LCMS Pastor George Borghardt III, President of Higher Things, Preaches Universal Salvation. No Scriptural References, No Book of Concord Support. Much Fake Drama

Reverend George Borghardt III

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Reverend George F. Borghardt III, Senior Pastor: graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Classics and then received a Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO in 2000. He served for ten years as the Associate/Youth Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Conroe, TX before accepting the call to serve as Zion’s Senior Pastor in November of 2010.

Pastor Borghardt voluteers his time in various youth organizations, serving as the President aof the national Lutheran youth organization Higher Things and as a board director at Faith Lutheran in Crystal Lake.  He plays second base on Zion's softball team.  He is also a huge sports fan loving his LSU Tigers, the New Orleans Saints, and the New York Mets.

Pastor Borghardt and Amy, his wife, have three children: George, Thomas, and Sophia.

President of Higher Things

This Calov quotation, which I obtained from Robert Preus'
Justification and Rome,
destroys UOJ in a few words.

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What Do Lutherans Believe?

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All that we believe, teach, and confess must faithfully be taken from the Holy Scriptures. We believe that the Holy Scriptures are God's divinely inspired word, without error, that is able to make us wise unto salvation...

Jesus took the burden of our sin upon Himself at the cross enduring our punishment. His love is so great for us that He gives us His perfect righteousness. By virtue of the cross, God declares that our sins are forgiven and we are righteous and welcome in His sight.

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Higher Things and the Forrest Bivens Deception about the Chief Article

The first and chief article is this: Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-25). He alone is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29), and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all (Isaiah 53:5). All have sinned are justified freely, without their own works or merits, by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood (Romans 3:23-25). (Smalcald Articles II.I.1-3).

That right there is the heart of the Lutheran Confession. All have sinned. All have been justified freely without work or merit. Justification--becoming right with God--is something that happens outside myself, apart from myself. It's objective. My redemption is in Christ Jesus, in the blood that He shed.

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GJ - This video is the worst UOJ message I have seen, but I am glad Higher Things and Pastor George Borghardt III are out in the open about their Universalism, instead of hiding it behind ambiguous and misleading language.

The Brief Confession of 1932 uses completely erroneous Scripture citations to back up "God has forgiven the entire world," without connecting the citations to the claims. Here are claims without even a mention of Scripture.

My take is this -  the UOJ Stormtroopers are rattled by the laity who see through their false doctrine and challenge them on every point. The Higher Things websty clearly misrepresents Luther and the Book of Concord about the Chief Article.

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Who Redefined the Chief Article - Cheaply. Dishonestly. Cowardly?

The Primary Doctrine in Its Primary Setting: Objective Justification and Lutheran Worship [Prepared for the WELS National Conference on Worship, Music and the Arts Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin, July Wisconsin, July 23, 1996. By Forrest L. Bivens]

The article of justification is the master and prince, the lord, the ruler, and the judge over all kinds of doctrines; it preserves and governs all church doctrine and raises up our consciences before God. Without this article the world is utter darkness and death.”1 Luther’s appraisal of the doctrine of justification is also ours. We hold it to be the primary doctrine of Scripture, that is, the central and most important teaching revealed by God for us sinners.2

The truth of justification, above all others, distinguishes Christianity from all other religions. If this teaching were obscured or lost, attempts to show significant differences between the Christian religion and others would ultimately prove to be futile. Also, as revealed and emphasized in the Bible, all other doctrines either prepare for or flow from this chief article of faith. Without this truth, all others would mean little. This doctrine is the source or basis of the benefits and blessings which mankind receives from God. 

[GJ - Oh, Oh, Oh, Frosty - define the Master and Prince, the Lord, the Ruler, the Judge of all kinds of doctrine for us.]

