Evangelical Lutherans, circling the drain
Evangelical Lutherans to Release Final Study on Human Sexuality
Popularity: 12%
Archive for November, 2006
Predestination and Free Will
This might be interesting and I am open to discussion. Somehow I think I've made sense of the two as they both exist.... Yet it seems unlikely that I truely have comprehended this mystery. Scripture speaks of both God knowing all things past-present-future yet He also holds us accountable for our choices which implies we have real choices. In class my argument was shut down and called a fallacy but I just don't see it... I wrote the professor in hopes that he would help me see it. The same request goes out to all who can show it. Please don't be silly and deny either free-will or predestination, you'll never prove that either don't exist.
Opps! That was silly (the last two emails now…),Hello Dr. Reid,
Hope all is well.
After a great deal of pondering, re-reading email and dictionary definitions, I have concluded that I am in the dark as to this fallacy of confusing truth and epistemology. This is nearly the worst kind of ignorance, for although I believe you when you say I am confusing the two, I know neither what portion of my thinking does this nor how I am doing it. If you would be so kind as to alleviate my confusion I would be very appreciative.
In case you don't recall the argument I tested in class I will restate it as best I can. Unfortunately I can't see where the problem lies and in thinking about it I might have furthered it some, considering that I am now more convinced than ever...
I was saying that since God is All-Knowing and Eternal, the entire past-present-future are all known to God without God being subject to time. i.e.: He does not know the past-present-future now, or in the past, or in the future but eternally. God does not change. By the example in class I was trying to show this is logically consistent.
'Tom will choose to buy a marble tomorrow'. This speaks of the future, which hasn't happened yet. It is a statement about something that literally doesn't exist right now. Because Tom could choose to buy or not buy that marble when tomorrow arrives, right now we do not know and cannot say. When tomorrow arrives then it will become true or not.
'God knows right now Tom will choose to buy a marble tomorrow'. Again, by subjecting God to time, it is still impossible to call this statement true or false because right now Tom has not chosen tomorrow whether or not to buy the marble. Not only is it denying God's Eternal existence but it makes no sense because tomorrow doesn't exist today.
'God knows Tom chooses to buy a marble tomorrow'. This makes sense since tomorrow, yesterday and today are the same to God who is Eternal. It will not make sense if one assumes God knows it today, because that is putting God in time, taking time out of the statement for God allows it to be sensible. When tomorrow arrives, Tom may still choose to buy the marble or not because until it happens he still has the choice. If Tom chooses not to buy the marble when tomorrow arrives then God never knew that he would buy it.
It is the same with the past, which we know of in the present, yet which no longer exists right now just like the future doesn't exist right now. To know that Tom chose to buy a marble yesterday doesn't negate Tom's choice that he had yesterday despite us knowing now what he chose. Today there is no choice for Tom to have or have not bought the marble yesterday, since it has already occurred and the choice no longer exists. Today Tom has the choice to buy a marble or not but tomorrow his choice will not longer exist.
If we put God in our position of time then the future doesn't exist to God right now just like it doesn't exist to us right now because we only exist in the present. God is not in a position of time, He is Eternal.
Knowing what happens in all time and not being subject to time God knows that yesterday, today and tomorrow Tom chooses to buy marbles each of those days. Yet similar to how we know Tom chose to buy a marble yesterday without negating the choice Tom had yesterday, God knowing that Tom will buy a marble tomorrow doesn't negate the choice Tom will have tomorrow. For temporally, as we are now, tomorrow and yesterday don't exist right now. Yet eternally, as God is Eternal, tomorrow is as yesterday is as today.
In conclusion it is only when we deny the Eternal aspect of God's divine nature that we face a contradiction between His divine complete knowledge and our free will to choose. This is the fallacy of confusing the temporal with the eternal, which is what I believe I was doing in the previous argument I had sent you. This argument is making far too much sense to me now but I am open and wish to see my confusion in confusing truth and epistemology.
