Morgendämmerung, oder, Wie man mit dem Hammer theologirt.
Nescire autem quid ante quam natus sis acciderit id es semper esse puerum.
Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano.
Homo sum humani nihil a me alienum puto.
Semper idem sed non eodem modo.

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VDMA

Verbum domini manet in aeternum. The word of the Lord endures forever.
1 Peter 1:24-25, quoting Isaiah 40:6,8. Motto of the Lutheran Reformation.


Fayth onely justifieth before God. Robert Barnes, DD The Supplication, fourth essay. London: Daye, 1572.

Lord if Thou straightly mark our iniquity, who is able to abide Thy judgement? Wherefore I trust in no work that I ever did, but only in the death of Jesus Christ. I do not doubt, but through Him to inherit the kingdom of heaven. Robert Barnes, DD, before he was burnt alive for "heresy", 30 July 1540.

What is Luther? The doctrine is not mine, nor have I been crucified for anyone. Martin Luther, Dr. theol. (1522)

For the basics of our faith right here online, or for offline short daily prayer or devotion or study, scroll down to "A Beggar's Daily Portion" on the sidebar.

17 August 2008

"Passion and Lutheran Worship"

Do not miss this post from Father Hollywood, aka Pastor Beane!

It is as good an explanation as there is of why Lutherans worship as they do, at least when they are worshipping as Lutherans do, and even more valuable by presenting the whole thing in the context of "passion".

So if you've ever wondered if what we do is just some motions to go through, the mere going through of which is supposed to be some big deal, read Father Hollywood. And even if you like our liturgy but are attracted by the emotion of the TV type services, whether on TV or at your local trendy church, read Father Hollywood.

http://fatherhollywood.blogspot.com/2008/08/passion-and-lutheran-worship.html

6 comments:

Rene'e said...

Hey Past Elder,

How are you? I know it sounds crazy, but ever since JP shut his blog down, I have sort of missed our discussions.

Hope everything is well with you and your family.

Peace.
Renee

Past Elder said...

Hey Renee! Welcome to "Past Elder"!

The boys have started back to school, so far so good.

JP seems to be at a crossroads, and it may not be just a church thing. Sometimes, at least in my experience, when one is facing a major decision or issue, it brings up just some internal stuff too -- who am I, what am I like, is that good or bad, etc. I think the renaming of the blog and the rewrite of About Me speaks to that. Adam and I both commented that blogging isn't always the best place to sort those things out, so I respect his privacy and his vision quest, as some of my wife's ancestors would call it, until he invites the conversation to resume.

You're always welcome here whether we agree or not!

Rene'e said...

Thanks for the welcome.

Yes, even though we disagree. I do respect you and your feelings and oppinions. I also learned from your posts.

My favorite that you said, was your statement regarding "Do you believe this is the Church...etc."

That is so true and important. You summed up every argument in that one statement.

I agree with everything you said above regarding JP.

Yes, we all come into our own through our youth. Part of maturing is searching and evaluating and discovering things about ourselves, the good and bad and making difficult decisions ,seeking God and finding Him where we may .

I wish them all (the young seekers) peace, faith and God's Blessings on their respective paths in life.

I'll pop in every now and again to see what your up to. I am going to stay clear of commenting on JP's blog for awhile. I do not want to influence his decisions on such important areas of his life. Plus, I am running short on patience right now with others who post over there. (Pray for me) :)

Peace always to you and your family.

Take care.
Renee

Past Elder said...

Hi Renee -- I wasn't quite sure what you meant by running short of patience, then I stopped by JP's site! Wow. What is so hard to understand about not communing where you don't commune? Or to put it another way, why would anyone want to commune where they don't commune?

Anyway, I want to add my personal slant to your story. It seems we are alike in being parents in not the usual settings. I don't know anything from experience about your version of that. I will say this -- I am adopted, the natural child of parents who might have decided it's in everyone's best interests for me not to be born.

In my case, it wasn't actual or potential physical problems, I'm told they already had more children than they could care for. Some in this world would find not continuing a pregnancy in such a situation a responsible and reasonable conclusion.

It would be a world in which I never existed, though. If "quality of life" were the concern, the answer for me would have been no life at all, therefore no concern about its quality.

It's because of women like you that I am here at all. No amount of doctrinal or theological differences between us overrides my admiration for you about that.

Rene'e said...

Thank you for your kind words and sharing your personal story.

I am truly thankful you are in the world.

God Bless both sets of your parents.

One set chose to give a life, the other chose to care for a life.

Both of my daughters have taught me the meaning of life in different ways.

One has given me a Son and two grandchildren. What a wonderful experience.

The other has taught me spiritually about myself ,others and Faith in God and not myself.

They both have taught me about love,forgiveness ,selflessness and the things that are most important in this life.

I would not be who I am , if God had not given them to me.

As I am sure your children are also for you.

Just as the blog world would not be the same without you, at least for me anyway. :)

re: your first statement, I agree, I was kind of confused by that myself.

God Bless you and your family always,

Renee

Rene'e said...

Oh, I forgot, something that will make you laugh.

My son-in-law is a Evangelical, Fundalmentalist, Anti-Catholic, Protestant, Non denomiational Chirstian.

Tell me God, does not have a sense of humor.

Take Care,
Renee