Catechesis has left a new comment on your post "Fraud and Peculation in Modern Theology. Future Bo...":
Yes, the WELS confuses the so-called "Priesthood of believers" (Did Luther ever use that term? Or is that term in the BOC?) with the Office of the Holy Ministry.
Thomas P. Nass: "Even the physical education professors at Martin Luther College are called into the public ministry, because they are expected to use the Word of God with students." - The Revised This We Believe of the WELS on the Ministry [This article was published in LOGIA, vol. 10, no. 3 (Trinity 2001): 31-41.]
Seriously? So, let's see: Ephesians 4:11, "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,...the physical education professors...to equip the saints for the work of ministry..."
Now, at least Naas did write in that same article (begrudgingly): "The WELS would say that it is at least a possibility that the deacons were public ministers who were helpers in some way to the elders or overseers in a subordinate office of the public ministry of the Word that did not include the full use of the keys. This is how the office of deacon often showed itself in church history. If this were granted, it seems a small step to make a comparison with the school teachers or staff ministers of our modern congregations. Here then is a form of public ministry distinct from the office of overseer that helps in the gospel ministry of the congregation."
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GJ - The NIV is anti-Sacramental and blends well with Fuller Enthusiasm.
KJV Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the aints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
