ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Holy Moly - Check Out This Blog
Someone sent me this link. I was wondering why. I looked over the comments and the links. This hive is as Lutheran as The CORE, only in another Schwaermerish way.
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First Mass.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
First Mass of the SSP Retreat
Monday was the first day of the third annual retreat of the Society of Saint Polycarp. The retreat is taking place this year at Holy Hill, a beautiful and scenic Carmelite monastery, just north of Milwaukee, and home of the renowned Basilica of Holy Hill & National Shrine of Mary, Help of Christians. Many thanks to the Discalced Carmelite community of Holy Hill, for welcoming us to their home this week. Tuesday and Wednesday will both begin with the Holy Mass, of course, yet the opening Mass Monday evening was special, for within the context of this eucharistic celebration, I was consecrated & made a Deacon. My service to Christ's Church as a Deacon will take the form of the traditional diaconal role in the Mass on Sundays at my home parish, St. Stephen's, where I will serve under the authority of the pastor, Fr. Timothy May, and will also no doubt take other forms, which we will work out in due time. These various forms of diaconal service will depend upon the needs of the people of the parish, my abilities, always a proper consideration for the rightful authority of the pastor, and the limitations of my time and resources. In the course of time, though, I will explicate my diaconal service here more fully. Father Larry Beane, Dean of the Society of Saint Polycarp, administered the rite, and he has my undying gratitude for his support and part in all of this.
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GJ - ELDONA, The Little Sect That Could, is wandering in the same direction. Lutherans are reversing the Babtist error. As Luther pointed out, the Babtists of his day were like the man who stabbed his brother to death, trying to save him from an attacking bear. Now the Lutherans are going Roman/EO to save themselves from the Church Growth Movement.
B16 is grinning. "Oh those Missouri Lutherans," as the previous Antichrist supposedly said to Paul McCain, thrown back by Missouri's impressive witness.
Vintage Teigen
Who's Who
Church and Change group (C&C): www.churchandchange.org
“Church and Change is a growing group of WELS Christians who desire to think and work like the Apostle Paul who said, "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." The Church and Change group is interested in practicing and promoting innovation in ministry methods throughout the WELS especially at the "grass roots" level.”
The perception has been given that this group was endorsed by the previous synodical administration because of the conference registration link and other promotional information found on the official WELS website.
https://www.wels.net/cgi-bin/WELSForms.pl?&dir=churchChange
Board of Directors:
Pastor Ron Ash - Chairman
Jeff Davis Vice - Chairman
Sarah Owens - Secretary
Barry Spencer
Caleb Cordes
Pastor Bruce Becker
Pastor John Huebner
James Skorzewski
*Pastor Dave Kehl – synodical administrator / Conference presenter
[GJ - Is there someone at The Love Shack not in bed with Church and Change? Now I remember, just one person - the Synod President.]
Issues in the WELS: http://www.issuesinwels.org/ [GJ: De-rezzed]
“… The purpose of this group is to meet from time to time to discuss these issues. We wish to offer input and give support to our Synodical leadership as they strive for unity of purpose and give direction to our Synodical family.”
This group recently invited newly elected Pres. Schroeder to participate in an upcoming form. http://www.issuesinwels.org/ItemsofInterest07/itemsOfInterest.htm
Motley Magpie: www.motleymagpie.org
The Motley Magpie was a quarterly journal dedicated to the promotion of Lutheran ceremonia in the evangelical catholic tradition as confessed in the Book of Concord AD 1580/1584.
Rev. John W. Berg: Author and Editor of the defunct Magpie. Berg was suspended by AZ/CA presidium (led by DP Janke) for thoughts written and condoned in the Magpie. Rev. Berg’s congregation was also given the boot when they chose to back Berg. Many clergy / theology professors believe Berg’s views were not unscriptural.
Rev. Peter M. Berg: Contributing author to the MM. Given the boot by his WELS bishop. Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical - Lutheran Church, Chicago and unconditional subscriber to the Lutheran Confessions, who is playing for that other team now.
Bailing Water
A blog originally started by Aaron in order to keep the discussion going about concerns in the WELS.
Please feel free to add your who to the who's who in the WELS ~
Firefox Is Much Better Than Internet Explorer
I had nothing but problems with Blogger and Internet Explorer. I even gave up trying to read Norman Teigen's blog.
Some improvements came from reducing scripted cool stuff on the left, plus lowering some on the page. Still, IE was awful.
I listened to reason and downloaded Mozilla Firefox, which is free.
Here is the download site.
I can edit and read pages about 3x faster. I can download photos rapidly.
I am afraid to ask Obi-Wan, my Unix tech expert, why IE is so bad. His answer is always the same, no matter what the question, "It is a Windows product, Dad."
Here is a bonus for all the Chicaneries reading Ichabod - Firefox has a built in spell-check. Little red lines appear under misspelled words. I say this with love in my heart - you WELS guys really need it.
Reducing Tweets
The Ichabod Effect
I removed The CORE, Ski, Glende, and Buske Twitter links from the left column.
Slowly it dawned on them that everyone was keeping up with their latest photos, links, and trips.
I am sure most of them still have accounts, but not ones I know about.
The CORE Twitter is two weeks old, so it has been abandoned like a stray kitten.
Deception is foundational with Church and Change. They pretend to howl because I am lying about them. Their real pain comes from being exposed - words and deeds both. I am painstakingly thorough in copying their material before they have a chance to erase it.
How do they respond? Not through repentance but through stealth, going under cover again. Kelm/Parlow did the same with their copied sermons. They stopped posting them. The initial solution was to show where they were stealing their material, but that was too obvious. Now someone has to meet a staffmember in the park at 3 AM, wearing a designated disguise, such as deelie-boppers. OK, I made the last part up.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Reducing TweetsThe Ichabod Effect":
You must have had the same impact on chemnitzaz1 because that post/tweet hasn't changed in 2 months.
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GJ - I am glad Anonymous recognized my need to make a living. I applied to Antioch for a Twitter grant. Still waiting. I applied to Siebert Foundation, but this guy with a longish Polish name is blocking the application for some reason. Thrivent says I need to buy a $1 million policy to help fund their generous donation. They will match Bethany up to $1.43, as long as I carry ads for their insurance in all my communications, plus get a Thrivent tattoo.
Where Is the Love in Love's Park?
Anonymouse has left a new comment on your post "Where Is Love? WELS Overkill in Rockford Area":
Am I missing something?? Since when is it "wrong" to locate a church near a highway so that it can actually be seen by those who pass by? You know, the "city on a hill" thing?
And since none of these congregations receives a single penny in WELS subsidy, what's your problem? Would you rather they now merge into one congregation? (Wait, that would create a "mega-church" and that's the greatest of all Jackson evils.)
Even if mistakes were made in the past as you obviously believe, none of us can undo the past (even Greg Jackson can't undo his past!) so why is this page even posted? We're living in the present, Greg. Got that? Most of the world is living in the present in preparation for the future. We move on. We get over it. We learn from the past but don't live in it.
You're an angry, bitter, lonely man, Greg Jackson. Your only pleasure seems to be making others angry too, and you do it in the name of Christian love. Most of us can see the demonic irony in that.
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GJ - Yes, you are missing a lot.
That post was provided (with map) by someone within WELS. I often distribute information from others because Lutherans know the impact of an Ichabod post.
The story shows how WELS foolishly and dishonestly built a parish which grew from eviscerating two established WELS congregations. This waste of money and manpower has led to Love's Park selling bonds to move away.
I doubt whether those bonds are legal, since a lot of regulations must be followed to call a piece of paper a bond - yet they are being marketed around WELS congregations. Those who take money for these "bonds" must have a broker's license. The securities must be registered. The customers must get a prospectus listing who is on the hook for the money. Will WELS back them up if the bond defaults?
I cannot account for Mouse's demonic irony, which he claims to share with other Changers. There are some fine exorcists in the Church of Rome. Perhaps Archbishop Weakland can recommend one. He can probably be found in the Schwan Library at WLC - or in the restrooms.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Where Is the Love in Love's Park?":
The commenter wrote: "We move on. We get over it."
Hmm. He's taking a line from Democratic funder's George Soros' MoveOn.Org, which wanted the nation to forget about Bill Clinton's serial adulteries. Relativistic morality in action!
