Sunday, June 30, 2024

St. Cloud University in Manysnowta To Cut 60% of Minors, 42 Degree Programs

 



St. Cloud State University finalizes plan to cut back on degrees, minors amidst budget problems

Nearly one in three degree programs at St. Cloud State University will get the ax, due to budgetary problems.

Roughly 60 percent of minors are also getting the boot at the public university, according to a recent announcement.

“In a presentation to the campus community on Tuesday, SCSU Acting President Larry Lee confirmed the university will suspend 42 degree programs and 50 minor programs,” KARE 11 reported yesterday.



The Jesuits Love Pride Month - And Why Not?

From Ichabod -

Erik Ankerberg, PhD - Marquette University, Jesuit to its core. Will he hire back Gregory Schulz, a fellow Jesuit PhD?


John F. Johnson, got his PhD from the Jesuit St. Louis University, because he thought his Concordia St. Louis ThD was useless outside of the Missouri Synod. He sports the lopsided smile so familiar in the Olde Synodical Conference.


I visited Johnson in his office at Concordia, St. Louis, and got him to start raving about how great the adulterous Karl Barth (Swiss theologian) was. He saw I was not on his adulatory wavelength and immediately switched to another topic. He discussed having a ThD from the LCMS was worthless outside of the LCMS, so he earned a PhD at St. Louis University to be more marketable in academics. No wonder Missouri was so eager to make Johnson a higher education leader.


Guided by our enduring Jesuit mission, we offer our nearly 13,000 students a highly rigorous and deeply transformative education that helps them develop into bold, confident leaders. Rated among the nation’s top research universities, SLU boasts 15 graduate and undergraduate programs ranked among the top 50 in the country by U.S. News & World Report.


I could not find David Luy on LinkedIn so I just googled his name + Lutheran. That brought up the page from his previous job at Trinity Divinity. He got his PhD from the Jesuits - Marquette! All roads do lead from Rome nowadays. I need to build a gallery of Jesuit PhDs:

  1. John Sparky Brenner - WELS professor at Mordor, Dean of GA Hazing Rites.
  2. Jack Kilcrease - Our Lady of Sorrows Convent School (a nominal LCMS guy trained in ELCA albeit born in a WELS parsonage).
  3. Gregory Schulz - LCMS ex-professor, C.U. Mequon.
  4. Karl Fabrezius - LCMS pastor.
  5. David Luy - NALC Seminary.
  6. Charles Cortright - Wisconsin Lutheran College, WELS.
  7. John F. Johnson and.......drum roll
  8. Erik Ankerberg, Marquette U. PhD
Sparky Brenner proves that WELS is in fellowship with everyone except Martin Luther.
The Jesuits were organized to destroy the Reformation.


Not one of these Lutherans would admit knowing that I exist, and I know four of them one way or another (fewer is better).

Maybe if I wore all black and always played word games with the truth...

The Pope is a Jesuit, not a Franciscan.


+++

This year, more than half of Jesuit universities in the U.S. offered worship in the pagan’s temple, celebrating “pride month.” According to a report from The College Fix, 15 out of 27 American Jesuit universities publicly celebrated LGBT-themed sin on their social media pages. Other Jesuit universities hosted “pride month” events.

It will no doubt come as little surprise that Jesuit schools have so blatantly celebrated the sins of sodomy and pride. Prominent Jesuits such as James Martin and Thomas Reese have spoken well of homosexual relations for years and have (both implicitly and explicitly) endorsed the contraceptive and abortive agendas of the world.


This year, more than half of Jesuit universities in the U.S. offered worship in the pagan’s temple, celebrating “pride month.” According to a report from The College Fix, 15 out of 27 American Jesuit universities publicly celebrated LGBT-themed sin on their social media pages. Other Jesuit universities hosted “pride month” events.

It will no doubt come as little surprise that Jesuit schools have so blatantly celebrated the sins of sodomy and pride. Prominent Jesuits such as James Martin and Thomas Reese have spoken well of homosexual relations for years and have (both implicitly and explicitly) endorsed the contraceptive and abortive agendas of the world.

WELS Campus Ministry - Clueless

 




One of the Many Lutheran Colleges on the Brink of Disaster

 

The future...



Rick Strickert (Carlvehse)
Senior Member
Username: Carlvehse

Post Number: 11165
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 - 7:15 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

In a June 26th article, "A Few Thoughts in Response to Some Questions & Concerns Regarding Ann Arbor," Indiana District President Richard Stuckwisch, who is also an advisory member of the CUWAA Board of Regents, stated in part:

quote:

Please note that I am not writing on behalf of the CUWAA Board of Regents, but rather as the president of the Indiana District, especially for the benefit of those under my ecclesiastical care.

The primary question and concern that I have heard and seen from multiple people over the past five months is, “Why the urgency of action in regards to the Ann Arbor campus at this time?” It has come as a shock to many, seemingly out of the blue, and in apparent contrast to indications that all was going well. I understand and sympathize with the confusion and frustration. But the truth is that current circumstances have been developing for some time, to such an extent that the University is really behind the 8 ball now, and the sooner steps are taken, the better, in the hopes that both campuses can survive and thrive into the future. Significant actions are being taken on both campuses, but the situation in Ann Arbor is more urgent, the necessary changes greater. The goal is to act now, before it is too late to turn the tide....

The dire problem has been that the cost per student has been as great or greater than the revenue received in tuition per student. In other words, the greater number of students at Ann Arbor has actually not improved the financial position of the campus... [Boldface added]

Saturday, June 29, 2024

The Fifth Sunday after Trinity - The Miraculous Catch of Fish

 


The Fifth Sunday after Trinity, 2024

Bethany Lutheran Church, Springdale

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

YouTube


The Hymn #613        Jerusalem the Golden
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

The Introit

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: 

Thou hast been my Help.

