Important To Know How the Denominations Fell Apart - On Purpose

 

Rauschenbusch is the litmus test in the Social Gospel Movement. Reading denominational literature can easily disclose the Rauschenbusch agenda, the leadership, and the goals. He delivered the Social Gospel lectures at Yale Divinity School in 1917.

I was offered a box of books at a small, worn out Lutheran university - Wittenberg in Ohio, once the home of Hamma Seminary. The librarian thought I could use them, because my doctoral dissertation was on the Social Gospel Movement and A. D. Mattson. 

A major theme, even before the Great Depression, was using the Christian Church for changing the culture. Walther Rauschenbusch was the key figure, a litmus test about who was hugging up to Marxism.

Like Europe, America embraced rationalism to replace the divinity, miracles, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To this day, the Good Samaritan is not portrayed as the Savior but as the social activist earnestly trying to make the road to Jericho safe. Very few realize who the Good Samaritan is, which is sad if not pathetic.

Following the European impulses, the American theological leaders - influenced by the big, ancient universities - embraced what they learned at German universities and other centers of learning as well. The "best" American professors impressed their seminary students with a much more "scientific" and socialistic understanding of the Bible.

Brief pause - the 1881 Revision of the King James Version of the New Testament was dishonestly corrupted by Westcott, Hort, and other polecats. The Greek text was corrupted and the big Bible societies joyously  - with the help of Rome - manufactured their brand new baby.

This group of ELCA bishops claimed the Holy Spirit was "in the closet." They chanted "Let her out! Let her out!" to accomplish their nonsense with clever smirks and cloven tongues.

The fermentation was slow but steady in its growth. The 1960s in America were loaded with traditional congregations ordered to revive the poor areas, change the Bibles used, alter the hymns, and ravage the liturgy. The Biblical and liturgical liberals slowly leveraged the women pastors, and the feminist pastors soon insisted on female bishops.

Rev Doctor Osage Professor Guy Erwin was rushed into the pastoral office, raised to the bishop's chair, and promoted to president of Gettysburg-Philadelphia's seminary.

Linn Tonstad, Yale Divinity Professor

Biography 

Professor Tonstad is a constructive theologian working at the intersection of Christian theology with feminist and queer theory. Her first book, God and Difference: The Trinity, Sexuality, and the Transformation of Finitude(link is external), was published by Routledge in 2016 and was named both as a best new book in ethics and a best new book in theology in Christian Century in the spring of 2017. Her second book, Queer Theology: Beyond Apologetics (link is external)was published by Cascade in 2018 and translated into French in 2022. She joined the Yale Divinity School faculty in 2012. Her teaching interests include Christian theology, queer theory, philosophy of religion, and theological method. Professor Tonstad has made contributions to various journals, including Modern Theology, International Journal of Systematic Theology, and Theology & Sexuality. She is co-chair of the Theology and Religious Reflection unit of the American Academy of Religion. She is currently working on her third book, tentatively titled The Impossible Other: Theology, Queer Theory, and the Politics of Redemption. 

Read more

• Linn Tonstad: unmasking the tyranny of exclusion

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Quinquagesima - "He also freely confesses Christ and fears no one; his need constrains him to the point that he inquires for no one else. For it is the nature of true faith to confess Christ to be the only one who can and will help, while others are ashamed and afraid to do this before the world."

 

Quinquagesima Sunday. Luke 18:31-43. Christ’s Passion and the Faith and Love of the Blind Man

II. THE FAITH AND LOVE OF THE BLIND MAN.

9. The second part of our Gospel treats of the blind man, in which we see beautifully and clearly illustrated both the love in Christ to the blind man and the faith of the blind man in Christ. At present we will briefly consider the faith of the blind man.

10. First, he hears that Christ was passing by, he had also heard of him before, that Jesus of Nazareth was a kind man, and that he helps every one who only calls upon him. His faith and confidence in Christ grew out of his hearing; so he did not doubt but that Christ would also help him. But such faith in his heart he would not have been able to possess had he not heard and known of Christ; for faith does not come except by hearing.

