The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Pastor Gregory L. Jackson
Bethany Lutheran Worship, 8 AM Phoenix Time
The Hymn #267 by Luther – Waer Gott nicht mit uns
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual Ephesians 3:13-21
The Gospel Luke 7:11-17
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 479 Fahre Fort
God at Work
The Hymn #307 Old 124th
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 # 376 Toplady
KJV Ephesians 3:13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
KJV Luke 7:11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. 12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. 13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 14 And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. 15 And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. 16 And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God, saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath visited his people. 17 And this rumour of him went forth throughout all Judaea, and throughout all the region round about.
Sixteenth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father, who didst send Thy Son to be made flesh, that by His death He might atone for our sins and deliver us from eternal death: We pray Thee, confirm in our hearts the hope that our Lord Jesus Christ, who with but a word raised the widow's son, in like manner will raise us on the last day, and grant us eternal life: through Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.
God at Work
Ephesians 3: 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
People think of St. Augustine (354-430) as a religious leader of the distant past, but he was once a famous, hedonistic pagan. His mother Monica gave him Christian instruction as a child and prayed for his conversion to the faith. Augustine’s unique intellectual gifts made him a powerful intellectual leader and the finest orator at a time when rhetoric was the pathway to fame. He was so brilliant that he felt the Scriptures were beneath him. In addition, Christianity was one of many religions of his day and not very successful in the marketplace of ideas. Monica never ceased her prayers. Another burden in her life was an unbelieving husband. One day, as Augustine felt the weight of his sins, he was overwhelmed with a sense of contrition. Weeping under a fig tree, he heard a child’s voice sing out a Latin song, “Tolle, lege. Take and read.” The song had no religious content, but Augustine felt compelled to pick up the Scriptures where he read the damning words of the Law and the comfort of the Gospel:
KJV Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
J-131
Augustine wrote: “I wanted to read no further, nor did I need to. For instantly, as the sentence ended, there was infused in my heart something like the light of full certainty and all the gloom of doubt vanished away.” Augustine then went to tell his mother Monica, who “leaped for joy triumphant, and she blessed Thee, Who art ‘able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think.’” (Ephesians 3:20) [24]
Monica prayed to have a believing son, but God gave her something she never imagined, a son who became one of the greatest of all teachers of Christianity. Augustine became a bishop and served the African church, writing such classics of the faith as his Confessions and The City of God. It is impossible to study Christian thought apart from Augustine or find a topic he did not write about, using the gifts abundantly given him by God. At the last bookstore I visited, not long ago, I saw a well known highly respected biography of Augustine in paperback, a testimony to the kind and loving Father Who blessed Monica far beyond her ability to think or ask. That power gave her, like many heart-broken mothers afterwards, the faith to pray, the hope to find comfort in waiting, and the patience to wait for the effectual working of the Triune God, who can use a child and a secular song to fashion a bishop and theologian out of a rogue.
J-131
"In like manner, St. Paul says that God's ability is thus proved, in that He does exceeding abundantly above and better than we ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. Therefore, we should know we are too finite to be able to name, picture or designate the time, place, way, measure and other circumstances for that which we ask of God. Let us leave that entirely to Him, and immovably and steadfastly believe that He will hear us." [25]
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p.179f.
J-132
"A very fine example of the power of prayer is provided by Monica, the mother of St. Augustine. She asked for nothing in her prayer for her son except that he might be liberated from the madness of the Manichaeans [pagans] and be baptized...But the more she prayed, the more stiff-necked and stubborn the son became, and her prayer seemed to her to have become a sin. But when the time for hearing her solicitous prayer had come (for God usually defers His help), Augustine is not only converted and baptized but devotes himself entirely to the study of theology and turns out to be such a teacher that he shines in the church to this day, teaching and instructing the church. Monica had never asked for this. It would have been enough for her if her son had been freed from error and had turned Christian. But God wants to give us greater blessings than we can ask for, as long as we do not weaken in our prayer."
What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed., Ewald M. Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959 II, p. 1094. Genesis 17:19-22.
In world religion class we have discussed the problem of emphasizing the institution rather than the Gospel.
If we step back and look at the preaching of the Apostolic age and the Reformation, the only concern was the Gospel. There certainly were factions and groups, as Paul said there must be, but the emphasis was upon the Gospel.
The Christian faith is simple, plain, and easy to learn. Someone can study the Scriptures all his life and never learn more than a fraction of what God says, but the basics are clear.
God shows us the way we really are through the preaching of the Law. If the Law is taught clearly, according to God’s Word, we see ourselves in a mirror. That destroys our self-righteousness, our claims to be perfect, or the idea we can earn favor with God through our good works.
Just like medicine, we first need a proper diagnosis. I just read about Robert Novak hitting a biker and not knowing it. He said a mob started to form. Novak was taken to a hospital and learned he had a mass in his brain. Several other things happened before he realized what his diagnosis was. Until he accepted that, he did not consider surgery and the possible healing required.
Non-sinners (in their minds) may hear the Gospel and find it interesting, but they hear without comprehending, like Novak at first. When they know the true nature of man, they want the comfort of the Gospel.
The Gospel teaches us that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary for one reason only – to die for our sins and be our Savior.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believed in Him might not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Paul says in this verse (Eph 3:20) – The power of the Gospel is at work (effective) in all who believe.
The Gospel is always at work in believers, moving them to pray and do good works.
As I said many times before, God urges us to pray but also moves us to pray with His Gospel promises.
One is here in this lesson, which is one of the best known about prayer.
God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”
The hesitation everyone has in praying has its foundation in doubt, doubt about His Word, doubt about His power, doubt about His love.
Can human reason rise about these doubts? – not at all. Human reason and experience are the reasons for the doubt. We think we know and we draw conclusions based on our limitations and experience.
God extinguishes doubt with His Promises.
First of all, God is able to accomplish exceeding abundantly… Normally we would say that is not very good writing. Paul does a lot of that. But he does so in expressing how God is above anything we can imagine, in grace, in forgiveness, in love, in mercy, and in power.
There is nothing impossible for God’s Word.
The best example is God taking someone dead to the Gospel and producing a new Creation, a believer, given kinship with Jesus, and the promise of everlasting life that goes with the forgiveness of sin.
God does not stop with those abundant blessings, but promises far more in this verse alone.
How can someone not pray when God promises so much. How much from our perspective? “Above all that we ask or think.”
The power is at work among believers because the Holy Spirit dwells in every Christian. The Holy Spirit accompanies the Word in reaching people. No one becomes a believer except through the Holy Spirit. Preaching takes place through the Holy Spirit guiding the minister and the audience both.
The Holy Spirit’s work draws attention to the Father and the Son, moving the believer to prayer and good works. The Holy Spirit moves people to pray and helps people pray.
When we ask God for anything, the Holy Spirit urges us through the Gospel Promises.
Are we not worthy to ask? Christ has made us His worthy brothers, so that God sees His beloved Son when we ask in His name.
Is God not able? The more we understand, the more we see what God has already done and can do.
Does God love us? Yes, the Word tells us that God loves us because we love His Son. His chief quality is to love and forgive us. So we should always expect the best from Him, even when things seem grim at the moment.
"A third answer to our enemies is: We are certain that wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the fruits of the same must exist. We have the Word of God, and therefore the Spirit of God must be with us. And where the Spirit is, faith must obtain, however weak it may be."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 274. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21,
ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the National Council of Churches.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sermon - The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Trinity 16 Quotations
"In the first part of the text he shows the depth of his concern that the Ephesians should retain the Gospel preaching received from him, not allowing themselves to be torn away from it. To this end he employs two expedients: first, he consoles and admonishes; second, he prays and desires."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p.260. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21.
"Even His most inferior creatures--water, air, the earth and its products--are so generously bestowed that we can appropriate only an infinitesimal part of them. Yet in our blindness and stupidity we do not see, yea, we utterly ignore the fact that God is the giver of these. Now, how much more generous is God in spiritual blessings!"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 272. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21, Isaiah 29:13.
"But all this is portrayed here in order that we might learn that with God nothing is impossible, whether it be misfortune, calamity, anger, or whatever it may be, and that He sometimes allows misfortune to come upon the good as well as upon the wicked."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 143. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.
"But this I do not see, I think this moment is an eternal something before God; but it is in truth only a moment; and much joy follows as Psalm 8:5 also says: 'For thou hast made him but little lower than God, and crownest him with glory and honor.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 135. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17; Isaiah 54:6-8.
