Gottesblog

 CPH did some market research a while back and the overwhelming response from LCMS pastors was "more Gottesdienst".....er, wait, not that, it was: "more practical, how to studies." At any rate, we Gottesdienst editors do try to keep busy producing resources in various venues, and when we get the nod from the official folks in St. Louis all the better.

I'm currently working on editing the translation of Gerhard's locus On the Gospel. Here is a fantastic quotation regarding the relationship between repentance and the Gospel. And here is a link to the schedule of upcoming volumes and how to order them at 30% off the cover price.

The Rev. Dr. Benjamin Mayes has a great essay here about Luther's preaching. The longer I stay in one place, the more I appreciate Luther's style...but that's another essay: just read Dr. Mayes' fine work for today.

Here is Nathan Rinne's (rather critical) review of the recent CTCR document on Natural Law. This is a topic for our time, to be sure - both the CTCR's document and Mr. Rinne's critique are worth reading. The more work Lutherans do in the realm of Natural Law, the better prepared we will be to face what lies ahead for the Church.

The Pope is handing out indulgences for following him on Twitter. In reading through Gerhard's arguments against Bellarmine in the former's Loci it is striking just how finely detailed the disagreement is over justification and salvation. At times one can have great sympathy with the "outmoded condemnations" crowd and the folks who put together the JDDJ.

On this July fourth, spare a thought for Ernest I, the Confessor, Duke of Brunswich-Lüneburg, signer of the Augsburg Confession, and great-great-great-great-grandfather to George III of the House of Hanover.

A couple months ago I finished my edit of Gerhard's Theological Commonplaces' locus on sin and bound choice, and now I get to work on his locus concerning the Gospel. The first section has been responding to his customary opponent, Robert Bellarmine, SJ.

UPDATE: Voters received an email this morning from the Synod Secretary informing us that the election is complete, no runoff will be necessary, but that the bylaws prevent an announcement of the results until July 6.