-John
Popularity: 17%
Survey: Major Christian Leaders Largely Unknown in America
Is this a sign of Christian influence in the world?
Popularity: 12%
Any comments on this declaration of Orthodoxy? ELCIC
HERE WE STAND
The ELCIC is in a crisis of faith. The same sex blessing issue is only one symptom of that which divides us.
At the heart of the crisis is a false gospel that is a departure from the historic teaching of Christianity as stated in the Book of Concord which Lutherans understand to be a faithful interpretation of Holy Scripture.
We remain in full accord with the ELCIC’s confession of faith as stated in Article II of this Church’s constitution. Therefore we must reject any new teaching that contradicts, the Scriptures, the theology of the Lutheran Church, our constitution and the teaching of the Christian Church both today and throughout time.
1. The Word of God
(John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:16-21)
We confess: “…the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, through which God still speaks, and as the only source of the church’s doctrine and the authoritative standard for the faith and life of the church.”
(ELCIC Constitution Article II Section 3)
We also subscribe to: “…the documents of the Book of Concord of 1580 as witnesses to the way in which the Holy Scriptures have been correctly understood, explained and confessed for the sake of the Gospel.”
(ELCIC Constitution Article II, Section 4)
We reject any interpretation of the Scriptures which would forbid the use of our intellects, and we equally reject any interpretation of Scripture which would subordinate Scriptures to reason, experience, or culture. We also reject the notion that Scripture is not the Word of God but only contains the Word of God.
2. Law and Gospel
(Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 1:16-19, Matthew 5:17-20)
We believe God’s Word comes to us as law and gospel. The law judges our sin and the gospel pronounces forgiveness of sins. The law maintains its function in ordering society and driving us to Christ. Because each of us is still both saint and sinner it is still necessary to preach both law and gospel even to those who believe.
We reject any teaching which would void the law, leading to a false understanding that we are no longer sinners in need of repentance.
3. The Trinity
(Matthew 28:18-21, Luke 10:21-22, John 3:31-36, John 16: 4b-33)
We believe, teach and confess the historic understanding of the Triune God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We reject the false teaching that the naming of God as Father is a human construct to be understood on the analogy of human fatherhood that designates God as male.
We reject the notion that the Trinitarian name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is inherently oppressive to human beings in general or women in particular; or that substituting other triadic terms is adequate. The Word of God is silenced among us whenever the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is ignored, minimized, marginalized, suppressed, or altered in the church’s preaching, praying, baptizing and confessing.
4. Creation and the Image of God
(Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Leviticus 18:22, Mark 10:6-7, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
We believe that God created all things and that his purpose in creation was for good.
This includes his creation of humanity in his own image as male and female. Therefore human sexual fulfillment is to be found within a proper relationship to God and creation as expressed in marriage, which is a relationship between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others.
Any other expression of sexual relationships beyond human male – female relationships is itself an assault on creation.
Therefore we reject any teaching that runs contrary to God’s created design.
5. The Uniqueness of Christ
(John 3:16-21, John 14:6, Acts 4:12., Rom. 10:16-17)
We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. The gift of salvation is given by grace through faith to all who believe in Christ.
We reject any teaching which says that salvation comes without repentance, and without belief in Christ (Augsburg Confession Article XVII).
We also reject any teaching which says that all religions lead to salvation.
6. Christian Inclusivity
(Mark 8:34-38, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, Galatians 5: 13-24, Ephesians 4:17-5:20)
We believe Jesus Christ invites and welcomes all people to receive forgiveness of their sins and calls us to follow Him in a renewed and changed life.
We reject any teaching that would turn Christ’s welcome into a false gospel which allows people to do whatever they please.
Quotes from Martin Luther:
“Moreover, the Word of God must undergo the most shameful and spiteful persecution and blasphemy; it is contradicted, perverted, misused, and misinterpreted.”
