tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.comments2023-04-09T05:18:06.643-05:00Into the ExpectationMatt Gunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comBlogger386125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-30256552001278918032014-08-09T19:51:53.858-05:002014-08-09T19:51:53.858-05:00I am glad you found it helpful. Julian is pretty w...I am glad you found it helpful. Julian is pretty wonderful.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-52669025711308008142014-08-09T19:34:16.271-05:002014-08-09T19:34:16.271-05:00Thank you for the blog post. I have just discover...Thank you for the blog post. I have just discovered Julian of Norwich and your posting was helpful and insightful. I even ordered the book you quoted from. Two years after your post, I wanted you to know God used it for His purposes. God bless.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-74440677337326525112014-04-16T20:50:07.721-05:002014-04-16T20:50:07.721-05:00AmenAmenTed Garvinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14722325572721949346noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-54141019431217421732014-03-28T17:54:15.250-05:002014-03-28T17:54:15.250-05:00As a former LCMS Lutheran (now TEC Anglican) I can...As a former LCMS Lutheran (now TEC Anglican) I can attest that confessional Protestants can unfortunately be picky as to who is allowed access to the Lord's Supper/Eucharist. In my view it grieves the Holy Spirit, but I understand why they do it. (You have to be in full doctrinal agreement with them in order to take communion)Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04688896108649312158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-84546517492375289672014-03-08T14:19:54.433-06:002014-03-08T14:19:54.433-06:00Tom,
The practice at St. Barnabas is to have a pl...Tom,<br /><br />The practice at St. Barnabas is to have a plate at the back of the worship space where most folk come in. Members know to put the offering there. That is then brought up with the bread and wine at the offertory. <br /><br />Though we didn't do this, it might be a good idea to put something in the bulletin saying something like, "We do not pass a plate at ____ and do not expect visitors to offer anything but your presence. If, however, you would like to make a donation, you can do so in the plate by the doors as you leave."<br /><br />As I alluded in this piece, I do find it odd that people who disregard the canonical expectation of baptism before Communion in the name of hospitality still hit up their guests for cash.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-85551944238070000162014-03-08T13:49:58.085-06:002014-03-08T13:49:58.085-06:00Well said, Matt. I am curious about not passing th...Well said, Matt. I am curious about not passing the plate. I was taught at VTS that putting something in the plate and then having it elevated at the altar represents our dedication of ourselves to Christ's service. Bishop Greg Rickel even says that there should *always* be an opportunity for people to give, without any sort of coercion to do so. Perhaps a topic for a future blog post.Tom Sramek, Jr.https://www.blogger.com/profile/17891982131922786298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-79341426608227360192014-03-07T13:14:32.947-06:002014-03-07T13:14:32.947-06:00Thanks, Anna. I appreciate your sharing your exper...Thanks, Anna. I appreciate your sharing your experience as a chalice bearer. <br /><br />I acknowledge that there is an immediate emotional appeal to "open communion" that is hard to argue against.<br /><br />I agree that people are hungry for God. And I appreciate that coming to communion is one way that might be expressed. I have not and would not turn anyone away from the altar or refuse anyone who came to receive.<br /><br />Still, I am convinced that communion without the expectation of baptism is a grave mistake. At the risk of simply rehearsing what I've written:<br /><br />It minimizes the reality that Communion is not just about our desire for communion with God but is also about communion with the the body and all the obligations that go with that. As such, CWOB does nothing to challenge and simply reinforces individualism.<br /><br />It also plays to the consumer mentality into which we have all been so thoroughly catechized.<br /><br />Because it does nothing to challenge the above two tendencies and because it does not offer a challenge to a deeper loyalty, the practice is not just about how the church engages the unbaptized, it about how the church understands itself. And I fear that it reveals that we understand ourselves to be a more or less free association of individuals on individual "faith journeys" of which Jesus and the church are helpful but nonessential accessories. Among other things this undermines our ability to be a true contrast body and leaves us unable finally to resist the powers of the age, e.g., those represented by Wall Street, Madison Avenue, the Pentagon, political parties/ideologies or the appetites and passions within us which they co-opt and reinforce. In purely sociological terms, a robust body needs robust boundaries to flourish. robust body<br /><br />Perhaps I am just a conservative or traditionalist on this, but given that the link between baptism and Eucharist has been the Church's conviction from the beginning makes me unwilling to change the discipline and theology without better arguments than I have heard.<br /><br />And, in any event, I have taken vows as a priest- and am about to take more intensive ones - "to be loyal to the doctrine, discipline, and worship of Christ as this church has received them, "which certainly includes the canon on baptism and Eucharist. I will not break that vow. And would not even if I was otherwise persuaded about its merits. <br /><br />As you know, I have pretty strong convictions about this.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-38892786472609414302014-02-25T12:11:29.046-06:002014-02-25T12:11:29.046-06:00Peace, Matt.
