WELS Financial Crisis Returns

Catastrophe

A special message from President Mark Schroeder
The recent economic difficulties in our country have begun to have a direct impact on our synod, particularly as the budget planning for the next two years begins. These new developments are serious, and we are making immediate changes to our current and future ministry plans. But we also trust in our unfailing God.

First some background. Just four months ago, we were celebrating God's blessing of a budget surplus, thanks in large part to the generous support of our congregations following the last synod convention. Still, from the time budget planning began, we knew that it would be a challenge to incorporate the $2.6 million added by the convention on an ongoing basis, and that support from congregations and individuals would need to increase to this level and grow from there. We knew that it would be a challenge for our congregations to do this, but we believed that it would be possible.

Recently, however, we learned of two developments that will make an already challenging situation even more difficult. Because of the recent downturn in the stock market and the related economic problems, expected major financial support for the synod from two sources will be significantly reduced.

One situation involves large gifts from an individual donor. Two years ago, the donor expressed his intent to provide $3 million per year for the following five years. He has already provided that gift for the last fiscal year and is committed to making the second installment for this year. The five-year commitment was based on the value of stock owned by the individual. In the last months, the value of the stock has plummeted and the donor has informed us, much to his regret, that he will not at this time be able to forward next year's installment of the intended gift. He has expressed his sincere desire to forward this gift, as he had originally intended, when market conditions enable him to do so. For the immediate future, however, this is a source of financial support that we can no longer include in our planning.

We also learned on Thursday, Nov. 6, that the same market conditions have affected the Schwan Foundation. The foundation is providing $8 million for our synod's mission and ministry programs this calendar year. The foundation informed us that the grant to the synod in the next year will be significantly reduced. We will find out in December the exact extent of that reduction.

After more than a year of very positive financial news and amazing blessings, we are now confronted by a new set of challenges. It's likely that the two circumstances described above will reduce our anticipated financial support by about $4 million. This is in addition to the convention-directed budgetary increase of $2.6 million that needed to be included in our planning. While this is a serious shortfall, we can also say that the total impact of this news is not fully known at this time for a number of reasons: we do not know the exact amount of the reduction in support; we do not know what benefits we will realize from the Year of Jubilee offering; and we will not have complete information on Congregation Mission Offerings for the next year until late January.

Regardless of what the final situation proves to be in terms of financial support, we are confident that with last year's budget surplus and the following steps we can achieve a balanced budget for this fiscal year.

First, we pray and trust. We were facing huge financial challenges in the summer of 2007. We prayed and we trusted, and God graciously blessed us. We can and should do nothing different as we face this new challenge.

In the remaining six months of the current budget, every area of ministry will be asked to economize and reduce expenditures. This directive will ask that all activities be reviewed, including existing ministry programs and travel and meetings, and that only absolutely necessary activities be carried out.
With only a few vital exceptions, current vacancies in called and hired positions will not be filled and no new positions will be added.

Looking ahead to the next biennium: Areas of ministry have already submitted budget estimates for their programs, but the areas of ministry will be asked to revisit those decisions and to consider how they might significantly alter ministry programs and reduce planned expenditures. As they consider reducing or eliminating programs and positions, they will be asked to keep in mind the priorities established by the last convention and reduce or defer spending in those areas of lower priority. The areas of ministry will also be asked to consider a greater use of the special funds that they have on hand to maintain or transition ministry programs.

The results of the Year of Jubilee offering will have a large impact on the challenge before us and could prove very helpful in meeting it. If the Year of Jubilee succeeds in eliminating our synod's $22.4 million capital debt, the $2.7 million now used for debt service will nearly offset the loss of the major gift. All congregations are encouraged to redouble their efforts in highlighting the importance of the Jubilee offering.

The impact of this current challenge will also be affected by the Congregation Mission Offerings (CMO) committed for next year. Most congregations will be determining those commitments in November, December, or January. We realize that congregations will also face challenges because of the current economy, but a significant increase in CMO will be vital in enabling us to avoid severe reductions in our synodical mission and ministry efforts.

Our financial staff is compiling a growing list of measures that can be considered as ways to reduce expenditures or as ways of utilizing other resources available to us. That list, along with additional alternatives, will be presented to the Synodical Council for discussion at its meeting on Nov. 14-15. A final budget will not be adopted until February, after we learn the results of the Year of Jubilee Offering and the Congregation Mission Offering commitments for the coming calendar year.

