tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.comments2023-09-15T08:30:43.359-05:00Lutheran ReformissionRev. Jason P. Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02559555598308652106noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-46626467308740153362022-06-15T15:46:58.696-05:002022-06-15T15:46:58.696-05:00Thank youThank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-49577744368784059022021-09-01T23:20:09.184-05:002021-09-01T23:20:09.184-05:00Well said, pastor. Baptism is a command not a choi...Well said, pastor. Baptism is a command not a choice.Big Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03546066254130897170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-79834639718878338422021-02-13T02:55:37.323-06:002021-02-13T02:55:37.323-06:00Thank you for sharing this. My (LCMS) pastor was ...Thank you for sharing this. My (LCMS) pastor was divorced and remarried prior to being ordained. I had often questioned this, but reading this (and knowing my Synod) I am certain the right questions were asked prior to his becoming a pastor.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-55855676136638064242020-09-04T14:08:46.063-05:002020-09-04T14:08:46.063-05:00Since in Baptism the Holy Spirit is received, does...Since in Baptism the Holy Spirit is received, doesn't is provide protection from Satan and his demons?Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16259378959065388461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-42652941545854446682020-02-23T20:27:56.848-06:002020-02-23T20:27:56.848-06:00I agree with anonymous from 20Jan2014. I think thi...I agree with anonymous from 20Jan2014. I think this was a well written and direct article. We MUST TALK ABOUT THIS IN CHURCH!!! It must be made clear to our impressionable youth. The draw to pornography is stronger than ever and we can see now, more than ever before it’s effects on marriages. Andrew Schultznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-7437314652858344032019-07-21T21:52:41.599-05:002019-07-21T21:52:41.599-05:00Now may be an excellent time to revisit this topic...Now may be an excellent time to revisit this topic, perhaps under the heading of "False Idols and Other Sacrilegious Behaviors of the New Age."Paul from Nothern Virginiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16809087654679223398noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-56439683901307896532019-01-27T17:47:37.412-06:002019-01-27T17:47:37.412-06:00Gary, can you expand on this statement you made......Gary, can you expand on this statement you made... "Understanding what the Bible really says depends upon your world view."<br /><br />Are you then saying that the meaning of Scripture changes depending on what ones world view is? I can understand that ones INTERPRETATION of scripture can very depending on ones world view. But I am not interested in any man's interpretation of scripture, not any man of today that is. I am interested in what the writers of scripture meant when they wrote it, as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so. I do not believe that the true meaning of Scripture can, does, or will ever change. It is the unchanging Word of God. It does not change to meet one's world view. In fact we should strive to have a Biblical view, seeing the world through the Scripture, not seeing scripture through the world. <br /><br />So please expand on that statement. Because right now I would strongly disagree with you when you say that "Understanding what the Bible really says depends upon your world view."<br /><br />I also disagree with the statement you made when you say that "Most Christian evangelicals ... come from the viewpoint that: "I must do SOMETHING for God to love me and want to save me!" <br /><br />I am 38 years old, so still fairly young on the grand scale of things. But I accepted Christ as my personal savior at age 10 and have been fascinated with Scripture and with church teachings since then. I have spent years in each of many various churches - Southern Baptist, United Methodist, Assemblies of God, Free Methodist, United Methodist, Non-denominational churches, Evangelical Free Church, American Baptist, Berean, and Nazarene churches, and attended a Christian college where I studied ministry and American religious history. While at these churches I have served in roles as deacon, Sunday school teacher, volunteer youth leader, on the praise and worship team, and even as youth pastor --- and each and every one of these churches believes we are saved by Grace Alone, through Faith alone. They DO NOT believe that we must do something for God to love us. They ALL believe that salvation is a free gift because of God's love, through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ. All we have to do is believe and accept that gift. That is all that we have to do, accept it. Do you disagree with that? Are you saying that even the teaching that we need to 'accept' gods gift of grace, through faith, is a teaching that the person is doing something to attain salvation? If so then that would appear to mean you believe all people are saved, since personal acceptance is not then neccessary. So please clarify your statement. <br /><br />By your statement it would appear to me that you do not have a good understanding of what other evangelical churches teach or believe. Either that or you need to qualify your statement by pointing out specific denominations. Because none of the church denominations I have had the privilege of being a part of would fit your description. Mr. Baumanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04552713549790635951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-79270555626411126962019-01-13T15:16:35.231-06:002019-01-13T15:16:35.231-06:00If Christ alone saves by grace through faith, then...If Christ alone saves by grace through faith, then how would taking a sacrament not requiring repentance or faith at all save a person?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12521053083276055785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-5353940432554605952018-05-21T13:05:08.911-05:002018-05-21T13:05:08.911-05:00I am glad to see you speak the truth on this matte...I am glad to see you speak the truth on this matter. I read Dietrich Bonhoefer the other day and he seemed to be of the belief that the innocent party in a divorce could not re-marry,which I think is an incorrect position.Matthew 19:9 makes the issue pretty clear in my opinion,when it says,"except for immorality/adultery"implying that remarriage of the innocent party is allowed in such case.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594203830226908381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-3995771212475118752018-05-11T10:52:02.271-05:002018-05-11T10:52:02.271-05:00Well stated.Well stated.Stepanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04943226868028791332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-26827540986816335862018-03-19T08:20:07.424-05:002018-03-19T08:20:07.424-05:00I think that the statement above is well said!!!!!...I think that the statement above is well said!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-27932078679661973092017-03-08T05:46:05.367-06:002017-03-08T05:46:05.367-06:00Thanks for this explanation.