"I saw these things to teach us to be careful not to join the caviler in judging presumptuously the work and Word of God. Notwithstanding our weakness, we are yet certain the kingdom of God is in our midst so long as we have His Word and daily pray for its efficacy and for an increase of our faith, as the follow words recommend: 'That ye may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inward man.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 275. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21; Isaiah 26:10.
"The Word is too sublime to pass under our judgment; it is the province of the Word to judge us. The world, however, while unwilling to be judged and convicted by us, essays to judge and convict the Word of God. Here God steps in. It would be a pity for the worldly to see a godly Christian, so God blinds them and they miss His kingdom. As Isaiah says (26:10): 'In the land of uprightness will he deal wrongfully, and will not behold the majesty of Jehovah.' For this reason, few real Christians come under the observation of cavilers; the latter, in general, observe fools and fanatics, at whom they maliciously stumble and take offense. They are unworthy to behold God's honor in a godly Christian upon whom the LOrd has poured out Himself in fulness of blessing."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 274. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21; Isaiah 26:10.
"A third answer to our enemies is: We are certain that wherever the Word of God is proclaimed, the fruits of the same must exist. We have the Word of God, and therefore the Spirit of God must be with us. And where the Spirit is, faith must obtain, however weak it may be."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 274. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21,
"He who desires to be a Christian should be strong in faith and praise God and His Word, and should say: 'I will acknowledge, praise and serve that God, and gladly do and suffer what He wills, Who can so readily and easily help.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 146. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Luke 7:11-17
"This and like miracles God does that the heart may learn how it should be disposed to Him and what it may expect from Him."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 132. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.
"Christians should not, and cannot, have their glory in the things the world esteems and honors; for the world will not, not can it, honor even God and His Word. Christ's followers, then, should not be terrified at such treatment as Paul received nor feel disgraced. Let them rather rejoice, deriving comfort and glory therefrom, as did the apostles. We read (Acts 4:13) of their boldness, and (Acts 5:41) that they rejoiced in being 'counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the Name.' So it fared with Christ Himself, and Christians ought to be grieved if it be otherwise with them and if the world regard them in a kindly way. In proportion as the world persecutes them and heaps upon them its malice, should they rejoice. Let them accept persecution as a good indication, regarding themselves blessed, as Christ teaches in Matthew 5:11."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 266. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21, Acts 4:13; Acts 5:41; Matthew 5:11.
"When we pray with glowing hearts, external gestures will take care of themselves. They are prompted by the Spirit, and therefore are not to be denounced. If assumed, unbidden of the Spirit, they are hypocritical; as, for instance, when one presumes outwardly to serve God and perform good works while his heart is far way. The prophet says (Isaiah 29:13), 'This people draw nigh unto Me, and with their mouth and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their hear far from Me.'"
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 268. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Ephesians 3:13-21, Isaiah 29:13.
"When the Spirit of prayer is enkindled and burns within the heart, the body will responsively assume the proper attitude; involuntarily, eyes and hands will be upraised and knees bended. Witness the examples of Moses, David and even Christ Himself."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids Baker Book House, 1983, VIII, p. 268. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Ephesians 3:13-21.
"So it is with the rain from heaven, with the grain in the field and with all God's creatures. They exist in such abundance, and we are daily so overwhelmed by their abundance that we fail to see them."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 130. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.
"If I only kept in mind that He gave me eyes, truly a very great treasure, it would be no wonder if shame caused my death, because of my ingratitude in that I never yet thanked Him for the blessing of sight. But we do not see His noble treasures and gifts; they are too common. But when a blind babe happens to be born, then we see what a painful thing the lack of sight is, and what a precious thing even one eye is, and what a divine blessing a healthy, bright countenance is; it serves us during our whole life, and without it one would rather be dead; and yet no one thanks God for it."
Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed., John Nicholaus Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, V, p. 129. Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity. Luke 7:11-17.
So Many Turtles on Fenceposts
Pastor Joe, the new senior pastor at Crossroads, says: "As Crossroads Community Church moves into its sixteenth year of existence, we look back at the people who have led us, the founding families and the Pastors Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt and Mark Freier, and say thanks for getting us here."
Crossroads Community Church in South Lyons, Michigan, was started by the Wisconsin Synod, with the blessing of District Pope Robert Mueller and ever-vigilant Paul Kuske. The first pastors were all WELS - Rick Miller, Kelly Voigt, Mark Freier. The congregation openly followed the example of Willow Creek Community Church, where so many WELS pastors were trained at synod expense. Mueller, Kuske, Zehms, and Stolzenburg also started Pilgrim Community Church in Columbus. Attendance at Pilgrim was lower than a meeting of the LCR clergy.
Crossroads is no longer Lutheran-in-name-only, simply non-Lutheran. The original pastors, trained at the Sausage Factory in Mequon, are no longer Lutheran. These old quotations from Crossroads, below, remind me of what CrossWalk in Laveen (Phoenix) is now saying about itself. Notice the mention of boring services, just like CrossWalk. Cell groups, just like CrossWalk. Sneaker Services, just like CrossWalk. Cell groups, just like CrossWalk.
"Church music doesn't have to sound 'different.' It can sound just like the music people listen to every day. At Crossroads you won't find a pipe organ, but you will find great music appealing to a variety of tastes...Who says church has to be boring? In many of our services the Crossroads Drama Team makes us laugh or cry, and take a hard look at ourselves."
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS). [GJ - I would definitely cry at these mockeries.]
"Would you be interested in a church that offers...Practical and Relevant Messages? Contemporary Music and Drama? Friendly People Who Are Interested in You? A Non-threatening Environment Where You Can Investigate a Relationship with God? Maybe Crossroads Is For You!...Targeted for September, '92, Sunday morning 'seeker' service designed to introduce Christianity in the most practical relevant way possible!"
Crossroads Community Church,
Pastor Rick Miller (WELS).
"You may not have noticed, but Crossroads has changed its name!...Why the change [from Crossroads Christian Church]? First, we were told that the original name implied a denominational affiliation. Also, we believe that the 'community' label identifies us more closely with the philosophy of ministry at Willow Creek Community Church. We want to begin referring to ourselves more and more as a 'community' of fully devoted followers of Jesus."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
News and Information for January, 1992,
p. 1.
"Since several brothers have asked about the status of Rick Miller, I provide the following information. Rick has asked for a release from his call at Huron Valley Lutheran High School in order to serve a group of people as their pastor and to help organize them as an independent Christian congregation. The group is composed of some former members of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Plymouth, of some former members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Livonia, and some people who have left LC-MS churches. The group has stated that it has a different philosophy and style of ministry, which includes drama, contemporary music and a thematic form of worship and liturgy, which allows for greater personal participation by its female members. The group has also stated that it would like to retain fellowship relations with our Wisconsin Synod.
As an independent group it does not plan to use the name 'Lutheran' in its title. It will be known as The Crossroads Christian Church...For the present, Rick Miller is still a pastoral member of the WELS...At that time [January 31, 1992, submission of a constitution] the fellowship question will be determined on the basis of the group's doctrinal statements and practices."
District President Robert Mueller,
President's Report to the Conferences,
Fall, 1991
p. 3.
"PHILOSOPHY OF MINISTRY AT CROSSROADS...Conduct seeker services... Provide small group leadership. At Crossroads, as people come to know Jesus they are encouraged to participate in groups of 8 to 10 people who meet weekly for 2 years of fellowship, holding one another accountable, discipleship training, encouragement and support. 1 Thess. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up."
Pastor Rick Miller, (WELS),
Crossroads Community Church,
1 Thessalonians 5:11.
"Several churches have found a creative and effective way of maintaining an active membership from year to year. Basically, they ask their members--each year--if they wish to continue as members for the coming year...Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (Irvine, CA) also has a 'Covenant of Membership' card. On their 'Covenant Sunday' Pastor Jim Hale encourages persons to come forward in the service and place their card on the altar."
Win Arn,
Win Arn Growth Report, copyright, 1986
709 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91101
818-449-4400
Same plan at Crossroads Community Church.
---
GJ - So, when so many turtles are on fenceposts, what should we conclude? Someone put them there. Yes, the covert network of false teachers in WELS (all trained at Fuller and Willow Creek) promoted these community churches. Missouri did the same and stil has a stealth network of Willow Creek Association churches (St. John, Ellisville, etc).
Young Calvinist - old Unitarian. The saying is true for individuals, congregations, and denominations. There was once a component of the United Church of Christ with some German Lutheran leanings, the Evangelisch of the E and R denomination. The Evangelisch merged with the German Reformed (R) and the E and R merged with the Congregationalists. Now the tiny mega-merged denomination, the United Church of Christ, accepts all religious books on an equal level with the Bible.
