tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post6712050971050872448..comments2024-03-27T15:47:46.091-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Not doctrinal but pastoral...Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-41443949822813063132012-05-25T19:34:42.830-05:002012-05-25T19:34:42.830-05:00Is there doctrinal ambiguity? Is there unsettled ...Is there doctrinal ambiguity? Is there unsettled doctrine? If the answer is no, then the problem is not with the doctrine but with the practice of that doctrine -- which largely leaves it up to the individual pastor/parish to do as he and they please. If it is a doctrinal problem, then we need to convene a council, discuss the disputed doctrine, and determine which is orthodox. I think Pastor/Father Peters is correct. We do not have doctrinal ambiguity, we do have a refusal to accept settled doctrine and a refusal to have practice defined and shaped by that settled doctrine. Do we need a new creed, confession, or statement of faith? No, we need to practice/enforce the ones we have. That is a pastoral issue.<br /><br />At first I also disagreed with Pastor/Father Peters but now I think he is correct. The alternative is to suggest that our Lutheran Confessions either do not speak to these issues or they do not bind us and this is a can of worms none of us needs to dig into. Now to be sure, the Confessions do not speak to EVERY doctrinal issue but they speak to many and they presume/assume the evangelical and catholic consensus undergirding these settled questions.Lutheran Pastornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-44820045977394253942012-05-24T20:48:54.764-05:002012-05-24T20:48:54.764-05:00If lex orandi, lex credendi is the basis by which ...If lex orandi, lex credendi is the basis by which to judge whether a church observes correct doctrine, then you're wrong, Fr. Peters: the problem in Missouri is doctrine. There is no possible way that the sappy, egocentric, praise band lead worship of megachurches is rooted in the theology that Missouri formally claims to teach and defend.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06200319733737651773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-21643084560212002822012-05-23T08:46:23.642-05:002012-05-23T08:46:23.642-05:00I never thought it about it this way. We do not la...I never thought it about it this way. We do not lack doctrinal clarity. We lack faithful practice of our clear doctrinal confession.<br /><br />While no one insists upon absolute uniformity, it is to be expected that the range of practice is narrower rather than wide open.<br /><br />Pastors and their congregations that flaunt their freedom often forget they have just as much obligation to their peers as they do freedom to make individual choices. A little balance in this would be wise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-87271769397597965362012-05-22T09:33:15.036-05:002012-05-22T09:33:15.036-05:00Every LCMS parish is led by a called
pastor who ha...Every LCMS parish is led by a called<br />pastor who has met the requirements<br />for ordination. His pastoral tact and<br />leadership determines whether that<br />parish will be healthy and vibrant<br />under the power of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />A pastor has a Word and Sacrament<br />ministry to nurture the faith of<br />the members in Jesus Christ. Since<br />there is no perfect parish and no<br />perfect pastor we must rely on God's grace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com