The Burr in the Burgh

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Thursday, August 03, 2006

Stuff About Sex

In the Image of God:
A Christian Vision for Love and Marriage

I think all of you should attend this conference from the Cranach Institute on the campus of Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN. It will be September 18-20, 2006.

The publicity states: This conference will focus on God's design for marriage and sexuality.

Now who doesn't want to hear that?

Speakers will include:

Rev. Matthew Harrison - Director for the LCMS World Relief and Human Care Ministries
Ethicist, Dr. Gilbert Meilander
And best selling author, Lauren Winner

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Wednesday, August 02, 2006

There and Back Again

For the past couple of days, Julie, Jacob and I were in Fort Wayne, IN to make preparations for our move.

Regarding my position at the seminary, I had a couple of goals in mind. First, I wanted to introduce myself to the admission staff. They really are a crackerjack bunch. I asked them to show me what their respective jobs entail and tried to impress on them that I am eager to hear their ideas and suggestions. I heard a lot of great thoughts and already have a few things on the roll. I ask of them to simply be patient with me as I have a bit of a learning curve ahead of me. We share the goal of finding excellent candidates for the ministry and helping them through the admission process.

Secondly, I wanted to hand deliver my letter to President Wenthe accepting the call. It was good to speak with him also about his vision for the seminary and share some ideas.

Personally, my wife and son were eager to see the campus house and begin planning how to decorate and furnish it.

I was on staff at the seminary seven years ago before I came to this congregation and it was a joy to see so many familiar faces and renew those acquaintances. I am excited by the challenge ahead of me and feel such a devotion to the seminary and its mission to train shepherds for God's sheep.

Even so, it is sad to consider leaving this congregation which has been so good and loving toward us. May God smile on us all.

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Monday, July 31, 2006

Church and Moralism

Below is a comment I left on the Beast's blog earlier. Go here to see his post.

Very interesting post. I like what you wrote very much. I haven't read about Pastor Boyd, but he may really be on to something.

Certainly the Bible teaches us how to live holy lives. And certainly it is God's will for His children to lead holy lives. And the Christian Church will, at times, proclaim messages that overlap with current events or social issues.

But you are abso-tively correct that the Bible is not just a book of do's and don'ts It's firstly a book about Jesus and His saving work for humanity. That should always be our central focus.

I personally squirm a little when churches are so quick to adopt secular holidays like 4th of July, Mother's Day, Veteran's Day but ignore historic Christian holy days such as Epiphany, Ascension Day or the season of Lent. But that's another topic.

There is something a bit off about too much blending of Christian teaching with politics and current events. Yes, as I said, the bible does address many issues that happen to show up in the daily papers and the church must teach clearly the whole counsel of God.

But I do not believe the church is the proper place to display the American flag or sing the national anthem or anything like that. God is not (gasp!) an American. Nations rise and fall and ours will be no exception. America is not the new Israel (the church is). We are not the chosen nation (the church is).

Revelation talks about heaven being filled with people from every tribe, nation and tongue. Which flag do they salute in their sanctuary? Whose anthem do they sing in worship? Wouldn't it be great if the church on earth would better reflect the church in heaven?

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Ecumenical Blogging

One of the things I love about blogging is the network of friendships I have found with Christians all over the nation and of varying confessions.

Two blogs that I check every single day and always get a kick out of reading are from Darrell, the devout Roman Catholic, at SouthCon and from Philip, the Southern Baptist youth pastor, over at The Beast's Lair. They are my peeps.

This is true ecumenism, my friends. We have never been afraid to discuss our differences, but I have been delighted by the civility and warmth and supportiveness these blogging buddies have demonstrated. I certainly do not believe in sweeping doctrinal disagreements under the rug, but it has been enlightening to find out how much we share in common.

Don't get me wrong. I have personally never been more convinced of the veracity of the Lutheran Confessions, but I find that when I hang out only with Lutherans of like convictions, we become sort of, well, smug.

I heard someone put it this way. Confessional Lutherans are like manure. When you spread them around they can do a lot of good. But if you put them all in one place, they just make a big stink.

Anyhoo, go check out SouthCon and The Beast's Lair.

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Sunday, July 30, 2006

My Announcement

Friends,
I announced to my congregation today that I have accepted the call as the Director of Admissions for Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN. Our moving date is not certain because that depends to an extent on the moving company. It will likely be the third week of August. Our son will begin 5th grade in St. Paul Lutheran School I think the 23rd. My plan is to return to preach a farewell sermon on August 20th.

I approached this with varied emotions. There is a novel called The Hammer of God by the late Swedish Lutheran bishop, Bo Giertz, in which one of the characters says something like, "Can there be anything more wonderful than being a pastor in God's church?" And the answer to that question is no. And it is after prayer and consultation with trusted advisors that I am accepting this opportunity to have a small role in the recruitment and preparation of the future pastors of God's church. I thank everyone for their prayers and advice.

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Friday, July 28, 2006

Children of Men

P.D. James is one of my favorite contemporary writers. She's an octagenarian English woman who primarily writes detective novels. But anyone who's ever read a P.D. James book knows that she's not just another Stuart Woods or Michael Connelly. Her books are literature in the finest sense. She is also a Christian, a fact that any reader of her novels can discern.

But her most explicitly Christian novel was not a crime story. It was an unlikely sci-fi tale called The Children of Men. It is a wonderful novel. And now it's being made into a major film. I just hope they don't gut it. The preview (see here) looks promising.

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Getting There

So here we sit in the Denver airport (online, of course). I had a minor boo-boo with the rental car so we got to the car place early to get that taken care of. At present, it appears that our credit card will take of it (whew!).

Looking forward to getting home. I have some hospitalized parishoners to visit and a sermon to prepare for Sunday. So I'll be hopping back in the saddle pretty quickly.

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Thursday, July 27, 2006

Vaca Comes to an End

Well, Julie, Jacob and I will return home to Pittsburgh tomorrow. It's been a great time out here in the West. But it's always nice to come home.

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Wednesday, July 26, 2006

InterState Abortion Bill

So 34 U.S. senators voted against this bill. The bill which says that you can't transport a minor over state lines for an abortion without parental consent. How morally empty do you have to be to vote against this bill?

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Bearing False Witness

The 8th commandment is "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor." This is the commandment that everyone breaks and that no one breaks. What I mean is that this is the commandment that people always break against you, but which you never break against someone else. It's is hard to justify murder or lust, but easy to justify breaking the 8th commandment. "Oh, I'm just reporting what I heard." "I know what he said, but here is what he really meant...." And so on.

In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther explainse it this way:

We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest possible way.

In another translation, the last line says, "put the best construction on everything." That seems to be the rub.

On the one hand, I think this requires some qualification. Sometimes putting the best construction on something results is sugar-coating bad behavior. And that is something we should never do.

For instance, if a Sunday school child tells me his uncle is molesting him, I don't just pat the lad on the head and say, "Now, now. How can we explain this in the kindest possible way? Your uncle is just really affectionate and likes to hug you with his pants off." Sure, innocent till proven guilty, but take every accusation or hint of impropriety seriously.

Another example I've heard is when a man keeps beating up his wife and she excuses him saying, "Oh, I know he's a good man deep inside. He really does love me. He only hits me when he's drunk anyway."

Hmmm... Oscar Mayer produces a meat-type product that answers that. BALONEY. Sorry, sweetie. The man's a creep. He does not love you.

How does that beautiful paean to love from St. Paul go: "Love is patient. Love is kind. Love will punch you in the face, but only when drunk...."

Just like faith w/o works is dead, so also love. Call the cops. Move out. Get help. Don't let anyone use a perverted understanding of the 8th commandment to to keep you from doing what is necessary. According to Luther, the theology of the cross calls a thing what it is. Preserving that man's rep is not as important as saving your life.

ON THE OTHER HAND - and this is what I initially set out to write about - how quick we are to judge one another. Explain things in the kindest possible way? Seems like sometimes folks bend over backwards to attach the worst possible interpretation to your words or actions.