Ironically, the Loves Park congregation must "move on" to a new location because of New Life.
Unlike other WELS congregations that can warn its members about the pitfalls of joining a mega-church, the Loves Park and Belvedere congregations must stay mum about New Life or else they get in trouble with the district president and WELS synod hierarchy.
Church and Change Characteristics:
Barbarians as Gatekeepers
Some serious study of the Church and Change operation in WELS, with plenty of help from WELS laity and pastors, has led me to the following conclusions about Church Growth in WELS.
Doctrinal Unity
They have training at Fuller Seminary, Trinity Deerfield, and Willow Creek in common. They are anti-confessional, like all unionists, and identify with Pietism, making works the cause of justification (as Hoenecke wrote).
The Word of God
Every union effort has forced Lutherans to give up the efficacy of the Word and the Biblical teaching of the Sacraments. Following Calvin and Zwingli, the Chicaneries believe the Word is not effective, so they must make it attractive, germane, and reasonable.
Worship as Entertainment - The Sneaker Service
Because they do not believe in the efficacy of the Word and Sacrament, the Chicaneries turn the Sunday service into entertainments to titillate and recruit members from other churches. They hide Holy Communion, Holy Baptism, the liturgy, the Creeds, and most hymns. They turn the sermon into man-centered, navel-gazing coaching about time management and getting friends.
Management by Deception
Following their Fuller mentors, they never disclose what they are doing. They have no qualms about outright lying to people. Valleskey portrayed his alleged study of Church Growth as virgin territory when he had been teaching it at Mequon for at least five years. Valleskey denied going to Fuller when I asked him, but bragged to David Koenig that he studied there. Bivens bragged to a group of pastors about going to Fuller, but later wondered where I got the idea he went there. Don Patterson claimed to have issues with Church and Change, but he was a leader at one conference and supports their work by taking WELS workers to union meetings like Exponential. DP Englebrecht pretends to be against Church and Change at Conference of Pussycat meetings, but he loves and supports C and C, and told Ski as much. Pastor Tim Glende, who "gets it," has attended two recent conferences of false teachers where he deceived his own congregation about where he was going and why, letting them imagine he was attending WELS conferences. One meeting was the Babtist Drive 09 event. The other was in Seattle, but the exact identity is still hidden. (Driscoll? - likely. He is a C and C fave right now.)
Money Grabbers
The Chicaneries exist mainly by draining money from outside sources - synod offerings, Thrivent grants, foundation grants. They spend money wildly on themselves while claiming they are doing the Gospel work no one else will do.
Money As THE Means of Grace
The Chicaneries do not trust in the Means of Grace, so they make money THE Means of Grace. Under Gurgel-Mueller, they spent all the Schwan money and looted the designated funds, as if blowing millions would make a difference without the Word, as if peddling false doctrine benefits the Gospel they deny by word and deed.
Notice that their mission efforts--like Doebler's Rock N Roll, Ski's The CORE, and New Life, Rockford--consume vast amounts of money to move WELS members into another unit.
C and C pastors of established pastors spend lavishly on their own buildings in the name of evangelism, with the costly aid of Jeff Davis, C and C Board Member.
Ashamed of Lutheran, Ashamed of the Gospel
The Chicaneries have slowly removed Lutheran from everything - the magazine, WELS Lutherans for Life, the hymnal, church names, and now even church - The CORE.
The Chicaneries use their self-serving adiaphora expansion clause--everything is a matter of indifference--to do whatever they want, to imitate their neo-Babtist heroes like Andy Stanley.
They Copy False Teachers
The current favorites among false teachers are: Mark Driscoll (Mars Hill, Seattle), Leonard Sweet (Mars), Andy Stanley (Atlanta), Hybels (Willow Creek, Chicago), Beeson (Granger Community Church, Indiana), Ed Stetzer (no parish, just a talker), and Craig Groeschel (Oklahoma - works with Stanley).
They use the movies, sermons, sermon themes, graphics, and ideas of the false teachers listed above. Kelm and Parlow have copied sermons verbatim and posted them on the congregation websty as their own. Parlow sent a Hybels email out as his own, plagiarizing Willow Creek emotions! Ski presents Groeschel sermon sets in the same order with the same graphics, thanks to free downloads from Life Church.
They Need Full-time Female Assistants
Randy Hunter, Matt Doebler, Ski, and Jeff Gunn all have female assistants. In the past, the pastor's wife did a lot of the work for free and often went to conferences. Now the assistant gets a full-time salary and goes to conferences. They do not need ordination because C and C creates women pastors without the formalities.
They Drive Out the Opposition While Whining
Like their crypto-Calvinist forefathers, they cannot tolerate confessional Lutherans. The District Popes, professors, and Chicanery pastors have worked together to get rid of anyone who questions their doctrinal agenda. At the same time, a raised eyebrow will get them crying "Eighth Commandment!" like little girls. They sniffle about being persecuted while extending the Left Foot of Fellowship.
They Control The Love Shack and Schools
Most of the staff at WELS headquarters got hired during the Mueller-Gurgel regime, and they are dedicated to Church and Chicanery. Their grasp of the Word is shown in their contempt for the elected leader of the synod.
Lazy Brains, Lazy Pastors
Their plagiarism is one clue about their personalities, and that is on display on their websties (my term for websites that remind me of pigsties). Grunting in the mud of false doctrine, they fatten themselves while doing no work in the Word at all: no study, no sermon writing, no visitation. As soon as one false doctrine conference wears off, they rush off to another one to inspire them. And yet, they despise Lutheran conferences and the fellowship of their brother pastors.
This Minority Group Networks
They began taking over WELS in 1977, with the publication of TELL magazine. They know their own through Church and Change meetings, Willow Creek and Fuller alumni networks, and secret email lists. If I find something good on a websty, like the "life coach" at St. Mark Depere, it is changed quickly so they can cry out, "Liar!" That is why I copy and paste, kelmishly, and provide the links while they last.
Will Not Defend Their Doctrine
The doctrine of the Changers is all borrowed, a mixture of Methodism, Babtist principles, and marketing through entertainment and felt needs. They blubber and screech on Ichabod but never give their names. They never defend their doctrine, because they cannot intellectually. Besides that, they are too chicken to identify their real passions. Many comments are too obscene to be published, even when bowdlerized.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Core of the Issue
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post ""When you are dead, we will take over."":
While WELS desperately needs a change of leadership, i.e., the DPs, et al, the existing system makes it very difficult to clean house. Running operations as usual the present leadership gets by with ignoring facts, reason, rebukes, and the Word of God. Cutting support simply means they close another school. There is no method to replace the undesirables short of destroying the synod.
"When you are dead, we will take over."
Satire or reality? See the graphic below, from Rock N Roll Lutheran Church, Round Rock, Texas: endorsed by the Conference of Pussycats while meeting at Patterson's church, enriched by synodical and foundation grants, swollen with almost 30 people in attendance - after only three years and two full-time staffers.
http://www.churchfromscratch.net
KJV Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
This is the graphic for the children's group at Round Rock. Doebler borrows the sermonic content of false teachers, so he dasn't object to my copying his graphics.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post ""When you are dead, we will take over."":
C&Cers have one thing in common. They want a gimmick, technique, or method to do the Work of Lord because they find it too disgusting to do themselves. They have jobs not a life with the Lord.
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DK, with a full measure of wit has left a new comment on your post ""When you are dead, we will take over."":
Can anyone one tell me what those "li'l" dancing things are supposed to be in the lil rockers graphic? Rocks? Really?
They look more like 'lil' lumps of poo to me. Dingles, some might say.
The metaphor is rich.
Good job, Doebler, you're creating lil lumps of theological poo. Don't answer the door when the millstone salesman comes aknockin'. He might just have your size.
"Old Millstones for new! Old Millstones for new!"
DK
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post ""When you are dead, we will take over."":
If you look at the "Church fromscratch" website, there is no article on the sacraments. Just a vague reference to baptism under "Holy Spirit" and nothing on the Lord's Supper other than an undefined reference to "Word & Sacrament". A non-Lutheran wouldn't have a clue that this church is Lutheran. The purpose of a confession is to confess. A vague confession is no confession at all. It is worse than saying nothing.
