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.
More than half of the ELCA bishops are women, great strides toward giving minority status to men. Several of these bishops told a newspaper that the Holy Spirit was in the closet but raring to get out.
The ELCA path is easy to follow. LCA President James Crumley pursued the Pope with letters that were published and sent to every LCA pastor. They adopted the bishop and presiding bishop titles, becoming more dictatorial, in spite of their claims otherwise. Worship events catered to Roman costumes and hats, incense, high church, and the Society of the Holy Trinity (STS for the Latin). One ELCA pastor posted 10,000 times on the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau's Online Forum (the Ovaltines). However, not one Ovaltine noted that he was arrested and given a cell to call his own - very Roman. I wonder if he has kept his STS dues paid up. "That's my last incense coated on the cell. I scraped but cannot clean it off so well."
From LCA's James Crumley on - LCA/ALC/AELC merging into ELCA - the merger has been a disaster, except for the deluxe C. M. Almy purchases.
Liz Eaton was a Harvard Divinity student when Ohio Bishop Ken Sauer was in office. She was already an ELCA bishop when she defended the ELCA 2009 vote for radicalism. She mocked those who "felt threatened." ELCA has lost 50% of its members. Sauer left the ELCA with five other bishops, all conveniently retired.
The "Conservative" Lutheran Synods Are Not Lutheran: Calvinism Thrives
Bless their flinty little hearts, the "conservative" Lutheran synods have rushed to the Calvinists with the same fervor as ELCA jumping into bed with Rome.
This love for Calvinism and Pietism began with their leader convicted - Martin Stephan - taking his cult with him to America. CFW's circle of pastors suddenly realized that the man they made a bishop was a predator. The cult conveniently took Bishop Martin Stephan's gold, property, land, and books, forcing him at gunpoint to escape to Illinois.
Walther's acolytes - teaching Objective Faithless Justification - include the LCMS, WELS, ELS, CLC (sic), and ELDONA, plus a few other shavings off the dead stump. Walther's dogma harmonizes with Halle University's Pietism/Calvinism and with Calvinism today.
Read this slowly, because Zwingli spouted this nonsense and Calvin later made it look more elegant. The Lutherans today are Zwinglians when they are not copying the Church of Rome. The Church Growth Movement was a way for poorly educated WELS-LCMS clergy to steal millions from the church to pay for their DMins. They could call themselves Doctor as soon as the ink dried on their diplomas, but they only engaged in c-gasms every time they discovered "a new Church Growth principle!"
“These things have I spoken unto you, while yet abiding with you. But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.”
72. These, now, are closing words which Christ speaks to his disciples — a conclusion to his sermon, his utterances of comfort. He wishes to part from them; he thus takes his leave and directs them to further future comfort, when the Holy Spirit shall be given them, who shall teach them to understand all these things and to experience this comfort in very deed. As if he would herewith say: So far I have been with you, and have done for you what I should and could do. I have given you my Word, and have comforted you by word of mouth, to which you are to hold when I depart from you. It is true that the comfort of the words which I have spoken is indeed great and sublime; but while I am still with you, you do not take them to heart that you experience their sweetness and power. They remain only as the Word that I speak to you, and are as yet nothing more.
73. But they are not to continue simply as my words and speech, but are also to become a part of your own experience; not a mere empty sound or echo, but a living comfort in your hearts. This however cannot be so long as I am with you, for ye now possess only the bodily and physical comfort of my presence; therefore, I must be taken from you, in order that this comfort may become effective in you and that the Holy Spirit may teach you these things. When ye have lost me and are left alone in danger, need and fear, then, for the first time, ye will realize the need of comfort and of praying for it. Then will the Holy Spirit find you to be really teachable pupils. He will prove to be your helper and reminder. Through his aid you may perceive to what end I said these things. Then shall your hearts experience the comfort and power of the fact that I manifest myself and the Father unto you, and so abide in you that others may also learn of this comfort through your word.
74. And note well this text, how Christ here binds the Holy Spirit to his Word, and fixes his limit and measure, so that the Spirit may not go further than his Word. Everything which I have said he shall remind you of, publishing it further through you. Thereby he shows that in the future nothing else shall be taught through the Holy Spirit in all Christendom than what the apostles had heard from Christ, but which they did not yet understand, until the Holy Spirit had taught them. So the teaching may always proceed from the mouth of Christ, then be transmitted from one mouth to another, and yet always remain the Word of Christ.The Holy Spirit is thus the school-master who teaches these things and brings them to remembrance.
