Ecclesia Augustana:
Mr. Rusch,
A couple more thoughts for you if you don't mind. I would avoid LPC's advice to read widely and wildly. This is not in line with God's commands or the practice of the church Catholic. It may sound good to read widely and wildly in academic circles but it is spiritual poison. Consider Christ's command to stay away from those who cause divisions. The early church condemned the writings of the Gnostics and other heretics. They didn't tell people to read widely and wildly and decide for themselves. Avoid writers like Karl Barth. Stick to Scripture, the confessions and good Lutheran writings. (Do they still recommend reading Law & Gospel annually?) These things are what will make you a sharp theologian, not being exposed to many different beliefs as LPC would have you believe. Many a Christian has thought that he would be strong enough to read false teaching and not be affected by it but some of those Christians then became false teachers. LPC calls it a fence and that may be so but it is exactly the practice of the Church Catholic and what Christ commands us to do with those who would bring a different message, put up a fence of seperation (sic).
If you disagree with Rydecki, Jackson, (who on an unrelated note, has posted on this blog that the WELS is behind the St. John's affair [sic - incomplete sentence - completely confused]. It is pretty clear what happened and the truth doesn't involve a three year homosexual WELS sleeper cell. The very thought that someone who claims to be intelligent thinks that boggles the mind. Jackson gets more bonkers by the day. Even more amazing, I can't believe none of the authors of this blog have taken down that post by him.) LPC, and Schultz you should avoid them.
If you do agree with them, and I pray you don't, you should at the very least not continue on to WLS. There is much pain for all parties when someone changes their confession while they serve as a pastor. Just look at Pastors Hastings or Jackson.
Or wait a decade and see what happens to Rydecki and Schulz. (Or even now talk to Rydecki's members who had to come up with $20,000 or on the other hand the WELS members who decided to stay WELS in Las Cruces and now have no church. They have been silent in this but they are heart broken.) I pray this isn't the case, but if you do disagree with the WELS, you should take some time away after MLC. This is the most honest thing to do both before the church and God. Otherwise, I would add my encouragement to shake the dust off your feet from this blog.
Blessings,
Paul
***
GJ - I know Dr. Lito Cruz, PhD, from many communications. We have often discussed higher education. He signs his name instead of omitting his own name (as "Paul" did). The following statement is called a straw fallacy fallacy (or an Aunt Sally in Britain):
"I would avoid LPC's advice to read widely and wildly."
Everyone knows the WELSians read narrowly, a constant repeat-after-me catechsim of UOJ and Church Growth, including multiple essays by such luminaries as homosexual-seminary board chairman Richard Jungkuntz and atheist Curtis A. Peterson. Mequon faculty stamp MISLEADING on quotations from orthodox Lutherans about justification by faith.
The Mequon reading list is almost exclusively anti-Lutheran. A Sausage Factory graduate of the 1980s told me his library was all Reformed, based on required reading, while mine was Lutheran. I doubt whether this situation has improved.
Cruz' argument was that a real graduate degree in theology is better than one in sect worship from WELS, LCMS, or ELS. The LCMS/WELS/ELS degree is worthless and a waste of time.
After a confused, incomplete sentence, "Paul" found his footing again and stated:
"It is pretty clear what happened and the truth doesn't involve a three year homosexual WELS sleeper cell. The very thought that someone who claims to be intelligent thinks that boggles the mind."
"Paul" does not say what happened, because he has no idea. I know because of regular contacts with Pastor Hastings. I never said "sleeper cell" anywhere, but that is how the straw man salesman works.He told me about WELS involvement in two ways. The two ways were - kicking St. John out of the cemetery association with Jeske and Huebner. Also - a WELS "friend" contacted Hastings months ago, naming the member behind the defenestration and said to Kevin, "You need an exit strategy." Long before that, Jon Buchholz contacted Kevin and began to act friendly. Buchie is justly famous for funding Emergent Church types (Jeff Gunn, Rick Johnson) while grumbling about them "chapping my hide."
The final straw man/ad hominem is a riot of confused and incoherent rage:
Just look at Pastors Hastings or Jackson.
Or wait a decade and see what happens to Rydecki and Schulz. (Or even now talk to Rydecki's members who had to come up with $20,000 or on the other hand the WELS members who decided to stay WELS in Las Cruces and now have no church. They have been silent in this but they are heart broken.) I pray this isn't the case, but if you do disagree with the WELS, you should take some time away after MLC. This is the most honest thing to do both before the church and God. Otherwise, I would add my encouragement to shake the dust off your feet from this blog. [GJ - But "Paul" can post many times on that nefarious blog, because his cause is just.]
I suggest looking at:
Ski and Tim Glende, Mequon graduates who are now in serious trouble in Fox Valley, known for plagiarizing the false teacher Groeschel and worshiping with gay activist Andy Stanley, but also facing legal problems for their actions and words. That trouble travels all the way up the ladder, through the CP, DP, and SP.
Ed Werner, District President who went to state prison for molesting the little girls in his congregation, for decades - and WELS knew it.
Richard Jungkuntz, who was discovered only by accident and went on to have a career in pre-ELCA. As chairman of the board of Seminex, Jungkuntz presided over the first gay Lutheran seminary. Party in Seminex preceded Party in the MLC.
Teacher Al Just and Pastor William Tabor - who murdered their wives and got off lightly (Just) with synodical help and scott-free (Tabor) with destruction of evidence.
Joel Hochmuth - whose felony arrest for distributing man/boy rape videos was the source of endless amusement on the gay blogs, since they also had his and Schroeder's statement condemning ELCA for being honest about that group's advocacy. Is is too grumpy to say, "Why is God's name is WELS working with ELCA on anything?...Paul."
I am impressed that Pastor Hastings soldiered on after being kicked out of WELS. He has kept a magnificent building and pipe organ in great shape for 26 years. WELS did everything possible to scatter his congregation. I have seen that done many times. The vindictiveness, pettiness, and hypocrisy of WELS is worth several books.
WELS was scared to death that the revival of fortunes at St. John would make them look like the idiots they are.
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| Joel Hochmuth, Director of Communications, WELS, was absolved publicly by SP Schroeder for distributed man/boy rape pornography. |
