Febreze Fumigates The CORE

Febreeze has left a new comment on your post "Another Lulu.com Sale":

So I was recently Googling The CORE's stuff. I found some stuff on Youtube. Apparently after each praise session they ask those in attendance what they thought. The following are youtube videos and my initial comments on them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DGCa4P2lF8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyU1rC41ptc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5QFkNyLFPQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPb_gyMvMzI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zBFCkid0tg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwMTH_Ir6lg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V08Xz6NXhGM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcaCeLRpMPU&feature=autoplay&list=UUIKirTPZYdvN9ue_32Wwu4A&lf=plcp&playnext=1

Now, I will admit, my comments are very unorganized. My comments really pertain to the videos I have linked and maybe some that I didn't link. Forgive my non-organization of my comments to the videos. But if one watches the videos they will see where my comments arise from.

My comments are as follows (along with the connotations of  The CORE's members):

"Ski is awesome"

"The music is great and relates to us."

"We worship and we sing."

"God is there, he's waitng for us to cry out to him."

"Heard the airport sounds and the setting was awesome"

"I'm at home at the airport"

"The message is just what I needed to hear" (as opposed to the Law and Gospel presented at a "traditional" Lutheran service?...what makes the Gospel different at the CORE then at a liturgical church?)

"I come because the people are nice"

"The CORE is relevant because it's a sinful zone as opposed to a sinless zone" (what? if we we're sinless we wouldn't go to church. We go to church, at a liturgical Service, because it delivers the forgiveness of sins to SINNERS!)

They think "regular" church Services are for "holy people" and not "sinners." They are harking on the third use of the Law. It will burn them out. They are hiding the Gospel because of the primary focus on the third use of the Law. They even admit that (pretty much) they don't like churches who preach the Gospel as opposed to a church who harks on the third use of the Law.

Episode 3: "why do you come?" "I am here because the people are excited, because there is a girraff." (What?)

Episode 4: focused on praise. introduction to people around you...because the Divine Service is all about personal friendships rather than God's Word to you. "what makes it real? Pastor Ski and the people here."

Episode 12: so much time in effort placed into a play like interactive gimmick. Why isn't the focus on the Means of Grace which deliver forgiveness?

The "ready for worship" video: "love this song!" Is it more about the music or...?

Episode 3: who are the muscisians?! They're celebrities! Instead of just assisting worship humbly.

Episode 7: "meeting other people" My comments would be: we grow in our relationship with God not through a pumped up preacher, popcorn, soda, and music, but through his pure and Holy Word and through the Sacraments. Anything else is putting those things aside and putting our personal interests higher.

From these participants comments it comes off that they were just released from an action movie or a motivational speaker. I would never guess that they were released from the confession of sins, Law and Gospel exposition, and the Holy Sacrament of the Altar. Where does this "praise" mentality come from? I have to wonder. Some say it comes from UOJ because UOJ says we just need to accept that we're already forgiven -- therefore we "praise" him because of his already declared verdict. Others say that it's not even that, but, rather it's because we need to feel connected to Jesus without the Word and Sacraments but rather through music, popcorn, and a pumped up, eccentric preacher. With either case, in my opinion, it's pure Enthusiasm.

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Luther - The Large Catechism:

Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.


10] Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.


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GJ - I love the baggage video where the man drags his baggage to The CORE and no one is there.

Dual Purpose - Thrivent Grant?

Another Lulu.com Sale

Place the code word in the window at the bottom of the order, update the order, and the discount will apply.

Each sale only works once, but these sales keep appearing. Go to the main lulu.com page to find the graphic. I will try to keep up with them.

This is where to order the books. PDF downloads are free.

Comments against UOJ, Steadfast Lutherans

Brett Meyer:

Dr. Kilcrease doesn’t understand why I post quotes from Scripture or the Lutheran Confessions without explaining them. It’s been a source of frustration before as it is now.


The reason is that direct quotes from Scripture are God’s pure Word. Through the Word the Holy Ghost works to build and strengthen faith in those God has called and also to harden the hearts of those who reject it.