One thing I always advise couple who come to me for pre-marital instruction is this: Never assume you know what the other person is thinking. And never ever think that you know another person's motives. Certainly, I can judge your words and actions, but not your motives. Never. Why? Because only you know what your motives are and maybe you're not even sure.

So here are some practical ways to understand and obey this commandment:

Don't assume you know someone's true motives.

Don't read so much btwn the lines.

Remember that you are not a mindreader.

Remember that gossip is a sin.

But DO call a thing what it is. Do not feel you must put a good construction on truly bad behavior.

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Overstreet Is Underwhelmed by "Lady in the Water"

Jeffrey Overstreet runs a blog that I like to check almost daily. He writes about pop culture from a Christian perspective.

Like him, I have enjoyed all of M. Night Shyamalan's major films thus far. My favorite is definitely Unbreakable but all of them are great. So I'm a bit sad to read Overstreet's review of the latest Shyamalan picture, Lady in the Water. It stars Paul Giamatti, whom I think is terrific. And Bryce Howard stole the show in The Village. But according to Overstreet, Shyamalan's script is too weak for even the finest actors to pull off effectively.

In the final analysis, Overstreet gives the movie a "B-". And to be frank, a B- for a Shyamalan film - in my opinion - is worth more than an A for most other directors. But nonetheless, as one who sits anxiously on th edge of his seat for the next Shyamalan movie to come out, I am a wee bit disheartened.

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Monday, July 24, 2006

15 Funniest Films According to FilmGeeks

Here's a great list of the Film Geek's Fifteen Funniest Films.

It's a great list. I think I'd add Young Frankenstein.

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Sunday, July 23, 2006

"Doctrine Monster?" I've Been Called Worse

I loved and could totally relate to this post by Pastor Chryst.

Since the word "doctrine" simply means "teaching" and since in the context of Christianity, the word "doctrine" means "the teachings of God's Word," I don't see how any believer can not be passionate about pure doctrine.

Of course, there are Church Bullies in every denomination. And the LCMS is no different. Pure Doctrine is not a club to beat up our opponents with or a badge of superiority. The chief aim here is not simply to "be right" or to win debates or to intimidate those who disagree. The kingdom will not come by sword or force or arrogantly bullying our opponents. Smugness is not a virtue. Nastiness in the name of orthodoxy is repugnant.

But on the other hand, it seems to me that in our day and age an equally pernicious difficulty facing American Christianity is theological laziness and doctrinal indifference. The temptation is to reduce Christianity to a shared experience or raw moralism.

People will say the word "doctrine" like it's a profanity or as if it literally puts a foul taste in the mouth. How can this be? Some will say something along the lines of, "as long as we love Jesus, why make a big deal of doctrine?" The answer is because our doctrine is nothing other than God's Word. It is not possible to love Jesus AND be indifferent to the His Word. It is not possible to proclaim Jesus rightly without maintaining doctrinal integrity. Doctrine matters because God matters and what God says matters. It matters more than human opinion, more than misty religious experience; it matters even more than moral reform.

Confidence does not have to equal arrogance. Boldness does not require a sharp tongue. But neither does love mean wishy-washiness or humility equate with uncertainty.

God's Word is the lamp to our feet and the light for our path. God's Word is the powerful message of salvation. God's Word creates, destroys, kills and gives birth. Mixing human philosophy with God's Word or mixing contemporary opinions with God's Word do not sttrenthen the Church, do not make Jesus more relevant. It only pollutes us all. I am not embarrassed by my passion about speaking God's Word correctly.

Nor am I above correction. Being passionate about pure doctrine does not mean that I never err. When I say that your doctrine is wrong, I don't mean that I hate you or that I am better than you. And if you find it necessary to correct me, then do so on the basis of Holy Scripture and sound reasoning and I will listen. Ad Hominem attacks - though not unheard of in Church history - are not the way to go. I believe that thoughtful and careful argument is good for us. As someone wise once said, the only reason we fight is because we don't know how to argue.

If by "Doctrine Monster" you mean arrogant smart-alek who nit-picks everyone to death, then may I never be one. If, however, you mean a bold confessor of the faith (creed) handed down to us, then I'll take the title gladly.

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Friday, July 21, 2006

"The Feast" Was Awesome!

I want to report that the weeklong Lutheran youth gathering in Colorado Springs was abso-posi-lutely awesome! Kudos to the hard work of Rev. Marcus Zill and his 10 zillion faithful helpers. Higher Things youth organization is doing a terrific job of training the future of our churches in sound doctrine, biblical knowledge and wisdom for life. I am ALWAYS impressed, not only with the excellence of the conferences, but also with the excellence of the participating youth.

For three days, I lectured on The Da Vinci Code. We covered some heavy duty stuff. The deity of Christ. The development of the biblical canon. Art history. And so forth. But the kids were attentive and engaged. I had numerous participants ask me to send them my PowerPoint presentation. Why? So that they could show it to their family and friends who are being deceived by Dan Brown. RIGHT ON!

So if any of the youth participants who were present and might want a copy of the presentation, just send me your email address and your snail mail address. I will either send it to you via internet (if you have a hi-speed connection) or on a disk. But you have to finish this sentence in an email to me: Dan Brown eats...

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Thursday, July 20, 2006

St. Ephrem the Syrian on the Da Vinci Code

In researching about The Da Vinci Code this evening, I found this wonderful sermon by St. Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306-373). Below are few quotes, but the whole sermon can be found here.

“If He was not flesh, who was lying in the manger? And if He was not God, whom did the Angels come down and glorify?

“If He was not flesh, who was wrapped in swaddling clothes? And if He was not God, whom did the shepherds worship?

“If He was not flesh, whom did Mary suckle? And if He was not God, to whom did the Magi offer gifts?

“If He was not flesh, who was invited to the wedding in Cana of Galilee? And if He was not God, who turned the water into wine?

“If He was not flesh, who fell asleep in the boat? And if He was not God, who rebuked the winds and the sea?

“If He was not flesh, who wept at Lazarus’ grave? And if He was not God, who by His command brought out one four days dead?

“If He was not flesh, who was struck with a blow? And if He was not God, who cured the ear that had been cut off by Peter and restored it to its place?

“If He was not flesh, who stood before Pilate at the judgment seat? And if He was not God, who made Pilate’s wife afraid by a dream?

“If He was not flesh, who was hung on the cross? And if He was not God, who shook the earth from its foundations?

“If He was not God and man, our salvation is a lie, and the words of the Prophets are lies.”

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Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Let's Get the Party Started

So Julie and I are now at The Feast in Colorado Springs. This is the 2006 Higher Things Lutheran Youth conference. Both of us are doing mega-sectionals which begin this morning. Mine is a three part thing on The Da Vinci Code. And she is doing one on being a Christian writer along with Miss Adrian Dorr, the Higher Things magazine assistant editor. Read about what Julie and Adrian are up to here.

My stuff on Da Vinci won't be too hard for me because I just did a series on that topic for my congregation. I just had to turn my 4-part series into a 3-part and then youth-ize it.

If you are ever looking for a great cause to support, consider throwing some money at Higher Things. This is an organization committed to in-depth catechesis for the church's young people. This is not an effort to compete with other official synodical youth ministry, but to complement it. We have gatherings like this every summer and they are held all over the country. I believe that in 07, we'll start having them at two locations. These are much smaller than the triennial synodical youth gatherings (only 1500-2000) but are often much less expensive. But if you believe that offering week long retreats packed with fun, worship and study for teenagers is important, pray for Higher Things.

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Monday, July 17, 2006

Our Working Vacation

Hi all,
Julie and Jacob and I flew to visit my inlaws in Denver today. Tomorrow, we drive down to Colorado Springs for the annual Higher Things Youth Conference. Julie and I are both doing mega-sectionals.

When we're done with this on Friday, we're going to my inlaws's cabin in Grand Lake for a few days. You may be reading horse riding stories from me that day. And then we are going to the Hot Springs Lodge in Glenwood Springs for a few days - a family favorite vacation spot.

