Sunday, March 12, 2023

KJV Students Have the Best Translation, The Only English One from the Apostolic Text.

 



Dear Pastor Jackson,


I am filled with cheerfulness, comfort, and joy by the faith of professor Nils Dahl (PhD*, Yale University) when he said, "The text! The text! We have the text!" (The King James Version, Gregory L. Jackson PhD, p, 189 footnote.)

* GJ - Dahl earned his doctorate in Europe, studying under famous New Testament scholars, including Bultmann. Dahl did not agree with them and focused on the content of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. He was considered the greatest Biblical exegete by Harvard Dean Krister Stendahl.

The text we have is the TEXTUS RECEPTUS not Vaticanus (Westcott-Hort/Nestle Aland Text). Vaticanus was soundly rejected for the Reformation, not just by a man (Erasmus) but by God the Holy Ghost Himself. He alone guides His church into all truth: the TEXTUS RECEPTUS and translations of the TEXTUS RECEPTUS: Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. This is why the King James Bible is the only dominant Bible among Christians today (50% King James to 30% NIV).** The King James Bible is the only translation that never changes. This makes sense because God's word never changes. So here is God's unchangeable, eternal word: the King James Bible and it's unchangeable eternal foundation: the TEXTUS RECEPTUS. 

** GJ - The KJV/NKJV combined may be more like 60%. Scholars are divided. I question the 30% figure for the NIV, easily the worst of the bad paraphrases. The Evil Four - NIV, RSV, NRSV, ESV - include three paraphrased licensed by the National Council of (Marxist) Churches.


Tom Fisher



Continuing Sermon Selections from Luther and a Study of Luther's Large Catechism Itself - Not the Crowing Magpies of Ecumenism

Why is only 15% of a book written by Luther and yet is called Luther's Large Catechism? We will be teaching Luther's Large Catechism itself, not as the ruminations of a horde of dyspeptic men and prating women.

The sermon quotations will continue both in the masthead and now also in the body of the blog, so people can take advantage of the RSS feed.

Oculi - Luther's Sermon on a Kingdom Divided, Luke 11:14-23

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 pretenses of wisdom, holiness, and strength; but when it is captured by the Gospel it is found to consist of pure folly, sin and weakness.


Luther was mocked wearing St. Patrick's livery and a bishop's hat at ELCA's Wartburg Seminary.

Reformation Humor




The Third Sunday in Lent - Oculi, 2023.


The Hymn #175      When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit
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

Collect
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)

Opposing the Gospel

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        
    
Prayers and Announcements

  • Treatment and recovery - Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Peggy and her daughter Callie.
  • Pray for our country and DEP Trump. 
  • Wednesdays - Vespers at 7 PM.
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.


Opposing the Gospel

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.

The greatest folly today is rejecting the concept of the Underworld - not just organized crime, but Satan and his underlings, servants, managers, and stormtroopers. The occult is just part of it, and so are the pagan religions, including those followed by middle-class, supposedly normal people. I had two of those in a religion class. Once they identified each other in introductions, they were glued together. Satan's name is literally "the Opposer" and we should not take that lightly. One online student said she was an ordained priestess of a forgotten, ancient Egyptian religion. She began attacking everyone who expressed faith in Christ, but alas - that was not allowed. The venom was real.

When we belong to Jesus Christ, He protects us as a shepherd protects the flock. When people spend time with the occult, they fall into its grip and are terribly weakened. Luther concluded that this man was terribly weakened and came to Jesus, helped by friends. The Savior took away his spiritual disease and made him whole again, so he became coherent and began to speak. The audience marveled at this, because the man went from total captivity to health.

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 [GJ- miracle] from heaven.

Two kinds of unbelief followed. Attacking Jesus, they accused Him of serving Satan (Beelzebub), so they accused Jesus not only of being demonic but being subordinate to the Devil. They remind me of the person who acted super-spiritual, as if she had swallowed the Holy Spirit, feathers and all (as Luther once said). She was always attacking and undermining, at work and at church, and she drew people into her circle. The others attacking Jesus demanded a miracle from heaven, even though one took place in front of them. Those are good examples of people so hardened that they reject the Gospel or they demand a miracle just for them. 

