Father Hollywood: Eggs, bread, coffee, and liturgical conversation
But even in traditional and liturgical Missouri Synod churches, ceremony is, as a rule, kept to a bare minimum. Very few of our churches use incense, for example. Few make use of processions before and after the service. Pastors who genuflect are a rarity (and laypeople who do, even more on the endandered species list). Pastors who do not chant are the rule rather than the exception.In short, most LCMS worship (even at its best) is rather bland and “unplugged.” And we justify this Spartan atmosphere by appealing to evangelical liberty.
And God forbid that we look Catholic!
This way of thinking has led us to a kind of liturgical minimalism – “what is the very least I can get away with doing, and still get the benefit of God’s promise?” becomes the resulting question. Our lazy, sinful flesh loves this question, because as every good Lutheran knows, salvation is by grace alone. There is nothing I have to do, so I will do nothing.
As our academic dean said in his “going away” speech on Friday for Baptism class, “we hope to have shown you that all the extra things… the white garment, the candle, the exorcism… are not instituted, they are useful… so what if they look Roman.” (paraphrase)
PS Dr. Weinrich is going to Rector for Concordia Academy in Latvia.
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- Cyberbrethren: Thoughts on Liturgical Uniformity
- Cardinal Ratzinger on Liturgical Music
Bible study last night was Romans 14 & 15. We talked about making sure we have good instruction so that we are not reduced to the least common denominator in worship.
Congrats on finishing the first year, Chris! 3 weeks and 2 days till summer Greek starts for me.
What’s Weinrich’s rectoring involve – how long will he be away?
Take care,
Tom (note new email address)
Congrats is a relative word! Congrats on still being alive and sane more like it!
Dr. Weinrich will be gone for 3 or 4 years but would like to come back for a 3 week intensive course during summer session. It’s sad but they really need him over there.
Wow – I’m not looking forward to telling my brother this one. Weinrich’s one-on-one time and talks at Prayerfully Consider were what clinched Jim’s wanting to come to the Fort.
Ah, but there are sooo many other good prof’s to sit at the feet of. Never fear, the gauntlet of Early Church may not be quite so big a hurdle with the new guys. (I think they are hiring 3-5 new prof’s.)