Churchmouse has been publishing on the topic of Diaprax. Here is his latest post.
The best way to advance an agenda is to make dissent a sin. From that point on, anything can be forced upon the unwilling, because someone who speaks up is:
- violating Matthew 18 and the Eighth Commandment,
- unloving,
- unbrotherly,
- over-zealous,
- evil,
- full of hatred,
- full of himself,
- on a power trip,
- wound tight,
- getting even,
- jealous,
- bitter,
- and mentally ill.
The reprisals are not reserved for the individual alone, but for every member of his family and anyone suspected of being friends. It is considered good form to walk up to someone's friend with an accusation like this, "I suppose you agree with your friend about..." The idea is to isolate anyone who might have an original thought.
I remember what a struggle it was just to convene a circuit meeting in Columbus. For years, VP Kuske and the Circuit Pastor avoided circuit meetings required by the constitution. (Typical UOJ Antinomianism) When we finally had one, a layman was primed to start the meeting, shouting "We have a rule in our company. No one is allowed to come to a meeting with negative thinking." Although circuit meetings are supposed to address problems, it was clear that would be a sin of the worst order. Ditto - conference meetings.
I was at a CLC meeting where almost the same thing was expressed, as if questioning false doctrine would make the micro-mini sect fall apart in a flash. I was ready for that one, so I asked who leaked the letter to Herman Otten, another grave sin in Lutherdom. The group fell into a nervous, guilty silence.
Luther should inform the Lutheran response. Remember him from Reformation Sunday? Luther applied the Word to all situations and accepted the consequences. Unlike the queasy Methodists running the show today, he understood the Old and New Testament doctrine of the efficacy of the Word alone.
The issue is - What does the Word of God say?
As soon as people ask, "What does Synod say," Diaprax is established and growing.
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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Diaprax and Dissent": A good example of this is the response from a Holy Mother Synod District President to the clear presentation of (W)ELS plagiarism and false teachings noted in Rick's (St. Peter, Appleton) post on his Light from Light blog:
The concern is that the Intrepid Lutherans use of God’s Word to publicly question doctrine and practice in the WELS is causing division and bad public relations. Recently, the Intrepid Lutherans criticized the sin of plagiarism, and also pointed out problems with the synod wide “Walking Together Sunday” service. In response, at least one District President has counseled the Intrepid Lutherans to close shop.
http://vdma.wordpress.com/2010/10/11/wels-and-the-intrepid-lutherans/
False doctrine and practice are being condoned and promoted when protecting (and misrepresenting) the reputation of the Synod supersedes faithfulness to Christ, His Word and the Lutheran Confessions, all of which should be the sole guide and rule for truly Lutheran churches and administrative groups.