In his love and wisdom, God has seen fit to place another serious challenge before us. But, as he has so clearly demonstrated in the past, he promises to bless us even in circumstances that seem difficult and troublesome. It is not a time for panic or frustration. Rather, we look to God in confident faith. We return to the foot of the cross to see his faithful love demonstrated. And we commit ourselves to work together, united in our mission, to continue to carry out the work that God has given us.

Serving in Christ,

Mark Schroeder

Note: Look for further updates of the financial situation in next Monday's edition of "Together" following the Synodical Council meeting.

***

GJ - I expected this to happen. Similar things developed during the much smaller meltdown of the dot coms and 9/11. Wealth disappears and the overflow with it. Most people and institutions have lost large percentages of money, unless it was kept in cash equivalents, like CDs and federal notes. Storing cash was supposed to be unwise.

This Depression is so universal and so badly managed that I see nothing good emerging for a long time to come. The Chi-Coms have dumped $600 billion+ into their economy to rev it up. In China they have shuttered one steel factory after another. No, I am not weeping for them. Deflation is harder to fight than inflation.

Postal workers have been laid off - 40,000 of them. When did that ever happen?

Two solutions have not been tried and they will not be tried with the new rulers installed. One is reducing capital gains taxes, which would stimulate investment. Another is reducing taxes all around, with major government reductions.

Instead, the government is expanding its reach into socialistic control of financial institutions. No one is an expert about where this will lead.

Rev. Bruce Becker picked a fine time to get an additional staffer at The Love Shack. Keep following the budget at St. Mark, Depere. I think you will find they were glad to have one less on the staff. Ditto, St. Marcus in Milwaukee.

Did WELS Professor J. P. Meyer Support the Texas Rock and Roll Church?

This cat can howl with the best. Book her, Matt.

"What he has to announce is not designed to lead men to a deeper understanding of nature, it is not science; nor to train them in the rules of hygiene, to produce a more healthy population; nor to teach them to procure greater wealth, or to get more satisfaction and enjoyment out of life; it is not even to elevate them to more idealistic views and to morally cleaner habits. No, he addresses himself strictly to the troubled consciences, promising them relief and peace."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 65. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"Because such is Paul's ministry, he cannot, on the one hand, stoop to trickery or an adulteration of the Word, to practice the hidden things of shame; nor can he, on the other hand, ever grow weary of administering so wholesome and glorious an office."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 65. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"The very fact that we, being such cheap and fragile implements, continue in our service unbroken is proof of the excellency of God's power, and is an incentive to renewed cheerful efforts on our part."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, A Commentary on the Second Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, p. 72. 2 Corinthians 4:7.

"The type of minister to which we referred above as using entertainment in order to lure the people is employing panourgia, and is therefore guilty of committing secret things of disgrace. The Gospel is the word of Truth. To resort to ruses in proclaiming it, even though with the best of intentions, is heaping shame on the Truth. Not only are the truth and lures incompatible in their nature, but to use lures in connection with the Gospel ministry treats the Truth, the eternal Truth of God, as though it were inefficient, not attractive enough in itself."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, pp. 62. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"Paul...is speaking about methods of preaching the Gospel. He means to say that you can introduce methods into your Gospel work which on the surface do not appear as shameful, but which in reality disgrace the Gospel. He is harking back to 2:17, where he spoke about kapeleuein, about 'selling' the Gospel. To use a coarse illustration: Some ministers in their eagerness to bring the Gospel to the people, resort to entertainment to attract the crowds, in order to get an opportunity to preach to them. If you would tell such ministers that they are ashamed of the Gospel and that by their methods they disgrace it, because they manifest a lack of trust in its efficacy, they would resent the charge. Are they not doing all in order to promote the Gospel? The disgrace their methods bring upon it does not appear on the surface; that is why Paul speaks of secret things of shame."
John P. Meyer, Ministers of Christ, Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 1963, pp. 62f. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; 2:17.

