Short Quiz - No Peeking

Courtesy, Alec Satin, Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry.

1. What is the Chief Article of Christianity, the Master and Prince, the judge of all articles of faith?

2. What did Paul write about in his inspired letter to the Galatians?

3. What lectures were commended by the Book of Concord editors for additional study of the topic mentioned above?

4. What are the two chief doctrines of Christianity as listed by Dr. Walter A. Martin, PhD Harvard?

5. Why was Abraham forgiven of his sins in Genesis 15 and Romans 4? No peeking!

6. Under what circumstances are our sins forgiven, Romans 4?

7. Melanchthon wrote a superb essay on this topic in the Apology, which all Lutherans allegedly also confess, as did the theologians and princes of the time. Name it.

8. What phrase is used by the Augsburg Confession to describe the forgiveness of sin?

9. Who first proposed Objective Justification at Wittenberg University?

10. When and where did Objective Justification appear next?

11. Name two groups that have taught Objective Justification all along, three or more who adopted it.

ANSWERS

1. Justification by Faith.
2. Justification by Faith.
3. Luther's Galatians Lectures.
4. Justification by Faith, Inerrancy of the Scriptures.

5. Abraham was justified by faith. "Rom 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."
6. If we believe in the One who raised Jesus from the dead. "Rom 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;"
7. Of Justification, Apology, Augsburg Confession.
8. Justification by Faith. "Also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merits, or works, but are freely justified for 2] Christ's sake, through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who, by His death, has made satisfaction for our sins. 3] This faith God imputes for righteousness in His sight. Rom. 3 and 4."
9. Samuel Huber, a "former" Calvinist. He was kicked out.
10. The era of Pietism, at Halle University, where the founder of the LCMS - Bishop Martin Stephan - studied.
11. The Calvinists and Seventh Day Adventists have taught Objective Justification all along. Adopting it later:

• ELCA, but they taught Justification by faith in its earlier jurisdictions.
• WELS, but they taught Justification by faith when Gausewitz was alive.
• LCMS until recently, when Harrison and McCain published their odious Dogmatanic and their Babylonian Talmud Catechism.

6] This article concerning justification by faith (as the Apology says) is the chief article in the entire Christian doctrine, without which no poor conscience can have any firm consolation, or can truly know the riches of the grace of Christ, as Dr. Luther also has written: If this only article remains pure on the battlefield, the Christian Church also remains pure, and in goodly harmony and without any sects; but if it does not remain pure, it is not possible that any error or fanatical spirit can be resisted. (Tom. 5, Jena, p. 159.) Book of Concord, Formula of Concord, Solid Declation, #3, The Righteousness of Faith. You peeked!

Good News If You Failed This Test!

1. You can teach at any Lutheran seminary (if it has students) in America!
2. You can teach at any Lutheran college in America!
3. You can be the LCMS Synod President!
4. You can be the ELS Synod President!
5. You can be the WELS Synod President!
6. You can be the ELCA Presiding Bishop!
7. You can be an expert on Objective Justification in the WELS!
8. You can be an expert on Objective Justification in the ELS!
9. You can be an expert on Objective Justification in the LCMS, but it really helps to have the surname of Preus and amnesia about Justification and Rome!
10. You can join the Seventh Day Adventists and Teach Objective Justification!
11. You can join a Calvinist sect and rant against Luther - without any extra effort or study!
12. You can be in charge of Higher Things videos!
13. You can be senior editor of Steadfast Lutherans!
14. You can manage the skunkpatch known ironically as LutherQuest (sick)!
15. You can oversee Northwestern Publishing House, Augsburg-Fortress Press, Concordia Publishing House, or the mimeograph room at the Little School on the Prairie.

Read about those who failed the Justification quiz.

Adventist Biblical Research

According to the 1888 Message Study Committee ("1888 MSC"), the 1888 message reveals many "fresh, beautiful truths . . . that are not usually understood today."[1] One such "truth" is the concept that Christ's death at the cross accomplished a legal or objective justification which is universally and unconditionally applied to all men.[2] This doctrine is said to derive from the observations that Christ has borne the sins of "all men" and has died the second death for "every man." It is viewed as the basis for the present life enjoyed by all men. This legal justification, also referred to as a corporate justification, is distinguished by its proponents from justification by faith, or "experiential" justification, and should not be taken to imply universal salvation wherein all men would be saved, some even against their will.


OLSTAD: UNIVERSAL LEGAL JUSTIFICATION 
Adventist debate that has gained widespread attention is whether the atonement is more accurately understood by invoking a legal/forensic, objective justification that is universalized to all individuals. Though these proposals are at least two decades old, their adherents today cross international lines and seem to be numerous. Capitalizing on apparent universal NT expressions, proponents of ULJ argue that all humanity has achieved a justified status as a consequence of Christ’s atonement at the cross. Universalism is avoided by bifurcating justification into objective  and subjective categories.
Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 23/1 (2012):96-119. Article copyright © 2012 by Joseph Olstad. 

