This Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. Many Christians observe this special season by special offerings, midweek worship services, advent calendars, wreaths, etc. I don't know how common this is in other traditions but we Lutherans like Advent devotion books. Daily Scripture readings with short meditations and prayers.
The Admission Counselors at Concordia Theological Seminary will post an audio devotion each day in Advent on our website. The first devotion is already up (a bit early).
Go here.
Why not check it each day as a way to observe the holy season we are soon to enter?
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Advent Devotions
Monday, November 27, 2006
Television in a Golden Age
Now this might surprise you in light of my last post. But a comment made by Peter below set me to thinking.
One of my pet crusades is that TV deadens the mind. I say that a lot. I believe it. The evidence is all around us. At 12:15 a.m., August 1, 1981 the very first music video to be shown on MTV was Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. Well, of course, music videos did not kill radio. Far from it. You'd be hard pressed to find any music programming on MTV these days. But I do believe that watching lots of television kills the ability to communicate verbally.
When people (especially children under 8) spend hours watching television, it literally damages their brains and impairs their ability to think verbally. Vital synapses are underdeveloped. How many people have you heard say, "Well, I learn visually"? Sure. That's legit. But it becomes a problems when folks are truly unable to follow a sustained argument or express complex thoughts verbally.
Everyone should read: The Vanishing Word: The Veneration of Visual Imagery in the Postmodern World (Focal Point Series)
That having been said, I also believe that American television is in a golden age. Insofar as anyone can identify their current age as golden, I think this is the case for American TV. And why has this happened? Market economics. There is sooooo much television these days that producers have had to come up with truly high quality material in order to stand out. Hence, the proliferation of so many very well written and excellently produced programs. Some that I have found to be very powerful and entertaining include: 24, The Office, The Sopranos, Carnivale, Lost, and Battlestar Galactica. Other people have sung the praises of House, Heroes, and others. But I'd be surprised if these programs constitute even 1% of all that is available on television.
"The Office" Kills!!!!
I'm talking about the TV show. Now as you know, I hate watching TV. First, most of the programing is trash or mind-deadening. Second, Americans watch WAY too much of it, substituting the flickering box for a book or actual human interaction.
However, there are some worthwhile gems amongst the rubble. When we find a program that seems worth the effort, we wait and get them on DVD. That way we don't have to endure the advertisements.
And recently, we have been watching The Office. This is an extremely hilarious program. Have you seen it? Your opinions?
This weekend, we literally laughed our heads off. Well, not literally because we still have our heads. As my pastor has pointed out, when people say "literally" they usually mean "not really." For example, "our eyes were literally glued to the TV." Oh really? But that's another post.
Go buy:
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Source of Suffering
The Buddha said that all of life is suffering and that all suffering is caused by desire. If that's the case, then the only two ways to eradicate suffering would be to either strive to fulfill one's desires or to eliminate desire altogether.
I can't help but think the ol' boy was on to something here. Obviously, the Buddhist route to eliminating desire by eliminating the ego is absurd. But isn't it true, at least much of the time, that the pain we feel is the result of not having what we want? In the words of that other great philosophical sage, Mick Jagger, "You can't always get what you want" and "I can't get no satisfaction."
St. Augustine (a much more reliable source) stumbled onto a similar truism when he prayed, "Our hearts are restless, O Lord, till they rest in you."
We want. We desire. We crave. We lack. We need. We hunger and thirst. We lust. We envy. You get the point. And much of what we desire can be good wholesome stuff. We suffer because we want a more intimate emotional bond with our spouses. We suffer because we miss our children. We suffer because we want to be free of cancer or worry or debt.
Finding contentment in God is easier said than done. Each day you need to kneel before the Creator and acknowledge your emptiness before Him. Learn and meditate upon His promises. These will fill you up. Gather to receive the Eucharist often. The Bread from heaven will sate your hunger. And you will confess, with David, the Lord is your shepherd and you shall lack nothing.
OK to Wear a Cross
You heard about the British Airways employee who was forbidden to wear a cross necklace? After a storm of criticism, the BA has reversed their decision. See here.
Sphere: Related ContentThursday, November 23, 2006
Being Thankful
On this national day of thanksgiving, I am reminded of God's goodness to us. I fully realize that He has treated me better than I deserve. I have a healthy happy son, a loving wife, and a rewarding position of service in the Church.