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.

This is an important lesson by itself. Jesus knows our thoughts. That is why we can pray silently to Him. Those who reject His divinity also reject praying to Him, except perhaps in well crafted general prayers. A survey of LCA pastors showed that most did not pray much at all. Faith moves us to offer Him requests and praise, but the hardened see no use for it. Faith and unfaith are opposed and will bring themselves into ruin, because faith tolerates unfaith and becomes no faith at all.

People should ask why the whale-sized churches and colleges turn into shells where no Christians worship and the buildings serve as movie theaters, banks, or Islamic colleges. Yale began as a college in 1701 to train ministers and  a bit later -leading citizens serving the public. In spite of merging four seminaries together at Yale Divinity School, the "divinity" faculty is comprised of anti-Christian "scholars" and advocates of the worst sort. The math is simple: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1/2, because a four-way seminary merger turned into one, which was cut in half due to lack of interest and high costs. (YDS = the original Yale college, plus Berkeley Episcopal, plus Andover Congregationalist Seminary which merged some time ago with Newton Seminary.)

18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.

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.

We have slid into an era where disbelief is honored and the Christian Faith is considered backwards, prejudiced, evil, and destructive. The root of it goes back to the ministry of Jesus Christ. The number one source of opposition was His teaching about faith in Him, something we find throughout His work but especially in the Gospel of John. The final Gospel of four quotes Jesus preaching faith in Him rather than good works. The ultimate or foundational sin is not believing in Him. He stated clearly that the Holy Spirit (Scriptures, preaching, teaching) was being sent to convict the world of unbelief in Him.
KJV John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
The modernists reject John's Gospel and place it 300 years later - a mockery - and discounts its content altogether. That is the position of all the Left Wing denominations and many of the so-called conservatives. The greatest and most dangerous sin is not believing in Christ, His Virgin Birth, His miracles, His atoning death, His Resurrection and Ascension.

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.

This is the logical conclusion, based on what the opponents are saying in accusing Jesus. The "religious" are often the most antagonistic today because they have been trained in unbelief and social activism. Good works alone cleanse the apostates of their guilt - so they think. I know two highly trained engineers who cannot wait to trade their gas stove (boo hiss) with something else that will not hurt the environment. There are networks of people who feel the same way and act on it, too. 

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 predicts the growth of the Christian Faith. Satan owned the whole world except for a little tribe in a little known province, and it was under the military might of Rome. There was no threat from Judaism against Rome, and they feared losing their sponsorship if Jesus became a "real" king, at least in the eyes of the Empire. Everything was relatively peaceful until the Apostles and newly convert believers from Jesus' miracles and sermons. Christ Jesus in the form of faith in Him caused turmoil everywhere.

All over the world are examples of the Gospels reaching unbelievers and influencing government.  The power and government of Satan has been thwarted to some degree, and his wealth has been divided among his enemies. Nevertheless, we have to say today, "Wherever a chapel is built, Satan builds a cathedral next door." (Luther said the opposite, but this is true to the Scriptures, because we are in the end times.)

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.

This is a little parable where someone is cleansed of an evil spirit and becomes a more inviting target. I have seen that in addictions, where everything is really good and going well. Then the individual who was straightened out and baptized gets into a fight and commits a felon, worse off than evrey before.

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.

The final section warns about elevating the Virgin Mary to a status equal to Jesus. He clearly taught against such an equation in the Gospel of John, at the wedding at Cana and during His execution, both times addressing Mary as "mother."

The Word of God is so harmonious that we find the same lesson taught in different ways, so they form a remarkable unity and purpose.


Saturday, March 11, 2023

Luther's Sermon for the Third Sunday in Lent - Oculi




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.

