Thursday, March 7, 2024

The Big Five - ELCA-WELS-LCMS-ELS-CLC (sic) - Stopped Being Lutheran
Now They Are Far Left Unitarian

 


The Big Five - ELCA-WELS-LCMS-ELS-CLC (sic) are so far gone that they are closer to the Unitarian sect than they are to the Reformation. In fact, they can barely say the word Reformation or show any knowledge of Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz.

Before writing angry, anonymous emails to me, consider the facts. The alphabet soup of synods has grown away from the Scriptures, even the Majority or Apostolic Text. Their loathing of Luther is the direct result of loathing fraudulent men and texts, which gave them freedom to disparage the Biblical texts, especially their favorite phonies - Vaticanus and Sinaiticus. 

Notice the similarities of corruption. Bogus Bad American Bibles like to end Matthew with "making disciples." Surprise! So does the modern German Bible. 

But lo, the KJV has the correct translation of the Greek - "teach all nations." Luther's original Bible translates the ending "teach all nations."

KJV Matthew 28:19 - 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Luther Bibel 1545 28:19 Darum gehet hin und lehret alle Völker und taufet sie im Namen des Vaters und des Sohnes und des heiligen Geistes, 

Koine 1550 Stephanus -  19 πορευθεντες ουν μαθητευσατε παντα τα εθνη βαπτιζοντες αυτους εις το ονομα του πατρος και του υιου και του αγιου πνευματος

NIV Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 

The clergy today know little Latin and less Greek, but they should be able to look up various translations of the New Testament. Parading "make disciples" has been a fetish of WELS and the CLC (sic), with adherents of Fuller Seminary exploding with rage against teach all nations.

Many more examples from their precious NIV, RSV, ESV, and NRSV Bibles reveal that the Big Five cannot handle the precision and sonority of the KJV, which was intended to be read from the pulpit and was accepted as the best English translation.

These clashes, since they do not agree with the best text and translation, open up many errors and excuses for apostasy, without even including the Living (ha!) and Amplified (Ja!) gassy paraphrases.

Look at how ridiculous "making disciples" is. How do they make them? Do they bake them, shake them, and forsake them? A train cannot move safely on slightly crooked tracks, but Church Growthers imagine they can power up a congregation by "making disciples who make disciples who make disciples" - a quote from one of the worst WELS professors. 

Rationalism is always a delight for false teachers, because they commit themselves to attacking all Biblical doctrine, centering on the divinity of Jesus Christ and faith in Him. That is exactly the plan for the Bogus Bad Bibles (including the Christian News Beck Bible - or Milchkuh). Hint - Beck followed the apostates with the imaginary ending of Mark, which energizes the false teachers with "no empty tomb, no resurrection." Yes, I have the Beck Bible. I have the Westcott-Hort blasphemous Greek New Testament. W-H even omitted "the Son of God" in Mark 1:1.

The late Northwestern College (WELS) faculty loathed the NIV and often said so in class. They had no courage beyond the classroom walls, and that tiny school was merged. 

The underlying, Biblical doctrine in all this is the Efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace, opposed and missing in the Big Five - ELCA-WELS-LCMS-ELS-CLC (sic). 

Calvinists loathe the efficacy of the Word because of the Zwingli-Calvin influence, plus a big dose of secular philosophy. The Baptists and especially the Baptists are going mainline rapidly. So where do the Lutherans of all stripes go? Yes, to the last excuse for Calvinism - Fuller Seminary, so weak that they watered down inerrancy from the start. The later rumble was only a case of rejecting inerrancy loud and proud.

 The Holy Spirit will convict the world "Of sin, because they believe not on Me;"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 - "That Christ by the miraculous feeding of the five thousand has encouraged us to partake of a spiritual food, and taught that we should seek and expect from him nourishment for the soul, is clearly proved by the whole sixth chapter of John, in which he calls himself the bread from heaven and the true food..."

 



Complete Sermon ->Luther's Sermons - John 6:1-15.
Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent


I. THE ALLEGORICAL INTERPRETATION.

5. That Christ by the miraculous feeding of the five thousand has encouraged us to partake of a spiritual food, and taught that we should seek and expect from him nourishment for the soul, is clearly proved by the whole sixth chapter of John, in which he calls himself the bread from heaven and the true food, and says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye seek me, not because ye saw signs, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were filled. Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you.” John 6:26-27. In harmony with these words we will, explain also this evangelical history in its spiritual meaning and significance.

