ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Martin Luther Sermons
Bethany Lutheran Hymnal Blog
Bethany Lutheran Church Springdale AR 72762 Reformation Seminary Lectures USA, Canada, Australia, Philippines 10 AM Central - Sunday Service
We use The Lutheran Hymnal and the King James Version
Luther's Sermons: Lenker Edition
Click here for the latest YouTube Videos
Sunday, July 3, 2011
The Second Sunday after Trinity
The Second Sunday after Trinity, 2011
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship
Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time
The Hymn # 361 O Jesus King 4.1
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #471 Jesus Thy Blood 4.6
Future Grace
The Communion Hymn # 462 I Love Thy Kingdom 4.21
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #657 Beautiful Savior 4.24
KJV 1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
Second Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, we give thanks unto Thee, that through Thy holy word Thou hast called us to Thy great supper, and we beseech Thee: Quicken our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not hear Thy word without fruit, but that we may prepare ourselves rightly for Thy kingdom, and not suffer ourselves to be hindered by any worldly care, through Thy beloved Son. Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Future Grace
KJV Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
Lenski:
The parable is thus seen to be historical, the “many” who were invited thus early were the Jews. They had this invitation in the old covenant and in the Old Testament; we might say that God sent them a written invitation. But we should here again abide by the parable which has in mind the Jews who were then living and their treatment of the invitation and does not intend to cover the previous generations of the Jews. While it is thus plainly historical, the parable is at the same time prophetic and reaches out to all future generations, whether of Jews or Gentiles. This appears in what follows.
Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN : Augsburg Publishing House, 1961, S. 777
Through the Word, the Gospel brings Jesus and all His benefits to us.
The Gospel is a graceful invitation from the Holy Trinity to receive the benefits of God’s mercy. This is not a two-way contract, as some imagine, where God does something – offering Christ – and we do something in return - to complete the transaction, as they like to say. God proclaims His mercy to sinners, to the ungodly, in the Promises.
The First Promise (a synonym for Gospel in the Book of Concord) was Genesis 3:15. Although man was undeserving, God promised the Savior who would crush the head of Satan. This is called the First Gospel, which continued to be proclaimed throughout the Old Testament.
Abraham believed, and it was counted as righteousness.
KJV Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
The Parable
This parable is quite vivid, because it reminds us of the many who rejected the Word in the Old Testament, and how the Gospel moved on to new groups, and to future Jews as well.
I hear from a conservative Jewish Lutheran every single day. One would expect that his synod would say, “Here is a remarkable story, and someone with a unique perspective on the Gospel.” He is highly respected among orthodox Lutherans but the organization was not kind to him or his son, who became a pastor. Everyone must bear the cross, which often means enduring the ingratitude of others.
Likewise, I imagined that Lutherans would think it valuable to have someone in the parish with many years of extra academic work in church history and Biblical studies. Instead, it makes the MDivs angry, dismissive, and scornful. What could someone possibly learn from 8 extra years of study, plus the years of research that goes into writing books?
I have heard in two “conservative” Lutheran synods – “You quote Luther too much.”
And from various Lutheran sects that call themselves orthodox – “You are obsessed with justification.”
Some of the same people call justification by faith the chief article of Christianity, so they must think we should not wear it thin by studying it, researching it, and writing about it. My mistake.
This parable concentrates on justification by faith, how people ignore, reject, and make excuses about the Gospel.
Luke 14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:
The word “certain” means this is a parable, and the man is God. The great supper reminds us that this is like a sought-after dinner invitation. Who would reject an invitation (not a command) to attend and enjoy a great feast?
There have been times when we were invited to great celebrations. When Marvin Schwan was giving away $800,000 a year to revise the Beck Bible, the chief con artist sponsored dinners where the choicest food was offered for free. After attending one, we were eager to attend the next, but the money was gone.
Likewise, one university sponsored a big Christmas feast, which was packed with choice foods – no limit. It was not a sit-down meal, but a luxury buffet. We looked forward to the next.
Also, people covet invitations to events where famous people will appear. So one would expect an invitation from God would trump anything, even a dinner or snack with the President. But the results are not the same.
17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
“He sent his servant” to invite them – that refers to Jesus Himself, called the slave (or servant) in Philippians 2. In other places we see the Old Testament prophets treated as servants, but this is one servant. As we see in John’s Gospel, the idea of Jesus being sent from God is a common theme. Just as He was sent from God, so He sent His disciples.
All things are now ready. The Kingdom of Grace is ready, and people are invited by the Gospel to enjoy what God has prepared for them at a great price, the sacrifice of His Son.
This does not call for “a decision.” The Gospel invitation creates faith, trust in God’s mercy. That is compared to a seed in many places, a growing trust. Or a graft, where the Gospel is grafted onto us, so that we now have the living Word as part of our being. Christ becomes part of us when the Word brings him to us.
The response is humorous, in the ironic sense. They were “as one” or unanimous in making excuses. The excuses are not the fault of the Servant, Christ, but come from the hardness of people’s hearts.
What they value most is seen in their excuses.
The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.
This is funny, because the ground is not going to go away, and the invitation is now. God continues to pursue us with His grace and mercy, but rejecting the Gospel makes people more indifferent and cold toward it. People find it easier to find fault with the Gospel, to find fault with believers, and by hearing it with momentary faith distance themselves all the more from it.
America is saturated with Gospel messages, but people are joyful over the Gospel in parts of the world where churches and ministers are rare. Because we are saturated with every variety, sect, and heresy, people find it easy to ignore and find fault.
The lameness of the excuse is a mirror to the condition of that person’s soul, and it represents people who value their property or material goods more than the Gospel.
19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.
Test-driving the oxen is another funny point. Of course, when we obtain something of value, we want to see it and admire it. A box may arrive in the mail with something we wanted to purchase. That is opened right away. We love driving a new car.
The parable reminds us that the daily cares will wait for us, while the eternal Gospel moves on, just like the rain. This is a big excuse today – that people have so much to do. I recall a hard-working German telling me, “That is my only day of rest.” He seemed to think that having his sins forgiven was work, another day of labor.
The third person does not even ask for an excuse –
20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
Why ruin a new marriage with this great banquet? This is a common thought today. Some want to trappings of a church wedding, but I frequently see this opinion – “I am spiritual but not religious.” That is another way of saying, “I have no confession of faith, just a vague sentimental idea of spirituality.”
