Greek Class Thank You from a Pastor

Great class tonight.  Well, all of them are great.  But tonight was a clear explanation from the Greek regarding two big issues in the church, faith and antinomianism.  The text answers both of them well.

Thank you.

In Christ,

Lutheran Pastor

---

GJ

Here is some background for everyone.

A Luther Quotion Sent by a Lutheran Layman

Each morning, I start my day by reading a section of Luther’s works that were compiled into a devotional called “Day by Day We Magnify You: Daily Readings for the Entire Year”. 

Here is today’s gem, if you will, with added emphasis mine:

“Faith is such a knowledge that, although it is completely and utterly dark and nothing is visible, it is yet sure and, in such utter darkness, sees that it really holds Christ, just as in former times our Lord God was seated in the midst of darkness on Mount Sinai and in the temple.  Therefore our righteousness, which makes us appear just before God and well pleasing to him, is not the love that gives this appearance to faith, but it is faith itself, and the hidden mystery and the secret knowledge in the heart, that is a trust in what is invisible, which means in Christ invisible and yet really present.  But the reason why faith makes us just is that it seizes Christ, the noble and precious treasure, and keeps him present.  But human thought cannot express how he is present, for as I have said, it is pure darkness, which means that it is a hidden, high secret, and unsearchable knowledge.  Therefore, where there is such a full trust and genuine confidence of the heart, there, certainly, is Christ within the dark mist and in the faith.  That is the right justification, which causes the person to be regarded as righteous and acceptable before God.”

 

Lectures on Galatians.  Luther's Works 26:130; WA 40/2:288f

 

There.  Right there.  UOJ/OJ/SJ/GJ whatever... is knocked down in glorious terms in this wonderful section from the Reformer.  Luther could not be clearer in his words!  There is no parsing or hemming or hawing, the Lord makes it clear and Luther repeats with succinct emphasis: Justification by Faith Alone.  Luther even calls it the “right justification”!

What a blessing it has been to be able to read the words of Luther himself!  Compared to synodical drivel, it shines like a beacon.  The Scriptures are conveyed with assured confidence and words are not minced or cajoled to fit a threadbare at best narrative.

Thank you again for spurring my interest in the works of Luther and his fellow Reformers,

Lutheran Layman

How Does Justification without Faith (UOJ) Fare in Romans 3? - Not Well!Brutal against the UOJists and Calvinists

The apostate leaders of WELS-ELS-LCMS agree with ELCA and CFW Walther - the entire world is already absolved of sin - contrary to what the Holy Spirit has revealed through Paul and all of Holy Writ.

This is one of several posts that will examine Justification by Faith as our Greek class works on Romans 1-5 and beyond.

Romans 3:19 concludes Paul's great oration on the Law convicting all people of sin, whether Jew or Gentile.

3:20 - The Law can only reveal sin - it cannot make anyone righteous or innocent - the meaning of justification.

3:21 - There is a God-righteousness (anarthrous, without the article in Greek) which exists without the Law, even though it is witnessed by the Law and Prophets. This means the Promises of God, the Gospel Promises, can be found in the Law and Prophets.

LutherRocks (Joe Krohn) admitted this in 2011.

Virginia Mollenkott contributed to the NIV - ain't that sweet?



Now We Begin To Smell the Pot Roast

3:22 Justification is by faith of Jesus Christ. The Greek is very clear, and the KJV follows it. The same phrase is found in Galatians and Philippians. This adds to the clarity of Romans 1:16-17, because "from faith to faith" has baffled quite a few scholars.

Romans 1:16-17 states that the efficacious Gospel is the God-power unto salvation for everyone who believes... (not the entire world) and - "the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith" from the faith of Jesus to each one who believes, because He is the righteousness of God.

Romans 3:22-23 is the playground of the apostates, enabled by the New NIV. Or one could say, the apostasy of WELS-ELS-LCMS-ELCA and the mainlines demanded the extra "all." The text teaches Justification by Faith, but the New NIV teaches "all are justified."

Romans 3:22-24 New International Version (New NIV)

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all [the second "all" was not in the earlier NIV] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The New NIV contradicts itself in a few verses, but how does one convince pastors who no longer study Greek and often have no grasp of English. One WELS teacher told me she or he was ordered to grade according to the father's rank in Wisconsin Sect. Merging Northwestern College with DMLC (Dumb Man's Last Chance) dumned down the WELS pastoral curriculum, because that too was merged with the teacher's college in New Ulm.

