What’s the proper adjective to modify “Church” in the Third Article of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds: Should it be “holy Christian church” or “holy catholic Church”? Luther used Christlich, the common German translation of catholicam. Today French Lutherans use universelle = universal. Swedes say allmännelig = everywhere. Norwegians say almen = everywhere. Germans say […]
Luther and Halloween
Trick or treat? How does the devil trick us? He comes disguised as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). Below Luther tells of how Christ appeared to him and he dismissed the vision as an illusion of the devil: “Christ once appeared visible here on earth . . . and according to the divine […]
We are not free to “Gospel-plus”
Gospel plus other religions makes “another” gospel Gospel plus bringing his kingdom on earth makes “another” gospel Gospel plus any required works makes “another” gospel Gospel plus a required church structure makes “another” gospel Gospel plus sentimentalized Luv, ignoring damages, makes “another” gospel Gospel plus required experiences makes “another” gospel
If you repent….
“God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin….Therefore be assured that you who repent have been forgiven….” Thus announced the pastor in his absolution at the Sunday morning worship service. How dead were we? Mostly dead? Not quite? It’s another gospel-plus distortion of the gospel: The gospel + […]
The contemporary worship bandwagon
From the RealRealityZone: “Seven reasons Lutherans should not jump on the contemporary worship bandwagon.” Read it here. Dawn’s fine reasons apply also to Romantic hymns of the 19th and 20th century such as In the Garden, Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling, and the like. See also Michael Horton’s “Are Your Hymns Too Spiritual?” here. […]