Some thoughts on The Passion of the Christ by Rev. Dr. Burnell Eckardt, Jr.

The Shire

The musing of Gandalf the White herein, at which all hobbits, dwarves, elves and others may scoff and take potshots at will, or in which, perhaps, one may occasionally delight . . .
Volume 8 Number 1 (2004:1)
[February 27, 2004]

Mel Gibson's Iconic *Passion*
a review by Burnell F. Eckardt Jr.

It's not really surprising that Mel Gibson's *The Passion of the Christ* has ignited so much passion. This movie, I think, ranks first among the movies which culminate on Good Friday, and there is a slew of them, most notably Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 "The King of Kings"; Pasolini's 1965 "The Gospel according to St. Matthew"; the 1959 epic "Ben Hur" that made Charlton Heston famous, and who can forget George Stevens' "The Greatest Story Ever Told," with John Wayne's cameo line, "Truly, this was the Son of God." But now we have in *Passion* a retelling of the highest caliber, due in part to the adept use of special effects unavailable to DeMille and his generation, but more so to the remarkable skill with which Gibson has handled the Biblical material.

It's aptly named an Icon film, and we briefly see the in the Icon logo a cutout of the Our Lady of Vladimir icon, arguably the most famous and beloved icon in all of history, wherein the mournful gaze of the Blessed Virgin Mary invites the viewer to enter her sorrows over her Son. Truly, that is what one is compelled to do upon seeing this film. Some have complained that the movie is too gruesome (hence the R rating), but I think their complaints might in part be due to a failure to recognize the gruesome nature of the Biblical accounts themselves.

A two-hour treatment to scourging, brutality, bloodshed, and crucifixion is a bit much to take, and this kind of movie doesn't quite qualify as entertainment. But I don't find this a harmful thing (especially during Lent), since in fact the 'thing' in question here is, according to the Scriptures, the very means by which the world was redeemed and reconciled to God. The film's opening words, from Isaiah 53, really say it all: He was bruised for our iniquities. Here we are given ample opportunity to ponder this bruising. Say what you will about dramatizations and their the ill effects they can cast on the meaning of the Gospel-and if there is a downside, that would be it-I find in the viewing of *Passion* more of an experience like unto the viewing of an icon.

The American culture knows little of icons, because the great majority of our churches, whether Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Protestant, spring from the 'Western' branch of the Christian historical tree, whereas it is from 'Eastern' branch that icons largely come. Yet the West never condemned iconophilia (the love of icons), and indeed a prominent fifth century Pope (i.e., Western) once defended their use against the Emperor and the Constantinopolitan (i.e., Eastern) patriarch, and for that matter the Seventh Ecumenical Council (mid 8th century) approved the veneration of icons among all. But since West and the East split apart in the mid eleventh century, icons have become increasingly unfamiliar in the West.

*Passion* is clearly iconographic in at least the sense that it evokes serious contemplation on the Holy Mysteries of the Gospel. Icons are really not for idles glances, but for serious and sometimes prolonged meditation. Likewise *Passion* invites us into the world of contemplation. This is a powerful and masterful film, and though Gibson himself admits that its intention is to "shock" the viewer, I do not take his meaning in a pejorative sense. To the contrary, I might even venture to suggest that this film is tastefully done, for several reasons.

First, the brutality is only as realistic as the Gospels themselves, and I do not find it overdone, unless one finds the evangelists' accounts overdone as well. Sometimes squeamishness is a good thing, even as we do not come to church on Good Friday in the expectation of relaxation.

Second, in the long tradition of Passion Plays, this movie is presented from an unabashedly Christian perspective, as, of course, are the Gospels. The occasional appearance and final demise of satan comes off as an underlying plot to the entire event, from Jesus' crushing of the serpent's head to the final wail of demonic defeat. These insertions employ an entirely acceptable traditional interpretation, reflected in the early church fathers and springing from the proto-evangelion in Genesis 3:15: He shall bruise thy head.

Third, the film does not Hollywood-ize by the addition of a host of dramatized fictional additions which have become all too commonplace in such epics: there are a few, but Gibson has exercised admirable restraint in his use of occasional conjecture. The tender flashbacks to Jesus' life at home may not be historical, but serve well to characterize the Blessed Virgin's sorrows, coupled as they are with her (also conjectured) thought, "When, how" will he end this travesty and vindicate himself? Depicted with her grief is also her calm reserve of undaunted faith, all the way to the Pieta, her cradling of the dead Christ. Gibson also gives a respectful nod to venerable tradition, with the brief appearance of Veronica on the Via Dolorosa and her veil receiving the image of Christ's face.

Fourth, the resurrection is acknowledged, but ever so briefly. This is, after all, a Passion. The traditional Passion accounts, read during Holy Week, do not contain the resurrection; to hear that account, one must wait until Easter.

Speaking of the hearing of the Gospel, most importantly this film does not appear to replace what the Church exists to give, in the name of this Crucified Christ. One poignant scene suggests the very opposite: from a flashback to the institution of the Lord's Supper we break suddenly to the dripping of His sacred blood from the cross, the very same blood of which He spoke. But of course no one gets the Sacrament by attending a movie. Nor do I find in this movie any attempt to supplant the Church's purpose: the preaching and administration of the Gospel. The Gospel, to be sure, is proclaimed by this film; but the abundance of tearful faces I saw when the lights came up suggests to me a longing of souls which no film can placate. That longing, I dare say, can only be filled upon the regular hearing of the Gospel, as the Apostle Paul declared, "We preach Christ Jesus and Him crucified."

<:<}
The Shire 2004:1
Copyright 2004 Gandalf the White

A church that is unwilling to use the binding key has no business using the loosing key. Thus endeth the sermon.

This mess is getting a little clearer.

An Appeal for Charity with Clarity: Observations and Questions on Terms and Phrases in Need of Clarification.

The Church Is Christ's Mission to the Whole Society

YANKEE STADIUM: OFFICIAL ACTIONS AND DECISIONS THAT CONTINUE TO DIVIDE US –Jeremiah 23:1-2

RETURNING TO GOD’S WORD ALONE IS OUR ONLY HOPE!

Response to Mazat

Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.


For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight--
That You may be found just when You speak,
And blameless when You judge.


Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.


Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.


Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.


Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.--Psalm 51:1-13 (NKJV)


Glory be to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning
Is now and ever shall be
World without end, Amen.


For our transgressions are multiplied before You,
And our sins testify against us;
For our transgressions are with us,
And as for our iniquities, we know them:
In transgressing and lying against the LORD,
And departing from our God,
Speaking oppression and revolt,
Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Justice is turned back,
And righteousness stands afar off;
For truth is fallen in the street,
And equity cannot enter.
So truth fails,
And he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him
That there was no justice.


The Redeemer of Zion
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
According to their deeds, accordingly He will repay,
Fury to His adversaries,
Recompense to His enemies;
The coastlands He will fully repay.
So shall they fear
The name of the LORD from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.


"The Redeemer will come to Zion,
And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,"
Says the LORD.--Isaiah 59:12-20 (NKJV)


that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says:
"In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you."
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.--2 Corinthians 5:19-6:2


1. Come to Calvary's holy mountain,
Sinners, ruined by the Fall;
Here a pure and healing fountain
Flows to you, to me, to all,
In a full, perpetual tide,
Opened when our Savior died.

2. Come in poverty and meanness,
Come defiled, without, within;
From infection and uncleanness,
From the leprosy of sin,
Wash your robes and make them white;
Ye shall walk with God in light.

3. Come in sorrow and contrition,
Wounded, impotent, and blind;
Here the guilty free remission,
Here the troubled peace, may find.
Health this fountain will restore;
He that drinks shall thirst no more.

4. He that drinks shall live forever;
Tis a soul-renewing flood.
God is faithful; God will never
Break His covenant of blood,
Signed when our Redeemer died,
Sealed when He was glorified.


Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you."
At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."--Matthew 11:10-20


Behold, O faithful soul, the grief of your Lord upon the cross, His gaping wounds as He hangs there, and the awful agony of His death. That head, before which the angelic spirits bow in reverential fear, is pierced with crowded thorns; that face, beautiful above the sons of men, is defiled by the spit of the ungodly; those eyes, more luminous than the sun, darken in death; those ears, accustomed to the praises of the angelic host, are greeted with the insults and taunts sinners; that mouth, which spoke as never man spoke, and teaches the angels, is made to drink the vinegar and the gall; those feet, at whose footstool (Isaiah 66:1) the profoundest adoration is paid, are pierced with nails; those hands, which have stretched out the heavens (Isaiah 45:12) are extended upon the cross and fastened with spikes; that body, the most sacred abode and the purest habitation of the Godhead, is scourged and pierced with a spear; nor did aught in it remain uninjured His tongue, that He might pray for those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34). He who rules in heaven with the Father is most shamefully abused upon the cross by sinners. God suffers; God sheds his blood (Acts 20:28). From the greatness of the price paid, judge of the greatness of your peril; and from the cost of the remedy, judge the dreadfulness of your disease. Great indeed were the wounds of sin, which could be healed only by the wounds of the living and life-giving flesh of the Son of God; desperate indeed was that disease which could be cured only by the death of the Physician Himself.

Consider, O faithful soul, the blazing wrath of God. After the fall of our first parent, the eternal, only-begotten, and well-beloved Son of God Himself became our intercessor; and yet God’s wrath was not turned away from us. He, by whom God made the worlds (Hebrews 1:2), was interceding for us, and for the sake of us miserable sinners, He, the Most High, became the Advocate of our salvation (1 John 2:1); and yet for all this was God’s wrath not turned away from us. The Savior clothes Himself in our flesh, that the divine glory being communicated in our flesh, He might make an atonement of sinful flesh, and that the healing power of perfect righteousness being communicated to our flesh, He might thus purge out the poison of sin in our flesh; and yet, despite all this, God’s wrath was not turned away from us. He takes upon Himself our sins and their just deserts; His precious body is bound, scourged, wounded, pierced, crucified, and laid in the sepulcher; His blood starts forth profusely, like the dew, from all parts of His suffering body; His most holy soul is saddened beyond measure, and became sorrowful even unto death (Matthew 26:38); He is subjected to the very pains of hell, and the Eternal Son of God cries out in horror that He is forsaken of God (Matthew 27:46). He sweats such great drop as of blood, and such anguish does He suffer as to need the comfort of angel (Luke 22:43), who Himself comforts all angels. He dies, who is the giver of life to all. If this were done in a green tree, what shall be done in a dry (Luke 23:31)? If this were done to the Just and Holy One, what shall be done to sinners? If God so punish our sins in the person of His Holy Son, how shall He punish them in us? How shall God continually tolerate in a servant, that which He punished so severely in His own Son? What shall those whom He condemns suffer, that which He punished so severely in His own Son? What shall those whom He condemns suffer, if His own Son, whom He so dearly loves, suffered so much? If Christ, who came into the world without sin, could not depart from it without the bitter scourging, of how much sorer punishment shall be deemed worthy, who are born in sin, who live in sin, and who die in sin? The servant rejoices, while for his sin the well-beloved Son is grievously afflicted. The servant treasures up against himself the wrath of the Lord, while the Son strenuously labors to soften and appease the Father’s anger. O, the infinite wrath of God! O, His unutterable indignation! O, the inconceivable rigor of divine justice! If God visits His holy indignation upon His only-begotten Son, the partaker of His own divine nature, not because of any sin of His own, but because He had taken the miserable servant’s place, what, think you, will He do to the servant, who so confidently persists in his sins and offenses? Let the servant fear and tremble and deeply sorrow at the thought of his own just deserts, since the blessed Son is so punished for no fault of his own; let the servant fear, who ceases not to sin, while the Son so agonizes for sin; let the servant fear, who has slain his Lord; let the ungodly and the sinner be afraid, who has afflicted the Holy and Righteous one. Let us hear our Savior, O my beloved, crying aloud to us; let us give heed to Him as He sheds his bitter tears for our sakes. From the cross He cries, “Behold, O sinful man, what am I suffering for you; to you I cry, because of you I am dying. Behold the punishment inflicted upon me! Behold the nails which pierce me; there is no grief like unto my grief, and yet though my outward sufferings are so great, far greater is the agony of my heart, because I am finding you so ungrateful.” Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, O You only God of mercy, and turn our stony hearts to you!--from Sacred Meditations, p. 16-20 by Johann Gerhard


Almighty and everlasting God, because you hate nothing that you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent, create in us new and contrite hearts that we, worthily repenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain for you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

For those of you who did not participate in the Shrove Tuesday service near you, here is what you missed.

Since Lent is a time of repentance, here are the Ten Commandments as interpreted today.

Finally, for those of you who cannot repent enough, you're OK. Receive this free indulgence.

For geeks everywhere (including myself), the Ships of Star Trek Quiz.

The whole ELCA seminarian who was in charge of a major part of the 2004 convention story keeps getting more fascinating. I do not blame anybody but the seminarian for the murder, and the State of Texas will take care of that issue (and, being Texas, it could be a permanent solution), and it is fascinating because it is very strange. This article is irresponsible in the sense the author does try to blame the SP and Texas DP for the murder. The other points it makes, however, are worth considering. Does true ecclesiastical supervision occur within the LCMS anymore? A case like this should make us all reevaluate the current system and what changes may or may not have to be made. In all honesty, I believe an actual enforcing of what we already supposedly have would greatly help. How many circuit counselors actually visit all the congregations every three years as prescribed? What do our DPs spend most of their time doing?

All the Fullness has moved. Not only that, I realized something: not only have a become a blog covering news about the LCMS, I am now covering the Lutheran blog scene and pointing out posts I really like (and hate). I'm slowly but surely turning into a carnival blog. Help!

Update: If you couldn't figure out where the quote, "All animals are created equal. Some are more equal than others," came from (and apparently none of you did from the overwhelming response I received), it was Animal Farm. You should have paid more attention in class than you did.

Part 2A of three parts (more like five or six now, but that's OK) is now up on the Kamikaze Watermelon. Chris does an excellent job explaining the sacrements to us. God Bless the UK!

Here's two lists showing how Democrats and Republican are approaching the election. All I have to say is, "So, what's new about that?"

I have commented before on the use of satire and sarcasm as a tool. One of the main aims of a person that uses sarcasm is that they use it in such a way that it is an edge. An edge will cause some pain, will bleed a little, but it is enough for the person to go, "Hmm," and consider what is being said. "All animals are created equal. Some are more equal than others." (A piece of cardboard with tomato sauce and fake cheese to the first person who can actually remember what book that's from.) Another, more pertinent satire,, could be, "Let's put Michael Jackson and a bunch of boys on stage and everybody will be happy." Ummm, maybe not. That's just plain wrong on my part. I am sorry for that image. Let me try this again. "A communist, monarchist, socialist, Nazi, and capitalist all congregate on a stage, hold hands, and pretend there are no differences between them." Errr, maybe. I'll have to work on this some more. Anyway, the point is you are trying to get people to think. Here lies an example of how not to do that. That post is about a subtle as a jackhammer. If your goal is to be a jackhammer, watch Full Metal Jacket about 20 more times. If you actually want to win hearts and minds, use your own brains!!!! My friend is a nitwit sometimes.

This message brought to you by the Church of Jesus H. Christ. Visit the local ward near you.

I was listening this morning to Bubba the Love Sponge on our local affiliate, and he was ranting and raving about how the FCC wanted to shut him down and how he was fined out the ass and how our First Amendment Rights were being taken away. As much ranting as raving as he did, he has no concept of what the First Amendment is and how it has been interpreted over the centuries. If I can ever find the piece from NRO (Edit: First Myths), you will see the First Amendment was not interpreted nearly as liberal as it is today. As late as the Nineteenth Century, blasphemy laws were upheld and newspapermen jailed based on the First Amendment. That sounds funny today, but it's true. However, the same people who desperately want to say "$#@&!" on the radio are also the same ones who have little to no respect for the Second Amendment, and, I would argue, the First Amendment is useless without the Second. Why? Chairman Mao had it right. "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun." If that is true (and I believe there is enough history to prove it is), then protecting the Second Amendment needs to be our chief concern. Bubba, however, probably hasn't given this one iota of thought and, thus, when Bubba gets to the ballot box, he will vote for some guy who thinks porn is a good thing and guns are bad. Thus, this person will allow Bubba to spew, but us "right-wingers" will not be able to say what a joke these politicians are because, guess what, they're going to restrict speech. The restrictions, however, will not be on Bubba and company, but they will be on people like me and all the people named Chris and Josh and Erica and Ron and Tim. In the end, however, those who believe in the Second Amendment will prevail over those who don't. "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun."

