John Nunes Closed a Missouri Synod University - Now He Can Serve an ELCA College

 

"Ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1991, Nunes holds a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University Ann Arbor, a Master of Divinity from Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology and a doctorate in philosophy from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago."

Since beginning his role as interim president of Cal Lutheran University on June 1, John Nunes has immersed himself in the campus culture.

He can be seen shaking hands with faculty at concerts and athletic events, learning how to speak Spanish to connect with more students, and waving to Thou­sand Oaks residents from the golf cart he drives around campus. He believes that connecting with the community matters.

“I’m called and I’m honored to serve,” said Nunes during an interview hours af­ter his Aug. 29 installation ceremony. “I pray every morning and every night and sometimes I say, ‘Just pinch me’ because this job is such a great job and I thank God every day for the opportunity to serve.”

Most recently serving as the pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, Nunes considers his current position the next step in his mission.

He said his career has been spent in the faith-based nonprofit space in an effort to help marginalized communities flourish.

He was CEO of Lutheran World Re­lief, a member of the Bipartisan Policy Centers’Academic Leaders Task Force on Campus Free Expression, a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture and Democracy, and president of Concordia College New York from 2016 to 2021 when the school closed.

He describes his leadership style as one of decisiveness but, most importantly, empathy.

“I’ve really worked hard to be collab­orative and transparent and to engender an environment where everyone is valued and everyone has a voice,” Nunes said.

With students of color making up 54% of its undergraduate population and 38% of the population being first-generation college students, CLU has the ability to transform lives, he said.

“I come from a family that has flour­ished due to the benefit of an education and the access to an education,” said Nunes, who holds a doctorate of philosophy from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. “Education is the best anti-poverty pro­gram that we have in the United States.”

Though he was hired on a two-year interim basis to replace CLU President Lori Varlotta, whose resignation became effective May 31, he sees his role as more than a mere placeholder.

“Two years means there’s some work to be done in the interim, and I’m really excited about that,” he said.

He plans to lead a thorough analysis of the university’s business model and budget challenges. This will likely result, he said, in difficult decisions that are necessary to adapt the university and its programs to the current environment of higher education.

Enrollment has dropped roughly 23% since 2019, and from 2019 to 2023, total operating revenue decreased 4%, accord­ing to university data.

Perhaps the president’s top priority, however, will be improving CLU’s rela­tionships in the community.

“The board is really concerned around strengthening the culture at California Lutheran University, and bolstering trust and confidence and joy on campus among faculty and staff,” Nunes said. “I hope I can be helpful in that.”

During her four years as president, Varlotta faced criticism regarding her relationships with students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and community partners. Critics claimed former U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly’s lawsuit and the departure of the Los Angeles Rams under her leadership damaged the university’s reputation, and she received an overwhelming vote of no confidence by faculty in January.

Faculty leaders told the Acorn that Nunes has already improved campus morale.

“I am very hopeful about Cal Lu­theran’s future under President Nunes’ leadership,” said Sharon Docter, chair of the Faculty Senate. “Nunes already has established very positive relationships with students, faculty, staff and the broader community. He is an inspirational leader who has a keen understanding of what a special place Cal Lutheran is.”

“I have been really impressed with President Nunes and his leadership,” said Michael Hart, faculty representative to the Board of Regents. “I have found him to be thoughtful, open to dialogue and collaboration, and very perceptive.”

Nunes said that he cannot speak to how strong the school was in the past but that he looks forward to a brighter future.

“I don’t know what three years ago was like and I don’t know what five years ago was like, but I know this: Everywhere I go—and I spend a lot of time in the com­munity— people care about California Lutheran University and they ask, ‘How can I help?’” he said.

From Mayor Al Adam to a neighbor walking her dog on campus, everyone he has met in Thousand Oaks wants to see CLU succeed, Nunes said.

To build on existing relationships with stakeholders, Nunes plans first to listen.

Then, he will focus on how Cal Luther­an can best serve the community, whether it’s through the Center for Nonprofit Leadership or the Center for Lifelong Learning.

“We see ourselves as part of the com­munity and in service to the community,” Nunes said. “That’s one of the reasons I think so many people have been so concerned about how things are going here, and I’m super excited to deliver the message that things are going really well.”

