ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Monday, March 8, 2021
Who Will Be the Stone Foltz - Dead from Hazing - of WELS?
1. The University Says the Incident Is an Alleged ‘Hazing Activity Involving Alcohol Consumption’
“We have to drink a handle of any alcohol that our big gives us. We have to finish the whole thing in the time we’re there before we leave,” the student told the television station.
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He said his roommate came back from the same party under investigation.
“A handle of alcohol is… equal to about 40, 1.5-ounce shots,” the television station reported, quoting the student as saying, “I’ve never seen my roommate more drunk in his entire life. He immediately went to the bathroom and was throwing up in the toilet for just 15 minutes to an hour and making himself vomit.”
["A handle of vodka (or a handle of alcohol generally, for that matter) holds 59.2 fluid ounces, or 1.75 liters, of liquid courage. But what does that mean for you and your party?
Let’s do the math: One shot of vodka is 1 ½ ounces, and most cocktails contain at least one shot. So inside that handle, you’ve got about 20 two-shot drinks, or 40 one-shot drinks. If you’re throwing a super small party, one handle of liquor will suffice. Otherwise, you may need to step up your game."]
5. Foltz Was Attending a Big Brother Event at the Frat
WELS-ELCA Joint Effort in Digital Communications, Continuing the Mischke Tradition of ELCA Bedfellows. Does Anyone Smell Jeske's Expensive Cologne?
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| Here is the original copy - ELCA-WELS-LCMS and Seibert. |
Brothers in Christ, A while back, the Siebert Lutheran Foundation contacted representatives from WELS, LCMS, and ELCA about the possibility of making a grant available to Lutheran churches in Southeastern Wisconsin to help them make better use of technology—particularly video streaming for worship and Bible study—to share the gospel. I was the representative from WELS who was part of this discussion. Those other representatives and I discussed the challenges our church bodies have faced during the pandemic.
Interested parties need to attend one online “Foundational Event.” There are three options.
• Thursday, March 18 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
• Saturday, March 20 from 10:00-11:3 a.m.
• Monday, April 12 from 6:30-8:00 p.m.
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| It looks like Unstuck did not work for WELS - and it looked so promising! |
The beginning and end portion of these “Foundational Events” will be denomination specific, i.e. you would be with other WELS pastors in the webinar. The middle portion of this presentation will be a discussion led by Rev. Joe Liles, an ELCA pastor The Neighborhood Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, who serves a mission congregation that has always used technology extensively. He has some helpful, practical insights into the topic
There were many similarities: • universal absolution without faith in Christ - Objective Justification • churches figuring out the technical issues, such as livestreaming • the opportunities virtual content presented (reconnecting with straying members, outreach, etc.) • the challenges of managing copyrights • trying to encourage members who enjoy the convenience of worshiping at home to not make that permanent, but to return to in-person worship. We came up with a plan, lavishly supported by Siebert, allowing us to help congregations within our respective church bodies, because we are all one when it comes to putting our trotters in the trough.
J. Hein, WELS
Mark and Avoid Jeske has been a leader in working with ELCA pastors. Harrison and Schroeder are no different. They pretend otherwise.
The Turning Point - The Sine Qua Non of Biblical Studies.
From The Bible Book
The new plan is starting with the Bible:
Old Testament - Law, Prophets, and the Writings
New Testament.
Next will be the path from the Medieval Bible to Luther's, The Tyndale from Luther, and the KJV from the Tyndale-Luther.
I am planning an edifying essay about the Bible and the KJV in particular before starting the second part. That second part has been roughed out and posted here as the fraudulent text claims from Tischendorf, Wescott and Hort, which set the stage for the Historical-Critical Method. The evil fruit from the corrupt tree of unbelief includes:
- The RSV
- The NIV
- Good News or TEV
- The ESV
- The copy and paste EHV
- The Living and New Living Bibles
- Amplified Bibles
- Concordia Publishing House - Seminex Disinterred
The second part is infuriating and depressing, so people can skip that or use it to realize how special the KJV is, text and translation.
The Turning Point
If people do not understand and believe this turning point, they do not comprehend the message of the Bible.
The Bible is not only inspired and inerrant, which most traditional Christians would allow, but it is also never without the power of the Holy Spirit. That means every verse of the Bible is efficacious or effective in accomplishing the will of God.
