Matt the Fatt and Paul the Plagiarist - They Have Betrayed the Doctrine of the Early LCMS

 Matt the Fatt pretends to harken back to early Missouri. The reader's research shows that this is another deception from the McCain-Harrison regime.

 McCain's cheerful reproduction of Edward Preuss' inanities only underlines how little he knows about his own CPH history. Or is he just hiding the truth? 

The 1896 Schwan Catechism – Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

The 1896 Schwan Catechism correctly explained what forgiveness consists of - and who receives it.  This is set forth in: English-German Edition.  A Short Exposition of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism (CPH: 1912).  Questions 196 and 197 follow:

196.  Was heißt: Gott vergibt die Sünde? Er rechnet die Sünden nicht zu, oder, er erklärt die Sünder für gerecht. (Rechtfertignung.) 379) 2 Kor 5,21: Er hat den, der von keiner Sünde wußte, für uns zur Sünde gemacht, auf daß wir würden in ihm die Gerechtigkeit, die vor Gtt gilt. 380) Röm. 8,33: Wer will die Auserwählten Gottes beschuldigen?  Gott ist hie, der da gerecht macht. B. G. Matth. 18,23-27. Schalksknecht.

196.  How does God forgive sins? He does not impute their sins to sinners, or, in other words, He declares sinners righteous. (Justification.) 379) 2 Cor. 5,21: For He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 380) Rom. 8,33: Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth, B. H. Matth. 18,23-35. The wicked servant.

197.  Wer empfängt diese Vergebung? Wie wohl sie für alle Menschen erworben ist, auch durch das Evangelium allen, die es hören, dargeboten wird, so werden doch der Vergebung nur diejenigen wirklich teilhaftig, welche dem Evangelium glauben und damit die Vergebung annehmen. 381) 2 Kor. 5,10: Gott war in Christo und versöhnste die Welt mit ihm selber, und rechnete ihnen ihre Sünden nicht zu und hat unter uns aufgerichtet das Wort von der Versöhnung. 382) 1 Mos. 15,6: Abram glaubte dem HErrn, und das rechnete er ihm zur Gerechtigkeit.

383) Röm. 4,5: Dem aber, der nicht mit Werken umgehet, gaubet aber an den, der die Gottlosen gerecht macht, dem wird sein Glaube gerechnet zur Gerechtigkeit. B. G. Luk. 18,9-14. Der Zöllner.

197.  Who receives this forgiveness? Although it has been procured for all men, and is offered by the Gospel to all that hear it, yet only those who believe the Gospel and accept this forgiveness of sins actually become partakers of such forgiveness. 381) 2 Cor. 5,19: God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. 382) Rom. 4,5: To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him who justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness. B. H. Luke 18,9-14. The publican.

These questions and answers make it quite clear that the only forgiveness that is known is that which is explicitly spelled out in question 198: 198. Was bekennen wir daher, mit unserer Kirche von der Vergebung der Sünden oder der Rechtfertigung? Das wir Vergebung der Sünden erlangen und vor Gott gerecht werden nicht aus unsern Werken, sondern aus Gnaden, um Christi willen, durch den Glauben. 384) Röm. 3,23-25. Es ist hie kein Unterschied; sie sind allzumal Sünder und mangeln des Ruhms, den sie an Gott haben sollten, und werden ohne Verdienst gerecht aus seiner Gnade durch die Erlösung, so durch Christum JEsum geschehen ist, welchen Gott hat vorgestellt zu einem Gnadenstuhl durch den Glauben in seinem Blut, damit er die Gerechtigkeit, die vor ihm gilt, darbiete in dem, daß er Sünde vergibt, welche bis anher geblieben war unter göttlicher Geduld.

198. What then do we, together with our Church, confess regarding the forgiveness of sins, or justification? That we receive forgiveness of sins and are justified before God, not by our works, but by grace, for Christ’s sake, through faith. 384) Rom. 3,22-25. 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: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation though faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.

