We have had friends and family move into the life eternal in recent months. That's a condition of life on this earth. This past Sunday we sang this hymn of Luther and it reminded me of these events and of the faith of these believers.
We now implore God the Holy Ghost
For the true faith, which we need the most,
That in our last moments He may befriend us
And as home-ward we journey, attend us.
Lord, have mercy!
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary, #34
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Monday, September 26, 2011
What is the 'Ministerial Exception'?
The Pew Forum has a current story about the question of ministers in the workplace. Follow the link http://pewforum.org/Church-State-Law/The-Supreme-Court-Takes-Up-Church-Employment-Disputes-and-the-“Ministerial-Exception”.aspx
Is America A Christian Nation?
"It’s a common refrain among evangelicals: America is a Christian nation, founded for Christians, by Christians, and on Christian principles. Is this true?
"The short answer is no, or at least not in the way people like David Barton claim. But we should never forget that religion permeated public life in early America in a way that it just doesn’t today.
"Let’s let John Fea, a historian at Messiah College in Grantham, PA, explain:
Those who insist that America was founded as a Christian nation run roughshod over the historical record. They use the words of the Founding Fathers to support Republican jeremiads on the moral decay of American life. If only this country could return to its Christian roots, they say nostalgically, everything would be okay.
And how do they demonstrate that America was founded as a Christian nation? By selectively choosing texts from the writings of the Founders without any effort to explore them in the context of the 18th-century world in which they were written. Just because John Adams and George Washington quoted from the Bible or made reference to God does not mean that they were trying to construct a Christian nation. Granted, the Founding Fathers were the products of a Christian culture, but most of them were never comfortable with the beliefs that defined this culture. Very few of them would qualify for membership in today's evangelical churches….
And how do they demonstrate that America was founded as a Christian nation? By selectively choosing texts from the writings of the Founders without any effort to explore them in the context of the 18th-century world in which they were written. Just because John Adams and George Washington quoted from the Bible or made reference to God does not mean that they were trying to construct a Christian nation. Granted, the Founding Fathers were the products of a Christian culture, but most of them were never comfortable with the beliefs that defined this culture. Very few of them would qualify for membership in today's evangelical churches….
But before we go too far in condemning the Christian Right on this front, let's remember that the secular left is not immune to errors of historical thinking. While evangelicals misinterpret the references to God in the words of the Founding Fathers, their critics simply have no idea what to make of those same quotations. Since they can't fathom why people today would make religious faith an essential part of their everyday lives, they have little interest in making sense of past worlds where such beliefs were important.
"Interestingly enough, Googling “Is America a Christian nation?” returns David Barton’s Wallbuilders as the top hit, followed by critical articles by Richard Albert and John Fea’s 2007 article for HNN."
I found this article on the HNN site.
I found this article on the HNN site.
HNN
Thursday, September 8, 2011
On running for public office
I am a candidate for public office. I am running for a city council seat in Hopkins MN. I am also a Lutheran and I want to acknowledge the basis for being involved in civic matters. Article XVI of the Augsburg Confession confesses: "Of civil affairs we teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that it is right for Christians to hold civil office, to sit as judges, to determine matters by the Imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to own property, to make an oath when required by a judge, to marry and to be given in marriage."
The faith "does not destroy the State or the family, but very much requires their preservation as the ordinances of God, and that charity be practiced in them."
[Source: Augsburg Confession, 1530, p. 11 Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary]
The faith "does not destroy the State or the family, but very much requires their preservation as the ordinances of God, and that charity be practiced in them."
[Source: Augsburg Confession, 1530, p. 11 Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary]
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Leadership Lesson from 1 Kings
Today's Old Testament reading in my iPad lectionary reveals a good lesson in group leadership. Read 1 Kings 12:1-20 to see what it is all about.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Leyden Cobbler
Recently Lutheran bloggers have been posting anecdotes about shoes and shoe makers which would illustrate a truth or two about Lutheran theology. In that spirit, I offer this story about the Leyden Cobbler.
A cobbler of Leyden was in the habit of attending the public disputations of the university, and when asked whether he understood Latin, replies, "No, but I know who is wrong in the argument, by seeing who gets angry first."
The source of this anecdote is the 19th century American theologian, Samuel Schmucker. Schmucker is an interesting character in the history of American Lutheranism. [Schmucker. in my opionion, has been very much maligned by the TLs.] Schmucker adds this explanation to his storySamuel : "Christian truth has often been defended in a very unChristian way, and doubtless more depends on the natural temper and the manners of the disputants, as well as the extent to which divine grace enables them to subdue their passions."
Source: Samuel S. Schmucker American Lutheranism Vindicated, Baltimore: T. Newton Kurtz, 1856. [this book is available from iTunes book store]
A cobbler of Leyden was in the habit of attending the public disputations of the university, and when asked whether he understood Latin, replies, "No, but I know who is wrong in the argument, by seeing who gets angry first."
The source of this anecdote is the 19th century American theologian, Samuel Schmucker. Schmucker is an interesting character in the history of American Lutheranism. [Schmucker. in my opionion, has been very much maligned by the TLs.] Schmucker adds this explanation to his storySamuel : "Christian truth has often been defended in a very unChristian way, and doubtless more depends on the natural temper and the manners of the disputants, as well as the extent to which divine grace enables them to subdue their passions."