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‘Endless gratitude’: Concordia College New York celebrates final commencement

Bronxville, N.Y. — To the casual observer, the May 8 commencement ceremonies on the campus of Concordia College New York (CCNY), Bronxville, N.Y., represented a familiar rite of spring, a joyous event occurring thousands of times across the country, including at three other Concordia University System schools on this date. But for the students, families, faculty, staff and extended CCNY community, this day was uniquely bittersweet, the final commencement in the school’s history. Founded in 1881, CCNY served for 140 years as the Eastern educational institution of the LCMS. Later this year, it will close its doors for good.  

“Today, you are a Concordia College New York graduate,” wrote CCNY President Rev. Dr. John A. Nunes in his letter to graduates in the commencement booklet. “You join nearly a century and a half of impact-makers whose positive influence on our world is incalculable.” 

2009 - Nunes

Long-time readers remember when a homosexual organist, Eric Henstenberg, murdered a female church member and burned the house, hoping to hide the crime. When they tied the crime to him, he accused the dead saint of trying sexually assault him. No one believed him.

The congregation was LCMS, Texas. The organist was working on the next LMCS convention (2004). The pastor was John Nunes, who fled the scene and showed up next as the head of the liberal Wheatridge Foundation.

Nunes was a featured speaker at some event recently. Apostates take care of their own.

St Marcus received a $25,000 grant from Wheat Ridge in late 2008:

http://www.wheatridge.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=khLSKZPDLoF&b=3891075&ct=6347545

Affiliation
Wheat Ridge is a recognized service organization of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod and an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

On the Board of Directors is:

Ms. Wendy Greenfield
Vice President of Development & Communications
HOPE Christian Schools
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
wendylgreenfield@yahoo.com

Taylor Swift's Cats Have Issued a Press Release Endorsing Trump

 

NASHVILLE, TN — Hot on the heels of their global superstar owner's public announcement that she was supporting Kamala Harris for president, Taylor Swift's cats issued a press release endorsing former President Donald Trump.

While the news was a stunning deviation from the pop star's own endorsement, a Swift insider revealed the singer's cats — Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson, and Benjamin Button — were heavily swayed by Trump's pledge to protect pets and other small animals from being abducted, killed, and eaten by bands of marauding Haitian migrants.

"This election is about what kind of country we want to have," Benjamin Button said in the announcement. "Do we want to have a country where your beloved animal companions are stolen and eaten by migrant gangs? Or do we want a country where dogs, cats, ducks, and geese can live in safety and prosperity? As a cat myself, I am voting for the latter. I'm voting for Donald Trump! Meow!"

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Trinity 16 - "Hence, when you have people, who fear sin and condemnation, they are already dead, you dare not preach to these much more of the law, you must show them the way of salvation and preach to them the Gospel. When our Papists meet such troubled souls, they refer them to rosaries, to pilgrimages, to this and that work; but one helps like the other."

The first Baptism hymn in The Lutheran Hymnal is from Rambach the Pietist.

Luther's Sermons - Luke 7:11-17. The Widow's Son.
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. First Sermon

 15. Thus God certainly deals also with us. Here we should learn the kind of God we have, namely, he who surrounds us and is about us in our very greatest dangers and troubles. Therefore, if one is poor, sticks deep in sin, lies in death, is in sorrows and other afflictions, he thinks: it is a transition state, it is a drop and a spark; for God has surrounded him on all sides with pure wealth, righteousness, life and joy, only he does not permit him to see it. But it is a matter of only a little time when we shall see and enjoy it. Thus you have here an example, not of faith, but of the pure grace and lovingkindness of God. Now we must also say a little on the spiritual understanding or the allegorical interpretation of to-day’s Gospel. 

II. THE SPIRITUAL INTERPRETATION OF THIS MIRACLE. 

16. All works and miracles that Christ does visibly and publicly should be interpreted to the end that they may show forth the works which he does among men unseen and spiritually or within them. Therefore this bodily death signifies the spiritual death of the soul, which man must believe. For no one can see into the soul of another while we live; but when we are dead, we then have other eyes, then we see that the whole world is dead. Therefore the Lord spoke to a Pharisee, Matthew 8:22, who first wanted to go and bury his father: “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” 

17. This youth who is here being borne to his grave is bodily dead. But there are also some inwardly dead before God who still live here in the body. The soul is dead that does not believe in God and cleave to him. And even though he be in the midst of death, yet he lives, as I said above. 

