial schooling precipitated by the pandemic pulled the covers off the serious problems in public schools.  Entirely anecdotal but Timothy Blue Springs, Bethany Overland Park, Calvary KC, and Lutheran High School of KC all saw increases in enrollment the last two years. 

Jeremy

10

Your Turn / Re: Bronxville Servant of Christ Award Winner Strikes Again

« on: November 12, 2021, 12:55:59 PM »

I know Peter doesn't like comments that are basically "Ditto!" but....

Let's Go Brandon has everything to do with the press.  Everything.  They cannot function without Trump and they don't know how to cover Biden because they cannot say anything negative about him and there is absolutely nothing positive to cover about him.  So all the country knows is that Biden likes chocolate ice cream or something. 

Gas prices?  HAHAHAHAHA is the direct quote from Jennifer Granholm, secy of energy.  The press won't cover that unless the press consumer seeks out coverage. 

Make haste Brandon!  Or less Shakespearean...let's go.

Jeremy

11

Your Turn / Re: Coronavirus news

« on: November 09, 2021, 09:57:47 AM »

Two topics I like- Joe Rogan and Ivermectin- have been brought up, so...

Joe Rogan is a good source for news and entertainment.  He's not bought by anyone, has a wide range of guests, and spends two hours having conversations.  (I also find Breaking Points with Saagar Engeti and Krystal Ball to be worthwhile.  Russel Brand's podcasts are also informative.)

Ivermectin is a drug for human consumption that is also beneficial to animals.  It was discovered in Japan, so any sort of racial animus can be removed right off the bat.  It is widely used throughout the world and is effective.  The Darkhorse podcast with Brett Weinstein and Heather Heying had a tremendous interview with Dr. Peter Khoury.  Weinstein and Heying are husband and wife, or partner and partner, and are both Ph.D biologists.  They were both at Evergreen College and managed to get off that sinking ship before it completely went under. 

The main drawback to Ivermectin is its cost.  It is roughly $4 a dose, and I believe it can be acquired in generic form.  This means that Big Pharma cannot make any money off it.  Big Pharma can make money off of the vaccines so that is the only treatment being pushed.  And Big Pharma is guarding the patents and propietary information that they developed.  Wait, let me correct that- Big Pharma is guarding the propietary information they developed thanks to taxpayer funds. 

So...Joe Rogan is great.  So is Russell Brand and Breaking Points.  Fauci is untrustworthy.  So are all the Ds and Rs in Congress and the administration.  Ivermectin can be taken as a prophylactic and as a therapeutic.  And if my three dogs ever need it, it's available to them also but I am not counting on them getting heartworm.   

Jeremy

12

Your Turn / Re: Death notice for Dr. Horace Hummel

« on: October 22, 2021, 07:59:24 AM »

I was privileged to have had Dr. Hummel for several classes at Concordia Seminary, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a great deal from him.

As I believe I have mentioned in this forum before, he and I once spent a week together in the same hospital room--being treated by the seminary's physician for our respective ailments. I was then taking a class from Dr. Hummel, so I received some additional knowledge/tutoring that week, to say the least. Over the course of those days and nights, we became friends. And we promised each other that we would never tell another soul what we witnessed medically that week. I have kept that promise, as I know he did, too. It was a "bonding experience," to say the least. That was midway through my second year.

Yes, we grew apart theologically later on, but I jokingly reminded him years after my graduation, when our paths crossed again shortly before his retirement, "You were partly responsible for introducing historical-critical methods of biblical study at Concordia Seminary, along with Dr. Scharlemann. And I learned some of that methodology from you, including when we spent some time together in the hospital. So you are partially to blame for opening my eyes to the usefulness of those methods for understanding the Holy Scriptures." Horace smiled that wry smile of his and then proceeded to give a nuanced reply that began with the words, "Well, yes, ah-hem, Matthew, but...." (I have copies of those infamous essays of his from the early 1950s.) I told him then how much I appreciated that one afternoon in the hospital, when we spent a few hours discussing the many ways in which "myth" might be a useful genre-category for understanding the nature of Gen. 2-3.

He was a lot of fun as a professor, as long as you kept up with your Hebrew. One week my fellow students and I had to fight off smirking/laughing at the start of Tues's-Fri's classes, as each of those days he wore the same green suit and tie he had worn on Monday. Later we learned that Horace's wife had been out of town that week, and he simply found it easier to wear the same suit each day. And one always knew when Dr. Hummel was preaching in chapel, as you could smell the incense long before you reached the chapel auditorium....

He was a gift to the church, and, as I say, I will always be grateful for what he taught me.

May he rest in the peace and light of the Lord.

Matt Becker

Wait.  The seminary had its own physician?  Like an NFL team?

The seminary prepares us for any given Sunday...

The field is the chancel.  And sometimes you have to go into the medical tent, which is the pastor's study, and get the shot just to get on the field in order to throw that last second benediction to seal the victory!