Very few marriages start with the idea of a man and a woman pledging their love and then living together in the bonds of matrimony, an institution created by God. Instead, people wish to live together and then have cohabitation blessed by a minister or justice of the peace, sometimes after having several children out of wedlock first. They continue to dishonor God’s institution of marriage yet expect something good to come from it. This has multiplied to the point where these on-and-off parents (the father often absent or missing) do not know the basics about raising children or protecting them from harm. This has been played out in the current trial where a young girl was found wrapped in garbage bags in a waste area.
Our country once noted, in many official ways, that what we have is from God the Creator. He was acknowledged in the Declaration of Independence, implied in the Constitution, and thanked in the Thanksgiving Proclamation. Now we suffer the consequences of godlessness and paganism.
21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
The Christian Church began in turmoil, with persecution and excommunications. And they have not stopped. Jesus warned in John that His disciples would be thrown out of the synagogues, where they would offer this banquet invitation and show how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Promises. Even though the Gospel was persecuted, it moved on to create faith in new people. The very act of driving people away in persecution spread the message of Jesus.
People escaped along 55,000 miles of paved roads in the Roman Empire. If this had happened in an earlier day, the spread of the Gospel would have been regional at best.
They also used sea routes, even though they were treacherous. Paul was shipwrecked more than once, as he recorded.
The Gospel quickly spread from England to India. It began with the dregs of the Roman Empire and moved up slowly to the Emperor Constantine, who created a Christian capital city in the place called Constantinople. A Greek Christian Empire existed for 11 centuries, preserving the Gospel and Western culture. The foundation – slaves, beggars, prostitutes, homosexuals – converted by the Gospel, often tortured and sent to die in the stadiums, for sport.
22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
God is so merciful that He will take anyone in through the Gospel. No one is selected by merit or outward righteousness.
A classmate from Moline confessed to me about his terrible sins in the past. He did not elaborate. He said my mother saved his life.
I pointed out that we are equally sinners. In fact, the outwardly righteous person may be a worse sinner than anyone else. Someone can do enormous damage from spiritual sins, such as false doctrine and ruining people through revenge. And that can be done without resorting to any outward, obvious carnal sin.
The carnal sinners have the advantage of knowing their sin. The spiritual sinners think they are really fine people but they trust in their own righteousness, not in the Gospel.
The Gospel pronounces all believers completely forgiven of all their sins. This is the power to battle against temptation. The Gospel strengthens us against temptation by restoring us in God’s eyes through the righteousness of Christ.
Professor Higgins and ELCA:
"Why Can't a Woman Be More Like a Man?"
Synodical Conference Mission Partners
ALPB Forum
[To Pickering]
Pickering, why can't a woman be more like a man?
PICKERING
Hmm?
HIGGINS
Yes...
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historic'ly fair;
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Well, why can't a woman be like that?
Why does ev'ryone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do ev'rything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up- well, like their father instead?
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please;
Whenever you are with them, you're always at ease.
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?
PICKERING
Of course not!
HIGGINS
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?
PICKERING
Nonsense.
HIGGINS
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?
PICKERING
Never.
HIGGINS
Well, why can't a woman be like you?
One man in a million may shout a bit.
Now and then there's one with slight defects;
One, perhaps, whose truthfulness you doubt a bit.
But by and large we are a marvelous sex!
Why can't a woman take after like a man?
Cause men are so friendly, good natured and kind.
A better companion you never will find.
If I were hours late for dinner, would you bellow?
PICKERING
Of course not!
HIGGINS
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?
PICKERING
Nonsense.
HIGGINS
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?
PICKERING
Never.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
We're Off To See the Wizard,
The WELSian Wizard of Change,
The LCMS Wizard of Change!
The Daddy Warbucks and Fullerites Love His Napoleon Hill Patter.
Bruce Church has left a new comment on your post "Visit Historic St. John's Lutheran Church in Milwa...":
The Synodical Conference was basically the Prussian Union with Lutherans and Reformed merged together, with Walther supplying the necessary compromised Lutheran theology. St. Marcus has always been more Reformed than most Synodical Conference churches, just as it is today, diving into CG, TV, and state educational vouchers for religion-lite parochial schools.
The Reformed are noted for their unadorned churches which are four white walls surrounding a pulpit. The walls of older WELS churches used to be white plaster (no stucco please), but now many WELS pastors are in love with white drywall.
The Reformed side of St. Marcus expressed itself in the 1950s by their tearing out the ornate darkly stained gothic altar and other furnishings, and replacing them with modern blond-stained wood paneling and blond fixtures even though this didn't exactly match the rest of the church decor. The blond color went out of style and dates churches that still use it. The Reformed element in St. Marcus cared so little for the ornate woodwork that they don't even know where it ended up--maybe the landfill. By contrast, St. John's on 8th & Vliet Streets kept their ornate altar and fixtures, but painted over the dark stain with white paint:
http://www.stmarcus.org/history/
The congregation grew very rapidly in the next three decades and they soon resolved to build a larger worship space. The present red brick church was built in 1913. Its exterior was designed in the English Gothic style, with large square towers, limestone trim, wide windows with a flatter arch and castle-like crenelations at the tops of the two towers. The interior still utilized the German Gothic style with its dark, richly carved oak woodwork, curving balcony railing and elaborate hymn-board surrounds.
As the 75th anniversary in 1950 approached, the congregation chose to renovate and change the interior of the church. New carpeting and chandeliers were added, and the decision was made to remove the altar, pulpit, canopy, modest communion rail, baptismal font and lectern. No one knows what happened to any of those items. All that survived is the Gethsemane oil painting, which currently hangs in the second floor school hallway and the gilded dove from the canopy (symbolizing the Holy Spirit), which for 47 years was mounted in a frame and hung above the main doors to the nave.
In its place, the committee chose to install blond oak chancel furniture in the Modern Gothic style, very fashionable in the 1950's. The elaborate stenciling on the walls was painted over a tall wainscot paneling was installed on either side of the altar. During the centennial year of 1975 artist Jerome Harders, a son of the congregation, was commissioned to carve a large blond oak cross, which was then mounted in the center of the altar in front of the red velvet dossal curtains. In 1983, St. Marcus was given the historic chancel furniture from the demolished St. Jacobi Lutheran Church on 13th & Mitchell on the south side.