“They believe that one should not frighten people or have them worried but always encouragingly speak about grace and the forgiveness in Christ. And so they say, ‘Listen, you are an adulterer, use prostitutes, are miserly or commit other sins? Only believe and you are saved. You do not have to fear the law. Christ has fulfilled all.’ They may be nice Easter-preachers but they are terrible Pentecost-preachers for they do not preach the sanctification through the Holy Spirit. Because Christ wants us to have not only forgiveness of sins but also that we stop sinning.”
Popularity: 13%
16 Ave Homeless Shelter
Like many other Canadian cities, Calgary is experiencing a critical shortage of beds for the homeless. This problem is especially critical during the minus twenty-five weather the city will be experiencing this week. One temporary city plan was to renovate the old brick building on 16 ave into a homeless shelter. The shelter would be torn down in March when the city will continue to widen 16 ave. The Mustard Seed was going to bus the homeless into the shelter from the downtown in the evening and then bus them back to the downtown the next morning. They were hoping to make as little an impact on the local community as possible. Originally this shelter was supposed to be up and running by the middle of November and has since come against five formal objections from the local community. Now the city is using the Round Up Centre to house the homeless while the objections are addressed by city counsel.
My question is this, is this just another case of the 'Not in my backyard' attitude? Has the prosperity of Calgary caused us to shut our eyes and ears to the plight of the homeless in our city? Or is the community completely in the right to object to a shelter being put up in their community?
I'm still very undecided on the issue. I know I wouldn't want a shelter next to my house . . . but is that just my selfishness and ignorance talking . . .
Popularity: 13%
Canada Destination for Gay Weddings - Israel on the Way
http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/790724.html
Forget about the trend that's going worldwide, Christians now have to deal with what's happening. That means no more whining and complaining about homo this and homo that. This is a new situation and a new world so let's adapt. (I said adapt, not accept the situations as normative but create a suitable response to it.)
Popularity: 18%
Intersection Lights On - We Remember Jackie Ho
Last year in October AUC/NUC lost one of their own in a tragic traffic accident. I never knew Jackie but the accident hit close to home with me. I literally drove through the exact intersection mere minutes before the accident. I was standing for the bus as the fire trucks screamed by in the darkness of the otherwise calm morning. Little did I know that someone was taken up to Heaven that day.
Almost a year and month after his death there is some news to report. The intersection where we lost Jackie is now sporting new signal lights that were turned on today. Albeit it a year too late, the intersection is now safe to cross.
In a flash we lost Jackie, but we can confidently say he's in Heaven rejoicing with the Lord. Let's not forget how precious our lives and the lives of our loved ones are, so hug someone you love today.
Popularity: 11%
Want some candy, little boy?
Hezbollah Assassinates Christian Lebanese Cabinet Minister?
The first thing ignorant Westerners will think is, "there are Christians in Lebanon?" Yes, and also in their parliament. Unfortunately the entire Lebanese government is being threatened by the terrorist organization Hezbollah. Nobody has claimed responsibility yet for the assassination of a Christian cabinet minister.
Popularity: 19%
Luther was a mad-man. And hardcore.
"Unless I am convinced by scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen."
-Luther appearing before the Diet of Worms, April 1521
This one is for you Bo-diddy
Popularity: 11%
Animal Morality
Animal Morality
Hello friends.
I've been told that animals have no moral conscience, fine. I've been told that animals can not sin, fine. Fine fine fine but there is something in scripture which 'seems' to contradict what I have been taught about the animals.
Gen 9:5 (God is talking to Noah)
[bible] And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man.[/bible]
Can anyone answer HOW it is that God holds the animals accountable for the life-blood of man???
Or perhaps what the scripture speaks of?
Thanks.
