LutherQuest Borrows the 1932 Brief Statement To Defend Its Conflicted Position

This post was posted on Ichabod:

What is the LutherQuest objection to the reformation teaching of "Justification by Faith"? If it is a dangerous or destructive teaching, can they clearly as if to a sixth grader explain why "Justification by Faith" is wrong?

It would be extremely helpful for the Confessional Lutherans in the audience to understand the problem with "Justification by Faith" without any reference to terms not found in the Book of Concord, which is the Confession we all profess to believe, as I understand it.

Please post this. I wasn't able to find any answer to the previous request for clarification. Please keep asking. And attacks on "Jackson", "Ohio Synod", "Intuitu Fidei", etc, are not an answer the underlying question:

Why is "Justification by Faith" as Lutherans have understood it an error?

---

We most certainly do not understand the biblical doctrine of Justification by faith as articulated and defended in Romans 3-5 and 2 Cor. 5:18-20 as an error. Here is proof in paragraph 17 of our Brief Statement of 1932:

Holy Scripture sums up all its teachings regarding the love of God to the world of sinners, regarding the salvation wrought by Christ, and regarding faith in Christ as the only way to obtain salvation, in the article of justification. Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 4:25; that therefore not for the sake of their good works, but without the works of the Law, by grace, for Christ's sake, He justifies, that is, accounts as righteous, all those who believe, accept, and rely on, the fact that for Christ's sake their sins are forgiven. Thus the Holy Ghost testifies through St. Paul: "There is no difference; for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus," Rom. 3:23, 24. And again: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the Law," Rom. 3:28.

The poster needs to distinguish the scriptural doctrine of Justification from the erring doctrine of Dr. Gregory Jackson along with his baseless accusations against us of Universalism, apostasy, justification without faith, and Enthusiasm.

Dr. Jackson has read our documents, so he knows better than to caricature our doctrine in the manner that he does on his ecclesiole website. The poster should take the time to READ the posts on this website to see the evidence of what I am posting here.

The hallmark of the doctrine of "justification by grace alone through faith alone" is the scriptural doctrine of the Gospel that our merciful God justifies us, acquits us of our sins in Christ and imputes His perfect righteousness to us when He brings us to faith. God supplies the perfect and complete gift of justification and forgiveness, which He delivers to people in the world through the means of grace (Gospel and sacraments), and He imparts this gift to the individual whom He brings to faith.

Justification by faith alone is the doctrine that not our own works but the works of another, Jesus Christ, are what saves us when God brings us to faith.

***

GJ - This was not an answer, but it is a perfect example of the OJists trying to take both sides at once. One is the dreadful attack on Scriptures, Brief Statement 1932, confusing the Atonement with Justification by Faith. The blatant Scriptural falsehoods are given some nip and tuck plastic surgery, more like Bondo filler, to make it all sound Biblical. The last sentence omits faith.

No wonder so few listen to his hollow, rationalized view of Pietism, quite the opposite of Dr. Walter A. Maier preaching inerrancy and Justification by Faith.

Let Us Steal Some Wisdom from Martin Chemnitz, Founder of Martin Chemnitz Press

The graphic above includes one of the greatest statements in the Book of Concord, but I also like what Chemnitz said in Examination of the Council of Trent. In ancient days, the men discussing doctrinal issues put aside all confessions to return to the truth of the Scriptures alone. A muddy stream is purest at its origin, so they relied on the Scriptures alone and paraded the Gospels before the discussions to emphasize this method.

J-019  

"If anything is said without Scripture, the thinking of the hearers limps. But where the testimony proceeds from the divinely given Scripture, it confirms both the speech of the preacher and the soul of the hearer." [Chrysostom, commenting on Psalm 95] 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 156. 

J-020  

"Whatever is required for salvation is already completely fulfilled in the 
Scriptures." [Chrysostom, commenting on Matthew 22] 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 157. 

 J-021  

"There is a short way for pious minds both to dethrone error and to find and bring out the truth. For when we return to the source and origin of the divine tradition, human error ceases." [Cyprian, Ad Pompejum] 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 158. 