6. First, there was much hay or grass in the place. The Evangelist could not fail to mention that, although it appears to be unnecessary; however it signifies the Jewish people, who flourished and blossomed like the grass through their outward holiness, wisdom, honor, riches etc., as Isaiah 40:6-7, says: “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.” From the Jewish people the Word of God went forth and the true food was given to us; for salvation is of the Jews, John 4:22. Now, as grass is not food for man, but for cattle; so is all the holiness of the outward Jewish righteousness nothing but food for animals, for fleshly hearts, who know and possess nothing of the Spirit.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Mid-Week Lenten Service - March 6, 2024

 



Bethany Lutheran Church
Mid-Week Lenten Vespers, 
7 PM Central, 2024
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
The YouTube Link Will Be Here, After the Service

The Hymn # 240             Father Most Holy     
The Order of Vespers                                             p. 41
The Psalmody            Psalm   14                           p. 124
The Lection             
  
The Sermon Hymn #179   On My Heart  
         

The Savior Teaches Us Faith

    We often speak about faith in Jesus Christ, and it is important to take His Word as the guide for faith in Him. One thing lacking comes from clinging to various studies, ideas, books, series of books, films, and lectures, sometimes even using the Scriptures. Lacking is taking His teaching seriously, for its entire meaning, not just a phrase or a slogan. As Dr. Nils A. Dahl said at Yale, "The text! The text! The only thing we know for sure is the text!" Everything else is speculation. If every seminarian and seminary teacher took this Dahl teaching to heart, there would be harmony and surges of faith in Him.
    People feel uncomfortable about describing Jesus because so-called leaders have planted doubt in their minds, inventing contradictions that never existed, problems expressed in dissertations, "movements" picking up one notion or another. 
    Set that aside, unless you want to be buried in pile of books, as I was when my shelves came down around me. 
    If the Biblical text is about Jesus, that is the truth. Every Word spoken by Him is the truth. More than the truth, His Word is effective and works on us, whether it strengthens our faith or hardens us against that Word.
    Why do the book-makers shy away from John's Gospel? Jesus explains His work and His power in the plainest possible words. There are so many tricks used to make Jesus only a human or somewhat a god. But He says repeatedly - I AM - which is the Name of God. When He said that to the Pharisees, they were furious. But they could not reject His miracles from all over, from all types of events. The ultimate proof of His divinity - He raised the dead. That took place in the Scriptures 3 times, climaxing in the Palm Sunday entry. A woman in another congregation said, "Where do you get all this? I've been in church for decades!" I said - "The Gospel of John. Lazarus was targeted because he came along, so Jesus' raising Lazarus was not a rumor, but a fact.
    I could say, John's Gospel fills in the gaps about what could trouble us. But those "gaps" from Matthew-Mark-Luke are addressed and fill us with awe and faith in the Savior. Silly people say that angels rolled the stone away, but the Lord of Creation did not need angels to move the stone. He might have moved it Himself, because He quieted the storm, walked on water, and multiplied the food beyond anyone's imagination. The flattened stone showed people that Jesus Himself rose from the dead.
    We all need these stories and sermons from the Son of God, because they shape our thinking and expand our view of the Son of God. People cripple their own emotions and thinking by disregarding what is revealed by the Holy Spirit, Who teaches us the truth about God the Father and God the Son.
    Jesus teaches us that when we are troubled or in anguish, He is listening and will answer in His time and in His way. I have said many times before, I have witnessed people recovering from the healing of the Savior, beyond all hope, truly miraculous. Doubtless believers receive many special blessings from God, without always knowing it. But other times, they can say, "That was a miracle!" The Canaanite woman never faltered, even when the disciples said, "Send her away and give us some peace!" (Lenski)
    The Gospels show us many examples of the disciples errors and weaknesses, so we can understand that we too fall into those mistakes but know the Good Shepherd does not crush us but helps us in every possible way.






The Prayers and Lord’s Prayer                         p. 44
The Collect for Peace                                           p. 45
The Benediction                                                   p. 45


In Our Prayers
Pastor Jim Shrader, Chris Shrader, Lorie Howell, Sarah Buck, Kermit Way. Norma A. Boeckler is visiting a specialist.

Our First Zoom YouTube - Click the Link





Premier Here!

Previous YouTubes


One More Step in Broadcasting for Church And Our Reformation Seminary

 


The Best Buy expert stopped by to see if I wanted anymore help. He had a slot to fill and was nearby, so he came in and showed me the sound issue which had perplexed and vexed me. Various people encouraged me to solve the broadcasting issue, one with a very good idea about uploading to YouTube first and then linking that to the blog. That solves some issues.

So I tried YouTube and it began uploading the Lent III service: 80 minutes to upload!


Benke Predicts Closing of Mequon College and Continuance of Ann Arbor College.
Will the President Get Half Pay?