"Crafty conduct is paired with 'adulterating the Word of God.' These two ever go together. He who is not honest with himself will not be overhonest with the Word. The reverse is also true--and the writer may be permitted to say that he has witnessed it too often--he who is not really honest with the Word cannot be trusted very far with his conduct. Dolow=to catch with bait, to fix up something so as to deceive and to catch somebody. It is used with regard to adulterating wine. So here: 'adulterating the Word of God,' not leaving it pure lest people reject it but falsifying it to catch the crowd. Of all the dastardly deeds done in the world this is the most dastardly. None is more criminal nor more challenging to God himself."
R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second Letter to the Corinthians, Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1957, p. 955. 2 Corinthians 4:2.

"It is the same thought as that expressed in 2:17. Some preachers, like hucksters, are ready to dicker about the Word of God as though they can discount something to make a sale, as though the deal is between them and men alone. This is what Paul also means by adulterating the Word of God, mixing in unrealities to make the Word acceptable to men."
R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's First and Second Letter to the Corinthians, Columbus: Wartburg Press, 1957, p. 957. 2 Corinthians 4:2. 2 Corinthians 2:17.

***

GJ - J. P. Meyer taught at the Sausage Factory in Mequon forever and ever. The domatics notes used in the 1980s were still called the Meyer Dog Notes.

Meyer and Lenski published 50 years ago, but they both sound like they are describing the bored members of Church and Change.

Episcoal Bishops Scared Straight by Prop 8

Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori

CALIFORNIA EPISCOPAL BISHOPS EXCORIATE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 8

Los Angeles Bishop Says California Voters "Ignorant" About Homosexuality

News Analysis

By David W. Virtue

www.virtueonline.org

11/9/2008

Two Episcopal bishops and the head of The Episcopal Church's gay and lesbian organization, Integrity, blasted voters who backed a successful ballot initiative to ban gay marriage in California and three other states. Mormons were attacked along with members of Protect Marriage Coalition forcing Los Angeles Interfaith leaders to condemn attacks on the LDS faith who believe the family is the anchor of their faith.

In Arkansas, voters voted to bar all unmarried people, LGBT or straight, from adopting children or serving as foster parents.

Many California churches also experienced harassment, drive-by attacks, obscenities and defacement of property following the vote.

It was an overwhelming repudiation of gay marriage that prompted Los Angeles Episcopal Bishop J. Jon Bruno to say that California voters should examine their consciences and banish their ignorance on homosexuality. A statement released by Bruno said support for the ballot initiative was tantamount to "religious oppression,". Bishop Bruno charged that Proposition 8 was "a lamentable expression of fear-based discrimination that attempts to deny the constitutional rights of some Californians on the basis of sexual orientation."

He called on Californians who supported Proposition 8 "to make an honest and dedicated effort to learn more about the lives and experiences of lesbian and gay humanity whose constitutional rights are unfairly targeted by this measure. Look carefully at scriptural interpretations, and remember that the Bible was once used to justify slavery, among other forms of oppression."

Californians rejected a May 2008 state Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. By a margin of 5,376,424 to 4,870,010 votes, or 52 per cent to 48 per cent they overturned the ruling and specified that only marriages between one man and one woman would be recognized as valid in California.

Ironically, Bishops Jon Bruno, Marc Andrus of California, Don Mathes of San Diego, Barry L. Beisner of Northern California, Mary Gray-Reeves, of El Camino and the bishop of the provisional diocese of San Joaquin Jerry Lamb all weighed in to support the "no" campaign.

What is doubly humiliating for these bishops is that it was Blacks and Latinos who pushed for Proposition 8 putting the bishops in a double bind.

If they yell too loudly about people who believe sex stays within marriage between a man and a woman, they will be accused of racism. On the other hand, if they don't support Episcopal lesbigays and (the Rev.) Susan Russell of Integrity, they will be accused of not being inclusive and diverse enough.

As soon as the announcement was made that Proposition 8 passed, Bruno stated he was placing his trust in the courts to nullify the will of the people. "It is only a matter of time" he said, before the "narrow constraints" of Proposition 8 "are ultimately nullified by the courts and our citizens' own increasing knowledge about the diversity of God's creation."

Bishop Bruno commented that "too often the road to justice is made deeply painful by setbacks such as Proposition 8, which nearly half of California voters rejected."

After Proposition 8 was passed, Andrus and his assistant, Bishop Steven Charleston, both weighed in with a feel-your-pain message lamenting what they called "fear" and "pendulum swings" because of the election of President-elect Barak Obama.