1934 Chicago Tribune Cartoon
The captions are easier to read after clicking on it to enlarge the image.
Obama considers himself a new FDR, so the parallel is apt. FDR and his Democrat House and Senate took over the economy, making the Depression last until WWII ended it. Thomas Sowell, my favorite economist, has pointed this out in his columns.
By raising taxes and putting government funds into enormous projects and social prgrams, FDR took money away from the private sector that would have fueled a real recovery. In addition, a clever PR campaign put all the blame for the continuing Depression on Hoover and the Republicans.
A hope-filled stockbroker tried to tell me that FDR's measures eventually worked. I said, "They didn't work for 10 years. The Depression got worse. WWII ended the Depression."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Predict the Future of WELS
Guest Blogger:
I'm guessing that only 10 of the 40 seminarians next May will receive a call, since there are so many experienced missionaries and pastors now without calls, and families besides. Of course, nowadays, plenty of seminarians have children and a wife, too.
Care to venture any guesses on the state of the WELS in one year's time? BTW, that would make a great entry on your blog. Ask the blog readers to make their predictions about where the WELS will be in, say, June 2010. Also, for the C&Cers, they can copy and paste predictions from someone else, and claim they are their own. :)
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GJ - When I was an adjunct at Glendale Community College, all of us newbies got the computer survey course. Due to shortages of faculty and large enrollments in computer science, I began to teach web design and Unix/Linux. Then as enrollments went down, the senior faculty took back web design and Unix/Linux. At the same time I went over to the big school, the senior faculty had to take the survey courses because no one wanted advanced computer classes anymore.
The same thing is happening with calls in WELS. Pastors are glad to take anything when their old position disappears. They are taking the calls that might have gone to seminary graduates. That is not all bad - for the congregations. Those congregations get well trained men who get a picture of ordinary life in a not so glamorous congregation. The graduating seniors will have to wait a long time for a call, I am afraid.
Feel free to post your response. I will Kelm the best ones.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Predict the Future of WELS":
Idea people are dime a dozen – i.e., C&C and many pastor-leaders. Those people disdain work. Doing the Work of our Lord falls in line with a quote of Thomas A. Edison, “What it boils down to is one per cent inspiration and ninety-nine per cent perspiration.” Unless WELS finds pastor-leaders willing to focus on nurturing and outreach instead of fiddling away their time, it will find itself destined to failure, and finally its demise.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Predict the Future of WELS":
The upcoming senior class at MLC is about 23, which could very easily translate into 16-18 who present themselves for calls into the ministry in 4 yrs.
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The Lund's Lives as Lutherans has left a new comment on your post "Predict the Future of WELS":
I am confused by this website and the harsh and cynical writing and venom towards WELS and other church bodies that are full of confessional Lutherans.
Why would you not ask the Lord's blessings upon the people in leadership and talk with them. An incendiary blog with hurtful speech does no one good and the kingdom of God much damage.
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GJ - By all means, stay away from Luther's sermons. But perhaps you already have.
More Anonymous Admonitions
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Financial Picture More Dire Than Expected":
If you dislike the WELS so much, why do you continue to care about what the WELS does? I don't like church growth either, but what's the difference between someone listening to a church growth baptist and someone listening to you? Neither of you are in the fellowship with the WELS. Aren't you breaking your own rules of fellowship by continuing to say that people should read "The Theology of the Cross," even though you are not in fellowship with the professor who wrote it? Didn't you speak against Ski for doing this with another book? Sorry for the change of subject.
P.S. I was wondering about something else: you have said that the 8th commandment doesn't apply to this setting. But in his explanation Luther says, "do not...hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way." Jesus, in the parable of The Good Samaritan, clearly points out that our neighbor is not just those people we like. Would you be willing to clarify this for me? Also the goal of pointing out the sins of another is not to make others aware of the sin, but to win that person over to the truth. Your blog seems to do the exact opposite. How do you rectify Luther's meaning to the 8th commandment and the meaning of satire, "the use of irony, sarcasm, RIDICULE, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. (Dictionary.com)"
Many thanks,
Curious -- Philippians 4:8
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GJ - If you dislike this blog so much, why read it?
The Wisconsin Sect has a reputation for denouncing every other group in America, including--and especially--the Little Sect on the Prairie. Every time the WELS pastors mentioned the ELS, it was derogatory. The ELS pastors would say, "They won't come to our installations but they say - We cherish our fellowship with the ELS."
Given the logic on display above, the Wisconsin Sect should not be able to comment on any other denomination, because they are not in fellowship with anyone.
Anonymous should read Luther, who used satire all the time. His polemics make me look like a pussyfoot. I am sure he would prefer an honest, blunt discussion to the anonymous, whiny backbiting that thrives under the name The WELS Grapevine.
I have mentioned many times before that the Church and Chicaneries cry Eighth Commandment! to protect their false doctrine and false teachers. For example, Fuller-trained Frosty Bivens rose "to defend Paul Kelm's good name" at a conference when I quoted Kelm verbatim. Of course, I had to prove with physical evidence, that Kelm actually said that. (I was guilty until proven innocent.) I pulled the brochure from my briefcase and read ipsissima verba. The next excuse was, "How do we know Kelm really said that or wrote that to Kent Hunter? Or that he meant to be quoted?"
Kent Hunter wasn't there to defend me, so I asked him about this later. Hunter said, "I asked him to endorse the CG meeting and he did so in writing."
This took place in the Northern Conference, so Slick Brenner mentioned how it was always an accident with Paul Kelm. Slick also had a funny story about going to talk to Ron Roth and Roth pretending to be gone. Slick asked: "Why do I see his legs behind that partition?"
The Eighth Commandment cannot be used to cover up false doctrine. Ski blogged that he worshiped with the Babtists, so he is in fellowship with them. Bishop Katie said that 7 WELS pastors attended Drive 09 (Andy Stanley). I only quote the principals and that is satire enough. Parlow and Kelm are linked to the Willow Creek Association, since St. Mark Depere is a member of that cult. Have you admonished them or asked the DP to extend the Left Foot of Fellowship?
Matthew 18 cannot be used to hide notorious, public sin, such as murdering one's spouse (Al Just, Pastor Tabor) and lying about it. Check out the Large Catechism on the subject - under Eighth Commandment. The effect of a cover-up is to encourage more church workers to do the same, knowing that Holy Mother Synod will do anything to avoid a scandal. If WELS pastors are in state prisons, it only hurts long-term to turn that into a PR project, not to mention deception.
One reason I am so unpopular with certain WELS leaders is that I helped the victim's lawyer in the Adrian-Zerbe case. WELS was lying in court that they knew of no other cases. The lawyer countered, "What about Werner, etc?" The judge ordered WELS to come clean, which made them lose the case.
I think the LCMS and ELCA are beyond hope at this time, although anything can happen if people apply the Word of God. I blog about WELS so much because I like a lot of the people involved. I know they have been mocked, ridiculed, punished, and often banished for being faithful. Many like what I write and forward additional information to me. The bullies and tyrants are anxious because their work is being exposed and examined. They cannot get even. They cannot even give their names because of their cowardice.
Bruce Church has left a new comment on your post "More Anonymous Admonitions":
That some defense, saying you can't criticize the CG in the WELS because you are not in fellowship with the WELS, even though the CGers had a hand in terminating your call at a WELS church in Columbus, Ohio.
The CGers like to call you a multi-synod stalker, even though you would have have only changed synods once (from LCA to WELS) had the CGers not terminated your call wherever you went.
Anonymous wrote that Ichabod doesn't try to win people over to the truth, but does "the exact opposite."
(Irony On) Yes, Anonymous is right. Ichabod is actually a mole promoting Church Growth in a Reverse Psychology sort of way.(Irony Off)
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GJ - I admit that Patterson applied for two free staff positions after my posts, so this blog has had a paradoxical evil effect. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.
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Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "More Anonymous Admonitions":
Where is the love in WELS? The flaming vitriol coming out of WELS is NOT love.
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GJ - Now you know why I call WELS headquarters The Love Shack. The staffmembers, living off synod offerings, love money but hate confessional Lutheran doctrine.