There are many proofs of this, but the clearest and most powerful is Isaiah 55.
KJV Isaiah 55: 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Now that spring is arriving, people are especially aware of the power of rain and snow-melt to water the earth with usable nitrogen, the foundation of plant life. Rain and snow always have a powerful effect on the landscape, and many crops sown early pop out of the snow to begin their growth in the sun without many pests.
The cycle of rain and snow shows that growth is inevitable. No matter how scientific we pretend to be, God's Creation gives us seed for farmer and bread for the dinner table.
This is a comparison which allows no exceptions - like many in the Bible.
The verses mean that God's Word is always accompanied by the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit always works exclusively through the Word.
I first learned this when going through dozens of Old Testament books, especially ones on rabbinic lore. This is the message of the entire Bible, from Creation on, Old Testament and New Testament.
The Lutheran Reformation (actually the only Reformation) taught this when God gathered an unusual group of scholars at Wittenberg for translating and teaching the Scriptures.
This was foreign to the papacy and still is.
Zwingli and Calvin rejected the efficacy of the Word. That is why they inevitably turn to rationalism and Unitarianism.
Pentecostals, not unlike the Catholics, have an ever-growing canon, because every dream and notion and dogma is from God - but without the Word. Pentecostals seem to have lost the thrill of tongue-speaking, so they are more like the Baptists.
Baptists who teach the inerrancy of the Word and avoid the double-predestination of Calvin are the closest to the Reformation.
Religions of the world that borrow the Scriptures dishonestly are in the same category of Enthusiasm, a term used by Luther to describe those who do not teach the Word/Holy Spirit connection. Enthusiasm is any kind of religion that divorces the Spirit from the Word; for instance, when the Pope declares a new dogma infallibly or when the LCMS-ELS-WELS says Objective Justification is true because they teach it at their dying seminaries.
Sunday, March 7, 2021
Cascione Writes! The Biggest Event Since Brando Sings!
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| Brando sings! Guys and Dolls They decided to use a more appealing concept to promote the movie. |
Whenever the musical Guys and Dolls is discussed, someone recalls that a promotional banner was going to say, "Brando sings!" Wiser marketing experts prevailed.
I remembered that nugget when LutherQuest (sic) headlined - "Cascione speaks!"
| Steve Schmidt (Sschmidt) Senior Member Username: Sschmidt Post Number: 1409 Registered: 3-2017 |
I have posted here for four years and never recall Pastor Cascione conversing with us. What I find revelatory is a picture of an alternate LCMS in transition and what was left behind, what might have been. An alternative LCMS, if you will. Most of these quotes could deserve a thread of their own. “The LCMS has chosen to abandon its differentiation from the broad spectrum of American congregations and surrender considerable “market share.” They have posted a sign, “Hey everybody. We are just like all the other churches.” Here we don’t shy away from the idea of denominational marketing and “brand loyalty.” You may locate this principally in women’s suffrage. Yet we are fortunate in having the example of the WELS, which maintained this prohibition. The WELS does not display any more congregational harmony or growth than the LCMS. They may possibly have a bit more clubby esprit de corps. But the American public at large is not interested in buying into either. |
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GJ - I have noticed that LQ (sic) and the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Online Discussion Forum are equally enamored of sociology and marketing. Both are dedicated to the crypto-Universalism of Objective Justification. Both host Rolf Preus pontificating and preening in his declining years. Both sites have writers who discuss marketing trends, sociology, and comparing themselves to other denominations and volunteer groups.
Neither one pays any attention to faith in Jesus,
- as if the Savior never compared the good tree and the corrupt tree in Matthew 7 to faith and unbelief,
- as if Paul never wrote Galatians or Romans 10.
- I know they have never read Romans 4, because they jibber like monkeys ready to throw their Dreck at anyone who upsets them.
- Both sites have called me crazy for following Luther rather than their heroes, though LQ (sic) did apologize when civil law was mentioned.
Another favorite, Calvinist News, has popped off about OJ again. The cub editor, another Ft. Wayne graduate (like Cascione, Webber, Rolf, and Heiser) invoked Romans 4:25 again, but so ambiguously that I failed to see a blatant OJ spasm. But there is a reason, as Krauth explained long ago.
