Crazy Theological Thoughts

It amazes me, when I hear a story about a Pastor struggling to come up with material for their sermon on sunday. (assumptions) Some Pastors struggle with picking the write Text. Other Pastors struggle with narrowing down all the teaching moments in a text. Yet, other Pastors do just seem completely lost. The Lectionary provides pastors with Text that are connected. The Lectionary should help provide Pastors with a single lesson for them to focus on that reflects the time of year and the whole of Scripture. Many of these texts do have many teaching moments. When you read the multiple texts for the day, you can notice a theme or main teaching point for a specific sunday. This may not be the point you want to teach on, but it does give you a quick start. But the most important task a Pastor has in Sermon preparation is his daily devotions. I strongly believe that the more you read scripture the easier it is to preach scripture. I also feel the more you preach or hear preaching the b...

The first Hunger Games movie had a simple message of sacrifice. It did a good job of illustrating a sister sacrificing for sister by volunteering. It had the sacrifice of a man in love. Even a little girl willing to sacrifice herself for one who had helped her and shown her love. It even had two people willing to die together to save each other.  This new movie does not have the sacrifice theme as obvious. Because it is hidden beside tones of rebellion. People willing to follow someone's symbol of Hope, even if it means there own death. People willing to show public disrespect to their government. A black man being publicly executed. A white young man being flogged for trying to help others. Tributes requesting people to see them as a symbol of Hope for something better. Catching fire still gives us sacrifice, as tributes are willing to save their chosen one. But ultimately the light of Heaven shines down on one individuals sacrifice to reveal the truth of these games. She brings t...

Many people talk about the importance of extracurricular activities. People especially talk about the life lessons of sports. I believe we teach a lot to our children as they grow up playing sports. We teach them team work. We teach them how to prepare and practice for the many obstacles we may face in our life. We also teach them how to properly bully someone. Sports media and athletes often tell us that you need to man up. You need to keep your mouth shut. You need shake it off. There is even the classic leave it all on the court. It would be great if we did not teach trash talk, excessive celebration, and foul language. Children, athletes, and people need to learn that trash talk is bullying. They also need to learn that cursing at someone is offensive, and improper for any work place (whether on the court, pitch, or field). These lessons will translate in the office, floor, and workplace. Do you want trash talk in the work place? Do you want competition? They seem to be taught hand...

Somebody told me there are people that believe the bible does not talk about Homosexuality? The Bible has this phrase, Sexual immorality all over the place. What does this really mean? Does this mean serial monogamy? Does it mean masturbation? Does it mean any kind of sex? Does it mean oral sex? Does it mean safe sex? That must be it. As long as you practice safe sex then it is not sexual immorality. Because we are not talking about orgies, insest, pedaphilia, or beastiality. Those are obviously Sexual immorality, because they are not conceptual nor safe. What is meant by sexual immorality? Sexual immorality is any sexual activity other than vaginal intercourse with the marriage bed. Can a married couple commit sexual immorality together, Absolutely! I find that this point may be lost on some people. Homosexuality, orgies, masturbation, pedaphilia, beastiality, insest, pornography, anal sex, oral sex, and the like are all sexual immorality. These are all lifestyle patterns, which are a...

Bullying is a huge issue. People talk about bullying in the work place. Other people call it hazing. But I call it very simple interaction with differences. Employers are not allowed to bully their employees. Likewise, employees can not bully one another. Selisiters can still bully customers into buying something they do not want. Likewise, customers can bully employees, and employees are supposed to take it.  I love to watch sports, and I even like to play sports. But I realize that they foster bullying. Whether it is a coach yelling at a player or having them run sprints. There is a fine line between hazing and educating. Players celebrating their victory over another player sometimes called taunting, but other times even in the simplest form is bullying. Finally the gravest is the bullying of Fans. I admit that in the name of being a fan actions toward free throw shooters, players on the court, and even on poster board, I have bullied people. What is said by fans at any of vario...

The origins of the season of Advent are rooted in the parallel between Christmas and Easter. Just as there is a forty day season of Lent which consists of six weeks. The origins of Advent wanted to parallel this concept. We need time of preparation for the Birth of our Lord, just like we need preparation for the death of our Lord. Interesting enough is the fact that there is a season of preparation (advent/lent) season of celebration (Christmas/Easter) and a season after the following significant event (epiphany/Pentecost). They outlines six weeks of Advent. This was latter reduced. Some have argued that it was reduced because of the focus on Christmas being too great. Others argue that the significance of the Advent wreathe and four fold celebration of Hope, peace, joy, and love. Some have desired to bring back the six week Advent. This being time to focus on the preparation for the coming of the Christ child. This would be a time to read through all the Old Testament prophecies conce...