J-022  

"He speaks with us in this way, that we may understand his speech." [Ambrose, Book 3, Letter 5] 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 167. 

J-023  

"God wanted this same word to be complete and brief, and not obscure: brief, lest men should not have time to read it; clear, lest someone might say: I could not understand it." [Augustine] 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 167.   

J-024  

"In Contra Faustum, Book 13, chapter 5, we read that although the Manichaeans did not accept the Scripture, they maintained that they believed the report concerning Christ. Augustine replies: 'If you believe the report about Christ, see whether this is a proper witness; consider what disaster you are headed for. You reject the Scriptures which are confirmed and commended by such great authority; you perform no miracles, and if you performed any, we would shun even those in your case according to the Lord's instruction, Mt. 24:24.' He wanted absolutely nothing to be believed against the confirmed authority of the Scriptures, etc." 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 172. Matthew 24:24. 

J-025  

"However, it had slipped my mind that the faith of the papalists stands outside of and beyond the Scripture; therefore they are able to teach without a translation of Scripture into vernacular languages." 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1971, I, p. 200. 

J-026  

"Beautiful is the statement of Cyprian, which Augustine declares to be the best without any doubt, showing what ought to be done when examples and customs are held up to us which do not have the authority of the canonical Scripture. 'If,' says he, 'we return to the head and origin of the divine tradition, human error will cease. For if the channel of water, which before flowed copiously and purely, either fails or brings muddy water, then certainly one goes to the source in order to find out whether there is something wrong in the veins or in the source, or whether something got in midway.' So also it is rightly, necessarily, and indeed safely done when things that happened in later times in matters of religion must be examined." 
~Martin Chemnitz, Examination of the Council of Trent, trans., Fred Kramer, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1986, III, p. 237. 

J-027  

"Don't let the world paint us into a corner of antiquarianism on subjects like a six-day creation or verbal inspiration."  
~Rev. Paul Calvin Kelm, WELS, "How to Make Sound Doctrine Sound Good to Mission Prospects," p. 13.

That is why I wrote The Path To Understanding Justification as a Scripture book. That is also why I am teaching the Gospel of John in Greek...again.

Unfortunately, Walther did not have much of an education. He came from a rationalistic parsonage and was good enough in repeating their ideas to be certified as a pastor by the rationalistic church structure of his region. His buddies in Pietism were denied ordination and had to serve as children's tutors.

Walther relied on dogmatic statements because of his weakness in the Biblical languages, the equivalent of Ft. Wayne today, where the Biblical languages were not required for entry and treated lightly for graduates.

A Layman Asks LutherQuest about Their Objections to Justification by Faith

What is the LutherQuest objection to the reformation teaching of "Justification by Faith"? If it is a dangerous or destructive teaching, can they clearly as if to a sixth grader explain why "Justification by Faith" is wrong?

It would be extremely helpful for the Confessional Lutherans in the audience to understand the problem with "Justification by Faith" without any reference to terms not found in the Book of Concord, which is the Confession we all profess to believe, as I understand it.

Please post this.  I wasn't able to find any answer to the previous request for clarification.  Please keep asking.  And attacks on "Jackson", "Ohio Synod", "Intuitu Fidei", etc, are not an answer the underlying question: 

Why is "Justification by Faith" as Lutherans have understood it an error?

Social Media Can Be Influential

I am not so active in blogging on Moline Memories anymore, but I enjoy looking for 50th wedding anniversaries as I saw our first few indicated from the gold medal class of 66. (Music Man)

"Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." I used to see Golden Wedding Anniversaries in our local papers, wherever we lived. Our local paper in Arkansas is almost all digital now.

About 10 years ago, our class began collecting names on Facebook so we could keep together. Whether we wanted to stay in touch was another matter. The red cell did not like my posts and blocked me, which was welcome. The rest have been sharing their big anniversaries.

The latest was Debbie, who was in the flute section in band. I found out the date was on Valentine's Day and posted the photo. I added them to the prestigious Golden Wedding Anniversary page.

