Bethany (WELS) in Appleton apologized for stealing the work of Swindoll and presenting it as a pastoral effort. However, no one apologized for presenting false doctrine as Lutheran doctrine. Spoiling the Egyptians, in the words of Valleskey, cannot be bad when it feels so good.
Bethany soon took down the faux-apology. There is no evidence that those pastors or any others in WELS have turned away from Enthusiasm.
Walther distinguished between godly and worldly contrition. World contrition is "I am so sorry I got caught." After all, Bethany's staff did not apologize on its own but only after the evidence was presented and the group stated they would publish that evidence.
Godly contrition is "I am sorry I violated God's Commandments." Certainly the more important ones are the First Table. I suggest reading the Large Catechism on the first three Commandments. The lying and stealing are just symptoms of the systemic sin of violating the First Table without compunction.
False teachers always lie and often steal. The foundational sin is attacking the majesty and authority of God's Word.
One of the excuses presented was being "so busy." Nevertheless, anyone could have said, "I was busy so I decided to copy this great message from Walther, Hoenecke, Luther, Jacobs, Lenski..." These people can copy and paste in a jiffy. Why not something good, worthwhile, and edifying, instead of more Schwaermer law-mongering?
The gay video boys at Mary Lou College offered the same stunt. They pretended to be sorry and feigned ignorance of the very sodomite moves and gestures which they copied and even improved upon. They took down the video, for the sake of others, not acknowledging wrong, and offered to forgive a certain blogger. Soon the video was back. WELS members and pastors can likewise expect Swindoll to return with a flourish at Bethany, in one form or another.
The statue fight video guy was deeply offended that people found his effort obnoxious and blasphemous. Mary Lou students find it hilarious to have "Luther" fling the Scriptures away and to hear the "Sprinter" curse. Just as above, WELS members brought it to my attention, but somehow I was the bad guy for saying it was wrong. Of course, with the statues, I did not "go about it in the right way."
When their imperial majesties (the Doctrinal Pussycats) want to stop anyone from questioning Holy Mother WELS, they are on the phone or in the car, perhaps sending vile letters or dispatching VP Hategood and CP Wormtongue to do their dirty work.
But - if someone has a false doctrine factory running at full speed, it's:
- We are concerned about the many souls involved. We do not want to harm their tender consciences.
- These matters take time.
- I will refer this to the right person.
- This is between you two.
- You are being divisive.
