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| "Because I'm the Mom, that's why." |
When Trinity (LCMS) in Bridgeton, Missouri, first became aware of UOJ, a LaughQuest poster phoned me and asked, "Have you read the LCMS 1987 Theses?"
I said, "Yes."
He slammed the phone down. Apparently he thought, "Missouri locuta est. Causa finita est." (Missouri has spoken. The case is closed. Augustine said that about Rome, but he said Roma locuta est.)
Authorities and sources are good in a debate. Theology should begin with the Scriptures and the Confessions, but that is not true in the Synodical Conference (tm). Following Walther and the syphlitic bishop, each one is his own authority, citing the synod as the ultimate authority.
For instance, Marcus Montey wrote, "I am surprised that you have gone against the clear teaching of our synod."
Many think they can perch on the dunghill of their synod and crow that they have the truth, knowing that this is a safe position - even though synodical statements are ambiguous, blasphemous, or just plain stupid. DP Jon Buchholz signed a petition against Mark Jeske, then switched sides at the WELS convention and supported Jeske. He took both sides of the same argument, so which one did he really believe? "Here I stand; I can do no other. There I stand; I can do no other."
Recently, someone quoted F. Pieper citing Calov. Walther chose Pieper to carry the UOJ standard, so that quotation is not exactly shocking. But does anyone at LQ quote Robert Preus citing Calov? They have all chosen to ignore Dr. Preus' many quotations from the post-Concord era, all repudiating UOJ.
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| This was cited in Robert Preus' Justification and Rome. Where is Jay Webber's "everyone is justified IN CHRIST"? |
The funniest argument against Justification and Rome sounded like this, "Preus was not dealing with the topic of UOJ." The title of the book is... Forget that. UOJ fanatics have only one argument - the whole world is forgiven, without faith, and born forgiven.
I have watched people defend UOJ for years. Their authorities are limited to Walther and his minions, whom he either appointed or trained. The UOJ Stormtroopers refuse to admit the lack of UOJ teaching in their own tradition, such as Gausewitz, who was respected by the entire Synodical Conference (tm), mourned when he died too young.
If Missouri and WELS are 100% UOJ, then why have both synods taught the Small Catechism without UOJ? That is true of Gausewitz for all three sects, and the KJV catechism currently for the LCMS.
Few can say they know the writings of the post-Concord theologians, but no one would deny that Robert Preus is the last one to lay hold of that claim, as witnessed by his education and publications.
Two other examples are Lenski and Hoenecke. Lenski, an expert in New Testament and Lutheran doctrine, did not follow the Walther line.
Hoenecke gave a nod to General Justification in his Dogmatics, but emphasized justification by faith alone in the same section. His citation is from Burk - not a Concordist, but the son-in-law of Pietist Bengel. Hoenecke graduated from Halle University, under Tholuck (a Universalist), so we can expect his theology textbook was Knapp.
Lutherans should begin with the Scriptures and the Book of Concord, but the UOJ fanatics only like the Luther they imagine they can quote in favor of UOJ. If their interpretations were valid, it would mean Luther was as double-minded as Jon Buchholz, and twice as smooth. But Luther is known for his consistency through his career. The Reformer was highly trained and a genius, two qualities lacking in the UOJ Enthusiasts. Luther's clear explication of Scripture is acknowledged by a host of people, from his own Medieval peers to the theologians of today.
Walther's robotic obedience to Stephan and his four-year degree from Leipzig do not qualify him as the expert to teach us Luther or the Bible.
The UOJ tribe indulges in Special Pleading, something I will have to explore in more depth. They offer only one side of the argument and bypass any refutations of their errors, especially refutations from their own authorites (their synods, their teachers). One fallacy is related to the other.
I will cite my favorite authorities who advocate UOJ -
- Richard Jungkuntz, who chaired the first gay Lutheran seminary in America, still used in the WELS Essay Files to support their UOJ error;
- ELCA - all seminaries and leaders teaching that everyone is forgiven.