Commit Whatever Grieves Thee
"Commit Whatever Grieves Thee" by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
1. Commit whatever grieves thee
Into the gracious hands
Of Him who never leaves thee,
Who heaven and earth commands.
Who points the clouds their courses,
Whom winds and waves obey,
He will direct thy footsteps
And find for thee a way.
Befiehl du deine Wege
Und was dein Herze kränkt,
Der allertreusten Pflege
Des, der den Himmel lenkt!
Der Wolken, Luft und Winden,
Gibt Wege, Lauf und Bahn,
Der wird auch Wege finden,
Da dein Fuß gehen kann.
2. On Him place thy reliance
If thou wouldst be secure;
His work thou must consider
If thine is to endure.
By anxious sighs and grieving
And self-tormenting care
God is not moved to giving;
All must be gained by prayer.
Dem Herren mußt du trauen,
Wenn dir’s soll wohlergehn;
Auf sein Werk must du schauen,
Wenn dein Werk soll bestehn.
Mit Sorgen und mit Grämen
Und mit selbsteigner Pein
Läßt Gott sich gar nichts nehmen,
Es muß erbeten sein.
3. Thy truth and grace, O Father,
Most surely see and know
Both what is good and evil
For mortal man below.
According to Thy counsel
Thou wilt Thy work pursue;
And what Thy wisdom chooseth
Thy might will always do.
Dein’ ew’ge Treu’ und Gnade,
O Vater, weiß und sieht,
Was gut sei oder schade
Dem sterblichen Geblüt;
Und was du dann erlesen,
Das treibst du, starker Held,
Und bringst zum Stand und Wesen,
Was deinem Rat gefällt.
4. Thy hand is never shortened,
All things must serve Thy might;
Thine every act is blessing,
Thy path is purest light.
Thy work no man can hinder,
Thy purpose none can stay,
Since Thou to bless Thy children
Wilt always find a way.
Weg’ hast du allerwegen,
An Mitteln fehlt dir’s nicht;
Dein Tun ist lauter Segen,
Dein Gang ist lauter Licht,
Dein Werk kann niemand hindern,
Dein’ Arbeit darf nicht ruhn,
Wenn du, was deinen Kindern
Ersprießlich ist, willst tun.
5. Though all the powers of evil
The will of God oppose,
His purpose will not falter,
His pleasure onward goes.
Whate'er God's will resolveth,
Whatever He intends.
Will always be accomplished
True to His aims and ends.
Und ob gleich alle Teufel
Hier wollten widerstehn,
So wird doch ohne Zweifel
Gott nicht zurückegehn;
Was er sich vorgenommen,
Und was er haben will,
Das muß doch endlich kommen
Zu seinem Zweck und Ziel.
6. Then hope, my feeble spirit,
And be thou undismayed;
God helps in every trial
And makes thee unafraid.
Await His time with patience,
Then shall thine eyes behold
The sun of joy and gladness
His brightest beams unfold.
Hoff, o du arme Seele,
Hoff und sei unverzagt!
Gott wird dich aus der Höhle,
Da dich der Kummer plagt,
Mit großen Gnaden rücken;
Erwarte nur die Zeit,
So wirst du schon erblicken
Die Sonn’ der schönsten Freud’.
7. Arise, my soul, and banish
Thy anguish and thy care.
Away with thoughts that sadden
And heart and mind ensnare!
Thou art not lord and master
Of thine own destiny;
Enthroned in highest heaven,
God rules in equity.
Auf, auf, gib deinem Schmerze
Und Sorgen gute Nacht!
Laß fahren, was dein Herze
Betrübt und traurig macht!
Bist du doch nicht Regente
Der alles führen soll;
Gott sitzt im Regimente
Und führet alles wohl.
8. Leave all to His direction;
In wisdom He doth reign,
And in a way most wondrous
His course He will maintain.
Soon He, His promise keeping,
With wonder-working skill,
Shall put away the sorrows
That now thy spirit fill.
Ihn, ihn laß tun und walten,
Er ist ein weiser Fürst
Und wird sich so verhalten,
Daß du dich wundern wirst,
Wenn er, wie ihm gebühret,
Mit wunderbarem Rat
Die Sach’ hinausgeführet,
Die dich bekümmert hat.
9. A while His consolation
He may to thee deny,
And seem as though in trial
He far from thee would fly;
A while distress and anguish
May compass thee around,
Nor to thy supplication
An answering voice be found.
Er wird zwar eine Weile
Mit seinem Trost verziehn
Und tun an seinem Teile,
Als hätt’ in seinem Sinn
Er deiner sich begeben,
Und sollt’st du für und für
In Angst und Nöten schweben,
Frag’ er doch nichts nach dir.
10. But if thou perseverest,
Thou shalt deliverance find.
Behold, all unexpected
He will thy soul unbind
And from the heavy burden
Thy heart will soon set free;
And thou wilt see the blessing
He had in mind for thee.
Wird’s aber sich befinden,
Daß du ihm treu verbleibst
So wird er dich entbinden,
Da du’s am mind’sten gläubst;
Er wird dein Herze lösen
Von der so schweren Last,
Die du zu keinem Bösen
Bisher getragen hast.
11. O faithful child of heaven,
How blessed shalt thou be!
With songs of glad thanksgiving
A crown awaiteth thee.
Into thy hand thy Maker
Will give the victor's palm.
And thou to thy Deliverer
Shalt sing a joyous psalm.
Wohl dir, du Kind der Treue!
Du hast und trägst davon
Mit Ruhm und Dankgeschreie
Den Sieg und Ehrenkron’.
Gott gibt dir selbst die Palmen
In deine rechte Hand,
Und du singst Freudenpsalmen
Dem, der dein Leid gewandt.
12. Give, Lord, this consummation
To all our heart's distress;
Our hands, our feet, e'er strengthen,
In death our spirits bless.
Thy truth and Thy protection
Grant evermore, we pray,
And in celestial glory
Shall end our destined way.
Mach End’, o Herr, mach Ende
An aller unsrer Not,
Stärk unsre Füß’ und Hände
Und laß bis in den Tod
Uns allzeit deiner Pflege
Und Treu’ empfohlen sein,
So gehen unsre Wege
Gewiß zum Himmel ein.
Hymn #520
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Ps. 37: 5
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1656
Translated by: composite
Titled: Befiehl du deine Wege
Composer: Hans L. Hassler, 1601
Tune: Herzlich tut mich
---
Text: , 1656.
Musik: , 1648.
Rock N Roll Lutheran Churches Grow Desparate
KISS makeup is being offered as an incentive to attend baby dedication day, an idea which fermented after way too many Andy Stanley conferences. A professional photographer will be on hand so the nostalgic KISS Army parents will have a memento of their child's special day.
So, Who Are These People Who Go to Megachurches?
DateTuesday, June 16, 2009 at 03:37PM
"No surprise here. Those who attend megachurches are much "more likely to be young, single, more educated and wealthier," says a major new study. The evidence also shows a lot of lookey-loos, and very high turnover. Click here: Survey Examines America's Megachurchgoers | Christianpost.com"
Although megachurches have nearly twice as many new attendees, most of the new people are already Christians and came from another church. Seventy-seven percent said they have been long-time committed Christ followers for seven or more years and only 2 percent said they are not a follower. Also, 18 percent had not attended church for a while before coming to the megachurch and just 6 percent said they never went to church previously.
***
GJ - Community of Joy (ELCA) in Glendale has been known for the same thing. They attract vast crowds who join and fall away on a monthly basis. For decades it has been known that the Church Growth congregations simply gather members from other nearby churches. C. Peter Wagner (Larry Olson Professor of Church Growth, Fuller Seminary) admitted that "church growth principles do not work."
Olson's former church is selling bonds (legally?) to move to a better location, away from the WELS CG congregation which has grown from taking members away from its neighboring WELS churches.
Church and Chicanery in WELS/ELS promotes itself as a great instrument of outreach, but it is best at turning nominal Lutherans into Babtists. C and C works so well that they turned John Parlow and Paul Kelm into Willow Creek ministers.
Would Church and Chicaneries be able to brag if they did not have their foundation grants, Thrivent money, and synod subsidies?