Source: Samuel S. Schmucker American Lutheranism Vindicated, Baltimore: T. Newton Kurtz, 1856. [this book is available from iTunes book store]
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Confession of George, the Margrave of Brandenburg - "I Am a Lutheran"
"I was not baptized in the name of Luther, he is not my God and Savior. I do not believe in him, and am not saved by him; and therefore, in this sense I am no Lutheran. But if I be asked, whether with my heart and lips I profess the doctrines which God restored to light through the instrumentality of his blessed servant, Dr. Luther, I neither hesitate nor am ashamed to call myself a Lutheran. In this sense I am, and as long as I live, will remain a Lutheran."
Amen, and amen to this.
[Source: Koercher's Vertheidigung & c., pl 66, 68 in Samuel S. Schmucker, D.D., The American Lutheran Church Historically, Doctrinally, and Practically Delineated in Several Occasional Discourses, fifth edition, Philadelphia: E.W. Miller. 1852 p. 44]
Amen, and amen to this.
[Source: Koercher's Vertheidigung & c., pl 66, 68 in Samuel S. Schmucker, D.D., The American Lutheran Church Historically, Doctrinally, and Practically Delineated in Several Occasional Discourses, fifth edition, Philadelphia: E.W. Miller. 1852 p. 44]
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I'm back again, after a two and a half month hiatus
I have decided to resume this blog once more. I am truly grateful for people who have taken the time to respond to my closure notice and for the encouragement to continue on.
While I have been away, I have continued to study my Civil War history and the relationship of religion to the cause. I have continued to study, specifically, the questions about the relationship between CFW Walther and the Norwegians. I am Norwegian.
I am just finishing a book on my iPad and I recommend it highly: David S. Reynolds, Mightier Than the Sword Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Battle for America. This book deals with Harriett Beecher's monumental work and it's impact, then and now, on American history and culture. Walther, of course, was adamant in his hatred and contempt for abolitionism and looked at the movement as a greater threat than slavery itself.
This of course could get me into trouble. I got into trouble in writing for this blog from a source that I will label as the TLs. I had written an entry in April in which I asked if CFW Walther was a racist. I answered my own question by stating that Walther was not a racist but the institution of slavery was racist.
I was perhaps careless about the headline. I should have anticipated, but did not, the reaction from the TLs.
There are at least two ways of dealing with history going on here. One approach is to analyze and look at historical issues and questions. The effort and the reward is all in the examination.
The other approach here is that of advocacy. One holds a certain belief, or, in this case, a series of beliefs and understandings and looks for affirmation of these beliefs. When the affirmation is not present, or when the affirmation seems to be under attack, there is a push back.
That's what happened here. There was a push back and I felt it best for me, personally, to take a pause.
I did not intend to slander CFW Walther or his memory. I do not think that Walther or his reputation has suffered any damage because of my blogging. I do not believe that I have slandered the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
There was more but the rest need not be discussed in public.
I am back and I hope that people will read and respond as they have in the past.
Thank you for your continuing interest.
While I have been away, I have continued to study my Civil War history and the relationship of religion to the cause. I have continued to study, specifically, the questions about the relationship between CFW Walther and the Norwegians. I am Norwegian.
I am just finishing a book on my iPad and I recommend it highly: David S. Reynolds, Mightier Than the Sword Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Battle for America. This book deals with Harriett Beecher's monumental work and it's impact, then and now, on American history and culture. Walther, of course, was adamant in his hatred and contempt for abolitionism and looked at the movement as a greater threat than slavery itself.
This of course could get me into trouble. I got into trouble in writing for this blog from a source that I will label as the TLs. I had written an entry in April in which I asked if CFW Walther was a racist. I answered my own question by stating that Walther was not a racist but the institution of slavery was racist.
I was perhaps careless about the headline. I should have anticipated, but did not, the reaction from the TLs.
There are at least two ways of dealing with history going on here. One approach is to analyze and look at historical issues and questions. The effort and the reward is all in the examination.
The other approach here is that of advocacy. One holds a certain belief, or, in this case, a series of beliefs and understandings and looks for affirmation of these beliefs. When the affirmation is not present, or when the affirmation seems to be under attack, there is a push back.
That's what happened here. There was a push back and I felt it best for me, personally, to take a pause.
I did not intend to slander CFW Walther or his memory. I do not think that Walther or his reputation has suffered any damage because of my blogging. I do not believe that I have slandered the Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
There was more but the rest need not be discussed in public.
I am back and I hope that people will read and respond as they have in the past.
Thank you for your continuing interest.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Saturday in Easter Week- Rolf Schey
We thank you, heavenly Father, that you have delivered us from the dominion of sin and death and brought us into the kingdom of your Son; and we pray that, as by his death he has recalled us to life, so by his love he may raise us to eternal joys; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
This is the day of the funeral of my beloved uncle, Rolf Schey, who passed away just 19 days after the death of his dear wife, my godmother, Helga.
This is the day of the funeral of my beloved uncle, Rolf Schey, who passed away just 19 days after the death of his dear wife, my godmother, Helga.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Collect for Easter
O God, who for our redemption gave your only-begotten Son to the death of the cross, and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the power of our enemy: Grant us so to die daily to sin, that we may evermore live with him in the joy of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
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