Leave me not, neither forsake me: 

O God of my salvation.

Psalm. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation: whom shall I fear?

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who hast prepared for them that love Thee such good things as pass man’s understanding, pour into our hearts such love toward Thee that we, loving Thee above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual   

Gradual

Behold, O God, our Shield: and look upon Thy servants.

V. O Lord God of hosts: hear our prayer. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. The king shall joy in Thy strength: and in Thy salvation, how greatly shall he rejoice! Hallelujah!

The Gospel             
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 649 Jesus Savior Pilot Me

Let Down Your Nets

The Communion Hymn #307 Draw Now and Take
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 #577          God Bless Our Native Land


Prayers and Announcements
  • In our prayers - Sarah Buck, Kermit Way, Pastor Jim Shrader and his wife Chris. Sarah Buck, Lorie Howell. Norma Boeckler is being treated.
  • The four Veterans Honor roses have leafed out, and one is budding already.
  • Our country, Our Constitution, Our Bill of Rights.



KJV 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

KJV Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Fifth Sunday After Trinity

O Jesus Christ, Thou Son of the living God, who hast given us Thy holy word, and hast bountifully provided for all our temporal wants, we confess that we are unworthy of all these mercies, and that we have rather deserved punishment: But we beseech Thee, forgive us our sins, and prosper and bless us in our several callings, that by Thy strength we may be sustained and defended, now and forever, and so praise and glorify Thee eternally, Thou who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Let Down Your Nets

KJV Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

This is definitely one of the great miracles of the Gospels, and it is well known. However, there is a cloud of confusion about its meaning. The basic outcome is clear, but what does it mean?

The best way to describe it is - compare our modern statistics. We are numbers obsessed. Many of the great minds of this age are saying, "It is all about the numbers." They can tell us about the future, because they know from the past what the future will be.

This miracle is aimed at the disciples, the crowd, us, and the pastors, missionaries, and teachers. The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) synods are completely wrong. They would be better off to retire their staffs and start over again - but that is not likely to happen. 

The people were eager to hear the Word of God from Jesus. They traveled a long way to hear Him and bunched up at the edge of the lake, where the land rises, giving them a good place hear Him. Two ships were there, which meant Jesus could use one as a pulpit. The ships were empty and the men were washing their nets.

3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

 Bronze Cathedral (chair) of St. Peter in the Vatican. 
"We are going to need a bigger boat."

Jesus had Simon Peter provide a speaking point, out a bit from the shore, sitting down (as bishops still do today, following the Old Testament and rabbinical model).
Sitting down - cathedral - is where the bishop speaks as the leader. Bunched up in a crowd, no one could hear him on the shore. He might have gone up to the top of the rising hill, like the Sermon on the Mount, but there was another plan. Jesus wanted to go out a little from the shore, on Peter's ship. Jesus sat down and began teaching the crowd. And Peter was with Him, listening, just as the crowd were. They hungered and thirsted for righteousness. We can get an idea from the Sermon  on the Mount, starting with the Beatitudes. Who would not want to listen to a series of blessings?

4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Many clergy would like to speak about the numbers. Jesus commanded, assuming the catch would be provided. Peter believed in the Savior, because he heard the 
Word at work in the Spirit. That was not a decision by Peter but faith in the Promised Messiah. He was doubtful, given his knowledge and long night of useless labor. But he believed - At thy Word I will let down the net.

Luther wrote - long before the Church Growth Pandemic -

From #25 - Trinity 5 - Second Sermon

These are obliged to learn, after a long period of governing, that thereby they have not accomplished anything. How often it happens, indeed, that the best plans, the wisest counsels, and the brightest ideas prove to be the very worst, and result in nothing but harm and ruin.

#27

As Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase,” etc.

The work is ours, but the results are from God alone. We can worry ourselves to death, as all of us have done, but the results and the timing belong only to God. Jesus has taught us - by prayer - to take all away our troubles, worries, disasters, mistakes. errors, sins, and weaknesses. Doubt? That means the Savior has no power. Not according to our timing and wishes? Ditto. That means the Savior has no power.

As Paul writes, inspired by the Holy Spirit - God gives the increase.

I decided to blog in 2007, 17 years ago, expecting only 100 regular readers. In fact, I was elated to reach that number. The 500th anniversary of the Reformation, 2017, proved that Lutheran synods - the Faithless Five - hate Luther. We are now only a  few years from the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession 2030, and we should expect even less support from the "confessional Lutherans" who do not confess Justification by Faith. The confession of sin among the Faithless Five should be their goal. To teach against the Word of God is a terrible sin, and for those clergy managers and teachers - who were baptized and trained in the Christian Faith, Universalism is a horrible and disgusting sin.

The Kingdom of God belongs to those with a child-like faith, but no to those who have hardened their hearts against the Good Shepherd and mocked His teaching, atoning death, resurrection and ascension.

6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 

The empty nets of the previous night gathered an enormous catch of fish. I am thinking of one member who knows all about fishing - and loves it - pointing out that the weather was too warm up north to have the usual results, and disappointing. 

We can see how turned upside-down are the clergy managers (they are not leaders or teachers) who demand results or declare they will have the most fantastic results ever, just wait and see. One synod has (or had) a "planning hymn" invented for their hymnal. They might as well sing the original Catholic hymn - "Faith of our Fathers (priests) Mary's prayers shall bring our country back to Thee." (English Roman Catholics). That hymn was so honest that the Protestants had to fix it to use in their services.

8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Simply by revealing His divine power, Jesus opened their eyes to the overwhelming divinity of Jesus, a teacher but far more than a teacher. They were suddenly all in the presence of God. They felt the x-ray, the cat-scan, and pet-scan of their lives. Who were they to witness God knowing every nook and cranny of their lives!?

