Biblical Exposition Defeats the Dogmatic Dummies

The Ft. Whiners are always straining to assert their cumbersome verities, all based on dogmatic declarations without Scriptural support.

If Lutherans had a better grasp of Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz, they would immediately rebel against the Walther-Pieper-JP Meyer-Scaer-Preus franchise. The Walther franchise - or fanbase - lives on shouting their assertions at people. The self-proclaimed and the duly installed would be best served by people politely snickering at their contradictions.

 The new NIV invented "all are justified," which shows the lengths the WELS clowns will go to fit in with the mainline Barthians in ELCA.

Biblical exposition does not employ the vocabulary of Pietism, Calvinism, and Adventism. There are times when believers use a term to summarize centuries of discussion and debate - the Trinity. At other times a phrase will serve to express many difference aspects of the efficacious Word - the Means of Grace.

Notice that LutherQuash will start a topic about their beloved Objective Justification but abandon it when it is copied here. No one has attempted to counter our basic, plain exposition of Romans 4. Maybe the Ft. Whiners could teach Romans 1- 5 in Greek, stream and saved the videos, as this tiny congregation did.

Anyone with a good translation of the Bible (not NIV) can destroy the UOJ orcs. The best place to start is the KJV family of translations, which is directly linked to Luther via Tyndale.

The False Teachers' Subjective Justification Sows as Much Deception as Their Objective Justification

 The ELDONUTs are mostly Ft. Wayne graduates who congratulate each other on their superb training. How long does it take to read Genesis 15 and Romans 4?

Various writers on this blog have exposed Objective Justification for what it is. Rolf Preus seems to be using the equally toxic Subjective Justification to bridge the gap between his dogma and Christianity. True to Walther - though I have not stolen millions in gold, books, chalices, and land - I will post Walther's timeless twaddle on the topic.

 The OJ and SJ terms are found in the American Calvinist's translation of the Halle dogmatics professor, below. The terms caught on, were used in Germany, and came back to America with CFW's blessing.

Here I Misunderstand Lectures - by Rolfie One-Note, Ft. Wayne MDiv

"While the terms “objective justification” and “subjective justification” may have arisen in the 19th century, the objective/subjective distinction in the topic of justification has always been made. (sic, no proof) This distinction is inherent in the gospel itself. (sic, where?) The doctrine of objective justification teaches that God, freely by his grace, without reference to any merit or worthiness in sinners, for the sake of the vicarious obedience and suffering of Jesus, has forgiven this whole world of sinners all their sins and declared them to be righteous." (sic, The Adventists agree with Rolf.)

Now let us step into his attempt to spray some gold paint on his Dreck:

"The doctrine of subjective justification is that we receive this forgiveness and righteousness only through faith in the gospel of Christ.  There are not two justifications: one objective and one subjective.  There is only one justification.  We view it from the side of its acquisition for us by Christ and we view it from the side of its reception by us through faith.  In either case, it is the same Jesus, the same verdict from God, the same forgiveness of sins, the same justification."

I would not like this mechanic to work on my Lincoln Town Car limo. An air filter is not a gas filter, and an engine is not a transmission.

Rolf just defined his precious OJ as God's declaration of universal forgiveness (and salvation, by inference) - true to Pietism, Knapp, Bishop Stephan, and Karl Barth. That word "declaration" is what converts the Atonement into World Absolution, where gasoline becomes oil and the exhaust pipe is really a searchlight. The OJists have lost their courage, so they do not name Hindoo and Eskimeaux and Hottentotts as absolved, as they did in the days of his great uncle Edward Preuss, an Enthusiast who became a  distinguished Roman Catholic leader. A Concordia Seminary St. Louis professor became a Roman Catholic leader? - they have been jumping ship ever since - Wilken, Neuhaus, etc.

Justification is a good and noble term but it is perverted by the perverted leaders who turn Justification by Faith into Justification of the Entire World. That is why we see the same family of words in the perverted, twisted language of the OJists:

• General Justification - meaning every single one in German.
• Justification of the World - John Sparky Brenner's fave.
• Universal Objective Justification - see Valleskey, below, for that honker.

