SELK News: Wilhelm Torgerson zum Professor ernannt

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

W.TorgersonWilhelm Torgerson zum Professor ernannt
Lehrtätigkeit am Seminar der kanadischen SELK-Schwesterkirche

St. Catharines (Kanada), 22.1.2013 – selk – Pfarrer i.R. Wilhelm Torgerson, D.D. (68), bis zu seiner Emeritierung im Jahr 2009 Direktor des Wittenberg-Projektes (http://www.in.lcms.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=130:wittenberg-project&catid=8), wurde durch die Aufsichtsbehörde des Concordia Lutherischen Theologischen Seminars von St. Catharines (Kanada | http://www.brocku.ca/concordiaseminary) bereits im Herbst des letzten Jahres zum „Professor Adjunct“ (außerplanmäßiger Professor bzw. Lehrbeauftragter) ernannt. Torgerson war bereits seit seiner Übersiedlung nach Kanada als Gastdozent mit dem Schwerpunkt Homiletik (Predigtlehre) an diesem Theologischen Seminar der Lutherischen Kirche-Kanada, einer Schwesterkirche der Selbständigen Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (SELK), tätig.

Mit der Ernennung zum Professor Adjunct erhält Torgerson nun auch Sitz und Stimme in der Fakultät der Hochschule von St. Catharines. Die Lehrtätigkeit ist zunächst auf drei Jahre begrenzt. Finanziert wird die Dozentur durch die kanadische Schwan-Stiftung.

Neben seiner Lehrtätigkeit leitet Torgerson auch die sonntäglichen deutschsprachigen Gottesdienste der Gnaden-Gemeinde in St. Catharines. Den theologischen Ehrendoktortitel verlieh die Fakultät des Concordia Theologischen Seminars Fort Wayne (USA | http://www.ctsfw.edu) Torgerson bereits im Mai 2008.

Der in Minden/Westfalen geborene Torgerson wanderte als Kind mit seinen Eltern nach Kanada aus, absolvierte dort auch sein Theologiestudium und wurde 1971 im kanadischen Edmonton ordiniert. Er besitzt die kanadische Staatsangehörigkeit. Den größten Teil seiner Dienstzeit verbrachte Torgerson als Pfarrer der SELK-Gemeinden in Brunsbrock, Bremen, Hamburg (Dreieinigkeit) und Berlin (Mitte).
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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:16-18

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

TransfigurationWe did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. (2Pe 1:16-18 NIV)

The apostle Peter is spot-on with his declaration, that he did not follow cleverly invented stories, but rather God’s witness and that of his prophets. What do we want to do now? Do we not have the writings of the prophets and those of the apostles? And do we not know the witness of the father through the apostles? Do we not want to trust the divine witness and that of his holy saints?

Day is breaking, the Morningstar of fulfilment has appeared long ago. The era of fulfilment is coming to completion more and more. Soon the one we are waiting for, will appear. His name is “Amen”, because all divine promises are “yes” and “Amen” in him. Are we only going to believe, when we see him, who is to judge the living and the dead? Or do we believe now already?

O Lord you eternal light! Let us hold and keep and recognise more and more all what your prophets preached and your apostles witnessed and explained and your Father declared concerning your power and coming and thus be saved in this enlightened recognition! Amen

Your word, O Lord, let always be the lamp for our feet; preserve it with us clear and pure; grant that in all distress we enjoy from it strength, guidance and enduring comfort so that we continue to trust in it.

God Father, let Your word be widely spread to you honour. Help, Jesus, that Your teaching may enlighten and guide us. O Holy Spirit, let Your divine word work in us continually faith, love, patience and hope.  (David Denicke, 1603-1680. The translation is rather somewhat literal and neither poetic nor hymnal)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for  Wednesday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 92 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.)

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Herrenhuter readings for Wednesday, the 23rd January 2013

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

John-Swanson_Story-of-the-Prodigal-Son_PSDo I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 NIV)

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.  (Luke 15:24 NIV)

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Herrenhuter readings for Tuesday, the 22nd January 2013

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

prison barsLearn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. (Isaiah 1:17a NIV)

Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. (Hebrews 13:3 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:19

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Holy TransfigurationAnd we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2Pe 1:19 NIV)

The holy apostles knew quite a bit concerning Christ’s power and future by reading and listening to the ancient prophecies in the books of the holy Prophets. Yet when these prophecies were actually fulfilled and the power and future of Christ was present in their midst, they saw much more than they had bargained for. The Lord took them along onto the holy Mountain and was transfigured before them. They could listen in on him talking about his glorious consummation with Moses and Elijah and they were made privy to the supreme Father’s testimonial concerning his beloved son. All this confirmed the prophecies of old. Thus the apostles were assured most firmly that their Lord Jesus Christ was indeed the promised one and that they were not to expect somebody else later on surpassing him ever.

In this way the divine experience emphasized the prophetic witness as the prophetic message had pointed them to Jesus Christ in the first place. History agreed with the prophecy and the prophecy illuminated history in its full, divine light.

O Lord Jesus Christ! Grant that your word lead and guide us, that it comfort us and give us all true love towards your word and dedicated faithfulness to read, study and learn it, so that we may always and eternally rejoice in it. Grant us your peace this night and day and your strength and grace for our work and calling in the morning. Amen.   (Hermann Bezzel)

The dear old sun’s light and glory has run it’s course and the world has gone rest. O soul do now, what you’re supposed to do: Go to heaven’s door and sing a song fixing your eyes, heart and mind on Jesus Christ.

