“I knew the spirit of Münzer, Zwingli, and Karlstadt. Pride drove the angel from heaven and spoils many preachers. Accordingly its humility that's needed in the study of sacred literature.” Tabletalk, Mathesius #5017, between 5/21 & 6/11, 1540 LW, AE, 54:379
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Ecclesiasticus
"Observe the right time, and beware of evil, and do not bring shame upon yourself." Ecclesiasticus 4:20
Imitation of Christ
Valde magnum est in obedientia stare, sub Prælato se vivere, et sui juris non esse. Multo tutius est stare in subjectione, quam in prælatura. Multi sunt sub obedientia magis ex necessitate, quam ex charitate, et illi poenam habent, et leviter murmurant, nec libertatem mentis acquirent, nisi ex toto corde propter Deum se subjiciant. Curre hic vel ibi non invenies requiem, nisi in humili subjectione sub Prælati regimine. Imaginatio locorum, et mutatio multos fefellit.
It is truly a great thing to live in obedience, to be under authority, and not to be at our own disposal. Far safer is it to live in subjection than in a place of authority. Many are in obedience from necessity rather than from love; these take it amiss, and repine for small cause. Nor will they gain freedom of spirit, unless with all their heart they submit themselves for the love of God. Though you run here and there, you will not find peace, save in humble subjection to the authority of him who is set over you. Fancies about places and change of them have deceived many.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Stromata
During this summer, I usually plan out the ends for the coming year. There is more time to get it done during the summer, and the organist appreciate having the hymns picked that far in advance. Anyway, for about a year now I've been using Dragon Naturally Speaking, a dictating computer program that allows me to speak into a microphone and the computer turns that into text. (I needed to do this after a stroke-like event a couple years ago, because I couldn't make my right hand do the typing.) It does a pretty good job, but it's in no way perfect, and you have to keep checking to see whether or not it's actually typing what you said.
Well, I dictated that the computers print out, for one Sunday, "Now Thank We All Our God" – and I looked up to see that the computer had printed out "Now Think We All Are God". Fascinating, isn't it, that a computer program devised by humans can make the same first Commandment errors that people do.
Well, I dictated that the computers print out, for one Sunday, "Now Thank We All Our God" – and I looked up to see that the computer had printed out "Now Think We All Are God". Fascinating, isn't it, that a computer program devised by humans can make the same first Commandment errors that people do.
Retirement
The first thing you think about, usually, when you think about retirement, is about having more free time. Now I know that's not true, because too many parishioners over the years have told me they're busier after retirement than they were before (all that volunteer work). I was reminded of that yesterday when a pastor in the circuit called up to ask if I knew many available pastors who could fill in for him so that he could take a vacation – and he especially mentioned retired pastors.
One of the other things I've noticed since I announced I would be retiring is that I am busier, trying to keep all the old stuff going, and yet trying to learn some new stuff for retirement. So the calls, services, preaching, etc. continues, but I'm also learning more about insurance in retirement, and in the next few months I have to learn a lot more about pensions, investing, and Social Security/Medicare. I can see that I'm actually going to be little bit busier the next 10 months than I really thought I would be.
And that doesn't count the "honey-do" list. when my dad retired several decades ago, he used to wear a T-shirt that read "my honey do list is so long I have to live forever." It's not there yet, but I can see it growing day by day. Oh well, at least that will be a lot of fun doing.
One of the other things I've noticed since I announced I would be retiring is that I am busier, trying to keep all the old stuff going, and yet trying to learn some new stuff for retirement. So the calls, services, preaching, etc. continues, but I'm also learning more about insurance in retirement, and in the next few months I have to learn a lot more about pensions, investing, and Social Security/Medicare. I can see that I'm actually going to be little bit busier the next 10 months than I really thought I would be.
And that doesn't count the "honey-do" list. when my dad retired several decades ago, he used to wear a T-shirt that read "my honey do list is so long I have to live forever." It's not there yet, but I can see it growing day by day. Oh well, at least that will be a lot of fun doing.
