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.
Mark Schroeder, the dream candidate of the conservatives,
quickly became the main support for Church and Change.
The SynConference introduced me to the concept of the "helpless, powerless president." I first heard that claim from the Michigan LCMS DP, who said he was powerless to deal with the Pentecostal pastor of a congregation near him in Ann Arbor. He also talked about "getting rid" of a pastor who homeschooled his child. Powerless was a choice, I quickly learned.
Considering how often Schroeder and his hatchet men have jumped people for posting on this blog, his let-go-and-let-God attitude toward the Fox Valley WELS gang is a certain sign of approval. Maybe he tells them not to sign their names. Only Paul McCain, another plagiarist (but not WELS) signs his name.
Schroeder jumped all over Herman Otten at Christian News for publishing my review of the Engel book on homosexual priests in the Roman Catholic Church. I included certain unpleasant facts about "Party in the MLC," the ongoing WELS gay video, still playing on Facebook, twice uploaded to YouTube, shown with pride at their college night.
Schroeder forced Otten to apologize for printing my review. Soon after, Schroeder's Director of Communications was arrested by the FBI for multiple felonies - crimes against little boys, crimes against nature, as they used to say. The gay blogs are having a field day with Hochmuth's arrest and his prior letter against ELCA gaity.
But when someone told Schroeder about an active homosexual pastor in WELS, the Grand Inquisitor of WELS turned helpless again. He said, "Write a letter." On bold days of courageous leadership, he says, "Send a certified letter."
And you wonder why your children and wives are not safe in WELS?
Fox Valley can rave all they want about this blog. The fact is - their behavior and doctrine is revolting to their own pastors and members. Almost everything I have posted is from their own synod, their own district.
A group of laity and pastors met together and tried to get this message across to the Anything Goes DP. He skipped the meeting. He has made it known that he will not retire.
Greeks act like WELS
officialdom and CG pastors. Their deification doctrine is much like UOJ in that
they can never feel real guilt, but only what false guilt. UOJers know they are
already forgiven for every sin before they were born, and are righteous in God's
eyes before they were even born. To actually feel guilty and unforgiven for a
sin is really just another sin of unbelief according to UOJ. The Antinomians are
really the only ones who really "get" the doctrine UOJ since the law has no
power to make them feel guilty--ever:
SPIEGEL:
Then on top of it all, there were rebukes being issued from
Berlin.
Dimou: Yes, Wolfgang Schäuble was always wagging his finger like
a schoolteacher, saying the Greeks had misbehaved. Merkel was somewhat more
humane, but still very Protestant in her strictness, applying the concept of
guilt. They could have seen that wasn't the way to achieve the desired result.
It was simply the wrong approach.
***
GJ - WELS elected Mark Schroeder for doctrinal and financial integrity. He has made Gurgle look good in comparison.
Schroeder has consistently protected and promoted the Church and Changers.
His administration managed to buy a second headquarters building without selling the old, musty one.
UOJ absolves everyone, except those who dissent from the wisdom of Holy Mother Church.
Here's hoping that these pro-gay activists come to see how much those in WELS who hold fast to Biblical doctrine love them by proclaiming the Truth to them of condemnation in their sin. And here's hoping that some Christian brothers in WELS, or any group can proclaim the pure doctrine of forgiveness merited by Jesus for them and for us on the cross.
***
GJ - WELS handed them the ammunition. When a predator (Hochmuth) and his boss (Schroeder) send out a pious announcement about ELCA's sins, they should expect some return fire from those who see their pronouncement as hypocrisy.
ELCA is honest. I disagree with them, but they are not pretending. WELS demands apologies when they should be confessing their decades of abuse, which they cover up maladroitly.
One Fox Valley WELS person told me about one of their youth ministers, arrested for dallying with the boys at his church. The story was on TV one night and disappeared immediately after. Four WELS pastors have told me about the homosexuals they met or knew about in the ministerium.
The CORE, which is the sheep-stealing operation of St. Peter Cares, Freedom, must not be doing well. They are in their third headquarters since starting and blowing through tons of money.
The Savoy WELS parish that Glende abandoned would be happy to have the money spent on sending Glende and Sk to:
Stanley's gay liberation parish in Atlanta,
Granger's Schwaermer farm,
and Driscoll's cussing operation in the Northwest.
Did they miss any conference? Yes - Deutschlander's in Atlanta.
The Pietists want to direct all attention to themselves, which is why they end up with entertainment evangelism. Ski shows up at a classic Lutheran church looking like he was hired to bail hay, and they photograph the debacle and proof they are real, relational, and relevant.
The Pietists promote their shallow dogma because they cannot teach the Word of God. To make up for it, they plagiarize other Pietists who have a following for the moment. Birds of a feather do flock together, so they are one with Paul McCain, who is happy to have someone take him seriously.
The Pietists are outraged over Luther, because they cannot shoehorn his plain, simple words into their self-serving fantasies. They pretend to be furious about this or that, like Schroeder and Hochmuth writing a letter against ELCA (while working with ELCA). But their clever Pietism always bites them. That is the problem with substituting the sect for the Gospel - "Join us because we do not promote homosexuality. We are so much better than ELCA."
Those who live by legalism die by legalism.
Judging from the accumulated blather from WELS, Missouri, the Little Sect, and some fragments - faith in Christ is very bad. However, these same wizards love and praise unfaith, teaching the salvation of unbelievers, world without end, Amen!
Needless to say, their leaders have to be bailed out of the pokey on a regular basis. That is done in secrecy, if at all possible. If not, the episode is flushed down the memory hole and no one remembers it at all.
Pietists are offended by everything, especially the Gospel. Therefore, their entire effort is a ministry of condemnation, except when they are praising themselves.
Imagine this - Glende and Ski plagiarize the same source, Groeschel or some other Enthusiast. Next they praise each other for doing "such a good job" on the alleged sermon.
The people who listen to this without gagging are only too happy to have more of the same. Eventually they will be Unitarians, Pentecostals, or Buddhists, like their Church Growth leaders.
Their lack of fidelity--in many areas--motivates them to find an unfaithful translation of the Bible. How can they preach on the Ten Commandments when they flaunt their opposition to the First Table?
