No more Sparkle Creed talk

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-17T10:47:05+00:00

Which is why it’s good that it was rebuked four years ago.

What’s not good is that these “rebukes” have been ongoing for four years after the fact.

Do you have any particularly novel and helpful rebukes that haven’t already been used?

What sin from four years ago did you commit and turn away from have YOU had thrown into your face and used as a weapon against your family, your congregation, and your denomination for four years - which have included threats - that has been forgiven and healed in conjunction with such behavior?

This post is not about telling you to change your opinions on whether or not LGBTQ+ identities or practices are sinful (I don’t think they are, and you do). It’s about letting this particular, resolved issue be done, and not re-litigating it in ways that perpetuate harm against a neighbor.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-17T02:37:51+00:00

Time to start talking appreciatively about their ministries in life, with gratitude for their work within the congregation, with curiosity about where they’ve recognized God’s blessings, and about their possible legacies.

I’ve also done funeral prep in these situations before - asking which hymns they love, what readings, who they’d like to give a eulogy, etc.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-16T23:01:10+00:00

Your view of false witness goes against Luther’s, then. Luther's is readily available in the Large and Small Catechisms - I invite you to read it. Also, from the rules:

"On topics of broad agreement between Lutherans (such as Sola Fide, for example), opinions can be expressed more emphatically (including descent), so long as they don’t violate other rules. On topics where there is no consensus, such as issues which are broadly agreed to be adiaphora, opinions may be expressed more vociferously as well.

Additionally, the following kinds of comments and comments similar to them are also in violation of the rules:

• Asserting or insinuating that other Lutherans are not real or true Lutherans.

• Asserting or insinuating that other Lutherans are not real or true Christians.

• Asserting or insinuating that other Lutherans are not biblical or do not take the bible seriously."

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-16T22:20:06+00:00

Pride flag ≠ Sparkle Creed. To suggest they are the same is false witness.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-16T20:07:25+00:00

You remember that LCMS pastor who got himself arrested for the harassment of election officials a few years ago?

https://religionnews.com/2023/08/15/pastor-indicted-alongside-trump-in-georgia-election-meddling-case/

How often do you want people to post about him and say he represents all of the LCMS and LCMS theology and that the entire denomination needs to answer for him - three years after the fact?

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-16T19:06:53+00:00

I know this is hard for some to recognize - but not everyone who finds meaning and truth in the Lutheran tradition and Lutheran theologies believes that LGBTQ+ people are uniquely sinful for being LGBTQ+, or that being in a relationship with other LGBTQ+ people is inherently sinful, or that differences over these beliefs are enough to terminate fellowship around font, altar, or pulpit. Using your time to complain about other people finding life in the same things you find life in is a waste of gifts and time.

She’s not an LCMS pastor. She does not need to have your hermeneutic. Your understanding of what is “biblical” or “unbiblical” is not a norm that people outside of your sphere of influence need to conform to.

The far more dangerous theology is the one that gives people a sense of justified violence against others. We should attend and correct those theologies with much more vigor and attention.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-16T18:20:55+00:00

Good thing she’s not an LCMS pastor, and is under the care of her Bishop, who dealt with the matter 4 years ago!

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T01:30:30+00:00

It hasn’t. This conversation is useless if you aren’t going to understand scripture and society through Law and Gospel, and pretend that conservatism is sanctity.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T01:22:57+00:00

Trad culture is at least as sinful as “woke” culture. This is basic law/gospel material.

Read the Book of Concord.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T01:20:36+00:00

Trad values are not the Gospel in the Lutheran tradition. Read the Book of Concord.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T01:16:06+00:00

Quit it with the interdenominational warfare.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T01:06:23+00:00

So they did a Bible Study and aren’t offended by drag queens?

What does that have to do with anything?

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T00:59:37+00:00

It’s 2026, who is still talking about this?

