The courses I teach overlap all year, so my only real vacation takes place during the two weeks around Christmas. Sometimes the ebb and flow of courses happens so that I get a mini-break, but that is rare and not especially welcome.
I will have another round of editing the justification book during this vacation. I will start with a new template, since Word is fickle with format changes. If all goes well I can move a lot of material to the appendices, so the information is there without getting in the way. I am suffering from dissertation disease, where I want to save every snippet and use it. One of my better professors called it "endless paint mixing without ever painting the picture."
The latest comments from readers have been quite useful in framing the discussion. The reason may be their fresh approach to the subject, contrasted to clergy endlessly circling the same talking points learned in sem dog class.
Concordia, Ft. Wayne is dealing with Eduard (not Edward) Preuss, one of the champions of UOJ, with his justified Hottentots, Hindoos, and Eskimeaux. He joined the Roman Catholic Church afterward and defended papal doctrines with this thought - "Give me the documentation and I can prove anything." (See Fuerbringer's books.)
Any new research is welcome, and I expect more from the person (not I) who discovered the Knapp connection to UOJ.
The ultimate solution is Biblical, but historical insights are worthwhile, too. For example, all the UOJ insights come from a limited number of theologians in a period far removed from the Reformation. Yet we are expected to believe that these minor figures trump the Book of Concord and the Scriptures themselves.
Adding to the confusion, the ever-shifting terminology of these minor figures is supposed to be held up and admired by all. What is general justification, a term they no longer use? Why did objective justification replace it and become universal objective justification? One astute pastor, trained with the musty dog notes of Mequon, said, "Universal? Where did that come from?"
Readers will notice that synod minders took over the Intrepids (sic) right away, after dealing briefly with one issue. Rydecki and Webber are a two-man comedy team, displaying their inability to deal with false doctrine surrounding them, and their slavish devotion to Holy Mother Synod. No one would guess that Rydecki once breathed fire about The CORE and Fox Valley.
As the great Henry Eyster Jacobs noted, the Word of God is different from seed in one respect.
"The efficacy of the Word, unlike that of the seed, always has a result. The man to whom the Word of God comes, and who repels it, is not as he was before. Where long and persistently refused, hardening at last comes, Exodus 8:15; 9:12; John 12:40; Hebrews 4:1, and the Word becomes a 'savor of death unto death,' 2 Corinthians 2:16. Every word heard or read, every privilege and opportunity enjoyed, leaves its impress either for good or for evil. It is not so properly the Word, as man's abuse of the Word; not so much the efficacy of the Word, as the sin taking occasion of the efficacy that produces this result, Romans 7:8."
Henry Eyster Jacobs, Elements of Religion, Philadelphia, Board of Publication, General Council 1919 p. 155. Exodus 8:15; 9:12; John 12:40; Hebrews 4:1; 2 Corinthians 2:16; Romans 7:8
People are not the same after handling the Word. The Word changes people even when they use it as a political toy, to advance their careers and dazzle the naive. Pursuing the Pietistic illusion of universal absolution will harden hearts and turn Lutherans into apostates, whether they become outspoken atheists or indifferent Universalists. UOJ is a great way to excuse anything, because everyone is already forgiven. Young Shrinker, old atheist. Examples are: Robert Schumann, Mark Freier, Curt Peterson - all WELS Shrinker heroes.
Has anyone noticed that the flowering of UOJ in the ELS and WELS has been followed by the notion that both sects are wrecked, dying, beyond all hope? That has happened after the greatest influx of loot, per member, ever seen by tiny denominations. Money was going to solve all their problems.
At least two synod leaders in WELS have said, "It's too late." The physicians fear their patient is dying while they continue to administer the same poison. A caring physician would say, "Stop eating lead chips." But these physicians polish the lead to make it pretty. Fresh lead looks like silver. I am told it tastes sweet, which makes sense. The Romans once used it to turn sour wine sweet after a long journey toward the capital. The wealthy wondered why they were sterile and a wee bit crazy.
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bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Publishing News":
Jackson: "Any new research is welcome, and I expect more from the person (not I) who discovered the Knapp connection to UOJ."
Bruce Church: You will not be disappointed in any way, shape or form.
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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Publishing News":
I offer this tidbit for what it is worth. Lead, like mercury is a heavy metal. When ingested into the human body, it bonds very tightly to soft, fatty tissue, especially the brain. Lead is also soft and slippery, especially when used in alloys. Sometimes a small amount will alter the physical characteristics greatly. I will leave it to the Ichabod readers to draw their own analogies.