So the New NIV has people justified by faith in one verse and every single person justified in another. My non-Lutheran class said, upon reading this, that "It still teaches Justification by Faith." 

The second "all" is not implied in the original, an argument that reminds me of people claiming there is no "is" in the Lord's Supper - truly obstinate in ignorance. All have sinned and those who are justified are justified through Christ.

Example: All must know Greek and learn Greek in formal classes. Does that mean that everyone learns Greek? For many, Greek has been the reason for dropping out of college or seminary. At Wartburg Seminary, ELCA, all the students must take a superficial Greek class, reserving a place for $3,000. Does that mean all take the class and all pass the class? My experience says not.

Romans 3:23-24 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

23 since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; 24 they are now justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:23-24 English Standard Version (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

--

Galatians 3:22-29 King James Version (KJV)

22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

--

Philippians 3:9 King James Version (KJV)

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

King James 3:19ff 

KJV - Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

22 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:

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:

30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

Stephanus Greek Romans 3:19ff.

Romans 3:19 οιδαμεν δε οτι οσα ο νομος λεγει τοις εν τω νομω λαλει ινα παν στομα φραγη και υποδικος γενηται πας ο κοσμος τω θεω

20 διοτι εξ εργων νομου ου δικαιωθησεται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον αυτου δια γαρ νομου επιγνωσις αμαρτιας

21 νυνι δε χωρις νομου δικαιοσυνη θεου πεφανερωται μαρτυρουμενη υπο του νομου και των προφητων

22 δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη

23 παντες γαρ ημαρτον και υστερουνται της δοξης του θεου

24 δικαιουμενοι δωρεαν τη αυτου χαριτι δια της απολυτρωσεως της εν χριστω ιησου

25 ον προεθετο ο θεος ιλαστηριον δια της πιστεως εν τω αυτου αιματι εις ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου δια την παρεσιν των προγεγονοτων αμαρτηματων

26 εν τη ανοχη του θεου προς ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου εν τω νυν καιρω εις το ειναι αυτον δικαιον και δικαιουντα τον εκ πιστεως ιησου

27 που ουν η καυχησις εξεκλεισθη δια ποιου νομου των εργων ουχι αλλα δια νομου πιστεως

28 λογιζομεθα ουν πιστει δικαιουσθαι ανθρωπον χωρις εργων νομου

29 η ιουδαιων ο θεος μονον ουχι δε και εθνων ναι και εθνων

30 επειπερ εις ο θεος ος δικαιωσει περιτομην εκ πιστεως και ακροβυστιαν δια της πιστεως

31 νομον ουν καταργουμεν δια της πιστεως μη γενοιτο αλλα νομον ιστωμεν

1550 Stephanus New Testament (TR1550)

Greek Lesson - Romans 3:18-31

Parsing Link

Romans Lenski - Download and save public domain PDF.

Romans 3:18 ουκ εστιν φοβος θεου απεναντι των οφθαλμων αυτων

phobias, also name of Mars sattelite, ophthamologist; anarthrous (no article, so hyphen) we still say God-fearing

19 οιδαμεν δε οτι οσα ο νομος λεγει τοις εν τω νομω λαλει ινα παν στομα φραγη και υποδικος γενηται πας ο κοσμος τω θεω

Antinomian, λαλει  - more like solemnly declares; stoma, hypo - under; hyper - over; Melville got the hypos - low 

20 διοτι εξ εργων νομου ου δικαιωθησεται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον αυτου - δια γαρ νομου επιγνωσις αμαρτιας

red - sign of future passive, aorist passive - alpha;

21 νυνι δε χωρις νομου δικαιοσυνη θεου πεφανερωται μαρτυρουμενη υπο του νομου και των προφητων

Using anarthrous as hyphenation - But now, without Law, God-righteousness has been (perfect) manifested...

22 δικαιοσυνη δε θεου δια πιστεως ιησου χριστου εις παντας - και επι παντας τους πιστευοντας - ου γαρ εστιν διαστολη

dia - agency; through faith of Jesus Christ, not faith in

"Diastolic" came from the Greek diastole meaning "a drawing apart." The term has been in use since the 16th century to denote the period of relaxation of the heart muscle.