What precisely is this “master and prince, lord, ruler and judge” over other doctrines? Justification is a declaratory act of God, in which he pronounces sinners righteous. As revealed in the Bible, this declaration of God is made totally by grace and on account of Jesus Christ and his substitutionary life and death on behalf of mankind. To phrase it somewhat differently, God has justified acquitted or declared righteous the whole world of sinners. He has forgiven them. They have been reconciled to God; their status in his eyes has been changed from that of sinner to forgiven sinner for the sake of Jesus Christ. Since all this applies to all people, the term universal or general justification is used. In our circles an alternate term, objective justification, is also used. If justification is universal, it must also be objective - sinners are forgiven whether they believe it or not. This is precisely what Scripture teaches in Romans 3:23-24, when it says, “There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

Higher Things joins the New NIV in adding the second all to Romans 3. All have sinned - no argument there. But the text does NOT say "all are justified." Even the old NIV, which was packed with problems, failed to add the second "all."

Shame on George and Higher Things for joining ELCA in its Universalism, grace without the Means of Grace, declarations without any Scriptural or Confessional support, Halle Pietism triumphant.

Take down the Luther statues and put up Lord Vader.

Very Rough Outline of Creation Gardening: Trusting God for Toxin-Free Roses, Flowers, and Food. A Theology Book about Gardening. The Doctrine of the Word Informs the Entire Bible

Creation Gardening: Trusting God for Toxin-Free Roses, Flowers, and Food

Outline

Introduction – not a choice between science and faith.

1.    Science deals with observation, not purpose.

2.    Reality is the net that holds the data.

Books – Rehwinkel, Darwin on Earthworms, Darwin’s Black Box, Evolution Is Not Science. Ben Stein’s movie.

A.    This is a theology book about gardening and Creation.

B.    Creation by the Word of God

C.   Genesis 1

D.   John 1

E.    Other passages, Isaiah 40, new creations in Paul,

Manufacturing Difficulties Increases Work with Man-Made Solutions

1.       Chemical fertilizers kill soil microbes.

2.       Toxins kill all life for a period of time, thwarting beneficials without stopping the pests.

3.       The soil needs an abundance of life to be fertile, soft, alive.

4.       Rototilling, fertilizing, and spraying are the worst approaches

Foundational works for the gardener.

I.        Teaming with Microbes.

J.        Attracting Beneficial Bugs

K.       Sharon Lovejoy books – overall view, observation, art

L.       Norma Boeckler – artist, gardener, faithful Lutheran

Teaming with Microbes – essential for all plants

A.    Fungus.

B.    Bacterial

C.   Protozoa

D.   Other microbes

E.    The importance of trapping the nutrients in the soil root zone.

The Earthworm as God’s Tireless Gardener

F.    Virtues of the red wiggler

G.   A cow that feasts on bacteria

H.   Also a bus that moves bacteria

Pests Are Food for Beneficial Creatures – Do Not Starve the Beneficials

A.    Tale of the destroyed white roses.

B.    Ichneumons and Flower flies

C.   Rove beetles and cursorial spiders, plus spider webs

D.   A blessing of toads

Birds Serve as the Air Wing of Gardening

E.    Most loathed birds are very useful – starlings, grackles

F.    Mixed diets – seed and bugs, for most birds.

G.   Grackle diapers

H.   Bird paradise

I.      Jackson EZ Bird Swing

J.     Natural food is the best – a reason to eliminate toxins

K.    Water is needed most of all

L.    Mulch as bird feeders and spider homes

Roses Are Easy To Grow – Thorn Bushes with Beautiful Flowers

Starting from scratch – digging the hole in the lawn

The lawn as perfect compost

Pre-soaking the bare root roses – and all plants – in rain water

Newsprint or cardboard as the bottom layer of mulch

Shredded wood as the top layer

Earthworms as the sign and guarantee of fertile soil

Continuous Care of Roses Means Plenty of Cut Flowers for Everyone

John 15. A shared joy is a doubled joy – German saying

Plants for Food, Enjoyment, and Birds

Berry plants

Seed plants

So-called weeds

Asparagus

Vines

Sweet Corn – if the critters allow

Why Does Babtist Legalistic Pietism Appeal to WELS, LCMS, and the Mini-Sects?

