tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post8720275634176291977..comments2024-01-23T10:37:14.372-08:00Comments on Surburg's blog: Mark's thoughts: Confessions of a one year lectionary convertSurburg's bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-81544373723729009962020-01-27T14:21:08.689-08:002020-01-27T14:21:08.689-08:00In summary, your argument point seems to be what p...In summary, your argument point seems to be what people say about old wine, referred to in Jesus' parable:<br />Luke 5:36–39 (ESV) — 36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’ ”<br />Say what you will about the parable, but Jesus clearly is saying that you cannot mix old and new. Germans don't really like innovations, which is consistent with the way that the German Reformation went, as opposed to the English Reformation, and the way that democracy developed in England and America as opposed to in Germany. The relationship between culture and religion is one that religious studies scholars appear to give more attention to than do theologians. My undergrad work was in Religious Studies, not biblical Studies or Pastoral Preparation, so I see this somewhat differently, in addition to the fact that I approach this from the standpoint of an American Descendant of Slaves, rather than an American Descendant of Immigrants. The religous experiences of my ancestors owes little if anything to the battle between Rome and Wittenburg, and much to the battle between Frederick Douglas and Harriet Tubman versus the Southern slaveholder aristocracy. Our songs served an entirely different purpose than did Bach and Luther's. For the most part, this discussion is interesting, but only in the same way that the Super Bowl is interesting to me. I don't have a stake in the outcome. Preaching, for me, is less about reaching back to Luther and connecting with him, than it is about reaching out to my community and connecting with them. No one is going to thank me at the end of servie for telling me what Luther thought about "x." Most will thank me for addressing the issues of life with which they are wrestling today, showing how God is walking with them now, whether it is regarding police relations, community development or decay, and finding peace with God that enables them to resist the efforts of Satan to destroy their home and life today. They wrestle with Justification, not because they seek to avoid purgatory, but because they want to know that God isn't allowing what they go through because He hates them because of their lineage. elderdxchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18071222328972267419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-8404103546104886922017-06-05T13:21:58.325-07:002017-06-05T13:21:58.325-07:00Just read this and love your arguments for jumping...Just read this and love your arguments for jumping over to the Historic (?) one-year lectionary. I belong to a Church in the American Association of Lutheran Churches (TAALC) which is in altar and pulpit fellowship with LCMS. I have seen many from your synod make that leap for many of the reasons you stated. I graduated from CTS in 2010 (Nov) and just got my first call last November (long-story). I don't know if any church-bodies in my Association have gone this way, but I am certainly going to campaign with my elders and congregation to give this a try. I have felt lately like I am repeating myself from week to week in sermons that have a running theme that continues from week to week. I appreciate that you wrote this because it helps me understand it much better. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13243164391397145733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-82447336358479592262016-09-06T18:49:03.685-07:002016-09-06T18:49:03.685-07:00The one year lectionary also helps your church mus...The one year lectionary also helps your church musician use the great wealth of music by Bach etc. that were written for the one year lectionary.Mark Petershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079075641458609853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-3064783537868496462014-02-02T19:47:17.858-08:002014-02-02T19:47:17.858-08:00I heartily applaud your scholarly contribution to ...I heartily applaud your scholarly contribution to this issue. However, I suggest it is only an issue among the sinner-saints known as the clergy. After 27 plus years in the pulpit, and after having preached every text of the three-year series, and every text of the one-year series, at least 2-5 times, I doubt this issue is an issue with those sinner-saints in the pews. The issue for them is the same issue it was for the sinner-saints in the first-century house churches: "Sir, we would see Jesus." (Jn. 12:21, [3-year- Holy Cross Day/ 1-year-Holy Cross Day] K.J.V., which is still the best, and the only version of the Bible according to so many in the pews) By the way, it's "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." in the E.S.V., the latest holy and authorized version. The argument over versions of the Bible and over which of the past three hymnals is the best, is far more of an issue with the sinner-saints in the pews. They just come to Divine Service wanting to see Jesus. They could care less whether He walks through the three-year series door, or the one-year series door. I also suspect that when we pastors are taken to heaven, Jesus is not going to say to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant," based on our use/support of the three-year or one-year series of pericopes, or whether we went to St. Louis or Fort Wayne. And from what I've read of Luther's and Walther's writings, I think they would agree. I say, "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!" even the texts of the Bible which never made the cut into anyone's list of pericopes! In fraternal respect and love! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07418489152858506421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-45304581743102265722014-02-02T15:00:54.588-08:002014-02-02T15:00:54.588-08:00The most important reason for using the on-year le...The most important reason for using the on-year lectionary, in my opinion, is that it opens the rich treasure of “old” Lutheran sermons as resources to the pastors preaching on the historical texts. Many sermon books are available free online. In using such sermons as resources, it helps to retain a continuity of historic Lutheran theology and preaching.<br /><br />The loss of parts of the liturgy through the use of more modern services or the service builder is disappointing and again, in my opinion, can rob a congregation of the rich spiritual food of the historic liturgy which more often than not is Bible verses set to music. As a child, I remember the pastor saying at the start of the service (after he emerged from the sacristy) "Propers for this day are found on page (whichever) e.g. 59 in the fore part of the hymnal." The propers, the sentences, the proper prefaces, and particularly parts of the communion liturgy (especially the Nunc Dimittis and the Thanksgiving) among other parts, are not to be found in use in their entirety by many congregations. <br /><br />Another important consideration is the use of old Lutheran hymns that are based on the one-year series. They tie in well and reaffirm the texts providing additional spiritual food. Many of such hymns were lost or severely altered in recent hymn books of all Lutheran denominations. And, modern hymns do not compare with the classic Lutheran hymns. My personal preference is to retain the Lutheran Hymnal (how controversial!)to ensure the coordination of readings, preaching, propers, and hymns in the service.<br /><br />I would respectfully ask pastors to consider using the KJV upon which the historic Lutheran sermons and liturgy in the TLH and to a lesser extent divine service 3 in LSB are based. The text is beautiful and reiterated and keep in mind that when employing the one-year lectionary it creates familiarity if one is concerned about the language (and parishioners will commit verses to memory because of frequent hearing). In an age of more plastic theologians, retaining the KJV most importantly is more beneficial in feeding the flock and is a favorable witness. With regard to modern translations in use by Lutherans (ESV, NIV) I would again respectfully ask pastors to compare the texts used in the service and Bible classes. Often, as has been my experience, the text of KJV is “tighter” theologically. <br /><br />For the laity, using the one-year lectionary in daily devotion concurrent with the old Lutheran preaching and old Lutheran hymns is particularly edifying spiritually and how wonderful when the weekly devotions culminate in the divine service based on the same texts!<br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-91189718691518756252014-02-02T14:51:01.904-08:002014-02-02T14:51:01.904-08:00The most important reason for using the on-year le...The most important reason for using the on-year lectionary, in my opinion, is that it opens the rich treasure of “old” Lutheran sermons as resources to the pastors preaching on the historical texts. Many sermon books are available free online. In using such sermons as resources, it helps to retain a continuity of historic Lutheran theology and preaching.<br /><br />The loss of parts of the liturgy through the use of more modern services or the service builder is disappointing and again, in my opinion, can rob a congregation of the rich spiritual food of the historic liturgy which more often than not is Bible verses set to music. As a child, I remember the pastor saying at the start of the service (after he emerged from the sacristy) "Propers for this day are found on page (whichever) e.g. 59 in the fore part of the hymnal." The propers, the sentences, the proper prefaces, and particularly parts of the communion liturgy (especially the Nunc Dimittis and the Thanksgiving) among other parts, are not to be found in use in their entirety by many congregations.