From the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry - Alec Satin, The Lutheran Librarian

 

View in browser Newsletter from The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry In This Issue History Unveiling Prophecy by Henry Grattan Guinness The Lutheran Catechist by George Henry Gerberding The Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 17 by Matthias Loy The God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles Chiniquy The Lutheran Hymnal Text Only Edition Featured History Unveiling Prophecy by Henry Grattan Guinness “This is a graphic story of the gradual unveiling of the meaning of the Apocalypse in the light of the events of history. It traces this development through eighteen centuries, from the days of the apostolic and martyr Church to those of the mediaeval Church, the Reformation Church, and the Church of modern times. It is a history of the gradual evolution during eighteen centuries, under the influence of historical facts, of that system of interpretation which has commended itself to the most temperate and enlightened minds, Historicism.” — H. Grattan Guinness. Book Contents Preface God Is His Own Interpreter Three Visions of the Ten Horned Wild Beast Power Introduction The Reception of the Apocalypse by the Early Church Interpretation of the Apocalypse 1 Pre-Constantine, Or Martyr Church Stage 2 The Post-Constantine, Or Imperial Church Stage 3 The Mediaeval Stage The Rise of the Papacy to Universal Dominion Parallel Development of Prophetic Interpretation 4 The Dawn Of The Reformation Stage The Identification of Babylon and Antichrist. Recognition Of The Fulfillment Of The Prophecies Relating To The “Man Of Sin,” Or Antichrist II. The Pre-Reformation War Against the Protestant Witnesses. 5 The Reformation Stage 6 The Puritan, Or Seventeenth Century Stage 7 The Revocation Of The Edict Of Nantes, And English Revolution Stage 8 The Eighteenth Century New Era Stage 9 The French Revolution Stage Career of Napoleon Summary. Retributive character of the French Revolution. Influence of the French Revolution on the Interpretation of Prophecy. 10 The Present Stage [1905] Chapter 1. The Modern Denial Of The Historic And Protestant Interpretation Of The Apocalypse Chapter 2. The Defense Chapter 3. Confirmation Of The Protestant Interpretation Of The Apocalypse I. Apocalyptic Predictions Relating to the Present Period. II. Predictions with reference to the Fall of the Papacy. III. Predictions as to the Restoration of the Jewish People. Chapter 4. Fulfillment Of The Events Predicted Under The Sixth Vial Chapter 5. Termination Of The 1,260 Years Of Papal Dominion Chapter 6. Anticipations Of The Years 1848, And 1866-7, As Those Of The Final Fall Of Papal Dominion Chapter 7. Fulfillment Of The Foregoing Anticipations Of Prophetic Interpreters In The Fall Of The Papal Power In The Years 1848 And 1866-1870 Chapter 8. Further Confirmation Afforded, By The Visible Commencement Of The Restoration Of The Jews, At The Close Of The Prophetic Period Of 1,260 Years From The Conquest And Occupation Of Palestine By The Saracens A.D. 637. Chapter 9. Primary Ending Of The 1,260 Years Of Jewish Desolation In 1860, And 1897, As Reckoned From The Conquest Of Palestine By The Saracens, A.D. 637. Chapter 10. Coming Events In Jewish History Chapter 11. Confirmation Of The Year Day Theory Afforded By The Astronomical Character Of The Prophetic Times Chapter 12. Practical Use Of The Apocalypse Conclusion Appendix A. Explanation Of The Astronomical Tables In The Author’s Work, On “creation Centered In Christ,” Volume II. Appendix B. Testimonial to my Tables from Dr. Downing, F.R.A.S. Order a Printed Copy Print Copy: History Unveiling Prophecy by Henry Grattan Guinness - “Lutheran Librarian” edition Download the eBook PDF Apple/Kobo EPUB Kindle AZW3 Legacy MOBI (If EPUB or AZW3 won’t work on your device) You can expect your book to arrive within a few hours. If you don't find it, check your spam or junk mail folder. You can also request a copy of