A Kiss To Save Millions of Babies
At the convention, Levi Johnston, kissed little Trig, being held by Bristol Palin.
When the whole family came on the stage to thunderous applause, Trig looked around in wonder, as if thinking, "Being the baby of the family is really awesome."
LutherQuest Vet Bolts for EO,
Sells Luther Short
Profile of Dr. Charles R. Hogg, Jr.
Username: Robb
Full Name: Dr. Charles R. Hogg, Jr.
E-mail Address: pastor_hogg@hotmail.com
Last Logged In: September 05, 2008
Registered: September 05, 2004
Total Posts: 292
Status: Intermediate Member
Denomination: Former LC-MS; now Antiochian Orthodox
Positions Held (elder, pastor, layman, teacher, etc.): Pastor, Professor
Church Website URL: http://stnickgr.com
The set is still available as of this moment. More details:
> All volumes except 26, 27, 47 & 53
> Some underlining, mostly in pencil
> Entire set, new, is $1278
I'm asking $500, you pay shipping.
Thanks!
***
GJ - Notice below, a long blog about the Virgin Mary, which includes a note about reading the articles in Lutheran Forum (the crowd that will lecture at The Surrendered Fort) by Hogg, the EO convert listed above. Also mentioned is Fenton, who denounced Lutheran docrine and joined Eastern Orthodoxy. Fenton worked with Paul McCain, MDiv, on the Missouri hymnal.
Most importantly - Weedon is considered high on the list of Confessional Lutherna bloggers. Oh my. Richard J. Neuhaus was a Confessional Lutheran up until he joined Rome with his Confessional Lutheran brethren, who joined Rome. Here is a list of fellow bloggers on yet another Confessional Lutheran blog: Rev. Wright II Alan Ludwig Pr. H. R. Rev. Rick Sawyer Rev. Jacob Sutton The Rev. BT Ball Pr. Georg Williams Brent Kuhlman Fr. Timothy D. May, S.S.P. Rev. Paul Beisel Rev. Gifford A. Grobien Rev. Rick Stuckwisch Rev. Erich Fickel Rev. Richard A. Heinz Pr. Ralph Tausz Rev. Fr. Robert W. Schaibley David Jay Webber Pastor Foy Rev. Kent A. Heimbigner, Ph.D. Rev. Robert Franck.
What Happened (Weedon Blog)
I was chatting with a friend today. He thinks I'm obsessed with the Blessed Virgin. Fancy that. Actually, I was telling him that what is striking is how often and simply the great fathers of the 16th and 17th centuries speak of the Mother of God's perpetual virginity or the closed womb birth and such from the pulpit and in their other writings. To them it was just taken for granted.
Why was it taken for granted then, but not taken for granted now?
I don't know the answer for certain, but I have a hunch about what happened. It's this: the Churches of the Augsburg Confession retained Latin. That means that they didn't bother to translate the old Latin office hymns. They wrote new hymns in German, of course, but they just kept on singing the old hymns in Latin right alongside the new ones (though the Sequences, unlike the office hymns, were subject to frequent "correcta" - always with copious Scriptural annotations). And those hymns simply shaped their theological endeavor.
In the Magdeburg Book the hymn "Creator of the Stars of Night" is listed as being sung at Vespers throughout Adventtide. It is sung in Latin, of course, and - as throughout the book - Scriptural allusions are provided in the margins. So when in the third stanza they sang of the Lord proceeding from the "closed" Mother, the margin listed the reference to Ezekiel 44:2. They sang it every night at Vespers in Magdeburg during Advent! They grew up shaped by that. Where did Gerhard learn the allusion of Mary's virginity being typified in the burning bush, in Gideon's fleece, in Aaron's rod that budded? It was all in the hymnody! The LATIN hymnody. The hymnody they didn't translate and just kept using. UNTIL.
Until rationalism and pietism swept through the Lutheran Churches, and then Latin was the first thing axed. And suddenly all the hymns that had nurtured and sustained a way of reading and thinking about the Scriptures were no longer there. Only the post-Reformation hymns that had been composed in German largely remained. And it wasn't too long after this that we see a marked change in how the Scriptures themselves were being read and understood.
As I said, this is all Weedon's suppositions - I have yet to do all the "hard data work" as dear Dr. Nagel would call it - but I truly suspect it explains a LOT of what happened. Take up your old German Gesangbuch and look for the hymns that we regard as standard from the Latin. They're not there. It's a loss I think we've still not reckoned with, and it explains why Lutherans of the 21st century simply don't know how to DEAL with what their forebears in the faith simply took as axiomatic.
posted by William Weedon at 4:52 PM
28 Comments:
Paul T. McCain said...
Maybe your friend was right?
5:42 PM
William Weedon said...
Well, I DO believe miracles still happen... ;)
6:45 PM
Anonymous said...
I went to Fenton's new church today. I looked for you on IM but you're not logged in. I ducked out before anybody talked to me and I didn't accept any of their bread. I was supposed to reject it, right?
7:52 PM
Rev. Benjamin Harju said...
Bill,
Good post. I think with the disappearance of the hymns, the sad darkness of the Reformed and general Protestantism seeped in to fill their place. Now with the Liturgy itself with all good hymns being chucked in many of our parishes, just imagine the chaos that looms ahead for us in the future. I'm afraid that the loss of the Semper Virgo and the Closed Womb delivery of Jesus will seem like small potatoes compared to what's coming our way in 50-100 years.
BTW, your new ID image is nice, but it's big. Now, maybe it's because I can only get a 26K connection at best, but it sure does take a while to download. I'm sure it's because my connection speed is so poor out here. It still looks nice, though.
8:42 PM
Rev. Benjamin Harju said...
Dear Anonymous,
The only reason you would need to refuse their bread is if you wish to refuse their love and friendship. That's the point behind their baking it by hand, blessing it, and giving it to those with whom they cannot admit to the Sacrament.
Thinking of my own parish situation, it sure would be confusing and disheartening if a new face showed up, but darted out so no one could say "Welcome" or "Hi, and you are?"
Why did you visit their parish? Did you intend to behave this way from the get-go? I wouldn't be pleased to find out one of my parishioners did something like this in one of the other churches in town.
But maybe this all sounds worse than it really is? Perhaps I just have the wrong idea here.
What is going on here?
In Christ,
Rev. Benjamin Harju, Pastor
St. John's LCMS, Hastings, IA
St. Paul LCMS, Oakland, IA
8:53 PM
Anonymous said...
The bread they were offering me was the same bread they were receiving in communion. Wouldn't accepting it be like communing at the alter of a non-Lutheran church? I didn't go with plans to refuse the bread. I didn't know they were going to do it until I read it in the ordo. As for darting out right at the end, I did plan that as my current pastor actually recommended that I don't visit at all because he thought J.F. would corner me and try to convert me on the spot. J.F. headed downstairs and I bolted for my car.
8:59 PM
William Weedon said...
Dear Jenn,
Pastor Harju is quite right about the bread - though it LOOKS like the Eucharistic bread, it is called "antidoran" - "instead of the gift" - and is offered merely as a gesture of friendship.
I don't think Fr. John would have tried to convert you on the spot, though he would certainly love to have you as an Orthodox Christian because of his conviction that Orthodoxy is the one true Church.
What did you think of the liturgy? It's remarkably similar, I suspect, to Zion's liturgy. The Divine Service of the Lutheran Church and the Liturgy of the Gregorian Rite of the Western Orthodox have a true kinship. And certainly Fr. John is a powerful preacher of the Gospel. Still where we differ, we differ, and no similarity in liturgy can gloss over the difference.
9:32 PM
William Weedon said...
Pr. Harju,
You may of course be correct, but we also see in LSB the Lutheran faith expressed beautifully in numerous new hymns written in modern English. That gives reason to hope as well. Time will tell. It's a battle of passing on vs. erosion.
9:33 PM
Anonymous said...
Doh! It's not the same bread? *facepalm* Oh well. At least now I know.
Yes, it's remarkably similar in liturgy. It felt a little informal but I think that's because I'm used to organ music and a grand-looking building with great acoustics. The hynms were all about martyrs and Mary. It seemed somewhat lacking in gospel by comparison. Also, there was unfamiliar terms used here and there so I didn't feel as though I could give any Amens. I merely observed for the most part.
9:47 PM
Omar said...