<br /> <br />Another important consideration is the use of old Lutheran hymns that are based on the one-year series. They tie in well and reaffirm the texts providing additional spiritual food. Many of such hymns were lost or severely altered in recent hymn books of all Lutheran denominations. And, modern hymns do not compare with the classic Lutheran hymns. My personal preference is to retain the Lutheran Hymnal (how controversial!)to ensure the coordination of readings, preaching, propers, and hymns in the service.<br /><br />Also, I would respectfully ask pastors to consider using the KJV upon which the historic Lutheran sermons and liturgy in the TLH and to a lesser extent divine service 3 in LSB are based. The text is beautiful and reiterated and keep in mind that when employing the one-year lectionary it creates familiarity if one is concerned about the language (and parishioners will commit verses to memory because of frequent hearing). In an age of more plastic theologians, retaining the KJV most importantly is more beneficial in feeding the flock and is a favorable witness. With regard to modern translations in use by Lutherans (ESV, NIV) I would again respectfully ask pastors to compare the texts used in the service and Bible classes. Often, as has been my experience, the text of KJV is “tighter” theologically. <br /><br />For the laity, using the one-year lectionary in daily devotion concurrent with the old Lutheran preaching and old Lutheran hymns is particularly edifying spiritually and how wonderful when the weekly devotions culminate in the divine service based on the same texts!<br /><br />Pastor Surburg, I was privileged to assemble a lot of Lutheran sermon books on the historical lectionary, purchasing them from Concordia Historical Institute when I lived in St. Louis. As you prepare sermons on the one-year lectionary, and you want a sermon(s) on a particular text, let me know and I will be happy to scan it from a book(s) and email it to you. <br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-89821981985733759922014-01-30T08:53:38.239-08:002014-01-30T08:53:38.239-08:00Thanks for the kind comments. I am very pleased t...Thanks for the kind comments. I am very pleased that this post have proven useful to others.Surburg's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-81034375159909263762014-01-30T08:14:13.609-08:002014-01-30T08:14:13.609-08:00Pastor, thank you for your thoughts on this matter...Pastor, thank you for your thoughts on this matter. <br /><br />First off, I can't remember if I've officially introduced myself on your blog, but I read it all the time and love it, especially your series on the history of confirmation. <br /><br />As a Seminarian, I appreciate that you thought thru the issue with us, especially WRT the formation of the worshippers. I found it especially helpful and informative. If I may be so bold as to add to your argument, as a hymn nerd I can also say that more than a few hymns were written specifically for a particular day in the 1-year with its particular readings, something I cannot say about the 3-year. <br /><br />Kudos to CPH for making the 1-year a viable option. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />MicahMicah Schmidthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826971394946349499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-41265252374336756902014-01-29T22:29:50.150-08:002014-01-29T22:29:50.150-08:00Technically, the Baptism of our Lord falls on the ...Technically, the Baptism of our Lord falls on the octave of the Epiphany (January 13), but since I usually transfer Epiphany to the first Sunday in January, its octave gets transferred too. So it ends up being the first Sunday after Epiphany on a practical level.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08108914312808068912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-55411289672575418832014-01-28T08:26:06.949-08:002014-01-28T08:26:06.949-08:00Mark, your journey mirrors mine as well and the pr...Mark, your journey mirrors mine as well and the practices now in place at our congregation. Thank you for a well-written and informative post!Pastor Marcus Mackayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12881970105449677400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-15849222169956708422014-01-28T08:04:59.565-08:002014-01-28T08:04:59.565-08:00Mark,