So I went back to see if they were still in the top ten links for the week. They were! and so were various others on the Golden Wedding Anniversary page.

The Robesons popped up on the Top Ten. We were in Sunday School together and later in the famous Chem-Physics class. He earned a PhD in math. Another earned a PhD in rocket science. Those two also became Eagle Scouts on the same day.

John and Diana Robeson got married the same day we did, so I boast that I never forget their anniversary. Yes, we are on the top ten too, as the other couple.

Rev. Rex Bullock is on the top ten list with his wife LaWanda for their 48th, but not for their 50th. You may change that by clicking. They are well known in Wesleyan circles for their music.

The navigation list for the 50th itself is often on the top ten, perhaps because people enjoy seeing their friends' big day.

 Bonnie Bartlett's father was in showbiz and started an insurance company near the Melo Cream Donut Shop. Bonnie met William Daniels and married in 1951.

We have celebrities on the Golden Wedding Anniversary list too -

William Daniels and Bonnie Bartlett

St. Elsewhere

Here is a bio of both actors.

I also enjoy posting significant anniversaries which have not reached the golden state yet. Significant is defined by the couple.

The preceding is an example of using social media page links to leverage readership. It will be posted several times and possibly shared by others.

The LutherQuagmire Makes People Laugh, But Does It Inform?Anxious Lutherans Want To Know

 A typical LQ response emotes but does not illuminate. 

I seem to be living in the thoughts and painful nightmares of the LutherQuagmire. Someone needs to wake them and give them back their favorite edition of Calvin's Institutes.

It would be fun to debate with them, if they could focus on an argument and substantiate it with actual research. They sound like the locker room team that lost by 30 points, "because those guys were cheating all the time and refs were blind."

Arguing the correct translation of minor figures only serves as a figleaf to cover their shame.

They cannot understand, teach, or confess Justification by Faith, which is clearly taught in Genesis 15:6, with Abraham as the example. He believed in the Promises of the Messianic Kingdom first of all. Secondly, he believed that everlasting and ever-growing kingdom would start with him and his wife. Believing was counted as forgiveness, salvation for Abraham.

Genesis 15:5 And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and He said unto him, So shall thy seed be. 6 And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.

This same statement is the theme of the New Testament -

Romans 4:4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Moreover, Jesus always taught the righteousness of faith, that the foundational sin is unbelief.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 8 And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on Me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see Me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

I realize the LutherQuackers are stuck in the Slough of Despond, so I am showing them the steps to get out (The Pilgrim's Progress).

 Part II, Christiana's Story, makes the point that churchmen were supposed to help improve the Slough. 

"She perceived, also, that notwithstanding the command of the King to make this place for pilgrims good, yet it was rather worse than formerly. So I asked if that were true. Yes, said the old gentleman, too true; for that many there be that pretend to be the King’s laborers, and that say they are for mending the King’s highway, that bring dirt and dung instead of stones, and so mar instead of mending."

Sassy Antics Entertain Everyone

 The floor photos, especially the top one, displays Sassy's "You are crazy" look. Why is everyone on the floor, even the photographer?

Some people who love great coffee wrote about enjoying the Sassy posts. This morning's walk guaranteed a new entry. Sassy loves morning and afternoon walks, and the morning one is non-negotiable.

I decided to get ready in stealth mode, which meant finding my shoes and socks, putting them on quietly...Success! I did not make a noise. Sitting next to the rocker was Sassy, so quiet that I never noticed her while putting on my loafers.

Her walk ended with the taunting of the pits, the pit bulls at the home of the Four Esses. Each daughter's name begins with an S. Each one has loved Sassy and now she is on the youngest one's list. Sassy usually settles the hash of noisy dogs by charging them and ignoring them from that moment on. They rage at her behind their fences and her snubbing only makes them more frustrated.