18. This spiritual death occurs in a twofold manner: some are dead in their soul, but no one sees that death as we see bodily death, and this woman herself neither sees nor feels it. So the whole world is dead, but it realizes it not. Therefore some are also spiritually dead, who feel it well enough, as those whom the law has terribly punished. We do not here speak of those who care nothing for spiritual death; but of those who feel that they are dead and that their heart trembles, and who feel in their conscience that they have an unbelieving heart. He is dead quite otherwise than he who does not feel it, and yet always lives in wantonness. Now the one who does not experience their unbelief cannot be helped, for he does not know his sickness, and lives on, cares nothing for God nor the world. But he who feels this death, suffers misery and distress, there is struggling and despair, the world becomes too confined for him, he seeks assistance and advice, he despises neither stone nor wood, when they can afford him counsel, not to say that he should hear anything of man, even of the most insignificant person. 

19. Who now gives him this feeling. The law does it, in that it reveals sin. The law says: “Thou shalt have no other gods.” When I hear this, I must and should do it, but I cannot. Then I quickly conclude that I am condemned. When I act thus, death comes immediately and there is such a struggle in my heart, that if I should receive no help I would have to remain forever in this death and struggle. This then is the death of the only son, who lies in the bier, the pallbearers are continually carrying him into hell. 

20. The pallbearers are the preachers of the law, who do nothing else than plunge mankind ever deeper and deeper into death; as those here hasten to the grave with the dead they are the more terrified and driven the deeper into perdition. It never becomes better with mankind, yea, it is ever growing worse. 

21. This we have thoroughly experienced under the Pope, in our confession of and in our making satisfaction for sin. We allowed ourselves to think we would atone for our sins by good works; but it was only an anxiety of the conscience. Thus we ever sank deeper toward hell. Hence, when you have people, who fear sin and condemnation, they are already dead, you dare not preach to these much more of the law, you must show them the way of salvation and preach to them the Gospel. When our Papists meet such troubled souls, they refer them to rosaries, to pilgrimages, to this and that work; but one helps like the other. 

The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - Pursuing the Radicalism of Halle University

 

Lutheran seminary education is so pathetic today
that Rambach's dogma is hailed as Luther's Biblical doctrine.

Let's be clear. This statement in the Book of Concord means:

1. Melanchthon's Apology of the Augsburg Confession teaches Justification by Faith as the Chief Article of Christianity.

2. Luther teaches Justification by Faith throughout his work, and considered himself a "theologian of the Augsburg Confession," expressed elsewhere.

3. The esteemed editors of the Formula and Book of Concord, 1580, including the great genius Martin Chemnitz (who was taught by Luther and Melanchthon) agree that Justification by Faith is indeed the Chief Article, the Master and Prince, the Judge of all other doctrines of Christianity.

Robert Preus provided many statements from the Orthodox Lutheran scholars
which are devastating to Universal Objective Faithless Justification.
Reading comprehension in the Synodical Conference
is almost zero.

The Big Five remind me of the old trick of smashing a puddle of mercury with a hammer, scattering the very toxic shiny beads in all directions. I did not know anyone stupid enough to do that, but it was whispered among my peers. Let's get the facts straight, since we have an abundance of evidence.

The Reformation in Germany was followed by wannabees who claimed to follow Luther and the Bible but veered off in different directions. Calvin and Zwingli absorbed rationalism and picked away at Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz. 

The Big Five are not a variety within Lutherdom but the scattered shiny beads of mercury poisoning, a persistent heavy metal. They are perfectly in line with each other. ELCA in 1989 was already insisting on quotas, not even waiting for their nails to dry. They made gay dominance legal and official in 2009.

"One ring to rule them all..." or is this Eaton's test for pastors?

Add the CLC and ELCA to this list of toxic frauds, including WELS inviting and denying that they had the gay RC Archbishop and some priests teach Wisconsin Lutheran College eternal truths. What do the Big Five have in common? - they loathe Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz, and the KJV.

Effects can be traced back to the cause. Halle University moved away from Biblical Pietism and embraced promiscuity. The true founder of the LCMS was Martin Stephan, who studied at Halle and became syphilitic. Stephan was the genuine founder of the LCMS, and Walther used the scandal to become pope, organizing a riot 

1. to remove Stephan at the point of a firearm
2. to force him across the river to Illinois 
3. to take away his land, and
4. to steal all his gold.

