Dr. James A. Nestingen – Luther’s “On the Bondage of the Will”
Categories: CTS, Media, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, Seminary
Written By: admin
Video:
http://seminaryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/04Feb2009_Nestingen_video.flvVideo link (ctrl-click to “save as”)
CTS was pleased to have Dr. James Arne Nestingen as a visiting professor for a two-week intensive term course on “Luther and Walther on Law and Gospel” this January. Dr. Nestingen has distinguished himself with long service to the church as a parish pastor in Oregon and Canada, an editor at Augsburg Publishing House, and as a professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Now retired, Dr. Nestingen is in demand as a speaker in the USA and abroad. He is leading voice of the confessional movement within the ELCA. Dr. Nestingen is the author of Martin Luther: A Life and co-editor with Robert Kolb of Sources and Context of the Book of Concord. While at CTS, Dr. Nestingen spoke on the significance of Luther’s On the Bondage of the Will for preaching and pastoral care at a fireside chat. We think that you will enjoy and be edified by his words.
Audio:
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Audio link (ctrl-click to “save as”)
April 6th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
2Corinthians 5:20-
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
Though the talk was VERY interesting… I must convey my disagreement. The Gospel is not solely a “declaration” upon sinners who listen to it- That would be entirely throwing away REPENTANCE… There can be no salvation without repentance-
Are we to say now that Paul was a “Decision Theologian” because he conveys GOD’S APPEAL to reconciliation? Sometimes the Bondage of the Will, if applied too forcefully, can actually DESTROY the Gospel.
The natural man has NO POWER to choose God- but somehow, mysteriously, through the call and power of the Holy Spirit men are ABLE TO ACCEPT this precious Gospel. God does not “repent and believe” for us…he empowers us to do so.
Interestingly, our Lord begins his ministry (according to Mark) by saying: “Repent.”
April 21st, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Excellent stuff. I wish I could have been there. I had a cup of coffee with Dr. Nestingen in Hancock, MI in 1998, when he spoke on Confession and Absolution at the ELCA church there, a topic which brought out all of the Finnish Lutherans up dere in da U.P., eh!
A good man, like Forde.
July 1st, 2009 at 4:58 pm
As a former student of Dr. Nestingen, having taken his Church History, Lutheran Confession (with Dr. Paulson), and his Confession Absolution course, this was an absolute and genuine piece of faithful teaching. I think it was Barth who said that preaching is like holding a newspaper in one hand and the Holy Scriptures in another. Dr. Nestingen embodies that with his teaching of faith (Lutheran), and relating biblical and theological premises and doctrines to everyday life! It was pure Gold! Thanks for placing the video on here!