FW: Interesting Info from the Deaconess Conference from Dr. Herl...

Interesting…

 

Feed: Weedon's Blog
Posted on: Sunday, June 19, 2011 8:48 PM
Author: wweedon@gmail.com (William Weedon)
Subject: Interesting Info from the Deaconess Conference from Dr. Herl...

 

...the year was 1616.  Johann Georg, Margrave of Brandenburg, converted to Calvinism and sought to enforce Calvinism on his very Lutheran territory.  What changes did he demand? All images are to be removed from the church and sent to the court. The stone altar is to be ripped from the ground and replaced with a wooden table. When the Lord's Supper is held, a white cloth covers the table. All altars, crucifixes and panels are to be completely abolished. Instead of the host, bread is to be baked into loves, cut into strips, and put in a dish from which the people receive it in their hands; likewise the chalice is received by the people with their hands. The words of the Supper are no longer to be sung, but rather spoken. The golden chalice to be replaced by wooden. The prayer in the place of the collect is to be spoken, not sung. Mass vestments and other finery no longer used. No lamps are candles to be placed upon the altar. The houseling cloth is not to be held in front of the communicants. The people are not to bow as if Christ were present. The communicants shall no longer kneel. The sign of the cross after the benediction is to be discontinued. The priest is no longer to stand with his back to the people. The collect and Epistle no longer to be sung, but spoken. Individuals are no longer to go to confession before communing, but rather register with the priest in writing. The people are no longer to bow when the name of JESUS is mentioned, nor are they to remove their hats. The Our Father is no longer to be prayed aloud before the sermon, but rather there is to be silent prayer. Communion is not to be taken to the sick, as it is dangerous, especially in times of pestilence. The stone baptismal font is to be removed and a basin substituted. Epitaphs and crucifixes are not longer to be tolerated in the Church. The Holy Trinity is not to be depicted in any visual form. The words of the sacrament are to be altered and considered symbolic. The historic Epistles and Gospels no longer used, but rather a selection of the Bible by the minister, read without commentary. You can see from what the Elector objected to exactly what Lutheran liturgical practice was like in Brandenburg in his day!  I'm happy to note that the Elector would be distressed with much of the worship at St. Paul's in Hamel.  As Dr. Herl perceptively noted, the Elector believed that the only way to root out Lutheran doctrine was to change Lutheran worship, to get rid of worship that confessed in action what Lutherans believed in their hearts. http://feeds.feedburner.com/WeedonsBlog

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FW: Vespers on WQXR

Music for Father's Day…

 

Feed: Kile Smith
Posted on: Saturday, June 18, 2011 6:43 PM
Author: Kile Smith
Subject: Vespers on WQXR

 

The Crossing will be featured on the the June 19 edition of WQXR's new weekly radio show, The Choral Mix with Kent Tritle. Kent selected Piffaro and The Crossing's recording of my "Vater unser" from the Vespers CD. You can listen Sunday at 7am and 11pm EST on WQXR 105.9 FM and any time online at WQXR. So when Jeff Dinsmore told me about this, I said, "Well, I like 'Vater unser,' but I wouldn't think that'd be the first thing someone would pick from Vespers if they were going to play one thing from it." Jeff responded, very nicely and patiently, as if to a child, "Father's Day." Oh.

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FW: Settled Questions... Established Doctrine

Consider…

 

Feed: Pastoral Meanderings
Posted on: Saturday, June 18, 2011 5:52 AM
Author: noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Peters)
Subject: Settled Questions... Established Doctrine

 

For the last several hundred years or more, it has been fashionable to rethink established doctrine.  We have taken this to a new extreme in the 20th and 21st centuries.  It has become the mark of educated and erudite Christianity to look at settled questions and start afresh as if the question or doctrine were not settled.  I am not talking about things on the fringe of the faith but even things at the core and center of established Christian truth.  It is as if the creeds are seen as childish answers to satisfy only the childlike.  The real thinkers and those who are therefore closer to God dig deeper.  Digging deeper may then lead to different answers than the creeds, than the confessions of old, and even than Scripture itself. So, for example, this kind of thinking begins by suggesting that just maybe Arius was misunderstood and that he was not so far from the truth as may have been first thought.  Or, it might head down the path that other gospels were discarded and the Gospel that triumphed was thinking imposed upon the historical Jesus and not at all an accurate reflection of Him.  Or, the Scriptures themselves might be rethought to see if they are what they purport to be or whether the canonization process was instead a battle of ideas in which one side won and their version of authentic Scripture won.  Or, it may suggest that the modern day situation not even on the radar in the days of old and therefore neither Scripture nor Jesus ever spoke to such -- despite what it seems that Scripture literally says. There are those who would try to make Christianity into a moralistic religion with much in common with other moralistic religions.  There are also those who would remake Christianity into a mystery religion not much different from other mystery religions.  There are those who see parallels in other religious expressions and therefore presume that Christianity (or Judaism, for that matter) is merely another version or derivation of the primitive source of them all.  There are also those who suggest that Scripture says pretty much the same thing as holy books and oracles of truth in various ages and religious expressions -- albeit with certain unique variations. Once this was mostly an academic pursuit but it has entered the mainstream of Christian thought and practice.  From issues of sexuality to the role of women to morality, the folks in the pew are being inundated with new ideas that insist they are as old as Christianity and Scripture and that modern day "settled questions" and "established dogma or truth" cannot be trusted or accepted at face value.  The Bart Ehrmans of this world have taken their own personal doubts and points of view and baptized them in history in order to make them appear to be at least as legitimate as the catholic and apostolic faith -- if not more so.  In the end, we are left merely with doubt and fear -- doubt that what has always been believed and taught is correct and fear that we can ever know truth with any certainty or confidence. Recently I have found more and more lay folks who have been taken in by these merchants of doubt and fear and I am troubled more and more by the fake legitimacy of their claims and the ease at which they impose their uncertainty upon ordinary Christians.  I do not consider myself any authority on anything but I have learned over the years that the pursuits of my youthful rebellion were more and more foolish and empty.  I find that I defer more and more to the great teachers of the faith -- those from early Christian history and those of Lutheran orthodoxy alike. The funny thing about it is that I appear to be the radical and the purveyors of doubt and fear seem to be the reasonable ones.  And therein lies the problem -- where reason triumphs, God's truth suffers.  Our reason reaches its highest when it hears the voice of God speaking through His Word and answers with the "Amen" of faith. Lutherans have been less inclined to harp on things Lutheran (as opposed to that which is catholic and apostolic) and more inclined to that which has always been confessed and believed in every place and time.  If we are the only ones confessing something, then we Lutherans are inclined to wonder if we got it right.  It is to our joy that there are good Lutherans in every tradition who confess as we claim to, the evangelical and catholic faith.  Why we give those nattering nabobs of negativism (ala Agnew from Safire) to bother us is beyond me.  It would certainly make my job easier if I did not have to keep answering their latest diatribes.... unfortunately, it is less and less convincing to folks to give the answer that the Church has always believed.... this is catholic and apostolic faith and practice...