People need to experience Babtist legalistic Pietism - and the shunning - to appreciate the same in WELS, Missouri, and the mini-sects (ELS, CLCs, etc, ad inf, ad nauseum).

One attraction for the SynCons is that Babtists actually have faith, so the Babtists are much warmer, friendlier, and Gospel-oriented. Starting with the worst - the CLC (sic) and WELS are perpetual thumb-in-the-eye Stooges, always proving something with their obnoxious putdowns and snide comments.

Of course, the Babtists have lost faith in the Word, too, so they are ramping up the gimmicks, as men must do when they think it is all up to them.

Even at their best--and I like Evangelicals a lot--Babtists live with a paradox. Although they teach justification by faith in their own way, using with making a decision, they emphasize obey to be blessed. That is certainly a core dogma of the Duggar cult, and they did not invent it. If they obey God (no birth control), then they will be blessed over and over.

In my graduate classes I see that theme emphasized too, especially since many of the classes are Old Testament surveys. Nothing brings out the Moses in people more than Old Testament studies. Therefore, if Moses is the Savor, then Jesus is the punishing law-giver.

When I teach, I often hear this phrase, "We have to be obedient or God will not bless us." Babtists turn Gospel admonitions into legalistic commands. Luther observed about Paul - he persuades with the Gospel. New Testament admonitions to pray are accompanied with Gospel Promises (see John 15:1ff), not pray or you will be punished.

Likewise, this legalistic approach bears fruit in "You have to witness or God will not let you grow in your faith."

And - "Disciples are soul-winners, so we have to make disciples, as Jesus commanded, or we will not grow as a congregation."

WELS and Missouri can really hum along with that tune, because they have been issuing orders and bashing people for 150+ years. Kicking a pastor out because he prefers the KJV or dislikes Thrivent/AAL/LB funding is normal for WELS. One is kicked out for teaching justification by faith; another is barely given a pat on the wrist.

Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.

Telling Missouri, WELS, and the mini-sects to give up on Church Growth is like explaining to Babtists why drinking liquor is allowed in the Bible.

Lutherdom responds to CG criticism with:

• You are lazy.
• You are narrow-minded.
• You are a legalist (Valleskey).
• You are going to destroy our synod.

Jim Buske posed with Andy Stanley at the Drive Conference.
Bishop Katie reported 8 other WELSians attending the coven.

Thirty pounds ago, Ski posed with Stanley.

Buske, Rev James G         St Peter - Appleton WI               02/16/2015
         Associate Pastor

Ski's Journal Still Online: Drive ’08 - Pastor’s Conference - North Point

Drive ’08 - Pastor’s Conference - North Point: 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

WHO WENT THAT YOU MIGHT KNOW?

Pastor Ski - St. Marcus - Milwaukee

Pastor John Parlow - St. Mark - Depere

Pastor Jim Buske - Lighthouse Youth Center - Milwaukee

HOW LONG WERE WE THERE?

May 3rd - May 7th

WHERE WAS THE CONFERENCE?

North Point (Babtist) Church, Alpharetta, GA

FAVORITE PART OF THE CONFERENCE:

Final Main Session with Andy Stanley

FAVORITE BREAK OUT SESSION:

A Healthy Staff Culture

- Jeff Henderson

FAVORITE QUOTE FROM DRIVE ‘08

“Leaders don’t get people, they attract them”

- Andy Stanley

DRIVE ’08 JOURNAL

Whew!  Day 5, it has been a heck of a road trip.  Today was the last day.  As you can see it was jam packed.  Before I get into Day 5... Let me just say this, “We should have sat in traffic to go to the Brown Bridge Campus!”  Buske & I were bitter.  Remember that I had said John got frustrated sitting the parking lot for 30 minutes?  So we went to dinner & called it a night.  Well, on Day 5 they showed the video for what happened at Brown Bridge.  Sweet cookout, the food looked awesome, games and fellowship outside (without snow or cold, I might add) and then a surprise JEFF FOXWORTHY show.  Man, how are they gonna top that next year?

