Messages

31

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".

32

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.

33

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.”

34

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.

35

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!

36

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!

37

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.

38

Your Turn / Re: LCMS kerfuffle

« on: January 05, 2018, 08:53:53 AM »

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

39

Your Turn / Re: Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary Lutheran Witness

« on: December 15, 2017, 12:22:08 PM »

On your comments about there not being a "St. Mary Lutheran Church" an alternative (and admittedly snarky) version would be "Our Lady of the Reformation Lutheran Church".   But people may think that refers to Martin Luther's wife instead of the Virgin Mary!

40

Your Turn / Re: LCMS kerfuffle

« on: December 13, 2017, 12:25:11 PM »

Dr. Arand has another post on the concordiatheology blog on creation, the first of a series on the different views of creation in Evangelicalism and the need to articulate our Lutheran voice.

https://concordiatheology.org/2017/12/evangelical-creation-debates-travel-guide/

41

Your Turn / Re: In Colorado, The Cake is in the Supreme Court oven

« on: December 11, 2017, 11:39:34 AM »

Note that the baker in this case did offer to sell them anything that was already in the store.   He only refused to make them a custom cake.

42

Your Turn / Re: LCMS kerfuffle

« on: December 08, 2017, 12:31:04 PM »

Here are some reflections on the reactions to the article from the editor of the Concordia Journal:

https://concordiatheology.org/2017/12/reflections-on-reactions-to-the-summer-issue-of-concordia-journal/

43

Your Turn / Re: Draft ELCA Social Statement on Women & Justice Released

« on: November 26, 2017, 04:23:12 PM »

I misrepresented what you said in exactly the same way that I find what I've said to be misrepresented.

Did you do so intentionally?  I have never intentionally misrepresented what you said.

Not intentionally, but sometimes from misunderstanding what you wrote (often because of reading it too quickly and/or after midnight.

Have I any where indicated that our righteousness before God is anything other than the righteousness that God has given us?

I'm quite aware you said that.  I replied that it is only a given in a very narrow sense.  Specifically, I said it is a given only where the Holy Spirit gives the gift of faith through Word and Sacrament.  So I did not misrepresent your argument, but took it seriously.

I would not limit the Holy Spirit to the means of grace. The Spirit blows where it wills. We have the assurance that the Spirit works in Word and Sacrament, but we shouldn't limit the Spirit only to those means.

This seems to violate SA-III VIII 3-13 and FC Ep II 13.

44

Your Turn / Re: I don't understand? Concordia Portland asked to be independent?

« on: June 05, 2017, 08:46:22 AM »

I don't think there's been any chirping about Matt Harrison on this board, Harry, when it comes to what's going on at Concordia Portland.  Having been involved in congregation, school and camp closings in the Atlantic District over a quarter century of time, what happens when difficult decisions get made is that the arrows are aimed at the leader even when there are all kinds of other issues and personalities in play.  Recognizing that is part of taking the leadership vocation, and I believe Matt understands that fully. 

Dave Benke

I agree with you about this forum and Matt Harrision on this topic.  For this forum I thought the interesting part was the quote from the communications department of Synod.  It gave some more background on how the whole topic got started.   I quoted the whole BJS article so everything was presented in context.

45

Your Turn / Re: I don't understand? Concordia Portland asked to be independent?

« on: June 02, 2017, 07:02:40 PM »

From BJS (http://steadfastlutherans.org/2017/06/concordia-university-portland-news/) from Pastor Joshua Scheer:


A recent announcement by the Board of Regents of Concordia University Portland has drawn some attention.  Apparently there are discussions about the University becoming independent, separate from the LCMS.  Upon this announcement I found some folks on Facebook immediately take to accusation and suspicion that there is a power play at work and that Team Harrison is up to no good.  This is no surprise as the recent zombie-resurrection of Jesus First as “Congregations Matter” has signaled that many liberals in the Synod are not interested in truth or charitable interpretations of situations, but instead upon politically crafted attacks upon the Harrison administration.  Despite huge agreement in measures passed at the 2016 Convention, these folks want to be a vocal and radical minority hiding under a supposed concern for congregations.  No doubt the same old voices will raise the same old uncharitable interpretations of the Harrison administration.  They will also likely blast away at groups like the United List that simply lends its faithful record and approval to candidates for offices. The will of congregations was made known in 2016 as they through their delegations elected the folks we have now.  An attack upon the delegates decisions is not supporting congregations but is actively fighting against them.  We don’t have the United List running the LCMS but the folks duly elected by the Synod Convention (representing all the congregations of the Synod).  Don’t mistake “sour grapes” and class warfare (power politics) for actual concern here folks.

One of our writers here at Steadfast wrote about the strategic importance of these kind of potential changes in the Concordia University System last Fall.  Thank you to Mr. Tim Wood for his insight and vision to help open up some out of the box thinking with his post.  These laymen we have here at Steadfast are great guys, loving the true confession of the Faith in both their congregations and also their synod.  Thanks be to God for such gifts.

I asked the communications department of the LCMS for a statement and they graciously provided one to me (available to anyone that asks) and I print it below:

COMMUNICATION AND RESPONSE TO RECENT STATEMENTS MADE BY CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY- PORTLAND
No decision, proposal or recommendation has been made by Concordia University System or by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod regarding any significant changes at Concordia University – Portland.
Under Synod Bylaws, Concordia University System’s Board of Directors (CUS) would have to make a recommendation to the LCMS Board of Directors concerning certain types of major changes, such as a divestiture or sale, before any changes could occur. If such a recommendation were to be made by CUS, no action would be taken unless both the LCMS Board of Directors and one of either the Concordia University Portland (CUP) Board of Regents or the Council of Presidents voted to accept the recommendation.
The recent CUP Facebook posting and other communications sent out by CUP’s Board of Regents concerning possible changes in ownership and governance reflect the fact that CUS President, Rev. Dr. Dean Wenthe, and CUP President, Dr. Charles Schlimpert, recently met to discuss how they might work together to meet complex challenges that are facing campuses like CUP in this turbulent environment that currently characterizes university education. Rev. Dr. Wenthe invited Dr. Schlimpert to meet with him in St. Louis to discuss these challenges, particularly in the area of ongoing capitalization. They discussed a variety of ideas on how they might explore potential solutions that would benefit both CUP and the LCMS, but no definite proposals were made. However, CUS President Rev. Dr. Wenthe and CUS Board Chairman Dr. Gerhard Mundinger supported Dr. Schlimpert’s suggestion that he would be willing to postpone his retirement in light of the potentially significant changes that could occur with respect to CUP.

I think this is a good time to let the folks of Concordia Portland and the Concordia University System work this one out for the good of everyone involved.  It’s also time to stop interpreting everything in the most uncharitable way to the Harrison administration.  The 2016 Convention did some great things, including electing good folks who care about faithfulness throughout the Synod (that most certainly includes congregations!).