Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Pope Paul the Unlearned Publishes Some Great Posts

The Missouri Synod, like WELS and ELCA, peddles Thrivent Insurance to qualify for "grants," which are really kick-backs.
Does Paul McCain get a bonus for wearing the logo?


I love the recent posts from Pope Paul the Unlearned. They are bright and insightful, because they are copied from Ichabod.

Recently, he discovered the ELCiC (ELCA, eh?) proposal for homosexual ordination, something described in great detail many months ago. I hate to jump to conclusions, but has anyone looked at the photos of their female bishop?

Thanks to diligent research (from me), McCain has also found out that billionaire Rupert Murdoch is behind the NNIV. McCain is against the NIV business, a topic that I have covered over 20 times.

However, McCain does not deal with the King James Bible being directly connected to Luther's Bible.

Nor does he discuss the absence of his precious UOJ in the Book of Concord, a publication he claims to adore. He has many pretty editions, and some pretty old ones, but he must not like sound the horrible sound of a book being opened. C - r - a - c - k. Here is a hint - if the book is opened carefully and read often, that sound goes away.






Celebrate Luther's English Bible - The KJV - With Trashy Translations Like the NNIV

The Bible is not worth dying for today.
Watch the Wisconsin Sect vote to study the issue a little longer,
then approve the NNIV in 2013,
once this messy and unnecessary KJV 400th anniversary is over.



bruce-church (http://bruce-church.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Wisconsin Sect Dirty Tricks":

Now I see why Zondervan wanted to produce a gender neutral translation of the NIV. It's got to keep up with the Joneses:

New Bible Aims for 'Common' Language, Gender Neutrality

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/07/20/new-bible-translation-aims-for-common-language/

----------
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_English_Bible

The Common English Bible is sponsored by an alliance of several denominational publishers in the USA operating under an umbrella group called the Christian Resources Development Corporation (CRDC), incorporated in 2009 and based in Nashville, Tennessee.[4] The publishing houses participating are Chalice Press, Westminster John Knox Press, Church Publishing Inc, Pilgrim Press, and Abingdon Press.

Wisconsin Sect Dirty Tricks

Richard Jungkuntz was the heresiarch in WELS, then Missouri, so The ALC gave him a promotion.
John Lawrenz was smarter, working from the inside of WELS.



rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "The Oracle of Ichabod:Mystery of the Sistine Chape...":

"There are several occasions when false stories were fed to my friends so WELS could call me a liar for publishing the lies they were promoting."

The secular work environment is more ethical. My managers have told me that they would never deliberately set me up for a fall. In over four years, they have backed that up with their actions. Compliments and encouragement are common where I work.

There is something insidiously sick within WELS leadership. It rubs off from called workers on to the new generation of 30 something lay leaders. The duplicitous treatment of members by many in the WELS leadership is unsettling. The leaders know that the members must keep their pocketbooks open in order to support the latest CG fads. However, it appears that some leaders hold their noses when they must truly serve these members.

***

GJ - The secular workplace must conform to civil and criminal law. Abusive sects take advantage of people assuming that matters are handled according to Scripture, rendering unto Caesar. Therefore, no better shelter is afforded the impenitent. The Roman Catholic bishop in Phoenix, who evaded multiple crimes, is no different from the WELS leaders.

Luther's sermon for Trinity 4 (Lenker edition) identified the problem. When there is no faith, there is also no mercy, no fruits of the Gospel. Jungkuntz led the troops in denouncing justification by faith, by glorifying unfaith, belittling the efficacy of the Word in the name of Holy Mother Synodical Conference.

The un-faith leaders of WELS are incapable of ethical behavior because they are not apt to teach. Readers have seen many comments from the Shrinkers, howling that they have been slandered, demanding that Matthew 18 be followed in addressing their public false doctrine. The worst sermon ever posted elicited exactly that kind of response, a few days ago.

But what happened when laity from two different congregations followed Matthew 18? Both were excommunicated, and WELS has already upheld the first one. Deputy Doug Englebrecht is always there to enforce UOJ lawlessness.

The WELS/ELS leadership hates God and despises His Word. There is no better explanation for their behavior. They give it away in their attacks on Biblical doctrine. They glory in their adoration of pox-filled institutions. Add up the leaders who have studied at Fuller Seminary, Willow Creek, and Trinity Divinity. Their numbers are Legion, and they will drive the swine off the cliffs soon enough. Then their Father Below will have accomplished his purpose.

Meanwhile, the WELS convention will solemnly debate or discuss whether Mark and Avoid Jeske has two synods, even though their own has been in bed with ELCA for decades and loving it. The synod leaders love all debates that take people away from the real issues, and the clergy enjoy the sport as well.

Shrinker Tiefel offering a worship conference, when he despises the Means of Grace, is just as funny as a DUI convict serving alcohol at a worship conference. What may seem jarring to the innocent makes sense to the pickled Pietists of Pewaukee. One observer said:

Many of my good, otherwise solid, conservative, confessional friends are jaunting off to G-A College in St. Peter, MN, all thrilled and excited. You see, these wonderful worship conferences are suppose to be the antidote for “whoopee worship,” and garbage like The CORE. All we have to do is show people how great and exciting correct and proper liturgical western rite worship can be, and they will just drop all their coffee-house churches, and praise-song nonsense in a heartbeat. Yeah sure, and I am selling ocean-view lots in Midland dirt cheap!!! Sorry, t’ain’t gonna happen! Never has. Never will. I don’t know of a single C&Cer nut-job who has gone back to his happy-clappy church and all of the sudden instituted liturgical worship – NOT ONE!!!!! A leopard does not and cannot change his spots. You can’t “fix” these guys. The only thing you can do is exterminate them!!!

Like all UOJ Enthusiasts, Jack Cascione has one dogma - this one,
the first trimester pre-birth justification without faith declaration.



Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Oracle of Ichabod:
Mystery of the Sistine Chapel Revealed

Cleaning up the Sistine Chapel fresco revealed many new details in the artwork,
including the name of the Dephic Oracle.


I wonder why people are so quick to doubt my observations and predictions.

I published my thoughts about the demise of the ELCA merger, before it took place, 24 years ago. I documented all the homosexual activism taking place at that time, chapter and verse, with exact details and quotations. That issue of Christian News was sent all over ELCA, and to Lutheran groups as well. And yet the 2009 ELCA convention was a shock?

A late-comer to the Christian Faith has noted on Facebook that LIberalism: Its Cause and Cure also predicted the current situation in religion, even though it was published about 20 years ago. The book, hated by Shrinkers, became a minor best-seller for Northwestern Publishing House and began a relationship between Christian News and NPH in selling books.

Although that should be adequate proof, let me add a unique perspective that has developed, after I was ordained in 1973. As Uncle Roy has often said, "He knows everyone!" I have met church leaders from all denominations and studied under many men who are world-figures in theology. Add to that my experience with the LCMS, WELS, the Little Sect on the Prairie, and several micro-mini groups. Most people know one denomination, and sticking to one is a good career move. However, that also creates a parochial view that is blind to everything else.

People I have met, spoken to, or heard include: Paul Y. Cho, Charles Colson, James Kennedy, Robert Marshall, David Preus, Robert Preus, Jack Preus, Roland Bainton, Stan Hauerwas, Paul Holmer, John Howard Yoder, Nils Dahl, Sydney Ahlstrom, J. Pelikan, Kurt Marquart, David Scaer, and quite a few others. Real doctoral work means reading hundreds and books, and writing books demands the reading of many hundreds more.

Many contribute research to this blog without acknowledgement. They know the wrath of the UOJ Shrinkers, so they keep their pen names. Many details come from them, and they are in a position to know. Since I am routinely called a liar and slanderer, I check on the facts before I publish and I link whenever possible. There are several occasions when false stories were fed to my friends so WELS could call me a liar for publishing the lies they were promoting.

Reading Ichabod is a short-cut to Lutheran knowledge. The fact is, few can sit down and write from the same perspective and with the same freedom.

