Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Teigen Claims Teigen As His Only Source, Proving Teigen Correct





Norman Teigen has left a new comment on your post "Outside the Framework of WELS Fellowship":

I think that you have consistently misrepresented the ELS in the Weakland matter. Your reporter (your son) is misinformed. My reporter (my cousin) is my source.

Norman Teigen
ELS layman
[Disclaimer: i am not an official spokesman for the ELS.]

***

GJ - I was not writing about Archbishop Weakland at Bethany, but Dr. James Shannon. Erling Teigen arranged for Shannon, an ex-bishop of the Church of Rome, to march with the faculty and speak at the dedication service of the Ylvisaker Center.

Rolf Preus' response some time ago was to say, "Erling Teigen does not have an ecumenical bone in his body, and Greg Jackson knows it." So Rolf is not only a mind-reader, but a long-distance one at that.

My first source is the Mankato Free Press, where Bethany proudly announced this ecumenical event. I also had this in my file for some time, because a CLC pastor spoke to Erling about this, after seeing the clear intent in the newspaper article. Erling's response was, "I thought we were friends." So Matthew 18 is a hostile act when talking to an ecumenist.

My second source is the Bethany annual, which was deceptively silent about Shannon's religious affiliation and other pertinent details. The college yearbook for 1994-5 showed "Dr. James Shannon speaking with student body representatives."

My third source is my son, who witnessed the religious procession, with Roman Catholic Shannon marching with the Bethany faculty and speaking at the service.

Erling or others would have us believe that a married ex-bishop is no longer a Roman Catholic, likewise that an obviously religious service became a secular meeting when the ex-bishop rose to speak.

Erling is not a reliable source for anything where he is involved. He published a letter in Christian News calling me a liar because I accurately reported the Little Sect parting with WELS about their joint hymnal project. It never happened, according to Erling! A Bethany Seminary student (not my cousin or son) contacted me to laugh about the denial. It was widely known that the ELS quit the project when WELS would only let them have two (2) hymns in the new feminist hymnal. CW still carries the information about the Joint Hymnal Project. Joint as in...ELS and WELS, of course.

I am not surprised that the ELS still denies the obvious. They like to pose as the confessional side of the WELS-ELS duet, but they do the same things. They have also had women leading worship at their chapel. They have their own Church and Change congregation. The Little Sect has their own doctrinal board so they can worry about the doctrinal errors in WELS. As Bugs Bunny says, "It is to laugh."

Pastor Paul Schmeling





Wis. Reverend Dies After Fall From Ladder
Reporting
Liz Collin
RIVER FALLS, Minn. (WCCO) ―


For 18 years, Schmeling drew people in to Faith Lutheran. For the past few weeks he was busy preparing for a family celebration at the church. He was going to marry his daughter there in June.

For 18 years, Schmeling drew people in to Faith Lutheran. For the past few weeks he was busy preparing for a family celebration at the church. He was going to marry his daughter there in June.

A Wisconsin community is remembering a pastor who lost his life falling from a ladder. The Rev. Paul Schmeling died on Monday while trimming a tree in River Falls in the parsonage of Faith Lutheran Church.

Schmeling was married for 33 years. Beth says faith is getting her family through such a difficult time.

"We have blessing upon blessing and that's exactly what I'm thinking about with this whole thing," Beth said.

For 18 years, Schmeling drew people in to Faith Lutheran. For the past few weeks he was busy preparing for a family celebration at the church. He was going to marry his daughter there in June.

On Memorial Day, he was working in the church's yard to get it ready for the wedding. Schmeling was trimming a tree branch on a ladder when he fell 8 feet and hit his head. He never regained consciousness.

"It breaks my heart that I have to go on without him but I know where he is. I know that I'll see him someday," his wife said.

Together, Beth and Paul Schmeling raised four children in River Falls. Their children are learning how much their father's life meant to so many.

Andy Schmeling says they have heard from people around the country who will be at their father's funeral on Saturday.

"People we haven't seen in 20 years were calling and writing and saying they're going to be here," Andy said.

Visitations are scheduled for 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. Saturday. There will be a special service for children of the church on Friday night as well.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran at 545 Apollo Road in River Falls.

The Sound of Silence - Is Good




Hello Fuller, my old friend,
I've come to criticize again,
Because a vision softly creeping,
Left its Dreck while they were sleeping,
And the vision that was planted in their brain
Still won't drain
Within the grasp of Fuller.
In restless dreams I write alone
Pastors pick up cobblestone,
'Neath the halo of a street lamp,
My clergy collar was so cold and damp
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of the Means of Grace
That's no disgrace
It squelched the sound of Fuller.