The pits are another case. She often runs along their fence snarling at them, saying roughly - "I am free and you are imprisoned. Deal with it." They go from barking and howling to wails and sounds of slaughter, amusing Sassy. I have warned her to stop, so she walks many feet away, then turns sharply to port and runs along the fence again. The pits get in trouble, with pans struck and orders to shaddup! Sassy is not tired of winning. Fortunately, the owners are cheerful and used to Sassy's prank.

Sassy has greetings for people who come to the door. She barked at the Schwan delivery man when I wondered out loud who was there. We could hear him laughing. She loves to hear Ranger Bob scratching on the door.

When we are outside on a warm afternoon, Sassy sets up her watch in front of the porch. She scans 180 degrees and listens constantly.

The Author of Pilgrim's Progress Is More Lutheran than the Faux-Lutherans of LCMS-ELS-CLC-LQ

Bunyan came across a copy of Luther’s commentary on the book of Galatians. It was the most well-suited thing imaginable for Bunyan at this time, for Luther was a man who had similar passion and emotional contrasts. No other book was ever so precious to him, except the Word of God. Bunyan’s turmoil continued, and it is told in Grace Abounding.[1]

---

[1] Bunyan, John. Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (Updated, Illustrated): A Brief Account of God’s Exceeding Mercy through Christ to His Poor Servant, John Bunyan . Aneko Press. Kindle Edition. Luther’s Galatians Lectures (also called Galatians Commentary) is recommended by the Formula of Concord for additional study of Justification by Faith.

***
GJ - Are we able to find a single Objective Justification expert who has read the final version of Luther's Galatians? No?

Then they should be deprived of food, chased out of town, baited with dogs, and pelted with manure, according to the Book of Concord, which they wave around like their family trees.

How Thrivent Controls the Synods and Christian News

2. Christian News is not a doctrinally neutral observer, but is committed to the full historic Christian faith, as it is authoritatively revealed in the written Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and correctly set forth in the Confessions of the orthodox Church to wit, the Book of Concord in 1580...except Justification by Faith, the unborn, "the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God."

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   ELCA sets the agenda, not that these turncoats have any problem with apostasy, abortion, and the rainbow coalition. 

Seventh Lesson - Understanding Pilgrim's Progress - 7 PM Tonight

SEVENTH LESSON

Great-Heart

After many lessons at the Interpreter’s House, and being washed (baptism), Great-Heart went with them, as protection. P. 233

GREAT-HEART. With all my heart; but first I must premise, that He of whom we are now about to speak is one that has not His fellow. He has two natures in one Person, plain to be distinguished, impossible to be divided. Unto each of these natures a righteousness belongeth, and each righteousness is essential to that nature; so that one may as easily cause the nature to be extinct, as to separate its justice or righteousness from it. P. 234

Later, at Beautiful Palace, Great-Heart went back to the Interpreter’s House. Prudence asked the sons of Christiana basic catechism questions – James, Samuel, and Matthew.

The Two Valleys

They left to enter the Valley of Humiliation and the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

GREAT-HEART. It is true, said their guide, I have gone through this Valley many a time, and never was better than when here. I have also been a conductor to several pilgrims, and they have confessed the same. ‘To this man will I look (saith the King), even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word’ (Isa. 66:2). P. 269

In the second valley, they were pursued by a lion –

The lion also came on apace, and Mr. Great-heart addressed himself to give him battle. But when he saw that it was determined that resistance should be made, he also drew back, and came no further (1 Peter 5:8, 9). P. 271

Honest Blessed the Four Sons and Mercy

HONEST. I have heard much of your husband, and of his travels and wars, which he underwent in his days. Be it spoken to your comfort, the name of your husband rings over all these parts of the world: his faith, his courage, his enduring, and his sincerity under all, has made his name famous. Then he turned him to the boys, and asked them of their names, which they told him. And then said he unto them: Matthew, be thou like Matthew the publican, not in vice, but in virtue (Matt. 10:3). Samuel, said he, be thou like Samuel the Prophet, a man of faith and prayer (Psa. 99:6). Joseph, said he, be thou like Joseph in Potiphar’s house, chaste, and one that flees from temptation (Gen. 39). And James, be thou like James the Just, and like James the brother of our Lord (Acts 1:13, 14). Then they told him of Mercy, and how she had left her town and her kindred to come along with Christiana and with her sons. At that the old honest man said, Mercy is thy name; by Mercy shalt thou be sustained, and carried through all those difficulties that shall assault thee in thy way, till thou shalt come thither, where thou shalt look the Fountain of Mercy in the face with comfort. P. 279