I have to repeat the story I participated in, around 1987, when the WELS Church Growth advocate Paul Kelm ended the "evangelism conference" claiming, "Can you think of anyone, after knowing about us, who would not want to join the Wisconsin Synod?" He paused for the pastors and laity to consider how true and motivating that was. It was dead silent, so I said, "Herb Chilstrom," (the new presiding bishop of ELCA). The audience roared with laughter, and Kelm had to laugh. And the waves of laughter kept going through the audience, perhaps catching up on radical, apostate character of Chilstrom. The laughter was so infectious that it kept starting over. 

All the synods fell for those Satanic plans, to emphasize the results, not the Word of God. The results would prove they were right, and Fuller Seminary and Willow Creek and Trinity Divinity taught the same ridiculous dogma - that the results would come from sterile business concepts (promoted by Peter Drucker). That became a disaster. 

How does that affect our individual lives? Being dis-couraged is a lack of trust, because discouraged means we are emphasizing results and not trusting in our Good Shepherd. He leads us beside the still waters, He feeds us. He opens the gate to eternal life which is already at work in our lives, thanks to the Gospel. God gives us miracles, many of them passing by - only to be understood much later. One of my students said recently, "My worst experiences have become great blessings, but it took me a long time to understand that."

#51

For Christ has not come to make you afraid, but to remove from you your sins and distress. Nor does he draw nigh and follow after you in order to drive you away, but that he may kindly allure you to himself.

We now live in an age that does not require us to have church mimeographs and then - wow - Xerox copy machines. We do not need to pay for radio or TV  broadcasts. We are not limited by more than a pittance for a computer, the Internet, and a free blog. The Word goes all over the world in many different ways - and - the congregation even comes to our little cathedral - the spare room in a rented house. And I can travel to see members without great expense.

Doubtless our country will be in great struggles between observing our Constitutional Republic and making things even worse. We have moved into the Satanic phase of America, where presidents and governors brag about ending a baby's life, yet protecting dangerous drug dealers. I remember one drug for horses used in a detective show. Next I heard it was being used by foolish people, with its own nickname. And after that, this horse medicine would be good for people. 

We should pray for our country and the Gospels every day. Satan will rage but be defeated. The Savior is the Creating Word and executes the commands of God the Father. The Spirit is at work in the Word to show us the Gospel and enlarge our grasp of God's Promises.

The Walther Faithless Four - LCMS - WELS - ELS - CLC (sic),
Heading for the Last Roundup



'Tis too bad I am so old - I remember ELCA forming at the end of 1987. They were spewing members before the papers were signed, early in 1988. It was more like projectile vomiting. They made sure that traditional Lutherans would gag on ELCA's open quotas for gays. Entire congregations left and ELCA began conjuring "worship places" for the radicals to keep their splintered parishes alive (without a building, pastor, or much income).

The Faithless Four - WELS - ELS - CLC (sic) were smacking their lips over the harvest of ELCA members ejected from their parishes. But wait! Even though a popular expert on churches promised them 10 to 20 percent gains from this debacle, the bump never happened. 

No wonder, the Faithless Four were famous for their nastiness, superior attitude, and observing the sacrament of shunning. You doubt? I made a point of offering a cheerful handshake to pastors I knew from WELS and LCMS. They responded with dark looks and sometimes with weak "let me go" handshakes. 

The Stephan-Walther hoax boasts that Bishop Martin Stephan STD brought 700 people over to America to protect and promote the Book of Concord. Ha! He was a little more Lutheran than his peers but was also a dedicated Pietist, dedicated to spending hours at night walking with young women. This was known before he came to America, his mistress and son with him. His wife and children were left and abandoned in Dresden. Stephan already had  syphilis in Dresden, and that was the ultimate scandal that got him robbed and forced across the river to Illinois. "Stephan was put across the river to wilderness near Kaskaskia, Illinois, followed by one of the women with whom he had been accused of consorting, and who stayed with him until his death." (Wiki)


The "firm foundation" of the Stephan pilgrimage is still blurred by the half-truths and questions surrounding Stephan, Walther, and many others.



Super Stew Recipe Re-Posted - Replacing Grease, Salt, and Sugar
With Greens, Beans, Vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, and Seeds

 

I was helping Melo-Cream at the age of four. Labor laws did not include children at that time. I learned about the best ingredients compared to the cheapest. Recently, someone suggested the Fuhrman book and I found it, unread, in my own library.

YouTube


A church member suggested making a Zoom video, so I am trying it out.

I began working at the Melo-Cream Donut Shop very young. The owner, my father, stressed nothing but the best ingredients in his products. He boasted that he saw about 200 bakeries go out of business, all guaranteed to make a ton of money, but lacking in quality and hard work.

We all live in a Bizarro world (see Superman comics) where everything is upside down. People complain about food prices, but they buy processed foods at hideous prices and have them delivered. Those foods are the worst possible for health, but they are addicting - fats, lots of sugar, and plenty of salt. 


Super Stew for You

Many variations are possible. This is one I developed over time by making it for lunch every day, sharing with Charlie Sue, the Patterdale-Chihuahua. The ingredients are based on Doctors Joel Fuhrman and Michael Greger, seeing food as effective and inexpensive medicine.

I am going to list the way I make it. Feel free to plagiarize or improve.

Two-quart pan for the stove, starting with a bit of filtered water.

Blueberries go in first, as a super-food, plenty of antioxidants, low in sugar, anti cancer.

Sausage slices - a small amount is the base for some meat, either beef or pork or chicken. Charlie gets some during cooking and her portion later. Meat is not high in nutrition but some meat provides balance.

Walnuts - a small handful daily will remove bad cholesterol from the body. The blood chemistry convinced me when sugar and fat were way up with ice cream, but cholesterol was way down. I stopped ice cream completely. Those allergic to walnuts can try almonds.