75. Secondly, it is shown here that this Word precedes or must be spoken beforehand, and that afterwards the Holy Spirit works through the Word.
One must not reverse the order and dream of a Holy Spirit who works without the Word and before the Word, but one who comes with and through the Word and goes no farther than the Word goes.
76. Thirdly, the example of the apostles show how Christ rules his Church in her weakness; the Holy Spirit does not dwell in Christians at all times, nor so soon as they have heard the Word does he come with such power and effectiveness as to enable them to believe it all and rightly to understand and grasp it. And in our case there is a great difference between hearing the Word and feeling in it the power and effect of the Holy Spirit.
For although the apostles are so far advanced — the Holy Spirit working so much in them — as to hear Christ’s Word willingly and to have begun to believe, yet even they can not take these words of comfort to heart until the Holy Spirit teaches them after the departure of Christ.
77. So it is at present. We hear God’s Word, which is in fact the preaching of the Holy Spirit, who is at all times present with it, but it does not always at once reach the heart and be accepted by faith; yea, in the case of those who are moved by the Holy Spirit and gladly receive the Word, it does not at once bear fruit. One may not, indeed, for a long time feel that he has been made any better or comforted and strengthened, especially where as yet he has experienced no fear and danger, but only peace and rest. This was the case with the apostles before Christ was taken from them; they thought of nothing more than of preserving bodily comfort. Therefore, it must, in our case, come to this: In need and danger we look about and sigh for comfort; then the Holy Spirit can perform his office of teaching the heart arm bringing to its remembrance the Word preached.
78. It is then profitable always to hear the Word and to train one’s self there with, even if it does not at once reach the mark, in order that in time of need the heart may recall what it has heard, and may begin rightly to understand it, and to feel its power and comfort. As an illustration, the embers that have lain under the ashes for a time will burn again and kindle if one stir and blow upon them. One should, therefore, not look upon the Word as ineffective or as having been preached in vain, nor seek for another because its fruit is not at once apparent.
79. It is not worth while here to answer the papists, who, in this text “He shall teach you all things” etc., want to find support for their figment and so foolishly say that Christ has not taught the apostles all that they needed to know, but has left and reserved much for the Holy Spirit to teach them.
Such drivel is sufficiently destroyed by the text itself, which declares in clear, plain words: “The Holy Spirit shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.” So, also, before this, he directed them everywhere to his Word alone, as he says: “If a man love me, he will keep my Word.” Likewise, in John 16:14, he says concerning the Holy Spirit: “He shall not speak from himself but he shall take of mine, and shall declare it unto you.”
80. But it is a sin and a shame to hear and suffer such pretension in Christendom as this, that the Holy Spirit should teach — I will not say something adverse only, such as the pope, as the live Antichrist, with the open abominations of his doctrine, teaches, things directly against Christ, namely, those things which the pope urges most as merit of personal work, the offering of the mass, denial of the cup, celibacy, calling upon departed saints, lies of purgatory and fictitious power — but that he should teach something different and better than Christ the Son of God has taught, who himself is the teacher, sent from heaven for that purpose. Or that Christ should have omitted something more needful, which it was necessary to reveal and teach by means of the councils. Excepting the first councils, wherein the Scriptures established against the heretics the one doctrine concerning the deity of Christ and of the Holy Spirit, the councils dealt only with the lesser matters of doctrine, which pertain merely to things of human arrangement and ordinances, for which the Holy Spirit’s power is not needed, either to promise or to give anything. Ah! he has much higher things to teach and to reveal, things concerning which human councils can neither order nor establish anything: how one may escape God’s wrath, conquer sin and death, trample the devil under foot. Christ alone teaches these things and he says that whoever would accomplish them must keep his Word.
81. If these perverted, shameful glosses of the papists were not otherwise faulty, one should condemn and curse them as the devil’s poison and lies because they tear hearts from the Word of Christ. If one thinks Christ has not taught everything, then eyes and ears are at once wide open to gaze and listen elsewhere and one thinks: Oh, there must be still something great, not taught by Christ, which the Holy Spirit is still to teach! Oh, if I could but hear and know this, then I should surely be saved!