To paraphrase the fired former Synod President Gurgle - "To deny this would be false modesty, and that would be a sin."

---

LutherRocks has left a new comment on your post "The Oracle of Ichabod: Mystery of the Sistine Chape...":

I am laughing...I have not done much of this of late...I will sleep well tonight...


---

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "The Oracle of Ichabod: Mystery of the Sistine Chape...":

The fact is, few can sit down and write from the same perspective and with the same freedom.

I disagree. Everyone can sit down and write with the same freedom. They decide not to. I'll let them consider why that is. From my perspective they decide not to publicly and faithfully defend and promote Christ's doctrines for fear. Fear of XYZ. Regardless the reason for the fear it is certainly not Godly, since Christ would have us contend openly as He provides the opportunities, and Oh! there are opportunities. But they do not, and the apostasy continues to advance, smothering the sheep and blinding the churches.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

***

GJ - Ah, but Brett, you are focusing on the freedom part. I agree with that. Few have the same perspective. That was aimed at the lunk-heads in Church and Change (and Missouri counterparts). They keep repeating their talking points from seminary, never imagining that they were fed propaganda. Synodical spin is a tough sell in an academic setting. For instance, "It is true because Walther said so." That would create a yawn or a "Who?" in most universities.

Artful Dodger told me that the St. Louis Seminary put this spin on Walther kidnapping his niece and nephew: "They wanted to go to America."

Conventional Wisdom

"We're not done yet, Brett. ELCA will get a whole lot smaller after this convention."




The LCMC will meet in Des Moines starting on October 2, the day we return from the Moline High Reunion. We turn south at Des Moines, so we will stop at their gathering for a short time.

The parallel group, the NALC (the bishops' synod) will meet in Columbus in July.

WELS is meeting next week, to approve the NNIV and to re-elect Mark and Avoid Jeske as the de facto Synod President.

ELCA will meet August 15th.

  • Bethel in Noblesville, IN, passed their first vote to leave ELCA by an 82% margin. This congregation has about 1300 members.
  • Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Ft. Wayne, IN, 1st vote to leave ELCA, today.
  • St. John's Lutheran Church, Gollad, TX, 1st vote to leave ELCA, today.
  • St. Jacob Lutheran Church, Chapin, SC, second vote, already decided to join NALC (Vote Passed!)
  • Going, going, gone.

WELS Convention Meets To Re-Elect SP Gurgle.
Cash Bar Hosted by Prof Tiefel

The Synodical Conference is a marketing tool for Thrivent Insurance.
Thrivent unites all Lutheran groups with ELCA, following the ELCA agenda.




Do not be shocked, Baby Blue Eyes, Tiefel himself was serving alcohol at his worship conference bash at an ELCA college, just last week.


Post convention highlights and lowlights here.

Orthodox Theologians For UOJ.
Oops, Wrong Folder.
My Bad!


















Brett Meyer on UOJ Being Insidious



Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Review of J. P. Meyer - Ministers of Christ, Revi...":

UOJ is insidious. It's sole function is to separate the hearer from the one true Gospel.

Those who have rejected Christ's faith but still desire to be called Children of God, have created a new way to be righteous in God's sight that doesn't require the faith which they lack. Having established this new righteousness they go about to destroy Christ's righteousness because it stands as a testament to their deception and departure from Scripture.

Romans 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Almost all (W)ELS UOJ essays bow deep before the holy grail of Universal Justification, Siegbert W. Becker's Justification essay. His is the most clear confession concerning the false, deceptive and contradictory nature of UOJ.

This is his statement on the Kokomo four:
"Every one of the statements can be understood correctly, even though one must swallow a little hard to accede to the fourth. However, because the statements were used to discredit the truth of universal justification and to cause other laymen to doubt this teaching it is especially necessary to point out that the statements do not contain false doctrine."

"One really becomes a guilt-free saint only through faith, if we limit ourselves to the biblical usage of the word. However, since our holiness, as Augustine says, consists in sin’s remission rather than in life’s perfection, we could say that when God forgave the sins of the whole world he regarded all sinners as guilt-free, but if they are guilt-free we might also say that they are considered sinless in the sight of God. But a sinless person is a holy person, a saint."

Page 14

Saints in Hell
"Even the fourth statement can be defended even though it leaves much to be desired. As we have said, the statement is not drawn from a WELS source. If it is true that God has forgiven the sins of the world then it is also true that he forgave the sin of Judas. When Jesus called Judas “friend” in the garden, he was in effect treating him as a forgiven sinner. If Jesus took away the sins of the world he also took away the sins of the people who died in the flood. It is surely no more difficult to believe that God forgave sins that were already being punished than to believe that at the time of the resurrection he forgave sins that had not yet been committed. How that is possible I do not know. It very likely finds its explanation in the divine attribute of eternity.

But while the statement can be defended as expressing a biblical reality, yet it would be best not to speak in such terms. In Scandinavia it is customary on the part of some to ridicule universal justification with the remark, “The damned lie in hell with their forgiven sins.” So this fourth statement is a caricature which has a tendency to make universal justification look ridiculous."
Page 15

http://www.wlsessays.net/files/BeckerJustification.PDF

There is little about UOJ, and certainly S.W. Becker's essay, which doesn't contradict Scripture, Christ's Holy Word.

And yet I received this warning from an Intrepid Pastor no less, "I did have Sig Becker for a professor, for a number of classes, and I can say, and will say from the roof-tops if called upon to do so, that this man is so far away from UOJ that he's not even in the same universe. OK, I know, I know, he defended Kokomo, but I happen to know that that was a case of synod blood being thicker than confessional water, so to speak...So, I may be dumb, but I'm not totally stupid. So, I think - in my own humble opinion - that if I say some guy is not an UOJ fanatic, I just might know what heck I'm talking about...I only ask you to consider three things - and this advice comes from my own experience - and please believe me, I know of what I speak:

1.) Bashing dead WELS guys, especially greatly beloved ones like Meyer and Becker, will not get you any sympathy or even so much as a hearing among 95% of WELS people. So, if you want to actually make any points or any progress, stick to the living.
"

So from the only publicly contentious corner of (W)ELS comes the admonition that if we want to be heard by the (W)ELS laity - which these guys shepherd - we can only discuss the statements of the living or the unbeloved dead. Well, so far they haven't promised to stop quoting the dead false teachers. Maybe if they stopped elevating men above Christ they would, by God's grace, hear Christ's voice in the Words of Scripture and faithfully defended and promoted in the Lutheran Confessions.

This pious lie is refuted by the Gausewitz catechism, the Missouri KJV catechism, the old German LCMS catechism, and many statements previous to the 1932 Brief Statement.


UOJ Enthusiasts are also Church Growth Enthusiasts. Ask Valleskey.



Two Charged with Battery

It was either gonna be a divorce or a funeral.

A New Jersey rabbi and his wife used hired goons, kidnapping and brutal beatings to force an Orthodox Jewish cad to grant his wife in Israel a long-sought religious divorce, federal prosecutors said yesterday.
Judy and David Wax of Lakewood, NJ, could face life in prison if convicted of coordinating the Oct. 17, 2010, kidnapping and assault of Yisrael Briskman, who prosecutors said was targeted after he failed to honor wife Chaya Dina Briskman's request for a "get" -- a divorce document recognized under Jewish law. Instead of granting the "get," Briskman fled Israel for Brooklyn.

'GET' HIM! David and Judy Wax (above) leave court in Trenton yesterday after being charged with kidnapping runaway husband Yisrael Briskman. 
'GET' HIM! David and Judy Wax (above) leave court in Trenton yesterday after being charged with kidnapping runaway husband Yisrael Briskman. [GJ - He could be a Missouri Synod president in the future. I call him The American Moses.]
 