The Left Wing of LCMS Naturally Backs Matt the Fatt - Using His Tactics

 None dare it call it over-eating and eating too often.

 
 
 When in Europe, wear the appropriate papal costume.

The Forum Letter engaged in projectile vomiting, all over opponents of Concordia Publishing House, calling them "the nasty wing." In fact, according to this come-back-to-Rome publishing vehicle, their own arguments are a series of personal attacks.

I own a copy of Luther's Large Catechism (sic), which is 15% Luther and 85% fiber. Over 80 authors! A food expert would say, "That is not Luther but their collective tidbits," which are quite lowly and empty in comparison. 

The ALC once produced a paperback Large Catechism which was portable and great to read. Unlike the LCMS, ELCA, and WELS today, the book taught the efficacy of the Word and Justification by Faith. Inerrancy of the Bible is easy to find as well.

ELCA now has two Left Wings - LCMS and WELS. The collapse of a synod can be found easily in what they love to publish. Missouri and WELS - thanks to incompetent leaders - have dug themselves into a vast hole with Church Growth. Both sects are very much in love with ELCA's relative size. All three share dependence on Thrivent. They publish only garbage because their agenda is anti-Scripture, anti-KJV, anti-liturgical worship.

One person, Alec Satin, has devoted his time to unearthing the great American Lutheran publications of the past. They are the Lutheran Library, the link is https://www.lutheranlibrary.org. I do that so the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Online Discussion Group can find it. They are verbose - anyone can see - but without much substance, as the readers might have imagined.

 Bishop Stephan STD was followed by a pope.


From Tom Fisher - Lutheran Layman

 Jeske is WELS, no he's LCMS, no he's ELCA, no he's Thrivent.

Dear Pastor Jackson,

Notice 3 John 1:9-10 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doeth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. 

Professor Dahl: "The text! The text! We have the text! " (King James Version, Pastor Greg Jackson, pg 189 footnote.) I add We have the text, the text, the TEXTUS RECEPTUS!!!! Wow what anger this generates in LCMS pastors, and upper level officers. Are you listening President and pastor Harrison? The weaponization against the text, the text, the TEXTUS RECEPTUS is growing like cancer in LCMS among pastors and LCMS officers, vice presidents. I now sense a doubling down against the text, the text, the TEXTUS RECEPTUS and those who only use the King James Bible and refuse to submit to your corrupt ESV and corrupt Nestle Aland text. God the Holy Ghost REJECTED this corrupt text (Vaticanus) at the Reformation and attached himself to the text, the text, the TEXTUS RECEPTUS. Your LCMS war is against God the Holy Ghost and us Lutherans who are guided by Him. This has happened to many times to me personally. I firmly ask you to STOP it before LCMS is totally hardened as we now see in WELS. Helpless Lutherans bullied, falsely accused, and viciously excommunicated for rejecting objective/subjective justification (universalism, synergism) and clinging to justification by faith alone in the King James Bible and their Gausewitz catechism and 1943 LCMS catechism. 

Tom Fisher

***

GJ - The ALPB Online Discussion Forum (aka Ovaltines) snuggle up to Rome every chance they get.

Keep Watching the Masthead - Luther Quotation of the Day


Yes, I am going to select parts of the upcoming sermon for Sunday - on the masthead - and start over each Monday. Some of us involved in getting Lenker's work into print remember it as a great learning experience that has not ended.



Copy and paste is easy from Google Blogger, so anyone can quote anything quickly. If the paster wants to make sure it transfers cleanly, paste the copied quote into Notepad and copy the cleaned up words (control-c) into its destination (control-v).

One genius from WELS declared that the high number of page views were from people using Luther. I wish it were so. There is no substitute for repetition in learning.

One pastor wanted to borrow my sermons, but he wanted me to use the Pope's three-year lectionary that all the Lutherans grabbed like a fresh donut and coffee. 