Thus, no faith, no forgiveness.

In 1943, the Missouri Synod published with a newer version of the Schwan Catechism with the Bible verses from the KJV – it was also known as the blue Catechism because of its blue cover.  In 1965 CPH slightly revised the 1943 edition.  In either the 1943 or 1965 editions, the section on “The Forgiveness of Sins” did not contain the detail that the 1912 edition had.  Questions 188-191 follow (note: italics in original):

188.  How does God forgive your sins?

God no longer charges, or imputes, my sins to me, but declares me righteous. (Justification.) 486 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. 2 Cor. 5:19. 487 He hath made Him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. 488 Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Rom. 8:33. 489 To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom. 4:5. Bible Narrative: The king forgave the servant all his debts. Matt. 18:33-35.

189.  What induces God to forgive your sins?

God forgives my sins, not because of my merit, or worthiness in me, but because of His grace, for Christ’s sake. 490 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. Rom. 3:22-24. 491 In whom [Christ] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Eph. 1:7. Biblical Narrative: The publican in the Temple. Luke 18:9-14.

190.  For whom has this forgiveness been obtained?

Forgiveness of sins has been obtained for all, because Christ has fully atoned for the sins of all mankind. 492 He is the Propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2. 493 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, and imputing their trespasses unto them. 2 Cor. 5:19.

191.  Where does God offer you the forgiveness of sins?

God offers me the forgiveness of sins in the Gospel. 494 Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations. Luke 24:47. 495 [He] hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:19.

192.  How do you accept this forgiveness of sins?

I accept this forgiveness by believing the Gospel. 496 A man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Rom. 3:28 497 [Abram] believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness. Gen. 15:6.

Reader’s conclusion

It is clear in both the 1912 and 1943-1956 Catechisms that while Jesus has atoned for all, this does not give forgiveness to all.  Forgiveness only come through faith.  End of discussion.

 No Clue Andrew argued his father's OJ on the Dead Last Lutheran Blog. That only worked because those teaching the original doctrine of the LCMS (and Bible) were dismissed as "morons" by the senior - or was that senile? - editor. 
Confidential - the Preus clan are carpetbaggers who brought their Norwegian Pietism over from the Norwegian Synod and the Little Sect on the Prairie.

 Room for everyone but Luther - Now Missouri loves every confession of faith but its own original one. Is it not true that a catechism is a good expression of the denomination's teaching? 

An Eagle on a Soldier's Grace - Memorial Day

"Two days ago · He spotted a bald eagle through the mist, perched on a gravestone, and snapped shots with his aging but ever-present camera. It’s going viral! Jon Tevlin of the Star Tribune notes that requests for the photo, and use of the story, have come from the Department of Veterans Affairs, military publications, Arlington National Cemetery. Soldiers ... Amazing Photo of Bald Eagle Perched on Soldier's Gravestone ...

He revealed that the widow of Maurice Ruch, the soldier on whose gravestone the eagle was perched, was extremely moved by the photo, particularly because she and her husband used to photograph eagles themselves...."

The Hidden Path to Understanding Justification Is The Scriptures, Above All. Start Digging

 Our new neighbor on Joye Street is a veteran, and so is his neighbor, John. Ranger Bob, a veteran, fixed this veteran's water pump on his Nitro.

When I was finishing The Path to Justification, this true story emerged.

An older couple and their daughter moved into the house on Joye, next to where John and Patricia have lived for 25 years. Sassy loves to meet new people, so we talked to the new neighbors when they began using their attached garage for morning coffee.

John and Pat asked me, once the warm weather arrived, "Have you seen Dan digging?" I said I noticed the work, but I did not inspect it. Sassy usually turns around after checking John's yard for animal scents and food scraps. She is the Inspector General of Springdale, looking over every worksite we pass.

"He found a hidden path! We never knew. We lived here 25 years and never noticed. The previous owners didn't. The postman had no idea."

Sassy and I - who passed by or near that property for the last 8 years - least among the witnesses, had no clue.

