The 2011 Mere Anglicanism conference this year is held in thanksgiving for the faithful witness of Bishop C. FitzSimons Allison to the Word of God’s Grace. It will be held at St. Philip's Church in Charleston S.C. January 20-23. Some of Mockingbird's favorite theologians will be speaking at the conference.
Here is the Morning Prayer Homilist for the conference
Dr. Jim Nestingen
"At the same time , the First Commandment sums up the whole gospel. It is God's promise, the announcement of the decision that God has made for you and each of us in Christ. This is the promise Paul declares in Rom. 8:31 when he asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Because God is for us, Paul goes on to say, nothing "in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39)." (Free to Be, 14)
Mere Anglicanism Conference 2011 Homilist Jim Nestingen
"That's how the old sinner in us dies. God kills the old you each day with kindness. The God of grace keeps showering you with promises and gifts until finally the old you just plain dies of it. It happens as the Spirit working through the Word enables you to say, " I don't have to impress God anymore or prove that I can take care of myself. I can count on God to keep the word. I repent-you are the Lord. Do what you think is best." (Free to Be, 170)
MERE ANGLICANISM 2011 Conference
"Biblical Anglicanism for a Global Future: Recovering the Power of the Word” in honor of FitzSimons Allison
When?
January 20-22 (Thursday through Saturday)
Where?
St. Philip's Church
142 Church Street
Charleston, SC 29401
SAVE THE DATE: Mere Anglicanism 2011 January 20-22/23 in Charleston, SC
“Biblical Anglicanism for a Global Future:
Recovering the Power of the Word in Proclamation, Penitence, and Polity”
*This year's conference will be honoring
The Rt Rev'd Dr. C. FitzSimons Allison
The conference will feature panelists, speakers, and preachers such as
Dr. Ashley Null author of Thomas Cranmer's Doctrine of Repentance
Dr. Steven Paulson author of Luther For Armchair Theologians and the upcoming book Lutheran Theology.
Dr. Jim Nestingen author of Free to Be and The Faith We Hold, and contributor to Captivation of the Will.
Both Steven Paulson & Jim Nestingen will be preaching and teaching at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Charleston on Sunday Jan. 23 at both the 8:15 & 10:30 service and during the 9:15 Adult Forum.
To register for the conference & for more details call
843-722-7345
"The Gospel blocks the way of all self-devised efforts to gain holiness. It deprives man of his self-confidence and of the idea that he has a rightful claim on God. Instead it proclaims through Word and Sacrament a free promise of grace which has been made available by an act of God, and which gives fully and completely (rotunde et universaliter) what could never be attained by self-devised methods." (page 76)
1. This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)- Speaking in Tongues
2. Houses in Motion- Remain in Light
3. (Nothing But) Flowers- Naked
4. And She Was- Little Creatures
5. Swamp- Stop Making Sense (Live)
6. Wild, Wild Life –True Stories 7. Girlfriend Is Better- Speaking in Tongues
8. People Like Us- True Stories
9. Papa Legba- True Stories
10. Road to Nowhere –Little Creatures
"But sir, if you do not give your heart to Jesus, you cannot be saved."- The young pastor
"You are right, my boy. And it is just as true that, if you think you are saved because you give Jesus your heart, you will not be saved. You see, my boy," he continued reassuringly, as he continued to look at the young pastor's face, in which uncertainty and resentment were shown in a struggle for the upper hand, "it is one thing to choose Jesus as one's Lord and Savior, to give him one's heart and commit oneself to him, and that he now accepts one into his little flock; it is a very different thing to believe on him as a Redeemer of sinners, of whom one is chief. One does not choose a Redeemer for oneself, you understand, nor give one's heart to him. The heart is a rusty old can on a junk heap. A fine birthday gift, indeed! But a wonderful Lord passes by, and has mercy on the wretched tin can, sticks his walking cane through it, and rescues it from the junk pile and takes it home with him. That is how it is" -The Rector
"God says to us: 'Since I am the living God who is near and who is one, almighty, holy and merciful, I will be your God. I will care for you. I will carry you in my eternal thoughts...For you I will be your God, for you as you are, ridden with anxiety, worries and frustration, for you sins and for your death, but also for your resurrection from the dead, for your life in time and eternity.' God continues: 'I will stand by you, I will take sides with you, I will declare my unconditional solidarity with you, against all odds, against the whole world and all of mankind if need be, in particular against your own self!'"