82. The result of this is harm and mischief: one does not attach importance to the Word of Christ, and when he afterwards hears anything new, he deems it a precious thing and necessary unto salvation. Christ, in order to warn us against everything that is not his Word, as if against the devil’s poison, not only binds the Holy Spirit to his Word, that he should not teach anything else, but he, himself, in his preaching appeals to his Father’s command and says: It is not mine, but my Father’s Word. How, then, can one sanction councils in teaching or ordering some new thing when they can never present any authority for such action? The apostles have the command from Christ and the Holy Spirit that they should teach nothing but the Word of Christ, as they, themselves, testify; hence; councils and all men are in duty bound to abide by the same command and to show that what they teach is the same doctrine. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”
Papal costumes, a mitre, and superfluous masks suggest comedy, especially when tummies look overfed.
Heiser was welcoming the Rolf Sect into fellowship with the ELDONUTs, when he told me in advance "We are getting rid of Rolf."
Heiser also welcomed Robert Larson into fellowship, another papal pratfall.
The Lutheran ELDONUT Herald went covert after I posted telling photos and information from its pages, three pastors having left the heaven-on-earth sect. But the Herald popped up again. Two more (1 pastor, 1 deacon) have left, according to the website of Good Shepherd in Rogers, Arkansas. Why are people allowed to imagine otherwise? Must I report the facts? Confessionalism is told to whisper low in Zion lest she be heard on the streets of Gath.
A man wrote to Horace Greeley and said about his congregation - "We have tried everything: cookie sales, bake sales, slave days, gambling night, auctions, and we are still broke. Do you have any suggestions?"
Greeley - "Why not try religion?"
That remains the key to dealing with the sickening dread and foul odors coming from the disciples of Fuller Seminary and Rome. The Liberace clergy robes first came to ELCA, then LCMS, then the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of Malone and Adjoining Counties. Even WELS began replacing their Geneva gowns with albs, in case people noticed their purchase of pop Calvinist hymns. The Fuller-blest marketing gimmicks have all flopped.
The appeal to popularity (in Latin ad stupidos) has left them with nowhere to turn, except for the Greeley solution, which I have updated below.
Start with the best Lutheran hymnal, modestly called The Lutheran Hymnal.
Mark the best Lutheran hymns by referencing The Bethany Hymnal blog - 44,457 views - illustrated by Norma A. Boeckler. The congregation should know or learn the hymns of Martin Luther, Paul Gerhardt, Matthias Loy, Nicolai, Kingo, and many other greats. They do not have to be Lutheran, but they better be emphasizing the substance of the Reformation, not the be-bop of the latest pop music fad.
Use the constantly changing - within a framework - traditional liturgy. What is different each week? - the hymns, introit, collect, gradual, sermon, and prayers.
Emphasize the Means of Grace, the invisible Gospel in preaching and teaching, the visible Gospel in the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion.
Post, print, email, or blog the entire sermon, because the purpose of the Church is to teach faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our Good Shepherd, born of the Virgin Mary, miracle worker and Teacher, Who raised the dead, atoned for our sins on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into Heaven.
Visit the sick, shut-in, and dying.
Use the King James Version, because all the other Bibles brutalize the Apostolic Text, which God has preserved.
20. Just a moment before he began with almost the same words when he said: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” Thereupon the pious apostle Judas asked: “Lord, what is come to pass that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us and not unto the world?” For he, together with the other disciples, was still entangled in the Jewish notion that Christ would become a secular lord and king; they hoped that they, themselves, should become great and mighty lords over lands and people, and oft had they disputed and quarreled among themselves as to who among them should be the greatest.
Therefore, Judas is astonished at this saying of Christ and cannot restrain himself. He must come out with it and ask Christ what he means by saying that he will not manifest himself to any except to them alone. His thoughts must have been these: What kind of a king will he be if he will not show himself to anyone? If he who has hitherto gone about only as a servant though he has preached publicly and wrought wonders — if he now intends to begin his kingdom in such a private and secret manner and with such doubtful plans as not to allow himself to be seen or known by any but the few who love him, what kind of a king will he be? It seems to me, his thoughts were: You should now begin to manifest yourself fully, and let yourself be seen by all, even by your enemies, in order that all may be obliged to fall down at your feet. And what does it mean, that everything depends upon our keeping your Word? What shall we accomplish thereby if we do not add something else? And who are going to be your subjects if to know and love you is left simply to the choice of individuals?
