tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.comments2016-11-18T10:57:14.636-06:00Lutheran 101Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-35050157852530060652016-11-18T00:14:00.454-06:002016-11-18T00:14:00.454-06:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-7875059717493861522012-03-04T21:34:01.946-06:002012-03-04T21:34:01.946-06:00The collects for the different Sunday's in Len...The collects for the different Sunday's in Lent were interspersed as sidebars in the original newsletter article. Those collects make for wonderful fodder for Christian contemplation.Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-57835372025634309552012-02-25T04:06:20.801-06:002012-02-25T04:06:20.801-06:00It's about time. :PIt's about time. :PTimothy C. Schenkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11770741345144496175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-91001788783286563512012-02-25T04:05:27.949-06:002012-02-25T04:05:27.949-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Timothy C. Schenkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11770741345144496175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-60924996295184478082010-03-27T19:34:33.363-05:002010-03-27T19:34:33.363-05:00This is why we are here: to love the Lord our God,...This is why we are here: to love the Lord our God, and to serve our neighbor. The man in red is concentrating on himself, and what he thinks. So un-Lutheran.<br />WVPattyUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054205955886990050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-3118733509427936872010-03-27T13:39:09.003-05:002010-03-27T13:39:09.003-05:00Grrrr - there are supposed to be paragraph breaks ...Grrrr - there are supposed to be paragraph breaks and I messed up. Sorry. It'll take me a mistake or two to get used to blogging again . . . :(Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-85528304525803557192009-11-03T11:07:27.644-06:002009-11-03T11:07:27.644-06:00Oops! I inadvertently noted the edress of our Octo...Oops! I inadvertently noted the edress of our October Parish Newsletter. The proper edress of our November 2009 Parish Newsletter, in which the article originally appeared, is: http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/kGHwSnlK4ZC90tOGeaSVNvKo6_qH8uZHeG8_Wqn6eL4C_aBDG-cYec_kkMxlOPtt7Yu0wkgt0F1FQlwJbv836g/NEWSLETTER.NOVEMBER.2009.pdf .Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-16984579259534851682009-08-27T04:13:55.652-05:002009-08-27T04:13:55.652-05:00"He'd make a good professor..."
Tha..."He'd make a good professor..."<br /><br />That comment usually made by a congregation member who has never been to college.<br /><br />---<br /><br />I can remember when I was a kid when my Lutheran Great-Grandmother yelled out loud at one of her daughters-in-law who filed for divorce "You can't get divorced ... you won't be able to take Holy Communion!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-61031942705832832372009-08-27T04:03:11.464-05:002009-08-27T04:03:11.464-05:00Those two terms (adultery and abandonment) might m...Those two terms (adultery and abandonment) might mirror the two reasons for removal from congregation membership that I read in our church minutes from 50 or so years ago.<br /><br />Defection (now called Peaceful Release) = Adultery?<br /><br />Despising the Word & Sacrament (now called Self Exclusion ... I assume) = Abandonment?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-9172054376308719012009-08-23T13:34:06.308-05:002009-08-23T13:34:06.308-05:00yes, Pr. Mann, you point out yet another facet of ...yes, Pr. Mann, you point out yet another facet of this multi-faceted mess -- even as "commitment" is being totally misunderstood and even re-defined by our postmodern (and post-denominational?) culture, this carries over into the church work vocations. I share your frustration over how calls are being handled these days. While there is a case to be made for a non-tenured "call" (but a much more accurat word would be "contract" b/c that is precisely what it is), one could almost make the case for comparing it to a 'shack up' -- no real promises, no real commitments, no real assurance that, if troubles come, you'll try to work it out . . . If we in the church cannot understand the proper biblical concept of promise, commitment, etc., well, who can, huh??! Kyrie eleison! Best to you and yours, bro!Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-751634711653239412009-08-21T20:32:21.928-05:002009-08-21T20:32:21.928-05:00Al- there is also another trend- living together. ...Al- there is also another trend- living together. In the pastoral ministry, the congregation contracts a pastor or have a limit tenture call for him. This way both parties can both go or seperate ways. It is almost like a year long try out. This is happening in the teaching ministry. Brian receive a call, both it call for a contract the first year, to see if you will work out. This is aganist all biblical ways. But the church-district-synod is encouraging churches and schools to this trial marriage.Robert Mannnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-7378696776281503042009-08-20T19:39:00.237-05:002009-08-20T19:39:00.237-05:00Well, God bless you, Rex! Yes, we are sinners. We ...Well, God bless you, Rex! Yes, we are sinners. We mess up every so often. We need forgiveness. It's just the way that marriage is supposed to work: we forgive, try to learn to be understanding, and live in our respective vocations as the Lord has called us to live. Thanks for your love for Christ which gives you love for your pastor. And, yeah, the Treasury of Daily Prayer is great . . . I am still trying to develop the discipline of using it every single day b/c it is truly a treasure!Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-90245711572815144342009-08-20T17:15:45.980-05:002009-08-20T17:15:45.980-05:00Pastor W.