11. Secondly, he firmly believes and doubts not but that it was true what he heard of Christ, as the following proves. Although he does not yet see nor know Christ, and although he at once knew him, yet he is not able to see or know whether Christ had a heart and will to help him; but he immediately believed, when he heard of him; upon such a noise and report he founded his confidence, and therefore he did not make a mistake.

12. Thirdly, in harmony with his faith, he calls on Christ and prays, as St. Paul in Romans 10:13-14 wrote: “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed.” Also, “Whoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

13. Fourthly, he also freely confesses Christ and fears no one; his need constrains him to the point that he inquires for no one else. For it is the nature of true faith to confess Christ to be the only one who can and will help, while others are ashamed and afraid to do this before the world.

14. Fifthly, he struggles not only with his conscience, which doubtless moves him to think he is not worthy of such favor, but he also struggles, with those who threatened him and urged him to keep quiet. They wished thereby to terrify his conscience and make him bashful, so that he should see his own unworthiness, and then despair. For wherever faith begins, there begin also war and conflict.

15. Sixthly, the blind man stands firm, presses through all obstacles and triumphs, he would not let the whole world sever him from his confidence, and not even his own conscience to do it. Therefore he obtained the answer of his prayer and received Christ, so that Christ stood and commanded him to be brought unto him, and he offered to do for him whatever he wished. So it goes with all who hold firmly only to the Word of God, close their eyes and ears against the devil, the world and themselves, and act just as if they and God were the only ones in heaven and on earth.

16. Seventhly he follows Christ, that is he enters upon the road of love and of the cross, where Christ is walking, does righteous works, and is of a good character and calling, refrains from going about with foolish works as workrighteous persons do.

17. Eighthly, he thanks and praises God, and offers a true sacrifice that is pleasing to God, Psalm 50:23: “Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; and to him that ordereth his way aright will I show the salvation of God.”

18. Ninthly, he was the occasion that many others praised God, in that they saw what he did, for every Christian is helpful and a blessing to everybody, and besides he praises and honors God upon earth.

19. Finally, we see here how Christ encourages us both by his works and words. In the first place by his works, in that he sympathizes so strongly with the blind man and makes it clear, how pleasing faith is to him, so that Christ is at once absorbed with interest in the man, stops and does what the blind man desires in his faith. In the second place, that Christ praises his faith in words, and says: “Thy faith hath made thee whole;” he casts the honor of the miracle from himself and attributes it to the faith of the blind man. The summary is: to faith is vouchsafed what it asks, and it is moreover our great honor before God.

20. This blind man represents the spiritually blind, the state of every man born of Adam, who neither sees nor knows the kingdom of God; but it is of grace that he feels and knows his blindness and would gladly be delivered from it. They are saintly sinners who feel their faults and sigh for grace. But he sits by the wayside and begs, that is, he sits among the teachers of the law and desires help; but it is begging, with works he must appear blue and help himself. The people pass him by and let him sit, that is the people of the law make a great noise and are heard among the teachers of good works, they go before Christ and Christ follows them. But when he heard Christ, that is, when a heart hears the Gospel of faith, it calls and cries, and has no rest until it comes to Christ. Those, however, who would silence and scold him are the teachers of works, who wish to quiet and suppress the doctrine and cry of faith; but they stir the heart the more. For the nature of the Gospel is, the more it is restrained the more progress it makes. Afterwards he received his sight, all his work and life are nothing but the praise and honor of God, and he follows Christ with joy, so that the whole world wonders and is thereby made better.

