tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post2218607946268684994..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: The "why" of "high"Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-63849842068252074452013-12-24T12:46:23.653-06:002013-12-24T12:46:23.653-06:00Here's a thought...maybe let the congregation ...Here's a thought...maybe let the congregation know what all this means. The first time I saw you ringing the bells during the Eucharist liturgy, I had no idea what it was about. Finally, came to the conclusion it was some obscure message to the organist or the assisting minister giving them a cue.<br />As far as the kneeling thing, I thought maybe you had dropped something or were tying your shoe.<br /><br />Then there's the issue of consistency. Sometimes you ring the bells, sometimes you don't. Sometimes you kneel behind the altar, sometimes you don't. If it's so important to you to do these gestures, one would think you would be more consistent.<br /><br />The point is this. Most in the congregation have no idea why you're doing these gestures, and there's no doubt there are alot of interesting theories as to what you're doing.<br /><br />Of course I hesitate to even point this out, because I'm sure it will add a couple more pages to the bulletin in the form of explanation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-39854557315137108502013-12-23T21:32:19.025-06:002013-12-23T21:32:19.025-06:00Delwyn the bell indicates that Christ is present i...Delwyn the bell indicates that Christ is present in the Sacrament. The doctrine of the Real Presence is the doctrine that is confessed by the bell not transubstantiation. This is the case because before the Council of Trent the Roman Catholic Church allowed for different theological explanations of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. But their was still a bell to announce Our Lord's Presence.<br /><br />Most modern Catholics believe in transubstantiation today but in Luther's day it was an open argument. Trent closed the door for good theology, and locked in Aquinas's doctrine of transubstantiation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-34980034808786308712013-12-23T15:51:46.963-06:002013-12-23T15:51:46.963-06:00However, in Luther's day the number of folks w...However, in Luther's day the number of folks who disbelieved that Christ's Word effected the presence of His body and blood in the Sacrament was fewer than today -- in fact many Lutherans fail to acknowledge that Christ is present bodily.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-48786623279757664542013-12-23T11:16:28.234-06:002013-12-23T11:16:28.234-06:00The bell related to transubstantiation, which we R...The bell related to transubstantiation, which we REJECT! Luther kept many things only for the sake of not wounding the conscience of the people of that time. This is not that time, and these are not those people.elderdxchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18071222328972267419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-41087610318319386362013-12-22T20:23:21.574-06:002013-12-22T20:23:21.574-06:00In American churches ceremony has become feeling a...In American churches ceremony has become feeling and convenience. Many protestant churches have almost dispensed with their version of the Lord's Supper. No longer is Christ present even in Spirit. He is not recognized, or deemed necessary in many places. The Gospel rarely if ever is used even to evangelize in some of these "churches." When Christian holidays conflict with Sunday, church gets cancelled so people "can be with their families." Services are times of entertainment, emotional hype, and psychobabble. Jesus is not mentioned, "even in the footnotes" to quote Chris Rosebrough.<br /><br />@Lutheran pastors who read this: DON'T give up the treasures of the Liturgy, ceremony and form. There are protestants out there starving for what the church of Luther has to offer (read: the Gospel!). If you do a bait and switch on them... <br /><br />Raised Baptist, Lutheran by the Grace of God.<br />Janis Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02947508427040251166noreply@blogger.com