Will It Take a Student Death To End WELS Hazing in Their Preps, College, and Seminary?
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| Cross-dressing, injuries, out of control drinking, lying - what's not to love in the WELS preps, college, and seminary! |
Bowling Green State University student in critical condition after alleged fraternity hazing incident
Stone Foltz was hospitalized after an off-campus Pi Kappa Alpha event Thursday.
A Bowling Green State University student is in critical condition after an alleged hazing incident involving alcohol.
The student has been identified as Stone Foltz, family attorney Sean Alto told ABC News.
Foltz was hospitalized after "alleged hazing activity involving alcohol consumption" at an off-campus Pi Kappa Alpha event in Bowling Green, Ohio, the university said in a statement.
He is currently in critical condition, according to the ProMedica Toledo Hospital. Doctors treating Foltz are going through the organ donation process, Alto said.
The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity told ABC News in a statement they were "horrified and outraged" by the incident.
The fraternity erroneously said that Foltz had died in its initial statement.
***
GJ - The WELS Discussions page in Facebook has revealed past and present abuse of students. I know Paul Kuske had no trouble with it, as dean of Michigan Lutheran Seminary (a tiny high school). John Brenner supported abuse at Michigan Lutheran Seminary and at Mordor - the failing seminary in Mequon.
The wife of one MLS board member was shocked at the abusive tactics and said so to her husband. He waved it off as nothing special.
I believe the purpose of their evil system is to make the victims slavishly loyal to WELS, detached from their families. Even people living in other states repeat the sect's mantra that the only true WELS members and pastors come from the State of Wisconsin. I even heard that sentiment expressed by a senior in his last semester at Mordor. He also observed that Lutheran was wrong about Holy Communion and Zwingli was correct.
Oculi, The Third Sunday in Lent, 2021. Real Opposition to the Gospel
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
Oculi Sunday, The Third Sunday in Lent, 2021
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
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The Hymn #175 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord:
for He shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Turn Thee unto me and have mercy upon me:
for I am desolate and afflicted.
Psalm. Unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul:
O my God, I trust in Thee; let me not be ashamed.
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires
of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty
to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ,
Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual Ephesians 5:1-9
The Gospel Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #524 In Thee Lord Have I Put My Trust (alt tune #177)
The Gospel Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #524 In Thee Lord Have I Put My Trust (alt tune #177)
Real Opposition to the Gospel
The Hymn #315:1-5 I Come O Savior To Thy Table
The Hymn #315:1-5 I Come O Savior To Thy Table
The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #568 We Praise Thee O God
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #568 We Praise Thee O God
Prayers and Announcements
- Treatment and recovery - Christina Jackson, PET on Tuesday. Pastor Jim Shrader is facing various challenges.
- Two brothers, both with health issues.
- Pray for our country and DEP Trump.
- Wednesdays - Vespers at 7 PM, Understanding Luther's Galatians - PDF, Chapter 4.
- We are putting together a video component for our media ministries. Travis and Lauren Cartee are natural leaders in this area.
- The literature discussion group is next.
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
KJV Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
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| Norma A. Boeckler |
Third Sunday in Lent
Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast sent Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh, that He might overcome the devil, and defend us poor sinners against the adversary: We give thanks unto Thee for Thy merciful help, and we beseech Thee to attend us with Thy grace in all temptations, to preserve us from carnal security, and by Thy Holy Spirit to keep us in Thy word and Thy fear, that unto the end we may be delivered from the enemy, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
Real Opposition to the Gospel
Introductory
It is fashionable to mock the reality of Satan. Napoleon Hill, the popular business fraud and author quoted his mother saying, "The only devil is the one who believes in him." (He claimed spirits spoke to him in his study.) But it is also fashionable to use Satanic symbols, worship the occult, and follow anything opposed to Christianity. Our impression of Phoenix was that the biggest holiday (a contraction of holy day) is Halloween, not for children but for adults. Christmas, in comparison, seemed minor.
Luther summarized the conflict as Two Kingdoms - the Kingdom of Christ versus the Kingdom of Satan. Modernists have confused the terminology with the Two Regiments - the Church and the Government. I think that came about to avoid talking about faith and to concentrate on politics. That is why the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal funds lobbyists for their causes in D.C. and every state, plus Canada (ELCiC).
