being sold in Thailand.
Our Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant lesson on Papal Infallibility reminded me of the implicit Lutheran doctrine of synodical infallibility. No one will admit to it, but the doctrine is expressed in many different ways.
Walther could not be wrong about anything, because that would cast the Synodical Conference in a bad light.
Any publication from the recent past must be defended. Holy Mother Synod is never wrong.
Just like the pope, a seminary professor or DP or synod functionary can declare a doctrine to be true on his own authority, and no one can rescind or debate it.
The accumulated mass of synodical rubbish now competes with the errors of Rome in volume, inner contradictions, and anti-Biblical sentiments. Nevertheless, each Lutheran meeting is marked by an orgy of congratulations for maintaining doctrinal purity, maidenly separation from pox-ridden ELCA, and an abundance of grace. If anyone disagrees, the Sisera method of persuasion is applied with vigor.
Long ago, Pope John XXII saw the dangers of infallibility. He did not want his hands tied down by the declarations of former popes. The reigning Antichrist--thanks to Pope Pius IX--is welded to all previous declarations. No matter what Pope Benedict says now, he is just as Medieval as the popes who battled Luther.
Likewise, the conservative Lutheran synod presidents are burdened with all the errors of the last 50 years. Going back too far would remind them how far they have strayed. 