In 1996, the church was ready for another renovation. After the Council and Altar Guild pondered the changes needed and desired, they finally started the remodeling. The carpet was replaced and the wood floors were sanded and given four coats of water-based varnish. The pews were moved to give an additional two inches of leg-room.
AC V Updates - The Thrill of Unionism, the Agony of the Truth
This from the July 2, 2011 LCMS Reporter:
ELCA, LCMS continue talks on 'cooperation in externals'
"Harrison reported that the Synod and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church (sic) were continuing conversations initiated while Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick was LCMS president. In WELS, Harrison said, 'there's a new wind blowing about talking with Missouri.'"
AC V has left a new comment on your post "Who Broke the Franchise?Proof That Bronze Can Rust...":
And this from the Reporter as well (you do the math on how this relates to Time of Grace):
Regarding Recognized Service Organizations (RSOs), Harrison said the LCMS would likely be more conscious of RSOs conforming to LCMS doctrine and practice. - ELCA, LCMS continue talks on 'cooperation in externals'
AC V has left a new comment on your post "AC V Updates - The Thrill of Unionism, the Agony o...":
I forgot to add a "sic" after Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran "Church." The WELS is so off the radar in Lutheranism that the author of the article (or the editor) didn't know correct name.
---
LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "AC V Updates - The Thrill of Unionism, the Agony o...":
I would like to know why LCMS would even want to be in fellowship with WELS...they are trying in some cases to become much more confessional...WELS on the other hand has become such a pietist sect ejecting the confessions for so much church growth marketing...even more so than Missouri. Management by objective has become WELS mantra since the Changers are in charge...the parasite is looking for a new host since the current host is dying...or jumping ship...or getting the left jackboot of fellowship...
***
GJ - Long ago Herman Otten gave me a Church Growth poster that Robert Preus had sent him. On the poster, Preus wrote, "WELS is worse than we are." That was in the 1980s and continues to be true, since WELS can leveral false doctrine so easily.
I also want to add that the younger WELS men (excluding most Boomers) are much better.
EastCoast - On the Business of WELS "Christian Academies"
EastCoast:
Day Cares and Pre-schools have killed many a WELS church over the last few years. They are bad news. Even where they are somewhat successful, the “tail” ends up wagging the dog. Schools in general, from “day schools” to colleges are pretty much useless anymore anyway, especially in the church.
***
GJ - Several of us have discussed how a congregation develops a generic "Christian Academy" to gather as many customers as possible. Price competition is fierce, so the pre-school and kindergarteners get subsidized by the members. Day care is regulated so the congregation must fund certain staff members, which allow the pastor's wife and other chosen people to have jobs at the church.
Day care runs the church because their budget dominates all other concerns, and they get touchy about "their space." They may even hide the true costs from the members, but everyone can tell the congregation is bailing out the business, so the general population can have cheap day care.
Who Broke the Franchise?
Proof That Bronze Can Rust
History has been kicked out of the Syn Conference.
This photo hardly does justice to the altar at St. John's in Milwaukee. Bading and SP Brenner were pastors there.
Pastor Kevin Hastings tagged (used spray paint) on a neighboring WELS church property. He was angry with them about an issue. Obviously that is not the third step in Matthew 18 - tag it to the church. However, he was repentant and paid for its removal the next day. He apologized.
The WELS District Pope chooses to encourage Church and Change leader Mark Jeske. No one in Church and Change has ever been disciplined for anything.
But this DP decided to get rid of Hastings and remove him from the WELS ministry. The congregation left with Hastings, so WELS cut off its own history. Do not hold your breath waiting for anyone from WELS to apologize. WELS leaders do not apologize because they are inerrant and infallible.
The DP is part of the Gang of Four (three Wisconsin State plus one Minnesota) that controls 75% of the church population and all of the issues. All four are on the Jeske bus, taking turns driving when he wearies from his labors for the Lord.
The hatefulness and spite directed toward this historic congregation is another indication of how the Syn Conference tore itself apart. It really began with Walther's tyranny and dictatorial attitude. The attitudes carried over with the stance that everyone else was wrong, evil, and unionistic.
Walther himself was a union theologian. Future research will show what is already evident, that he combined Pietism with Lutheran Orthodoxy and tried to make his custom blend the gold standard for everyone else. And it had to be his way.
Walther was an escaped felon, who, unrepentant for kidnapping two children, organized a mob to threaten, rob, and kidnap Bishop Stephan. A death threat, backed by a picked mob of 300 supporters, is a felony. Grand theft is also a felony. Holding Stephan against his will, forcing him out of his house, and robbing him of all his money and possessions - those are additional felonies. He was forced across the Mississippi River, which is the felony of kidnapping. Walther led the mob, stole Stephan's land, and took away the title to the 40 acres of land granted to Stephan.
Walther and his crooked felonious lawyers (Vehse and Marbach) began the Syn Conference tradition of - "We can do anything we want, because we are in charge here." To cover up these felonies, the Syn Conference has played them as justifiable because Stephan committed adultery. But the clergy knew that before they left for America with Stephan and pledged their loyalty to him.
This is another Syn Conference tradition - clergy can have sex with their members if they are popular at the moment. Discipline is not Scriptural in the Syn Conference. Walther was a bully, thug, and liar. His followers have continued that tradition.
In the Bronze Age, the old system worked. The Bronze Age clergy think everything would be fine if they could return to the days of the 1932 Brief Confession. It is funny how much they praise their men and their traditions while ignoring the Gospel. They can flog people because they imagine they have the true Gospel - the entire world is absolved of all sin, except for the people who get in their way.
"Write a letter, so we can excommunicate you for writing a letter."
"Meet with us, to tell us where we are wrong, so we can excommunicate you for trying to meet with us while we hid away and skipped the meeting."
"Let us discuss our differences in the ELS, so we can throw out the pastors who disagree with the Wayne Mueller position on ministry."
Precious few people care about rehashing the fetishes of CFW Walther, especially since his disciples only know how to quote Walther disciples.
Evidence of the weakness of this glorious Syn Conference position is everywhere. All three parts (and the micro-minis) collapsed into gross legalism and chasing the Fuller illusion.