Chris Burgwald has a post up on whether the Supreme Court is Supreme. Good reading and good links.

Finally, I do want to make a small comment on something brought up last Sunday. It had to do with Luther's Small Catechism, namely, this small section in the preface.

[T]he pastor should most carefully avoid teaching the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, the sacraments, etc., according to the various texts and differing forms. Let him adopt one version, stay with it, and from one year to the next keep using it unchanged. Young and inexperienced persons must be taught a single fixed form or they will become confused, and the result will be that all previous effort and labor will be lost. There should be no change, even though one may wish to improve the text--Luther's Small Catechism, p. 244, 1991, CPH.

How many times do we have to translate this until we get the point? I memorized the 1943 version (don't ask me to repeat it all right now. I can't do it.) and I still blurt out the Ten Commandments without thinking using "Thou shalt not." Do we really need a new Bible in English every 20 years or so? Do we really need a new hymnal now? Is this why there is so much division within the LCMS?

You would figure I would know about just about every Lutheran blog out there. I mean, we all run around in the same circles and drinking the same beer, so you would think I have just about every LCMS Lutheran blogger pegged. Apparently not. While browsing through the comments on Tim's blog, I run into the author of this blog: The Ruminating Lutheran. Considering his blog has been up since the 15th of this month, I will not be too hard on myself and, having read his blog, I believe he deserves a link. I'll just skip over the blessing/curse stuff. He posted on Dying to Live by Rev. Dr. Harold Senkbeil, he has good links, and I like what he's saying. This blog is highly recommended, especially since the author is a LCMS pastor. Considering how much Preacherman has posted recently, you might want to pay attention.

I was going to post my thoughts on icons, but I realized I didn't really have anything bad to say about them. I think, like any other picture or depiction of religious figures, they can be used improperly, but I also think they are wonderful pieces of art that have a definite apologetic appeal to them. If a person wants to use icons, fine. I'm just waiting for the icon or crucifix that portrays Christ as he really was on the cross: naked with ribs exposed and skin covered in blood. Violent? Yes. Truthful? Very much so.

Note: Edited because I kant spel

I was going to comment on a lot of things, like icon, art and stuff like that, then I stumble across this piece of news. Remember my post on the ELCA seminarian serving as music director for the 2004 convention? He might no be able to fulfill his duties being that he has been arrested for the murder and arson of a 61 year old woman. (Original article can be found here). I would not blame you if you react the same way I reacted when I first read this. I said something to the extent of "Holy Fucking Shit!!!" It was already bad enough he is looking to be ordained by a heterodox church body, but this has to take the cake. Hopefully, our SP has enough sense not to let Mr. Henstenberg continue in his position. If he doesn't, if you thought what I had to say was already bad, it would be just the tip of the iceberg, and, in this case, it would be well deserved. Josh dislikes him enough that a crack on him somehow worked its way into a rant over icons. Icons and synodical presidents. Yeah, I get that.

I was going to engage in more reporting about Thomas, but I decided to comment on Josh and this. He spent six bucks to talk to her. Everyone made comments to the effect of "Go for it!" If I was lucky enough to be contacted by such a lovely example of the opposite sex, I would spend six bucks too. It is quite unfortunate, however, that the word "Lutheran" does not guarantee much in a world where the E*CA exists. Yes, she is E*CA. Yes, even worse, she want to be a priestess. If there were only more Renee Zellweger look-alikes with red hair in the LCMS. Like that would guarantee anything.

Oh, and in case you didn't read the comments, Thomas said, "[N]o matter where I end up, I'll fight to the death for the fundamental truth of Sacred Sperm and Wafer Thin Mints! On that I cannot disagree.

I am preparing a long post for Ash Wednesday. I'm about halfway through typing it out, and I will probably be finished with it by tomorrow. As with every Lent, I am giving up stuff that will truly make me suffer. If you cannot figure out what that might be, it's because I have spent way too much time discussing Thomas and not enough time discussing boiling points and copper kettles and yeast. I'll let you hop about and figure it out.

Thomas may not be going to Rome. Details at eleven. Actually, I know how Thomas is feeling. I went through my own struggle with where I needed to be, but, unlike him, I didn't tell anyone except my friend Ryan from the internet. I pray Thomas works it out. Thank God that, at least, he still drinks dark beer.

Rev. John Tietjen, Heart of Lutheran Unity and Controversy, Dies.

The saga of Thomas does not end. He has started a new blog. I'm glad because I think he still has much to say, even if he's on the other side of the Tiber.

More sad news. Not only is Thomas crossing the Tiber, he's also dismantling his blog. I'm going to miss his site. It was a place where you knew you could go and almost always read something interesting. I've linked to his site numerous times because the material presented there was well worth reading. I wish God's blessings upon him wherever he goes from here.

It is a sad day. Thomas has decided to cross the Tiber. As the son of a man who crossed the Tiber to get to Wittenburg, I find this not only disconcerting but also confusing. I could actually understand if Thomas went to Constantinople but not Rome. Anyway, I'm moving his link to the appropriate spot now.

Update: I thought some of you might like this news: ELCA seminarian chosen to serve as music director for Pre-Synodical Convention Pentecost 2000 + & "Ablaze" events.

I've been goofing around a lot recently, and it has been fun. I admit, I enjoy it about as much as the next guy. Who doesn't mind letting loose for a while and trying to be goofy. That's a major part of my personality, and I am not ashamed to admit it or even link to it. The main purpose of this site, however, has always been to monitor and give commentary on the situation in the LCMS. News has occurred, but I haven't been reporting it, mainly because I have been distracted. Here's my feeble attempt to catch up on what has been happening.

President Kieschnick issued a memo on January 22 on what has happened in the synod recently. You can find commentaries on this memo here, here, here, here, and here. I shouldn't have to give any commentary after reading all of that commentary (which I have).

Anyway, if you want to see all the other depressing news, check out Concord's new section, Concord's opinion section, and Synod in convention to see everything that I've missed, including another response to Jesus First.

Talk about information overload.

Somehow, I posted a link giving everyone free acess to post on my blog by accident. That's what I get for not paying attention. Anyway, I finally have Mr. Halverson's link up where it should be and no one can go posting away on my blog. Homer Simpson would be proud. Dohhhhh!!!

Long ago (January 12th, to be exact), I made the hypothesis (I called it a theory, but I was wrong) that says the darker the beer, the more confessional the Lutheran. I have refined that hypothesis to this: confessionalism is determined by the darkest beer one drinks with any regular basis. I have even been classifying beers after reading paper with names like Review of Carbonate Sand-Belt Deposition of Ooid Grainstones and Application to Mississippian Reservoir, Damme Field, Southwestern Kansas. I am still refining my classification scheme, but it should be ready for release soon. I have separated the American macrobrews from the microbrews from the imports. I have one observation. If all you drink is macrobrews, you are in trouble theologically.


Chris Halverson is still calling my blog his Bizzaro World. I honestly consider that a compliment. I still hold that if our blogs intersected each other in cyberspace, they would annihilate each other. Even though I disagree with him a lot, I'm still linking to him. As with anyone else who gets a link, it can be either a blessing or a curse. Considering the day I'm linking to him, who knows. To quote Josh, he needs comments and links. This is part of my continuing project to link to people named Chris with blogs.

Chris Williams has Part Two of his story up. If you didn't bother reading part one, you should.

I welcome all the new traffic I'm getting from my new friends at the Old Lutheran Table Talk Forum. Make sure to stop by some of my friends in the links, and welcome to the insanity that is my blog!

