Speaking of Sex

Epic Church in Rochester Hills, Mi has made the news with their Lenten Series on sex called Pure Sex. This isn't your usual topic for Lenten sermons as Lent is generally a season for reflection on our need for repentance. Then again in our overly sexual society what sin are we more likely going to need to confess then sexual sins. All sins are equally damning but the abuses of sex are some of our favorite sins.

Now I am not going to comment on Pastor Kade's sermons because I haven't heard or read them but I think that it is possible to talk very frankly and honestly about sex in a Law and Gospel manner.

I am not sure about his statement that God wants us to have great sex, as I am a little hazy on a verses which declare that God desires for all people to have great sex. However, I am sure God wishes for us to have sex because how else are we going to have children and God says children are a good thing. In some ways I think we could do a lot of good towards discouraging teenage premarital sex by being open about sex and removing the mystique that society has created.

I do intend to write Pastor Kade to see if he is willing to share his sermon outline/text because I know there are going to be questions in my neck of the woods.

Anglican Priest removed over affair

As a pastor, I tend to keep an eye out for news concerning fellow ministers and today I noticed this headline in the local propaganda rag Anglican Priest Removed over Affair. Surprisingly the bishop removed this priest was removed for a heterosexual affair and I have to wonder how they can justify his removal. Really, they already officially reject the God's Law concerning homosexual sex, so why do they obey God's Law concerning heterosexual sex. I mean if one is evidence of a cultural mindset why not the other? Seems a little unfair don't you think?

The two-faced ECUSA aside, what this pastor did was a sin and should be treated as such and it is my hope that he will be led to repentance and forgiveness.

Gore wins when choir votes

Tell me is anybody surprised that Al Gore's movie won in a contest decided by the residents of the land of Gas Guzzling Environmentalist Dilettantes?

"Creationism is not science": Why does this bug me?

On one of my favorite education blogs, Kitchen Table Math, the sequel, I ran across a statement that bothered me:

Constructivism is to education what creationism is to science.

(For those of you who don't follow the "education wars", constructivism is the educational philosophy that believes that children truly learn only when they "discover" the information themselves; KTM is strongly anti-constructivist.)

On the surface it seems to say that creationism, as a religious belief that is unprovable and taken on faith, is not science (I completely agree). Thus, it implies that constructivism is treated more as an article of faith than as a theory (that's certainly true), and has left the realm of education. So, why does this bug me?

The reason is the context behind the comparison. The person who made this statement believes that constructivism clearly failed in the real world, and the only way to deny this fact is to close your eyes to the overwhelming evidence. They think that constructivists are either supreme idiots or intellectually dishonest, whose selfish insistence on inflicting a beloved, yet damaging, teaching method on schools has ruined millions of children's educations.

Given all the above, who else can we find that properly exemplifies the art of clinging to one's pitiful, tattered beliefs in the face of overwhelming evidence while causing untold damage in the process? Why, creationists, of course!

Apparently creationists are such an obvious example of selfish irrationality that comparing constructivism to us is meant to be a devastating insult. (It works, too. As one of the commenters pointed out, most constructivists hate ID with a passion. I'll let the fact that ID != creationism slide this time.)

While I'm not thrilled that creationists are seen as intellectually bankrupt, what really bothers me is the implication that blind faith in an educational theory is intellectually and morally equivalent to devout religious belief.

Reclaiming the Rainbow

Genesis 9:8-16 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." 12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

It used to be that when you saw a rainbow your first thought was the story of Noah and the Flood, but now when you see the rainbow in places your first thought is homosexual pride. I find it very disturbing how many good and salutary things have been warped by the homosexual community. No longer can we sing Deck the Halls with out somebody giggling at our "gay apparel" because they have co-opted the word 'gay'. Sadly, the Bible is no longer safe from homosexual shenanigans because they try to warp David and Jonathan's relationship and worse Jesus and John's relationship into a sexually perverse idea. It used to be guys could have a close relationship and not think twice about it, now we have to worry will people think the wrong thing?

