Sheep are stupid

August 1, 2005 · Filed Under theology

I don’t think that the Holy Ghost’s use of a pastoral analog/metaphor in Holy Scriptures was merely a matter of “cultural relevance” — No, I think there’s more to it than that. Yes, it was an understandable metaphor at the time Scripture was written; however, it is one that is still quite apt today, even among those of us who are not pastorally oriented/savvy. Why/How?

Sheep are stupid.

We are sheep.

We are stupid.

When it comes to the really important things — i.e., what we need — we dumb sheep are eternally focused on what we want instead. Even when God has clearly blessed us with Word & Sacrament, and with meet, right, and salutary means & rites by which those gifts are to be given & received, we still focus on what we feel & desire, even if it’s at the expense of that for which we are truly needful. One need only look at the continual & insidious growth of things like “Contemporary Worship” (which is neither “contemporary” nor “worship” [well, it might be worship directed at ourselves, but it's not really, at the heart of it all, directed at God...]).

Pastor Jim Haugen (St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Strongsville, OH) has two recent postings (Post #1 & Post #2) that clearly & accurately state several reasons why CCM (”Contemporary Christian Music”) should not be allowed into the church, and must not be allowed any opportunity to usurp the Divine Service that is based upon the Historic Liturgy. I thank God for faithful undershepherds like Pastor Haugen, and that I have access to resources like his blog. Check out Pastor Haugen’s writings on this topic — you’ll be glad you did!

I’m a sheep. Thankfully, I’m a sheep that has been claimed by the Good Shepherd, and brought into the safe fold that is the one true faith. I am also grateful for having been blessed by God through the care of a solid, faithful, & orthodox undershepherd — one who loves me enough to feed me the Word & Sacrament that I need to sustain me in the one true faith unto life everlasting. Amen!

-ghp

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Tags: faith, gospel, lutheran, orthodoxy, preaching, truth