 


https://www.alpb.org/Forum/index.php?topic=8633.msg545055;topicseen#msg545055

Dave Benke

The longer you live, the more loss you may have to process.  For me -

Closed:          Childhood home congregation - Christ Memorial, Milwaukee
Closed:          High School - Concordia Prep, Milwaukee
Moved:           Junior College - Concordia Milwaukee - to Mequon
Closed:          Senior College - Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne
Closed:          First Congregation Served, Zion Lutheran, St. Louis
Closed:          Office as District President, Concordia Bronxville
Closed:          Member and Chair, Board of Regents, Concordia Bronxville

So it goes.  Valpo is not closed.  However, it's different, even way different.  Bronxville is different for me from those who were students, but maybe not for those who were professors, because I was there for a quarter century on campus, taught classes and understood the internal workings of the college with its partner on the national level, including presidential selection.  I was involved in a ton of tussles through the years to bring stability and growth.  I have a point of view on why it closed that's based on those interactions.  So it's pain, but a different kind of pain.  Because I believe Bronxville didn't have to close.

Ann Arbor, to me, is the opposite case.  They're open and fighting to stay open.  There's evidence to suggest they can and should remain open.  And there's evidence to suggest they're engaged to do so.  The announcement by the Regents that the 4 year strategic plan would be the path forward, which includes two campuses, coupled with the announcement of the inclusion of the potential option for de-coupling, let's anyone know that C-AA is not preparing to close or be closed.

Dave Benke
It's OK to Pray


***

A note from LutherQueasy:

The Valpo announcement includes a list of 28 programs that are being considered for discontinuation. This would, of course, involve reductions in faculty and staff.

Smiles - From a Little Girl And A Postal Worker

 


Charlie Sue is the leader for four areas:

  1. Our backyard for digging, chasing animals, coaching her dog friends in races.
  2. Doggie Daycare for visitors coming and going to the northside fence.
  3. The trampoline inside the southside fence, guarded by Porchie and Dustmop, her boyfriends.
  4. The pug on the northside and canine visitors along the grass alley.
My Ball :)

I bought an overpriced ball for Charlie but she was openly disgusted with it. Noise came out of it, and it was too hard  and big for her to handle. I wanted to give it to Porchie and Dustmop, but only if an older person knew. The time came and I rolled the burping ball into their yard. 

Later that day, one of the little ones on the trampoline were jumping up and down on the trampoline. A little girl with lots of curly hair held onto the ball, grinned, and said, "My ball."

Postal Smile

 The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941


I needed to go to the post office to send off a box to Canada. The paperwork is equal to the IRS, without the refund. I waited in line for my paperwork, filled it out, and went to a second line. The postal worker was new to me but clearly a veteran. I waited while he filled out everything quickly. He inhaled sharply when the cost came up. I said, "Two of the books are hard to find in good shape and triple this price."

He was intrigued. "How did you get those books?" He smiled at the thought of sending them away.

I said, "They are hymnals. I got them from my house because I am a pastor."

He went from a small grin to a big one, "That is wonderful. That really makes my day. I am so glad we got to talk."

 Porchi goes eye to eye with me for hugs and finger combing his beautiful fur; Dustmop gently attacks my fingers, jumping up if I reach over.


Newest Releases from the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry - Alec Satin

 


Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Lent 4 - "Whatever he gives, we should receive and use, and what he does not give, we should believe and expect he will bestow."

 



Complete Sermon ->Luther's Sermons - John 6:1-15.
Laetare. Fourth Sunday in Lent


3. That he now takes the five loaves and gives thanks etc., teaches that nothing is too small and insignificant for him to do for his followers, and he can indeed so bless their pittance that they have an abundance, whereas even the rich have not enough with all their riches; as Psalm 34:11 says: “They that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing; but the rich must suffer hunger.” And Mary in her song of praise says: “The hungry he hath filled with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.” Luke 1:53.

4. Again, that he tells them so faithfully to gather up the fragments, teaches us to be frugal and to preserve and use his gifts, in order that we may not tempt God. For just as it is God’s will that we should believe when we have nothing and be assured that he will provide; so he does not desire to be tempted, nor to allow the blessings he has bestowed to be despised, or lie unused and spoil, while we expect other blessings from heaven by means of miracles. Whatever he gives, we should receive and use, and what he does not give, we should believe and expect he will bestow.

ELCA Is Going To Catch Up with the Presbyterians. Maybe.

 

ELCA's vow is very much like Presbyterians


The Presbyterian Church (USA) has permitted, but not required, its ministers to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies since 2014. But that allowance is no longer sufficient for the progressive denomination; it now aims to mandate that future ministers affirm transgenderism and same-sex marriage as prerequisites for ordination. At its General Assembly this June, the denomination will take up legislation that would implement that requirement.

The Presbyterian Church (USA)’s proposed requirement stands out for its inclusion of affirmation for transgenderism alongside same-sex marriage. Specifically, it does so by adding “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” to its list of groups protected from discrimination, included in “worship, governance, and emerging life.” The proposal would also change the denomination’s “[s]tandards for ordained service” to make it obligatory for ministry candidates to pledge adherence to this principle of “non-discrimination.”

