VirtueOnline - News

VirtueOnline - News:

Washington National Cathedral to Celebrate Same-Sex Weddings

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org 
January 8, 2013

The Washington National Cathedral, the nation's iconic center for funerals and presidential gatherings, will now allow same-sex weddings to be celebrated in the cathedral.

Dean Gary Hall said the cathedral has a long history of advancing equality for people of all faiths and perspectives. "The Cathedral is called to serve as a gathering place for the nation in times of significance, but it is also rooted in its role as the most visible faith community within the Episcopal Church."

The Episcopal Church has, for more than 30 years, raged backwards and forwards over the issue of pansexuality. Last summer at its General Convention, it approved rites for same sex blessings.

In a news release, Hall said it is now only fitting that the National Cathedral follow suit. "We enthusiastically affirm each person as a beloved child of God-and doing so means including the full participation of gays and lesbians in the life of this spiritual home for the nation."

Hall said his decision was consistent with the canons of the Episcopal Church. "The Cathedral will begin celebrating same-sex marriage ceremonies using a rite adapted from an existing blessing ceremony approved in August 2012 by the Church at its General Convention. That approval allowed for the bishops who oversee each diocese within the Church to decide whether or not to allow the rite's use or to allow celebration of same-sex marriage."

Celebrating same-sex weddings is important beyond the Episcopal Church, Hall said. Church debate is largely settled on the matter, allowing for local decisions, he added. The move is also a chance to influence the nation, Hall told the Associated Press.

In light of the legality of civil marriage for same-sex couples in the District of Columbia and Maryland, Washington Bishop Mariann Budde announced last month that the diocese would allow this expansion of the sacrament, which she said led to her decision for the Cathedral's adaptation of the same-sex rite.

Bishop Budde

Budde said she was inspired by the witness she had seen of gay and lesbian communities where she has served for over 35 years of ordained ministry. "I am pleased that this step follows the results made clear in this past November's election, when three states voted to allow same-sex marriage.

"Matters of human sexual identity and questions about the Church's role in blessing lifelong, committed relationships between its members are serious issues around which feelings run high and people of good will can often disagree. It is my hope and prayer that, if all of us open ourselves to the fullness and diversity of our nation's many voices, we will learn to walk together in a new way as we listen for God's call to us to be faithful to each other and to God."

Same-sex marriage is now legal in nine states and the District of Columbia. Legislators in Illinois and Rhode Island are set to take up bills to possibly join them. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear cases on gay marriage in March.

The first same-sex wedding performed last month at West Point's Cadet Chapel drew some protests from conservatives. The National Cathedral is even more visible.

In a move that will surely raise eyebrows among conservative Episcopalians, All Saints Chapel at Sewanee, the University of the South, a five-story Gothic church at the center of the college campus, will formally allow the blessing of same-sex couples, embracing the decision of General Convention last summer which approved controversial Rites for homosexuals and lesbians.

The controversy has placed Sewanee in a tricky position, said John McCardell Jr., Sewanee's vice chancellor and president. "An absolute yes or an absolute no was just not possible," McCardell noted. The college feared its chapel could become a sort of Las Vegas for blessings of gay unions -- an end-run for couples whose bishops won't permit the rite in their own diocese.

The compromise: Gay and lesbian couples who meet the other eligibility requirements for a Sewanee wedding will be able to have their union blessed in the college chapel, as long as their bishops are supportive.

McCardell described the decision, reached by the college chaplain, dean of the School of Theology, and the two bishops on the Board of Regents, which oversees university governance, as "the only sensible thing."

In 2003, The Russian Orthodox Church destroyed a chapel after local churchmen declared it defiled because it hosted a "marriage" ceremony for two men. The Rev. Vladimir Enert was defrocked for conducting the service for Denis Gogolyev and Mikhail Morozev at the Chapel of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God in the city of Nizhny Novgorod, 280 miles east of Moscow, the London Telegraph reported. A spokesman for the Orthodox Church indicated the chapel had to be demolished because it was desecrated.

However, independent reports show gay marriages are fragile at best. The vast majority of homosexuals, (even those who see themselves as "loving"), are NOT interested in marriage. Those few who ARE interested in committed relationships have the opportunity to engage in such relationships. This kind of commitment does not necessitate marriage. Furthermore there is no biblical support for such "marriages." Any sexual act outside of marriage between a man and a woman is biblically proscribed and will ultimately bring the judgment of God. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches have roundly rejected such marital options.