I forgot to mention this last night. Dave made a post on the 11th describing his view of homosexuality. He took flack from another blogger who is very angry at Dave for saying such horrible, politically-incorrect things like homosexuality is bad. I am with you, Dave. I liked his use of sarcam, but he never did get around to actually engaging the moral arguments Dave made. Rather he just dismissed them. To use tennis terminology, game, set, match.

The International Criminal Court has been a topic of much concern recently in many different circles, here is on of the better criticisms I have seen of the court. In essence, Mr. Rosenthal argues the ICC undermines the authority of the UN and will probably cause more problems than it solves.

My friend Ron the Terrible Swede came out of his hole for a bit, rummaged around, saw his shadow, knew that there would be six more weeks of winter so he went back inside. Anyway, I'm not saying anything that I haven't told him already, like waiting for more information after twelve years is dumb (and, thus, French) and getting more countries is ridiculous when you already have a coalition bigger that the first one. Yes, Ron listens to way too much National People's, err, Public Radio. As to the rest of it, the only thing I can say is remind my dear friend that Honda was producing the same horsepower with better gas mileage than Toyota in the Indy Racing League. Serves them right for making my car flea-powered.

In case you haven't heard it, Dean and Gore make me want to Shout!.

I am adding (or, in one case, have added and didn't mention) a few new links. The first is The Lutheran Confessions. It is an interesting site with a perspective from "the dark side" (ELCA). I've been reading them at least as long as I have been reading Josh, and they make some very good and an occasional controversial point. It's well worth you time to drop by there. The second site hides under the "unclassified" section of Josh's blog, but me, being a geologist and believing I can classify just about anything, have the perfect classification for this blog: Other. Yes, I'm talking about The Boar's Head Tavern, a place where you can see Christians of all stripes try to outthink (and out drink) each other, when they feel like it. Otherwise, they just discuss topics. The final link in this trilogy (mirroring the trinity) is a site any blogger claiming to be Lutheran should have on his or her links list, but since none of us do, I'll blaze the trail. Yes, that site is Old Lutheran. Read a "You might be a Lutheran..." joke, get a new recipe using Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, and but you pastor a Martin Luther bobble head doll (or a clerical cap). Cheesy? You bet. I still love the place, however, so go get your "Sin Boldly" t-shirt before summer arrives. You'll be the talk of the church!

While I decided to let things rest this weekend, I pondered an interesting question asked by my pastor. As I ponder this question, the more confident I am in one of the judgments I made.

If you weren't looking, Chris posted the first part of his long road to Lutheranism. While I'm linking to other sites, Josh has a post on Monastic vows. Good stuff.

That's all for now. I need to go to bed so I can get up bright and early tomorrow.

How come it seems that all my friends are now getting their own blogs and spouting forth (alright, not like I don't spout off). I started it as a way to just unleash my thoughts about life, the universe, and everything upon the world at large. Whether or not anybody actually cared about what I was saying was moot. The act of blogging is cleansing. Strange, isn't it? Then Terrible Swede started a blog which he updates about as much as I work on my thesis. I think he started it because he was sick of me calling him a frenchman. Tim started up after having forgotten about my blog for a while. He was too busy running his own site (an inside joke). Now, we have the newest entry. Terrible Swede's wife Copied Edit aka Erica is now blogging. My little foray into blogging has created a monster.

And it's all Josh's fault.

This is for Tim.

My friend Tim posted on trust yesterday. He asked:

If Jesus entrusted the keys of the kingdom to Peter (a fallible human being), why can't some of the "confessional" Lutherans within the LCMS trust other pastors to proclaim the Word of God and administer the sacraments as they see fit (with the help of their board of elders).

First, because we are fallible, that is the reason we criticize and raise our voices when something is going wrong. Unless we have lost any sense of church discipline, we are bound to correct each other because to not do so would be unloving. Trust has nothing to do with it. It's all about love.

That brings me to the second point. If "trust" is such an important issue and the other side actually wants to earn our trust, this is a very funny way to go about it. This is the second time Jesus First seems to have problems with the history of the synod. Both times, the sainted Robert Preus was in the crossfire, and both times, Rolf Preus has had to speak up to correct the false accusations made by Jesus First. The first defense and the second defense. This is getting ridiculous. The fact that a son has to keep defending his father who has been with the Church Triumphant (I have no reason to believe he's not there) shows what straws Jesus First is grasping at. Not only that, the author shows he has no clue as to what the Evangelical Lutheran Synod actually teaches. From the website What We Believe, Teach, and Confess:

10. CHURCH FELLOWSHIP

We confess that Scripture requires that church fellowship be recognized and practiced where there is a mutual confession of and commitment to the pure Marks of the Church, the Word and Sacraments. Jesus Christ is the Head of His Church, and He governs and teaches it by His Word, but deviation from the teaching of God's Word is not to be tolerated in the church. We therefore reject unionism, that is, church fellowship with adherents of false doctrine, and ecumenical endeavors which compromise the pure doctrine of God's Word. We also reject participation or membership in religious organizations which have features that are in conflict with the Christian faith, such as the Masonic Lodge and similar organizations. At the same time we also condemn separatism, i.e., the refusal to acknowledge and practice fellowship when there is agreement in doctrine. See John 8:31-32, 1 Cor. 1:10, Eph. 2:19-20, Matt. 7:15-20, Rom. 16:17, Gal. 1:6-9, 2 John 9-11, Matt. 23:8, 1 Pet. 4:11, 2 Cor. 6:14-18.

How is this different from what the Missouri Synod traditionally taught? It's not. If you examine this CTCR document, there's no difference.

I find Jesus cannot help but try to connect Dr. Robert Preus to every form of "dubious confessionalism" to the point where it is starting to sound like those people who think black helicopters means the coming of the one world government. Of course, you can believe whatever you wish. You could either believe a man from Fairway, Kansas who probably never met either Dr. Preus or you could believe Robert Preus' son. I'll take the latter, and let Jesus First hang itself.

NFL Releases Design for Official Superbowl XXXVIII Ring--Just not the ring you might be thinking of.

If you thought Janet Jackson was bad, take a look at this.

Speaking of more Super Bowl news, Liquor law's role in postgame riots is hotly debated.

Get the heavy coat and get ready for the new ice age.

And finally, Superintendent calls Hooters inappropriate for high school student's work study.

create your own visited states map
or write about it on the open travel guide

I made a vow when I was younger I would never go east of the Mississippi. So much for that. Anyway, I still have to hit Oregon, Montana, and Hawaii before I visit everywhere I want to go to. Everything else after that will be places I really could care less. I love the west.

One of the major problems of being random is that I sometimes move on to other topics which I have in my head before fully covering a given topic. For instance, I mentioned Candlemas without mentioning Guillaume de Machaut's Messe de Notre Dame. That's the equivalent of discussing the history of beer without mentioning Budweiser or Coors or MGD. Anyway, I mention this for a couple of reasons. First, Machaut's mass is the earliest polyphonic mass we know of, so it is extremely important in the history of Western music in general and sacred music in particular. Second, this mass was written to be used on the four Marian feast days (Nativity of the Virgin (Sept. 8), Purification a.k.a. Candlemas (Feb. 2), Annunciation (March 25), and Assumption (Aug. 15)). On the specific recording I have, the propers are for the Candlemas. Finally, I need to mention it because it is a gorgeous piece of music. Polyphonic chant is one of the most beautiful things one can listen to while meditating, reading, praying, etc. The music is extremely relaxing, and it contains that aura of transcendence that communicates the loving, great, powerful God we believe in. I own the Harmoni Mundi recording of the mass, which can be quite disconcerting the first time you listen to it. I am sure amazon.com has many different recordings of this masterpiece. Check it out if you want to hear something simple, yet complicated.

If you didn't look at Karl's site, you missed this link on the Presentation. If anything, it's worth to just to see what Via Affirmata looks like.

People who have read this blog might be saying, "He's all over the place. One moment he's posting readings for a feast, and the next post he's declaring BBC lied. What gives?"

Notice the first two words in the title: Random Thoughts. I can go from celebrating feasts to decrying the Super Bowl halftime show without a second thought. I don't even try to connect and weave my thoughts because they just pop up. I just rant, discuss, or make fun of whatever pops up in my mind at the moment. That, I believe, is what makes my blog so interesting: you never know what I will post on next. I do have my pet topics, but even those can be overtaken by stories like German Beer Consumption Is Falling. (Thanks to Davids Medienkritik via InstaPundit). That is depressing.