In the second quotation, Rolfie One-Note is trying to bridge the gap by combining faith with OJ. Oh no you don't, Walther fan. You can lie about the kidnapping, about making Stephan a bishop, about the young girls getting the clap from Stephan, about stealing all the gold, land, books, and chalices, but not about the second part of OJ/SJ.

Subjective Justification means accepting God's absolution of the entire world, without the Word, grace without the Means of Grace, without faith, Enthusiasm at its lowest ebb. Walther was a Pietist, as most people realize by now. All his training, apart from rationalism at home and in the educational system, was Pietistic.

JP Meyer was true to ravings of Walther. Note, this is the new improved edition of Meyer! The editor Panning taught Romans and yet approved this nonsense.

And what is the fruit of UOJ? As Otten told me, Sig Becker was disgusted with all the adultery and alcoholism of the WELS pastors.

 As far as can be determined, the Calvinist translator of the Pietist Knapp used the OJ and SJ terms first. The new terms caught on, as Rolfie One-Note proves in his historic lectures. 

More Refutations of Objective Justification

Objective Justification "protects the Gospel"?
Hoenecke cannot be wrong because he was WELS,
but Luther is belittled and ignored because...?
Ask Pope Herman the Mercenary to explain this.

Brethren: While searching online for a Hoenecke quotation about UOJ ("Emphasizing objective justification is necessary in order to preserve the real content of the Gospel" EV. LUTH. DOGMATICS III:338,) I found a link to a Steadfast Lutherans post on 10/14/12 by Pastor Shawn Stafford "What is Objective Justification?" which lists some other Scriptural passages used to teach UOJ, as well as some references in the Lutheran Confessions and, most interesting of all,  "Dangers of Denying Objective Justification."

I. SCRIPTURE PASSAGES: Along with "the usual suspects" (as in Pastor Rolf Preus' lectures--thanks for the correction, Pastor Jackson!--and in CASABLANCA) Pastor Stafford offered two more passages: 1. 1 Tim. 2:6: "...Who [Christ] gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."  My response: Once again, Christ's Universal Atonement for sins, nothing about Justification.  And speaking of time as in this passage, isn't it about TIME that the UOJers stop stealing the passages which speak of the UA and applying them to try to "prove" UOJ?

2. Rom. 3:22-24: "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."  My response: I see "all" referring to "them that BELIEVE" but I DON'T see "all" referring those who are "justified freely."  Do YOU?  As Pastor Jackson pointed out with reference to Rom. 4:24-25, FAITH is RIGHT THERE IN THE PASSAGE, but the UOJers ignore IT!  The passage is about JBFA!

II. LUTHERAN CONFESSIONS PASSAGES (all passages from the Triglotta Edition:) 1. Apology XII:62: "And what else is the refusal to assent to absolution but charging God with falsehood?  If the heart doubts, it regards those things which God promises and uncertain and of no account.  Accordingly, in 1 John 5, 10 it is written: 'He that believeth not hath made Him a liar, because he believeth not the record that God gave of His Son.'"  My response: Why did Pastor Stafford leave OUT of his quotation from #62 the first sentence?  It reads "Therefore, it [Absolution] necessarily requires FAITH."  WHERE in ANY of #62 is there ANY mention of UOJ?  The whole passage is about JBFA!

2. Apology XII:94: "Therefore, if any one be not confident that he is forgiven, he denies that God has sworn what is true, than which a more horrible blasphemy cannot be imagined."  My response: Again, let's check the context of the passage.  Three verses before Pastor Stafford's passage begins, after quoting Ezekiel 33:11, Melanchthon writes "For as God swears that He does not wish the death of a sinner, He shows that FAITH IS REQUIRED, in order that WE MAY BELIEVE the one swearing [God's oath in Ezk. 33:11], and be firmly CONFIDENT that He FORGIVES us."  And then the passage quoted, which speaks of the blasphemy of "NOT BEING CONFIDENT"/believing/having faith that one is forgiven by God.  Once again, the whole passage is about JBFA!

