Comments for Steadfast Lutherans

Comment on Let Us Say Goodbye To Ladder Theology! by Pastor Matt Richard

Pastor Matt Richard — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:08:13 +0000

Robert,

It seems that you are implementing some sort of “non sequitur logic” into this conversation. In other words, I am having a difficult time following how your conclusions on Forde have a logical connection to the theme of this post on “ascent vs. descent theology.”

It would be most helpful if you would help me understand where the 3 pithy quotes by Forde in this blog post are in error or if I have misrepresented the views of Adolf Koberle, Gene Veith and Eugene Klug on this topic.

If your concerns are not with the quotes of Forde in this post, but with Forde’s overall theological framework, that would be a totally different discussion. If we were to have this conversation my friend, I believe that we would find a lot of common ground in our mutual concerns about Forde’s view of women in ministry, his view of the Atonement as well as his rejection of the 3rd use of the Law.

Grace and Peace to you.

Comment on ULC and the courts – a back and forth between pastors. by Martin R. Noland

Martin R. Noland — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:25:02 +0000

@Mark Surburg #56

Dear Pastor Surburg,

This is good progress in discussion and logic. I appreciate your comments very much! I appreciate it particularly because when I did my study of these topics in 1994, I suspected that what you have explained is, in fact, the real reasoning behind the synodical adjudication changes. It was more than just a change in exegesis of I Corinthians 6, it was a sea change in the LCMS understanding of . . .

Before I finish that sentence, in comment #56 your reply to me includes this statement:

“Luther believes Christians should forgive one another and where necessary bear the cross. They should not look to sue each other at the first opportunity as occurs today in our litigious society. But when matters cannot be resolved they are blessed in having access to God’s left hand rule. They have access to this particular form of God’s left hand rule (note that first century Christians did have access to other aspects) in dealing with civil suits because they are blessed to live in a Christian world. [new para.] Unfortunately, we no longer live in a Christian world.”

What is not clear to me in your argument here is whether God’s left hand rule exists in secular, pagan, or post-Christian societies. You seem to be saying that the “left-hand” rule only exists in governments that are Christian;and that it does not exist in governments that are not Christian. Please clarify, so that I and others don’t misunderstood your position.

You say that others hold your position: “I and many others contend that the courts are now part of this post-Christian world and that our situation is now that of Paul”

I am curious to know who these people are. Are they published scholars, a couple of your friends, or professors you have studied with? Can you mention names and particular writings, if they are scholars whose writings we can peruse for more complete arguments?

Thanks very much! I appreciate having someone knowledgeable and able to defend their position with clear reasoning.

Yours in Christ, Martin R. Noland

Comment on Wyoming District Convention Report by Pastor Joshua Scheer

Pastor Joshua Scheer — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:06:25 +0000

As well as Rev. Naylor’s report, it should also be noted that the hotel room with 1/3 of the pastors did not have air conditioning or the ability to open the window.

Comment on Wyoming District Convention Report by George Naylor

George Naylor — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:57:24 +0000

If i’m appointed to the minutes review committee for the convention in perpetuity, I could live with that.

Comment on Wyoming District Convention Report by Pastor Joshua Scheer

Pastor Joshua Scheer — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:53:53 +0000

@George Naylor #2 Your report was courteous and complete, as well as short. Perhaps we should have elected you to something.

Comment on Wyoming District Convention Report by George Naylor

George Naylor — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:52:48 +0000

You forgot the shocking report I delivered on the state of the District BOD’s minutes, where I provocatively claimed that “everything seemed to be in order.”

Another highlight was me not getting elected to anything. I was quite pleased.

Comment on Wyoming District Convention Report by Jason Harris

Jason Harris — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:35:50 +0000

My wife was chatting with a hippy-dippy deaconess student at the seminary co-op. She told her how she misses the Wyoming district, where folks generally get along; that it is full of die hard Lutherans and none of the congregations do “contemporary” stuff. The deaconess student looked at her in supercilious disgust and scoffed, “Oh my! What does that do to church attendance?!?”

I guess that’s life “back east”

Comment on Blue Here, Blue There… But What’s Going on with that other Blue Thing?!? by Pastor Joshua Scheer

Pastor Joshua Scheer — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:35:44 +0000

@Old Time St. John’s #7
I think the restructure largely kept to what the task force suggested, so my graphic from prior to the convention probably still fits:

http://steadfastlutherans.org/pdf/ProposedLCMSStructure.pdf

Comment on Let Us Say Goodbye To Ladder Theology! by Robert

Robert — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:32:06 +0000

“Jesus himself, though he might have and quite possibly did reckon with a violent death at the hands of his adversaries, seems not to have understood or interpreted his own death as a sacrifice for others or ransom for sin. Such interpretation apparently came as the result of later reflection. Even in their final redaction the synoptic Gospels contain little direct or explicit interpretation of Jesus’ work.”
Gerhard O. Forde, Christian Dogmatics, 2 vols., Carl E. Braaten and Robert W. Jensen, eds. (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984), 2:12-13.

Comment on Boredom vs. Duty by A Beggar

A Beggar — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:18:49 +0000

Thought provoking. Repent? Yes!