Dr. Becker’s Ever Shrinking Word of God (Part 3)
Associate editor’s note: In the part 1, we saw Dr. Becker pit Jesus against Scripture and his dismissal of certain biblical books (Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation), saying that they cannot serve as principal sources or norms for Christian teaching. In part 2, Dr. Becker continued to denigrate the Word of God by saying the Bible is only God’s Word “in a qualified way” and employing Gospel reductionist principles. In this final essay, Dr. Becker claims that Scripture is untrustworthy because it is both filled with scientific error and culturally conditioned.
Science
After all the shrinkage of the Word already observed, science becomes another basis for further shrinkage. Dr. Becker says,
Theologians
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Dr. Becker’s Ever Shrinking Word of God (Part 2)
Associate editor’s note: In the part 1, we saw Dr. Becker pit Jesus against Scripture and his dismissal of certain biblical books (Hebrews, James, 2 Peter, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, and Revelation), saying that they cannot serve as principal sources or norms for Christian teaching. Here in part 2, we see Dr. Becker further denigrate Scripture.
Contains the Word; Witness to the Word
In his argument, Scripture continues to shrink even smaller than the homologoumena. He combines Liberal Protestantism’s view that the Bible is not the Word of God but only contains the Word along with much error, and Neo-orthodoxy’s view that the Bible is not the Word of God but only a “witness to the Word.” . . . Read All
Dr. Becker’s Ever Shrinking Word of God
Dr. Matthew L. Becker[1] is known for teaching publicly that qualified women should be ordained as pastors.[2] Many wonder how he can reach this conclusion, since they believe God’s Word plainly says pastors should be qualified men. The explanation lies in his perspective on the Word.
When laypeople just don’t like something the Bible says, they casually cast it off. For an ordained theologian, there are restraints against casting it off as casually. For them, it takes a lot more work because they need to justify false teaching professionally and theologically.
Therefore Dr. Becker’s view of the Word is involved and tedious. Through a series of stages, some of which are orthodox and others of which are not, he gradually . . . Read All
Ordination und Aussendung von Missionar Thomas Beneke (SELK Info)
Oasen in der Betonwüste SELK: Anlassreicher Festtag in Leipzig Leipzig, 8.4.2015 – selk – Eine rund 250 Personen starke Gemeinde fand sich am Ostermontag in der Lukaskirche in Leipzig-Volkmarsdorf ein, um mehrere Anlässe zu feiern: neben dem Osterfest zunächst auch … Continue reading →. . . Read All
Bad Lip Reading Oranges
So in the Bible there appear to be women leaders – prophets, judges, you know, stuff like that. And then in Acts 2:17 it says that your sons and daughters will prophesy. So what does this all mean, and what are the implications for women being pastors today? How are we to understand these passages […] ↓ Read the rest of this entry…
The post Bad Lip Reading Oranges appeared first on Worldview Everlasting.
Herrenhuter readings for Thursday, the 8th January 2015
God calls his prophet Jeremiah: “Arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee.” (Jeremiah 1,17) and St. Paul writes to the Corinthians: “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord.” (2.Corinthians 4,5) God himself calls his … Continue reading →. . . Read All
Ordination Sermon for Rev. Troy W. Peperkorn (July 6, 2014)
4th Sunday after Pentecost, (July 6, 2014)
St. John Lutheran Church, Reinbeck, Iowa
Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn, STM
(Luke 24:44–49, Romans 10:14–17)
The Ordination of Rev. Troy W. Peperkorn
TITLE: “I Will Be With You”
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. Our text for today is the Gospel just read from St. Luke chapter twenty four, as well as the epistle from Romans ten.
Today is a great day in the Christian Church, and especially for you, the saints gathered here at St. John’s Lutheran Church, and for you, Troy. Today Christ’s promises are kept once again. Today the words He spoke to His disciples so many years ago continue to . . . Read All
Where My Hand Ends and Your Eternal Soul Begins: Some Thoughts on Closed Communion
Its that time of year again. Ordination season is upon us. Soon and very soon red stoles and chasubles will festoon the newly called, anticipating the blood that they are willing to shed for the church and her confession. Festival services will be hel…
Reformation Rush Hour – Vocation of Families, Widows, Women’s Ordination
Hear what’s going on today with Rev. Craig Donofrio.
Reformation Rush Hour – Ash Wednesday, Transgendered Pastors, Rescue Christians
Hear what’s happening in the news today with Rev. Craig Donofrio!
Is Ordination A Sacrament?
Is Ordination a sacrament in the Lutheran Church? ~D
D,
Here’s the thing with that question. It all depends upon what one means with the word “sacrament.” Sacrament as a term is just a theological short hand – and depending upon what school of thought you are in, it encompasses different things.
The standard Lutheran definition of a Sacrament is that it is something that is:
1. Instituted by Christ.
2. Has a physical element.
3. Gives the forgiveness of sins.
Ordination doesn’t fit that precise categorization – for while you can say it was instituted by Christ (John 20), there is no physical element (like the water of Baptism) and the Ordination itself is not done to give forgiveness
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The Call & Pastoral Edumacation
RE: Acts 4:13 I hear many non-denom Christians talk about how unnecessary the 8+ required years of school are to become a Pastor. So what about Jesus’ disciples…(as goes the argument) they were unschooled, so why do Lutherans emphasize education over an individual’s calling to the ministry? If they are called why would we
make it so difficult?
Dear M:
A pastor is not called until he receives a call from a Christian congregation. A true call from God is public, not private. It is a mediated call. Not even the disciples “felt” called. Even though the disciples had an immediate call, Jesus still called them through His external Word. Ordination is the confirmation of the mediated call.
While a
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Löhe on 1.Corinthians 14:33
For God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1Co 14:33 NIV) The means of grace demand pastors, who will administer them with care and diligence. Both Word and Sacrament are not automatic mechanisms or processes, which happen … Continue reading →. . . Read All
The Job Description
Editor’s note: Joel Biermann preached the following sermon on July 21, 2013, at the ordination of his son-in-law, Martin Dressler. The now-Reverend Dressler is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Milford, MI.
“The Job Description” (Colossians 1:21-29)
One year and one day ago, Martin, I stood before you wearing this same alb, preaching a sermon to you. Of course, on that day, Justine was standing on your immediate left and I was preaching a very different sermon. The two of you were entering into that wonderful sacred estate called marriage where as husband and wife you embrace, embody, and display the reality of the relationship between Christ and his church. What a year it has been. Now, today, the focus is . . . Read All
“Here am I. Send me!”
ST. CATHARINES, Ontario – President Robert Bugbee of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) was present for Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary’s Call Service this year, serving as guest preacher. His text was Isaiah 6:1-8, and he urged the students to answer as the prophet did, with a solemn “Here am I. Send me!”
The video of that sermon is now available online.
Resurrection and Certification
Opening Devotion for the
11 April 2013 Faculty Meeting
Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis
Like many of you, I presume, I have for some time now been receiving the patheos.com newsletter/blog. Please allow me to share with you some Excerpts from:
Don
Episode 65: Augsburg Confession (Article 14)
Order in the Church! Order in the Church! We’re talking ordo as in office of the holy ministry. This is about authority and who may preach and preside in the churches.
21st Ordination anniversary
By on August 2, 2013
Posted in Commentary, Lutheran Blogosphere | Tagged ministry, Ordination, Preaching, Sacraments