And yet, the LCMS praised themselves while continuing to elevate Walther to a special place in the firmament.

The Lutheran Hymnal - O Trinity, Most Blessed Light

"O Trinity, Most Blessed Light"
by St. Ambrose, 340-397
Translated by John M. Neale, 1818-1866

1. O Trinity, most blessed Light,
O Unity of sovereign might,
As now the fiery sun departs,
Shed Thou Thy beams within our hearts.

2. To Thee our morning songs of praise,
To Thee our evening prayer we raise;
Thee may our glory evermore
In lowly reverence adore.

3. All praise to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to Thee,
Whom with the Spirit we adore
Forever and forevermore.

Hymn #564
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Psalm 16:9
Author: St. Ambrose, 397, asc.
Translated by: John M. Neale, 1852, alt.
Titled: "O Lux beata, Trinitas"
Composer: Nikolaus Herman, 1560
Tune: "O Heilege Dreifaltigkeit"

Valpo (Not a Cereal) - Melting Down - This Conflict Concerns the School Selling Off Donated Paintings

 

Museum for sale! Yoohoo!
Christina refused to attend Valpo and wisely chose Augustana College.
We met at Augie on the first day of English 101.

In a related development, Richard Brauer, the museum's founding director and namesake, formally withdrew his efforts to intervene in the university's petition to the Porter Superior Court.

According to a press release from Brauer, the decision to withdraw was driven as a result of mounting legal pressure.

"It was a very difficult decision. The university was threatening me, and my attorney, who was representing me pro bono, with sanctions if the court rejected my petition to intervene. The thought of that fight made me sick to my stomach. A 97-year-old man, and the attorney working for free, facing untold thousands of dollars in sanctions and fines? It was not a position I could afford to be in. I did not want my heir paying fines to Valparaiso University over my decision to try and save the museum which bears my name," Brauer said.

Brauer, who sought to prevent the sale, emphasized that his involvement stemmed from a desire to protect the legacy of Sloan, the benefactor whose trust funded the museum's collection.

"The University President signed a sworn pleading that I had ventured far from Sloan's intent," Brauer said. "Sloan's collection included multiple works of what the university now deems 'non-conservative paintings.' I applied to intervene to identify the inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the university's petition as it pertained to me, and in the process recover my good name. I will now let the university face the consequences of its efforts."

Following declining enrollment, the university's annual expenses have grown exponentially. The projected operating deficit for the 2023-2024 fiscal year is $9 million.

"I still hold out hope the President and the Board of Directors will back away from this very dangerous wager. If they do sell the paintings, however, I will ask to have my name removed from the museum, as I will be ashamed to have my name associated with this affair," Brauer said.

Very unseemly.  Published, though, I think, in the Valpo newsletter - The Torch.

+++

Dave Benke

It's OK to Pray

***

GJ - Colleges and universities are shutting down, due to trends that were perfectly obvious 35 years ago (ELCA born, 1989). WELS DP John Seifert said to the pastors, "In a few years you will not recognize the Wisconsin Synod." The incompetence and abuse of funds in the Big Five are a warning (ignored) for the future.

    I remember the WELS SP (Synod Poltroon) who said, "If we spend more than $8 million dollars, we will pull the plug on Martin Luther College." Soon after he said, "They already have the bulldozers there!" According to one source, they spent $30 million." That genius SP was previously hauled into court for wasting the funds given to a widow and forced to pay a million to her (so I heard). A Circuitous Pastor said, "We will have to be more careful about the funds we accept." I know someone who still laughs about that gigantic fib. It was the deceased fault that he donated a business to WELS (Giving Counselor alert)! But that is the way they are - antinomians who cannot be wrong because they were born (preferably in Wisconsin) guilt-free, absolved, righteous.

    More could be said.

Like LCMS sheep, WELS chased after the worst of the worst - including the gay Roman Catholic Archbishop, now attending his honorary roast.

This fellow was not the gay pope at GA. 

The Big Five - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - And Thrivent! - All Fight For So-Called Abortion Rights

 

All these little improvements come in on little cat's feet, quietly and so compassionate. Once they are embedded, they fight with rage in ways that make Orwell's 1984 read like a children's book.

