ANATOMY OF AN EXPLOSION

In 1974, all but 5 professors and a small handful of students remained on the campus of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. The rest left and formed a seminary in exile which became known as "Seminex". In 1977, Professor Dr. Kurt Marquardt wrote a book for the Concordia Theological Quarterly which detailed events leading up to the walk-out and the walk-out itself. It is a compelling story and when I finish reading the book I will be writing a review here. If you get a chance to read it you may want to have a blog discussion with me on the topic. I think it is worth looking at considering the ramifications Seminex seems to be having on our Synod today.

GREEK HAS ONE DAY REPRIEVE FOR 4TH OF JULY. Or does it?

The 4th of July couldn't have come at a more opportune time for many of us in Dr. Gieschen's summer greek class. We have been going non-stop for the past 3 weeks and have taken quizzes on chapters 1-10. We have tomorrow off, but the only break any of us will probably take is for our July 4th picnic at the Seminary. A few hours of jovial fellowship where we don't even think about Greek will be a welcome time. I wonder if Martin Luther ever had it this tough? I think he probably did and even tougher but then he headed for the Boar's Head Tavern for some good brew and theology talk.

We have so much more to learn yet, but there are times when many of us feel like we have too much in our brains already and need to release the pressure in our brains from so much information. God gave us the sabbath to rest ourselves from our labor. We need to find sabbath where and when we can so that we can revive ourselves and continue on with our work. Take some time tomorrow also to pray for your nation's leaders and for the soldiers that are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. Also take some time to share the Good news of Jesus Christ with someone who needs to hear it.

God Bless us through his Son Jesus Christ.

One week into Greek and we have one quiz behind us and are studying for the second as I take a few minutes to write this in my blog. Poor Michael's Almanac also comments on this. I found a greek font in my Microsoft Word and it has proved to be very accurate so far. The only thing is that I can't put accents over the letter. I do have another program that uses Koine Greek and allows accent and breathing marks on letters.

Hopefully the second quiz on Tuesday will not be too difficult and of course if I study properly it should be easy (shh don't tell Dr. Gieschen I said that) Pray for us Greek geeks that we are able to learn the language as well as have fun with it.

God Bless!

Class for Summer Greek began today. It is finally here! Praise God!

Lord God, Heavenly Father, bless this time of studying your word in it's original language. Guide me to an understanding of your word so that one day I may use it to teach all nations as you have commanded.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour
Amen.

God help me I am only 10 days away from becoming a full-fledged Seminarian. Summer Greek begins on the 12th and there is so much happening between then and now. This weekend we move into our new home in Fort Wayne (yeah no more hotel) . This is not an experience I would wish on anyone for too long a time. One month has me stir crazy and my kids have been bouncing off the walls.

It is fitting and proper that I named this blog "The Spirit is Willing; the flesh is weak." Right now my flesh is very weak and I need a Spiritual Booster shot this weekend. Since we are not likely to attend church on Sunday morning because of the move, we will likely have to find a church that will be doing communion on Saturday night. Next week will have me unpacking boxes and putting stuff away. This will be a daunting task.

Please keep me and my family in your prayers through out this next week as we get settled in our new house. Also keep my wife in your prayers that her patience will not run out with her employer.

Pax Christi
Scott Strohkirch

I have now been in the Fort for 2 weeks. Most of my time has been taking care of my daughters until summer Greek starts on June 12th. We are hoping to get into our house on June 3rd, but it is looking like June 4th is the day we will finally take possession.

We attended Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Garrett, IN. They had a Sunday School at 8:45 followed by Service at 10. We thoroughly enjoyed both and meeting the people from the church. Pastor Jeff Horn is a good servant of God and his message was solid.

Thirty-years ago on this date, I was confirmed in my faith at Christ Lutheran Church in Eagan, MN. Today, I heard from Concordia Theological Seminary and I was accepted.

Today is in effect my new Confirmation day. Wow! when I think back at the beginning of all this I can't believe that we are finally at the finality of it all. This will change my whole life.

For many young people this next couple of weeks will be a time of reaffirmation of faith. They will tell everyone in their confirmation that they believe in one-baptism for the remission of sins. That is what Confirmation is all about, giving affirmation that you now believe that your baptism was done by God. That through his word and the water you were saved (1 Ptr 3:22)

I know that I have much to learn at sem. Satan doesn't want me there and he will do all he can to disrupt my learning process. But I have an ace in the hole. I have Jesus Christ the Son of God on my side. I ask all who read this to pray everyday that God will give me strength that day to get through whatever obstacles Satan tries to put in my way. Pray that God will open my ears to learn, but at the same to measure what I hear against his word.

Soli Deo Gloria