WELS Church and Change Eats This Up - Mequon Grad is DP for LCMS - Devours Sweet and Jeske

WELS-trained LCMS DP loves Sweet.
He is also gonzo for Jeske.
Heather has two mommies?
But Jeske has two DPs.
GJ Note - Wolves run in packs and kill for fun.

http://www.crosstalkblog.com/2010/09/new-age-teacher-leonard-sweet-coming-to-a-church-near-you-crosstalk-thursday/

New Age Teacher Leonard Sweet–Coming to a Church Near You? Crosstalk Thursday

Posted by Ingrid Schlueter in New Spirituality, Religion on September 8th, 2010 | 9 responses

Thursday’s Crosstalk will be addressing the increasingly popular teachings of Dr. Leonard Sweet. Tune in live at 2pm Central or listen to the archived show later.

Dr. Leonard Sweet is making his way into otherwise conservative evangelical churches, schools, colleges and organizations by speaking on things like postmodern culture and theology or “education in the age of Google.” But why would pastors and teachers from churches and institutions that are supposedly faithful to biblical Christianity promote and listen to a panentheist and New Age teacher like Leonard Sweet? Guest Sandy Simpson will explain what Leonard believes and teaches. It’s shocking. We will also be offering Warren Smith’s excellent book, A Wonderful Deception, which contains an entire chapter on Sweet and his “Quantum Spirituality.” During the program, we will address Leonard Sweet’s recent attempts to distance himself from his earlier book, and point out that he continues to promote eastern mysticism.

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is one supposedly biblical denomination that has increasingly brought Leonard Sweet in for teachers conferences, convocations and educational seminars as keynote speaker. The South Wisconsin District of the LCMS is bringing Sweet in for a full DAY seminar at Lake Country Lutheran High School. (October 9, 2010) But why? Why would those who claim to believe in the authority of Scripture and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ bring in someone who thanks occultist David Spangler for his spiritual influence? (See below.) As preparation for the broadcast, please see this excerpt below from former New Ager Warren Smith’s book chapter on Leonard Sweet and his Quantum Spirituality. It’s a warning about how heretical occult teachings are no longer viewed as such in many churches. Unless God’s people learn to biblically discern these things, they are easy targets for deception.
Here’s the excerpt:

Leonard Sweet, in acknowledging Willis Harman, Matthew Fox, M. Scott Peck, and the others he refers to as “New Light leaders” in [his book] Quantum Spirituality, states:

I believe these are among the most creative religious leaders in America today. These are the ones carving out channels for new ideas to flow. In a way this book was written to guide myself through their channels and chart their progress. The book’s best ideas come from them.

Speaking of spiritual “channels,” Sweet expresses his personal gratitude in [his book] Quantum Spiritualityto channeler and veteran New Age leader, David Spangler. Spangler, in attempting to cast off the negative stereotype of a New Age channeler, would now more likely describe himself as a conscious intuitive.

A pioneering spokesperson for the New Age, Spangler has written numerous bookslieves over the years that include Emergence: The Rebirth of the Sacred, Revelation: The Birth of a New Age, and Reimagination of the World: A Critique of the New Age, Science, and Popular Culture. His book Revelation: The Birth of a New Ageis a compilation of channeled transmissions he received from his disembodied spiritguide “John.”
At one point in Revelation, Spangler documents what “John” prophesied about “the energies of the Cosmic Christ” and “Oneness”:

As the energies of the Cosmic Christ become increasingly manifest within the etheric life of Earth, many individuals will begin to respond with the realization that the Christ dwells within them. They will feel his presence moving within and through them and will begin to awaken to their heritage of Christhood and Oneness with God, the Beloved.

Unbelievably, in a modern-day consultation that bears more than a casual resemblance to King Saul’s consultation with the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7), Leonard Sweet acknowledges in Quantum Spirituality that he was privately corresponding with channeler David Spangler. In Quantum Spirituality, Sweet writes about what he calls his “new cell” understanding of New Light leadership, then closes his book by thanking Spangler for “his help in formulating this ‘new cell’ understanding of New Light Leadership.” Sweet writes:

Philosopher Eric Voegelin’s word “cosmion” refers to “a well ordered thing that has the character of the universe.” New Lights offer up themselves as the cosmions of a mind-of-Christ consciousness. As a cosmion incarnating the cells of a new body, New Lights will function as transitional vessels through which transforming energy can renew the divine image in the world, moving postmoderns from one state of embodiment to another. I am grateful to David Spangler for his help in formulating this “new cell” understanding of New Light leadership…

Leonard Sweet’s Quantum Spirituality and David Spangler’s The Reimagination of the World were both published in 1991. It seems obvious from their books that both men are attempting to distance themselves from the more faddish, consumer-oriented elements of the New Age—but without actually dispensing with the term New Age itself. To the casual reader, it might look like Spangler and Sweet are actually speaking against the New Age.

In fact, quotes taken out of context might even make it appear this is true. But this is definitely not the case. Sweet and Spangler are just doing some New Age/New Spirituality public relations. They are both redefining and refining the term New Age as they try to strip the term of its Shirley MacClainesque pop aspects and put it more in the realm of seemingly authoritative science.

The term New Age would no longer be associated with occult spiritual beliefs but rather with a period of time—a new era—in which their seemingly scientifically based spiritual beliefs would manifest. It would no longer be a New Age Spirituality. It would now be a universal “New Spirituality” for a new era—the coming “New Age.” This New Age would be equated with a planetary era and a planetary ethic that would reflect a passionate concern for the environment and all of humanity. This new era would also reflect the new “civility” called for by Sweet’s “hero,” the late New Age leader M. Scott Peck. (Online source)

LCMS Tuition Robbery

bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Maybe Because Bruce Church Told the Truth about Sk...":

The LCMS is on a different trajectory than other shrinking denominations. Liberal denominations closed and consolidated seminaries as needed, and they always kept tuition low. Even now you can attend many liberal seminaries for $5 or $6 grand per year, much less than the $21,600 LCMS seminaries cost for the M Div programs.

Now students can't afford an M Div, so they are going alternative routes, according to the stats. Some fear not receiving a call, or being weeded out, so why get an M Div?

Meanwhile, the workers at synod HQ and in the districts are pulling down handsome salaries, and Kieschnick is currently trying to sell his $640k McMansion. Moreover, retirement age pastors are getting their salaries and pensions at the same time so they never retire, even as the synod loses 25,000 members per year. Concordia Seminary St Louis endowment fund is up to $80 million.