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FW: Scandinavian Conference on Lutheranism Online!

FYI…

 

Feed: Father Hollywood
Posted on: Thursday, June 16, 2011 5:11 PM
Author: Father Hollywood
Subject: Scandinavian Conference on Lutheranism Online!

 

Here is something not to be missed - even if you missed it! This was a conference on Scandinavian Lutheranism held June 6-8 at one of our sister seminaries in Canada - Concordia - St. Catharines (Ontario).  This has been a long time coming, as Scandinavian and American Lutherans have been becoming closer and closer over the past few years.  Indeed, the Lutheran world is shrinking, as faithful, confessional Lutherans from Kenya and Madagascar sing the same liturgy and partake of the same sacraments with their brothers and sisters from Siberia and Sweden. Note that you can see photos as well as listen to the lectures as podcasts, or even watch them as videos! This is what we could call an all-star line-up of Lutheran theology.  It's been my privilege since my time in seminary to become friends with, and follow the stories of, many of our Scandinavian brethren whose confession of the biblical and catholic faith has landed them in hot water - with the secular state as well as the rudderless bureaucrats from their own church bodies.  They are squeezed between the pincers of worldly power and churchly apostasy.  These men who serve as bishops, priests, and deacons - as well as the faithful laity, men and women alike, who feed on the Word and Sacraments from their pastors for the forgiveness of sins - are true heroes.  Year after year they proclaim and confess the Gospel, bringing light to a culture that decays and grows dimmer with each passing year.  And they do so with courage, integrity, and not without a sense of humor. This conference is almost a homecoming for me, as it includes Rev. Dr. John Stevenson, a dear friend and father in Christ who was the retreat speaker for Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church's congregational retreat in 2006.  The British-born Dr. Stephenson is also the general editor of the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics series, holds degrees from Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham, and is a delightful teacher and churchman.   Rev. Eric Andrae, another great friend, also spoke.  Pastor Andrae was also a retreat speaker at Salem Lutheran church - giving a version of his autobiographical lecture back in 2009.  It was a real joy, privilege, and treat to have heard his presentation.  Pastor Andrae, who was born in Sweden, is also the leading scholar on Bishop Bo Giertz, perhaps in the world.    Rev. Matthew Harrison, the president of the Missouri Synod also spoke.  He was my first field work supervisor in seminary, and was the pastor of Zion Lutheran Church where I attended from 2000-2003, and where I was ordained in 2004.  President Harrison is the author, editor, or translator of many works pertaining to church history, Lutheran theology, and the Christian faith and life. Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki was also one of my professors at Concordia Theological Seminary (who is in my ordination photo, second from the left) , a true Christian gentleman and rigorous scholar who demands as much of himself as he does from his grateful students.  Dr. Masaki was born in Japan, lived for a while in Norway, and continues to serve as professor of systematic theology (and oversees the STM program) at Concordia Theological Seminary - Fort Wayne. Another speaker, Rev. Juhana Puhola, is a Finnish-born confessional pastor who was awarded the Sabre of Boldness in 2009.  He is the only presenter that I have not met nor know personally - although we have communicated by e-mail.  As one of the editors of Gottesdienst, I was on the board that voted to recognize his service to Christ, the Church, and the Gospel with the Sabre.  In fact, read here Pastor Puhola's moving nomination...   We recommend that the Rev. Juhana Pohjola (STM [CTS]), Dean of The Luther Foundation in Finland (Luther-Saatio; which is associated with the Missionary Province in Sweden and Finland), is awarded the Sabre of Boldness. Not only does he support and supervise Lutheran pastors in their ministry of the Word, but he also actively opposes those leaders in the Church of Finland who are breaking down the faith and confession of our Lutheran heritage, instead of defending these gracious gifts of our Lord and Savior.   As an example of his noteworthy and courageous work in Finland, we would specifically like to mention an episode that occurred at a Sunday service in his congregation in Helsinki.  The bishop of Helsinki, Eero Huovinen, came to the service; he is a leading Luther scholar and a daunting man respected man throughout Finland. Rev. Pohjola took him aside in order to speak with him privately; this bishop not only ordains female pastors, defying the Word of God, but he even refuses to ordain confessional Lutheran theologians that will not compromise in this matter. After a short conversation, the bishop asked if Rev. Pohjola was going to refuse to administer the holy supper to him. Rev. Pohjola requested that the bishop would not put him in such an awkward position by coming to the altar.   Indeed, the bishop did not join the communicants, but afterwards, when all of it became public, the Rev. Pohjola was warned that he would be disciplined - for almost "disciplining" this renowned bishop. Actually, Rev. Pohjola never did withhold the supper from the bishop, since he did not come forward!  Nonetheless, Rev. Pohjola was given an opportunity to admit his "mistake," to recant, if you will, but steadfastly refused.   As such, Rev. Pohjola was not permitted to serve as a pastor for three months. He was not allowed to celebrate in church, he could not preach, he could not wear his clerical collar in public. He could not officially take care of the flock assigned to him by God.   The situation in Finland for confessional Lutherans has become more difficult in recent years, and the aggressive harassment from the state, church leaders, and, especially, the media, requires a wise and courageous response as it is seen in the work of Rev. Juhana Pohjola and The Luther Foundation in Finland.   For any further questions in this matter, please contact us.   Submitted by Rev. Jakob Okkels, Rev. Erik A. H. Okkels, Rev. Eric R. Andrae. 21 January A+D 2009  Rev. Juhana Pohola currently serves as a resident professor at St. Catharines and is the dean of the Luther Foundation in Finland.  He also took part in the historic consecration of Bishop as the Lutheran (Mission Province) Bishop Matti Väisänen of Finland. What a great opportunity for those who were able to attend. And if you missed it like I did, thanks to technology, you don't have to miss the presentations.  Please keep your faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in your prayers as they continue to hold high the cross as a beacon of hope for the world.  And thanks to the faculty of St. Kitt's for hosting this conference!

