Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
Okay, this one has me perplexed. I can't comprehend how someone can preach about something they don't believe, get paid for it, and others are okay with this.
http://home.peoplepc.com/psp/newssto...530-1786430060
Monday, May 30, 2005
TAARBAEK, Denmark - A Danish Lutheran minister who publicly denied the existence of God said Sunday he was glad to be back in the pulpit, but refused to speak about the case that led to his brief suspension last year.
Rev. Thorkild Grosboell was showered with flowers, hugs and kisses after holding a service in a church in this village eight miles north of Copenhagen.
"It was great, great," Grosboell said after the service, but refused to speak to reporters about the case, which he described in his sermon as "nonsense."
The country's Evangelical Lutheran Church suspended him in June 2004 because he said in an interview that "there is no heavenly God." Earlier this month, he was reinstated after renewing his vows, but will remain under the supervision of a bishop.
Some 250 people filled the small, 140-year-old, red-brick church and then gathered on a nearby lawn for a drink to celebrate the popular minister's return.
"It's a great relief, a great joy to have you back," Lars Heilesen, head of the parish council, told Grosboell.
"Welcome back, Thorkild, we missed you," one churchgoer said, kissing Grosboell, who has been the village minister since 1991.
In Denmark, where Lutheran ministers are employed by the state and only the government can fire them or take them to court, the church requested Grosboell be placed before a disciplinary labor court for doubting eternal life and the resurrection.
The government refused, saying he should be given another chance to explain himself to Jan Lindhardt, a regional bishop who has been one of his few defenders. Lindhardt has said that although he disagrees with Grosboell's views there should be room for him in Denmark's state church.
On May 20, Grosboell renewed his clerical vows before Lindhardt, but said his views about God remain unchanged.
Some 83 percent of Denmark's 5.4 million residents are members of the Lutheran church.
Re: Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
This happens when people get too much in love with the messenger rather than the message. A lot of churches would fail completely if the charismatic leader would leave, this may be the same situation. They dont care if God shows up on sunday, just the preacher.
You are right though, It is confusing.
Tom
Re: Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by savafan
I can't comprehend how someone can preach about something they don't believe, get paid for it, and others are okay with this.
Well, I work in advertising, so I fail to see the problem.
:D
Re: Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by savafan
In Denmark, where Lutheran ministers are employed by the state and only the government can fire them or take them to court,
There is part of the problem IMO.
I've read predictions that Europe will be Moslem, not Christian, by the end of this century. Christian "ministers" such as this will hasten that process.
Re: Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rychian
This happens when people get too much in love with the messenger rather than the message. A lot of churches would fail completely if the charismatic leader would leave, this may be the same situation. They dont care if God shows up on sunday, just the preacher.
You are right though, It is confusing.
Tom
My wife grew up in a religious cult on the east coast, and that entire church's existance relies on the existance of its "pastor". The pastor moved from the New England area down to Maryland, and opened up other churches in the deep south. Lately there have been rumours of his declining health (even though my wife escaped that church when she was 18 years old many years ago, her mother and brother still attend the church at various locations), and now the church itself is starting to have more and more problems with its "message". Funny, how one person can say the same EXACT thing as someone else, but the one with charisma will be the one whose message is considered "true". :rolleyes:
Re: Rev. Who Denied God Exists Back in Pulpit
I wonder what the pastor's reasoning is, or why he would want to be a pastor if he denies that a "heavenly God' exists. Perhaps he holds another view of God, or a different interpretation of "heaven"...who knows.
It's very strange, though.
