The God Whisperers

A trip to the GW mailbag prompts whisperings of assurance of salvation, a really bad bear joke from MDD Donofrio, serpents, temptation, and Genesis 3, and pastors’ continuing education or the lack thereof.  On the back end, there are Theses 5 and 6 of Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation and the idea that everything man does is sinful, even when God is behind it, closing out with something on the Presentation of Our Lord.  It’s all good.

The GW are off to Heidelberg for a friendly Disputation as they consider theses 1-4 of Luther’s Heidelberg Disputation (1518) which distinguish the works of God from the works of men.  Compelling yet disturbing disputational theology from the master of Law/Gospel paradox himself, Martin Luther. For the text of the Heidelberg Disputation and Luther’s comments, click here. Music: Pinch Me – Barenaked Ladies Love Shack – The B-52s Jesus is a Friend of Mine – Sonseed

The Manly Doctors splash on some Hai Karate, fend off the ladies, and offer up this sweetly scented sacrifice of divine whisperings on baptismal exorcisms, Cwirla’s reflections on the Doxology pastoral enrichment program, Donofrio’s “Do Whatever You Want” sermon on 1 Corinthians 7, and pastoral compassion fatigue.  Also, some musical offerings by composer-in-residence Jason M. Kaspar and a beautiful baptismal hymn in German complete with the howling of the old Adam as he goes kicking and screaming to his baptismal death.  As always, compelling and disturbing. Music: Astrud Gilberto – Meditation Ramones – California Sun Sonseed – Jesus is a Friend of Mine

The Manly Doctors go south of the border to McMurdo Station, 800 miles from the South Pole, to converse with Rick “The Anti-Santa” Stadler on such diverse topics as how to you calculate “evening and morning” when the sun never sets, what to do when you’re at the South Pole without a pastor, and the plight of the penguins.  Also a great sermon by Norman  Nagel on the Baptism of Our Lord and an email discussion on how we are simul sinner and sinless at the same time. McMurdo Station, Antarctica For a live view of the conditions at McMurdo, check out their web cam.

Is faith reasonable, do atheists believe, how to preserve a Christmas tree, was Sonseed an atheist conspiracy, and what exactly was that star in the East?  These questions and a whole lot of answer for questions we have haven’t even thought of asking yet, on The God Whisperers.

The Manly Doctors of Divinity take on the sensitive but theologically significant topic of circumcision in a snippy discussion on the occasion of the Name and Circumcision of Our Lord.  Also, a special guest appearance from Henning Van Rensburg who sounds like he’s calling from inside a toilet bowl.  And if that weren’t enough, more awesome Christmas music. Music: Alleluia! Freut Euch – Westminster Abbey Choir Jesus Ahatonnia (The Huron Carol) – Bruce Cockburn Go Tell It On the Mountain – Bruce Cockburn In the Bleak Midwinter – Moya Brennan O Holy Night – Anuna Jesus is a Friend of Mine – Sonseed

The Manly Doctors of Divinity host their annual office Christmas party with a special visit from their Director of Southern Hemispherical Operations Henning.  Also guest appearances by Martin Luther, Jethro Tull, Bill Shatner, Moya Brennan, Alison Krauss, Vince Guaraldi, and more.  Join us for an hour of Falalalala with the God Whisperers. Music: “Every Valley Shall Be Exalted” – Lizz Lee, Chris Willis & Mike E.  (Handel’s Messiah, A Soulful Celebration) “Riu Riu Chiu”- Anuna and The Monkeys “What Child Is This” – Vince Guaraldi “We Five Kings” – Jethro Tull “See Amid the Winter Snow” – Concordia Seminary Chorus “The Wexford Carol” – Alison Krauss and Yo-Yo Ma “Oiche  Chiun” – Moya Brennan “Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day” – Robert Shaw Chorale

