Elijah's story can go different ways, according to the person reflecting on those remarkable experiences. For example, the cloud that appeared was the "foot of Mary," which established the Carmelite order among Roman Catholics. The important part became the symbolism of the rain cloud and the first Gospel. Genesis 3:15, therefore is not about the Gospel but about Mary, according to Rome - even now. We are in such a dark age that the Jesuit pope is called a Franciscan because his self-appointed name was Francis.
I could offer details, and they are good for many essays, books, conferences, statues, and church names. The feminist cause is also wrapped up in Elijah and Mary, from a book called The Foot of Mary, about South America's oppression of women.
All this reminded me of slogans used in place of the Scriptures, so convenient and so easily shared with a nod of the head. This has caused many clergy and laity to use popular phrases instead of Biblical ruling norms. I apologize for writing "ruling norms," which is norma normans in Latin, so elegant in comparison.
The last 50 years have bestowed Church Growth! on most denominations. One WELS DP distinguished Church Growth! from CHURCH Growth! Oh WELS, as subtle as a zephyr. It's all about the church. (Nods head solemnly) The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - concentrated on business fads, and the denominations - even Rome - dabbled and immersed in those slogans. Like magic, they seemed to be very effective. Now they are discovering at long last - they have failed utterly, after 23,000 posts on The Glory Has Departed.
It was so simple for the simpletons.
1. These rules about business are effective!
instead of
2. The Word of God is always effective, the Spirit at work with the Word, the Word at work with the Spirit.