The Lutheran school has become the Christian Academy Day-Care business. The congregation is not Lutheran, but The CORE, or CrossRoads, or CrossWalk (cute, eh?). The clergy are pals who love to golf and boat.
The Syn Conference lacks the guts to ordain women, but places them in pastoral roles anyway. Everyone knows, anything goes - with UOJ.
---
bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Who Broke the Franchise?Proof That Bronze Can Rust...":
Well said!
Walther is no better than Joseph Smith who led a mob to wreck a printing press and burn down a newspaper building in Nauvoo, Illinois. For that Joseph Smith went to jail. So Walther evaded jail time twice--once for kidnapping and one for leading a mod that committed felonies.
You wrote "40 acres" but it was "80 acres", which back then was a good sized farm. During the Civil War all farmers became prosperous since food prices were at a premium. They had been ripping off the Stephan family for decades before Walther perpetrated this final rip-off since they were basically renting that land without paying the rent! It's in the Bible that one should not hold the sons accountable for the deeds of the father, and now the Missouri synod is reaping the reward for not following that prescription.
The size of the farm doesn't come up readily in Google searches because there's a typo in the Stephan archive (aces instead of acres):
http://martinstephanforum.com/pages/StephanFamilyArchives.htm
"80 aces of land in Missouri"
***
GJ - There were two parcels of land. The Society gave Stephan 40 acres. Walther changed the title when he "found out" about Stephan's adultery with at least two women. The evidence points to more, and Stephan was already investigated for multiple adulteries in Europe. Walther avoided Stephan as he traveled to Perry County to change the title. Martin Stephan Jr. studied at the new little seminary, and Walther tricked the son into giving up the 80 acres that the bishop bought with his own money. That land became sub-divided, so it was almost impossible to get back later. Stephan had no money, since Walther's mob stole it all, so he could not address the injustice until someone took on his case much later.
Excellent Adventures
This comic is quite funny, especially where it sneakily infers that SP Harrison is related to Bishop Stephan by photoshopping Harrison's mug onto Stephan's torso.
Of course to read it, one must click on the comic to get the larger image, and maybe click on the resulting image again to enlarge it once more if one still can't read it. Then repeat for the second half of the comic.
The reason for these steps is Blogger shrinks large graphics (with "large" not being very large at all). Then the browser thinks it's being helpful by shrinking the graphic again to fit in the viewer, but that makes graphics with text unreadable, so clicking on it again "magnifies" it to 100% size.
A lot of people don't know it, but they can enlarge (or shrink) any page or graphic they are viewing in most browsers by pressing the Control and Plus (or Minus) buttons together at the same time. So a person shrink a graphic to, say, 25% its original size, or enlarge it to, say, 300% its original size, all depending on the capabilities of the browser a person is using.
Harrison's Seminary Fund
Bruce Church has left a new comment on your post "Lutheran Seminary Fraud: Students Are Bankrupting ...":
President Harrison was at a conference at St. Louis where, evidently, reps from the two LCMS seminaries, and maybe the LCC Canadian seminary, participated in strategizing their joint mission to the world, and also getting a handle on what counts as proper stewardship of resources. It seems Paul Raabe, a CLS Hebrew prof, was the M.C. and organizer, and Harrison was one of the presenters.
They should have had this meeting decades ago before tuition at the two LCMS seminaries got way out of hand, but the seminaries were like lenders of late who couldn't wait to profit off of yet another subprime interest loan of an outrageous amount for a rundown shack.
It seems to me that the seminaries turned their enterprise into a sort of world missions--where the professors have to jet off to far flung corners of the earth to teach a class at different seminaries since it's so boring to just teach at one campus for a few years straight. So just like missions in the LCMS and WELS got terribly expensive and the LCMS at least had to severely limit the number of jet-setting missionaries and jet-setting mission executives, now the synod has to pull in the reins on our jet-setting seminary professors and their administrators. Of course, all this jet-setting was put on the students' tab, and they paid for it via federal student aid at 6.6% interest, maybe for life.
Harrison talked about a joint fund he's setting up to fund the 3 seminaries (2 LCMS and the LCC) to the tune of $1 million per year. The fund might need $50 million in it to generate that much interest in today's environment, I'd guess. It was advertised on p. 31 of the May 2011 Lutheran Witness (links below).
I'm guessing Harrison wants it to be a joint fund since the LCC is basically a LCMS seminary now since LCMS students are escaping to Canada to get their M Divs at a lower price, and also the LCMS has often taken in their students on colloquy. The LCC probably feels the LCMS owes it a lot of support. I'd bet the LCMS seminaries rue that join fund since now the LCMS is basically subsidizing students to go to Canada. But the LCMS seminaries brought it on themselves.
Just think--a brand new Walther library on the lake and not many students to use it. Maybe Ft. Wayne will be the next Perry County seminary (now a log cabin museum) when Ft Wayne is mothballed.
-----------
links:
Global Impact Meeting AKA Paul Raabe’s War Room
http://www.wmltblog.org/2011/06/global-impact-meeting-aka-paul-raabes-war-room/
The final portion of the meeting discussed the funding challenge first presented in the May 2011 Lutheran Witness, “Blessings, Gifts, Challenges…” (click here for the issue) which specifically challenged the Synod to raise $250,000 for theological education (see http://lcms.org/projects) or click here to give now to this challenge. The goal is to have $1,000,000 per year to divide between Concordia Seminary Saint Louis, Concordia Theological Seminary Fort Wayne, and the Lutheran Church Canada to provide theological education consisting of bringing future leaders to LCMS and LCC seminaries, sending seminary professors overseas to teach, and to support regional seminaries of partner churches.
-----------
Theological Education Initiatives in the May 2011 LW:
http://classic.lcms.org/witness_archives/may11/index.html
Friday, July 1, 2011
Visit Historic St. John's Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.
The Organ Recital Is July 24th
Time
Sunday, July 24 · 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location
Historic St. John's Lutheran Church
804 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI
Created By
David Porth
More Info
David Porth will be giving a recital on the mighty 2/39 Barckhoff/Wangerin pipe organ of Historic St. John's Lutheran Church.
Before the recital why not consider attending a Divine Service at 10:00am in the church. Hear the wonderful message of Jesus Christ and what He has done for YOU!