"The law of the Ten Commandments has no power to accuse and frighten the conscience in which Jesus Christ reigns by his grace, for he has abolished its power. Not that the conscience does not feel the terrors of the law, but the commandments cannot condemn it or reduce it to despair (Romans 8:28; John 8:36). So then, however much we may be terrified by the law when it shows us our sin, we still do not despair, for we believe in Jesus Christ, and being baptized in him and cleansed by his blood, we have forgiveness of all our sins. When our sin is pardoned through Christ, who is the Lord of the law and gave himself for us, the law, which is a servant, has no more power to accuse and condemn us for sin since our sin is forgiven and we are now made free, for the Son had delivered us from slavery. Therefore, the law is completely abolished to those who believe in Christ."
The Problem of Moralism According to Alister McGrath
"Christ is the supreme human example, who evinces an authentically human lifestyle which we are alleged to be capable of imitating. Such a view is not merely adequate as an exposition of the significance of Jesus Christ, but is unrealistic in its estimation of the capacities and inclinations of human nature. It is an ethic addressed to an idealized humanity, which does not correspond to humanity as we empirically know it, and as we have been taught to view it by the Christian tradition, trapped in its predicament. Perhaps the most characteristic feature of sin is self-deception, a reluctance to accept the tragedy of our situation...This 'moral example' theory rests upon a totally unrealistic and un-Christian view of human nature."
"God allowed His Son to suffer as if a condemned sinner, so that we might be delivered from the penalty of our sins. This is God's righteousness, that we are not justified by works (for then they would have to be perfect, which is impossible), but by grace, in which case all our sin is removed." (John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians)
1970's Steely Dan had very much to say about addiction. In fact, it could be argued that their song "Do it again" gives a clear picture of corrupted human nature. The human heart is always after something, informing the mind to justify the object of its selfish desire. Jesus made a profound statement about the human heart. (see Mark 7:20-23)
St. Paul writes in Rom. 7:15-19:
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Steely writes, in "Do it Again":
Now you swear and kick and beg us
That you're not a gamblin man
Then you find you're back in vegas
Jesus is well aware of your human nature, and is not counting on your old heart to change (though we should change), but has sacrificed his perfect heart for your old bad heart. So that the Father looks down on you and declares you innocent. This is what it means to be a justified sinner. But there is one more part to this....Christ gives you the Syro-Phoenecian's heart (cont. Mark 7:24-30). Not a heart that looks to the law for justification, but looks to Christ (Rom. 3:28). A heart that is weak and cries to Christ in the darkest moments of despair. This is the "New Heart" (Ezek. 36:26) , this is "faith". It is not a heart of power and innocence, but a heart that confesses Christ as the forgiver of my sin, and as my Savior. So as both hearts operate in us, we can move freely into the future knowing that Christ is in charge of our destiny and will save us, despite the fact we "go back jack, do it again". That is my thought for the day. P.S. Check out the awesome guitar solo in the clip below.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1)
This the freedom with which Christ has set us free, not from some human slavery of tyrannical authority but from the eternal wrath of God. Where? In the conscience. This is where our freedom comes to a halt; it goes no further. For Christ has set us free, not for a political freedom or a freedom of the flesh but for a theological or spiritual freedom, that is to make our conscience free and joyful, unafraid of the wrath to come (Matt.3:7). This is the most genuine freedom, it is immeasurable...For who can express what a great gift it is for someone to be able to declare for certain that God neither is nor ever will be wrathful but will forever be a gracious and merciful Father for the sake of Christ? (LW 27:4)
Gustaf Wingren on Vocation, Good Works, And Sanctification
"In heaven, before God, vocation has as little to contribute as do good works. Good works and vocation (love) exist for the earth and one's neighbor, not for eternity and God. God does not need our good works, but our neighbor does. It is faith that God wants."
