Crazy Theological Thoughts

Before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, he informed Abraham of his plans. Abraham being a very kind hearted soul, asks God if he will destroy the righteous with the wicked. But how many righteous people would it take to stay God's hand. Abraham starts out with what most consider a reasonable number. But why does he stop at Ten? Ten righteous men compared to the entire population of Sodom and Gomorrah. What do you think the percentage comes to? 10% would give 100 people. 5% would yield a population of 200. 1% would make 1000 people. But since we do not know the percentage, we can only realize that for the sake of the few righteous people, God's hand would have been stayed. But even this low percentage could not be found in Sodom and Gomorrah. But here is the interesting twist. What percentage of righteous people was in the Land of Canaan for God to wait until the Israelites come up out of Egypt? What percentage of righteous people are in your home town? What percentage is in yo...

The Apostle Creed and Nicene Creed both help to present a solid foundation concerning the Trinity and more importantly the Son of God. But in the Augsburg Confession there is one word which may be small and insignificant yet it set my hair on edge. It reads "and he will reign forever." Does this mean Christ is not reigning now? Or does it mean that Christ will continue to reign into eternity? Someone can have difficulty with both of these propositions. Christ ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father in order to rule and reign. Christ said the Kingdom of Heaven was near. So it was established by his rising from the Dead. Christ does reign now as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So thus we pray for his kingdom to come to us here and now. St Paul also tells us when Christ returns he will give all authority back to his Father. This could indicate an end to his reign and the reign of the Father. But this may be splitting hairs or even something finer. Either...

Note: What does it mean to obtain something? Receive? Or take control of something? But the real thing of importance is that one obtains Justification by the ministry of teaching the gospel and administrating the sacraments. This ministry was instituted by God. But is it one minsitry or two ministries? It could be one to teach concerning both the gospel and administration of the sacrments. This would mean the Church is given one ministry to make sure the gospel remains pure and the sacraments are administered properly. This could also be thought of as two separate ministries. One ministry is focused on preaching and teaching the Word of God or Gospel in its purity. The other ministry is to administer the sacraments. This would allow St Paul to say he was called to preach but not Baptize. But the other would follow the words of Jesus instruction to make disciples by both. But the Sacrament ndicated in both cases is Baptism. Just another thought. Thank you.

"For through the Word and the sacraments as through instruments the Holy Spirit is given, who effects faith where and when it pleases God in those who HEAR the gospel, that is to say, in those who HEAR that God ... justifies ..." The word used is not "wash" or "eat and drink" but HEAR. St Paul says "Faith comes by hearing." The confessors of the Augsburg Confession recognize the Importance of the Word of God. The means by which the Holy Spirit works faith in people is the word. Those who hear that Word of God's saving grace are those called. Those who hear Christ crucified proclaimed in body and blood in and under bread and wine are justified by faith. Those who hear water proclaiming Christ's death and resurrection are justified. It is Faith coming to us by Hearing the Word of God or the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed to them. Someone once asked if Faith comes by Hearing then why should I read my Bible? Other people should read the...

What is the Church of God? There is only one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. The unity of the Communion of saints is based on the agreement "concerning the teaching of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments." Many church bodies today disagree concerning the Administration of the Sacraments. Things range from open and closed communion to the Real Presence (or even the discription of the Real Presence). The differences concerning the Lord's Supper and Baptism still pale in comparison to the differences concerning the Gospel. Many Christian Church bodies claim some necessity of works (even if only a decision). Other church bodies deny the judgment or threats of God. These while rightly recognizing Christ died once for all deny the Law or Christ's call to repentance. Thus, the problem becomes a tension between no works yet not openly living a life of sin. St Paul walks this line by telling us to put off the deeds of darkness and yet all have fall...

"Concerning Church order they teach that no one should teach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments unless properly called." Many people talk about what it means to be properly called or rite vocatus but I think there is enough discussion about that. The one that concerns me is "teach publicly." This obviously does not mean out in the public square. This does not mean on an Individual basis. Therefore one could almost exclude any Evangelism method, because of the qualification "in the church." To teach in the church would indicate most directly Public preaching. But it could also include Bible Study, Sunday School, VBS, and other Public activities in the Church. Now before you think too pragmatic and start going into obserdity. Just think of the words and the teaching: "no one should teach publicly in the church or administer the sacraments unless properly called." Anytime someone is set to teach in the church they should be c...

The Confessors of the Augsburg Confession recognize another important lesson of which many easily lose sight. "They condemn the Pelagians and others who deny that the original fault is sin and who, in order to diminish the glory of Christ's merits and benefits, argue that human beings can be justified before God by their own powers of reason." Others may say by any use of their mental faculties or even their own decision. When you deny originl fault effects your reason or mental faculties you deny original fault or sin. If human beings claim any power for their own Justification they deny original sin or Fault. But our Human Reason is completely Corrupt. Therefore, St Paul can say mean's wisdom is foolishness to God. Therefore, Anyone who thinks they can make a decision for Christ is wrong. In other words their Reason is faulty. Human Reason leads to wild heretical thoughts whie God reveals the turth. Humans can rightly ask who can say what is right? But God s...