Crazy Theological Thoughts

I really like the idea.  But I think there needs to be someone more.  People want to put Christ back in Xmas because they se all the cards, toys, decorations, pagan feasts, songs, and shopping which take away from what Christmas is all about. I was even told Christmas started early this year.  It started on Thanksgiving day because of "black Friday" starting early.  People start singing Christmas songs in the beginning of December.  But this is not Christmas.  (It should rightly be noted that there are some places where Christmas is 364 days a year.) But this is not Christmas.  This is shopping, singing, and decorating.  Santa Claus is not even Christmas.  If you really want to put the Christ back in Christmas, call it what it is ... The Nativity of Our Lord. I do not celebrate much of Christmas anymore.  I make some cookies, and decorate the church for Advent.  I guess I still do like listening to Christmas music thro...

Here it comes!  Christmas Season begins  on December 25th.   The season continues through  January 5th.   These are the twelve days of Christmas.  I would love to explain why this is important but I would generally be adding my own thoughts and not be grounded in anything. Oh well, why not?  Jesus Christ has come to the world to be a blessing to all God's people.  If you really remember the significance of the number 12 you can do a lot with these twelve days.  These twelve days could represent the twelve pearly gates which allow one to enter into the new Jerusalem, in Revelation. These twelve days could be paralleled to twelve births in Genesis 29-30.  These twelve children would be the foundation of the people of Israel.  It would be through these twelve children the promises of God would be fulfilled. These twelve days could even be related to twelve callings.  Jesus was born into the world to save it...

The Christmas tree has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus!  Well maybe that is not entirely false.  The custom was developed in pagan societies that believed life was dying during the winter time.  They would bring in tree branches (generally evergreens because the leaves would last longer).  They believed that they would be able to preserve the spirit or life of the trees through the winter time. This lead to a more elaborate tradition of bringing entire trees into our houses in order to preserve life through the winter.  Winter is the season of death, and therefore to bring hope into the life of these people that the plants, flowers, trees would come back to life in the spring is not crazy. Here is the connection.  The church celebrates the life of Christ the new born child in the beginning of the season of death, namely winter.  The church also celebrates his death in the beginning of spring, namely the season of new birth.  Jesu...

In the year AD 274, the emperor Aurelian introduced the festival of the Invincible Sun,  on December 25th.   Sometime after this the church established the commemoration of the incarnation.  It is first recognized about AD 336. It should also be noted that there is a relationship with the winter solstice.  In Egypt around 1996 BC the solstice was recorded  on January 6th.   Later in 331 BC when Alexandria was founded the solstice was recorded  on December 25th.   These two dates are the bookends for the season of Christmas. But these do not explain anything important. Tertullian identified the date of Christ's crucifixion  on March 25th.   In the Ancient world great or important people were died about the same time they were born.  Birth-dates and Death-dates were very important.  In Christ's case it was not birth date but conception date that was important. Christ being crucified  on ...

Without Christ do we see Christ in the Old Testament?  Many people have taught that with Christ you can not understand the New Testament.  But is not the goal of the New Testament to proclaim Christ.  Likewise, is not the goal of the Old Testament to proclaim Christ.  So If I already have Christ, why would I need it proclaimed to me? Quick answer would be because I am still a sinner.  The long answer is because we need to better understand what God has done for us, and what God has designed us to do.  But can scripture really be opened to me if I do not have Christ.  All prophecy finds its yes in Christ. Christ is the fulfillment of all the Law and the Prophets. If Christ is the fulfillment of all scripture, then it is like starting with the answer and working back through the various questions.  I can better understand the question, which is far over my head when someone gives me the proper answer.  Think of the times when will ask...

I am starting to realize that the Formula of Concord is both a blessing and a curse for modern Lutheran discussions.  Answering questions about predestination and election while also talking about the third use of the Law.  Is it the doctrine of inspiration and inerrancy that separates Lutherans or is it the Formula itself? The Formula was a document that allowed for Lutheranism in Germany to survive, the assaults of Rome.  The Pope even thought if it was not for the second the Martin, Lutheranism would have fallen.  But has Lutheranism not already fallen in America? American Lutherans have long struggled with issues they have faced on this continent and in this modern age that Lutherans previously did not face.  But I would argue that Lutherans have not done this united and together because these various backgrounds have never been fully united. I hear people talk about confessional Lutheranism, but do they mean Luther's confession or the Bock of ...

