Joe Krohn:
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
Mene, Mene, Tekel u-Pharsin
First the fine print from the SC District constitution Article XXIV, Section 3;"The review shall be conducted, therefore, to determine whether the process leading to the disciplinary action and the doctrinal basis of the disciplinary action were scriptural." Did you catch that? In other words, there would be no investigation into an alleged teaching of false doctrine, but only a determination that there was no malfeasance regarding the disciplinary action in light of Scripture. And there was just that and I have proof of it! It has seen the light of day here on LR! By the 3rd of September, the date of Holy Word's letter re: Appeal, 105 days had elapsed. How many of the readers of this blog would abstain from Word and Sacrament for that long on purpose? But this would be a condition of the appeal. We were seeing the handwriting on the wall.
"Dear Pastor Glaeske,
Thank you for your response.
We understand Article XXIV; Sections 3-6 from the Constitution that you have provided and we do affirm our need for the District Board of Appeals to assist us in this matter.
To your second point; it has no bearing on this case so we will not discuss it. Holy Word Lutheran Church broke fellowship with us for a doctrinal reason. This is the issue and not what we have been doing with our worship life since May 21, 2011. Furthermore, had there not been a breaking of fellowship, there would be no need to inquire of this. Our point of contention from the very beginning is Holy Word’s correct teaching of Objective Justification. We do not think it represents Scripture accurately, nor the WELS. We exhort you and the Board of Appeals to examine the proper teaching of the chief article of faith, namely Justification, and to determine if Holy Word is in error.
In His Grace,
We heard back from the District President on September 8, 2011.
"Dear Joe and Lisa,
More from Luther's Small Catechism (NPH 1956) Originally edited by Gausewitz; Pages 190-212 re: Means of Grace; Ministry of the Keys.
"324. What is meant by the Means of Grace?
By the Means of Grace are meant those things by which God offers and gives His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15, Acts 2:38
What is the Ministry of the Keys?
The Ministry of the Keys is the peculiar authority of the Church, given by Christ to His Church on earth, to forgive the sins of penitent sinners unto them, but to retain the sins of the impenitient as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written?
Thus writes the holy Evangelist John, chapter twentieth: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost! Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
373. Who has forgiveness of sins through the Gospel?
All penitent sinners. Luke 18:9-14
374. Who has no forgiveness?
The impenitent has no forgiveness because by his very impenitence he rejects the Gospel, and thus his sins are retained as long as he does not repent. Prob. 13:13, John3:18, John 8:24"
To teach mans justification and forgiveness of sins aside from justifying faith; before birth; that the world has been saved and all has been forgiven, you just need to believe it, goes against the Bible and the Book of Concord.
On Monday, September 5, 2011 we responded:
"Dear Pastor Glaeske,
Thank you for your response.
We understand Article XXIV; Sections 3-6 from the Constitution that you have provided and we do affirm our need for the District Board of Appeals to assist us in this matter.
To your second point; it has no bearing on this case so we will not discuss it. Holy Word Lutheran Church broke fellowship with us for a doctrinal reason. This is the issue and not what we have been doing with our worship life since May 21, 2011. Furthermore, had there not been a breaking of fellowship, there would be no need to inquire of this. Our point of contention from the very beginning is Holy Word’s correct teaching of Objective Justification. We do not think it represents Scripture accurately, nor the WELS. We exhort you and the Board of Appeals to examine the proper teaching of the chief article of faith, namely Justification, and to determine if Holy Word is in error.
In His Grace,
Joe and Lisa Krohn"
We heard back from the District President on September 8, 2011.
"Dear Joe and Lisa,
I agree that where you have been worshiping may be none of my business.
However, if you have joined a congregation outside of our fellowship, you are no longer in a position to appeal for relief from the district panel of review. If you have been communing in a congregation outside of our fellowship, by so doing you have identified yourself with that congregation and are no longer in a position to appeal.
So, my question does become relevant relative to your appeal.
Please forward your answer.
Pastor Glaeske"
More from Luther's Small Catechism (NPH 1956) Originally edited by Gausewitz; Pages 190-212 re: Means of Grace; Ministry of the Keys.
"324. What is meant by the Means of Grace?
By the Means of Grace are meant those things by which God offers and gives His gifts of forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. 2 Tim. 3:15, Acts 2:38
What is the Ministry of the Keys?
The Ministry of the Keys is the peculiar authority of the Church, given by Christ to His Church on earth, to forgive the sins of penitent sinners unto them, but to retain the sins of the impenitient as long as they do not repent.
Where is this written?
Thus writes the holy Evangelist John, chapter twentieth: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost! Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained.
373. Who has forgiveness of sins through the Gospel?
All penitent sinners. Luke 18:9-14
374. Who has no forgiveness?
The impenitent has no forgiveness because by his very impenitence he rejects the Gospel, and thus his sins are retained as long as he does not repent. Prob. 13:13, John3:18, John 8:24"
To teach mans justification and forgiveness of sins aside from justifying faith; before birth; that the world has been saved and all has been forgiven, you just need to believe it, goes against the Bible and the Book of Concord.
