Pragmatism ~ Practically Worthless

I received a comment on idealism being one of the Church's deadliest enemies, and that pragmatism is just as evil, if not worse. "This is most certainly true." What is practical and programatic has been seen as the most important "effective tools" for what many beurocratic b.s.-ers in the district and synod offices call "ministry." But alas, this is not so, not so at all. For I find that 99.999% of all the crap sent to me, as a pastor, from district and synod, is not at all practical, nor effective, but practically worthless. In terms of theology, confession of faith, Lutheran identity, and the like, pragmatism, and its whore: The Church Growth Movement (not too much different than another "movement" I need to do here shortly [i.e., BM]) are only tools of the evil one, "...and not according to Christ." (Colossians 2:8 ESV) If you've exhausted the entire canon of Scripture in your teaching, preaching, etc., and thoroughly explained and interpreted the same through the full confession of our faith with the Book of Concord, and completely sung through and have had all your members memorize all of the solid Lutheran hymnody and liturgy; then you may want to "see what else is out there" (practically speaking). But no, you don't even have permission from Holy Church, and your ordination vows to do that! So why, in the name of Christ and His Church, are you so bent on being relevent, practical, "winsome" and liked by all, herding them in like cattle, instead of shepherding them as sheep? Why? Because you, oh creative-executive-type, are like the pragmatism, and the programs you bow to: "practically worthless."

In the words of one of the greatest exegetes the Lutheran Church has ever had, Dr. Harold Buls: "'nuff said!"

Regards,
The Northwoods Luther

Is There a Connection?

GK of the LCMess, immediately after his first term election, held up a sign that read "It's a wonderful life." Now, follow me on this one, and wait for the obvious connection. The LCMess Convection (a type of oven that gets really hot, like Houston) was at Houston, TX. In Houston is a man, not too unlike GK, by the name of Joel Osteen. He packs his cattle in a mega-barn in Houston, masquerading as some sort of preacher (and he is of the other sort: of a very different/demonic spirit). Here's the irony: GK holds up that sign about some sort of glory road "wonderful life" and Osteen (whom you can't stand to listen to for a minute, lest you choke that "lee press on smile" Texan) wrote a book called, "Your Best Life Now." GK must stand for "Glorious Kingdom" now; and he and Osteen must have alot in common. Maybe they both have similar evangelism (where the Gospel becomes a new law you must share; like communism, and socialism) program. Oh, I don't know, something like Ablaze! (or what the Northwoods Luther calls Aphase!).

Let's hope there's a connection in all of this. And if you don't think they are connected theologically and politically, the coffee of Christ and His truth did not wake you up yet. The Holy Christian Church: The Lutheran Church (take that, Benedict Arnold, you verum antichristum) will not tolerate two ways; doctrine and practice must be married in a marriage that, unlike any other earthly marrige, will last forever. GK and JO of Houston, TX: what a team!!! "It's a wonderful life" because it's "Your best life now." Is there a connection? You bet!!!

Regards,
The Northwoods Luther

Gross Spelling Errors in My First Post ~ Sorry!

Hello again,
A brief word on the words I misspelled. I said, "definately" and should have wrote "definitely" and the common error, "their" instead of "there." Please absolve me, oh thou grammarian sticklers out there.

More to follow, much more fun, cynicism, etc...

Regards,
Northwoods Luther

Welcome to the Theological Thoughts of a Northwoods Lutheran Pastor

Greetings!

As this is my first post on my newly created blogspot, I want to assure you that you have now entered a site dedicated to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Be it theological, or whatever, there will be no punches pulled here. We live in an age where idealism is the god, and both hollywood and washington bow at it's altar, and the multitude of liberal churches encourage the same. I will not withhold identity of persons to protect their "innocence" nor hold back from mentioning the exact denominations that are completely demonized. Yet, we shall definately have some fun, laugh, and laugh some more, while also speaking the truth in the truest love their is, Christ our Substitute.

Building on that "idealism" theme, I read perhaps one the greatest quotes the other day, which describes me, my family (so far), and many of the sheep I serve as shepherd: Cynicism is idealism beat up by reality. Doesn't this say it all, folks? Christians, and especially LCMS confessional/liturgical Lutherans are decried as too cynical. But you see, we deal with reality!

• Real Scripture ~ the entire Word of God
• Real Incarnation ~ the Word made flesh in Christ
• Real Bloodshed ~ the Passion and Death of Christ
• Real Life ~ the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead
• Real Baptism ~ the Washing that joins us to Christ's death and resurrection
• Real Absolution ~ the Forgiveness of sins
• Real Eucharist ~ the true Body and Blood of Christ for us Christians to eat and drink
• Real Cross ~ the life of every believer under Christ's cross bearing his own 'till death

"This is the Life" GK, and no other. It makes every Lutheran, and every Lutheran pastor a cynic, if he's confessionally honest, and has an ounce of intellect. Yes, dear Pres. K, when you held up the sign at your second (or was it the first) term election that said, "This is the Life," if you only knew that Real Life and confessed it fully and always! (Many of you know who GK is... In the words of a northwoods pastor [myself] who likes to refer to this this third-termer pres. of the LCMess [thank you, generalscuttlebutt] as "Pope Geraldo Da Turd").

I am a cynic, and that makes me a realist, because I must deal with reality, not what' ideal. Cynicism is idealism beat up by reality. Learn this, and see how this describes what's Lutheran as well.

Well, all for now. I will post as much as possible.

Regards,

The Northwoods Luther