Interesting,
The disuse of Latin - in hymns or otherwise - must be why a Roman Catholic friend of mine(who's a convert from the Baptists) thought it strange that when I was examing Lutheranism I started delving into Latin. The two seemed mutually exclusive to him and Lutheranism had, in his mind, become synonymous with hostility toward Latin... sigh
If the early Lutherans wrote new hymns in the vernbacular without translating the old Latin hymns, they must have had a high regard for teaching Latin.
very, very interesting
Fr.Weedon,
How would the rise of Rationalism and Pietism in Lutheransim cause Latin to be regarded as less favorable? Was it Latin itself or more importantly theological points evident in these writings that were a thorn in the side of these streams?
Pax
10:25 PM
William Weedon said...
Omar,
The rationalists and pietists both disliked the Latin itself. They thought of it as being stuck to far into the Romanism that Lutheranism ought to have extracted itself from. The Lutherans thought entirely differently: the Latin was just the language that they'd grow up with and they treasured it and used it regularly.
10:30 PM
William Weedon said...
TOO far. Grr!
10:34 PM
The Unknown Lutheran said...
Pastor Weedon:
I too am accused of having a Marian obsession. The phrase "Icon of the Church" is stuck in my mind.
One can have a healthy obsession with the Blessed Virgin though, and I am sure you have such a healthy interest as all I have read from you or heard from you on IE never goes against the fact that Christ is absolutely central.
Anonymous:
You have nothing to fear from Fr. Fenton. Talk to him if you get the chance. He has no supernatural powers to convert high church confessional Lutherans :)
You hit the nail on the head by writing about the lack of gospel.
He needs to hear this. If you get the chance, tell him. The typical old school cn type Lutheran crowd would call me a hyper-euro and sacerdotalist and despite my absolute respect for the OHM, the Gospel, the Truth, spoken by a layperson is just as powerful as what is spoken by the ordained. If you know the Truth, speak it! Fr. Fenton or not.
I have a dream in which Fr. Fenton comes home to Wittenberg, where he belongs, where we need him as well.
11:17 PM
Fraser said...
Dear William,
Have you have read Charles R Hogg Jr's articles on this theme in Lutherna (sic) Forum?
Fraser
Thoughts of Marvin
I have a long post from someone about TOF. I will mention some things I know.
The Little Sect on the Prairie took control of Thoughts of Faith, which was largely funded by Marvin Schwan.
Little Printshop on the Prairie
A highlight of the convention was the program on two evenings when a representative of each church body told about its work – including the joys and difficulties it faced. Pastor "Martin Luther" Kim from South Korea stole the show with his exuberance and enthusiasm. He emphasized that he wanted to be called Martin Luther because our world is desperately in need of a second Reformation. He reported that his church has about 250 members, of which 50 are studying in the United States.
Rev. John Vogt
Thoughts of Faith, Inc.
Our 2008 synod convention adopted the recommendation that the church-related organization, Thoughts of Faith (TOF), "be brought into the organizational structure, direction, and control of the synod through its Board for Foreign Missions." For the 2009 convention a proposed structure will be presented. The date for the full implementation of the acquisition is January 1, 2010. Mr. Kermit Traska currently serves as the Executive Director for TOF.
John Shep began TOF as a para-church organization. The formerly empty website for TOF has plenty of content now. ELS Pastor Paul Schneider (Midland, Michigan) is president of the board. Schneider's congregation has Dow Chemical money behind it, so it is the only heir-conditioned Lutheran church in that city.
Roger Kovaciny, Jay Webber, and others gave Bishop John Shep the Left Foot of Fellowship, so he came back from the Ukraine.
Pastor John Shep is now serving a three-point ELCA congregation, not far from TOF headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. There are some interesting photo pages. He is involved in the Ukraine again. I recall that TOF was supposed to deliver Ukraine from the Commie Atheists, which is a good description of the current ELCA leadership. Update - the Vermont congregation has gone on its own, with Shep as the pastor, instead of being yoked with two others.
Has anyone noticed how ELS pastors become ELCA pastors? The Fuller-trained ELS pastor who was on the doctrine committee joined ELCA. I think that CG pastor was in Naples, Florida when Orvick dropped the hammer. Corrections are welcome.
David Jay Webber, once in the Ukraine, now serves in Scottsdale, Arizona and Queen Creek.
Roger Kovaciny resigned from the Little Sect on the Prairie. He denies being A. Nony Mouse, and I believe him. There were details that pointed to a WELS pastor. Kovo is translating in the Ukraine, somewhat on his own, with help from WELS/ELS Church Growth leader Floyd Luther Stolzenburg.
Stolzenburg was hailed as the savior of WELS in Columbus, after he was kicked out of the LCMS ministry for cause, divorced for cause, and sued for cause. He never joined WELS, but WELS treated him as a pastor with a proper divine call. Shep, Kovaciny, and Webber took money from Stolzenburg's Masonic CG congregation (a job supported by Kuske) and built a church in Ukraine, naming it after Floyd's. Awww, that is so sentimental and supportive of Floyd. Who says the love of money is the root of all evil? Oh, the Bible? Well, never mind. The NIV probably reads, "Mark and avoid poor people." That would explain the joint attitude of the ELS and WELS. They can agree on something after all. TOF even got matching funds from the Schwan Foundation to build that church named after Floyd's in Columbus. Friends, if you got turned down for a grant from Schwan - you just did not sink low enough.
Apparently John Lawrenz did some work at the Ukraine Seminary. The Holy Spirit ordered him to Asia, although John argued hard against it, according to the interview published on the Web.
One of the Schwan sons is on the TOF board. The Schwan Foundation is not as prodigal as it once was, so many projects have been tossed. If anyone suffers from thinking that money is a Means of Grace, think again. The eruption of Schwan money served mainly to get the old Synodical Conference (LCMS-ELS-WELS) into outrageous spending habits.
Friday, September 5, 2008
A Brief Message from Luther
KJV Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
The bold font is verbatim from the WELS congregation in Laveen (Phoenix, Arizona), CrossWalk.
The words of Luther, from the Book of Concord, are in italics.
Studies show that many men—and more and more women too—will not even set foot inside a church today. Way too much of church is boring and irrelevant.
99] Likewise those fastidious spirits are to be reproved who, when they have heard a sermon or two, find it tedious and dull, thinking that they know all that well enough, and need no more instruction. For just that is the sin which has been hitherto reckoned among mortal sins, and is called ajkhdia, i.e., torpor or satiety, a malignant, dangerous plague with which the devil bewitches and deceives the hearts of many, that he may surprise us and secretly withdraw God's Word from us. Large Catechism
1] That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4, 25.
2] And He alone is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, John 1, 29; and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all, Is. 53, 6.
3] Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, Rom. 3, 23f
4] Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Rom. 3, 28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise 3, 26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ. Smalcald Articles.
Many of us feel like we don't have time. We don't want to be constantly asked for money. And frankly, many of us believe church is for wimps. Beyond all that, the number one reason most of us don't like to go to church is obvious—there are way too many hypocrites there!
We will now return to the Gospel, which not merely in one way gives us counsel and aid against sin; for God is superabundantly rich [and liberal] in His grace [and goodness]. First, through the spoken Word by which the forgiveness of sins is preached [He commands to be preached] in the whole world; which is the peculiar office of the Gospel. Secondly, through Baptism. Thirdly, through the holy Sacrament of the Altar. Fourthly, through the power of the keys, and also through the mutual conversation and consolation of brethren, Matt. 18, 20: Where two or three are gathered together, etc. Smalcald Articles.
If you hate going to church, CrossWalk was built with you in mind.
The Third Commandment.
Thou shalt sanctify the holy-day.
What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred, and gladly hear and learn it. Small Catechism.
At CrossWalk we're casual in our approach, yet what we have to communicate is extremely serious stuff. We strive to make every message and every service relevant and applicable to real life, as well as excellent in quality. At the same time, you can come to church in your jeans, or your shorts (or even in your jean shorts) and feel perfectly comfortable in one of our services. Grab a cup of coffee and a bagel on your way in and settle in for a high-octane hour of power-learning about God.
100] For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. 101] On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. 102] And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to Right and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant. Large Catechism.
KJV Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
***
GJ - Our daily cross to bear - those who use cutesy cross titles for their organizations so they can preach a God without wrath sending His Son without a cross into a world without sin. And they call themselves Lutheran, albeit stealthily, covertly, furtively, whispering low in Jerusalem lest they be heard in the streets of Gath. 2 Samuel 1:20.
From the Social Director of the Love Boat
The Love Boat
If you hate going to church, we understand.
