The Book of Concord: More Than a Rabbit's Foot for the Sentimental

J-804

"You cannot of a truth be for true doctrine without being unalterably opposed to false doctrine. There can be no 'positive theology' where the God-given negatives have been eliminated from the Decalog."
Norman A. Madson, Preaching to Preachers, Mankato: Lutheran Synod Book Company, 1952. Preface.

For many Synodical Conference Lutherans, the Book of Concord is nothing more than a rabbit's foot, a lucky charm to be displayed, otherwise useless and unused.

Norman Madson, now justly famous for being related to Norman Teigen, has the best concise statement about opposing false doctrine.

Barry and Bush

The Barry/McCain administration, under which the LCMS groaned for nine years, was shielded from all criticism by conservatives because it was supposed to be conservative. Ojecting to Barry was akin to conceding to the horrid, Satanic liberals, who wanted women's ordination, open communion, fellowship with ELCA, and the execrable Church Growth Movement.

The same was true of President George H. W. Bush (and his son Quincy). Bush 1 had been on the board of Planned Parenthood, like his Bonesman father Prescott Bush. Bush 1 did everything possible to unravel the Reagan revolution. But no conservative could criticize Bush, because that would turn the country over to pro-abortion, tax-raising, enemy-appeasing liberals. Bush 1's retreat on every matter of principle, incuding "read my lips, no new taxes," caused his ignominious defeat by one of the most corrupt governors in Southern history. The Clinton years could easily support its own Book-of-the-Month Club.

Back to Barry/McCain

After slaying the dragon Bohlmann, with the help of many conservative pastors--and the covert work of Herman Otten--Barry turned against the conservatives and waxed ashamed of them. At a meeting I attended, Barry admitted he was reluctant to meet with conservatives, but did, "because I am the president of all the members." At least he did not call us his "little, brown brothers" in his patronizing tone.

Barry and McCain pulled the rug out from under Robert Preus. Bohlmann was supposed to be the back-stabber who undid Robert, but Barry finished the job, and McCain was gleeful about it. Remember, Ichabodians, that McCain was only three years out from seminary graduation at that point, "hardly dry behind the ears" as my grandfather used to say.

Perhaps three long years in the parish taught McCain that he belonged in synod politics, probably because most of that parish time was in synod politics, getting Barry elected with the help of Otten. McCain has never returned to the parish, remaining in the shadow of the Purple Palace.

Barry/Kieschnick

The Barry years prepared Missouri for Kieschnick, just as Bush 1 set the stage for Clinton 1. (I have not conceded the nomination to Obama yet. The war drums are still sounding in the Democrat Party.) Barry let the Church Growth Movement roar ahead, sat through a woman teaching men and usurping authority over men, and continued to work with ELCA (as WELS does to this day). Doctrinal discipline was aimed at conservatives, not apostates. District Pope Benke got caught with the lid off the cookie jar, but he only got his wrist panked. The Benke issue re-emerged and helped crush the feeble remains of LCMS conservatism under Kieschnick, ending Wally Schulz's visibility, Dan Preus' brief and nondescript term of office.

St. John's Ellisville, LCMS (more or less)

St. John's in Ellisville, close to the Purple Palace, was already famous for being a Church Growth haven during the Barry/McCain years. I recall Schulz being a member there and complaining about the pastor coming out in a business suit, talking about "having an exciting service today," more like a waiter than a minister. Schulz quit Ellisville and joined a conservative congregation.

Barry/McCain did nothing about Ellisville, and now the congregation is an embarrassment to the Christian Faith, not just to the Lutheran Church. So pardon me, Ichabodians, if someone publicly genuflecting to the Book of Concord prompts an ironic smile on my face.