I
wonder how many WELS members who were indoctrinated by the TEC's (Translation
Evaluation Committee) 4 part Bible study (on translating the Bible) will be lay
delegates to the synodical Convention, - which [convention] will decide upon an
official synodical Bible translation.
I think the WELS TEC has
done a marvelous (propaganda) job, setting the Convention stage for the
translation choice vote, on whether to choose the new NIV 11 or not, - or, to
prolong the indecisive agony for another future time.
I remember a
previous comment I registered on Ichabod, regarding the WELS prolonged
consideration of an official Bible translation. I kept a copy of it. Here,
[following] it is:
"I have further thought about this long drawn out WELS
process and the official WELS 4 part synodical Bible study about the translation
process and implications. I can't help but think that all of this is a carefully
contrived attempt by certain WELS professor / clergy and other clergy
leadership, to condition and desensitize the membership for the acceptance of
the gender neutral, new NIV 11. [Mind you, it makes no difference that the
Southern Baptist Convention turned its thumbs down on this less than desirable
translation]
Get a hold of that 4 part Bible study, engineered by the
very same TEC - Translation Committee, which has already voiced its thumbs up
approval of the new gender neutral NIV 11, - and, if you put 2 and 2 together, I
think that you would honestly have to conclude that they are hell bent on having
an official NIV 11 gender neutral translation for WELS synodical publications,
purposes. This would include parochial school materials, catechisms, etc.
The very reality that the new NIV11 gender neutral translation was given
equal consideration along with the Holman and ESV translations, tips one off to
the WELS leadership intent. The Holman and ESV are only stalking horses for the
future elevation of the new NIV11, gender neutral WELS standard." [Pastor
emeritus Nathan M. Bickel]
GJ - One graduate of the Sausage Factory told me everyone was promoting the NIV before graduation, about 30 years ago. That gave WELS a whole generation of laity to dumb-down. But it is still the fault of the laity for not standing up to the apostates, for trusting men rather than the Word of God.
Jesus did not warn the clergy alone.
The WELS clergy are experts at shunning anyone who thinks for himself, and equally adept at excusing doctrinal error among themselves. Why is the NNIV the last straw? the Rubicon?
DP Glaeske actually spoke against the NNIV. I watched it live and observed Paul Wendland steaming. Did Glaeske stop Church and Change in his own district, his own VP - Dom Perignon Patterson? No. He played it safe his entire career, so he can retire and watch the results of his torpor, lack of study, and institutional worship.
UOJ requires a bad translation and they have it in Murdoch's Living NIV Bible.
Does anyone stop to wonder why this Bible is so wonderful for Willow Creek, all the mainline churches, and WELS? It is because they all teach universal absolution.
After all these months, I
finally discovered Ichabod's Lexiconposting! Alas! If only I had discovered it
much sooner! Perhaps, now, the bald spot on my head will finally fill in, and my
index finger, fingernail, will finally return to its normal state......
I'd say that a majority of us at the Western WI district convention voted to delay the vote until next year's synod convention (we will have another full convention in April/May in place of the usual Pastor-Teacher conference to tell our delegates how to vote). Not all the reports were in and important questions as to the future of the NIV were unable to be answered, such as:
Is Biblica/Zondervan planning a 50th anniversary revision that would put us right back to this same discussion in 10-15 years?
Here is the kicker - the actual votes weren't counted/results weren't announced at convention. They are waiting until after all districts meet, and then counting all the votes together (popular vote) as opposed
to X districts voted this way, Y voted that way, and Z voted the other way. So we may well see a late district convention stacked with major NIV2011 supporters that stuff the ballot box and throw the vote.
The most disturbing
part for me is that Dr. Moo has stated that in 7 or 8 years they'll be looking
at doing more with the text. This would put it on par to release a 50th
anniversary revision, which is also about the same time that WELS will start
work on a new catechism and hymnal.
This is what frightens me the most.
I wish those ballots had been counted and at it was by district not popular
vote. This means districts packed full of pastors, teachers, and lay delegates
(like SEW) will greatly outnumber the other districts.
***
GJ - Sola, that is how Walther got Pieper placed at St. Louis as his clone. He had the national convention vote Pieper in (obviously approved by the Great Kidnapper), not the districts. He only had one convention to control that way. Fuerbringer is the one who pointed out the way Pieper was elected, and he did not approve of the process.
When the Arkansas football coach got caught with someone's fiance,
locals say that her intended husband messed up Bobby Petrino's face,
not the bike accident that left Jessica's smile immaculate.
WELS would have promoted Petrino to Athletic Director.
Notice two recent excommunications and their cause - upheld by the DPs and SP Mark Schroeder:
Rick Techlin - for correctly identifying Tim Glende's plagiarism and his false doctrine from Groeschel.
Joe Krohn - for asking Kudu Don Patterson about being born forgiven, and for asking about all the money spent on fund-raising fees.
Just as important, look at who was NOT excommunicated by WELS:
Al Just, for murdering his wife with a steak knife and lying about it. He married his children's babysitter while enjoying a brief stint in prison.
Bill Tabor, for participating with his mistress in murdering his wife, lying about it, and moving to a new call in Escanaba. No time in prison.
Joel Hochmuth was caught swapping man/boy rape files with other deviants. SP Schroeder immediately absolved Joel, who promptly pleaded "not guilty" before plea-bargaining for lesser charges.
DP Ed Werner went to state prison for molesting girls in his congregation. He also arranged for the adoption of illegitimate babies from his congregation while serving his time. Not one leader in WELS did anything about his proclivities until the women in his parish united against his predation.
I could list more, all well known, but lacking a complete file.
A reporter asked SP Gurgle (now working with Patterson) about the pastor promoted by WELS for having an affair with a woman in his congregation. Gurgle's response was to phone people to find out, "Who told the truth?"
DP Buchholz wanted to know, as well, "Who told you?" Like any criminal lawyer, Buchholz claimed, "That is very difficult to prove."
When your belt size is bigger than your IQ,
you are ready to serve Holy Mother WELS.
UOJ is dished out by
the bucket load in that "Steadfast" post.
