Author Archives: Matt

About Matt

Software engineer by trade; lay theologian by nature; Lutheran by grace.

Paradoxology: Finale

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Matt

We spent a great deal of time on examining how paradox is mishandled—how pride in an ability to embrace paradox can itself damage the paradox that is to be embraced. But how can we resist such a temptation—particularly when so … Continue reading →

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Paradoxology Part 4: The Consequences of Rejecting Reason

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Matt

Last time, we saw that it is not reason that destroys a paradox; it is when we put reason in God’s place by allowing it to overrule God’s promises. And so paradox is not protected by rejecting reason, but by … Continue reading →

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Paradoxology Part 3: Lutherans Mishandling Paradox

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Matt

As we saw in Part 2, paradoxes are not contradictions and therefore accepting them does not necessitate rejecting reason. Nevertheless, paradox is difficult to accept primarily because our reason wants—nay, needs—to understand; understanding is, after all, the very thing our … Continue reading →

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Paradoxology Part 2: Refusing Paradox

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Matt

Scripture presents Christians with a number of paradoxes—places where unresolved tension exists between two or more teachings.  One of the thornier issues is the doctrine of predestination—that God Himself chooses who will be saved.  How is the Lutheran approach to … Continue reading →

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Paradoxology Part 1: What is a Paradox?

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Matt

What exactly is a paradox and why is it important to theology? Simply put, a paradox is a kind of riddle or puzzle that a person comes across—something that appears to be a contradiction, but really is not. Perhaps the … Continue reading →

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Paradoxology: An Introduction

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Matt

If you’ve ever argued over theological controversies with Lutherans, you’ve no doubt heard us boast of our comfort with paradox. We will often overtly embrace a set of Biblical teachings that just don’t seem to add up. For those of … Continue reading →

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Frets about Pets

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Matt

I just saw this brief piece in Time on academia’s ongoing efforts to diminish our vocabulary in the name of enhancing it.  It’s always difficult to tell how well articles like this actually represent the content of the journals they … Continue reading →

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Chastity Day

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Matt

Texas is apparently considering a budget that requires a Title IX-esque balancing act for those universities which host centers for students whose sexual appetites fall into politically fashionable categories.  According to Inside Higher Ed, Centers promoting “traditional values” would necessarily … Continue reading →

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When “Do Whatever You Want” Means “I Don’t Care About You”

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Matt

As usual, if you need Jesus to wink and nod at a sin, you’ll need to come up with a fictional Jesus.  According to NRO, Notre Dame grad Theresa Rebek has done just that in her play “O Beautiful” in … Continue reading →

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Creativity and the Worship Wars

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Matt

When I was a young child, my grandparents has an old electric organ in their basement, which I would periodically play when I visited. I remember one day turning on one of the organ’s beat tracks and playing “Beautiful Savior” … Continue reading →

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