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
Showing posts with label Huelsman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Huelsman. Show all posts
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Symposia, Day 1.2011
...my mind is mush. What a day! It was jam-packed with great theology and great discussion. We had a Chapel service at 10 and Vespers at 4:45pm besides the 5 Exegetical papers. The (brief) summaries are as follows:
Paper #1 - 'The Role of Christ's Second Coming in the Church's Mission: Learning from Paul's Eschatology in 1-2 Thessalonians' by Dr Charles Gieschen (personal note: Dr Gieschen and I coached 7th-8th grade boys soccer together for three seasons during my time in Fort Wayne...and we won the conference two of those years!)
-Summary: Eschatology (which means 'end times') is not just in the future, when Christ will come again on the Last Day. Eschatology is past, present and future. Past eschatology is the crucifixion, and present eschatology is the effects of the crucifixion for us today, namely in Word and Sacrament. Part of eschatology is God's wrath. God's wrath now and at the Last Day is real and will come because of sin. God is seeking to rescue sinners from the present helpless idolatry we live in, as well as the hopeless future in hell by giving us the benefits of the wrath He placed on His Son, Jesus, on the cross; this He does by Word and Sacrament.
Paper #2 - 'Democracy or Torah Solidarity? Reflections on Scriptural Ecclesiology' by Dr Dean Wenthe
-Summary: He went all the way through history and gave a summary of how the church was structured in different times. In most times and places the Church had what was called an Episcopal structure, which we do NOT have in the LCMS. He showed us where our structure came from and told us some dangers that could come (and has come in congregations from time to time). In the end we have to find our true identity in Christ and His Sacraments; we must hear and follow the True Shepherd's voice, not promote our own self, but seek His good and gracious will in all matters. We are not an earthly organization, but a heavenly church and we should resist anything that takes away from Word and Sacrament.
Paper #3 - 'The Ecclesiology of Acts' by Dr Kavin Rowe (Dr Rowe couldn't be here because his father is on his death bed, but Dr Just read his paper)
-Summary: (Note 'ecclesiology' means the study of 'church', which includes what it is and how it is structured, etc.) Acts is not so much about church order but about how Christians are to be Christian in a non-Christian context. He looked at Acts 19, and Acts 25-26. He made a bunch of great points, but the main one is the answer to the questions: How does church and politics relate to each other? Are they compatible? The answer(s): Yes and No. Yes, they are compatible because Jesus is not competing to rule against "Caesar", they different types of ruling. But on the other hand, they are not compatible because Christianity "turns the world upside down" because "Caesar" is not ultimately in charge, for every knee will bow to Jesus.
Paper #4 - 'Luke and the Foundations of the Church' by Dr Peter Scaer (personal note: Dr Scaer was my Advisor during seminary)
-Summary: Jesus is THE Shepherd, the Church is founded on Him and by Him. And so He sends out pastors to continue establishing and building His Church. First, He built His Church on Peter, both Peter himself and his confession (we can't separate the two). Then He sent out the 12 apostles, the 7 deacons, and the 70 pastors. And whoever hears them, hears Jesus. This is a comforting promise for us.
Paper #5 - 'Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Philippians' by Dr John Nordling
-Summary: Paul doesn't quote the OT directly, but alludes to it in many places. He was so familiar with the Scriptures that, as he wrote the letters by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the OT just flowed out of him, perhaps unintentionally at times. The same is true for us, that when knowing the Scripture so well, it will just flow out of us in teaching and preaching.
A good day. A full day. Ready for some r and r. I continue to pray for you all and am looking forward to returning.
God's Peace.
+PH
Paper #1 - 'The Role of Christ's Second Coming in the Church's Mission: Learning from Paul's Eschatology in 1-2 Thessalonians' by Dr Charles Gieschen (personal note: Dr Gieschen and I coached 7th-8th grade boys soccer together for three seasons during my time in Fort Wayne...and we won the conference two of those years!)
-Summary: Eschatology (which means 'end times') is not just in the future, when Christ will come again on the Last Day. Eschatology is past, present and future. Past eschatology is the crucifixion, and present eschatology is the effects of the crucifixion for us today, namely in Word and Sacrament. Part of eschatology is God's wrath. God's wrath now and at the Last Day is real and will come because of sin. God is seeking to rescue sinners from the present helpless idolatry we live in, as well as the hopeless future in hell by giving us the benefits of the wrath He placed on His Son, Jesus, on the cross; this He does by Word and Sacrament.
