Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Abandon Doctrinal Preaching at the Peril of Souls
This is a great reminder of the importance of substantive preaching from Wade Burleson (the Peril of Souls). It is also a reminder of the importance of knowing our history.
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7 comments:
Hi Todd,
I'm a student in the student ministry at Metro. I was enthralled by your sermon at The Gathering and your quote (I believe it was C.S. Lewis?)about people and what other people bring out in them has really stuck with me.
I was wondering if you could post the quote or the reference where I could find it?
Second, I am always reading your blog and I was wondering what 1517 means. I was told by sources you would love to tell.
Todd,
Did you plant this question just so you could answer it? Alissa, the only way you could have made him happier is if you had posted this question on October 31. Good for you for reading this blog - it will truly aid in deepening your walk with God. It certainly has for me.
Alissa
My friend Ric knows me too well.
That said, I promise that I did not put Alissa up to this. Although she definitely knows how to get on the pastor's good side.
Alissa, if you will email me I will be happy to dig up the Lewis quote. It's a bit too lengthy for this format. The quote is found in his book "The Four Loves."
1517 is the year that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the castle church at Wittenburg and thus launched the Protestant Reformation. The day was October 31 - All Saints Day.
blessings,
todd
It only took five months for someone to finally ask Todd to explain the name of his blog.
Alissa, congrats on being the first to bring it up!
Todd,
I have always been curious to know why exactly you chose that important date in church history as the name of your blog. Perhaps you will elaborate more on that come October 31. But I'll go ahead and ask anyway: Chosing the name 1517, are you communicating your conviction that the church today is in desperate need of its own reformation?
Jason,
Thank you for that leading question. I'm striking GOLD today! I do believe that October 31, 1517 is one of the most significant days in the history of the church. There were certainly many events that were significant in the sparking of the Protestant Reformation. Certainly Jan Huss who lived 100 years before Luther was a "Pre-Reformation" Reformer. It cost him his life.
But in God's good providence it was during Luther's day that the cry for reformation would be widely heard. The 95 Theses was one of the first mass printed pieces of literature. It spread and sparked the fires of both doctrinal and institutional reform.
Semper Reformanda means "always reforming." It doesn't mean "always be coming up with new doctrine." Rather it acknowleges the church's tendency to stray from the truth and embrace error.
So, in that sense, I would say that the church does need reforming. We need to reform much of our practice of worship. We must reform our practice of family worship and discipleship. We must keep constant vigil over our doctrine and morals.
Rick, I can assure that Todd did not plant the question in me.
I thought it might made Todd jubilant for someone to ask what it meant.
I realized as soon as I thought about "1517" that it had to do with Martin Luther. I should have remembered that from my history.
I shall email you abou the quote. C.S. Lewis is one of my favorite authors.
I must confess, I stalk your blog for your posts, but nothing makes me happier to read the comments and how you reply to them.
Bless you Kevin.
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