From Bailing Water:
WELS Leadership allows the resident CG gurus free reign
In response to a question on why the WELS leadership doesn't discpline the CG gurus in the WELS....
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Anonymous said...
The problem with the CG movement is how subtle and insidious it is. It can be easily "covered up" by pastors and churches who hide their false motivation and lack of faith in the Means by saying the right words. Because of this, it can be very difficult for leaders to identify and discipline CG supporters. A CG pastor might indicate by his worship styles and practices that he doesn't trust the Means of Grace, but when a DP talks to him and he says, "Don't worry, I trust the Means, I'm just trying something new", what exactly can be done? There isn't really any hard evidence of false doctrine.
You asked specifically about teaching decision theology and sacraments as ordinances. Would CG pastors in the WELS ever admit (to themselves even) that they believed or taught these things? No way. But do they teach them by the way they worship? Absolutely. (But of course, CG teaches that worship style has nothing to do with doctrine, and thus they can't understand how their worship actually is teaching these things.)
With that said, though, I certainly wish our leaders had the courage of Luther to say of the CG pastors, "They have a different spirit," and to remove them from fellowship.
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GJ - Someone would have to explain to me how difficult it is to uncover these false teachers. Paul Kelm has been showing his true colors for decades, has been "in trouble" for decades, and writes constantly for FIC. Valleskey and Bivens made careers out of promoting the Church Growth Movement, while bragging about and denying their study at Fuller Seminary.
The Wisconsin Synod is not a Lutheran denomination. WELS is a Pietistic sect with some Lutheran nuances here and there.