Mockingbird Stereo: 10 Great Paul Westerberg hits in honor of Browder's Wedding
1. Angels Walk- Eventually 2. Dyslexic Heart- Singles (the movie) 3. It's a Wonderful Lie- Suicaine Gratification 4. AAA- Stereo 5. Eyes Like Sparks- Stereo 6. Mr. Rabbit- Stereo 7. World Class Fad- 14 Songs 8. Seein' Her- The Resterberg 9. Runaway Wind- 14 Songs 10. Man Without Ties The Resterberg
Gal. 4:27: Theology of the Cross and the Triumph of the Word
" Sarah, the free woman, on the other hand, that is, the true church, seems to be barren; for the Gospel, the Word of the cross, which the church preaches, is not as brilliant as is the teaching about the Law and works, and therefore it has few pupils who cling to it. Besides, it has the reputation of forbidding good works, making men idle and faint, stirring up heresies and sedition, and being the cause of every evil. Therefor it does not seem to have any success or prosperity; but everything seems to be filled with barrenness, waste and despair...Christ and the apostles were crushed; but when they were dead, the teaching of the Gospel was spread more widely than when they were alive. Thus our opponents can crush us, but "the Word of the Lord will abide forever" (1 Peter 1:25). Regardless of how barren and deserted the church of Christ seems, therefore , or of how much it is said to teach heretical and seditious doctrine, it alone gives birth to children and heirs, through the ministry of the Word."
The Limitation of the Law/ The Superiority of Christ's Promise
"Therefore the promises of the Law are conditional. They do not promise life freely; they promise it to those who keep the Law. Therefore they leave consciences in doubt, because no one keeps the Law. But the promises of the new covenant do not have any condition attached; they do not demand anything of us; they do not depend on our worthiness as a condition. Instead, they bring and grant us forgiveness of sins, grace, righteousness, and eternal life freely, for Christ's sake."
-Martin Luther's Greater Commentary on Galatians, LW 26:437
Hey Folks, I have been developing a reading list (novels, devotionals, systematic & historic works, both light & heavy), dealing with some of the theology being discussed on this blog. Do check it out.
Here is an excerpt that only Richard Simmons could lead us in a work out to :)
The Righteousness of Faith According to Luther by Hans J. Iwand
"Then this law , this cycle "I" and work and conscience would indeed be broken and I could confront the works that wait for me, knowing that God's judgment supports me, with the confidence of a master who commands his slave. Then I would act with the greatest freedom and confidence, knowing that no work that I do can decide my fate, my salvation, or my righteousness before God. That is precisely the heavenly gift that Luther finds in the New Righteousness; the freedom of the children of God who do work simply that it may be done, but who do not need to do any work at all in order to know that they live by God's grace."
1. Lullby The Smashing Pumpkins Everybody knows the band, but few know of this small LP. It is a fresh mix of heavy guitars and dream psychedelia. Four great songs that capture the band's transition from Gish into the Mega album Siamese Dream.
(On Psalm 51) The words of the psalm compel us to speak of sin and grace. Theology can have no other theme. But even sin and grace can be spoken of philosophically, meaning "metaphysically", "morally", or "historically." The "rule" Luther uses to judge the genuineness of theology is this: "By divine promises and laws, not by human rules, 'so that you are justified in your words'" (v.4). To speak theologically of sin and grace means to speak of God's promise (promissio) and of his law (lex), of the accusing and killing law (Gesetz) and the comforting and life giving gospel (Evangelium).