Luther was much more careful with Biblical terms. Satan has his kingdom on earth and he never tires of taking people away from the Kingdom of Christ. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress is very good at portraying this battle and how it affects people differently. My niece, many years ago, asked me about Satan, if he existed. I asked her what Jesus taught, if He spoke as if Satan existed. She turned and grinned at her mother and said, "Seee?"
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
Jesus worked among the poor and sick. Instead of advising rich people about their wealth, as many clergy do today, He went to the poor, the sick, and the outcasts. That should have pleased everyone. The crowds marveled at His power and spread the Word, which was connected with the Messianic Promises. The Gospel of John especially emphasizes that the miracles were performed to verify His divinity and His teaching. Now people seem a little more willing to listen to His teaching (to some degree) while dismissing the miracles. They go together, like the invisible Word of teaching and preaching, the visible Word of the sacraments - baptism and communion.
Everyone should have been delighted by His miracles and teaching, but they were not. That should remind every congregation and pastor that the cross accompanies all Gospel work. If opponents confronted Jesus with the crowds present, why would they not confront the Gospel in the same way? - always upset, always holier than thou in the accusations, always willing to escalate the battle.
The first realization of every minister is that the best and most worthwhile efforts are met with opposition. The response should be, "I must be doing something right, because something is hated, really hated." In Bunyan's case, he went from a flourishing ministry to a jail cell away from his family and members. He was clearly despondent and anxious because he was sure he did the right thing and instead lost everything dear to him. Toward the end of his life, after two jail terms, he realized the prison made his books possible, and one become the most read book in the English language, second only to the Bible, 2002 editions as of today. The 2001st and 2002nd are Alec Satin's pdf and print versions.
When we reflect on the public ministry of Jesus Christ, we see that He had opposition from the start, ending with the cross. And He was and is without sin. Should Christians expect a better, a more pleasing deal than what He earned? And yet, He proceeded with patience, showing faith and love in His actions, knowing what was lying ahead.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
The accusation was the worst of slanders. That meant Jesus worked through Satan, their only explanation for the source of His great power. Others saw the miracle and demanded more proof - another miracle from heaven. Thus there are two groups who do not see or understand the Kingdom of God. The same can been seen today. Some look upon Christianity as the worst of all evils. Others say, "I prayed for for a miracle, and it never happened, so I don't believe anymore."
The third group are those who understand the power and mercy of God and believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Many aids and signs come our way if we only wait for God's timing rather than demanding our own.
But some are like the student who phoned me at 1 AM and wondered why I sounded so sleepy.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
Jesus' response is common sense. Notice that He knew their thoughts - an important note, and that is still true today. That is why so much is done by God to guide our thoughts and actions, meditation versus impulse, sacraments as Means of Grace and guides, instead of popular opinion.
The accusation is that Satan is driving out Satanic spirits. If so, Satan's kingdom is at war with itself and must fall. They are saying in their own clumsy way that Jesus will bring about the fall of Satan because of His exorcisms against Satan.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
Their own people - rabbis (sons) - claim to cast out demons, to exorcise devils, so is that how their own perform such miracles? Instead, He claims the power of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus spoke to the believers of His time and ours - the third group. The blasphemers or opponents are one group; the skeptics or rationalists are the second - who test God and find Him wanting; the third group are those who are strengthened and encouraged by the Savior. The Kingdom of God has come to them, as promised to Abraham in Genesis 15 - like the stars in the sky and the sands of the seashore, too numerous to count.
The next sentence clarifies the situation, but the allegory flies past most of us the first or second time.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
This Gospel selection is about Christ and Satan, so the allegory seems mysterious at first. Like many other places, it is so clear when explained. The strong man guards his palace - that is Satan in control of the earth. In ancient days, only the Jewish people knew of the Messiah and many believed in Him. Overall the planet belonged to Satan, which meant atrocities were the norm, common "religious" practice too horrible to list. Some civilizations passed away from their constant warfare with others, too.
We can still find "new" ancient ruins that speak of great wealth and power, but something happened. A stronger Man came along and defeated Satan through the cross and took away all the weapons of Satan that worked so well in the past. Bloodthirsty acts, random violence, and slavery over the weak and poor - all were methodically defeated by Christian growth and love for the brothers.