'GET' HIM! David and Judy Wax leave court in Trenton yesterday after being charged with kidnapping runaway husband Yisrael Briskman (above). 
'GET' HIM! David and Judy Wax leave court in Trenton yesterday after being charged with kidnapping runaway husband Yisrael Briskman (above).
RELATED: JEWS 'SPLITTING' HEADACHE
David Wax, 49, lured Briskman to his suburban home to discuss work on a set of Talmudic books published by Wax's Taryag Legacy Foundation, according to a federal criminal complaint.
But Wax ushered Briskman to a bedroom, where two goons punched him in the face, handcuffed and blindfolded him, prosecutors said.

During the 30-minute beatdown, Briskman was shown a body bag and asked repeatedly by his attackers to consent to Chaya's divorce, according to the complaint. Briskman eventually agreed to grant the "get," but Wax wasn't finished.

Harrison's Hagiography Needs Some Editing

SP Harrison continues the LCMS mythology, 
which omits Loehe, forgets Walther's many crimes, and scapegoats Stephan.



AC V has left a new comment on your post "Review of J. P. Meyer - Ministers of Christ, Revi...":

Here's the "enlightened" answer, Brett. The Book of Concord authors were ignorant:

"Our Lutheran Confessions have no separate article on Objective Justification; the closest we can come to a paragraph of formulation for this doctrine is in Article IX of the Formula of Concord, under the doctrine of election. But even that is not really sufficient or suitable for stating the orthodox position in a clear and unequivocal manner. For our Fathers it was not difficult at all to consider objective and subjective justification under the same heading, and they were apparently unaware of any need to separate them or distinguish between them. But such was and remained the case only so long as the orthodox had a clear understanding of the nature of faith; once that understanding was gone, it became necessary (at the end of the last century) to begin making such as (sic) distinction."
Daniel Deutschlander, 1977.

Missouri Myth Machine
I was chuckling through a Christian News account of one Walther book. Walther took two clergy to court for slandering him. He put a high price on his good name, so they apologized quickly and repudiated their accusations. Walther was a hero!

But - Walther was above the law when he slandered Bishop Stephan. First of all, he had to know about Stephan's adultery before the Society left for America. Stephan was under house arrest until their departure, with court depositions taken about his multiple intimacies. The women were taught that, since Stephan had charge of their spiritual well being, he was also in control of their bodies.

Walther changed ships to leave quickly, because he had kidnapped his niece and nephew from his father's parsonage, hiding the children from the police, who had warrants out for his arrest. The children were later smuggled to America, with the help of his felonious lawyers, the great Marbach and Vehse, who are also treated as heroic figures.

The American Luther did not go to Stephan when he "found out" about the adultery in their new home of Missouri. Was Walther not suspicious that the mistress, known from the previous court actions, lived on the floor above the bishop in St. Louis? I find Walther's innocence impossible to believe.

Walther ran to his friends to discuss the double adultery, the double confessions, and the money matters. There had been struggles over the issue of money. There often is with parachurch groups, as there was recently with Thoughts of Faith. WELS replayed the scene too, with $8 million disappearing and the treasurer accused in public of mismanaging the funds when he was the one who put his foot down about designated funds being taken.

Doubtless the clergy and lay leaders knew their enterprise would blow up if people saw wider responsibility for the cult activities of their leader, whom they swore to follow as bishop for life.

Walther stealthily took away the Society's grant of 40 acres of land from the bishop. He organized St. Louis and Perry County opposition, leading the mob to threaten Stephan's life, rob him of all his possessions and money, forcing him out of his house and across the Mississippi River. Holding someone by force, threatening his life, and forcing him into another state - all are felonies.

Walther's earlier kidnapping of his niece and nephew should put him lower than the Casey Anthony family in the esteem of American Lutherans, but Walther's earlier crime is conveniently forgotten. The orphaned children died in America rather than being the comfort of their grandparents.

Please remember this - the group did not go to America for doctrinal reasons, although that is often claimed. They did not go to find religious freedom. The great enterprise was launched for one reason only,  to follow Bishop Stephan to America. He was their abusive cult leader, un-mourned by the Pietistic congregation he left behind.

Walther's thievery did not end with the mob deposing and robbing Stephan, who already lost 40 acres of land, from The American Luther changing the title behind his back. (Can you name a recent LCMS DP who changed a will, illegally, and still rose to the synod presidency?) Walther also talked Stephan's son into giving up the 80 acres that his father bought with his own money. According to the Stephan family accounts, Walther also made persistent attempts to undermine Stephan's son, who became a minister in the growing cult.

Thus today, the Lutheran Tetzels--Special Giving Counselors--have elderly people grant them Irrevocable Gifts, "to help the church and provide big bucks for your retirement," only to turn their backs on the givers when the money is poorly invested and the promised income evaporates.

History Turned into Lies
The Missouri Synod does admit that Loehe organized the denomination and invited the Perry County/St. Louis mob to join with his pastors. Of course, the official account is far more delicate. Half the original LMCS pastors were Loehe men, and Loehe set up a practical seminary in Ft. Wayne (which moved to Springfield and back again).



Walther alienated Loehe, so Loehe is largely forgotten by the LCMS, erased by the myth machine. Walther had to be the top dog in all discussions, so every official LCMS account has Walther the Hero defeating the dark forces of false doctrine. Every Missouri fetish in doctrine and practice has to be correct because it came from Walther or his chosen disciples - Pieper and Stoeckhardt.

Make a decision for Christ - echoed by J. P. Meyer.



Missouri's Hybrid Doctrine
The Missouri Synod, the Wisconsin Sect, and the Little Sect on the Prairie share in Walther's hybrid doctrine, due to educational influence and the ceaseless efforts of the excommunicators. St. Louis trained the Wauwatosa Seminary gang and dominated the ELS until the Syn Conference broke up.

Universal Objective Justification as the timeless truth of the Christian Church is pure baloney. Walther got it from the Pietist Knapp, the influential gas-bag from Halle University, mother ship of Pietism. Knapp's double justification scheme, promoted by Walther, did not become official in the Missouri Synod until the 1932 Brief Statement.

Two Forms
The Little Sect on the Prairie loves to glorify their split with the Big Norwegians, when they parted over the concept of two different forms being adopted by the merging but fractious Norwegians.

But WELS and Missouri have had two forms of justification all along, with no mention being made of the contradictions until exposed on this blog.

UOJ slowly came to dominate WELS and Missouri, but justification by faith was being taught the entire time. No better proof--impossible to deny--is offered by a catechism. The Gausewitz catechism is instructive because he was a Wisconsin Synod leader and also a Synodical Conference leader. The Gausewitz catechism was used decade after decade, until the Shrinkers replaced it with the Kuske UOJ catechism.

Likewise, Missouri has no sharper weapon than "he denies UOJ," but they still produce a KJV catechism with no mention of UOJ. I bought one from Pope Paul the Unlearned, who has a divine call to blog about CPH books.

I am not sure where the ELS pastors are. They fear Pope John the Malefactors laser-equipped crosier. They are free to communicate with pen names on this blog. I suggest not using such names "Norge" or "Koren" or "PreussianUnion."

Hagiography Is Not History
The Catholic Church made a name for itself by inventing saints and investing them with supernatural powers and innocence beyond all human understanding. The St. Theresa movie came out when I was at Notre Dame. One student would say, "She was a sick chick." The ex-nun professor would say, "No she was not." The Christian Brother student would counter, "Sick chick."

The Lutheran Church harms people when an abusive cult leader like Walther is treated as the great hero of the American church. That treatment has enabled Syn Conference pastors to serve as dictators who can do whatever they want, teach whatever they want, as long as they press the Walther macro button at the right time. And Walther is so handy for getting rid of people. The template has not changed - attack people behind their backs, promote Enthusiasm in the name of orthodoxy, and devour the money of widows and orphans.




