Messages

16

Your Turn / Re: Independence Day 2018

« on: June 29, 2018, 06:13:39 PM »

For those with the interest and time to do so, you might wish to look up and read the whole of both the US and Canadian national anthems.  Additional verses which are almost unknown to most citizens of both countries contain some very interesting statements about "God and country".

The third verse of the US national anthem is interesting to say the least:

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore,
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a Country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footstep’s pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

For hubris you can't beat line 5 in the last stanza:

O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace may the heav’n rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto - “In God is our trust,”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

17

Your Turn / Re: Is God Now a "Ze"?

« on: May 09, 2018, 10:08:58 AM »

There is only one true God.   The Jews have rejected Him, and thus therir "god" is something other than the one true God who lead them out of Egypt.   John 8:12-59.

Going by the proof-text being used, it's not the implication their "god" is something other than the one true God - it's the Devil.
You're effectively saying the Jews are Devil worshipers. 

That may be a theological truth for some, but I don't think the text works for this particular discussion.

I think it is clear from the Scriptures that everyone who does not have faith in the one true God basically has the devil as their "god" whether they know it or not.

It is clear that Jesus claims that they should know Him from the Old Testament, John 6:39-47, 8:56.   By rejecting Jesus as God they reject the God they claim to worship.  Therefore they worship a false god.

18

Your Turn / Re: Is God Now a "Ze"?

« on: May 08, 2018, 06:59:59 PM »

My pastor told us last night  about a meeting he had with the Rabbi down the street from our church.  She said, "So you are the Lutheran Pastor up the street?   At least we worship the same God".   Our Pastor said, "No, we don't worship the same God since you do not believe Jesus is God".   Her reply, "You really believe that Jesus is God?"

I am thankful I have a Pastor that is brave enough to speak the truth.

Hmm . . . wouldn't it be more accurate, in talking with a Jew, to acknowledge that we worship the same God, even though the Jewish understanding of that God (as Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is incomplete? To say "we don't worship the same God" seems to push the differences a bit too far.

They do not worship the Trinity.  Ask them.  But you do worship the Trinity.  Different Gods.  Is Jesus God?  You say so and worship Him.  They say no and do not.  Different Gods.  Not "incomplete" understanding but DIFFERENT understanding, different Gods.

How can there be different Gods if there is only one God. Either there was nothing that led Israel out of slavery and gave them the law; or it has to be the one, true God that Christians also worship, but through the understanding of the Trinity.

There is only one true God.   The Jews have rejected Him, and thus therir "god" is something other than the one true God who lead them out of Egypt.   John 8:12-59.

19

Your Turn / Re: Is God Now a "Ze"?

« on: May 07, 2018, 04:00:39 PM »

My pastor told us last night  about a meeting he had with the Rabbi down the street from our church.  She said, "So you are the Lutheran Pastor up the street?   At least we worship the same God".   Our Pastor said, "No, we don't worship the same God since you do not believe Jesus is God".   Her reply, "You really believe that Jesus is God?"

I am thankful I have a Pastor that is brave enough to speak the truth.

P.S.  He shared this event during class when we were studying the 1st commandment.

20

Your Turn / Re: Is God Now a "Ze"?

« on: May 07, 2018, 03:42:37 PM »

My pastor told us last night  about a meeting he had with the Rabbi down the street from our church.  She said, "So you are the Lutheran Pastor up the street?   At least we worship the same God".   Our Pastor said, "No, we don't worship the same God since you do not believe Jesus is God".   Her reply, "You really believe that Jesus is God?"

I am thankful I have a Pastor that is brave enough to speak the truth.

21

Your Turn / Re: Naked and Unashamed Summary Statement

« on: March 23, 2018, 05:13:51 PM »

The ELCA did not start with a commitment to follow Scripture wherever it leads. 

True. We start with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and follow it wherever it leads. We are all sinners. We are all offered forgiveness and new life by God's grace through Jesus Christ.

That said, resistance and backlash eventually will come. 

Yes, and that resistance and backlash always takes the form of legalism: putting conditions on God's grace through Jesus Christ.

Is it correct, then, that you see the Gospel as disconcerting from the Scripture and superior to it?

Brian appears to be following what has been known as the ELCA modification of the Lutheran formal and material principles from:

Formal Principle – Scripture alone
Material Principle – Justification by grace through faith in Christ alone.

to:

Formal Principle – the Gospel
Material Principle – love

Don't forget "Q".

22

Your Turn / Re: God Knows What He Is Doing

« on: March 22, 2018, 12:57:03 PM »

Also see Job 38:1-42:6.

23

Your Turn / Re: New Lutheran Seminary Names President

« on: March 13, 2018, 01:33:07 PM »

I am willing to bet you could take the same logic that comes up with "Q", compare two stories on the same topic from the New York Times and the Washington Post, and claim that they both originally come from a "unknown" previous document called "X".

And if we found a document "Y" that looked a whole lot like what we believe is in "X" that would add support to the theory that there was an "X".


If not from "X", what would your explanation be for articles in the Times and the Post containing exactly the same quotes. What would have been the source for those quotes? (Oh, and neither of the writers could have been eye-witnesses or ear-hearers of the quotes they use.)

But in my case there is no document "Y", each reporter did their own story independently.   But since you so enjoy your mythological document "Q" I am sure my example will fall on deaf ears.

24

Your Turn / Re: New Lutheran Seminary Names President

« on: March 13, 2018, 11:38:45 AM »

I am willing to bet you could take the same logic that comes up with "Q", compare two stories on the same topic from the New York Times and the Washington Post, and claim that they both originally come from a "unknown" previous document called "X".

