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CLC Journal of Theology Archive Page

Past Issues of the CLC Journal of Theology, in PDF format. Use Adobe’s Acrobat(TM) reader to read.

Pastoral Letter August 2009

The main purpose of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is to defend the Gospel ministry. Super-apostles had been undermining Paul’s ministry in Corinth because they felt that Paul had a poor speaking ability and was not a very exciting pastor. With their worldly wisdom and influence, they also were confusing the new Christians in Corinth about their life-style as God’s people as well as basic doctrines of the Christian faith such as the bodily resurrection from the dead. They were undermining Paul’s ministry by promoting themselves.

Paul in second Corinthians does not personally defend himself against these attacks. Instead he sets forth the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of a true Gospel ministry. The Gospel ministry does not need gimmicks or worldly advertising techniques to accomplish God’s purposes. After all, God uses the foolishness and weakness of the Gospel to confound the pride of power of men. (1 Cor 1:25) “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

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From the President

From the Mountain to the Cross

Pastoral Letter
“From the Mountain to the Cross”
July and August 2010

“Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray….And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.” (Luke 9:28, 36 ESV).

Fellow Cross Bearers:

Sharon and I recently returned from a five thousand mile trip to visit our children and  grandchildren. Along the way I spent a week in Eau Claire, WI attending the 29th Convention of  the Church of the Lutheran Confession. It was a demanding week that involved a lot of sitting,  a lot of listening, and a lot of prayer. It was good to get back home again. But guess what – the  problems that were here when I left are still here. It was back into the demanding regular work  of the pastoral ministry. Someone said that convention will help you appreciate your  congregation and your calling. Sometimes I experience a letdown when I try to turn the  excitement and possibilities of convention into the reality of my ministry.

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