3. LC III:88: "There is here again great need to call upon God and to pray: Dear Father, forgive us our trespasses.  Not as though He did not forgive sin without and even before our prayer (for He has given us the Gospel, in which is pure forgiveness before we prayed or ever thought about it).  But this is to the intent that we may recognize and accept such forgiveness."  My response: Does God forgive sin even BEFORE our prayer?  YES, of course, IN THE WAY IN WHICH LUTHER GOES ON TO EXPLAIN: God has given us the Gospel, which announces that His forgiveness is available to us because of Christ's Universal Atonement for sin!  BUT, as Luther goes on to point out "But this is to the intent that WE MAY RECOGNIZE AND ACCEPT SUCH FORGIVENESS."  We MUST ACCEPT God's forgiveness in the Gospel BY God's gift of FAITH in God's Son Jesus Christ, which is ours in the Gospel.  Once again, the whole passage is about JBFA!

III. "THE DANGERS OF DENYING OBJECTIVE JUSTIFICATION:" 1. "Denying objective justification may lead to falling into the error of limited atonement, that Jesus paid only for the sins of believers."  My response: Oh, REALLY?  I'm afraid that I'd have to deny the Scriptural doctrine of the UNIVERSAL ATONEMENT OF CHRIST to fall into the error of limited atonement!  If Pastor Stafford is thinking of the possibility of apostasy, of course the Bible teaches that possibility, but this "danger" is mere speculation.  But IS it "mere speculation" that the belief in UOJ "may lead to falling into the error" of the Calvinists' "Perseverance of the Saints" ("once saved, always saved")  or UNIVERSALISM?  Haven't some who believe UOJ done so?

2. "Denying objective justification can turn faith into a human work."  My response: Oh, REALLY?  I'm afraid that I'd have to deny that FAITH IS GOD'S GIFT "By grace are ye saved through faith; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD," (Eph. 2:8,)  to fall into such an error.  Mere speculation again, but keep trying, Pastor Stafford...

3. "Denying objective justification can make faith a cause of justification."  My response: Oh, REALLY?  I'm afraid that I'd have to deny the verse already quoted "By grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH..." which clearly teaches that God's gift of Faith is the INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE of Justification.  In Pastor Stafford's statement, is he DENYING that Faith IS a CAUSE of Justification, the INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE?  Wow, he'd better check his dogmatics text again!  I for one do NOT deny that God's gift of Faith IS a cause of Justification, the INSTRUMENTAL CAUSE!

4. "Denying objective justification diminishes the glory of the Gospel."  My response: Oh, REALLY?  So far, Pastor Stafford has given us two examples of mere speculation and one (inadvertent, I'm sure!) crass doctrinal error; all that Pastor Stafford has left to offer is mere SUBJECTIVE OPINION.  Of course, the whole of "The Dangers of Denying Objective Justification" has been speculative, but with this example Pastor Stafford demonstrates real judgementalism without providing  any objective evidence for his assertions.  Pastor Stafford should be challenged to provide evidence of individuals who succumbed to any of these speculative warnings, because otherwise his warnings are, to quote Sir Thomas More in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (Act Two) "Terrors for children...an empty cupboard!  To frighten children in the dark," and NOT those who KNOW that the Bible teaches Justification by Faith Alone and not some man-made "Two-Decker Justification" as with the Millennialists' Two Second Comings" and the Calvinists' "Two Elections."

ADDENDUM: Now, what started my search: Adolph Hoenecke's quotation: "Emphasizing objective justification is necessary in order to preserve the real content of the Gospel."  My response: Oh, REALLY?

That is simply NOT TRUE, since God's Word WILL accomplish Its task (Is. 55:11: "[My Word] SHALL accomplish that which I please, and It shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it") which is stated in 2 Tim. 3:15 as being "To make thee wise unto salvation through FAITH which is in Christ Jesus."  To doubt this is to doubt God and His Word!  As God preserves His Word to us, so shall we be able to be like the Berean Christians, who "examined the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true."  And what IS "the real content of the Gospel?"  Hoenecke doesn't tell us here, but for me it is what the Apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 15:1-4: "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you THE GOSPEL which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein YE STAND; by which also ye are SAVED, if ye keep in MEMORY what I preached unto you, unless ye have BELIEVED in vain.  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also RECEIVED, how that CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES; and that He was buried, and that He ROSE AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY according to the Scriptures" and what Christ Himself said in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should NOT perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE."  No UOJ here, JUST the Scriptural doctrine of JBFA!  THAT is the REAL "content of the Gospel"!

