Dear Friends, Please look at the banner to the right. Do you see what I see? The Just & Sinner Kickstarter has almost met its funding threshold! Thank you so very much for your donations, your promotion, and your prayers. We are grateful for you support. Just a quick recap of how Kickstarter works: In order to receive any funds, a Kickstarter project has to meet its minimum goal by the funding deadline. If, by some strange twist of fate,... Read more
. Chris Rosebrough, host of the show Fighting for the Faith, is making sense. Listen to him on Issues ETC as he talks about Joel Osteen’s recent meeting with Pope Francis: Is this just two sides of the same coin – just one side for the sophisticated elite and the other side for the un-nuanced rabble? What, if anything, is wrong with what Rosebrough says? I agree with his overall critique, even as I would nuance things just a tad.... Read more
What is “Erlangen theology”? My studies at Lutheran seminaries in England and Canada (1998-2000) occasioned only a passing acquaintance with names such as Elert and Alhaus, conveniently labeled as “Erlangian” for the students. And yet, in spite of the paucity of references to the school in my own seminary experiences, Erlangen evidently still speaks to many in the church body that I am a part of, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LC-MS). It seems many of our theologians remain... Read more
Originally found at this link. There is a mystical union of God and the believer, which is taught in the Scriptures and experienced by the Christian, but which is difficult to describe. Chronologically its beginning coincides with regeneration and justification; logically it follows upon them, and forms the next stage in the order of salvation. It is not to be interpreted simply as an activity of God in us, but possesses the nature of a personal fellowship (1 John 1:3).... Read more
In this inaugural episode the Pseudepodcasters introduced themselves, explained a wee bit about the purpose of the show, its name, etc., and answered a related question about what it means to be a theologian. They also learned that it’s important to stay at the optimal distance from the mic, or else it might sound like you went spelunking midway through the show. Trent learned that gesticulating wildly to illustrate a point doesn’t actually help when it’s audio-only. We hope you... Read more
We needed to test the equipment, and this is what happened. Enjoy the levity, because we’re going to be incredibly serious once we get into the real broadcasts. Like, Anglican serious… The first bona fide episode of Pseudepodcast will be recorded at 1 PM Pacific Standard Time. Stay tuned! Read more
The new life, brought about by regeneration, is evidenced in the fact that God dwells in the regenerated man, while the regenerated man dwells in God. The regenerated man is born to the life of the spiritual world. He has returned to the original state of man when God in a special sense dwelt in man. With justification and regeneration the subjective restoration of man has begun to be realized, so that the image of God comes to be restored... Read more
On today’s program I discussed some recent comments made regarding the teaching of mystical union and the use of the term “theosis.” This is the first part of a two part program on the topic. I gave an explanation of what the concept is, and why it is important. Here is the program. Read more
This a (very rough) translation of sections of David Hollaz’s chapter on mystical union in his Examin Theologicum Acroamaticum. On Indwelling Grace I. What is the Mystical Union with God? Mystical union is the spiritual conjunction of the Triune God with justified man, wherein like the temple, God consecrates with his particular being, as a substantial home with his gracious influence. Describe this more fully. Mystical union is the application of grace, of the Triune God, out of a special... Read more
Background: The following post is part of a longer conversation with Benjamin Harju, who used to be a Lutheran pastor (LCMS) but is now in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Last year he posted a critique of Lutheran soteriology. Trent Demarest ran across it and commented, and roped me into commenting as well (this is one of his hobbies). Later, Trent published a critique of Eastern Orthodoxy written by a mutual friend who goes by the name Quiet George. Earlier this... Read more
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