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Sunday, July 16, 2006

Solus Christus

When we say that we are saved through faith alone, what do we really mean? Are we saying that repentance is unessential? No. The Lutheran Confessions understand repentance to be part of saving faith and faith to be part of repentance. Are we saying that good works are unimportant? No. It is clear that a person who apprehends what Christ has done and appropriates those treasures for himself will produce works of love toward his neighbor. As Luther says, "It is as impossible to separate faith from works as it is to separate heat from light in fire."

It seems to me that what we are really saying with sola fide is that the sinner is saved solely and completely by Jesus Christ. We really mean solus Christus. We are acknowledging that I can add nothing to the work of Christ for my salvation, that His work is complete and sufficient to save me and all sinners.

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New Blog

The Rev. Dr. Jonathan Naumann is a Lutheran pastor in Pittsburgh and has just entered the blogging universe. Check him out.

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"Man of the Cloth"

I have always wondered about the origin of that phrase. What cloth? Thanks to Pr. Petersen for finally clearing up this great mystery.

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Friday, July 14, 2006

The Gesticulator

Someone told me recently that when public speaking, I need to pay more attention to my hands. I gesture a lot. And I was told that, according to body language experts, whenever a speaker touches his mouth or nose it means he is lying. And I touched my nose a couple of times. I explained that I have allergies and when they begin to kick in my nose itches. But I guess I better be more careful.

Here I am lecturing in Abakhan with the mighty Pr. Alexei Streltsov as my translator.

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Media I Am Presently Consuming

Books

Music

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Thursday, July 13, 2006

Thou Shalt Not Drinketh Beer

Recently the Southern Baptist Convention issued this statement in total opposition to consumption of alcoholic beverages.

While I do respect their intentions, I cannot affirm this decision. The Scriptures clearly condemn drunkeness. And having just returned from Russia, I can attest to what a serious problem alcohol abuse is in that country. People everywhere are seen carrying open bottles of beer and spirits. Public intoxication there is common. I had 5 or 6 different drunk people attempt to engage me in public places such as airports, on an airplane, train stations, and the beach. Without doubt, such alcohol consumption is socially and spiritually destructive.

But I also believe that watching television more than an hour or two per week is socially and spiritually destructive. The same with Big Macs. Gluttony and obesity are also serious social, health, and spiritual issues in our time. If overeating is one of the seven deadly sins, having 3 squares a day is not.

I respect any person (Christian or otherwise) who makes the decision to not drink alcohol. I met a number of very solid Lutheran pastors in Russia who avoid alcohol, not because they see it as sinful in itself but because of the issues mentioned above. But mandating temperance is not a good solution.

First, it is pharisaical to make religious/moral legislation beyond what is contained in Scripture. There really is no avoiding the daily use of alcoholic beverages in Bible times. "The fruit of the vine" is unquestionably alcoholic wine. Before the invention of pasteurization in the 19th century and without refrigeration, it is not possible to keep grape juice from fermenting. People drank wine. Jesus made high quality wine, in massive quantities, at the wedding of Cana. In addition, there is the symbolic eschatological dimension to wine in the Bible. It is always associated with the joyfulness of banquets and feasts, particularly wedding feasts which are visages of the great wedding feast of the Lamb in heaven.

OK, so I am not defending alcohol abuse. I just think it's wrong to bind consciences in this way by totally condemning even moderate alcohol consumption.

In Colossians, St. Paul says not to let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink. I don't ridicule those who abstain and I ask not to be condemned for the occasional pint of ale.

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Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Losing Her Religion

The woman whose given name is in honor of the Mother of God (Madonna) is reportedly about to renounce the heretical Jewish mystic school of thought known as Kabbalah. See here. She is so very typical of postmodern humanity. Try an exotic religion. Go whole hog even. But abandon it when it gets boring, loses it sexiness, or causes inconveniences. Actually, I am glad that she is ditching Kabbalah. It's just that we so often see the same mentality in the Church. "I'm a disciple of Jesus until it interferes in my human relationships." Or "I'm a Christian until it actually makes demands on how I raise my kids." Or "I will follow Christ as long as all my felt-needs are getting scratched."

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Lecturing on Ethics

Here I am teaching on a Sunday afternoon in Abekhan, Russia. My main series of lectures were on Christian Ethics. I spent the first half of the seminar describing the difference between justification and sanctification. And the last couple of days, I taught the Ten Commandments. Actually I only got through the first 6.

The young woman in orange you see assiduously scribbling notes in the front row is Gloria. She is a deaconess student at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN. She is from Tomsk, Russia and is doing her year-long internship at a Christian crisis pregnancy center in Novosibirsk, Russia.

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Tuesday, July 11, 2006

For "Sola Fide" But Against Antinomianism

A few blurbs from Article III of the Formula of Concord (SD).

These treasures (of Christ) are brought to us by the Holy Spirit in the promise of the Holy Gospel. Faith alone is the only means through which we lay hold on, accept, apply, and take them for ourselves (10).

Nor, on the other hand, is this the meaning: without repentance, conversion and renewal we can or should yield to sins and remain and continue in them. True contrition must come first (22).

Love is a fruit that surely and necessarily also follows true faith. The fact that a person does not love is a sure sign that he is not justified. He is still in death or has lost the righteousness of faith again, as John says (1John 3:14).... Good works do not come before justification but follow it.... (27)

It is also correct to say that believers who have been justified through faith in Christ first have the righteousness of faith credited to them in this life. Then, they also have the initial righteousness of the new obedience or of good works. But these two types of righteousness must not be mixed with each other or both be injected into the article of justification by faith before God. For this initial righteousness or renewal in us is incomplete and impure in this life because of the flesh. A person cannot stand with and on the ground of this righteousness before God's court. Before God's court only the righteousness of Christ's obedience, suffering and death - which is credited to faith - can stand (32)

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Sola Fide or What?

A blogging buddy is doing a discussion on Sola Fide over at his blog. I'd put his address here, but I am honestly concerned about inadvertantly directing a bunch of Lutheran and protestant shi'ites over to bury him in comments. It is not my intention to flood him with rabid Reformationistas. He is a good friend and sound thinker. And he is making a good and good-natured foray into apologetics.

But, I did write a little something and figured why write two posts in one day. So I've included a slimmed down version here. Tell me what you think. And if you are nice and WINSOME (as another good blogging budy would say), I'll allow others to read your comments.

What is meant by "faith?" Is faith simply declaring that one believes in God. No, even the devil believes in God and shudders. Is faith merely believing that Jesus is the Son of God who died for the sins of the world. No, again, the devil understands this much. The Lutheran Confessions state that faith is how we "lay hold upon, accept, and apply, and appropriate them (the treasures of Christ) to ourselves."

Faith - by definition - includes contrition and repentance. And this kind of faith, alone, justifies the sinner in the eyes of God. But such faith is never truly alone.

The Lutheran Confessions also state that it is just as impossible to separate true living faith from a life of good works as it is to separate heat from light in fire. No one can have faith who does not have repentance.

The important distinction, in my view, is that btwn justification and sanctification. I say "distinction" not "division." Am I righteous in the eyes of God on account of Christ only or on account of both Christ and my own merits?

My understanding is that we are counted righteous on account of what Christ alone has done. And believing, laying hold, accepting, applying and appropriating that to myself is what I mean by "sola fide."

Sanctification refers to the inner renewal, transformation and life of good works that necessarily follows justification (not temporally but logically).

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Monday, July 10, 2006

Pastors on Depression

Many of you suffer from some form of clinical depression or anxiety disorder. Or you know someone who does.

A Lutheran pastor has now started a blog, Dark My Road, to discuss his own personal journey with mental illness. It is definitely worth your attention.

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Sunday, July 09, 2006

Young Lutheran Church in Siberia

One of the things that struck me about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Siberia is how youthful it is. And I'm not just referring to the newness of this Confessional Lutheran church body. I mean that there are lots of kids, teens and young adults active in this church and that is so encouraging. And refreshing. Even their head bishop-elect and many of their clergy and lay leaders are young.