The Episcopal Archbishop Is Back - Budde Light

 

Mariann Budde could not contain the joy. The Lutheran Church in America and her Episcopalians once had 3 million members each. Budde now has half of that, according to Wiki. ELCA went from 5.3 million members in 1988 to half that amount (Wiki) in 2023. What would they have done without all the Church Growth books, lectures, and agitations? WELS and LCMS still envy the two - "Give us some of that what you have! Father Abraham, have mercy on us, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool our tongues; for we are tormented in this flame." (Luke 16, Waltherian paraphrase)

The Big Five Apostates - ELCA-LCMS-WELS-ELS-CLC (sic) - are sinking in the mire of corrupt Bibles, horrible hymns, and grinning proponents of Fuller Seminary. The Slough of Despond is filled with the moans and regrets of their foolishness. 

"If this is how our journey begins, how much worse will it be in the end?" They burrow into the slime of their lust for success.

-----

Reformation Seminary Lecture - John 18 Part 1 - 10 AM Central

KJV John 18 Part 1

18 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.

2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. [often went there with]

3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. [I AM]

6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. [I AM]

7 Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.

8 Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

9 That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.

10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

13 And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

14 Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

18 And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

19 The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Quinquagesima - "From this it now follows how foolish they act who teach that people should patiently bear their sufferings and death in order to atone for their sins and obtain grace; and especially those who comfort such, who should be put out of the way by the civil law and the sentence of death, or who are to die in other ways; and pretend that if they suffer willingly all their sins will consequently be forgiven them."

 

Quinquagesima Sunday. Luke 18:31-43. Christ’s Passion and the Faith and Love of the Blind Man

5. From this it now follows how foolish they act who teach that people should patiently bear their sufferings and death in order to atone for their sins and obtain grace; and especially those who comfort such, who should be put out of the way by the civil law and the sentence of death, or who are to die in other ways; and pretend that if they suffer willingly all their sins will consequently be forgiven them. Such persons only mislead the people for they bury out of sight Christ and his death upon whom our comfort is founded, and bring the people to a false confidence in their own suffering and death. This is the worst of all things a man can experience at the end of his life, and by it he is led direct into perdition. But you learn and say.

Whose death! Whose patience! My death is nothing; will not have it nor hear of it for my consolation. Christ’s suffering and death are my consolation, upon it I rely for the forgiveness of my sins; but my own death I will suffer, to the praise and honor of my God, freely and gratuitously, and for the advantage and profit of my neighbor, and in no way whatever depend upon it to avail anything in my own behalf before God.

6. It is indeed one thing to die boldly and fearlessly, or to suffer death patiently, or to bear other pain willingly; and another thing to atone for sin by such death and sufferings, and thus obtain grace from God. The first the heathen have done, and many reckless villains and rough people still do; but the other is a poisonous addition, devised by Satan, like all other lies, by which he founds our trust and consolation upon our own doings, and works, against which we are to guard. For as firmly as I should resist one, who teaches me to enter a monastery, when I wish to be saved; so firmly should I also oppose any who would in my last hour point me to my own death and suffering for consolation and hope, as if they would help to wash away my sins. For both deny God and his Christ, blaspheme his grace and pervert his Gospel. They, however, do much better who hold a crucifix before the dying and admonish them of Christ’s death and sufferings.

7. I must relate an example and experience that is in point here and is not to be despised. There was once a good hermit, reared in this faith of human merit, who was called upon to comfort a man of prominence upon his death bed, and he approached the sick man dauntlessly and consoled him thus: My dear friend, only suffer death patiently and willingly and I will pledge you my soul you will be a child of eternal life. Well, he promised him he would do so, and he passed away by death with this comfort. But three days later the hermit himself became sick unto death, when the true teacher, Rev. Reuling, came and opened his eyes so that he saw what he had done and taught, and he lay until he died and lamented that he had given such counsel and consolation: O, woe is me, what have I advised!