Realized a new way of talking today?  The Law describes who we are supposed to be or ought to be.  In our fallen condition we are in a state of seeing the Law as we ought to be.  When God created everything perfect Adam and Eve were as they were designed to be.  This is the so called "is" state.  The Law does not describe who they ought to be but who they "is". But after the fall the Law describes who we ought to be or how we ought to act.  Maybe even to take it to another level it describes who we are no longer.  As fallen creatures we "is not" who we are supposed to be.  We are in a fallen state. Thus, when Christ returns the Law will once again describe who we "is".  The will either describe us as completely sinners abandoned to Hell with the Devil.  Or it will describe us as perfect being who we are supposed to be with God in the new creation. Though I would not go so far to equate the "is" with being a saint and the ...

The question is simple: Is a Pastor called to serve a community or a congregation?  Most would agree a Pastor is called by a congregation.  But is called to serve that congregation or the community in which said congregation dwells. Most of the time a congregation acts like the Pastor is supposed to be the local evangelist.  Other times it is the pastors job to make sure our congregation has a good image in he community.  But why do congregations call a pastor?  Is it simply so that the community has someone to marry and bury people? God established an office for the congregation.  Pastors are supposed to shepherd the people of the congregation in which they have been called.  They are to lead them away from destructive or desolate places.  They are supposed to feed them with good pasture lands.  They are to ward off the various enemies that could hurt or harm them. So does that mean they have to dress them up so that they look good for ...

For years people have been translating the word assembly as Church.  I have wondered for a while now why?  People talk about belonging to the church down the street or the one in country.  But nobody belongs to that building or structure.  Let the roof collapse and furnace go out, because that seems to be what people put their trust in. People do not seem to understand that being a part of the body of believers, is about being joined together.  An assembly does not rise or fall because of one person.  An assembly is not destroyed by distance or language.  An assembly stands because of what unites it.  Someone once talked about blood being thicker than water.  The assembly, which the bible speaks of, is a family held together by blood. This is not a church nor a synagogue nor a temple.  It is a family held together by God, it's Father.  This may not be the way everyone views the people of God.  But it is important to remembe...

One of the greatest issues facing the Lutheran Church today, is the Sanctity of Scripture.  The Lutheran Church in part has fallen from trust in the word of God.  There are many Lutherans in this millennia who do not believe the Canonical Books of the Old and New Testaments to be the true Word of God without error.  Most people in the postmodern world no longer believe in absolute truth. The Word of God speaks absolutely about the truth which God proclaims.  God has given us absolute truth.  He has proclaimed it concerning his Son, but also concerning social issues.  God has taught us about Homosexuality, Abortion, the Death Penalty, and even the position of Women in the Church. Lutheranism seems to have stepped back from proclaiming this truth.  It has no longer looked at the world with biblical glasses.  It looks at the Bible itself with Worldly glasses.  If the Lutheran Church does not stand firm on this issue how can it...

Most of us think of confession in bad way.  We think this means confessing our sins before one another as St Paul does teach.  We read about people coming to John the Baptist confessing their sins.  But we have lost sight of confession.  Confess your faith in Jesus Christ. Sure you may read the Creed and call it confession.  You may study the Book of Concord and call it confession.  But all you are doing is studying.  It is important to learn.  But it is also important to confess this faith. Most of us were taught to confess our sins in both words and actions.  We confess by telling others, and by our actions.  If I sin and continue with no change in my sinful pattern did I really confess my sins.  If I say I believe but there is no change in behavior or deed, do I truly confess my faith.  Their lips speak but their hearts are far from me.  Let us praise God by confessing him with both our lips and deeds.  Thank y...

I recently came across William Humes draft of A Four Year Lectionary.  His concerns are valid.  His Lectionary appears very nice on the surface.  I have not dived into it too deep.  He has chosen to take the RCL, pull out the Lections from John, and follow lectio continua for the most part.  He has focused on lectio continua with great emphasis. Humes does have a good intention by spreading the Passion accounts throughout the season of Lent.  He does not look to complete tradition in his lections.  But he has a great similarity to the RCL.  He still follows the pattern of using Acts instead of the Old Testament Lesson during Easter.  He also follows probably one of my greatest pet-pevs, the Gospel Lesson as the controlling Lesson.  He does avoid Synoptic Reductionism. Humes has used the basic theory of Adding an additional Year allows for more texts.  I would be interested in finding out the statistics for his Lectionary.  ...

I recently took a look at our Church Constitution.  Most Pastors and even some parishioners look at this document when they join and never give it a second thought.  But have you ever taken a good close look to the requirements for communicant membership.  When I looked at these requirements, I asked myself how many people actually live up to these. The first thing I noticed in our Church Constitution was the progression.  It progressed from belief in canonical books of the Bible to the Small Catechism to Christian Life to reproval of one another to finally not participating in false religious activities.  It is interesting to think about how most people define each of these. How do you define belief in the Bible?  Is it belief in every word written there to be given by God for a purpose?  Is it belief in the general story and meaning?  Or is believing that every word is God breathed and the truth? How do you define belief in the S...

