Northwoods Table Talk

Lectionary for Friday after Trinity XVIII Deuteronomy 14:1-2, 22-23, 14:28-15:15      Matthew 13:1-23 I was torn whether or not I should continue with the articles of the Formula of Concord (Epitome) as these last few could conceivably require some explanation. For example, who is a Schwenkfeldian? No, this is not a surname that Pr. Jerabek made up to use in a sermon, it is a group of people who, at the time of the writing of the Formula of Concord, in following the teachings of Caspar von Schwenckfeld, have led people astray. As you read their erroneous articles (articles of false teaching), you will note that there are some today who hold similar erroneous false views. These false views need to be exposes so that people do not fall into their trap.   There errors will be simply seen.   Also the errors of the “New Arians” and the “Anti-Trinitarians” will be plainly seen as you read them.   Erroneous Articles of the Schwenkfeldians. 20]  1. That all t...

  Pastor Jerabek is taking a few days off, and is not writing on his blog, specifically not doing any devotion today

 Pastor Jerabek is taking a few days off, and is not writing on his blog, specifically not doing any devotion today.

  Pastor Jerabek is taking a few days off, and is not writing on his blog, specifically not doing any devotion today

  Pastor Jerabek is taking a few days off, and is not writing on his blog, specifically not doing any devotion today

T uesday after T rinity XVII - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 5:22-6:9          Matthew 9:1-17 Again, I could talk about this next article at length. I will simply answer this question, “Who are the Anabaptists?” Some claim that anabaptists (from re-baptism) simply believe that infant baptism is wrong, so all those baptized as children needed to be (re)baptized. There were, as you will see, many other things that the anabaptists believed and taught that are erroneous as well as believe that children are innocent (hmmm, born sinners, yet innocent? Psalm 51:5) and must make their own decision for Jesus.   I will let you read for yourself their teachings which were (and still are) in error. They may not be called ‘Anabaptists’ today, but you will recognize their adherents where their erroneous teachings are to be found.   Erroneous Articles of the Anabaptists. 2]  The Anabaptists are divided among themselves into many factions, as one contends fo...

Monday after T rinity XVII - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 5:1-21          Matthew 8:18-34 Again, I could talk about this next article, but again I am going to refrain from any sort of introduction except to say that the teaching of the article is one that many often find confusing.   XI. Election. 1]  Concerning this article no public dissension has occurred among the theologians of the Augsburg Confession. But since it is a consolatory article, if treated properly, and lest offensive disputations concerning the same be instituted in the future, it is also explained in this writing. Affirmative Theses. The Pure and True Doctrine concerning This Article. 2]  1. To begin with [First of all], the distinction between praescientia et praedestinatio, that is, between God's foreknowledge and His eternal election, ought to be accurately observed. 3]  2. For the foreknowledge of God is nothing else than that God knows all things before they happ...

T rinity XVII - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 4:21-40           Matthew 8:1-17 I could talk about the next article a bit, but I am going to refrain from any sort of introduction. I will simply let it stand as is, so that you may read it. I mean, you have already gathered with the Body of Christ for the Divine Service, so an abbreviated devotional time is acceptable.   X. Church Rites Which are [Commonly] Called Adiaphora or Matters of Indifference. 1]  Concerning ceremonies or church rites which are neither commanded nor forbidden in God's Word, but have been introduced into the Church for the sake of good order and propriety, a dissension has also occurred among the theologians of the Augsburg Confession. Status Controversiae. Chief Controversy concerning This Article. 2]  The chief question, however, has been, whether, in time of persecution and in case of confession, even if the enemies of the Gospel have not reached an agreement with...

Saturday after T rinity XVI - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 4:1-20           Matthew 7:13-29 I have often declared that there are things of God which we cannot understand with our finite and faulty human minds, it is simply beyond us. In such cases, what God has revealed to us in His Holy Scripture is all that He desires us to know. So what Scripture, God’s Word declares, is all that we can say – we should say no more, nor any less.   Unfortunately, when people try to make some sort of explanation so that the mysterious is now comprehensible, too often such explanations have drifted into speculation and become tainted with error.   Article VIII on The Lord’s Supper is just such a problem. Look at the simple words of the Scriptural text. In regard to the bread, Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” In regard to the wine (cup), Jesus said, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for fo...

Friday after T rinity XVI - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 3:1-29          Matthew 7:1-12 Who would think that there are those who disagree on who Jesus is, yet it happens – it happens today. Reading this response to the controversy that arose in the late 1500s, it is obvious that some things never change. What follows is what we believe, teach, and confess about ‘The Person of Christ’ as Confession/Evangelical/Orthodox Lutherans. This is also what we condemn, for what is taught contrary to the clear Word of Scripture, and it becomes obvious why we have no fellowship with those who falsely teach such things.   VIII. The Person of Christ. 1]  From the controversy concerning the Holy Supper a disagreement has arisen between the pure theologians of the Augsburg Confession and the Calvinists, who also have confused some other theologians, concerning the person of Christ and the two natures in Christ and their properties. Status Controversiae. Chief Con...

Tuesday after T rinity XVI - Devotion in semi-Exile Deuteronomy 2:16-37           Matthew 6:16-24 The ‘Breaking of the Bread’ was celebrated very early in the church, Acts 2 proclaims that after Christ’s ascension they were celebrating it in their gathering. What did they receive? The same thing we receive, the very body of Christ sacramentally united to the bread eaten; the very blood of Christ sacramentally united to the wine that is drunk. How can this be? Christ proclaimed that is what is being eaten and drunk when He instituted that last will and testament on the night when He was betrayed. Yes, it does not make sense! Does that mean we can play with what Christ said? Are we allowed to clarify/interpret what Jesus meant, as if He was speaking indistinctly?   This is what we believe, as Confession/Evangelical/Orthodox Lutherans.   This is also what we condemn, for what is taught contrary to the clear Word of Christ has serious consequences. It...