I also need to mention the deck of the most dangerous bloggers. It rocks.

Today is my brother's birthday/Groundhog Day/Candlemas/Presentation of our Lord. How about that for a holiday.

Psalm 86

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O LORD of hosts!

My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O LORD of hosts,
my King and my God.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.

As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.

They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah

Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.

O LORD of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!

1 Samuel 1:21-28

The man Elkanah and all his house went up to offer to the LORD the yearly sacrifice and to pay his vow. But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, "As soon as the child is weaned, I will bring him, so that he may appear in the presence of the LORD and dwell there forever." Elkanah her husband said to her, "Do what seems best to you; wait until you have weaned him; only, may the LORD establish his word." So the woman remained and nursed her son until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and she brought him to the house of the LORD at Shiloh. And the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and they brought the child to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who was standing here in your presence, praying to the LORD. For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD."And he worshiped the LORD there.

Hebrews 2:14-18

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Luke 2:22-40

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord") and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,
"Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace,
according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation
that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and for glory to your people Israel."
And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.


Almighty and ever-lasting God, grant that as your only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in the substance of our human flesh, so by him we may be presented to you with pure and clean hearts; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

WHAT A GAME!!! This Superbowl outdid the hype. Carolina played extremely well against the Patriots even though they lost. I tip my hat to the Pats, and especially Rodney Harrison, who finally earned his ring. Well done.

An extremely important news story everyone needs to know about.

Update: U.S. troops in Iraq will watch Super Bowl on movie theater-sized screen in Saddam Hussein's palace, complete with chicken wings, hot dogs, and hamburgers.

Allah is in the house and is as rude as ever. Read the cartoons (yes, click on the "This Jew Wishes to Continue" lines. I almost fell out of my chair I was laughing so hard. That, and giving myself cramps with this. (stomach cramps, mind you)

The comments are moving back down to the bottom. Why? Becuase you read the post and then you want to comment. This is the last move. I'm leaving it here, and if you post something in the wrong comment, I'm deleating the comment in question.

Lessons from Luther on the Inerrancy of Holy Writ
Legal Hermeneutics and the Interpretation of Scripture

Make sure to stop by Thomas today to read up on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs.

There seems to have been a discussion breaking out about worship music while I was ill, and it is a discussion I wanted to engage in but probably would have made a fool of myself if I had. While composing this, I am listening to Arvo Part's I Am the True Vine, one of the most beautiful pieces of a capella music I have ever heard. It is as relaxing as chant, but the polyphony add to the relaxing qualities. I do have my favorites. Anyway, Josh and Chris the Welshman have both discussed this topic, and I encourage all to look there.

Long ago, (actually, my first post), I said, "... we don't want to have the same crap shoved down our throats six days a week by corporate radio shoved down our throat again on the seventh!" There is something to be said for music that doesn't imitate the culture. Partly, it is because of the style of music American Evangelicalism has lost the idea that God is transcendent and powerful. We no longer fear God. (Got to be Good Looking Cause He's so Hard to See) Instead, God is our buddy. There is hope, however.

Sorry about my last post. I stopped mid-sentence because I was at work and the person who uses the computer I was typing on came back from lunch. I was thinking about bribery, lying, and exploding whales. As you can see, I missed out on commenting on a lot of important news because I wanted to bevomit. That never happened. Anyway, now that I am feeling slightly more chipper, I'll try to keep up.

I've been contimplating exactly what I want to blog about. I'm in another one of these "too much to blog about but not enough sleep" phases. Since I was ill most of this week, I haven't really felt like blogging, even though things like bribery .

First, important buisness. Do not click here unless you have time to waste. Thank you Jonah Goldberg. Thank you from keeping my mind off the fact I feel like bespewing.

Secondly, I ask once again for people to please place your comments under the proper comments area. I am moving some of your posts around to the proper comments threads. (Why am I the only blogger, it seems, to have this problem?)

Third, I have to get a political rant off my chest. We just passed legislation to give seniors perscription drug coverage. There is a problem with seniors and drugs. The problem is the government meddled in the insurance buisness and that caused the problem. Huh? In the 90s, Congress passed a law limiting Medicare supplemental coverage to ten plans, and only a few of those plans had perscription drug coverage. Those plans were expensive and covered other things seniors may or may not have wanted. So, Congress caused the problem in the first place. Seniors could not just go out and buy whatever coverage they needed, and perscription drug prices continued to rise (another rant). So, the government caused this mess. What should we do??? Should we repeal the silly law that caused the problem in the first place? [sarcasm]Oh no! Government can do know wrong![/sarcasm] So we passed more laws to cover the fact the first law is extremely defective. To quote John Stosell, "Give me a break!"

Fourth, while I'm on perscription drugs, I'll tell you why our drug costs are insane. Other countries just refuse to pay market value for their drugs. It's that simple. So, while everyone else gets cheap drugs, those of us in the US get the shaft and end up paying the costs for the rest of the world. Should we import our drugs from Canada? Why not make the Canadians, Brits, French, and everyone else actually pay for the drugs. There is the commandment, "Thou shalt not steal." and, IMHO, those governments are stealing drugs by not paying for them.

Finally, in case you missed it, Wish found an error in my post. I said Holy Cross excomunicated George Tiller. Mr. Tiller (I refuse to call anyone like him who takes life "Doctor") left Holy Cross before they had the pleasure of excomunicating him. My appologies for the bad info.

I did send an e-mail to an old friend asking about my blog, and he gave me good advice. He thinks I need to chill on the ad homenin and the sarcasm. He (and my no longer banned friend Tim) are right. So gone are the all out attacks and radical sarcasm (crosses fingers). I am a sinner and, God willing, I will not slip back into my old ways. I am a sinner, and that's why I'm crossing my fingers.

Issues Etc. had to replay the second hour from last week because the questions on The Purpose-Driven? Life were so numerous. Good. It gave people who didn't hear the second hour a chance to see the major problems. (The first hour can be found here.) They were planning on talking about the Word-Faith Movement.

Predestination: The Great Doctrine of Comfort

The Power of the Gospel

Light beer is light on taste. light on flavor, and light on beer. During prohibition, there was a saying about near beer: "The man who named it near beer is a porr judge of distance." Light beer=water. If I wanted to spend $10 on a case of water, I wouldn't buy water with the words "Natural Light" on the side. I would rather buy Evian because it actually tastes better. For those of you who are poor and can't afford those high-priced imports, I suggest saving your money and buying some decent beer. Buy microbrews if you can't stand sending your money to Ireland, England, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, etc. Since light beer is priced like Evian without the taste, it must be evil. When something from France tastes better than light American macrobrews, the American macrobrews must be evil because they are being beaten by the French. The Lord sayeth, "Drink real beer."

I have been thinking about a very deep question: Is Rick Warren a theologian of the Cross?

As someone who does believe the sermon is very important, reading a sermon by the presiding bishop of the ECUSA, Frank Griswald, is like, well, you take a look. If you ever need an example of gospel reductionism, this is it. At least as far as what I could pull out of it. The words "mindless psycobable" came to mind much of the time while I was reading. If any Lutheran pastor ever preached like this, I would probably shoot myself in protest.

I am currently listening to Felix Mendelsohn's Symphony #5 in D minor (Reformation). The last movement, especially, should warm any true Lutheran's heart. It is a theme and variation on Ein Feste Burg. I should revise that; it is a beautifully done theme and variation on Ein Feste Burg. If you read the biography, the man is extremely important in my mind. First, he was almost single-handedly responsible for reviving Bach. Secondly, the man taught and died in Lezpig. Why is this important to me? You tell me. Needless to say, Mendelsohn is also known for writing the most pagan of songs, The Wedding March. The irony of it is, Mendelsohn was Lutheran! Then again, I'm the one who would love to have Mache dict, mein Herze, rein in my wedding (whenever that happens).

Martin Chemnitz' Summary of the Holy Trinity from 1591. The Second Martin describes the doctrine of the Trinity.