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FW: “Such a Church We Leave to the Enthusiasts!”

Luther…

 

Feed: Witness, Mercy, Life Together.
Posted on: Friday, June 17, 2011 11:31 AM
Author: Jon Vieker
Subject: "Such a Church We Leave to the Enthusiasts!"

 

Martin Luther wrote in 1533: It is quite true that wherever the preacher administers only bread and wine for the Sacrament, he is not very concerned about to whom he gives it, what they know or believe, or what they receive. There one sow feeds with the others, and such preachers simply see themselves above such caring. They would rather have uninstructed, ecstatic saints than have the care of nurturing Christians. Rather, they want to do things in such a way that after three years every thing would be laid waste, and neither God nor Christ nor Sacrament nor Christians would remain anymore. However, because we are concerned about nurturing Christians who will still be here after we are gone, and because it is Christ's body and blood that are given out in the Sacrament, we will not and cannot give such a Sacrament to anyone unless he is first examined regarding what he has learned from the Catechism and whether he intends to forsake the sins which he has again committed. For we do not want to make Christ's church into a pig pen [Matthew 7:6], letting each one come unexamined to the Sacrament as a pig to its trough. Such a church we leave to the Enthusiasts! And all of this we have received from the beginning of Christendom. For there we see and grasp the way in which the Creed, the Our Father, and the Ten Commandments were put together as a short summary and doctrine for the young and for those in need of instruction. From early on this was what was called a "catechism." For "catechism" (say the Greeks) is a way of teaching with questions and answers, just as a schoolmaster has his pupils recite their lesson to see if they know it or not. In this way, those in need of instruction are to be examined and by their answers show that they know the parts of the Catechism, that they recognize the sin they again have done, and are willing to learn more and desire to do better. If they will not do this, they may not come to the Sacrament. The pastor is there as Christ's faithful servant, and as far as it is possible for him, he may never cast the Sacrament to swine or dogs [Matthew 7:6]. He is to hear the people out and how it is with them. If they deceive him and do not speak honestly, then he is exonerated. They have done the deceit upon themselves. WA 30/111:558-571. Translated by Jon D. Vieker, "An Open Letter to Those in Frankfurt on the Main, 1533," Concordia Journal 16 (October 1990): 333–351.

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FW: Stay Away from Those Who Teach False Doctrine

Pieper…

 

Feed: Gnesio
Posted on: Friday, June 17, 2011 8:29 AM
Author: Gnesio
Subject: Stay Away from Those Who Teach False Doctrine

 

One may read the whole Holy Scripture through, from the first book to the last, and one will find not a single place, in which individual Christians or whole congregations are allowed to hear those teachers, or even to cultivate association with them, who, be it in much, be it in few points, teach false doctrine. But we can find hundreds of places where Christians are most solemnly commanded to stay away from those who teach false doctrine. "So you are excommunicating all other church associations!" people say to us. Not at all. We know and confess, that even in heterodox communities, insofar as in the same there are still substantial parts of God's Word in circulation, there are many dear children of God, who from a lack of knowledge [Tr. note: literally "weakness of recognition"—Schwachheit in der Erkenntniß] are in a camp where they do not belong. But it would be against God's will and foolish, if we, for the sake of these erring Christians, create an association with the false teachers and thus confirm the erring Christians in their error and the false teachers in their false doctrine. In the circumstance that those 200 men went from Jerusalem with Absalom in their lack of knowledge [Tr. note: 2 Samuel 15:17], it would not be right for the loyal Israelites to go on their part into the camp of the rebels, or even to cultivate friendly relations with them. Our position to the efforts at church union at present is continuously much criticized. Our position is this: We lament the shredding of the church into many parties teaching diverse doctrines. This shredding is a work of the devil, through which unspeakable damage is done to the church. But how is the damage to be healed? The division arose in that false teachers emerged and Christians, instead of avoiding them, held to them. If one wishes to undo the division, there is no other way in the world other than that Christians once more isolate the false doctrines, censure it and avoid it. In order that Christians be in a condition to do this, we continuously fight the false doctrine in our magazines, from the chancel and also in private conversation, and give witness to the right doctrine. We are also prepared to do more, e.g. to gather at the so called free conferences and there, with all patience, to deal with the doctrinal differences from God's Word. To put a mere "outward association" without a unity in all articles of the doctrine revealed in the Scripture on the program; otherwise said, to negotiate how much of God's Word we can leave out, instead of how one can can come to recognition and to acceptance of the whole revealed truth—that is not fitting for Christians. from Franz Pieper, 'Our Position on Doctrine and Practice'