Popularity: 13%
Democracy is the head of the Alliance church
This involves the Alliance church just as it does most other mainstream churches. For I inquired of the head of education for the Alliance church in Canada, I inquired of the Dean of the Alliance seminary in Calgary, I inquired of the head pastor from First Alliance church in Calgary... All of them said that when people disagree on the word of God, church doctrine is determined by a democratic vote. When two of them were asked what would happen if there was disagreement on whether or not Jesus was the Son of the Living God (if that ever occured), they both replied that it would be put to a democratic vote to determine the word of God for the Alliance church. Shocking? Ask them yourselves. Here is a short blog I wrote on another forum.
One fundamental duty of every Christian church is to teach, preach and uphold the word of God as it is written in scripture. This is written in the first line of most church constitutions and is in accord with Christ's own teachings on the authority of scripture.Yet there is a new god in most mainstream churches today, a new 'word of god'. I call this god the 'democratic god', that is a god whose word and truth are not from the One True Living God, but are determined by the democratic process of humanity.
With every new controversy, whether it is child communion, women clergy or gay marriage, the democratic god, not scripture, determines the "word of God" in the vast majority of Christian churches (save the Catholics). Through the disagreements, divisions and contentions in churches, the word of God is then put to a vote time and time again.
Here are some examples:
Nov. 5, 1998. Australian Lutherans vote for women pastors
June 14, 2000. Southern Baptists vote against women pastors
June 2001. American Presbyterians vote to allow gay clergy
June 2002. Scottish Episcopal Church votes for women bishops
July 2003. Australian church votes to ordain homosexuals
July 2005. United church of Christ votes to endorse same-sex marriage
Aug 2006. ELCIC votes against same-sex marriage
The list goes on and on and on...
Notice anything odd about the church votes? The god of those churches is very very confused. He says "yes" and "no" to the exact same thing. Even in a single church he says "yes" then "no", often "yes" again and sometimes "it is up to you". He is a god of confusion, lying and contradicting himself constantly. Say hello to the democratic god.
Why do I write about such things? Why do I not just ignore them as everyone else seems to do? I strongly object to this modern day heresy of the democratic god. Those churches and many many more say they teach the word of God on these issues, but in actual fact it is the word of humanity determined through democratic votes. They are literally inventing the word of God out of their own popular opinions. This is wrong because it is a lie. These democratic votes do not determine the word of God and it is a lie when churches teach the results of these votes as doctrine. Need I remind anyone that it is wrong to lie?
How do we know that it is not God guiding the church votes, as all of these churches will claim? Because the True God does not lie, he does not contradict Himself.
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.” Malachi 3:6, “I AM THE LORD, I DO NOT CHANGE”
How else do we know that these democratic votes are not the word of God? Because we are not God that we should determine His word by our own word.
The practice of putting the word of God to a democratic vote is wrong in so many ways that need not be mentioned to make this point. When our churches do vote on God's word we make a mockery of Him by putting our words in His mouth and making Him into a liar, both confusing everyone and saying God contradicts Himself. The god who leads the churches in these votes is not the Lord Jesus Christ, but the democratic god that is none other than humanity. When we put the popular vote on the throne of God to lead the church, we commit a grave heresy. This grave heresy is dividing and scattering the universal church, it is killing Christianity. We must stop.
For the love of Truth, who is our Lord Jesus Christ, tell your church leaders that you reject them voting on the word of God. Tell them they have no right to put God's word to popular vote and still call it God's word. They may say there is no other way, but pull out your bible and call on the Name of our Lord God. We worship a Living God whose Word and Spirit are with us in truth! He is not silent, He is not dead but ALIVE!! If they honestly do not know the word of God on an issue, let them submit to the word of God in scripture. If the scriptures are silent to them, if the Holy Spirit does not speak to them, if they cannot get the answer from God, then let them not speak the word of God on that issue, for when they do they slander our God and pervert His word. We are the Church of God, we follow His Holy Word. We are not the church of man, we do not follow man's word. So let us stop this heresy that has hi-jacked mainstream Christianity.
May God have mercy on His church.
-John Graham, a servant of the Living God.
Popularity: 14%