21. But Christ answers in the same strain just for the purpose of rooting out their Jewish notions and of portraying his kingdom to them in the right light. No, my dear Judas, he would say, it will not be as you think. The world has honor and glory here on earth, and power and might. It is by means of these that the world rules in the kingdom of men; those things do not concern you and me. But it is essential that you love me and keep my Word. In such hearts I will rule, and to them alone can I manifest and show myself. For my government is not one of force and might, such as is necessary among the wicked men of the world, but I desire to rule men’s hearts, and to have my subjects come to me cheerfully and of their own will. Those who do not believe on me, will not do this.
22. God had before, often and in various ways, tried governing the Jewish people simply by the Law and under punishment; the result was that almost the whole nation was exterminated in the wilderness, and afterward the people were smitten again and again, and carried away as captives, until finally they were completely annihilated. In no way could he bring them to obey him in sincerity and to keep his commandments.
And what should they keep? In the beginning, when God spoke with them and gave them the ten commandments, they were not able to endure nor to hear him, but prayed that he might permit Moses to speak with them; him they were willing to hear. And then when Moses came and brought the ten commandments, they were not able even to look upon his face, but made a veil for him; which veil, St. Paul says, is upon their hearts to this day, so that they cannot understand, much less experience in their hearts, what God asks of them — that they should love him with all their hearts and be obedient unto him.
23. If, now, God, in the case of his own people, whom he had selected and honored above all others, was not able to bring them to himself through Moses and the prophets, how should he be able to accomplish more in another case by means of man’s instruments — law and force? If he would have loyal subjects upon earth he must employ different means in his dominion. He would not accomplish his purpose if he were simply to compel disobedient nature by means of terror and threats; although threatening may still serve a purpose in revealing the certain result of disobedience and sin, and teaching men to tremble at the wrath of God.
But love and friendship must attract before love and longing toward God are begotten.
24. And only in this way can they be begotten: In place of the terror of God’s wrath, which we have deserved by our disobedience, we must receive the Word of grace and the assurance that God is ready to withdraw his wrath and to pardon sin. Such assurances of friendship and grace Christ now gives in his Gospel. He begins his kingdom by leading hearts to learn of his love, and by teaching that he, through his suffering and death, has procured for us God’s grace and mercy as a free gift, and in addition has given the Holy Spirit. He so rules us that we continue in this kingdom of grace, the Holy Spirit working in us, so that we, on our part, begin to love God and to obey him willingly and cheerfully.
Easy Does It Rose - And I - Enjoying Its Prolific Beauty
Nothing glows so dependably as the Easy Does It rose. I watered it from the rain-barrels in the backyard and looked for other beneficiaries.
Enchanted Peace provides bunches of flowers that having people asking, "What is that?"
Rain should come tomorrow, so I want a double-blessing on the best roses. Enchanted Peace is a bit sly and slow, but producing fabulous blooms at a height of 7 feet is worth the wait. I admire the rose experts who can draw a new rose out of cross-pollination, but I am in awe of the Creator for putting in so much DNA for changing colors, fragrances, and durability.
Maria Shriver has eclipsed JP II for being brilliantly white, fragrant, and stunning when cut for the vase. I am so glad it was not named Arnold S. because I would have to look up his last name each time. "Dot iz not fair, Maria. It vas not in dah settlement."
Veterans Honor Rose wins in every category - slowly opening in the garden and the vase, lasting more than a week after being cut, offering a great fragrance.
Clever marketing - the last "discovered" codex was designated Aleph to make it appear ancient, but it was written on beautiful white leather - like new. Fraud? Forgery? Sigh-Nigh-Tea-Us.
After giving up on the Egyptian pyramids - too many, too old, too mysterious - I moved into the history of the British Empire. The BBC has many great narratives about kings, queens, and William Tyndale.
King James I is remarkable because he apprenticed as King of Scotland. Queen Elizabeth refused to designate a successor, so the crown fell upon James when she died. He had years of serving up north. That gave him a perspective and reputation that was much better for Britain than dragging in someone from Europe.
King James united England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, a remarkable accomplishment. This also meant that the official Bible for reading in church services was the one ordered by King James for that purpose. The English call it the Authorized Version while we normally call it the King James Version.
