This is a ‘mission’ start of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). You wouldn’t know this except for it saying so on the front cover the bulletin, in tiny print, but more prominently on their web page https://divinesaviorchurch.com/discover-dsc/#core-values . I call this Field of Dreams because like the movie says: If you build it, they will come. This is the philosophy behind this ‘mission’ start. WELS has plopped down, whole and complete, a pre-k, elementary school, and a ‘church’ prepaid in the middle of a growing, kitschy, suburb of Austin, Texas called Santa Rita Ranch. The aforementioned website will tell you they have planted other Divine Savior Churches in Delray Beach, Doral (both English and Spanish), North Collin County, Sienna, and West Palm Beach. But just what are they building? Actually, the question is really what are you faithful Wisconsin Synod laymen building? Continue reading
The Juggernaut that is Civil Religion
In my first 10 years preaching on Sanctity of Life Sunday, I appealed to numbers. The numbers didn’t lie, but showed the enormity of what America was doing to itself via abortion on demand. Even in small states like Louisiana the equivalent of whole independent school district was being wiped out each month. Dead babies by the 1,000s just didn’t move people.
Continue readingThe Crucified Dogs and the Golden Goose
This was written in 2014 and somehow never posted. It is a fitting warning for us dogs who won’t bark.
Continue readingAdvent – Misty Blue?
Advent as a season of preparation for the Nativity originated in France. Its observance was general by the time of the Second Council of Tours, 567. In some places six or seven Sundays were included. When Rome adopted Advent, she limited the period to four Sundays as we now have. It was probably not until the 13th century that Advent was universally recognized as the beginning of the Church Year. Up until that time it had begun with the Festival of the Annunciation, March 25, or in some places at Christmas.
Continue readingGrace Bible Church – Seeking Soft Hearts with Wrong Theology
I attended a bilingual service of Grace Bible Church, Bryan, Texas on 1-2-2022. In summary, the contemporary songs, though repetitious ad nauseum, were far better theology than what was preached. Unlike other non-denom churches, these folks did actually sing. Like all the other contemporary services I’ve been to eliciting emotion was its aim.
Continue readingBlighted Thinking
(This was originally published by Christian News in 2021 and Life Issues February 2022 (https://lutheransforlife.org/?s=blighted.)
Continue readingFrom Fox News – Thousands of churches raise alarm about scope of new Canadian ‘conversion therapy’ ban
This was the title of an email recently sent to me. It was based on a Fox News headline of January 16, 2022 which said in part, “An initiative begun by Liberty Coalition Canada and promulgated in the United States by Pastor John MacArthur of Los Angeles secured the support of more than 4,000 Christian pastors who publicly expressed their willingness to protest from the pulpit regarding” this. Here is my response below. If you attend Bible Class, and the sender of this email does, you’ve heard my answer to this many, many times.
Continue readingThe Truth About Grief – And Why It Won’t Matter
The Truth About Grief came on my radar in 2012. The book is an exposé of the myth perpetuated in the name of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. I first heard about it, I think, on NPR. It is well-researched and well-reasoned, and will certainly change how you minister to the grieving and think about grief in general. But be warned. You’ll be swimming up stream, you’ll be with Bob “running against the wind.” Myth-busters, along with slayers of sacred cows, are the only groups lesser appreciated than a prophet in his own town. Below is the ad for this book that caught my eye. (PS. You can get this for a lot less than 26.00.)
Continue readingEffeminacy and the Liturgy – Part II
This was first posted here on July 27, 2009, but I’m doing more than emphasizing. I’ve added more thoughts and documentation.
Continue readingGreat Book Cheaply Bound
Concordia Publishing House published the book (Dis)ordered: Lies about Human Nature and the Truth that sets us Free. This will upset many. The last point I record him as making does me. But overall Rev. Esget is that guy who is willing to say, “Hey the Emperor has no clothes on!” and then point out the errors of conventional wisdom. If you love getting your theology from the internet, Reformed theology, and think psychology is part of God’s truth, get ready to be a hater. But if you had this creeping suspicions that these three are linked, you will be glad. Oh what’s with my title? This is a very cheaply bound book. It’s not ‘bound’ to last, but in point of fact, it is bound to last.
Continue reading