WELS Financial Picture More Dire Than Expected
Forget the Dow-Jones Average going up. The catastrophic news continues. The front page of the WS Journal today told a tale of one bank collapsing and all the damage being done in one community. That is in Colorado. Meanwhile, Georgia leads the US in toxic banks blowing up from bad loans on over-valued properties.
To make us feel even better, Obama and the Swimmer are proposing a $1 trillion takeover of the medical system. The bad news is going to continue for at least a year. By that I mean a steady stream of new horror stories.
Meanwhile, the damage continues to be felt in WELS and all other denominations. WELS is finding the current giving off from predictions, which were fairly glum anyway. That means even more cuts than expected.
I do not have the exact figures, but I hear Schwan is cutting back and deficits are widening in the years to come.
As one reader noted already, WELS missionaries are coming home without calls, income, or housing--except Bivens, who had two. Some are doubling up with pastoral friends or relatives.
Meanwhile, the worst DMB chairman in history, Fred Adrian, has a call again. He presided over the Scott Zerbe debacle, where the married vicar had an affair with a minor girl in the congregation. Fred knew or did not know, depending. He filed two different reports. Scott went to the Michigan hoosegow and WELS got sued to a fare-thee-well. Fred wrote his congregation, "Don't worry. We have insurance." And the synod lawyers promptly appealed the amount awarded. That's what they call The Michigan Spirit.
--
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "WELS Financial Picture More Dire Than Expected":
Bivens: It is not what you know. It is who (sic) you know.
---
Anonymous has left another cowardly stinkbomb on your post "WELS Financial Picture More Dire Than Expected":
I'm wondering, Greg, how someone who loves such beautiful music and who appears to be so intelligent, can spew forth such demonic venom. Your "humor" is more offensive (because you pretend to be a spokesman for God,) than David Letterman's "joke" about Sarah Palin's daughter. You literally turn my stomach, "Pastor" Jackson.
***
GJ - A new record of sorts: sanctimony, name-calling, guilt by association, and de-ordination - all in two sentences. I wonder how the Michigan District could approve Adrian for pastoral duties. When doctors or teachers fail to report child abuse, that is the end of their careers.
Perhaps the writer is goaded by the lovely pictures of all the people who teach WELS/ELS pastors the Word of God.
KJV Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
The children of Schwan and his two widows must chortle over WELS getting all that loot and going into insolvency. There is a connection between not handling money well (unjust in the least) and not handling doctrine well (unjust in much).
Many have silenced themselves in the name of protecting Holy Mother WELS/ELS. Loyalty to an institution would be more touching if it were equaled by loyalty to the Word and the Confessions. But only one thing can be in first place. Mammon looks pretty good compared to the cross.
Do the ravening wolves of false doctrine think there will be no retribution for their crimes against the Word and against the laws of the nation?
Slick Brenner said many years ago, "WELS is facing a great judgment."
Monday, June 15, 2009
Church Growth in WELS
------------------- P O S I T I O N S - E L I M I N A T E D -------------------
Krohn, Rev Jud A Thailand Mission 06/30/2009
Kuerth, Rev Roger L LPS - Watertown WI 07/31/2009
Meister, Rev Robert W II Thailand Mission 08/31/2009
------------------- P O S I T I O N S - E L I M I N A T E D ------------------
Breitkreutz, Prof Orville LPS - Watertown WI 07/31/2009
Karrow, Miss Diana LPS - Watertown WI 07/31/2009
Muente, Miss Kari LPS - Watertown WI 07/31/2009
Schultz, Mrs Nancy C LPS - Watertown WI 07/31/2009
This Sounds Just Like the LCA
New Women's Ministry conference set
Filed Under: adult discipleship, conference, survey, Womens Ministry Committee
WELS Women's Ministry Committee, a part of the Commission on Adult Discipleship, has scheduled the second national WELS women's leadership conference for July 16-18, 2010. Under the theme, "Leading with a Christ-like attitude," the conference will focus on Philippians 2:1-18. It will again be held at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon.
The first national WELS women's leadership conference was held on July 7, 2007. It focused on presenting the biblical principles of men and women serving together in God's kingdom that are the basis of the Heirs Together Bible study written by seminary professor Richard Gurgel and Kathie Wendland, both members of WELS Women's Ministry Committee. [And both Church and Change activists.]
The Women's Ministry Committee, which added 19 new members in October 2008, is working on a variety of other new projects, including compiling strong Bible-based materials for WELS women and gaining feedback on women's ministry in WELS through a Web-based survey.
Rev. Dave Kehl, administrator of WELS Commission on Adult Discipleship, says, "The energy and excitement of the women in our expanded WELS Women's Ministry Committee has been outstanding. It is evident that their desire is to help women get into the Scriptures to better know their Lord and help congregations encourage women in their service as part of the body of Christ."
Kehl asks that pastors complete a simple survey about women's ministry that was recently sent out. "The team wants to better understand the women's ministry needs and opportunities within your congregation," he says.
For more information about WELS Women's Ministry, including the Heirs Together Bible study, visit www.wels.net/women.
Sanity Breaks Out in WELS
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Sent By A WELS Layman":
As a WELS pastor, I agree with this observation. The ministry is, without a doubt, a calling in which one can be busy all the time while doing nothing in nurture and outreach. WELS has too many mini-popes and do-nothing kings. I would suggest something that would help WELS at all levels, namely that every WELS church carry out an every member visit between July 1 and December 31, 2009. This would help clarify our membership, increase our attendance, get our pastors reinvolved with all their members, and give us the real input we need to proceed on the local and synodical levels and in para-church ministries. As an added blessing, it would very likely increase offerings to our churches, which in turn would increase offerings to the synod.
I propose that this would do more good than a thousand agonizing think-tank meetings and twenty conventions.
---
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Sent By A WELS Layman":
Kudos to the WELS pastor above to strike at the root of it. Our pastors are too busy with the stuff the congregation should be doing. We --the local church -- retain the pastor to minister to us, not to sit in on the "Ministry of Lawn Mowing"
committee meetings.
+Diet O. Worms
At Least They Didn't Repo His Confirmation Certificate
They had Miss Teufel as the Latin teacher.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Reader pays late tuition for Lutheran school student
After student was kicked out, community debate followed.
By GREG HARDESTY
The Orange County Register
ORANGE Dakota "Cody" Thompson is taking his finals – and couldn't be happier.
The Orange Lutheran High School student will be able to complete his academic requirements and move on to his senior year after his father paid off a $8,370 tuition bill this week.
The private school's decision last week to prevent Cody from taking his finals sparked intense community debate, with some criticizing Orange Lutheran and others laying the blame on his father, who fell behind on tuition payments when his business tanked because of the recession.
Orange Lutheran, closed for the summer since last Friday, made arrangements for Cody, 17, to take his math final Thursday and history final today. The youth, a pitcher on the Lancers' baseball team, will take his English final on Monday.
"All parties are pleased that the tuition is paid and the issue is resolved," Orange Lutheran Executive Director Gregg Pinick said in a statement.
Jeff Thompson, Cody's father, paid a portion of the bill last week, before finals.
After the Register reported last week that Cody had been prevented from taking finals, Thompson received several calls from relatives and friends to loan him money to help pay the balance.
A reader contacted him and paid the balance. Thompson said the reader wishes to remain anonymous.
"They did what they said – they allowed him to take his finals immediately," Thompson said of Orange Lutheran. "There are a lot of nice people who work at the school who offered a lot of support to Cody."
HARD TIMES
In an interview last week, Thompson, 52, produced bank statements and other paperwork that showed he had fallen on hard times when his automotive-related business started losing clients in the fall.
One document showed that his 401k retirement fund had dwindled to less than $17,000. Thompson says he supports Cody and a 21-year-old daughter on those savings as he continues to look for work.
Thompson is embroiled in a legal battle with his former wife over legal fees and a custody issue stemming from their divorce in 2006. In an interview, his former wife blamed him for not keeping up with the tuition payments.
Thompson stopped making the monthly tuition payments of around $1,200 to Orange Lutheran last fall.
The school contacted him in January, asking for $500. That was the last payment Thompson made.
He received a letter from Orange Lutheran in mid-May warning him that Cody would not be allowed to take finals unless tuition payments were made current.
Thompson blames the school for not raising that scenario back in January, saying he would have put Cody in a public school. He said he didn't think of getting on a payment plan because he thought he would find a job soon and be able to pay off the bill.