Studies show that many men—and more and more women too—will not even set foot inside a church today. Way too much of church is boring and irrelevant. Many of us feel like we don't have time. We don't want to be constantly asked for money. And frankly, many of us believe church is for wimps. Beyond all that, the number one reason most of us don't like to go to church is obvious—there are way too many hypocrites there!
If you hate going to church, CrossWalk was built with you in mind. At CrossWalk we're casual in our approach, yet what we have to communicate is extremely serious stuff. We strive to make every message and every service relevant and applicable to real life, as well as excellent in quality. At the same time, you can come to church in your jeans, or your shorts (or even in your jean shorts) and feel perfectly comfortable in one of our services. Grab a cup of coffee and a bagel on your way in and settle in for a high-octane hour of power-learning about God.
The early Christians were not lambs. They were lions—take-charge people who risked everything they had to serve God. They fought valiantly for their faith in God. They spoke their minds and stepped on toes, especially the toes of the religious establishment. They were true leaders—tough guys and gals who were both feared and respected in their communities. They weren't always "saintly," but they had an intense commitment to God and to his message. That's the kind of church CrossWalk is striving to become.
If you're looking for a church that will—
Meet you wherever you're at
Engage you where your soul meets real life
Teach you, not preach at you
Help you really deeply understand what's in the Bible
Challenge you to whole-hearted faith in God
And do all of that in a way that's not wimpy or hypocritical
—then, we challenge you to check out CrossWalk! You won't go away disappointed. That's our promise.
New Residents
Are you brand new to the Laveen and South Mountain Village communities?
CrossWalk is built for you. We have great people who can help you get plugged in and connect with your neighbors. We're a church that's passionate about our community. If you're new to Laveen and South Mountain Village, and trying to get your feet on the ground, join us this coming Sunday at CrossWalk. When you get here, just ask for Melody, our community resource guru, and she'll get you the info to find the services you're looking for.
If you can't wait until Sunday, and need information about your community today, call us at the CrossWalk office (602) 304-0072, and we'll help you find directions to what you need. Here are some great websites and phone numbers to help you get connected.
Community
Laveen Community Website - www.laveen.org
South Mountain - Laveen Chamber of Commerce - http://www.phoenixchamber.com/smlc/Index/
Schools
Arizona Lutheran Academy - Christian High School Education - www.alacoyotes.org, Ph: (602) 268-8686
Emmanuel Lutheran School - Christian Elementary School Education - http://www.elstempe.org, Ph: (480) 967-3991
Eagle College Prep - K-3 Elementary Charter School - www.eagleprep.org, Ph: (602) 672-2007
Laveen Elementary School District - K-8 Elementary Public Education http://www.laveeneld.org, Ph: (602) 237-7040
Roosevelt Elementary School District - K-8 Elementary Public Education http://www.rsd.k12.az.us, Ph: (602) 243-4800
***
GJ - Why would anyone favor the incense of Eastern Orthodox worship over the community resource guru of CrossWalk?
Mrs. Ichabod is motioning to me.
"Felt needs," she says.
Now I remember. If a church (dare we call it that?) appeals to the felt needs of a community, then people will stay for the Gospel.
But, if the message on the website is so attenuated that the Word of God is hidden away, then when will the efficacious Gospel be allowed to work?
KJV 1 Corinthians 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
Triglotta at NPH
Texas Pastor has left a new comment on your post "Timotheus Verinus":
Northwestern Publishing House's online cataglog (sic) does offer the Triglotta on DVD for $50 including the Historical Introductions.
***
GJ - Yup, he is a WELS pastor. Or he is using the phonetic Norwegian spelling for catalogue.
I am pleased that they are offering the Triglotta on a CD. I am inclined to order it myself. When I get it, I will publish a review on how it works. I am hoping that it makes searching, copying and pasting easy.
The Tappert is easier to carry but not as lethal against bugs. One swat with the Triglotta can take out small mammals. I do not fuss about Tappert being not so good. Tappert is better than no Book of Concord at all.
Bente's Introductions are great. There are many older publications that, by themselves, outshine the entire lifetime production of all the Lutheran Church Growth experts.
Borrowing from Luther, my favorite humorist - The Lutheran CG experts teach against the effectiveness of the Word, but they fill the world with all their words. If the Word is so ineffective, why do we need so much of their word?
Paul Kelm - take note.
---
Texas Pastor has left a new comment on your post "Triglotta at NPH":
"cataglog"?!?!?! "cataglog"!?!?!?!
("Sedagive??!?!?! Sedagive?!?!!? --Obligatory "Young Frankenstein" reference)
Argh!!!!!
Many thousands of apologies for such a silly slip of the fingers...that's what I get for commenting too late at night and not proofreading...that bothers me so much because I can't even explain it away by neighboring keys! Argh!
But at least NPH DOES have the Triglotta (and you can still get the printed version at the bookstores at MLC and the Seminary). It's even possible that they have printed versions available to order if you call NPH. That's happened to me before when I order things and ask about other things. Items not in the catalog (or catalogue) are sometimes still available. Why they aren't in the catalog (catalogue), I have no earthly idea.
Though, you are correct, an electronic Triglotta does not replace the fun of the massive hard copy that doesn't fit in any bookbag or briefcase known to man. I'm sure I wouldn't have been allowed to bring my Triglotta to jury duty last week as it would most likely be considered something "that could be a weapon."
Timotheus Verinus
From a WELS layman:
I don't know if the book advertised in the link has been a staple at NPH. It is The Complete Timotheus Verinus, advertised as a refutation of Pietism.
I think I see more doctrinally-square books on the pastoral list. Then, again, I haven't looked for a couple of years, and it's hard to tell from the listings in many cases.
Timotheus Verinus
Translated into English for the first time, this an essential work for those studying the orthodox Lutheran response to Pietism. Author, Valentin Ernst Loescher (1673-1749), the most capable opponent to the Pietists, was moderate and patient during the bitter conflict that divided German Lutheran. The two parts of this book are his defense of Orthodoxy against the violent attacks of the Halle theologian. Part one -- systematic presentation of pietistic theology and Loescher's evaluation of it. Part two -- response to a Pietist refutation of Part one, and makes a plea for honesty in the judgments of embroiled theologians. In sum, these volumes represent the only complete and mature analysis of Pietism by someone who experienced it firsthand. Part One (1718) is translated by James L. Langebartels and Part Two (1721) by Robert J. Koester. Hardcover. Size, 8 5/8 x 11 1/4 inches. 488 pages. Published 1998.
NPH is not selling the Triglotta, only the Tappert.
Someone wrote, so I don't have to:
PIETISM,
which stems from a tendency to deemphasize doctrine and to emphasize the personal spiritual life of believers, grew out of a reaction to what was seen as dead, academic orthodoxy in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in Lutheran Germany. It became a problem for the church after the publication in 1675 of a tract entitled Pia Desideria, by the renowned Philipp Jacob Spener.
Valentin Ernst Loescher was one of the last of the orthodox theologians. He was born just two years before Spener's tract was published, and thus grew up in a sea of pietistic sentiment and teaching in the German church. By the time he had found his theological voice, Pietism was in full flower. As a result, his very moderate criticism of the movement got him censured by the Powers That Be, in this case the theologicans at the University of Halle. His response to this was to publish a series of newsletters and columns whose aim was to expose the errors of Pietism and restore the proper balance to the church. These have been collected in a volume entitled The Complete Timotheus Verinus, (Northwestern Publishing House) which means the true Timothy.
Loescher's approach to the issues is instructive. Rather than publish a caustic polemic against the Pietists, his approach was above all objective and quietly firm. He first began by describing the classic heresies of Arianism and Crypto-Calvinism, going into great historical detail as a means of sensitizing the reader to the fine little details wherein the devil ever-so-slightly twists the truth. In so doing, one is prepared to investigate the little details--which Loescher quickly emphasizes are much less in error than Arianism--which comprise the Pietist approach to Christianity.
Next, Loescher writes about the seed of this religious evil. Here is where he gets personal. Now tell me which of THESE you identify with:
"...This seed exists in the following heart malignities, which are a part of original sin, and have their full force and activity in unbelief.
- In the contempt and disregard of the arrangement prescribed, or at least advised by God. For example, Naaman despised the sevenfold washing in the Jordan which the man of God had ordered for him (2Ki 5:11, 12). The human heart, according to its sinful birth, is permeated with this desire to know and to want everything better, holier, stronger than God has orderd it, or than it can be...The Holy Spirit calls those infected in that way, those who are free from order [See Thes. 5:14].