 They stand line to reject the Bible.
Abraham was justified by faith in the Savior, Genesis 15.

Award Winning Blog

 "Don't shoot me, Pudgy Papal Plagiarist!"

People like to give each other awards and honors, little statues and plaques, swords of boldness. But when so many are united around Zwinglian mockery of Luther enforced by their Calvinistic logic, another level of recognition is apparent.

 "Every year I promote The Facts (sic) about Luther to mark the Reformation. I have always done that."

• Banned by Christian News, for agreeing with Luther, St. Paul, and Dr. Walter A. Maier about Justification by Faith. Otten promoted The Truth (sic) about Luther while failing to mention The Sermons of Luther being published in color, black and white, and on Kindle.
• Targeted by the LutherQuashers, except when they learn their ignorant ravings are being posted in a blog read by thousands (not just LQ blood relatives).
• Dead Last Lutherans did not allow Ichabod to be linked on their toxic UOJ fansite. Decreed by Pope Paul the Pudgy Pistol-Packing Papal Plagiarist.
• Liberalism, Its Cause and Cure - untimely ripped from the womb of NPH for teaching the Means of Grace instead of Valleskey's passion - Church Growth.
• Not invited to speak to Higher Things, the Jungendbund for Objective Justification in the LCMS.
• Not invited to speak to the ELDONUTs, the holeyer-than-thou sect strong in Hill County, Texas.
• Stink-eyed by WELS and the Little Sect on the Prairie.
• Banned from all Thrivent publications: Living Lutheran (ELCA), Forward in Christ (WELS), Lutheran Witness (LCMS), Lutheran Sentinel (Little Sect on the Prairie), Lutheran Spokesperson (CLC sic).

Stink-eye is early WELS-ELS training: it is church discipline.

 No efficacy of the Word, no Means of Grace, no Creeds or Confessions, no resistance to the Enthusiasts. No use for the traditional Greek text. No KJV.

The Jesuit-Lutherans Are Zwinglians

If you like Barth-Kirschbaum, you'll love Zwingi, who created  the rationalistic foundation for Calvinism.

Conclusion - Apology of the Book of Concord - Chemnitz

I decided to begin at the conclusion. The analogy is funny and perfectly fits Lutherdom today. What if all the tenants told the owners of residential housing that the only way to have peace would be to let the renters decided all issues.

The Lutherans - as we call ourselves today (for no apparent reason) - started the Reformation. Jealous Zwingli and his successor Calvin worked tirelessly to establish a rationalistic alternative to Biblical Christianity.

The Zwinglian-Calvinistic Objective Justification salesmen work from their foundation in Enthusiasm, separating the Word from the Holy Spirit.

The Church Shrinkers promote the same toxic dogma and tell us that the Zwinglians have all the answers.

They want power and money.

 We used to joke about this, but WELS and others have done it. When did you first suspect that your denomination was led by alcoholics?

Oh, Jay - Did You Ever Read This During Your Years at Ft. Wayne and the Online ELCA Seminary?

Jon-Boy, "Oh, Jay - I felt a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.."
Jay - "Like a giant death ray?"
Jon-Boy: "No! Worse - they are reading Luther's Sermons!"

But, because the remission of sins is communicated through the Word, which, as has been frequently said, was entrusted by our Lord to the Church and her ministers, yea, unto all Christians, that it should be preached, it follows that this remission of sin must be believed, and that there is no way of obtaining it, except by faith. The doctrine of justification by faith alone is the very foundation of our creed. The word of Christ, which He gave to His disciples, can certainly not be seized with the hands nor by any self-imposed works, such as fasting, prayers, giving of alms and the like; faith alone can appropriate it, and the heart alone is the proper receptacle for it. It is evident and certain that we are justified only through faith, because remission of sins comes through the Word, and the Word can be received only by faith.