Earlier the Pope commented on Queen Elizabeth, "She only rules an island, and just a part of it, but all of Europe is afraid of her." That was the beginning of the British Empire - the spread of English and the KJV all over the world. Apart from some minor editing, the KJV remained the same for 400 years, establishing the norms for English speaking people (with help from the Earl of Oxford aka Shakespeare).
The Bad-Bible-Boosters have mined the Scripture industry for all the loot they could grab for themselves. They brag about how good their Bibles are. Each modernist version changes the wording every few months and each has many versions of their own versions, making it impossible to know the original text. Thus we have the ever-shifting Evil Four plus One - NIV, RSV, ESV, NRSV plus the Beck.
More importantly - the Greek text of the New Testament is a hack job by the biggest liars and phonies of all time. Setting aside the 5,000 examples from the Byzantine tradition (Greek language empire, Christian), they promoted the laughable Codex Vaticanus and the inventive "discovery" of Codex Sinaiticus. Neither codex is old or reliable or genuine. Given that ever-shifting fraudulent text, no modern translation has any merit.
On the cheerful side, the KJV reigns supreme among the discerning. The Bad-Bible-Boosters may use the Word of God as a printing press for money, but they own mere slivers of a divided market.
The Lutheran synods, sects, and cell groups have more Bible versions than ever before.
15. Of this promise, this comfort, to allay our feelings and fears, Christ assures us in the words translated “desolate” he will not leave you desolate.
The word translated “desolate” literally means “orphans.” By the use of this word Christ would intimate the condition of the Church. In the eyes of the world, and even in her own estimation, she has not the! appearance of a prosperous and well ordered organization; rather she is a scattered group of poor, miserable orphans, without leader, protection or help upon earth.
All the world laughs at her and ridicules her as a great fool in thinking that she is the Church and comprises the people of God. Furthermore, each individual is so burdened and oppressed in his need and suffering as to feel that no one else lies so low or is so far from help as he.
16. Such misery and fears grow upon one under the influence of the devil’s power, when he pierces the heart with his bitter, poisonous, murderous thrusts. Then the heart feels that it is not only forsaken by all men, but also by God himself. So it altogether loses Christ and sees no end to its misery.
Of this we have heard before in the Gospel where Christ says ( John 16:20): “Ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; ye shall be sorrowful” etc. To be left thus, that is, to feel that all things have conspired to leave us comfortless and helpless, is to be left orphans indeed.
17. As Christ has thus told his Christians beforehand of such suffering, so also does he wish to give this comfort and consolation beforehand, and desires to teach us not to despair because of suffering, but only to hold to his Word, even if it does seem that help is being too long delayed. He desires to remind us of the promise that he will not leave us fast in misery, and that we should accord him the highest honor due to God, by holding him to be true and faithful. He says: It shall not continue forever, but only a little, a short time. And he says here: “I come unto you.” Again: “A little while, and the world beholdeth me no more.” That hour will seem to you an hour of sadness indeed, yea, an unending hour of death. “But I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice.”
18. This is a sufficient promise of friendship and comfort. But we need only to learn to believe it, and to experience the truth that in our greatest weakness he guides his Church by wonderful divine power and protects and upholds her, so that she shall endure in spite of all. Yea, it shall be that in the greatest sadness there shall be comfort; in the greatest misery and desolation, joy and help; in death, everlasting life; until these better things come to be our possession, and the heart, having overcome all evil and being filled with the unspeakable joy of salvation, hears the bold, joyful word of victory which Christ utters: “Because! live, ye shall live also,” and as we beautifully sing in Psalm 118:15-17: “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. The right hand of Jehovah doeth valiantly. I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of Jehovah.”
This is what St. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:10 concerning comfort and help for these poor orphans: “We are always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body.”
And Christ says in Luke 12:32: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
19. Observe, this is the sublime wisdom and knowledge of Christians, which the Holy Spirit has revealed to them and of which the world knows nothing whatever. The world must confess that it knows nothing of this comfort, and that, further, it is impelled by the devil to despise and resist the Holy Spirit’s preaching concerning such comfort. Therefore, Christ passes judgment upon it for the comfort of Christians: “Whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him.” Oh, that is a fearful utterance, to be told that it cannot receive the Holy Spirit. It must follow from this that the world has no part in the kingdom of God; that it is forever separated from God and must remain in the power of the devil and in the bonds of hell. But it is also a just and well-deserved punishment upon the world, for the world will not have it otherwise, since it so shamefully despises, blasphemes and persecutes Christ, the Son of God, together with his Word and the Holy Spirit. So much, then, on the office of the Holy Spirit, concerning which the chapter just before the text teaches. Upon this follows now the Gospel: “If a man love me, he will keep my word and my Father will love him.”