The thought of me describing why light beer is evil still looms heavy...

I am going through, finding some of the internet material out there describing Lutheranism, its history, and belief structure. As news is slow, I think this isn't a bad idea. After analyzing my output, I've spent a lot of time trying to describe what Lutheranism isn't rather than actually try to relay what Lutheranism is and its relationship to everyone else. Thus, I present a few articles for your thoughts and discussion.

Lutheran-Orthodox Dialogue in the Sixteenth Century. This site is maintained by the Rev. David Jay Weber. It lists various articles describing the initial contact between Constantinople and Wittenburg. This dialogue that occurred in the latter sixteenth century is the basis for all discussions between Lutherans and Eastern Orthodoxy since.

Ubi Christus, ibi ecclesia. Herman Saase, a man who I hope to read more of when I get the opportunity. Until then, this little gem is an excellent introduction to his writing.

All Theology is Christology. One of the best theologians in the Lutheran Church describes Christology and why it is so important.

On Being a Theologian of the Cross. A great article that just begins to touch base on what being a theologian of the cross means. Read his book and you will find even more depth.

If this doesn't work, my next post will be on why light beer is evil.

Captain Kangaroo, RIP

Since I had covered Lutherans and the Bible (or should Sirach be canonical), I thought the discussions here and here might be useful to some of you. Buried in there is the name of a book by Robert Preus that might help clear up the mess I started.

I also want to clear up a couple other rules of commenting on this blog. I do not mind if you use an alias as long as you supply an e-mail address. While I may not have said as much, the fact that East Coast Lutheran and Wish are not banned should be proof of that. Anonymous posters will be asked to identify themselves. (I know we all screw up. For instance, you're posting from the computer at work instead of home and you forget to type your name in.) If a response is not forthcoming within a day, you will be banned from commenting. Most importantly, the prior rules still apply.

Finally, in case you didn't notice, I changed the titles of the comments to reflect the questions asked by the keeper of the bridge of death in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I will probably rotate the titles every once in a while to different Monty Python quotes and maybe even song lyrics. I hope you like the changes!

"God will not suffer man to have the knowledge of things to come; for if he had prescience of his prosperity he would be careless; and understanding of his adversity he would be senseless."

You are Augustine! You love to study tough issues and don't mind it if you lose sleep over them. Everyone loves you and wants to talk to you and hear your views, you even get things like "nice debating with you." Yep, you are super smart, even if you are still trying to figure it all out. You're also very honest, something people admire, even when you do stupid things.

What theologian are you?

A creation of Henderson

How Josh ended up with Wesley, I'll never know. I'm happy with Augustine.

I forgot today is the 31st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, where the Supreme Court found a right that isn't mentioned in the Constitution. Anyway, I happen to live in Wichita, KS, and our local murderer, Dr. George Tiller, is having a sale on abortions (go to the bottom of the page). I can give a little background on Dr. Tiller. For those who don't know, he was once a member of the LCMS. I say once a member because Holy Cross excommunicated him. He then moved to Reformation ******** Church (E*CA) where his blood money helped build a new sanctuary. St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral happens to be next to Reformation, and I feel bad for those people because protests occur weekly at Reformation and tend to disturb the liturgy at St. George.

(Thanks to Karl and Mark Shea for the story link)

Chris Williams from across the pond now has his own blog. It looks like he's off to a good start. This continues the trend of me linking mainly to people named "Chris". So if your name is Chris and I haven't linked to your blog yet, I'm here for you.

Update: A Chris that I like but haven't linked to (Christopher Jones) is now on my blogroll. All the Fulness is now on my blogroll. If you haven't read him, you are missing out on some very good and interesting ideas. Highly recomended.

I have added a couple of excellent blogs outside of Lutheranism onto my blogroll. I am more selective of what blogs I link to than many people might think. I've read both blogs for the past couple of months, and I find all of them to be excellent. I have given many compliments about Karl's blog, and I am amazed at how consistent and excellent his posts are. While I cannot declare I agree with everything, he will make you think, and that is the best compliment I can give. Chris Burgwald's blog on Catholicism and politics is also a gem. Christopher Johnson (I am linking to a lot of guys named Chris) earned a place for his honest, conservative criticism of the ECUSA and is the place to go to keep up with news in the Anglican sphere.

Today, you might want to read Thomas' post on St. Maximus the Confessor.

Thomas also had a link, and I want to spread it. After Abortion is a must read.

"FOR DIPLOMACY TO BE EFFECTIVE, WORDS MUST BE CREDIBLE -- and no one can now doubt the word of America." -- George Bush, the State of the Union, January 20, 2004.

First, a little blog business. I have had someone post anonymously and then accuse me of being arrogant. Confident, yes. Arrogant, far from it. I do, however, have a real problem with someone anonymously accusing me of being arrogant. If Mr. Anonymous does not reveal himself (awfully sexist of me to think this person is a man), he will find himself banned on Friday. I am enforcing a rule Josh has: no one posts anonymously. I do not mind if people challenge me, but I will not tolerate not knowing who is doing the challenging.

Issues Etc. Transcript on The Purpose-Driven Life

The Church of the Highest Common Denominator

Seeker Sensitive, Purpose Driven Churches (more than enough links to please everyone)

The Pop, The Fizz and the Purpose-Driven Biz (I-Monk)

How Can Our Good Works Please God... God's Work or Ours?
Justification & Sanctification
Sanctification: By Grace Alone

I am not sorry for calling things as I see them and I am not sorry for criticizing The Purpose-Driven Life. Any book that has such a wide audience actually deserves serious criticism. If a popular book espouses bad theology, it would be unloving for me to just sit here, put my fingers in my ears, and pretend nothing is wrong. I believe the criticism stands on its own merits, and if people wish to take issue with my criticism, one should do more than make general allegations that I twisted quotes and I engage in ad homenin attacks, because that itself is not more than an ad homenin without evidence. I would also let it be known I have never said this blog is anything close to a Bible Study. I do not mind this certain person telling me how he actually feels (he has no reason to apologize for what he said tonight and, actually, he earned some of my respect), at least don't make false claims about my blog. I give my opinions and, if people do not like them, well, those people are wrong.

The problem with using satire and sarcasm is that it can go too far and people get mad. It is very easy and very tempting to go too far. I went too far. For that, I say my mea culpas and ask for forgiveness.

My comments on British comedies elicited some excellent comments and a new show I need to get a hold of somehow.
Father Ted sounds right up my alley.

Soon, I am going to begin linking to some non-Lutheran blogs. There is a lot of good stuff out there that isn't within the realm of Lutheranism, and a lot of stuff I seriously disagree with. The people on those blogs, however, make intelligent cases for their positions and it is always worth reading someone else's ideas, especially if they are within the catholic tradition. If you want Calvinism and Arminianism, Josh has the links. I, myself, will stick with Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, and maybe a conservative Anglican. Karl will top that list because, after reading him for a while, I think he's one of the best Christian bloggers period. One day, I hope my blog shows as much intelligence and readability as his blog does. And, in case you didn't notice, I think Josh is in that same class. Anyone who has read me for long enough, most of the time I am short on accolades and long on criticism. That alone should show you how much respect I have for those two gentlemen.

I don't know how many of you would have eventually stumbled upon this yourselves (it is Lutheran), but in case you have not, here is the History of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain. This document comes from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE) and is in full altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS. I know this because one of my cousins was in London for a semester in an exchange program and had to find a church. I am not sure where in London he worshiped, but I know if I ever vacation in England, I'll have a place to go.

I have something of an addiction to British comedy. This goes beyond Monty Python (BTW, I finally bought the DVD for The Meaning of Life) and into the realms of shows like Black Adder and Absolutely Fabulous or Are You Being Served. (I am linking to Amazon mainly to show everyone what I am talking about in case you've never seen these shows. I could care less if you actually buy them.) There is just something unique about these comedies that make them enduring to me. I can still pop in my Black Adder tapes and laugh just like I'm watching them for the first time. I believe, partly, it is because a television series might only have a six or eight show season and, thus, the writing is not diluted like it is on many American shows. This seems to produce much higher quality shows overall.

