Wednesday, November 30, 2005

Christian Culture (Part I)

I caught this rather interesting quote from Robert Louis Wilken on Vol. 75 of the Mars Hill Audio Journal.

"At this moment in the Church’s history in this country (and in the west) it is less pressing to try and convince the alternate culture in which we live of the truth of Christ than for the Church to tell its own story and nurture its own life, the culture of the city of God, the Christian republic." Robert Louis Wilken, Amo, Amas, Amat: Christianity and Culture.

*Although I don't know that I agree with all of Wilken's conclusions in his article, it is food for thought.*

Monday, November 21, 2005

Red Boots for Christmas

If you are looking for a great Christmas Story this year, I invite you to check out Red Boots for Christmas. At one time you could get a hard copy from Lutheran Hour Ministries, but apparently you will have to settle for the online storybook version now. There may be a DVD/VHS out there if you search hard enough because I saw it on TV a few years ago, as well.

There is a great line in the little book that I love. Let me set it up for you. Hans, our scrooge type protagonist, is visited by an angel one night that tells him God is going to give him a special gift for Christmas this year. This sends Hans scurrying about the village to look for the perfect gift to give God in return. In his quest to find the perfect gift, he runs into a elderly peasant lady on the street named Gretchen. He asks Gretchen's advice on what to give God for Christmas? Gretchen responds, "I would give Him what I give Him every day -- my sins for His pardon, my weakness for His strength, and my sorrow for His joy." Ahh -- the Gospel!

Merry Christmas!

Saturday, November 19, 2005

Thoughts on Vocation (Part 2)

Kingdom Confusion and the Doctrine of Vocation

"The Church always points, at least primarily, on towards eternity, up toward heaven. Vocation points to the present, to the present day, to this world." Wingren, Gustaf, Luther on Vocation, 28 (1957).

"So vocation belongs to this world, not to heaven; it is directed toward one's neighbor, not toward God. This is an important preliminary characteristic. In his vocation one is not reaching up to God, but rather bends oneself down toward the world. When one does that, God's creative work is carried on. . .Good works and vocation (love) exist for the earth and one's neighbor, not for eternity and God. God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does. It is faith that God wants." (emphasis added) Id. at 10.

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Thoughts on Vocation (Part 1)


Faith and Vocation Are Only Temporary:


Faith
". . .faith looks to things which are invisible and unknowable; but they are invisible and unknowable 'not because they are basically unknowable, but because they are not yet visible, not yet knowable. Faith directs itself to that which is to come --Faith is the proper way to wait.' It is on earth that man believes in the kingdom of heaven, for it has not yet come with power. But in the resurrection world faith no longer exists. There one sees in which he has believed. Wingren, Gustaf, Luther on Vocation, 23 (1957).

Vocation
"In heaven man has neither wife nor children, for all offices leave off, and human beings are all alike, since the rule of law is put away. The realm of vocation is temporary. It is only in the present, short life that we are concerned with the endowments and responsibilities of office." Id. at 19.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Divine Accounting 102

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-- Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)

Tuesday, November 15, 2005

WHI Junkie

Apparently this year marks the 15th anneversary of the White Horse Inn ("WHI"). If you haven't checked the program out, you don't know what you're missing! You can catch the anniversary special in the"Previous Programs" section at the WHI website. Remember, all things should be done in moderation.

You Might Be a WHI Junkie If:
12) You have a Pavlovian response when you receive the latest WHI CD's in the mail.
11) You installed a 40' antenna in your backyard so you could receive the broadcast from California.
10) You bought a German Shepherd and named him "Rod."
9) You were served with an restaining order because you wouldn't stop calling into the show.
8)You would snub Barbara Walters to be intereviewed by Shane Rosenthal.
7) You have gone to one or more costume parties as Michael Horton.
6) You keep your WHI CD's in a safety deposit box.
5) You actually wrote in "Ken Jones" for president in the last election.
4) You have the WHI theme song on your iPod.
3) You have cause to repent when someone doesn't return one of your WHI CD's.
2) You shaved your head and grew a mustache so you'd look more like Kim Riddlebarger.
1) You got "Know What You Believe and Why you Believe It" tattooed on your chest while in Las Vegas.

Divine Accounting 101

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NAS)

Sunday, November 06, 2005

Feminization of the Church

Here is an interesting post from Gene Veith entitled Why Men Hate Church.

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