I agreed with this piece until I be...Peace, Matt. <br /><br />I agreed with this piece until I became a chalice bearer in a parish that does open communion.<br /><br />It's God in the chalice.<br /><br />People are hungry for God.<br /><br />What have I missed?<br /><br />in Christ,<br />Anna Anna Bendiksenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04939056926173010001noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-43316744152843952932014-01-05T16:10:28.437-06:002014-01-05T16:10:28.437-06:00I love the song "Tomorrow shall be my dancing...I love the song "Tomorrow shall be my dancing day." And by reminding me of it, you helped me find my sermon for today. Thank you!ealowehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15449684252839140701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-27275697821267317202014-01-01T14:43:59.338-06:002014-01-01T14:43:59.338-06:00Thank you SO much, Fr. Gunter. Steve Curtis Chapma...Thank you SO much, Fr. Gunter. Steve Curtis Chapman's song in particular left me speechless. <br /><br />Blessed is the Incarnate Lord of the Dance who wonderfully created and yet more wonderfully restores the dignity of our human nature.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-1752863962133140942013-12-15T20:57:40.206-06:002013-12-15T20:57:40.206-06:00This is such a wonderful blog...I hope you'll ...This is such a wonderful blog...I hope you'll post some more. Sad that there is no option for email subscription, as I don't know how to subcribe through readers. Anyway, I am bookmarking this link and will certainly visit as often as I can.Rosannahttp://www.journalofmysoul.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-46421887255584227612013-10-15T15:22:35.539-05:002013-10-15T15:22:35.539-05:00Thanks, Denise. Feel free to use whatever is helpf...Thanks, Denise. Feel free to use whatever is helpful.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-89785464879359236662013-10-15T13:55:49.456-05:002013-10-15T13:55:49.456-05:00Great post, Matt! I may need to "borrow"...Great post, Matt! I may need to "borrow" some of your points for a newsletter article...and I will make the proper attribution!<br />DeniseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-36858212753084638512013-09-07T10:50:15.294-05:002013-09-07T10:50:15.294-05:00Wonderful quotes, Matt! Thanks for sharing. Repost...Wonderful quotes, Matt! Thanks for sharing. Reposted them at Sublunary Sublime. <br /><br />Best,<br /><br />RobbAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-20183234273667645782013-08-16T18:54:36.968-05:002013-08-16T18:54:36.968-05:00Thanks, Anon. That is a good and grace-filled resp...Thanks, Anon. That is a good and grace-filled response.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-86298236526947444182013-08-16T10:58:37.588-05:002013-08-16T10:58:37.588-05:00When I read this I thought of your post here so I ...When I read this I thought of your post here so I thought I'd share...on-air response to a 16 year old girl:<br /><br />http://www.air1.com/blog/brant/post/2011/08/04/On-Giving-Up-A-Response-to-a-16-Year-Old-Girl.aspx<br /><br />And it sounds like something U2/Bono would sayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-65562116722189128972013-08-06T17:32:14.385-05:002013-08-06T17:32:14.385-05:00Thanks, Bob, for the extra Barth quote. Good and w...Thanks, Bob, for the extra Barth quote. Good and wise words. And the Wittgenstsein quote is wonderful, too.<br /><br />Of course, it has to be acknowledged that Barth was plenty capable of the emphatic, "Nein!" as Emil Brunner experienced. <br /><br />Interestingly, the collection of letter from which I copied the above also contains a letter from Barth to Brunner's widow soon after his death expressing sympathy and quite conciliatory. I don't know if he ever extended an olive leaf to Brunner while the latter was living.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-65705991626358480132013-08-04T21:35:16.442-05:002013-08-04T21:35:16.442-05:00Oops! My third paragraph should have read: "I...Oops! My third paragraph should have read: "Indeed, the truth is greater than us all!" Truthfully! :-)<br /><br />BobBob Kusioleknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-27876779509518995902013-08-04T14:59:10.313-05:002013-08-04T14:59:10.313-05:00Father Matt,