Patristics
“Moreover, I would wish that all, making a resolution similar to my own, do not keep themselves away from the words of the Savior. For they possess a terrible power in themselves, and are sufficient to inspire those who turn aside from the path of rectitude with awe; while the sweetest rest is afforded those who make diligent practice of them.” Justin, Dialogue With Trypho, VIII, ANF 1:198
Friday, July 29, 2011
Luther quotes
[in response to a question about staying away from marriage cases] “He replied, 'It is my advice that we should by no means take this yoke upon ourselves. First, we have enough work in our own proper office. Second, marriages outside the church, is a civil matter, and therefore should belong to the government. Third, those cases have no limits, extended the height, the breadth, and the depths, introduces many offenses that bring disgrace to the gospel.” Tabletalk, Lauterbach #4716, 7/23/1539 LW, AE, 54:363
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Luther quotes
“He replied, 'Because the spiritual power of God doesn't consist of corporeal, inanimate matter, baptism doesn't accomplish anything at all as water existing by itself. But as an action (which would be in its use) baptism has power, so that if anybody sprinkles of an infant with water together with a recitation of those words of Christ by which he instituted baptism and promised the forgiveness of sins, that action, and not the water, has divine powers. Thus the sacraments are nothing apart from the action and use. Philip Melanchthon [treats] these things.” ML, Tabletalk, Lauterbach #4634, 6/3/1539 LW, AE, 54:358
Ecclesiasticus
"Wisdom exalts her sons and gives help to those who seek her. Whoever loves her loves life, and those who seek her early will be filled with joy." Ecclesiasticus 4:11-12
Imitation of Christ
Non te reputes aliis meliorem, ne forte coram Deo deterior habearis qui scit quid est in homine. Non superbias de operibus bonis, quia aliter sunt judicia Dei quam hominum, cui sæpe displicet, quod hominibus placet. Si aliquid boni habueris, crede de aliis meliora, ut humilitatem conserves. Non nocet ut te hominibus supponas, nocet autem plurimum, si vel uni te præponas. Jugis pax cum humili, in corde autem superbi zelus et indignatio frequens.
Count not yourself better than others, lest perchance you appear worse in the sight of God, who knows what is in man. Be not proud of your good works, for God's judgments are of another sort than the judgments of man, and what pleases man is often displeasing to Him. If you have any good, believe that others have more, and so you may preserve your humility. It is no harm to you if you place yourself below all others; but it is great harm if you place yourself above even one. Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.
Imitation of Christ, I, 7:3
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Stromata
Paul McCain, an Internet acquaintance and my son's boss, had an interesting observation about Lutheran pastors who leave Lutheranism here. The observations, and comments, are very interesting, but my first thought was down a slightly different path. I've known several of these men who have been Lutheran pastors and left for another denomination. In fact, my two predecessors here in Murphysboro both left to become Eastern Orthodox priests – and one of them, in a telephone call, informed me that he's more Lutheran now than he ever has been.
Personally, I think the root cause is that these men didn't really have faith in God for their daily lives. In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul mentions that "Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom." Another way of putting that is that most people look for proof, not faith. They want Jesus and the resurrection to be approved by a spectacular liturgy, by a long history, or by a voice of authority somewhere. To pay attention to what Jesus says in the Gospels, to trust in God's word, is not as attractive to some people as having someone in authority tell them what to do. So, they wander off to other denominations that will "prove" that they're right in one way or another.
In Romans 1:16, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 in a well-known verse, "the righteous shall live by faith." That not only has an inceptive connotation to it, but also a durative. By that I mean, the verse has an inceptive connotation to it, in that we are justified by faith and come to salvation by faith. But there is also a durative connotation to it, in that each and every morning when we get up we can only live life by trusting in God, and believing in his promises for each day and each moment. That's the most difficult task of Christian life, and sometimes beyond the habits and practice of the sinful human beings who are Lutheran pastors.