Scholars are divided, but Springdalologists figure the path was fashioned from the brick driveway when it was converted to cement. Debris covered the bricks in time, and grassroots crept over the top. The view with Google Maps, about 8 years old, does not show anything more than general patchiness in the front lawn.

Is This the Ebeneezer of Justification?

This stone of help, this brick path, is a good representation of the Justification question.

Justification by Faith is clear in the Bible, Luther's Sermons, the Book of Concord, Chemnitz' work, Gerhard, and many other sources until the growth of Pietism and its Calvinistic content.

Those Lutherans who were moved to travel to America were largely influenced by Pietistic organizations. Pastor Martin Stephan came from Pietism and was partially educated at Halle University, established by Pietism but rapidly turning rationalistic. CFW Walther's circle of friends were Pietistic and sought out Stephan's leadership when their first guru of Pietism left and inconveniently died.

Although Justification by Faith remained as the main teaching in the LCMS and WELS, the debris of Pietism and Objective Justification gradually covered the clearly outline path of the Chief Article.

Now the growth hiding Justification by Faith is so complete that the majority in the Walther-Stephan tradition are completely hoodwinked and baffled by the clever two step of letting people imagine:

1. "Objective Justification is the Atonement." False - it declares that the entire world is forgiven and saved without faith - Universalism.
2. "Subjective Justification is Justification by Faith." False - it means making a decision in favor of universal forgiveness without faith.  

The Path Remains - Even When Hidden by Satan's Disciples

The Scriptures remain and a faithful translation (not ESV or NIV) makes that clear. But it takes some digging to disclose the truths hidden by neglect, poor teaching, bad translations, and the fanatical spirits who serve their Father Below, though ordained for a different kind of service.

Faithful clergy and laity can bring out the truth again.

Memorial Day, 2019

Whether on the battlefields of Bunker Hill, on the beaches of Normandy, in the jungles of Vietnam, or in the mountains and deserts of the Middle East, brave Americans of every generation have given their last full measure of devotion in defense of our country, our liberty, and our founding ideals.  On Memorial Day, we humbly honor these incredible patriots and firmly renew our abiding commitment to uphold the principles for which they laid down their lives.

As a free people, we have a sacred duty to remember the courageous warriors who have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that our great country would endure.  It is our responsibility to strive to ensure that their noble acts of dedication to our country and the cause of freedom were not in vain and to comfort the families they have left behind, who bear the heartbreak of their loss.  We must ensure that the light of our Republic, and all for which these most honorable Americans willingly died, continues to shine forth brightly into the world.  As President Lincoln said in 1863 during the dedication of the Gettysburg National Military Cemetery:  “It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.”

As we approach the 75th anniversary of D-Day, we proudly commemorate those heroic and honorable patriots who gave their all for the cause of freedom during some of history’s darkest hours.  Thousands of selfless members of our Armed Forces perished on the beaches of Normandy.  They bravely gave their lives to pave the way for the Allied liberation of Europe and ultimately victory over the forces of evil.  Their historic sacrifices and achievements secured the future of humanity and proved America’s strength in defending freedom and defeating the enemies of civilization.

Those who rest in the hallowed grounds of our country’s national cemeteries laid their lives upon the altar of freedom.  Today, as we unite in eternal gratitude for the sacrifices of these extraordinary Americans, let us also offer a prayer for lasting peace.  Let us renew our steadfast resolve to work toward a peaceful future, in which the horrors of war are a distant memory and our families, our communities, and our Nation need no longer confront the sorrow and pain of losing our beloved sons and daughters.

In honor and recognition of all of our fallen heroes, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 11, 1950, as amended (36 U.S.C. 116), has requested the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer.  The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe, in their own way, the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 27, 2019, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time when people might unite in prayer.

I further ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

I also request the Governors of the United States and its Territories, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct the flag be flown at half-staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control.  I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half-staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-third.

DONALD J. TRUMP