Thanks for this explanation. <br />Faithful Servanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15224333884636794475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-49872088859546370672016-02-12T01:55:24.741-06:002016-02-12T01:55:24.741-06:00I found that in one of Luther's sermon that h...I found that in one of Luther's sermon that he goes in depth about infant baptism and it is very informative <br /><br />http://www.trinitylutheranms.org/MartinLuther/MLSermons/Matthew8_1_13.html<br /><br />Luther emphasizes that the infant himself has the faith that saves him during baptism and that ( the infant) ..."themselves have their own faith"<br /><br />scroll down to page 79 #18 this starts the part of his sermon on infant baptism one excerpt is below.<br /><br /><br />"34. He is just as present in baptism now as he was then: this we Christians know for certain. Therefore we dare not forbid baptism to children. Nor dare we doubt that he blesses all who come thither, as he did those children. So then there is nothing left here but the piety and faith of those who brought the little children to him. By bringing them, they effect and aid that the little children are blessed and obtain the kingdom of heaven; which cannot be the case unless they themselves have their own faith, as has been said. So we also say here, that children are brought to baptism by the faith and work of others; but when they get there and the pastor or baptizer deals with them in Christ's stead, he blesses them and grants to them the faith and the kingdom of heaven: for the word and deed of the pastor are the word and work of Christ himself<br /><br />AlanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-30606252753894419352016-02-11T23:57:00.559-06:002016-02-11T23:57:00.559-06:00wonderful blog , I was infant baptized in the Luth...wonderful blog , I was infant baptized in the Lutheran Church and agree with all Pastor Peterson wrote and what Gary just wrote with one exception. I believe that once justified, saved, born again, and sealed with the Holy Spirit that this cannot be lost , that you cannot be unborn or unsealed , that when Jesus say "most assuredly I say to you that he who believes in me has everlasting life"John 6:47 means that the person has " everlasting life" and if it could be subsequently lost than it would not be "everlasting life". John 5:24 says that the believer has eternal life and "has passed from death to life"and so I do believe in OSAS( once saved always saved)<br />John10:28-30 "I give them eternal life and they will never perish , and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My father , who has given them to me , is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Fathers hand."<br />thanks again for this excellent discussion on Lutheran infant baptism <br />AlanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-90554982428423749912016-01-29T09:40:20.144-06:002016-01-29T09:40:20.144-06:00Rev. Peterson,
I appreciate your blog, and the wa...Rev. Peterson,<br /><br />I appreciate your blog, and the way you are able to articulate the Lutheran faith.<br />I am not a Lutheran myself, but have come to appreciate its theological distinctives.<br /><br />Your comment below especially resonated with me: <br />"This is actually what made a Lutheran of me: Every other theological system ultimately broke down because it had to deny or explain away one portion of scripture to allow for its interpretation of another or it required one to ignore or overlook inconsistencies between different categories of doctrine, while in Lutheran theology, we allow the paradoxes to stand and live in tension with themselves without attempting to resolve them."<br /><br />One thing that is very important to me, but is not often mentioned, is how the Lutheran<br />understanding of the sacraments are in historical continuity with the ancient church.<br />Its as if the "line" running from the apostles' teaching to the present day<br />runs through Wittenberg. I would appreciate any feedback you might offer.<br /><br />Andy Evansarevanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03236929542532602512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-3330184465053584872015-09-26T23:37:46.852-05:002015-09-26T23:37:46.852-05:00Thanks so much for posting this! The article, and...Thanks so much for posting this! The article, and especially your responses to the comments, have been so helpful, insightful, and encouraging. I loved what you said about allowing the paradoxes to stand and live in tension with themselves!<br /><br />Grew up Baptist, attended a private Presbyterian school, and served as a pastor in a nondenominational church, but recently found myself in a Lutheran church for the first time in my life…and there…in simplicity and mystery of the Word and Sacrament, I was home!