The deeper truth is homosexual activists aren't concerned with rights; they are concerned with complete societal endorsement of their behavior. Homosexuals want the society to stop telling them that what they are doing is "wrong" so they can feel better about what they are doing.

END

'via Blog this'

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GJ - We attended an organ concert there. The building is spectacular, but when people sang, it was barely a whisper.

Obituary For: Rev. Howard H. Festerling | Gephart Funeral Home

Howard Festerling was a fine pastor, a wonderful person to know, full of humor and good stories.
Most importantly, he was faithful to the Word of God
when leaders were faithless and hostile to it.

Obituary For: Rev. Howard H. Festerling | Gephart Funeral Home:

Rev. Howard H. Festerling, 70, of Midland, MI was welcomed to his eternal home on January 8, 2013. We rejoice that he is now with his Savior in Heaven. The son of Lester and Esther Festerling, Howard was born in Bay County on July 7, 1942. He attended St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School and Handy HS (’60), followed by Northwestern Lutheran College (’65). On December 26, 1965, he married the love of his life, Judith Haverkate, in Lake Mills, WI. In 1967 Howard and Judi took the first of many adventures in their 47-year marriage.

Howard became a teacher and headmaster at a Lutheran Chinese middle school in Hong Kong, where they were blessed to have three daughters. In 1975, the family returned to the U.S. so Howard could attend Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. As a minister, Pastor Festerling served the Lord at missions in Jakarta, Indonesia, Toledo, OH, Vancouver, BC, and Cadillac and Fenton, MI. Howard also had a passion for architecture and design, which he put to use managing the construction of two churches, building two homes by hand (with the tireless help of Judi), and designing kitchens for Design Classics in Toledo, OH as well as Home Depot in Midland. He will be remembered for his conviction in God’s word, his ability to speak to anyone, his love of words and language, and his quick wit.

Howard is survived by his wife, Judi K. Festerling, daughters, Lori (Matthew) Gries of Atlanta, GA; Jennifer (Jamison) Diehl of Toledo, OH; and Kimberly (Craig) Schuette of Midland and six grandchildren: Benjamin, Sarah & Luke Gries, John Henry Diehl, and Kaylee & Wyatt Schuette. Also surviving are siblings Robert (Paula), Linda (Jim Philip), Lois (Tom Tackebury), Roger (Mimi) and John (Julie). He is predeceased by a daughter, Hope (1987). The funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, Jan. 12 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Bay City. Officiating will be Rev. John Seifert and Rev. Carl Otto.

The family will receive friends at the Gephart Funeral Home on Thursday, Jan. 10 from 6-8 pm, and on Friday, Jan. 11 from 2-4 and 6-9 pm, and from 10 am until the time of service at 11 am. A luncheon will be served in the church hall following internment at Oakridge Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Pardee Cancer Treatment Fund of Midland.


'via Blog this'

A Moline Classmate Took These Photos of Eagle

Lutheran Pastors Want To Be Priests Now - And Called Father - No Change from Luther on the Priesthood

Luther's Epiphany Sermon

186. In the twelfth place, they are unchaste. How could it be otherwise when they are leading such a haughty, free, secure, indolent, gay and wanton life? How is it possible that they should remain chaste, addicted to all the aforesaid vices, when those scarcely succeed who live an irreproachable, virtuous life? Now, this vice is publicly known to exist among them, they indulge in it immeasurably and yet go unpunished. But no one is responsible for this unchastity but the pope, because he has forbidden the clergy to marry. If they were allowed to marry, many would abstain from the vices, but many of them would be obliged to choose a different calling. The evil spirit knew this well, and in order that such vice may be strengthened, he prompted the pope to forbid marriage. Thus has originated this peculiar institution, which is pleasing unto themselves. And lastly, he has beguiled them with this pretense, that they do not acknowledge, never regret, nor repent of, the eleven vices previously described, but regard them as right and virtuous, and enter heaven with them. But this twelfth vice is so coarse that they can not deny it. Here they do penance and confess it and thereby become as white again as snow, just as a sow that lies in the mud with its entire body. but keeps only one ear and a few bristles on its back clean.

187. In the thirteenth place, they are fierce; that is, they are entirely untried, untrained, inexperienced people, who cannot understand any shame; when you touch them they loose their temper, and this must all follow from their unrestrained life in which they have been reared. As a child that has been left to do as it pleased becomes coarse and knotty, so they also are inflexible, ungentle, intolerable people. They are accustomed to be honored, to receive plenty, to have their will and to go unpunished; if anything else, therefore, comes in their way, they will not tolerate it. But if they were under discipline as others, they would oftentimes have to give way and abstain from that which they now freely do and would no doubt become more mellow and mild, so that one could get along better with them. This vice is also a very open one, especially in the monasteries, where they call themselves pas-donates; that is, such that easily become angry.