Apologies to Paul Simon, who married Princes Leia.


The Sound of Silence

I was discussing Church Shrinkage with a Lutheran. I mentioned the hundreds of anti-CG articles I published in Christian News. There was also the chapter in Liberalism that drove Wally Oelhafen and Fred Adrian crazy. Thy Strong Word was even more popular. No one would publish a serious review, although Otten was quick to publish the ramblings of an Air Force sergeant and the ravings of the CLC (sic). The 650 pages of TSW are filled with 1000 quotations (I recall) for and against CG and its doctrinal foundation, Universal Objective Justification.

No one would know I wrote against CG--almost alone--from reading the new crop of anti-CG articles and essays among Lutherans. The last time I was mentioned was 1991, a flattering reference from Valleskey in print while he was calling me a legalist behind my back. Matthew 18 does not apply to Shrinkers unless their sensitive toes have been crushed by sound doctrine or a repudiation of their false doctrine.

I am not complaining about the silence. I am happy about it - for the following reasons.

There are three possible reactions to an idea:
1. Total agreement suggests there is no reason to publish if everyone agrees, but a universal positive response is satisfying for needy and insecure wolves.
2. Anger signifies something worthwhile, but WELSian essayists always aim for recycling old dogmatics notes and genuflecting to Holy Mother WELS (a sure winner).
3. Silence signals the highest possible praise from false teachers. That proves the idea is so dangerous to them that they cannot begin to refute it. They pretend to take the high road, but they are really activating the stealth button. Their spineless enablers help by activating the slander machine, so that anyone who approaches the idea will be covered with manure, not excluding anyone in their family or circle of friends.

Religion For Dummies - Still Popular in LCMS



Silent about false doctrine: The McCain-Barry legacy.


Here is the link - Steadfast Lutherans.

April 27, 2009

More Baptists informing Ablaze! by Mollie

So from Ed Stetzer’s Twitter feed, I learn that another Baptist will be meeting with Synodical leadership tomorrow. Here’s the, uh, tweet:

Dinner with Bob Roberts. Bob is speaking tomorrow to the same LCMS Lutheran group where I just spoke today. Nice surprise.

I’m sure these people are lovely, but I don’t get what Lutherans hope to learn from Southern Baptists.

Here’s some info on Bob Roberts and here’s his blog:

Dr. Bob Roberts, Jr., founding pastor of NorthWood Church, a fast-growing church near Dallas/Ft Worth, TX, is a leading practitioner and writer on glocal—local and global—transformation of individuals, churches, communities and nations. Roberts’ unique principles have transformed the people and ministry at NorthWood and its 80 (and counting) church plants and impacted “adopted” nations throughout the world. He is the founder of GlocalNet (Glocal.net), a network of like-minded leaders who are advancing a glocal church multiplication movement that connects the body of Christ worldwide.

I have no doubt that “advancing a glocal church multiplication movement” sounds impressive to Synod, Inc. I also think it sounds like a parody of church bureaucratese.



By Mollie

***

GJ - Good golly, Miss Mollie. The Preus circle has discovered the errors of Church Shrinkage, perhaps a backwards salute to the program Robert Preus started at The Surrendered Fort. Kincaid got his DMin in Church Growth from Ft. Wayne, back in the 1980s. As Kincaid said, "It was all Church Growth." Robert Preus rescued Waldo Werning from oblivion, and Werning was later honored by Fuller for selling so many CG programs around Lutherdom. See the post below - Werning denied going to Fuller after admitting it.

To his credit, Robert Preus turned against CG and UOJ. However, the damage done to Ft. Wayne is now manifested in its love for ELCA, Seminex, and the Church of Rome.

I thought Stetzer was canceled in the LCMS, but apparently he kept that gig when Church and Change was forced to nix him. Did some of them creep away to hear him anyway? Stolen fruit is sweeter, the fool says in his heart.

Ichabodians will note that Church Growth has to change its buzzwords (how appropriate!) every few months. The new one is - Glocal.

Some fading buzzwords from The Hive are purpose-driven, Management By Objective, and contagious.

Current words to drop into conversation with the elite are:

  1. Glocal.
  2. Becoming Missional. BMers are overly fond of their movement.
  3. Emerging Church or Emergent Church. It is wise to debate terms, so everyone keeps discussing a useless topic.
  4. Multi-site. Expand offerings by sending digital files to other locations. Have the sheep sip sugared coffee on sanctuary couches while they sing "Am I a soldier of the cross?"
  5. Blended worship. Clever leaders use this term to signal that they will dump all liturgical services as soon as they can drive away the stalwart members.
  6. Vision. The more psychotic the leader is, the more he flails his followers with his vision. Own it. Worship it. Obey it.
  7. Everyone a minister. This takes care of that pesky women's ordination issue. Anyone can administer the Means of Grace because Shrinkers reject any Biblical concept they cannot market.

