RevDrKate over at Prairie Light tagged me (actually a few days ago) for this rather challenging meme about beliefs. I've been putting it off and thinking about it during a challenging week, and finally I'm ready to post...
Rules
1.You have to use your own belief system for the meme. No fair using someone else’s to make a joke or satire. Being humorous about your own religion is encouraged!
2.You have to have at least one joy and one trial. More are encouraged. And no, they don’t have to be equal in length, but please be honest.
3.You have to tag at least one other person. More are appreciated!
4.Please post these rules!
The joys of being a progressive, evangelical, liturgical, free church, grace-oriented midwestern Scandinavian Lutheran (Lutheran by baptism and by choice.)
1. Our tradition was born in a university; therefore, reading and studying geeks like me are welcome.
2. "Living in the tension" -- not having to deny the dark parts of life or to pretend that because I am a Christian "Now I am happy all the time."
3. "theology of the cross," God is not the "success god" but the one on the cross, not a fair weather friend, but especially present in suffering and times of trouble.
4. On well-known favorites, nothing beats a bunch of Lutherans singing hymns!
5. An ability to embrace different worship styles from different eras and traditions, and believe that the Spirit lives in them.
6. A finely honed nose for bad theology.
7. "The Freedom of a Christian."
8. Pot luck suppers.
The trials of being a progressive, evangelical, liturgical, free church, grace oriented midwestern Scandinavian Lutheran (Lutheran by baptism and by choice).
1. Most of us are "shy."
2. Having to explain Martin Luther's comments on the Jews to people (no, I don't agree with them!).
3. Most people are either liturgical or free church and think that the other way is in bad taste and not really worship.
4. "Living in the Tension." Sometimes it would be all right to be "happy all the time."
5. Very subtle sense of humor, sometimes to the point of nonexistence.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. was not the founder of our church (not that I'd mind, but someone really asked me once, "how does it feel to have the founder of your church be a black man?")
7. Lutefisk.
9 comments:
Thanks, Diane. I love your description of being ordained and loving it. That makes me wish I'd followed into ordination, but I don't know that I'm called. Oh, well.
If you are a Lutheran pastor, why do you remark about Henry VIII? I am still a little confused, as you say ou are slightly "Anglo-Catholic, Episcopalian-by-grace." I don't know how or why Hanery VIII is connected with the Lutheran Church though.
jan, you read an early edition that I published by mistake!!! I was in edit and pushed the wrong button.
diane, so how does it feel to have a black man be the founder of your denomination...lol...sometimes we Americans just amaze me. It's like Jay Leno's "Jay Walking" and the questions he asks people and the just plain dumb responses he gets.
Otherwise, you did a great job playing this meme - very thoughtful and concise!
Yay Diane! Great play. You and MLK and us and Henry....people are funny....yup, just like jaywalking. You are right, Lutherans can really sing on those good old hymns. Thanks for playing.
Have you personally eaten Lutefisk? Because I would be scared to eat it.
Also, have you seen the Betty Butterfield piece on the Lutherans? She does a pretty good job on all denominations but the one on The Lutherans is so funny I had to hold onto my desk in order to keep from falling out of my chair. Not kidding.
This is Betty on the Lutherans
And this is Betty on the Episcopalians
And, if you don't know Betty, here is her testimony. It explains a lot.
yes, Lindy and Rowan -- I have personally eaten Lutefisk. Several times. well, - once a year.
"Living in the Tension: Sometimes it would be all right to be 'happy all the time.'" -- that made me smile! :)
I love your answers!
Ireally enjoyed this meme and your blog.I will return often
Brilliant! You really rose to the challenge. And I learned some things; always a plus in my book.
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