I ran across this the other night.  It was getting late, and a long day on your feet leads to painful knees.  I told the person, "I only know of one good cure for that."  He said, "Yeah, but I am not looking for that yet."  His implication was that the cure for painful knees was death.  Most people that are dead do not have painful knees.  But I responded my cure was not death, but the return of Christ. How many of us long for death rather than the return of Jesus Christ.  When Jesus Christ returns we will truly be healed of all pain and suffering.  Jesus will finally make his entire creation anew.  But until that time even the dead suffer, they suffer the worst torment of all, death.  This is why the angels under the altar cry out for the saints on earth and themselves, "How Long Oh Lord?" Do not get me wrong, those that have died in Christ are with Christ.  There is great joy in being with Christ.  But they do not know th...

I don't know if you have ever watched the movie August Rush, but you should. This movie has great music. This movie should open your heart and mind to music. I was really interested by the child August Rush. He grew up never knowing his parents.  His parents grew up not knowing he was alive as well.  His parents had both been musicians when they met in New York City, afterward they lost each other they gave up on their music. August heard music all around him.  In the movie you hear the music of the street traffic.  The music in kids playing.  The music created by basketball players, and jumping rope.  It reminds me of the psalmist talking about the hills and the trees making music and clapping their hands.  Even objects like chairs, stones, buildings, power lines, and dirty old tunnels have a sound. For most of us we have a favorite type of music: classical, country, western, r&b, rap, pop, gospel, religious, rock, and more categories. ...

Matthew chapter seven can cause some very difficult problems for people.  The church has used this passage to stand against gossip and false witness.  But that would be don't judge unless you have all the facts.  But here is the rest of the story.  Judge not lest you be judged.  Are you being judged? If yes then you have a responsibility to judge those who judge you.  Maybe we do not want to go to vengeful judging. We are all judged.  We are judged by culture, fashion, religions, government, and God.  But the rest of the story is not just that you get to judge those things, but that you should judge them by the same standards they judge you.  How perfect does God expect you to be, as holy as he is.  How fashion sensitive do I expect you to be, as little as I am.  How religious do I expect others to be, no more than I expect of myself. Judge not lest you be judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and...

I recently (in the last year) found at the one of the pastors in town does not believe in Hell.  I think I posted before about the necessity of believing in the after life.  But what about the necessity of beleiving that some people will o to Hell. Previously I think my point was that it is better to believe we stop existing than we die, because eternal pain and suffering is so hard to stomach.  But what about beleiving that all people will just end up in Heaven.  (first, I would point that heaven is not the goal but everlasting life in the resurrection.) I do not presume to speak for this other person, do not assume all paths lead to heaven but that all people will be in heaven.  Jesus Christ died for all the sins of the world.  Therefore, all sins are forgiven in Christ and there is no more sin.  If there is no more sin than there is nothing that would  condemn us to eternal suffering in Hell. Problem the bible does not indicate that through...

It struck me this morning reading through John chapter six again.  (not part of my sermon) but the argument of Jesus talking about the lord's supper.  The bread for the life of the world is his flesh.  It never struck me before to think of the world in connection to the Lord's supper argument. Dr Nagel said, how can read John 6 and not think of the Lord's supper.  But if I read verse 51 as the Lord's supper it is given for the world to eat.  This would mean that it is for believers and unbelievers.  The bread Jesus gives for the life of the world is his flesh to be consumed by the world.  This can not be the Lord's supper. I agree with Dr Nagel's statement but I think we miss the greater point that the flesh of Christ was sacrificed for the life of the entire creation.  Jesus uses the kosmos translated world to mean the sacrifice is for all to eat.  But St Paul and even Jesus would indicate the Sacrament of the Altar is Christ's flesh giv...

In listening to discussions on the Death Penalty in the United States, I have the following question; Can I be against the Death Penalty even though God endorses it?  God has commanded his people to stone people for different offenses.  God has even placed people in authority over us so that they may execute punishments (including the penalty of death).  Jesus even recognized the authority given to Pilate to Crucify him was given to him by God. This does not change over time.  God's endorsement of the Death Penalty has not changed over the past 50 or 2000 years.  So if God is in favor of the Death Penalty can I be against it?  I have long had a stance in favor of the Death Penalty, but lately I am coming to see it as inhumane. Somebody recently said that there is no humane form of killing someone.  But I would disagree.  The Death Penalty today is sterilized and prolonged.  The death penalty which Jesus faced took place in less than 24 ho...