this or any Lutheran Library e-book by sending an email with the book's title and format. Enjoy the book! Publication Information Lutheran Library edition first published: 2020 Copyright: CC BY 4.0 Read more Recent Books and Articles Published History Unveiling Prophecy by Henry Grattan Guinness “This is a graphic story of the gradual unveiling of the meaning of the Apocalypse in the light of the events of history. It traces this development through eighteen centuries, from the days of the apostolic and martyr Church to those of the mediaeval Church, the Reformation Church, and the Church of modern times. It is a history of the gradual evolution during eighteen centuries, under the influence of historical facts, of that system of interpretation which has commended itself to the ... Read more The Lutheran Catechist by George Henry Gerberding “The Lutheran minister has three special activities. He is, first of all, a preacher of the Word, the whole Word, its Law and its Gospel. He is always and everywhere a seelsorger, a pastor, an under-shepherd, seeking the lost, feeding and caring for those in the fold, knowing them by name, carrying on his heart their woes, their wants and their welfare, looking after them individually and collectively. If he would make full proof of his ministry, he must love the Shepherd and Bishop ... Read more The Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 17 by Matthias Loy “This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced within its scope, though for the present special attention will be given to the controverted subject of predestination.” Matthias Loy (1828-1915) was a giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the ... Read more The God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles Chiniquy Includes: Transubstantiation is the most Degrading form of Idolatry, Why we must put our trust in Jesus and not Mary, A Roman Bishop’s Testimony, and Why I will Never go back to the Church of Rome. “If there is a thing which is as evident as two and two make four, it is that Romanism is the old idolatry of Babylon, Egypt and Rome, under a Christian mask. But this new form of idolatry is so boldly denied by some of the great dignitaries of Rome, and so skillfully concealed by others, ... Read more The Lutheran Hymnal Text Only Edition By request, here is a text only version of the public domain hymns in The Lutheran Hymnal. The hardback version which includes the music is available from Concordia Publishing House. May this ebook be a blessing to you in your personal devotions. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Download the eBook PDF Apple/Kobo EPUB Kindle AZW3 Legacy MOBI (If EPUB or AZW3 won’t work on your device) You can expect your book to arrive within a few hours. If you ... Read more Bible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph Stump “The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible… Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear… Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted… doctrinal … ... Read more Luther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad Dietrich [Fully Updated v.6.1] “In this little book the reader will find, first of all, the Small Catechism of Dr Martin Luther without alteration. This is followed by the shorter explanation of this Catechism, in questions and answers, by Dr. Conrad Dietrich, formerly Pastor, Superintendent, and Director of the Gymnasium in Ulm, Wuertemberg, born Jan. 9, 1575, in Gemuende, Hesse Cassel, died at Ulm, March 22, 1639. Full title: Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and ... Read more May God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace. From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org SHARE TO FACEBOOK SHARE TO TWITTER FORWARD EMAIL Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry PO Box 720913, Jackson Heights, New York United States You received this email because you signed up on our website or made a purchase from us. Unsubscribe

