284 All this has been said regarding secret sins. But where the sin is quite public so that the judge and everybody know it, you can without any sin avoid him and let him go, because he has brought himself into disgrace, and you may also publicly testify concerning him. For when a matter is public in the light of day, there can be no slandering or false judging or testifying; as, when we now reprove the Pope with his doctrine, which is publicly set forth in books and proclaimed in all the world. For where the sin is public, the reproof also must be public, that every one may learn to guard against it.
The Book of Concord, The Large Catechism, The Eighth Commandment
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GJ - This must be the least known section of the least used book in the Lutheran Church, for everyone acts as if Luther never wrote it, the Concordists never approved it, and Lutherans never subscribed to it.
This Luther paragraph covers two areas.
First, where a judge has ruled, it is not slander to say (for instance) that Al Just murdered his wife (WELS, Arizona) or Scott Zerbe (WELS, Michigan) had an affair with a minor girl in the congregation where he vicared, or DP Ed Werner (Dakota Montana, WELS) molested a host of girls in his own congregation. All three men went to state prison for their crimes. WELS never admitted to the crimes.
Second, when false doctrine is public, it is not slander to say someone is a false teacher. False doctrine is almost always public because servants of their Father Below cannot keep quiet. They solemnly intone about a wide range of topics, always in the wrong, always eager to silence anyone who contradicts their prattle.
The Eighth Commandment is falsely applied by false teachers in two ways. The most dangerous way is their constant excusing of toxic doctrine:
- This is a g-r-e-y area of Scripture.
- It c-a-n be understood correctly.
- He was in my class. I drank a lot of beer with him. (This is the strongest defense in WELS.)
A murderer destroys himself and ends one person's life. A false teacher murders the souls of many. The corruption of WELS in the carnal sin department is simply testimony to their foundation of false doctrine, which is far more serious and almost beyond remedy.
Synodical Minders have no problem with gossiping about people they consider their enemies. They do not even stop with the main target, but move on to menace and abuse the family members as well. Friends are afraid to be seen with the official pariah because they know they will be tainted as well. Since every synod considers itself the One True Church, no one wants to be on the outside looking in, frozen out by former friends and current relatives. When Joel Gerlach left the WELS temporarily (as recorded in official minutes) his father-in-law threatened to disown him. He came back to the fold - the wolf-pack of Fullerites.
A favorite ELS taunt is "Teigenite," which is used to threaten someone. "Are you a Teigenite?" Being a Teigenite means losing out on synodical perks and trips, perhaps feeling the Left Foot of Fellowship administered with papal firmness.
All the synods would benefit from wide open discussion of doctrine. That would clarify a host of problems steadily getting worse. Instead, there is a universal fear of dealing with anything beyond governance.
Are voters the answer (Cascione) or do we need a bevy of bishops to bless our benedictions (ELDONA)? Yes, hordes of Lutherans traveled to Minnesota in the winter to solve that dilemma. OK, a few trekked there.
The Word of God must be applied to all examples of false doctrine. The response may be Satanic rage and threats or seductive flattery. If we believe the Word is effective, we will use the double-bladed sword of Hebrews 4. The other matters will take care of themselves.