Monday, July 18, 2011

Review of J. P. Meyer - Ministers of Christ,
Revised Slightly and Re-Issued by NPH


Northwestern Publishing House
Ministers Of Christ-2 Corinthians
Author: Joh. P. Meyer

Ministers of Christ, Professor Joh. P. Meyer's commentary on Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, was first published in 1963 as part of the centennial celebration of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. Almost fifty years later, Armin J. Panning, another professor of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and student of Meyer, has updated the commentary by incorporating the New International Version of the Bible where appropriate. This classic commentary continues to influence another generation of pastors and seminary students. The commentary features an exposition of the great thoughts of the divinely inspired writer, plus a study of the writing's emotional overtones. Size 6x9 inches. Hardcover. 313 pages. Published 2011. $42.50!

The publishing house blurb is correct about this being an influential book, so that would be one reason to buy it. The confusion and contradictions are the essence of the Synodical Conference segments still alive today. Except for working with Thrivent and ELCA, the ELS, Missouri, and WELS agree most of all on Universal Objective Justification, so neatly summarized above in the graphic.

Armin Panning, the retired seminary president and New Testament professor, supposed work on this revision, to smooth out the rough patches. He must have used the wrong side of the sandpaper.

I am trying to reconcile the Wisconsin slander against the two Kokomo families with this commentary. WELS has claimed that the Kokomo Statements are a parody of justification, but three of the four Kokomo statements are from this commentary, which WELS proudly reprinted.

No one can really understand the Wisconsin Sect until he realizes that they are willing to head-fake people about their own dogma, dogma so important that they excommunicate people just for asking questions about it, as they did with Joe and Lisa Krohn this year. I remember the Thought Police in the novel about Stalinism - 1984. WELS has Thought Police too.

UOJ from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
J. P. Koehler, John Schaller, and August Pieper earned their degrees at St. Louis, during the time Missouri and the Wisconsin Synod had a school sharing plan. Walther was an elder professor at the seminary when they were students, and Stoeckhardt was just starting to teach. Thus the Wauwatosa trio had their beginnings in Knapp-Walther UOJ dogma.


J. P. Meyer's Studies

J. P. Meyer studied at Northwestern College and the seminary in Wauwatosa. The seminary later moved to Thiensville, and moved again to Mequon, when the post office changed the Thiensville address to Mequon (an inexpensive move, but confusing to outsiders). The change to the new seminary was also significant for the Wisconsin Synod, because J. P. Koehler was fired as president of the school, during its construction. The Depression hit afterwards, so the synod was saddled with a large debt and a long stretch of bad economic news. John Brenner (Historic St. John Lutheran, Milwaukee) was president of the synod during those years.

Meyer was a parish pastor for six years, 1896-1902, spending the rest of his career teaching, except for one three-year spell at Oconomowoc.

His teaching career was long, ending in retirement and the writing of this book:
"1896-1902, pastor, St. Stephen, Beaver Dam, Wis.
1902-1903, professor and dean, Northwestern College
Nov. 26, 1903, married Lydia Reinke
1903-1915, professor, Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn.
1915-1918, pastor, Oconomowoc, Wis.
1918-1920, president, DMLC
1920-1964, professor, Lutheran Seminary, first in Wauwatosa, then Thiensville (now Mequon), Wis.
1937-1953, president, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary
1963, published Ministers of Christ
Nov. 10, 1964, died at the age of 93."

Two Fatal Flaws
This book has two fatal flaws, which are overlooked, because he belongs to the unbroken line of UOJ promoters, from Knapp at Halle to Valleskey at Fuller.

Saint
One is the "status of saints." The Wauwatosa professors are supposed to be strictly exegetical, but this example, in the graphic, shows they were quite willing to write fiction and call it exegesis. The term "saint" in the New Testament is synonymous with "believer." Although this is widely known, NPH has chosen to footnote the problem as if it does not really matter.

The WELS spin on the term makes nonsense out of it, and this is no small matter. When the great Greek expert Panning is willing to be associated with such a farce, everything else is in doubt as well.

There are many hints, if not outright declarations, that the Wauwatosa men were willing to ignore all previous studies and declare their opinions to be derived from exegesis of the text. That is also another way of rejecting the Lutheran Confessions and Luther in favor of a tiny seminary that looked just like the Addams Family mansion - truly a cartoon version of Lutheran education.

I offer as additional proof, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the Sausage Factory attitude toward Lenski. The graduates sneer at Lenski without using his commentaries. They imagine the repetition of UOJ talking points will suffice for proclaiming the Gospel, but feel compelled to plagiarize from all kinds of false teachers. Apparently, their UOJ Gospel leaves them hungry - or just predatory.

The Scriptures were written to create and sustain faith, to provide God's own unchanging standard for truth. If their favorite dogmatics book cannot get a simple, obvious term right, the rest of the content is also suspect. That fact cannot be missed in the merging of atonement and justification.

Atonement and Justification - Not the Same
The second fatal flaw is impossible to miss. J. P. Meyer taught that the atoning death of Christ made everyone in the world free of sin. His parody of saint has this effect - every single person from that point on became a "guilt-free" saint...or sinner. Reading the statement in the graphic again will not straighten out the matter. The sinner is a saint, whether he ever believes or not, whether he even finds out about this mysterious status.

Worst of all - he has to make a decision. Will he accept or decline, once he hears this strange dogma?

Did the Three Kokomo Meyer Statements Survive Editing?
Yes, they did. One is in the graphic above. I created two more, so everyone has the information in graphical form.





Some Kokomo Narrative for the Newbies
The Kokomo episode began when Pastor Papenfuss began teaching UOJ in the congregation in Kokomo, Indiana. Thanks to some research from Name Withheld, we know that WELS used a Justification By Faith catechism for many decades, the Gausewitz, until it was replaced by the horrid UOJ Kuske catechism. Two families were upset by the new dogma being promoted by Papenfuss.

Look at the 1978 graduates with Papenfuss - Mark Jeske, Stroh, Starr, Schumann the Born-Again Atheist, Curia the UOJ Scribe, Jim Witte (DMin in CG), Marcus Manthey - Defender of Unfaith. And the faculty - no less than four UOJ fanatics: Gerlach (Fuller alumnus), Becker, Panning, and Kuske.

Although Papenfuss admitted to the families that he never heard of UOJ before The Sausage Factory (he may have said Mequon), he went ahead with excommunicating the two families who had questions. I was at the Hartmann farm talking to both men about this, and they copied the letters of excommunication for me.

The four Kokomo Statements came about this way. The families wrote down the three statements from Meyer's Ministers of Christ, which Papenfuss gave them to study. They added a fourth from their research. They said, "Is this what you are saying?" Papenfuss agreed with those statements. The letter of excommunication removed them for NOT agreeing with the statements.

The same Synod President who lied about the origin of the Kokomo statements also lied about the Tabor adultery and murder.

Either the families or someone else wrote around to WELS about this and it became a big deal in Christian News. The families appealed, which is always a waste of time in WELS, and Panning headed the board that backed UOJ. Sig Becker also gave papers defending and promoting UOJ.

The Kokomo Statements, 1979

J-580

I. "Objectively speaking, without any reference to an individual sinner's attitude toward Christ's sacrifice, purely on the basis of God's verdict, every sinner, whether he knows it or not, whether he believes it or not, has received the status of saint."

II. "After Christ's intervention and through Christ's intervention God regards all sinners as guilt-free saints."

III. "When God reconciled the world to Himself through Christ, He individually pronounced forgiveness to each individual sinner whether that sinner ever comes to faith or not."