Paper #2 - 'Democracy or Torah Solidarity? Reflections on Scriptural Ecclesiology' by Dr Dean Wenthe
-Summary: He went all the way through history and gave a summary of how the church was structured in different times. In most times and places the Church had what was called an Episcopal structure, which we do NOT have in the LCMS. He showed us where our structure came from and told us some dangers that could come (and has come in congregations from time to time). In the end we have to find our true identity in Christ and His Sacraments; we must hear and follow the True Shepherd's voice, not promote our own self, but seek His good and gracious will in all matters. We are not an earthly organization, but a heavenly church and we should resist anything that takes away from Word and Sacrament.
Paper #3 - 'The Ecclesiology of Acts' by Dr Kavin Rowe (Dr Rowe couldn't be here because his father is on his death bed, but Dr Just read his paper)
-Summary: (Note 'ecclesiology' means the study of 'church', which includes what it is and how it is structured, etc.) Acts is not so much about church order but about how Christians are to be Christian in a non-Christian context. He looked at Acts 19, and Acts 25-26. He made a bunch of great points, but the main one is the answer to the questions: How does church and politics relate to each other? Are they compatible? The answer(s): Yes and No. Yes, they are compatible because Jesus is not competing to rule against "Caesar", they different types of ruling. But on the other hand, they are not compatible because Christianity "turns the world upside down" because "Caesar" is not ultimately in charge, for every knee will bow to Jesus.
Paper #4 - 'Luke and the Foundations of the Church' by Dr Peter Scaer (personal note: Dr Scaer was my Advisor during seminary)
-Summary: Jesus is THE Shepherd, the Church is founded on Him and by Him. And so He sends out pastors to continue establishing and building His Church. First, He built His Church on Peter, both Peter himself and his confession (we can't separate the two). Then He sent out the 12 apostles, the 7 deacons, and the 70 pastors. And whoever hears them, hears Jesus. This is a comforting promise for us.
Paper #5 - 'Paul's Use of the Old Testament in Philippians' by Dr John Nordling
-Summary: Paul doesn't quote the OT directly, but alludes to it in many places. He was so familiar with the Scriptures that, as he wrote the letters by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the OT just flowed out of him, perhaps unintentionally at times. The same is true for us, that when knowing the Scripture so well, it will just flow out of us in teaching and preaching.
A good day. A full day. Ready for some r and r. I continue to pray for you all and am looking forward to returning.
God's Peace.
+PH
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day off, Dartball, and Symposia
So what does a pastor do on his day off?
You got it...sleep.
Well, actually, not quite. You see, a pastor's day off is actually a pastor's wife's day off (if the pastor isn't too lazy). Today it worked out that Joy finally got a break (it's been a while; i repent). This morning I sent her off to the IC and she didn't come back till after supper. I enjoyed time with the kids and I think we were all refreshed come the end of the day (and the house wasn't a complete wreck either, which is usually the case when mom leaves for a while, so that was a bonus!). This evening was a bit different since it was Monday; and Monday means Dartball; but let's not talk about that.
But overall (minus the absence of my bride) the day was quite pleasant and now I'm ready for the mad dash to Symposia and vacation. Although, from what I've heard from seasoned pastors, it's supposedly questionable whether it's really worth it for a pastor to actually go on vacation simply because of all the front-end work that needs to be done for the week he misses, and all the catching up that needs to be done when he returns (I'm sure it's not just pastors). We'll see, I guess.
By the way, if you don't know what 'Symposia' is, here's a link to the schedule for the week: http://www.ctsfw.edu/Page.aspx?pid=607
Check it out if you care to. In years to come, I hope to take anyone interested from the congregation, especially the elders. It's a lot of theology in a short amount of time and by the end of the week your mind is mush, but it's so great; it's such a blessing and I pray that I'll come back with some new insights to pass along. And, actually, what I can do is write a post at the end of each day with a summary of what went on and some new theological gem I discovered (like a theological pirate or something...). Now all I have to do is remember to do it. Feel free to remind me.
God's Peace.
+PH
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