Luther's Sermon on God's Testament and Promise in Christ. Galatians 3:15-22. Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

SERMONS OF MARTIN LUTHER -
THIRTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY



TEXT:

GALATIANS 3:15-22.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

GOD’S TESTAMENT AND PROMISE IN CHRIST.

1. This is a keen, severe epistle, one that is unintelligible to the ordinary man. Because the doctrine it contains has not hitherto been employed and enforced, it has not been understood. It is also too long and rich to be treated briefly. But it is fully explained in the complete commentary on this epistle to the Galatians, where those who will may read it. The substance of it is, that here, as in the whole epistle, Paul would earnestly constrain the Christian to distinguish between the righteousness of faith and the righteousness of works or of the Law. In order that we may note to some extent the main points Paul makes in this text, we remark that he emphasizes two things. He treats first of the doctrine that we are justified by faith alone, and he maintains this, after giving many reasons and proofs, by saying in effect: 2. In this connection you should note that no one, whether Jew or gentile, is justified by works or by the Law. For the Law was given four hundred and thirty years after the promise of a Savior had been made to Abraham (who was to be the father of all the people of God) and the assurance that all nations should be blessed in him. It was given after it had been testified of Abraham that his faith was imputed to him for righteousness. And as he was justified and received the blessing by reason of his faith, so also his children and descendants were justified and received the blessing through the same faith in that seed for whose sake the blessing had been promised to all the world. For in his dealings with the Jews and with the whole world, God always promised his grace and the forgiveness of sins (and that means to be blessed of God) even when there was as yet no Law by which they might pretend to become righteous, and before Moses was born.

3. Therefore the Law, being given to this people only after the lapse of so long a period, could not have been given to them for justification; otherwise it would have been given earlier. Or if it had been necessary for righteousness, then Abraham and his children up to that date could not have been justified at all. Indeed God designed that the Law should be given so long after Abraham. Undoubtedly he would have been able to give it to the fathers much earlier if he had seen fit to do so. Apparently he desired thereby to teach that the Law was not given to the end that God’s grace and blessing should be acquired through it, but that these come from the pure mercy of God which was promised and bestowed so long before upon Abraham and those who believed.

4. Therefore Paul concludes: How could the Law produce righteousness for those who lived before Moses, since Moses was the first through whom the Law was given; and since even before his time there were holy people and people who were saved? Whence did they derive their righteousness?

Certainly not from the fact that they had offered sacrifice at Jerusalem, but from the fact that they believed the Word in which God promised to bless them through the coming seed, Christ. Hence, those also who lived afterwards could not have been justified by the Law; for they did not receive the grace of God in a different way from that in which those who went before had received it. God did not annul or revoke by the Law the promise of blessing which he had made and freely bestowed without the Law.

5. Here some might desire to show their wisdom and say to Paul: Although the fathers did not have the Law of Moses, they had the same Word of God which teaches the ten commandments and which was implanted in the human heart from the beginning of the world, whence also it is called the law of nature or the natural law; and the same law was afterwards given publicly to the Jewish people and comprehended in the ten commandments.

It might also be said that Moses borrowed the ten commandments from the fathers, to which Christ testifies in John 7:22. For it is certain that the fathers from the beginning taught them and urged them upon their children and descendants. With what consistency, then, does Paul conclude that the fathers were not justified by the Law because it was not given until four hundred years after Abraham’s time; as if the fathers before that time had no Law?

6. To answer this question we must observe the meaning and purpose of Paul’s words; for he so speaks because of the boasting of the Jews, who placed their dependence on the Law and claimed that it was given to them that they might be God’s people. They considered their attempts at keeping his Law, sufficient to procure justification. Why else did God give the Law, they said, and distinguish us from all heathen peoples, if we were not thereby to be preeminent before God and more pleasing to him than they who have it not? They made so much of this boasting that they paid no respect at all to the promise of blessing in the coming seed, given to the fathers, nor thought that faith therein was necessary to their justification.

Thus they practically considered it as annulled and made void, excepting for a temporal interpretation which they put upon it — that the Messiah would come and, because of their Law and piety, give to them the dominion of the world and other great rewards.

THE JEWS GOD’S PEOPLE BY PROMISE.

7. To rout such vain delusions and boasts, and to show that the Jews were not justified through the Law and did not become God’s children thereby, Paul cites the fact that the holy patriarchs, their fathers, were justified neither by the Law of which they boast, because it was not yet given, nor by their own deeds, whether of the natural law or the ten commandments.

God had based no promise of blessing or salvation on their works. He had promised out of pure grace to give them the blessing freely (that is, to give them grace or righteousness and all eternal blessing), through the coming seed, which had been promised also to our first parents without their merit, when by their transgression they had fallen under God’s wrath and condemnation. Therefore, although the fathers had a knowledge of the Law, or God’s commandments, these did not help them to become righteous before God. They had to hear and apprehend by faith the promise of God, which was based not on works but only on the coming seed. For if they had been able by means of the Law or of good works to become righteous, it would have been wholly unnecessary to give the promise of blessing in Christ.