From Luther. House Postil Volume 1. “First Sunday After Easter. (Quasimodogeniti.) John 20:19-31. 

This Message Has Been Approved by a Reader, But It Remains a Mystery to Rolf Preus

A Reader:
In one of your books you included the quote from Luther that unbelief is the foundational sin:

"Therefore it follows that unbelief is the right and true sin; other sins flow out of unbelief and are the fruit from this root".

I think this lack of trust in God is the reason we are where we are today (as a Church and a country). 

Thanks and have a Happy Reformation Day.

***

GJ - Thank you, reader.

This is the key to the ministry of the Gospel, the work of the Spirit as taught by Jesus Himself.
Graphic by Norma A. Boeckler

Sadly, most Lutheran pastors do not believe - or know this passage:

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 

8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 
9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Norma A. Boeckler

Luther's Large Catechism - Free E-Book

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“The popular edition, here offered, fulfills the hope of the editor from the very beginning, to have the Confessions published at such price that they may he scattered broadcast throughout all English-speaking lands. . . Such edition will serve an important office in deepening and strengthening the faith of our people in drawing them together in the bonds of a common fellowship, and in enabling them to appreciate all the more highly their heritage.

“While in many other religious bodies confessional lines have vanished and confessional obligations weakened, a standard is here raised around which millions in this western world will rally. The attentive reader . . . will see that the matters here treated are not antiquated or obsolescent, but enter most deeply into the issues of the hour.

“We send forth this volume with gratitude for the privilege of having been called to edit it . . . and in the full confidence that it will be a blessing to our Church in America, and, through it, in advancing the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name these confessions were written.

– Henry Eyster Jacobs, From the Preface.

Luther from the Large Catechism

“Oh, what mad, senseless fools are we, that while we must ever live and dwell among such mighty enemies as devils, we nevertheless despise our armor and defense, and are too indolent to look for, or think of them!

“And what else are such supercilious, presumptuous saints, who are unwilling to read and study the Catechism daily, doing, but esteeming themselves much more learned than God himself with all his saints, angels, patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and all Christians?

“For inasmuch as God himself is not ashamed to teach the same daily, since he knows nothing better to teach, and always keeps teaching the same thing, and does not take up anything new or different, and all the saints know nothing better to learn, or different, and cannot learn this perfectly, are we not wonderful men to imagine, if we have once read or heard it, that we know it all, and have no farther need to read and learn, but can learn perfectly in one hour what God himself cannot finish teaching, since he continues teaching it from the beginning to the end of the world, and all prophets, together with all saints, have been occupied with learning it but in part, and are still pupils, and must remain such?

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“For Reformation Sunday I talked a little about the Large Catechism, which I owned as a separate paperback (Augsburg Press, ALC). I read it all the time for years, because it also serves as another way to read Luther’s Sermons, but using the Catechism as an outline. When I wanted to show how the efficacy of the Word was basic to the Bible, Luther, and Lutheran doctrine, I used the Large Catechism.”

– Pastor Greg Jackson, Bethany Lutheran Church, from the post Martin Luther’s Large Catechism - A Great Theology Book for Pastors and Laity

Creation Garden - Busy All Winter Doing Nothing

Books by Norma A. Boeckler

My mother lived upstairs when we were in New Ulm. She asked, "Why are the sunflower stalks sticking up through the snow? I thought you would clean them up?"

I said, "The birds love to perch on them and look for food. Insect larvae are on them or in them. Besides that, the roots will rot into the soil all winter - and be mostly gone in the spring."

We are far behind the North in facing winter. The Reformation picnic was 70 degrees on Saturday. The leaves are on the trees and mostly green. But the signs of winter are evident.

 Beautyberries are striking in the fall, when they set themselves up to feed  the birds as food sources decline.

The Crepe Myrtle has shed most of the leaves, leaving sprigs full of seeds for winter feeding. The Comfrey and cousin Borage are still in bloom for pollinators. The Beautyberry bush has fresh berries and Poke has dried berries for the birds.

 Rugosa roses boast bright red hips, full of Vitamin C,
which is why roses are considered herbs.

