Lutheran Confessions

Overlooking and forgiving many things

March 10, 2010

It is not without reason that the apostles speak so often about this duty of love which the philosophers call “leniency.” This virtue is necessary for the preservation of domestic tranquillity, which cannot endure unless pastors and churches overlook and forgive many things. -Apology IV (Tappert)

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The structure of the Small Catechism

January 19, 2010

I mentioned in a Sunday Bible class recently how my friend Pr. Fast showed me, when I was just out of seminary, the structure of the Catechism, which should also be the structure of our Christian life. That structure is: Repentance, Faith, Holy Living. A parishioner emailed me asking me to explain a bit further. [...]

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Beecroft: Who decides?

January 18, 2010

Pr. Mason Beecroft has written a very important post reflecting on a question arising out of the LCMS “Model Theological Conference” on worship. Here is a sample: So who decides [what is liturgically appropriate, reverent, sacramental]? The question itself reflects an unholy amnesia, a loss of identity. Certainly each pastor and each congregation should not [...]

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Luther, the Roman Mass, and the Lutheran Liturgy

October 26, 2009

Another gem from Sasse, as we reflect this week on the Reformation: Although in his book on the Babylonian captivity of the church and in the Smalcald Articles, [Luther] unmasked and condemned the idolatry which had crept into the Mass, he admitted that the Roman Mass was still a valid Eucharist. And so he did [...]

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Whence cometh the "climate of distrust"?

October 8, 2009

Pastor Michael Brockman of Christ Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, Kansas wrote a penetrating letter to the editor in the latest issue of the Lutheran Witness. President Kieschnick is not the only one wanting the “climate of distrust” gone from among us as LCMS Lutherans [“From the President,” August]. I, too. But how has this climate [...]

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Consecration of Deacons

August 9, 2009

At Immanuel, I inherited a practice of a permanent order of men who assist the pastor in the reading of Holy Scripture and distribution of the Sacrament in the Divine Service. They also assist in other ways, such as crucifer for processions and helpers at Holy Baptism. I love and trust these men; they are [...]

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Presentation to Rocky Mountain District on Traditional Lutheran Worship

June 12, 2009

Some time ago I gave a presentation to the Rocky Mountain District of the LCMS for their Theological Unity conference. I just discovered (thanks, Jennifer!) that a video of it was put on the internet. My given title was, “The Benefits of Traditional Liturgy.” My approach was more along the lines of (a) What the [...]

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Pastor Weedon, Confessor

February 7, 2009

For many reasons, I love and admire Pastor Weedon from afar. His quotations from patristic and Lutheran fathers are daily spiritual nourishment for me, and his sermons are faithful works of pastoral wisdom. His writing here, however, sums up for me why I have remained, and Deo volente will remain, a Lutheran.

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Who needs the Catechism?

October 8, 2008

Those who refuse to learn … are to be told that they are denying Christ and do not belong to Him.  They are not to be admitted to the Sacrament, accepted as sponsors in Baptism, or allowed to exercise Christian liberty in any way. -Martin Luther, Preface to The Small Catechism

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Marquart on Adiaphora

October 4, 2008

I was never personally close to Professor Kurt Marquart, but I loved him on account of his clear, unabashed teaching of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. He was also a kind man with a towering intellect, wonderful sense of humor, and a genuine attitude of humility. As I’ve watched from afar the seminary evolve [...]

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