Northwoods Seelsorger

In response to a post I made back in August of last year, one reviewer noted that "Clearly, the rhetoric on this site is Macarthy like."  The comment was in response to material I have written regarding Dr. Matthew Becker and what he teaches.  Since most readers of this site may not see Cheryl's comment, I wanted to bring attention to it so others could read and respond themselves.  The post under review is here .  After reviewing it and others, let me know if you think that the writing here reflects McCarthy and unnecessarily accuses someone short of the facts and draws unfair conclusions.  I'm curious as to what others might think.

I will admit that I did not preach on the difficult Corinthian text this past Sunday.  Not that it didn't need to be preached.  In fact, given the culture in which we now live it needed to be preached more than ever.  I hope that, given its straightforward epistolary nature, the reading of it still communicated sufficiently to those who needed most to hear. I was quite pleased, though, with one sermon on this text.  It was preached by Archbishop Dolan of New York.  Although delivered by a Roman Catholic cleric, I venture to suggest any Lutheran could nod approvingly to its message.  At least those conservative enough to appreciate the exclusive role of sex within a life-long, monogamous, heterosexual union.  Archbishop Dolan is to be commended for framing the subject in the context of divine love, thus allowing the gospel to predominate. If you would like to hear the sermon, go to this page of his archived homilies .  Click on January 15.

Many of you probably remember Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's 1970 Grammy-winning song “Bridge Over Troubled Water."  Radio stations still play it.  Apparently the song was influenced by gospel music, and some have felt inspired by the lyrics (although the key line about the bridge was actually inspired by a Claude Jeter song from 1958).  Nevertheless, one of the authors, Paul Simon, now age 70, remains an agnostic.  One of his recent albums, "So Beautiful or So What" contains many spiritual images including God, angels, creation, pilgrimage, prayer and the afterlife. One Irish blogger suggested it could be the best Christian album of 2011. Who would have thought an agnostic could do that? Raised in the Jewish faith through his bar mitzvah Simon admits he had no interest in religion at the time.  However, he claims that there has always been a spiritual dimension to his music, and it was especially evident in this latest collection of songs.  According to ...

According to a post on another blog , a document from 1967 shows that the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod actually once commended the historical-critical method .  The document, produced by the Synod's Commission on Theology and Church Relations, is entitled "A Lutheran Stance Toward Contemporary Biblical Studies."  It can be found on the Synod's website here .  Having read the document I am not convinced that it does support the historical-critical method, even if it acknowledges that certain aspects of it may provide helpful insights for the interpretive process.  As one who studied for the ministry in the mid to late 80's and was instructed thoroughly in the historical-grammatical method, it was news to me that an official document of the Synod had been in existence then for 20 years that supported a methodology at variance with the way I was taught at a synodical school.  To claim that it supports the historical-critical method undermines the continuit...

For those so interested, the liberal online journal Daystar has published two articles for its Spring issue.  The first is a reworked article by Dr. Matthew Becker entitled "An Argument for Women Pastors and Theologians."  The second is a response by Mr. David Domsch to concerns raised about his Fall article on fear in the LCMS.  The first article contains no surprises, but rather articulates again a liberal defense for women's ordination.  I find it interesting that Dr. Becker does not engage the work by established scholars in the LCMS and others who have written several substantial studies that argue against women's ordination, especially those printed in the CPH book Women Pastors: The Ordination of Women in Biblical Lutheran Perspective, now in, I believe, its third revision and printing.  The second article gives some insight into the reasoning of those who are liberal yet remain within the LCMS.  Mr. Domsch, a layman, willingly admits that as a lay...

According to Mark they came to the Jordan as sinners looking for forgiveness.  A stream of hurting, broken humanity journeyed from all over Judea and Jerusalem to find a new beginning in the water.  Then one day another came.  He had no sin.  He had no need of forgiveness.  And yet he came to the water.  Here in the Jordan he willingly established his solidarity with sinful man.  Made to be sin who knew no sin.  One man set his face toward death that he might die in their place.  His life for theirs.  Today the ministry begins, the reverse journey back to death that there might be life.  Today the heavens open knowing they will close in darkness for a time on that hill called Skull.  They will open looking to the day the curtain finally tears asunder and the sacred space revealed, the place where man met God for atonement, atonement through blood sprinkled upon a seat called Mercy.  It will open showing where Jesus will as...

Disagreeing comes naturally to everyone.  We all have cherished opinions, views we often hold to be on the level of indisputable truth.  Unfortunately when two contrasting opinions meet contention frequently results.  Some avoid conflict altogether by simply keeping their opinions to themselves.  Others strive to resolve the apparent contention by giving in and conceding their point, another means of avoiding conflict.  Still others argue to the death in a win at any cost, take no prisoners approach.  One would hope that there might still be another option that does not need to fall to either extreme. On the Crossings website a view was offered on "How to Disagree Well" by the Rev. Dr. S. John Roth.  His advice on how to disagree well is summarized in the following three points:  1) Fairness . I am disagreeing well when I can state the position of the person I am disputing with accurately enough that that other person recognizes that posit...

Given such a title one might rightly wonder if this post concerns more violence and bloodshed in the world.  However, the reference is first and foremost to the church's calendar.  While the world takes time for its annual break to party and relax before gearing up for a new year, the church realistically recalls the need for a savior to a still dying world.  The day after Christmas finds us at the funeral for Stephan, stoned for his brave confession of Christ. On the 28th we then remembered the horrible slaughter of those innocent victims of Herod's jealous wrath who tragically died in Bethlehem.  Then, just as we are beginning a new year we talk once more about the "shedding of blood" in the circumcision of our Lord.  The year ends in blood and begins again in blood.  It might feel like a dark image with which to remember a festive time, but it reminds us the true necessity of the incarnation. "Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven," ...