Randomness Becomes Order - Part Two

 

 These are Veterans Honor roses from an earlier autumn of steady rain, which I never imagined would come again.

Randomness Becomes Order in the Creation Garden - Part One

No matter what we imagine we are doing, the Creation Garden will always produce unusual and beautiful results. The basics precede the results -

• Saving organic matter, even twigs, to build the soil;
• Letting deeply rooted plants, even weeds, break up the soil and fertilize it through root hairs;
• Pruning so that the fruitful becomes even more fruitful.

I asked Big John if he wanted his rose bush to bloom more. I brought my pruning shears and invited him to watch. His large rose bush, probably a Knockout, was packed with flowers turning into hips. There was no color left, but a lot of potential. I cut off every single rose past its prime. After several rains, the bush has become spectacular with small, red flowers. The current series of storms will build it even more.

Paul speaks several times about "the faith of Jesus," but this generation of Fuller salesmen has no faith.

Congregations once grew because pastors visited the members, shut-ins and hospitalized first, home visits as well. The staff at my vicarage was expected to do that, and the senior pastor was the prime example. Fifty plus years later, the building is being converted to rental units. The website writes about how dynamic the pastor is. Hmm - I wonder who wrote that script - "Come for the personality, stay for the apartment."

Has anyone added up the millions spent on figuring out what to do? All the descriptions and plans are purely secular. 

The foundation is the Biblical sermon, unique for each service, for each pastor. Second to that is genuine Biblical teaching, not using the drivel produced by the synod, cult, or movement. 

The ridiculous material is usually the result of copying Calvinist sources, marketing, or sociology. I visit the verbose American Lutheran Publicity Bureau Online Discussion Forum (aka Old Men Sipping Ovaltine). They never even touch the basics of the Gospel, but content themselves with nostalgia and parroting the latest secular studies. 

Jesus emphasized clearly that His sermons were about faith in Him. After all, what is more effective than the source of forgiveness and salvation being the example - the Good Shepherd? The Apostles simply taught this Gospel and miracles followed. 

I believe in miracles because the Scriptures teach them and believers witness them. Remaining faithful is the foundation of Christianity, and all the fruits of the Spirit follow.

United Methodists Paid Their Conservatives To Get Out of Dodge!

Mirthless Mark Schroeder continues the WELS formula of deformation theology: despising Luther's Biblical theology, buying the atrocious, butchered NIV paraphrase, selling a Calvinist hymnal.

What did I write about WELS-ELS-LCMS copying ELCA's ordination standards - years ago?

 Diaper-changing academies are portrayed as evangelism and Christian education, but there is no genuine attempt to have a school.

 The least able are promoted to permanent positions of power.

After years of wrangling, the warring parties in the fading United Methodist Church have agreed to send the conservatives packing with a large sum of cash.

Denomination numbers are always questionable. In comparison, the Lutheran Church in America claimed over 3 million members in 1987, when they merged with The American Lutheran Church - 2 million plus, with a side helping of Seminex (AELC). Thirty-five years after the ELCA merger, they boast 3+ million members, losing roughly the entire ALC after promoting numerous "evangelism" programs, Fuller-based, joint efforts with the WELS-LCMS, funded by Lutheran insurance.

Christian News, under Herman Otten, published Kurt Marquart's excellent booklet against the ravages of Fuller Seminary's idiocies. Fuller shrank too, haha.

 Note the ambiguous smile.

But Otten also promoted David Valleskey's groveling ode to Fuller and Church Growth, selling it through his numerous connections. WELS told its failing congregations to buy a copy, the only time I recall that the sect made a book required reading for all the congregations.

I have noticed that videos of ELCA and WELS celebrations are quite similar, half-empty congregations - even though they are supposed to be large scale or historic events. The services are lame, dreary, and more like the funeral of a notorious family member.

Randomness Becomes Order in the Creation Garden

 Easy Does It is in the middle. Paradise is on the right. Veterans Honor is on the left. A Lincoln Town Car is below to provide a perfect white background

Thanks to heavy rains, the Rose Garden has become a prime location for garden color and fragrance. Suddenly, as if I did not water, weed, and chop in the garden, the desired results are impossible to ignore:

• Butterflies float through flowers and pause on their favorites, especially Joe Pye;
• Mints provide landing zones for beneficial insects;
• Roses bloom faster than I can prune them;
• Hummingbirds fight over territory, providing endless and spectacular air maneuvers;
• Bees currently work over the flowering garlic (allium) and other blooms;
• Birds drop to the ground for bugs and worms while hawks sometimes scream above, as if wanting to scare their food away.

Almost all the work is done by the instruments of Creation. Random actions are infinite but they appear orderly. Roots and falling plant debris constantly improve the soil, especially because a host of soil creatures make their living by consuming organic material and becoming organic remains.

Every so often a gardener will wonder, "How did that happen?" A long-lost plant grows up and blooms, or a creature creates a home in the bushes. The Lord of Creation organized and engineered all these marvels.

California Dreamin was flanked by ivy in the shade of the patio.

Finishing the I AM Sermons of Jesus in the Gospel of John

September is close - and I will go over the draft of the I AM Sermons in the Gospel of John.

After that is published, I will begin a new book on the parables in Matthew, Mark, and John.

When the parables are finished, I plan to enhance the Bethany Lutheran Hymnal blog and produce a book about hymns and the stories behind them.

