Here a Mequon professor demonstrates.
Lutheran pastors and leaders must begin with the efficacy of the Word, or, from another perspective, the work of Holy Spirit through the Word. If that is not foundational, everything else will be an error.
There are two reasons why Lutherans have fallen into Church Shrinkage, Receptionism, Pietism, and the road to Rome. All are aspects of Enthusiasm.
One is they have never learned the efficacy of the Word, how the Holy Spirit is never without the Word, the Word never without the Holy Spirit.
The second reason is their habit of getting into bed with the false teachers while excusing it.
Lutherans lost their nerve many decades ago, perhaps because they were led (in all synods) by a host of historical-critical apostates. WELS had them. Missouri fostered them. The LCA/ALC bred them. That may be why they forgot about teaching the divine efficacy of the Word.
Ecumenical gatherings made the paraments look greener on the other side. Baptists sang more joyfully. Romanists did pageantry to perfection. Pentecostals demonstrated how much could be accomplished with a cardboard building and fanatical adherents.
What the Lutheran Enthusiasts lack in doctrinal discernment they make up in sanctimony. Anyone who offends their Enthusiasm is ordered, anonymously, to repent. Telling the truth about them is not allowed.