As finals week approached, Thompson offered to pay $2,500 so his son could take his finals. But Orange Lutheran told him he would have to come up with the entire $8,370.
Cody showed up for finals anyway, hoping school officials would let him take the test. But a security guard stopped him at the last minute and escorted him to the main office.
The next day, in a class that did not involve a final, Cody was told to leave the class and go home.
SCHOOL STATEMENT
Pinick said Orange Lutheran did its best to warn Thompson that Cody would not be allowed to take exams if the money wasn't paid.
"The policies followed by the school as to financial aid, tuition requirements, attendance, and the taking of finals have been in place for 20 years," Pinick said in a statement. "State law prohibits a school from withholding transcripts once a final is taken, so our policy on tuition and finals must take that into consideration."
A single sentence titled "Delinquent Financial Obligations" in Orange Lutheran's parent/student handbook does not mention finals.
The sentence reads, "The school declares exception to the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act. Records are NOT released if financial obligations are delinquent."
In his statement, Pinick said Orange Lutheran dedicates more than $1 million annually to a financial aid program that serves more than 300 families.
"Each family's need is unique, and we take every aspect of their circumstances into account," Pinick said.
"We make every effort to 'meet them where they are' with regards to financial obligations, and we do alter payment plans when unforeseen financial circumstances arise.
"We wish Cody and his family all the best."
More than 5,500 readers responded to a poll in the Register about Cody not being allowed to take his finals.
By a 2-1 margin, readers said the school could have come up with a better alternative. One-third of readers said Cody's father should have avoided a last-minute dilemma by dealing with the tuition issue sooner.
Kevin Orton, a reader, has a son at Orange Lutheran who will be a senior next year and a daughter who will be an incoming freshman.
"They keep the door open and communicate to parents about finances," said Orton, who like Thompson is having difficulty finding work.
"The fact that communication between (Thompson) and the school collapsed is not the school's fault."
Andrea Lorenz, 42, of Yorba Linda, said she went through a saga similar to Thompson.
Her daughter, Lexi, 16, attended Orange Lutheran until May 20 when Lorenz and relatives could not come up with $4,000 in late tuition. The school offered a monthly payment plan but the lowest -- $380 – still was too high, she said.
"I wish my daughter didn't have to suffer and that they (Orange Lutheran) were more understanding about the economy, but it is what it is," Lorenz said. "I know a lot of kids who aren't coming back because of this issue."
As for Thompson, he's enrolling Cody in a public school this fall.
Wisconsin Lutheran College - "Our Valpo"
I added some information to the Gunn article, but it ought to be featured here, too:
WLC Faculty Profiles are here. Mark Braun, on the theology faculty, wrote in FIC The Northwestern Lutheran about "Effective Church Growth Principles," turning the Parable of the Sower into a Fuller catechism - "We hamper the kingdom if we sow carelessly...." No retraction has been recorded. An unrepentant Mark Braun gave a sermon at the 2007 Church and Chicanery political convention.
If you haven't already read it, Mark Braun's article in the most recent issue of CHARIS (how's this for a flagrant act of self promotion?) talks about this tension. His quote from Koehler's "Gezetslich..." is especially to the point. I've attached the link to the online version of the article.
http://www.charis.wlc.edu/publications/charis_fall03/braun.pdf
Dr. John E. Bauer
Executive Director, CHARIS (posting on the Chicanery listserve)
Wisconsin Lutheran College
The Gunn rescue effort is full of coincidences.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Double-Cross:
If You Were Cross about CrossRoads, You Will Be Cross about CrossWalk
CrossRoads in S. Lyons, Michigan, is a continuing testimony to the church planting genius of DP Robert Mueller and VP Paul Kuske.
The guiding lights of the Michigan District gave their blessing for WELS Pastor Rick Miller to start a congregation where its Lutheran identity was completely hidden. In fact, when I phoned Pastor Rick, he would not even identify his denominational background. "If I told you, you would run away." He never answered my question.
Mark Freier also worked CrossRoads, along with Kelly Voigt, both Church Growth studs according to The Love Shack. I don't know where Kelly went, but Mark was bragging about performing atheist and Hindu weddings (for cash) on his website, when he was not busy coaching people to be all they could be.
Pastor Joe at CrossRoads still appreciates the help he got from WELS: "As Crossroads Community Church moves into its sixteenth year of existence, we look back at the people who have led us, the founding families and the Pastors Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt and Mark Freier, and say thanks for getting us here."
The Mueller-Kuske experiment in S. Lyons--unlike Pilgrim Community in Columbus--did very well, as an Evangelical Covenant congregation! Pilgrim was euthanized, in spite of the best efforts of Floyd Stolzenburg, Roger Zehms, Paul Kuske, and all the data dumps from Fuller Seminary.
CrossRoads moved on, as they say. Now its confession of faith is eerily similar to CrossWalk in Phoenix. They do not agree verbatim throughout, but enough to see that Gunn built his page from the words of an Evangelical Covenant congregation.
Craig Groeschel (Ski's favorite) has the foundational confession of faith websty page, copied by many WELS congregations. My analysis is here.
CrossRoads belongs to the Evangelical Covenant sect now, and since 1992 has been affiliated with the Willow Creek Association. John Parlow, a frequent flyer to Andy Stanley's Drive conferences, is also a Willow Creek member. CrossRoads is in fellowship with St. Mark, Depere. DP Englebrecht, who loves The CORE, does nothing about this.
Has the light blinked on yet? Within WELS is a powerful and secretive group whose loyalties are Babtist, Evangelical Covenant, and anti-Lutheran. This Church and Change group was officially spawned at Wisconsin Lutheran College with WELS offering money. They control The Love Shack, The Sausage Factory, and Mary Lou College.
Wisconsin Lutheran College hired their new president from CrossWalk in Phoenix. Next they send an emissary to check out CrossWalk, just as Gunn runs out of money. The new president lived there, so why was a trip necessary?
I get it - a big show. Oh my, Gunn is just the person for WLC's non-Lutheran worship services. The Kudzu vine of Church Growth continues to strangle WELS.
---
"Since several brothers have asked about the status of Rick Miller, I provide the following information. Rick has asked for a release from his call at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in order to serve a group of people as their pastor and to help organize them as an independent Christian congregation. The group is composed of some former members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Plymouth, of some former members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Livonia, and
some people who have left LC-MS churches. The group has stated that it has a different philosophy and style of ministry, which includes drama, contemporary music and a thematic form of worship and liturgy, which allows for greater personal participation by its female members. The group has also stated that it would like to retain fellowship relations with our Wisconsin Synod."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences,
Fall, 1991
Note: the congregation has women lectors
p. 2f.
"As an independent group it does not plan to use the name 'Lutheran' in its title. It will be known as The Crossroads Christian Church...For the present, Rick Miller is still a pastoral member of the WELS...At that time [January 31, 1992, submission of a constitution] the fellowship question will be determined on the basis of the group's doctrinal statements and practices."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences, p. 3.
Fall, 1991 [GJ - Soon after forming, they joined the Willow Creek Association.]
"Would you be interested in a church that offers...Practical and Relevant Messages? Contemporary Music and Drama? Friendly People Who Are Interested in You? A non-threatening Environment Where You Can Investigate a Relationship with God? Maybe Crossroads Is For You!...Targeted for September, '92, Sunday morning 'seeker' service designed to introduce Christianity in the most practical relevant way possible!"
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS)
***
GJ - CrossRoads, CrossWalk, CORE, Latte, Victory - they all sound the same, and they all sound like Groeschel, Stanley, Sweet, Driscoll, Beeson, and Stetzer.
This Gunn For Hire:
Mene, Mene, Tekel, Awesome
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Top Gunn Shrinking":
Rumor also has it that WLC's campus pastor (Pastor Strobel) recently took a trip down to Crosswalk to find out what it was about. As apprehensive as he *claimed* he was before the visit, he sure did come away with a positive impression. He even described the experience as "Awesome".
I wonder if Strobel's trip down there was more than just a visit. Could have been a recruiting mission? Strobel has started a 'nontraditional' service at WLC on weeknights. Maybe they want to go into that new service with Gunns drawn.