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FW: Thoughts on Comments on Preaching

On Preaching…

 

Feed: Confessional Gadfly
Posted on: Thursday, June 16, 2011 9:57 PM
Author: Rev. Eric J Brown
Subject: Thoughts on Comments on Preaching

 

In my previous post there were two poignant comments about preaching, and I'd like to give them each a little bit more thought and consideration. "Look at the Word. If you look at the Word, you'll preach. If you don't, you'll tell stories and illustrations." Now, this actually is a rather profound statement. One of the questions, the things that revolve around the background of preaching theory is the use of story and the like. How do I use illustrations? How can I find some good ones? And one of the underlying ideas behind illustrations is the idea that they are needed to keep the listener's interest. Think about that for a second. This Scripture stuff we are talking about is too boring - we need a good story to make it interesting. Do you see how that is an attitude and an idea that is totally, totally dismissive of the Word and its efficacy? Our preaching is not to be an attempt to improve upon the Word - it is to be proclamation of the Word of God. Might we use story and illustration in that - sure, but only as a means of explanation or example. Our illustrations ought never be the point. The point must always be the Word. In High School English, I was taught the S-E-E format of paragraph construction. Statement, Example, Explanation. And I think this is a very good way to shape an informative paragraph. Let me give an example: (Statement) We in the Church know that Christ Jesus desires all sorts of people to be saved. (Example) Jesus says, "make disciples of all nations." (Explanation) The Church isn't limited to just you or I, isn't isn't just our own Holy Club, but God will bring in people from all nations. God isn't like some 50s Segregationist who's going to tell you to back away from the streams of living water if your skin's the wrong color - all nations - He has won salvation for all nations. Illustrations and imagery can make for a good explanation, a good emphasis -- but it can never be the statement, the focus. And the center of all things needs to be the Word - the example of anything we say needs to be backed up by the Word. So consider your own preaching -- how much of your preaching is the Word of God? If more of it is your own great stories or ideas... not a good sign. "Gentlemen, unless you preach the atonement, you haven't preached." And the real icing on the cake is this - what is the point of the Word of God? It is always, Old Testament or New, to point us to the death of Christ Jesus to win salvation. Always. If you aren't pointing to this, what's the point of your sermon? Seriously - if you aren't going to preach Christ and Him Crucified, why are you wasting my time? What do you think is more important than the Cross? It's just something to think about, to ponder. How much Word is in my sermon. How much of the sermon points to the cross. If I don't see much Word, if I don't see much Cross... I'm not really preaching, am I?

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FW: RAGTIME PRAISE

Not a new issue…

 

Feed: Fine Tuning
Posted on: Thursday, June 16, 2011 7:42 AM
Author: Phillip Magness
Subject: RAGTIME PRAISE

 

Some things never change - like Cantors' struggles to nurture the Lord's song in this strange land. Here's a short article from a 1904 Lutheran Observer:   "Music In the Sunday School" by H. W. Siegrist (of Lebanon, PA)   It should be a well-known fact that our Church is rich in its musical history. From the time of Luther down to the present day, composers have not been wanting, and it should be equally well known that the productions of the best composers of all other denominations are ever at our disposal. It is, however, a well-known but lamentable fact, that a large proportion of our churches have failed to avail themselves of their magnificent opportunities. For instance, in how many of our infant schools are the little ones taught anything but the most senseless and unmusical ditties, which pervert their taste for the fine hymns of the Church - hymns written especially for children, and with the distinct purpose of fostering in their minds and hearts a desire and love for Christ, through the beautiful in poetry and music. This method the children find carried on when they reach the intermediate and more advanced grades, until their idea of Sunday-school music is utterly perverted and abnormal. Many of these same Sunday-schools exercise the most unusual, and sometimes unaccountable, vigilance in selected books for their libraries, yet when it comes to the selection of hymns and hymnals, a decidedly mediocre selection will be agreed upon. The care taken in regard to the former is commendable, but why should it not be taken, also, in regard to the latter?   From many churches comes up the cry, "We have such poor congregational singing, and we cannot account for it!" It can, unquestionably, be traced back to the infant and intermediate departments of the Sunday-School, where, if proper care had been taken to teach the children to sing the hymns of the Church they would have learned to know and love them, and they would now sing heartily in the services of the Church as a matter of course. This is not a theory, but the result of an experience of more than twenty years in choir and Sunday-school work in the Lutheran Church.   This need finds expression, too, in the music of the services published by the different Boards of Church for their special Sunday-school exercises. We are furnished services several times a year, the music of which, generally, is of the most ordinary character, and in schools where proper discretion is used, they are as often rejected. If the General Synod will not furnish a hymnal of standard quality for its Sunday-schools, and the Church Boards, services of the same grade, no mere matter of sentiment should stand in the way of securing hymns and services from other sources. We owe it to our children, to our Church and to our God - who, in all reverence I cannot believe is well pleased with some uncertain words of praise sung to "rag time" tunes...   My plea is for the very best possible hymns for the children. Nothing can be too good for them. It is our duty to inculcate a love for the beautiful in church music along with the Christian training in the development of the minds and characters of our youth.   Dr. Waldo Seldon Pratt, Professor of Music and Hymnology at Hartford Theological Seminary, in his "Musical Ministries in the Church" says: "Educational effort should be brought to bear where it will do the most good. It surely should not be confined simply to the older people. Children and young people have quick appreciation and few prejudices. Other things being equal, the Sunday-school is generally the most promising place to work out progressive hymnodic ideas, especially on the musical side. The full sense of some hymns will be caught only vaguely, no doubt, but many of the richest tunes are more readily learned by young people than adults. In the long run, the general grade of a church's hymn-singing will be found to be fixed by the Sunday-school. Hence here there should be special care taken. Here at least we cannot afford to have less than the best available book or less than the best available musical leadership. Here the Pastor and the Superintendent and the Teachers have a distinct opportunity to build for the future, hymnodically as in other ways."