IV. "At the time of the resurrection of Christ, God looked down in hell and declared Judas, the people destroyed in the flood, and all the ungodly, innocent, not guilty, and forgiven of all sin and gave unto them the status of saints."[34]
Footnote 34: "Every one of the statements can be understood correctly, even though one must swallow a little hard to accede to the fourth [Kokomo Statement]." Sigbert Becker, "Objective Justification," Chicago Pastoral Conference, WELS, Elgin, Illinois, November 9, 1982, unpaginated.
The letter sent to the two families quoted the statements and declared that the families were being expelled for denying those statements. Certain people have tried to confuse the issue by claiming the statements were made up by the expelled families to parody WELS doctrine. Three statements are almost verbatim from J. P. Meyer’s Ministers of Christ, now out of print. The fourth statement came from a controversy in the 19th century but was added by Pastor Papenfuss to the previous statements from J. P. Meyer. Although WELS has often backed away from the Kokomo statements, the synod continues to defend the content and reproduce the most obnoxious falsehoods found in them. The Evangelical Lutheran Synod teaches Kokomo justification in their seminary. After a layman wrote to Bethany Seminary professor John Moldstad Jr., the following statements appeared in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod Lutheran Sentinel:

J-581
“When Paul uses the word ‘reconciling’ here, [2 Corinthians 5:19] he clearly means that forgiveness of sins is really imputed to ‘the world.’
            John Moldstad, Jr., “I have heard some Lutherans say they do not believe the Bible teaches objective justification. How can they assert this and still call themselves ‘Lutheran’?” Lutheran Sentinel, October, 1996, p. 11.[35]
Footnote 35 says - "The alleged question sets a record for being prejudicial. The typical ELS member would never say something so idiotic, since most Lutherans react in shock and disbelief to the very concept Moldstad is trying to promote, that forgiveness comes without the Word, without repentance, without the Means of Grace, without faith. The article is a response to Dr. Peter Moeller questioning the validity of Objective Justification, enclosing articles on the topic from Pastor Vernon Harley. Moldstad sent a long, friendly letter to Moeller on August 6, 1996."
Using Orthodoxy To Merge Atonement and Justification
By using two justifications, object and subjective, Meyer confused the act of Christ in atoning for the sins of the world with God's declaration of innocence received in faith.

This double justification formula comes from the Halle Pietist Georg Christian Knapp, whose work was available in German and English before the American Luther Kidnapper landed in the Big Easy. SP Harrison loves to gush about Walther but cannot deal with Walther's many crimes. I dare say that Missouri would never let a criminal like that join their miniserium - unless he had a lot of money to offer. You know, like Thrivent and ELCA as ministry partners.

Ministers of Christ, starting on page 90, simply ignores the plain words of the Book of Concord, Luther, Calov, and Hoenecke to prove the assumption of two justifications. The argumentation is simply appalling.

Those who remain faithful to Justification by Faith, taught by Paul and Luther, should obtain this book to see the way in which plain statements are distorted to fit the UOJ agenda. I have discussed this with various people, including one who can speed read the dogmatics classics in Latin, translating into English faster than I can follow the original.

One explanation is mission creep. To express the atonement of Christ, some engage in exaggerations that compete with one another for absurdity. For example, Ed Preuss wrote that Hottentots are justified, that we are born already justified.

Another explanation came from Dr. Lito Cruz today. He mentioned being familiar with the UOJ categories and terms from Calvinism.
In contrast, I was not familiar with the fetishes of UOJ. The Augustana Synod opposed the Norwegians on UOJ, and the people I knew emphasized the efficacy of the Word rather than the glories of The Founder. (Only Missouri does that - to its shame and detriment.) Those who think and communicate in terms of Enthusiasm cannot maintain a Lutheran position. Nor can a sect or synod. The Enthusiasm spreads like cancer - to legalism, receptionism, Church Grow-ti-vation, and Pentecostalism.

Like bankers, we need to train people with sound doctrine - from the Book of Concord and the KJV, Luther and Chemnitz. Complaining about the counterfeit is not as effective as seeing the true Gospel and noticing how bizarre and stupid UOJ is, in comparison. Yes, UOJ is a fair copy of the Gospel, one that can fool just about any MDiv. But when UOJ is placed next to the Means of Grace, the efficacy of the Word, and justification by faith, Knapp's dogma is dull and toxic.

Deadly nightshade is closely related to tomato, which is another nightshade. The nightshade berries are delicate and attractive. Cows eat them and get sick. Nightshade berries are also black and ominous looking, especially when compared to the bright red and tomato cousin.

UOJ is especially toxic because it supplants rather than attacks. Atheists, like the former WELS CG experts, work by attacking the Christian faith. Far better to substitute a Gospel, when no one is looking, such as replacing Gausewitz with Kuske, or the KJV with the NIV, or Lenski with Meyer.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Review of J. P. Meyer - Ministers of Christ, Revi...":

People should find it absolutely appalling that the (W)ELS and LCMS have established the false gospel of UOJ as their central and chief article, yet, they have no Confessional statement detailing this doctrine. Nothing. You cannot even get a common confession from 10 different (W)ELS pastors. Some will admit that it doesn't exist in the Lutheran Confessions. Seriously, where's the chapter on Universal (General) Justification in the Book of Concord where this doctrine is detailed in "this we confess" and "this we reject" statements?! They teach that without UOJ there is no gospel so how did the Lutheran Confessors miss this critical doctrine. They didn't because it isn't Scriptural.

Some will say it's in the BOC so ask your UOJ pastor to show you where it's at. They'll twist Confessional statements that are directed to believers and attributes the forgiveness of sins and justification to faith in Christ.

Quote the BOC in the following places and watch the smoke pour forth from the ears of those who've placed Synod above Christ, 6] Let any one of the adversaries come forth and tell us when remission of sins takes place. O good God, what darkness there is! They doubt whether it is in attrition or in contrition that remission of sins occurs. And if it occurs on account of contrition, what need is there of absolution, what does the power of the keys effect, if sins have been already remitted? Here, indeed, they also labor much more, and wickedly detract from the power of the keys. If the Keys, given by Christ to the Priesthood of believers, can forgive and retain sins - how then were they already forgiven without the Means of Grace, when Christ paid for the worlds sins - the true meaning of the Atonement.
http://www.bookofconcord.org/defense_10_repentance.php

In desperation over the fact that the BOC doesn't contain the UOJ doctrine, they will tell you that the BOC was written to address the RCC's false teaching of works righteousness so the emphasis of the BOC was on "Subjective Justification" and not on "Objective Justification". Respond with the question, "Exactly when did the Roman Catholic Church accept the doctrine of UOJ which teaches the entire unbelieving world was declared forgiven, justified and righteous before and without faith or works?" Truth is that the introduction to the BOC states it contains all the chief articles of the Christian faith, even some like Election which were not under contention at the time.

Following those quotes, secure your excommunication from the (W)ELS and LCMS by quoting these BOC statements:
29. You cannot extricate yourself from unbelief, nor can the Law do it for you. All your works in intended fulfillment of the Law must remain works of the Law and powerless to justify in the sight of God, who regards as just only believing children.

74. But what is the process whereby Christ gives us such a spirit and redeems us from under the Law? The work is effected solely by faith. He who believes that Christ came to redeem us, and that he has accomplished it, is really redeemed. As he believes, so is it with him. Faith carries with it the child-making spirit. The apostle here explains by saying that Christ has redeemed us from under the Law that we might receive the adoption of sons. As before stated, all must be effected through faith. Now we have discussed the five points of the verse.
http://www.trinitylutheranms.org/MartinLuther/MLSermons/Galatians4_1_7.html

If by the grace of God they turn in repentance to Christ and Scriptural Justification by faith alone, rejecting the false gospel of UOJ, apply the Key to absolve their sin and build them up in Christ alone, forsaking all others, including the Synod who taught them this false gospel in their grade school, high school, college and Seminary.

The Answer Is - "Pooled Ignorance"


The question is - "What is LutherQuest (sic)?"


---

bored has left a new comment on your post "The Answer Is - "Pooled Ignorance"":

Nope, you're wrong. (ha ha) The Answer Is- "Pooled faithlessness"

I had a recent discussion on Ichabod with the very worthy Brett and I was reminded from that conversation that people "in the know" shouldn't be given any slack. That is, the folks on Lutherqueasy are exuberant, pseudo-effulgent and self proclaimed experts, but who are in fact dilettantes. They all write with such authority, but yet cannot even put the effort forth to consider the True understanding of Justification. Fie on them. (There have been a few who ask good questions...a very few.)