UOJ is indefensible in every
aspect when God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions are applied.
UOJ is a
false gospel, contrary to God's Word clearly proclaimed.
UOJ is the great
falling away that is taught in 2nd Thess.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man
deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
***
GJ - The low level of doctrinal knowledge is proven by the way "conservative" Lutherans begin with the Chief Article of the Christian Faith and subsequently promote justification without faith. And they rant against justification by faith.
The gap is so great between the start and the main thesis that it reminds me of looking across the Grand Canyon. I could see the other side, 10 miles way, but not clearly.
ELCA teaches exactly what WELS, Missouri, and the Little Sect on the Prairie teach. That is why all four work together so well.
The CLC (sic) longs to be included, as long as their bad behavior and worse dogma are accepted as orthodoxy. ELCA would love to embrace them, because their Bible teaches them to love the unlovable.
Readers can study Luther's Commentary on Galatians without leaving their beloved blog - and for free:
The Seventh Day
Adventists and the New Age Religion confess the exact same false gospel of
Universal Objective Justification as the Lutheran Synods.
The Shack is
the best selling book by William P. Young and is satanic, occultic and New Age.
This book was used as positive and beneficial Bible Study material by Lutheran
churches when it peaked on the book selling charts - just as the false teaching
Purpose Driven Drivel was.
Quotes from The Shack: Chapter 13. A
Meeting of Hearts, p. 206 Mack sat back and let her (Holy Spirit) words
sink in. "Will you please forgive me?" Mack finally offered. "Did that a long
time ago, Mack. If you don't believe me, ask Jesus. He was
there."
Chapter 16. A Morning of Sorrows, p.246 "...In
Jesus, I have forgiven all humans for their sins against me, but only some
choose relationship. Mackenzie, don't you see that forgiveness is an incredible
power - a power you share with us, a power Jesus gives to all he indwells so
that reconcilliation can grow? When Jesus forgave those who nailed him to the
cross, they were no longer in his debt, nor mine. In my relationship with
those men, I will never bring up what they did or shame or embarrass
them."
Chapter 8. A Breakfast of Champions, p.124 "I (God) am
not who you think I am, Mackenzie. I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is
it's own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to
punish it; it's my joy to cure it."
To the question of why one nevertheless does not say the world’s sins were forgiven since the world was already absolved 1800 years ago was the answer:
UOJ is dished out by
the bucket load in that "Steadfast" post.
UOJ is indefensible in every
aspect when God's Word and the Lutheran Confessions are applied.
UOJ is a
false gospel, contrary to God's Word clearly proclaimed.
UOJ is the great
falling away that is taught in 2nd Thess.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man
deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
DP Patterson's staff photos may need some Photoshopping, to avoid attracting the bike and leather crowd.
Many people have Google Alerts, in case I name them on Ichabod. According to one college student, half the faculty at Martin Luther College have done that. Of course, half is not that many today.
Google is swift and accurate. People put their home phone numbers into Google and get names, an address, even a map to the home.
Google Alerts are picking up stories on Joel Hochmuth - from gay websites. They are making a big fuss about homophobic WELS having a staffmember viewing man/boy rape porn at church headquarters - after issuing a statement against ELCA's new policy. ELCA had honesty on its side, to follow the injunctions of the Eighth Commandment. WELS did not. Hochmuth and Schroeder signed the same letter against ELCA.
Gay websites were much more positive about the Martin Luther College video, Party in the MLC. They linked it from YouTube. The link finally went down, but the original mentions were there when I looked for the video. As most readers know, the video still plays on Facebook.
I could name the new sites and the older ones, but I do not care to boost their search engine ratings. Anyone can find out by Googling "Joel Hochmuth" or "Party in the MLC."
This is the result of telling people they can do anything they want, because they were born forgiven. Everyone is saved, too. WELS is Antimonian, but still legalistic.
[GJ - Click on the link for a better view and the comments.]
The presentations at the 2012 Intrepid Lutherans "Church and Continuity" conference commenced Friday evening with Rev. Robert Koester’s comments on the NIV2011 Bible translation matter. He offered an abbreviated review of his paper, "Gender Neutral Translating and the Verbal Inspiration of Scripture."
His expanded treatment of the topic was delivered to the January 2012 Metro-Milwaukee Pastor's Conference, "A Brief Layman's Guide: Understanding the Problems of Gender Neutral Translating."
Rev. Koester also made available last fall an eight page overview of several concerns.
Since even the brief layman's guide is a thoughtful 60 pages, permit me a few paragraphs to highlight only one point of concern out of many offered. (I hesitate to do so because Rev. Koester's research should not go unread.) Biblica Inc.'s Committee on Bible Translation (C.B.T.) was assigned editorial guidelines, and quoting from Koester's paper,
Instructions given the C.B.T. as they set out to do their first gender-neutral translation are public knowledge. Principles C and D of part I, “Basic Principles” reads:
C. Authors of Biblical books, even while writing Scripture inspired by the Holy Spirit, unconsciously reflected in many ways, the particular cultures in which they wrote. Hence in the manner in which they articulate the Word of God, they sometimes offend modern sensibilities. At such times, translators can and may use non-offending renderings so as not to hinder the message of the Spirit.
D. The patriarchalism (like other social patterns) of the ancient cultures in which the Biblical books were composed is pervasively reflected in forms of expression that appear, in the modern context, to deny the common human dignity of all hearers and readers. For these forms, alternative modes of expression can and may be used, though care must be taken not to distort the intent of the original text.
Consider again the above section from the Biblica Inc.'s C.B.T. Is the work produced under such filters a translation or an interpretation? Should we shrug off with deliberate indifference the intent to adjust Scriptures to avoid offending sensibilities and to avoid 'denying the common human dignity'?
WELS Biblical principles are sold at Wisconsin Sect schools and congregations, especially those promoting Groeschel, Stanley, Warren, Stetzer, and Sweet. ROTFL.
KJV Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
KJV Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no
pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
KJV Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
To save time, here it is, with my comments. Mine are marked with GJ, in brackets, and in blue.
Bartholomeus van Bassen, The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, circa 1620
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.