Jeremy

13

Your Turn / Re: MO District Pastors Conference "Joy in Ministry"

« on: October 20, 2021, 02:01:15 PM »

From thinking about the attendees, there were a large number of retirees, but also quite a few who were there less than 5 years into the ministry.  They did a "stand up and receive some thanks if you have been serving X number of years".  I'd put that number of newer guys at 8-10.  Giving thanks for the Lord's strength and provision and for the ministry of the congregations was a huge part of the conference.  But attendance did seem to be down a bit. 

And yes, Kevin was senior pastor at Village in Ladue.  Village Lutheran's endowment fund was the sponsor of the two hour long happy hour (free beer, cold cuts, cheese and crackers) so I wonder if this was a parting gift from Kevin for the district pastors.  LOL   

Jeremy

14

Your Turn / MO District Pastors Conference "Joy in Ministry"

« on: October 20, 2021, 10:43:38 AM »

Hi everyone.  The Missouri District just wrapped up its Pastors Conference and it was really excellent.  I thought I'd share a bit of it.

It was an in-person conference at the Lake of the Ozarks.  That's a good, central location.  It is comfortable with enough room and amenities.  Last year's conference was conducted via Zoom, and it was okay.  But I think the general consensus is that those kinds of conferences can only do so much.  It was so good to be in a large room with pastors, a few spouses, district workers, guests and sing together (The Church's One Foundation, Joy to the World).  It was like a breath of fresh air after collectively going through a difficult time in ministry.  The District intentionally crafted the conference to be primarily a time to just be together and reconnect. 

There were three presenters: Tom Egger and Larry Rast, presidents of St. Louis and Ft. Wayne seminaries respectively, and Michael Ziegler, present speaker of The Lutheran Hour.  Both of the presidents spoke about joy in ministry.  Tom Egger is an OT scholar and spoke about Moses' ministry revealed in Exodus.  Larry Rast is an historian and he offered some glimpses of LCMS history and ministerial practices.  Michael Ziegler offered a presentation on Bible telling, and it was very interesting and a nice way to bask in the richness of scripture. 

Tom Egger was recently elected and installed as president of Concordia, St. Louis and we had some discussion here about his election.  He began his presentation by talking about the assets of the seminary, her challenges, and her priorities.  Three of the challenges are an aging faculty, preparing pastors for a polarized church in a polarized world, and determining what is the place of residential field ed.  (In addressing the faculty, Tom noted three new faculty members- Ely Prieto, a Brazilian who is teaching in the practical department and will oversee EIIT; Kevin Golden will teach OT in the exegetical department; and Phil Penhallagon will also teach OT in the exegetical department.)

I was encouraged to hear the priorities of the seminary that Tom laid out.  They are: 1. Daily chapel as the center of sem life (Jon Vieker is the new dean of chapel and a professor in the practical department) 2. Classroom learning that is formative 3. Campus life 4. Synodical partnerships 5. Worldwide service. 

Larry Rast shared some observations of pastoral ministry and brought some data points to view and referenced a 2010 book by Philip Clayton titled "Theology and the Church after Google."  Here are some random points that Larry offered:
-Statistical decline in the LCMS began in 1971 (50 years!)
-Clergy nationwide who responded to surveys about stress and depression are about 70%; the LCMS claims about 25%.  Larry says we should split the difference and then say that about 50% of LCMS clergy are stressed and/or depressed.
-Technology has far outpaced human adaptability.  We can't keep up and we can't catch up. 

Looking to the future...what do we do as a church, what will it be like?  According to his presentation, the future church: will not be a linear continuation; will not be wholly different; will fit in with the times (and fitting in is not the same as conforming); will notice that the pattern of things will be different but the 'how' cannot be discerned right now; will need to develop spiritual, personal, and relational habits. 

Those are summaries of their presentations.  They were really good.  And it was just good to have a normal pastors conference again.  It was good to peruse the CPH table, to spend a few moments with some comfort dogs, to talk with Concordia Plans people, yada yada yada.  And I think that these last sentiments were shared by a number of other clergy.  The last 18-24 months have been, and remain, challenging.  But there is joy in the ministry because it is the Lord's ministry.  He has put His pastors where they are.  And when the Lord does the putting, there's not a whole lot that can be done about that. 

Have other pastors here had their own district conferences?  What are your reactions to them?

Peace to you all.  Jeremy

15

Your Turn / Re: Death notice for Dr. Horace Hummel

« on: October 14, 2021, 09:40:11 AM »

What I tweeted out when CSL tweeted the death notice.   I never knew the man personally.  But his Ezekiel Commentary is great (it is amazing that there are two great modern Ezekiel commentaries, Jenson being the other, but at least two gospels don't really have a decent commentary), and The Word Became Flesh should be required reading. For one person to write two works that have a chance to still be around in 100 years is an amazing feat.

Just curious, which two gospels do not have a decent commentary?  I agree that Hummel's Ezekiel commentary is good.

Jeremy