The sermon posted below is a basic message every Lutheran should take to heart. Walther's sermon is the reason why should not worship any leader as infallible. One of the early popes resisted being declared infallible because he knew the decree would tie his hands about all future decisions. Later, when Pope Pius IX did have himself declared infallible (at Vatican I), the obvious problems were brought up by many different critics, including his bastard son, a cardinal.
Walther became confused about justification because he wanted to make a point about works not meriting salvation. Also, he was influenced by Pietism since he became a Christian through that movement and remained with its false concepts for some time. So he tried to refute Pietism while being tainted by the wackiness of Universal Objective Justification, which came from Pietism.
Walther was not the first to create a doctrinal error through good intentions. George Major did the same after Luther's death, when good works following justification by faith was turned into salvation requiring good works.
Walther's doctrinal problem (justification without faith - UOJ) was magnified by those who felt they had to establish Waltherism as the final word on Lutheran doctrine. They turned Walther into Mohammed and became the Mullahs of Missouri.
Francis Pieper and others (like J. P. Meyer) out-Walthered Walther with ridiculous statements. As one WELS pastor told me, "WELS went way too far and they are now too proud to admit it." Each synod holds its micro-theologians (most with no formal training, no publications in doctrinal theology) as infallible. They have boxed themselves into the UOJ corner with no escape, given their assumptions.
Several times recently the clergy have tried to promote UOJ. The well-informed laity pinned their ears back with their refutations, leaving the pastors' mouths hanging open.
There is no better remedy against false doctrine than a reliable translation of the Bible and the Book of Concord. Feeding the wolves is not a good idea, since they feed on sheep.
