Disaffected Lutherans Begin Work on Alternate Church Body

abhodim »

Fri Nov 20, 2009 5:33 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Luther, when forced to recant his teachings at the Diet of Worms simply stated, "unless convinced by Scriptures and reason, I will not recant. God help me, Amen." MickeyC, where is this conviction? You come here with a flimsy Hananiah imitation (cf. Jer. 28), with ad hominem and ennuendo, and haven't yet cited one passage that shows the God supports the homosexual lifestyle (don't check, it doesn't).
If ELCA has deserted its Scriptural basis, then the apostacy can be traced to the organization that spouts psycho-babble in place of Biblical teaching. The Lord preserve us from disloyalty in churchgarb.

House Narrowly Passes Health Care Reform Bill

abhodim »

Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:37 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 1

H man,
I respect your hopes for improvement to the system. You stated, This bill promotes two of the most important messages of the ministry of Jesus Christ: Heal the sick, and Love thy neighbor as thyself.

Ah, Jesus could raise the dead. I worry about those who raise the taxes.

House Narrowly Passes Health Care Reform Bill

abhodim »

Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:35 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

Only a few as ago, my brother-in-law was hospitalized in Arizona due to a violent reaction to a new medication that he was forced to take because hs medical insurer no longer would pay for his working prescription. The doctors who saved his life decided that this restriction on the insurance provider's part was needless and inconveniantly dangerous.
It gets back to the key issue. Who do you want to manage your meddical care, doctors and medical experts or bureaucrats and political hacks looking for cost savings?

Should Christians Boycott Halloween or Seize Opportunity?

abhodim »

Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:09 pm Agree: 4   Disagree: 0

Hey, give the kids the candy, but everything else is matter of conscience. As far as I'm concerned, it's Reformation Day for us die-hard Lutherans. Sooner or later, it's All Saints Day for my Catholic friends.
Won't pull the plug on those who think Halloween is a party-night. I'm not one of those curmudgeons who "bah humbug" holidays. Webmonk is right. A little less gore is good, but even now the family is watching a "Harry Potter" movie. Hope they have a good night's rest, without nightmares and "things that go bump in the night."
Remember when Halloween was just "trick or treat," kids' fare with no self-respecting adult seeing it as more than that?

James Dobson to Go Off the Air

abhodim »

Sat Oct 31, 2009 9:59 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 5

Too bad some people rejoice at this retirement. If you find you disagreed with the man, still judge the good doctor from his whole ministry.
Merely declaring a man wrong simply because you disagree shows a narrow-mindedness that is based on narcissism more that sound reason. The results of FOTF under Dobson's tenure shows rock-solid work in applying Scripture to family, marriage, and society at large. It was positive and productive. I hope the new leadership will be as dedicated to such a Biblical approach.
And, yes, it works!

The Idolatrous Religion of Conscience

abhodim »

Mon Oct 26, 2009 10:42 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 4

Luther also made a point that he would cede the promptings of his reason to the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as He is the fount of true wisdom. that wisdom is being abandoned for personal advantage as far as ELCA goes.
The article strikes at the heart of the matter. Conscieneces need to be informed, then formed.

American Belief in Global Warming Takes a Dive

abhodim »

Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:31 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Steve,
Don't figure why someone gave you a downer either. (So I gave you an upper, so life is still good).
Am fascinated by the numbers you presented in your post. Can you give the source of your information?
Highest regards

University of Minnesota Apologizes for Mascot's Mock Prayer

abhodim »

Sun Oct 25, 2009 9:11 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Ever since the days of the San Diego Chicken, the role of the team mascot has gotten edgier and edgier (ever see two mascots get ito a brawl?). It is the nature of the business (especially at the collegiant level) to see the mascot do impetuous things. It's an act first-think later mentality.
I hate to see a mascot go into sensitivity training, but go figure, it symbolizes the institution. And anyway, it would be the advantge of the student in the gopher suit to be thankful of the anonymity. You did note that Goldy, not the fellow in costume was mentioned by name.

What's Wrong with 'God-of-the-Gaps' Theology?

abhodim »

Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:49 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

alphabetabob,
Your point about modern scienceis a touch skewed. The Christian scientists are out there. In the past, Newton, Pasteur, Pascal, Lavoisier, Boyle, Ohm, Mendel, Lister, G. W. Carver, Liebniz, Faraday, ... Modern science, unless it no longer stands upon the shoulders of giants, has a debt to pay to such Christian researchers. Collins is a recent scientific intellect; there may be more, but how does one do an altar call in the scientific world?
>> virtually all the top scientists in the world are atheists. But this seems to be the crew that makes sure that Chuckie D. is properly interpreted, and they all could be intellectually fulfilled individual. Might make for "good science," but there is still the search for the cure for cancer (Christian scientists could find it), explore the farther reaches of the cosmos (several nooks and cranies still to plumb), and other routine science matters that Darwinian thought could have no impact.
After all, your appeal to a "god hypothesis" is a lame effort to trump science uber alles. God certainly can't be invoked in science. Neither can He be disproven. It's just not science to explore such metaphysics, without becoming metaphysical itself.
And this could be science's dirty little secret.

Eating Chickenosaurus

abhodim »

Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:19 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Ugh! It'll probably taste like snake. Shutter!!