Tom Fisher - Shepherd - On Biblical and Doctrinal Issues

Thank you for your prayers Pastor Jackson and Zach!!

Thanks be to God my severe cold and cough subsided and I had enough much needed strength to move my very hungry ewes and lambs to new pasture. I called my sheep by name and they eagerly came through the gate to graze on very sweet red clover blossoms. My call sounded something like this: "SHEEEEEP....SHEEEP......SHEEEP.....Come on Star of Wonder, Come on Smokey, That a girl Speckles." What a beautiful sight! They knew my voice and they followed me into the new pasture. My brave lead ewe started forward and soon the whole flock was calmly walking into a new fresh rested pasture of Red clover, grasses, and forbes. This reminded me of Christ our good Shepherd. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.          John 10:1-5

We will not follow or listen to the strange voice of the Objective Justification heretics who persistently insist everyone is already forgiven and justified prior to and without faith in Christ. We hear and know the voice of Christ, not in the English translations (NIV, NKJV, ESV, RSV, NASB, Beck's, etc.) of the corrupt Vaticanus Greek, but in the King James Bible English translation of the pure Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS. I must emphasize the point that God REJECTED the fraudulent and corrupt Vaticanus Greek Text during the reformation through Erasmus.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:1-11

Little infants believe in Christ their Shepherd. Little infants hear the voice of Christ their Shepherd in Baptism where God clothes them in the righteousness of Christ and gives them the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein. Luke 18:15-17

Notice Christ is specifically speaking of little infants receiving the kingdom of God. Every one must receive the kingdom of God as these little infants.

Thank God for infant Baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Infant Baptism prevents us from adding our own invented works to God's work. Little infants are completely helpless. They cannot talk or reason or make a decision, or dedicate themselves, or do any other wicked invented work. Little infants are born sinful, under the law, under the wrath of God, and in desperate need of God's WORK in infant Baptism. Christian parents know this to be true and rush their little infants to be baptized into Christ and clothed in the righteousness of Christ in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Your Baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost clothes you in the righteousness of Christ, and makes you a child of God to inherit eternal life. Baptism puts you into Christ's church and under the protection of His Kingdom. In contrast all we hear is: "When are you going to 'join' our 'church' and become a communicant member? WRONG! Notice how this 'church membership' requirement overthrows and abolishes our Baptism into the kingdom of God and Christ's church. Baptism alone puts you into the Kingdom of God and Christ's church. Christ's church is not 'joined' the way you would join an exclusive club of ultimate purity and holiness. The Lord adds to the church daily such as should be saved. The Lord adds to the church daily especially by infant Baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Lord added over 3,000 souls to His church at Pentecost by Baptism in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. Acts 2:36-47

Back in the 90's I left Missouri Synod to drive nearly 4 hours to a tiny "more pure" Lutheran Church that used the King James Bible and taught justification by faith and rejected OJ/SJ. I did this for four years until it became physically impossible. They were "pure" to the point of excommunicating me when the 8 hr round trip was impossible and I returned to Missouri Synod, eventually finding a congregation that used the KJV red hymnal. Notice how their "purity" attacked my Baptism into Christ by adding their "exclusive church membership club" requirements. They used this excommunication to wickedly smear my Baptism into Christ with all the sins and heresies in LCMS, knowing full well I believed correctly. Enough is enough! I am finished with church jumping. I hear and follow the voice of Christ my Shepherd:

24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.

