LCMS (and WELS) - Changing Testament to Calvin's Covenant

 

From: Tom Fisher <tomfisher99@yahoo.com>

To: Pastor Greg Jackson <greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2022, 03:46:00 PM CDT

Subject: Letter to LCMS President Harrison

Please post the following letter I wrote to LCMS President Harrison and signed my name. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ especially in Holy Communion.

June 12, 2022

Dear Pastor and President Harrison,

I am always thankful for the pastoral care you gave me years ago at Zion!!  I was so upset and troubled about the liberalism in our dear synod.  Now I am even more deeply troubled by LCMS pastors and even district presidents changing Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution.  This Sunday morning central Illinois district president Mark Miller changed Christ's last will and testament into a Calvinistic covenant during the words of institution. Now "that little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol. 35, pg 84). I firmly believe Christ my Testator gives me His last will and testament, bequeathing to me forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Holy Communion. Luther confirmed this when he 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 84)  It is unthinkable and impossible for me to agree to any changes to Christ's last will and testament... Why?... Because it is a horrible sin to me to change Christ's last will and testament.  Martin Chemnitz the second Luther, shares my belief:

"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). Now many in our synod we're very unhappy when our new hymnal held to this little word 'testament' in Holy Communion.  Many argued against this favoring 'covenant' instead. But "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) So our synod wisely held with 'testament' in opposition to all the corrupted modern translations (NKJV, ESV, NIV etc.) Trusting Luther's Bible and the King James Bible and the clear meaning conveyed by the Greek word itself: 'testament'. 

Pastor and President Harrison, I urge you to please confirm LCMS pastors and district presidents hold to Christ's words as they stand in the Bible and our liturgy. "That little word 'testament' is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, LW, vol 35, pg 84)

I am unable to partake of Holy Communion from LCMS pastors and district presidents who change Christ's Last Will and Testament into a Calvinistic covenant.

In Christ,

Tom Fisher

Testament - Not the Calvinist Covenant

Dear Pastor Jackson,

The word "testament" immediately brings to mind a parent's last will and testament bequeathing the inheritance to their child.

In Holy Communion Christ uses the word "testament" to institute His last will and testament bequeathing to us forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The corrupt Bibles such as the NKJV, NIV, RSV destroy this by using the word "covenant" instead of the word "testament" in Holy Communion.
NKJV "This cup is the new covenant in my blood..."
KJV and Luther's Bible "This cup is the new testament in my blood..."

Martin Chemnitz considered this a horrible sin when he wrote:
"For since Christ instituted His supper in the form of a testament, it is also not hallowed at another time to distort even a man's covenant if it be 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, & Sacrament, CPH, 1981, pg. 122)

I firmly believe Christ my true testator gives me His last will and testament in Holy Communion, bequeathing to me forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Luther said "that little word "testament" is a short summary of all God's wonder and grace fulfilled in Christ." (Martin Luther, Word and Sacrament, CPH, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 84)

Luther also 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, CPH, LW, Vol. 35, pg. 88)

LCMS newest hymnal keeps the KJV little word "testament" in Holy Communion.

Some LCMS pastors say "covenant" when instituting the Lord's Supper. This cannot and must not be tolerated in any Lutheran Church or synod. If your Pastor does this then find a Pastor who will institute Communion as a testament NOT a Calvinistic covenant. I refuse to go to communion when the Pastor says "covenant" and then request private communion instituted as a testament after the service. If he refuses then I report this to President Matthew Harrison. I cannot and will not remain silent. Neither can you. All is lost if we lose that little word "testament" in Holy Communion, Justification by faith in Christ is destroyed. Beware the corrupt NKJV, NIV, ESV corrupt translations.

Lord Jesus Christ Thou Hast Prepared - #306

"Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast Prepared"

by Samuel Kinner, 1603-1668

Translated by Emanuel Cronenwett, 1841-1931

1. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou hast prepared

A feast for our salvation,

It is Thy body and Thy blood;

And at Thy invitation

As weary souls, with sin opprest,

We come to Thee for needed rest,

For comfort and for pardon.

2. Although Thou didst to heaven ascend,

Where angel hosts are dwelling,

And in Thy presence they behold

Thy glory all excelling,

And though Thy people shall not see

Thy glory and Thy majesty

Till dawns the Judgment morning,

3. Yet, Savior, Thou art not confined

To any habitation,

But Thou art present everywhere

And with Thy congregation.

Firm as a rock this truth shall stand,

Unmoved by any daring hand

Or subtle craft and cunning.

4. We eat this bread and drink this cup,

Thy precious Word believing

That Thy true body and Thy blood

Our lips are here receiving.

This word remains forever true,

And there is naught Thou canst not do;

For Thou, Lord, art almighty.

5. Though reason cannot understand,

Yet faith this truth embraces;

Thy body, Lord, is everywhere

At once in many places.

How this can be I leave to Thee,

Thy word alone sufficeth me,

I trust its truth unfailing.

6. Lord, I believe what Thou hast said,

Help me when doubts assail me;

Remember that I am but dust

And let my faith not fail me.

Thy Supper in this vale of tears

Refreshes me and stills my fears

And is my priceless treasure.

7. Grant that we worthily receive

Thy Supper, Lord, our Savior,

And, truly grieving o'er our sins,

May prove by our behavior

That we are thankful for Thy grace

And day by day may run our race,

In holiness increasing.

8. For Thy consoling Supper, Lord,

Be praised throughout all ages!

Preserve it, for in every place

The world against it rages.

Grant that this Sacrament may be

A blessed comfort unto me

When living and when dying.

Hymn #306

The Lutheran Hymnal

Text: 1 Cor. 11: 26

Author: Samuel Kinner, 1638

Translated by: Emanuel Cronenwett, 1880, ad.

Titled: "Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit't"

Composer: Peter Sohren, 1668

Tune: "Herr Jesu Christ, du hast bereit't"