There have been several good questions and comments asked of me here and I have not gotten back to them.

I’m sorry about that. I do not mean to do a drive by or some hit and run. I do intend to answer questions and give responses and continue the discussion.

I beg for a bit more time that’s all. Of course, threads like this have a life cycle and this one might be dead already. Nevertheless the issues that are being discussed are not dying out soon. So for me the discussion is still important and one I would like to continue.

Just not yet. Not today. Thanks for your patience.

Friar Hackney, in what you so lovingly wrote, that would be the sticking point for us, would it not? The definitions of praxis & orthodoxy, between you & I. I am aware (though inept & immature as I may be) the basic definitions of yours, as you are aware of mine. Mine, myself, mine, have always begun to be defined, beginning with a Book, or rather a love letter. And of course, a list, of 95 questions, nailed to a door, by a wee man named Martin Luther. That is where we so very much differ, you & I. How could I return, to something, which was “exposed & questioned” so eloquently, to be out of orthodox, according to the Scriptures, over 600 or so years ago, by so much better than I? My intercession, knowing full well your great concern for me & those here, has always depended upon, began, and shall end with SOLA CHRISTOS.
Christ promised us that in His Word, above & beyond the created. Hence one of the many differences in our orthodoxy & praxis. I do pray, you have found His Peace & Comfort in what you sought, as I, have so mercifully & Grace filled, found in mine, (S.C, S.F, S.S. & S.G!). I do pray you can take the offer of repentance as to my offence to you, but that, is all I can truly offer in this. I cannot depart, that which has, been proven true, in the Faith & Denomination, in which I have been instructed, tested, and accepted. As you, have chosen yours.
Most respectfully,
In Christ Always,
Dutch

Orthodoxy has even responded to its various challenges by developing in its praxis. That is why it now has only celibate Bishops, but ealier in its history it knows that it once had married ones. In the same way, I was trying to be helpful to my brothers by suggesting a real, named, identifiable Liturgy. As for Gregory the Dialogist (as he is known in the East), the Western Liturgy bears his name. I ask that at his intercession the many godly western christians may once again find stability in what was once their heritage and treasure; and the means by which they received the body and blood of Christ.

We do not write any new services but we do use a handful of CW songs during the course of a year. Once or twice a year we will sing “Open my eyes Lord, I want to see Jesus” during communion – very appropriate.

TR

1. Doctrinally sound.
2. Singable.
3. Clear in what its lyrics communicate.
4. Not overly repetitious.
5. Without language that says, in effect, “This is what I’m doing for you, Lord.”
6. Without language that focuses on — or seems to require — feelings of personal spiritual elation. (Certainly the focus is best on the Reason for joy, regardless of the degree to which joy might be felt at the moment.)

A very small fraction of the published music that I have reviewed passes that filter. But among the pieces that make the short list, the use of selected contemporary songs within a familiar liturgical structure has had the effect — as God has given the grace — of eliciting among our church members a refreshed appreciation of what our worship entails. Some lyrics that have been consistently fitting are these:

Between the confession and absolution:
“Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me.”

Following the absolution:
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness, O Lord.”

Where the Sanctus is normally sung:
“Alleluia, for the Lord God almighty reigns! Holy, holy, you are Lord God Almighty. Worthy is the Lamb. Amen! ”

Before communion:
“Come let us worship and bow down.
Let us kneel before the Lord our God, our Maker
For He is our God and we are the people of His pasture
And the sheep of His hand.”

Post-communion:
“My God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you.
I will seek you in the morning, and I will learn to walk in your ways
As step by step you lead me. And I will follow you all of my days.”

Closing:
“He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it.”

We continue to use hymns with the contemporary liturgy. A well-crafted contemporary service conducted with due reverence will not clash with the musical idioms common to our cherished Lutheran hymns, I should think, but accommodate expressions of worship from many times and places.

SOLA SCRIPTURA, SOLA FIDE, SOLA GRACIA, SOLA CHRISTOS.

That error was mine alone. So much for limb sitting.
I am rather a “top chef” of how to plate crow, how to make it palpable, never tasty, but palpable, as not to choke on said when consuming.
However, as most here are rather unaware of,
Pope St. Gregory the First, St Gregory the Great, Gregory the Author, I do beg more info for their sakes.
LCMS website has a fair bit, however, it does negate what it posts, depending upon the date published.
I am truly sorry, if I personally offended you, however, you must take into account (though you may not be aware) of my experience, my departure from LCMS to WELS, and the reasons therein. I offer my hand in conceedence, do you offer yours? I do pray so, as I intended to confront you post & stand, Fr., not your personal Faith. Curious, how is it the “capital letters, a note of respect” are rarely
used, here, there or anywhere?

j

EJG

Are you going to write one on Contemporary Worship?

Ooops–time to duck for cover again!! Just kidding. Honest. Really.

j