You lovely stars shine bright and clear, you fill the night with light. Still my Jesus – the eternal celestial torch –   shines a thousand times brighter in my heart. He is my soul’s fame, my protection, my treasure and my very own. (Christian Scriver, 1629-1693: Literal, not poetic translation)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Tuesday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 91 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.)

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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:20

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Apostles and prophetsAbove all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. (2Pe 1:20 NIV)

Just as no true prophecy has a human origin, so too its true interpretation is not dependent on human will or intellect. Just as a person can’t decide to become a prophet on his own, so too it’s not possible on our own to interpret prophecy correctly either. The Spirit of the Lord awakens prophets and the true interpretation of these prophecies are also his own prerogative, just as Saint Joseph confessed in the Egyptian prison, when he heard the dreams of the cup-bearer and the baker.

The prophecies of the prophets are like lighthouses and beacons in the dark night of this world. There is bright light shinning forth from them. They have recognized general truths and it is useful to give attention to this light because it is still rather dark and even the prophecies don’t dispel all darkness as yet. The prophecies of St. John’s revelation have enlightened many souls to eternal salvation even if many of them are still enshrouded in mystery to this very day.

There will come a day, then all will truly be light and all the prophecies will be fulfilled and their mysteries will be totally clarified. Just as before the sun of day appears the morning star already shines brightly thus also some godly prophecies shine clearly even now as we are waiting for the final fulfilment of his will and promises.

O God and heavenly Father + We thank you for the holy word that has kept and preserved your revelation for many generations since the days of the prophets and apostles.  We ask you: Enlighten us through this word of revelation by the grace of your Holy Spirit, so that we may understand it better, follow it more willingly and be encouraged by its comfort evermore. We ask this in Jesus Christ’s name, he your Son and our Lord.  Amen

O God, we humans are reprobate in spiritual matters; Your being, will and law is far too high and beyond us;

We don’t know nor understand it, unless your divine word and light shows us the way to you and gives us true understanding.

That is why you sent your servants, the prophets, to make known your will and righteousness. Finally you sent your only begotten Son from the heavenly throne to teach and guide us in your truth.

O Lord we praise you for this salvation and ask you to keep and preserve us in it faithfully. Grant us your Holy Spirit, so that we may truly believe your holy word and accept it fittingly with honour, love and joy as your own word and not just ours! (David Denicke, 1603-1680)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 90 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.)

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Herrenhuter readings for Monday, the 21st January 2013

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego“Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants!” (Daniel 3:28 NIV)

But not a hair of your head will perish. (Luke 21:18 NIV)

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LÖHE ON 2. PETER 1:21

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

Prophets of oldFor prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2Pe 1:21 NIV)

No prophecy is the fruit of human deliberation. Even if a natural genius fixes his eyes into the future to view the mysteries of the kingdom hidden there, he will not discern anything but dark obscurity. Every prophecy is a divine gift of the Holy Spirit and God’s holy people have proclaimed and written down, what they were shown, following not so much their own pursuit, but rather as the Holy Spirit motivated them to oral or written communication. Therefore the prophetic word is the Holy Spirit’s word through human beings, but not of human origin.

O God and heavenly Father: You have revealed your paternal goodness and unfathomable mercy to your congregation in this world so that they would recognize you appropriately. We thank you for your holy word through which you have kept this your revelation pure and faithful throughout the generations right from the prophets of old and from the saintly apostles as good stewards of your gospel. We humbly ask you now, grant us your Holy Spirit that he may bring to life the word of your revelation in us. Grant that we may be immersed more and more deeply in your revelation, that we consider your divine message more and more willingly and that we be more and more comforted by your joyful and encouraging promises.   Amen (E. Linderholm)

Everything you taught today, write into our hearts, and grant that those, who heard it, may be obedient also.

Continue to preserve your word and prosper us continually, so that we may always serve you here as we should.

As I desire peace, o Father, stand by me and commend your holy angel over me that he be my watch and keeper.

Grant a good night to everyone and grant correction to all, who have gone against you and your will.

Help me to get up tomorrow that I may continue faithfully until the end of my calling in this world’s course.

And finally when my time is up, lead me into your heaven, where I’ll rest forever in your grace. (Kaspar Neumann, 1648-1715)

(Translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for the 6th Sunday after Epiphany as found on Pg. 89 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and puplished in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.)

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Herrenhuter readings for Sunday, the 20th January 2013

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

ascensionSeek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility…  (Zephaniah 2:3a NIV)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1 NIV)

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Lutheran Order of service in isiZulu and seTswana

Posted on January 19, 2013 by Wilhelm Weber

VerklaerungThe Lutheran Order of Service for the Last Sunday in Epiphany – Holiday of Transfiguration – is available here in isiZulu (wz1310130120 Phifaniya 6) and seTswana (wt1310130120 Epi 6). Today it comes with a sermon based on the gospel of the evangelist Saint John in the 12th chapter verses 34-36 (37-41) by our father Rev. E.A.W.Weber DD (Welbedacht, KZN).

We thank the Lutheran Heritage Foundation for supporting the distribution of hard-copies of these orders of worship and sermons throughout Southern Africa. If you also want a copy please do not hesitate to subscribe by writing to EAWWeber@bundunet.co.za.

I pray you have a very blessed fourth and last Sunday in Epiphany and have time to meditate on the watchword from the great prophet Isaiah:  The LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. (60:2 NIV)

The liturgical colour is white.

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