It seems to me that if someone claims authority, like most of the Lutherqueasy folks do, we should accept them at their word. Those who defend UOJ on Lutherqueasy, and also claim superior spiritual insight thereby should be regarded as Apostates, because UOJ scorns Christ and his purpose.

Hi, Brett. I just figured I'd nod my head in your direction to let you know that I agree with the principles you argued for, in their proper context. The men who put themselves out there as beacons of UOJ aren't Christian, but anti-Christian. Direct attacks of those unabashed proponents of UOJ is worthy rhetoric.

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "The Answer Is - "Pooled Ignorance"":

Bored, with you I confess, all glory be to God alone. Let us all faithfully apply the full breadth and power of God's Word, the Sword of the Spirit, rightly dividing and applying Law and Gospel.

Hebrews 4:11-16, "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

Christ's abundant grace and mercy be with you and yours.

By the grace of God, forever in Christ,
Brett

Which Doctrinal Errors Are Insignificant?




Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Brett Meyer - On the Word of God and the Confessio...":

Bored, I agree with most of what you have written here, in the way it is written.

The one point I disagree with would be, "but it's (UOJ) not evil in such a direct way in and of itself" I would contend that it is a new and different gospel than the Gospel of Christ. The apostle Paul condemned any competing gospel, any perversion of Christ's Gospel of His righteousness imputed by grace, through faith alone. It is evil in and of itself for it teaches a new way to being righteous in God's sight and it's not through faith. Anything not of faith is sin, it then is directly evil.

Otherwise I agree. I think there's a bigger issue of what constitutes a Christian denomination and it's tied solely to faithfulness to God's Word primarily in the central article of Justification within their official doctrinal statements, and not to the confession of individuals within the denomination as it's made up of orthodox and hypocrites.

It's important to publicly discuss this issue since those who do not test the spirits will remember that the church of the Antichrist is considered by their current denomination to be Christian and that's the extent of their litmus test. How many Lutheran's from ELS, WELS, LCMS have transferred membership to the Roman Catholic Church? I say 'transferred' because there is little that separates them anymore.

Thanks for taking the time to discuss this.

***


GJ - Bored offered the opinion that UOJ is not that dangerous. Bad - but not dangerous. That may be his opinion, but it is contrary to Lutheran doctrine, Luther, and the Book of Concord.

UOJ is fraudulent and anti-Gospel. One proof of its bitter fruit is the unmerciful and dishonest nature of its adherents. Bored gave an example - men who teach justification by faith in public but defend UOJ in private. Are they lying in public or in private? That is not a confession one's faith but weaseling.

The UOJ advocates, who are also stuck on Church Growth, cannot tolerate anyone questioning their precious opinion. They must get rid of, excommunication, silence, ridicule, and shun anyone who offers an objection to their preposterous notion. They excuse their rudeness and devious nature as fighting for the Gospel when they are really murdering souls for their Father Below.

Now that a well-informed public can trounce any UOJ Enthusiast who begins to chant the talking points, they have withdrawn from the fight, muttering about such things as Inuitu Fidei (sic - their spelling).

Can anyone teach the Means of Grace (as Buchholz has attempted) and tell people the entire world has been saved without Means, without the Word, without the Holy Spirit, without faith?

The only discipline Buchholz has handed Jeff Gunn (CrossWalk) is electing him to the Board of Willowcreek's Liberal College.

Meanwhile, faithful members are excommunicated for questioning UOJ, something Buchholz pretended to do with his convention essay.


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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Which Doctrinal Errors Are Insignificant?":

Pastor Jarrold Dalke, (w)ELS was my pastor for many, many years. In my recollection I never heard him preach one sermon that included the doctrinal points of UOJ.

He came up to me at the 2011 Emmaus Conference while I was handing out the UOJ/Justification By Faith Alone books and material. He said, "I've read what you have written on the internet about Universal Justification and I disagree with you." "You destroy the gospel when you reject Universal Justification." We briefly exchanged opinions about what UOJ teaches in comparision to Scripture concerning God's declaration of righteousness to the individual. He was adamant that the whole unbelieving world has been declared righteous in Christ by God and thereby forgiven of all sin.

UOJ is just that - it is another gospel. It is the sum total of their gospel. Without it there is no gospel. Justification by faith is an addendum, an add on. For UOJ, Justification by faith has to be insignificant in regards to the gospel of Universal Justification because UOJ teaches that it is only the statement, "Your sins are already forgiven, you are already justified and righteous in God's sight" that creates faith. It's man's reason, contending against Christ and His Word, which says faith can't hold onto anything that isn't already a reality. Their false man made faith - yes, I agree. Christ's faith which the Holy Spirit works, by grace, through the Means of Grace, the Word and Baptism, no. Christ's faith, of which He is the Author and Finisher of, is His Righteousness which is created through the Gospel promises in His Word, that believing on Jesus Christ, that He paid for all sin, and specifically that He paid for all of my sin, and that believing in Him for the forgiveness of sins, I die to sin, am adopted into sonship with the Father, Christ is my Savior and Brother who rescues me from sin, death and the power of the Devil unto Life eternal.

Local Lenski Fan Is Also One of the Best Physicians in the Area


Mrs. Ichabod had a medical appointment, so I went along, to straighten out some insurance issues.

Her doctor said, "Have we met before?"

I said, "Sure, you are a Lenski fan."

He smiled and started talking all about his admiration for "R. C. H. Lenski" as he said. The doctor had been a medical missionary in South America and specialized in tropical diseases.

He could not say enough about his admiration for Lenski as a Biblical scholar. When he learned that Lenski had a few more books besides the commentaries, he expressed an interest in them.

I promised to look for them on the secondary market.

Historic St. John Lutheran Church.
Pipe Organ Recital Next Sunday

Wikipedia article about St. John Lutheran, Milwaukee, Wisconsin


St. John's congregation was founded December 4, 1848 by German immigrants and was previously affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Members of the church, along with the neighboring Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church helped to seed a number of other Lutheran churches in the area. In the 1850s there were discussions to merge both congregations, but theological differences prevented the merger.

The church was designed by German born architect Herman Paul Schnetzky, and his understudy Eugene R. Liebert, in Gothic Revival style and built in 1889. As with the Trinity Church building, it features landmark spires of unequal height and is considered to be one of the finest examples of German Lutheran church architecture in the United States. Other parts of the church complex were constructed in Queen Anne architectural style.

The two spires of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church rise 127 and 197 feet above Vliet St. just west of the Hillside Terrace housing complex. The taller steeple houses three bells, weighing more than 6 tons.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church (Evangelische Luth. St. Johanneskirche) is a church located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a Milwaukee Landmark.


  • 24 Jul 2011
  • 3:00 PM
  • St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 804 W. Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI


Organ Recital - St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church

24 July 2011 - 3:00 P.M.
        
Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
804 W. Vliet St.
Milwaukee, WI 53205

For information contact the church at:
(414) 449-2314,or stjohnsvliet@gmail.com

   
David Porth will be giving a recital on the mighty Barckhoff/Wangerin (2 manual, 39 rank) pipe organ of Historic St. John's Lutheran Church.

Admission is free, but as a "thank you" to the congregation of St. John's you might consider attending a Divine Service at 10:00 A.M. in the church.

All are invited to attend!  The church building is considered to be one of the finest examples of German Lutheran church architecture in the United States.  Come and visit this beautiful Milwaukee landmark!

For the tentative itinerary or more information, please consider "attending" on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=pu.146102295447033#!/event.php?eid=130053287076772

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Next Sunday Is the Organ Recital:
Visit Historic St. John Lutheran Church, Milwaukee

The organ is a Barckhoff-Wangerin, meaning Barckhoff built it in 1890 and W expanded it somewhat in 1919 at the 50th anniversary of the mixed choir. In 1996 members did extensive work with the valves and leathering. It has 39 ranks.
"It really shakes St. John's church. Which takes a lot considering how big the building is. 
From the highest pitches to the low rumbles of the pedal; 
every note on the organ sings through the glorious space like a wonderul human voice."




