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Sola Scientia

Pastor's BlogApril 27, 2020489Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Covid-19 Chronicles: Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 9

I'm a big fan of science. Having spent six years of my college and graduate education and the first seven of my vocational years in chemistry, science is in my intellectual DNA. As a pastor-theologian, the only chemistry I practice these days is in the kitchen and meticulously studying those fine-print sheets that accompany prescription medications. However, the recent Covid-19 crisis has reawakened my science brain. With hockey and baseball down for the season, I now spend my free time perusing abstracts from Cell, Nature, and JAMA, and watching scientists discuss real-time, collaborative science on a global scale. I may never return to sports. Who could have foreseen the day when Dr. Anthony Fauci of the NIH would have a bobblehead, a T-shirt, and a parody on Saturday Night Live? This is the revenge of the nerds.

Ecclesia Virtualis

Pastor's BlogApril 23, 2020364Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 8

"Our churches also teach that one holy church is to continue forever. This church is the assembly of saints in which the Gospel is taught purely and the sacraments are administered rightly." - Augsburg Confession VII

The Covid-19 crisis has catapulted the church into the internet age of live-stream, Zoom, and audio/video services - the virtual printing press of our time. Unable to gather in groups due to health concerns, congregations are resorting to virtual gatherings as a placeholder for corporate worship. It's the next best thing to being there. Or is it?

Readings and Devotions for 2 Easter 2020

Heritage SermonsApril 20, 2020466Views 0Likes 0Comments

Saturday 25 April 2020

Reading: Psalm 133
Hymn: Where Charity and Love Prevail (LSB #845)

2 Easter – John 20:19-31

Heritage Sermons, Series AApril 19, 2020433Views 0Likes 0Comments

Readings: Acts 5:29-42; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Hymn: O Sons and Daughters of the King (LSB #471)

Eucharistic Ethics

Pastor's BlogApril 18, 2020440Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 7

In my last essay, Eucharistic Fasting, I attempted to explain from Lutheran first principles the reasons for my congregation's abstaining from the Sacrament during this time of CoV-2 quarantine. It drew considerable discussion, both positively and negatively. Some of the criticism surprised me, coming from people with whom I normally agree. It was not my intention to pass judgment on the decisions of others nor to imply that I was "right" and others were "wrong." As I read and thought through the responses, I considered that our situation might profitably be viewed through the lens of ethics.

Eucharistic Fasting

Pastor's BlogApril 16, 2020768Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 6

The Covid-19 pandemic has created something of a crisis of communion in the Church. The Orthodox churches have largely suspended communion where they cannot gather. So also have the Roman churches. For non-sacramental protestants, this is not as much of a problem because music, preaching, and Bible study can be live-streamed or recorded. But for the sacramental churches, quarantine at home measures pose a serious challenge to theology and practice. Many Lutheran churches have resorted to a variety of extraordinary measures, attempting to comply with local health directives and sanitary practices while offering the Sacrament to the faithful. These measures include serial small group communions, private communions, drive-in communions, and in a few cases, virtual communions over the internet.

Readings and Devotions for the Week of Easter 2020

Heritage SermonsApril 13, 2020424Views 0Likes 0Comments

Easter Monday

Reading: Luke 24:13-35
Hymn: Lord Jesus Christ, With Us Abide (LSB #585)

Easter 2020 – Matthew 28:1-10

Heritage SermonsApril 12, 2020417Views 0Likes 0Comments

Readings: Jeremiah 31:1-6; Colossians 3:1-4; Matthew 28:1-10 Hymn: Jesus Christ is Ris'n Today (LSB #457)

Holy Week 2020

Heritage SermonsApril 6, 2020482Views 0Likes 0Comments

Holy Monday - 6 April 2020

Readings: Isaiah 50:5-10; Hebrews 9:11-16; John 12:1-23

Metanoia

Pastor's BlogApril 6, 2020431Views 0Likes 0Comments

The Covid-19 Chronicles : Reflections in a Pandemic, Part 5

"There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered thus? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” - Luke 13:1-5

I've chosen to title this essay "Metanoia" rather than the usual English rendering "repentance," to avoid the common misunderstanding associated with the word. When we hear the word "repent," especially coming from religious circles (though it is not originally a religious word), we tend to think in terms of "stop sinning and straighten out your life," in the way of a Kentucky revival preacher.