I think that the high salaries are a contributing cause to why the synod is going south in membership. But the LCMS leaders would rather keep their exorbitant salaries than turn the synod around. As in the liberal denominations, they are content to run the synod into the ground as long as they are being paid handsomely.

Time of Jeske

John has left a new comment on your post "WELS, LCMS, Or Just Plain New Age?":

Jeske isn't worth the time to listen to/watch, regardless of the initials that follow his name.

TOG is all about Jeske/donations/buying CD's and DVD's. Nowhere can one find him directing folks to a church or pastor near them to learn more about their salvation. You've got to tune in to TOG.

Mark and avoid TOG. Isn't it ironic when one considers Jeske's first name?

Romans 4 - From Luther versus the UOJ Pietists - The New Draft

Chapter: Exegetical Essay on Justification

Biblical passages have been abused to promote the false doctrine of Universal Objective Justification. People need to be armed against the frequent claims that “God has already declared the entire world forgiven.” The following pages will show that the UOJ argumentation is groundless and a base perversion of the Word of God. These studies began with laymen urging me to study these issues, so I am writing this chapter with them in mind. For that reason I am using my Greek text but offering an explanation that does not require knowledge of that language.

The LCMS Brief Statement

Of Justification

17. Holy Scripture sums up all its teachings regarding the love of God to the world of sinners, regarding the salvation wrought by Christ, and regarding faith in Christ as the only way to obtain salvation, in the article of justification. Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 4:25; that therefore not for the sake of their good works, but without the works of the Law, by grace, for Christ's sake, He justifies, that is, accounts as righteous, all those who believe, accept, and rely on, the fact that for Christ's sake their sins are forgiven. Thus the Holy Ghost testifies through St. Paul: "There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," Rom. 3:23, 24. And again: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law," Rom. 3:28.

The Missouri Synod approved the Brief Statement of 1932, the final effort of Francis Pieper, who was drafted by C. F. W. Walther to follow… in his steps. Unfortunately, many have treated this document as superior to the Book of Concord, supplanting the Confessions by making the Brief Statement of a Midwestern sect the final word on all doctrinal matters. Since this paragraph ties their doctrine to three passages, they need to be examined in context.

Romans 4:25 and 5:19

“The sins of the world were forgiven the moment Christ rose from the dead.”
KJV Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

That is a common claim, one that bears scrutiny. If the verse does not say what is claimed, the false foundation is removed. Clearly, the citation is only part of a statement, but the statement itself is found within the context of a chapter. We all know that chapter divisions in the Bible are rather arbitrary, assigned many centuries after the fact. Nevertheless, they follow the change in themes clearly visible in Romans.

Romans 4

Romans 4 has a theme, clearly articulated. The chapter teaches us about Abraham as the father of faith. He is the example to follow in this matter of justification, being declared free of sin by God.

KJV Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

In Romans, Paul offers the alternatives of faith or works, justification by faith (already established) or justification by works.

KJV Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

KJV Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Throughout the Bible and the Confessions, justification is always justification by faith, as the most ardent UOJ advocates have admitted. This is especially true of Abraham, because the issue is raised – How was he counted or reckoned as righteous?

Romans 4: 9Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

No one can claim from this section that anyone is counted righteous without faith.

KJV Romans 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: 12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

The champions of UOJ rail against faith, belittling faith, mocking faith as if it were bad, dangerous, and a work of man! This shows the effect of false doctrine, hardening and blinding men, so they see what God extols as bad. Abraham was not righteous because of a work—circumcision—but received circumcision as the seal of the righteousness of faith.
Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcision:

KJV Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Abraham was justified by faith before God commanded circumcision, which can be seen in the time between his justification and the instigation of circumcision.

KJV Genesis 17:10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised.

Lenksi:
Abraham’s faith was so reckoned. His faith reached out to the Heir, to Christ. The moment it did this it became in God’s accounting perfect righteousness for him. He is our spiritual father, and all of us, like him, are accounted righteous by God in the same blessed way. He is never our ancestor due only to an outward religious connection of Christianity with Judaism.
4) There are two kinds of reckoning. Paul carefully distinguished between them, for only the one kind applies here. Now to the one working the pay is not reckoned according to grace but according to obligation; but to one not working (at all) but (only) believing on him who declares the ungodly one righteous his faith is reckoned for righteousness.
Lenski, R. C. H. (1936). The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (291). Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern.

Romans 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

This language is especially important, because it is reflected in one of the Formula of Concord’s articles – The Righteousness of Faith. One of the best ways to change doctrine is to get people used to a new vocabulary. The righteousness of faith bridges the historical gap between Paul, the 1580 Book of Concord, and us. New terms and meanings must come from the outside, alien to the long line of faithful Gospel teachers. Objective Justification, Subjective Justification, General Justification, and Universal Justification are new words, foreign to Lutherans and opposed to the clear and precise Promises of God.

10] These treasures are offered us by the Holy Ghost in the promise of the holy Gospel; and faith alone is the only means by which we lay hold upon, accept, and apply, and appropriate them to ourselves. 11] This faith is a gift of God, by which we truly learn to know Christ, our Redeemer, in the Word of the Gospel, and trust in Him, that for the sake of His obedience alone we have the forgiveness of sins by grace, are regarded as godly and righteous by God the father, and are eternally saved.
Book of Concord, Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article III, The Righteousness of Faith.

KJV Romans 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, 17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Faith is not opposed to grace because the word means trust in God, Who moves us to believe in His mercy in Christ because of the Holy Spirit working in the Gospel Promises. This is the Christ-centered and God-glorifying doctrine of the Christian Church, no matter who has changed or diluted or amalgamated it. True, the revivalists have damaged the original Biblical meaning of faith, by making man’s faith a healing and saving virtue. But, to paraphrase Luther, we should not be like the man who knifed his brother to death when trying to protect him from an attacking bear. The solution to revivalism and New Age salvation-by-positive-thinking is to teach against it, using the Word of God as a weapon, not to copy and paste sermons and ape their pathetic attempts at entertainment evangelism.

Romans 4:22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness

The context is Abraham believing he will be the father of many nations and acting on that Promise of God. Once again, this important term “imputed” (counted, reckoned) is used. He believed and he was counted righteous. His actions were works of faith, which glorify God, not works of the Law, which cause men to boast (see the Pharisee and the publican parable).

Highpoint of Romans 4

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

The Holy Spirit revealed through Paul that Abraham was the first of many, not just a single figure in the Bible. The Word of God teaches us that we are also counted righteous (imputation, reckoning) if we believe on Him that raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. The entire sentence should be quoted and cited and not just Romans 4:25 in a misleading way.
Romans 4:25 explains the glorious work of God in the Atonement (delivered for our offences) and the resurrection. There is no claim that the world was absolved of its sin and forgiven the moment Christ rose from the dead.

