Pastor Dr. Gregory Jackson,
I suppose that you are
highly criticized for your emphasis warning against UOJ - universal objective
justification teaching which is rampant within Christianity, and now,
especially in Lutheranism, the religious Christian persuasion of which you grew
[up in] and learned to love, - especially, Luther's teaching and
exposition. But, I contend, that no
matter what the criticism is, of you, - your emphasis appears very genuine and
timely. [I'll also add, if some don't care for your presentation style, with
pics, humor, etc. - that, is to their own educational loss]
But, be that as it may, - I
had another stark reminder this week that the UOJ (universal objective
justification) teaching of Lutherans, of which you continually trumpet (warn
about) is very real, indeed – and, pathetically “alive and kicking!” I happened
to come across one of my grandson's 1st grade WELS parochial school paper
booklets. It was [is] one of those copied school materials that is stapled
together as a simple paper booklet. This one, is 27 pages with pictures to be
colored (by the student) on every page. The printed material is somewhat
poetic. The booklet is entitled:
"Who is Martin Luther?" - c. 1995 WELS
Parish Services Commission on Youth Discipleship - Milwaukee, WI 53222 - Author: Burow-Gauger - Illustrator: Gail B. Day
One of the portions of this 1st and 2nd grade booklet
is, as follows:
Pages 11-12 –
"John Tetzel came near Wittenberg selling papers
that were bad. When Martin read the lies they said, it made him very sad.
Luther wrote down many truths-- there were ninety-five in all. Later he told about the Bible and that Jesus saved us
all."
Nowhere in
this booklet did I recall reading the words, “belief,” “faith” and the “Holy
Spirit.” Nowhere
in this booklet does it state the hallmark Scriptural teaching of Luther, -
that being, that the sinner is justified by God's grace through faith in
Christ.
The booklet's error is that
it teaches tender souls, that Jesus "saved
us all," rather than what the Scripture actually says, that Christ died for all. Just because
Christ died for all sins, - that does not then translate into all people being
"saved," no more than a cookie jar, is guaranteed to possess cookies within
it. Thus, Scripture is, undermined and children are subjected to a type of
spiritual molestation. In the process of it all, children miss out on what the
Word, actually says:
Galatians 3:11 - "But that no man is justified
by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by
faith."
Also: Romans
3:28 ; Romans 5:1 ; Galatians 2:16 ; Galatians 3:11 ; Galatians 3:24 and James
2:24
Personally, I think it is repulsive
that little minds should be so spiritually abused with false teaching. It's bad
enough that church attending adults hear this UOJ (universal objective
justification) throughout the church year. But, to spiritually mess up these young
minds with this damning doctrine, (as they regularly attend Christian Lutheran
schools), is, I believe, inexcusable!
If my first grade grandson
is presented [and, he is] the aforementioned teaching about Martin Luther and
the erroneous misapplication of Scripture at his WELS parochial elementary
school (about) 20 miles from Saginaw, - I then ask: "What type of false teaching goes on at the MLS (Michigan
Lutheran Seminary), there, in Saginaw? Or, is the damage already done from
pre-K to 8th grade, - and there is no further need to solidify the UOJ mindset?
What then "tops" this false UOJ teaching beginning at grades 9 through
12?
Come to think of it, the aforementioned
teaching booklet came out in 1995. That's about 17 years ago - about the same
time frame which MLS - Michigan Lutheran Seminary students are about to
graduate and then some of them go on to other WELS schools in preparation for
teaching and pastoral ministries. I cannot but help conclude, that it's no
wonder why there are some Lutheran pastors and teachers out there who avoid
Scripture’s teaching about personal faith, belief and the mention of the Holy
Spirit's role (from beginning to end) in the life of the believer. Sadly and pathetically, it’s easier
to preach and teach the blanket Lutheran synods’ sanctioned teaching of overall
(sinner) absolution through UOJ - universal objective justification. All this is
the sorry case for Lutherans and other Protestant Christians who have been so
richly and divinely blessed by the great reformer, Martin Luther……….
Nathan M. Bickel - pastor
emeritus
www.thechristianmessage.org
---
Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "UOJ in the Schools":
http://extranos.blogspot.com/2012/05/more-proof-that-old-time-orthodox.html
Extra Nos discussion of UOJ with a re-converted UOJist.