The Sausage Factory - Mordor at Mequon - Expensive Universalism. But a Bargain! ELCA Seminaries Cost Much More for Teaching "Everyone Saved!

 The WELS seminary offers hazing at no extra cost. WELS training includes knocking a newbie unconscious and also whipping someone with a wire coat-hanger. One victim is a president of one entity, so he probably got their approval by putting up with the criminal, physical assault.

I saw the GA Pope in drag, so this is not an exaggeration. WELS is very big on cross-dressing pastors.

Brenner, Brug, and Bivens worked very hard to make sure WELS got the worst paraphrase of the Bible - the NIV.

The cost for the Sausage Factory is steep, but the ELCA seminaries of Universalism charge even more, and lack the WELS GA brotherhood formation. Broken leg"? - don't be whimp. Knocked out tooth? - show us, haha. Toxic amounts of alcohol? - fun.

 Mequon tuition and fees - $23,385 total!

The Mordor students tell the innocent about how hard they work in school, then laugh about their deception later. Their library is almost unused and the curriculum is purely repeat-after-me.

The odd couple wrote a book together. A more accurate title would be Born Forgiven.

WELS is actually ahead of ELCA, and ELCA is behind.

Bethany Lutheran Seminary - Bombs Away

 

Jack Kilcrease, Jesuit PhD, WELS born but ELCA college and seminary trained, is the fitting symbol for Bethany's watered-down Pietism.

I looked up Bethany Lutheran Seminary - The Little Schoolhouse on the Prairie - for its student population. The photo showed a total of seven students, four being ordained and three being given a vicarage. The faculty is Schmeling, Schmeling, and somebody. The senior Schmeling is retiring, leaving behind the suggestion of nepotism, his son the only other one on the faculty for a time.

The new president of the Little Schoolhouse on the Prairie has a degree in mining engineering. The ALC's David Preus liked to say that the conservatives majored in the minors, but now they major in the miners.

President Hartwig earned an MDiv at Bethany Lutheran Seminary.

Bethany lacks a sense of irony. One of their speakers, Jack Kilcrease, earned his PhD at a Jesuit university and teaches at an ELCA style online school - where Jay Webber got his STM after 20 or more years of academic labor. Since Jay and Jack are both passionate about Objective Justification, Jay probably suggested Jack for the Bethany lectures.

Another knee-slapper: Jay and Jack's favorite web server trains women for Lutheran ordination. 

Big Storm Rushed Through - Headed for St. Louis - We Had a Two-Hour Blackout

 

It looks like a string of storms is heading our way and on up to St. Louis. That was more than a rainstorm. We had a two-hour blackout, apparently from lines knocked down in the winds. Our next-door neighbor's front yard looks like the tree trimmers came by.

I had two flashlights and a blackout emergency light near the desk. Sassy was a bit timid but did not mind the storm that much.

The Upcoming Election - Matt Has Grown in Office

1911-1962......for 51 years we had two Presidents, Pfotenhauer (24 years, Behnken (27)

1962-2010......for 48 years we had five Presidents, Harms (7), Preus (12)
Bohlmann (11), Barry (9) Kieschnick (9)

2010 to 2023.....Harrison (13)  In 2023, Harrison will only be 61 years old as he seeks another 3 year term in office.

[The facts came from the Ovaltine Forum, aka The ALPB Online Lutheran Forum for Elderly Cranks.]

 Why did Matt the Fatt wear a $1,400 tarp in Europe when he robed more modestly in America?

Bishop Matt the Fatt and Bishop-for-Life Heiser shop at C. H. Almy, but are they in fellowship?
What about the big question - Thrivent.

+++

 Sing both songs, Matt, the private acolade for Otten when you ran for office, and the public attack you sang just before he died.

LCMS Presidential elections can be full of drama and suspense.

Here are 3 of them which can be classified as surprises:

In 1969, Jack Preus defeated incumbent Oliver Harms by less than 5 votes.

In 1992, Al Barry defeated incumbent Ralph Bohlmann by 12 votes.

In 2001, with no incumbent on the ballot, Gerald Kieschnick won by 18 votes.

Evening Icha-peak

ELDONA Pastor Eric Stefanski's church is in Harrison, Arkansas, the home of one of the largest KKK encampments in America.