Satan once had all the wealth and power, but a Christian Europe - and then America - emerged that used that wealth and power for the good. It is no wonder now that people on the other side, those who oppose Christianity, are striving against the Constitution, freedom, and Christianity. The paganism that grew in the shadows and underground must be exorcised completely.
And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God. #10
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Indifference (sceptics, rationalists) are not neutral - they are against Christ. Either one gathers or scatters. We can see how clever the dabblers were in getting every denomination together to declare all they needed was love and good works. Doctrinal differences do not matter and should not be explored - they said. Quickly their indifference became the indifference and soporific peace of the masses. Fuller Seminary sold their magic formulas to all denominations and the Catholics, plus some obviously heretical groups. It worked the same with all of them. And one wit wrote to me, "Yes, they failed equally with all of them." Besides that, the Andrew Cuomo of Willow Creek chased the women around the altar and xerox machine while telling everyone he had the answer to their evangelism questions. The best combo, for the uncertain, was to study at Fuller and Willow Creek, teaching every form and variety of adulteration.
The second part is a warning against those who repent and then repent of their repentance. The one who is no longer a slave to his base desires can easily rejoice in his new life, but his old evil buddies and his body chemistry want him back, with even more helpers in his downfall. That is why we need to deal gently with fallen, since renewal is not easy and regaining a God-pleasing life is a major battle. Paul warned the Galatians about this.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. οι ακουοντες (hears) τον λογον του θεου (Word of God) και φυλασσοντες (guards) αυτον
This is another example (like Jesus speaking to His mother as "woman,") about elevating Mary beyond her status. Like a time traveler from Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy, this woman uttered a blessing for Mary and her care for the infant Jesus. But He emphasized instead (not with the blessing, but a replacement) blessed are those who listen to the Word of God and guard/keep/protect it. Faith and God's grace come to us from hearing the Gospel Word; the second part is guarding and witnessing to it.
Saturday, March 6, 2021
Oculi - Luther's Sermon - Christ's Defense Against His Blasphemers
OCULI. THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
TEXT: Luke 11:14-23. And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons. And others trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
I. CHRIST’S DEFENSE AGAINST HIS BLASPHEMERS.
1. This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things, and in which nearly everything is set forth as to what Christ, his kingdom and his Gospel are: what they accomplish and how they fare in the world.
In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.
By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.
This is the universal and the most precious doctrine of this Gospel and of all the Gospels throughout the church year. This poor man, however, did not come to Christ without the Word; for those who brought him to Christ must have heard his love preached and were moved thereby to trust in him.
We learn therefore that faith comes through the Word; but more of this elsewhere.
2. Secondly, it is here demonstrated how Christ and his Gospel fare in the world, namely, that there are three kinds of hearers. Some marvel at him; these are pious and true Christians, who consider this deed so great that they are amazed at it. Some blaspheme the Gospel; these are the Pharisees and scribes, who were vexed because they could not do the like, and were worried lest the people should hold Christ in higher esteem than themselves. Some tempt him, like Herod desired a sign after his own heart, that they may make sport of it. But he answers both parties; at first, the blasphemers in this Gospel, and later on the tempters, saying that no sign shall be given this wicked generation except the sign of the prophet Jonah, of which we read in the verses following. He answers the blasphemers in a friendly way and argues five points with them.
3. In the first place, with honest and reasonable arguments he concludes from two comparisons that one devil cannot cast out another; for if that were so, the devils would be divided among themselves and Satan’s kingdom would indeed not stand. For nature teaches that if a kingdom is divided against itself and its citizens drive out each other, it is not necessary to go to war against it, for it will come to ruin soon enough of itself. Likewise a house divided against itself needs no other destruction.
Even the heathen author Sallust, teaching only from the light of nature and experience, says: “Great wealth passes away through discord, but through concord small means become large.” If now the devils were divided among themselves to such a degree that one should drive out the other, Satan’s dominion would be at an end, and we would have rest from his attacks.
4. What then were these blasphemers able to say to such clear arguments?
They were put to silence, but their hearts were hardened, so that they did not heed his words. A hardened heart will not be instructed, no matter how plainly and clearly the truth is presented; but the faith of the righteous is strengthened when they see that the ground of their faith is right and good.