Ground seeds and spices

  1. Ground flax seed is very cheap, good against cholesterol and for the intestines. 
  2. Ground mustard is added to help the blanched (frozen kale). 
  3. Ground black pepper helps the turmeric, the ginger spice having oxidants and spice. (Go very easy with mustard and turmeric.) 
  4. Allspice - would probably make a good bakery product - sob. Cumin is bean soup flavoring. 
  5. Ground cardamom - aromatic and a memory of Mom, who never used any of these spices, but kept them for decades. 
  6. Curry powder reminds me of cooking in India. Fennel and anise are seeds that add flavor.
I vary this group often and look up nutrition values with the Michael Greger website. Charlie has given me the evil eye about some of my concoctions so I go easy with the experiments.

Frozen greens have the advantage of being superstars in nutrition, filling, almost absent calories, and champions of fiber, which we need yet ignore.
  • Kale is the daily champion. I resisted it but came to enjoy it, Greger said, "Nothing tops kale," so consider that. I use a lot each lunch.
  • Spinach is the daily supplement. Variety is good in all the ingredients, because every plant has some variety, perhaps more than we know.
  • Turnip greens are much like spinach.
  • Collards are associated with bulking up future athletes who have little money.
At this point I add a variety of favorites.

Mushrooms daily - they are supposed to be anti-cancer. I have used them canned but would rather use frozen. Check them out with Fuhrman and Greger.

Lima beans or other legumes - they all have protein and fiber plus other nutritional values. Beans are satisfying without becoming stuffed. 

Onions and green peppers. They are nutrition and very low calorie. I get the mixed frozen package and use some every day.

Chick peas/Cicero beans. Cicero is one of Rome's most famous orators. His name is the Roman name for chick pea. This legume is neutral in flavor, inexpensive, and packed with nutrition and protein and fiber. I use one can every day. 

Chick peas also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as a decent amount of fiber and protein. A 1-cup (164-gram) serving of cooked chickpeas offers (1Trusted Source):

  • Calories: 269
  • Protein: 14.5 grams
  • Fat: 4 grams
  • Carbs: 45 grams
  • Fiber: 12.5 grams
  • Manganese: 74% of the Daily Value (DV)
  • Folate (vitamin B9): 71% of the DV
  • Copper: 64% of the DV
  • Iron: 26% of the DV
  • Zinc: 23% of the DV
  • Phosphorus: 22% of the DV
  • Magnesium: 19% of the DV
  • Thiamine: 16% of the DV
  • Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
  • Selenium: 11% of the DV
  • Potassium: 10% of the DV

Extra Snips from Luther's Trinity 5 - Second Sermon - Read And Weep for Joy Fuller-Willow-Trinity Divinity Addicts! There Is Still Hope for the Faithless Like You.

 



From #25 - Trinity 5 - Second Sermon

These are obliged to learn, after a long period of governing, that thereby they have not accomplished anything. How often it happens, indeed, that the best plans, the wisest counsels, and the brightest ideas prove to be the very worst, and result in nothing but harm and ruin.

#27

As Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase,” etc.


#29

However, the circumstances are especially pointed out under which work becomes useful and fruitful, namely, when Christ appears and commands to let down the nets, etc., that is, when there is a faith that takes hold of his Word and promise and then, cheerfully and bravely, does what has been commanded, waiting, with prayer and supplication, for his help and blessing.

#30

Thus the disciples could see the experience for themselves what a difference there is between the work they had done all the previous night without faith in Christ, and the work they did when, without prospect of taking anything, they nevertheless, through faith in Christ’s word, and at one draught, drew in an overflowing multitude of fishes. Therefore, if we accomplish little or nothing through our labor and effort, we must put the blame upon our unbelief, or upon the weakness of our faith, and not upon anything else.

#42 - Walther Faithless Four Sects Alert - plus their ELCA bedfellow

They change the proper order of the two parts: the revelation of grace and the revelation of wrath, as if we are first to preach comfort through grace and afterwards to terrify through wrath. This is nothing but a blind and foolish pretext on the part of these people. They have no understanding of wrath or grace or repentance, and know not how to comfort the conscience.

#43

And from this it follows that the man, whose heart has been rightly impressed by the sufferings of Christ, must, of his own accord, see and feel in these the unbearable wrath of God against sin, and thereby be so stricken with fear that the world becomes too narrow for him. St. Bernard testifies that this was his experience as soon as he gained a right insight into the sufferings of Christ. He says: “Alas, I thought I was safe! I knew nothing of the judgment and wrath that had come upon me, till I saw that the only begotten Son of God had to take my place,” etc.

And from this it follows that the man, whose heart has been rightly impressed by the sufferings of Christ, must, of his own accord, see and feel in these the unbearable wrath of God against sin, and thereby be so stricken with fear that the world becomes too narrow for him. St. Bernard testifies that this was his experience as soon as he gained a right insight into the sufferings of Christ. He says: “Alas, I thought I was safe! I knew nothing of the judgment and wrath that had come upon me, till I saw that the only begotten Son of God had to take my place,” etc.

#44 - Oh No! Walther Faithless Four!

For, of himself, no man can grasp this doctrine, or arrive at an understanding of it, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the word of the Gospel.

#49

Now, see how kindly Christ comforts the terrified heart and conscience. He says: “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” In tones so truly loving does the Savior speak to all who are in fear and terror by reason of their sins. He will not have them to remain any longer in fear and anguish. 

#51

For Christ has not come to make you afraid, but to remove from you your sins and distress. Nor does he draw nigh and follow after you in order to drive you away, but that he may kindly allure you to himself.

#53

For as the net is let down among the waves, so the sermon finds its way among men.

#57

Hence St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:19: “There must be also factions among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.”

