The Great Blasphemer - Part Six of the Series - CFW Walther - Pietist, Pimp, Pope, and Felon

 

The Great Walther, as LCMS likes to say, has many hagiographies but few honest publications about the man who signed Bishop Stephan's elevation  and protected the bishop from scrutiny. Walther then organized a riot to get rid of Stephan, stealing his gold, land, house, books, and personal possessions. 

Part Six in the Blasphemy Series -

CFW Walther -

A Synod Built on Felonies

Greta's response to the truth about Walther's crimes, false doctrine, and Objective Justification blasphemy.

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod does not like to reveal that the holy mission of moving hundreds of people to America was made easier for Pastor Martin Stephan. He left his ailing wife and children at home, but took his mistress and healthy son on the ship with him, in nearby cabins. Walther kidnapped his niece and nephew for the trip, on another ship, and they never saw their grandparents again. Yes - this is already the perfect description of an abusive cult.

As evil, greedy, and dishonest as Walther was, his greatest crime was blasphemy. As defined by Luther, Walther took the words of the Scriptures (Luther's Bible, not the modern crackpot kind) and defined them for his own purpose, teaching against the Chief Article of Christianity, Justification by Faith.

Some of Walther's Crimes Listed

1. He kidnapped his niece and nephew from his father's parsonage.
2. He avoided the police and let his future mother-in-law take the rap while he hid.
3. He and the Walther circle, extreme Pietists, knew Pastor Martin Stephan, STD, was a serial adulterer who preyed upon young women.
4. He called himself a pastor even though he left his call.
5. He concealed Stephan's syphilis from the group until it was revealed that young women in the group were infected by his seductions. Walther and his pals created a story that a sermon made one of the young women confess Stephan's adultery, even though the key leaders must of known this earlier, since Stephan went to spas for his syphilis symptoms.
6. Stephan left his wife and children behind in Europe, taking his mistress (adjoining cabin) and his son on the same ship. 
7. Walther secretly took back the property title given to Bishop Stephan, prior to the riot he organized. Later, he talked Stephan's son out of the ownership. Two felonies.
8. When Walther brought the rioters down from St. Louis, only those against Stephan were allowed to come. His brother did not. Check Walther's Pastoral Theology for missing insights.
9. The Walther rioters threatened Stephan's life, kicked him out of his house, took his entire library, stole all of the bishop's money and possessions, and forced him across the Mississippi at gunpoint. 
10. Stephan tried to get his wealth, books, and land back in court but did not succeed. Walther used the stolen chalice for communion at his St. Louis church. 
11. Stephan's son went back to Germany, became an architect, and returned to St. Louis to became a pastor. Walther made a point of undermining Stephan's son in the ministry. 
12. Walther blamed Stephan's adultery on Mrs. Stephan.
13. The LCMS continues to deny the crimes of The Great Walther and keeps the evidence hidden away. 

King Charles III and I - Gardening Pals

 Maria Shriver Rose

My next-door neighbor gave me some hosta plants, about 10 years ago. I planted them without thinking about their benefits. Once established, they produce flower spikes that attract hummingbirds. When I mentioned the plants on Facebook, a classmate responded, "Rabbits ate all of mine."

Mature hosta do not attract rabbits, but new sprouts from irresistible Internet ads do. Eventually I had survivors of various colors, sizes, and textures. I looked for a used hosta book and found one endorsed by King Charles III nee Prince Charles, the previously overlooked royal. It is one of those coffee table books and worth reading to see what can be grown. 

 Enchanted Peace Rose

Touring the garden yesterday, I found hostas popping up all over - where we left them in the hot, dry fall. They were far more established and enjoying the semi-shade. The autumn of 2022 was a challenge, requiring a lot of watering to keep plants alive, yet even the most parched hostas popped up as if by the Creator - and not "by magic."

The calendar of the plants and animals is a secret but they know what to do. The day before my tour, I worried that triple crown blackberries were back. The new plants suggested and mocked my fears. Instead, the little yellow flowers of wild strawberries appeared - same family - but you knew that. Wild strawberries will fill in every gap front and back, blooming for bees, forming berries, thriving in deep shade and bright sunlight. 

I do not have to wonder about which plants to use between roses. Bee balm is a mint, attracting bees hummingbirds, and butterflies. They also spread, given time. I saw their distinctive leaves yesterday, with older plants already forming large clumps. Small sprouts from last year's efforts are popping up in front of the patio, so everyone can watch the bees, hummingbirds, butterflies. 

Knockout roses are in full bloom and the new hybrid tea roses are leafing out. Clethra bushes are in deep sleep, all the better to bloom and scent the air later in summer, when the bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies are bored. 

My English kin are veteran gardeners, so it should not be surprising that the royals and I have so much in common. Christina said, "You went to graduate school and out popped a farmer: digging, manuring, weeding." 

I just ordered a garden plaque which includes her own royal command - "Build a rose garden, grass is boring."

 Falling in Love Rose