188. In the fourteenth place, they are no lovers of good; that is, they do not regard the good, they are entirely unconcerned about performing good works and proceed as though they were not in need of good works and as if they knew another and better way to heaven. For they maintain that they are so superabundantly rich in good works, through holding mass and praying their horas that they can even sell them to others. They simply know of no other good works than their own self-imposed and self-chosen works, concerning which God has commanded nothing. Those who are the most pious make their testament when they die, institute masses and vigils, increase the fees of the officiating clergy and improve the possessions and the worship of the holy church. These are their good works; besides this their whole life is of no good and no benefit to anyone. Or would you call that a good work when they extort money from the poor people, as the Jews did, practice usury in all the lands and levy taxes on every house and head? Do not believe that they would ever give without returns, or loan without interest; on the contrary, they must gather for their wills and soulmasses.

Therefore it has become proverbial that a priest’s testament is a sausage, remains a sausage, and will be a sausage. Therefore the will passes through and through the testators from one to the other; that the property is not worthy to be of any benefit to the poor people. Thus also other good works, such as visiting the sick, clothing the naked, comforting the downcast and the like; being of service and benefit to neighbors, is with them neither a matter of concern nor an act of worship. They abide by their masses and church — howling and make of the mass a good work and offering. This costs them neither trouble nor money, but brings money and secures indolent and good days.

Clergy As Devils - From Luther's Epiphany Sermon

Luther's Epiphany Sermon


184. Thirdly, when, however, they wish to reprove or accuse another, they deal as unmercifully with him as though they themselves were in need of no grace, and as though they themselves had never committed any sin. They do not tell his superior but revile him publicly before those who knew nothing of it before. Here the love of justice is bought for a high price, for thereby the neighbor is robbed of his honor and disgraced. Here it concerns them not when he is driven into despair, hazards his body and soul, becomes a desperate man. They have reproved the sin as pious, honorable people, but as to betterment, let another see to that. They cast him from them as one who would always remain a good-for-nothing. Oh, what a senseless mass of holy, honorable people they are; they have no scruples of conscience, they go and pray as though they had done their part well!

Behold! to this vice they add the ones spoken of previously; they are boastful lovers of self and also without natural affection, obstinate, who concern themselves about no one, are of service to no one and seek only their own honor to the shame and detriment of others. For this reason St.

Paul her calls them diabolus, slanderers, defilers, who know no other way of dealing with their neighbor’s sins than thereby to disgrace him, to rob him publicly of his good name that they only may be looked upon as pious, well bred and honored men: For if they were merciful and kind-hearted, they would seek to better and not to defame or cast away any one but destroy his sin.

185. St. Paul has indeed described them perfectly; for experience teaches how insanely the clergy and men of this kind are bent upon listening to other people’s sins and shame, ridiculing, speaking about and spreading them, that they indeed are worthy of the name diaboli or devils. St. Paul always uses this little word diabolus in this sense; although some people use it for the devil, whose nature also is to expose, spread and magnify people’s sins. But when St. Paul speaks of the devil he usually says Satan.

Thus he says, 1 Timothy 3:6: “A bishop must not be a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the diabolus,” that is, the slanderer, that he may not have occasion to judge evil of him etc.

Luther Is Up To Date about Abusive Clergy

Epiphany Sermon

182. Compare with this what these lovers of discipline and honor now do.

In the first place, because they secretly think so much of themselves and are so well pleased with themselves, they think that no one acts and thinks as well as they do, they are the most suspicious people on earth, full of unnecessary care and anxiety that no one does right, and they put the worst construction upon everything; and even when a deed is good, they nevertheless think the intention is evil. Then they search for and meditate closely upon the intention that a person may possibly have and are not satisfied until they have heard something bad about their neighbor. Oh! what respectable and honorable people are addicted to this vice; and it really seems at times as though it were only cautiousness with them and fear of being deceived. But cautiousness considers casual danger and protects itself from being degraded, speaks openly: I believe that you have no bad intentions, but we are all human, you may change and err as well as I, etc. But suspicion considers the present deed only, thinking nothing good of it, and not of the casual danger; it thinks that that is already wrong which caution regards as good and for which it provides means to save it from becoming bad.