8. Now, if Abraham and the fathers could not be justified by works, and in fact were not justified by them, no more were their children and descendants justified by the Law or by works. They were justified in no other way than by faith in the promise given to Abraham and to his seed, a promise by which not only the Jews but all the heathen (through the same faith) were blessed.

9. This truth Paul now further enforces and establishes on the basis of these two particulars — God’s promise, and his free grace or gift — in opposition to the boasting of the Law and our own merit. First, he makes a declaration concerning the value and weight which every testament or promise of the last will possesses. Likewise in the fourth commandment is implied an ordinance that the last will of parents should be honored by their children and heirs.

10. In regard to this subject he asserts that the rule is, if a man’s testament be confirmed (and it is confirmed by his death) no man dare alter it nor add to it nor take away from it. So the jurists declare it to be a divine law that no one should break a man’s last will. How much more then should God’s testament be honored intact? Now, God has made a testament, which is to be his final last will; namely, that he will bless all nations through the seed which at first he promised to the fathers. This he determined upon, and assured to Abraham, and in him to all the world — to us all. And he has confirmed it by the death of this seed, his only Son, who had to become man and die (as was typified by the sacrifice of Isaac on the part of Abraham) in order that the inheritance of the blessing and eternal life might be bestowed upon us. This is God’s last will. He does not desire to make any other. Therefore, no man can or dare change it or add anything to it.

Now, it is adding to it, it is breaking or revoking it — since this testament has been opened and the blessing proclaimed to all the world — if anyone claims that we must first earn that blessing through the Law, proceeding as if, without the Law, this testament, by mere virtue of its promise and will, had no force at all.

11. In short, this testament, Paul concludes, is a simple promise of blessing and sonship with God. Accordingly, there is no law which we must keep in order to merit it. Here nothing avails but the will which promises saying, I will not regard your deeds, but promise the blessing — that is, grace and eternal life — to you who are found in sin and death. This I will confirm by the death of my Son, who shall merit and obtain this inheritance for you.

Now, God made this testament in the first place without the Law, and has thus confirmed it; therefore, the Law, published and confirmed long afterwards, cannot take aught from it, much less annul or revoke it. And he who declares or teaches that we are to be justified by the Law — are to obtain God’s blessing by it — does nothing else but interfere with God’s testament and destroy and annul his last will. This is one argument of Paul, based on the word “promise,” or “testament,” and is readily understood; for no one is so stupid that he cannot distinguish between these two — law or commandment, and promise.

12. The second argument of Paul is based on the words, “God gave it to Abraham by promise.” Here also it is easy for one who is possessed of common sense to perceive there is a marked difference between receiving something as a gift and earning it. What is earned is given because of obligation and debt, as wages, and he who receives it may boast of it, rather than he who gives it, and may insist upon his right. But when something is given for nothing and, as Paul here says, is bestowed freely — out of grace — then there can be no boasting of right or of merit on the part of the recipient. On the contrary, he must praise the goodness and kindness of his benefactor. So Paul concludes: God freely gave the blessing and the inheritance to Abraham by promise. Therefore, Abraham did not earn it by his works; nor was it given to him as a reward, much less to his children.

13. It is evident enough to even a child that what is earned by works as a reward is not identical with what is promised or bestowed gratis, out of grace and pure free will. There is a distinction between them. God has stopped the mouth of all the world and deprived it of all occasion for boasting that it has received God’s grace by reason of the Law. For he promised and bestowed that as a gift, before the Law or merit through the Law had any existence. In his dealings with his own people, with Abraham and his descendants, God promised to bless the patriarch and all his race and said nothing of any law, works or reward; he based all solely on the coming seed.

14. In the faith of this promise they lived and died — Abraham himself and his children’s children — till over four hundred and thirty years had elapsed. Then only did God give the Law, institute an outward form of worship, a priesthood, etc., and direct them how to live and govern themselves. They had now become a separate people, released from foreign domination, and brought into their own land, and they needed an external form of government. It was not intended that only now and by means of these gifts they should obtain forgiveness of sins and God’s blessing.

15. This is the substance of the first part of this epistle. In teaching how we are to be justified before God, Paul would have us distinguish well these two points, promise and law; or again, gift and reward. If we teach that God, out of pure grace, and not because of any law or merit, bestows forgiveness of sins and eternal life, the question at once presents itself:

Why is the Law given, or of what use is it? Shall we not perform any good works? Why do we teach the ten commandments at all? Paul takes up this matter and asks the question, “What then is the Law?” Then he proceeds to discuss at length what is the office and use of the Law, and shows the difference between it and the Gospel. Of this enough has been said elsewhere, in other postils.

What Do You Give to a Gardener Who Has Everything?

Last night the doorbell rang late for this neighborhood. Sassy the Wonderdog rolled off the bed and went toward the door. She knows who is knocking most of the time and goes crazy for her many friends.

I opened the door cautiously. Four boys were there, a young teen and three little boys who play with Sassy. They were all grinning. They had five paint buckets, all cleaned out, from the painter who ordered rainbow roses from me (various colors, $5 each, offered toward the end of the buying season).