How do you show true praise to someone, or God? Most of us think that we are showing praise by fancy words, expensive gifts, or a sign of humility. But how do we really show praise? How does your computer show praise? You probably never thought about that one. You probably have thought about animals showing praise for one another or even for their owner (or maybe you consider them a part of the family). Animals can show praise for their respective owners by doing what you bought them to do. Some animals we buy to lay eggs, or provide meat; others we purchase so that they will show love to us. Some people, I think, buy animals just for something to take care of. But how about the rest of creation? How does a rock show praise? How does your computer show praise? How does your lawn or plants show praise? They show praise by doing what they were designed to do. A computer that is constantly crashing, is broken and needs to be fixed or replaced. A lawn that is full of weeds, needs to be re-...

There is a pretty complicated question out there, that some people do not know how to answer. Who was Cain's wife? Now many people assume that Cain was sent away before he was married. They also assume that his Father would not allow him to marry one of his own sisters. But the second assumption is much worse than the first. Adam and Eve were the only two people in the beginning. Adam and Eve produced many children. Those children would have married one another and produced more children. All human beings trace their family line back to Noah, and back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve's children would have married each other. Cain's wife is Abel's sister. There was no other options. Each would produce of the same kind. Therefore, they married each other producing children who would marry each other. This could have continued for several generations marrying there sisters. Especially in the case of Cain, Cain's children would have also had to inter marry. They would have...

Many different views of exist with regards to the Mark of Cain. Some even have proposed the obserd idea that it is the color of ones skin. Some have also perpetuated the idea that the mark of Cain is Evil. Cain does kill his brother in the field. He does carry wickedness in his heart, as he offers sacrifices from his field. But when he recognizes the punishment God has enstore for him. When Cain faces the despair of his own death, he cries to God for mercy. God puts a mark on Cains head. He seals him with a protective mark. I would say the mark of Cain is the mark of Christ. Cain was sealed for redemption. God marks him for salvation from his enemies. God protects him from death, even while the blood of his own brother cries out against him. God has marked each of his people. He sends out his Angels to mark them and protect them from the power of Satan.  The mark of Cain is a mark given for redemption. It is given to save the life of Cain. Likewise, god places the mark of Christ up...

I have been reading about the way Luther would explain deep theological doctrines through story rather than through arguments. In Dr Kolb's book, he references Luther's view of Abel being righteous and not his actions. This reminding me of something else that may be a little crazy. God cleanses his people from all unrighteousness he makes us righteous through the sacrifice of Christ. Likewise, God cleanses your works from unrighteousness. He takes your prideful game, or competitive demolition of your opponent and makes it a righteous or good deed. Just as God would cleanse your body, soul, and spirit, does God really cleanse your deeds? Obviously sex outside of marriage, abortion, murder, and stealing are sinful and unclean. But can God transform your murder, robbery, and sexual activity into something good, righteous and blessed. Don't think too hard.  Sex can produce a beloved child, and bring life into the world. Robbery can help someone appreciate what they have, it can...

I have listened to people now more than ever raising funds to save people from death. The dying will admit that these may not save me, but hopefully we will save someone else. There is a cure! But nobody wants to talk about it. People want to talk about stoping death, it is like stopping a runny nose when you have a cold. You need to defeat the cold! Death is our enemy, but it's root cause is sin. I have the cure for death. I have the cup of eternal life. I have the water that give life everlasting. I have the one who has conquered death. Give me a death narrative, and I will give you the power to over come. I will give you the strength to survive. It is Jesus Christ our Lord. I admit that I have not faced the death of a loved one like other people. I do not have the words to solve your struggles with lose or pain. I do have a Hope, a Faith, a Cure, a Cup, a Font, a Table, and a Savior. I have long stared in the face of death welcoming it to do its worst, because I know that it...

Someone once told me I have a more Roman nose. I am not sure what that means. But I do think that I look Roman from time to time. I prefer to wear the black clergy shirts when working, chasubles when celebrating the Eucharist, and like private confession.  But have recently been faced with the term sacerdotalism. I have been accused of looking Roman. I know that Luther looked a lot like a Roman. But there is a definite difference between looking and confessing. I have long looked at various church bodies and noticed: Methodist, Holy Rollers, and Romans. I can fit pretty much everyone I see into these three categories. So if I am a Lutheran do I want to look like a Methodist, Holy Roller, or Roman. Sadly there is no Lutheran category. And traditionally the Lutheran Liturgy has looked Roman, similarly Anglicans, Orthodox, and a few others look Roman. Does this mean we should set aside issues with practice such as Adoration of the Host, Breaking the Host, or various other sacrifice of...