My pastor pointed out something last Sunday that I am now just getting around to exploring. In the Westminster Confession, the first article is Of the Holy Scripture, and the article goes on to tell us which books are part of the Bible and which are not. Compare this to the Augsburg Confession whose first article is Of God. If you look through the rest of the Book of Concord, you will not find one definition on what Scripture is. The closest thing I have in my library is Chemnitz's Enchiridion, and he lists the apocryphal books as well. (He lists them as apocryphal, but he lists them.) Lutherans have never officially defined what the Bible is! Thus, if a Lutheran Church or Synod defines what is in the Bible as its first article, you can immediately tell the church has been infected by Calvinism. Cool, huh?

For anyone who is interested in france, this article from a British magazine is required reading. It describes a bribery scheme in france that makes Tammany Hall look childish. This is just one more reason why I hate france.

An Appeal for Charity with Clarity: Observations and Questions on Terms and Phrases in Need of Clarification. Another excellent report on why DP Benke is wrong.

I have spead the good news of The Alcohol-Driven Life throughout the internet. The reaction, in general, is positive. If I get the chance this weekend, I might have a picture to contribute myself. I just need a certain friend of mine to bring his digital camera to poker tomorow along with some bottles. I shall contribute a bottle or two to the cause and we could cause an even bigger splash.

How to truly be purpose-driven.

Thanks to Toth for the link via Josh.

The Terrible Swede hung that picture up at the University Lutheran Center. We'll see how long that last, and how long it will take me to replace it. I am evil. By the way, the Maker's Mark needs to be replaced by Jack Daniels. Why, you ask? Because Jack Daniels is Lutheran. He bought the distillery from a Lutheran pastor who also taught him how to make whiskey. Who knew the only significant piece of Lutheran history to come out of Tennessee dealt with a distillery. Everyone has this silly assumption we all brew beer. Our pastors love distilling as well. Too bad the county where JD is made is dry.

Now that Epiphany (the feast day, not the season) is over, all the confessional sites are rushing to update and catch up with everything that has happened in the past month or so. Check out my links.

Check out the newest confessional publication Lutherans United. Excellent info.

In case you're wondering, the Terrible Swede's "Swedish 'Jew' Fiiipino Lutheran" description is one giant inside joke that would take too much time and too much memory to explain. Just know, whenever I see it, I laugh.

Tim, if you are reading this, you're my brother.

More Wisdom from the Apocrypha

Furthermore, anyone with a fit mind and good judgment, who considers the divine majesty of God and our weakness, easily understands how profitable and necessary it is to pray without ceasing [Luke 18:1, 1 The. 5:17], and how difficult it is to do so. When you stand before the Lord to pray, stand before him with great fear and desire. Break the chains of earthly anxiety from your heart. Fight manfully so that your speech may be holy and pure and unstained, and the gates of heaven will open before you in prayer. The angels will meet it in joy and carry it to the throne of the blessed Father. "Before offering prayer," says the wise man, "prepare your heart and do not be like a man who tempts the Lord." [Sir. 18:23]--The Daily Exercise of Piety, Johann Gerhard, Repristination Press, P. 11.

Update: If I had realized that the best way to generate traffic to this site was to try to judge confessionalism by how dark your beer is, I would have done it a long time ago.

New Army Policy on the Wear of the Flag on Uniforms

Thanks to Merde in France

Chris Halverson was nice enough to stop by and say "hi!", so I am returning the favor and linking to his site. I did enjoy him calling my site his "bizzaro world". Chris, if you think I am your opposite, you really need to read Josh.

Considering this is a random page, Fearsome Viking hasn't updated, even though he took his computer to Oregon with him, and is apparently able to forward e-mails to me. I did like the postcard, however. Mt. St. Helens in one of her "not too happy" stages.

You know I am bored when I begining rambling on about beer. However, this is an interesting, if not somewhat convoluted article, on how feminism has ruined American Beer. After you finish reading that, I have a theory for you. Are you done? Get a beer from the fridge.

My theory says the more confessional a given male is, the more likely that male will consume dark beer. If you are holding a beer, the darker it is, the more confessional you are. The arch-confessionals will drink Guinness just to spite the confessionals. If you pulled out either a Zima or other malted beverages of that ilk, why? Do you have no respect for yourself? Bonus confessional points are made for the following: Whisk(e)y (double bonus for scotch, triple bonus for single-malt, double bonus for Irish whiskey), Long Island Iced Tea (automatic 4x), Martinis (even though we will suspect Anglican tendencies with this one), Bourbon, Vodka (quadruple bonus if you can use it for windshield wiper or brake fluid), and 100 proof schnapps of any flavor. Points removed for girlie drinks and any liqueur under 50 proof. Double points eliminated if the drink in question comes from France.

I am sure, using these basic concepts, I could come up with a test that would test how confessional a given person is.

I was once going to do a post describing the theology of Monty Python. Instead, I am directing you towards Strange Women Lying in Ponds. If you have to ask, you just don't get it.

Another Frenchman, err, woman, with her head screwed on straight. Via Instapundit.

AOL Radio finally got a metal channel for someone like me. That should tell you just about everything right there. I am really going to hell now. That devil music will infect my brain and make me less likely to buy into the "temporary Christian" stuff. Maybe metal does serve a good purpose in the church.

Finally, Operation Clambake. I figure that just linking to this site might increase my traffic by leaps and bound to attract angry Scientologists (an oxymoron. There's nothing even remotely scientific about scientology). How much are you going to trust a religion created by a man who believed humanity evolved from clams? He can't even get his wrong evolutionary tree right.

I am going to hell. I know. I defended Josh. I offended people. Too bad.

Thomas has earned a place of honor on my blogroll. I admit, I listen to Jim Rome, so I find anyone who's willing to run smack against someone entertaining and, sometimes, extremely usefull. For seeing through the post-modernism of Wish and for calling Jonathan a "Peleagin pinhead," you earned your way on my blogroll. Considering how little traffic this blog seems to get, I don't know if it's a reward or a punishment, but either way, you earned it.

I do want to say something before I make this post. In no way does this shake my faith in the infallibility of Scripture or in my church's ability to interpret Scripture. This is just me doing a little backtracking and research and trying to relieve some of the backlash Josh has been under for quite a while for not believing Genesis 1 and 2 must be taken literally. Some of what I am about to say is out of the mouth of one of the most confessional men I know, and some of it comes from my own research. I was preparing to jump into the fray with an earlier post, but, as usual, I was sidetracked.

If you go back to the early church and read much of the work of the ECFs (Early Church Fathers), you will see case after case where Genesis 1 and 2 were not interpreted in its most literal sense. From the little reading I have done on the subject, it seems the ECFs took a more allegorical approach to these passages. This is a very consistent pattern. Josh is not standing on shaky ground, but on one of the few consistent interpretations of the ECFs. As a matter of fact, their allegorical interpretations continue all the way into Genesis 7.

The question then becomes, if the LCMS inherited the faith from Luther who inherited it from Catholicism, where did this literal interpretation of Genesis come from? Mark Noll in his book The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind has an answer.

Modern creationists arose ... from the efforts of earnest Seventh-day Adventists who wanted to show that the sacred writings of the Adventist-founder Ellen G. White (who made much of a recent earth and the Noachian deluge) could provide a framework for studying the history of the earth. Especially important for this purpose was the Adventist theorist George McCready Price (1870-1963). who published a string of creationist works culminating in 1923 with The New Geology. That book argued that a "simple" or "literal" reading of early Genesis showed that God had created the world six to eight thousand years ago and had used the Flood to construct the planet's geological past. Price, an armchair geologist with little formal training and almost no field experience, demonstrated how a person of such belief could reconstruct natural history in order to question traditional understanding of the geological column and apparent indications for an ancient earth. Price's ideas were never taken seriously by practicing geologists, and they had little impact outside Adventist circles. The one exception was the [LCMS], where a few energized critics of the modern world found Price's biblical literalism convincing, despite the fact that on almost every other religious question the [LCMS] was about as far removed from Seventh-day Adventism [SDA] as it was possible to be.--p. 189-190.

