en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/601832 Comments by Jason http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/08/19/gay-lesbian-lutheran-pastors/#IDComment31280006 I've got about a year to go in sem before i (maybe) start to look into ordination and its issues like this that really make me feel that the whole process is ridiculous. So, there are 15,000+ protestant denominations, the eastern church, and many more "orthodox" groups out there and each of them have different denominational vows/creeds/stances. The sheer number of them--for me anyway-- render the meaning of ordination in a particular denomination meaningless. Maybe I'll do what I think is faithful and pleasing to God and leave it at that. It seems to be what we're all doing anyway. ::frustrated:: Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:32:00 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/08/19/gay-lesbian-lutheran-pastors/#IDComment31280006 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/08/05/divorce-women-gays/#IDComment29733178 Ya know, I'm not so sure that denominational ordination means much of anything to me anymore. Whatever happened to the priesthood of all believers, anyway? Has not the Holy Spirit empowered us for ministry to begin with? And if so, why do we need paid pastors? There. I've been deconstructive enough for today. Thu, 6 Aug 2009 15:29:02 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/08/05/divorce-women-gays/#IDComment29733178 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/21/sex-before-marriage/#IDComment27977045 Dean, I believe that you value Truth, Scripture, and pleasing God. I think that Justin does as well. To be honest, I sometimes have problems with justin when he doesn't stake out a position on an issue. But, as I've gotten to read this blog more, I'm not so sure that's the point. I see a lot of corrective push here. Correcting Christian arrogance when it comes to being the sole proprietors of truth and knowledge. To me, this blog is more about rethinking dogmatic positions and creating space for people to approach Jesus and the church again. I don't think that Justin has ever waivered on the main thing (Christ being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And that Love is the greatest commandment). Sure his method of communicating and initializing that is different than you'd like, but the end goal of realizing the kingdom of God now is the same. ____ Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:54:45 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/21/sex-before-marriage/#IDComment27977045 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/21/sex-before-marriage/#IDComment27974383 Inmininstry is not keeping you busy enough!! ha. I'm glad that you've brought this up, though. Its a tough spot because you really can't have a 'Christian marriage' without some sort of relationship with Christ (bride and groom). So, I guess the hope is to get them to start moving on that spectrum from complete apathy (atheism?) to faith (relationship with Jesus). So, I guess the end result or point where you'd marry them would be when they cross that threshold. I don't think you can coerce that or contrive it; its much more organic than that (as are all things with faith). I suppose the route to helping them get there will look different for different people. I know that it will include a community, counseling, getting into the word, prayer, baptism? This is all just so hard with how we deal with weddings nowadays. I got engaged last week, and I am already on an all-out hunt for ceremony/reception places....I think this is why they just married people during the service way back when. You'd have room to grow and mature as a Christian couple without being pressured into a wedding. Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:08:52 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/21/sex-before-marriage/#IDComment27974383 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/14/top-3-reasons-the-iphone-is-like-the-bible/#IDComment27257035 [shakes head and laughs] That you are using this as your object lesson isn't even the best part. The best part is that someone made the clip art in the first place. nice! Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:12:12 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/14/top-3-reasons-the-iphone-is-like-the-bible/#IDComment27257035 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/08/1-2-3-4/#IDComment26799834 Is there a website that has all of these things on it? haha Thu, 9 Jul 2009 17:21:53 +0000 http://www.bedeviant.com/2009/07/08/1-2-3-4/#IDComment26799834