Lenski:
“Our” transgressions, “our” being declared righteous, as in other similar expressions, speak of the believers alone because in them the purpose of Christ’s death and his resurrection is fully realized. The fact that Christ died also for those who deny him and bring swift destruction on themselves (2 Pet. 2:1) does not need to be introduced here. The two “our” prevent us from making “because of our justification” signify the justification of the whole world instead of “our justification,” “our” referring to us believers (personal justification). It is this justification with which the entire chapter deals and constantly also emphasizes faith.
Lenski, R. C. H. (1936). The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans (328–329). Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern.

Transition to Romans 5:1-2

The highpoint of Romans 4 is the transition to Romans 5:1-2, the classic statement of justification by faith. All of Romans 4 should be read as the introduction to Romans 5 – that is, as an extended explanatory passage teaching faith in the Word of God. Very much like the Gospel of John, Paul begins with a spiritual truth and expands upon it by repetition, giving more and more meaning to the term as it is repeated and explained. Justification by faith in Romans 3, 4, and 5 is like the Bread of Life in John 6 or the Good Shepherd in John 10.

KJV Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

To derive justification without faith (UOJ) from Romans 4:25, right in the middle of Paul’s justification by faith chapters, is an act of criminal dishonesty. The Missouri Synod absorbed the toxins of UOJ slowly, not even reflecting them in their 1905 catechism. Once established as a doctrinal norm, UOJ sped the transition to the doctrines of Enthusiasm and the works of the flesh.

Appreciation

Jukjs2 (http://openid.aol.com/jukjs2) has left a new comment on your post "From a WELS Blog":

I think the reason these CORE people find traditional WELS pastors boring is because they find the Gospel boring. They think the means of grace are boring. The constant repetition of bland praise choruses is boring to me. Sermons that contain nothing but Third Use of Law bore me to tears. Therapeutic "practical' sermons have me looking at my watch and humming eighties pop hits.

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Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "Appreciation":

For those of you who think Dr. Jackson and Ichabod are way off-base in their description of WELS and its leadership, read the series of posts under "From a WELS Blog." Notice "gvonseng" and "electricoptimist" do not post their real names.

Notice the tone of their posts, all attacks. Notice the usage of terms like "pharisee". Did someone warn you that's how you would be answered by a CORE member or the WELS leadership? Hmmmm?

Now, contrast Daniel Baker and myself. Notice I use my real name, and I'll assume Mr. Baker does the same. Mr. Baker has done a fine job of expressing his concerns about the CORE. I attempt to do the same, although I am guilty of using a bad pun or two. Notice our lack of childish name-calling and such. The differences are plain to see.

So,"gvongseng" and "electricoptimist" feel free to continue following false teachers and munch popcorn in a theater. Please, leave the WELS to the true Confessional Lutherans who are still around. We would rather be in the throne room of a King.
Scott E. Jungen

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Daniel Baker has left a new comment on your post "Appreciation":

Mr. Jungen is completely right in his analysis. I've had to turn on the "moderate comments feature" do to some of these people, not because they have content I'm afraid of, but because they are using profane and grotesque insults. It's rather disturbing.

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Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "Appreciation":

Daniel,

Thank you. I believe people attacking you is a sign that they cannot refute your arguments, so they turn to name-calling and foul language. Keep up the good work.

Scott E. Jungen

Emulsifying Pastors

Popcorn theater churches depend on emulsifying pastors.

Oil and water do not mix. If someone attempts a mixture, they soon separate. Keeping them blended requires an emulsifier.

Sound doctrine does not mix with false doctrine, so how can Enthusiasm be sneaked into a congregation, school, or synod? Emulsifying pastors make it happen. They are not completely loyal to one area (orthodoxy) or the alternative (Enthusiasm), but argue for the mixture to remain in suspension.

Too many people focus on the easy targets, whose fanatical devotion shows they are completely in the camp of Enthusiasm. This blog has fallen into that temptation more than once. The midwives of full-blown apostasy enable this treachery with their clever statements:
1. This is a g-r-e-y area of Scripture. (Stretch out g-r-e-y in an agony of contemplation.)
2. That c-a-n be understood correctly. (Stretch out c-a-n, as if considering a new element, a work of art, or a table loaded with food.)
3. We should spoil the Egyptians, repeating an old slogan, never hinting that Augustine never meant to copy pagan religion but to use the tools of the classical age.

An emulsifying agent creates a blend, and emulsifying pastors argue for:

1. Blended worship.
   
2. Blended doctrine.

The emulsifier argues that his orthodoxy, his DNA, and his superb training allow him to hold Lutheran doctrine and Enthusiasm in suspension, an explosive blend guaranteed to yield enthusiastic Lutherans.

The three partners of the Synodical Conference have promoted this view, as subtle as a zephyr, for decades. The results are obvious, but no one wants to admit anything. The emulsifying pastors never cease their work, acting shocked if anyone asks questions, falling into memory lapses when the facts are repeated - as if that mattered. "I am not sure about that." "I don't remember that." The emulsifying pastors have changed worship to match their agenda: Blended worship - a mixture of Emergent Church paganism and good ol' fashioned Lutheranism. They even have a blogs to promote their emulsion - Blended Worship is just one of them.

Here is one example, found on a blog called Blended Worship. Worship really is "purpose" driven. (WELS pastor Aaron Christie, article in a WELS publication.) Let's look at the footnote references:
1. Apology, Augsburg Confession.
2. Timothy Maschke, Gathered Guests. LCMS author - liturgical.
3. Reggie McNeal of Emergent Church fame.
4. Rick Warren - whose motto is copied in the title.
5. David Valleskey - the WELS emulsifier-in-chief.
6. Marva Dawn - Missouri's expert in women's ordination.

Two Lutheran references lead people into the non-Lutheran agenda - four references. Clever.

Rev. Marva Dawn, LCMS

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gangloff (http://gangloff.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Emulsifying Pastors":

In case you ever thought Eve was foolish, there are people today who will sell their souls for popcorn. Worse still are the people who offer the popcorn. Next time look around for the Devil. You might actually see him.

Why Are Apostate Leaders So Bitterly Opposed To Their Own Heritage?

Apostate leaders have one advantage over all their opponents. People assume the apostate leader can be persuaded based upon their common tradition. They take a box of chocolates to a knife fight and wonder why they end up bleeding to death.

An apostate is someone who has fallen away from the faith, a former believer. That perspective is essential in understanding how these people work.