It seems to me that the generation who came of age after the fall of the Iron Curtain are eager and open toward spiritual matters. And they crave substance. The Christianity Lite which American Christians often prefer isn't going to cut it. I just pray that they continue to have a zeal for sound doctrine and in-depth teaching. It is bearing amazing fruit thus far.

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Saturday, July 08, 2006

I'm Home from Russia, y'all

Thanks to everyone who remembered me in your prayers while I was traversing across Siberia for the past three weeks. I visited 8 cities, went through 11 different airports (half of them twice), 4 different train stations, and slept in at least 10 different beds. I literally flew and trained around the globe. I left going west and never stopped going west until I landed again in Chicago 3 weeks later.

I got home yesterday (about 7 p.m. Eastern time), a teensy bit tuckered out. The photo you see here is me at Red Square in Moscow on our last day in Russia. Notice on the left the famous onion domes of St. Basil's Cathedral. And to the right, the ziggurat thingy in front of the clock tower, is V. Lenin's tomb.

The trip consisted of three main stops in order to participate in theological seminars for laity and clergy alike. The local Lutheran congregations have used these seminars quite successfully as opportunities first to further catechise their parishoners and secondly as means for outreach and evangelization. I had two sets of lectures at each stop: Christian Ethics and The Meaning of Suffering.

We began in the far east of Russia at Petropavlovsk in Kamchatka. The second seminar was held at a spa resort (not as fancy by Western standards as it might sound) in the woods outside of Chita. And lastly at St. Luke's parish in Abekhan. There is too much to say to go into any length about the trip here in a single post.

I'll just say that it was an excellent mission trip. The people were wonderful and responded favorably to the seminars. I enjoyed very much getting to know these fine Russian Lutheran Christians.

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Home

Hi everyone. This is the last post from Julie. Scott got home safely last night. Just wanted to update everyone, since he is somewhat sleepy right now. His flight was a bit late, but he had no problems with luggage or any other delays. He was a bit bleary-eyed last night, but also dying to show us his photos and tell us lots of stories from his trip. I'm sure he will want to give an update, just as soon as he's semi-conscious again. Thank you again for all of your prayers.

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Thursday, July 06, 2006

Homebound

It's Julie writing again. By now, Scott is probably in Novosobirsk, so he is on his way west! He said they have a layover there for awhile, so they were thinking about taking him over to the Lutheran seminary. Then they catch their plane to Moscow for an overnight stay, and then Scott will be on his way home.

I'm sure he is excited about updating all of you about his travels, and I personally want to thank you all for keeping our family in your prayers.

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Monday, July 03, 2006

In Abekan, Khakassia

Julie here again. Finally an email got through from hubby. He has been trying to write ever since he got to Russia, but the messages kept bouncing back to him. Apparently, a lot of spam comes from Russia, so our server was automatically blocking them.

Anyway, Scott is now in Abekan, Khakassia, and I just found out on this website that in that region, they are exactly the opposite time zone from eastern daylight savings. So, he is truly on the other side of the world.

It sounds like his seminars are going very well, and should be wrapping up in the next day or so. Then they'll travel to Moscow and Scott will come home, through Frankfurt and Chicago this coming Friday, July 7.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

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Sunday, June 25, 2006

Quick Update

Heard today from Scott again, briefly. He said they arrived safely in Chita by train. When he called it was around 3 a.m. for him (Sun. afternoon in Pittsburgh) and they had just gotten in from the train station. He said they are doing well. I assume they will start their teaching in Chita on Monday or Tuesday. Sounds like everything is going well.

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Wednesday, June 21, 2006

A Russia Update

It's Julie writing again. Scott called this afternoon around 4:00 (which was Thursday morning there). He said he was doing well, and is really enjoying his teaching. Yesterday was his last day of teaching at his first stop of Petropavlosk, Kamchatka. Pastor Quill from the Fort Wayne seminary is also teaching with him. He said today was a free day, so they had a little time to do some sightseeing.

Scott said he worked with two different translators, a husband and wife team, Pastor Alexei and Lena Streltsov. We knew Alexei and Lena when we were in Fort Wayne. Alexei is now the rector of the Lutheran seminary in Novosobirsk. Lena told Scott that she remembered that I taught her and her husband English when we were in Fort Wayne. I taught English as a Second Language to some Russian children as well as some of the seminary students and their wives. But Alexei and Lena both had excellent English, so I doubt if I taught them much. But still, it is kind of ironic that I taught them, and now they are translating for my hubby!

Tomorrow Scott, Pastor Quill and Pastor Streltsov are traveling back to Vladivostok, and from there will take the train to the Chita region.

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Saturday, June 17, 2006

In Russia

Hi everyone - this is Pastor Stiegemeyer's wife, Julie. I just got off the phone with Scott, and he asked me to update his blog to let everyone know what's going on with his mission trip.

He arrived in Vladivostok yesterday (I think pretty late last night), and now they are getting ready to leave Vladivostok and fly to Petropavlosk. Even though here in Pennsylvania it's Saturday around 7:45 p.m., he said it's already Sunday morning there. Once they get to Petropavlosk, they will have one night to rest, and then will be starting their teaching on Monday, which he said is tomorrow according to his timetable. (Whew! I can't keep up with the time changes.)

I have Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia on my computer (which is kinda cool) and am looking at a map of Vladivostok. It's adjacent to Japan, which is just how far east he is. If you have a decent map, check it out.

Here's a pretty good link to time zone info. This link shows the current time in Kamchatka, which is the region where Petropavlosk is--where he'll be tomorrow (or is it today?).

Anyway, thank you all for your prayers. God's holy angels are protecting and watching over him.

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Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Siberia, Here I Come

While I shall only be in Moscow (picture left) long enough to catch a jet back to the U.S., I will be spending the next 3 weeks in Russia on a mission trip for the Lutheran Church.

I leave first thing tomorrow to meet my travelling companion, Dr. Timothy Quill from Concordia Theological Seminary. Together we will go to three cities in eastern Russia, aka Siberia.

In each location, we will team up with the local Russian Lutheran pastor, congregation, and/or missionary. Then Dr. Quill and I will lead a series of seminars on Christian topics geared for the public.

My two subjects are: Christian Ethics and A Biblical View of Suffering. I'm not sure what Dr. Quill will present. But in each of three different cities, we will spend 4 days presenting these lectures.

The Russian Lutheran Church has used this strategy both to help educate their own laity and to attract interested newcomers. For ten years, Concordia Theological Seminary (Ft. Wayne, IN) has been partnering with the Siberian Lutheran Church in this way and others. And God has indeed blessed their relationship. Many congregations have been started, clergy have been trained and the good news of Christ is proclaimed far and wide.

So please say a prayer for me and Dr. Quill, that we would enjoy safe travel, that the seminars would be well-attended and beneficial for the hearers. Most of all, pray that the saving message of Jesus Christ will be clearly and accurately presented so that those who come and hear - many perhaps for the first time - will be brought to faith.

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Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Luther on the Great Books

I think it was C.S. Lewis who said something to the effect that you should read two old books for every new one.

I dug up this quote from Martin Luther on the value of excellent books. He could've said this yesterday.

Since, then, God now has so graciously bestowed upon us an abundance of arts, scholars, and books, it is time to reap and gather in the best, so far as we are able, and to lay up treasures in order that we may preserve for the future something of these years of jubilee and not lose this bountiful harvest. For it is to be feared (and a beginning is already being made) that men will go on writing new and different books until at last, through the agency of the devil, the good books which have now been published will again be suppressed, and demoralizing and godless books, with their useless and nonsensical rubbish, will again multiply and fill every nook and corner.

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House Cat Chases Bear Up Tree

If you are a cat-lover like myself, you know how those little guys can have certain attitude (which I like to call catitude). Well, this funny story is of Jack the cat chasing a frightened black bear up a tree - twice. The accompanying photograph is worth gold.