Scripture doesn’t require philisophical manipulation in order to wrench a “concept” from it. God speaks clearly throughout the Bible which is the reason we look at the whole of God’s Word regarding Justification and not pixilate it as the sophists do. God’s Word is completely harmonious – there is no contradiction.
False teachings are contrary to God’s Word and will be, by their nature, contradictory to it.


I do not often go into great explanatory detail when I quote the Confessions. They too are very clear as they are wholely faithful to Scripture which is the Norm for Christian doctrine, Christian faith. It’s also good to let the Confessors speak directly to those who care enough to study.


It’s a trait of false teachings that they must masticate the source in order to substantiate their doctrines which are contrary to the source – in this case Scripture.


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Brett Meyer:

Rev. McCall, Dr. Kilcrease,
I assure you there are no theological suppositions being superimposed on Scripture from the Justification by Faith Alone for the forgiveness of sins, righteousness and eternal life team.

Defense of my assertion is to quote the BOC, Smalcald articles Part II, Article I: The first and chief article. Note that the exposition of Rom. 4:25,John 1:29, Rom 3:23, Rom 3:26 the Confessors do not decree the unforgiven world forgiven without faith but clearly state forgiveness (justification) is by faith alone.

1] That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4:25.

2] And He alone is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, John 1:29; and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all, Is. 53:6.

3] Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, Rom. 3:23f

4] Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Rom. 3:28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise 3:26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ.

5] Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered [nor can anything be granted or permitted contrary to the same], even though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide, should sink to ruin. For there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved, says Peter, Acts 4:12. And with His stripes we are healed, Is. 53:5. And upon this article all things depend which we teach and practice in opposition to the Pope, the devil, and the [whole] world.Therefore, we must be sure concerning this doctrine, and not doubt; for otherwise all is lost, and the Pope and devil and all things gain the victory and suit over us.
http://bookofconcord.org/smalcald.php#officeandworkofjesus

Also, under the Solid Declaration in the BOC forgiveness follows faith and without faith the unbelieving world is not accounted righteous and forgiven but under God’s wrath:

20] However, now that man has not kept the Law of God, but transgressed it, his corrupt nature, thoughts, words, and works fighting against it, for which reason he is under God’s wrath, death, all temporal calamities, and the punishment of hell-fire, the Gospel is properly a doctrine which teaches what man should believe, that he may obtain forgiveness of sins with God, namely, that the Son of God, our Lord Christ, has taken upon Himself and borne the curse of the Law, has expiated and paid for all our sins, through whom alone we again enter into favor with God, obtain forgiveness of sins by faith, are delivered from death and all the punishments of sins, and eternally saved.

http://bookofconcord.org/sd-lawandgospel.php

This BOC quote also rejects Dr. Kilcrease’s teaching that the imperitive to “believe”, as a requirement for the forgiveness of sins, is Law and not Gospel. It is most definitely Gospel because Faith is solely worked, created and sustained by the Holy Ghost through the Means of Grace.

And in order to counter the UOJ claim that the BOC was only speaking of what UOJ would call Subjective Justification the BOC declares the two ways in which Scripture uses the word Justified – neither of them being a declaration of forgiveness without faith graciously worked through the Means of Grace.

72] And because “to be justified” means that out of unjust men just men are made, or born again, it means also that they are pronounced or accounted just. For Scripture speaks in both ways. [The term "to be justified" is used in two ways: to denote, being converted or regenerated; again, being accounted righteous.] Accordingly we wish first to show this, that faith alone makes of an unjust, a just man, i.e., receives remission of sins.

http://bookofconcord.org/defense_4_justification.php

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Brett Meyer:

The Seventh-Day Adventists confess the same UOJ as the Lutheran Synods.

http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/documents/Universal%20Justification.htm

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Lito Cruz:

Mr. Halvorson,

To add a bit more, to my post in

@Lito P. Cruz, PhD #68

The way to interpret Romans 4:25 that is safe and fair is to put it in context with the rest of Romans 4 as part of an argument and further to look at the statements of St Paul as a statement which includes the story of our Redemption as Christians.

Before you shoot more questions, I would suggest you deal with the explanation of Walther A. Maier whose paper I have included in the above post. Please study that paper carefully and try to shut yourself for the moment from any propaganda, if you wish by Team JBFA or Team UOJ.