They turn against their past to advance themselves and do not like to be reminded about what they no longer believe. People think they are reminding the DP of what he knows and believes, but the meeting comes across as a guilty conscience speaking to the DP about his betrayals.

His hardened heart does not want to be reminded. He will strike back, and his victims wonder what happened.

One LCA clergy couple said they were going to meet with their bishop and tell him what was wrong with the LCA. I said, "I know this guy. He cannot stand any kind of confrontation. He will have a colitis attack and say very little, but he will get even every way he can." I suggested they work out a new plan for leaving.

I told one person to expect raging when he met with an LCA pastor. Instead, the man was sugary sweet. But he knew so little that he claimed Christians believed in the Immaculate Conception of Jesus! Next he refused to look up the term in a nearby religious dictionary. I can understand why laity might mix up the Virgin Birth of Christ with the alleged Immaculate Conception of Mary, but a Lutheran pastor should a) know the difference, and b) want to look up the topic.

WELS began as a Pietistic unionistic sect and started to turn Lutheran under the influence of Bading and Hoenecke. Missouri sent some head-slaps their way, too. The 19th century saw a gradual movement away from revivalism and Pietism in the Muhlenberg (LCA) tradition, toward the Book of Concord - thanks to the Henkels and the General Council split.

WELS has returned to its Pietistic and unionistic past, thanks to the unceasing efforts of the Doctrinal Pussycats, college and seminary professors, and lick-spittles. They have added another (lower) level by adopting entertainment seeker services--with food--and New Age paganism. Remember when they denounced Missouri for going liberal and denying it? WELS does that without remorse. Remember how they said, "Synods are like fish, rotting from the head"? Look at The Love Shack and Sausage Factory.

WELS dined out on Missouri unionism for decades. They read Christian News and exclaimed, and I quote, "I thank God every day that I am not in the Missouri Synod." (or like this publican)

WELS' entire program is based on unionism. They go to false teachers to learn, and invite false teachers like Space Cadet Sweet to lecture them. And they love it! Fox Valley devours Groeschel and Swindoll because both men are unionistic Pietists. They are all singing from the same page of the hymnal, and it is "Shine, Jesus, Shine." And the non-Lutherans are making them pay for it, big time.

The WELS (and Missouri) DPs have been promoting unionism, synergism, and entertainment for decades. To go to Englebrecht and complain about unionism, synergism, and entertainment is tantamount to criticizing his mother - Holy Mother WELS, the inerrant and infallible alma mater. Is he going to smile and crack open his Book of Concord?

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clittle (http://clittle.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Why Are Apostate Leaders So Bitterly Opposed To Th...":

The spineless and odious posturing of religious leaders needs to end now. They only provide a disservice to listeners.

From a WELS Blog

Yeast Through Dough

Not Here to Grandstand

There have been a couple of comments recently added to previous posts by people who find what I have written and done as documented in this blog to be wrong or deceitful. In light of this, there are a couple of things I think are pertinent for the reader to understand about this blog.

Firstly, as you can garner for yourself if you systematically read the previous posts here, I created this blog merely as a way to post my experience at the CORE, an endeavor I set out to do after reading all the gossip about the place on the internet. I did so to see if it was really as bad as they say, or if it was simply a case of die-hards not willing to see change in any fashion.

As I outlined in the very first post on this blog, I have no problem with change. There is nothing wrong with casual dress, guitars, and power point screens (in my opinion). If this is all there was to the CORE, I wouldn't care! I'm a college student, I listen to Casting Crowns, Aaron Shust, etc. - I have no problem with such styles of praise. After all, in its day the organ was "new;" I'm sure the individuals raised with Gregorian Chant were adverse to that "change" as well. However, the organ served a useful purpose in the church, in that it allowed a wider variety of music, music which could be participated in by all people. If a powerpoint screen serves the same end by more conveniently displaying the words of a hymn or the Scripture readings, then glory be to God for providing such a tool.

Unfortunately, utilizing "newer" forms of worship is not the "problem" with CORE. The issues I have raised with CORE are largely doctrinal (yes, I outlined such things as the irreverence of popcorn chewing during the prayer, but that was not the main thrust of my post). As I stated in the post, I will state again: The CORE utilized a sermon outline ripped right off of the website LifeChurch.tv, an organization developed by Craig Groeschel. You can read about why Groeschel and his ilk are so harmful to the Church here and here on Intrepid Lutherans.

If my experience at the CORE had been Christ-centered, cross-focused, I would have reported positively here and this blog would have ceased to be viewed any further. Unfortunately, the experience I had at CORE was anything but Christ-centered. As such, I find it prudent that the individuals responsible for this blatant misuse of a "worship service" be brought to task, both the actual perpetrators and their superiors. Unfortunately, save for one individual my letters concerning such have gone unheeded. THAT is why this is such a big deal.

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Scott E. Jungen said...

Daniel,

Well written! As someone slightly older, I thank the Lord for the concern shown for Confessional Lutheranism on this and other sights.

The core of the problem (no pun intended, really!) is that many in the WELS leadership condone and encourage situations like the CORE. (I am a member of the Northern Wisconsin District, 'nuff said.) I would be surprised if any of the others you have written even acknowledge your letter.
Keep up your spirit and the good work.

September 9, 2010 9:49 PM

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samuelthrace said...

You know, you could have gotten a response. Apparantly, you were at the Core. Why didn't you just speak to the pastor about your concerns after the service? I have a feeling that you are more interested in grandstanding on the internet than actually accomplishing something.

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electronicoptimist said...
So you like sermons that lul you into a catatonic state do you? If so.. most other WELS churches are just for you! What is the retention rate in your boring old blue-haired and cotton-topeed member churches once 'kids' go on to non-WELS colleges? Like lefty-leaning liberals in universities.. all you do is churn out the same old same old. Perhaps this is why The Core is growing while others are hurting.
September 9, 2010 12:50 PM

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Daniel Baker said...
Well, if you're in it for entertainment, then by all means go to CORE! Maybe you can bring your ipod so you can listen to it if you get bored during the sermon from LifeChurch.tv.

Are a lot of WELS pastors boring? Yes. Look, I have no problem with change, if done for the right reasons. I have no problem with using a guitar in church. I have no problem updating or using a new liturgy. I have no problem with power point screens.

What I *DO* have a problem with is poor content. Lutheran worship (for that matter, *Christian* worship) is supposed to be Christ-centered, cross-focused. If we're not going to be focused on Christ, why even exist? People can get works-righteous morality from any number of other religions. THAT is the "same old same old."

As I said in my post (did you even read it?), the majority of people in the CORE are WELS members. Is this the "growth" you are looking for?