That was a very interesting post. I&#...Father Matt,<br />That was a very interesting post. I'll utter a "Yes" in approval of the thought that kindness counts. <br /><br />On another occasion, Barth sent a letter to Dr. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (co-editor of Christianity Today at the time) in which he addressed the unkind criticism he often received from those who think uttering that powerful "No" is the height of orthodoxy. Barth wrote: "These men have already had their so-called orthodoxy for a long time. They are closed to anything else, they will cling to it at all costs, and they can adopt toward me only the role of prosecuting attorneys, trying to establish whether what I represent agrees or disagrees with their orthodoxy, in which I for my part have no interest! None of their questions leaves me with the impression that they want to seek with me the truth that is greater than us all." <br /><br />Indeed, the truth is great than us all!<br /><br />As Wittgenstein said: "To believe in God means to see that the facts of the world are not the end of the matter."<br /><br />Peace,<br />Bob KusiolekBob Kusiolekhttp://suchdays.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-22487095747059169792013-05-31T23:47:02.199-05:002013-05-31T23:47:02.199-05:00"Is the whole of Christian truth all about me..."Is the whole of Christian truth all about me and my salvation?"<br /><br />Wow - this question has been bugging me for years! It has always appeared to me that, for Evangelicals, that it is indeed all about personal salvation. This has always struck me as oddly selfish. As a former RC, I firmly believe that Faith (and Faithfulness) - alone won't get me there. I need to re-read your post again,then read St. Paul. I'm up to the challenge of a discussion with you about this.Laura Stokes-Graynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-70908837796219946462013-05-27T08:23:12.986-05:002013-05-27T08:23:12.986-05:00Thanks, Bob.
That does sound like classic Barth,...Thanks, Bob. <br /><br />That does sound like classic Barth, bless his fuzzy little heart. And, yes, it was probably meant in the nicest possible way and with a twinkle in his eye.<br /><br />Much as I appreciate Barth, I think I am more like Sayers. And whatever her semi-Pelagian tendencies, she is not sentimental about human sinfulness and brokenness. In 'Creed or Chaos' she wrote, "There is a deep interior dislocation at the very center human personality." Not quite as emphatic as Barth, but she is clear that we need a Savior.<br /><br />I am glad you liked the sermon.<br /><br />Matt Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-33854192511091483562013-05-26T15:18:11.418-05:002013-05-26T15:18:11.418-05:00Father Matt,
You've reminded me: there is a q...Father Matt,<br /><br />You've reminded me: there is a quote from Barth, 'Men have never been good, they are not good, they never will be good,' which is usually sourced to a Time magazine article. Indeed, no Pelagian (or Semipelagian) was he! (Of course, I'm sure that, being Barth, he meant that in the nicest possible way!) :-)<br /><br />As an aside, I thought your recent "moist robot" sermon in which you took Daniel Dennett and the "Brights" to task was excellent.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Bob KusiolekBob Kusiolekhttp://suchdays.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-72456457298618146002013-05-10T20:53:38.451-05:002013-05-10T20:53:38.451-05:00Thanks for reading and commenting, Rob.
There is...Thanks for reading and commenting, Rob. <br /><br />There is a faithful approach that is other than the sentimentalism that suggests that religion muddles things up and the using religious faith to justify behavior that is unloving - however much such behavior might be defended as love.Matt Gunterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11230570081324464033noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-31197934163495213392013-05-10T10:54:42.794-05:002013-05-10T10:54:42.794-05:00Beautiful and true! This is an excellent presenta...Beautiful and true! This is an excellent presentation of the gospel in light of the increasingly prevalent sentiment of so many that 'all you need is love and that religion stuff just muddles things up'. Thanks for this, Fr. Gunter. Rob Scothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04072843841380642362noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1692793350977058371.post-1405065957857337562013-01-06T12:45:06.156-06:002013-01-06T12:45:06.156-06:00Is sex before marriage wrong? Sorry to ask this he...Is sex before marriage wrong? Sorry to ask this here, but it is something I have been struggling for a while as to whether it is truly something God wants from us? Thanks, IndiaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com