- In the so-called perfectionism. In this state of mind the man wants to know, have or do perfectly (from the residue of the damnable longing of our first parents,when they wanted to be like God), with fixed standard, restriction, and precaution, what he can only know, have, or do by himself as bungled work. This finally ends in a fanatical independence in everything.
- In lavishing the mental powers on one matter, while forgetting and neglecting other matters, on which one oght to lavish as much, if not more, mental powers. E.g., the fruits of the sanctified life are urged so much that we think less of and at last even forget the means and support of our salvation.
- In unlimited love for secret, peculiar, and lofty things. This usually degenerates into mysticism and the like evils, or even into the expectation and longing for great things and world transformations. From this, millenialism arises.
- In mixing the powers of soul and spirit, i.e., our own moderate inclinations and the divine impulse in us. From this, the so-called rigidism usually arises in earnest minds.
- In the excessive freedom which one allows to the power of the imagination, from which finally comes the rule of fantasy, which is the mother of enthusiasm.
- In the confusion of the things which ought to be grasped and treated distinctly. This confusion adheres strongly and commonly among men. Such rudeness, if we know and examine ourselves correctly, is in all our hearts,and is the real seed from which the so-called pietism grows, the disorderly and dangerous attitude in the impulse to godliness.
Loescher p. 11-12.
***
GJ - I bought my copy a long time ago and enjoyed it. This book is not easy reading, but the parallels to Church Growth excitement, falsehoods, and divisiveness are staggering. Any reader can substitute CG cellgroups for the groups described here and the observations will be just as germane.
I commend the translators - quite a job. Now the ministerium needs to apply the lessons and not just hint at the problems. I see a lot of positive beginnings already.
The phrase is Contend for the Faith, not Contented with the Synod.
Faith vs Fear
or study at Watertown, or go to New Ulm. Faster!
Some people from WELS expect a creature to burst from my stomach and skitter into a corner, only to start multiplying, like those from the movie franchise Alien, Aliens, Alien Cubed, and Alien Resurrection.
However, others in WELS are not like that at all. The difference may be explained by faith in the Word and confidence in Biblical doctrine. The opposite of faith is fear.
Sectarians teach their disciples to fear anything different from the template issued by Holy Mother Synod. To stoke this fear, they engage the grapevine in spreading scary stories that make the Alien franchise look tame.
To make matters worse, these law-mongers teach people to trust in themselves, to emphasize their talents, merits, social skills, and DNA. Any teaching of the law alone--but especially man-made law--makes people more timid. Man-made law makes people afraid they are not good enough, and the law-mongers enforce that feeling by providing law solutions for their victims.
[woman in travail] "The woman is here in such a state of mind that she is fearful of great danger, and yet she knows that the whole work lies in the hands of God; in Him she trusts; upon Him it is she depends; He also helps her and accomplishes the work, which the whole world could not do, and she thinks of nothing but the time that shall follow, when she shall again rejoice; and her heart feels and says, A dangerous hour is at hand, but afterwards it will be well. Courage and the heart press through all obstacles. Thus it will also be with you, when you are in sorrow and adversity, and when you become new creatures. Only quietly wait and permit God to work. He will accomplish everything without your assistance."
Martin Luther, Sermons of Martin Luther, 8 vols., ed. John Nicholas Lenker, Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983, III, p. 81. Third Sunday after Easter John 16:16-23
Improbability Drive on Max
One long-time friend wrote, "Have you seen the blog Bailing Water?" I suppose so. I mention it frequently. I asked him if he had seen mine.
I talked to some blog readers today. There is definitely an effort to tell me that Church Growth is no longer the cat's meow in WELS. We all seem to agree with C. Peter Wagner, whose only correct statement has long been ignored by WELS, Missouri, and ELCA: "Church Growth principles do not work."
Who is going to say now that I never agreed with a single Church Growth expert? David Valleskey used to say in a huff, "They are Christians. We can learn from them, too." I learned this one pearl of wisdom from C. Peter Wager: "Church Growth principles do not work." He was quoted saying that in Christianity Today, that journal of middle-of-the-road generic Protestantism.
The question is - what works? The Biblical answer is - preaching and teaching the Word work, because the Holy Spirit is never divorced from the Word. The Greek word for effective or efficacious could easily be translated as - it works.
A businessman says, "What are your numbers?"
The Word of God asks, "Do you trust God's Word enough to be faithful and let Him work His will in His time?"
My favorite satire book, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams, has a space ship with an improbability drive. Every so often, something completely improbable happens, such as being injected into the vacuum of space and being picked up at the exact same moment by a spaceship, The Heart of Gold. All the expected things do not happen because of this improbability.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Flopsweat Dripping from Church Growth Brows
I predict increasing howls of protests from the WELS apostates, more frantic efforts to put the brakes on the study of Lutheran doctrine. The volume of screeching is directly related to their panic at losing power.
When Church Growth was seizing control in WELS, the Enthusiasts were quiet and confident.
The Kelm/Parlow message to Rick Johnson's blog was a public way of saying, "We are big and strong." That is a sign of weakness. Gathering people around a Deformed-marketing model and bragging up the numbers is another sign of weakness. Herding more people into apostasy is not success. Fidelity to the Word is success.
Everything exposed on Bailing Water and Ichabod has been tucked away or changed. If they really believed they were in harmony with Lutheran doctrine and practice, they would not hide their gushy Sweet reviews, catastrophic offering reports, life coach positions, plagiarized sermons, etc.
These Baptist-Pentecostal tidbits disappear overnight, so that means the blog-minders are reading BW and Ichabod, notifying each other, and changing their websites or blogs at once.
Blessed by Kelm/Parlow
Posted at Pastor Rick's WELS CG Blog
Anonymous said...
Pr. Johnson,
Thanks for your insights and work. There are more who support your position than you know. I am thankful that our church (offers both styles) continues to reach more and more people with the Means. More and more babies baptized, adult confirmations continue to increase, Bible classes multiply, the Lord's Supper offered every weekend. To God be the glory!
Blessed at St. Mark - De Pere
***
GJ - It must be that yakkity-yak sax at Crown of Life, Corona, California.
Pennsylvania asked me to predict the future of WELS.
I said, "In five years, if nothing is done, there won't be a WELS. The Church Growth congregations are training people to be Baptist-Pentecostal. Eventually the members and pastors who like Church Growth will join the sects that do it better. Meanwhile, the ones fleeing Church Growth will join Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy."
I also said, "If anyone pushes Kelm or Parlow about being Lutheran, they can pack up and join Missouri, where Kieschnick would welcome them."
The Deformed-Lutheran union congregations of the 19th century all went Deformed eventually. They are United Church of Christ (all the religions the same) today. A few congregations let the Deformed and Masons leave. Some of them welcomed the Deformed back via the Church Growth Movement. The LCA (now ELCA) did that in another way, breaking up the old union congregations in Pennsylvania (in the name of the Confessions), then creating new ones much later in the name of ecumenism.
Church Growth pastors are not Lutheran, except sometimes by accident of membership. They are Deformed. Many end up like Marryin' Sam, Mark Freier, who gladly performs the marriages of Hindus and Atheists. (Question: Does Mark bless the suttee ceremony, when the dead husband is cremated and the wife is tossed on the flames, to honor him?)
The cutting edge of Church Growth in WELS bows to the image of Leonard Sweet. They love his books, study his malarkey, and invite him to teach them the Word.
---
A Word from Our Sponsor:
91] For the Word of God is the sanctuary above all sanctuaries, yea, the only one which we Christians know and have. For though we had the bones of all the saints or all holy and consecrated garments upon a heap, still that would help us nothing; for all that is a dead thing which can sanctify nobody. But God's Word is the treasure which sanctifies everything, and by which even all the saints themselves were sanctified. At whatever hour, then, God's Word is taught, preached, heard, read or meditated upon, there the person, day, and work are sanctified thereby, not because of the external work, but because of the Word, which makes saints of us all. 92] Therefore I constantly say that all our life and work must be ordered according to God's Word, if it is to be God-pleasing or holy. Where this is done, this commandment is in force and being fulfilled.