Personally, I think the root cause is that these men didn't really have faith in God for their daily lives. In 1 Corinthians 1:22, Paul mentions that "Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom." Another way of putting that is that most people look for proof, not faith. They want Jesus and the resurrection to be approved by a spectacular liturgy, by a long history, or by a voice of authority somewhere. To pay attention to what Jesus says in the Gospels, to trust in God's word, is not as attractive to some people as having someone in authority tell them what to do. So, they wander off to other denominations that will "prove" that they're right in one way or another.
In Romans 1:16, Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 in a well-known verse, "the righteous shall live by faith." That not only has an inceptive connotation to it, but also a durative. By that I mean, the verse has an inceptive connotation to it, in that we are justified by faith and come to salvation by faith. But there is also a durative connotation to it, in that each and every morning when we get up we can only live life by trusting in God, and believing in his promises for each day and each moment. That's the most difficult task of Christian life, and sometimes beyond the habits and practice of the sinful human beings who are Lutheran pastors.
Retirement
I finally stumbled on a good way to describe what moving towards retirement, announced a year ahead, is like. Normally, when a pastor receives a call, the call is announced, pastor considers it for a couple weeks, and, if he accepts, he's gone in a couple of weeks. In that sense, a 'normal' call process for the pastor is like a heart attack or stroke – it hits and hits quickly, and then the whole process is over for a while.
Announcing a retirement a year in advance is more like Alzheimer's or dementia – it comes on slowly and progresses slowly, but it's unstoppable. I called on a nice lady in the congregation yesterday who was a little upset about my announced retirement. As we talked she recognized that it was a good thing for me, but she was worried about the congregation. In fact she was worried that the congregation would not be able to get another pastor, because 'who would want to come to southern Illinois?' I had to remind her that 10 years ago I took the call to come to southern Illinois, and she was almost surprised by that, as if she thought I'd been here forever (and I have had members who have asked me if I remembered what happened in the congregation back in the 70s, long before I got here).
I was able to reassure her that the Lord would cause things to happen the way He wanted. He will provide a pastor for this congregation when He wants to, and He will select the right man for this place. But, as I said, it's a little bit like Alzheimer's, so I expect I'll have to keep repeating that for the next 10 months – God will accomplish what He wants to have happen.
Announcing a retirement a year in advance is more like Alzheimer's or dementia – it comes on slowly and progresses slowly, but it's unstoppable. I called on a nice lady in the congregation yesterday who was a little upset about my announced retirement. As we talked she recognized that it was a good thing for me, but she was worried about the congregation. In fact she was worried that the congregation would not be able to get another pastor, because 'who would want to come to southern Illinois?' I had to remind her that 10 years ago I took the call to come to southern Illinois, and she was almost surprised by that, as if she thought I'd been here forever (and I have had members who have asked me if I remembered what happened in the congregation back in the 70s, long before I got here).
I was able to reassure her that the Lord would cause things to happen the way He wanted. He will provide a pastor for this congregation when He wants to, and He will select the right man for this place. But, as I said, it's a little bit like Alzheimer's, so I expect I'll have to keep repeating that for the next 10 months – God will accomplish what He wants to have happen.
Patristics
“.... likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.” Justin, First Apology, LXVI, ANF 1:185
Baier's Axioms
Malumus cautam ignorantiam confiteri, quam falsam scientiam profiteri.
An evil person confesses a safe ignorance, rather than professing a false knowledge.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Luther quotes
“... once again on October 15 Martin Luther sent two deacons to him with a note written in his own hand, as follows: 'This is to inform the prefect, first, that the absolution given him the preceding Sunday by the deacon, Master Fröschel, is null and void because he did not examine himself inwardly. Second, that responsibility for receiving the sacrament in his sins, unrepentant, must be borne by him not me!' (These are hard words!) 'Third, if he wants to be a Christian he must first reconcile himself with us preachers, pastors, the university and the town' (because he had offended all of these by his tyranny).” Tabletalk, Lauterbach #4073b, 10/15/1538 LW, AE, 54:316
Latin proverbs
In omni re vincit imitationem veritas. (Cicero)
In everything truth conquers imitation.
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