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Monday, June 12, 2006

Ben Roethlisberger in Motorcycle Accident

Big Ben, Steelers star QB, was injured in what appears to have been a very serious biking accident today. Here's the story.

His coach and supporters have been trying to convince him to stay off the bike noting its danger. Or at least to wear a helmet. See here.

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25 Most Controversial Films

Entertainment Weekly gives us this list of their choices for the 25 most controversial movies ever made.

It's a pretty good list. And though I predicted what they'd put in the number one slot, I am amazed that Brokeback Mountain wasn't even on the list. Have depictions of two men having sex on screen become so mainstream that they aren't controversial anymore?

On a separate but related topic, Brian Godawa's book Hollywood Worldviews is a great place to get a better understanding of how movies communicate and influence ideas.

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Sunday, June 11, 2006

Lutherans in Eastern Russia

My friends, the Holy Spirit is doing a marvelous work in Siberia, Russia. The good news of Jesus Christ is being proclaimed and lives are being saved. You need to become familiar with the efforts of the Siberian Lutheran Mission Society.

Go to their website and read some of the newsletters from the archive. The pictures and stories are inspirational. But don't just read about it. Write a big fat honking check. You don't need that Hummer for Father's Day. Slip $30 or $40K to the SLMS.

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Saturday, June 10, 2006

Gotta Have 'Em Songs

So, if you were about to spend ... oh approximately 17 hours on a plane to Seoul, Korea then about five more hours on a plane to Vladavostok, Russia and then another four or five hours again to Petropovlovsk, Russia - y'know, give or take - what TEN killer songs would you absolutely positively have to have on your iPod?

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Friday, June 09, 2006

"Mysteries of Pittsburgh" Movie

I've heard of author Michael Chabon and his novels, but have not read them. This news item did catch my interest however. His book Mysteries of Pittsburgh is apparently being made into a motion picture and doggone if they aren't going to film it here in Pittsburgh. See here.

That's cool. Frankly, I can't understand why all movies aren't filmed here. Every single movie should be made in Pittsburgh, PA. For one thing, we boast the 16th most beautiful skyline in the world. See here.

Moviemakers would save a ton of cash from shooting here rather in that gold-plated brothel Hollywood. And we've got everything. The hills, the rivers. Swanky urban settings. Depressed inner city scenes. Old neighborhoods. More old neighborhoods. Cool architecture. Museums, libraries and parks. Lots of old people. Lots and lots of bars. We even have a real captured Nazi submarine at the Science Center.

And another thing. Not only should all motion pictures be filmed here. But all people should live here. If you live somewhere now that is not Pittsburgh, you should move. You might even get to be in a movie.

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Thursday, June 08, 2006

Movie with Christian Elements Deemed Offensive

Well, it's finally happening. Once upon a time, movies received the PG rating for profanities, sexual element, or mature themes. Now a film, with presumably none of these qualities, is receiving the Parental Guidance warning because . . . (drum roll) . . . it talks about Jesus and God and stuff. And particularly in a favorable manner. We're afraid, you see, that non-Christians might be offended. I sincerely doubt that practicing Jews, Muslims, Hindus or Sikhs will have any troubles since they will see that religious restrictions on Christians will harm them as well. So who are we worried about? Not atheists. No, it's the anti-theists, the secularists. These are the people for whom anti-theism is their governing philosophy (might we say it's their religion?).

But to be honest, I'm not all that outraged. Oh, it's nonsense. Don't get me wrong. But isn't this EXACTLY what we should expect? Jesus said that the world that hated him will hate us as well. The cross is an offense, a stumbling block.

The early Christians were hated and despised, first by the Jewish authorities and then by the Romans. Why? Because they professed belief in Jesus as the Messiah who died on the cross as a blood atonement for sin and rose again to reign at the right hand of God the Father.

I say, "Woe to you if the world loves you. And blessed are you when the world hates you for Christ's sake." Well, actually, Jesus said that.

Thanks to Darrell at SouthCon and Film Geeks for the heads up.

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The Best Skylines in the World

I think I posted this link once before, but I like it. Notice that Pittsburgh got Honorable Mention.

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Monday, June 05, 2006

A Helluva Party

I went horseback riding one time with college chums in Hell, MI 17 or 18 years ago. A strange name for a town if you ask me. Lends itself to all types of sick jokes. The First Church of Hell. Hell High School. The Hell Optimist's Club. Some goofballs are celebrating today (6-6-06). See here.

Seems to me that making light of hell is like telling jokes about Auschwitz - only a thousand times worse. "Hell" parties are only cute if you don't actually believe there is such a place. For those of us who think that millions of people are suffering eternal torment, the humor is kinda lost.

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Sunday, June 04, 2006

Stiegemeyer in the Local Press

And it's not a character assasination this time.

Go here to see what the South Hills Record has to report about the bible class I'm leading on The Da Vinci Code.

The reporter attended the last class and was very polite and professional. I think the write-up is good though there are some minor inaccuracies in the fifth paragraph.

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Saturday, June 03, 2006

Humor: Bold New Church Strategy

For a fun time, look at Lark News.

This is amusing in a sad sort of way. It's good to have goals, eh?

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I Want to Burden My Family

A great article by Gilbert Meilander about advance directives, living wills, etc. It's a PDF.

Here it is.

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Friday, June 02, 2006

Bio-Ethics Quote of the Day

"Ours is not an age of deep thinkers." - Rev. Richard C. Eyer

I am currently reading a fine little book called Pastoral Care Under the Cross: God in the Midst of Suffering. In a section about end-of-life decision making, Eyer writes:

Sad to say, ethical decisions today are commonly made, not by following absolutes such as 'thou shalt not kill' but by giving in to the pull of sentimentality.... Ours is not an age of deep thinkers, and technological advancement does not imply wisdom in the use of what we create or how we use it. The best-intentioned doctors and patients may sometimes make decisions based not on well-thought reasons but on the basis of sentimental impulses.

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Thursday, June 01, 2006

Batwoman Is a Lesbian

One of my watchful parishoners sent me this article about the new DC Comics Batwoman. Apparently, the character is being reintroduced to the comic series, this time as an uncloseted lesbian.

First of all, from the heterosexual vantage point, can't we have superhero comics without all the sexiness? C'mon, is it really necessary for female crimefighters to all be tall, bosomy and wear form fitting fetish gear? Those shoes don't look very practical to me.

I'm not a puritan prude, but I do believe in the virtue of modesty. I would love for superhero comic books to remain G-rated or at least PG. Who is this Batwoman comic book for? The readers will mostly be pre-pubescent boys. Do we really need to stir up their prurient imaginations with pages filled with amazonian sex goddesses?

I can appreciate that the feminine form is a work of art. And I suspect that there may be a line between admiring the beauty of the human body and lustful ogling but it's a distinction most likely lost on the typical testosterone factories known as teenage boys.

OK, now that I've made my point for a Batwoman more realistically proportioned and sensibly dressed, let's talk about that lesbian angle.

I understand that there are many gay and lesbian people in our society. I am in favor of treating such folks with respect as human beings, just like anyone else. I'll treat them as I'd want them to treat me.

However, the bible designates homosexual desire and behavior as sinful and contrary to God's created design. It's unwise for comic book artists to participate in the broader program to mainstream or destigmatize homosexuality.

I'm not a huge reader of superhero comic books so if they ever highlight heterosexual immoral behaviors, I'd voice a similar objection to that as well. Homosexuality is not a greater offense than adultery. Nor is it less.

I know my words move against the tide. But they're not my words. This is the position of the Word of God. Don't crucify the messenger. But if you must, at least I'd be in good company.

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Good Song, Better Singer

I recenlty discovered that Miss Sheryl Crow did a cover of Sweet Child o' Mine on The Globe Sessions. This has been great because I always that it was a cool song, but could never stand listening to Axl Rose.

