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.
