Now that a movie is being made of the blockbuster novel Fifty Shades of Grey it seems appropriate to comment on it. Continue reading
The Structure of Synodical Revolutions
This title might ring a bell. It’s a shameless rip-off of Thomas S. Kuhn’s landmark book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. It was published first in 1962. I bought it circa 1996 after finding it referenced time and again in works on a variety of subjects. I finally got around to reading it. Another time I will share some of his insights as they pertain to science. Here I want to cite him as he pertains to Synod. Continue reading
Posted in Missouri Megatrends
Leave a comment
Twerking
I was relieved when I heard a woman in her 30s say she had to look up the word “twerking.” When it came across Google news, I too had to look it up thinking I really was asleep at the switch. Having neither tweeted nor texted I thought I somehow missed twerking, but since this thirty-something missed it too, I don’t feel so out of touch. Continue reading
Posted in For Anyone who dares
Leave a comment
Not Locking the Barn Door at All
It’s considered foolish to lock a barn door after the horse has gotten out, but it’s more foolish still not to lock it even after the horse has fled. There may be other animals still in the barn, other important things that need to be protected. Failing to lock the barn door even after the horse has escaped is what the NALC is doing. Continue reading
Posted in Missouri Megatrends
Leave a comment
What the United States, Louisiana, a Zombie, and the LCMS Have in Common
There may be many more than one thing these all have in common, but I can only think of one. They refuse to call things what they are. Continue reading
The Law of the Land and the Gospel of the Church
One dominos causes the other domino to fall because of the law of gravity. The law of God is a powerful force, but it can be overwhelmed by the law of the land. Continue reading
Posted in General
Leave a comment
Talking Peace While Bomb Dropping
On August 8, 1945 the United States became the first nation to sign the United Nations Charter in hopes for continued peace after World War II. The next day the United States dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki (This Day in U.S. Military History Calendar, A&E Television). I’m not questioning the morality or necessity of dropping the bomb; I just find the timing incongruous. About as incongruous as talking of peace in a church body where bombs are still being dropped. Continue reading
Posted in For Pastors Only, Missouri Megatrends
Leave a comment
Explore God But Not Too Closely
I can’t get away from exploregod.com. It’s in the mail, phone messages, emails, and on billboards and radio. It’s a pan-Christian movement meant to appeal to what used to be called “seekers.” LCMS churches are participating in this movement. The same sermon series is being presented by hundreds of churches in the metro Austin area. Does Life Have a Purpose? Is There a God? Why Does God Allow Pain and Suffering? Is Christianity Too Narrow in Our Culture? Is Jesus Really God? Is the Bible Reliable? Can I Know God Personally? Yes all these churches are in favor of exploring God, but not too closely. Continue reading
Posted in Ablaze, Missouri Megatrends
Leave a comment
Skin for Skin
“’Skin for skin!’ Satan replied. ‘A man will give all he has for his own life’” (Job 2:4). That seems true of me but not of the celebrated con man Charles Ponzi. Continue reading
Posted in General
Leave a comment
Limited Theological War
July 27 marked the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Korean War. “The armistice ended America’s first experiment with the Cold War concept of ‘limited war’” (This Day in U.S. Military History). The thought was that no one could “afford” in terms of causalities, cost, and contamination an all out nuclear war. There may be some wisdom to this concept in terms of material war but I don’t think it’s sound in theological war. Continue reading
Posted in Missouri Megatrends
Leave a comment