Unlike you imply, I am one of those "kids" going to a non-WELS college. In fact, I used to be like you, because the WELS church and schools I went to have become progressively more and more like yourself. However, after entering college I had the opportunity to study the book of concord, at which point I realized we are no longer true to the confessions. I find it dubious that WELS churches claim to be true to them, while clearly defying them (like the CORE does).

If you want to be like the other denominations, fine - but don't pretend to be something you're not.
September 9, 2010 1:37 PM

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gvonseng said...
Ski's sermon's are "Totally" Christ based. You sir made a total fool of yourself with this blog. You sound like a pharisee. People wonder why the WELS is a failure. It's your ritualistic pompous attitude that will be it's downfall.
September 9, 2010 4:10 PM

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electronicoptimist said...
I have attended The Core for several months after being a member at Bethany for years. You are wrong in your assessment of The Core and had I seen you snapping pictures of me.. I would have shoved your phone/camera where only the good lord would have found it. I am writing a letter to Pastor Mark Schroeder in defense of these unwaranted attacks from jealous zealots who couldn't draw new members to their church if they were handing out autographed copies of the shroud of turin!

Please advise as to the difference between popcorn and soda and cheerios and sippy cups?

You and your fellow jealous/hating brethren bloggers should be the ones to break away. I'll give you a head start: SMELLS = Stale Moldy Evangelical Lutheran Lunatic Sycophants
September 9, 2010 8:17 PM

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electronicoptimist said...
BTW: Everything in the building (inside and out) was already there. This was a $5M building that went under in a year. Even the TV's were included. Your references to walls lined with flat screen TV's (there are 2) is a gross misrepresentation. Forced fellowship.. give me a break. I worshipped at a WELS church for 9 years and had 2 people the ENTIRE time introduce themselves to me and my family. The church before that was a congregation I was baptized in through the following 25 years. In that time.. unless I was in the church's school and your kids were in school with me.. I didn't know you and rarely got as much as an acknowledgement of my existence. Too bad there wasn't any 'forced fellowship'... I may actually know people when I attend my parent's congregation.
September 9, 2010 8:56 PM

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Daniel Baker said...
So defensive.

Reminds me of a little song.

"The world is sorely grieved
whenever it is slighted,
or when its hollow fame
and honor have been blighted.
Christ, Thy reproach I bear,
long as it pleaseth Thee.
I'm honored by my Lord -
What is the world to me?"

It's an old hymn, you've probably never heard it, what with all the anti-Trinitarian Phillips Craig and Dean you're accustomed to listening to.
September 9, 2010 9:53 PM

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naderhoff (http://naderhoff.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "From a WELS Blog":

"You know, you could have gotten a response."

No, thank you. The direct approach fails with their bullheadedness.

***

GJ - Pastor Tim Glende blocks email from people who want to talk to him. Paul Calvin Kelm refused to answer people about the Sweet conference. Englebrecht refused to meet with the group of pastors and laity, even though he dishonestly set up an appointment for that purpose. Larry Olson told me that he would never answer my emails, that he would consider them all as spam.

I see a pattern.

Thank You, Most Avid Reader

Your daughter wrote. Thanks.

Now I know why that one particular light shows up on the map.

I write for the older, faithful members and for the younger ones trying to make sense out of being trapped in a zoo. The trouble is, so many are so used to corruption that they think of it as normal.

As someone wrote, the system has a zillion ways of using up one's energy so that nothing is done and everything is still a secret, a marriage of Stalinism with the Medieval Church.

I wrote a little vision/dream satire once, when I was in the LCA. I put it in the church newsletter, forgetting that copies went to a number of national church officials. It went like this - I dreamt that the officials suddenly began asking themselves, "What are we doing wrong? The whole synod is falling apart." So they did an every member visit without asking for funds (for once) and asked the membership what they were doing wrong.

A Black leader wrote to me and said he laughed his head off because it was so true. He wrote from the old J. P. Morgan mansion in NYC, LCA headquarters.

Needless to say, my humor was not appreciated by his colleagues. But, 32 years later, the bishop who used me for a tackle dummy has led a bunch out of ELCA, after he spent his career propping up the old apostasy.

I shared my opinions freely in the past, just as I do now. I have never been in a position of official influence because I am not prepared to sing soprano in the church choir. But whatever we do or say is influence.

My conference papers were not "accepted with thanks" as the repeat-after-me ones were, but they circulated all over WELS via the copier. Two of them were published in Liberalism.

Luther said, "We have to be willing to be punched in the mouth." The Shrinker bullies are more than happy to be the cross that we must bear. The worse they behave and gloat about it, the more they enter into God's judgment. If someone robs me because I have been too trusting, that is a judgment against him, not me. The same is true of the covetous, greedy, adulterous minister who drives me from a call. I learned one pastor has a thing for guys, if you catch my drift, even though he is married and has children. Two opponents were arrested for drunk driving, so insensible are they about potentially killing others with their autos, with their addictions. One made a big speech denouncing me to a whole conference, but made the mistake of propositioning the wrong member in a pastoral counseling session. Another one threatened to beat up the pastor who leaked a document to me, leading to his eventual downfall.

The cross means that God uses those situations to glorify His Name. I am in an ideal situation to write about the apostasy of WELS, the ELS, and the LCMS. The typical threats mean nothing to me. The continuing nastiness only motivates me to say more. I know that many feel sane because of what I share from others in the same situation.

In "Braveheart," the Scots were asked about how the English could establish peace with their northern neighbor. The response was not appreciated - "Knock on every door and apologize for the money you have stolen and the people you have raped."

That would be a good and essential start for the synod officials too.

---

Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "Thank You, Most Avid Reader":

Ahh! Now I know why I feel sane again. Thanks!
Scott E. Jungen

***

GJ - Just today someone sent an anonymous comment that was so typical of the Shrinkers. I was going to share details but that would have involved someone else in the slime attack, which I chose to avoid. The person sent his moment of hate over the way I make fun of WELS education, etc. It was a way of dismissing me and the other writer at the same time.

I witnessed John Lawrenz (Church and Change) do the same thing when he denounced a pastors' excellent paper because:
1. He named names, without them being there to defend themselves, precisely what Lawrenz was doing at that moment.
2. His parish was "dead," which by itself is an odd commentary on the Means of Grace and God's will. No pit band? No popcorn?
3. The evil Northern Conference of Michigan dared to question officials from The Love Shack. How horrible and unChristian!