Later, Mercy Married Matthew, Phoebe Married James

Then Samuel whispered to Christiana, his mother, and said, Mother, this is a very good man’s house, let us stay here a good while, and let my brother Matthew be married here to Mercy, before we go any further. The which Gaius the host overhearing, said, With a very good will, my child. So they staid there more than a month, and Mercy was given to Matthew to wife. P. 297

Now, about this time, Matthew and Mercy were married. Also Gaius gave his daughter Phoebe to James, Matthew’s brother, to wife; after which time they yet staid above ten days at Gaius’ house, spending their time, and the seasons, like as pilgrims used to do. P. 303

Two More Marriages, Mnason

Thus they sat talking and spending the time, until supper was set upon the table; unto which they went and refreshed their weary bodies; so they went to rest. Now they stayed in this fair a great while, at the house of this Mr. Mnason, who, in process of time, gave his daughter Grace unto Samuel, Christiana’s son, to wife, and his daughter Martha to Joseph. P. 310

Christiana Crossed the Dark River

Now the day drew on, that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full of people to see her take her journey. But, behold, all the banks beyond the river were full of horses and chariots, which were come down from above to accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth, and entered the river, with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river side. The last words that she was heard to say here, were, I come, Lord, to be with Thee, and bless Thee. P. 342

So her children and friends returned to their place, for that those that waited for Christiana had carried her out of their sight. So she went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had done before her. At her departure her children wept. But Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Valiant played upon the well-tuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their respective places. P. 342

The Four Sons and Their Wives

As for Christian’s children, the four boys that Christiana brought with her, with their wives and children, I did not stay where I was till they were gone over. Also, since I came away, I heard one say that they were yet alive, and so would be for the increase of the CHURCH in that place where they were, for a time. Shall it be my lot to go that way again, I may give those that desire it an account of what I here am silent about. Meantime, I bid my reader Adieu.

Concluding Thoughts about The Pilgrim’s Progress

History has already decided that this book has had enormous impact on Western culture, with 2000+ editions, movies, cartoons, free Kindles, children’s editions, modern language editions, and translation. The used book market shows that other works are considered far more valuable, when issued by the same press in the same number – Limited Editions Book Club copies of The Pilgrim’s Progress are priced from $30 to $100. Copies of Moby Dick from the same source are $5,000 on eBay. Both titles were limited to 1500 numbered copies. Muck-raker would buy Moby Dick as an investment, sure to grow in value.

This book is entertaining, with a lot of wry comments about human failings, but also edifying, with its unusual concentration of Biblical material expressed visually with descriptive names of people and short stories about their challenges and losses. I know from German-speaking boys that dramatic stories and transparent names are easy to remember and repeat – Struwwelpeter is an example. Caspar-Suppe would not eat his soup, so he shriveled up. They laughed at the extreme stories. So The Pilgrim’s Progress has lions, giants, swords, and beheadings.

The Pilgrim’s Progress should be read a little at a time, because the lessons are not at the end but on every page. Bunyan’s favoring Luther’s Galatians over any other book except the Bible is clearly evidenced among those who love both works, but not by those who have read neither one.