25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

28 And I will give him the morning star.

29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Many of us, including myself, are still in WELS, LCMS, ELDONA, ELS, or even ELCA. What does Christ say to you? What doctrine do you hold: Objective Justification or Justification by Faith? Does Christ admonish you to repent of false doctrine or continue to hold fast to the one true faith? Do you hold to the pure Word of God in the King James Bible or continue to use the corrupt translations (NIV, ESV, RSV, NKJV, Beck's etc) that delete, change, and distort the pure Word of God? Do you believe in continuing to use the doubt creating and faith weakening corrupted translations (NIV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's etc)? Do you cling to Luther's Small and Large Catechisms and the Book of Concord as the correct understanding of God's efficacious Word? Do you believe in the virgin birth of Christ or do you still cling to the doubt creating text and footnotes in Isaiah 7:14  of the RSV, NIV, ESV, NKJV, NASB, or Beck's? Do you believe Jesus Christ is God and man in one person or do you continue to cling to the doubt creating text and footnotes (in Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16 ) of the ESV, NIV, RSV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's etc)? Do you firmly believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ or do you continue to cling to  the doubt creating text and footnotes (in Mark 16:9-20) of the ESV, NIV, NKJV, RSV, NASB, Beck's, etc? Note.: All of the corrupted translations (ESV, NIV, NASB, NKJV, RSV, Beck's etc) and the underlying corrupt Greek texts (Vaticanus, Sinaticus, Nestle-Aland, United Bible Society etc) delete, bracket, or footnote Mark 16:9:20 as though it doesn't exist or might not exist, thus casting strong doubt on the resurrection of Christ. Do you believe God created the heavens and the earth, and everything in them in six 24 hour days or do you still cling to the monstrous lie of the evolutionary theory? Do you cling to the Apostles Creed, Nicene Creed, and Athanasian Creed as the 100 % correct teachings and doctrines of God's efficacious Word? 

All of us who still find ourselves in LCMS, WELS, ELDONA, ELS, ELCA long for a Lutheran church like Philadelphia where Christ and His Word prevails.

 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Revelations 3:7,8

All of the mainline Lutheran synods are becoming increasingly hostile to us who cling to God's Word in the King James Bible, and believe in justification by faith in opposition to the  Objective / Subjective Justification lie. The situation is looking more and more like the home school movement where parents had to leave the wicked public school system and teach their children themselves at home. Father's need to become Lutheran Pastors of their own families and teach their children at home. I know of only one faithful, trustworthy Lutheran Pastor who can help you: Pastor Gregory Jackson, PhD of Arkansas.

All of us find ourselves and our families in various situations of peril from increasingly tyrannical and hostile mainline Lutheran Pastors. I absolutely would not allow any of these wolves to teach your children. You must teach your children yourself at home and help them memorize the King James Bible and Luther's Small Catechism. Concordia Publishing House (CPH) still offers Luther's Small Catechism without any comments or explanations from the Objective/Subjective Justification wolves. You can also buy the King James 1941 LCMS Red Hymnal from CPH.ORG. 

Here are some examples of situations where you fathers MUST become Lutheran Pastors of your own families and leave the mainline Lutheran synods:

1. Your church has praise bands center stage resulting in the elimination of confession of sins and the Office Of The Keys.

2. Your "pastor" changes the Office Of The Keys by saying "I assure you" instead of "I forgive you".

3. Your "pastor" changes the Words Christ said to institute the Lord's Supper by saying "covenant" instead of "new testament". Note: Holy Communion is NOT an empty, vain, Calvinistic covenant that gives nothing. Holy Communion is Christ's last will and testament, bequeathing to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life.

4. Your "pastor" says you are not a Christian because you reject the Objective /Subjective Justification lie and cling to Justification by Faith.

5. Your "pastor" is becoming increasingly hostile, and threatening towards you because you reject Objective/ Subjective Justification and cling to Justification by Faith. 

6. Your "pastor" threatens to excommunicate you because you reject Objective/ Subjective Justification and cling to Justification by Faith. 

These are the main compelling reasons to leave your church. There are probably many more reasons that I have probably missed.

Many of you fathers need to become Lutheran Pastors of your own families. WHAT!! I can't do that!! I don't even have a college degree. I am not authorized to administer the Office Of The Keys, Holy Communion and Baptism to my family! God's Work in the Office Of The Keys, Baptism, and Holy Communion do not need or depend upon human authorization, education, or your own worthiness. They depend upon the Word of God alone. Christ has given all of you fathers the gift of God the Holy Ghost in your Baptism. What more do you need?

I want to repeat much of what I wrote in April of this year. So here is a reprint of my April 2024 email to Pastor Jackson.

A little while ago I was having a discussion with a LCMS pastor about the Word's Christ spoke to institute the Lord's Supper the night He was betrayed. I thanked him for faithfully instituting Holy Communion according to the pure Words of Christ in the King James Bible which holds onto that little Word "testament" instead of the word "covenant" used by the corrupt modern Bibles (ESV, NKJV, NIV, NASB, RSV, Beck's, etc) He said, "It doesn't matter. What's the difference? As a matter of fact I prefer the word 'covenant', but if I said 'covenant' I would have a lot of explaining to do, so I stick with the words of institution in the hymnal and say ' testament'". 