All are invited to attend! Come and visit this beautiful landmark in Milwaukee! This church is considered to be one of the finest examples of German Lutheran church architecture in the United States.
A Festive Intrada -- Walter Pelz
Prelude in G Major -- J.S. Bach
Aria -- Paul Manz
Toccata in F Major -- Dietrich Buxtehude
Selections from Eight -- Charles Ore
I. Entrance
III. Diversion
IV. Procession
VI. Procession II
***INTERMISSION***
(10 minutes)
A Patriotic Suite -- Charles Callahan
Andante Tranquillo from Sonata 3 -- Felix Mendelssohn
Allegro Movement from Sonata 2
Improvisation on In Thee is Gladness -- Michael Burkhardt
Organ Recital at History St. John's Lutheran Church,
July 24th.
Attend the Worship Service at 10 AM
Time
Sunday, July 24 · 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location
Historic St. John's Lutheran Church
804 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI
Created By
David Porth
More Info
David Porth will be giving a recital on the mighty 2/39 Barckhoff/Wangerin pipe organ of Historic St. John's Lutheran Church.
Before the recital why not consider attending a Divine Service at 10:00am in the church. Hear the wonderful message of Jesus Christ and what He has done for YOU!
All are invited to attend! Come and visit this beautiful landmark in Milwaukee! This church is considered to be one of the finest examples of German Lutheran church architecture in the United States.
A Festive Intrada -- Walter Pelz
Prelude in G Major -- J.S. Bach
Aria -- Paul Manz
Toccata in F Major -- Dietrich Buxtehude
Selections from Eight -- Charles Ore
I. Entrance
III. Diversion
IV. Procession
VI. Procession II
***INTERMISSION***
(10 minutes)
A Patriotic Suite -- Charles Callahan
Andante Tranquillo from Sonata 3 -- Felix Mendelssohn
Allegro Movement from Sonata 2
Improvisation on In Thee is Gladness -- Michael Burkhardt
---
rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Organ Recital at History St. John's Lutheran Churc...":
I'm there! Before the Lord calls me home, I would like to ring the bells of old St John's. Our family attended a worship service there many years ago. The rope for the bell extends through a hole in the ceiling in an area that we now call the narthex. On another occasion, I was given a tour of St John's by one of the members. It is heart warming to know that the organ is still functional. Working on pipe organs is an extremely specialized skill.
Important PS for the WELS - ELCA Article
The link is to this article:
ELCA WELS Parallel
California wrote:
It may have been announced, in 1977, but the groundwork had been systematically laid and tilled officially but quietly for ten years after significant resolutions were passed in convention in 1967. It was in 1977 that my membership was terminated from a WELS congregation after some years of attempting to get both congregation leaders and synod leaders to understand what had been done and what was beginning to manifest itself in the mid 70's. Congregations didn't understand the management by objectives process adopted in 1967, but some synod level officials did, whether they admitted it or not. Systems management doesn't just appear and be skillfully implemented without guidance and nurturing. I recognized at the time, that damage had been done, due to having discovered and been involved in exposing the same process of governance which was hijacking the governing institutions in civic government at all levels and especially education (school) governance.
Following are some observations from the open letter I sent to the congregation after the termination 1977. My conscience is clear, for they couldn't say they had never heard.
From the Open Letter to Peace Lutheran Church, Santa Clara, CA 2/7/1977.
"Students of history always identify turning points resulting in long range changes in institutions. Rarely recognized as pivotal at the time, it generally takes a period of time before the fruits of such events begin to manifest themselves to the general body of an institution. If such a "turning point" were to be identified for the current "facilitation of change" in Synod, it would be the year of 1967. Two resolutions adopted at the 1967 Synod Convention set the stage for fundamental, far reaching changes only recently coming apparent.
1)The resolution was adopted which provided the technical loophole which was used to justify the government grants to WELS church schools.
It set the stage for the idea that government educators had something constructive to offer Christian education, for in addition to monetary considerations, programs and philosophies of these educators have been assimilated into Christian schools until the distinction between church and government schools is becoming less distinct by the year.
2) The second action of that 1967 convention was the authorization of the restructuring of Synod organization from a truly representative form of governance to one of Systems Analysis (Planning, Programming, Budgeting System). The name itself defines the management system. More than a budgeting system, PPBS also restructures the WAY DECISIONS ARE MADE. Plans ARE PREDETERMINED BY AN ELITE PLANNING BODY. All factors involved are known only by that planning body. Programming for acceptance of the pre-determined plans are implemented to create the need for the planned goal, or to obtain the necessary feedback to identify strong opposition, and if necessary adjust the plan so it will be accepted by members at large who can be persuaded through various means to be receptive to the plan. They in turn ultimately legitimatize the predetermined plans with a vote in congregation,district or synod. This process is in motion now to discredit King James Version and condition for acceptance NIV.
The nature of PPBS is manipulative from the top. There is no escaping the essence of the process.........
........................
As in every other church body including those calling themselves Lutheran, WELS will experience continued controversy. There can be no true peace or unity once a church body is divided on what the very Word of God is! If history repeats itself,and the pattern follows that which every other church embarking on similar paths has gone, WELS will become more and more subjective, larger and larger promotional synod-wide programs will multipy.........expect increased encouragement of emotional responses at all levels of church life. With more and more methodologically contrived situations designed to elicit subjective responses, will come less and less doctrinal emphasis........There are repeated expressions of concern by synod that fewer young men are expressing the intention to enter the ministry. Only the Holy spirit generates the true desire to become a full time servant of the Word. Could it be that God is "saying something to WELS"? ....................................
2/7/1977
---
LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Important PS for the WELS - ELCA Article":
1967 seems to be a pivotal year...it is the same year that the first printing of "This We Believe" came out. Its confession regarding redemption and justification are audacious when compared to the Brief Statement of 1932. UOJ is all a part of this PPBS initiative. WELS hangs their hat on J.P. Meyer concerning justification...the only book he wrote. Compare that to the volumes the reformers wrote and what resides in the BoC.
ELCA - WELS Parallel:
Goodsoil versus Church and Change.
Missouri and the Little Sect Have Factions Too
I understand various bishops and leaders wore them at the 2009 convention.