And for the sake of such we must answer those whose hearts are hardened, and put them to silence. Even though they will not be converted nor keep silence still it serves to reveal their hardened hearts, for the longer they talk the more foolish they become, and they are caught in their folly, and their cause is robbed of the appearance of being right and good, as Solomon also says in Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” That is, answer him according to his folly that his folly may be put to shame for the sake of others, that they may not follow him and be deceived, thinking that he is right. Otherwise, where no such condition exists, it is better to keep silent, as Solomon also says in the same chapter, verse 4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”
5. Nor could they say here that the devils only pretended to be divided among themselves and to yield to one another in order to deceive the people, for it is publicly seen how they resist and contend, cry and rave, tear and rage, when they see that Christ means to expel them. It is then clearly seen that they are opposed to Christ and his Spirit, and they are not united with him, to whom they must yield so unwillingly. Therefore it is only a flagrant blasphemous lie, in which they are caught and put to shame, by which they try in venomous hate to give the devil credit for a work of God. From this we learn not to be surprised when our doctrine and life are blasphemed and stubborn hearts will not be convinced nor converted, although they are overwhelmed, as it were, with tangible truth and completely put to silence. It is enough that through our arguments their obstinate folly is revealed, acknowledged and made harmless to pious people, so that the latter may not be misled by its fine pretension. They may then go whither they will, they have condemned themselves as St. Paul says, Titus 3:11.
6. In the second place, he replies with a public example and a similar work, when he says: “By whom do your sons cast them out?” As if he would say: “Is this not simple idiocy? Just what you praise in your sons, you condemn in me. Because your sons do it, it is of God; but because I do it, it must be of the devil.” So it is in this world. What Christ does, is of the devil; if some one else did it, it would be all right. Thus the tyrants and enemies of the Gospel do now, when they condemn in us what they themselves do, confess and teach; but they must proceed thus in order that their judgment may be publicly approved, when they are condemned by all justice. The sons, of whom Christ here says that they drive out devils, were, I think, certain exorcists among the people, for God, from the beginning, had given this people manifold spiritual gifts and he calls them their “sons,” as though to say: I am the Son of God and must be called a child of the devil, while those who are your sons, begotten by you, do the same things and are not to be considered children of the devil.
7. “Therefore shall they be your judges,” that is, I appeal to them. They will be forced to decide that you wrongfully blaspheme me, and thus condemn yourselves. For if one devil does not drive out another then some other power must do it that is neither satanic nor human, but divine. Hence the words: “But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.” This finger of God is called in Matthew 12:28 the Holy Ghost, for the words read thus: “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons,” etc. In short, Christ means to say: If the kingdom of God is to come unto you, the devil must be driven out, for his kingdom is against God’s kingdom, as you yourselves must confess.
But demon is not driven out by demon, much less by men or the power of men, but alone by the Spirit and power of God.
8. From this follows that where the finger of God does not cast out the devil, there the devil’s kingdom still exists; where Satan’s kingdom still exists, there the kingdom of God cannot be. The unavoidable conclusion then is that, as long as the Holy Spirit does not enter our hearts, we are not only incapable of any good, but are of necessity in the kingdom of Satan.
And if we are in his kingdom, then we can do nothing but that which pleases him, else it could not be called his kingdom. As St. Paul says to Timothy: “The people are taken captive in the snares of the devil unto his will” 2 Timothy 2:26. How could Satan suffer one of his people to take a notion to do something against, and not for, his kingdom? Oh, it is a striking, terrible and powerful statement that Christ here admits such a dominion, which we cannot escape except by the power of God; and that the kingdom of God can not come to us until that kingdom is driven out by divine, heavenly power.
9. This truth is proved in the case of this poor man, who was bodily possessed of the devil. Tell me, what could he and all mankind do to free him from the devil? Without a doubt, nothing. He had to do and suffer just as his master the devil willed, until Christ came, with the power of God.
