tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post7467350010718766771..comments2024-01-17T03:44:56.016-05:00Comments on City Called Heaven: Krister StendahlPaul Bellan-Boyerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15535442342075593259noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post-22816768339278322692011-05-30T10:07:44.257-04:002011-05-30T10:07:44.257-04:00In answer to Anonymous, Lutherans have always pray...In answer to Anonymous, Lutherans have always prayed for the dead. The quoted prayer "Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord: And let light perpetual shine upon him" is part of the funeral service (traditional, also in the ELCA's current worship resource, "Evangelical Lutheran Worship"). <br /><br />The early Lutheran reformers were concerned with ministry to the living in the face of a cult of worship directed at praying and paying souls out of purgatory, and were thus uneasy about the amount of spiritual and other effort directed at salvation of those who have already died. Their arguments, though, were directed against the offering of masses for the dead, or any hint that human effort was required to move souls into heaven.<br /><br />Luther (in his 1528 "Confession Concerning Christ's Supper" gave an example prayer for the soul of one departed. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession states that prayer for the dead is not prohibited (article XXIV, 94). Prayer for the dead is not prohibited by the scriptures, it is commended by ancient authorities, and theologically, prayers are addressed to God, who is the Lord over time.<br /><br />While some Lutherans remain uneasy with the concept, many more recognize it as a response to the simple pastoral need of mourning, care for loved ones even after death, and participation in the full, eternal life of the communion of saints.Paul Bellan-Boyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15535442342075593259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post-2299455921355829272011-05-28T22:45:37.213-04:002011-05-28T22:45:37.213-04:00Since when do Lutherans pray for the dead?Since when do Lutherans pray for the dead?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post-92032417983998003522009-12-26T22:12:30.569-05:002009-12-26T22:12:30.569-05:00Shame that his church attracts barely 2% of his ho...Shame that his church attracts barely 2% of his home country's people.Brad Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17381562723928616425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post-88898928472224565222008-08-17T02:08:00.000-04:002008-08-17T02:08:00.000-04:00I was surprised to read of Stendahl's death, espec...I was surprised to read of Stendahl's death, especially considering how recent it was. I had admired his essay on the introspective conscience and was interested in reading more of his work, but was saddened to find that his life-long work has finally come to an end. <BR/><BR/>I was pleased to read your post. Stendahl seems like he had as gentle of a soul as he had a sharp mind. <BR/><BR/>Thank God for the teachers he blesses us with and let us hope and pray the next generation of ministers, theologians, and scholars can come close to honoring the memory of Stendahl and the mindset and devotion he represents.Blaesihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02949884394300281903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7185729761630653103.post-89841027814002774282008-04-16T14:52:00.000-04:002008-04-16T14:52:00.000-04:00We thank You for all that was gentle and noble in ...We thank You for all that was gentle and noble in his life. Through his name inspire us with strength and light. Help us to use our grief itself for acts of service and of love. (from a Reform Siddur)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687508122861412465noreply@blogger.com