Charles McClean

C.S. Lewis on the word “Dynamic” and the Stagnation Party

August 10, 2010

My colleague Rev’d Charles McClean and I often bemoan the description of various churchly events as containing “dynamic” worship, “dynamic” speakers, “dynamic” music, and the like. He shared with me this morning an excerpt from a letter of C.S. Lewis to his brother, March 22, 1940 (!) – apparently people have been troubling the world [...]

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Piepkorn on the sanctorum communionem

May 20, 2010

When I read Sasse on the sanctorum communionem as a reference to the Sacrament of the Altar, I was convinced. I was troubled, however, by the seeming discrepancy with Luther’s Large Catechism. My colleague, Rev. Charles McClean, showed me this passage after I mentioned to him my concern. “If a later symbol misunderstands an earlier [...]

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When do you genuflect in the Creed?

January 20, 2010

Not everyone genuflects (or, alternatively, bows) at the same place in the Creed. My practice has followed what Dr. David Scaer insisted was correct, that of genuflecting at the et homo factus est. Others genuflect/bow earlier, I suspect so that they can stand at the crucifixus (I stand at the et resurrexit), which is sometimes [...]

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Welcome Home!

November 21, 2009

I am rejoicing at the news that Rev. Charles McClean, a member of Immanuel, has been reinstated to the clergy roster of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Congratulations, Fr. McClean!

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Versus populum or ad orientam? Sasse on "St. Zwingli" and "liturgical arts-and-crafts"

October 22, 2009

Fr. Charles McClean gave me a copy of these excerpts from a letter of Hermann Sasse to Peter Brunner. I am not certain if he translated this or not, and will update this post when I find out. The best part is the second paragraph, so stick with it! “What concerns me and to speak [...]

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