We started the day by attending the service this morning at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Pastor Petersen hit another grand slam from the pulpit. His sermons are always Christ-centered, cross-focused messages that cut straight to the heart. I like his no-nonsense approach.
The rest of the day is being spent preparing our feast and lounging in the living room watching season two episodes of The Office
Several people have inquired of our holiday plans, I think worried that it's just going to be the three of us. While we do miss our families, we have chosen to spend this holiday quietly at home. We moved here only 3 months ago; there've been many adjustments and I've been traveling for my work with the seminary. So a long weekend hibernating sounds like the perfect therapy.
I pray that you all have a blessed holiday. Enjoy the time with loved ones. Take nothing for granted. Remember your Creator.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
My Book Shelf
This is what is narcissistic about blogging. But it's fun. These are the books on my "To Read" shelf. The first one is my holiday weekend diversion.
Terrorist
The Blessings of Weekly Communion 
Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door 
Whos Afraid of Postmodernism?: Taking Derrida, Lyotard, and Foucault to Church (Church and Postmodern Culture, The)
What are you reading today?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Upcoming Advent Devotions
The season of Advent is almost here. So I'm letting you know a bit in advance that the ordained Admissions staff from Concordia Theological Seminary will provide Christ-centered daily Advent devotions on our website, www.ctsfw.edu.
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, November 15, 2006
Whose Side is God On?
How do you know whether God is pleased with you or displeased with you?
A while back, I wrote several posts critical of Rick Warren and his book (which shall not be named) for which I received a bit of criticism myself. Most of it was incoherent. The one type of comment, however, that struck me was when people said that Warren's book is obviously blessed by God because it is so huge a bestseller. This was usually followed by the accusation that the only reason I would criticize him is because I am jealous of his success and should write my own book, blah, blah, blah.
So what do you think? Do you really believe that earthly or material success is a sign of God's pleasure? Is earthly or material defeat a sign of His displeasure?
And the related question every person must answer is: How do you know whether you are in God's good favor or not?
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Movie Trailers and Interpreting the Bible
Some very creative people have been taking footage from actual movies and rearranging it into trailers for entirely different types of films. So a love story becomes a horror movie or a horror movie becomes a heartwarming family dramedy.
Darrell, over at Film Geeks, has the latest of these attempts. It's pretty clever.
Check out this post I wrote a year ago on this kind of stuff. It has some great links. My favorite is what was done to Kubrick's The Shining.
Monday, November 13, 2006
Why We Hurt
This weekend, I'll be in Kenosha, WI. I'm leading a retreat held by Lamb of God Lutheran Church and Messiah Lutheran Church with the title: Why We Hurt. A retreat on Suffering. If you happen to be in the area, please come on by.
I've taught on this topic any number of times. It's an inevitable motif for anyone who is a pastor. This week, in preparation, I've decided to re-read three books: When Bad Things Happen to Good People
Over the next several days, I will make comments on my reading.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
How to Be Judgmental
A lot of people don't care what the Bible says. They don't want to hear that it condemns homosexuality or abortion. They don't want to hear that you have to believe certain things to be saved. But one thing even the most hardened unbeliever knows about the bible is this saying from Jesus, "Judge not."
To them, this trumps everything and anything else Jesus may have said. Judge not. Or as it is usually understood, make no value judgments about anything I do, think or say.
Scripture certainly does condemn self-righteousness. But it does not restrain us from saying something is wrong or bad or evil.
All of us make value judgments all the time. The rapist who got caught. Let's put him in jail. That's a value judgment. The corporate exec who cheated his investors. Let's oust him. We don't like the policies of a given politician. Let's vote for his opponent. All of these are judgments. God does not - indeed cannot - forbid us from judging people.
But what about those words of our Lord? The difference is this. When I speak a word of judgment against lust or pride or gossip, it is not ME speaking. It is not MY word; it is the Word of God. God condemns those things, not me.
Certainly Jesus wants his followers to worry less about the sins of the bad ol' world than about our own personal shortcomings. "Unless you repent, you will likewise perish." He hates spiritual pride. He hates those who seek to justify themselves while sneering at everyone else. He is not Mr. Politically Correct I-Tolerate-Everything. God is not that way at all. God is not polite. He is good, but not nice. And certainly not tolerant. Forgiveness is not tolerance. Forgiveness is mercy, but mercy based on the penalty being exacted on a proxy.
God is not judgmental? Tell that the Jesus on the cross.