I have recently been hearing the phrase,"if people are against us then we must be doing the right thing." I do not know where they get this idea. It is true that the church will always suffer persecution. But does this mean people can't be against us just because we are wrong. Being controversial does not make one right nor does it mean that you are heading in the right direction. Neither does avoiding controversy mean you are doing the right thing. Remember when St Paul had to put St Peter in his place for not eating with Gentiles. St Paul has suffered a lot on account of the Gospel so he is not going shy away from the truth. St Peter wants to make sure he does not make extra waves than necessary, or cause the Church to be threatened. St Peter could have been right to stop eating. St Paul goes to Jerusalem and there he makes sure he is ritually clean before going to the Temple. He make sure he follows the customs and the Laws. He does not go boldly just to give offense. ...

For a long time I have enjoyed this hymn. But then I listened as we sang it in church and heard something sad. Verse two is probably my favorite. We suffer with Christ. We bear our cross patiently. With Jesus there is no loss. This world is full of pain and not joy, but with Christ there is eternal joy. But then I heard verse 3: Let us gladly die with Jesus Since by death he conquered death He will free us from destruction Give to us immortal breath Let us mortify all passion That would lead us into sin; And the grave that shuts us in Shall but prove the gate to heaven  Jesus here with You I die There to live with You on High I have to say this threw me through a loop of thoughts. It starts off fine, we die with Christ in Baptism as we drown out the Old Adam. As Christ raises us to new Life. Thus, we bury our sinful passions that would lead us to sin and ultimately the grave. But then the grave some how turns into a good thing. Death is the enemy, who seems to become the friend. "...

I was riding on my Bike and passing people and bikers. It was interesting that many people waved some nodded their head, and some did nothing looking completely exhausted. But there was one person that gave me the head lifted. And this got me to think, why would Americans lift there head to one another. The Head nod or the bowing of the head often is reflective of honoring the other person with respect, or even possibly to remind our selves we are servants. Slaves would never have been permitted to look their master in the eye, thus they would constantly be in a bowed down position and even bow lower in address to those above them. But is it our recognition as someone else as our equal, which leads us to lift our head? Or, is it our natural reaction to recognize we are better than everyone else? I really think we need to bring back the Bow. We need to bow in recognition that those around us are worthy of our respect no matter who they may be or how we may feel about them. We are called...

There have been many people who claimed that Aids was the curse of the Homosexual Sin. I feel this to be true, but not far enough. All Sexually transmitted diseases are punishment for sexual immorality. The sin of homosexual behavior is just one of these sins. Like someone once said, Practicing Heterosexuality is just as sinful as practicing Homosexuality. If someone has only one sexual partner their entire life, and that person in turn only has one sexual partner, then how would they contract a Sexually transmitted disease? Well I guess we might say a blood transfusion, but then it would be a "blood transfusion" transmitted disease. Thus, Sexually transmitted diseases are punishment for sexual promiscuity.  There are very few people today who have one or less sexual partners within their life time. Sexual Immorality is a rampant sin for our current age, as well as many previous ages. Homosexuality is a sin. Lusting after a woman or a man is a sin. Heterosexual behavior outsi...

Interesting article at www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/33702693 entitled: The Liturgy as Beacon for the Elect. I very much enjoyed his description of Functional Arminianism. I also agree with his conclusion that the Church should use the Liturgy and remain tied to its historic roots. But I would like to point out some disagreements. In the later part of his paper he talks about the church not looking like the world around it. The "potential converts" are looking for something, while the "elect of every nation" want something different. I feel the need to point out that the Church has not always had the same style or type of music. During the Reformation Luther even used popular tunes, to convey the Christian faith. The great thing about Church Music is that it was popular varieties. Likewise, the dress of clergy has also changed throughout the years. While it does not always align with modern fashion in each period, it does still change in style and even varies base...

I have always enjoyed talking to people who are pietists. I use that term generally. But I likewise enjoy going through Matthew Chapter 5. Jesus repeatedly reminds us that we can set up all kinds of rules and guidelines to help us keep the Ten Commandments. But all these rules will fall short and fail. It is easy for us to think that we love our neighbor enough. It is easy for us to make up excuses for not going to the, so called, nth degree. But the truth Jesus presents is that everything you do is sinful. If you want to say you have fulfilled it, Jesus pushes the question one step further. If you think you love your neighbor, have you really done everything for your neighbor? There is no greater Love than laying down your life for your neighbor. He who desires to be first but become a slave to everyone. Are you willing to become a slave? Then you are a sinful human being and in need of a Savior. I am not saying you need to become a slave (sticking with the illustration at hand)...

