A blog of the Evangelical Lutheran Liturgy
Why do some entrepreneurs and businessmen debase themselves? Why would a grown man put on a chicken suit, or go on late night TV waving his arms about ranting (yet again) that “everything must go”? Why do lawyers put up sleazy and lurid billboards?
Because it works!
Read MoreSuper Winkel in Ft. Wayne Monday Jan 19th! You never know who might show up but you know it will be edifying and fun.
Read MoreI often hear the argument that musical style is neutral when it comes to appropriateness for worship, and that the reason we in the Gottesdienst Crowd reject “contemporary worship” is simply because we just happen to like the organ and classical music. In other words, if the words pass theological muster, any musical style may be used for the Divine Service, as Scripture doesn’t specify such things, thus making it a matter of adiaphora.
Read MoreIf precious but grumpy sheep have already decided to complain about being fed good food, we pastors might as well “sin boldly” as Luther once said, and feed them very well.
Read MoreNote: The Rev. Dr. Jon Bruss, president of Concordia Theological Seminary, posted the following to his personal Facebook account. I think it needs to be widely read and forwarded. — Ed.
Read More"For an instant even I was appalled - but only for an instant."
Caught between the pincers of the world and the church, I find myself so jaded these days as to rarely find the energy to even shrug my shoulders at what I see going on around me. But, in the case of the following published paper by the chairman of the Missions Department of Concordia University, Portland, the Rev. Dr. Herb Hoefer, who is, of course, an ordained minister of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, I have nothing else to do than to quote Sir Harry Flashman.
Stay away from the ESV at Christmas. And here’s why.
Read More“Already in the seventeenth century the bright sun of the biblical teaching against usury had nearly set in the Lutheran Church.” (C.F.W. Walther, Die Wucherfrage: Protokoll der Verhandlungen der deutschen ev. luth. Gemeinde U.A.C. zu St. Louis, Mo., über diese Frage (1869), 37)
Read MoreThe beginning of the new year brings with it a great many resolutions, and I hope that the new church year, beginning today, brings with it some worthwhile resolutions on the part of the everyday Christian. I once read somewhere that a new year’s resolution for January 1st is more effective if begun December 1st, and has a much higher rate of success. So, by all means, begin whatever resolutions you have underway in the coming week, most especially those pertaining to the Christian life.
Read MoreThe Christmas issue is on its way!
Read MoreThe theme of this podcast is really the “toxic masculinity” that plagues the Christian church - especially those churches that have a “glass ceiling” that limits the ability for women to take the lead in our churches.
Read MoreI hadn’t considered that angle before. It was nice of “Lois” to offer this biblical and thoughtful corrective.
Read MoreA long overdue video response from my super high-tech studio. 😂
Read MoreYear to date, Gottesblog has received visitors from 99 countries. Here is the list in order of number of visits. There are a few surprises here!
Read MoreThis statement, “It is time to say the quiet part out loud” is the one line in this video that I agree with. We have been far too accommodating and far too interested in “Peace, peace, when there is no peace” instead of saying the hard truths.
Read MoreThis year has seen the appearance of at least two new Advent calendars in Lutheran circles, both of which are well worth your time.
The first will make a welcome addition to the Advent routine of any language enthusiast.
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