The Manly Doctors don Santa hats for some Advent musing, a little Veni, Veni Emmanuel, a recapitulation of some Calvinist stuff on resistance, non-resistance, and free will, along with commentary on the death of Christopher Hitchens, a sampling of the Matador Flaming Hot Beef Stick with a reading of its ingredients, a visit by MDD  Cwirla’s wife, and finally….an O Antiphon!  It sounds like it was made in a college dorm. Music creds: Veni, Veni – Enya Jesus is a Friend of Mine – Sonseed

After sustaining a major iced beverage spill in the GW studios, the Manly Doctors regroup for a scintillating mailbag discussion on Donofrio’s educational philosophy, Cwirla’s distaste for the Assemblies of God and speaking in tongues, miracles natural and unnatural and overly wordy conditional absolutions.  We also touch on Joel Osteen’s proposed reality TV show and round out the hour with a discussion of the Benediction in the Divine Service with a reading from Luther Reed.  Mele Kalikimaka. Music: Veni, Veni – Mannheim Steamroller Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby Sleigh Ride – Bella Fleck and Flecktones Jesus is a Friend of Mine – Sonseed

The Manly Doctors of Divinity recoup from a near-disastrous technical failure and ponder the anti-Santa, why Lutherans argue all the time, coffee shop churches, Lutheran ecclesiology, Advent and Christmas customs, Roman Catholic liturgical reforms, and post-communion collects.  A little something for everyone and nothing in particular. Music: “Veni, Veni Immanuel” – Anne Dudley “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” “Silent Night” – The Dickies “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” – Sonseed Image:  Michael Manley: drawman.blogspot.com

The Manly Doctors discuss the backstory to “Now Thank We All Our God” as well as the Agnus Dei and Nunc Dimittis of the Liturgy.  Donofrio talks about his upcoming cruise and there is a lively debate over whether Rowan Williams really is a Druid.  Add a bit of Thanksgiving and Advent, shake, pour over ice, and you have some vintage GW. Music Credits: “Now Thank We All Our God” – Cambridge Singers, John Rutter, cond. “Stonehenge” – Spinal Tap Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen “Turkish Delight” – Don Tiki “Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”

The Manly Doctors of Divinity discuss the words surrounding the Words of Institution, the place of the Agnus Dei, sacramental and sacrificial presider positions before the altar along with elevations, liturgical gestures and the proper and reverent disposition of the reliquia. Oh, and a stirring rendition of “Thank the Lord” on nasal bagpipes. Music creds: “Thank the Lord” – Jason Kaspar “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe” – Barry White “Mack the Knife”- Bobby Darin Glenn Miller Band

Prompted by a listener Skype call, the Manly Doctors discuss Bronze Age Lutheranism along with liturgy and liberalism and the dangers of binge listening to The God Whisperers.  After an interlude of soporific elevator music, they revisit the Sanctus and the Our Father with a final riff on the handling of reliquia. Music credits: Mohammad Rafi – Jaan Pehechaan Ho Munir Nurettin Beken - Makam Suzidil: Pesrev Relaxing Instrumental Jazz Academy – Zen Boney James – Soft

Ancient church typologies, a revisit to Family Radio, MDD Donofrio’s liturgical innovations, and a detailed discussion of the Preface, Proper Preface and Sanctus of the Liturgy along with Mrs. Miller, the Ramones, and a Ska-Metal version of “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” from a Finnish listener.  Who says we don’t bring content? Music: “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” – Andy Rehfeldt “Sweet Pea” and “A Lover’s Concerto” – Mrs. Miller “What a Wonderful World” – The Ramones “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” – Sonseed Liturgical bits from Liturgy Audio Files.

The Manly Doctors engage in some Reformation reflections and listener email prompts a lively discussion of the Aaronic benediction (Numbers 6:21ff), “Scripture interprets Scripture,” the epistle of James, and 6-day creation.  Plus some great Reformation period music.  All here on The God Whisperers. Music credits: “A Mighty Fortress” – Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) Chorus “Ein Fest Burg ist Unser Gott” Arrivederci Roma – Dean Martin “Allein Gott in der Hoehe” “Jesus is a Friend of Mine” – Sonseed