#58

And as the net suffers through being let down into the water and becomes wet, so must the office of preaching suffer through all sorts of trials and persecutions in the world, even to the extent of being rent and torn. It cannot produce profitable or fruitful results in all men; yet great power and much fruit are found in those who remain steadfast and are kept to the end. It is our comfort, however, that Christ, through our preaching, will lead his own into the boat, and will keep them there, although we know that we cannot make devout men of all to whom we preach, and that we cannot escape persecution on account of our office; yea, though we know that many will fall away even among those of whom we felt sure that we had them in the net.

Daily Luther Sermon Quotes - Trinity 5 - Second Sermon - "However, the circumstances are especially pointed out under which work becomes useful and fruitful, namely, when Christ appears and commands to let down the nets, etc., that is, when there is a faith that takes hold of his Word and promise and then, cheerfully and bravely, does what has been commanded, waiting, with prayer and supplication, for his help and blessing."

 

The Greek New Testament - often called Traditional, Byzantine, or Stephanos - is hated by the Faithless Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic).

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Luther's Sermons - 
Fifth Sunday after Trinity, Second Sermon. Concerning Faith, The Care of God, And Our Daily Occupation.


25. Of what do all civil governments more generally complain than of fruitless labors and efforts, even where their work is carried on energetically and in earnest, and where there are men who are willing and able to rule well, — men who are not lacking in wisdom, understanding, power and might? These are obliged to learn, after a long period of governing, that thereby they have not accomplished anything. How often it happens, indeed, that the best plans, the wisest counsels, and the brightest ideas prove to be the very worst, and result in nothing but harm and ruin.

The very wisest rulers have always experienced and complained of this.

And thus we may learn that God will not grant prosperity and success through human wisdom, plans and intrigues, if these are the things we depend upon.

26. Hence, if the world be willing to receive counsel from a plain and straightforward man, namely, from the Lord our God, who certainly has had some experience and understands the art of ruling, the best counsel would be, that each one, in his administration of government, should simply direct his thoughts and plans to a faithful prosecution and believing performance of the duties enjoined upon him, not placing any dependence upon his own thoughts and plans, but casting all his cares upon God. The man who does this will at last be sure to discover that he who trusts in God accomplishes more than he who seeks to transact his affairs according to his own wisdom and thought, or in his own power and might.

27. So it goes in the spiritual government of the Church, as specially indicated in the narrative now before us. Where I have preached and taught during the past ten or twenty years, there another could, perhaps, have done more in one year; and one sermon may bring forth more fruit than many others. Here, also, it is true that our labor, diligence and effort can accomplish nothing. These two things must go together, namely, that each one does his duty, and that he, nevertheless, acknowledges with Peter: “My labor cannot bring forth anything, if thou dost not give the increase.” As Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7: “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase,” etc.

28. In short, all human nature and life are so that, until God gives the increase, we may often labor long and much, and all to no purpose. But the work is not to cease on that account, nor should any man be found without work. He must wait for the increase till God gives it, as Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 11:6: “In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand; for thou knowest not which shall prosper, whether this or that,” etc.

29. However, the circumstances are especially pointed out under which work becomes useful and fruitful, namely, when Christ appears and commands to let down the nets, etc., that is, when there is a faith that takes hold of his Word and promise and then, cheerfully and bravely, does what has been commanded, waiting, with prayer and supplication, for his help and blessing. This is to say with Peter: “Lord, I have indeed done and labored and suffered ninth, but I know that I shall accomplish nothing thereby, unless thou art present to give strength and increase. I will therefore depend, not upon myself or my own works, but upon thy Word, and will leave everything to thy care.” Thus shall we prosper; and experience shows that Christ, when he is present, gives more as the result of little labor and effort than any one would have dared to hope. For there can be no failure or scanty fruits where he adds his blessing.

30. Thus the disciples could see the experience for themselves what a difference there is between the work they had done all the previous night without faith in Christ, and the work they did when, without prospect of taking anything, they nevertheless, through faith in Christ’s word, and at one draught, drew in an overflowing multitude of fishes. Therefore, if we accomplish little or nothing through our labor and effort, we must put the blame upon our unbelief, or upon the weakness of our faith, and not upon anything else.

31. Yet this is also true, that Christ often delays the bestowal of his help, as he did on this occasion, and on another, John 21, when he permitted the disciples to toil all the night without taking anything, and really appeared as if he would forget his own Word and promise.

But this he does that he may drive us to implore his help the more earnestly, and that we may learn to strengthen and maintain our faith, so that we do not doubt, or cease to labor, but continue to wait for the bestowal of his gifts in his own good time and way. For it is his purpose to guide all Christians into a knowledge and experience of the fact that their livelihood and help do not depend on what they see or do, but upon what is invisible and hidden. This he therefore calls his “hid treasure,” as we have already said in regard to Psalm 17:14:, that is, such blessing, help and deliverance as we have not perceived or laid hold of before, but are hidden in his Word and are grasped by faith.

32. Behold, this is the first part of our Gospel, the events of which took place and were recorded that Christians might be instructed and comforted by the fact that Christ cares even for the temporal needs of his Church, so that it is fed and supported, although it should come into a distress where everything is at the point of ruin, and where it seems to have done and suffered everything in vain. Always and everywhere does it happen that the Gospel, as it advances, brings poverty in its train, together with hunger and nakedness and want. But at last, when the storms of the devil have blown over a little, and the world’s greed and appetite have been satisfied, Christ comes and declares that he, too, is a Lord of the earth. For in Psalm 24:1 it is written: “The earth is Jehovah’s, and the fullness thereof,” etc.

Also in Psalm 8:6-8: “Thou hast put all things under thy feet; all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea.” All these must obey our Lord, and must bend beneath his scepter, so that the world, after all, cannot prevent him and his from sharing in its food.