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FW: The Only Treatment for Sin

The alternative to "treatment" is…

 

Feed: Pastoral Meanderings
Posted on: Thursday, June 16, 2011 6:17 AM
Author: noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Peters)
Subject: The Only Treatment for Sin

 

If you are addicted to sin and desire treatment, come to our meeting on Sundays at 8:15 & 10:45 am.  As Al Mohler said, the only treatment for sin is the atonement.  But that is not in fashion right now and some folks find it offensive.  So we seem destined to continue the path toward defining every sin as addiction, every trespass as a disorder, and every failing as a need for therapy.  So the Congressman in the news joins the ranks of those who have gone off (not to the woodshed) but to the clinic for treatment. It is no wonder that our people do not get confession and absolution since they have learned from our culture and the media that sin is not really sin.  It is a disorder or addiction that requires treatment.  Confession does not fall within the realm of treatment and ego te absolvo does not fall within the realm of our definition of medicine, either.  So we are more and more confirmed in our sinfulness.  Perhaps this is exactly what Scripture means when it speaks of the hardening of the heart.  For nothing short of a direct hammer blow to this glass house can break through and we have made this glass pretty solid. Every sin is at its root narcissism.  It is the violation of the first commandment that is behind all other commandments broken.  And the first commandment disowns narcissism -- when self becomes more important than God, than others, than morals, than values, than anything...  I suppose you could call Rep. Weiner stupid and foolish but in the final estimation only a vain and narcissistic person would constantly take pictures of himself and send them to others.  You can fault him for the clothing or lack of clothing in the pictures but why else would anyone take poor quality photos of themselves on their camera phone and send them to someone, to anyone?  Clothed or unclothed, tasteful or not, it is pure narcissism.  The Congressman is not a whole lot different than the two late twenty-something women who sat in front of my wife and I as we went to see Michael Buble a while back.  Every few moments they pulled out their I-Phone to take pictures of themselves -- not of the performer whose performance cost a decent amount of money but of them.  A couple of exceptionally large cans of beer only made it worse as the night went on. You're so vain... she sang.  I am so vain...  The world is so vain...  Our vanity is not a simple affront to God but our ultimate undoing.  Only rightly ordered relationships can begin to hold this vanity in check... parent and child, husband and wife, citizen and neighbor. . . creature to Creator.  Christ did not come to do away with these relationships or to set us from from their limitations but to restore to us the right relationship which sin had stolen from us.  For it is only in light of these relationships that we know who we are.  Sin steals away this identity.  Rep. Weiner, Gov. Terminator, Sen./former Presidental Candidate Edwards.... not only forgot who they were but lost their identity in a sea of mirrors which inflated their egos and deflated their wisdom. In the end, we found out that they were not exceptional, like they wanted us to believe, but so full of themselves they thought they were above the Law (God's).  The first casualty of our vanity is usually our conscience.  The only treatment for this is Law and Gospel.  The only medicine is grace.  The only therapy is death and resurrection through the waters of baptism (and its daily dying and rising). I do not speak from the vantage point of superiority.  I have taken the treatment and am not cured.  I am in a state of grace but it is a tenuous position -- not because God's grasp on me is weak but because my sinful nature is always looking over my shoulder -- not just away from God but into the mirror.  I am in love with my own reflection.  So are you.  It is what sin is and this mortal body will not be free of this vanity until we shed this flesh and rise to our new and glorious bodies to dwell with Christ in a perfectly ordered relationship resulting in perfect contentment for all eternity.  That is why confession and absolution, why the voice of the Word, why the food of the Lord's Table must constantly be supplied to me... or surely I will fall completely away and never even know it.  The saddest part of this all is not what Rep. Weiner and others have done but their complete failure to recognize what they have done, why it is wrong, and why something bigger is at work here than being caught.  My live is lived within the parameters of God's Word and Table are the only thing that keeps me from walking down their road of denial in which sin requires treatment and then I will be back as new...

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FW: Suffering as a Christian?

From LCMS…

 

Feed: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Posted on: Friday, June 10, 2011 1:49 PM
Author: Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Subject: Suffering as a Christian?