Can you be an alcoholic who has never taken a drink, or at least never got drunk? Can you be a drug addict that has never taken more than a Tylenol or Advil? Can you be a sex addict that is still a virgin? I have long thought that we are all addicts of whom some of us have not committed the outword act. There are many people who have real problems with addiction, and I do not want to belittle their struggle. But if you do not face the real problem your are facing with addiction it is going to get worse for you. Addiction has been described about as something you can not stop thinking about, or something that consumes your life. Every human being on this planet is struggling with an addiction. They do not want to believ they are addicted to it. It consumes every thought word and deed they perform. They are addicted to sin. Here is the thing there is not one of us who is not 100% sinful and unclean. And all have committed an act of sin. There are people who can be consumed with tho...

I have often looked at families and wondered why parents do not discipline their children. Some people have argued that the Government regulations on child abuse have hog tied parents. But I think there is a bigger question, to whom do parents listen? Parents challenge and attack authority all around them. They speak of this and teach their children to disobey authority as well. If I do not want to be told what to do, do I have the right to tell someone else what to do? God tells all of us what to do. He has even commanded us to obey our parents. All of us are sinful and lost creatures. We do not obey our leaders nor our Perfect and Holy Leader. We could track this back to protests against the Governments involvement in Wars. We could track this back to the War of Northern Agression. We could track this back to the Rebellion against King George. We could even track this back to England's revolt against Roman Authority, or the various Reformations. We could track this back to ev...

It was interesting to me to see how the church is divided. I do not mean the many denominations and sects and heresies. But I mean the Youth group, Lutheran Women's groups, Men's club, Sunday School, and various other clicks in the church.  Many of these groups ask the question of how can we get more people involved. They want to set up more programs or gimmicks, but they are all asking the same question. The church is divided and each one of these groups is searching for more members. Each one of these is seeking to add to their numbers and participation.  Here is even the more interesting thing, the church itself is asking these questions. How do you increase devotion and participation? There is competition within the church. They are all competing over time and membership in sub-groups or special interest groups. Sunday School asking for volunteers, women's groups various retreats and activities, men's clubs have their own struggles. Many churches complain about ...

Dear Manly Doctors, I have been thinking way too much lately about something you guys commented upon a while back. I talked about it with a fellow Pastor who told me to write in and mention these concerns. Sadly, I desired to overlook it but was unable to do so. After several months hearing Pastors at our winkle about the practice of self communion. They were wondering why or where this practice came from. Then I listened to your Podcast and you guys brought up this idea of self communion and thus my many thoughts continue to flow like bad diarrhea. This might get a little tangential but you guys should be used to that. First, the biblical question must be asked. Does the Bible say anything about it? Well recently in episode 4 of  The Bible  Jesus drinking and eating his own body and blood at the Last Supper. But I don't actually find this self communion in the Scriptures. I also thought of St Paul in 1 Corinthians 11 where St Paul talks about the other things to b...

What if your entire life was boiled down to one point in time?  There is part of us that wishes this were the case.  We wish that we could pick the best thing we ever did, and make that the thing for which we were remembered. But then we also know that we do not want our entire life to boiled down to the worst thing we ever did. Therefore, most of us simply boil our lives down to the best couple of things we have ever down, and hope it out weighs the worst couple of things we have done.  But then look at the world around you, are more people remembered for the best thing or the worst thing?  Think of great athletes who have that asterisk next to their names for the one bad thing they ever did and not all the good.  Think of the prisoner who lives his life behind bars all because of the one worst thing they ever did.  Think of the outcast of your town who lives separate from family and friends because of the one bad thing. It does ...

Some people might find this funny, but I was really feeling this earlier today.  I was sitting in another Church body listening to a funeral sermon, and was doing all I could not to jump up and cry out.  I felt like the man with an unclean spirit sitting in the synagogue listening to Jesus. (Inverted) The problem of course is that I really feel it was the Holy Spirit crying out as the word of God was twisted and distorted to proclaim a message of emotions and leaving out any substance of the Gospel truth.  It brings me almost to tears to realize that this must be why most people cry at funerals. People are hearing messages about how great people are, when we know the reality.  Messages about God being with us, but never explaining how God is actually with us through Word and Sacrament. These messages leave people with the impression that death is the natural course of life, and God is there watching over us condoning our death (even in some...

I recently heard some one quote, “Everyone dies twice, first when they die (assume heart stops, breathing stops, etc.), second when the last person who remembers them dies.”  This reminds when someone told me that we all live on in the memories of our loved ones and those lives we have touched. It is partially this thought that leads people to put up plaques in memory of people. But I like the first statement.  Now I would change it to “Most people die twice.”  First, we die to sin in our baptism as we are crucified with Christ Jesus and raised to new life.  Second, we physically suffer the death of body and soul being separated until re-united in the Resurrection.  But this works for those who are baptized or come to faith. Otherwise, first, you die physically suffering the death of body and soul being separated until re-united in the Resurrection.  Second, you die eternally paying the debt for every last sin you have ever commit...