These are the commercial paint buckets used by their father and uncle. They are ideal for catching rainwater and carrying plants. The painter has probably seen me hauling rainwater to the rose garden a dozen times.

Another treat came from a new neighbor girl. She looked across the garden, all the roses and bushes in various forms of bloom, and said, "You are so lucky to have a yard like this." She took home roses for her mother, a few houses down.

If Creation Gardening were a mistake, then that would not be possible. One woman at a doctor's office literally yelled this, "We had to spray and spray and spray our roses." I said, "That is the problem."

Altar Committee - "You Gave the Sunday Roses Away!" Answer: "No, I Made Sure Had Them."

 Bergamot (mint family) is used in perfumes.
Hummingbirds and bees love it.

Recently the altar committee said, in shock, "You gave away the Sunday roses!" Sassy and I delivered a big bouquet to a neighbor. I responded, confidently, "No, I made sure we had roses for Sunday."

We had heavy rains recently, so the roses were blooming steadily. However, with temperatures still high, we were bound to have roses that bloomed and wilted fast. Giving away the roses meant a fresh group of blooms had to  available on Sunday. Rain and pruning make roses blossom. If I walk around the rose garden and prune every rose a bit, more long-stemmed roses will be perfect for cutting a few days later.

 Double Delight

 Edith's Darling rose

 Edith's Darling - Downton Abbey

Some initial efforts are paying off now. Here are projects based on plant growth - free expansion of the garden, thanks to divine engineering.

• Hostas are great in deep shade, better with sunshine. Hummingbirds love their flowers. The plants multiply once established, so they will be part of the ground cover. That means dividing them this fall and next spring.
• Mints grow densely in clumps. Insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds love them, so these are destined to be flowering fill-ins (groundcover): bergamot purple flowers, Cat Mint, and Mountain Mint.
• Joe Pye is the ultimate butterfly plant, so I am moving the finished seedheads to the spare garden in the back, for some free plants. 
• Clethra and Chaste Tree can move to the front yard, to leverage the butterfly and beneficial insect power of the shrubs.

 Cat Mint is so appealing to cats that we now have a Ranger Bob's watch-cat occuplying our porch seat, most of the day.

This Is How Corruption Works in Rome and Smaller Papacies

Pope Francis gave abortion activist Ploumen an award.

The article about covering up abuse in Detroit can be found here. The title Cdl. stands for Cardinal.

Assumptions Determine Conclusions - Especially in Religion

 The LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) leaders reject this, because they trust in the efficacy and power of Walther - not the Word of God.

Someone asked about how people read the clear Word of God and make utterly false and fatuous claims, such as universal salvation without faith.

This becomes especially clear when we see how WELS-LCMS-ELS-yay even CLC (sic) chase after Fuller, Willow Creek, and Trinity Divinity gimmicks, notions, and potions.

If the Word of God is not powerful and effective, then the frantic apostates are going to look for the trick-du-jour to make their denominations grow, or at least to fake it.

I believe that the leaders of the sects listed above are apostates and simply use Church Growth and its camouflage Missional to advance their false doctrine.

They cripplle the brain-washed noggins of their seminarians by filling them with doubt about the Word, especial via UOJ, but also by bowing and scraping to Fuller/Willow Creek.

The Church Growth stars have been notorious adulterers, and not just with women, as the LCMS knows. They have also been abusive in various ways. Is it any surprise, given the synodical need to ape the original snake oil salesmen?

Fuller became the New Jerusalem with Bohlmann in the LCMS, Naumann in WELS. The leaders and clergy have continued that trend ever since.

One comical aspect of "conservative" Lutheran Church Growth leaders is their need for a fake doctoral degree - the drive-buy DMin (in CG of course):

• Kincaid Smith
• Paul Calvin Kelm
• Richard Krause
• Lawrence Otto Olson
• John Parlow
• Steve Witte
• Kent Hunter
• Various alums like David Valleskey, F. Bivens, J. Huebner. Pencil in all the American Missions board members, one way or another, who have studied at Fuller, Willow Creek, or both.

 The Calvinists of Fuller, Willow Creek, and other cesspools reject "the Word never without the Spirit, the Spirit never without the Word." That is why they market the Gospel.

WELS Backs Jeske's Church and Change or Die! and Reaps a Harvest of Sterile Weed Seed

Mark and Avoid Jeske, "I'm so glad we haven't changed the name of our conference here." (Change or Die!)

Navigation page for Ewart, Hope in Oconomowoc, and Pastor Al Schleusener, who forgot he served there.

Jeske's Time of Grace bears fruit in so many ways.

Jeske, ashamed of his tribe, welcomes Ewart to speak at Change or Die! 2016.

 O my son Jason, my son, my son Jason! would God I had died instead of changed, O Jason, my son, my son!

Otten Finally Scooped Me - Hybels Out of the Willow Creek - Where WELS Sent Their Pastors To Be Trained

 Hybels, some pastors, and the board all resigned over the cover-ups managed by the leadership. 