As sad and disturbing as this trend is I am not surprised because, the old serpent is as wily and cunning as ever. Now, the serpent is not able to create anything but, he is fully capable of warping that which is good. He has done so from the very beginning when he tricked Adam and Eve into eating the forbidden fruit. Old Satan is still up to his tricks as evidenced by the warping of good things by the homosexual community and I for one am not going to put up with it any longer.

I think it is time for us Christians to start taking back what they have stolen and warped. I did it to the Papists back in the 16th century and I am confident we can do it now.

I am my own god

No, I the ever so humble Luther do not believe that I am my own god, but the author of this creed surely does,

Statement of (dis)Beliefs

The following 10 statements are central to my view of the world. All posts to this blog are predicated upon the following:

1. There are no gods, demigods, angels, devils, fairies, ghosts, gnomes, imps, elves, demons, sprites, goblins, leprechauns, trolls, incubi, succubi, genies, mermaids, banshees or the like.

2. The concept of “supernatural” is absurd and meaningless. Anything that exists is completely and totally natural.

3. There is nothing that cannot be fully understood given enough study, sufficient brainpower and a firm grasp of logic.

4. Omnipotence is impossible. Don’t make me get into the heavy rock paradox. It’s old and tired.

5. If you say something exists, and I say it doesn’t, the burden of proof is on you. For you to prove that it does exist, you just have to demonstrate it to me. For me to prove that it doesn’t exist, I have to demonstrate to you every single thing that exists, and then you’ll just say that it’s invisible or that I must have missed it.

6. When there is sufficient evidence for something, I believe it. When there isn’t, I don’t. I’m funny that way.

7. Just because you call something proof, doesn’t mean it’s proof. Proof is at my discretion. My criteria rely heavily on the scientific method and my senses. That’s all I have. My heart does nothing but move blood around my body.

8. Religion, while not always destructive, has a long history of starting wars, inciting persecution and hindering the pursuit of truth and knowledge. Even a seemingly harmless faith will, given enough time, mutate into something obstructionist, dangerous or both.

9. While religion played an instrumental role in helping civilization past its infancy, it has done more harm than good for the last several thousand years. It is in the best interest of mankind that religion be completely eliminated.

10. The two most dangerous religious movements in the world today are Muslim Fundamentalism and Christian Reconstructionism. The destruction of these philosophies is the highest priority.

posted at The Evangelical Atheist

While it may prove to be fun to pick apart each of these points, I'd rather spend time right now on point 7.

It must be nice to be your own god because you get to come up with ludicrous ideas, such as, that you are the sole arbiter of what is proof. Surely, he or she has taken this position because it makes defending their faith in themselves that much easier, but it is completely illogical. First of all, if there is going to be any chance of discovering the truth of the matter we must let the evidence speak for itself rather than determining if the evidence can be considered proof prior to its discovery. Second, of all it assumes that the very things that they believe are proofs for the nonexistence of God can be solely understood in that manner. This is obviously not the case as there are many people who look and examine the world through scientific means, as I myself have done, and seen the proof of the existence of God. Now while I am not a big fan of relying on ones feelings, because you never know if it is the Holy Spirit or that bean burrito from Taco Bell, I have to wonder why (s)he so readily discounts intuition. Is it because deep down they fear they are wrong? Oh well, we will probably never know because I seriously doubt they would be willing to admit such a feeling.

At the same time I have to wonder if such a statement is a reaction to the well meaning but misguided apologists who argue that belief in Christ is logical. Faith in Christ is anything but logical and God readily admits it.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

Personally, I rejoice in the illogic of God in Christ, because the logical thing for a righteous God who despises sin would be to wipe us out. Instead, he came to rescue us poor miserable sinners.

Penny Pincher's Rejoice

Having taken a vow of poverty once in my life and after working on Prof. Farnsworth's pittance he called a wage, I am aware of the need to find things at low cost, that includes software so I am always on the look out for a good deal. Anyhow, Foxnews.com has compiled a list of recommended freeware and opensource programs check it out at cheapskate's guide.