When you have done that, I am happy to answer questions which you might direct to me personally.

LPC


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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Comments against UOJ, Steadfast Lutherans":

I recommend reading through the "Oh did you hear what Rydecki said..." post on LutherQuest. Count each time a leap of human reason occurs in the confessions of those commenting.

For example here is a snippet from a comment from UOJ promoter Rolf Preus, " If Jesus paid the ransom and the Father accepted the ransom this must mean that God has absolved everyone for whom the ransom was paid. Otherwise God's a cheat."

The leap of human reason is "...this must mean..." add 1 to your count

http://www.lutherquest.org/cgi-bin/discus40/discus.cgi  

Johnny goes marching home again

•   Medal of Honor
•   Silver Star
•   Legion of Merit
•   Bronze Star
•   Purple Heart

Johnny goes marching home again:


Sadly, a few decision-makers never forgave Baker for dropping out. When he was nominated in 2004 for Moline High School's Hall of Honor, he was rejected. Even though school officials had excitedly awarded him an honorary diploma upon his return from war, it wasn't good enough.

Gary Koeller, Moline's principal at the time, added that more than "just a single phenomenon" was expected of a Hall of Honor inductee.

But even before President Lyndon Johnson hung the Medal of Honor around Baker's neck for selflessly saving the lives of eight Americans, the 5-foot, 2-inch soldier was awarded the Bronze Star, Silver Star and Purple Heart. He completed 300 missions as a "tunnel rat," crawling through tunnels and planting explosives where the enemy traveled.

In 1989, Baker retired from the U.S. Army as a master sergeant after serving 24 years.
After that, he went to work as a computer analyst for the Veterans Affairs hospital in Columbia, S.C., one of the largest VA hospitals in the country.

He long served as vice president of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. And he was appointed by President George W. Bush in 2002 to serve on the National Cemetery Association's advisory committee on cemeteries and memorials.

He accepted invitations to speak at more than 1,000 public schools. The Interstate 280 Bridge was renamed Baker Bridge.

He was no one-hit wonder.

But the decision-makers at the high school refused to back off. One of Baker's former stepsons launched a relentless attack, claiming Baker was an alcoholic and was abusive to his mother after returning from Vietnam.

Even after an investigation by a retired FBI agent and a former member of the Secret Service revealed no such darkness in his past, school officials clung to their snubbing.

Ironically, the purpose of the Hall of Honor is: "To honor Moline High School alumni who have achieved distinction and positively influenced the lives of others."


Read more: http://www.qctimes.com/news/opinion/editorial/columnists/barb-ickes/johnny-goes-marching-home-again/article_da95f362-4719-11e1-8e26-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz1lcIKWdHy


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GJ - Synods are far more petty, excelling in driving members and ministers away.

Sceptics Think the NNIV Battle in WELS Is Not Over

ChurchMouse - Carl Olof Rosenius

Carl Olof Rosenius is essential to the history of
Swedish Pietism and the Augustana Synod.

Swedish pietism: Carl Olof Rosenius and George Scott « Churchmouse Campanologist:


Although I plan to post on David Gustafson’s book on Moody and Swedish pietists (mentioned therein) early next week, it seemed apposite to explore the possibilities for their appetite for Anglo-American holiness.

A likely place to begin is with two men, Carl Olof Rosenius, Lutheran pietist and George Scott, an English Methodist.


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ChurchMouse - Dwight L. Moody

Dwight L. Moody, as in WDLM radio in Chicago.
The Quad Cities had WOC -
Wonders of Chiropractic (Palmer's pioneering radio station).

Dwight Moody and the Swedish pietists « Churchmouse Campanologist:


In this post, we return to America (now and again) and to Dwight Moody. I also hadn’t realised he had such an effect on Swedish pietists until I read David Gustafson’s book, D L Moody and Swedes, a thorough and fascinating examination of the subject. Dr Gustafson teaches at Linköping University in the Department of Arts and Sciences.

I shall briefly attempt to summarise key points of how important this episode of the late 19th century would be for both parties. (Page numbers indicated below are PDF pages and might not tie in with the printed page number.)


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