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Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Avoiding Romo-phobia in the Lutheran Church

My blogging buddy, Darrell, from over at SouthCon left the following comment on one of my earlier posts. I urge you to read it. And then my thoughts below it.

As a Catholic, I am officially authorized to announce to the other members of my Christian family (in other words, Protestants) that the RCC doesn't hold the copyright on things like making the sign of the cross, displaying crucifixes, statues, paintings and murals, liturgical music (as opposed to this stuff), etc. Feel free to add any or all of these things to your practice. You might be surprised at how much they help your focus and your devotion to our Lord and Savior. That's kinda why we use them in the first place.

I promise you that if you make the sign of the cross, no Catholic will swoop down on you, grap you up and say "Ha ha! You screwed up! Now you're Catholic! I'm taking you to Rome to be branded with the Fisherman's ring!"

And I'll tell you something else... but this part is top secret, so don't let it get out, OK? Ready? Here it is: We Roman Catholics don't hold the copyright on Mary, either. That's right! Our Protestant brothers and sisters are free to look to the mother of Christ for inspiration and for a beautiful Christian example any time they want to! In fact... and get this, this is gonna knock your socks off.. you can even pray the Rosary (and find that it's an amazingly rewarding meditative experience) without waking up the next morning tied to a pew in St. Peter's Basilica! Shhhhhh! Don't let that cat out of the bag!

Darrell is having a bit of fun and being playfully facetious. But he's right and I want to address it seriously.

Lutherans who object to paintings, mosaics, murals, icons, statues, or crucifixes in their churches simply do not know or understand their own heritage. The Lutheran Reformers NEVER objected to these things. In fact, Martin Luther came out of hiding, risking his own life, to put a stop to the radical destruction of churches that was taking place in his name during his absence.

On making the sign of the cross. It is precisely because some Lutherans frown on this practice that I will do it all the more. How dare anyone try to restrict my freedom to remind myself of my baptism into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. So, as a pastor, I make the sign of the cross at numerous points throughout the liturgy, both upon myself and upon my congregation to mark us all as those redeemed by Christ, the crucified.

In 1529, Martin Luther wrote a morning and evening prayer in his Small Catechism, a booklet that every Lutheran should be instructed from. And Luther says: "In the morning when you get up, make the sign of the holy cross and say, In the Name of the Father.... Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord's Prayer." And he gives the same instructions for in the evening when going to bed.

On private confession, Luther said in his Large Catechism, a book our church pledges to follow: "When I urge you to go to confession, I am simply urging you to be a Christian."

On Mary and the Saints, the Augsburg Confession (another text our church pledges to follow) says, "It is also taught among us that saints should be kept in remembrance so that our faith may be strengthened when we see what grace they received and how they were sustained in faith. Moreover, their good works are to be an example for us...." And of course, as Melanchthon was quick to add, "However, it cannot be proved from the Scriptures that we are to invoke saints or seek help from them."

Certainly there are real and substantive differences between the Church of Rome and the Lutheran Reformation. But it is counter-productive when the ill-informed try to create differences where they don't exist, all because of some irrational aversion to things that look Catholic. Many such Lutherans are really closet Baptists. (No offense intended to my very fine Baptist Christian friends. I'm just struggling for a renewal of Lutheran identity.).

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Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Reading Classic Chick Lit

Before there was The Devil Wears Prada or Bridget Jones's Diary, there was Jane Austen. While I've never read an Austen novel, I do tend to enjoy the movies and BBC productions based on them. Hey, at least I'm comfortable enough with my manhood to admit it.

The other night, my wife and I watched the recent version of Pride & Prejudice and I thought it was terrific. Read my wife's thoughts on the matter here. Yes, it's all that romantic, falling-in-love, gooey stuff. But it is also so much more.

Austen really knew how to put words together. I just love listening the sound of the dialogue.

Speaking of reading classic romance, I've decided to take
Anna Karenina with me as my travel read on my upcoming mission trip to Siberia. It's a 17 hour plane trip there. Then there'll be several days aboard the trans-siberian railway. And another marathon flight home.

I have high expectations for ol' Tolstoy. Maybe, just maybe, there'll be a gunfight or a car chase or zombies or at least bad guys with gruesome facial scars, stuff a guy like me can appreciate. If not, I'll settle for exquisite writing.

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Monday, May 29, 2006

Patriotism or Idolatry?

Thanks to the good folks at Purgatorio for this. I hope they won't mind that I borrow the pic.

For the sake of full disclosure. I am a pastor of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). This is not a picture from my church, however.

But I have to ask the question: What is Patriotic Worship? Someone please tell me.

Is it a Christian worship service with a special prayer or two for our nation, a chorus of God Bless Our Native Land, and a memorial for those who've given their lives in the armed forces? That could reasonably be done.

But it is a serious problem when pious well-meaning Christians begin to confuse the two kingdoms, the kingdom of power and the kingdom of grace. We treat the flag with equal reverence (or more) as a cross. The sayings of the founding fathers become sacred texts. We start to think it is the role of the civil government to preach the gospel. Or the gospel of Jesus Christ is subtley, incrementally exchanged for the good news of being an American.

Some well-meaning, pious American Christians who believe that God has a special plan for America, almost as if the US is the new Israel, God's chosen. This is a serious and potentially dangerous error.

I have said it before and things like this make me want to emphasize it all the more. There is no place for an American flag in God's sanctuary. When you come into God's house, you leave all other allegiances at the door. God is not an American. Nations rise and fall. This nation will rise and fall. The church is for all people, all nations. God shows no favoritism and is no respecter of persons.

Does patriotic worship mean that non-American Christians would be unable to fully participate? Will Jesus Christ predominate? Or some other savior and some other type of salvation?

Actually, if they are going to have "Patriotic Worship" then I'm glad they put it on the sign. That way I'd know to avoid it like the plague.

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Sunday, May 28, 2006

A Gnostic Cleric Objects to Dan Brown

A couple of days ago, I blogged that not only was The Da Vinci Code a slap at orthodox Christianity but it was also a misrepresentation of the gnostic philosophy it supposedly espouses. Here is that post.

I was very interested to get the following comment:

I am glad that you both had the realization and wrote about it. One (filled in) Gospel of Philip quote does not a Gnostic make.

Brown is as Gnostic as he is Catholic. And I don't know if he is more of an ignoramus or someone able to push peoples buttons and pull people's stings.

Just thought you might appreciate a confirmation from a Gnostic.

I love it. An honest-to-goodness Gnostic agrees with me about Brown's book. I was fascinated to find out more about my commenter. Go here and here.

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Lars Walker: Lutheran Novelist

Some time ago, I read Gene Veith's review of Wolf Time by Lars Walker. It motivated me to purchase the book off Amazon. I began reading it today and boy, is it a fun ride!

Dr. Veith has commented further about Walker's writing here.

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Friday, May 26, 2006

New Way to Surf the Net

There is new and easy way to raise money for your favorite charity just by searching the Internet with GoodSearch.com.

It's simple. You use GoodSearch.com like any other search engine — the site is powered by Yahoo! — but each time you do, money is generated for the cause you select. Naturally, I recommend you select Concordia Lutheran Church, Pittsburgh, PA.

Last year, search engines generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers. With GoodSearch part of this advertising revenue will now be directed to your cause of choice.

I hope that not only will you use GoodSearch as your main search engine from here on out, but will also pass this message on to your friends and family. The more people who use this, the more money will go to good causes.

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Thursday, May 25, 2006

The Return of Film Geeks 2.0

Darrell and Wendy are back with their movie reveiws! Yippeee!! Go here.

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Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Da Vinci Code: What Does the Gnostic Anti-Defamation League Have to Say?

I am currently teaching a four-part class on the book-and-movie-which-shall-not-be-named. Attendance for the class is higher than typical but still disappointingly low, given the subject matter. But then again, American Idol is on Tuesdays so what else should I expect?

