Days like this…
Days like today make me yearn for the days when I was blissfully ignorant enough to avoid getting entangled in Church/Congregational politics.
We had a voter’s meeting today, and it’s bothering me way too much. I guess I just have a hard time with having to face non-theological (much less illogical) arguments & appeals. I’ve been replaying some of the events, statements, and positions over & over in my mind most of the afternoon, just trying to process it. And I’m still having trouble. I think it’s largely because many of the arguments were couched in non-theological terms. Emotionalism was a significant component, one that was driving some perspectives that (I think) were too tactical & narrow in their foci.
One of the problems that I have with what Waltherian Lutheranism (as practiced in the LCMS) has (de)evolved into over the past 150 or so years (especially in the past 50), is that so many things of a theolocial/doctrinal nature are being decided via majority vote. Theology is not determined by getting the most votes, or at least it shouldn’t be. Doctrine is not to be decided by who can sway the most folks to their side. Far too many things & decisions are mis-identified (purposefully or not) as not really being doctrinal or theological. The Kingdoms of the Left & Right get mixed-up, rather than being properly identified & separated. Who leads an adult Bible class is a matter of doctrine/theology. Whether or not to put on a new roof is not.
It is truly amazing to see just how many factions, undercurrents, and (un/ill-informed) points of view can exist in a relatively small congregation. I could live with being disproven by clear examples from Scripture & Confessions (despite my oftentimes arrogant & know-it-all demeanor, I am quite open to correction…), but I can’t quite be winsome when confronted with illogical and/or emotionalistic appeals.
Right now, I’m wondering why I try to be involved, when it seems quite obvious that I’m out of step with prevailing currents. Especially when existing LCMS bylaws & practices could be so easily leveled against the Scripture & Confessions-based stances that I endeavor to hold & espouse.
I’m still trying to process all this. And, fortunately for me (mayhaps not so much for you), I can use this blog as a place to try and put some shape & form to my thoughts.
More (maybe) later…
-ghp
I Think Not
Sometimes, I’m just truly taken aback at the ways in which folks will try to legitimize unbelief & skepticism.
I guess the out & out fictional balderdash of The Davinci Code wasn’t good enough (even though way too many folks have been led astray by the idea that that piece of hack fiction is actually cleverly veiled truth…), now they need to try and attack via “legitimate” “SCIENCE“…
Jesus Walked on Ice, Study Says:
The New Testament story describes Jesus walking on water in the Sea of Galilee but according to a study led by Florida State University Professor of Oceanography Doron Nof, it’s more likely that he walked on an isolated patch of floating ice.
The sheer absurdity of it all keeps me from being able to comment further…
-ghp
Logical Fallacies Friday
Rev. Bill Cwirla has, in the latest posting to his Blogosphere, done something that I very much appreciate — He’s written something that is intellectually useful AND incredibly funny, at the same time.
In Round and Round We Go, Rev. Cwirla does us the intellectually beneficial service of explaining the fallacy called “petitio principii” or “begging the question.” This fallacy is laid out, explained, and debunked in a clear, cogent, witty, and easy-to-understand fashion. As part of the explanation (and this is the hugely funny part), He links to a blog entry entitled “Kissing Hank’s Ass” as an illustration of the circular nature of “petitio principii” — I’m leaving out the direct link to the story so that you’ll visit Rev. Cwirla’s blog (’cause everyone likes to get traffic! :mrgreen:). But you need to go there, and to click on the link to read about Hank.
Kudos to Rev. Cwirla!
-ghp
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