EIGHT PAMPHLET EDITIONS OF THIS SERMON APPEARED IN 1523-24.
Text. Luke 16:19-31. Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously every day: and a certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table; yea, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and that he was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: and the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that they who would pass front hence to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from thence to us. And he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldst send him to my father’s house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.
[GJ - If you are too slow-witted to read the gold standard of English, the KJV, find a copy of the NNIV online.]
CONTENTS:
EXAMPLES OF UNBELIEF AND OF FAITH.
I. THE EXAMPLE OF UNBELIEF IN THE RICH MAN.
Contents of this Gospel.
1. How and why we are not to look here at the external. 2-3.
The Gospel has sharp eyes.
2. How we are to look at the internal; and there we find: a. Unbelief. 4-6. Of the fruits of true faith. 5-6. b. The lack of love. 7f. Ways of faith and unbelief. 8-9.
3. How this example teaches that where there Is no faith there is no love; and the reverse.
4. Many follow this example. 11.
II. THE EXAMPLE OF FAITH IN LAZARUS.
1. How and why we are not here to look at the external.
2. How and why we are in this example to look at the internal; and there we find: a. Faith. b. Love. 14f.
3. How this example still serves the whole world. 15-16.
4. How reason and human wisdom are put to shame here. 16-17.
5. How God still gives daily such examples; but the world does not esteem them.
6. All believers are like this example. 19-20.
III. SOME QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
1. First question: What is meant by Abraham’s bosom. 21-22. Of the hell where the rich man Isaiah 23.
2. Second question: The nature of the conversation between Abraham and the rich man. 24-26.
3. Third question: When did the rich man experience the torments of hell and whether they continue to the present 27.
4. Fourth question: Whether we should pray for the dead. 28-29f.
Opinion on the mass for the souls of the dead and on vigils. 30.
Concerning rapping spirits and the appearance of departed souls.
1. An opinion on them. 31-33.
2. Two examples of rapping spirits being expelled. 34-35.
SUMMARY OF THIS GOSPEL:
1. Here we have a parable and the connected parts of hypocritical righteousness which nowadays thoroughly knows and possesses almost everything, besides it is also highly esteemed by the world, as if it were the nearest heaven; and the Christian Cross or persecution is despised by every one.
2. The hypocritical righteousness seeks its own, rejoices in its own affairs and helps no one; but the Christian Cross must suffer everything, it lies at our door, no one shows it any mercy, has no consolation except that all who suffer oppression, anxiety and persecution have peace in God. A hypocrite is considered pious; while a Christian must be considered a heretic and a blasphemer of God.
[GJ - Notice how nothing is being done to help seminary students. They are expected to spend $100,000 to support the lazy, luxurious lifestyles of LCMS seminary professors, load themselves with debt, and get kicked out of the ministry if they frown at the District Pope.]
3. Aside from this parable in this Gospel, we have nothing in the whole Scriptures as to how the dead sleep after this life, until the day of Judgment. And since we must not and should not prefer a parable to the revealed, plain and clear written Word; although I do not esteem all as a pure parable, which resembles a history; so I agree here with the explanation of Dr. Martin Luther, as will follow, namely, that we will feel and experience all that is set forth in this parable when we die; especially when the foolish virgins see that the wise virgins have oil in their lamps, and they have none, Matthew 25:7.
1. We have hitherto heard in our Gospel lessons of various examples of faith and of love; for as they all teach faith and love, I hope you are abundantly and sufficiently informed that no human being can be pleasing to God unless he believes and loves. Now in this Gospel text the Lord presents to us at the same time an example of faith and of unbelief or of the state of the godless, in order that we also may abhor the contrary and the opposite of faith and love, and that we may cleave to faith and love more diligently.
For here we see the judgment of God upon the believers and the unbelievers, which is both dreadful and comforting. Dreadful to the faithless and comforting to the faithful. But in order that we may the better grasp the meaning of this text we must picture to ourselves both the rich man and poor Lazarus. In the rich man we see the nature of unbelief and in Lazarus the nature of belief.
PART I. THE RICH MAN.
2. We must not view the rich man according to his outward conduct; for he is in sheep’s clothing, his life glitters and shines beautifully, while he tactfully conceals the wolf. For this Gospel text does not accuse him of adultery, of murder, or robbery, of violence or of having done anything that the world or reason would censure. Yea, he has been as honorable and respectable in his life as that Pharisee who fasted twice a week and was not as other men, of whom Luke 18:11f. speaks. For had he committed such glaring sins the Gospel would have mentioned them since it examines him so particularly that it describes even the purple robe he wore and the food he ate, which are only external matters and God does not judge according to them. Therefore he must have led outwardly an exemplary, holy life; and according to his own opinion and that of others, he must have kept the whole law of Moses.
[GJ - Is anyone more fitting than Marvin Schwan, who was praised into heaven by "conservative" Lutheran supplicants for his money, even though he was a known womanizer who dumped his wife to marry his subordinate's wife? How many institutions and buildings were built on top of his first wife's suicide note?]
3. But we must look into his heart and judge his spirit. For the Gospel has penetrating eyes and sees deep into the secret recesses of the soul; reproves also the works which reason cannot reprove, and looks not at the sheep’s clothing, but at the true fruit of the tree to learn whether it is good or not, as the Lord teaches in Matthew 7:17. Hence if we judge this rich man according to the fruits of faith, we will find a heart and a tree of unbelief. For the Gospel chastises him that he fares sumptuously every day and clothes himself so richly, which reason never considers as especially great sins. Besides, the work-righteous people think it is right, and that they are worthy of it, and have merited it by virtue of their holy lives, and they do not see how they thus sin by their unbelief.
4. For this rich man is not punished because he indulged in sumptuous fare and fine clothes; since many saints, kings and queens in ancient times wore costly apparel, as Solomon, Esther, David, Daniel and others; but because his heart was attached to them, sought them, trusted in and chose them, and because he found in them all his joy, delight and pleasure; and made them in fact his idols. This Christ indicates by the words “every day,” that he lived thus sumptuously daily, continuously. From this is seen that he diligently’ sought and chose such a life, was not forced to it nor was he in it by accident, or because of his office or to serve his neighbor; but he only thereby gratified his own . lust, and lived to himself and served only himself.