183. Secondly, when suspicion sees the neighbor’s evil deed secretly or hears of it, it is delighted, for it can now show how pious it is and how bad other people are, how it loves righteousness, propriety and honor. The poor publican must submit to the Pharisee; Noah must suffer to have his son Ham see his nakedness. Yea, we are accustomed to say, what an honorable, pious man this is; every one must now hear of this neighbor’s evil deed. Some take great pleasure in hearing and talking about the sins of others and say: Indeed it is true. This vice has assumed greater proportions than any one believes, especially among those who seem to be honorable and well bred people. Here there is no one who would conceal, who would reprove, who would amend, who would intercede; but everyone slanders and defames and yet they are holy and spiritual people.

Find This Sentence - More Propaganda from Concordia Publishing House

http://cyberbrethren.com/2013/01/10/commemoration-of-the-cappadocian-fathers/#more-4863

The quote:
The best evidence of their value and power lies in the fact that for fourteen centuries they have been a mine whence the greatest theologians of Christendom have drawn treasures of wisdom to illustrate and support their own teaching on the deepest mysteries of the Catholic Faith.

Evidence -

Most of the quotation is found here -

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1000 (St. Gregory of Nazianzus)

and the old standby - The Catholic Encyclopedia - which is actually cited at the beginning!

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07010b.htm

Another article is from Aquinas and More. Catholic Goods.

http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-articles/feast-of-st.-basil-the-great/article/82/sort/relevance/productsperpage/12/layout/grid/currentpage/1/keywords/basil

Obviously, the Concordia Publishing House editor could no longer get away with "source" and "HT" at the bottom. This only shows that, apart from extreme laziness, his main goal is to promote Roman Catholicism.

Perhaps we are considered stupid enough to be thrown off by posts about Luther and Sasse on the same day. That only makes it worse, to blend those two stalwarts with papal propaganda.

No Call Paul used to promote his blog almost daily on LutherQuest, including his plagiarized posts from The Catholic Encyclopedia. That changed after the dishonesty and papalism were exposed.

Otten and McCain are not talking to each, just like the old days, when Barry was running for SP (insert ironic wink icon). But they operate the same way, which I expect from UOJ fanatics. They pose as Lutherans but promote Roman Catholicism when it suits them. When caught at it, they double-time back to some Lutheran icons, the equivalent of promising the arresting officer to give up the bottle for good.

A sincere Lutheran is not going to promote Roman Catholicism at any time.

Yet Ken Howes is outraged that I wrote the truth about CFW Walther:

What Happened to Jackson? Trashing Walther and the LCMS
“He really trashes Walther and the LCMS” writes Kenneth Howes in response to a review by Gregory Jackson (S.T.M. Yale, Ph.D. Notre Dame) to his translation of C.F.W. Walther’s (B.A.) “The Formula of Concord, Core and Highlights –The Doctrine of Election in Questions and Answers” published by Lutheran News....Christian News, 1-14-13

I answered - "I read the histories. It's all there in Zion on the Mississippi and the Stephan book. Most of it is in Zion. Telling truth is not trashing. Telling lies about the Great Kidnapper is a sin."
Not that Otten promoted lies about Luther, selling the Roman Catholic hate-fest called The Facts about Luther - for Reformation!

UOJ and the Problem of Ignorance. Note Luther's Description of the Scriptures, The Parallel to the Incarnation

LPC has left a new comment on your post "Trust But Verify":

I assume complete ignorance on his part

This is always a safe assumption when dealing with the Rev. McCain.

I can never emphasize enough the ignorance of the said pastor, if you know what I mean. We are never wrong when we assume him to be ignorant, Dr. Greg, even though he has an MDiv.

LPC

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GJ - Paul McCain and his court jester, Jack Kilcrease, share one attribute besides their addiction to UOJ. They are hopelessly inadequate in the English language.

McCain tries to cover this by copying the work of others, making it appear to be his own. How this qualifies him as an editor at CPH is beyond my comprehension.

Kilcrease adopts an air of superiority, but that only makes his squawking more amusing. He tries to adopt the air of a mother who pitieth her silly children, but that does not work well with people who can read and discern the Word. All the philosophy in the world will not stand up to one Word from the Scriptures.

The post below became the most popular in two years and gains about 2,000 page-views per month.

The Holy Spirit Teaches Man Better Than Books May 23, 2012

15,113 page-reads.

