A few things are swirling around in my head this morning about the focus of the Ten Commandments yesterday.
Perhaps the main thing is that recent scholarship and the scholarly dialog between Jewish & Christian communities has very much begun to call into question the typical posturing in Lutheran theology that places "LAW" and "GOSPEL" in very distinct and mutually exclusive categories. Such categories, for instance, would see NOTHING gospel oriented in the giving of the 10 Commandments. These are HOLY DEMANDS made by a HOLY GOD, that imperfect/unholy Humanity are incapable of keeping. And yet, this is but one way of viewing the situation. Moreover, it happened to be Martin Luther's way....true....but Luther was a man of his age who was GREATLY [and negatively] influenced by the medieval theology of his day. As it was hopefully brought out in yesterday's sermon, there is PLENTY of Gospel in the giving of the 10 Commandments, most specifically found in Exodus 20:1 & 2.
cheers,
TM
About Me...what is an 'evangelical-catholic?'
- Pastor Tim Manwell
- Elk Grove Village, IL, United States
- I was born & raised in rural mid-Michigan (M-go blue!). Life & work have taken me to many different places. God has too, as I've come to learn that faith is a pilgrimage. I very much resonate with the label 'EVANGELICAL-CATHOLIC.' I was raised Baptist, but found myself drawn to the Sacraments & Liturgy of the Church. I appreciate very much the words of the Augsburg Confession: "...nothing has been received among us, in doctrine or in ceremonies, that is contrary to Scripture or to the church catholic." Evangelical-catholic is a term of self-designation used by Christians coming from a broad spectrum of theological perspectives and commitments, ranging from Lutherans, Anglicans, and various Evangelicals yearning for greater catholicity .....to faithful Roman Catholics longing for an evangelical renewal of the Church. Perhaps beneath the apparent denominational differences there lies a common...groaning of the Spirit of God, who is seeking to draw the members of Christ’s mystical body into a communal life that is both fully catholic and fully evangelical. One can always hope and pray!
Listen to Current Sermons (hi speed)
Monday, March 16, 2009
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