 

What's the worst thing that ever happened to you because of your Christian faith?  The answer probably depends on where you live, how your serve in Christ's Kingdom, and your social circle.  If you lived in a Muslim dominated Middle East country, you could be jailed, beaten, or even executed for boldly proclaiming your faith as a Christian pastor, missionary or teacher. In America we thank God for the precious gift of religious freedom.  We don't fear arrest or worse for proclaiming our faith, or for serving in Christian ministry. Our American freedom of religion has limits defined by the rights of others. We are free to believe and practice our Christian faith as long as we don't interfere with the rights of others to believe and practice what they believe or disbelieve. In an increasing number of work places it is not acceptable for Christians to teach and profess their faith in Jesus Christ openly and publicly. Fortunately, there is no constraint against Christians sharing their faith by their life witness, which the Holy Spirit can use to open doors, as 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV) suggests: In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. Have you ever been ridiculed because of your faith?  That's much more common than outright persecution. There seems to be open season in the entertainment media, popular music and secular society on ridiculing Christians for their faith and demeaning Christian pastors and teachers. That's nothing new.  Think about St. Peter's encouragement in 1 Peter 4:12-16; 19 (ESV) 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. …19Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. What does all this mean?  It means that Lutheran Christian pastors and educators serving in a sinful world can expect to suffer for our faith. Only God knows what form that suffering will take or how severe it will be. Suffering for our faith is part of our Christian calling. How we respond either gives glory to God and helps extend His Kingdom, or gives us cause once again for us to fall on our knees to confess our sin, embrace Christ's forgiveness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit to grow in faith to confront suffering more courageously next time, giving glory to God.

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FW: CCLE XI conference & more

From the Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education...

Dear CCLE Friend:

If you have not yet registered for this year's conference and would like to do
so, please print the brief form at www.ccle.org & submit soon. Conference
registration includes annual CCLE membership.

To renew your CCLE membership without conference attendance, please see the
website for more information.

Also, if you have not yet read CCLE's latest journal featuring Dr. Thomas
Korcok, click on the Classical and Lutheran Education Journal issue entitled
"June 2010" for excellent articles on
classical and Lutheran education!

The Consortium for Classical and Lutheran Education conference, CCLE XI, is
July 12-14th, 2011.

Dr. E. Christian Kopff is plenary speaker, with the conference theme:

Classical and Lutheran Education: Why Educate?

Dr Kopff will explore classical education in history, with presentations
entitled:

The Humanism of the Reformation: What We Ought to Trust
The Classicism of the Scientific Revolution: What We Ought to Know
The Traditionalism of the American Founding: What We Ought to Do

Registration includes sectionals for classroom teachers, for those new to
classical and Lutheran education, for school administrators, and for classical
and Lutheran homeschoolers.

CCLE XI sessions include Mrs. Jackquelyn Veith's "Instructional Activities in
Classical Pedagogy," the Rev William Heine's "The Case for Worldview Formation
in High School Age Children," Angie Hill's "Why Teach Children Literature," a
discussion group on "Recruiting and Retaining Students in a Classical and
Lutheran School," sectionals with Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr., Dr Steven Hein,
and many others.

See www.ccle.org for details or to print your mail-in registration form.

If you would like to make a donation to help promote excellence in classical
and Lutheran education, please see the Donate option on the website, or mail
your contribution to CCLE XI's conference host:

CCLE
Rev Paul J Cain
c/o Martin Luther Grammar School
1300 W 5th Street
Sheridan, WY 82801

Thank you!
Cheryl

Closing Issue 5.2, Continuing Volume 5 and Opening Issue 5.3

This post will mark the last entry in QBR 5.2, Eastertide, and the opening entry in Apostles' Tide, QBR 5.3 Interested in the full-size 2011 Church Year Calendar from CPH? Click below: http://www.cph.org/p-12327-2011-church-year-calendar-pack-of-5.aspx

FW: Mit Dank wir sollen loben

Cantemus…

 

Feed: HYMNOGLYPT
Posted on: Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:25 AM
Author: Matt Carver (Matthaeus Glyptes)
Subject: Mit Dank wir sollen loben

 

Here is my translation of the hymn "Mit Dank wir sollen loben" (Dr. C. Becker, 1602), a loose, Christological paraphrase of Domine Dominus noster (Psalm VIII), which Psalm is found in the Introit for the Feast of Holy Trinity. The proper melody is from H. Schütz (1628), which in later hymnals was eventually replaced by tunes used with "Von Gott will ich nicht lassen." NOW PRAISE we with thanksgiving Lord, Thy majestic name; The Lord of all the living In all the earth acclaim! Lord Christ, Thy kingdom fair Is filled with songs of splendor That mouths of children render, That lips of babes declare. 2. Thy Church thereby Thou buildest Of all Thy Christians blest, The works of foes Thou stillest, Securing peace and rest; And ever by Thy grace Good teachers dost provide us; Thy Word's bright light doth guide us The way of faith to trace. 3. How great a grace Thou showest, O faithful Potentate! What mercy Thou bestowest To pity man's estate, And save them who were lost! Thy Son to death was given To gain them life in heaven— His precious blood it cost. 4. The Son of Man forsaken By God the Father was And then to heaven taken, And glorious rose for us, Set on the heavn'ly throne, He is the Lord and Savior, The King of Glory ever, All pow'r is His alone. 5. Yea, unto Him are given All things to rule and keep, The bird that soars in heaven, The fish in ocean deep, Now His majestic name We worship with thanksgiving; The Lord of all the living in all the earth acclaim! Translation © Matthew Carver, 2011. GERMAN 1. Mit Dank wir sollen loben Deins Namens Herrlichkeit, Dein Herrschaft hoch erhoben, In allen Landen weit, In deinem Reich, Herr Christ, Aus dem Munde der Jungen, Der Kinder lallend Zungen Dein Lob bereitet ist. 2. Dadurch baust du die Gmeine Der lieben Christen dein, Die rachgierigen Feinde Mächtiglich treibest ein, Der Kirchen durch dein Gnad Sind Lehrer stets bereitet, Deins Wortes Licht uns leitet Auf rechtem Glaubenspfad. 3. Wie groß ist deine Gnade, O du getreuer Herr, Daß dich der Menschen Schade, Erbarmet hat so sehr, Zu helfen ihn'n aus Not, Dein lieber Sohn mußt sterben, Das Heil ihn'n zu erwerben, Kosts ihn sein teures Blut. 4. Ein kleines wurd verlassen Von Gott des Menschen Sohn, Darnach gekrönt ohn Maßen Mit Ehr und Schmuck so schon, Gesetzt in Gottes Thron, Wurd er gemacht zum Herren, Dem Könige der Ehren Ist alles untertan. 5. Zahm und wild Tier zugleichen, Auch die Waldvögelein, Fisch, die im Wasser streichen, Ihm untergeben sein, Darum sein Herrlichkeit Mit Dank wir sollen loben, Sein Herrschaft hoch erhoben In allen Landen weit.