Frivolous people laughed at him that he failed to do as he had taught others to do; he offered another the pledge of his own soul that he might die in peace and he himself now sinks in despair not only before death, but also at the advice he so confidently had given and now so publicly rebuked and recalled. But God surely said to him that which is written in Luke 4:23: “Physician, heal thyself;” and another passage, Luke 12:21; “So is he that layeth up treasures for himself, and is not rich toward God.” For here surely the blind led the blind and both fell into the ditch, and both were condemned. Luke 6:39. The first, because he died trusting in his own patient suffering and death, the other, because he despaired of God’s grace and had not acknowledged it, and besides he also thought, had he not committed sin, he would have departed this life saved; and in both Christ remained unknown and was denied. On this point some books are misleading, in which the sayings also of St. Augustine and others are sounded forth, how death is only a door to life and a medicine against sin; for they do not see that these words are to be understood as referring to Christ’s death and sufferings. But simple and plain as this example is, it teaches us in a masterly manner how no work, no human suffering, no death can help us or stand before God. For one cannot indeed deny here that the first did the highest work, namely, suffered death with patience, in which free will did its best; and yet he was lost as the other who confessed and clearly proved by his despair. And whoever will not believe these two examples must find it out by experience for himself.

Start at the Top - Wisconsin Sect - Denials and Lies Continue

 

Clergy and teachers of the Wisconsin Sect created the many examples they keeping hiding away. Their tiny synod high schools are limited to Michigan Lutheran Seminary and Northwestern. Their colleges combined by erasing the Dr. in Dr. Martin Lutheran College. Their shrinking seminary is Mequon.

The key is having the upper class men abuse and haze the youngest guys. As one WELS leader said solemnly, "That means they end up the same." Indeed. Verbal and physical abuse are considered therapeutic, but only on the receiving side. Anyone who objects to the abuse is guaranteed to get even more of it. If they quit - yippee! - they had it coming. They cannot tell their parents the truth and survive.

The parents are kept in the dark, unless they are synodical leaders.

Alcoholism is basic to being manly men. WELS clergy and teachers are noted for the volume used, the behavior noted. Cool. Since the synod educational leaders are so addicted, encouragement at all levels is a plus - and sobriety is scorned.

WELS is a culture of lying and abuse, keeping the secrets. WELSian clergy were furious that I  published facts about their secret hazing ritual aimed at the new seminary students. They said "GA" hazing no longer existed. Others said "only a few" participated. They have their own precious Grapevine, where scandals are erased and the innocent scorned. 

Note that WELS hazing - high school, college, seminary - is very much like secular university hazing: drink too much, pass out, force the youngest into dangerous situations. Pride and joy emanate from activities where lives are threatened and health permanently damaged. Yes, new studies show that drinking binges can wreck metabolism after only one unhinged bout.

Justin Liepert, age 35, attended Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, one of two synodical high schools. Why is anyone shocked about MLS men dressed as women cheerleaders?

Why did Martin Luther College dorms compete with their obnoxious videos, including one wildly popular plagiarism - Party in the MLC - Fire Island Pines? Gay publications picked up on the Fire Island Pines theme... for some reason.

Police -  A 16-year-old student reported to police that they had been talking with a man on social media. The student described the man as a "married, Lutheran school teacher with a young son."

A WELS District President played the role of - yes - GA Pope - as the climax of their drinking and hazing. GA introduces the new seminary students to Mequon, and the seniors start by lying about whether GA is going to continue. Hint for each year - it is an annual deception. 

 

Avoid the "Conclave" Movie - Wake Up about the Pope's Serpent Gathering Place

 

This is the Pope's Audience Hall with a hideous Jesus behind him, many thousands of fans in the audience, snake eyes as windows in their snake auditorium.

Pope Francis SJ, Jesuit

Unknown commented on "Luther's Sermon for the Tenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 19:41-48"

 

I can never read this text without thinking of the beautiful hymn by Anna Hoppe, "O'er Jerusalem Thou Weepest", TLH 419, wedded to an equally beautiful tune. Miss Hoppe was a life-long member of St. John's, Eighth & Vliet, Milwaukee, baptized and confirmed by Johannes Bading, buried 52 years later by John Brenner. She was a voluminous author and translator, having written at least one hymn for every Sunday and festival of the Church Year. Many more of her hymns appear in the Augustana Synod hymnal of 1925. All this with an office job and little more than an eighth grade education.

