Freddy Finkelstein's Blog: Dedicated to True Christianity and Confessional Unity in the Visible Church; to Conservative Morality, Free-Market Capitalism, and political Liberty in Society; and indebted to the collected wisdom of Western Civilization as it has, by the Hand of Providence, been empowered to derive, preserve and/or otherwise carry these ideas and teachings through the past two millennia, into the present, and, Lord willing, to project them into the future.
Foundational to the perspectives I maintain is my Christian Faith: though I am a wretched sinner, destitute of merit before a perfectly Righteous God, this same perfectly Loving God has given me the gift of Faith, by which I lay hold of and appropriate to myself the objective promises of His Word -- that through the perfect life, suffering and innocent death of His Son, Jesus Christ, I have been reconciled with God by His work, my sins are forgiven, and I bear the Name and perfect Righteousness of Jesus Christ before my Heavenly Father. I am Justifed, by God's Grace, alone, through the Faith He has given me, alone, as a result of the work of Jesus Christ, alone; and God's Word, alone, assures me of this. Thus, I am a Christian, of the Lutheran Confession.
I am also a dyed-in-the-wool Conservative. Partly personality, mostly the result of study and life experience, I know a little about many things, a lot about a few things, and strive to be a conscientious student in all things. I am not a crowd follower, having been weaned off the opinions of others at a young age. Thus I hold what opinions I do because I am convinced they are correct, and therefore worth having.
1. At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess Him King of glory now; ’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord, Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.
2. Humbled for a season, to receive a name From the lips of sinners unto whom He came, Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last, Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.
3. Bore it up triumphant with its human light, Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height, To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast; Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.
4. In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue All that is not holy, all that is not true; Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour; Let His will enfold you in its light and power.
1. I know that my Redeemer lives; What comfort this sweet sentence gives! He lives, He lives, who once was dead; He lives, my ever-living Head.
2. He lives triumphant from the grave, He lives eternally to save, He lives all-glorious in the sky, He lives exalted there on high.
3. He lives to bless me with His love, He lives to plead for me above. He lives my hungry soul to feed, He lives to help in time of need.
4. He lives to grant me rich supply, He lives to guide me with His eye, He lives to comfort me when faint, He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
5. He lives to silence all my fears, He lives to wipe away my tears He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives all blessings to impart.
6. He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend, He lives and loves me to the end; He lives, and while He lives, I'll sing; He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
7. He lives and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death: He lives my mansion to prepare; He Iives to bring me safely there.
8. He lives, all glory to His name! He lives, my Jesus, still the same. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives, "I know that my Redeemer lives!"
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #200 Text: Job 19:25-27 Author: Samuel Medley, 1775, ab. Composer: John Hatton, 1793 Tune: "Duke Street"
"Father, We Praise Thee" by Gregory I, 540-604 Translated by Percy Dearmer, 1867-1936 from The English Hymnal (London: Oxford University Press, 1906), number 165.
1. Father, we praise Thee, now the night is over; Active and watchful, stand we all before Thee; Singing, we offer, prayer and meditation; Thus we adore Thee.
2. Monarch of all things, fit us for Thy mansions; Banish our weakness, health and wholeness sending; Bring us to Heaven, where Thy saints united Joy without ending.
3. All holy Father, Son and equal Spirit, Trinity blessèd, send us Thy salvation; Thine is the glory, gleaming and resounding Through all creation.
Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary Hymn #76 Author: Gregory I, 540-604 Translated by: Percy Dearmer, 1906 Titled: "Nocte surgenes vigilemus omnes" Composer: French church melody (Paris: 1681) Tune: "Christe Sanctorum"
"Now Thank We All Our God" by Martin Rinckart, 1586-1649 Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878
1. Now thank we all our God With heart and hands and voices, Who wondrous things hath done, In whom His world rejoices; Who from our mother's arms Hath blessed us on our way With countless gifts of love, And still is ours today.
2. Oh, may this bounteous God Through all our life be near us, With ever joyful hearts And blessed peace to cheer us; And keep us in His grace And guide us when perplexed And free us from all ills In this world and the next.
3. All praise and thanks to God The Father now be given, The Son, and Him who reigns With them in highest heaven: The one eternal God, Whom earth and heaven adore! For thus it was, is now, And shall be evermore.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #36 Text: Ecclus.50:22-24 Author: Martin Rinckart, 1636 Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1858 Titled: "Nun danket alle Gott" Composer: Johann Crueger, 1648 Tune: "Nun danket alle Gott"
1. We all believe in one true God, Who created earth and heaven, The Father, who to us in love Hath the right of children given. He both soul and body feedeth, All we need He doth provide us; He through snares and perils leadeth, Watching that no harm betide us. He careth for us day and night, All things are governed by His might.
2. We all believe in Jesus Christ, His own Son, our Lord, possessing An equal Godhead, throne, and might, Source of every grace and blessing. Born of Mary, virgin mother, By the power of the Spirit, Made true man, our elder Brother, That the lost might life inherit; Was crucified for sinful men And raised by God to life again.