5. Here one traces the secret sins of his heart as the evil fruit. For where faith is, there is no anxiety for fine clothing and sumptuous feasting, yea, there is no longing for riches, honor, pleasure, influence and all that is not God himself; but there is a seeking and a striving for and a cleaving to nothing except to God, the highest good alone; it is the same to him whether his food be dainty or plain, whether his clothing be fine or homespun. For although they even do wear costly clothes, possess great influence and honor, yet they esteem none of these things; but are forced to them, or come to them by accident, or they are compelled to use them in the service of others.
Thus queen Esther says, that she bore the royal crown against her will, and that she had to wear it for the sake of the King. David also would rather have lived a private life; but for the sake of God and of his people he had to become king. In like manner all the saints considered that they were constrained to fill their stations of influence, honor and glory; and their hearts were never entangled by them, and labored in these external things to be helpful to their neighbor, as Psalm 62:10 says: “Trust not in oppression and become not vain in robbery; if riches increase set not your heart thereon.”
6. But where unbelief reigns man is absorbed by these vanities, he cleaves to them, seeks them and has no rest until he has acquired them, and after he possesses them, he feeds and fattens himself with them as the swine wallow in the mire, and finds at the same time his happiness and felicity there. He never inquires how his heart stands with his God and what he possesses in God and may expect from him; but his belly is his God; and if he cannot get what he wants, he imagines things are going wrong. And lo, these dreadful and wicked fruits of unbelief the rich man does not see, he covers them over, and blinds his own eyes by the good works of his pharisaical life, and hardens himself until no teaching, exhortation, threatening nor promise can help him. Behold, this is the secret sin which to-day’s Gospel punishes and condemns.
7. From this now follows the other sin, that he forgets to exercise love toward his neighbor; for there he lets poor Lazarus lie at his door, and offers him not the least assistance. And if he had not wished to help him personally, he should have commanded his servants to take him in and care for him. It may have been, he knew nothing of God and had never experienced his goodness. For whoever feels the goodness of God, feels also for the misfortune of his neighbor; but whoever is not conscious of the goodness of God, sympathizes not in the misfortune of his neighbor.
Therefore as he has no pleasure in God, he has no heart for his neighbor. [GJ - Or the mother of his children. St. Marvin Schwan is the norm for "conservative" Lutheran Daddy Warbucks. Indulgences are sold and purchased at a high price. The church officials live like Borgia popes.]
8. For the nature of faith is that it expects all good from God, and relies only on God. For from this faith man knows God, how he is good and gracious, that by reason of such knowledge his heart becomes so tender and merciful, that he wishes cheerfully to do to every one, as he experiences God has done to him. Therefore he breaks forth with love and serves his neighbor out of his whole heart, with his body and life, with his means and honor, with his soul and spirit, and makes him partaker of all he has, just like God did to him. Therefore he does not look after the healthy, the high, the strong, the rich, the noble, the holy persons, who do not need his care; but he looks after the sick, the weak, the poor, the despised, the sinful people, to whom he can be of benefit, and among whom he can exercise his tender heart, and do to them as God has done to him.
9. But the nature of unbelief is that it does not expect any good from God By which unbelief the heart is blinded so that it neither feels nor knows how good and gracious God is; but as Psalm 14:2 says: he cares not for God, seeks not after him. Out of this blindness follows further that his heart becomes so hard, obdurate and unmerciful that he has no desire to do a kindness to his fellow man; yea, he would rather harm and offend everybody. For as he is insensible to the goodness of God, so he takes no pleasure in doing good to his neighbor. Consequently it follows that he does not look after the sick, poor and despised people, to whom he could and should be helpful and profitable; but he casts his eyes upward and sees only the high, rich and influential, from whom he himself may receive advantage, gain, pleasure and honor.
10. So we see now in the example of the rich man that it is impossible to love, where no faith exists, and impossible to believe, where there is no love; for both will and must be together, so that a believer loves everybody and serves everybody; but an unbeliever at heart is an enemy of everybody and wishes to be served by every person and yet he covers all such horrible, perverted sins with the little show of his hypocritical works as with a sheep’s skin; just as that large bird, the ostrich, which is so stupid that when it sticks its head into a bush, it thinks its entire body is concealed. Yea, here you see that there is nothing slinder and more unmerciful than unbelief. For here the dogs, the most irascible animals, are more merciful to poor Lazarus than this rich man, and they recognize the need of the poor man and lick his sores; while the obdurate, blinded hypocrite is so hard hearted that he does not wish him to have the crumbs that fell from his table.
11. Now all unbelieving people are like this rich hypocrite. Unbelief cannot do nor be different than this rich man is pictured and set forth by his life.
And especially is this the character of the clergy-, as we see before our eyes, who never do a truly good work, but only seek a good time, never serving nor profiting any one; but reversing the order they want everybody to serve them. Like harpies they only claw everything into their own pockets; and like the old adage runs they “rob the poor of his purse.” They are not moved in the least by the poverty of others. And although some have not expensive food and raiment, yet they do not lack will power and the spirit of action; for they imitate the rich, the princes and the lords, and do many hypocritically good works by founding institutions and building churches, with which they conceal the great rogue, the wolf of unbelief; so that they become obdurate and hardened and are of no use to anybody.
[GJ - The Rich Man Glende, sits in his protected palace, surrounded by staff toadies, wondering anonymously if any WELS pastor is really choosing between prescription medication and food. And poor Savoy - they were not humble enough to follow his orders.]
These are the rich man.
PART II. POOR LAZARUS.
12. Likewise we must not judge poor Lazarus in his sores, poverty and anxiety, according to his outward appearance. For many persons suffer from affliction and want, and yet they gain nothing by it; for example King Herod suffered a great affliction, as is related in Acts 12:23; but afterwards he did not have it better before God on account of it. Poverty and suffering make no one acceptable to God; but, whoever is first acceptable to God, his poverty and suffering are precious in the eyes of God, as <19B615> Psalm 116:15 says: “Precious in the sight of Jehovah is the death of his saints.”