 Hybels married Lynne in 1974. He started Willow Creek in a theatre in 1975. She seems to be in great pain.

We made our pilgrimage to Willow Creek Community Church. I  was in WELS at the time and heard the mission board was sending pastors there for training - the synod paying the fees. No one offered me the deal. I knew they lost their marbles - and their scruples - in sending Lutheran pastors to a feminist, generic, liberal Evangelical outpost, often mocked in the secular press for its cynicism.

Team Ichabod (Ur-Ichabod) went to the Sunday Sneaker Service. I wrote it up for Christian News. No cross was found anywhere on the main floor. We went downstairs to find one and finally saw one in a Sunday School room.

LI was at Northwestern College and reacted against a favorable mention of Willow Creek. The professor said angrily, "Have you been there?" Answer: "Yes, we attended a Sunday service there." The subject was instantly changed.

I had an instant dislike for the phony church and later wrote a few more posts about it. While Hybels was chasing women, WELS and Missouri were aping the Willow Creek fraud. Given how stuck up Missouri and WELS are about their doctrine, their history, their purity, the picture is even more laughable than their devotion to Fuller Seminary.

After training all these covetous ministers for years, Hybels announced he was all wrong and everyone had to come back for retraining. What a snake! I was thankful I learned nothing from him, except a loathing for his super-pious attitude.

Ignoring the female members and staff he chased over the years, Hybels:

1. Only bought feminist Bibles.
2. Insisted that new members accept female headship.
3. Rejected the Means of Grace.
4. Taught sanctification as the cause of justification.
5. And had LCMS and WELS congregations/campus ministries joining his little sect.

I listed WELS and LCMS organizations that belonged to WC (water closet in Britain, my homeland). One campus minister said he did that only to save money on their educational materials. Get that? WELS is promiscuous in lying but not adept at convincing lies.

Of course ELCA churches also joined the WC organization, so WELS and LCMS were doubly in fellowship with ELCA (via Thrivent, too, of course, the Church of Mammon).

333

"Note the master hand wherewith Paul portrays the character of false teachers, showing how they betray their avarice and ambition. First, they permit true teachers to lay the foundation and perform the labor; then they come and desire to do the work over, to reap the honors and the benefits. They bring about that the name and the work of the true teachers receive no regard and credit; what they themselves have brought--that is the thing. They make the poor simple-minded people to stare open-mouthed while they win them with flowery words and seduce them with fair speeches, as mentioned in Romans 16:18. These are the idle drones that consume the honey they will not and cannot make."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9; Romans 16:18.          

                                 

"And such false teachers have the good fortune that all their folly is tolerated, even though the people realize how these act the fool, and rather rudely at that. They have success with it all, and people bear with them. But no patience is to be exercised toward true teachers! Their words and their works are watched with the intent of entrapping them, as complained of in Psalm 17:9 and elsewhere. When only apparently a mote is found, it is exaggerated to a very great beam. No toleration is granted. There is only judgment, condemnation and scorn. Hence the office of preaching is a grievous one. He who has not for his sole motive the benefit of his neighbor and the glory of God cannot continue therein. The true teacher must labor, and permit others to have the honor and profit of his efforts, while he receives injury and derision for his reward."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 110f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. Psalm 17:9.

                                         

"In the second place such teachers are disposed to bring the people into downright bondage and to bind their conscience by forcing laws upon them and teaching works-righteousness. The effect is that fear impels them to do what has been pounded into them, as if they were bondslaves, while their teachers command fear and attention. But the true teachers, they who give us freedom of conscience and create us lords, we soon forget, even despise. The dominion of false teachers is willingly tolerated and patiently endured; indeed, it is given high repute. All those conditions are punishments sent by God upon them who do not receive the Gospel with love and gratitude."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9. John 5:43.                                              

"In the third place, false teachers flay their disciples to the bone, and cut them out of house and home, but even this is taken and endured. Such, I opine, has been our experience under the Papacy. But true preachers are even denied their bread. Yet this all perfectly squares with justice! For, since men fail to give unto those from whom they receive the Word of God, and permit the latter to serve them at their own expense, it is but fair they should give the more unto preachers of lies, whose instruction redounds to their injury. What is withheld from Christ must be given in tenfold proportion to the devil. They who refuse to give the servant of truth a single thread, must be oppressed by liars."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 111f. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.

"Fourth, false apostles forcibly take more than is given them. They seize whatever and whenever they can, thus enhancing their insatiable avarice. This, too, is excused in them."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.                                                    

 The night is far spent, and the day is at hand. "By the word 'night' we are to understand all doctrines apart from the Gospel. For there is no other saving doctrine; all else is night and darkness."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 15f. First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.

