The Intrepids (sic) have published their last word--for the moment--supporting UOJ.
Once again, the remnants of the Synodical Conference have retreated into historical navel-gazing. They might have addressed nagging Scriptural issues from the Gospel of John, but they have erected a defensive position behind Manthey-Zorn. That reminds me that the wrath (Zorn - German for wrath) of Marcus Manthey got them ducking and running from a good post on The Guilt Factory's ridiculous Buzzing Together materials.
They did not have the fortitude to deal with the organized opposition, so they began meandering around UOJ-land, the very issue they criticized.
I am sure Zorn was a nice guy and had good things to say here and there, but do Lutherans subscribe to his writings? Who really cares what happened in the 19th century Midwest when the 21st century leaders cannot explain, teach, or comprehend the Book of Concord?
Two handy tools to address the issue would be the Scriptures and the Confessions. However, the ruling norm (the Word of God) and the ruled norm (the Book of Concord) are painfully clear on justification by faith.
The argumentation is so confused and weak that addressing it is like trying to put the feathers back in a pillow during a cyclone. The Ohio Synod, which no longer exists, is suddenly an issue. Thus people must pick between the Missouri Synod of Pietist Walther and the Ohio Synod Pietists. No alternative is given because this is pure manipulation.
One layman has already written to me about the nebulous format on the post (where do the quotes start and stop) and the farrago of fanciful facts.
I found the Ohio Synod language dangerous, but no one I know is talking about God "meeting us half-way." The current LCMS position is Enthusiasm, a fact never addressed. The Wisconsin Sect has excommunicated two families for denying the Kokomo Statements, which are mild compared to other WELS statements. The Me-Too Sect on the Prairie is 100% UOJ and just as hot for Church Growth as WELS and Missouri.
Tomorrow I will write about two basic ways to address the issue of justification by faith.
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LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Synodical Conference Navel Gazing - The Intrepid D...":
There is a motto in salesmanship that is quite technical...when all else fails, dazzle them with BS...seems fitting.
"Just say 'no' to Kokomo"...hmmm...I thought someone already did...oh wait...can I have a mulligan????