The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau discussion group is talking about the upcoming ELCA convention and previous ones. In 2007, Brad Schmeling, a pastor kicked out of ELCA, for violating their rules, was the preacher at the alternative worship service at their convention. In 2009, the rules were reversed, and the same minister was welcomed back shortly afterward. Various pastors and congregations under fake-discipline were also welcomed back with special ceremonies designed by ELCA.
Nevertheless, GoodSoil is organized to have parallel services at the upcoming convention and engage the conventioneers in furthering GoodSoil goals. That will probably lead to openly gay bishops of both genders.
The result of their political achievements, enforced ruthlessly by ELCA bishops, is an unprecedented flight from ELCA. The two leading protest denominations are the LCMC and the NALC, both products of the traditional group within ELCA, named CORE. Those two groups alone have 1,000 congregations, many of them the largest ones in ELCA. The exits continue and the ELCA seminaries are in deep financial trouble.
In the mid 19th century, a similar division took place in the old General Synod, when approximately half of the congregations left and formed their own seminary in Philadelphia, where I was once interviewed for a job.
GoodSoil Clearly Runs ELCA
The GoodSoil agenda and Bishop Mark Hanson's agenda are the same. The ELCA bishops all work to enforce that agenda. Unlike the Episcopal Church, no active bishop has left ELCA, nor have any ELCA bishops taken entire districts out with them. ELCA leader Hanson is a hero among mainline denomination leaders.
Church and Change Runs WELS
Various people made me aware of the facts and gave me the actual materials. Some have prospered by saying nothing while letting me do their work for them. The Changers have been howling in dismay over revelations, especially since this blog owns many Lutheran topics and images when people use Google.
The yelling seemed to go up a notch when I began uniting sound and false doctrine with graphics.
Church and Change owns WELS (synod staff, both colleges, seminary, FICL) and continues to bear fruit: schools closing, membership shrinking, false doctrine growing.
Time of Grace Supporters Just Happen To Be
Church and Change Leaders.
Shop and Compare - See the Other Time of Grace Memorial Below
AC V has left a new comment on your post "If Hottentots Are Already Justified, Why Attend Ch...":
Pro-ToG Memorial:
Unpublished Memorial (2011-07U)
Subject: Time of Grace Ministry
Floor Committee #21
WHEREAS 1) Time of Grace was formed by a group of WELS laymen and clergy to utilize the
medium of television to present law and gospel; and
WHEREAS 2) Time of Grace is viewed weekly in many American markets and globally by satellite
broadcast and over the Internet; and
WHEREAS 3) WELS members in the armed services, including those in combats zones, together
with WELS college students, the aged and infirmed, and other WELS members unable to attend their own church, through Time of Grace have daily or weekly access to sermons and devotions thus sustaining and strengthening their faith and trust in the living Lord; and
WHEREAS 4) WELS parents, spouses, and loved ones of those who are physically unable to attend
a WELS worship service are sincerely appreciative that Time of Grace devotions are available for their loved ones; and
WHEREAS 5) In addition to the thousands of WELS members, there are tens of thousands of non-
WELS viewers who hear pure scripture-based presentations of law and gospel; therefore be it
Resolved, a) that the Synod in convention acknowledge, thank, and encourage Time of Grace to
continue in its ministry for the edification of WELS members and the spreading of the pure gospel message to thousands of others; and be it finally
Resolved, b) that the Synod in Convention encourage congregations to publicize and utilize Time
of Grace broadcasts, internet site, and other materials as a supplement to their regular worship and study of God’s holy word, especially to their members who can’t attend their congregation’s worship services and Bible studies.
Rev. Mark J. Cares
Mr. Thomas C. Walters
Rev. Harold J. Hagedorn
Mr. Robert L. Timmermann
Mr. Paul D. Rosenow
Mr. Daniel L. Kunz
Rev. Matthew J. Zimpelmann
Mr. John W. Tappe
Mr. Warren D. Ehlke
Mr. Dennis E. Walters
Mr. Mark A. Wrightsman
Dr. Scott A. Gostchock
Mr. Merle D. Blum
Mr. Paul L. Kunz
Rev. Howard O. Mohlke
Mr. James W. Freer
Rev. John P. Huebner
Rev. James A. Aderman
Rev. Matthew Doebler
Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Pagel
Rev. John Parlow
Rev. David C. Pagel
Rev. Steven L. Witte
Rev. Joel W. Schwartz
Rev. Larry G. Zwieg
Rev. James R. Sonnemann
Mr. Roger J. Jeffery
Mr. Jeffery P. Davis
Rev. Ronald V. Ash
Dr. and Mrs. Rick E. Klug
Rev. Wayne I. Schulz
Rev. Raymond Kimbrough
Rev. and Mrs. James G. Witt III
Rev. Keith C. Tullberg
Rev. John M. Graf
Mr. Thomas H. DeWitz
Rev. Donald W. Patterson
Dr. Donald A. Whitlock
Mr. Gregory P. Naumann
Rev. Mark A. Cordes
Rev. Daniel J. Rautenberg
Rev. Michael G. Geiger
Rev. Robert J. Gurgel
Rev. Frederick J. Guldberg
Rev. Paul S. Soukup
Rev. Bill F. Limmer
Rev. Christian J. Winkel
Peter Dorn
Carl Lemke
Rev. John Lawrenz
----
AC V has left a new comment on your post "Time of Grace Supporters Just Happen To Be Church ...":
ToG, the face of the WELS brand of Lutheranism: A gown-less, sacrament-less, Dr. Phil-like motivational speaker. "Click here to purchase now."
WELS readers, get ready for your future pastors to come into your congregations in the same way. They already are.
---
LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "Time of Grace Supporters Just Happen To Be Church ...":
"In addition to the thousands of WELS members, there are tens of thousands of non-
WELS viewers who hear pure scripture-based presentations of law and gospel;"
I watched recently...what verse in the Bible is pre-forgiven in again?
***
GJ - Readers can look over the list above and count how many people deny being Church and Changers - like Don Patterson - yet turn up always supporting the Church and Change agenda.
---
This is the link.