What's Wrong with 'God-of-the-Gaps' Theology?

abhodim »

Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:10 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

PastorJ,
Good insights. I would advance your point in one more way. Science gives us the know how to find the cure for a disease. Religion gives us the sense of compassion, commitment, and zeal to serve humanity.
Warmest regards

Conservapedia Seeks to Eliminate 'Liberal Bias' from Bible

abhodim »

Sun Oct 11, 2009 7:45 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 1

believer,
I believe you're on to something! We have been in a political mindset all this time, shaping our ideas of what a conservative and liberal through that prism. It is a whole different matter when we speak of conservative or liberal "theologian."
If it is a case of that foundational approach to the Scriptures as God's holy Word, then bring on the conservatives. Liberal theologians seem to be more embracing of Marxism (liberation theology) and semantics (schema hermeneutics). After all, Acts 4: 32-37 is an account of phenomenal generosity prompted by the work of the Holy Spirit, not the organization of proto-communists or paleo-socialists.
The less working of political thought in the advancement of the kingdom of God, the better. If anyone sees a touch of irony in this, all much the better.
Warmest regards.

Conservapedia Seeks to Eliminate 'Liberal Bias' from Bible

abhodim »

Sat Oct 10, 2009 8:13 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 3

Even though I view myself as conservative, something about this project is totally whacked. The issue is not so much one of liberal translations as one allowing personal political opinion color and influence what Scriptures clearly states.
Sometimes what we read in the Bible needs humble us; these are the matters that improper hermeneutical principles lead a person to rationalize against the clear message, only because the clear message offends ones sensibilitiies. "Let God be true, and every man a liar." (Rom. 3: 4).
As to the priority of the KJV, I would insist that the original languages of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic (for those few chapters in Daniel) have to take the lead in establishin the true line of thought, and all translations as true in the measure they faithfully reflect the original message. This takes hard work, but this has been done (I personally value the first edition NIV, but be the KJV, NIV, NLT it's MHO) with some measure of success.
As to noting translations as liberal or conservative, I prefer faithful, thank you. All the rest is skybalon (nice Greek word I picked up in Phil. 3:8).

Max Lucado's 'Fearless' Message Resonates in Hard Times

abhodim »

Sat Oct 10, 2009 7:50 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

tpique,
I have read Fearless, and Max Lucado makes many good points about the life in Christ, debunking all the annoyances and dreads that could consume life if not countered with the love of God and His providence. He makes a point that the one healthy fear is that of the "One who can place body and sould in hell." But the fear of failure, not being financial well off as one would like, of disease and death, and all the rest of life's boogeymen are eradicated by the Gospel of Christ.

I know your point is valid. The Bible trumps all teaching. And there are moments when I can't agree with Lucado. But having read Fearless, I can say that it was an excellent read. See for yourself. But don't give up on daily Scripture study -- right you are on that issue.
Warmest regards.

'Imagine No Religion' Billboards Hit Detroit

abhodim »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 9:01 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Steve,
I hear your point about science. Still, I see something very "cold and clinical" about the scientific establishment. If there is a scientific proof that grants that people matter. It seems that religion has moved forward on that issue.
Rhi, thank you for your warm, compassionate efforts. Still, place them in the light of what Paul states in Phil. 3: 2-7. In the end let Christ be honored.
Warmest regards

Lutherans Attempt to Ease Discord Over Worship Styles

abhodim »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:42 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

FG,
I've read the Justin Martyr quote. Sounds like your typical Lutheran service, more or less.
Your point is?

Prayerful Americans Called to 'Adopt a Liberal'

abhodim »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 8:33 am Agree: 6   Disagree: 3

Graceman,
Thank you for your prayers, but I am in agreement with oldstudent on this issue. I acknowledge and agree heartily with your citation from James, prayer is important, but it must be directed at the whole leadership, which needs God's blessing and guidance. This article sounds more like praying a politican onto a political platform of your choice, and not necessarily seeing that God's will is done.
There is an element of politics that Christ would avoid. He wouldn't curry to Herod's whim to see Him dead (Luke 13: 31, 32), but granted that the political spectrum deserved its respect (Mt. 22: 21). The Church shouldn't involve itself in government, but the faithful should seek the peace of the city (Jer. 29: 7). Thus a Christian could well be a conservative seeking the integrity of God's Word, a liberal in the finest examples of generosity, a progressive in advancing the kingdom of God, and a libertarian in proclaiming the Gospel that delivers from sin, guilt, and shame.
I know that these positions have their own specific political spin. Pity.
Warmest regards.

Lutherans Attempt to Ease Discord Over Worship Styles

abhodim »

Sun Oct 04, 2009 12:04 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

While I never wish worship to be mere ritual, I would not desire it to be tedious. The Spirit is key to all this. Only His influence can make David's point in Ps. 122:1 vitally true: I was glad when they said to me, let us go to the house of the Lord.
Being from one of those conservative Lutheran synods, I know that presenting change in worship routine is comparable to most dentistry procedures (the ones involving Novocaine). But I know that such change is welcome. As much as I love singing "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," (Ein Feste Berg ...), I am chomping at the bit to try out "Oh Sweet and Blessed Country," sung to Gustave Horst's melody Thaxton.

Prayerful Americans Called to 'Adopt a Liberal'

abhodim »

Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:12 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Steve,
I'm glad you see the homor in our American system, wonderful Brit that you are.
For an American, it more should be like LOLLOLLOLLOLlollollollol ..... sigh!

Prayerful Americans Called to 'Adopt a Liberal'

abhodim »

Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:10 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

Why be so stinting in our prayers? All our political leaders on both sides need our prayers (desperately, as one reads the papers).