A hopeful part of that rumor is that several of the theology faculty at WLC are strongly against the Babtist direction that *certain* individual's are following.
***
GJ - Didn't the new WLC prez come from CrossWalk? Leviticus is clear about the dangers of inbreeding.
---
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "This Gunn For Hire:Mene, Mene, Tekel, Awesome":
The new WLC Prez DID come from Crosswalk.
---
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "This Gunn For Hire:Mene, Mene, Tekel, Awesome":
I see your crack research department is right on it again as usual. Johnson was principal at Arizona Lutheran Academy and was a member at Grace Glendale (WELS of course.
(sic - The crack teamleader of the Chicanery minders has not learned to use a second parenthesis.)
***
GJ - Johnson probably had to be a member of Grace in Glendale because CrossWalk has never been a member of the Wisconsin Synod. I imagine that ALA required its principal to be a member of the WELS.
The post above asked whether Johnson was from CrossWalk, and that was confirmed. The language used suggests friendship with, affiliation with, cuddling with, but not necessarily membership in. We know Church and Chicaneries always tell the truth and never ShamWow their mistakes, don't we?
A typical Chicanery tactic is to argue a minor, irrelevant point to obscure the main issue. The WELS laity are is no longer falling for the scams.
---
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Troubling Signs at The CORE":
CORE provides an excellent case study in everything that is wrong with WELS. Unfortunately WELS finds it almost impossible to learn from their mistakes because in their minds they don't make any.
***
GJ -
WLC Faculty Profiles are here. Mark Braun, on the theology faculty, wrote in FIC The Northwestern Lutheran about "Effective Church Growth Principles," turning the Parable of the Sower into a Fuller catechism - "We hamper the kingdom if we sow carelessly...." No retraction has been recorded. An unrepentant Mark Braun gave a sermon at the 2007 Church and Chicanery political convention.
If you haven't already read it, Mark Braun's article in the most recent issue of CHARIS (how's this for a flagrant act of self promotion?) talks about this tension. His quote from Koehler's "Gezetslich..." is especially to the point. I've attached the link to the online version of the article. (Source - Church and Chicanery listserve)
http://www.charis.wlc.edu/publications/charis_fall03/braun.pdf
Dr. John E. Bauer
Executive Director, CHARIS
Wisconsin Lutheran College
The First Sunday after Trinity
The First Sunday after Trinity
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship
Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time
The Hymn #656 Behold a Host 2.39
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual 1 John 4:16-21
The Gospel Luke 16:19-31
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #429 Lord Thee I love 2.54
The Word of God Is Sufficient
The Hymn #313 O Lord we praise Thee 2.36
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #660 Heaven is my home 2.46
"Moreover, neither contrition nor love or any other virtue, but faith alone is the sole means and instrument by which and through which we can receive and accept the grace of God, the merit of Christ, and the forgiveness of sins, which are offered to us in the promise of the Gospel." Formula of Concord, Thorough Declaration, III 31 Righteousness Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 925.
KJV 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
KJV Luke 16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
First Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to rule and govern our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not, like the rich man, hear Thy word in vain, and become so devoted to things temporal as to forget things eternal; but that we readily and according to our ability minister to such as are in need, and not defile ourselves with surfeiting and pride; in trial and misfortune keep us from despair, and grant us to put our trust wholly in Thy fatherly help and grace, so that in faith and Christian patience we may overcome all things, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
The Word of God Is Sufficient
This parable, unique to Luke, gives us a portrait of the Afterlife and a clear, compelling lesson on the efficacy of the Word alone.
Jesus contrasted two people in this parable. One is Lazarus poor, miserable, and neglected by the rich man who is well fed, richly dressed, and living in wealth. Lazarus only wanted the scraps from the rich man’s table. His impoverished condition is shown by the dogs licking his sores.
Both men died, as all must. Lazarus was carried to heaven by angels, where he rested in the bosom of Abraham. The Bible portrays Abraham as the father of faith. He believed in the promised Savior; therefore, he was declared righteous. So we can see that, as miserable as Lazarus was in his own life, he believed in Christ, was justified, and inherited eternal life.
On the opposite side, the rich man died, was buried, and went to Hell, where he was tormented night and day. All those who deny Hell should be advised that they are arguing against Christ, not against human opinion. All the wise men in the world can agree that Hell does not exist, but the Word of God is not subordinated to their opinions.
Everyone knows how Christianity is mocked in the media. But when a Hindu family in America got a new house, the producers had a Hindu priest offer a prayer. They also declared during the show that faith in Hinduism would keep the family together. I wondered if the family worshiped Kali (one of 300 million Hindu gods) or thought widows should be burned alive on their husbands’ funeral pyres. Thugs got their name from those followers of Kali who strangled unwary travelers in India. Suttee is the name for having widows burned alive. Both were banished by the British.
The Biblical picture is clear – there are believers and unbelievers. All unbelievers go to Hell because they are not justified by faith in Christ. All believers inherit eternal life because they are justified by faith.
The Bible makes no other distinction. Sincere believers exist in all denominations and in unusual situations (Jews who believe in Christ but keep it from family and friends). Membership in a denomination or a church does not equal justification by faith.
God alone can make that judgment.
Even within an orthodox group of Christians, unbelievers can exist. It may be easier, knowing the right answers but not believing them. People can begin life as believers and fall away. Some people are converted, announce it to the world, and fall back into their old ways. That is why the Bible said – don’t be in a hurry to lay hands on someone for pastoral work.
Someone asked me about my friends who are Roman Catholic, Jews, Lutherans of various persuasions, and members of other denominations. I would be happy to have only those friends who believe exactly as I do, but there aren’t enough of them to go around. Actually, it is a great pleasure to hear from people all over the world, fellow believers who want to study the doctrinal issues.
This is an important statement from Luther:
"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." What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 412f. Galatians 2:8.
We are not allowed by the Word of God to give in or compromise about a single sub-topic in Christian doctrine. However, we should not let that affect our relationships with other people – often friends, family, parents, children and spouses. Those relationships give us the best opportunity. One is their opportunity to hear. The other is our opportunity to keep our knowledge of the Word sharp.
Shunning is the mark of non-Lutherans, although it is engrained in the smaller synods as some kind of mark of orthodoxy. It an important part of the Mennonite sect. If someone is not being a true old-fashioned Mennonite, he is avoided, given the silent treatment, and denied any business dealings with the sect. Mormons do the same thing.
“Mark and avoid” is correctly applied to false teachers, but it is wrongly used to punish people who do not follow the corporate synodical mindset today. Questioning Pope John the Malefactor in the Little Sect on the Prairie is enough to get a pastor kicked out. Yet no one on their doctrinal board mentions this a Romanism rather than Lutheran practice. Of course, anyone who even cleared his throat on the subject would find himself on the wrong end of the Left Foot of Fellowship. But that is good, because God’s Word has that affect and separates the evil from the good.
The trouble is that few want to trust the Word of God to accomplish His will. They dream that God only wills that we live in big houses, have tax-free car allowances, and enjoy surplus income. Lazarus is a plain, clear example of that not being true. There are many unfortunate people in the world, and we have opportunities to serve them, seeing Christ in our neighbor. Secondly, if we suffer privation for witnessing to the Word, that is our cross to bear. Nothing is clearer in Christ’s message – You must take up the cross daily to be My disciples.
Because people will not accept the cross offered in the world, they find themselves mired in false doctrine and explaining it away. After hearing claims about how Biblical a certain synod was, and so very strict about fellowship, I asked about the most blatant examples of false doctrine and sitting at the feet of false teachers.
The responses were alarming:
“He is my friend.”
“He is a nice guy – he isn’t a false teacher.” [The most successful false teachers are nice guys. In fact, they are downright charismatic.]
“I graduated in the same class as he did!”
“I drank a lot of beer with him.” [Proof that alcohol impairs judgment]
Friendship does not preclude the need to admonish false teachers. Friendship should motivate someone to do the very thing excused under the banner of friendship. As I have mentioned before, I can list false teachers (CGM) among the Lutherans who are now active, mouthy atheists.
The Rich Man
The portrait of the rich man in Hell teaches us many different lessons about the Afterlife. I am reminded of Luther’s statement that we can have trouble for a short time and eternal happiness, or happiness for a short time and eternal torment.
