Comments on: Thrivent hates me and has a devious, wicked plan for my life http://esgetology.com/2009/11/27/thrivent-hates-me-and-has-a-devious-wicked-plan-for-my-life/ Waiting for the Parousia Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:29:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marie http://esgetology.com/2009/11/27/thrivent-hates-me-and-has-a-devious-wicked-plan-for-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-2137 Marie Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:46:00 +0000 http://esgetology.com/?p=1292#comment-2137 Exactly - and perfectly appropriate, as well! We're facing creeping -and creepy- secularism in funerals. Now people want a "Celebration of Life", not a funeral, and eulogies that glorify the deceased, not the Word which coveys Christ. There are times I've attended funerals and was truly amazed and saddened by how the deceased was repackaged at death. The blessing is that sharing the Word brings comfort and blessing whether the dearly departed dead was all they claim, or something less than sainted (as we all are, simul iustus, and all that). Grace upon grace, not sticky sentiment. Exactly – and perfectly appropriate, as well! We're facing creeping -and creepy- secularism in funerals. Now people want a "Celebration of Life", not a funeral, and eulogies that glorify the deceased, not the Word which coveys Christ. There are times I've attended funerals and was truly amazed and saddened by how the deceased was repackaged at death.

The blessing is that sharing the Word brings comfort and blessing whether the dearly departed dead was all they claim, or something less than sainted (as we all are, simul iustus, and all that). Grace upon grace, not sticky sentiment.

]]> By: Christopher Esget http://esgetology.com/2009/11/27/thrivent-hates-me-and-has-a-devious-wicked-plan-for-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-1962 Christopher Esget Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:18:27 +0000 http://esgetology.com/?p=1292#comment-1962 Yes - nothing wrong with a eulogy, just, as you say, "not at the funeral." The fundamental problem with them *at funerals* is that people try to turn them into sermons, and pretty soon we have the dead being proclaimed as saints, angels, watching over the living, etc. American funeral customs are lousy. We really ought to provide an appropriate forum for people to honor the dead. Just keep it out of the chancel! Yes – nothing wrong with a eulogy, just, as you say, "not at the funeral." The fundamental problem with them *at funerals* is that people try to turn them into sermons, and pretty soon we have the dead being proclaimed as saints, angels, watching over the living, etc.

American funeral customs are lousy. We really ought to provide an appropriate forum for people to honor the dead. Just keep it out of the chancel!

]]> By: Aaron http://esgetology.com/2009/11/27/thrivent-hates-me-and-has-a-devious-wicked-plan-for-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-1956 Aaron Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:27:16 +0000 http://esgetology.com/?p=1292#comment-1956 I think a eulogy is appropriate, just not at the funeral. I recently read Christopher Buckley's book Losing Mum and Pup, and was moved by his description of the wake that was held for his venerable father. It struck me how our tradition (is it an enthic or religious thing?) lacks a proper way for friends and family to honor the dead (and thereby satisfy a deeply felt need to do so). I think there is something to be said for bringing the body home for a night (and getting it away from a ghoulish funeral 'home') and allowing friends and family to gather 'round the dearly departed, and raise a glass and offer a eulogy. Perhaps the absence of such a forum drives people to insist on eulogizing at the funeral. I think a eulogy is appropriate, just not at the funeral. I recently read Christopher Buckley's book Losing Mum and Pup, and was moved by his description of the wake that was held for his venerable father. It struck me how our tradition (is it an enthic or religious thing?) lacks a proper way for friends and family to honor the dead (and thereby satisfy a deeply felt need to do so). I think there is something to be said for bringing the body home for a night (and getting it away from a ghoulish funeral 'home') and allowing friends and family to gather 'round the dearly departed, and raise a glass and offer a eulogy. Perhaps the absence of such a forum drives people to insist on eulogizing at the funeral.

]]> By: Rev. Eric Brown http://esgetology.com/2009/11/27/thrivent-hates-me-and-has-a-devious-wicked-plan-for-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-1955 Rev. Eric Brown Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:34:19 +0000 http://esgetology.com/?p=1292#comment-1955 When they were looking for names for the newly merged AAL and LB, I suggested "Brotherhood Aid Association for Lutherans". . . or BAAL. When they were looking for names for the newly merged AAL and LB, I suggested "Brotherhood Aid Association for Lutherans". . . or BAAL.

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