New Book on Exorcism and Demon Possession

I read about this book on another blog, and considering how I have addressed the topic of exorcism here in the past, it seemed appropriate to inform you of it.  It is published by Concordia Publishing House and is entitled I am Not Afraid: Demon Possession and Spiritual Warfare.  The author is the Rev. Dr. Robert Bennett.  You can read a brief but informative interview with the author here.  Please note that by clicking on the author's name you will go to his personal web page where you can learn more about him along with other books he has written.  The book above retails for $24.99.  You can order the book here.

Why I Love My Disappointing Church

Ran across this article and wanted to pass it on to you.  Probably one of the most balanced and mature insights into the realities of what church membership really means.  He notes that the difference in those who seem not to be disappointed and those who are is in the level of involvement. He writes:


So, the best way to avoid finding yourself in a disappointing church is to limit your involvement.

Only go to worship.

Don't volunteer.

Be friendly, but don't make friends. 

Sing, clap and give a little money.

Stay at the edges.

You have probably noticed, if you compare worship attendance with the totality of those showing up for anything else, that many Americans have already figured this out.

The rest of the article is good and ought to be read by all church leaders, pastors and lay.  

You can read the article here. 

Uniformed Scouts March in Gay Pride Parade

After the Boy Scouts of America lifted its historic ban on openly gay scouts, many Christians indicated deep disappointment and concern.  Some, including many Baptists, are now talking about cutting ties with the organization all together.  As an adult scout leader I have concerns as well and am contimplating my own actions once the ban lift officially takes effect in January of next year.

However, many had to be equally stunned by the recent report of uniformed scouts and adult leaders taking part in a gay pride parade in Salt Lake City.  As one who wears not only the uniform of the BSA, but also of my volunteer fire department, my initial anger was over the politizing of the uniform itself.  But my additional concern is how the flood gates have opened and this once esteemed youth organization now appears vulnerable to all the political social activism seen elsewhere.  The idea was to be neutral, but the move has only invited a tsunami of potential change that the Boy Scouts could not have imagined just a short while ago.  I am fearful that the organization I once respected and admired has gone down a path I couldn't possibly follow. 

You can read more of this parade here.

Interesting Article: "Sympathy for the Devil"

I recently read an article on Real Clear Religion by Robert Barron entitled "Sympathy for the Devil" that I would like to pass along.  It is quite relevant in light of the latest move by the ELCA to elect an openly gay bishop.  Brings to mind the familiar words of Is. 50:2 - "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" 

The ELCA Elects an Openly Gay Bishop

At its recent convention last mont the ELCA moved the denomination one more step in the direction charted in 2009 when openly gay candidates were deemed eligible for the pastoral ministry. You may read here of the election of the Rev. Dr. Guy Eriwin as biship of the Southwest California Synod. As was observed by someone else, the ELCA is precisely 10 behind the Episcopal church when it elected Gene Robinson as bishop of New Hampshire in 2003.  For those who might have stilll held on to a slim hope of some reconciliation with our Lutheran counsins, this should demonstrate that our charted paths are diverging at ever-wider tragectories.  Kyrie eleison.....

Society of Creation

In light of the ongoing debate over Creation vs. Evolution within the LCMS, I recently decided to add my support to a relatively young organization in Synod set up to promote creation studies.  As a pastor I was eligible for "associate membership" as regular membership is reserved for those active in teaching and administration of colleges and universities.  I would encourage you to check out their site and see if you might support them also.

Link:
Society of Creation

New Creation Conference and Reactions

The May issue of the Reporter announced an upcoming conference on the subject of creation to be held at Concordia University - Wisconsin on July 8-10.  The conference will feature two keynote speakers: Dr. Danny Faulkner, an astronomer at Answers in Genesis, Petersburg, Ky., and Dr. Don DeYoung, chairman of the science and mathematics department at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. Other speakers will include Dr. Joel Heck, theology professor at Concordia-Texas.  You can find additional details of the conference and speakers on the website of the Society of Creation. As a side note check out the list of professors who are public members of this society as well as the opportunity to join as an associate member.  The Northwoods Seelsorger has applied for associate membership and invites all Missouri members who support the biblical teaching on creation to do likewise.

The announcement of this conference predictably arroused the attention of Dr. Matthew Becker, a very vocal critic of the Synod's stance on creation and an enthusiastic proponent of evolution.  He provides a critique of the Reporter article and the subject of creationism in the LCMS at his blog.  Other reactions to the announcement and subject matter also appeard on the ALPB's Forum Online in the thread "Bible: 'God Created the Universe.'" 

Might any readers of this blog have an interest in attending the conference?  Let me know!