Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Anonymous Name-calling":
Permit me a clarification on my phrase "heavy lifting of dealing with sin..." We add these burdens to ourselves, perhaps to provide ourselves the satisfaction of adding to what He has already done. I stand corrected by the good doctor.
Luther's Table Talk, CCXXV:
... How could we perform a more easy service of God, without all labor or charge? There is no work on earth easier than the true service of God: he loads us with no heavy burdens, but only asks that we believe in him and preach of him. True, thou mayest be sure thou shalt be persecuted for this, but our sweet Saviour gives us a comfortable promise: "I will be with you in the time of trouble, and will help you out," etc., Luke xii. 7. I make no such promise to my servant when I set him to work, either to plough or to cart, as Christ to me, that he will help me in my need. We only fail in belief: if I had faith according as the Scripture requires of me, I alone would drive the Turk out of Constantinople, and the pope out of Rome; but it comes far short; I must rest satisfied with that which Christ spake to St Paul: "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is strong in weakness."
+Diet O. Worms
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GJ - Hoenecke said it well in his Dogmatics, not available in English from Northwestern Publishing House: Pietism confuses justification with sanctification and makes sanctification the cause of justification (my paraphrase from memory).
Ichabodians can look at all the errant congregations and programs in WELS, Missouri, the Little Sect, and the micro-mini synods. They will find the basics of Pietism enshrined.
"Aha! say the Smells-and-Bells pastors, "We emphasize pure worship."
Exactly so. They also avoid the pure Word and glory in their works as they sinuflect toward Rome.