I read this and went, "What?" The LCMS inheriting anything from SDA is enough to make even the most stern and confessional Lutheran to rethink what he believes. I need SDA theology like the third world needs cholera. I would rather take communion from Rick Warren than accept SDA doctrine unchallenged.

So now we are left with the "How old is the earth?" question to which I can answer, "I don't know." The age dates say ~4.5 billion years, but that is from dating meteorites and not earth rocks. The earliest date for an earth rock is ~ 4 billion years. You can debate the veracity of these dates all you want (I would). What does Genesis say? Mot much. It lists a genealogy, so you figure you could just calculate the times given and, abra cadabra, tell how old the earth is. Well, there are other genealogies in the Bible as well. They are found in Matthew and Luke, and we know both genealogies are incomplete. If those genealogies are incomplete, there is no reason to believe that the genealogy in Genesis is complete as well. There goes our calculator.

Calvin said something useful in his commentary on Genesis I think even Josh would agree with. "Genesis is not a scientific text." Amen.

Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

This phrase should adequately describe what has happened the past two days. First the ugly. I have one comment on my last post, and I was trying to figure out what to do with it. I could 1) answer the comment within the comments thread or 2) answer the comment with a blog post or 3) ignore the comment or 4) let everyone else duke it out in the comments thread and sit back and watch. Option 4 intrigues me, especially since no real arguments have erupted in the comments yet. Actually, not much of anything has erupted in the comments. Anyway, I want to see if everyone else thinks I have misinterpreted Mr. Warren's words in my previous post.

The bad deals with the drama in my family. TNT claims that it knows drama, but they have never contacted my mom's side of the family. Believe me: we know drama. It happens every time we get together. At some point, Murphy's Law grabs hold and it goes downhill from there. Whoever said, "Murphy was an optimist" nailed these past two days. I was in Oklahoma City (for an event to be named in the Good) and, like every other gathering, the women were all arguing over who will do what and when and my aunt was about to blow a gasket trying to make things perfect. Drama. Other things occurred today, just compounding the already existing drama to new heights. And people wonder why I drink.

The Good is very good. My cousin was commissioned as a DCE in the LCMS. I am very proud of her and her accomplishment, and I pray God would bless her in her call and allow her, ultimately, to do what I believe is her strength. After commissioning her, we went out with a few of her other friends to a bar and killed off numerous brain cells while participating in karaoke. Metallica and G'n'R could have sounded much better. You know I'm tipsy when I'm chiding the audience for not forming a mosh pit. What did I expect? I'm in the land of Garth Brooks!!!

Update: I missed an excellent post on St. Stephens Musings. Well worth the read, and go ahead and look at his links as well. He has one of the best Christian blogs of any denomination out there.

I was going back through The Purpose-Driven Life, and I realized that to properly satirize this book, the satire should not be The Purposeless-Driven Life, but The Law-Driven Life. The key to the whole book is in one paragraph in the first chapter.

God has not left us in the dark to wonder and guess [about our purpose]. He has clearly revealed his five purposes for our lives through the Bible. It is our Owner's Manual, explaining why we are alive, how life works, what to avoid, and what to expect in the future. It explains what no self-help or philosophy book could know. (P. 20, 2nd full paragraph, bold emphasis mine)

The problem with satirizing this book is that the book is the ultimate satire of itself. I could not have said it better myself. The ultimate problem with this book (and the rest of the garbage that American Evangelicalism puts out) is that it assumes the Bible is a self-help book. The problem with that assumption is that it denigrates the primary purpose of the Bible: to reveal God's plan of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is there to reveal the Gospel. If you start out with a bad assumption, it can be assumed most of the conclusions derived from that assumption are also bad. As far as I have read, this is true of this book. All that can, that will replace the Gospel is the Law. If Christ crucified is not our central focal point (the Theology of the Cross), the natural religion of man, the law (the theology of glory) will rush in to replace it. Ultimately, The problem with The Purpose -Driven Life is that it replaces the cross with two stone tablets and expect that to be enough motivation for us to live as Christians. Rather, they become two millstones hanging around our necks, trying to choke us. Only through a proper distinction between law and gospel can the millstone be lifted from our hearts and, thus, live a life of thanksgiving, not because the law commands us, but because we love our Lord. Then, and only then, do we live a truly purpose-driven life.

I have not mentioned a couple of wonderful books I received on Christmas Day. The first is The Defense Never Rests: A lawyer's quest for the gospel by Craig Parton. I cannot thank Mr. Parton enough for showing the insanity that is American Evangelicalism and why Lutheranism is the answer. It even goes into how the arts can be an apologetic tool and uses the example of J.S. Bach. The Fifth Evangelist is still proclaiming the cross of Christ long after he has fallen asleep. May God continue to bless our Church with great artists who proclaim the Gospel of Christ. The second book is On Being a Theologian of the Cross: Reflection on Luther's Heidelberg Disputation, 1518 by Gerhard O. Forde. I can hear the groans now. "Why are you reading a book by an ELCA professor?" I would like to mention this book was highly recommended by one of the most confessional men I know: Todd Wilken. Anyway, this book is slow reading, even though it is highly readable. Dr. Forde packs a lot into his writing, so you have to reread what he wrote to make sure you caught everything. Even so, the little I have read, is well worth your time. He makes the pertinent point that everyone is a theologian. We all think about God at some point. It is just most of us are, naturally, very bad theologians. We have a tendency to try to save ourselves by the law (the theology of glory) rather than receive the love of God through his Son's death (the theology of the cross). He uses the Heidelberg Disputation as the means of conveying what a theologian of the cross does. I will try to give a more complete review when the book is finished.

Have a Blessed Epiphany season. Speaking of which, Epiphany is possibly the most misunderstood and underappreciated season in the Church Year. Take some time to meditate on the fact Epiphany celebrates our savior revealed to the Gentiles. Search the Stars.

For those of you with too much time on your hands, I present the Biblical Curse Generator.

Holy Ridicule

In many respects, this is what my blog is aiming for. That, and pure sarcasm. For instance, since DP Benke is unrepentant and cannot seem to repent even though he has been reasoned with many times, he deserves a little satire and sarcasm. Our dear SP also deserves a few pin pricks to try to bring the person to repentance. I can hear it now: "Isn't that mean, Daniel?"

To quote Mr. Wilson, "Not really. Good satire isn't cruel since the target deserves it."

I do admit I can get out of hand sometimes with the satire and sarcasm, but it all has the purpose to try to shock the person and get him to actually think about what he is saying and compare it to scripture and the Confessions.

Speaking of sarcasm, after the Benke situation first came to light, the Kansas District was going to produce a Bible study defending Dr. Benke's actions. I wonder what happened to that? Hmmm...

The whole point of this post is to prepare the way for my next great endeavor on this blog: The Purposeless-Driven Life. Yes. I am going to find the most oddball translations and use them to defend the notion life is purposeless. Expect the book of Ecclesiastes to be taken out of context in this parody. Reason can only get you so far. Sometimes, you have to take out a serrated edge.

In my random surfing while watching the NFL playoffs, I ran across one of the greatest art sites ever: The Museum of Depressionist Art. Look through their collection of very interesting and obnoxious pieces. This is art that I can understand.

A new year brings old problems back into the light, and, while we celebrate the circumcision of Jesus, let us ponder what the New Year will bring. Apparently, it's dragging everything from 2003 and bringing it into 2004. Yes, politics did not end last year. Oh, no. That would make the lodges unhappy. The nominations committee, which is elected by the districts, has eliminated most of the conservative nominees.

In other news, Rev. Charles Henrickson's paper presented at the Walther Conference is now online (Find it in Word format here).

I am going to completely change subjects and talk about something I have only hinted at before: college football. K-State is currently playing. El Roberson broke curfew, and he was not punished for it. He should not have been allowed to start, in the least, and probably should not even have played in the game. Coach Snyder stated (oops, started) Roberson. I always liked Coach Snyder, even though I am a much bigger Oklahoma fan. My grandfather went to K-State, so I have a fondness for the school. Coach Snyder has always been a disciplinarian, and a man who did not allow his players to get away with anything. That all is gone now. The man is no better than Coach Osborn or any other slimebag coach who will let his best players get away with murder (literally). Coach Snyder is now in my bad guy list. Licktwat.