LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Pietism, More Than A Renewal Movement?":
Thanks for posting this. I had a rehearsal with the organist for this coming Sunday worship...Christ the King Sunday. We had a discussion about where Lutheranism seems to be going. She couldn't put her finger on anything, but is aware of a shift in worship practice. She is a member of the worship committee but has stopped going. She is sick of all the 'feelings' music and questionable lyrics. This article is a good primer. I'm going to send her the link.
JK
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GJ - I am trying to provide a wealth of material, to explain why things are happening this way. I often communicate with people each day about this, by Facebook, email, phone, and blog comments.
Pietism is anti-Confessional. That is why the feelings bunch will express contempt for the Book of Concord, even though it is the best one-volume Biblical commentary we have.
Pietists howl about the souls they want to save, but they argue that unbelievers need false doctrine (plagiarized) to reach their flinty hearts. They are not that obvious, of course. They kelm Ski's favorite motto from Groeschel - anything short of sin to reach them. But false doctrine is the gravest sin of all, far worse than sins against the Second Table.
2 comments:
It is interesting to hear how Joe is trying to "open the eyes," as it were, of a possibly like-minded individual in his congregation. I have to admit this was my motivation in writing an article for this past month's congregational newsletter about the meaning and purpose of the liturgy . . . even as we had an "alternative worship experience" on Reformation Sunday. I admit that I was playing on the irony of the situation with the article. Nonetheless, the editor actively encouraged me to write for future months as well, so that was encouraging. I'm still not sure what to write on for December yet.
I could ramble on about some of my recent experiences concerning this at my former congregation. I learned a very important lesson approaching members. That would be patient and judicious about who you contact. Three years ago, I wrote a letter of general concern and distributed it to a few members who I felt may be able to understand my position. I did not give it to anyone that was in a position of leadership. That was a good call, as none of the leaders would have been able to handle it. I was somewhat taken aback by the response, or lack thereof, from those that I did give it to. One member gave it back to me and said, "I cannot handle this". Later, she gave me the benefit of a reply with a rather convoluted reason. It was then that I finally decided that many members simply lack discernment. The years of going to countless meetings and activities had dulled their spiritual senses, so to speak. It was less about me being right and a whole lot more about what was wrong. Masonry evangelism had totally captivated these few members to the point where they could not understand any dissenting voices.
JK, as you have found out, the Lord will provide those who listen to his Word and discern.
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