33. But, as I have said, we must first have hunger and want, that is, Peter’s empty boat and net, even where there has been long-continued labor. Yet Christ, after such a trial, makes his gifts all the more abundant, not only a tub full, with which the disciples might have been satisfied, but the entire net full and the two empty boats full. He does this that their faith in his spiritual help may thereby be strengthened, He shows this sign to Peter, and to the others whom he intends to call to be his Apostles, not only in order that they should believe that he would care for their bodies, but that he would so strengthen and help them in their apostolic calling that it should not prove to be in vain or fruitless.

PART 2. THE SPIRITUAL DISTRESS AND CONFLICT OF CONSCIENCE.

34. The second part of this Gospel presents the great doctrine of the inner distress and conflict of conscience, and what constitutes our true comfort in the midst of it. Only after Peter saw this wonderful work of Christ and the abundance it produced, did he begin to consider what sort of a Man this Wonderworker must be, and what sort of a man he himself was in comparison. Out of this great blessing there comes upon him a greater distress than he has ever experienced from any bodily want. He now becomes so thoroughly poor and destitute, that, on account of terror, he almost sinks to the earth and bids Christ depart from him. He has begun to feel his unworthiness and sins. He is forced to acknowledge and lament that he is a poor sinner.

35. Peter is to become a different man; and a greater miracle is to be wrought in him than in the draught of fishes. The sermon which Christ had previously preached from the boat now first began to have its effect upon him. He, with the others, had indeed listened to Christ before this, but he had given no thought to the character of his Person. He had not thought of obtaining any temporal or eternal good from him; nor had he yet begun to tremble on account of his sins.

But now when Peter perceives the miracle and the blessing, and realizes, through the present event, what sort of a Man this Jesus is, he stumbles at the greatness of the blessing and of the Person on the one hand, and, on the other, at the extent of his own unworthiness. He trembles on account of his sins. His heart tells him that he does not deserve such great favor, and that he is far more deserving of God’s wrath and disfavor. He is now filled with anxiety and fear, not as to temporal poverty, or as to means of support, for he has been supplied with what he needs; but as to his ability to stand before God and before this man who has shown this great favor to such an unworthy and sinful human being as he.

36. This is the way Christ begins to make Peter spiritually rich in things that are eternally good, so that he may be able to impart them to others, yea, to the entire world. As on a previous occasion, he must first feel spiritual hunger and distress, that is, terror and anguish of conscience, before he can attain to forgiveness and to comfort. The boat and the world have become too narrow for him. He knows not whither to betake himself from Christ, whom, however, he has found to be, not terrifying, but friendly and helpful.

37. Here you see how poor and miserable conscience is when it really begins to feel its sins. how it trembles’.

How it runs to escape from God when he draws nigh, as if it would run across a hundred worlds! Thus Adam in Paradise thought to hide himself when God kindly asked: “Adam, where art thou?” So shy and timorous is such a heart and conscience that it gets frightened at itself, and flees from a rustling leaf as from thunder and lightning. It cannot endure the judgment of the Law, which reveals its sins and God’s eternal wrath. And here it is of no use to comfort a man by reminding him of the favors that God has shown him in the past. This only terrifies him all the more, as thereby he realizes that he deserves still greater wrath on account of his ingratitude and sins.

38. Yea, even they have ever to contend with this temptation and fear who already have received the comfort of the grace of God through faith. For his goodness and grace are too great and overwhelming. On the other hand, our heart, in the feeling and consideration of its own unworthiness, is far too narrow and feeble to hold and comprehend such great goodness and mercy. At this it is simply filled with amazement. God therefore shows himself merciful to us by veiling and covering these things under simple words and beneath great weakness.

39. But such is the awful wickedness of our nature that, even when Christ comes to us with his grace and comfort, we avoid and flee from our Savior, while we rather, though naked and barefooted, should run after him to the ends of the earth. We turn and twist, and resort to our own works, and would first, by our own efforts, cleanse and make ourselves worthy enough to deserve such a gracious God and Christ. Thus Peter thinks to seek peace and to escape sin by running away from the Lord. He first looks for something in himself to make him worthy of coming to Christ, but thereby only falls all the more deeply into terror and despair, until the Savior, by his word, raises him up again.

40. All this does, and indeed must, come to pass, where nothing but the Law is taught and understood, and where Christ is not rightly and fully known through the Gospel. A knowledge of the Law has been inscribed and implanted in every human heart by nature, as St. Paul says in Romans 2:15. The Law teaches us what we are to do, and pronounces us guilty of disobedience. It does so in many ways, not only through dreadful tokens and feelings of punishment and of God’s anger, but also through the various gifts and operations of the Lord, that appear to the eyes and ears of man and point out to him the sin and divine wrath which follow upon their abuse in contempt and disobedience towards God. From this he may conclude that those who are ungrateful to God for his gifts and favors, are worthy of his wrath and condemnation.

41. All God’s benefits when they move the heart, are really living sermons unto repentance that lead a man to acknowledge his sins and make him fear them, as St. Paul, in Romans 2:1, says to the impenitent, hardened hypocrite: “Despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long suffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

42. Hence, there is nothing in the juggling tricks which our Antinomians play upon this example, when they say that repentance is not to be preached and practiced through the Law, but through the Gospel, or, as they put it, through the revelation of the Son. They change the proper order of the two parts: the revelation of grace and the revelation of wrath, as if we are first to preach comfort through grace and afterwards to terrify through wrath. This is nothing but a blind and foolish pretext on the part of these people. They have no understanding of wrath or grace or repentance, and know not how to comfort the conscience.