I told him that the little word 'testament' was precious to me and is the opposite of the word 'covenant'. The word 'covenant' is Calvinist. It gives nothing. It bequeaths nothing. In contrast the word 'testament' brings to mind children inheriting their parent's estate. Holy Communion is Christ's Last Will and Testament bequeathing to me forgiveness of all sins and eternal life. Luther said:

"So in this matter you must above all else take heed to your heart that you believe the words of Christ and admit their truth when he says to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

Luther went on to say:

"That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled for us in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 84)

Martin Chemnitz, the Second Luther, has a stern warning for all you LCMS Pastors who are not afraid to change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinist covenant that bequeaths nothing:

"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not allowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant, if it is confirmed, by adding or subtracting. How much greater sin it is therefore, to change or mutilate the testament of the Son of God." (Martin Chemnitz, Ministry, Word, and Sacrament, CPH, 1981, pg. 122)

Christ is our true Testator saying "to you and to all, 'This is my blood, a new testament, by which I bequeath to you forgiveness of all sins and eternal life." (Martin Luther, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

Luther said the Bible must be understood as a harmonious whole. Taking this to heart we go to Hebrews 9:15-17:

"And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the Testator liveth." Hebrews 9:15-17

Do you see the sharp difference between an empty Calvinist covenant and Christ's Last Will and Testament bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life? Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between Christ our Calvinist Covenantor giving us nothing and Christ our true Testator bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life?

Words form pictures and images in our minds.  The word "covenant" never brings an endearing picture of children inheriting their parent's farm or family business. For me the word "covenant" brings to mind a picture of a harsh, gaunt, emaciated, self righteous, and stubborn Calvinist working his way to heaven, consistently rejecting forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the Office of The Keys, Holy Baptism, and the Lord's Supper, and the gospel.

Christ died for our sins, dead, buried in a sepulchre, and risen from the dead, ascended into heaven, and seated at the right hand of God for us. Christ has swallowed and destroyed our death, and our hell in a victory for us.

"I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." Hosea 13:14

"Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." Ezekiel 37:12-14

37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:37-40 

Christ is risen from the dead and ascended to God the Father to make His Father our Heavenly Father and to make His God our true God.

"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God." John 20:17

Christ is risen from the dead to destroy our death, and our hell and will raise us up from the dead on the last day. Christ comes to us today. He stands in our midst and speaks to us:

"Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:38,39

Christ is true God begotten of His Father from all eternity, and also true man born of the virgin Mary. Christ is God and man in one person. He is with us the same as He was with the apostles after His resurrection. He is with us in Holy Communion bequeathing to us forgiveness of all sins and eternal life as our true Testator. Christ gives us His true body in with and under the bread. Christ gives us His true blood shed for us in with and under the wine. Luther said that he was absolutely certain that Christ gives us His natural physical body in, with, and under the bread. What else other than Christ's true body and blood is able to save us from our sins and give us eternal life?

We must grasp Christ's words in Holy Communion by faith and reject our reasoning and unbelief. 

Here stands the exact words of Christ's Last Will and Testament for us sinners. They cannot be doubted or changed. Christ's Words here in Holy Communion shall never pass away.

" Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

Hold onto these pure eternal words of Christ by faith.

13  And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

14 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Smug, arrogant, clumsy, unbelieving LCMS pastors, professors, and laymen imagine that they can change the words of Christ's Last Will and Testament in the King James Bible, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS.  They especially forcefully press to delete the word "testament" in favor of the word " covenant" in Christ's Last Will and Testament. Like wild swine they rush past the Words of God and proudly hold their heads high in a final and decisive victory as they gleefully squeal over and over: "We do not have the original autographs, therefore we can never be 100% certain of the text of God's Word." They purposely ignore Christ's Words in their hardened unbelief.

" Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

Which Words is Christ referring to here? Christ is referring to all the Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago. God perfectly preserved the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545  Bible, and the King James  Bible. These are the Bibles God chose to attach Himself to at the beginning of the reformation and continues to attach Himself to for our modern day reformation. The gavel of God's decisive and final judgement against the corrupt and fraudulent Vaticanus / Sinaticus family of Bibles slammed down at the beginning of the reformation: God rejected the corrupt Vaticanus (Nestle-Aland, ESV, NIV, RSV, NKJV, NASB, Beck's Bible, etc.) and chose the TEXTUS RECEPTUS (Luther's 1545  Bible, King James Bible).