Thank you for this post. I just discov...Pastor W.<br /><br />Thank you for this post. I just discovered your blog from another that I have been reading.<br /><br />This post is very timely as I have been struggling over the person who currently shepherds my congregation. Of the several "reasons" you list...I could identify with four! Yet, he is the called shepherd to our church. <br /><br />From reading this post, and the time I have been spending with my new Treasury of Daily Prayer, I am more than ever willing to pray for my pastor, forgive what I think are shortcomings, and ask that God's will be done in our church.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-37859048138533130862009-06-28T06:05:03.021-05:002009-06-28T06:05:03.021-05:00i.e. Formula, Solid Declaration VII, 91-106i.e. Formula, Solid Declaration VII, 91-106Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-12962990503186661572009-06-19T00:06:42.778-05:002009-06-19T00:06:42.778-05:00Pr. Wollenburg,
I don't mean to confuse ratio...Pr. Wollenburg,<br /><br />I don't mean to confuse rationalizing with rationalism, but more like an explanation. <br /><br />What is wrong with answering the question "How is the Lord able to be present in the Lord's Supper" with "Because He is God; He can be anywhere" rather than "It is a mystery; we don't know"?<br /><br />P.S. I have the pocket Concordia, but I had to pay the full price months ago. This is the perfect time to stock up on them for the congregation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-85496878611268598582009-06-18T12:04:35.615-05:002009-06-18T12:04:35.615-05:00Hi, Vicki. Did I ever mention to you that, until t...Hi, Vicki. Did I ever mention to you that, until the end of June 2009, CPH has a GREAT DEAL on a pocket size (if you have big fat pockets) paper back version of "CONCORDIA: the Lutheran Confessions" for only $7.50? If you order it like I did (no other orders - grrr) it will cost you nearly as much for shipping, but it's a great deal! I also have a bigger version for my bookshelf and study but the paperback one travels with me in my pull around briefcase. I can all but guarantee that your pastor would be tickled to death to have you tell him that you want to purchase it -- he'll love you even more when you suggest that maybe more folks will help with the order to save on shipping costs. :-)Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-16874132546001373952009-06-18T08:23:44.963-05:002009-06-18T08:23:44.963-05:00Thanks for the blog, it has been awhile. :)Thanks for the blog, it has been awhile. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06266690721013884846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-72755641442055276892009-06-16T23:00:07.193-05:002009-06-16T23:00:07.193-05:00Hey, Saxionae, if you want to discuss this some mo...Hey, Saxionae, if you want to discuss this some more, let's do, ok?Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-79240277253796739462009-06-16T20:52:43.756-05:002009-06-16T20:52:43.756-05:00Well, Saxoniae, I think that I would reply to what...Well, Saxoniae, I think that I would reply to what you have posted by saying that we don't ever try to rationalize the omnipresence of Christ to folks. For that matter, His ascension is sometimes held, by those who hold to Christ being present only symbolically in the Sacrament -- their rationalization is that, if Christ is physically in heaven, then He cannot be physically present here. It is an argument which does not work, though, for any number of reasons, but the main reason is: Jesus said, "This is My body . . . This cup is the new covenant in My blood . . . ." Is means is.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and thanks for posting, Saxoniae. The peace of the Lord be with you.Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-50482518761551653482009-06-16T18:16:27.830-05:002009-06-16T18:16:27.830-05:00I thought the Ascension was the way to rationalize...I thought the Ascension was the way to rationalize to people how He can be present in the Lord's Supper. He's now omniscient, omnipresent, at the right hand of God the Father Almighty with the full use of His divine power and can be present anywhere and everywhere. "He has put everything under his feet", as we had been saying in the Gradual during the Easter season. I don't think that makes anyone lose their faith or lose their grip on the Supper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-72739086869521566042009-06-06T08:40:20.611-05:002009-06-06T08:40:20.611-05:00Interesting post. I never thought of the reformers...Interesting post. I never thought of the reformers being stuck in between two forms of rationalism, i.e. transubstantiation on the one side and the radicals on the others. I am reading Sasse's "This is my body," great book. He details in his first chapter how many R.C. practices were developed because of the doctrine of transubstantiation, most of which you named. And ultimately good point, don't try to nail down the "how." the moment we rely on that is the moment faith loses its grip on the supper. good thoughts. I enjoyed them.Rev. Josh Sullivanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18422979152720523979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-89633429368004450692008-08-08T20:23:00.000-05:002008-08-08T20:23:00.000-05:00Dear Adam: Thank you for bothering to read my blog...Dear Adam: Thank you for bothering to read my blog. Thanks, too, for your reply. <BR/><BR/>However, friend, you are very wrong. The Scriptures do indeed plainly teach that Almighty God has revealed HImself to us as three separate and distinct Persons in one God. Study the Holy Scriptures closely and you will see that the Scriptures ascribe to each Person: [1] divine names; [2] divine attributes; [3] divine works; and [4] each is to be given divine honor and glory. This is the accepted teaching of Christendom from the very beginning, a teaching which is affirmed in the Apostles' Creed (dating from approx. 