Pull your old shirt out over the jeans.
Look earnest.
There are, I think, a couple of reasons for the migration to Rome or EO. One is stability. The organization will place the incoming where there is an income, probably priest or not. Leaving one set of political problems for another is not much of a deal. The high church types, as Fenton was, go because of the ceremony, of which they are most fond. In all the cases, there is apparently little interest in what their new home is teaching. "Few are chosen" needs to be believed and understood.
If good hymns are important, and decent liturgy is important, then The Lutheran Hymnal is the only available book. Its spoken Propers all use the good old terms, titles and lessons. They might be called adiaphora but if one is long in those things, they are what one wants. How many times have I both heard and said, "I have not left the church. The church has left me." Since LBW, many have expressed that sentiment. If the synod leadership -- SP, DP, CP or Pastor -- has not heard the conviction of some of the membership, then some will look for the old and familiar. As those folks age, they want to remain with the familiar. Changeless, unchanging.
I haven't heard any sermons during my lifetime that were given in King James English. That does not mean the KJV should go away. It only means it should be well taught and explained. There is the KJ21 version that could work. Its format is bookish and its highlighting can be difficult to get used to, but it is still the King James. Look what has happened when misguided men offer 'modern' translations. There is no Word left in sermons. Many are not even given in Good American English. As far as I am concerned, all that new stuff is the true adiaphora. I think Luther said if someone calls the good old stuff adiaphora he should have a fight on his hands.
I haven't heard any sermons during my lifetime that were given in King James English. That does not mean the KJV should go away. It only means it should be well taught and explained. There is the KJ21 version that could work. Its format is bookish and its highlighting can be difficult to get used to, but it is still the King James. Look what has happened when misguided men offer 'modern' translations. There is no Word left in sermons. Many are not even given in Good American English. As far as I am concerned, all that new stuff is the true adiaphora. I think Luther said if someone calls the good old stuff adiaphora he should have a fight on his hands.
Excuse my prattling on while waiting to empty the dishwasher. This old guy prefers a certain stability. The "Change or Die" conference should be titled "Change and Die".
Don't dream it, be it.