These bishops don't give enough credit to the distinctions Americans can and are able to make. Americans can reject racism and vote for a black president and at the same time uphold Christian standards for marriage. Why is that so hard to believe?

To say, as Andus said, that Californians demonstrated a "fear of human sexuality" is plain nonsense. California is one of the most sexually open and sexually experimental states in the country. It is the home of Playboy magazine, the bulk of the porno industry, the morally relative and reductionist Hollywood industry and much more. Yet these bishops want us to believe that Californians were driven by "fear, prejudice and injustice." Nonsense.

Most Blacks have strong Baptist roots. Most Latinos have strong Roman Catholic roots. Mormons have strong roots in their belief in the centrality of the family. These people are not driven by fear or anything else. That's a lie coming from these bishops.

"Because too many of us in California succumbed to fear, we will consign countless numbers of our neighbors to an immediate future of life without hope," said Andrus. Rubbish. No one is denying lesbian and gays their basic civil rights. Sex is not a civil right. It is a gift. No one is denying the rights of gays to work in any job they choose or even to live with whomever. What Californians said was "no" to gay marriage which they said is not marriage at all, either in God's eyes or the state's.

"The Christian faith informs us that fear is ultimately not a way forward at all. Love and fear don't exist in the same dimension, and while fear will come to an end, love goes on for eternity," said Andrus. "As bishops of a community that offers all people a fear-free zone in which they can live with justice and dignity."

The question is who's afraid of whom? Gays and lesbians are not remotely persecuted in California. The live-and-let-live philosophy is well entrenched and well established. What the predominantly Christian people of California said was, we will not allow you to legitimize a behavior that God does not approve of. We will not change the definition of marriage.

The Episcopal Diocese of California will continue to seek to be a place of hope, of love, and an instrument of God's sheltering and, over-shadowing power. This Love is what will finally endure, finally prevail, said Andrus. Is that agape love, philia love or eros love? Andrus doesn't tell us.

Integrity president Susan Russell whined that she was "disappointed that anti-LGBT marriage bans passed" and opined "that we have miles to go in this great country of ours before liberty and justice for all is not just a pledge but a reality." She accused the voters of bigotry.

"We believe discrimination against any member of the human family grieves the heart of God," said Integrity President Susan Russell.

"We will continue our efforts within the Episcopal Church and our witness to the wider Anglican Communion on behalf of the LGBT faithful. We are looking ahead to our 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Integrity will redouble its efforts to work for the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments of our church as we pray for God's strength and guidance in the struggle toward wholeness for the whole human family."

At the end of the day, that might be the only place pansexual behavior is accepted. The culture seems to be on a march away from the gadarene slide towards the sexual abyss. If TEC continues on its present pathway, it may find itself all alone galloping over the cliff edge.

END

Most Annoying WELS Problem - Bruce Becker's Church and Change

Church and Change Bored Member (bored of Lutheran doctrine and worship) Bruce Becker, the head of Perish Services. Perish Services, home of the Church Shrinkage Movement in WELS, called Paul Kelm back to The Love Shack, without the knowledge of the Synodical President.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

WELS seeking advice from Ed Stetzer

From Bailing Water:

It looks like the scientific results are in: The number 1 issue facing the WELS is the Church and Change group. This is the group that recently sent a group of rogue pastors down to the church planting conference in Orlando, FL. At this conference these pastors sat at the feet of Baptist Pastor Ed Stetzer.
http://www.exponentialconference.org/
http://www.churchandchange.org/


It wasn't much later that the C&Cers contracted Stetzer to present at the 2009 fall conference.
http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/08/little-love-for-the-lutherans.html

I guess we can all recognize why the C&C group is the synod's number 1 issue (according to the readers of BW)

Anonymous said...
All I ever hear from your side of the argument is complaining about what C & C is trying to do. When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?

November 10, 2008 9:33 AM


Anonymous said...
"When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?"

A solution for what? What problem needs solving?

I don't want to put words into your mouth, but it seems to me that the C&C crowd think the problem is that the Word of God just doesn't seem to be all that effective.

If that's the problem, then the solution is simple.

Repent for your lack of faith in God's promises and then start making use of God's Word again instead of methods developed in heterodox churches.

