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  • A Cultural Practice for then. . . or commanded by God for now? Updated on February 23, 2009

    • A CULTURAL PRACTICE FOR THEN

      OR COMMANDED BY GOD FOR NOW?

      Introduction

      At the outset of this study the tone is set by the Word unmistakably. This is not just lip service, but heart and soul commitment. Since God is the author of Scripture (IIPet. 1:21, II Tim. 3:16), we listen attentively. He is not a God of confusion and disorder, but of peace. We cannot dismantle Scripture (Jn. 10:35), for it is His Word to be taken in its truthful entirety. Jn.17: 17 We seek to keep Christ’s commands from His Word because they are our Lord’s. Jn. 15:10 More…

  • A Theology of the Holy Spirit Updated on February 23, 2009

    • A THEOLOGY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

      Introduction

      As we do our work for Him in His kingdom support and expansion, we have seen in the last years an increase in the number of Pentecostal/Charismatics at work for Him. We don’t deny they have a zeal for God. Some of them though point at us and say we do not have the Spirit. Some of them claim we lack the ‘full Gospel’ and of this they even accuse some of their own members making them second class Christians after those with the miraculous gifts. In one pamphlet available for you to consider the history and Scripture dealing with the Pent./Char. More…

  • Encounters of a Spiritual Kind Updated on February 24, 2009

    • Introduction

      In the following examples from Scripture we try to learn ways and attitudes which will better enable us to witness of our Lord to others. These examples are drawn from a casual perusal of the Gospels and Acts. It is by no means exhaustive. As with the basketball strategy of ‘one on one’ we are looking at examples of one witnessing to another individual. We are not considering what was said to individuals already in the faith, though that is applicable. More…

  • Fifteen Principles of Interpretation Updated on February 24, 2009

    • FIFTEEN PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION (HERMENEUTICS)

      l) We work with a translation.

      Since we work with a translation, the translation is only accurate as long as it expresses the truth as recorded in the original languages. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew with a small part in Aramaic, while the New Testament was written in Greek. We must be able to work with the original languages, or have help to, so that we may discover the deeper meaning of certain words and passages. An understanding of the original languages will aid us to answer questions on interpreting difficult passages. More…

  • Freedom in Fulfillment, Form and Function Updated on February 24, 2009

    • FREEDOM IN: FULFILLMENT, FORM AND FUNCTION

      Introduction

      In the study of government and politics the age- old tension between freedom and order is readily seen. In our Christian life we also see this. The tension be can be reduced in this area as in any by the intense use of the clear Word of God. Within each of us we must admit there is at times a struggle between primitive (relating to the earliest age) Christianity and the institutionalized form. More…

  • Homiletical Points – Preaching the Living Word Updated on February 24, 2009

    • HOMILETICAL POINTS – PREACHING THE LIVING WORD

      Introduction

      Even now we see in our mind’s eye the apostle Paul preaching at Athens or at any number of other places the Living Word of God which is the very same Word which we possess. And as we picture the scene we thrill to consider the work of the Spirit through the all-powerful Scriptures. They are truly “living and active” as we read in Heb. 4:12 and “living and abiding” as we read in I Pet. l:23. We are to be artists portraying the truth of God’s Word to our hearers. Of course as artists first of all we want to be faithful to our subject and not paint a picture of what is not there. We want our hearers to see in their mind’s eye what the Word says. More…

  • Suffering Updated on February 24, 2009

    • SUFFERING

      Introduction

      This is a simple title for a complex subject. In this study we search the Word to see what God has to teach us. The perspective of this study we can easily draw from the epistle which instructs so very much on suffering, I Peter. We remember who and what we are and where we are headed. Peter writes that we are born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inherited blessedness which is imperishable. We are born anew through the imperishable, living and abiding Word of God. I Pet. l:3,4,23 More…

  • The Earth is the Lord’s and the Fullness Thereof Updated on February 24, 2009

    • THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S AND THE FULLNESS THEREOF Ps. 24:1

      Introduction

      A robber may approach us to take from us what is ours and to gain it for himself. He may threaten us, ‘Your money or your life.’ If we don’t give him our money, he will take our life. He uses brute force. Ah, but our God says to us, ‘Your money and your life, and…’ He beckons us to a totality of devotion to Him and His cause. His cause unlike the robber’s is just and right. There is a totality to His appeal for commitment. And why should it be otherwise, since He has given us all that we have and are. Naked we came into the world and naked we shall leave it. More…

  • The Kingdom of God Updated on February 24, 2009

    • THE KINGDOM OF GOD

      Introduction

      When the word ‘kingdom’ is used there is generally connected with it: a realm, boundaries of geographical space, rule of force, an army and police forces to maintain order, a monarch on a throne with all the trappings. How different and greater is the kingdom of God. As we shall see, it is not: buildings, a place, miracles, earthly power and glory, material things of this world. More…

  • The Method of Applying Water in baptism Updated on February 24, 2009

    • THE METHOD OF APPLYING WATER IN BAPTISM

      Introduction

      Most if not all in this essay may be old hat to some. But it is not so long and established to some who call themselves Lutheran. Even so-called Lutherans today deny aspects of baptism that we have held from Scripture as true for long ages. More…

  • Zorn’s Basic Hermeneutical Principles Updated on February 24, 2009

    • ZORN’S BASIC HERMENEUTICAL PRINCIPLES

      Pastor Zorn, a former missionary in India, had a series of basic principles of interpretation that he followed. These principles directed his exegesis work.

      l) The Bible must be interpreted according to its own claims that it is the inspired Word of God in all its parts. Therefore it is only the Word of God that established doctrine in the church. More…

Devotional Essays

  • Devotional on Nehemiah – A leader of God’s People Updated on February 23, 2009

    • DEVOTIONAL

      PROFILE OF A LEADER OF GOD’S PEOPLE -  NEHEMIAH

      After seventy years of exile a remnant of God’s people returned to possess the land they had been expelled from because of idolatry.  There are numerous persons of note among those who returned and worked among the people.  We think of Ezra, Jeshua, Zerubbabel.  Some leaders held civil office, while others were religious leaders of the people.  One man who came later than the large group who returned at first was Nehemiah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. More…

  • Devotional on the Epistle of Joy Updated on February 24, 2009

    • (The Paradox of Philippians)

      l:3-11 What a Fellowship! (TLH ) Hymn 192 st. 1-3

      This hymn ends on a high note, an exultant, joyful note. That is also this epistle. It has that high (based on Christ’s resurrection and triumph) joyful, exultant tone. Another old hymn goes ‘What a fellowship, what a joy divine, leaning on the everlasting arms…safe and secure from all alarms.’ More…

  • The Hunting Dog – An Investigation into the Launching and Pursuit of foreign missions by Orthodox Lutheranism Updated on February 23, 2009

    • >DEVOTIONALGO, PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL NATIONS


      THE HUNTING DOG
      (An Investigation into the Launching and Pursuit of foreign missions by Orthodox Lutheranism)

      INTRODUCTION

      Introspection is always good as the first step toward improvement.  If we find that we have done wrong, been negligent, and ignored what we aught to have done, then repentance is called for.  Perhaps some eyes will be opened by this essay.  Perhaps some feathers will be ruffled.  Complacency in the face of our Lord’s impending return is not part of being awake and alert and watchful and preparing.  We can at times so swiftly slide into the malaise that terminates in a sound sleep. More…