Pastor,
Where to begin?
Thy Strong Word, page 318.
"The Pietists all believe that their works, lifestyle , or love will convert people to Christ...Luther found that the key to the argument was the efficacy of the Word. The Holy Spirit does not work through love but through the Word. Love is a fruit of the spirit, the greatest of the theological virtues (Galatians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 13). The advocates of love confuse the owner of the Word with its results. Love is produced when the Law and the Gospel are properly taught and preached. For instance, no one is more thankful joyous, and loving than one who has faced the enormity of his sins, the uselessness of his own efforts, and the depth of God's mercy revealed in the crucified Messiah. The Law does not produce love, so one does not spawn a loving congregation by telling them to be more loving. The members do not become more loving by bing told they are unloving. The gospel of forgiveness produces love, the first fruit of the Spirit."
There's so much here mine from this.
The Pietists seemingly believe that God desperately needs our help! They seem to believe that our love (or even His love through us) is the answer. They seem to believe that the old sinner can be broken down by love and then sanctified later. No, there is no doctrinal statement that says this, but if you listen to the actions of their evangelism efforts.
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| The publisher can withdraw this version and make the Lutheran suckers halt production and print new versions of the same books. Besides that, the New NIV can change its wording whenever it wants. |
Why else would the WELS have such a low view of scripture as to turn it over to the care of Dr. Moo's team that produced the NNIV? It was painful and shocking to hear, in person what the WELS leaders were saying in district convention about scripture when selling the NIV11. "Just a translation..." "Errors..." "People are too simple to understand the Bible except the NIV" "Biblish!" and on and on. Then concluding, "Hey, you have us to interpret!"
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| Thy Strong Word: The Efficacy of the Word in the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions |
Me thinks this smacks of the 16th century all over again when simple laity were not trusted with the scriptures, except to be interpreted by The Church.
It's no wonder then that emphasis in the Word (and it's efficacy as well) have been diminished over time. Just be pious. Be nice. Love each other. Trouble is, without the Word, we don't know what love is let lone how to truly love one another.
Again the power or the source of Love is ignored. It is no wonder that "Lutheran" synods are dying. Indeed they deserve to die. (a great cry wails "NO!!!")*
But the message has been dumbed down, and for years this process has been in play as they market the message of the Church to the point of changing the message or tailoring it to the "market." This is why UOJ is needed, to sweeten the deal.
It's sweet enough: "Love is produced when the Law and the Gospel are properly taught and preached." What else is needed, except courage. The martyrs of the early church didn't change the message, and all UOJ does is blunt the power of the Gospel.
SDG,
Gideon
* Star Trek DS9 fans can relate when an institution that prides itself in integrity and honor is willing to accept corruption. A direct parallel can the drawn to a laity that accepts corruption in doctrine to preserve the empire, er..synod. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfNe2uv-bHs
Pastor,
Yeah the video was very telling to me. Ol' Worf could very well be the loyal synodical conference Lutheran who dutifully brings his sacrifice "for the ministry" (or in the case of the episode, "the empire") and the two us, you and I, because we are relative outsiders are able to look at things objectively like the character Ezri. Neither of us were born into the Lutheran church, but we appreciate what Luther and the Lutheran Church stand for-- or rather what the Lutheran Church is supposed to stand for. They are so blinded by their inbred leadership that they can't see themselves objectively and when someone does attempt to shed some light on some uncomfortable truth, what is their reaction? Dismissal? Retribution? Discipline? Deception? Like their reaction to the laity's objections to the recommendation of the NIV11 -- you could tell if you were, "who are the little people?"
In the meantime, God's people are not fed pure doctrine, and many, many more in this nation (not to mention other countries around the world) are misled about the Gospel. Christ's name is slandered, not just by unbelievers, but those who claim to serve God (Fullerites, CnC disciples, and others). If members of the former synodical conference don't stand up against false doctrine, as in the video example, it begs the question: "What hope is there for the Lutheran church as an institution that serves the Gospel?" The Gospel is not served by marketing, spreadsheets, and modifications like the NIV11 and UOJ. Only Word and Sacrament faithfully administered. Only then will the saints be equipped to do their work.
To be sure, God's Word will not be thwarted (Isaiah 55:10-11). He'll likely raise up new shepherds, even if they are Africa, South America, or even China. NOTHING can stand against it. Political Correctness seems like the perfect weapon against the Gospel, but it only seems that way. But what a shame to those who have or had the truth, only to squander it.
SDG,
Gideon