100] For let me tell you this, even though you know it perfectly and be already master in all things, still you are daily in the dominion of the devil, who ceases neither day nor night to steal unawares upon you, to kindle in your heart unbelief and wicked thoughts against the foregoing and all the commandments. Therefore you must always have God's Word in your heart, upon your lips, and in your ears. But where the heart is idle, and the Word does not sound, he breaks in and has done the damage before we are aware. 101] On the other hand, such is the efficacy of the Word, whenever it is seriously contemplated, heard, and used, that it is bound never to be without fruit, but always awakens new understanding, pleasure, and devoutness, and produces a pure heart and pure thoughts. For these words are not inoperative or dead, but creative, living words. 102] And even though no other interest or necessity impel us, yet this ought to urge every one thereunto, because thereby the devil is put to Right and driven away, and, besides, this commandment is fulfilled, and [this exercise in the Word] is more pleasing to God than any work of hypocrisy, however brilliant.
Martin Luther, Large Catechism, Third Commandment, The Book of Concord
Babies Are Good News
However the presidential campaign turns out this year, one thing will be different. Americans have never seen such a positive emphasis on babies.
Sarah Palin had her fifth child, knowing the baby boy had Down's Syndrome. Thirty years ago, doctors were saying to parents, "We can test the baby, just in case, you know..." The campaign will do a lot to emphasize how parents have accepted, loved, even adored their special children. Down's Syndrome children are the most lovable of all children. God gives handicapped children a special quotient of charm and special characteristics, to make up for the extra challenges. The difficulties are a shock at first, but parents learn to love the child especially, not in spite of, but because of those qualities, the combination of difficulties and unique blessings.
The Palin's oldest daughter jumped the gun and started a family early. Having the baby and getting married are two great testimonies in an age of convenience and destruction. Our Pharisaical prudery makes it easy for people to take the easy way out. The grandchild is being given a chance to live, to love and be loved. The path is not easy for any of the Palins, in the glare of national publicity.
Meanwhile, the Left rages. I am not surprised. Years ago, before Clinton, I witnessed conservative pastors defending and lying for a clergy sex offender while attacking those who happened to be ill. People like that dig their own holes and never see it is getting darker and darker where they dwell and delve.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Leonard Sweet Disciple - On WELS Worship Wars
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Worship Wars, by Pastor Rick Johnson, WELS
Lately I've been reading the discussion on another blog about worship in Lutheran churches. The title of the first blog post that sparked the discussion was "Worship Wars in the WELS." Some of the posts are thoughtful and thought provoking, even if I have reached a different conclusion. Some of the posts reflect an attitude that seems to be, "if only I present my way of thinking with enough force, make unsubstantiated and often times false accusations and resort to sarcasm, I win the day." [GJ - Straw Man fallacy alert] Most of the posters believe that traditional worship using traditional liturgy is the only way in which Lutherans can and should worship. Some even go so far as to state that those who offer other worship styles such as contemporary are not really Lutherans or at the very best, suspect in their theology. [GJ - Straw Man fallacy alert] It comes very close to making a New Testament ceremonial law. [GJ - Straw Man fallacy alert] As one brother pastor put it, their argument is the "dirty dog" argument. There is no New Testament law regarding worship but "you're a dirty dog if you don't do it my way." [GJ - Straw Man fallacy alert] A few have expressed the belief that when it comes to worship in our church body, it's "my way or the highway." [GJ - Straw Man fallacy alert] They would rather see the Synod be divided than allow that other churches have the Christian freedom to select a worship style of which they do not approve even if they know nothing about the ministry context of those churches and probably will never worship there. [GJ - Straw Man in a run-on sentence]
Here's my take.
1. It seems that the "worship wars" are only being fought by one side. Churches such as Crown of Life that offer worship choices to members and visitors are not fighting the worship wars. We understand that in Christian freedom, we are able to be flexible in how we proclaim the Gospel. In order to get people before the Word, if we have to do it in a different language, so be it; if using visuals, so be it; if a more contemporary musical style, so be it. The harsh words, judging hearts and fighting the worship wars is coming only from the side of those who see no other way but their way. The worship warriors are fighting but they are all alone in the battle. Is it really a war if there are not two sides fighting?
2. God is his mercy and grace is bringing new worshipers to our church in both the traditional service and the contemporary service. He is honored in both services. The Word is preached. The Sacraments are administered. The Holy Spirit is working through His means. All of this in both services. Last Sunday, one member who sometimes worships at the traditional service and sometimes at the contemporary service told me, "I love how the same Jesus Christ is preached at both our services."
3. I am thankful that at Crown of Life, we do not have worship wars. Most of our worshipers attend the same service, be it traditional or contemporary, whether out of personal preference for the style, force of habit or just because they like the service time. New people show up at both. However, thank God that we are blessed with no rancor about personal preferences couched theological arguments.
As an aside, I am also thankful that especially our contemporary service provides an opportunity for many Christians to use their gifts and talents to serve God and their brothers and sisters. Last Sunday, the band included a high school sophomore on bass who has been playing now for almost a year and a junior high student singing for her first time. A lead guitarist in his fifties plays with one of our bands. High school students, college students, young adults and adults in their prime (how I like to describe middle age) also play. There are young adults who run the sound, videos and lights. We are blessed with keyboardists, guitar players, drummers, singers and even a sax player. While I would love to have a piano player or organist to play at our early service (we used to have two but they both moved to different cities), I believe that the organ or piano is not the only God-pleasing musical instrument.
***
GJ - I believe Rick Johnson is talking about Bailing Water, where another Church Growth advocate is making fun of the historical liturgy and those who favor worship based on the efficacy of the Means of Grace.
Ichabodians may remember Johnson as the pastor who removed a gushing mention of the latest Leonard Sweet book from his blog (without mentioned that fact) while complaining I discussed his published offering figures.
He said it was "unclassy" to mention his offerings.
RJ said it was "unclassy" to publish them in the first place.
At another WELS Church Growth site, the sermons went from being plagiarized, to being plagiarized and footnoted, to being removed from the website altogether. Printed copies are now available in a plain brown wrapper at an undisclosed location.
Readers will notice the typical WELS argument that everything is an adiaphoron, a matter of indifference. If so, then why does Rick Johnson use the Straw Man logical fallacy to argue against traditional worship? A Straw Man fallacy constructs a parody of the other position and then attacks the parody. Voila. What brilliance. As I often tell my college classes, a Straw Man argument only convinces the people who agree. Using the Straw Man is a sign of intellectual weakness.
As Augustine noted a few centuries ago, error progresses through three stages:
1. We have a right to be heard.
2. We deserve an equal voice.
3. We will not tolerate any opposition.
Pastor Rick is proud of his contemporary services. I, for one, would be happy to have a saxophone honking his way through the Gloria in Excelsis. But why not substitute "Morning Has Broken" for the Gloria? A good recessional would be "Time To Say Goodbye" with Cousin Brunhilda belting out the high notes.
Lutherans wonder why the Eastern Orthodox services are filling up with their former members. I have been at a few Greek Orthodox services. Nobody played the sax or snare drums.
A Moment for the His-tory Books
Watch this video.
Warning. Try not to laugh while enjoying that snack at the computer.
Bente Introductions Here
Eric Gutz has posted a comment: The Bente Historical Introductions to the Book of Concord can be found here:
http://www.bookofconcord.org/historicalintros.html
You can find the whole Book of Concord here:
http://www.bookofconcord.org.
What if they had a free conference where the greatest Lutheran theologians in history all gave presentations? I believe the attendance would be even greater than having the Church and Change boys invite Waldo Werning and Leonard Sweet.
The Book of Concord is that conference, starring:
- Martin Luther (Small Catechism, Large Catechism, Smalcald Articles).
- Philip Melanchthon (Augsburg Confession, Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Treatise on the Pope).
- Martin Chemnitz (Formula of Concord writer, Book of Concord chief editor).
- Jacob Andreae (Book of Concord instigator and editor).
- David Chytraeus (Book of Concord editor, Formula of Concord writer).
Apart from J. Gerhard, who came along later, the men listed above are the greatest Christian theologians who have taught the Word. Gerhard was almost completely unavailable to English readers until recently. Jack Preus (not alone) made Chemnitz available and also wrote a fine biography of The Second Martin. Chytraeus is now available too.
Someone wrote, "Why are you the only person quoting Chytraeus?" Answer - Because I am one of the few who reads the great theologians. The rest are getting their copies of Sweet, Maxwell, Hunter, and Werning signed. That does not make me superior: it means the others are lazy, deserving to be "deprived of food, baited by dogs, driven out of town, and pelted with manure." (From the Large Catechism, but you knew that already)
---
Brian P Westgate has left a new comment on your post "This Brief BoC Section Destroys the Crypto-Calvini...":
Bente is sold in a separate volume at both the WLS and CTSFW bookstores, and it's still published by CPH.