The Pilgrim’s Progress Map

Pages from the Lutheran Library Print Edition

City of Destruction – Christian leaves;  Christiana and their children follow in Part 2

Slough of Despond - Pliable, Obstinate, Worldly Wiseman, Evangelist

Village of Morality -

Wicket Gate – Good Will

Interpreter’s House - Interpreter (Holy Spirit)

The Cross – Three Shining Ones

Difficulty Hill – Formalist, Hypocrisy

Palace Beautiful - Discretion, Prudence, Piety, and Charity

Valley of Humiliation - Apollyon

Valley of the Shadow of Death – Two Men, Demons, Pope and Pagan, Faithful met again

Vanity Fair – Talkative, Lord Hate-Good, Hopeful, By-Ends, Witnesses: Envy, Superstition, and Pickthank; Demas, Lot’s Wife

Doubting Castle - Giant Despair, his lovely wife Diffidence

Delectable Mountains -  Shepherds: Knowledge, Experience, Watchful, and Sincere

Beulah

Dark River

Celestial City

Part Two

Slough of Despond

Wicket Gate

Interpreter’s House

Classic Walther Quote on Ludicrous Quest - Luther Seldom Mentioned, Never Understood

 Rick Strickert (Carlvehse)
Senior Member
Username: Carlvehse.
Stephan's lawyers covered up for Stephan's adultery, just as Walther did. Stephan left his dying wife at home with the dying children he infected, and booked his mistress on the same ship, conveniently near his cabin. 

The Ludicrous quote begineth here:

Walther's sermon, "Zweite Predigt am heiligen Ostertage," is found in the book, Lutherische Brosamen: Predigten und Reden, seit 1847 theils in Pamphletform, theils in Zeitschriften bereits erschienen, in einem Sammelband aufs Neue dargeboten (Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther
M.C. Barthel, 1876, p. 138ff).

Here is the particular passage, located on page 143:
quote:
Wenn ich mich mit meinen Sünden Gott nahe, was wird Gott thun? Wird er nur sie auch wohl vergeben? Nein, so darsst du nun, wer du auch bist, nicht zweiselnd sagen: denn Gott hat sie dir schon vergeben, vergeben schon vor 1800 Iahren, als er in Christo durch seine Auserweckung sogleich alle absolvirte, sür die Christus in den bitteren Tod gegangen war: nur eins ist noch übrig, was von deiner Seite geschehen muß, daß du das dir Geschenkte auch habest, und dieses Eine ist — der Glaube.

Und dies sührt mich denn zum zweiten Theile meiner heutigen Osterbotschast, in welchem ich euch nun zum andern noch zu zeigen habe, daß daher ein jeder Mensch, welcher selig werden will, die vor 1800 Iahren bereits thatsächlich verkündigte allgemeine Absolution nun als eine auch ihm gesprochene durch den Glauben annehmen müsse.
An English translation of the sermon appears in Rev. Joel Baseley's 2008 book, From Our Master's Table: Sermons and Addresses Already Appearing Since 1847 Partly in Pamphlet Form and Partly in Periodicals, Now Offered in a Single Volume of Dr. C.F.W. Walther. The translated excerpt is found on page 73:
quote:

As a result of Christ's having been raised from the dead, it is impossible for a person to think: "When I approach God with my sins what will God do? I wonder if he will forgive me for them?" No. No matter who you are, you may now say without hesitation: Since God has already forgiven them 1800 years ago, as he absolved everyone for whom Christ entered into bitter death, alike, in Christ by his resurrection, only one thing is still necessary to be done on your part so that you also will have what is being given you, and that one thing is - faith.

And this, then, leads me to the second part of today's Easter proclamation, in which I must show you now secondly, that every person who, therefore wants to be saved must now receive the universal absolution actually proclaimed already 1800 years ago through faith as also spoken by him.

Here endeth the Ludicrous quote.

***

GJ - They "prove" their OJ by repeating the same quote I have used numerous times, but there is no Scriptural, Luther, or Book of Concord warrant for this claim. The false doctrine rests on the wrong (Rambach Pietist) explanation of 1 Timothy 3:16. Chemnitz did not explain 1 Timothy 3:16 that way, but ELS Stormtrooper Jay Webber argued Ramach the Pietist against Chemnitz the Book of Concord editor.

 Rambach was a Pietist of the Pietists, at Halle. Notice - universal justification/absolution without the Means of Grace.

 How often have I used this to show Walther's rebellion against Justification by Faith?