Life Revised

Last week, I received an email from Lutheran Hour Ministries promoting their new radio program for women called “Life Revised.” This title started me thinking that this is an appropriate description for all Christians, for all of us our lives have been literally redone in Christ. In the publishing world, it is common to find revisions of books particularly textbooks. The revisions usually update information, correct mistakes, or even change how things look. In a way, this is what Christ has done for us. He has taken the original edition of our life and revised it by editing out our mistakes, updating the information, and changing how our life looks so that when the Father looks at our lives he does not see a sinner but a saint recreated in Christ. Paul actually describes this process happening in something I think too many of us take for granted, Baptism. In the letter to the Romans Paul writes, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4) When we were baptized, the Holy Spirit revised our lives by joining us to Christ and replaced our faulty story with perfect edition of Jesus’ righteous life, death, and resurrection. Thanks be to God that He loved us enough to freely give us a Life Revised.

SBC warns members about Mormons

Now, one would think that not trusting Mormon teachings is a no brainer, but then maybe SBC'ers are really that stupid. Crosswalk.com reports that Rob Bowman of North American Missions has issued a warning against Mormon teachings. This warning comes in the wake of the announcement of Mitt Romney's bid for President, hmmm... maybe this is a move by somebody's campaign office against Mitt Romney? I don't know but you have to wonder considering how large a voting block the SBC is.

Back to the original statement, did people really need to hear that Mormonism is not Christian? Considering the Mormon push to appear Christian it may be needed. However, I really do not understand how people could think that a group that believes in the planet Kolob, magic underwear, and a continually changing stance on caffeine and polygamy is a Christian church. Would you want to learn theology from a group who believes Jesus was not a God until after he died or that Jesus did not die for your sins? Not me, as fellow blogger House M.Div writes, Battlestar Galactica or Mormons in Space may have been a great show, but I sure wouldn't go to them for theological advice.

The evils of Wikipedia

Recently, I had the guilty pleasure of reading a set of short biographies about yours truly that were written by a group of Confirmation Students. It was very interesting to read about what they thought was important in my life. Funny, not one of them mentioned the numerous digestive problems I experienced, I know I wrote frequently about it.

"Puny Humans and their weak digestive tracts! My people shall devour you! Muhahaha!"

However, my sour digestion is not what has my intestines in a knot this time. What has me upset this time is how young people are relying on this thing called Wikipedia, which would lead you to believe I am more famous for writing in anger against Jews than for making a stand for the Gospel.

At first glance an instrument of knowledge that can be updated by anybody seems like a great idea, but really anybody with an agenda can come in and leave in accurate or misleading information. For example under the entry for Lutherans, Wikipedia records,

"Historically, Lutherans have tended to remain apart from associations with other Churches in order to protect their unique doctrines. Liberal Lutherans believe in ecumenism, the idea that there is a single Christian church, and a single Christian faith."

( this has since changed) This is not true, conservative Lutheran teach that there is only one Christian for Christ has one body not many. What liberal lutherans believe in is unity at all costs. Conservative Lutherans insist that before we have public unity between denominations we must be in one accord concerning teachings, something I recall myself saying.

Unfortunately, our young people are not verifying the facts on Wikipedia. Instead, they are using it as their lone source of information, just as in the past they used and Encyclopedia Britannica and Encarta as their sole source of information.

I think I will suggest to my pastor friend that he not accept any paper that list Wikipedia as its only source.

The Bible: God's One and Only Published Work

This is an interesting article concerning the lack of Bible reading amongst church members. I would also add to the author's assessment too many people are reading such bilge as Your Best Life Now or the latest Joyce Meyers book and think they are getting biblical stuff.

This is is my favorite part,

There are many who feel that church has become an irrelevance. Music dominates. Sentimental jingles have replaced largely doctrinal-teaching hymns which prepare people for the uncertainties of life. The messages are often pick and mix affairs with the Bible treated like a Promise Box full of goodies with everything nice inside. Much of the resulting doctrine is built upon little more than clever observations and personal experience rather than upon the timeless revelations of God.

Your Fired!

This week the ELCA removed one of its pastors for being involved in an open homosexual relationship. At first glance one would think, "yea, they are finally standing up for Biblical Standards of behavior", but no they are only abiding by their written policies. In fact, the jury that made the ruling added on to the ruling that the ELCA should remove the policy because it may violate their constitution and by-laws. In addition, they feel why should they remove somebody who is in a "loving and chaste relationship" with a person of the same sex. The audacity of these people to make such a statement and maintain my name in their title! They have thrown out everything for which I stood. Did I not make my stand on the Word of God? Did not God make it clear that homosexuality is a sin? Did not God make it equally clear that like every other sin it is one worthy of damnation?