25

Your Turn / Re: LSTC Now “Accredited – On Probation”

« on: February 10, 2018, 05:52:15 PM »

Our congregation has $4,800 in its budget for anyone from the congregation who is attending one of the seminaries.  If no one is attending we send the funds to Fort Wayne for their general scholarship fund.

26

Your Turn / Re: LSTC Now “Accredited – On Probation”

« on: February 10, 2018, 10:29:04 AM »

Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis just published the following news item:

New financial aid policy begins in 2018-19 academic year

100 percent tuition covered for residential pastoral, diaconal students

Zero. That is the amount students pursuing pastoral and diaconal ministry certification at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will pay for tuition beginning in the 2018-19 academic year.

The Seminary’s new financial aid policy — made possible by the incredible generosity and support of Seminary donors — guarantees financial aid at least equal to the cost of tuition for all Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Residential Alternate Route (RAR) and Deaconess Studies students effective this fall.

The application deadline for the upcoming academic year is Feb. 28 and the financial aid deadline is April 1.

“Some of our future pastors and deaconesses don’t receive enough financial aid to cover their tuition bill in full,” said Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer. “This new policy will cover that shortfall, relieving that burden and, I pray, opening the door to more students down the road who can put the worry of how to pay for their Seminary education behind them.”

The Seminary’s Board of Regents approved the new policy in September and Meyer first introduced the new policy at a convocation held on campus Oct. 25.

Students receive financial assistance from many sources, including scholarships, the Adopt-a-Student Program, and specific support from home congregations and districts. Under the new policy, if an M.Div. or RAR student still has a tuition shortfall after factoring in that outside aid, the Seminary will completely cover the shortfall with a Residential Program Grant. Previously, these students were guaranteed a grant for 25 percent of the charged tuition before other sources of financial aid were factored into their tuition bill.

“While we celebrate and give thanks to our donors for their generous support, which has been given as a result of the Generations Campaign and makes this new policy possible, it’s important to remember that removing our students’ out-of-pocket tuition expenses can only continue and get even better with the ongoing support of our partners and donors,” Meyer said. “We need to be in partnership in this.”

All Seminary-based financial aid, including the grant established under the new policy, are grants and not loans, and therefore do not need to be paid back. The amount each student receives will vary based on his or her tuition shortfall. Other expenses incurred, including housing, insurance, books and other necessities, are the responsibility of the student.

The new policy requires M.Div. and RAR students to sign a “Partnership Covenant” with the Seminary, agreeing to the policy and committing to maintain satisfactory academic performance, apply for scholarships, disclose all sources of financial aid and communicate regularly with Adopt-A-Student donors.

Deaconess Studies students also will receive a grant that will completely meet their tuition bill after other types of aid are factored into their tuition costs. To maintain their eligibility for this financial aid, deaconess students also must agree to maintain satisfactory academic progress and are encouraged to apply for scholarships and correspond with donors.

“Concordia Seminary students are receiving record amounts of financial aid,” said Financial Aid Director Laura Hemmer. “We are committed to continuing to assist students in keeping financial concerns at a minimum and supporting them as they continue their Seminary studies and pursue ministry in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

27

Your Turn / Re: When did Jesus become fully human?

« on: January 25, 2018, 04:58:58 PM »

As an unrepentant papist, I will celebrate the 25th of March in answer to that question.

As an unrepentant non-papist, I always celebrate March 25 for the same reason. That single cell Baby in the Virgin's womb is the Savior of the world.

Here is a challenge for pastors - this year March 25th is also Palm Sunday in the Western Church.  So work in the Annunciation and God becoming man into your Palm Sunday sermon. I just gave that challenge to my pastor.

28

Your Turn / Re: When did Jesus become fully human?

« on: January 25, 2018, 02:08:13 PM »

Another example of Christ's "humiliation".   He starts His humanity as a one cell human being.  Can't get more humble than that!

29

Your Turn / Re: LCMS kerfuffle

« on: January 08, 2018, 05:47:05 PM »

On the lighter side:

http://babylonbee.com/news/satan-sprinkles-stegosaurus-bones-across-nation-test-christians-faith/

P.S. I believe in creation in six 24 hour days, but I still find this funny!

30

Your Turn / Re: LCMS kerfuffle

« on: January 05, 2018, 12:55:37 PM »

I think you are misunderstanding the basis for President Harrison's comments.  It is not a matter of logic, it is a matter of hermaneutics.  If you interpret Genesis 1 and 2 that way what does it imply about your interpretation of the rest of Scripture. 

I see a distinction without a difference.

The ultimate question is, what does Jesus think about Genesis 1 and 2? If He takes it as literal, how can we not?

Agreed. So...?

First off, as I stated I agree that we start with Christ, and that we accept the inerrancy of Scripture because Christ did, and because He said the Scriptures were about Him.

Now, as to what Jesus thought about Genesis 1 and 2 we have Him quoting from it in Matt 19:4-5.   I agree that it is a short quote, but is there anything there that indicates that Jesus sees this section of Scripture as a story, allegory, myth, fable, etc?  We also have Paul treating Adam and Eve as historical figures.   What do we do with that?  Finally, is one result of orthodox Christology that Genesis 1 and 2 are true representations of how God created everything?

I do not accept the attempts of the "Answers in Genesis" crowd of trying to reconcile science and Genesis. Science cannot by its nature explain or deal with the miraculous.  So we cannot expect science to explain how God created out of nothing.  See Job 40-41.