Comments for Alden Swan dot com

Comment on Did Jesus “Raise the Bar” in the Sermon on the Mount? – Law 2 by Howard Nowlan

Howard Nowlan — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:05:56 +0000

Fascinating point, Steve, about fulfilment now – when Jesus talks about the kingdom of God, He’s always anchoring this , even in parables, in our world, in living and knowing something profound and rich regarding God and the life He gives (reconciliation) in amidst this present, broken world – this is where eternal, meaningful life begins! What an amazing truth – God meets us amidst our misery and poverty and through Jesus Christ, brings us back to what we were intended to be.

Comment on Did Jesus “Raise the Bar” in the Sermon on the Mount? – Law 2 by Steve Martin

Steve Martin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:54:23 +0000

“Jesus makes it quite clear, that the goal is for us to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” And if unattainable by keeping rules, then how?”

It’s even worse than that.

Perfection is not “the goal”…it is the unrelenting demand…to be fulfilled NOW. Not at some point down the road, or up the ladder a ways.

Thanks, Alden.

Great study!

Comment on New Covenant Law – 1 by Steve Martin

Steve Martin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:30:42 +0000

Good stuff!

I have always been taught that the law is not just Old Testament Law…but every single demand that our existence places upon us.
To be a perfect citizen, a perfect son or daughter, a perfect employee, a perfect husband or wife, a perfect parent, a perfect…whatever.

That is why Jesus told us in that sermon, “You must be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect.

This Word exposes us. And by God’s grace, drives us to Christ.

To sum up; ‘ Law is law, is law…is law’.

It’s so we can live together as best we can…and to kill us off to any pretense of righteousness by what ‘we do’.

(that’s the Lutheran party line, anywho)

Thanks.

Comment on New Covenant Law – 1 by Howard Nowlan

Howard Nowlan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:02:29 +0000

A post that really gets you thinking, not only about the Law, which certainly is a major issue, but also about God’s purpose for His people – he fact that God intended them to be a blessing to the nations. If our lives are about being ‘salt’ (savouring) and ‘light’ (illumination) to others, then how are we meant to be fulfilling such a role in our world, and are we equally as lax, perhaps even bankrupt, when it comes to our engagement here? Looking forward to more!

Comment on It’s Football, People! by Mike Haubrich

Mike Haubrich — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:10:12 +0000

Alden, I think that they proved that against the Patriots.

Comment on It’s Football, People! by Steve Martin

Steve Martin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:38:51 +0000

I really dislike these public prayers. I do think it hardens a lot of people to the gospel message.

Comment on Uses of the Law by Steve Martin

Steve Martin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:35:55 +0000

“Christ is the end of the law for all those who have faith.”

Hmmm…seems pretty straight forward to me.

The “3rd use” of the law is letting the fox back in the hen house.

Comment on λειτουργία: On Liturgies and other Public Works by How Lutherans Worship – 5: On Liturgy …. Some different perspectives « Blog My Soul

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:34:59 +0000

[...] thing about Alden and his blog alden’s blurt apart from this post in his archive. His post, λειτουργία: On Liturgies and Other Public Works, hints that he is a former Lutheran who has taken a good dose of Lutheran understanding about the [...]

Comment on It’s Football, People! by me

me — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:41:24 +0000

There’s also the possibility that 43% of Americans believe the Broncos are winning by divine intervention because they – and Tebow himself – are simply not good enough for it not to be a miracle…

Comment on It’s Football, People! by Mike Haubrich

Mike Haubrich — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:39:27 +0000

I think you have nailed it. The 316 yards thing in beating the Steelers was a cute coincidence, but then a bunch of people thought it was a “sign.”

Now Katy Perry’s parents are trying to get the two together since she is divorcing Russell Brand. What’s that all about?