 

Friday, March 10, 2023

Bonus - Luther Quotations on the Masthead Bottom Will Include a Link to the Entire Sermon in the Title of the Sermon



When will Paul Kelm and Wayne Mueller apologize for leading the Garasenes off the cliff?





"Yahoo! Ten percent discount on tuition plus a match from the poor widow's fund! We are all going to be DeeMin doctors, cheap! And see our ELCA friends."

On the masthead - I will be daily posting especially good quotations from Luther for use by pastors. I will also include the link to the entire sermon.

Thus - 
Oculi -> Luther's Sermon on a Kingdom Divided, Luke 11:14-23. Easy and edifying. 





Thursday, March 9, 2023

Lutheran Layman Tom Fischer Has a Good Statement about Modernist Bibles and Credal Ineptitude




Dear Pastor Jackson,


Foods That Heal, Dr Bernard Jensen, ISBN 0-89529-405-2 excellent guide to balance 60% vegetables, 20% fruits, 10% protein pg 47

Superimpose the corrupt Bibles (NIV, ESV, NKJV, etc) on the Creeds to see the resulting "Creeds of false doctrine". Superimpose the King James Bible, Luther's Bible, Textus Receptus on the creeds to see the creeds of TRUE doctrine: (The Red Hymnal).

Thank you Pastor Jackson!

Tom Fisher

New Masthead Quotations - Luther's Sermons -
Suggested by a Layman Hidden in a Secure Unmarked Location

 The Planet of the Apes - Our Future

A regular reader of this blog has always had good suggestions. One was to pursue the evils of Objective (Faithless) Justification when I was really tired of illiterate pastors beating their gums on the topic.

His latest idea was to have regular quotes from Luther or the Bible at the top, called the masthead. That term was borrowed from those days when Moby Dick was read by journalists who knew how to spell and use good grammar. More importantly, they recognized Herman Melville's prolific Biblical references. 

Those who know little more than Gilligan's Island want to call the masthead the "crow's nest." 

Melville wrote that the pulpit led the world:

"What could be more full of meaning?- for the pulpit is ever this earth’s foremost part; all the rest comes in its rear; the pulpit leads the world. From thence it is the storm of God’s quick wrath is first descried, and the bow must bear the earliest brunt. From thence it is the God of breezes fair or foul is first invoked for favorable winds. Yes, the world’s a ship on its passage out, and not a voyage complete; and the pulpit is its prow." 




"In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground. And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her- say, an empty vial even- then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last! and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more."

The recent dust-up in the Missouri Synod is a clear picture of apostasy. First they released a Concordia Publishing House book dishonestly labeled Luther's Large Catechism, where 70 scribblers with dubious agendas gave Luther 15% of the book while they jabbered like baboons waiting for their meals, using 85% of the remaining space. That alone is publishing malpractice of the lowest variety.



CPH has already reached the level of the Talmud, two pages above shown as examples. They have 70 authors displacing and overshadowing Luther and spreading their tail-feathers like peacocks. They even have the Ovaltines at the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau's Online Forum adding additional Talmudic commentary to this book, which I own simply for the sake of grieving.



 Luther wrote:
The peacock is an image of heretics and fanatical spirits. For on the order of the peacock they, too, show themselves   and strut about in their gifts, which never are   outstanding.  But if they could see their feet, that is the   foundation of their doctrine, they would be stricken with terror, lower their crests, and humble themselves.  To be sure, they, too, suffer from jealousy, because they cannot bear honest and true teachers.  They want to be the whole show and want to put up with no one next to them.  And they   are immeasurably envious, as peacocks are.  Finally, they have a raucous and unpleasant voice, that is, their  doctrine is bitter and sad for afflicted and godly minds;   for it casts consciences down more than it lifts them up and strengthens them. 33  What Luther Says, II,  p. 642 (W-T 2, No. 2152; SL 22,
1842).

The entire essay was given in 1992 at a WELS pastoral conference and conveniently reprinted in an Ichabod post later.