  

"Fifth, these deceitful teachers, not satisfied with having acquired our property, must exalt themselves above us and lord it over us...We bow our knees before them, worship them and kiss their feet. And we suffer it all, yes, with fearful reverence regard it as just and right. And it is just and right, for why did we not honor the Gospel by accepting and preserving it?"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.  
                                             

                                           

"Sixth, our false apostles justly reward us by smiting us in the face. That is, they consider us inferior to dogs; they abuse us, and treat us as foot-rags."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VII, p. 112. Second Sunday before Lent. 2 Corinthians 11:19-33; 12:1-9.                                                    

                                               

"But, being deceived by the devil, we forsake the light of day and seek to find truth among philosophers and heathen totally ignorant of such matters. In permitting ourselves to be blinded by human doctrines, we return to the night. Whatsoever is not the Gospel day surely cannot be light. Otherwise Paul, and in fact all Scripture, would not urge that day upon us and pronounce everything else night."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VI, p. 17. First Sunday in Advent, Romans 13:11-14.          

                                      

"But the only thing that was taught and advocated was: Invoke the Virgin Mary and other saints as your mediators and intercessors; fast often and pray much; make pilgrimages, enter cloisters and become monks, or pay for the saying of many masses and like works. And thus we imagined when we did these things we had merited heaven."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 191. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:34-46.

                                                

"That was the time of blindness when we knew nothing of God's Word, but led ourselves and others into misery by our own idle talk and dreams. And I was one of those who indeed bathed in this sweat or in this bath of anxiety. Therefore let us give heed that we may thoroughly grasp and retain this doctrine, if other fanatics and false spirits wish to attack it, so that we may be fore-armed and learn, while we have the time and the beloved sun again enlightens us, and buy while the market is at our door. For it will come to this when once these lights, which God now gives, have departed, Satan will not take a furlough until he raises up other fanatical spirits to do harm; as he has already commenced to do in many places during our generation. What shall take place after we are gone?"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 192. Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:34-46.                                            

"Paul calls all false spirits bold and proud. Yes, in their filth with their protectors they are proud and impudent, otherwise they are the most cowardly villains that can be found. When they are to appear and answer for their conduct, they cannot produce a single answer. Among themselves they are bold and venture to catch God in His own Word; but when it comes to the test, they simply despair."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 204. Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 9:1-8.                                                  

"Thus Paul rejects the glorying and boasting of the sects over their offices and gifts--they who pretend to be filled with the Spirit and to teach the people correctly, and who make out that Paul and other teachers are of no consequence...More than that, they demand a higher attainment in the Spirit for Gospel ministers, deeming faith, the Sacrament, and the outward office not sufficient."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 206. Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.                                                

"You are either reproaching and cursing Jesus, or praising him and owning him your Lord. If your preaching and teaching fail to point to Christ, something else being offered, and you nevertheless boast of the Spirit, you are already judged: the spirit you boast is not the Holy Spirit, not the true Spirit, but a false one. To it we are not to listen. Rather we are to condemn it to the abyss of hell, as Paul declares, (Galatians 1:8), saying: 'But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any Gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema [damned to Hell].'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 206. Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Galatians 1:8.                                                

"The same is true of other factions--the Anabaptists and similar sects. What else do they but slander baptism and the Lord's Supper when they pretend that the external [spoken] Word and outward sacraments do not benefit the soul, that the Spirit alone can do that?"
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 208. Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11;                                                    

"Flesh and blood are too weak to obtain this glorious confidence; the Holy Spirit is essential. Reason and our own hearts cry out in protest: 'Alas, I am far too evil and unworthy! How could I be proud and presumptuous enough to boast myself the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ?"
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 210. Tenth Sunday after Trinity, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11;                                                    

"Now, Paul's thought here is that nothing should be taught and practiced in the Church but what is unquestionably God's Word. It will not do to introduce or perform anything whatever upon the strength of man's judgment. Man's achievements, man's reasoning and power, are of no avail save in so far as they come from God."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 229 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 2 Corinthians 3:4-11.                                                  

"It would indeed be well if Christians generally were to heed this example from the Gospel and use it as a maxim against every doctrine that does not agree with the Word of God."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 24. First Sunday after Epiphany Luke 2:41-52.                                                    

"Therefore the Christians, who are the right and dear guests at this wedding, at all times have this comfort that the others who do not belong thereto, that is both persecutors and false brethren, shall not enjoy the same."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 250. Twentieth Sunday after Trinity, Matthew 22:1-14.                                                    

"From these two convictions--that they do not know Him and that they persecute and slay His advocates--Christ now passes the judgment that the so-called Church is not the Church. He then concludes that with their false doctrines and persecutions they are both liars and murderers of God and of Christ and of all His saints."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 270. Exaudi John 15:26-16:4.                                                  

"For this reason one should not be too credulous when a preacher comes softly like an angel of God, recommends himself very highly, and swears that his sole aim is to save souls, and says: 'Pax vobis!' For those are the very fellows the devil employs to honey people's mouths. Through them he gains an entrance to preach and to teach, in order that he may afterward inflict his injuries, and that though he accomplish nothing more for the present, he may, at least, confound the people's consciences and finally lead them into misery and despair."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, II, p. 322. Easter Tuesday Luke 24:36-47.                                                

