Ichabod -
The "take" on how certain Lutherans derive their practical teaching, is spot on!
The Extra Nos website article says:
">>>>>>> ....... the Lutherans there have thought that all exegetical issues are now moot and void, since C. F. W. Walther has spoken. So what is happening today? Well we have what might be called theology by proxy. What I mean is that they do not do the hard work of going deeper in interpreting the Biblical text, what they do is just find out what so called authority said on a topic and by default they adopt the pontifications of that so called "accepted authority". It is a type of Romanism in a small scale. So the Lutherans pick their own little pope like Walther and find out what he said and then settle the question based on that......
.........They have done their theology by proxy rather than doing it on their own. You do not need to be a Greek expert to handle the Scripture, you just need a faithful translation....... <<<<<<<< [Your words]
That "type of Romanism" is a proper comparison. Not too long ago I took the occasion to listen to a few hours of Roman Catholic Ava Maria radio, here in the US. A constant theme was always reverting [back] to mother church. Although Christ and the Scriptures were mentioned by program hosts and guests; the supreme and ultimate measurement of authority, always reverted [back] to the Church (not, Scripture).
This fallible and pathetic practice, is what I witness certain Lutherans doing; and, now, progressively so. Individual Lutheran churches are so scattered, in that they and their church members are beholden to not only their synodical affiliation, but also their district, circuit and home congregation affiliations. By the time an individual church member can catch his spiritual breath, there is hardly any opportunity or time to grasp basic Scripture in its correct and exegetical context, as it relates to practically living the Christian life at home and being a faithful witness in his geographical sphere of influence. Having stated all that; I must say that the evil one is very successful in keeping Christian church members so occupied, that they do not have the muster to be faithful disciples of Christ in the decadent world's culture.
In conclusion to my long comment, here, I do not in anyway care, to give the impression that I diminish the faith of some Catholics. I've witnessed beautiful and basic Christian faith of some Catholics on their deathbeds, as I have occasion, as a volunteer hospice worker. When it boils down to "brass tacks;" I firmly believe that the Lord saves those of His, inspite of their affiliations with anti-Scriptural entities. After all, did not Christ say: "My sheep hear my voice.....?" Perhaps, my experience is somewhat limited; but, I've never witnessed the Catholics to whom I ministered to on their deathbeds, clinging to their rosaries and papal edicts.........
Nathan M. Bickel
www.thechristianmessage.org
www.moralmatters.org
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PS - Norton decided that comments were spam and hid them in the spam folder. I have unspammed them, so I can keep up better.
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narrow-minded has left a new comment on your post "Pastor Bickel on Extra Nos":
Who are the true papists?
http://www.cph.org/p-19260-c-f-w-walther-churchman-and-theologian.aspx?SearchTerm=walther
http://www.cph.org/p-19505-cfw-walther-commemorative-medallion.aspx?SearchTerm=walther
http://www.cph.org/p-21944-c-f-w-walther-bust.aspx?SearchTerm=walther