The point of these rants is to render the victim stripped of any voice or authority, so that nothing can be accepted from such a tainted source. Thus Doug the Unready blames Ichabod for people being unhappy about plagiarizing Groeschel.
The issue is no longer a crime but:
A. Ichabod.
B. The felons who read Ichabod.

This was done in spite of the fact that the turmoil came from the other direction, from the Northern Wisconsin District. Due to Englebrecht's utter incompetence as a leader (not apt to teach, not adhering to sound doctrine), the uproar had reached my ears and I reported on it. I did not start the chaos. Englebrecht did. I did not do the research on Fox Valley. The pastors and laity did. And they were following the official WELS playbook on defusing issues by blaming people who raised any questions. For that they got a letter left for them to read.

If any official in the WELS madhouse is asked about this, he will excuse it and make the victims feel even crazier - unless the voice of reason intervenes and rescues them.

I am willing to be the punching bag so others can observe the character of these leaders. When they rave about me, remember that they will say the same things about you, your spouse, your children, and your friends. They are the same people who pretend to know nothing about murder, child molestation, clergy and teacher adultery, homosexual pastors, false doctrine, and embezzlement. So how do they know which deodorant I use while being so utterly ignorant of dead bodies in the parsonage?

I just got an urgent message from another person being slimed for appreciating a real worship service instead of a clown's performance. I wrote back, "You are getting to them." That is their way of saying a post really matters, because the backsplash across the synod is making them miss Sponge Bob's latest episode. Stop being so cruel, you confessionals.

Felt Needs Fulfilled

He stole Ski's line - anything short of sin... Or maybe Ski stole his?
Or they stole someone else's line?

Winona Newspaper

ELK RIVER, Minn. - At least two Minnesota churches are hoping to pack the pews by offering the chance for free tickets to Minnesota Vikings or Minnesota Twins games.

Those who show up at Crossing Church in Elk River Saturday or Sunday have a shot at season tickets for the Minnesota Vikings. Pastor Eric Dykstra says he ``would do anything short of sin to get somebody in the door.''

WCCO-TV says Dykstra's church doubled attendance when it gave away three cars last Easter.

The Exchange Church in Uptown is giving away Twins tickets to anyone who attends services this weekend. Church members raised $10,000 in order to offer the free tickets to the Sept. 30 home game against Toronto.

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dkrause (http://dkrause.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Felt Needs Fulfilled":

Pastor Eric Dykstra says he ``would do anything short of sin to get somebody in the door.''

But the pastor will not go to a mall and invite people he meets. I guess his words mean very little in practice.

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dkrause (http://dkrause.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "WELS, LCMS, Or Just Plain New Age?":

who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly

That sure describes the bloggers on the false Ichabod. Christ foresaw those deceivers 2,000 years ago!

WELS, LCMS, Or Just Plain New Age?

Pastor Reeder's Blog

The SWD and Rev. Jeske

Posted on September 9, 2010 by 1justifiedbygrace

For the past several years in the South Wisconsin District (SWD) of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), I’ve noticed a growing number of conferences and retreats where Rev. Mark Jeske of Time of Grace ministries located in Milwaukee (which airs on the net (http://www.timeofgrace.org/index.php), on the radio, and on TV) is one of the speakers.  The SWD endorses him, as his ‘ministry’ is also now a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) of the LCMS

(http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=15614).  The program even airs on the LCMS’ radio station from St. Louis, KFUO.

What’s interesting, as others have noted (i.e. http://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=6919), is that Jeske is:

1)      of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)

2)      not an LCMS pastor

3)      Promotes the unscriptural ‘principles’ and doctrine of the ‘church growth movement’ (CGM) (For further study on these, seehttp://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/huebelcgm.pdf as a starter)

LCMS and WELS are not in fellowship.  Joint ministries here are in the least confusing to members and nonmembers of both church bodies.  Joint ministries here are also conflicting, esp. because the Church Growth Movement so advocated by Jeske is in conflict with our doctrine, and also the official teaching of WELS.

A genuine concern for doctrine asks the question ‘why’?  Since CGM teaches what is contrary to Scripture, why is such teaching given air on the LCMS station KFUO, advocated by at least one district (the SWD), and even now an RSO of the LCMS?

Perhaps the LCMS as a whole has forgotten the concern of God’s people, that of faithfulness to His Word, rather than seeking after acceptance by the world and its ways.  Faithfulness calls for obedience to the Lord’s Word and avoidance of those who teach otherwise:

Note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple (Romans 16:17-18)

May the Lord keep the LCMS and her members watchful, observant, and bold in the face of false doctrine and opposition, even with those within her own body!

Maybe Because Bruce Church Told the Truth about Sky-High Tuition and the 600 Empty Parish Lie

bruce-church (https://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Lulu Makes It Safe and Permanent":

Concordia St. Louis Seminary must have record low number of resident M Div students--only 62 matriculated! For the 2008-9 year they had 90. I doubt the seminaries have their online M Div courses up and running yet. Both seminaries now cost nearly $22k per year!

On CTS news page, they don't mention the # of students at all, and no news is bad news, I'd guess:

CTS to Begin 165th Academic Year
http://www.ctsfw.edu/Page.aspx?pid=823

2009 CUS press release:
http://gnesiolutheran.com/record-enrollment-for-the-concordia-university-system/

excerpts: 426 pre-sem students in 2005, to 245 this fall, a drop of 181 students, or 42 percent.
Those schools are “feeders” for the seminaries, he said, and when their numbers fall, those of the seminaries do, too.

Tuition and fees at each of the seminaries runs about $21,600 per year.

---

From: concordianews@CSL.EDU
To: CSLNEWS@LISTSERV.CUIS.EDU
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 8:52 AM
Subject: NEW CLASSES WELCOMED TO SEMINARY

NEW CLASSES WELCOMED TO SEMINARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2010

ST. LOUIS—On Friday, Sept. 3, at 10:00 a.m., Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, began its 172nd academic year with a special worship service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the Seminary campus. Dr. Dale A. Meyer, president of Concordia Seminary, served as preacher.

The incoming class is comprised of nearly 130 students, including all those newly enrolled in residential and distance programs: 62 residential M.Div. students; seven certificate students; four deaconess students; nine Ethnic Immigrant Institute of Theology (EIIT) students; 24 Specific Ministry Pastor Program (SMP) students; eight Center for Hispanic Studies (CHS) students; and 20 graduate students.

In addition, three staff members were installed: Arthur “Andy” Bacon as provost; Richard Jostes as gift officer; and Michael Redeker as senior vice president for enrollment management.