3. We all confess the Holy Ghost, Who sweet grace and comfort giveth And with the Father and the Son In eternal glory liveth; Who the Church, His own creation, Keeps in unity of spirit. Here forgiveness and salvation Daily come through Jesus' merit. All flesh shall rise, and we shall be In bliss with God eternally. Amen.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #251 Text: The Nicene Creed Author: Martin Luther, 1525 Titled: "Wir glauben all' einen Gott" Tune: "Wir glauben all' an einen Gott"
1. Oh that I had a thousand voices To praise my God with thousand tongues! My heart, which in the Lord rejoices, Would then proclaim in grateful songs To all, wherever I might be, What great things God hath done for me.
2. O all ye powers that He implanted, Arise, and silence keep no more; Put forth the strength that He hath granted, Your noblest work is to adore. O soul and body, be ye meet With heartfelt praise your Lord to greet!
3. Ye forest leaves so green and tender, That dance for joy in summer air; Ye meadow grasses, bright and slender; Ye flowers so wondrous sweet and fair; Ye live to show His praise alone, With me now make His glory known.
4. All creatures that have breath and motion, That throng the earth, the sea, the sky, Now join me in my heart's devotion, Help me to raise His praises high, My utmost powers can ne'er aright Declare the wonders of His might.
5. Lord, I will tell, while I am living, Thy goodness forth with every breath And greet each morning with thanksgiving Until my heart is still in death; Yea, when at last my lips grow cold, Thy praise shall in my sighs be told.
6. O Father, deign Thou, I beseech Thee, To listen to my earthly lays; A nobler strain in heaven shall reach Thee, When I with angels hymn Thy praise And learn amid their choirs to sing Loud hallelujahs to my King.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #30 from The Handbook to The Lutheran Hymnal Text: Ps. 126:3 Author: Johann Mentzer, 1704, cento Translated by: composite Titled: "O dass ich tausend Zungen haette" Composer: Johann B. Koenig, 1738 Tune: "O dass ich tausend"
1. Lord, keep us steadfast in Thy Word; Curb those who fain by craft and sword Would wrest the Kingdom from Thy Son And set at naught all He hath done.
2. Lord Jesus Christ, Thy power make known, For Thou art Lord of lords alone; Defend Thy Christendom that we May evermore sing praise to Thee.
3. O Comforter of priceless worth. Send peace and unity on earth. Support us in our final strife And lead us out of death to life.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #261 Text: John 8:31 Author: Martin Luther, 1541 Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863 Titled: "Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort" Tune: "Erhalt uns, Herr" 1st Published in: Geistliche Lieder Town: Wittenberg, 1543
1. When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast Save in the death of Christ, my God; All the vain things that harm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.
3. See, from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine That were a tribute far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #175 Text: Gal. 6:14 Author: Isaac Watts, 1707, ab. and alt. First Tune: "Hamburg" Tune based on First Gregorian Chant Arranged by: Lowell Mason, 1824 Second Tune: "Rockingham Old" Composer: Edward Miller, 1790
1. Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me!
2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day; Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away; Change and decay in all around I see. O Thou, who changest not, abide with me!
3. Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word, But as Thou dwell'st with Thy disciples, Lord, Familiar, condescending, patient, free. Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
4. Come not in terror, as the King of kings, But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings; Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea. Come, Friend of sinners, thus abide with me.
5. Thou on my head in every youth didst smile, And though rebellious and perverse meanwhile, Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee. On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
6. I need Thy presence every passing hour; What but Thy grace can foil the Tempter's power? Who like Thyself my guide and stay can be? Through cloud and sunshine, oh, abide with me!
7. I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still if Thou abide with me.
8. Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes, Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies. Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee; In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me!
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #552 Text: Luke 24:29 Author: Henry F. Lyte, 1847 (?) Composer: William H. Monk, 1861 Tune: "Eventide"
1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is Thy Health and Salvation! Join the full throng: Wake, harp and psalter and song; Sound forth in glad adoration!
2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth, Who, as on wings of an eagle, uplifteth, sustaineth. Hast thou not seen How thy desires all have been Granted in what He ordaineth?
3. Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee; Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee. What need or grief Ever hath failed of relief?-- Wings of His mercy did shade thee.
4. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee, Who from the heavens the streams of His mercy doth send thee. Ponder anew What the Almighty can do, Who with His love doth befriend thee.
5. Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him! Let the Amen Sound from His people again; Gladly for aye we adore Him.
The Lutheran Hymnal Hymn #39 Text: Neh. 9:6 Author: Joachim Neander, 1679 Translated by: Catherine Winkworth, 1863, alt. Titled: "Lobe den Herren, den maechtigen" Tune: "Lobe den Herren, den" 1st Published in: _Erneuertes Gesangbuch_ Town: Stralsund, 1665