23 παντες γαρ ημαρτον και υστερουνται της δοξης του θεου

This clearly means - all are sinners, not all are declared righteous. No one can have it both ways.

24 δικαιουμενοι δωρεαν τη αυτου χαριτι δια της απολυτρωσεως (ransom, redemption) της εν χριστω ιησου

Paul does not set grace against faith, but shows faith in God's grace

25 ον (antecedent Jesus) προεθετο ο θεος ιλαστηριον δια της πιστεως εν τω αυτου αιματι εις ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου δια την παρεσιν των προγεγονοτων αμαρτηματων

ιλαστηριον - not on its own, but through faith; expiation is not world absolution

26 εν τη ανοχη του θεου προς ενδειξιν της δικαιοσυνης αυτου εν τω νυν καιρω εις το ειναι αυτον δικαιον και δικαιουντα τον εκ πιστεως ιησου

Difficult to remove faith from this section of Romans

27 που ουν η καυχησις?εξεκλεισθη; δια ποιου νομου - των εργων ουχι αλλα δια νομου πιστεως

Not cited in UOJ lore.

28 λογιζομεθα ουν πιστει δικαιουσθαι ανθρωπον χωρις εργων νομου

Note the verb - λογιζομεθα - used many times in passive, is imputed (archaic), is reckoned, is counted, here active - we conclude; 

29 η ιουδαιων ο θεος μονον? ουχι δε και εθνων? ναι και εθνων

Rhetorical questions - answers.

30 επειπερ εις ο θεος ος δικαιωσει περιτομην εκ πιστεως και ακροβυστιαν δια της πιστεως

Justification by faith - only

31 νομον ουν καταργουμεν δια της πιστεως? μη γενοιτο! αλλα νομον ιστωμεν

ιστωμεν- establish. 

WELS To Remodel Martin Luther College, So More Parents Can Borrow $80,000, Send Their Sons to College, And See Them Become Brides

 Notice the horror expressed by the online student monitoring the class.
Didn't Stroh close the Latte Church, in spite of lavish money spent?

 Big money for a shrinking college.

 Sammy Lily Showalter nee Sam Birner,
Martin Luther College alumnus.

 For the innocent - this is a symbol for Satan - Baphomet.

 Worst of all, on "Evangelism Daze," MLC students have to listen to Mark Jeske's annual We Ran Out of Germans speech.

Publishing Projects

 Norma A. Boeckler

I am finishing up some details on Luther's Sermons. Two volumes need to be set free.

 Norma A. Boeckler

I am waiting for HAL to respond, so I started on the next two projects:

1. The Gospel of Faith: St. John’s Gospel Explained in English and Greek;
2. An Ichabod Lutheran Lexicon.

The first book will have the KJV text and the Stephanus Greek text, with English explanations. I started the introduction and first chapter tonight. The title needs some help. I often think about the title for months. The subtitle might be better as St. John's Gospel Explained in English, Using the Greek Text. Opinions and suggestions are welcome.

The lexicon will build on the Icha-slang efforts of early blogging, but most of it will be short discussions about correct Lutheran terminology.

Norma A. Boeckler

Which Predestination: Reformed or Lutheran by Lenski and Stellhorn - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry – "Faithful to the Reformation"

 Stellhorn came over with the Stephan sex cult, but he parted ways with Walther over Objective/Subjective Justification.

Download the E-book

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Which Predestination: Reformed or Lutheran by Lenski and Stellhorn - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry – 



"Faithful to the Reformation": "
Contents (35 pages)
Introduction to the Original [1892] Edition
1 What Is Predestination?
2 What Has God Regarded In Election?
3 What Is The Relation Especially Of Faith To Election?
4 In What Sense Does The Formula Of Concord Speak Of Election?
5 Is Man’s Conversion And Salvation In Every Sense Independent Of His Conduct?
6 May We Speak Of Man’s Decision Or “Self-determination” In Conversion?
7 What Is The Difference Between The Lutheran And The Reformed Doctrine Of Election?
8 How Must The Doctrine Of The Dogmaticians Of The Seventeenth Century Be Regarded?
9 How Is The Doctrine Of Modern Missouri To Be Regarded?
For further reading…
About the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry
Download the E-book

Download the E-book

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'via Blog this'

***
GJ - John Sparky Brenner admitted in print that Walther's Election without Grace dogma was really another version of Justification without Faith. Of course, Brenner would not use traditional Lutheran wording - Justification by Faith. He calls the precious dogma of forgiveness and salvation without faith as ---- The Justification of the World, perhaps a far better way to camoflage the false dogma so dearly loved by Halle University, ELCA, Rambach, Stephan, Walther, and JP Meyer.