November 10, 2008 11:01 AM


RandomDan said...
When will C&C even attempt to come up with a solution that is faithful to the Confessions, Scripture, has some connection to the history of the Church, etc. rather than stealing bad ideas from babtists?

November 10, 2008 11:43 AM


Anonymous said...
I know what we can do. We can experiment with the Means of Grace. Just for a little while. We could use the liturgy, real sermons, the actual creeds, Lutheran hymns. If that doesn't work, we can go back to gimmicks, rock bands, coaching, Reformed rants on becoming a success, children's songs, lights, smoke, and gettin' all pumped up.

I love the Stetzer link for his eye-poke against the Lutherans. It reads: "little-love-for-the-Lutherans." That sums it up. O what a difference the article "a" makes!

November 10, 2008 11:44 AM


rlschultz said...
The solution is already there - return to the Lutheran Confessions. Give the mad purpose-driven, Babtist enthusiasts within the WELS the Left foot of fellowship unless they repent

November 10, 2008 12:00 PM


Anonymous said...
"RandomDan said...
When will C&C even attempt to come up with a solution that is faithful to the Confessions, Scripture, has some connection to the history of the Church, etc. rather than stealing bad ideas from babtists?"

Well there you have it. Legalism at its best. Since when do we need anything other than the Scriptures to have a church? I can't believe you actually said faithful to the Confessions BEFORE the Bible. You act like the Bible should have the Book of Concord after Revelation.

November 10, 2008 12:28 PM


Anonymous said...
"Anonymous said...
"When are you guys going to offer up a solution other than the status quo?"

A solution for what? What problem needs solving?

I don't want to put words into your mouth, but it seems to me that the C&C crowd think the problem is that the Word of God just doesn't seem to be all that effective.

If that's the problem, then the solution is simple.

Repent for your lack of faith in God's promises and then start making use of God's Word again instead of methods developed in heterodox churches."

That's the best you can do? Put a lie in my mouth? And a condescending judgement? What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls? Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING. Just like the title of this blog, how ironic. Why would you bail water instead of plug the hole? You can't even see the problem.

November 10, 2008 12:42 PM


Anonymous said...
"What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls?"

Well, Jesus once said, "At that time many will turn away from the faith." Don't you take Jesus at his Word? Jesus promised that the Church would "hemmorage" souls. If the Gospel is being proclaimed and people continue to fall away, then it is an opportunity for us to remember that we are living in the end times. It is NOT an opportunity for us to lose faith in the Gospel or look elsewhere for a solution.

Your assumption is that the Church must grow numerically at all times and in all places. Thus, when it doesn't seem to be growing, you think there must be a problem. But the problem is your assumption that the Church must grow numerically. As Jesus said above, that isn't the case. As we get nearer and nearer to the end of time, the church will shrink numerically, not grow numerically. Why are you trying to fight against the promise of God?

"Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING."

So you're admitting that you believe that the Confessional Lutheran method of preaching the Gospel and administering the Sacraments is not working? If that's the case, read Isaiah 55 and think again.

November 10, 2008 1:12 PM

Anonymous said...
What will the WELS do to stem the hemmorage of souls? Whether you want to admit it or not, we do have a method and it is NOT WORKING.

Good grief... if it's NOT working for you- get out. Why is it YOUR responsibility to change MY church that is working well for me and thousands of people before me? There are other churches that have what you are trying to change MY church into. They are called baptist, methodist, penecostals, assembly of God, discipes of christ, etc... pick one of them and move on if you are not happy with the results you are getting at MY church. Good bye!

November 10, 2008 3:49 PM

Martin Luther's Birthday Today

The 95 Theses, translated into German, printed on Gutenberg's converted wine press, set the Reformation ablaze.

Here is Project Gutenberg, in case you have not heard about it.

I will post some annoying (to Church and Change) Luther quotes later today.