Short Name: Anna Hoppe

Full Name: Hoppe, Anna, 1889-1941

Birth Year: 1889

Death Year: 1941

Anna Hoppe was born on May 7, 1889 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She left school after the eighth grade and worked as a stenographer. She began writing patriotic verses when she was very young and by the age of 25 she was writing spiritual poetry. After some of her poems appeared in the Northwestern Lutheran, a periodical of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, they came to the attention of Dr. Adolf Hult of Augustana Seminary, Rock Island, Illinois. He influenced her to write her Songs for the Church Year (1928). Several hymnals include her work, which was usually set to traditional chorale melodies, although she also made a number of translations. She died on August 2, 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Daily Luther Sermon Quote - Quinquagesima - "But if one sees Christ’s will and heart in his passion, they cause true comfort, assurance and pleasure in Christ. Therefore Psalm 40:7-8 also praises this will of God and of Christ: “ In the roll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O, my God.”

 

Quinquagesima Sunday. Luke 18:31-43. Christ’s Passion and the Faith and Love of the Blind Man

QUINQUAGESIMA SUNDAY.
   

TEXT:

Luke 18:31-43. And he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets shall be accomplished unto the Son of man. For he shall be delivered up unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon: and they shall scourge and kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, and they perceived not the things that were said.

And it came to pass, as he drew nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: and hearing a multitude going by, he inquired what this meant. And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried out the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.



I. THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST.

1. This Gospel presents to us again the two thoughts of faith and love, both in that Christ says he must go up to Jerusalem and suffer crucifixion; and in that Christ serves and helps the blind man. By the first thought, that of faith, it is proved that the Scriptures are not fulfilled except by Christ’s sufferings; also that the Scriptures speak of no other theme than of Christ, and they treat only of Christ, who must fulfill the Scriptures by his death.

But if his death must do this, then our death will add nothing to that end; for our death is a sinful and a cursed death. However, if our death be sin and cursed, which is the highest and severest suffering and misfortune, what can our suffering and death merit? And since our sufferings are nothing and are lost, what can our good works do, in view of the fact that suffering is always nobler and better than doing good works? Christ alone must be supreme here and faith must firmly lay hold of him.

2. But Christ spoke these words before he finished his passion, when on his way to go up to Jerusalem at the time of the Easter festivities, when the disciples least expected to witness his sufferings, and instead anticipated a joyful occasion at the Feast of the Passover. These words Christ spoke for the purpose that his disciples might later grow stronger in their faith, when they recalled that he had before told them, that he had voluntarily offered himself as a sacrifice, and that he was not crucified by the power or strategy of his enemies, the Jews. Long before Isaiah also had prophesied that Christ would voluntarily and cheerfully give himself as a sacrifice, Isaiah 5:3-7; and the angel also on Easter morning, Luke 26:6, admonishes the women to call to mind what he here utters, in order that they might be assured and the firmer believe how he suffered thus willingly in our behalf.

3. And this is the true foundation, thoroughly to know Christ’s passion, when we not only understand and lay hold of Christ’s sufferings, but also of his heart and will in those sufferings, for whoever views his sufferings in a way that they do not see his will and heart in them, must be more terrified before them than they are made to rejoice on account of them. But if one sees Christ’s will and heart in his passion, they cause true comfort, assurance and pleasure in Christ. Therefore Psalm 40:7-8 also praises this will of God and of Christ: “ In the roll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do thy will, O, my God.” The Epistle to the Hebrews says on this point: “ By which will we have been sanctified;” Hebrews 10:10; it does not say: Through the suffering and blood of Christ, which is also true, but through the will of God and of Christ, that they both were of one will, to sanctify us through the blood of Christ. This will to suffer he shows here in this Gospel when he first announced that he would go up to Jerusalem and allow them to crucify him; as if he had said, look into my heart and see that I do all willingly, freely and cheerfully, in order that it may not terrify nor shock you when you shall now soon see it, and you think I do it reluctantly, I must do it, I am forsaken, and the power of the Jews force me to it.

