Philosophers and good government - a concern for Lutherans

Many Lutherans are thinking seriously about the role of government these days.  David Brooks is always a good read. I think that people who read this blog will find the discussion to be of interest.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/opinion/25brooks.html

In the same context, I would like to recommend a book which I have recently acquired.  The cite is:  Gordon S. Wood, Empire of Liberty, A History of the Early Republic, 1789-1815, New York:  Oxford University Press, 2009.   This work is a part of The Oxford History of the United States.

My first read in this award-winning work is about religion in the early days of the Republic.  Interesting stuff.

Famous preachers: A sermon by John Wesley

St. Paul's Cathedral Choir

A nice trumpet and organ duet on 'Come Holy Ghost, God and Lord' by Krebs

'The treasure lies yet in one pile...'

16. But in addition to what is thus preached, something else is needed; for even though I hear the preaching, I do not at once believe. Therefore, God adds his Holy Spirit, who impresses this preaching upon the heart, so that it abides there and lives. It is a faithful saying that Christ has accomplished everything, has removed sin and overcome every enemy, so that through him we are lords over all things. But the treasure lies yet in one pile; it is not yet distributed nor invested. Consequently, if we are to possess it, the Holy Spirit must come and teach our hearts to believe and say: I, too, am one of those who are to have this treasure. When we feel that God has thus helped us and given the treasure to us, everything goes well, and it cannot be otherwise than that man's heart rejoices in God and lifts itself up, saying: Dear Father, if it is thy will to show toward me such great love and faithfulness, which I cannot fully fathom, then will I also love thee with all my heart and be joyful, and cheerfully do what pleases thee. Thus, the heart does not now look at God with evil eyes, does not imagine he will cast us into hell, as it did before the Holy Spirit came, when it felt none of the goodness, love, or faithfulness of God, but only his wrath and disfavor. Since the Holy Spirit has impressed upon the heart that God is kind and gracious toward it, it believes that God can no more be angry, and grows so happy and so bold that, for God's sake, it performs and suffers everything possible to perform and to suffer.

text from a sermon on Pentecost by Martin Luther

Pentecost, Taddeo Gaddi,  1335-40, Staatliche Museen, Berlin

'Hail Thee, Festival Day' -Ralph Vaughan Williams

see ELH #398

'O Day Full of Grace'

Heinrich Schutz - 'Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'

Pentecost

Pentecost, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1308-11, Museo deli'Opera del Duomo, Siena

The Collect

God which as upon this day has taught the hearts of thy faithful people, by the sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit:  Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort [strength]; through the merits of Christ Jesu  our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end.

The Epistle  [Acts 2

For Luther's consideration of this text, please follow the link   http://www.lectionarycentral.com/pentecost/LutherEpistle.html

The Gospel  [John 14

Follow the link to a sermon by Martin Luther on a part of this text.  http://www.lectionarycentral.com/pentecost/LutherGospel.html

Tunder - 'Komm Heiliger Geist'

Praetorius - "Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'

Scheidt - 'Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'

Buxtehude - 'Komm Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott'

BWV 171 - Erschallet ihr Lieder

Veni Creator Spiritus

BWV 651

Looking at church history . . .

If you are interested in how history, particularly church history, is being discussed you might find this discussion to be of interest.   http://www.lutheranforum.org/blogs/Rehabilitating_Martin_Stephan/

The topic is the legacy of CFW Walther and the Martin Stephan matter.  Read it and learn about the history and varying interpretations of the history.


Since I was a participant in the discussion, I will make no further comments but let the reader decide for herself.

Interesting historical video re 1926 Concordia Seminary dedication

Concordia Seminary-St. Louis has made available an interesting silent movie from the 1926 dedication of its new campus.  Old Pfotenhauer, Dean Fritz, and even Franz Pieper are seen.  As  a member of an ELS congregation I was fascinated to see old George Gullixson who was representing the Norwegian Synod.  There is a building on the Bethany campus named in honor of old Gullixson whose grandson, Ted, is the current editor of The Lutheran Sentinel.

Follow the link to 'A Prayer for Concordia' from May 14, 2010.  http://concordiatheology.org/

how about some Campra?

how about a little Cavalli?