THE FIRST PROMISE CHRIST GIVES IN THIS SERMON OF COMFORT.
1. Since pastors are expected on this day to preach on the Holy Spirit, it would be well to begin the Gospel lesson with the verses preceding, which it has been customary to read Pentecost evening, where Christ says: “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth” etc. These verses are closely connected with today’s text, and they contain the first promise of the Holy Spirit. to the apostles. It is Christ’s intent in the promise richly to comfort the disciples in view of his bodily departure unto the Father, whither he was going, that he might there prepare a dwelling-place for them and receive them unto himself. He also assures them that while here upon earth they shall do much greater works than he has done, and that whatsoever they shall ask in his name, that he will do. Moreover, he promises them that the Holy Spirit shall not be with them for a time only, as he has been in his own short stay in his bodily presence, but that the Holy Spirit shall continue with them for ever; that they shall have in him a Comforter whose ministrations shall exceed the comfort which they have hitherto derived from his own bodily presence.
2. This is a beautiful, glorious promise which Christ makes to his Church, that is, to the little company who believe on him, to whom he before said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also.” This is a glorious promise, that the Holy Spirit should certainly be with them and in them. It means that he shall be given them, not only in their office, but also that he shall be given into their hearts, to rule, teach and guide them, to give them strength and courage, and to protect and sustain them in every danger and need against the devil and his power. He says: “I will not leave you orphans: I come unto you.”
3. In the various instances where he describes the Holy Spirit, he does not designate him simply according to his nature, as he is and is called the Holy Spirit. The word would signify to them something not to be seen or felt; he would thus be incomprehensible to them. But, that he may be comprehensible and real in a bodily sense, Christ gives him a name signifying his office and work, which is the office of the Word. He thus conveys the idea of preacher, and he calls him the Comforter and the Spirit of truth, who is with them by means of the Word of preaching, and who allows himself to be heard and seen. The two offices, that of comforting and that of leading into the truth, cannot be exercised otherwise than through the Word, or through teaching.
Thus, we know how and where the Holy Spirit is to be found, and we need not be in doubt nor waver, gazing here and there for special revelations or illuminations. Each one should hold to the Word, and should know that through it alone, and through no other means, does the Spirit enlighten hearts and is he ready to dwell in them and to give true knowledge and comfort through faith in Christ. Where this is accomplished, where the Word concerning Christ is accepted by faith and the heart finds comfort in it, there we may know that the Holy Spirit is assuredly present and is performing his work, as has often been stated.
4. Furthermore, the two names, “Comforter” and “Spirit of Truth,” are very affectionate and consoling names. The word “Comforter,” which is here used instead of the Greek word paraclete or the Latin word advocate, or patron, designates a person who acts as counsel for one who is accused or charged with some crime, and who in that capacity undertakes to defend him and win his case, to advise and aid him, and to admonish and encourage him as occasion may require. That, says Christ, shall be the office of the Holy Spirit when I have left you, and when ye shall find no comfort nor support in the world, when all the world shall be against you, and when the devil shall beset you and with his poisonous tongues of slander shall say the worst things about you, and shall pronounce you before all the world deceivers and rebels, and shall, furthermore, with the terror of God’s wrath, with melancholy and gloomy thoughts of your own infirmities, alarm your consciences and fill your hearts with fear, so that ye might well despair if ye were left in that state without comfort and strength. The devil appropriately bears the name Diabolus, that is calumniator, a false, wicked slanderer, who accuses Christians before God day and night, as we find indicated Revelation 12.
5. Now, says Christ, to protect you against this slanderer and accuser, I will send you, from my Father and in my stead, the Holy Spirit, who shall be your counselor and defender, and who shall intercede for you before God.
A morganatic marriage is between unequal partners, like Queen Victoria's mother marrying an elderly heir to the throne. After providing that heir to the throne, Victoria's father died.