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Resources Received

Palmer, Robert Leslie. Truth in the Eight Towers. Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks, 2011. 159 Pages. Paper. $30.95. www.crossbooks.com (LHPN)

FW: ... but it will grow the Church

Consider…

 

Feed: Confessional Gadfly
Posted on: Monday, June 13, 2011 10:26 AM
Author: Rev. Eric J Brown
Subject: ... but it will grow the Church

 

"... but it will grow the Church." I cringe whenever "it will grow the Church" is the argument and rationale for why we should or shouldn't do something. I've spent 25 years hearing this line of argumentation about Contemporary Worship. No thought as to whether it is good, right, or proper. Just demographics - people like this, so let's do this, let's manipulate the demographics, that will grow the Church. We are never, never called to "grow the Church" - we are called to remain faithful. The Holy Spirit will grow the Church when and where He wills. No plan, no change, no rule of ours will grow the Church. Our actions, our thoughts, our focus should not be placed upon numbers -- you know what happens when people get worried about numbers in the Old Testament? God strikes them dead. Or God sends most of the soldiers home. Or God tells Elijah to quit worrying about numbers and just remain faithful. Quit trying to figure out how to grow the Church. Quit trying to figure out how you can guilt, entice, trick, tease, or make people show up. You can't. This is the work of the Spirit. He works faith when and where He wills via the preaching of the Gospel. Let Him be in charge.

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FW: Theological words about the Holy Spirit...

Peters on Pentecost…

 

Feed: Pastoral Meanderings
Posted on: Monday, June 13, 2011 5:56 AM
Author: noreply@blogger.com (Pastor Peters)
Subject: Theological words about the Holy Spirit...

 

Lorenz Wunderlich called his book on the Holy Spirit The Half Known God.  I confess I do not recall too much from the volume but the title is spot on.  The Holy Spirit is only half known among us -- but is this due to some lacking in us or could this be by design?  The Holy Spirit always points to Jesus and works in a hidden way so that Jesus is always center stage.  I wonder if it we were ever to know much of the Spirit except in relation to the role of the Spirit as Light revealer, pointing us to Jesus.  What we do know of the Spirit is probably less from the paragraph of theological tomes than it is from the pages of the hymnal.  The hymns of Pentecost are the most potent sources of what we practically know of the Spirit and His work than just about anything other than, at least for Lutherans, the explanation to the third article in the Small Catechism. Yesterday we sang some of the great warhorses of the hymns on the Spirit (from Luther's "Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord" to the wonderful Danish favorite "O Day Full of Grace" to "O Holy Spirit, Enter In" - unfortunately placed in the beginning of service section of LSB) to the hymns newer to us Lutherans (like "Holy Spirit, the Dove Sent from Heaven") to the classic "Come Down, O Love Divine". Of all of them, I am particularly attracted to the traditional sequence hymn for Pentecost, "Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest."  Now I prefer the plainsong melody (LSB 499) but realize that this is probably inaccessible for most congregations so the German hymn setting of this same melody (LSB 498) will have to do. If you want to know the theology of the Holy Spirit, I would suggest you spend time mulling over these hymns and, for me, the top of the heap is always, Komm, Gott Schopfer. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest, Vouchsafe within our souls to rest; Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid And fill the hearts which Thou hast made. To Thee, the Comforter, we cry, To Thee, the Gift of God Most High, The Fount of life, the Fire of love, The soul's Anointing from above. The sevenfold gifts of grace are Thine, O Finger of the Hand Divine; True promise of the Father Thou, Who dost the tongue with speech endow. Thy light to every thought impart And shed Thy love in every heart; The weakness of our mortal state With deathless might invigorate. Drive far away our wily Foe And Thine abiding peace bestow; If Thou be our protecting Guide, No evil can our steps betide. Make Thou to us the Father known, Teach us the eternal Son to won And Thee, whose name we ever bless, Of both the Spirit, to confess. Praise we the Father and the Son And Holy Spirit, with them One; And may the Son on us bestow The gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen.

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FW: The Feast of Pentecost: Bach Cantata BWV 172

Bach…

 

Feed: Cyberbrethren Lutheran Blog Feed
Posted on: Sunday, June 12, 2011 11:01 AM
Author: Paul T. McCain
Subject: The Feast of Pentecost: Bach Cantata BWV 172

 