Schwabach Articles - From Pastor Paul Rydecki

Schwabach Articles – Article I

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

I might as well tackle all seventeen of the Schwabach Articles, while I’m at it.  It’s a good review of Christian theology.

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The First Article

That it is firmly and unanimously held and taught that there is only one true God, Creator of heaven and earth, and that in the one, true, divine Being, there are three distinct Persons, namely, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit; that the Son, begotten of the Father from eternity to eternity, is properly and naturally God together with the Father; and that the Holy Spirit, who exists both from the Father and the Son, is also properly and naturally God from eternity to eternity, together with the Father and the Son, as all of this may be clearly and powerfully demonstrated by the Holy Scripture, as in John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; all things are made through Him, and without Him nothing is made nor was made, etc.  And in the last chapter of Matthew: Go, teach all heathens and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and other similar sayings, especially in the Gospel of St. John.

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Schwabach Articles – Article II

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Second Article

That only the Son of God has become true man, born of the pure Virgin Mary, complete with body and soul; and that neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit has become man, as thepatripassiani heretics taught.  Also, that the Son did not take on the body only, without the soul, as the Photinians taught, for He Himself speaks quite often in the Gospel about His soul, as when He says: My soul is distressed to the point of death, etc.  But John states clearly in the first chapter that God’s Son has become man, saying: And the Word became flesh, and Gal. 3: When the time was fulfilled, God sent His Son, born of a woman, made under the law.

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Schwabach Articles – Article III

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Third Article

That the same Son of God, true God and Man, Jesus Christ, is a single, undivided Person, who suffered for us men, was crucified, died, was buried, rose from the dead on the third day, ascended into heaven, is sitting at the right hand of God, is Lord over all creatures, etc.  Therefore, that no one should believe or teach that Jesus Christ as man—in other words, His humanity—has suffered for us, but rather in this way: since God and man are not two persons here, but is one undivided Person, one should hold and teach that God and man—in other words, the Son of God—has truly suffered for us, as Paul says in Rom. 8:God did not spare His only Son, but gave Him up for us all. 1 Cor. 2: If they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory, and other similar sayings.

Schwabach Articles – Article IV

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Fourth Article

That original sin is a true sin, not merely a failing or a defect, but the kind of sin that condemns all men who come from Adam and separates them eternally from God—if Jesus Christ had not stood in for us and taken such sin upon Himself, together with all the sins that flow from it; and made satisfaction for it through His suffering; and in this way entirely abolished it and eradicated it in Himself, as is clearly written about such sin in Psalm 50 and Rom. 5.

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Schwabach Articles – Article V

Posted on January 7, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Here is my translation (from German) of the Fifth Article of the Schwabach Articles (1529), prepared by Luther and other theologians.  Much of this material was incorporated into Melanchthon’s Augsburg Confession (1530).

In case there was any doubt, faith alone justifies.

The Schwabach Articles, 1529

Fifth Article

Since, then, all men are sinners, subject to sin and death, and also the devil, it is impossible for a man to work himself out of this condition by his powers or through his good works so that he may again become righteous and godly. Indeed, he can neither prepare himself for righteousness nor move himself toward it, but the more he attempts to work himself out of his condition, the worse it becomes with him.  This, however, is the only path to righteousness and to redemption from sin and death: if, without any merit or works, a person believes in the Son of God who suffered for us, etc., as stated.  Such faith is our righteousness; God wishes to reckon and regard it as righteous, godly and holy, forgive all sins and have eternal life given as a gift to all who have such faith in His Son, that, for the sake of His Son, they should be received into grace and be children in His kingdom, etc., as St. Paul and John lavishly teach all this in their Gospel, as in Romans chapter 10: With the heart one believes and so becomes righteous, etc.  Rom. 4: His faith was reckoned to him as righteousness.  John 3: …that all who believe in the Son should not be lost, but have eternal life.

Schwabach Articles – Article VI

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Sixth Article

That such faith is not a human work, nor is it possible by our powers.  Rather, it is a work of God and a gift that the Holy Spirit, given through Christ, works in us.  And such faith—since it is not a mere illusion or shadow of the heart (like false believers have), but rather a powerful, new, living being—produces much fruit.  It always does good toward God—with praise, thanks, prayers, preaching and teaching; and toward the neighbor—with love, service, help, counsel, giving and suffering all kinds of evil, even unto death.