How can God's creating Word have no power when each plant goes through seasonal cycles to feed the soil creatures, insects, and birds? Temperature and sunlight trigger different reactions for each plant. Yesterday provided one rose in bloom for the entire garden. The roses are nodding off into their winter sleep. The remaining flowers will turn into Vitamin C-potent hips for bird snacks. I have one Rugosa rose, known for its big hips in the fall and modest flowers in the spring.


The Carbon Cowboys taught me about the value of roots, especially those deep roots that contribute so much to the soil's fertility and absorption of rain. Most of the soil's fertility comes from roots, which create miles of swap-meets where fungus can trade nutrition and water for the carbon they need to grow.

All winter, those roots will be busy establishing a better foundation for spring:

• Roses
• Spirea bushes
• Joe Pye
• Mountain Mint
• Cat Mint
• Daisies
• Monarda
• Poke
• Garlic
• Dandelion
• Crepe Myrtle.

Everyone enjoys the burst of growth in the spring, from the melting snow and rain, but all winter the soil was being prepared for the display, billions of creatures playing their roles. Each one is perfectly created, engineered, and managed to carry out specific functions that fit into one vast plan.

 "I've been for a walk on a winter's day -
California Dreamin, on such a winter's day."

Martin Luther's Large Catechism - A Great Theology Book for Pastors and Laity

 I had to make a graphic of this because the Quia Marias did not know their Large Catechism. They accused me of slander when I addressed their false doctrine. Their quia subscription to the Book of Concord did not include reading it!

For Reformation Sunday I talked a little about the Large Catechism, which I owned as a separate paperback (Augsburg Press, ALC). I read it all the time for years, because it also serves as another way to read Luther's Sermons, but using the Catechism as an outline.

Here is the Lutheran Library Large Catechism - free.

When I wanted to show how the efficacy of the Word was basic to the Bible, Luther, and Lutheran doctrine, I used the Large Catechism.

Norma Boeckler's books

What DPs, Pastors, and Lay Leaders Must Learn

Book of Concord, Large Catechism, Introduction

9] Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

10] Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.

11] Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, Rom. 1:16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure.

12] And what need is there of many words? If I were to recount all the profit and fruit which God's Word produces, whence would I get enough paper and time? The devil is called the master of a thousand arts. But what shall we call God's Word, which drives away and brings to naught this master of a thousand arts with all his arts and power? It must indeed be the master of more than a hundred thousand arts. 13] And shall we frivolously despise such power, profit, strength, and fruit-we, especially, who claim to be pastors and preachers? If so, we should not only have nothing given us to eat, but be driven out, being baited with dogs, and pelted with dung, because we not only need all this every day as we need our daily bread, but must also daily use it against the daily and unabated attacks and lurking of the devil, the master of a thousand arts.

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Third Commandment

100] For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. 101] On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. 102] And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to right and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.

Spiderman Asks

 Let the reader understand. At least Spidey wore red.

I hope you can provide some insight into this question: What is the rationale that church-growthers use when they claim that we must water-down/dumb-down Christian doctrine and practice to attract new members? (Spidey)

Answer - The reason is just the opposite of why we use the traditional liturgy, great Christian hymns, the Creeds, and Holy Communion with a Biblical sermon based on the text. We believe in the efficacy of the Word - and also its power in faithful hymns, the historic liturgy, and the Creeds.

The Church Shrinkers and Attritionals carry out their program because they do not believe in the efficacy of God's Word. They are Enthusiasts who despise the Word but adore their own.

5] All this is the old devil and old serpent, who also converted Adam and Eve into Enthusiasts, and led them from the outward Word of God to spiritualizing and self-conceit, and nevertheless he accomplished this through other outward words. 6] Just as also our enthusiasts [at the present day] condemn the outward Word, and nevertheless they themselves are not silent, but they fill the world with their pratings and writings, as though, indeed, the Spirit could not come through the writings and spoken word of the apostles, but [first] through their writings and words he must come. Why [then] do not they also omit their own sermons and writings, until the Spirit Himself come to men, without their writings and before them, as they boast that He has come into them without the preaching of the Scriptures? But of these matters there is not time now to dispute at greater length; we have elsewhere sufficiently urged this subject. 