But the WELS officials ran off to Willow Creek Community Church for training, where the minister brags about having no crosses at all, not even in the worship area. Mrs. Ichabod and I went downstairs at Willow Creek - to look for a cross. We finally found one. A witty reader asked, "In the storage room?"

The district mission board used to arrive at the Shepherd of Peace WELS in Columbus, with one member shouting, "Two pizzas to go."

The Fourth Sunday after Trinity

Norma Boecker






The Fourth 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 # 452 The Son of God 1:10
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 #531 Come Ye Disconsolate 1:15

Faith in God, Mercy for Man

The Communion Hymn # 308 Invited Lord 1:63
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 # 413 I Walk in Danger 1:67

KJV Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

KJV Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.

Fourth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, who art merciful, and through Christ didst promise us, that Thou wilt neither judge nor condemn us, but graciously forgive us all our sins, and abundantly provide for all our wants of body and soul: We pray Thee, that by Thy Holy Spirit Thou wilt establish in our hearts a confident faith in Thy mercy, and teach us also to be merciful to our neighbor, that we may not judge or condemn others, but willingly forgive all men, and, Judging only ourselves, lead blessed lives in Thy fear, through Thy dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Faith in God, Mercy for Man
Luther often described the Christian faith as having two parts – faith in God, good works for man.

This Gospel lesson is a perfect example of that summary. The text is aimed at believers who already know God’s mercy and forgiveness. Jesus is not teaching that good works earn the favor of God, that they are necessary for forgiveness.

The Word of God conveys Christ to us, and therefore all His benefits. Those benefits are the Gospel, Christ crucified for our sins, plus all His promises and blessings as well. The power of the Gospel is revealed in the faith created by the Holy Spirit. This faith receives the forgiveness promised. No one needs to ask, “Am I forgiven?” Believing in Christ is forgiveness, complete and free. That is the justification by faith taught in Romans and throughout the Bible.

Inuitu Fidei !!!
One of the intellectuals in Glende’s circle began condemning Inuitu Fidei, which sounds like the faith of the Inuit tribe in Eskimo land. I imagine he meant Intuitu Fidei. That is the problem with getting things wrong all the time – there is a difference.

If a man tries to show off his meager Latin and makes everyone laugh at him, should he be trusted with the Gospel? I think not. The UOJ fanatics are having another round of self-serving posturing.

They are condemning Intuitu Fidei when they do not even understand it. They are using the two words in Latin (which they obviously do not comprehend) to slug people about faith again. Oh, they hate faith and cannot wait to rant about it. What else can the ignorant do when they teach, as UOJ and Universalism do, that the entire world is forgiven and saved, without faith? Period, end of story - to paraphrase WELS DP Buchholz!

KJV Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

On Romans 8:28 – Lenski –

“All things are working together for good,” all of them without exception operate together to produce “good” in the sense of what is beneficial for God’s lovers. This includes every kind of painful experience in Christian lives, all those that press groans from our lips and make us groan inwardly in unuttered and unutterable distress. Some of the things that Paul has in mind he states in v. 38, 39. The Old Testament story of Joseph is a striking example of the mysterious and the wonderful way in which God makes the evil done to us eventuate for our good. Another instance is the story of the persecution precipitated by Saul. It scattered the great congregation at Jerusalem to distant parts, it seemed to be a calamity but served only for the good of the church by planting it in a hundred new places to flourish more than ever.
Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Paul's Espistle to the Romans. Columbus, Ohio : Lutheran Book Concern, 1936, S. 551


Romans is supposed to be a profound doctrinal letter, and it is, but the letter is also plain and clear in its meaning. We know we are predestined, because we believe.

“Whom He elected, them he also invited to believe in the Gospel; and whom He invited to believe, them He also justified by faith; and whom He justified by faith, He also glorified.” (Jackson Living Bible)

The pretenders like to pile up their old Latin dogmaticians, whom they have never read, and fake people into feeling condemned for believing the Gospel. The only person I have met with a vast knowledge of the old dogmaticians is Robert Preus, and he wrote about justification by faith alone in his final book.

This is an important point, because justification by faith emphasizes the grace of God. We do not need to twist ourselves into intellectual contortions to figure out where we stand with God. God plants faith and nurtures faith through the Gospel. Those who abide in Christ, the True Vine, who remain with the Means of Grace, are loved by God for loving Him. “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Faith
Therefore, the Bible teaches faith in God, and we know God only through His Word. God comes to us and works in us only through His Word.

The Bible teaches us to trust utterly in God’s Word.

Our dogs have an interesting take on this concept of trust. I send them outdoors, through their doggy door, by lightly snapping my fingers. Their hearing is so keen that I do not even snap them. The Shelties jump up from a sleep and go outdoors on the deck. Somehow they can run full speed to the door and through it. Sassy Sue, the cattle dog/German shepherd, stops, as if to say, “Everyone but me, right?” I snap another time, so she heads out again, but stops. “There is a mistake. You cannot possibly mean me too. I love it inside.” I have to snap three times to get her out completely. Sassy Sue trusts my word, but still wants to debate my wisdom.

So man is, as well. We hear God’s Word and believe in His overwhelming love. But we stop and debate it, too. You send us as sheep among wolves? Not us? Just the apostles. No? Perhaps the saints as well, but not us. When we finally realize that we are included in “as sheep among wolves,” we trust the Gospel.

Sin
The Holy Spirit, working through the Word, teaches us that it is a terrible sin to lack trust in Christ.

KJV John 16:6 But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

If sin is not believing in Christ, then justification can only be – by faith. Justification cannot be – without faith.

The positive message of this verse is clear – faith in Christ is the foundation of conquering sin. First we are forgiven, fully and freely each day, through the power of the Gospel. Secondly, the Gospel gives us the power to resist sin and temptation.

Faith in God, Not the Synod, Not in Men
As Luther pointed out, this passage is turned around by man to mean the opposite of what it says.

We should have faith in God, but mercy toward man.

What has God done for us? He has covered our sin and shame with His love and mercy. He wipes out sin, blotting it out with the blood of the Savior, the spotless Lamb of God.

This mercy comes through grace and cannot be earned, but we are to show this same mercy toward man.

If we have faith in our complete forgiveness, because of God’s work in Christ, we can only show thankfulness to our neighbor.

But what happens? People express their faith in churches, in institutions, in denominations. We cannot have faith in both. If the institution can do nothing wrong, then infallibility is taken from God and His Word and bequeathed to man instead.

The Bible judges all books, all leaders, all denominations, all our thoughts and deeds.

Evil Law Sermon
We have a situation today where someone publishes a sermon for the entire world to hear, but he is above criticism. All the world can read it or listen to it, 24/7. The Internet is a marvel. But once published, people can only talk to the preacher individually. They better be members too (so he can discipline them?).
A man who gives an obvious works-sermon, which is not a sermon at all, should be grateful that people care for his soul and those of his world-wide audience.

Bad Offerings
One pastor published his horrible offerings, which were deep in the red zone. Next he condemned anyone for doing what he already had done – reveal his offerings to everyone. Tacky. Yes indeed. His effort to induce guilt and shame among his members came back at him, revealing him to be less than adequate, since numbers are everything among the Shrinkers.
Attacking the Clarity of the Word
1. “That is a grey area of Scripture.” Any Protestant who says that should be transferred to the Roman Catholic Church, because that is their argument. Moreover, the Roman Catholics use that argument to rely on the Pope, who alone knows what the Word of God really teaches. So the alleged Lutherans who say that line are really turning their sect into another papacy, giving infallibility to a Bored of Doctrine, filled with ignorant alcoholics, while taking infallibility away from the Scriptures.
2. “You do not know Greek; I do.” Those who claim that are all hat and no cattle, proud that they remember part of the Greek alphabet. The Word of God speaks clearly, when translated properly, in all languages. That may be why false teachers want bad translations, to add confusion. This particular argument is just a variation on #1 – the grey area of Scripture. The pastor is a little pope who will decide what it means, so be quiet and scrub the floors.