It is becoming a trend among liberal Protestant denominations to move from a model of respecting people’s consciences on LGBTQ issues to mandating affirmation. Another example is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is planning to consider a resolution to oust its current social statement at its 2025 Churchwide Assembly. This statement currently acknowledges and respects the consciences of members who hold opposing views on same-sex marriage. When Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton announced the passage of a motion to vote on the issue in 2025, church members broke out in applause.

In explaining the proposed changes, the Presbyterian Church (USA) asserted that it “feel[s]” it is being called to be “ever more faithful to the most inclusive and affirming statements of Scripture and promptings of the Holy Spirit.” 

Say it ain't so, Matt!
"I doubt it’s even crossed their mind as a church-growth strategy. Unlike my church, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), which recently paid a consultant big bucks to do a survey and recommend that the answer to the church’s declining membership problem was to encourage its members to have more babies. I’ll keep you posted on how that’s working." Tom Raabe


Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Is the New Thing in the LCMS

 

SP Matt the M.Div. wore his bishop's bathrobe in Europe, but apparently not in the US.
He was worried about the "alt-right"?


Rick Strickert (Carlvehse)
Senior Member
Username: Carlvehse

Post Number: 11009
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Monday, March 04, 2024 - 1:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Concordia University-St. Paul, will be displaying its devotion to woketardian D.I.E. perversion on March 27, according to its announcement, "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. What does that mean for patients and staff?"

quote:

Date:Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Time:4pm - 5pm
Join us for a thought-provoking webinar that delves into the crucial intersection of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in healthcare. Titled “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. What does that mean for patients and for staff?” this session will explore what DEI means for both patients and nursing staff, unraveling the transformative impact it can have on the quality of care and the overall healthcare experience.

Key discussion points include:

1. Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the principles that underpin diversity, equity, and inclusion in the healthcare setting. Explore why these values are essential for fostering a culturally competent and compassionate healthcare environment.


Benke - "It's OK to pray at a pan-religious service at Yankee Stadium." - Mourning Losses with Father Weedon

 

"It's OK to pray at a pan-religious service at Yankee Stadium."
Benke was put back in office - Wallace Schulz was fired for doing the right thing.

ALPB Online Ovaltines

Quote from: Weedon on Yesterday at 08:16:08 PMI had heard that Slubs had died. I was very blessed to spend a day with him a couple years ago. He was at the seminary for a class anniversary and so I picked him up and gave him a tour of the IC and we enjoyed a lovely lunch. He was one of my favorite professors. Give my greetings to Greg (best man at my wedding!) and to Doc and Dorothy.

Will do.  One of the side effects of a college closing is the effect on the town/gown congregation connected to the college.  In Bronxville's case, the church across the street is Village Lutheran.  Their new neighbor is Iona College, which purchased the Concordia property.  They seem to have survived, with their well-regarded day school continuing its outreach and mission function.  Some of the Concordia professors shepherded small congregations in the surrounding communities.  Tom Sluberski had charge of St. Matthew, Hasting-on-Hudson, for many years.  St. Matthew closed several years ago, and will soon become the office headquarters of the Atlantic District.

Since I spent about a third of my life on the Concordia campus where the District office was located, I literally have not returned to Bronxville since the college closed - too painful a reminder of loss.  Maybe the re-purposed offices at Hasting-on-Hudson will provide relief and hope.

Dave Benke
It's OK to Pray


+++

Dave Benke

1) Closing the Music major is a big blow.  At Concordia Bronxville the music program offered through Concordia continues as an independent center in (I think) Stein Hall.  So there can be music after the music major.  Maybe they'll continue the summer program on campus.  Or

2) Go to St. Olaf:  https://wp.stolaf.edu/music/academics-in-music/.  I've heard them at Carnegie Hall - they're superb!  Maybe the summer institute could migrate to Northfield.

3) For Bronxville folks, a venerable professor passed away yesterday - Thomas Sluberski.  Funeral service Saturday at Village Lutheran.  Preaching will be Rev. Dr. Greg Walton.  I would imagine Ralph and Dorothy Schulz as well as Viji and Janet George will be there, past Concordia Presidents.

4) As harsh as these changes are at Valpo, and Jim presents well the challenges, the recent situation at CUWAA is best described as a debacle, poorly conceived, poorly delivered, and walked back with a stout version of the Missouri Synod there in Michigan openly talking about de-coupling from the attempted overreach.

5) Charles' point is well taken.  If and as there are vibrant campus ministries for Christian young people at secular college campuses, the various programs in the arts are most likely going to lead to better vocational choices at those colleges/universities and not at the expense of Christian growth.  Queens College, right down the block from me and in the City of New York University system, has a really fine music program, and is - yes - affordable. 

Dave Benke
It's OK to Pray