Bacon previously served as professor of practical theology and director of curriculum assessment at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He retired from the Seminary in 2009. He acted as vice president for academic affairs in 2010. Bacon also served as chaplain for the U.S. Army Reserve from 1975-2007. He and his wife, Susan, have three children.

Jostes previously worked as director of development for Orphan Grain Train in Norfolk, Neb. (1997-2010). He has taught and counseled in Lutheran schools throughout the Midwest. Jostes has worked for both Concordia University Nebraska and Concordia University Chicago. He and his wife, Laura, have three children.

Redeker most recently served as pastor to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lexington, Ky. He previously served as admissions counselor and director of admissions and ministerial recruitment at Concordia Seminary from 1998-2004. Redeker has served in many capacities for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, serving on several synodical committees in his career. He and his wife, Mary, have seven children.

***

GJ - Exactly why would a man borrow a fortune when he knows the seminary will deny him a chance to serve while loading him with debt and a useless degree?

Bruce Church investigated and laid out the facts so carefully hidden from the public.

Tuition = salaries.

Look at Mequon. They seem to have more professors than students. The same number of professors could handle twice the number of students if they didn't quit at noon each day.

Lulu Makes It Safe and Permanent

Have you even blown up a hard drive, lost all your files, spent time on something and lost it for good, or had to recreate it from the hard copy?

By the time I needed to reprint Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, all the files were lost. They were pretty terrible anyway - in format. They were Professional Write turned into Word Perfect for DOS turned into RageMaker (aka PageMaker).

Rewriting the book was good for me, especially under the lash of my gruff but likeable editor.

However, now that I am gathering material for publication, I see how slapdash my storage methods have been. One advantage of Lulu is that files are stored for free and can be downloaded if all the fail-safes fail. I know that Internet backups and external drives and such are better, but this is one of extra benefits.

The main advantage is publishing for everyone, free, 24/7. I studied web design last century to do that, and I am glad. I still teach web design and education technology. I use HTML gimmicks every day.

Once I finish a work in MS Word, I can get it print ready in about 30 minutes, most of the time spent fiddling with the cover. I am cover-certified now, I hope. I will redo the Angel Joy cover, which is a disaster.

A ready-made cover and the text turned to a PDF will take about 10 minutes. The finishing work will take a few minutes more. Lulu will provide an ISBN number (origin - WELS) for free, which is essential for all book sellers.

I put some of Norma Boeckler's art into the latest works. The colored works came through perfectly in the PDF.

Lulu has many kinds of publishing, including music CDs, but I want to focus on what theologians do.

Let's say the Intrepids have a really good series on some topics, or a group of good articles. They can be gathered, published, and distributed for no cost.

I promise that the best articles will be buried and hard to find on Intrepid or any other blog. Publishing has permanency and a little more gravitas.

Printing can be low-cost (never free) or with a built-in profit.

While You Were Sleeping - Another Book Published on Lulu.com

Cover and interior artwork by Norma Boeckler

The stormfront moved in from the Texas hurricane, so I went to work on the Discussion Guide: Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant. Pastors suggested having a guide, so I put together one in the form of a workbook. There is room for answers to all the questions, and the page number for the correct information is listed for each question.

I highly recommend my editor and Lulu.com. Norma Boeckler's artwork is superb, but I have her talents tied up in future projects.

The PDF download is free and people can share the files with abandon. I do not mind if the pastor downloads the PDF and prints his own copies. The idea is to share the information in Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, which has been used for adult classes and confirmation as well.

Someone could easily use the free downloads of the book, if cost is a problem. As I told a few others, the difference between getting money from each copy and giving them away is not significant to me. My aim from the beginning was to sort out the doctrinal issues fairly, in the words of each confession. Friends demanded that my initial adult study be turned into a book, and then I realized how much more I needed to study.

I can provide also provide books below the stated price on Lulu. Send me an email if that is appealing. Christian News orders books that way. I guess they want a Lutheran title to balance We Believe, Therefore We Speak.

When I was in Columbus, I heard that people who opposed the false doctrine of Church Growth were "lazy." The Shrinkers were busy destroying more churches than the Chicago Fire. What is their brag today? - They plagiarize their lupine idols, preaching sermons verbatim from various Enthusiasts, but not giving credit to the original authors. That is my definition of lazy. Not to mention stupid.

This lazy anti-Shrinker has also broadcast two series from the book, recording the last set so everyone can see them at their leisure. I have to stay up late and get up early to pursue this laziness. No time for the Crab Shack, Granger, Drive, Driscoll, Sweet, Hybels, and the rest.

Clergy Will Have To Man Up - Including the Sissy DPs and CPs

Tyndale was burned at the stake for giving us the forerunner of the KJV.
The clergy emulate Machiavelli and Cardinal Richelieu.

The Lutheran ministers should spend as much time studying the Confessions as they do on their secret email lists. Or, they could study the Greek New Testament instead of writing blog comments all over the world.

Men, who have spent no time in decades getting an education or publishing something valuable, do in fact take the time to post hundreds of comments and engage in constant time-wasting social networking. That does make them seem and feel important for the moment. I wonder if people will seek reprints of their list-serves the way students look for out of print books by the founders of the various synods.

These time-wasters have a lot to face in the years to come. They have wrecked churches, synods, and schools while accomplishing nothing.

The DPs and CPs of the last 30 years strut around now, but they are like the marketing team of the Edsel, the engineering team of the Pinto. Are they so blind and deaf that they cannot comprehend their self-inflicted disaster?

Ludwig Fuerbringer stayed home to study rather than accept too many rubber chicken dinners where he could speechify and act important. That may be why he was a beloved professor who left behind so much valuable history. His little books on the Synodical Conference are priceless.

Lenski created commentaries on the entire New Testament, plus many other books. My wife's doctor, who is also a missionary, loves Lenski. What enormous grants did Lenski receive to do his work? He was a successful parish pastor, a district president, and an honored professor. He encouraged his daughter Lois, who became a famous children book artist and book author. If Lenski had diddled away his time the way these list-serve drones do, we would only have the first draft of his commentary on Philemon.

Every pastor and layperson has the power and authority of the clear, efficacious Word. The Word of God has not been tried and found wanting. It has hardly been tried at all.

Research and Publish - The Apostates Will Cry and Run

Joseph Schmidt is one of many younger Lutherans who studies Christian doctrine and promotes orthodox teaching.

Rogue Lutheran shows what one lady can do with a browser and search engine. I can think of several Lutheran ladies who are doing the same, one way or another.

One said, "If I give it to my pastor, one person reads it. If I give it to Ichabod, everyone reads it."

We even have a Doctor of Divinity helping out with Ichabod.