At one point last night I caught myself and said I would call Dan Brown an ignoramus but that has such negative connotations. Even so, it's an accurate adjective if ever there was one. Here is where the people who think I'm not nice enough to heretics and blasphemers can leave and go watch Oprah. (Being "not nice" is always a worse sin than screwing up the gospel).

The fact of the matter is that Mr. Brown is an ignorant buffoon. I'm not saying he's stupid. Just ignorant. Likewise, I am ignorant about how this computer works. So I'm not going to pretend I am otherwise and write a book about it.

Even with all that I've read and written and said about Brown's book, I had a minor epiphany while teaching last evening.

Here is the four-part structure of my class:

1) Introduction to the novel and the controversy
2) The Bible, it's origins
3) Jesus: God, Man, or God-Man?
4) The Sacred Feminine

Last night, I was talking about the historical development of the canon of the New Testament, the so-called lost books of the bible, the truth about Constantine and the Council of Nicea, the Nag Hammadi library, and the Dead Sea scrolls.

In some ways, I actually consider last night's topic one of the most important. The confusion about this subject is breath-taking.

Well anyway, along the course of the evening, questions arose about the nature of ancient gnosticism. So I began to drift away from my outline to discuss the basic tenets of this philosophy. And it was while doing so that it dawned on me that not only is Dan Brown misrepresenting Christianity, he is also misrepresenting gnosticism. I kicked myself for not making that connection sooner. Duh!

All this rubbish about the Nag Hammadi scrolls and the Dead Sea scrolls and the ignoramus in question not only gets wrong their role in Christian history, but he doesn't even represent gnosticism correctly. He claims that these texts were suppressed because they supposedly highlight the fact that Jesus was a mere man when in fact, quite the opposite is true. Gnostics typically believed that the material world was evil and that God could not/would not become a man.

Well, in any case, this blurb from Russell Moore spells it out better than I.

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More on Flags in Church

A good post on the American flag in the sanctuary here.

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Monday, May 22, 2006

Want to Live Forever?

Scientists are saying that perhaps in the not-too-distant future they will be able to significantly slow the human aging process. Through genetic manipulation, they have already been able to extend the lives of flies, worms and mice. It's not eternal life, but it could mean the average life-span of an American could be double what it is today. Imagine living to be 140 years old. Think of still being in your physical prime when you are 80. Some of the researcher think this could just be a scratch on the surface and that humans may one day live for centuries.

I first heard about this research 5 or 6 years ago and the first thing I remember thinking was that it put a new light on those figures in the Old Testament who lived such remarkably long lives.

Read here for the full story.

What's your opinion of this research? Good idea or bad?

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Saturday, May 20, 2006

A Remote Control for Your Remote Control

Now this is an idea invented with me in mind. A remote control operated by remote.

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Friday, May 19, 2006

Even If It Weren't Murder, Embryonic Stem Cell Research Is Pointless

Even aside from the obvious moral problems of using human embryos for slice-and-dice research, do we really want lawmakers to earmark millions or billions of tax dollars for research that has yielded no benefit or hope for benefit?

See here.

Other research has shown that stem cells taken from umbilical cords and even cellulite (of which there is no shortage in the US presently), are far more promising. Ah, but that doesn't exalt the liberal sacrament of abortion, so who cares?

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"The Da Vinci Con" Movie is a Dud

It seems the majority of movie critics - not exactly supernovas of Christian apologetics - don't like Ron Howard's blasphemous movie. Go here to see what I mean.

My favorite quote so far is from John Beifuss of a Memphis paper: "You know a movie's a dud when even its self-flagellating albino killer monk isn't any fun."

Of course a close runner-up would be this searing evaluation by David Faraci: "Retarded, ridiculous and crushingly dull."

I guess I can think of a better way to blow 8 bucks. You?

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Over-Crowding the Earth

You think the earth suffers from over population? Most people do think so. But ask them why and they won't be able to give you any data to support their view. And that's because there isn't any. The earth is not over populated and isn't even close, nor will it likely ever be.

If all 6.4 billion citizens of the planet were stood next to one another, they could all fit in the city limits of Houston, Tx, with room to spare. If you gave ever single inhabitant of earth the space of a small apartment, all 6.4 billion could easily fit in the state of Texas.

The point is: there is plenty of room. The earth is a pretty big place. Related to my last post, I recognize that we have a responsibility to wisely manage our natural resources, a duty that becomes increasingly important as the population increases. But you can ignore the earth-worshippers and abortion activists that want to slow or even reverse human population growth. Their argument is nothing but a sham.

Check this out.

And this.

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Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Christian Environmentalists

In this week's issue of WORLD magazine, Gene Edward Veith has a characteristically clear-headed column, this one on how Christianity relates to the environmental movement.

Many conservative Christians avoid environmental discussions, mainly because it seems that the movement is controlled by extremists and weirdos. At times, it is hard to distinguish between Greens and neo-pagans, Wiccans, and Gaia worshippers.

Some in the environmental movement nowadays are even calling the human race a plague or virus on the earth and call for mass extermination.

In spite of the far-left hegemony of the movement, traditionalist Christians shouldn't allow their pendulum to swing too far the other direction. Just because some liberal mainline Protestants are indulging in New Agey eco-spirituality, doesn't mean that we should comfortably ignore legitimate ecological concerns.

Indeed the human race is the pinnacle of creation and of infinitely greater value than spotted owls or harp seals. And indeed God did grant mankind dominion over the earth. But this does not give us permission to be lousy stewards of what God provides through the natural world. It is a sin to waste what God, in His generous goodness, has given us to use. And it is a sin for us to carelessly destroy anything which God has made.

We don't have to worship dirt or hug trees in order to be careful managers or stewards of the earth's resources. Avoiding both extremes, Christian piety knows how to enjoy God's creation, assert the unique dignity of man in the natural realm, while wisely using all things in service to neighbor. As Veith conclude his article, "to conserve is a fitting goal for conservatives."

Read his commentary here.

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"The Nativity" Film on Its Way

A new movie is on the way about Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus. It's to be called Nativity and will be released this coming December.

To the left is the young New Zealender girl, Keisha Castle-Hughes, who was nominated for an Oscar for Whale Rider. She is playing Mary.

The initial reports are that the movie will be a respectful telling of the story of Mary in Nazareth, her betrothal to Joseph, the visit of the angel Gabriel, Mary's visit to Elizabeth, the Roman census and the journey to Bethelem, the birth of Christ, the visit of the wise men, and the flight to Egypt to escape Herod's wrath. It appears that the script is faithful to the Gospel narratives and fills in certain narrative blanks with pious tradition.

I am anxious to read more. This could be a wonderful film for the Christmas season or another hotbed of religious controversy. The information available suggests it'll be more the former than the latter.

Check out more here.

UPDATE: I've seen the film and comment on it here.

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Monday, May 15, 2006

Need More Info on Da Vinci Code?

Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO has this interview with historian Dr. Paul Maier. It's worth your attention.

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Saturday, May 13, 2006

Is Oprah Winfrey America's Pastor?

This is a very perceptive article from USA Today. While probing the New Age religiosity of Winfrey and her Joel Osteen-like evangel, cultural observers are quoted who see Miss Winfrey as contemporary America's leading guru and pastor.

I found it interesting that one of the specific examples the article cited was the prayer service held in Yankee's Stadium shortly at 9/11, a pan-religious service over which Winfrey presided.

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Why Go See "United 93"?

On yesterday's post regarding the movie United 93, a friend left a simple comment. I said people should go see the film and he asked why. Here is what I wrote in response:

Pastor Peperkorn,
Fair Question. First, it's a powerful and moving story. But I don't think I've ever seen a movie about such a topic that was so detached and w/o commentary. It's like you're just standing there witnessing what's going on. None of the people seem like actors at all. It is nothing like any Hollywood film I've ever seen. Almost documentary-like. Without all the cinematic tricks to manipulate your emotions, you are left to react purely to the events. I think it's masterfully done, frankly.

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Friday, May 12, 2006

Go See This Movie

Julie and I went to see United 93 this evening. It's a must-see.

