Symposia, Day 4.2011

Well, that went fast!  Symposia 2011 is over and now off to visit the family in Ohio.  Here are today's highlights.

Paper #1: 'Walther's use of Luther' by Dr Cameron MacKenzie
Walther was a Luther-an to the extreme.  A summary of his appreciation of Luther's teaching would look something like this: Luther's teaching is purely based upon Scripture, therefore to reject Luther would be to reject God's Word.  Did Walther go too far in his appreciation?  Perhaps; but for Walther it was only the Word of God that was authoritative and it just so happened that Luther taught the Word of God. 

Paper #2: 'Missouri’s First Justification Controversy: Edward Preuss Goes to Rome'
Prof Ziegler's paper was one of the two best at the conference.  Edward Preuss was a confessional Lutheran at the time of Luther who shocked the Lutherans by leaving Lutheranism for the Roman Catholic church.  It was a huge surprise at the time and is still shocking.  Prof Ziegler investigated why he left and warned us pastors to keep watch lest the same happen to us.  The major issue is that Preuss lost a proper understanding of the distinction between Law and Gospel and therefore he saw Scripture falsely from then on.  I'll give you two points for your consideration: 1) the spiritual struggle doesn't occur before conversion, but only after when we are marked as God's children and therefore attacked by the 3 great enemies; 2) the Gospel affects our whole person, therefore we do 'experience' our faith (more at times, less at other times), but the feelings we experience (including tears of sorrow and joy) do not (and cannot) produce the faith, rather the faith produces the feelings.  This is what Walther urged in many of his sermons and writings. 

All in all a great experience for a young pastor like myself.  I was able to sit at the feet of not only the presenters, but also many other seasoned pastors from around the synod.  I'm looking forward to returning to you all and incorporating these ancient truths into sermons and lessons. 

God's Peace.
+PH

Symposia, Day 3.2011

Day 3 mostly done, it's gone fast, been great.  5 papers today, plus a reception and banquet tonight with Synod President Rev Matthew Harrison.  Pres Harrison preached today in chapel; great sermon, wonderful service, although I was late and had to stand outside in the narthex area because the sanctuary part was overflowing.  Should be a treat tonight!

The highlight paper of the day was one by Dr David Scaer, 'Walther and the 3rd use of the Law'.  (in case you've forgotten the law is a singular thing, but it functions in 3 ways. 1) like a curb to keep us on track, e.g. the 10 Commandments, 2) like a mirror to show us our sin, which is the main use of the law, and 3) as a guide, to show us how to live out our baptismal lives as Christians in the world.)  Dr Scaer's paper was about how Lutherans misuse the 3rd use by de-emphasizing it.  Although the main use of the law is the 2nd, to show us our sin, if we neglect to preach/teach the 3rd use then we get into all sorts of ethical/moral trouble.  The main example is in the cultures acceptance of homosexual behavior and how this has affected the church.  The ELCA in particular, in not teaching the demands of the law concerning how Christians properly act in marriage, etc, have allowed for unChristian behavior.  In summary, he said, "The 3rd use of the law allows us to make a temporary retreat to paradise [in the Garden of Eden, where man lived perfectly before God], and allows a view of the future in the greater paradise of eternal life."  Very intriguing. I've never considered it this way; not sure what I think about it, though. 

Now, it's time to get ready for the banquet.  I'll write again after tomorrow's papers and take off for Ohio in the afternoon. 
God's Peace.
+PH