Read the bullet points slowly, because they offer many predictions about what is already happening in the WELS-LCMS-ELCA-ELS demi-semi-quasi merger attempts via Thrivent Insurance and Irrevocable Charitable Trust Business. I am a Chartered Life Underwriter, so I know about this stuff.
Higher education is losing members quickly, which is the main reason for various universities merging with online universities. Both are in weakened states. One UOP faculty member said, "I do not know if I will have a job next month." They went woke and I went, "Bye bye."
How Will This Work in the Synods?
I have watched the synods and their schools squander millions of dollars while the leaders and professors lived in luxury, anxious to secure a plush life with nothing more than an unctuous personality.
Now they are stuck with lots of real estate and buildings with little or no use in current conditions. My grade school, Garfield in Moline, went condo a few years ago. My three calls in the LCA were prosperous then but now no longer exist. My vicarage in Canada, the largest Lutheran church there, is now 2/3rds remodeled for gubmint offices and low-cost housing.
To concentrate business in one group of buyers, Thrivent will keep promoting morganatic marriages. WELS and LCMS already work closely and subserviently with ELCA, just as woke as Liz Eaton if not more so. To preserve their dignity, WELS and Missouri pretend to be oh-so orthodox and so much better than ELCA, but they are really very much the same.
Presiding Bishop Liz Eaton has this gem to offer, using her power over the hugest synod in America.
Wrong bishop, eh? This is Susan Johnson, whose grim determination to rule over Canada's Lutherans is set in stone, more or less.
As we approach March 31, many people are preparing to recognize Transgender Day of Visibility, an international day to celebrate the contributions of transgender people and raise awareness about the deadly injustices they face.
As bishop of this church, I am concerned that the rights of transgender and nonbinary Americans have been targeted all over this nation. Nearly 400 anti-LGBTQIA+ bills were introduced across the United States in 2022, most of them targeting trans youth. That is twice the number from 2021 and almost eight times the total from 2020. The language in many of these bills attacks the humanity of trans and nonbinary people, often erasing the dignity that should be afforded to everyone.
While members of our church hold various convictions regarding gender, the teaching of our church supports legislation and policies to protect every person's human dignity and civil rights. (Human Sexuality, p. 19) As Christians we believe every human being is created in God's image, and we must honor and celebrate God's creation. Our church teaches that we affirm transgender and nonbinary siblings as God's children, who are loved unconditionally. Our social statement Faith, Sexism, and Justice: A Call to Action (2019) also declares that this church commits itself to "advocate for and support laws, policies, and practices that respect diverse bodies rather than discriminating against, objectifying, or devaluing them" (p. 60).
I urge us, as people of faith, to love our neighbors, care for the vulnerable and marginalized, and work for justice and equality. We may have differing opinions on "matters related to sexual orientation and gender identity," (FSJ, p. 61) but we must always uphold the dignity and humanity of everyone. These disagreements do not allow us to accept actions that dehumanize, discriminate against or objectify any individual or group.
We must stand together, dear church, faithfully advocating for the full humanity and dignity of all people. Let us recognize and affirm the humanity of our transgender and nonbinary siblings. Let us advocate for their dignity. Let us continue to be guided by God's love and compassion as we seek justice and equality for everyone.
In Christ,
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
This is the latest photo of Presiding Bishop Liz Eaton, offering sensitive medical advice.
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 #370My Hope Is Built
In Our Prayers
Dr. Lito Cruz, his wife, daughter, and grandson, Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris, Kermit and Maria Way, Callie and her mother Peggy; those with stress and metabolic disorders.
Glen and Esther Kotten have returned from the Philippines.
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. 16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
The Holy Trinity is taught with special clarity in the Gospel of John. Those passages are not only taught to explain the Apostolic Age, but also to guide us in this age, because the end is closer than when we first believed. Note that this verse shows the Holy Spirit coming from the Son and the Father - send and proceed.
Someone was asking about the establishment of the Church of Rome. The history of the Roman Empire clarifies that. When Rome fell to the barbarians in the 400s (AD), the creaky bureaucratic structure fell apart and the clergy filled in. When the Church was involved in the Pelagian controversy in that century, St. Augustine said, in Latin, "Roma locuta, causa finita est. Rome has spoken, the case is closed."