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6,7

Which Words is God referring to here in Psalm 12? God is referring to the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write thousands of years ago. These are the Words God preserves for us in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text, Luther's 1545 Bible, and King James Bible.

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Which Word of the Lord is referred to here in 1 Peter 1:23-25?  Yes, this passage refers to all the words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write. These are the Words of the Lord that endure among us Christians for ever and ever in the TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. It is true we do not have the original autographs, but God has perfectly preserved all of His Words from the original autographs in the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between faith that believes God's Word and unbelief that squeal's, "We do not have the original autographs; therefore we cannot be certain of God's Words in any text or Bible "

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 40:6-8

Are you beginning to see and experience the perfect harmony of God's pure Words in the King James Bible? You cannot and will not experience the harmonious certainty of God's Word in the corrupt and fraudulent Vaticanus / Sinaticus family of Bibles(Nestle-Aland Greek, United Bible Society Greek, Hebrew Dead Sea Scrolls, ESV, NIV, NKJV, RSV, Beck's Bible, NASB, etc.). 

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. Psalm 119:89,90

"I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." Psalm 138:2

"O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever." Psalm 117:1,2

1 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.

2 Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalm 100

Are you beginning to see the sharp difference between faith that trusts God's Word and unbelief that squeals, "We do not have the original autographs; therefore we do not have any of God's Word with any certainty."

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." Romans 10:17,18

Note the harmonious certainty of God's Word in the King James Bible. St. Paul is quoting Psalm 19 here.

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." Psalm 19:1-4

Notice how faith holds to these Words of God and believes them. In contrast, unbelief squeals, "God's Word is only certain in the original autographs. It can't be certain in other languages."  

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of the waters." Rev. 14:6,7

The everlasting gospel are the Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write. Notice the everlasting gospel is preached in all languages, even to every nation, and every tongue. The Words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write are preserved by God in the precise translations of His Words from the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS and Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text: Luther's 1545 German Bible, King James Bible, and many others. 

The darkness of unbelief and reasoning squeals in protest saying, "We don't have the original autographs. All copies of the original autographs including the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text and Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS contain at least some errors and omissions. We do not have the exact words God inspired the prophets and apostles to write in the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text and the Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS therefore we do not have God's Word in Luther's 1545 German Bible, and the King James Bible. All Bibles contain at least some errors and omissions. God did not preserve the exact words from the original autographs. God preserved the thoughts and concepts but not His exact Words. God could not and did not keep errors and omissions from corrupting the Words He inspired the prophets and apostles to write. My name is reasoning and unbelief. I am not afraid to speak a word against God the Holy Ghost. God the Holy Ghost did not and cannot guide us into all truth. He allowed errors to corrupt all Bibles and texts. God the Holy Ghost allowed God's Word to be lost to corruption, doubt, and uncertainty. My name is reasoning and unbelief. 

Sound familiar. I have heard this mantra of vile reasoning and hardened unbelief my whole life. It seems everyone believes it instead of the Words of God.

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." John 21:33

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:6,7

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." Isaiah 40:8

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: but the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:23-25

Pastor Gregory Jackson, PhD said, " Yale's Nils Dahl asked his doctoral seminar what they knew for certain about the New Testament. We were all stymied. He said, "The text! The text! We have the text! That is how he moved away from 19th century apostate theories." (The King James Version: Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation verses Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations; Gregory L. Jackson, PhD ; pg. 189, fig. 18; ISBN 9798429093451

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:13-17

God has perfectly preserved His Words from the original autographs in the Hebrew Ben Chayyim Masoretic Text, Greek TEXTUS RECEPTUS, Luther's 1545 German Bible, and the King James Bible. These pure Words of God continue to bring forth fruit.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11

God's Words went forth out of His mouth into the original autographs thousands of years ago. God has perfectly preserved these Words for us in the King James Bible. He attached Himself to them at the beginning of the reformation and continues to attach Himself to them for the reformation of the world today. I have ways believed this!! You should too!!

The darkness of unbelief is past. So believe God's Words!!

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Luke 21:33

"The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." Psalm 12:

In Christ 

Tom Fisher