***
GJ - That is good news. Is it bought and read? The Surrendered Fort is not exactly a bastion of Lutheran doctrine.
This Brief BoC Section Destroys the Crypto-Calvinist Church Growthers
Book of Concord, Smalcald Articles. VIII. Of Confession
3] And in those things which concern the spoken, outward Word, we must firmly hold that God grants His Spirit or grace to no one, except through or with the preceding outward Word, in order that we may [thus] be protected against the enthusiasts, i.e., spirits who boast that they have the Spirit without and before the Word, and accordingly judge Scripture or the spoken Word, and explain and stretch it at their pleasure, as Muenzer did, and many still do at the present day, who wish to be acute judges between the Spirit and the letter, and yet know not what they say or declare. 4] For [indeed] the Papacy also is nothing but sheer enthusiasm, by which the Pope boasts that all rights exist in the shrine of his heart, and whatever he decides and commands with [in] his church is spirit and right, even though it is above and contrary to Scripture and the spoken Word.
5] All this is the old devil and old serpent, who also converted Adam and Eve into enthusiasts, and led them from the outward Word of God to spiritualizing and self-conceit, and nevertheless he accomplished this through other outward words. 6] Just as also our enthusiasts [at the present day] condemn the outward Word, and nevertheless they themselves are not silent, but they fill the world with their pratings and writings, as though, indeed, the Spirit could not come through the writings and spoken word of the apostles, but [first] through their writings and words he must come. Why [then] do not they also omit their own sermons and writings, until the Spirit Himself come to men, without their writings and before them, as they boast that He has come into them without the preaching of the Scriptures? But of these matters there is not time now to dispute at greater length; we have elsewhere sufficiently urged this subject.
9] In a word, enthusiasm inheres in Adam and his children from the beginning [from the first fall] to the end of the world, [its poison] having been implanted and infused into them by the old dragon, and is the origin, power [life], and strength of all heresy, especially of that of the Papacy and Mahomet. 10] Therefore we ought and must constantly maintain this point, that God does not wish to deal with us otherwise than through the spoken Word and the Sacraments. 11] It is the devil himself whatsoever is extolled as Spirit without the Word and Sacraments. For God wished to appear even to Moses through the burning bush and spoken Word; and no prophet neither Elijah nor Elisha, received the Spirit without the Ten Commandments [or spoken Word]. 12] Neither was John the Baptist conceived without the preceding word of Gabriel, nor did he leap in his mother's womb without the voice of Mary. 13] And Peter says, 2 Pet. 1, 21: The prophecy came not by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Without the outward Word, however, they were not holy, much less would the Holy Ghost have moved them to speak when they still were unholy [or profane]; for they were holy, says he, since the Holy Ghost spake through them.
---
GJ - Several people have mentioned the close connection between the Crypto-Calvinists described in Bente (Concordia Triglotta, Historical Introductions) and the Church Growthers. I noticed Paul McCain, MDiv, trying to sell his CPH Concordia cheap. I did not see any reference to Bente's Introductions. James Heiser, MDiv, another graduate of The Surrendered Fort, expressed a loathing for Bente. Now Missouri has safely buried the work. To get one, someone needs to hover around used book sales or find a Triglotta.
I am glad these two Lutherans mentioned the Crypto-Calvinists and Church Growth, because I made the same point some time ago. I am pleased at how obvious this is to anyone who reads the history of the post-Luther era, a time few people study or know.
The post-Luther era gave us the Book of Concord, thanks to the unraveling of the Lutherans into many different factions. The Book of Concord united the factions by condemning false doctrine and teaching sound doctrine from the Scriptures. Both are necessary.
After Luther died, the Crypto-Calvinists took over completely and pretended they were the real Lutherans. They got the Elector to persecute the genuine Lutherans while advancing their pals who hated Luther's doctrine. The Cryptos were liars and sneaks. They plotted their moves. One of their letters got into the hands of the Elector by mistake. He had the power to search the dwellings of the Cryptos. Plenty of evidence showed up. The tables were turned.
The same movement has taken place in all the Lutheran synods, big and small, from the lavender ELCA to the incestuous CLC (sic). In every case, the Crypto-Calvinist Church Growthers have claimed to be Lutheran, protested their methods were neutral, and actively persecuted the genuine Lutherans.
They quietly placed their buddies in positions of power. The turtles are not decorating the fenceposts by accident. Some details:
- All the world mission leaders became CG.
- All the American mission leaders became CG.
- Evangelism was defined purely from CG books, especially the Crypto-Calvinist Hunter, Werning, and Valleskey books.
- Significant bureaucratic positions were handed to Cryptos.
- The seminaries--all of them--taught CG. Kincaid Smith got his DMin in Church Growth while Robert Preus was president of The Surrendered Fort.
- The district popes were patiently taught that CG was good, Lutheran, and necessary because "We are wetting our pants in terror over our future loss of membership and money! Don't let critics get in the way! Mow them down!"
- The periodicals and conferences were given over to promoting CG.
- People like Valleskey became seminary president by promoting CG while denying it. No one got anywhere criticizing CG.
- The CG people all promoted each other's writing, defended each other's honor, and rose in a chorus of Anathema Sit anyone who dissented from their Gospel-drenched and Spirit-anointed mission.
The get-along go-along Boomers are the worst advocates of this slimy campaign. The Love Shack in WELS is full of Church Growthers. Ditto the Purple Palace, because Al Barry and Paul McCain did nothing against Crypto-Calvinism. The Little Shack on the Prairie (ELS) has also sheltered and promoted CG. I found out (no suprise) that Norm Berg, the Fuller-trained WELS guy, knew Mac Minnick the Fuller-trained ELCA missions leader. How did they know each other so well? How could they spout the same inanities so fluently? They studied at the same school in Pasadena, the Great Sewer of Protestantism today.
Here is one little anecdote from WELS days, so illustrative of they way these things work. I was invited to give a paper to another conference, in Michigan proper. I was in Ohio at the time. I think it was the Northern Conference. Frosty Bivens was still in Saginaw. John Seifert was still a lowly parish pastor. Slick Brenner was retired but still active in all discussions. District Pope Mueller, guardian of the Cryptos, was present.
I mentioned in the paper that Paul Kelm endorsed a pan-Lutheran program being led by Kent Hunter (DMin, Fuller). Kelm was at the Love Shack at the time.
The first question was, "Do you have proof?" I quoted Kelm and cited the pamphlet sent to me. Doubtless everyone had the same pamphlet. I was prepared, carrying the the thing in my briefcase.
I passed the ipsissima verba of Kelm around.
Next question, "How do you know Kelm really said this, that he meant to endorse this? It could have been an accident?"
Bivens, who lated confessed and denied that he studied at Fuller, rose to speak: "I want to defend the good name of Paul Kelm." In other words, he was accusing me of slandering Kelm.
A hub-bub followed, more about me daring to quote Kelm verbatim than what Kelm actually wrote. Slick Brenner loudly mentioned that every time Kelm got into a mess like this, "It was an accident." Church Growthers really hated Brenner, who said what he meant instead of trying to be a chameleon.
Later, I spoke with Kent Hunter on the phone. He said he requested the endorsement from Kelm and got it. Even later, James Huebner (now a mucky-muck, another turtle on the fencepost) admitted that he, Kelm, and Olson (DMin, Fuller) were all trained at Fuller to be WELS Church Consultants.
Kelm earned his DMin at Concordia, St. Louis - in Church Growth.
Fellow Boomers - you let the Cryptos take over your synod. You stood around and dithered, cracked a few jokes during the coffee break, and ran for cover whenever a serious topic came up. Let's face it. Your methods worked well for you. You got to pose as Confessional Lutherans while suffering no harm and moving up the ladder.
You Boomers must accept a lot of the blame for the laity and clergy seeking shelter in the Church of Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy. They find no arguments against women usurping authority and teaching men in their own synods. They hear no statements against the absurd worship practices and false doctrine of the Cryptos. They are tired of the verbal abuse and shunning that comes from bringing up serious topics.
The answer is Lutheran doctrine. If someone heads for Chicago from Columbus and takes I-75 South, somewhere he is going to have to say:
1. I am headed the wrong way.
2. I need to read a map and find the right directions.
The Word of God is the map. The Book of Concord is the finest commentary, the best and clearest exposition of the Scriptures. The Book of Concord is even better than Your Church Can Grow! yy C. Peter Wagner, one of many books of false doctrine endorsed by Sausage Factory president Valleskey, who did/did not study at Fuller.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)