BachCantata for the First Day of Pentecost: BWV 172 1. Chor Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget, ihr Saiten! O seligste Zeiten! Gott will sich die Seelen zu Tempeln bereiten. 1. Chorus Ring forth o songs, resound, you strings! O most blessed time! God Himself shall prepare our souls for His temple. 2. Rezitativ B Wer mich liebet, der wird mein Wort halten, und mein Vater wird ihn lieben, und wir werden zu ihm kommen und Wohnung bei ihm machen. (John 14:23) 2. Recitative B Whoever loves Me will keep My Word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. 3. Arie B Heiligste Dreieinigkeit, Großer Gott der Ehren, Komm doch in der Gnadenzeit Bei uns einzukehren, Komm doch in die Herzenshütten, Sind sie gleich gering und klein, Komm und laß dich doch erbitten, Komm und kehre / ziehe / bei uns ein! 3. Aria B Holiest Trinity, Great God of honor, in the time of grace o come and return to us, o come into the tabernacle of our hearts, though they are small and insignificant, come and let Yourself be persuaded, come and enter within us! 4. Arie T O Seelenparadies, Das Gottes Geist durchwehet, Der bei der Schöpfung blies, Der Geist, der nie vergehet; Auf, auf, bereite dich, Der Tröster nahet sich. 4. Aria T O paradise of the soul, fanned by the Spirit of God, which blew at creation, the Spirit, which never passes away; arise, arise, prepare yourself, the Comforter approaches. 5. Arie (Duett mit instr. Choral) S (Seele), A (Heiliger Geist) Komm, laß mich nicht länger warten, Komm, du sanfter Himmelswind, Wehe durch den Herzensgarten! - Ich erquicke dich, mein Kind. - Liebste Liebe, die so süße, Aller Wollust Überfluß, Ich vergeh, wenn ich dich misse. - Nimm von mir den Gnadenkuß. - Sei im Glauben mir willkommen, Höchste Liebe, komm herein! Du hast mir das Herz genommen. - Ich bin dein, und du bist mein! - (Instrumental Chorale: Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, Erfüll mit deiner Gnaden Gut Deiner Gläubigen Herz, Mut und Sinn. Dein brünstig Lieb entzünd in ihn'n. O Herr, durch deines Lichtes Glanz Zu dem Glauben versammlet hast Das Volk aus aller Welt Zungen; Das sei dir, Herr, zu Lob gesungen. Alleluja, alleluja.) ("Komm, Heiliger Geist," verse 1) 5. Aria (Duet with instr. Chorale) S (Soul), A (Holy Spirit) Come, do not keep me waiting longer, come, gentle wind of heaven, blow through the garden of my heart! - I shall refresh you, my child. - O most beloved Love, who are so sweet, the fullness of all delight, I faint when I lack You. - Take the kiss of grace from Me. - Be welcome to me in faith, highest Love, come within! You have taken my heart from me. - I am yours, and you are Mine! - (Instrumental Chorale: Come, Holy Spirit, Lord God, fill with the goodness of Your grace the hearts, wills, and minds of Your faithful. Ignite Your burning love in them. O lord, through the radiance of Your light You have gathered to Your faith people from all the languages of the world; may this be sung, Lord, to Your praise. Alleluia, alleluia.) 6. Choral Von Gott kömmt mir ein Freudenschein, Wenn du mit deinen Äugelein, Mich freundlich tust anblicken. O Herr Jesu, mein trautes Gut, Dein Wort, dein Geist, dein Lieb und Blut Mich innerlich erquicken. Nimm mich Freundlich In dein Arme, daß ich warme werd von Gnaden: Auf dein Wort komm ich geladen. ("Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern," verse 4) 6. Chorale A joyful radiance reaches me from God, when with Your little eye You cast Your glance on me with friendship. O Lord Jesus, my dearest good, Your word, Your Spirit, Your body and blood shall refresh me within. Take me with friendship in Your arms, so I become warmed with grace: I come invited by Your word. John 14:23 (mov't. 2); "Komm, Heiliger Geist," verse 1: Martin Luther 1524 (mov't. 5); "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern," verse 4: Philipp Nicolai 1599 (mov't. 6) ©Pamela Dellal

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Enclosures:

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FW: Truth and Practice

Duly Noted…

 

Feed: Four and Twenty+ Blackbirds
Posted on: Sunday, June 12, 2011 9:22 AM
Author: The Rev. BT Ball
Subject: Truth and Practice

 

On this Pentecost Day, our hymnody teaches us to pray to the Spirit that our Doctrine and Practice would be one. Plenteous of grace, descend from high Rich in Thy sev'n-fold energy; Make us eternal truths receive And practice all that we believe. Give us Thyself that we may see The Father and the Son by Thee. The Lutheran Hymnal 236 stanza 3

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FW: New Lutheran Quote of the Day

Oremus…

 

Feed: Weedon's Blog
Posted on: Saturday, June 11, 2011 10:22 AM
Author: wweedon@gmail.com (William Weedon)
Subject: New Lutheran Quote of the Day

 

Thus right from the beginning of the Church, there was a strong tradition of daily prayer in Christian homes and communities.  Yet that tradition did not displace the Divine Service as the center of Christian spirituality.  Rather, it built upon it and extended it.  Daily prayer related the whole cycle of daily work within the weekly and annual round of the public worship of the Church.  The practice of daily prayer established the home as the place of prayer for each human family, just as the church was the place for the performance of the Divine Service by the whole family of God. -- Dr. John Kleinig, *Grace upon Grace* p. 77. http://feeds.feedburner.com/WeedonsBlog

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Wyoming District Theological Conference on Worship

Due to circumstances
beyond our control,
the Wyoming District
Theological Conference on Worship
has been cancelled.
We hope to reschedule it
for sometime in the future.

FW: Do you have a comprehensive song list?

Yes.

 

http://www.cph.org/t-lsb.aspx

 

Yes, I do…

 

Feed: LifeWayWorship.com/blog
Posted on: Friday, June 10, 2011 8:54 AM
Author: LifeWayWorship.com/blog
Subject: Do you have a comprehensive song list?

 

Kenny Lamm has a great post on his blog "renewing worship" about creating a comprehensive song list. With LifeWayWorship.com's Media Library, you can have always-on access to all your worship songs anywhere you have an Internet connection. You can even filter the list by the words in the title to find things quickly.

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