Luther to George Major (and the WELS, ELS, LCMS conservatives):
"It is by your silence and cloaking that you cast suspicion upon yourself. If you believe as you declare in my presence, then speak so also in the church, in public lectures, in sermons, and in private conversations, and strengthen your brethren, and lead the erring back to the right path, and contradict the contumacious spirits; otherwise your confession is sham pure and simple, and worth nothing. Whoever really regards his doctrine, faith, and confession as true, right, and certain cannot remain in the same stall with such as teach, or adhere to, false doctrine; nor can he keep on giving friendly words to Satan and his minions. A teacher who remains silent when errors are taught, and nevertheless pretends to be a true teacher, is worse than an open fanatic and by his hypocrisy does greater damage than a heretic. Nor can he be trusted. He is a wolf and a fox, a hireling and a servant of his belly, and ready to despise and to sacrifice doctrine, Word, faith, Sacrament, churches, and schools. He is either a secret bedfellow of the enemies, or a skeptic and a weathervane, waiting to see whether Christ or the devil will prove victorious; or he has no convictions of his own whatever, and is not worthy to be called a pupil, let alone a teacher; nor does he want to offend anybody, or say a word in favor of Christ, or hurt the devil and the world.”
F. Bente, Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 94.


"Here are no learned, no rich, no mighty ones, for such people do not as a rule accept the Gospel. The Gospel is a heavenly treasure, which will not tolerate any other treasure, and will not agree with any earthly guest in the heart. Therefore whoever loves the one must let go the other, as Christ says, Matthew 6:24: 'You cannot serve God and mammon.'" Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, I, p. 154. Christmas Day Luke 2:1-14; Matthew 6:24.



"In like manner we will also do to our princes and priests; when they attack our manner of life, we should suffer it and show love for hatred, good for evil; but when they attack our doctrine, God's honor is attacked, then love and patience should cease and we should not keep silent, but also say: I honor my Father, and you dishonor me; yet I do not inquire whether you dishonor me, for I do not seek my own honor." Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 176. Fifth Sunday in Lent John 8:46-59.

"To love God with all the soul is to devote your entire bodily life to him that you can say when the love of any creature, or any persecution threatens to overpower you: All this will I give up, before I will forsake my God; let men cast me away, murder or drown me, let what God's will is happen to me, I will gladly lose all, before I will forsake Thee, O Lord!" Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 25 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity, Luke 10:23-37



"Therefore, do not speak to me of love or friendship when anything is to be detracted from the Word or the faith; for we are told that not love but the Word brings eternal life, God's grace, and all heavenly treasures." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1411f. Ephesians 6:10-17.



"In matters concerning faith we must be invincible, unbending, and very stubborn; indeed, if possible, harder than adamant. But in matters concerning love we should be softer and more pliant than any reed and leaf and should gladly accommodate ourselves to everything." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 412f. Galatians 2:8.



"Doctrine is our only light. It alone enlightens and directs us and shows us the way to heaven. If it is shaken in one quarter (in une parte), it will necessarily be shaken in its entirety (in totum). Where that happens, love cannot help us at all." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 414. Galatians 5:10.



"But this tender mercy is to be exercised only toward Christians and among Christians, for toward those who reject and persecute the Gospel we must act differently; here I am not permitted to let my love be merciful so as to tolerate and endure false doctrine. When faith and doctrine are concerned and endangered, neither love nor patience are in order. Then it is my duty to contend in earnest and not to yield a hairbreadth." Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 637f.

Figs From Thistles? Not According to Martin Luther
Luther, House Postil: "No one is so foolish as to go into a field full of thorns and thistles and look for grapes and figs. Such fruits we seek on a different plant, which is not so full of barbs and prickles. The same thing happens in our gardens. Seeing a tree full of apples or pears, everybody exclaims: Ah, what a fine tree that is! Again, where there is no fruit on a tree or the fruit is worm-eaten, cracked, and misshapen, everybody says the tree is worthless, fit to be cut down and cast into the fire, so that a better tree may be planted in its place. These tests, the Lord says, you must apply to the false prophets, and you will not make a mistake, no matter how good their appearance may be. If a wolf had put on twenty sheepskins, still you must know him to be a wolf and not be deceived by him."
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans. W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House 1897, p. 412. [But Valleskey calls his work of Xeroxing Fuller doctrine "spoiling the Egyptians."]

"Know, therefore, that you must be concerned not only about hearing, but also about learning and retaining it in memory, and do not think that it is optional with you of no great importance, but that it is God's commandment, who will require of you how you have heard, learned, and honored His Word."
The Large Catechism, The Third Commandment, #98. Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 609. Tappert, p. 378. Heiser, p. 175. Exodus 20:8-11.