4. “But the disciples understood none of these things,” says Christ, “And this saying was hid from them.” That is as much as to say: Reason, flesh and blood, cannot understand it nor grasp that the Scriptures should say how the Son of man must be crucified; much less does reason understand that this is Christ’s will and he does it cheerfully; for it does not believe it is necessary for him to suffer for us, it will deal directly with God through its own good works. But God must reveal it in their hearts by his Spirit more than is proclaimed by words into their ears; yea, even those to whom the Spirit reveals it in their hearts believe it with difficulty and must struggle with it. Such a great and wonderful thing it is that the Son of man died the death of the cross willingly and cheerfully to fulfill the Scriptures, that is, for our welfare; it is a mystery and it remains a mystery.

Wisconsin Synod Scandal Explodes - Multiple Victims of Justin Liepert

 

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Two Days Ago

According to the criminal complaint:

A 16-year-old student reported to police that they had been talking with a man on social media. The student described the man as a "married, Lutheran school teacher with a young son." That person was later identified as Liepert, the complaint said.

The two arranged to meet at the student's home in Wales. Liepert and the student engaged in sexual acts in Liepert's vehicle, which was parked at the end of the road near the student's home. They met three or four times in early 2024. Under Wisconsin law, children younger than 18 cannot consent to sexual intercourse.

The student also said that Liepert sent them a sexually explicit video of Liepert engaging in a sex act with a younger male, the complaint said.

"Reading from the criminal complaint, I think you can figure out that there will probably be more charges," said Liepert's attorney, Paul Bucher.

Bucher said "there's more to this case" that will be revealed as the case moves forward. There are two other cases linked to his client that are sealed, but "I have no idea what the heck those are," he noted.

***

GJ -  The Wisconsin Synod (supposedly Lutheran) schools have a clear standard about abuse - "Never tell about abuse - and - punish the person who tells." 

The men who back this up are Lutheran pastors/teachers and those finishing their teacher or pastoral certificates. No one "in the system" is going to tell the truth. Those complaining for good cause are given additional doses or forced out of the school. The bullies deny it, laugh about it, and double down on the abuse.

As one veteran WELSian explained it - "This is how we graduate - all the same."

Alcohol abuse is standard in their precious educational system, failing to realize that getting someone drunk often leaves their emotional habits and alcohol excess permanent. If they can "handle it" as teens, they often make it habitual. The WELS pastors and teachers who overlook this bacchanalia will always support the "cool guys," because they were too.

The abuse begins on the first day at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw - one of their tiny private high schools - which is where Justin Liepert began as a student. WELS combined their two tiny colleges into one - Martin Luther College in New Ulm. One person described the student president of MLC as "someone so drunk he could not walk up the stairs."

The student dorms have produced their own videos and shared them everywhere. That is where the WELS students - and ELCA students at other schools - paraded their men acting as women. If anyone thinks Justin Liepert is an exception, they should start asking questions about reality in an abusive sect - WELS.

 

This ELCA seminary student videotaped his dance at the Luther Seminary chapel, with pals laughing and clapping. He was ordained and given a position - just like WELS.

Likewise, the Party in the MLC video was loved and promoted by their WELS college, the Triumvirate graduating for WELS teaching positions...years ago.

Sexagesima Sunday 2025 - The Sower and the Seed - Luke 8

Bethany Lutheran Church

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

10 AM Central

The Hymn #207          Like the Golden Sun Ascending

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? 

Arise, cast us not off forever.

Wherefore hidest Thou Thy face: 

and forgettest our affliction?

Our soul is bowed down to the dust: 

arise for our help and redeem us.

Psalm. We have heard with our ears, O God: 

our fathers have told us what work 

Thou didst in their days.