<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-77734679654357126242015-07-31T12:00:50.572-05:002015-07-31T12:00:50.572-05:00Nice article. I'll link this video describing...Nice article. I'll link this video describing the Dead Sea Scrolls and a later document called "Oriental 4445" if you want further insight:<br /><br />http://martin.cuw.edu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8a56a8eb-d309-43d3-87bd-3dbdbc248741<br /><br />In particular, check out about 16:23 into the video, which shows the oldest known Hebraic Old Testament manuscript (Oriental 4445, 850-950 AD) and how the commandments were divided. Augustine used the same convention, and Luther took his convention.jwskudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15641383927216557610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-85989964147734218832015-01-03T03:14:53.845-06:002015-01-03T03:14:53.845-06:00what is the term applied to the books of judas, Th...what is the term applied to the books of judas, Thomas, Barnaby, by Christian scholars,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-9265351826192703822014-05-29T14:37:50.650-05:002014-05-29T14:37:50.650-05:00I don't think that the Confessions do condemn ...I don't think that the Confessions do condemn the concept of Mortal Sins, as far as I am aware. In fact, they are spoken of as a given on several occasions throughout. Even though they do not expressly define a mortal sin, I do believe that they speak of them in a manner consistent with the above summary, which the dogmaticians would later clarify more explicitly, as can be found in Volume I, pp. 568-569 of Pieper's Christian Dogmatics.Rev. Jason P. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559555598308652106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-70707472657533966962014-05-29T14:22:37.996-05:002014-05-29T14:22:37.996-05:00I have not witnessed this change myself. I do not...I have not witnessed this change myself. I do not believe this is a preview of future things for our synod. Both the Latin and German of the Apostles' Creed clearly refer to hell and not merely the dead, and our newest hymnal has retained the translation of "Descended into hell" also. I have never seen an official worship resource published with "descended to the dead" as a substitution. I can only assume that this is the result of a pastor who either 1. feels uncomfortable with the idea of Jesus in Hell or 2. fears offending members or visitors by mentioning the descent in the liturgy. Either way, he is out of step with our tradition, our confession, and the use of the creed across language and history. I would assume these are merely isolated incidents or part of a very small minority that traces back to a common source (such as a shared seminary professor or attendance at the same conference where the topic was discussed). Rev. Jason P. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559555598308652106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-49465563043921370192014-05-29T14:12:51.360-05:002014-05-29T14:12:51.360-05:00The question isn't so much about fair shares o...The question isn't so much about fair shares or other similar evaluations, but simply that strict pacifism has no precedent in Christian history prior to its introduction by the radical wing of the Reformation in the 16th century and has no Biblical support when the passages are taken in context and in the light of Scripture. If a Christian adopts pacifism as a personal choice, that is their decision - although a selfish one, as they promote their own escape from this world ahead of preserving the opportunity for their neighbors to hear the Gospel - but they simply have no authority or Biblical mandate to impose such a requirement on others.Rev. Jason P. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559555598308652106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-90122184351917351492014-05-17T20:26:09.743-05:002014-05-17T20:26:09.743-05:00So the Mennonites, Amish and Quakers don't do ...So the Mennonites, Amish and Quakers don't do their fair share? Perhaps they would simply accept death in the context of religious persecution like the early Christians - without resistance from what I understand. Rather than fighting for religious freedom in this vale of tears, is it possible they might prefer to go straight to Jesus? After all, isn''t it just a matter of sooner or later?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-26895290406987787102014-04-14T16:49:43.221-05:002014-04-14T16:49:43.221-05:00For more information on how to approach the idea o...For more information on how to approach the idea of spiritual experiences, in general, see my post from a few weeks ago at:<br /><br />http://lutheranreformission.blogspot.com/2014/02/miracles-and-other-religious-experience.htmlRev. Jason P. Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02559555598308652106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-31296807935421034052014-03-13T12:51:45.731-05:002014-03-13T12:51:45.731-05:00Do you have an answer about the difference between...Do you have an answer about the difference between the descent into hell the descent to the dead? I have been surprised in two LC-MS congregations by the change to the descent to the dead instead of descent into hell and now the new arrival Pastor has introduced this change.I think there is a connection with those who advocate the soul sleep until the return of Christ but since it is not what I was always taught nor what the Lutheran Confessions teach it makes me cringe. Is this the future for LC-MS?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17446517925617408015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5500579847993423093.post-13400186123498688962014-03-12T18:21:51.329-05:002014-03-12T18:21:51.329-05:00Finally, an accurate account of prayer in school! ...Finally, an accurate account of prayer in school! I have tried to have this conversation with many of Christian family and friends and it appears that they just ignore the facts and repeat the mantra 'put God back in schools.' Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com