The visible Christian Church slowly shifted its authority from the Scriptures to a man-made structure - the papacy - with its elaborate structure, bishops, powers, and soldiers. The Biblical words are used today but the emphasis is upon the infallibility of the Pope, the Church of Rome, and everything from the past. ELCA and the LCMS crave the trappings of the papacy, elaborate ceremonies wrapped around false doctrine, incense, and glorious costumes.
Jesus did not say the "Holy Spirit at work through men" but the Holy Spirit at work through the Word of God. The Spirit does not speak of itself, but serves as the advocate for the Father and the Son, which are in harmony with each other.
My neighbor sent the Jehovah's Witnesses to my door, and the two ladies began to detract from the Holy Trinity. JWs - "Those are the words of the Bible, but I think..." I said, "You start with the words but you do not agree with the meaning of the Bible."
Jesus' farewell sermons are extremely important, because He prepared the Apostles for their work on earth with Jesus at the right hand of God. In short order they had the Gospels and Letters, which were copied, translated, and also put into lectionary books. No other ancient book was copied so often and translated so quickly, with great precision.
27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
The written New Testament was supplemented at first by the living witnesses of the Apostles and those who saw and heard the risen Christ. Their preaching and martyrdom spread the Gospel in all directions. At all times they were being taught by the Father and the Son, through the Spirit at work in the Word. The Word had the effect of converting people to faith in Jesus Christ or persecuting the believers because of their hardness of heart.
I can name two Lutheran pastors who taught Church Growth with fanaticism and then became loud, proud atheists. That happens when people listen to the Father Below, especially clergy.
16:1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
The verb offended is not translated well in modern English. The skandalon in Greek is the trigger of the trap, which releases it with fatal results. Jesus has prepared the Apostles so they do not find these hardships the reason to stop believing in the Good Shepherd. . A modern version is, "I prayed to God to keep this from happening, and He did not answer my prayer." Lacking what Jesus taught about prayer and no longer trusting in Him, those persons have sprung the trap - and they often brag about losing their faith because of one thing that did not turn out well for them.
In fact, many Christians were persecuted and killed, so the Gospel spread even faster because of hostility, anger, and imprisonment. Paul was imprisoned and held for a long time, ending in execution, but that did not stop the spread of Christianity. England was Christian long before the Norman Invasion (1066 AD, William the Conqueror defeated Harold the Unready).
There has always been persecution, and yet that has continued to spread the Christian Faith.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Having no faith triggers hatred and vengeance, and that is especially true when people have fallen away from belief in the Father and the Son.
People have proven that all the outward appearances do not accomplish much. Jesus has no teaching about those things, much of it established in the Old Testament. But those were all focused on the future Gospel. The Passover Meal is filled with references to the future Lord's Supper and to Jesus Christ.
One church was going to be built by a famous architect, Alden Dow. It was going to be a real gem, though small, a first unit. They were still talking about it years later, because it got too expensive to build and they replaced it with an inexpensive building, which is no longer a church at all. I recently visited it with Google Earth.
4 But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.
The preparation is easily found, starting with John 10. Those chapters are what we really need to know as the completion of the first three Gospels. We would be lost without them, which is why the apostates, Unitarians, and Rome wannabees are so confused. They either reject the plain truth or they cover every important thing up with their ornate and elaborate schemes to develop a new gospel they like: self-centered apostates, man-centered Unitarians, Rome-centered bureaucrats.
In an age where everyone worries about energy, the truest energy is the efficacy of the Word. If the car will not start, it is often the energy lacking in the battery - or the gas tank run out of gas. All the gadgets in the world will not make up for lack of energy (en-ergos, efficacy) in the car.
The Bible is packed with energy that is not used or even imagined. As a joke I used to complain that the Petroleum Princess moved away from the richest source of energy in the world, Williston. Some thought it would never be used, due to various difficulties, but one person risked his money and began the operations.
Besides, God desires to have his name praised and his kingdom developed and extended. Therefore, we must praise his name, confess our faith and win others to do the same, so that God’s kingdom may be extended and his name praised.
2. Thus, faith must be exercised, worked and polished; be purified by fire, like gold. Faith, the great gift and treasure from God, must express itself and triumph in the certainty that it is right before God and man, and before angels, devils and the whole world. Just as a jewel is not to be concealed, but to be worn in sight, so also, will and must faith be worn and exhibited, as it is written in 1 Peter 1:7: “That the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire,” etc.
The efficacy (energy) in the Word moves us to see the world and the next life as God's will and work.
