Greg,
Thank you for the commendation. You are somewhat of an enigma. When I read your posts in various places other than Ichabod, I see a different person. When I read your books I see a different person than what I read on Ichabod. First impressions are hard to shake. My first encounter with you was Ichabod and it made me quite angry. It did start me on a journey and I have seen things along the way. I have learned and re-learned things I had forgotten. For that I am thankful. When I was a younger man the end justified the means. That philosophy has changed as I grow older. I get the big picture of what you are trying to accomplish on Ichabod, but I do call into question the means. And I mean that sincerely.
Peace,
Joe
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GJ - I always said Ichabod was a polemical blog, and polemical writings have a respected role in Christian theology. Look at how many works are titled "Against..."
The Enthusiasts of WELS have introduced their errors in a calm, smooth, beguiling way. One graduate of Mequon said Valleskey delivered Church Growth like an injection right to the arteries, but the same professor acted as if he was forced into studying CG for that odious conference paper he gave, arguing that figs do come from thistles.
The Shrinkers are nasty, dishonest, and greedy. I did what I could using all the normal channels in the past, and I published my research with my name on it. The WELS pastors and laity cheered silently from the sidelines but did nothing about it.
Joe has a good example of how they work in his own congregation. Patterson and Gurgle are moving within three miles of his Round Rock mission congregation.
Shrinkers say, "You are not being brotherly" whenever someone talks to them about their errors, which is something they demand (Matthew 18) but still treat as a sin.
How brotherly is it to destroy a neighboring mission in the name of outreach?
The Shrinkers have done this repeatedly, because their fragile egos demand it.
Joe, you are honest about your opinions. I am very pessimistic about WELS and the ELS, but I am optimistic about the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace.