Infallibility of the Sect, DP, District, Board
Denominations rot quickly when they cannot address their own doctrinal errors but engage in dishonest PR efforts to make everyone seem happy and content. Church leaders have an obligation to report crime among their workers and to support the police in their investigations.

A much greater responsibility is detecting and addressing false doctrine. The leaders should rejoice in having Bereans who search the Scriptures for themselves and ask questions. But they are not. They do not want members and pastors to think too hard about anything. In fact, they condemn those who do, ensuring that the sect will plunge into darkness over time.

Notice how Luther’s directions about this passage are turned around by synods. We are to cover our neighbor’s sin, show every mercy, restore our neighbor however we can, and offer forgiveness rather than ridicule. (Ridicule is the reason why we have abortion on demand, because people would rather end a baby’s life than be shamed. When we hear of an early baby from a married couple, we should say “Good, they took responsibility, saved a life, and provided a home for the little one.” When a girl chooses to have a baby, in spite of all the pressures, we should not condemn her lack of self-control. After all, where is the baby’s father? Missing in Action? We should help that baby have the best possible start and provide for the needs of the mother and the child. So many adults have said, “I am glad my mother preserved my life and worked to raise me.” God gives those people a special blessing.

But this is what people do – for synods rather than individuals. They excuse the doctrinal errors of their synods and their synod leaders. They either fear retribution or they want to be rewarded for being loyal. Worst of all, they identify with the institution. If their founders or current leaders are wrong about anything, then their synod is not perfect. And they are not better than anyone else.
I asked SP Harrison on FB last night, since he was gushing about Walther, “Did Walther ever repent of the kidnappings or mob actions? Missouri is the only American Lutheran group started and continued as a cult.” I could not find the comment today. The “owner” can erase them. Perhaps I overlooked it. I am sure of this – no one responded so far.

False doctrine is always an attack on the majesty of God. “No synod is perfect” does not excuse false doctrine. That is a mis-application of this passage, as is “No translation is perfect.” Both statements are slick ways to excuse error. One step leads to the next.

For example, once the Little Three accepted the NIV and adopted their publications - to use it and pay Mr. Murdoch for quoting the NIV, the published got into the position of blackmailing everyone who used it in church publications. They all had to cease quoting the old NIV, which was bad enough, stop the current publications with the old NIV, etc etc. They made it favorable to force the use of the worst “translation” of all time, with invented words, inserted extra words, and completely wrong words employed.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

This is completely warped in the modern understanding. We have to read the Word in its total context, not just as epigrams to support an ideology. This one was used by Carl Rogers, a former minister, who bragged he started a new religion. Saying that something was wrong was “judgmental.” The trained professions were quick to say “You are being judgmental,” which is really quite judgmental in itself.

This passage does not denounce judging between right and wrong. It means, as the parallel statement suggests, that we should not go around condemning people. We may fall into the same temptations and sins ourselves.

This is spiritual advice for believers. I had an experience with this, when a wife was struggling with her husband’s infidelity. It remained a private matter, ending up with a home visit and a long session about the meaning of forgiveness. The couple reconciled and became as loving as people who were newly engaged, laughing and smiling. They are still married.

When gossips run to the nearest neighbor to condemn someone, often without the facts, they ruin chances for reconciliation. They shame others and they make it easier to fall into the same sin.

The foundation for resisting sin and temptation is forgiveness, not condemnation.

However, that does not mean we excuse gross criminal action, and unrepentant sins. When murder is excused, for instance, it makes the next murder easier to bring about.

Church leaders spend the most time covering up the worst crimes. As one counselor said, “There are two causes. One is the desire to keep everything quiet. But also there is a sense of admiration that exists among these people. That makes it very difficult for abusers to face justice.”

Luther taught in the Large Catechism that such people should face judgment, to serve as a warning to others.

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

I have no doubt that the best way to achieve a choice church position today is to go against this verse completely. The idea is to exact revenge for the tiniest slight, to disparage people behind their backs, to find fault with those who question falsehood, and to bow and scrape to those who can help one’s career – until it is time to pull the rug from under them.

That is why the church institutions are in such a mess today. If someone questions a huge fee for professional fund-raisers, that person is shunned and excluded. Everyone is supposed to go along with everything, until all the lemmings are drowning in the sea. The chief lemming always wears a life preserver – always.

But this verse is a Gospel promise – that a life of mercy and forgiveness will be rewarded with that much and more. Did someone slight us years ago? That should not matter among believers. People have a way of sorting this out for themselves. If they are unrepentant, they will continue their self-destructive ways.

Many are not, so they take steps to reconcile with others. That is God’s desire, because He has provided the remedy for all sin. Husbands and wives can build up resentment or they can be patient and forgiving. This is the ideal training ground for children. The best way they can learn about forgiveness is to experience it with their parents and their siblings. That alone will provide a lifetime of blessing.

39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
Awareness of our sinful nature should always make us more forgiving. Otherwise we are no better than the Pharisees, who were kind to their own friends but not to others. Jesus did not pick out the Pharisees just to show what they were like in their time, but to keep us from being the same law-centered and works-righteous “saints.”

So mercy toward man begins with faith in God and the Gospel of Christ. People will persecute the pure Word of God and despise those who trust in it. But there is no better way to realize how valuable the Word and the Confessions are.

Five centuries later, the sermons of Luther (which are part of the Book of Concord) are just as true and insightful as they were in his day. He was excommunicated for his trouble, and he was hidden (as if dead) in the Wartburg Castle.

Quotations

Third Sunday after Trinity

"If the question is put, 'Why did God ordain so many means of grace when one suffices to confer upon the sinner His grace and forgiveness?' we quote the reply of Luther who writes (Smalcald Articles, IV: 'The Gospel not merely in one way gives us counsel and aid against sin, for God is superabundantly rich in His grace. First through the spoken Word, by which the forgiveness of sins is preached in the whole world, which is the peculiar office of the Gospel. Secondly through Baptism. Thirdly through the holy Sacrament of the Altar. Fourthly through the power of the keys and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren, Matthew 18:20.'"
John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics, A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology, 1934, p. 447. SA, IV, Concordia Triglotta, p. 491. Matthew 18:20.

"We further believe that in this Christian Church we have forgiveness of sin, which is wrought through the holy Sacraments and Absolution, moreover, through all manner of consolatory promises of the entire Gospel. Therefore, whatever is to be preached, concerning the Sacraments belongs here, and in short, the whole Gospel and all the offices of Christianity, which also must be preached and taught without ceasing. For although the grace of God is secured through Christ, and sanctification is wrought by the Holy Ghost through the Word of God in the unity of the Christian Church, yet on account of our flesh which we bear about with us we are never without sin."
The Large Catechism, The Creed, Article III, #54, Concordia Triglotta, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1921, p. 693. Tappert, p. 417.

"The second argument is that 'God desires all men to be saved' (1 Timothy 2:4), and He gave His Son for us men and created man for eternal life. Likewise: All things exist for man, and he himself exists for God that he may enjoy Him, etc. These points and others like them can be refuted as easily as the first one. For these verses must always be understood as pertaining to the elect only, as the apostle says in 2 Timothy 2:10 'everything for the sake of the elect.' For in an absolute sense Christ did not die for all, because He says: 'This is My blood which is poured out for you' and 'for many'﷓﷓He does not say: for all﷓﷓'for the forgiveness of sins.' (Mark 14:24; Matthew 26:28)
Martin Luther, Luther's Works, 25 p. 375.

"No more splendid work exists than receiving and hearing the Word of God."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, I, p. 302. Luke 10:38.