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

While they are at it this August, they should vote to remove the name Lutheran from their denomination, for they are no longer associating my name with sound teaching.

Bender - Your company promotes wrong love!
ELCA Bishop - We haven't done anything wrong, God is about love and acceptance.
People - Help us, they're burning us alive in here!

For more information on the removal of the gay pastor go to
Homosexuals praise ELCA

ELCA Urged to Obey Scripture

Why are they surprised?

It absolutely baffles me that people are surprised when I say that I can't stand certain preachers. One person was floored when I said that smarmy Osteen fellow is one of the worse things to happen to Christianity. "But he is such a great speaker and he reaches so many people, " they respond. Bah! The stench off of a week old bull carcass reaches a lot of people and it doesn't do anybody a world of good. I will admit, I haven't seen more than 15 minutes of Osteen but you will have to excuse me, since that is how long it takes before I have to run and barf out his lukewarm garbage.

A case in point while supposedly preaching on Col 3:16, Mr Osteen stated that "God gives you faith which is like a balloon that he fills up, now as you go through the day bad things happen, like bad traffic (my comment: and other insignificant stuff, why he can't just say sin I will never know) and it causes a little leak in the balloon. Pretty soon it starts to get empty, so it is up to you to fill that balloon back up and you want to know how you do it, sing a spiritual song in your heart." (not exact quote but close enough, you can check it out at Issues, Etc's podcast on Osteen) So according to Osteen the key to being renewed in the Lord is "whistling while you work." Disney ought to sue him for copyright infringement. I can't believe this man who calls himself a preacher of Christ would point people to themselves to be refreshed.

If you want to be refreshed go to God. Christ and his fulfilled promises are the greatest antidote for an ailing soul. You don't go look at yourself and sing a happy song. Trust me, that don't work. The hours I spent in confession will cure you of that fallacy. If you are hurting turn to God's promise in the Gospel, cling to his promise in baptism to raise you in new life, and receive his body and blood for the forgiveness of your sins. If we were to look at some divinely inspired spiritual songs we would see how we are refreshed and renewed. David once wrote, in his most widely known psalm, that the Lord is the one who fills his cup of blessing to overflowing, not David.

Why would any self respecting Christian listen to a man who can not even go on to public record saying that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven?

Not nerdy enough

Hmm... I obviously need to work on my nerdy leanings. I did not score high enough. Although, I think they need to ask the question do you have a Bible verse engraved on your wedding band that has been transliterated into Tolkien's elvish script. Which, I do, it is "My beloved, my friend" (bonus points for those who can guess the Book and verse). I also have "one in Christ" transliterated into elvish. I think they should also ask, "have you watched the commentaries on the LoTR Special Editions more than once?"

Luther a descendant of apes?

Cnn.com reports that there is a brewing controversy in Africa about the remains of a boy found in the Dark Continent, cnn.com - "Ancient Boy's Skeleton Sparks Evolution Debate" . One person's comment grabbed my attention, "Whether the bishop likes it or not, Turkana Boy is a distant relation of his," Leakey, who founded the museum's prehistory department, told The Associated Press. "The bishop is descended from the apes and these fossils tell how he evolved."

That got me to thinking am I, Martin Luther, a descendant of apes? I think not, now I have been accused of being related to an ass, but the only thing we have in common is a strong stubborn streak. However, to say that I am related to an ape goes to far. I am no more an ape's descendant than Muhammad is a prophet of God. What baffles me and my handy scribe, who happens to hold a degree in the Biological Sciences, is that people can insist that Evolution is a fact.