"This title [market house] we should write on all churches in which the Gospel is not preached, for there they mock God, destroy souls, banish the pure Word and establish dens of murder; for he who listens to their words must die."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 328. nth Sunday after Trinity Luke 17:5.                                                    

"It is not enough that we preach correctly, which the hireling can also do; but we must watch over the sheep, that the wolves, false teachers, may not break in, and we must contend for the sheep against the wolves, with the Word of God, even to the sacrifice of our lives. Such are good shepherds, of whom few are found." Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 34. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.                                                  

"There are other wolves, however, who come to us in sheep's clothing. They are the false prophets, who under the form of pious and religious instruction feed pure poison to the sheep of Christ. Against these Christ warns us, that we may be constantly on our guard, lest with sugar-coated words and flattering religious expressions they mislead us, deceive us, by their cunning, and draw us to themselves, as He says in Matthew 7:15: 'Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.'" Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 35. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16; Matthew 7:15.                                                

"This verse has been explained as having reference to those who climb, by their presumption, into the best church livings through favor and wealth, recommendations or their own power, not obtaining them by regular appointment and authority. And at present the most pious jurists are punishing people for running to Rome after fees and benefices, or after ecclesiastical preferment and offices. This they call simony. The practice is truly deplorable. No one should step into the office and preach from his own presumption and without a commission from those having the authority."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 374. Pentecost Tuesday John 10:1-11.                                                

"Likewise, in the matter of preaching, we must make selection that order may be preserved. But since all who are Christians have authority to preach, what will be the outcome? for women will also want to preach. No so. St. Paul forbids women to put themselves forward as preachers in a congregation of men and says: They should be subject to their husbands."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 375. Pentecost Tuesday 1 Timothy 2:11-12.                                                  

"The world desires such wolf preaching, and is not worthy of anything better since it will not hear nor respect Christ. Hence it is that there are so few true Christians and faithful preachers, always outnumbered by the members of the false church."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 385. Pentecost Tuesday Deuteronomy 29:19.    
                                             

"For nothing can feed or give life to the soul, which is not the doctrine of Christ. Although the hireling does not himself slay and destroy he does not restrain the wolf. Therefore, because you neither point out nor teach this shepherd, you shall not and ought not to be heard, but you shall be shunned as a wolf."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 58f. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.  
                                               
"And no doctrine is so foolish or disgraceful but that it finds hearers and disciples, as is proven by the experience of the church with so many heresies and divisions. The heathen were reasonable and highly intelligent people, yet we read of them that they worshiped not only cats and storks, but also cabbages and onions, and even a member of the human body. All this comes from the name and delusion that such things are good works and render a service to God. The preacher of such works comes with the reputation and pretense of a shepherd who desires to counsel and direct souls on the way to God."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 59. Second Sunday after Easter John 10:11-16.                                                

"They [the false teachers] fared like a man who looks through a colored glass. Put before such a man whatever color you please, he sees no other color than that of the glass. The fault is not that the right color is not put before him but that his glass is colored differently, as the word of Is. 6:9 puts it: You will see, he says, and yet you will not see it."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 644. Isaiah 6:9.                                                    

"Thus too, if our confidence is to begin, and we become strengthened and comforted, we must well learn the voice of our Shepherd, and let all other voices go, who only lead us astray, and chase and drive us hither and thither. We must hear and grasp only that article which presents Christ to us in the most friendly and comforting manner possible. So that we can say with all confidence: My Lord Jesus Christ is truly the only Shepherd, and I, alas, the lost sheep, which has strayed into the wilderness, and I am anxious and fearful, and would gladly be good, and have a gracious God and peace of conscience, but here I am told that He is as anxious for me as I am for Him."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, IV, p. 86. Third Sunday after Trinity, Second Sermon Luke 15:1-10.                                              

"Note further, that it is his ministry to which Paul ascribes the preparation of their heart thereon and the inscription which constitutes them 'living epistles of Christ.' He contrasts this ministry with the blind fancies of those fanatics who seek to receive, and dream of having, the Holy Spirit without the oral word; who, perchance, creep into a corner and grasp the Spirit through dreams, directing the people away from the preached Word and visible ministry. But Paul says that the Spirit, through his preaching, has wrought in the hearts of his Corinthians, to the end that Christ lives and is mighty in them."
Sermons of Martin Luther, ed. John Nicolas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. p. 226. Twelfth Sunday after Trinity 2 Corinthians 3:4-11; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 11, 18                                              

Before Anyone Gets Haughty about the Roman Catholic Scandals, Which Are Truly Horrendous, Consider the Actions of the Deep Synod, Clever Old Coots Who Protect One Another

Why did LCMS officials push convicted sex criminal Darwin Schauer into the lay ministry program? Was anyone punished for gross negligence?
Here are 28 posts on the Darwin Schauer topic.

 The LCMS runs on UOJ and the destruction of evidence.
Relax, it saves millions of dollars best spent on missions, as discussed in one lawsuit involving a Missouri pastor who left for ELCA and died of AIDS.