100 A.D.), affirmed again in the Nicene Creed (dating from 325 A.D.), and affirmed yet again in the Athanasian Creed. This view is not just a "traditional" point of view -- it is the correct and Biblical point of view. It is a marvelous and divine mystery which God's Spirit gives us faith to believe and courage to humbly confess.<BR/><BR/>Jesus, as a Man, most certainly did have a beginning. He was conceived within the Virgin Mary's womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. The right way to say it is that Jesus as true God has been, is, and will be God from eternity to eternity. He was, is, and always will be the "Son of God," a term which teaches His relationship to God the Father. Does that make Jesus inferior to the Father? Absolutely not. Does it make Jesus less important or less powerful than the Father? Absolutely not. According to His flesh, He did become a Man at a point in time, and He remains true Man (and God!) unto eternity.<BR/><BR/>Our Lord Jesus Christ did call the Father "God." With that I would concur. But please read all of the Scriptures (instead of watching a movie) and note particularly how Jesus asserts that "I and the Father are one," and other such statements of our Lord Christ.<BR/><BR/>Thanks, too, for your attempts at using Greek to make your arguments. I am also trained in the use of the original languages of the Bible (Hebrew for the O.T. and koine Greek for the N.T.) . . . if you are going to invoke the Biblical languages, be sure that you use them properly.Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-48963115791776939772008-08-08T03:00:00.000-05:002008-08-08T03:00:00.000-05:00Greetings Pastor Alan WollenburgIndeed without a d...Greetings Pastor Alan Wollenburg<BR/><BR/>Indeed without a doubt <BR/>our Lord Jesus Christ is truly the Son of God. Amen. This is indeed a “no-brainer.” <BR/><BR/>Likewise, just as clear is the fact that the Scriptures do <I><B>not</B> plainly teach that Almighty GOD has revealed Himself to us as three separate and distinct Persons in one God.</I> <BR/><BR/>There is simply no verse in scripture that teaches such a thing.<BR/>In all the occurrences of the word "God" in Scripture, not one example can be shown to mean <I>"three separate and distinct Persons in one God"</I><BR/><BR/>Also Jesus indeed had a beginning!!<BR/>Matthew actually says in Matt 1.18 in the Greek, Now the <B>genesis</B> of Jesus Christ was on this wise.<BR/><BR/>"Genesis" means beginning.<BR/>Jesus of Nazareth began his existence in the womb of his mother.<BR/>Both Matthew & Luke simply have no concept of a "<B>eternal</B> Son of God".<BR/>That is not the "Jesus" they write about!<BR/>The "Jesus" they know, began his existence in the womb of his mother; his miraculous conception coming about by the power & spirit of the living GOD. <BR/><I>For that reason, (dio kai)</I>; said Gabriel, <BR/>he was to be called "the Son of GOD.<BR/>[Luke 1.35]<BR/><BR/>The article speaks of <I>Why It was Necessary for Jesus to be True God!</I> <BR/><BR/>Hmmm! Rather, Jesus identified his Father as <B>the only true GOD.</B><BR/>(John 17:1) These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, <B>Father</B>, ...<BR/>(John 17:3) And this is life eternal, that they might know <B>thee the only true God</B>, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.<BR/><BR/>I could continue.<BR/>Basically the article with its Lutheran statements presents a <B>"traditional"</B> view of "The Son of God".<BR/>That is, a "Son of God" based on "traditions" of men who came hundreds of years after Christ; and whose traditions were based on Hellenism and Platonic philosophy; and not the Hebraic teaching of Scripture! <BR/>[Col 2.8; 2 Cor 11.4]<BR/>And we know what Christ had to say about traditions?<BR/>[Matt 15.6; Mark 7.9,13]<BR/><BR/>Therefore, Pastor Alan Wollenburg;<BR/>On the subject of the trinity,<BR/>I recommend this video:<BR/><A HREF="http://www.jesusishuman.com" REL="nofollow">The Human Jesus</A><BR/><BR/>Take a couple of hours to watch it; and prayerfully it will aid you in your quest for truth.<BR/><BR/>Yours In Messiah<BR/>Adam PastorAdam Pastorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15340033095309858240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-41718654417786103592008-06-27T23:49:00.000-05:002008-06-27T23:49:00.000-05:00Hi, Saxoniae - I don't have a copy of it yet but i...Hi, Saxoniae - I don't have a copy of it yet but i've heard that it's wayy good!Rev. Alan J. Wollenburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06753189129488408333noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3493611547111927567.post-23117140612904291832008-06-27T16:06:00.000-05:002008-06-27T16:06:00.000-05:00Now you can do a commentary on Paul Speratus' Salv...Now you can do a commentary on Paul Speratus' <I>Salvation Unto Us Has Come</I>.<BR/><BR/>TimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com