Anyway, Day 5.  It is kind of crazy, just when you think it can’t get any better, it does.  Well, sort of.  In the morning they had Q & As for different groups.  I went to one that was about linking adults into small group studies.  It was well done, but for me it is difficult because everyone is looking for concrete answers on how to solve their own personal small group issues.  Many of the questions didn’t apply for us at St. Marcus.  However, the leaders were great and had a ton of info.

My final breakout session was entitled Parental Guidance Required.  The leader was Clay Scroggins.  He kind of looked like Steve James (he’s a St. Marcus member, Steve that is) but he talked with a Texas drawl.  He was high energy.  Based on his presentation and his passion for kids, I imagine that he rocked it out with kids.  The gist of his session was that what happens in the home has a greater influence on the spiritual life of children than what happens at church.  Based on that it becomes imperative that parents & the church partner.  Here are the steps that North Point uses:

1. 1.Inform Parents - inform them about what is being taught to their children.
2. 2.Partner With Parents - invite parents to be in an environment with their children.
3. 3.Equip Parents - provide parents with the tools to assist in the spiritual development of their children.

Pretty good points and a really good session.  

After that session we broke for lunch.  John took off for the airport, so Buske and I were on our own.  That might sound a little scary, but it is true.

The final Main Session with Andy Stanley was just phenomenal.  We began with awesome worship. Today though, they began with a Christian rapper, Toby Mac.  Our school kids would have loved it.  I’m not sure that they would have believed that it was church though.

When Andy began his session.  He started by saying that he was not going to follow his notes in the Drive ’08 Journal Book.  Instead he was going to do something that he called, “Recent Random Thoughts On Church Leadership.”  He shared 5 points and 5 takeaways.  I think that he was at his absolute best this afternoon.  Here are the 5 point & takeaways:

1. 1.To reach people no one else is reaching we must do things no one else is doing.

Takeaway - Become preoccupied with those you haven’t reached as opposed to those you keep.  This is easier said than done.

Wow, it seems so simple.  And yet so hard.

2. 2.The next generation product almost never comes from the previous generation.

Takeaway - Be a student not a critic.

What more can be said?  How do we approach things?  When things are different & involve change are we scared?  Do we criticize or do we look to learn and implement?

3. 3.What do I believe is impossible to do in my field?  But if it could be done it would fundamentally change my business.

Takeaway - Pay attention to the people who are breaking the rules.

Crazy sounding isn’t it?  We can fight technology and change, but in the end it will pass us and we will become archaic and irrelevant.  Not our Message, but the manner in which we present it.  Who would have ever thought texting would be as big as it is?  How about multi-site church?  Video church?  These are all things that have changed how we worship.

4. 4.If we got kicked out & the board brought in a new CEO what would they do?  Why shouldn’t we walk out the door & then come back in & do it ourselves?

Takeaway - Acknowledge what is NOT working & own up to why you are unwilling to change it.

Some thoughts on this - rarely does the church (in general) get concerned about change until they run out of money.  What if we asked some questions before it was too late?

1. a.What’s in decline?
2. b.Where are we manufacturing energy? In other words pretending something is important.  An example would be if I continued to say that Bible Study was important, but never attended.  I’m blowing hot air, “manufacturing energy.”  I don’t believe that anyone wants to stand behind that or get involved in something like that.
3. c.Finally, when are we going to unearth all underlying assumptions?  Sometimes, what we assume, is not the reality.  Are we willing to dig to find out the truth or are we happy with assuming? 
5. 5.When your memories exceed your dreams the end is near.

