was the Lutheran Church's first union theologian.
The Mennonites - and other members of the Radical Reformation - are famous for shunning people. If a member of their community steps out of line, they stop speaking to him and doing business with him.
Martin Luther did not do that. His worst enemy, a repeat offender, was the Antinomian named Agricola. He sheltered the pathological liar in his own house, time after time.
The Syn Conference shows its Pietistic heritage by shunning those who question the purity and sanctity of Holy Mother (fill in the blank) Synod. The same people who wanted free books and free overnight lodging will look through the invisible presence, the one who cannot be named.
A murderous adulterer is welcome because, well, just because. He may even be a youth leader to show how forgiving that font of grace can be. So overfull of grace that contrition and faith in the Gospel are not needed.
But do not forget - the same predestinating arm, that once was raised in blessing, can reach for the SHUN! stamp when necessary, for the good of the Church.
Lutherans have this advantage, since they are mixed with false teachers and other parasites. They do not need to travel to Brazil to convert the heathen. They can start with their own circuits, their own conferences, their own districts. They can also work on their college and seminary professors, with the hope that the Word will convert them to the apostolic faith.
This is slow and frustrating work, earning far more biffs and shin-kicks than kudos and thanks. Luther said we must be willing to be struck in the mouth for the cause of the Gospel. To this day people do not tire of demeaning the Reformer and his theology, yet no one has done more to advance forgiveness and thwart false doctrine.
In the end, the only advantage we may receive is to make ourselves clearer about Biblical doctrine and to share this treasure with our family. But that is far better than gaining a multi-site church and losing one's soul.
