The Joshua Victor Theory

[This is an excerpt from an email I received concerning the changing characteristics of communication in our modern 'media' age. I'm interested to hear what you readers think of these 'Five Cardinal Rules', agree or disagree. I think there is some truth to some of them, but not others :) ] Contemporary scholarship suggests at least five cardinal rules for preachers in the media age. Some are new, but most are tried and true. 1. Whether in text, audio, or video, those who fill our pews have become accustomed to messages that are brief, to the point, fast-paced, and powerful. The 20-minute, three-point sermon is long out of date in such an environment. We may bemoan the fact that brevity does not allow for theological depth. Nevertheless, to avoid the click of the changing mental channel, we must come to the point quickly. 2. The media environment is one that is based on the telling of stories. Writing and print can be used referentially, to record data and to work ou...

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. The sermon text is Matthew 10:34-39, 34 "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn "`a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- 36 a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Jesus says that anyone who loves their family more than Him, whether it be father, mother, son or daughter, is not worthy of Him. He also says that anyone who does not take up their cross and follow Him is not worthy of ...

Ok, Since Theomony and Wildboar book-tagged me, I'm going to make a hodgepodge of answers from the categories I've seen on other folks' sites that have done this ;) I'm also going to ignore categories I can't fit :P Here's the spiel from Wildboar: (followed by the numbered questions from Theomony) Imagine that a local philanthropist is hosting an event for local high school students and has asked you to pick out five to ten books to hand out as door prizes. At least one book should be funny and at least one book should provide some history of Western Civilization and at least one book should have some regional connection. The philanthropist doesn't like foul language (but will allow some four-letter words in context, such as expressed during battle by soldiers). Otherwise things are pretty wide open. What do you pick? Alrighty then! To the chase! First to the spiel categories: Funny: "Grendel" by John Gardner was an off-beat, funny retake on the ...

As I was browsing the Book of Concord on repentance, I came across this excellent paragraph that addressed a question I'd been thinking on recently. I often wonder in certain circumstances what is sin, and what is not, especially, for example, in regard to the 8th Commandment. So here popped out this quote and set me straight about that ;) "And in Acts 17:30: 'Now God commands all people everywhere to repent.' He says, 'all people'--no single human being is excluded....This repentance is not fragmentary or paltry--like the kind that does penance for actual sins--nor is it uncertain like that kind. It does not debate over what is a sin or what is not a sin. Instead, it simply lumps everything together and says, "Everything is pure sin with us. What would we want to spend so much time investigating, dissecting, or distinguishing?' Therefore, here as well contrition is not uncertain, because there remains nothing that we might consider a 'good' w...

~~~This article will appear in my church newsletter next week, and I thought I'd ask for any last-minute corrections, additions, improvements from any of you bloggers. I'm hoping to generate an interest in the Book of Concord among the members, many who might not even know what it is. I'm including (on my blog only) a link to and old post I wrote about the analogy (not my own) of the Confessions being like a map to the Bible. Your thoughts are appreciated! ~~~ Titus 2:1, “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” As Christians we have both the joy and the responsibility of teaching sound doctrine. The pastors and teachers of the church are given this responsibility in a public office, and parents are to do the same in the home among their family. Learning the doctrine (teachings) of Scripture is a joy for Christians because all of doctrine is centered around Jesus Christ and the working of God’s salvation for us through Him. As we study the Scripture and th...

I got a good chuckle out of this .

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father, and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen. The sermon text is Romans 5:6-11, 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. There’s a lot of talk today about knowing where you’re from; remembering your roots. Some celebrities who have had a rise to fame, either as...

I think you'll find this 'home-grown' humor entertaining, especially all you Star Wars fans ;) Store Wars Movie

Grace, mercy, and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. The sermon text for this 3rd Sunday after Pentecost is Luke 14:15-24, 15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the man who will eat [bread] in the kingdom of God." 16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, `Come, for everything is now ready.' 18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, `I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' 19 "Another said, `I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' 20 "Still another said, `I just got married, so I can't come.' 21 "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordere...

I came across this quote, discussing Jesus' amazing willingness to forgive his executioners, as I was reviewing my materials for VBS. I won't name which company/publishing house the quote is from, but needless to say, it wasn't Lutheran. What do you think of it? "How could he think of forgiveness for them in a time like this? 'For they know not what they do?' A person's continued and deliberate ignorance does not make that person's sin excusable, nor does forgiveness come without repentance; so Jesus' prayer did not assure the result requested. Nevertheless, Jesus showed His loving, forgiving spirit, and he became an example for all to follow (Act 7:60)." The reason I'm interested in this quote is the phrase, Jesus' prayer did not assure the result requested . Now I certainly agree with the statement preceding, that continued and deliberate ignorance doesn't make a person's sin excusable; and I also would affirm that one does no...