One reader wrote that he liked the post about modern philosophy, which is the dividing line in theology. Judging Luther's doctrine from the rationalistic position of modern philosophy is like viewing coal as an ornament. Yes, it once was used that way in England, because it is an easily carved mineral.
Anyone who follows the history of philosophy would find Halle University's approach to modern philosophers enlightening.
But I digress. The other dividing line is money versus the Word of God. Most congregations and pastors, and all synods make money Number One. Talking to a Doctrinal Pussycat about the Word of God is bound to irritate him as he envisions the money flying away from his consecrated and consecrating hands.
In Canada it was common for wealthy Lutherans to move to the Presbyterian church across the street, because that was where the moneyed people went to church. "It's not personal. It's business. I always liked you, kid."
The Daddy Warbucks are used to making money talk. (It does, but it's always saying "Goodbye" to me.) The wealthy make it clear that all issues will be settled in their favor, and they are pragmatists. The parish as a business is bewitching to their ears, especially when the pastor speaks the same business and new age lingo as the secular leaders do in their huddles.
In contrast, the Word of God seems weak but is all-powerful. Those who use the Word to judge everything are working in harmony with the Scriptures and the Book of Concord. But they are a minority voice and probably have always been, except for brief moments in church history.
God raised up genius leaders during the Reformation and soon after, to establish the Gospel once again, both in its positive sense and also in the rejection of false doctrine. Calvinism and rationalism entered the Lutheran Church; pragmatists compromised for the sake of outward peace and unity.
People are inclined to ask, "Why is Kelm protected and Witte promoted when they have such clear records of promoting false doctrine?"
The answer lies in God's Word and Luther's writings. God is punishing WELS for abandoning sound doctrine and advocating false doctrine.
To rub salt in the well-deserved wounds, the disciples of Satan demand and get ten times as much money as faithful pastors did before them. And they get it. People would not give a dollar to Christ, so now they have to give ten dollars to Satan.