Smalcald Articles, Book of Concord

Their thinking is crippled by their pan-religious Universalism, called Objective Justification, which shreds all Biblical doctrine.

That is why our little congregation emphasizes education in the Scriptures, Greek, and Lutheran doctrine. The Gospel of John is a perfect antidote to all this WEL-ELS-ELCA-LCMS nonsense, but what use is the Fourth Gospel if no one reads it through and uses its clear content to refute error?

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Reformation Rebuttal of Rolf Preus' Here I Misunderstand Lectures in North Dakota

 ELDONA Bishop James Heiser said, "None of the Preus children are known for their theological acumen."

From WM:

Brethren: These Scriptural passages are presented by Pastor Rolf Preus in the first part of his conference essay [Here I Misunderstand, North Dakota Lectures] on Universal Objective Justification which he linked to a recent post in the LutherQuest forum.

Pastor Jackson has already commented on a few of these passages in Ichabod with specific reference to the Preus essay, but of course Pastor Jackson has already dealt with these passages many times before.

I wanted to try to respond to the use of these passages to teach UOJ, and I humbly request your feedback to determine if I am correctly understanding them.  This is no "exegetical study," just my personal response to how these passages are used to teach UOJ.

1. John 1:29: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world."

My response: There is no reference to OJ here, rather, a clear reference to the Universal Atonement of Christ.

2. Matt. 26:28: "For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for remission of sins."

My response: Once again, there is no reference to OJ here, rather, a clear reference to the Universal Atonement of Christ.

3. Rom. 4:5: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

My response: There is nothing but the teaching of Justification by Faith here.Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Means of Grace bring us to personal FAITH  in Christ, Who has provided justification for those who personally receive that justification by FAITH through the Gospel.

4. Rom. 4:24-25: "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our LORD from the dead; Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."

My response: Again, I see nothing but the teaching of Justification by Faith here.  "IF WE BELIEVE..." settles that!

"Delivered for our sins" and "raised again for our justification" speak of the Universal Atonement and Justification by Faith, whether "for" is translated as "for" or as "because of."  Notice here, please, that the imputation of justification is LINKED TO FAITH IN CHRIST.  We shall meet with that word "impute" again in another passage.

5. Rom. 5:8-10: "But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

My response: Although the chapters and verses in Scripture were not in the original text, context remains an important tool in the correct understanding of Scripture, which can be abused by "proof-text" passages "untimely ripped" (to quote MACBETH, Act V, Scene 8) from both their immediate/specific as well as their general context.  Therefore, anything in this passage MUST be considered within both the immediate/specific as well as the general context of Rom. 5:1: "Therefore, being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ," because 5:1 clearly begins this new section of Paul's Epistle in which 5:8-10 is located by God the Holy Spirit, through the Scripture's property of plenary verbal inspiration and inerrancy.

Therefore this passage MUST be understood in the LIGHT ("Thy WORD is a lamp unto my feet, and a LIGHT unto my path," Ps. 119:105) of the clear teaching of Justification by Faith.

"But God commendeth His LOVE toward us"--cf. John 3:16--Justification by Faith.

"In that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us"--the Universal Atonement.

"Much more then, being now justified by His Blood"--Context requires the understanding "Much more then, being now justified by [faith in Jesus Christ, who in His atoning death upon the Cross shed for all mankind] His Blood."

"We shall be saved from wrath through Him."--Through Justification by Faith the holy God's wrath against our sins is appeased, because the benefits of Christ's Universal Atonement are individually applied to us in the Gospel we have received by faith alone, and we become precious in the sight of God.

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son"--Context requires the understanding "For if, when were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son" [the benefits of whose atoning sacrifice for all mankind we have individually received by faith in His Son.]


"Much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."--The context requires the understanding "Much more, being reconciled [to God by faith in His Son Jesus Christ,] we shall be saved by His life" [being RECONCILED to God by faith in His Son, we are also SAVED by faith in God's Son, whose perfect LIFE of Active and Passive Righteousness for us preceded His atoning DEATH, as well as, after His RESURRECTION, His eternal Intercession for us before the throne of His Father in heaven.] (cf. Rom. 8:34: "Who is he that condemeth?  It is Christ that DIED, yea rather, that is RISEN AGAIN, Who is even at the right hand of God, Who also MAKETH INTERCESSION for us.")