Dr. Mbua, goes on the record in the article by saying evolution is a fact, but it is not. At best, evolution is an unproven conjecture. At worst, it is the work of that sly old serpent to pull us even further away from God. Evolution is nothing more than a theory, which means it has not been unequivocally proven through laboratory testing. It is nothing more than a possible explanation for fossil evidence and modern observations, even then it is not even a good one. It has one fatal flaw. Scientists will regularly admit to the principle of causality, everything that happens has a cause, but evolution makes the claim that at a single point in time the universe sprang into being spontaneously without cause. This claim seems rather inconsistent if you ask me. Yet, people will insist that this pile of horse excrement is fact. At least, Christianity is consistent in its claims that God is in control and all powerful.

Oh well, while I am too stubborn to give up on these sightless people, I think that they will never believe the Genesis account until that day nobody can deny that God is God.


-Tour Guide: Next, we come to the splendidly preserved pizza paddle. Scientists theorize it was used to gently discipline the delivery boy.
Fry: Wait a second! This is Panucci's! I used to work in this exact pizzeria! And for your information lady, this was not just used to paddle my butt, it was also used to move pizzas and crush rats.
- Tour Guide: I don't know where you get your facts sir but I am a volunteer housewife with 45 minutes orientation and a harlequin romance about archaeologists!
Fry: Don't wave your fancy degrees at me

Gender confused prof. gets the boot

Foxnews.com reported today that Spring Arbor University, associated with the Free Methodist church, is being sued for discrimination because they had the audacity to stand up for the idea of expecting high moral standards from their faculty. John/Julie Nemecek back in 2005 apparently decided that the equipment given to him by the creator was good enough for him and started physically altering his appearance.

Talk about your in your face to God, and then he has the audacity to state, "I have done nothing immoral or sinful." I think John needs a refresher course on what it means to have God in charge. Actions such as John's are breaking the 1st commandment "Do not have any gods above me," because John has elevated his desires to abandon the gifts God gave him over that of God's desires, which in effect makes John's desires a god.

I do not know if Spring Arbor has handled things as well as could be handled, I admit that if Melancthon had started dressing in drag, I would have been initially tempted to drop kick him across the Wartburg. However, such actions do make it hard for people to listen to you later when you try to guide them to repentance. That said, I do believe they are right to dismiss John when he persisted in acting in a manner that is obviously against the will of God. I would hope this incident would serve as a wake up but, it is my experience that the old Adam will win out by convincing him that they, the faculty, are unloving bigots.

Professor: "Bender! A robot sex change is a complex and dangerous procedure. Replacing your testosteroil with fembot lubricants can cause wild mood swings. And the effects may be irreversible. Well, let's get started."
Leela: "No, you can't!"
Amy: "If you have even the slightest respect for the dignity of women..."
Bender: "Pfft."

- Futurama "Bend Her" 4ACV12

An interesting idea, sex changes show a lack of respect for the opposite gender. Maybe we should pursue this idea further.

69 - 66 gotta love that score

I find it ironic that Kansas who has never lost at home to a Big 12 South team lost this weekend to a team that just 4 years ago couldn't win a conference game. I must say the turn around of the Aggie Basketball team is pretty sweet. Especially, since during my tenure in Aggieland the men's team was the laughing stock of the league.

I just love how Acie Law has grown up over the past few years. I don't know what Billy did to him but he has gone from a crying prima dona to a respectable team leader.

Of course, the team as a whole has really made a turn around. A few years ago, they would have collapsed in defeat at some of the gut punches a powerhouse like Kansas can lay on you. But, they have shown true Aggie Spirit by taking those punches and punching right back.

I must say I am looking forward to tonights grudge match between t.u. and my Aggies. It is a shame t.u. lost this week since it will likely cost them their ranking. My prediction is there are two likely outcomes. One t.u.'s talented but young team will put a fight in the first half but towards halftime will become frustrated by an experienced and tough defensive team and begin to make mistakes the Aggies will capitalize on or, the Aggies will succeed in stifling Durant but one of his team mates will step up as pressure is taken off him. Either way, I think we are in for an all out brawl that will definitely be worth watching.

Got Bilk?

A Japanese brewery has introduced a new drink combining milk and beer. Now, who in their right mind wants to drink beer mixed with milk? Why would anybody want to ruin good beer? Then again, maybe they are not ruining good beer. After sampling several popular brands here in the United States it could be that adding milk would be an improvement in taste.