 OJ Stormtroopers Jay Webber and DP Buchholz repeat the same bromides as Rambach and Walther.

It Pays To Increase Your Word Power, LutherQuakers

 Cry havoc! and release the chihuahuas of LQ.

Joe Krohn growled on LutherQuakers - "From the Ichabod Rag"

A rag is defined as "a newspaper, typically one regarded as being of low quality."the local rag."

That definition fits Christian News, the official journal of the LQ kennel of chihuahuas. Those are the tiny dogs always trembling with fear and snarling so ferociously.

Joe's pal immediately quoted CFW Walther, BA, their official substitute for the Holy Spirit.

Mainstream News Is Starting To Recognize Q - Q Posted the Video

ChurchMouse made me aware of Q at the beginning, and I have been following the messaging system ever since. My neighbor used to come out of his house to converse about Q. He moved away but drives back from time to time. For those who like videos, the one above discusses the Q phenomenon.

Redeemer Lutheran Church - Yes. Universal Absolution Lutheran Church - No.

 Isaiah 53 is the Report of Romans 10. Who has believed our Report? The harmony of Isaiah 53 and Justification by Faith is impossible to refute. Moreover, this Gospel of Atonement is properly called the treasure, the pearl of great price.

First we have to start with Objective Justification dogma. Every version of it says the same thing - God has declared the entire world righteous, forgiven, even saved, apart from the Gospel Word or faith. Various labels used for OJ are:

• Justification - by itself, without modification.
• The Chief Article - but that is not the Book of Concord definition.
• General Justification.
• Justification of the World.
• Justification of the Sinner.
• Universal Objective Justification, a favorite in WELS.

The core statement is a) the declaration; b) forgiveness of the world, without any limits, even going back to Adam.

However, people have to decide this is true for them to receive the benefits. Otherwise, they are going to be guilt-free saints in Hell - St. Hitler, St. Judas, St. Oscar Wilde.

Although their Subjective Justification sounds a bit like Decision Theology (Arminianism, synergism), they pay almost no attention to this part. Their Maginot Line, their 54-40, their Helen of Troy is universal absolution without faith.

Joe Krohn shouted from the stygian darkness of LutherQuest (sic) - 

"I would put this simple question to Jackson and all of his followers: Is mankind redeemed in the death and resurrection of Christ? It's a yes or no question."

(His next post sounded like synergism, or at least demi-semi-synergism." I will ignore his irrelevant sneer at those who follow Justification by Faith, St. Paul, and Luther.)

The entire Bible teaches redemption, which is found in two different but related verbs in the New Testament. One is based on the word for market and means paid for, purchased. The other verb is used in setting slaves free.

Additional redemption synonyms are atonement, reconciliation, expiation, propitiation.

The OJ fanatics are confused because -through Calvinism, Pietism, and Rationalism - they merge redemption/atonement with the declaration of forgiveness, Justification.

Walther was not the only one to teach this confusion. Woods, the famous Calvinist - who translated  the lectures of Halle Pietist Knapp - used the terms Objective Justification and Subjective Justification to explain the professor's turgid prose.

 Jay Webber would rather have Rambach than Dr. Chemnitz.

The Halle Pietist Rambach said the same thing, using the resurrection of Christ falsely at the moment of world absolution.

Much confusion comes from the secret shame of American Lutherans. Our forefathers came to America more as Pietists in organized movements than as Lutherans dedicated to Luther and the Book of Concord:

• Pennsylvania Lutherans - Pietists.
• Walther/Loehe churches - Pietists.
• Norwegians - baked-in Pietists.
• Swedes and Danes - Pietists. Some Danes were not, so they were called the Happy Danes.

In general, Pietism had little interest in the Means of Grace, preaching, the efficacy of the Word, or formal worship. The parish was the place to organize the cell groups (Stephan and Walther then, Church Growth today). The real church was the cell group. Those cell group members were very close and loyal.

