LOGIA

Lutheran Spirituality and Preaching: The Preaching of Law and Gospel as an Act of True Spirituality, Rev. Dr. Edward O. Grimenstein, Chaplain (Captain) 3^rd Battalion, 1^st Special Warfare Training Group, U.S. Army, Ft. Bragg NC.

Many Lutherans often see the two topics of spirituality and preaching as oil and water - they don't seem to mix.  Not only do denominations outside of Lutheranism often regard Lutheran preaching as a-spiritual, but even Lutherans themselves may confess their preaching is not very "spiritual."  Lutherans may not feel like they have much to bring to the table when conversing about spirituality and preaching with say a Baptist or Pentecostal preacher.  After all, Lutherans usually don't shout at the top of their voices from the pulpit, nor do they often preach an extra 45 minutes because "the Spirit has just laid something on my heart."  So, Lutherans often shy away from discussing spirituality and preaching.  They abandon this topic to those who, at least in their own eyes, seem to bring more to the table.  But Lutherans couldn't be more mistaken in abandoning the topics of spirituality and preaching.  Not only do Lutherans have much to bring to the discussion of spirituality and preaching, I propose that the Lutherans' espousal of preaching law and gospel is in its very essence true spirituality.

Committal Homily for Rev. Dr. Kenneth F. Korby, Concordia Cemetery-Fort Wayne, Indiana, Friday in Easter II, 24 April 2009, by Rev. Prof. John T. Pless

+ Jesu Juva +

"So you, when you have what is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty" Luke 17:10.

Servants are there to do the will of the master, not vice versa. Servants know their place; they are not there to be served but to serve. No master waits on his own servants. No master says, "Now you sit down and I'll serve you supper." No master, that is, except the Most High Son of God who humbled Himself to come to us as Servant, not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.

Rev. Brent Kuhlman is a LOGIA Forum Editor and pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Murdock, Nebraska.

A theology of preaching to the baptized and unbaptized (especially the proper distinction between the law and the gospel)? A theology of baptism? A theology of absolution? Of repentance?  Of the sacrament of the altar?  Of the holy ministry? Of vocation? All that flows from God's justification of the ungodly for Christ sake. Such is demonized as "maintenance." As such it apparently will be damned by the Lord Jesus on the last day. An LCMS district mission executive applies the Lord's Matthew 25 words "Depart from me, you who are cursed," to "maintenance thinking" Lutheran congregations, ("Marks and Assets of a Maintenance Congregation," Issues in Christian Education  41:3). Who gets the "come, you who are blessed by my Father" words? That's right! You know the drill - the missional thinking Lutheran congregations! "Missionism" governs us.

by Rev. Brent W. Kuhlman, S.T.M. of Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, Nebraska

The way of salvation for Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas and most theologians and practitioners of Christianity in these very modern/post-modern times is the progression from vice to virtue, from sin to sanctification.[1]  Martin Luther (November 10, 1483-February 18, 1546) grew up in this theological milieu.  Accordingly, he learned that salvation depended on doing one's best with the help of God's grace (facere quod in se est) received through the sacraments of the church.  Divine grace was the high octane additive (or the performance enhancing drug) that powered the virtues of faith, hope, and love as the Christian pilgrimmed on or laddered up to the encounter or union with God in beatific vision.  Faith was necessary but never sufficient nor alone (sola) on this continuum.  Something in addition to faith was needed for sanative salvation.  Faith had to be formed by love otherwise it was worthless.  "The movement of faith is only perfect if it is informed by charity; therefore in the justification of the unrighteous, there is also a movement of charity together with the movement of faith."[2]