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Schwabach Articles – Article VII

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Seventh Article

In order that we may attain such faith, that is, in order that God may give it to us men, He has instituted the office of preaching, that is, the spoken Word, namely, the Gospel, through which He causes such faith—and its power, benefit and fruit—to be proclaimed. And through it, as through means, He also gives faith, together with His Holy Spirit, how and where He wishes.  Besides this, there is no other means or manner, way or path to obtain faith.  For thoughts that are apart from or before the spoken Word are vain lies and error, no matter how holy and good they appear.

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Schwabach Articles – Article VIII

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Eighth Article

Together and combined with this spoken Word, God has also instituted outward signs, namely, Baptism and the Eucharist, through which, combined with the Word, God also cultivates faith and gives His Spirit and strengthens all who long for Him.

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Schwabach Articles – Article IX

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Ninth Article

That Baptism, the first sign or Sacrament, consists in two parts, namely, water and the Word of God; that is, one baptizes with water and speaks God’s Word.  And it is not just plain water—not a simple shower, as those who blaspheme baptism now teach.  Rather, since God’s Word accompanies it and since it is founded upon God’s Word, it is a holy, living, powerful thing, and, as Paul says in Titus 3 and Eph. 5, it is a washing of rebirth and renewal of the Spirit, etc. And that this Baptism is to be applied and administered also to the little children.  Now, the Word of God upon which Baptism stands is this: Go and baptize in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (the last chapter of Matthew); and whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved, there one must believe, etc.

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Schwabach Articles – Article X

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Tenth Article

The Eucharist, or the Sacrament of the Altar, also consists in two parts, namely, that the true body and blood of Christ are truly present in the bread and wine, as the Word of Christ declares: This is my body; this is my blood; and not only bread and wine, as the opposing party pretends. These words require and also produce faith, and also exercise it in all those who desire this Sacrament and do not resist it, just as Baptism also produces and gives faith, if one desires it.

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Schwabach Articles – Article XI

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Eleventh Article

That private confession should not be forced on anyone with laws, as little as Baptism, the Sacrament and the Gospel should be forced on anyone.  Rather, it should be free, especially when one realizes how very comforting and salutary, beneficial and good it is for the troubled or erring consciences, since in it, the Absolution, which is God’s Word and judgment, is spoken, through which the conscience becomes free and at peace from its worries.  Also, that it is not necessary to enumerate every sin; but one may mention those that disturb and gnaw at the heart.

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Schwabach Articles – Article XII

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Twelfth Article

That beyond all doubt there is and will remain on earth one holy Christian Church until the end of the world, as Christ says in the last chapter of Matthew: Behold, I am with you until the end of the world. This Church is nothing other than the believers in Christ, who believe and teach the aforementioned Articles and are persecuted and martyred for it in the world.  For where the Gospel is preached and the Sacraments are rightly used, there is the holy Christian Church; and it is not bound with laws or outward splendor to place or time, to person or ceremony.

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Schwabach Articles – XIII

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Thirteenth Article

That our Lord Jesus Christ will come on the Last Day to judge the living and the dead: to redeem His believers from all evil and bring them to eternal life; and to punish the unbelieving and ungodly, and, together with the devil, condemn them to hell eternally.

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Schwabach Articles – XIV

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Fourteenth Article

That, until the Lord comes for judgment and puts an end to all power and authority, the earthly rule and authority must be held in honor and obeyed as an estate ordained by God to protect the godly and to curb the wicked.  And that a Christian, if he is rightly called to it, may well preside over or serve in such an estate without shame or danger to his faith and salvation.

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Schwabach Articles – Article XV

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Fifteenth Article

From all this it follows that the doctrine that forbids marriage and, in general, meat and food to the priests and the spiritual, together with every kind of monastic living and vow—since grace and salvation are sought and thought to come through these things and they are not left free—is condemned as vanity and as a doctrine of demons, as St. Paul calls it in Timothy chapter 4, given that Christ alone is the only way to grace and salvation.

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Schwabach Articles – Article XVI

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Sixteenth Article

That above all horrors, the Mass, which up until now has been held as a sacrifice or a work with which one person wants to gain grace for another, must be set aside, and instead of this kind of Mass, a godly order must be held in order that the holy Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ in both kinds might be administered to each one for the benefit of his faith and according to his own need.

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Schwabach Articles – Article XVII

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Rev. Rydecki

Schwabach Articles, 1529

The Seventeenth Article

That the ceremonies of the Church that conflict with God’s Word should also be set aside.  The others, however, should be left free, to be used or not, as love dictates, so that no one may lightly give offense without reason, or disturb the common peace without need.

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