tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post7236458976418976820..comments2023-11-03T04:50:42.128-05:00Comments on Confessional Gadfly: Authority, Pastors, and ChristiansRev. Eric J Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17747919365522145094noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-74712466092032742482011-01-22T21:26:35.439-06:002011-01-22T21:26:35.439-06:00There is no greater feeling for any Christian than...There is no greater feeling for any Christian than to see the relief and hope rise up in the heart of a convicted sinner who has just heard the Gospel knowing that God's Word of forgiveness was spoken through your mouth by the power of the Spirit and has lifted a heavy burden from your brother or sister... especially when you consider how deeply you know that feeling in your own life. And so for this reason (on top of clear instructions from Holy Scripture) we should encourage and lift each other up with the anouncement of the forgiveness of sins. All Christians should be ready with this important and joyful task.<br /><br /><br />But the binding of sins, the overseeing of discipleship, the administration of the sacraments, the preaching office, and the vexing of consciences is a terrible and heavy burden which should be reserved for the called and ordained pastor alone. So great is this responsiblity that it should be trusted only to those who are trained, qaulified, and called to be undershepherds in the stead of Christ Himself. The pastor alone is qualified and chosen to deal in such difficult matters and all others should respect his views. It is not something that anyone should be eager to steal from him.<br /><br />So, in matters that are free, let us all be free to use them... but, in matters that are burdensome, let the one who is called bear the load.Mike Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09202275259518132834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-7804596705941499552011-01-19T12:37:48.728-06:002011-01-19T12:37:48.728-06:00What a difference it would make if all Lutherans--...What a difference it would make if all Lutherans--if all Christians--would view their pastors as "professional forgivers" above all else! Sadly, we too often fail to recognize our greatest need as human beings, let alone the means that God has provided to address it and the men whom God has called to administer them to us.aletheistnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-18862087781803022152011-01-19T10:22:05.311-06:002011-01-19T10:22:05.311-06:00In support of your authority as a pastor, I'm ...In support of your authority as a pastor, I'm in favor of enabling you to administer the Sacrament every week.Phillipnoreply@blogger.com