Crazy Theological Thoughts

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)...