In the beginning of Matthew, I have always seen Joseph as the main character of faith.  He starts off by showing his righteousness to divorce Mary (his wife) quietly, but the Angel steps in and tells him to holdfast to his wife.  Then when the Magi have left, Joseph has another dream and immediately takes the Son and the woman down to Egypt, showing his faithfulness.  He remains in Egypt until he receives another Dream to go back to Israel because those who seek his life are dead. I always have kinda thought this is where Joseph screwed up.  Joseph was supposed to go back Judea and the town of Bethlehem.  But Joseph was afraid of Archelaus who was reigning in Judea.  Joseph did not fully heed the words of the Angel, "for the ones who were seeking the child's life have died."  He thought Archelaus would seek the child's life, so he heads north to Nazareth. But the problem for me was always this prophetic statement of "He will be called a Nazarene." ...

I thought this up the other day.  Studies have been done recently talking about the importance of some germs.  These germs, we interact with on a daily basis, help to develop better immune system.  They can be harmful for those people who have low immunity.  But for the average person they are helpful.  So you can see how the illustration may have limits. This is where "Jesus Germs" come from.  The more you interact with Jesus and His Word the more infected you get with "Jesus Germs."  These germs help to protect us from evil and condemnation.  These germs also make us clean and provide forgiveness.  You can think of "Jesus Germs" as the continued work of the means of grace. "Jesus Germs" infect us and build up our immunity to evil and sin.  Granted we cannot stop sinning or be completely immune from all the attacks of Satan.  But "Jesus Germs" help to build our immunity for the tough times.  This is just like knowing the b...

I don't know aboutyoubut sometimes it is hard to tell the truth. If someone asks you how old they look? If someone asksyouifthey look fat? Do you always tell the truth? Some people say that we need to always speak the truth. The eighth commandment says to not bear false witness against our neighbor. But Luther turns this into saying things nicely and not ruining people's reputations. But if I can not tell someone I love they look fat, how do I protect them from others ridicule? If I can not tell someone I love the truth about the problems they face how will they ever learn? Maybe the lesson we learn is to let those we love always learn the hard way. Teaching the dumb kid he is smart. Telling the fat girl she is skinny (not to say she can't be beautiful). How do these things help? How does it help to tell our kids there is no score in the game, when they know who won and who lost. But here is where the rubber meets theology, we live in a world that teaching kids...

Websters Dictionary defines Love with several different definitions.  But the real question is concerning 1 Corinthians 13:13 which states, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."  What is the definition of the word "love"?  Can we compare this "love" to the lust or desires two people have for one another? I always find it interesting how in the English language we use Love so generally.  I can say "I love these fries."  "I love my friend."  "I love this car."  "I love that girl."  "I love God."  "I love myself so much."  You can try this with other words, but it is interesting how flexible the word "love" can be. This makes things even more difficult when you think that the bible never uses the term Love in relationship to two people getting marriage.  The Bible will talk about people find others attractive or unattractive.  The Bible ev...

I found this interesting the other day talking about the struggles women and men face after an Abortion.  Most of us know the common term now PTSD.  Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a disorder in which people continue to relive or face stress around some traumatic situation they face in life.  This can be the lose of a loved one, an accident, or even some huge disaster.  People have all different kinds of problems related to this. PTCD (still not sure I have the letters correct) is Post Traumatic Combat Disorder some have related this to "shell shock" or Combat Stress Disorder.  But it is when soldiers or even reporters who have been in a combat zone continue to suffer stress.  This disorder can lead soldiers to relive battles in their mind.  This disorder is related to the difficulty soldiers have when they come back from War to familiarize themselves with home again.  This (I think) became more popular since desert storm and soldiers in the M...

I was recently revealed something very great.  I always enjoy learning new things.  It brings me great joy when I find something new in the scriptures.  I had something new shown to me this last week.  In Acts 1:8 and even Luke 24:48, Jesus makes a declarative statement, "You are witnesses."  This is a simple statement.  This does not mean we may possibly be witnesses.  This does not mean sometimes we are called to witness.  It means you are in a state of being witnesses. All those who stood with Jesus in the Upper room that evening are witnesses concerning Jesus Christ.  They are witnesses who have had their minds opened in Luke 24.  They are witnesses to the Ascension into Heaven in Acts 1.  These disciples are witnesses, not because they have been called to be witnesses.  They are witnesses because they were there.  Because of what they have seen and heard. Likewise, All those who believe in Jesus Christ are called ...

