http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2013/10/wels-motto-read-mark-and-erase-big-push.html
I thank God that this blog [Intrepid Lutherans] and a small handful of other Confessional Lutheran blogs still exist, because more often than not, these kinds of discussions are not to be found within the local churches, either because of neglect or by intent. These discussions are truly amazing. They are generally orderly and respectful, with a few exceptions. Every person has a chance to respond, so the one-sided nature and unsubstantiated accusations in articles such as what showed up in a recent edition of Christian News does not stand for a lengthy time unanswered, with the implication that somehow those unsubstantiated accusations are true. But most importantly, the simple truths of Scripture shine through again and again.
The Scriptural teaching of justification is simple, and only becomes complicated when people change the definition of words or add/subtract from what Scripture says.
The Scriptural truth of justification is reflected in many of the simple traditional 'teachings' of the Lutheran Church, at least where thay have not yet been corrupted or omitted or ignored. Some of the simple teachings I am thinking of are 'three solas', the Apostles Creed and the Means of Grace. By design, the Scriptural truths of justification are clear in all of these and more.
As the Apostles Creed is removed from more and more Lutheran worship services, can there be doubt of what purpose is being served? As the Sacraments are hidden from view and removed from the main body of worship, is there really any wonder as to the intent? As the importance of 'Scripture alone' and 'faith alone' are diminished in the three solas, should we not be more concerned? All of these, in their own way, are facilitating a slow but certain rewrite of the the Scriptural truth of justification.
God's Word clearly teaches that we are justified by faith. And God's Word doesn't change.
Vernon
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| WELS-LCMS-ELS quickly moved from communing ELCA members to having congregations that hid both sacraments, the Creeds, liturgy, and the name Lutheran. Who advocated communing ELCA members in his own congregation? Jay Webber - UOJ guru. |
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GJ - Every so often, someone writes, "I do not agree with you," or the writer takes pains to tell me someone else does not agree.
That has never been the point of writing. I have no need to control another person's publishing, even though the Committee to Silence Ichabod meets frequently. I would rather see doctrinal opponents post more often and more frankly. Discussion is good for doctrine.
What do I want for Reformation Day, once the Hurray Luther! Three solas! business is over?
I want people to like - the way I do:
- Luther, reading his sermons throughout the week.
- Lutheran hymns, using them throughout the church year and playing them during the week.
- The Concordists, especially Melanchthon and Chemnitz, subordinate only to Luther.
- The American confessors - Lenski, Jacobs, Krauth, Reu, Loy, Schmauk, and L. Fuerbringer.
- The King James Bible and The Lutheran Hymnal.