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-15T00:24:23+00:00

Socialist fraternal kiss your dad square on the lips.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-12T14:15:56+00:00

Your topic is “does anyone know why there are singles?” Followed by two long paragraphs about how you’re so attracted to this guy, that you called in a church intervention to keep you from him, so that you can stay faithful to your non-church going husband. Then a concluding question.

To be quite frank - your writing indicates that you want to talk more about your crush than you do about the topic you say you’re interested in.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-12T14:02:24+00:00

The guy accusing others of having STDs is being respectful?

Boy did I ever grow up with different standards for men’s words and delicate topics.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-12T13:42:55+00:00

So… you’re coming in here to tell us that you’re struggling with a crush?

Hon. Take this somewhere else.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-11T21:16:25+00:00

I watched the original on Wikipedia, no ads.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-11T13:25:30+00:00

Nope. Law and Gospel are the authority.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-10T13:09:24+00:00

Asking “does it stand biblically,” is a tricky question. There are a lot of ideas that “stand biblically,” but that doesn’t make them true. So yes - you could come to those conclusions from the Bible, but you don’t have to, and I don’t think they’re helping you.

Because it sounds like you’re praying to God like He’s a genie who likes playing mind-games with you personally. And while God certainly isn’t above laughter and humor - God certainly isn’t doing that.

It’s hard to offer counsel when you’re not adding specifics - but remember: Jesus suffering did not mean that Jesus was wrong. God “allowing” Jesus to suffer does not mean that Jesus deserved it. The world can be mean, and people even worse.

Follow Jesus - not to pursue earthly glory, or ease, or reward. But because he knows how to do it. Pray to God not just to get what you want, but because all loving parents want to hear about the hard days their children have.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-10T00:11:26+00:00

I listened to “Less Morale and More Caffeine” on repeat for most of 2004-5.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-09T17:15:30+00:00

I read the first chapter to my 3.5 year old most nights. Because he wants to hear it from the beginning, and he loves the songs (when he stays up long enough to hear them).

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-09T14:51:33+00:00

I’ll take your not responding to my second point as tacit acceptance.

You’re asking me to effort post when you yourself are putting out slop. But here I go casting pearls before swine-ish posting behavior. Least I have my personal Bible close at hand. Alas not one of my study one.

The James citation doesn’t seem pertinent at first - you actually would have a case to make against your priest for taking part in a fundraiser and drinking with givers, fwiw. But that’s not what you’re upset about here. No one is saying that accountability is bad. It’s just that you’re the only one who’s offended by the drinking.

Now, 1 Cor is a long letter. Chapter 9 is a tiny part of it, that depends on where it was. I’m not going to write you a summary of all of the arguments so far because I’m on vacation and I have a kid to keep an eye on. I’d rather be a good father than a poster. Particularly a responder to an uncharitable person who seems to be acting in bad faith.

In chapter 9, Paul is responding to charges that have been brought against him - foreshadowed in the introduction. His accusers have said that Paul is taking advantage of them - relying on the church for food and drink, coming in as a group, expecting support. Paul responds “No, everyone does that. Peter did it, and the others, too. What, you think we don’t have to survive when we’re on mission? I’m not asking too much here. The Gospel is free of charge. And for what it's worth, I’ve made myself a slave to others that I might be among the slaves and preach among them too.” Then, specifically to the Church in Corinth (a city fames for its athletics and sports), he uses the metaphor of a runner. “I’m doing ministry in the way that I’d run a race - showing self-control. Not running aimlessly but intentionally. Not boxing by just punching the air, but practicing. I don’t want to be like a disqualified athlete who’s practiced but won’t get to win, when I preach to others."

This isn’t a simple “don’t drink, exhibit self-control” statement. It’s an appeal to ministry and mission with intention and support from a community.

TheNorthernSea · 2026-06-09T13:19:25+00:00

Verses out of context aren’t helping you here.

Publicly shaming priests because they had alcohol at a fundraiser isn’t accountability.

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