Synod Convention Memorial - Time of Grace
Whereas (1) Time of Grace Ministry has actively sought and obtained the status of a Recognized Service Organization (RSO) from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS); and
Whereas (2) Time of Grace is listed in the Yearbook of the LCMS as a Recognized Service Organization; and
Whereas (3) Leaders and representatives from Time of Grace regularly appear at LCMS events and congregations to promote the ministry of Time of Grace; and
Whereas (4) The administrative board of Time of Grace includes at least one member of the LCMS; and
Whereas (5) The LCMS, according to its official bylaws and policies, considers its RSOs to be “valued partners of the LCMS,” views the services of its RSOs as “a profound extension of the LCMS’ mission and ministry,” and expects its RSOs to “respect and not act contrary to the doctrine and practice of the Synod” and to “foster the mission and ministry of the Synod and engage in program activity that is in harmony with the programs of the boards of the Synod;” and
Whereas (6) An organization cannot truthfully and honestly carry out joint mission and ministry with two synods that are not in fellowship with one another, pretending to “walk together” with both; and
Whereas (7) The practices of Time of Grace are examples of the very unionism over which the bond of church fellowship between the WELS and the LCMS was formally severed in 1961; and
Whereas (8) The speaker and chief writer for Time of Grace is Pastor Mark Jeske, who with his congregation, St. Marcus Evangelical Lutheran Church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a member of the WELS; and
Whereas (9) Time of Grace maintains that it is not affiliated with any denomination or part of any denominational structure; and
Whereas (10) Such an arrangement implies that it is possible to be a member of the WELS while leading a religious organization which will confess no denominational ties; and
Whereas (11) Time of Grace has established a presence in most (if not all) of the Twelve Districts of the WELS; and
Whereas (12) Time of Grace has pursued the introduction of its services and ministry into the world mission fields of the WELS; and
Whereas (13) Scripture instructs us to present a clear confession of our doctrine and practice and to affiliate ourselves only with those church bodies whose doctrine and practice conform to the entirety of God’s Word (Romans 16:17; 1 Timothy 4:16); and
Whereas (14) The Southeastern Wisconsin District presidium is charged with oversight of doctrine and practice of the pastors, teachers, congregations and other entities of our fellowship within its district; and
Whereas (15) Time of Grace has not provided to the Southeastern Wisconsin District presidium documentation from the LCMS regarding the non-RSO status of Time of Grace; and
Whereas (16) The Southeastern Wisconsin District presidium, in two years of dealing with Time of Grace, has been unable to convince Time of Grace of the need to withdraw its RSO status or change its unionistic practices; therefore be it
RESOLVED (a) That the Synod in convention recognize Time of Grace’s relationship with the LCMS as unionistic, confessionally unclear, and therefore unscriptural; and be it finally RESOLVED (b) That the Synod in convention encourage the presidium of the Southeastern Wisconsin District to take immediate measures of loving Christian discipline toward Time of Grace and its leaders, calling on them to terminate their LCMS RSO status and to return to biblical practices and a clear confession regarding their walk together with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
Rev. Rodney E. Dietsche - Peace, Green Lake, WI
Rev. Christopher S. Doerr - Grace, Waupun, WI
Rev. Ross Else - Emmaus, Phoenix, AZ
Rev. Paul C. Fetzer - St. John's, Clare, MI
Rev. Thomas Fischer - Loving Shepherd, Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Lester G. Fritz - Zion, Van Dyne, WI Michael Hefti - Faith, Radcliff, KY
Rev. Roy W. Hefti - St. Paul's, Bangor, WI
Rev. Stephen Hein - Christ, Prescott Valley, AZ
Mr. Kenneth S. Jamka - Trinity, Sierra Vista, AZ
Mr. Kurt W. Knurr - Trinity, Sierra Vista, AZ
Rev. Ronald G. Koehler, III - Grace, Tucson, AZ
Rev. John R. Koester - Trinity, Temple, TX
Rev. Robert Koester - NPH, Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Roger L. Kuerth - St. Luke, Watertown, WI
Rev. Paul J. Lidtke - Bethlehem, Oshkosh, WI
Mr. Harold I. Mears - Emmaus, Phoenix, AZ
Mr. Kevin Needham - St. Paul's, Saginaw, MI
Rev. David A. Nottling - St. John, Fox Lake, WI
Rev. Mark D. Ochsankehl - Trinity, Winslow, AZ
Rev. Aaron Odya - St. Peter's, Eldorado, WI
Rev. David J. Salinas - St. John, Victorville, CA
Rev. Paul Schaefer - St. Peter's, Plymouth, MI
Rev. Neal Schroeder - Divine Peace, Renton, WA
Rev. Paul Schulz - Grace, Safford, AZ
Rev. David R. Seager - Loving Shepherd, Milwaukee, WI
Rev. Gregory Sluke - Trinity, Redgranite, WI
Rev. James Strand - St. Paul, Bloomer, WI
Rev. Johnold J. Strey - St. Mark, Citrus Heights, CA
Rev. Jeffrey W. Suhr - St. John, Appleton, WI
Rev. Donald Swartz - Mt. Olive, Monroe, WI
Rev. Benjamin Tomczak - St. Mark, Duncanville, TX
Rev. Clayton G. Welch - Faith, River Falls, WI
If you are not on his bus, you will soon be washing the tread marks from your face.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Jon Techlin Wrote On Light From Light
Jon Techlin
I think Mr. Palmer’s point is brilliant. Using the passive voice is an act of cowardice. If those who made this decision were proud of their actions, they would state with the active voice, “I, Pastor Glende/We, the church council … have decided/have voted to … ”
Instead they intentionally use passive verbage in order to distance themselves from the decision they made, as if this decision came into being on its own, without a creator, through the Big Bang. Using the passive voice in explaining one’s actions betrays a reluctance to take responsibility for them.
This reminds me of a situation where I witnessed an adult questioning a guilty child over a broken dish. The adult asked, “What happened?” The child responded, “It broke.”
Indeed. No one broke it. It just broke.
No one kicked my brother out of the church. He was just kicked out.
If Hottentots Are Already Justified, Why Attend Church?
AC V has left a new comment on your post "Heidenreich and the LutherQueasies":
This is practical theology in the light of justification by faith alone. People ask, "If I'm fully and freely forgiven of all my sins by Christ on the cross, then why should I come to church?" UOJ answers, "Because you need to be reminded of UOJ, show your appreciation for UOJ, and encourage others in UOJ." The Scriptures and the Confessions say, "You need to come to church because you daily sin much and the means of grace will give you the actual forgiveness of sins."
