This quotation from Luther needs to be read, studied, and assimilated into our daily thinking. I gave it to Patsy Leppien when she was writing What Is Going On Among the Lutherans? She was quite discouraged about conservative Lutherans attacking her work.
I reminded her that opposition from within is something we can assume will happen - and count it as a blessing, as the last beatitude says.
Lutheran writers are always chirping about "Luther's theology of the cross" but they seldom communicate what he meant. Luther not only taught this faithfully, as required of a Biblical teacher, but also referred to the "blessed holy cross."
Bearing the cross is painful. If that were not so, it would not be the cross, but a minor annoyance, like the flowers not being delivered on time for the service.
But bearing the cross is also good for us, essential for all Christians, and beneficial to everyone.
Currently, the opposite is being practiced. Ideally, if the synod is correct about the entire world being justified and saved - without faith - they would welcome controversy and address it. That is the history of doctrine.
But District Popes like Jon-Boy Buchholz say, "UOJ is settled doctrine, so there will be no more discussion." After all, he wrote an convention essay on the topic, That is the WELS equivalent of canonical status. However, if the doctrine is so settled, why do they need 60 essays on Justification in their precious Holy of Holies, the Essay File (once cardboard box, pre-Internet).
Justification is indeed settled doctrine - settled by the Scriptures. The issue is whether the WELS-ELS-LCMS-ELCA-CLC (sic) leaders teach was the Word of God has settled for all time. Their confession of unfaith is the same, but that should not be confused with sound teaching.
The Bible and the Book of Concord say nothing about man-made institutions. synods, doctrinal boards, and Planned Giving Counselors with divine calls to sell Thrivent annuities. The Bible reveals God's Word and will, the Confessions witness our confession of those truths - or not.
WELS, Missouri, and ELCA make a big fuss at the national level about how little they regard Luther and the Book of Concord. They are like the effete gourmands who do not want another helping of that hideous dish but must remain outwardly polite.
So the synods clamp down and insist on their version of everything, which is mighty confused, and wonder why they are nose-diving in every possible way.
The rule was very clear in the LCA - no pastor objected to anything, and that included members of his family. If that understood was broken, retribution followed.
In spite of the baloney about the process of forming the ELCA, that was only a mask to get done exactly what they wanted. At the end, lawyers were in charge of the meetings where the final legal matters were settled. No dissent was allowed. One leftist pastor's wife was shocked - and I smiled. Sometimes Stalinism comes out in the open.
ELCA has been a catastrophe, as they are starting to realize. But WELS and the LCMS have followed the same model with the same results.
The corrupt trees bear evil fruit in each synod, and that fruit is sterile, except for its ability to reproduce more of the same useless produce.
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| By Rembrandt - www.nationalgallery.org.uk : Home : Info, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67423 |
Here are signs of the cross being rejected in favor of (questionable) synodical glory:
- The synod produces worthless literature, always with an eye toward reflecting the latest fads.
- Leadership means taking control and getting one's way, getting even with anyone who dissents.
- Seminary and college professors are poorly equipped to teach Biblical, Lutheran doctrine.
- The institutions of higher education are denied support by the fatso, alcoholic leaders who live in riotous luxury compared to the average pastor - and think they deserve even more. Thus the schools are already too expensive and offer too little to attend.
- World missions are great for raising money, but the synods do not really support them. In the LCMS, world missionaries raise their own salaries and often find find themselves stranded.
- Because the Word and the Confessions are not honored, everything is settled by power, money, threats, shunning, and the rewarding of Wormtongues who do serve their masters to become masters some day.
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| The writing is on the wall. |
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Daniel 5:25 And this is the writing that was written, Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin.
26 This is the interpretation of the thing: Mene; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
28 Peres; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.
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