13. Thus we must look into the heart of Lazarus also, and seek the treasure which made his sores so precious. That was surely his faith and love; for without faith it is impossible to please God, as the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews says, Hebrews 11:6. Therefore his heart also must have confessed that he even in the midst of such poverty and misery expected all good from God, and comfortably relied upon him; with whose blessings and grace he was so richly satisfied, and had such pleasure in them, that he would have heartily and willingly suffered even more misery, if the will of his gracious God had so determined. See, that is a true, living faith, which softened his heart by the knowledge of the divine goodness; so that nothing was too heavy or too much to suffer and to do. So clever and skillful does faith make the heart, when it experiences the grace of God.
14. From this faith follows now another virtue, namely, love to one’s neighbor, so that he is willing and ready to serve everybody; but since Lazarus is poor and in misery himself, he had nothing with which he could serve others; therefore his good will is taken for the deed.
15. But this lack of service in temporal things he abundantly makes good by his services in things spiritual. For even now, long after his death, he serves the whole world with his sores, hunger and misery. His bodily hunger feeds our spiritual hunger; his bodily nakedness clothes (or feeds, as some editions read) our spiritual nakedness; his bodily sores heal our spiritual sores; in this way he teaches and comforts by his example, how God is pleased with us, when we are not prosperous here upon the earth, if we believe; and warns us how God is angry with us, even if we are prosperous in our unbelief; just as God had pleasure in Lazarus in his misery, and was displeased with the rich man.
16. Tell me, what king could have rendered a service to the whole world with his possessions, like poor Lazarus has done with his sores, hunger and poverty? Oh, the wonderful works and judgments of God! In what a masterly manner he puts to shame the cunning goddess and fool of this world, namely, reason and worldly wisdom! She stalks abroad and fixes her eyes rather upon the beautiful purple of the rich man, than upon the wounds of poor Lazarus; she would rather center her eyes upon a healthy, handsome person, as this rich man was, than upon a revolting and naked person like Lazarus; yea, she holds her nose before the stench of his wounds and turns her eyes from his nakedness. Thus the great goddess and fool of this world overlooks God in the very presence of such a noble treasure, and always quietly passes her own judgment, and at the same time makes this poor person so precious and dear, that all the kings hence are not worthy to serve him or to dress his sores. For what king, do you think, would not now with his whole heart exchange his health, purple and crown for the sores, poverty and misery of poor Lazarus, if it were possible for him to do so? And what person is there who would now give a snuff for the purple and all the riches of this rich man?
17. Do you not think that this rich man himself, had he not been so blind and had known that such a treasure, a man so precious in the eyes of God, was dying at his gate, would have run out, and dressed and kissed his sores, and laid him in his best bed; and made all his purple and riches to serve him? But at the time God’s judgment went forth, he did not see that he could do it. Then God thought, truly, you are not worthy to serve him.
[GJ - This is the reason for all the cruelty in the SynConference. It began with Walther, who willfully shut his eyes at Bishop Stephan's adultery, then shamefully robbed and threatened the man he swore to serve. Stephan deserved to be deposed in an orderly manner, but the clergy--who enabled him and helped spread the syphilis to the young women--deserved it even more. Even more shamefully, the SynConference has lied about the facts ever since, most of the evidence revealed long ago in Zion on the Mississippi. The bishop's adultery was Mrs. Stephan's fault, Walther said. Stephan's children were born with syphilis and lived in misery, his wife taking care of them as best she could. But Stephan and the noble Saxon immigrants abandoned that faithful wife and mother in Europe, taking the groupies along to service their bishop.]
When later the judgment and work of God were accomplished, the wise fool begins to come to himself; and since he suffers now in hell he will gladly give his house and land, to whom before he would not give a crumb of bread; and wishes now that Lazarus might cool his tongue with the tips of his fingers, whom before he would not touch.
18. Behold, even at the present day God is filling the world with such judgments and works, but no one sees it; yea, everybody despises it. There are continually before our eyes poor and needy persons, whom God lays before us as the greatest treasures; but we close our eyes to them, and see not what God does there; later, when God has done his work, and we have neglected the treasure, then we hasten and wish to serve, but we waited too long. Then we begin and make sacred relics of their garments, shoes and furniture, and make pilgrimages to and erect. churches over their graves, are occupied with many like foolish deeds and thus ridicule ourselves in that we permit the living saints to be trodden under our feet and to perish, and we worship their garments, which is neither necessary nor of any use; so that indeed our Lord will let the judgment fall as he did in Matthew 23:29-33, and say: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous, and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
[GJ - If you want examples, look at how "conservative" Lutheran congregations and pastors treat the handicapped, the sick and shut-in their own midst. Does a WWII veteran's widow need a ride to church? First ask - how much money is involved? The energy of the parish is saved to flatter, praise, and absolve the big money people. Disabled children are mocked by the Apostles of Love in Fox Valley. If parents object to apostasy in WELS, the pastor and council members get even through the parents' child - denying access to the school. Jesus Cares Ministry. St. Peter Cares, too. Just do not ask us to be compassionate - we just talk it up for the publicity.]
Wherefore ye witness to yourselves, that ye are sons of them that slew the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye offspring of vipers, how shall ye escape the judgment of hell?”
19. All believers are like poor Lazarus; and every believer is a true Lazarus, for he is of the same faith, mind and will, as Lazarus. And whoever will not be a Lazarus, will surely have his portion with the rich glutton in the flames of hell. For we all must like Lazarus trust in God, surrender ourselves to him to work in us according to his own good pleasure, and be ready to serve all men. And although we all do not suffer from such sores and poverty, yet the same mind and will must be in us, that were in Lazarus, cheerfully to bear such things, wherever God wills it.