“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Missouri and WELS have taught their spineless pastors diligently. They all worship the organization and strive - when kicked out - to start a new organization like the old one, but with less money and far fewer congregations.

America has more synodettes than most can imagine - and why not? These micro-sects have a chance at scoring free flower charts, free liturgical calendars derived from Rome, and free napkins embossed with the Thrivent trademark.

Bishop DeJaynes was unable to make it to this photo-op at the Salem Cathedral in Malone, Texas. Hay bale beards make some of them look like extras from "Living in an Amish Paradise."

The St. Ignatius Seminary is built to handle the influx of students from other mini-synods with micro-populations.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 2022.

The Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, 2021

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The recorded service for today.

The Hymn # 318     Before Thee God, Who Knowest All

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

God is in His holy habitation: 

He is God who setteth the solitary in families.

The God of Israel is He that giveth strength: 

and power unto His people.

Psalm. Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered: 

let them also that hate Him flee before Him.

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

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, who art always more ready to hear than we to pray and art wont to give more than either we desire or deserve, pour down upon us the abundance of Thy mercy, forgiving us those things whereof our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

Gradual

My heart trusteth in God, and I am helped: 

therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; 

and with my song will I praise Him.

V. Unto Thee will I cry, O Lord, my Rock: 

be not silent to me; hear the voice at my supplications. 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. Lord, Thou hast been our Dwelling Place in all generations. 

Hallelujah!

The Gospel              

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

The Sermon Hymn # 494       Awake Thou Spirit

The Righteousness of Faith

The Communion Hymn #388         Just As I Am

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 # 514             God Moves in a Mysterious Way     

In Our Prayers

• Happy Birthday and God's Blessings - Brett Meyer, last Sunday.
• Happy Joyful Birthday - early September.
• Medical treatment - Randy Anderson, Pastor Jim Shrader and Chris, Kermit and Maria Way.
• Looking into shipping some books overseas.

Norma A. Boeckler

KJV 1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

KJV Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Eleventh Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, we beseech Thee so to guide and direct us by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may not forget our sins and be filled with pride, but continue in daily repentance and renewal, seeking our comfort only in the blessed knowledge that Thou wilt be merciful unto us, forgive us our sins, 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.

The Righteousness of Faith

Background

The Age of Rationalism slowly strangled the concept of faith in the Holy Trinity, and that motivated the professors to change the meaning of the Scriptures, from the plainly worded revelation of God to very complicated and obscure theories that denied what God revealed. This is the current state of the denominations and the Church of Rome.

When Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they were promised the Savior who would be wounded by Satan and yet would crush the head of Satan.

When Eve gave birth to a boy, she said literally in Hebrew - I have conceived a man, the Lord, Genesis 4:1. The Hebrew script clearly states this but the translators have always been wary. This clearly shows that Eve heard the Promise of salvation through Christ and believed her son fulfilled that Word.

Much later, God promised the impossible with Abraham, which is assumed to be a son and a great nation. As I have written before, no nation or empire has continued forever and had uncountable numbers, like the stars in the sky. This was repeated promised by God and was fulfilled in the line of Abraham and David, leading to the Son of David, Jesus Christ. This the one-sided Testament, with God offering Promises beyond the imagination of any person.

The Rationalists are offended by this Testament and want to replace it with their concept of covenant - two-sided. Therefore, if you want God to do something for you, you have to do something for God. Otherwise, He will not bless you - so their dogma teaches. 

Lutheran rationalists do not like the term Testament, because they place human reason over and above the Word itself. That naturally turns the concept of revelation and faith upside-down. However, I was in the lawyer's office the other day and created a will or testament, made up of one-sided promises. This is the very language Paul used and we use too - the New Testament. 

God gave the greatest Promise ever given to man, when He stated that Abraham would be a father of nations because of his faith in that Promise. Israel is very tiny and hardly an empire. Instead, we have the result of that Promise, millions of believers who trace their line through Jesus back to David and to Abraham's faith.

Abraham believed in the Promise of a Savior, and it was counted as righteousness (forgiveness of sin).

Most people miss the connection between the Smurfs and their boss - Father Abraham.