43. All preaching of sin and God’s wrath is a preaching of the Law, no matter how or when it may be done. On the other hand, the Gospel is such preaching as sets forth and bestows nothing but grace and forgiveness in Christ. And yet it is true that the Apostles and preachers of the Gospel sanctioned the preaching of the Law, as Christ himself did, and began with this in the case of those who had not yet acknowledged their sins and had felt no fear of God’s anger. Thus our Lord says in John 16:8: “The Comforter, when he is come, will convict the world in respect of sin,” etc.

Yea, what more solemn and terrible proof and preaching of God’s wrath can there be than the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, his son?

It is not the preaching of the Gospel, nor is it Christ’s own preaching, but the preaching of Moses and the Law to the impenitent, so long as nothing but God’s wrath is preached and men are terrified. For the Gospel and Christ were neither ordained nor given in order to terrify or condemn, but to comfort and raise up such as are fearful and faint-hearted. And from this it follows that the man, whose heart has been rightly impressed by the sufferings of Christ, must, of his own accord, see and feel in these the unbearable wrath of God against sin, and thereby be so stricken with fear that the world becomes too narrow for him. St. Bernard testifies that this was his experience as soon as he gained a right insight into the sufferings of Christ. He says: “Alas, I thought I was safe! I knew nothing of the judgment and wrath that had come upon me, till I saw that the only begotten Son of God had to take my place,” etc.

This idea is so terrible that even the damned in hell can have no greater torment, no greater feeling of God’s wrath and condemnation, than this vision of the death of the Son of God, the benefits of which they have forfeited. Thus Judas, the traitor, as he would not heed the kindly admonitions and warnings of the Lord Jesus, and would not take into consideration how he acted towards him, was finally driven into such terror by this vision that he preached the Law and damnation to himself in saying: “I have betrayed innocent blood,” etc. Matthew 27:4.

44. In like manner, Peter preaches to himself the Law concerning his sins and God’s wrath, and takes as his text Christ’s great kindness towards him.

From this kindness he can gather nothing but wrath and terror on account of his unworthiness before God. For he has, as yet, no other understanding in his heart than that of the Law, which Law shows that God is hostile to sin and will punish it. He is still ignorant of the grace of Christ which, through the Gospel, is freely offered to all sinners. To this grace he could not have attained, but must have despaired in ‘the midst of his terror, had not Christ delivered another sermon whereby he comforted him and raised him up. For, of himself, no man can grasp this doctrine, or arrive at an understanding of it, without the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the word of the Gospel.

45. Hence those foolish souls are entirely wrong, who allege that the Law is not to be preached under the New Testament dispensation, or that men are to be terrified with God’s wrath through the Gospel only after grace has been preached to them. For it is certain that the Gospel preaches no wrath; nor does it cause fear and anguish. When it comes, it is for the purpose of comforting consciences. The order everywhere indicated and observed by Scripture is this, that sin must always be acknowledged and fear of God’s wrath be realized, through the preaching or experience of the Law, before there can be such comfort as proceeds from forgiveness, the purpose of this order being that men may be led to long for grace and be made fit to receive the comfort of the Gospel. Those, therefore, who are yet without any fear of God’s wrath, who are secure and hardened and unyielding, must be strongly admonished and urged to repentance by the threats and terrors of that wrath, that is, to them no Gospel is to be preached, but only the Law and Moses.

46. On the other hand, no law is to be preached to those in whose hearts it has wrought its purpose so that, through the realization of their sins, they have become terrified, faint-hearted and fearful. To such as these nothing is to be preached but the Gospel and its comfort. For it is really the purpose of Christ’s coming, and of his command to preach the Gospel to all poor sinners, that they should believe that it abolishes and does away with all the accusations and fears and threatenings of the Law, and puts a perfect comfort in their place. This he everywhere teaches in the Gospel; and in Luke 4:18, quoted from Isaiah 61:1, he says: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor.” I have often said, therefore, that Moses must not be permitted to dominate the consciences that are agitated by the assaults of the devil and the dread of God’s wrath, but that these are straightway to dismiss Moses, together with the entire Law, and not listen to him.

47. But besides, we must bear in mind that the doctrine of the Law is not to be entirely done away with, even in the case of those who are Christians, inasmuch as Christians must exercise themselves in daily repentance, because they still live in the flesh which is moved by sinful lusts. hence they must be so taught and admonished, after they have received the forgiveness of sins, that they do not fall back again into a state of security, or give the flesh occasion to war against the Spirit. Galatians 5:13.

48. Such is Peter’s experience at this time. In his terror he has not, as yet, any revelation or knowledge of grace or forgiveness of sins. The revelation of wrath is working in him, and this impels him to flee even from Christ, which he certainly would not hare done, had he rightly known him. But Christ is now about to make of him a true Christian, about to make him experience the real comfort of conscience which overcomes the terror of the Law and raises man from the misery of sin to grace and blessedness, from death to life, from hell to heaven. It is necessary, therefore, that he should first have a real taste of that power of the Law which is roused and wrought, not by Christ, but by Moses through the ten Commandments.

49. Now, see how kindly Christ comforts the terrified heart and conscience. He says: “Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.” In tones so truly loving does the Savior speak to all who are in fear and terror by reason of their sins. He will not have them to remain any longer in fear and anguish. He takes away from them all the dread of the Law, and shows them that they should not, on account of their sins, flee from him but to him, so that they may learn to know him as the loving Savior who has come into this world, not to reject poor sinners, but to allure them to himself, and to enrich and bless them with his comfort and help. He therefore says, in Luke 19:10: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.” And in 1 Timothy 1:15 St. Paul says: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

50. Not only does Christ give comfort to poor, terror-stricken Peter by the kindly words in which he declares and offers to him his grace and absolution, but he goes on to strengthen this comfort by the great promise that he will give him something far beyond anything he has hitherto received from him; and all this in order that Peter may perceive and experience how Christ’s heart and love go out to him. “From henceforth,” Christ says, “thou shalt catch men.” That Peter is not to be alarmed on account of his unworthiness and sins is, in itself, an abundant comfort and grace. However, he is not only to have the forgiveness of his sins, but is also to know that God intends to accomplish still greater things through him by making him a help and comfort to others.