Now then, if he could not free himself from the devil as to his body, how could he, by his own power, deliver his soul from Satan’s spiritual dominion? Especially is this the case since the soul, because possessed of sin, is the cause of all bodily possession as a punishment, and sins are more difficult to remove than the punishment of them, and the soul is always more firmly possessed than the body. This is proved by the fact that the devil permits the body to have its natural powers and functions; but he robs the soul of reason, judgment, sense, understanding, and all its powers, as you readily see in the case of this possessed man.
10. He answers them in the third place, by a comparison taken from life, namely that of a strong man overcome by one stronger, and robbed of all his armor and goods etc. By this he testifies also that no one but God can overcome the devil, so that again no man can boast of being able of himself to drive out either sin or the devil. Notice how he pictures the devil! He calls him a mighty giant who guards his court and home, that is, the devil not only possesses the world as his own domain, but he has garrisoned and fortified it, so that no one can take it from him. He rules it also with undisputed sway, so that it does whatever he commands. Just as little as a house or court may withstand or contend against the tyrant who is its master, can man’s free will and natural powers oppose sin and Satan, that is, not at all; but they are subject to them. And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God.
11. He answers them fourthly, with pointed proverbs and teachings, as: “He that is not with me is against me,” and, “He that gathereth not with me, scattereth.” “The devil is not with me for I drive him out, hence he must of necessity be against me.” But this saying does not apply to the devil alone, but also to the blasphemers whom he here convicts and condemns, as being against him since they are not for him. “To be with Christ” is to have the same mind and purpose as Christ, that is, to believe in Christ that his works save us and not our own, for this is what Christ holds and teaches. But “to gather with Christ” is to do good out of love to him, and to become rich in good works. He that does not believe is, by his own free will, not with Christ but against him, because he depends upon his own works. Therefore, he that does not love, does not gather with Christ, but by fruitless works becomes only more sinful and drifts farther and farther from the faith.
12. In the fifth place, he answers with a threat, namely, that the last state always is worse than the first. Therefore we should take heed that we not only refrain from blaspheming the Gospel and Christ, who does such great things for us and drives the devil out of us; but with zeal and fear hold fast to them, in order that we may not become possessed of seven worse devils whereas one possessed us before. For thus it was with the Jews, who had never been so wicked as while the Gospel was being preached to them. So also under the papacy, we have become seven times, (that is, many times) worse heathen under the name of Christ than we ever had been before as St. Peter says: “The last state is become worse with them than the first.” 2 Peter 2:20. And if we neglect the great light which we now have, it will come to pass in our case also, that we shall become worse than we were before, for the devil does not slumber. This should be sufficient warning.
13. Finally, when the woman cries out to Christ and praises him, saying, “Blessed is the mother that bore such a son,” etc., he opposes her carnal worship and takes occasion to teach all of us the substance of this Gospel, namely, that we should not go gaping after the works or merits of the saints but rather see to it that we hear and keep the Word of God. For it does not concern or profit us in the least to know how holy and honorable the mother of this child might be, nor how noble this Son of hers may be; but rather what this Son has done for us, namely that, by grace, without any merit or worthiness on our part, he has redeemed us from the devil.
This fact is proclaimed to us through the Word of God, and this we are to hear and hold in firm faith; then shall we too be blessed like this mother and her child.
Although such a Word and work will be blasphemed, we should suffer it and give an answer with meekness, as St. Peter teaches, for the improvement of others.
II. THE ALLEGORICAL OR SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THIS GOSPEL.
14. This dumb, deaf, blind, and demon-possessed man represents all the children of Adam, who through the flesh are possessed of Satan in original sin, so that they must be his slaves and do according to his will. Hence they are also blind, that is, they do not see God. They are deaf, for they do not hear God’s Word, and are not obedient or submissive to it. They are also dumb, for they do not give him one word of thanks or praise, nor do they preach and proclaim Christ and the grace of God. But they are all too talkative about the teachings of the devil and the opinions of men. In these things they see only too well and are wiser than the children of light in their undertakings, opinions, and desires. In these things they hear with both ears and readily adopt the suggestions of flesh and blood. So then, whatever we do, in word and deed, as to both body and soul, is of the devil, whether it be externally good or bad, and must be redeemed through the work of God. We are in his kingdom and therefore we acknowledge him, see, hear, and follow him and praise and proclaim his name. All this takes place through the Spirit of God in his Word, which casts out the devil and his kingdom.