Cited and quoted in  Justification and Rome, by Robert Preus, a book curiously omitted by his son in his Here I Misunderstand lectures.

6. Rom. 5:18-19: "Therefore as by the offense of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous."

My response: First of all, we must check the contents to see if we have left the section which began with Rom. 5:1, which included the previous passage, vss. 8-10.

I would assert that we are still in the same section of the Epistle which began with 5:1 and the clear statement of Justification by Faith, and that the next section of the Epistle begins with 6:1, moving from a primarily doctrinal section to a section about the application of doctrine in the Christian life: Rom. 6:1: "What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?"

Therefore I believe that the correct understanding of the current passage is determined by the context of the doctrinal statement at the beginning of this section of the Epistle, Rom. 5:1: "Therefore, being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ," the clear teaching of Justification by Faith.

"Therefore as by the offense of one judgement came upon all men to condemnation"--Adam's (Original) sin brought condemnation upon the whole human race.

"Even so by the righteousness of One the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life."--The context requires the understanding "Even so by the righteousness of One the free gift [of God's forgiveness of sins received by faith was made available by the Gospel so that it] came upon all men [through the Gospel which creates saving faith] unto justification of life [our life in Christ."] (cf. Col. 3:3-4: "For ye are dead, [to this world of sin and death] and YOUR LIFE IS HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.  When Christ, WHO IS OUR LIFE, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.")  And don't forget: to be possessed and used, A "GIFT" MUST BE PERSONALLY RECEIVED!

"For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners"--Once again, Adam's (Original) sin brought condemnation upon the whole human race.

"So by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous."--The context requires the understanding "So by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous" [justified by faith in the obedient One, the Lord Jesus Christ.]

7. 2 Cor. 5:18-19: "And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

My response: This passage, of course, is the "sedes proof-text" for Objective Justification.  I'm not exactly sure why, as it doesn't mention "Justification" at all, but rather how the "Word of Reconciliation" (the Gospel) saves the lost and how those who have been reconciled to God are mandates to share that same "Word of Reconciliation" with others so that they also may be reconciled to God.

"And all things are of God, Who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;"--Again, let's check the context. Look at the previous verse, vs. 17: "Therefore IF ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." --With the "therefore" a new section begins which is clearly talking about God's relationship with those who are "in Christ," those who, by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Means of Grace, have been brought to faith in Jesus Christ by the Gospel.  Those who are "in Christ" have been reconciled by God by Christ through the Gospel, the "Word of reconciliation," and in turn they are given the mandate to share the same Gospel of reconciliation with the unsaved by which they themselves were reconciled to God through Christ, so that the unsaved can themselves be reconciled to God and be saved.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation."--

God "in Christ" has by Christ's Universal Atonement provided the basis for the world's ongoing, continuous reconciliation to Him through the "Word of reconciliation," the  Gospel of Christ by which we are brought to faith in Christ and therefore reconciled to God, and in turn we who have been brought to faith in Christ by the Gospel, and therefore reconciled to God, are in turn commissioned by God to use the same "Word of reconciliation," the same Gospel of Christ, to lead others to also be reconciled to God by faith in Christ through the Gospel.  Thereby we who are "in Christ"--who have been brought to personal faith in Christ by the Gospel and "reconciled" to God--carry the "Word of reconciliation" to others so that they also are able to be "in Christ," because the ONLY way to be "in Christ" is through the work of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel--the "Word of reconciliation"--to bring us to faith in Christ.

Remember how in Rom. 4:24-25 it was demonstrated that God's imputation of righteousness is LINKED TO FAITH IN CHRIST?  So here again, in 2 Cor. 5:19, when we read of God "not imputing their trespasses unto them," God's non-imputation of trespasses to sinners is LINKED to their being "in Christ" (vs. 17)--"IF any man be IN CHRIST"-- to their being brought to faith in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Means of Grace in the Gospel of Christ. --Warren