Takeaway - Don’t let success or momentum overshadow your vision.  Keep the out front.

How quickly can we be satisfied?  How often do we look at things and say, “Well, it’s not great but it is better than such and such church.” Scary, but we sometimes fool ourselves into thinking like this.  Some questions to ponder:

1. a.What the burden on your heart? (sic, yo)
2. b.What breaks your heart?

That was it.  After that Andy just ended and prayed for all the people there & for there (sic) ministries.  As you can see from the pictures above, Buske & I got to get a picture with Andy, pretty cool.  He is way down to earth.  His wife Sandra was there also and she is just great.  We actually got to talk to her a little more than Andy.  You also notice John with the North Point member who played Bender in one of their sermon series called “Twisted”.  The series was all about how Satan twists God’s Word.  Finally, there is a photo of Buske & Todd Fields.  I’m a little bitter about that one, but you’ll need to ask me why.

Thanks to everyone who read this while I was gone.  Be looking for some cool stuff that we will be implementing at St. Marcus, especially in Sunday Night.  Thanks also for all the patience.  Writing this thing mostly between 1 AM & 2 AM means that there are probably a ton spelling and grammar mistakes.  I can’t wait to see you guys on Sunday.  Check out the Picture Page for some added photos from Drive ’08.

I’m out!

Want to be a leader in WELS?
Get trained by Babtists
and abuse women staffers,
then sue their husbands for being outraged.

They Are Delivering Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism Now. Group Orders Welcome

The cover by Norma Boeckler
emphasizes the Means of Grace in the KJV
versus the anti-Means of Grace language of the NIV.

The Kindle price for Making Disciples is only $3,99. Kindle Unlimited is $0 for now.

Quite a few people have requested multiple copies of  Making Disciples as a printed booklet. If you send your name, address, and number needed, I will send them to you free - or at the author's price of $2 or so. Some people have given gifts to get them distributed for free, so do not hesitate to ask.

bethanylutheranworship@gmail.com

I order them as soon as the request comes through.

Contents

The Great Commission in Various Translations. 10

Teach All Nations. 10

KJV. 10

KJV 21st Century. 10

Geneva English Bible. 10

Luther’s German Bible 1545. 10

Vulgate Latin. 10

Douay-Rheims, Roman Catholic, 1899. 11

Make Disciples. 11

New KJV. 11

English Standard Version. 11

New NIV. 11

Good News Translation. 11

The Message, also known as the Surfer Dude Version. 12

Fuller Seminary – The New Mother Ship for Rationalistic Pietism... 15

Lower Criticism Paved the Way for Dynamic Equivalency, Paraphrases Marketed as Translations. 21

The Rules. 21

The Shorter Reading Is Preferred. 22

The More Difficult Reading Is Preferred. 22

When in Doubt, Favor Tradition. 23

Example, Textual Work – The Ending of Mark’s Gospel, Removed. 24

The Aland edition of the New Testament. 25

Eugene Nida Took Away the Precise Translation Method of the KJV. 28

Tyndale Studied under Luther and Melanchthon. 29

Tyndale, Luther, and Melanchthon. 29

All English Bibles Begin with Tyndale. 30

Horrible Corruptions by the New NIV Living Paraphrase. 33

Genesis 4:1. 33

Isaiah 7:13-14. 33

Matthew 26:28. 34

Matthew 28:18-20. 35

Mark 16:8-20. 35

The Great Commission – Subverted by the Modern Pietists. 40

The Great Commission To Form Cell Groups. 41

Object of the Verb To Teach. 41

Objection – Teach Used Twice. 42

A Disciple Is Not a Soul-Winner, Simply a Pupil 42

The Verb in Matthew Is Not a Good Argument for Making Disciples. 42

King James 21st Century - KJV21. 44

KJV21 Readings and Explanations. 44



No Need for Another Translation. 45