Now what did you have to go and write this ...Mark,<br /><br />Now what did you have to go and write this blog entry for???? I was blissfully preaching away in my 18th year of ministry all in the three year lectionary and now you are making me think about it! :-)<br /><br />You actually have raised issues that I will have to wrestle with. Thank you for making me think. PastorMeadorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07612763781349762231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-53756033695864575752014-01-28T06:32:29.128-08:002014-01-28T06:32:29.128-08:00Mark, you offered a number of interesting reasons ...Mark, you offered a number of interesting reasons to use the One Year Lectionary, but you forgot THE most important one:<br /><br />Concordia Publishing House now offers an every Sunday bulletin series specifically to support the one year lectionary!!<br /><br />See:<br />http://www.cph.org/t-topic-wr-esbs.aspx<br /><br />: )Rev. Paul T. McCainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04846468267196335350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-61971983225860373082014-01-27T21:11:45.544-08:002014-01-27T21:11:45.544-08:00Thank you Pastor for the well researched article a...Thank you Pastor for the well researched article and citations too, I appreciate it. Unfortunately, from my own experiences about a 1/3 of the Lutheran congregations in my area are not using any formal lectionary and I fear that this trend is growing.<br /><br />One difficulty I see with the continue use of the one year lectionary is that it will not have any "organic development", since only a minority use it and those who would chose to use it are by there vary nature opposed to any liturgical development. <br /><br />One example would be for this coming Sunday (4th Sunday after Epiphany "Year A") the three year lectionary Gospel reading is on the Beatitudes (Matt. 5). Whereas in the one year lectionary this text is the appointed Gospel for All Saint's Day. While All Saint's Day is considered a day of Holy Obligation in the Roman church, and as such will be widely attended, this feast day is not widely observed in Lutheran church, so there is a high probability that this important text will not be covered if you follow the one year lectionary.<br /><br />You also state "Finally, I came to recognize that the abandonment of the one year lectionary greatly negated the resource of Lutheran sermons by Luther." I think this is an over-statement. While it is true if you follow the three year lectionary it will cover texts that we do not have a corresponding sermon from Luther. You can with the majority of the gospel readings usually find a Luther Sermon on a parallel gospel reading or find a Luther sermon on the actually text. Which for example this Sunday if you are following the three year series you need only look for Luther's sermon For All Saints Day. One can be found here:<br />http://books.google.com/books?id=XfLCU2Nkxa8C&lpg=RA1-PA182&ots=Mnf6ANjq0C&dq=Luther%20Sermon%20ALl%20saints%20day&pg=RA1-PA181#v=onepage&q=The%20Feast%20of%20All%20Saints&f=false<br /><br />Without having a corresponding Luther sermon on the text it also gives the Pastor a great opportunity to reference sermons on the appointed text by some of the early church fathers which would bring an opportunity not to just limited our reading and reflection to the last 500 years of church history.<br />Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14836672799947332799noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-11093282833242109022014-01-27T19:34:30.306-08:002014-01-27T19:34:30.306-08:00Thanks for catching that and calling it to my atte...Thanks for catching that and calling it to my attention! I did of course mean one year and have corrected it.Surburg's bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07471674105191295804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-88596299109403335852014-01-27T19:16:09.483-08:002014-01-27T19:16:09.483-08:00Thank you, Pastor Surburg. Very meticulous; very e...Thank you, Pastor Surburg. Very meticulous; very educational.<br /><br />Towards the end:<br /><br /><b>"I have found preaching to be easier and more enjoyable since moving to the <i>three year</i> lectionary on the First Sunday in Advent, 2010. The shift to the one year lectionary has not changed the fact that I preach on a text within the flow of that particular Gospel."</b><br /><br />You mean "moving to the <i>one-year</i> lectionary," right?T. D. Demaresthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11195713477127666504noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2447271489594435093.post-12553627764947790112014-01-27T18:53:31.190-08:002014-01-27T18:53:31.190-08:00For 21+ years, I used the 3yr lectionary even thou...For 21+ years, I used the 3yr lectionary even though I have dear friends who lobby for the 1yr. This year past and this year I am using the 1yr. I have found great benefit for having the same texts with which to ground my hearers in God's Word. And in using Lutheran Catechesis (CCA) with young and old catechumens. It is great. Thanks for the article that explains the 3yr fairly and provides grounds for continuing in the 1yr. until the Lord comes.Rev. Adrian Piazzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10206550946257853835noreply@blogger.com