15. The Jews called the chief of the devils Beelzebub. The Hebrew word “sebub” means a fly; “baal” or “beel,” a man or ruler, as a householder.
When the two words form a combination, they mean an arch-fly or chieffly, or, in plain German “Fliegenkoenig oder grosse Hummel,” that is, kingfly or the great drone. They gave Satan this contemptuous epithet as though they were entirely free from him, secure against him, and lords over him. That is the way all conceited, corrupt hypocrites do; they imagine they are so pure and holy, that the devil is a helpless, feeble fly compared with them, and that they do not need the grace of Christ nor the Word of God.
Still they think he is strong enough for others, yet, that whatever godfearing people teach and do must be the devil’s own work, and they consider it such a trifling thing as though it were a dead fly. The devil can well endure such contempt, for by it he is placed above the true God in their hearts.
16. The tyrant in the court or palace is the devil, as I said before. He is in peace, however, as long as God’s Word and finger do not oppose him, and just like this deaf-mute, his people do whatever he wishes, for they know no better. His weapons and armor are the carnal conceit, doctrines and traditions of men, by which he terrifies the conscience and protects himself.
17. But when the stronger man, the Gospel, comes, peace flees, and he rages like a madman, for he resents being condemned, unmasked, punished, and publicly branded. Then he gathers up his armor, the powerful, wise, rich and holy people, and sets them all to attacking God’s Word, as we see in the persecution of the teachers of the Gospel. Such rage and persecution signify that the devil retires very unwillingly and raves in his whole body; for as he acts in the body and its members when he must depart, so he also behaves in the whole world, resisting with all his power when he is to give place to the Gospel; but it is all in vain, he must be expelled.
18. For a Stronger One, that is, Christ, comes and overpowers him and takes away his whole armor, that is, he converts some of those same persecutors, and to that extent makes him weaker, and his own kingdom stronger. He divides the spoils too, that is, those he converts he uses for various offices, graces, and works in Christendom, of which Paul writes in Romans 12:6. He is also in the court yard or ante-room of the palace, for the devil’s kingdom consists in outward appearances and pretences of wisdom, holiness, and strength; but when it is captured by the Gospel it is found to consist of pure folly, sin and weakness.
19. The text continues, “When the unclean spirit has gone out, he wanders through dry places, seeking rest,” etc. This means as much as the saying, “The devil never takes a vacation” and “The devil never sleeps,” for he is seeking how he may devour man. “Dry places” are not the hearts of the ungodly, for in such he rests and dwells like a mighty tyrant, as the Gospel here says; but there are dry and waste places here and there in the country where no people live, as forests and wildernesses. To these he flees in wicked rage because he is driven out. You will remember that the devil found Christ in the wilderness. Now, in Judea, there is not much water, hence we read that it contains many and wastes. In other countries, however, as in our own, which are well watered, the devils stay in rivers and lakes, and there they sometimes drown those who bathe or sail upon them. Furthermore, at some places there are water spirits, who entice the children from the shores into the water and drown them. These are all devils.
20. That he comes again and finds the house swept and garnished (Matthew adds “empty”) signifies that the man is sanctified and adorned with beautiful spiritual gifts, and that the evil spirit clearly sees that he can do nothing there with his familiar tricks, for he is too well known. Thus when the worship of idols was driven from the heathen, he never attacked the world with that device again. But what did he do then? He tried something else, went out, took with him seven spirits, more evil than himself, and entered in with them and dwelt there, and the last state of that man was worse than the first. So he has dealt with us. When Christ had become known in the world and the devil’s former kingdom with its idol worship had been destroyed, he adopted another plan and attacked us with heresy and introduced and established the papacy, in which Christ was entirely forgotten, and men became worse heathen under the name of Christ than before he was preached, as we can see now with our own eyes.
Such also was the lot of the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the Greeks under the Turks. And so all will fare, who at first hear the Word of God and afterwards become secure and weary of it. St. Matthew says, in Matthew 12:14, that Satan finds the house empty. And in Matthew 13:25, he sowed tares among the wheat, by night, while men slept. Therefore it is necessary for us to watch as the apostles always admonish us, especially St. Peter in 1 Peter 5:3: “Brethren, be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”; for wherever he overthrows faith, he easily restores again all former vices.