Steadfast Lutherans (sic) was outraged over the Schauer case and posted about it, until Deep Synod leader Matt Harrison told Scheer to erase all the evidence.
Scheer covered up for the DS, got promoted to senior editor of that silly blog, and to senior pastor of his parish.
Below is Rolf Preus spending an hour telling the audience what he does not know about faith or justification or anything else.

The Rolf Preus Synod used to worship and study with ELDONA.

 A bishop's crosier is hidden behind every Ft. Wayne graduate.

Progress on the Gospel of John - The Gospel of Faith: From the Disciple Jesus Loved

 Norma A. Boeckler

I am working with some speed on the Gospel of John book, tentatively titled - The Gospel of Faith: From the Disciple Jesus Loved.

The stages are -

1. Basic introductions to each section of each chapter throughout the Gospel. Complete text - KJV.
2. Illustrations in color by Norma A. Boeckler.
3. Footnotes for some of the finer details, such as Greek terms.
4. Probably 100 to 130 pages, full-color. Author's price $10-11.

The Greek class last year featured the entire Gospel of John in Greek, which we translated and discussed each Thursday. The class suggested a book about the Fourth Gospel, so this is it.

This is not a commentary along the lines of Lenski. It is not the last word on the Fourth Gospel. But it may serve as a first word - for people who want to read through this simple but profound Gospel from the disciple closest to Jesus.

My friend, whose name I cannot divulge, suggested John as "the doctrinal Gospel" when I mentioned it as the Gospel of Faith or the Gospel of Love. For that reason there are notes about doctrinal issues and now they are addressed in the Gospel.

Billy Graham's Grandson and Chad Bird - Singing the UOJ Hymn Together

 And then he confessed a second affair - Christianity Today.
Note his website name - Tullian.net - it is all about Tullian.
Consider the children? Narcissists do not.

Another professional sinner is Chad Bird, ex-LCMS professor, whose website is Chad Bird! Same message. He helped Tullian with the article linked below at Tullian.net

https://www.tullian.net/articles/grace-for-the-disgraced-showing-forgiving-mercy-to-former-ministers

Quoting T.T.
But, and here is the uncomfortable kicker: the Gospel is for both parties. The good news of God’s unconditional love and outrageous mercy has always and forever been for sufferers, regardless of whether the suffering is self-induced or caused by someone else. If the good news of God’s forgiving and restorative grace isn’t for everyone, then it isn’t for anyone.

What we are talking about is how a community that is built on the reality of grace and forgiveness can be a place of grace and forgiveness for even the most disgraced Christian.

***

GJ - There is some kind of name for this group of cheap grace salesmen. They have an organization, too. I posted about one of them from this area, another example of all kinds of dysfunctional behavior in the name of grace.

Tullian has no concept of the Means of Grace, so reading this is like consuming Dream Whip, a bad copy of the real thing, but no substance.

All the excuses from WELS synodical leaders follow the same line of reasoning. After the Michigan District VP was caught in adultery, the DP lied about it and got the VP a plush job, assuring his pal of his forgiveness.

Lack of contrition in WELS is common, perhaps mandatory. The leaders gush that the men are already forgiven. 

There is no better way to get hate mail than to say WELS teacher Al Just murdered his wife, as the court found, including his appeal. When he was found helping to lead a WELS youth group, the apologist said, "He has done his time." And the lies continue. That is UOJ in its purest form.

WELS had no trouble with Pastor W. Tabor serving a new parish when he was involved in the murder of his wife in the parsonage in Milwaukee. So many lies followed that crime.

It seems each Synod President in WELS has to make his mark in covering up crime and minimizing it. Mirthless Mark Schroeder assured everyone of Joel Hochmuth absolution. Later, Hochmuth said he did not comprehend contriton until he was in the prison program for child porn trafficking. Years in WELS hardened his heart. Somehow Hochmuth got a high-priced criminal lawyer and a light sentence. He offended multiple ways while on work release. That was a good example of UOJ at work. So he went back to the hoosegow for a traditional five-year sentence.

Roman Catholic - LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) on a larger scale
There is a big hullaballoo about the Pennsylvania Roman Catholic priestly abuse of children. However, it is nothing new, and I doubt whether anything will come from it. Roman Catholic protection of the clergy is no different from the LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic). When a church body teaches itself as the Gospel, as all these do, then they necessarily protect "the sons of Holy Mother Church."

LCMS DPs are told to destroy all notes, which is called obstruction of justice in other quarters. In Missouri, it means "saving the Russian mission."

 The only priest disciplined in the enormous Boston RC scandals was the one who said it was a real problem there. The rest were protected, and Bishop Law was promoted to the Vatican.

Time and again, in all such groups, destructive clergy are protected and promoted, but those who question Holy Mother are ousted, defamed, and shunned.

Who was shunned and slandered in Appleton? The victim. Who led this crusade to protect Glende and Ski? The synod president and three District Presidents: Kudu Don, Zank, and Englebrecht.

The lessons taught have been learned well.