The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Collect

O God, who seest that we put not our trust in anything that we do, mercifully grant that by Thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, 

who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual    

Gradual

Let the nations know that Thy name is Jehovah: Thou alone art the Most High over all the earth.

V. O my God, make them like a wheel 

and like chaff before the wind.

Tract. Thou, O Lord, hast made the earth 

to tremble and hast broken it.

V. Heal the breaches thereof, for it shaketh.

V. That Thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand.

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22

The Epistle 2 Corinthians 11:19 - 12:9

The Gradual

The Gospel Luke 8:4-15
The Sermon Hymn # 339          All Hail the Power

 

The Word Is Alive

The Hymn # 308                    Invited Lord                          

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #46       On What Has Now Been Sown

KJV Luke 8

4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: 5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand. 11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

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The Word Is Alive

Luke 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:

The miracles and sermons drew people into a mass that intrigued them. The divine miracles were special by themselves, and the results convinced the crowds of Jesus' divinity. But he spoke in parables, so those lessons were clear in one sense - easy to imagine - but also easily overlooked and forgotten. I would challenge anyone to create a parable like Jesus' in so few words, with so much meaning. This was an old tradition among the Jewish people and continues to this day. 

5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

This is common among birds. Yesterday the barrel lids and bun baskets were full of feed for the birds, often in squadrons. A flock of blue jays landed at once and a very large one landed to get his share. Smaller birds flitted about and waited for their chance to enjoy various seeds and fruit. There are no secrets. They take turns by flock and find places where more food can be enjoyed.

The New Testament has many references to the Word of God being like seed, because every seed is alive and ready to grow. In the same way, God's Word always has the energy of the Holy Spirit. If some in the audience - or from the blog -are scoffing today, they are receiving the same energy as the believers. The difference is that those who reject God's Word harden themselves against what the Scriptures teach through the Spirit.

Gardeners know that scattered seed is easily devoured but some will take root, overlooked by the predators but available for great fruitfulness.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

My flat roof bird feeder in New Ulm was a good example of all the seed being blown away or dried up. The seed has enough rain to get started but not enough to become rooted. Likewise, people today are curious and likely to get a little wisdom from something they just read or heard. One person said I was 99% interesting and 99% wrong.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

One person reminded me of a denomination that grew into thousands of members. and then fell apart, almost overnight. He forgot the name (Driscoll). One of my friends wanted to buy a church building where it all vanished overnight - but not the building itself.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

That has been documented, even among those persecuted - in fact, even more so. People devoted themselves to copies of the Gospels and Epistles. The pagans scattered them and they grew even faster. They translated in dozens of ways and languages. 

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be? 10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

Jesus taught the disciples for three years, without them needing buildings, properties, special apparel, etc. Writing down the Scriptures was very expensive, and translating another demanding step in reaching the world. Some cajole that there are not many original scripts, but those were worn out and burned to keep the fragile old ones away from the false teachers. Here is one little fact - the New Testament has more ancient versions preserved than any other ancient publication - all done by hand and kept carefully. Everyone knows about Marco Polo's adventures and book, but that is nothing compare to the New Testament.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

The seed is not a marble building or glorious apparel or beautiful appearances in clothing and headdresses. The Word of God is the most precious and also the most overlooked. America has everything except the original Scriptures. The Reformation happened in the midst of persecution, jails, and worse. As Luther said, all that is needed is faith in God and love for our neighborhood. So many distractions take people away from this seed of faith and faith is stolen by their Father Below.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. 14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

"For a while believe...and fall away" The difficulties we feel and distractions combine against the Gospel, but the wisdom of the Savior is always there through the Spirit and can work for strength through the Gospel Word.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good (noble, like the Good Shepherd) heart, having heard the word, keep (hold onto) it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

The Word of God is a constant energy that works faith and blessings in our lives - and removes what is evil and bad. A number of my Bible students dwell on their past and can seem to make confession of sin the final step but one that continues to plague the individual. I asked Norma Boeckler to use this passage as a graphic.

 Micah  7

18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.