When people talk about Kingdoms from a biblical point of view of what do they speak?  I was told recently "the Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms is well known."  I wonder how true this statement actually is.  I am a Lutheran and was taught the Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms as a Child.  But I believe this Doctrine is improperly named in order to communicate with the public Realm. The Bible speaks of various Kingdoms of the world.  In the Old Testament you have the Kingdom of Egypt, Syria, Babylonia, Philistia, Assyria, Persia and many more.  You even will find reference to the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of David.  But of all these Kingdoms, they are generally not paired and even if some were paired it would be difficult to find a significant Doctrine from them. But there is one Kingdom talked about more than any other in the Old and New Testament.  The Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven or as I like to call it the Kingdom of Christ. ...

This one can become very tricky.  God created Adam and Eve in the Image of Himself.  Genesis 1 attests to this truth.  But Genesis 5 attests to another problem.  Genesis 5 states that Adam and Eve bore a child in their own image.  Now someone might contest that Cain and Abel would have had descendant in the Image of God.  But all of them drowned in the Flood.  You will remember only Noah a descendant of Seth and his family survived. In Genesis 9:6 it states, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image."  So there should be a great influence placed on the fact that God created man in his own image.  But yet all the sons of Adam are born in his image.  Genesis 5:3 reminds us that all human beings will bear the burden of original sin. St Paul can tell us that through one man (namely Adam) all men die.  Likewise, through one man (namely Christ) all men a...

This may be one truly crazy thought. But in Matthew 22:12 the man who is found not wearing wedding clothes is cast out where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. Most people talk about the people receiving these clothes as they enter the wedding feast. Therefore, this person has rejected the free gift of the Gospel. Many have been called but few have been chosen. But it struck me in reading this that he is silent before the King. Now it is near Holy Week and I have been reading over the Passion of the Christ repeatedly. So it struck me to think of Jesus remaining silent before the Chief Priest and before Pilate the Governor. Jesus Christ when he is asked to defend himself he remains silent. The Lamb of God remains silent before those who accuse him. He takes the penalty upon himself. Jesus is the one person who gives up his clothes for others to live. Jesus is the one who would shed is garment to give us life. He is the one who is cast out of the city. He is the one who ...

Just was looking around for something to read, and opened my bible up to Job chapter one. Something struck me as very interesting. Job is the great example of a Father. Most of the time when I think of Job, I think of his righteous deeds and remaining faithful even to the point of near death. Job knows his redeemer lives and never falters in the faith. But when Job is described before Satan comes and attacks, he is a great Father. He allows his children to party and commit evil, but the next morning he is ready to offer sacrifices for their forgiveness. Whether he knows his children have sinned or not, he offers the sacrifice. He provides for his children, even by trying to protect their eternal soul. This is a great example of our Father. God is the one who provides the Sacrifice for our sins. He is the one who offers it up even when we do not even know we need it. It does not matter whether we actively sinned or not, because we have all fallen short of the glory of God. God provides ...

Was reading through Matthew and came to Jesus calming the storm. It struck me that in Matthew 8:24 it is seismos which can mean sock, agitation, earthquake or storm. In BDAG it only lists Matthew 8:24 for a biblical use of storm. Most often found in scripture referring to an earthquake. But this is where my mind jumped. What if it was an actual earthquake? I am not sure if under a body of water as small as the sea of Galilee an earthquake would do much damage. But I know that when earthquakes occur under the ocean floor they create something very violent. Japan was hit by a tsunami which was caused by an earthquake on the ocean floor. Think of the violence of the storm or waves that would be crashing over the boat. Some of you may have seen pictures of violent tsunamis or possibly the movie the Perfect Storm. You see how violent the waves can be. This just struck me as interesting. The storm that Jesus calms on the sea of Galilee being this violent. Jesus was sleeping on th...

My Latin may not be that good but my German is still fair. On ordentlichen Beruf verses rite vocatus are used together. Why do we always refer to the Latin rather than the German? But this may beside the point. Beruf or vocatus mean vocation just as much as call. I hear people talk about the call or Call documents as some kind of precious and holy thing. But are not Call documents just contractual documents. Is it not an agreement between two parties? When a Pastor accepts a Call is he not accepting a contract? You will hear of many Pastors that will not accept calls to congregations because they can not afford to pay his salary. If a Call is more than a contract, then it does not matter about the salary and benefits. Should not a Pastor trust in God to call him to any church or location no matter what the "Call Document" may say. The word vocatus and Beruf mean vocation. The latin is where we come up with this big term for job or profession. But theologically we ...