20. For such poverty of spirit may exist in those who have very great possessions; as Job, David, Abraham were poor and rich. For David in Psalm 39:12 says: “I am a stranger with thee, a sojourner, as all my fathers were.” How could that be, since he was a king and possessed extensive lands and large cities? Thus it came about; although he indeed possessed these, yet his heart did not cleave to them, and they were as nothing compared with the riches he had with God. Likewise he had said of the health of his body that it was as nothing compared to the health of his soul before God, and he would indeed not have murmured, had God afflicted him with bodily sores and sickness. So Abraham also, although he had not the poverty and affliction of Lazarus, yet he had the mind and will to bear what Lazarus did, if God had visited him thus. For the saints should have one and the same inner mind and spirit, but they cannot have the same outward work and suffering. Therefore Abraham also recognized Lazarus as one of his own and received him into his bosom; which he would not have done, were he not of the same mind and had he not taken pleasure in the poverty and maladies of Lazarus. Thus is set forth the sum and meaning of the Gospel, that we may see, how faith everywhere saves and unbelief condemns.
PART III. QUESTIONS SUGGESTED AND ANSWERED.
21. This Gospel lesson suggests several questions. First, what is the bosom of Abraham, since it cannot be a natural bosom that is meant? To answer this, it is necessary to know that the soul or spirit of man has no rest or place where it may abide, except the Word of God, until he comes at the last day to the clear vision of God. Therefore we conclude that the bosom of Abraham signifies nothing else than the Word of God, where Christ was promised, Genesis 22:18, to Abraham, namely: “In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.” In these words Christ is promised to him, as the one through whom every person shall be blessed, that is, shall be delivered from sin, death and hell, and through no one else and through no other work. All who have believed this passage, have believed on Christ, and have become good Christians, and have also through faith in this Word been released from sin, death and hell.
22. Thus were all the fathers before the birth of Christ carried into Abraham’s bosom; that is, at their death they were established in this saying of God, and they fell asleep in the same, they were embraced and guarded as in a bosom, and sleep there until the day of judgment; excepting those,. who have already risen with Christ, as Matthew 27:52 teaches, where they also remained. In like manner we, when we face death, must lay hold of and trust in the Word of Christ with strong faith, as John 11:26 says: “Whosoever believeth on me shall never die,” or like passages; and thus die in this faith, fall asleep, be embraced and guarded in the bosom of Abraham until the day of judgment. For the word spoken to Abraham and the word spoken to us is the very same word; both speak of Christ, that we must be saved through him. But the former is more particularly called Abraham’s bosom, because it was spoken first to Abraham and began with him.
23. Likewise on the other hand the hell here mentioned cannot be the true hell that will begin on the day of judgment. For the corpse of the rich man is without doubt not in hell, but buried in the earth; it must however be a place where the soul can be and has no peace, and it cannot be corporal.
Therefore it seems to me, this hell is the conscience, which is without faith and without the Word of God, in which the soul is buried and held until the day of judgment, when they are cast down body and soul into the true and real hell. For just as Abraham’s bosom is God’s Word, in which believers rest through faith, and fall asleep and are guarded there until the day of judgment; so must that on the contrary ever be hell, where God’s Word is not, into which the unbelievers are cast until the day of judgment. That can be nothing else than an empty, unbelieving, sinful, and evil conscience.
[GJ - I wonder - how many clergy want to go to their graves saying, "I got more from the Schwan Trust than anyone else. And look at all the stuff we built with it." Or - "I spent my entire career promoting justification without faith, trashing anyone who opposed me or even questioned me." I am the real Lutheran.]
24. The second question is: How then did Abraham and the rich man converse with one another? Answer: It could not have been a conversation with the natural voice, since the bodies of both were lying in their graves; likewise as little was it the natural tongue that complained of being tormented; nor was it natural fingers and natural water that were desired from Lazarus. Therefore this all must be in the conscience thus: When the conscience is awakened by death or by the agonies of death, then it will have a testimony of its unbelief and will see then for the first time the bosom of Abraham, and those embraced by it, that is, the Word of God, in which it should have believed and did not; from which it has the very greatest pain and anxiety as in hell, and finds neither help nor consolation.
25. Then thoughts arise in the conscience, which held such a conversation, if they could speak, as this rich man did with Abraham, and seeks then whether the Word of God, and all who have believed in it, would help; and with so much anxiety that it would receive the least comfort from the very meanest of men, but even that cannot be granted to him. Then Abraham answered him, that is, his conscience took such a view of the Word of God, that it cannot be; but he had his portion of good things in his life, and he must now suffer; while the others are comforted, whom he despised.
26. At last he feels, that it is declared unto him: There is a great gulf fixed between him and the believers, that they will never be able to come together. These are the thoughts of despair, when the conscience feels that the Word of God is withdrawn forever from him; accordingly the thoughts of his conscience rage and would gladly have the living to know that such are the agonies of death, and he craves that someone would tell it to them.
But it is to no purpose; for he feels an answer in his own conscience, that Moses and the prophets are sufficient, whom they ought to believe, as he himself should have done. All such thoughts pass between the condemned conscience and the Word of God, in the hour of death or in the agonies of death; and no one can perceive what it is, except the one who experiences it; and he who experienced it wished that others should know it, but all is in vain.
27. The third question is: When did that take place, and if the rich man still daily without ceasing suffers thus until the day of judgment? That is a subtle question and not easily answered to the inexperienced. For here one must banish the idea of time from the mind and know that in the other world there is neither time nor hours, but all is an eternal moment or wink of the eye; as 2 Peter 3:8 says: “A day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day,” Psalm 90:4. Therefore it seems to me that in this rich man we have an example of the future of all unbelievers, when their eyes are opened by death and its agonies; which can endure but for a moment and then cease until the day of judgment, as it may please God; for here no definite rule can be established. Therefore I dare not say that the rich man suffers still at present as he suffered at that time; and I dare not deny that he still suffers thus; for both depend upon the will of God. It is sufficient for us to know that his example and the beginning of the suffering of all unbelievers are here clearly set before us.
28. The fourth question is: Shall we pray for the dead; since here in the Gospel there is no intermediate state between Abraham’s bosom and hell, and those in Abraham’s bosom do not need it, and it does not help those in perdition. We have no command from God to pray for the dead; therefore no one sins by not praying for them; for what God does not bid or forbid us to do, in that no one can sin. Yet, on the other hand, since God has not permitted us to know, how it is with the souls of the departed and we must continue uninformed, as to how he deals with them, we will not and cannot restrain them, nor count it as sin, if they pray for the dead. For we are ever certain from the Gospel, that many have been raised from the dead, who, we must confess, did not receive nor did they have their final sentence; and likewise we are not assured of any other, that he has his final sentence.
