The LCMS is a puzzle. How did such a large group of putative Lutherans lose their way?
Several causes might be listed.
- German Lutherans felt a great cultural and language kinship with the German Reformed, but also as doctrinal allies against Romanism. Opposing the Antichrist was a hallmark of Protestantism at one time. The declaration of the pope's infallibility (Pope Pius IX) shocked and appalled Europe in the 19th century.
- The old Synodical Conference was extremely weak on the efficacy of the Word. This blindness led the synodical partners large and small into UOJ, receptionism, Pentecostalism, and eventually the Church Shrinkage Movement.
- In the early 20th century, the liberal/conservative split about Biblical authority had the conservative Lutherans viewing the Reformed as allies once again.
- This partnership continued during the Seminex crisis. The Preus-Marquart contingent would show up at Biblical inerrancy conferences where the only thing the rainbow coalition agreed upon was infallibility.
- Once de-sensitized about the Reformed, Missouri had no qualms about sending their leaders to Fuller Seminary and Willow Creek. Salesmen like Kent Hunter and Waldo Werning served as Synodical Conference recruiters for the cause. Since the executives of all the Lutheran groups were recruited first, they had no trouble urging their minions to sign up, rewarding them with promotions, protecting them from the scandals they stirred up so effortlessly.
- Once in the third stage of false doctrine, the various synods made sure their Church Shrinkage buddies moved into seminary positions so that anyone questioning Fuller Seminary was attacking Holy Mother Synod. Only then did they study the Church Shrinkage Movement. They frowned a bit but found it - just wonderful. WELS had the best sense of humor, having its most Enthusiastic proponent of Fuller doctrine study Fuller doctrine and declare, "Let us spoil the Egyptians in Pasadena." But, the tide is turning. Fads come and go. The Church Shrinkage Movement has destroyed more congregations than the Chicago Fire. Lazy-minded Boomer pastors are dying and retiring, letting the younger pastors clean up their messes.
