I created a graphic from Luther's Galatians Commentary, below, where he associated the gross immorality of the Catholic Church priesthood with God giving them over to a reprobate mind.
The language comes from Romans.
KJV Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
The Medieval Church was plagued with abuse and scandal, so much that many Catholics today give credit to the Reformation for rescuing the Church from utter collapse. That happened because Luther applied the Word of God to the situation. However, nothing is different in Rome today. Nothing has changed in the American version of the Roman Catholic Church. A string of front-page stories told of sexual abuse in various Roman Catholic diocese in the late 1980s. The stories continue, 25 years later.
Lutherans either say, "Oh, those Catholics," or "Oh, those ELCA people" - "given over to a reprobate mind."
But they all work with each other and study with each other at Fuller Seminary, the great gathering place for all denominations, all religions, all orientations.
People contact me about various kinds abuse. Lutheran church officials routinely bully ministers and congregations. Back in Florida, years ago, the big Church Growth experiment in WELS was so offended by a chance remark (that happened to be true) that they demanded apology after apology, even though they already had the first apology for a correct observation - that they were controversial.
Anyone in Fox Valley can see what happens when an individual dares to point out the obvious about Glende, Parlow, Lillo, Jeske, and the rest. It is a small step to move from the DP writing a paper supporting plagiarsim to the next one defending child abuse. The downhill slide gathers speed at 10 meters per second per second. In other words, the acceleration of degenerate actions can only increase.
In the LCMS, if someone has a genuine case of clergy sexual abuse to report, the response is to attack the individuals trying to address the situation. The "conservative" Lutheran groups use the cover of their supposed sanctity to escape the laws they must obey - such as reporting known abusers. I know of many cases allowed to go on and on, in various synods. ELCA ordained a known predator and lost a $40 million court case.
Synod support and absolution are quickly available for known murderers, felons, drunk drivers, adulterers, and abusers. Those who question Holy Mother Synod will quickly find their cell phone icing over during a talk with the DP, followed by letters from the same - to be handled with asbestos gloves only.
In adopting the anti-Gospel of UOJ--the same dogma exactly as the Ecumenical Church--the Lutherans have united behind a repudiation of the Scriptures. They still say, "Lord, Lord," and "Look at all the buildings we have built to honor Thy Name and Thrivent's and St. Marvin's." But they are reprobate. In wrath, God has done the the most ferocious thing He can do to people - He has turned them loose to follow their evil desires.
Pastors have to defend their calls against the synod, no matter what the consequences. Congregations have to defend their parishes against the meddling and predation of the church officials. If a circuit pastor wants to throw his weight around, give him a business card for Weight Watchers and show him the door. The consequences may seem bad at first, but God uses the consequences for the good, when the Word is taught in its purity.
All depends on our philosophy, or our meaning
behind the meaning. If we truly believe that God always accomplishes His will through the Word, we will never hesitate to apply that Word in all situations.
Some claim that they rely on the Word, but they really trust in money. They imagine that money is the Means of Grace. Anyone who interrupts the flow of money gets "Anathema sit!" (Let him be damned to Hell!)
I have seen church officials fawn over adulterous rich men, simply because of the promise of money. They are more obsequious than Walther was with his syphilitic bishop, Martin Stephan, STD. Knowing that Marvin Schwan was an adulterer, the church officials went around saying, "He had a Scriptural divorce." I finally asked one, "Is that like Scriptural murder?"
Ask them about the first Mrs. Schwan, who was bought off with $1 million and a Cadillac. Marvin laughed about that in
Forbes. She read the reprint in
Christian News. Ask what happened next. Ask a "conservative" Lutheran official about Marvin buying his way into heaven. Elmer Gantry types love Elmer Gantry types.
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| I can put your synod officials in this graphic. |