I've come to believe and confess that a major reason why fewer (W)ELS & LCMS people are attending worship services is because of UOJ. It's the reason Private Confession and Absolution fell into disuse. It's the reason Communion is offered infrequently. It's the reason sermons are Power Point pep talks. Why cherish and encourage the regular use of the means of grace when it's only a reminder of the forgiveness of sins and not the actual, real-time forgiveness of sins?
---
Scott E. Jungen has left a new comment on your post "If Hottentots Are Already Justified, Why Attend Ch...":
"...pure scripture-based presentations of law and gospel". Are these people watching the same ToG that I have watched? All I've seen is Pastor Jeske walking around in a suit giving Dr. Phil-like prescriptions to lead a better life on earth.
Scott E. Jungen
Back from the Dead, Carl Vehse Defends the Felononious Founders of the Missouri Synod
I would not pick a felon's name as a nom de plume.
- Carl Vehse said...
- Why are you providing a link to such a erroneous website? Even the title of the website's thread, "Pietism's Saxon Migration Began with Kidnapping Three People, Violating the Confessional, Leading a Riot, And Robbery" is inaccurate. Only two people were kidnapped and not as the thread describes; there was no violating of the confessional, primarily because the pastor was not really a pastor; there was no riot; and any robbery was primarily done by Martin Stephan. The website thread bases its history on a equally, if not more, inaccurate book written by Philip Stephan, a descendent of deposed Missouri Saxon Bishop Martin Stephan.
A key document often referenced throughout Philip Stephan’s book, especially on controversial claims with no other substantiating historical documentation is Frederick William (Wilhelm Friedrich) Koepchen’s unpublished manuscript, “Martin Stephan and the Saxon Emigration of 1838.” Rev. Koepchen was a pastor at St. Luke’s Church in New York City in the early 20th century, when he began preparing a manuscript for the centennial anniversary of the 1838 Saxon Emigration.
When Rev. Koepchen died, either in 1935 (per Stephan, p. 5) or in 1936 (per Concordia Historical Institute), his collaborator and editor who ended up completing the manuscript was none other than... Rev. Theodore M. Stephan, the grandson of the deposed Martin Stephan. Rev. Theodore Stephan also wrote in 1929 another unpublished manuscript used repeatedly as a reference in Philip Stephan’s book. Thus Philip Stephan’s book of revisionist history is critically dependent on claims made in unpublished manuscripts, which were finally edited and completed by Theodore Stephan, the grandson of Martin Stephan, based in part on documents contributed by a number of Stephan ancestors.
The most reliable historical book on the events of the Missouri Saxon Emigration is Walter O. Forster's Zion on the Mississippi (Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, 1953), along with voluminous references to original sources. Forster's book is a revised and expanded version of his Ph.D. Thesis in History at Washington University-St. Louis.
Finally, in what may be "only for the brave" some additional discussion regarding the kidnapping of Walther's niece and nephew, Maria and Theodor Schubert, can be read in the Review, Part III of August R. Suelflow's Servant of the Word: The Life and Ministry of C.F.W. Walther (CPH, St. Louis, 2000). Some additional information about the Schubert children was obtained a number of years ago. According to the records of Concordia Lutheran Church in Frohna, Missouri, Maria Schubert was born on May 10, 1823, and died on July 19, 1840, at the age of 17, a year and a half after the Olbers arrived at New Orleans. The cause of death was listed as "gallstone fever". Theodor Schubert was one of the first eleven students in the Dresden, Missouri, school started on December 9, 1839, by Carl Walther, Johann Burnger, Ottomar Fuerbringer, and Theodor Brohm. According to Carl S. Meyer (Log Cabin to Luther Tower, CPH, St. Louis, 1965, p. 6) Theodor Schubert had died prior to September 12, 1841, when the remaining students signed a birthday poem for Brohm. No information on Theodor Schubert's death is in church records of Concordia or Trinity (Altenburg), but it is known that some deaths during that difficult time were not recorded. - Tuesday, June 28, 2011 10:21:00 AM GMT+10:00
- LPC said...
- I link for the intetest of balanced reporting and let the reader decide. I find your reaction funny. For you erroneous reporting is more evil than kidnapping 2 children which you admit Walther did.
- Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:39:00 PM GMT+10:00
- Brett Meyer said...
- Including the kidnapping and subsequent robbery and abandonment of Stephan I count three (3). Heinous!
- Wednesday, June 29, 2011 1:56:00 PM GMT+10:00
- Carl Vehse said...
- "For you, erroneous reporting is more evil than kidnapping 2 children which you admit Walther did." I pointed out erroneous reporting. I said nothing that would suggest I consider such faulty reporting more evil than kidnapping. What evidence do you have to support your accusation?
***
GJ - The attorney Carl Vehse was responsible for hiding the children Walther kidnapped from his own father's parsonage, with the help of his brother, who was also a pastor and a Stephan follower.
The attorney Marbach also helped in this felony, so both attorneys were felons for obstructing justice.
The writer has offered the additional material that both children died young in America, which would have been heart-breaking for the family back in Europe.
Zion on the Mississippi is a good book. All the historical documents have to be weighed. The eye-witness accounts are valuable, even when they are not entirely accurate or they engage in outright distortions. People try their best and still get facts wrong. The official archives of the LCA had A. D. Mattson dying in the wrong city and state. How could the official archives be wrong?
Those things happen all the time. History is quite messy and much of it lies buried forever.
Stephan was a known adulterer in his old parish, who should have been removed, following the Scriptures, in Europe, but that would have been difficult, with the Walther brothers fleeing the police and the attorneys lying and hiding the children.
One can remove a pastor or bishop without threatening his life, robbing him of all his goods & all his gold coins, and kidnapping him. Many people realize that the Missouri Synod (St. Louis and Perry County) began with a series of crimes. Lying about the past does not solve any problems in the present.
If UOJ is true because Walther taught it, then people should re-evaluate whether they want to follow a pastor who committed multiple felonies, which gave him:
- His niece and nephew in America, contrary to the court, where they died;
- Control of the sect;
- Acres of free land (which Stephan bought with his own money), plus 40 acres they took back from him;
- Two valuable chalices;
- Many personal effects;
- And a big pile of gold.