No Longer Be Children - Tossed Back and Forth - And Carried About With Every Wind of Doctrine



The Winds of False Doctrine:


KJV Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

KJV 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker [GJ - cancer or gangrene]: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

KJV Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

KJV Jude 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

KJV Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

KJV 1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

KJV Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.

KJV 2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:

KJV 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

KJV 1 Timothy 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

The texts say:

The false prophets of Missouri, WELS, and the Little Sect on the Prairie have worked together (with ELCA) for decades to gain control of their synods. Perhaps a few of the clergy actually fell in love with Fuller's Church Growth Movement. Most of them just found it a convenient excuse to establish apostasy. They now control the seminary faculties, the money spigots, the denominational magazines, world and American missions.

The howling of WELS Church and Change people assumes that Lutherans have lately discovered a new religion, one completely unfamiliar to them. The Scriptures and the Confessions agree in teaching sound doctrine and denouncing false doctrine. The proclamation of the Crucified Messiah is consistent throughout the Word, but so is condemnation of all deviations from that truth.

How can someone promote The Simple Church (as Peter Pan-denominational does) when that sect makes a clear confession on its website against infant baptism? Jesus said, "Do not forbid them," rather than "Do not baptize them." The Babtists deny children have faith, but Jesus said, "You must believe as children do. If not, you cannot enter the Kingdom." Andy Stanley makes a clear confession against infant baptism on his website. True, he has turned infant dedication into quite a commercial enterprise, but he is firm against the teaching of the Word of God. So why are Ski, Glende, Katie, Parlow, Buske, and other WELS pastors bowing before Andy and worshiping with him?

So many Babtists are being followed by Church and Chicanery that one superstar can be taken out (supreme effort from the indolent Doctrinal Pussycats) and more remain. In fact, more false teachers are probably being scouted right now. I never heard of Mark Driscoll, Ed Stetzer, The Simpleton Church, Granger, or Craig Groeschel until I began researching WELS fads. Leonard Sweet was another find, like discovering Martians on the family tree at ancestor.com. WELS arranged a conference based on his alien doctrine, which is neither Christian nor anything else in particular - just a celebration of Leonard Sweet.

False doctrine is a cancer or gangrene, so it must be removed. Not a word can be found in the Scriptures or Confessions about Holy Mother Synod being defended.

The Scripture and the Confessions "name names," identifying false teachers - yet that is considered a heinous sin by Church and Chicaneries.

False teachers are cursed and damned, but Valleskey (Sausage Factory president, retired) said: "They are Christians - we can learn from them too." Guess whom Valleskey condemned as a legalist - but not to his face?

False teachers are deceivers. Larry Olson (Our Staff Infection) had a friend deny his study at Fuller Seminary in Christian News, yet Larry got his drive-by DMin there. Valleskey pretended to be studying Church Growth for the very first time in 1991 when he taught a course in it five years earlier. He also denied studying there (when asked by a legalist) and admitted it later to David Koenig, albeit angry that David told the legalist. F. Bivens (now Sausage Factory VP) bragged about going to Fuller in front of the Midland Circuit and future DP, but denied it three times when asked by Sausage students. Werning admitted to going to Fuller and later denied it, both times in conversations with the legalist. Werning had an ongoing tantrum after being informed that his admission was copied into a Day-Timer on that date.

For the Self-proclaimed Jesus People:

KJV Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

KJV Matthew 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

KJV Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

John 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

KJV Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.



The Biblical Christ, not Religion For Dummies

The Church and Changers in the WELS and Little Sect would like to believe they are Jesutarians - or whatever their new term is. They are above doctrinal strife and can drink in wisdom from any and all sources (except the Word and the Confessions). They love sociology, statistics, marketing, Management By Objective, Buddhism, advertising, rock music, pop music, Pentecostalism, Babtist doctrine, food, and Twitter.

As Luther said, they talk about Jesus but take away the Means to grasp Jesus and His blessings. By identifying with those who despise the Means of Grace, they confound their bedazzled followers.

The Jesus of the Word, where we find the only true and edifying portrait of the Savior, condemns them as wolves, predators, evil trees bearing evil fruit, thistles incapable of providing a morsel of food.