KJV Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

Notice that the parable before this has another perspective, and they go together.

KJV Luke 18 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Our ideas and attitudes are not the same as God's, so humility is the correct response to needs and problems. The parable for today is not about a given class of people in those days, but examples of two extremes. The Pharisees were expected to be perfect in every way, so they had a concept of righteousness based upon their works. Paul's writing and personality reflected that, though he also corrected himself - "not I, but Christ within me."

I encounter this works-righteousness all the time in dealing with those students who are raised that way.

One wrote, "God is not going to give me anything if I do not give to Him." 

Another one said, "We go over the covenant every Sunday. We have to do our part. That is central to every worship service."

This is clearly dealing with trusting in our own righteousness, not the righteousness of God. The Bible teaches:

1. God
2. Righteousness
3. Faith
4. Grace

The righteousness of God means faith in Jesus Christ, our Savior, and faith in our Good Shepherd gives us access to God's grace.

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

This approach to God is certainly vivid enough to make anyone smile at the fake religion, which is the religion of the world, not God. He says "I" four times and has a long list of what he is not.

When I laughed about the religion of recycling, I was scolded by a younger in-law. I said, "I was making compost before you knew what it was." Her compost was just a trash-heap. My mother said the same thing to me when I discovered composting, as if she never heard the word. I was given detailed descriptions of where it was and how I was so blissfully unaware of it.

The point of this Pharisee's speech is the Pharisee himself. The other people are all evil and he is pure. That comes from a world-wide attitude of our own perfection and the sinfulness of everyone else.

As Luther said, the point of the Pharisee's prayer is that he is truly a good person, but also that he gives himself credit for this righteousness.

America the Pietist Cult 

Our country was mostly settled by Pietists, who had a code they followed in various ways. Obeying that code was called sanctification and distinguished them from the others. 

One pastor told me and a group how pure he was, because every one of his 105 family members belonged to the same Lutheran sect. I was going to add, "And they are all Pharisees like you" but it seemed to be a waste of breath. His numbers proved his status. 

This topic is good for hours of talk and many books to read.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The tax collector was hated for two reasons. One was the method of tax farming which continued into the modern era - collecting taxes and a bonus for the collectors extracted on top of that. The other reason for hatred was the fact of this money going to the Roman Empire to keep soldiers there and their country "at peace." The tax collectors were symbols of oppression and pagan Roman religion.

The tax collector was not proud of his lofty high-paying position, but humble before God. He asked for mercy from God because he was a sinner. 

Jesus specified that this meant the tax collector was justified by faith - unlike the Pharisee who relied on his works. So this one episode encapsulates the essential teaching of the Bible - Old and New Testaments. 

1. God
2. Righteousness
3. Faith
4. Grace

That is distilled by those four words above. God is all-powerful and all-merciful. His power is chiefly known through His mercy and forgiveness toward all who believe in Him.

We have no righteousness on our own because we are inherently sinful. Instead of praying to ourselves and about our great qualities, we pray to God to help us in all our troubles, fears, and sins. 

There is no true prayer apart from prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ. That requires humility and faith in Him, our Good Shepherd.

I was thinking about people being awed by technological advances, and medical miracles. But many stop at one miracle or another, because the Rationalists have told them an alternative and doubt has crept in.

We have to believe as children instead of doubting as professors. That too requires humility, because the Word judges us - we cannot and should not judge the Word.

As I escaped the rationalism of college and seminary, I found clergy being embarrassed by hearing the Bible taken as it is, without compromise and doubt. That often led to name-calling and the peak of Pietism - total shunning. Because Pietists emphasized their works instead of faith in Christ, they quickly turned "no dancing" of the past into 37 genders (Walmart School System).

The President of a small, Christian college painted me as a liberal while he attended church at First Methodist! - which is the very foundation of America's switch to hedonism and denying the Scriptures.

This parable is short and powerful, a constant reminder of Jesus' own commendation. Many times, Jesus singled out the exceptional one who trusted in Him and undercut the proud and mighty who wanted to get rid of Him.

A humble faith helps us see what marvels God has provided for us, starting with salvation through His Son and all the blessings that come with that.