ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Says - If Hell Exists, ‘I Think It’s Empty’

 

“I think that doubt is just an intensifying of one’s relationship with God” — Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in “Face to Faith” podcast. | Tim Boyle / Sun-Times

Top Lutheran bishop: If Hell exists, ‘I think it’s empty’

On the first day of 1988, ELCA officially consummated the merger of the Lutheran Church in America, the American Lutheran Church, and Seminex (AELC). Time flies but apostasy moves slowly, like a slug, munching on what is alive, chewing holes wherever possible, leaving a slime trail.

One must have served time before the merger - to realize the depravity of ELCA, each part welded into place before people could grasp the great swindle. We were gone from ELCA before it happened, but discovered that WELS, Missouri, and the ELS were kissing the cloven feet of ELCA. 

And why not? They got to share in the goodness of Thrivent Insurance (another merger - LB and AAL), the National Council of Gay Churches, Fuller Seminary, and Marvin Schwan's wife problems.

Each ELCA executive was worse than the previous one, each year dragging down the numbers (it's all about the numbers) and losing money.

Former Presiding Bishops

The Rev. Mark Hanson served as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from November 2001 to October 2013. 

Brief Biography






The Rev. H. George Anderson served as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from November 1995 to October 2001.

Brief Biography




The Rev. Herbert W. Chilstrom served as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America from its inception in 1987 to October 1995. 

Brief Biography 

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These three are out-going, or rather going out, each one worse than the previous one. Are millions of Lutherans not able to support the efficacy of the Word in the Means of Grace?

Isn't it appropriate - with squeals, giggles, and belches - to blend openly with ELCA? As Chemnitz wrote in his Examination of the Council of Trent, "The devil always leaves a foul stench behind when he leaves the room."

 

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 12 - "For by those who here bring the deafmute to the Lord, the office of the ministry is meant. Ministers and the Apostles lead the poor consciences of men to God. This is done in three ways, by preaching, by a godly life, and by intercession. With the Word and preaching, they are brought to God; a godly life serves to show the Word so much the mightier in its power. But the Word itself leads to Christ, though it be preached by a sinner."

 

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, Mark 7:31-37. 

Concerning Faith and Love

PART 2. THE SPIRITUAL MEANING.

20. The people bring the poor man to the Lord, the Lord takes him to a special place, lays his fingers into the man’s ears, spits, and touches his tongue with the spittle, looks up toward heaven, and sighing, says, Ephphata, that is, Be opened! This is a lovely picture, and its meaning is good. For by those who here bring the deafmute to the Lord, the office of the ministry is meant. Ministers and the Apostles lead the poor consciences of men to God. This is done in three ways, by preaching, by a godly life, and by intercession. With the Word and preaching, they are brought to God; a godly life serves to show the Word so much the mightier in its power. But the Word itself leads to Christ, though it be preached by a sinner. Yet, a good life serves as an emphasis and a furtherance of the Gospel; while a wicked life dulls its edge. Their third duty, to pray for the people, likewise leads them on the road both to faith and to works.

21. Now if the Word go on its way in this threefold manner, it cannot fail to bring forth fruit, as God says, Isaiah 55:11: “My Word, that goeth forth out of my mouth, shall not return to me void.” This is indicated by the action of the pious persons who carry the mute into Christ’s presence; this signifies the ministers, who bring forward the sinner; then God appears, giving growth and increase, as Paul says, 1 Corinthians 3:7, He opens the sinner’s eyes, ears, and mouth. This happens in a wink of the eye, for God’s Word is like lightning, which in a moment passes from sunrise to the ends of the earth. Thus when such persons are brought to God, he gives them grace to believe.

22. This is signified by the act of laying his fingers into the man’s ears; through the Word he breathes the Holy Spirit into him, making the heart believing, decent, chaste, and holy; for the finger signifies the Holy Spirit.

23. Again, the spittle that is laid on the man’s tongue, typifies the Word of God; this is put into his mouth in order that he may be able to speak it. And this spittle, the Word of God, is a noble thing, but very bitter to the Old Adam.

24. Then they praise God, saying: “He hath done all things well, he has made the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak.” For wherever there is true faith, there the Spirit will not allow you any rest; you will break forth, become a priest, teach other people also, as we read  Psalm 116:10: “I believe, for I will speak.” There the heart is full, and the mouth must run over. Then when they are persecuted, they will not care.

25. But the part of the story, that Christ took the man apart from the others, looks up to heaven, has this meaning: If God does not take me alone to a separate place, and give me the Holy Spirit, so that I cling to the Word which I have heard, then all preaching is in vain. But why does this require so much that he looks up to heaven and makes use of divine power, calling upon God’s grace to come and to act? By this he teaches us that such power must come from heaven, working in the heart of man by divine strength; then help comes to him. Again the spittle which is the Word of God is a noble thing for the Old Adam. Then they go forth to praise and glorify God.

26. Thus have you learned, from the story and from its spiritual or secret meaning, that we must first hear the Word of God and thus, through the intercession of Christ, obtain a faith of our own, and then we come out, confessing this and praising God forever. May this be sufficient on this Gospel lesson. Let us pray to God for grace.