29. Now since it is uncertain and no one knows, whether final judgment has been passed upon these souls, it is not sin if you pray for them; but in this way, that you let it rest in uncertainty and speak thus: Dear God, if the departed souls be in a state that they may yet be helped, then I pray that thou wouldst be gracious. And when you have thus prayed once or twice, then let it be sufficient and commend them unto God. For God has promised that when we pray to him for anything he would hear us.
Therefore when you have prayed once or twice, you should believe that your prayer is answered, and there let it rest, lest you tempt God and mistrust him.
30. But that we should institute masses, vigils and prayers to be repeated forever for the dead every year, as if God had not heard us the year before, is the work of Satan and is death itself, where God is mocked by unbelief, and such prayers are nothing but blasphemy of God. Therefore take warning and turn from these practices. God is not moved by these anniversary ceremonies, but by the prayer of the heart, of devotion and of faith; that will help the departed souls if anything will. Vigils, masses, indeed help the bellies of the priests, monks and nuns, but departed souls are not helped by them and God is thus mocked.
31. However, if you have in your house a spook or ghost, who pretends that the departed can be helped by saying masses, you should be fully persuaded that it is the work of Satan. No soul has yet since the beginning of the world reappeared on the earth, and it is not God’s will that it should be so. For here in this Gospel you see that Abraham declares that no one can be sent from the dead to teach the living; but he points them to the Word of God in the Scriptures, Deuteronomy 31: “They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” By these words Abraham turns to the command of God in Deuteronomy 18:11, where God says: “Thou shalt not be a consulter with a familiar spirit.” Isaiah 8:19. Therefore it is surely nothing but the contrivance of Satan that any spirits should let themselves be entreated and that they should require so and so many masses, such and such pilgrimages or other works, and appear afterwards in the clear light and pretend that certain persons are saved. In this way Satan has introduced error so that the people have fallen from faith into works, and think their deeds may accomplish such great things. And thus is fulfilled what St. Paul declared in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-11, that God would send upon them powerful error, and temptation to unrighteousness, because they have not received the love of the truth that they might be saved.
32. Therefore be prudent and know that God will not let us know how it is with the dead, so that faith may retain its place in the Word of God, which believes that God will save the believers after this life and condemn the unbelievers. If now a familiar spirit present itself before you, take no notice of it; but be assured that it is the devil, and conquer him with this saying of Abraham, “They have Moses and the prophets,” and likewise with the command in Moses, “Thou shalt not be a consulter with a familiar spirit;” then he will soon be gone. If he leave you not, then let him make a noise until he is tired, and in firm faith suffer his wantonness. as. And if it were possible that it were indeed a departed soul or a good spirit even, then you should neither learn nor inquire anything of him, since God has forbidden you to do so; because he has sent his Son himself to teach us all that is necessary for us to know. What he has not taught us, that we should gladly not wish to know, and be satisfied with the teachings of the holy Apostles, in which he is preached to us. However, I have further written on this subject in the Postils on the Gospel for Epiphany and in my booklet on the Misuse of the Mass; where you may read more along this line.
[GJ - The Church of Rome still teaches that spirits from Purgatory teach people and protect them from harm. They sell tapes claiming such nonsense - I bought them to show the fraud continues. These spirits are like the Church Growth leaders - they only help those who agree with their dogma. This parable clearly teaches the efficacy of the Word in providing faith, justification, and salvation. Moses and the prophets are enough Gospel - they do not spirits to teach them. The great irony is that Jesus has risen from the dead. The audience knows this - and that is not enough for the obstinate doubters.]
34. Likewise, to give an example, we read in the Historia Tripartita (A History in Three Parts) of a bishop, who came to Corinth where he had come to attend a Council, and as he could not find a suitable lodging for himself and his attendants, he saw a house unoccupied and condemned as uninhabitable, and he asked if he might not be allowed to occupy it. Then they told him in reply that it was infested with nightly ghosts, that no one could live in it, and often people were found dead in it in the morning.
Then the bishop said but little and immediately entered and lodged there the same right, for he very well saw that the devil was the author of all these ghost stories, and as he had firm faith that Christ was Lord over satan, therefore he was not moved by his stratagems and he entered to lodge with him. And thus that house was made free by the prayers and presence of a holy man from infesting ghosts and horrifying spectres.
Behold, you see that the ghosts are satan, and there is little use to dispute with them; but one should despise them with a cheerful spirit as nothing.
35. A similar story we read about Gregory, the Bishop of Cappadocia, that he crossed the Alps and lodged with a heathen sexton or clerk of the church, who had an idol, that answered him the questions he asked; and he made his living by telling the people secret things. Now the bishop knew nothing of this, and proceeded the next day as soon as it was morning on his journey. But Satan or the evil spirit could not endure the prayers and presence of the holy man, and at once he betook himself out of the house, so that the heathen sexton could no longer receive answers as before. As soon as he felt his great loss, he set up a great howl to call back his idol, which appeared to him while he was asleep, and said, it was his own fault because he had lodged the bishop, with whom he (the evil spirit) could not remain. The sexton hastened to overtake the bishop and complained to him that he had taken his god and livelihood, and returned evil for the kindness extended to him. Then the bishop took paper out of his pocket and wrote these few words: “Gregory sendeth greetings to Apollinius. Be thou at liberty, O, Apollinius, to do as thou hast done before. Farewell.” The sexton took the letter and laid it by the side of his idol; then the devil came again, and did as before. Finally the sexton began to think, what a poor god is he, who allows himself to be driven away and lead by my guest who was only a man. And at once he started to the bishop, was instructed and baptized, and grew in his faith, so that he became the eminent bishop of Caesarea, a city in Cappadocia, upon the death of the bishop that baptized him. Behold, how simply faith proceeds, and acts joyfully, securely and effectively. Treat all your troublesome evil spirits in the same way’.
