Archive for ‘September, 2011’

41 results.
Sep13

The Waiting Game

Posted In: WE Got Answers
If babies have sin and need baptism, why do wait to baptize, even if it’s just to the next Sunday, rather than baptising as soon as they are born?

-J

J -

That’s a question I myself have thought about often myself, and as I’m planning on having the first time I speak my son’s name to him outside of the womb being when I baptize him on the day of his birth, I tend to think that baptism should be sooner rather than later. (To be honest, this is probably influenced by having a mother who sometimes worked as a nurse in the delivery ward.)

There used to be a much closer time frame for Baptism – the Luther baby was born on November 10th, and his father took him to the Church to be baptized on St. Martin’s day… November 11th. At some point in the intervening 500+ years, we have incorporated the rite of Baptism into the Sunday service — and it is useful there as a teaching opportunity. Then the time for that service is often pushed back to a time when the mother can attend the service. Even this I don’t think is problematic – it is still a matter of doing things quickly. But I’m often a pessimist and believe on planning for the worst case scenario, and I’d rather have that Word of comfort from Baptism if anything happens.

Rev. Eric J. Brown
Zion Lutheran Church – Lahoma, OK

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Sep13

A Little White Wine with Your History Lesson?

Posted In: WE Got Answers
What’s a pietist?

-J

Check out the recent IE: http://issuesetc.org/2011/08/30/tuesday-august-30-2011/

Download

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Sep10

Wouldn’t It Makes Sense If…

Posted In: WE Got Answers
hey just wondering about double predestination. knowing that predestination is all over the scriptures… and that God elect’s his elect, wouldn’t it seem as if he does the opposite as well? what about judas? was he not elected unto destruction? it just seems as if God elects some and not other’s, therefore making double predestination valid.. just wondering if i could get a better understanding. . . thanks
Dear D.,

For double predestination to be true would mean that God is the author
of evil. For it is unbelief that damns. To hold to double
predestination would mean that God authored unbelief in some in order
that they might be damned. Rather, we confess that man and the devil
are the authors of unbelief. They are responsible for their judgment
to eternal fire. God is right and just in damning them. Why God has not
elected all to salvation is a mystery left to his inscrutable wisdom.
In his foreknowledge he knows who will reject the gracious invitation
of mercy through his dear Son, Jesus. And while he is not the author
of their unbelief, he does confirm in them their unbelief like he did
with Pharaoh. Yet, he offers, in all earnestness, the gift of Christ
to all. God is not lying when he offers salvation, even to those who
will reject it. That God desires not the death of a sinner right out
contradicts double predestination.

So, we reject double predestination, not only for the above, but also
because there is no comfort in double predestination. One would always
be wondering if they had been elected in Christ to life or elected to
damnation. Rather, this teaching holds up what God teaches: that your
election to eternal life, confirmed by God in you by the Sacraments, is
from eternity and irrevocable. It is not meant to deduce the opposite,
that some are elected to damnation, which leads to despair. God’s
revealed will in his word is to save sinners through his dear son,
Jesus. To deduce that he has elected some to damnation is a doctrine
of man and is not found in his word. God always directs us to his
mercy in Christ, and not his hidden counsel.

Peace, Pastor Gary Hall
www.stjohnsbridgeton.org

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Sep09

Unpaint It Black

Posted In: vlog

Worldview Everlasting AskdaPastor 2.0 doesn’t mention the Rolling Stones, but it takes on questions about wearing black to a baptism and how to pray even when you don’t feel like it much. Oh, and it also includes a cameo from The Ninja Bear.

The Ninja Bear:

http://www.wimp.com/bearninja/

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Sep09

A Little Latter Day Antacid

Posted In: WE Got Answers
We invited two young Mormon missionaries into our kitchen this afternoon. They shared their beliefs and answered our questions, and listened when we shared the Gospel with them. They left a copy of the Book of Mormon with us, and said they would return in a few weeks to see what we thought. They are convinced that when we read it and pray about it, we will think it is true. We know what Mormons believe, and want them to know the Truth. What do you say to Mormon missionaries at your door?

-A

A & E,

It sounds like you handled this visit quite well. Often when speaking with Mormons, it can be easy to cut the conversation short… and for some this might be a safe approach. Yet this, as you pointed out is a great opportunity to give a reasonable defense for that hope that we have as Christians (1 Peter 3:15). In such a conversation it is best to ask questions and listen. Probably the best things to focus on are “Who is Jesus?” and “How is one saved?”. Sometimes their language might sound very much like Evangelical Christianity, but if you dig deeper with someone who knows the Mormon faith, you will find that the “Jesus” they believe in, as presented in the Book of Mormon (as well as Doctrines and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) is quite different as well as their view of “grace” and “salvation”. Since a full breakdown of what to say might be a bit long for this website here three great resources:

Issues Etc. on Mormonism:

http://issuesetc.org/tag/mormonism/

How to Respond to The Mormons, from CPH:

http://www.cph.org/p-12218-how-to-respond-to-the-mormons.aspx

Mormonism Research Ministry (a broad Christian group, not specifically Lutheran, but a very good resource nonetheless):

http://www.mrm.org/missionary-visits

Matthew Lorfeld, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church
La Crescent, MN

http://www.messiahlacrescent.org

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