Someone who translated Walther had me read one of Walther's books, which I reviewed. I am reasonably certain the translation was good. The theology of Walther was bad - and like his latter day disciple Waldo Werning - self-referential. "For additional information, read the superb essay written by...me."

Paul speaks of imputation (counting) only through faith in Romans 4, following Genesis 15, but JP Meyer knew better. Who can disagree with JP? He taught in WELS for 50 years, making him infallible.

Compost the Weeds on the Spot

 Link to Amazon - Churches That Abuse

I chose the lead graphic, and readers will understand in a few minutes. Yesterday, Ranger Bob said, "What are you going to do about those weeds in the front yard?"

I said, "A strange question, coming from a guy who walked out his front door this morning to a bouquet of roses." He takes them to the cemetery for the graves of his sainted mother and his step-father, also an Army Ranger.

Bob laughed and said, "Oh yes, thanks for those. I really mean it."

I have weaponized weeds from years of adding earthworms, organic matter, and cover crops to the front garden. I have some grassy weeds that are knee-high. No problem. I trim them down, cover them with newspaper or cardboard, and add wood mulch. I compost the high nitrogen weeds on the spot. Their evil becomes my good, but only because of Creation.

All the plants and animals, down to the microbes, are created, engineered, and managed to serve us if we only let them:

• Most insects are beneficial by keeping the pests down;
• A toxin-free garden will multiply the birds, toads, and spiders, which also feed upon pests;
• Fungus, when left alone, will network all the plants, feed them, and even give them hydration;
• All weeds matter, so Dutch clover and Hog Peanuts can feed the soil while living, also post-mortem. The rest can be composted by denying them sunlight - almost instant soil food.

Weed patches in the rose garden are being covered with newspaper and wood mulch. Some weeds will be trimmed back first, all the better to let them decompose into the soil, feeding microbes, earthworms, and soil creatures (sowbugs, centipedes, millipedes, springtails).

"My Church Abused Me"

One of my favorite students wrote that; I have heard the same from various people, who shared their personal experiences or hinted at them. The abusive institutions wound and damage people, whose subsequent difficulties are also used against them.

I have reminded people that Jesus was not opposed by The Atheist Society but by His own religionists, the great and pious, the walking saints of the time. The same is true today - the worst ones hide in their "conservative" or "orthodox" or "Fundamentalist" strongholds, decrying the obvious abuse in the old, mainline, apostate Leftist denominations.

I have seen that abuse close at hand. WELS is far worse than the LCMS, and the Church of the Lutheran Confession (a laughable title) is the worst of the three. Destructive people enjoy the spiritual power of the Church, but only when using it for evil. Some people enjoy being on perimeter, helping out with the abuse while acting sympathetic. 

We can let the wounds - call them weeds - fester, grow, and take over our lives. On their own, they will do that. But God has provided a remedy in John 15 - the parable of the True Vine.

First of all, the unbelievers with no spiritual fruit (because they have not remained on the True Vine) will be 

1. thrown out, 
2. withered, 
3. gathered, 
4. set on fire, and 
5. burned up. 

They enjoy their honors and benefits now, because they honor their Father Below, the Prince of This World. Justice will be served. That knowledge alone should bring peace of mind - it is a good start. I have seen that happen before my eyes, their evil bringing about their well-deserved ruin. Others have to wait, but that is only because the crimes are greater and the punishment held back to gather their followers, as rotten food gathers maggots. Paul Tillich and Pope Pius XII died in the agony of doubt and fear after a lifetime of luxurious apostasy and evil.

Just as we compost weeds on the spot, and use their vigor for what is good and useful, we can turn the abuse into good.

• Shut off anything that makes it worse - evil institutions, evil friends, enabling family, and the urge to dwell on the past. That starts the healing.
• Abide in the True Vine. Hearing the Gospel Word, reading the Gospel Word, attending worship rather than a circus with clowns - that divine energy converts the weeds into God's blessings.
• In time, help others with the same experiences.

John 15 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.