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The "turning away" is one of the aspects of contrition. Contrition means that your conscience was smote and you are now feeling bad for what you have done. Part of feeling bad is resolving to not comit the sin again (yet maybe acknowledging the fact that you might). However the contrition...

I have never stated that I don't think the NT are not Scripture. I did state that if someone interprets St Paul's statement literally that is the conclusion they ought to come to. Also I don't believe that the NT is Scripture because of 2Peter, I do confess I rarely ever read that book. I...

In the Lutheran Book of Worship there are two forms with the epiclesis. However there is a form without. Lutherans allow the epiclesis a place in their liturgy but they believe the sacrament truly happens as a result of the "institution narrative" [verba]. So with respect to Liturgical forms...

Not according to St Peter. General consensus places the authorship of this letter around the 130's, well after the death of all apostles. Further more this letter was not used catholically, states Eusebius Pamphilus in his Church History. In fact Eusebius says there is no good tradition...

Precisely true! However, I prefer to see Sola Scriptura as used in the Augsburg; that is, scripture through the eyes of the Church catholic. The Church rightly interprets her book, for surely she had recieved other things that were not written down, as St John the Apostle writes toward the end...

In my last post I was trying to overcome societies use of the terms I used, that is why I included the definitions. Please don't take insult at my statements. I was merely pointing out the fact that Semper virgo is old, and often seen in tradition, while the opposite is new and recent. It...

One important thing to acknowledge is the eternity of salvation: We have been saved, through the Grace of God by his action and merit. We are being saved, living our lives as saved children and participants in the Kingdom of God and dependent on the Grace of God to sustain us therein. We...

I celebrate our concord upon Justin being a role model for the Church catholic. However, I contend that his subordinationism wasn't just hints but real. I think that his celebrity status has unfortunately kept the Church from formally declaring his writtings in much the same sence as, say...

First, Deffinitions: Heterodox - Different Teaching Orthodox - "true" (in building terms meaning "in line with the foundation")teaching Now, with these deffinitions, the new teaching of "not a perpetual virgin" is factually heterodox from the teaching we have recieved. Also, factually, the...

You raise up some great issues! Your post shows your Lutheran concern for the free grace of God. You first stated, "I am generally unwilling to make anything a requirement for salvation". However, you and I would agree together that God's grace is a requirement for salvation, as good...

I don't know if your analysis is entirely true of Ignatius' theology (and seeing how we have few records, it might be impossible to difinitively know one way or the other). Ignatius talks much about the present state of God. He refers to the present actions of each person of the Trinity. One...

I do commend the man for attaining the crown of martyrdom, but that doesn't excuse him for poor theology. His theology, especially his subordinationism paved the way for Origen and, ultimately, the Arians, and Monarchians. I think it a good thing to celebrate the man and his feast day for his...

Thanks for your thoughts Jim and it is nice to be back talking theology with all of you stimulating theologians! I do think I have come down hard on Esther, but I don't think it is unmerited. While David was a grevious sinner, his story focused on God as well. Here in Esther we don't have a...

In reply to stumpjumper, If one regards baptism as "absolutely necessary" it does not "counteract monergism" as long as one defines the sacraments in a Lutheran way. -James

I must speak up for St Ignatius of Antioch (?-110 AD). St Ignatius' theology gave each person of the trinity a distinct role in the church: "prepared for the edifice of God the Father, to be taken aloft by the hoisting engine of Jesus Christ, that is, the Cross, while the Holy Ghost serves you...

The man was a mediocre philosopher, dropping out and being rejected as he went. Eventually he settled in with a group and became a Christian and trapsed around in his scholastic robes. He then tried to use his philosophical training to prove Christianity. He did much to make the faith...

It is also extensively discussed in the Lutheran "Book of Concord" most expressly in the "Apology of the Augsburg Convession". -James

The Augsburg Confession says it is necessary to emphasize urgency. It emphasizes Mk 16:16 and John 3:5. With respect to ELCA peeps, I am one of those heretics. I am also a strict confessionalist, when it comes to the AC. -James

CLARIFICATION OF TERMS: Apocrypha - the hidden books, this refers to the sense that their meaning was hard for the average joe to comprehend. Apocrypha does not mean "fake, dubious, etc." Apocrypha is not a pejoritive word and should not be used as such. Deuterocanon - A word that refers...

People who wish to follow new inovative trends in theology are free to do so under the guise of adiaphora, but as for me I follow the Saints before me and confess "Semper Virgo".