One WELS layman wisely distinguished between Confessional Lutherans and Synodical Lutherans.
Synodical Lutherans owe their allegiance to a visible institution. Synodical Lutherans cannot resolve any doctrinal problems because they endlessly circle around the previous papers of their own pastors. To disagree with a paper suggests that the synod is fallible, and Holy Mother Synod never errs.
Synodical Lutherans cannot find fault with any of their drinking buddies, who lay up treasures for themselves at synodical headquarters by getting blasted in school. "He's not a false teacher. I drank a lot of beer with him in school." - A steward of the mysteries of God need not be found faithful, only bibulous.
Synodical Lutheran often look like they just got a free package of Olestra Ritz crackers in the mail and could not resist trying a sleeve.
Confessional Lutherans start and end with sound doctrine. They do not put their trust in princes or institutions.
4 comments:
I have just learned (and I hope that I have this right although I really hope that I am wrong) that sem students at Bethany have their tuition paid by the synod ($ynod). This is good because the church should invest in its pastors. It is bad because everyone who goes through must conform to whatever the synod says is true. [Synods can and do err and the ELS did err in conforming to WELSian receptionism.]
If this is indeed the case, then the leadership of the synod can count on pastors to follow the party line on all things.
This trend began during a past leadership era when the synod wished to respond to a WELS demand for conformity on the Lord's Supper issue.
Those students who thought that doctrine was more important than conformity were threatened with dismissal and loss of a call. Their livelihoods being thus threatened, it was easier to stay quiet and move on.
And to think that this was happening in an academic institution! A seminary is an academic institution where teaching and learning take place. It's not a trade school. It's not a place where theology is studied by compiling the quotes of the sainted. In this system, comparing the writing and thought of someone is done, not by studying the ideas themselves, but by ticking off the comparisons and differences on a Brad Childress-like clipboard.
Norman Teigen
ELS layman
[The ballots are in. I am now an official spokesman for the ELS.]
>>Synodical Lutherans owe their allegiance to a visible institution. Synodical Lutherans cannot resolve any doctrinal problems because they endlessly circle around the previous papers of their own pastors. To disagree with a paper suggests that the synod is fallible, and Holy Mother Synod never errs.<<
So true that it belongs in bold red.
Another way of stating this is that synodical Lutherans subscribe to the false doctrine of leadership infallibility. If the shoe fits, wear it. From my own limited observations, this definition is fitting. What is interesting to watch is how synodical Lutherans bristle up when there is any criticism leveled against such culpable targets as the Shrinkers.
Clever, perceptive, and TRUE observation. I, too, believe this should be in bold red type. Repeat this assertion. Again and again. Synodical Lutheran vs. confessional Lutheran. Brilliant!
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