What Christ would say is this: “That which thou hast accomplished by this draught of fishes is much too little; really, it is nothing at all. Thou art henceforth to become a different kind of fisherman, in a different sea, with a different net and boat. For I am going to engage thee in a business which shall be called ‘catching men’; and this means that, throughout the entire world, thou art to draw away souls from the power of the devil into the kingdom of God. Then, first, wilt thou become the sort of man that can help others, even as thou thyself hast been helped.”

51. From this Gospel let us rightly acknowledge and lay hold upon Christ and the power of his comfort, in order that we may comfort both ourselves and others, and may instruct and remind the consciences which are in distress and fear that they are by no means to run or flee away from Christ, but should much rather flee to him and wait for his comfort. Thus to run away, thus to fear, is nothing else than to drive your own salvation and happiness away from you. For Christ has not come to make you afraid, but to remove from you your sins and distress. Nor does he draw nigh and follow after you in order to drive you away, but that he may kindly allure you to himself.

You must therefore not do him the dishonor of thrusting him away from you. And you must not pervert to your own fear and despair the comfort he brings you, but much rather run to him in all confidence. Then you will soon hear the cheering and comforting words: “Fear not?’ which he speaks to your heart, and to the hearts of all troubled consciences, and through them he pronounces absolution for all sins and removes all fear. Yea, he will grant you a still richer grace by making you such a holy, blessed and useful man in his kingdom, that you can be of comfort to others, and can bring those to him who, like yourself, are now full of fear and in need of comfort and grace.

52. Here you see how a man is delivered from spiritual poverty and distress, that is, how, through Christ’s Word, he obtains forgiveness of sins and peace of conscience together with grace and increase of spiritual gifts, without any merit or worthiness of his own but only through the grace of Christ. It is in this respect as it was with the temporal miracle of the draught of fishes, which the disciples did not secure by reason of their toil, and which was not given to them before they had labored and striven in vain, and had despaired of taking anything. And yet, as Christ on that occasion does not forbid their laboring, but commands them to let down their nets for a draught, so now he does not abolish works. Although Peter does not deserve grace and forgiveness by what he does, but receives forgiveness and grace freely, yet the Lord will not permit him to dispense with all work and effort. Yea, he assigns to him the duty and business of bringing the same blessings to others, and, in the assignment of this duty, comforts him with the assurance that the necessary power and blessing shall be added. “For,” says he, “I will make thee a fisher of men.” Thus are the two parts rightly taught, namely, that faith deserves nothing by its works, and yet, that it performs all sorts of works in its station and calling, according to the word and command of God.

THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THIS DRAUGHT OF FISHES.

53. Christ himself teaches the meaning of this history of Peter’s draught of fishes when he says: “From henceforth thou shalt catch men.” Herein is represented the spiritual rule of the Church, which consists in the office of preaching. The sea, or the water, represents the world, the fishes represent men, while the outward office of preaching is represented by the hand and the net by which the fishes are caught. For as the net is let down among the waves, so the sermon finds its way among men.

54. But this office of preaching is of twofold One seeks to win men without Christ. This is the preaching of the Law, which demands of us nothing but works, and either makes arrogant saints who, without accomplishing anything, would pursue their own free, unhampered course through the wild and watery wastes, or only terrifies and drives away the consciences which, without works, are timid and weak.

55. Hence the labor and effort of the entire night (of the Law) must prove vain and lost until Christ comes with the other kind of preaching, — until he brings with him the dawn and revelation of the comforting and cheering Gospel that enlightens the hearts of men with the knowledge of the grace of God, — until he commands us to let down the net for a draught. When this is done at his word and command, great and rich fruits are the result. Then men’s hearts are willing and ready to come to the obedience of faith in Christ, yea, even to press forward to it, and to venture life and limb in its attainment, as Christ says in Matthew 11:12: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and men of violence take it by storm.”

56. This draught of fishes is so great that the one boat alone (hitherto representing the Church of the Jewish people) is not able to draw it up or large enough to contain it. Those in the one boat must beckon to their partners in the other to come and help them. This other boat is the assembly and Church of the Gentiles which has been established and spread by the Apostles. Thus were the two boats filled with one and the same draught of fishes, that is, with one and the same sort of preaching, and with a corresponding faith and confession.

57. Owing to the great draught the nets began to break, and some of the fishes fell out. These are they who are not sincere, and do not abide in the Gospel, but cast themselves out of it, preferring to continue amid their free and wild waves rather than submit themselves to Christ. So there were many, especially among the Jews, who disobeyed and gainsaid the Gospel. These, and all others who establish sects and factions of their own, may not and cannot continue with the true band of God’s people in the assembly of the Church, but make themselves manifest as being good for nothing.

Hence St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:19: “There must be also factions among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.” These sects and factions must therefore fall away, while the others are gathered together out of the net and put into the two boats, where they are so kept, in the unity of the Church and of faith in Christ, that they do not fall away again. Otherwise they would be in danger of falling away at last, together with the factions by whom they had been seduced.

58. And as the net suffers through being let down into the water and becomes wet, so must the office of preaching suffer through all sorts of trials and persecutions in the world, even to the extent of being rent and torn. It cannot produce profitable or fruitful results in all men; yet great power and much fruit are found in those who remain steadfast and are kept to the end. It is our comfort, however, that Christ, through our preaching, will lead his own into the boat, and will keep them there, although we know that we cannot make devout men of all to whom we preach, and that we cannot escape persecution on account of our office; yea, though we know that many will fall away even among those of whom we felt sure that we had them in the net.