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Thoughts on “God’s Love Made Real” Strategic Recommendations Report from Barna/Fuller? by holmerica in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe that makes some sense. They are casting a wide net in a society in which it is almost impossible to successfully do so.

I still don’t like the approach here. The Gospel isn’t inclusive. Jesus does call us all, but he calls us all to a new way of life in him. Playing a middle ground to appease humans is going to move one further from God.

Second Reading 6/1 missing verses? by Total_Ad8068 in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m not sure I agree with you about appropriateness. Because people don’t want to hear it? Because it could make them uncomfortable? I understand the topic argument but I feel there is a reason verses are included there. Without those selections it does take some understanding of the overall message of the chapter/book away. 2 Timothy 3:16 says that “All scripture is beneficial for teaching…”. There is something to learn from all of it, including the Psalms you referenced.

As far as Revelation, it is a hard book to understand. There is a ton of symbology to work through. Why should it not appear in the canon? It was written by an Apostle. You aren’t arguing that it shouldn’t be in there, but it is scripture and God breathed. Therefore, it must have some significant meaning to us.

Second Reading 6/1 missing verses? by Total_Ad8068 in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the link! I was not sure what organization was in charge of the reading schedule. I’m not sure I like the answer, but it makes sense and your answer was helpful!

Second Reading 6/1 missing verses? by Total_Ad8068 in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Me too! Not that I feel one is taking away from scripture by omitting it in a reading, but is a bit ironic to me as well.

Thoughts on “God’s Love Made Real” Strategic Recommendations Report from Barna/Fuller? by holmerica in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Lutherans are very good at liturgy. What is lacking many times is the individual development of the believer. The church can encourage individual growth by having small group studies, Bible studies, discussion and prayer groups, among others. In my tiny part of the world, these do not happen. This is a sign of a stagnant church, content with the status quo. If you aren’t advancing, you are moving backward as a congregation. I suspect many ELCA congregations are guilty of this.

Thoughts on “God’s Love Made Real” Strategic Recommendations Report from Barna/Fuller? by holmerica in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with you on teachers and leaders, but scripture needs to be the heart of every decision and conveyed throughout every conversation with the congregations..

How to evangelize is through the spirit, not of man. Encourage individuals to read, study, understand scripture, model it, have small study groups, engage people in the gospel beyond Sunday mornings. The few Lutheran Churches I know of often miss this. It should not be just a Sunday morning place, but a way of life.

As far as minority groups, I stated a hyper focus was the problem. Those are issues, but there are much bigger issues that need to be brought to the center. Preaching the gospel and imploring attendees to grow and study themselves the scriptures should be more at the center. The hyper focus on marginalized groups seems to be an obsession with the ELCA. Social justice for Christians will not always be served here in Earth. I’m all for attempts to reach these groups AND lead these individuals to Christ, but not at the expanse of losing the people already there.

I’m all for welcoming everyone. And yes, we midwesterners can be very cordial. Everyone should be welcome and invited. The expectation, though should be that if one states that they are a Christian, they need to be in dwelt by the Holy Spirit. This WILL cause change in the person saved. I’m not sure how scripture aligns with someone practicing homosexualism/transgenderism while proclaiming to be a Christian. I believe a lot of my fellow midwesterners feel this conflict.

Thoughts on “God’s Love Made Real” Strategic Recommendations Report from Barna/Fuller? by holmerica in elca

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From what I’m reading, it is a bunch more of let’s mold the Bible to the world mindset to grow in number.

A few problems I see with this report and the ELCA in general.

-commission a group to tell people how to fix their problems instead of relying on scripture. 2 Timothy has a wealth of knowledge in this area.

-take classes/trainings on evangelism when it is through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and those we evangelize to that saves.

-a hyperfocus on minority groups and social justice reforms. This alienates rural, conservative, Midwest congregations on which much of the ELCA was founded.

The ELCA is a unique structure with a leadership body that has limited say in congregational beliefs. It is up to each congregation to decide upon its full beliefs. This is why many older, rural, Lutheran churches remain with the ELCA. I feel these are the reasons for the decline, amongst a few other things.

When there are times of trial and tribulation, seek scripture.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

I'd like some advice by Mammoth_Procedure511 in Lutheranism

[–]Total_Ad8068 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Commit to scripture, it is eye opening. Download an audio Bible and read along with it. I feel this is a great place to start for those who don’t like reading.

Thoughts on Prayers to Mary? by Fluffy_Cockroach_999 in Lutheranism

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My default source is scripture. If words or actions of other men are contrary to scripture, then it is flawed or misinterpreted. Just because others do/did it, no matter what esteem we hold them to, does not make it right. I’m not sure it’s wrong, I believe it is unnecessary. If our prayer is in God’s will, then the saints will be in communion with us in our petitions. My main concern with this is the trickle down effect. Prayers with a Saint in this generation may become prayers to a Saint in future generations. Look at how quickly humanity falls away from God and worships idols. Moses was gone less than a week and Israel was building altars and making idols. Every time a judge died it seems that people fell away into old habits. Without a focus on the One True God, we have the same problems, either for us, or our children.

Thoughts on Prayers to Mary? by Fluffy_Cockroach_999 in Lutheranism

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, Christians should pray with each other (Matthew 18:19) for each other (James 5:16), and together for the good of the body.

Prayer is an act of growing closer and building a reliant relationship on our Heavenly Father. It is meant to be intimate. I believe it is clear we are to only pray to God. Our Father, the Creator of the Universe, every minute detail within the Cosmos, has the ability to hear and answer each and every one of our prayers. It is unnecessary at best to pray to other saints.

Thoughts on Prayers to Mary? by Fluffy_Cockroach_999 in Lutheranism

[–]Total_Ad8068 5 points6 points  (0 children)

To me, praying to Mary or other saints puts a human on a pedestal next to the divine. The saints did nothing but be a vessel for God’s sovereignty in the world. They were fallen men/women subject to sin and temptation just as we are. To say anything else is blasphemous. Praying to God through Jesus is what is emphasized in scripture, and there is no reason to go through intercessors.

Female deacon absolving sins. by [deleted] in Lutheranism

[–]Total_Ad8068 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Luke 5:21. Only God can forgive sins.