We also have men of all ages participating, with an emphasis on the laity. One blogger (Church Mouse) is in England. Another (Extra Nos) is down under.

I added Bad Vestments to the blog list for the enjoyment and edification of readers. I enjoy the way that site pillories bad taste in clergy wear and tacky services (clown eucharist, Calvinist puppets of doom, giant marching animals in a pagan Presbyterian ceremony). The examples show what anti-confessional clergy do to destroy worship, the flip side of Emergent Church but the same flip attitude - we can do whatever we want.

Ichabod is linked many places but not linked where it is deemed unsafe. I am not annoyed but charmed. A blog has to be dangerous to be left off a list of confessional Lutheran URLs. Forbidden fruit is sweeter. What were the WELSians reading during the last convention? It wasn't WELS.net. What were the college kids reading, between text messages, when their gay video was posted?

Meanwhile, Fake-o-bod has gone mute again, after kissing up to the Intrepids. What is more hypocritical of the Appleton blogger: denouncing unionism while preaching Groeschel, or smooching Intrepid Lutherans in public while blocking their emails in private?

Once again. the treatment itself is the highest commendation. As Luther said, it may be an honor that vice pays to virtue, but hypocrisy is still a sin.

I expect nothing in the short-run. Eventually, if people continue to research and publish, the apostates in power will bawl and run away. That does not mean adopting the 30-year plan. There is too much patience and too little urgency.

Someone in Columbus asked why I was adamant about doctrine. I asked what the congregation would do if the furnace were about to explode. "They would fix it right away. No delay." I asked why nothing was done about dangerous doctrine, which threatened everyone. That was 23 years ago.

WELS Columbus sheltered an adulterous CG fanatic and gave him another congregation to ruin, endorsed by the WELS district VP, coddled and flattered by the ELS and Thoughts of Faith. The false doctrine promoted there nurtured the undiscerning mind of Tim Glende, who now advocates even worse versions in Appleton while his mentor still works in Columbus.

As I said, that was 23 years ago, and WELS is asking for another 30 years to fix matters, with no change visible, except new exploding scandals.

I am waiting for the promised report about Piepenbrink.

And I heard Toledo is changing pastors faster than a cheap motel changes the sheets. Michigan District anti-anti-CG meddling is bearing fruit in Toledo and elsewhere.

The volunteer bloggers are all citizens, but we are doing the work American DPs won't do. They say the installation service for a DP includes an operation where the spine is removed.

I am not so sure about that. Deputy Doug went after me - big time! Capn Huff-n-Puff roared from his cabin below the deck of the Leakin' Lena. Read the letter. It was totally fierce.

Mrs. Ichabod wanted me to mention that I am teaching the following courses soon: Christian ethics, world religion, mythology, urban ministry, spiritual formation, and church history. A reader said I could teach at Mary Lou College, but the fact is - I am tied down at the moment.

Another Ichabod Scoop

Rogue Lutheran confirms the spillage from the Sweet honey-wagon.

Ichabod Scoops Lighthouse Trails - LCMS & Len Sweet

September 8, 2010

Dear carol,

There will be no online e-newsletter this week. However, we want to let you know about a special CrossTalk radio program that will be taking place on Thursday, September 9th between Ingrid Schlueter and Sandy Simpson (Deception in the Church ministries). Below is our posting today, announcing the program.

* * * *

LTRP Note: In relation to the article below by Ingrid Schlueter and her upcoming radio program on Thursday, September 9th on CrossTalk, it is worth noting that on the same day, Leadership Network (the launchers of the 1990s emerging church movement) is presenting an online, digital “conference” calledThe Nines featuring 100 evangelical pastors and leaders, some of whom areRick Warren, Dan Kimball, Francis Chan, Wayne Cordeiro, Andy Crouch (Christianity Today), Bill Easum, Jonathan Falwell, Miles McPherson, Larry Osborne, Ed Stetzer, Thom Rainer (LifeWay Books),and Leonard Sweet.

New Age Sympathizer Leonard Sweet–Coming to a Church Near You? Crosstalk Thursday

Thursday’s Crosstalk will be addressing the increasingly popular teachings of Leonard Sweet. Tune in live at 2pm Central or listen to the archived show later.

Leonard Sweet is making his way into otherwise conservative evangelical churches, schools, colleges and organizations by speaking on things like postmodern culture and theology or “education in the age of Google.” But why would pastors and teachers from churches and institutions that are supposedly faithful to biblical Christianity promote and listen to a panentheist and New Age teacher like Leonard Sweet? Guest Sandy Simpson will explain what Leonard believes and teaches. It’s shocking. We will also be offering Warren Smith’s excellent book, A Wonderful Deception, which contains an entire chapter on Sweet and his “Quantum Spirituality.”

(cw-Ichabod caught this Sweet item 10-9-2010 first, see:  

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2010/08/isnt-this-sweet-asks-lcms.html)

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is one supposedly biblical denomination that has increasingly brought Leonard Sweet in for teachers conferences, convocations and educational seminars as keynote speaker. The South Wisconsin District of the LCMS is bringing Sweet in for a full DAY seminar at Lake Country Lutheran High School. (October 9, 2010) But why? Why would those who claim to believe in the authority of Scripture and the true Gospel of Jesus Christ bring in someone who thanks occultist David Spangler for his spiritual influence? (See below.) As preparation for the broadcast, please see this excerpt below from former New Ager Warren Smith’s book chapter on Leonard Sweet and his Quantum Spirituality. It’s a warning about how hereticaloccult teachings are no longer viewed as such in many churches. Unless God’s people learn to biblically discern these things, they are easy targets for deception.

Here’s the excerpt:

Leonard Sweet, in acknowledging Willis Harman, Matthew Fox, M. Scott Peck,and the others he refers to as “New Light leaders” in [his book] Quantum Spirituality, states:

I believe these are among the most creative religious leaders in America today. These are the ones carving out channels for new ideas to flow. In a way this book was written to guide myself through their channels and chart their progress. The book’s best ideas come from them.

Speaking of spiritual “channels,” Sweet expresses his personal gratitude in [his book] Quantum Spirituality to channeler and veteran New Age leader, David Spangler. Spangler, in attempting to cast off the negative stereotype of a New Age channeler, would now more likely describe himself as a conscious intuitive.

A pioneering spokesperson for the New Age, Spangler has written numerous books over the years that include Emergence: The Rebirth of the Sacred, Revelation: The Birth of a New Age, and Reimagination of the World: A Critique of the New Age, Science, and Popular Culture. His book Revelation: The Birth of a New Age is a compilation of channeled transmissions he received from his disembodied spiritguide “John.”