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Thursday, May 11, 2006

The Ethics of Martin Luther

I am currently studying a little book by Paul Althaus called The Ethics of Martin Luther. It's sort of a companion to Althaus's better known The Theology of Martin Luther. As far as I can tell, the ethics book is out-of-print. Maybe Concordia Publishing House could get the rights to republish it.

Just for fun, here are some jottings just from my first page of notes:

...Justification through faith alone is of fundamental significance for the proper understanding and realization of the ethical life (xix)

No man ever surrenders his heart to the will of God as completely as the command of God requires

"A man may do many good things but still not be a good man, because his heart is never pure but always divided and enslaved in sin." (4)

"A good conscience is not the product but the source of the Christian ethos." (5)

Sin contaminates everything we do, even our outwardly good works.

"our activity is really good in God's judgment only if we act with the right feelings and attitude toward God." (7)

A deed may be "good" on the surface in that it is obedience to a divine command and serves the neighbor. But if it is done in unfaith, it is sin before God.

"A work may be very ethical in terms of its substance even thought it is done in unfaith; if so, it is sin in God's judgment (Romans 14:23)." (8)

"In the ethical sense my action is good if done in response to God's command. In the meta-ethical sense, my action is good, despite its constant impurity, because of God's act of justification." (7)

"Thus Christian activity is good, despite all the sinfulness that remains within us, because it is done in faith." (8)

"The Holy Spirit is restless in us and cannot remain idle; and as a result, the Christian is also not idle but is rather filled with energy and acts in such a way that he pleases God." (12)

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I'm the Proud Winner of the Golden Aardvark

Aardvark Alley is one of my favorite Lutheran blogs. I check it daily.

I have recently been notified that I have been designated a winner of the highly prestigious and widely coveted Golden Aardvark award for two of my recent posts. Go here to check it out.

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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

My Church website

Well, it's finally getting put together. We are Concordia Lutheran Church in the borough of Brentwood, Pittsburgh, Pa. Go to concordiabrentwood.org.

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Monday, May 08, 2006

No Cell Phones in Church, Please

Darrell, over at SouthCon, says it best. Go here.

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Reform Christianity by Destroying It?

Wanna read retired Episcopal Bishop John Spong's 12 Theses for reforming Christianity, go here. Thanks Dr. Veith.

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Saturday, May 06, 2006

Shepherd and Sheep: Are They Relevant?

In the current issue of Leadership journal, there is an interview with megachurch pastor, Andy Stanley, who happens also to be the son of well-known radio preacher Dr. Charles Stanley.

I wonder if it's just a coincidence that he talks about pastors as shepherds since tomorrow is Good Shepherd Sunday in our lectionary (John 10).

Here is the pertinent quote:

Should we stop talking about pastors as "shepherds"?

Absolutely. That word needs to go away. Jesus talked about shepherds because there was one over there in a pasture he could point to. But to bring in that imagery today and say, "Pastor, you're the shepherd of the flock," no. I never seen (sic) a flock. I've never spent five minutes with a shepherd. It was culturally relevant in the time of Jesus, but it's not culturally relevant any more.

The rest of the interview is him describing the office of the ministry purely in business terms. According to him, the old pastor as shepherd model is outdated, culturally irrelavant, and should be supplanted. So if Jesus were around today, he wouldn't have said, "I am the good shepherd," but what? I am the good CEO? I am the good administrator? And whereas he told Peter to "feed my lambs," today he'd say what? Build my team? Grow my organization?

Incidentally, this reminds me of the C.S. Lewis quote from his Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer where he says that Christ told Peter to "feed my sheep," not "experiment on my rats" or "teach my dogs new tricks."

If you erase the image of shepherd from the biblical teaching on the pastoral ministry and substitute it with purely business related motifs, you come up with a quite different animal. And it alters the nature and office of Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd.

Two thoughts:

Pay attention to what kind of books your pastor reads. If he does not read, encourage him to do so. The congregation should expect their pastors to be bookish and scholarly. Not nerdy or geeky or socially inept. Nor neglecting his other duties. But as St. Paul stated, "apt to teach." When your pastor spends an afternoon reading and mulling over a text of theology, he is not relaxing. He is not wasting time. He is working. Studying is working. But what does he read? Check his bookshelves, if you can. My point is this. Andy Stanley said that the only books he reads are "business and history." History, I get. And business, OK. But that is it? What about books of doctrine, biblical studies, apologetics, church history, current events, etc.? What about fine works of literature, old and new?

Pay attention to your pastor's vocabulary. When he speaks, is it the language of business/management that you hear primarily? Or the lingo of the behavioral sciences? Or is it biblical and theological?

I'm not saying that using vocabulary from other disciplines is necessarily bad or wrong. And I'm definitely not in favor of archaic haughty church-speak that no one understands. In the balance, it is a fact that God's Church has its own vocabulary and ways of defining things. We must not be shy about that. But at the same time that we speak God's Word accurately and faithfully, we can learn to do so in a down-to-earth manner. Just as you are what you eat, to a great extent you are what you read. And how we speak - especially when it comes to God, His Christ and the salvation of sinners - truly shapes and determines (not merely reflects) how we think.

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Thursday, May 04, 2006

Liberal Conservatives in the Lutheran Church

"What's a liberal conservative?" you ask. Well, first of all, let me say that using such labels is pretty squishy. They seldom communicate as well as we think. In fact, I don't usually use terms such as "liberal" or "conservative" when talking about current trends in Lutheranism because I frankly don't think they're that useful. So, you see, my use of the term "liberal conservative" is a bit tongue in cheek in the first place.

"Liberal Conservative" is my own personal designation for Lutheran Christians who consider themselves conservative but who only wish to conserve beliefs and practices they grew up with, regardless of actual Lutheran theology. Such dear folks are conservative in the sense of wanting to keep things as they know them. But they are liberal in the sense that what they know may actually be a departure from historic Lutheranism. I suspect all of us are susceptible to this to some degree.

So if you think it's "too Roman Catholic" to make the sign of the cross, you might be a liberal conservative.

Similarly, if you think a crucifix is papistic and that Lutherans should prefer a barren cross, you might be a liberal conservative.

If you love to sing Methodo-bapti-costal hymns and revival songs such as What a Friend We Have in Jesus and Amazing Grace but can't stomach classic Lutheran hymns, you might be a liberal conservative.

If you think "real" Lutheran congregations must have an American flag in the chancel, you might be a liberal conservative.

If you refuse to go to individual confession/absolution, you might be a liberal conservative.

If you oppose offering the Eucharist every Lord's Day, you might be a liberal conservative.

There are well-meaning, devoted Lutheran pastors and laity who consider themselves good conservative Lutherans but who ignore, reject and sometimes even OPPOSE sound Lutheran doctrine and practice because it's different than what they've always done.

Most of these discrepencies would be addressed with a simple reading of the Lutheran Confessions. Ad Fontes. I only picked the above examples because they seem to be pretty common amongst LCMS folks. Nor are they equally serious in nature.

I suppose the strict definition of a "conservative" is someone who doesn't want to change. Someone once asked me if I am a conservative Lutheran, and I said that depends on who is asking and what they mean. I don't think we should determine our beliefs and practices by the idiosyncracies of the past 100 years. I prefer terms such as confessional, traditional, historic or even classical.

P.S.
I write this as a pastor of a wonderful loving Lutheran congregation. None of these comments are intended to reflect negatively on my present church or anyone in particular. There haven't been any disputes to speak of over these kinds of issues in the whole time I've served here. It's intended as nothing more than a general critique of a mindset that seems to be prevelant in the LCMS at large.

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What the Atheists are Saying about "Da Vinci"

I was pretty impressed by this BLISTERING critique of The Da Vinci Code by Robert Scheaffer in The Skeptic magazine. Take and read.

Some delectable quotes include:

This is spectacularly false.
Ludicrous
Highly misleading
Simply absurd

And my personal favorite:

In matters of historical analysis, it is not possible to be more wrong than this.

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