A Worthy Cause
Most of you have too much money. God has blessed you and you use it on yourself. If you ate three meals yesterday, wore shoes, and used a toilet, you are wealthier than most of the world's population. So spend that hundred bucks on things you don't need or give it to a worthy cause. I recommend Friends of Mercy. I know you've heard a zillion appeals. I know you hate being asked for money. But you should give to this agency and you should probably do it right now. First, tithe to your local congregation but then consider making a special gift to help orphans in Kenya, refugees in the Sudan, and hurting people everywhere. See Pastor Sell's blog on Friends of Mercy here.
Sphere: Related ContentTuesday, November 07, 2006
My Media Diet
Here's what I'm checking out right now.
MOVIES
Mission - Impossible III (Widescreen Edition)
BOOKS
Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey into Manhood and Back
Pop Goes Religion: Faith in Popular Culture
The Prestige
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
MUSIC
One More Drifter in the Snow
The Anthology: 1947-1972
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Why We Don't Ordain Women
The U.S. branch of the Anglican tree, the Episcopal Church - USA, has had female priests for around 30 years now. And it's been close to 20 years since they elected their first female bishop. Now a new barrier has been shattered as the EC-USA consecrates their first female head bishop. This means she will represent the EC-USA in the world Anglican communion. Here is the news article.
The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is part of the vast majority of Christians worldwide who do not ordain women as pastors. This is not only the huge majority position but is also the practice of 99.9% of the church's history.
Why don't we ordain women? Obviously, I cannot give a thorough and finely nuanced explanation in a blog post. So let me keep it simple, at the risk of being simplistic.
First, what do the Scriptures say:
A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve (1 Timothy 2:11-13).
There are a couple of other passages that discuss the woman's role in the church. But this one is sufficient. The apostle states that a woman must not teach or have authority over a man in the church. And he argues from the order of creation. Adam, then Eve.
Another argument that I personally find quite convincing is the practice of Jesus himself. He had numerous devout women as his followers and supporters. These were women of tremendous faith and courage. Yet, he chose only men to be his apostles. And one simply cannot argue that Jesus was only following the cultural norms of his time. Our Lord broke cultural norms on a number of occasions, in particular, with regard to women in society. If it is right to have female apostles, Christ would have selected some.
All I've done here is give the sparest of answers to the question in my title. Why don't we ordain women? Because it is contrary to the will of God and this has been recognized through the practice of the church for eons. Perhaps in a future post I will elaborate further, if you're interested.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Ted Haggard Resigns
Leading Evangelical pastor, Ted Haggard, has resigned his post as head of the National Association of Evangelicals. This outspoken Christian leader has been accused of paying a male escort for sex on a monthly basis for the last three years. While the facts of this allegation are still being determined, Haggard has confessed that some of it, at least, is true.
The liberals and secularists in our country love it when this happens because they get to use the "H" word, "Hypocrite." You see, Ted Haggard has been leading the crusade against gay marriage. And now it appears he fancies gay sex.
I don't know anything about Ted Haggard. But I hope for the sake of his family, his congregation and his soul, that - if these allegations are true - he finds good law/gospel counsel. Confession is good for the soul. Absolution is even better.
But I have a concern for anyone who is quick to use the "H" word. Is Haggard a hypocrite? Sure. But that does not invalidate his arguments against gay marriage. Listen carefully: A person can both be opposed to a practice AND engage in that practice at the same time. My guess is that Haggard really does believe that homosexuality is sinful. He really does want to protect traditional families. He really does despise the homosexual agenda. And just maybe he like to have gay sex too. Inconsistent? Yep. Hypocritical? To be sure. Hard to imagine? Not really.
Take St. Paul for example. In Romans 7, he states that he does things which he hates. I don't know what things he was referring to. But don't you find yourself ever doing things, saying words or entertaining attitudes which you actually despise? You might even despise yourself. But that doesn't bother me too much. A little bit of self-loathing is a good thing. It's good as long as it drives you to Christ but not if it drives you to despair. Note that Godly sorrow brings repentance while worldly sorrow brings death (2 Cor. 7).
I like Luther's 18th Heidelburg Thesis: It is certain that man must utterly despair of his own ability before he is prepared to receive the grace of Christ. The man who is guilty of tragic disastrous sins and is humiliated thereby is potentially in a better spiritual condition than the smug ones who delight in another man's downfall.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
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