The rich man could see Lazarus enjoying the peace of eternal life, where there is no pain or sorrow, no tears.
KJV Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. 13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
The rich man, who never gave Lazarus a crumb, said, “Let him come to me a dip his finger in water and soothe my thirst. I am tormented in this fire.” Here we can see the great harmony of the Word.
KJV Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
Those we help in this life will speak for us in the Afterlife. Works follow faith as the fruit of faith. If we never help anyone, that speaks volumes about our faith in Christ.
The rich man had a lifetime of surplus, but he gave nothing to poor Lazarus. Now he longed for a drop of water.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
So no one from Hell is going to leave, and no one from Heaven is going to visit. The boundaries are fixed forever. There is no do-over after an abundance of mercy has been shown and God’s grace offered freely for a lifetime.
The rich man’s requests are important for understand salvation and the Word.
The first is to have Lazarus, scorned through his life, to speak to the rich man’s brothers, who were probably enjoying the estate:
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
Moses and the prophets are sufficient to teach anyone about salvation. The Old Testament is full of Gospel promises. That is why many Jewish people believe in Christ.
The Reformed motivate people with the Law, saying such things as “How many people are you taking to heaven with you?” Just the opposite is stated here by Christ – “They have the Word of God. They can listen to the Word, instead of an ambassador from heaven.”
The rich man persisted. He must have made his money in sales:
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Here is the clearest possible teaching about the effectiveness of the Word. Everyone would agree that seeing someone rise from the dead, as the rich man proposed, would be very special.
There may even be ironic humor here, since only one man is named here – Lazarus, in a parable. One man named Lazarus did rise from the dead – in John’s Gospel, but that did not convert the religious opponents. Instead they plotted to kill Lazarus with Jesus, to liquidate the proof that Jesus fulfilled all the Messianic promises.
KJV John 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
The miracle-mongers of today put on a great show, and say they inspire faith. But they really destroy faith. They pretend to take away the cross of illness, pain, and suffering. Those who are cruelly persuaded then become bitter that God will not give them permanent relief from their problems. All they need to do is offer the Word of God, and the miracles will follow. God certain provides daily miracles, as those of faith discern with their own eyes.
One of the greatest miracles of all takes place when the Word consecrates the elements, and Christ is present in both natures, human and divine, for Holy Communion. And yet this great miracle is denied and denounced by so many.
Not long ago we counted up the floods we have experienced first hand: the Mississippi in 1965, the Midland flood in 1987, the St. Louis flood in 1992-3, and the New Ulm flood in 1998. In normal weather, a bridge is taken for granted. During floods, bridges are often closed due to the dangers of crossing on one. Suddenly, a bridge is very important for a number of reasons. If all the bridges are out, all activities are curtailed.
God has given us a bridge to Christ – the Means of Grace – the Word and Sacrament. How do we know about forgiveness and have confidence in eternal life – we know that bridge has been provided. Not just one bridge but multiple bridges. Some declare – That is absurd – God does not need a bridge, let alone multiple bridges.
God does not need one, but man does, so God has firmly promised us multiple Means for obtaining His grace.
Quotations
"But the fact is, all Christian doctrines and works, all Christian living, is briefly, clearly and completely comprehended in these two principles, faith and love. They place man as a medium between God and his neighbor, to receive from above and distribute below."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 145.
"For if I love God I love also His will. Now, when God sends us sickness, poverty, shame and disgrace, that is His will. But what do we do under such circumstances? We thunder, scold and growl, and bear it with great impatience...But God does not want this. He wants us to accept His will with joy and love, and this we are too tardy in doing."
Sermons of Martin Luther, V, p. 26.
"The Word and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are materials with which He builds. Though the dwelling is not altogether completed, yet through His grace and love it is accepted of God."
Sermons of Martin Luther, III, p. 322.
"To this end Christ is presented to us as an inexhaustible fountain, Who at all times overflows with pure goodness and grace. And for such goodness and kindness He accepts nothing, except that the good people, who acknowledge such kindness and grace, thank Him for it, praise and love Him, although others despise Him for it."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, V, p. 329.
"See, this is what James means when he says, 2:26: 'Faith apart from works is dead.' For as the body without the soul is dead, so is faith without works. Not that faith is in man and does not work, which is impossible. For faith is a living, active thing. But in order that men may not deceive themselves and think they have faith when they have not, they are to examine their works, whether they also love their neighbors and do good to them."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, V, p. 71.
"Thirdly, Christ shows love is still greater, in that He exercises it where it is lost and receives ingratitude from the majority; ten lepers were cleansed and only one thanks Him, on the nine His love is lost. If He would have made use of justice here instead of love, as men are accustomed to do and nature teaches, He would have made them all lepers again."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, V, p. 75
"This is a true definition of marriage: Marriage is the God-appointed and legitimate union of man and woman in the hope of having children or at least for the purpose of avoiding fornication and sin and living to the glory of God. The ultimate purpose is to obey God, to find aid and counsel against sin; to call upon God; to seek, love, and educate children for the glory of God; to live with one's wife in the fear of God and to bear the cross; but if there are no children, nevertheless to live with one's wife in contentment; and to avoid all lewdness with others."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols. ed. Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 884. Genesis 24:1-4
"Love toward their mother is not so great in children as the love of their mother toward them, as the proverb has it: Amor descendit, non ascendit, Love is a plant that grows downward rather than upward."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 138.
"The first destroyers of their own children are those who neglect them and knowingly permit them to grow up without the training and admonition of the Lord. Even if they do not harm them by a bad example, they still destroy them by yielding to them. They love them too much according to the flesh and pamper them, saying: They are children, they do not understand what they are doing. And they are speaking the truth. But neither does a dog or a horse understand what it is doing. However, see how they learn to go, to come, to obey, to do and leave undone what they do not understand...These parents will, therefore, bear the sins of their children because they make these sins their own."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, I, p. 139.
"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, III, p. 1411f.
"You must always have the Word of God in your heart, on your lips, and in your ears. Where the heart is idle and the Word does not ring out, the devil breaks in and has done damage before we are aware of it. On the other hand, such is the power of the Word if it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used that it is never without fruit. It always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devotion and purifies the heart and thoughts. For these are not inert or dead but active and living words. Martin Luther, What Luther Says, III, p. 1467.
"Consequently, I say to my worst enemies: Where it is only my own person that is involved, there I am very willing to help you and to do everything good for you in spite of the fact that you are my enemy and that all you ever do for me is to harm me. But where it is the Word of God that is involved, there you must not expect any friendship or love that I may have for you to persuade me to do something against that, even if you were my nearest and dearest friend. But since you cannot endure the Word, I will speak this prayer over you: May God dash you to the ground! I shall willingly serve you, but not in order to help you overthrow the Word of God. For this purpose you will never be able to persuade me even to give you a drink of water."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, III, p. 1480.
"The apostle does not mean to say that children are not to be rebuked or beaten, but that they are to be chastized in love; but parents are not to vent their furious temper on them, unconcerned about the way to correct the error of their children. For when the spirit has been cowed, one is of no use for anything and despairs of everything, is timid is doing and undertaking everything. And, what is worse, this timidity, implanted during the tender years, can almost never thereafter be eradicated. For since they have learned to be frightened at every word of their parents, they are subsequently afraid of even a rustling leaf or a tree."
Martin Luther, What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 412.
"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.
"But Christ was given for this purpose, namely, that for His sake there might be bestowed on us the remission of sins, and the Holy Ghost to bring forth in us new and eternal life, and eternal righteousness [to manifest Christ in our hearts, as it is written John 16:15: 'He shall take of the things of Mine, and show them unto you.' Likewise, He works also other gifts, love, thanksgiving, charity, patience, etc.]. Wherefore the Law cannot be truly kept unless the Holy Ghost is given." Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV, Justification, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 159. Tappert, p. 125. Romans 3:31; John 16:15.
"Moreover, neither contrition nor love or any other virtue, but faith alone is the sole means and instrument by which and through which we can receive and accept the grace of God, the merit of Christ, and the forgiveness of sins, which are offered to us in the promise of the Gospel." Formula of Concord, Thorough Declaration, III 31 Righteousness Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 925.