Walther always taught the Halle Pietism he learned from Bishop Martin Stephan, STD, but Missouri taught Justification by Faith, a fact no OJist will acknowledge or even dispute. The dominance of OJ came slowly through the radicals, such as the Preus Crime Family (dirty deeds done dirt cheap).

The rationalistic component of OJ comes out in the more advanced denominations - ELCA, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Northern Baptists. They are simply Universalists at best and atheists in practice. The Universalist were rather conservative overall, but linked with the Unitarians to become social justice warriors and divinity-deniers.

LCMS-ELS-WELS-CLC (sic) are not far from ELCA standards. They love having their trotters in the same Thrivent trough. 

Confusion does not come from those who are loyal to the Augsburg Confession but from those who stand on the Book of Concord, which is why they never read it. 

A book is tough to read when standing on it, and the OJists show little knowledge and less love of those Means of Grace, efficacy of the Word, Christocentric documents.

Colleges, Colleges - All Fall Down

The new plan to bail out the WELS college happened at the same time HotChalk helped bury the LCMS college in Portland, Oregon.

HotChalk turned Portland into a large, online graduate school with a local college attached. Students funded it with student loans, the tool that will bury a lot more colleges in the future.

President Obama did some things to expand student loans, which fueled tuition inflation and the eventual conclusion that many degrees - like Martin Luther College's - were not worth $80,000 in personal debt.

There are many small colleges charging $50,000 a year for room, board, and tuition. That will give most people a pause, no matter how artfully the cost is disguised. A tiny college still costs $30,000, as any weary recruiter will admit.

 Why does your paper look exactly like so many others in Google?

Game Over - What To Expect

 "Game over!"

I have often told Christina, who pays attention to the news, "If it is in the news, it is not the news. The real news is always somewhere else."

For example, over 1000 prosecutors called for the head of the Attorney General because sentencing was being discussed for one case - Roger Stone's. When that many people respond at once to a minor event, there is much more behind it. I have seen synods do the same thing - coordinated rage, purpose-driven.

The mainstream news has beaten to death the Ukraine phone call, without covering the vast amount of loot stolen there. Those perps have barely been mentioned in connection with their nefarious deeds.

The major news events of the last three years are:

• The Wall is being completed at a rapid pace, which will curtail human and drug trafficking, while providing an important military barrier.
• Gitmo has been remodeled and enlarged, as if being prepared for military tribunals and detention in government housing. Treason can only be tried by military tribunals, an important issue in Kavanaugh being approved for the Supreme Court. Did anyone catch that? A former military lawyer asked him.
• Gorsuch recently ruled that judges could no longer take a carefully placed case and make a universal ruling/injunction, a tool promiscuously used for nullifying executive and legislative decisions.
• The military has been rebuilt, and our long-hidden stealth space force is now named the Space Force.
• The US is moving away from endless wars - engagements that were a stark contrast to WWII, which began for us at the end of 1941 and was over in 1945.

I do not own a Palantir, but the background news tells me that news will change for the better in the immediate future.

Buckle up - it is going to be a bumpy ride.

Argumentation Must Have Warrants - Or Reasons - For the Claims

 Coming soon to Lutheran Library!

As I have written before, argumentation requires warrants (reasons, evidence) for the claims made. If people want to disagree, the framework is before them. They normally begin with the sources.

This also applies in law enforcement. A police officer does not have the right to search someone or a house or car without a warrant or the agreement of the person involved. His  warrant is the reason sworn before a judge, but not all reasons are accepted. It must credible and appropriate for the matter.

False doctrine, like Objective Justification, assumes there is no other doctrine. They shriek and clutch their pearls, but have nothing to offer. It is true because their professors told them so, not because there is a speck of evidence for the dogma.

They refuse to quote the opposition fairly and address what they think are errors.

• Is Genesis 15:6 about Justification by Faith or not?
• Does Romans 4 - 5:2 teach Justification by Faith- or as the Brief  Statement claims - Objective Justification?
• If that is so, does the Holy Spirit contradict Himself, misleading Paul?

I look over their sources, and they rely on the Walther disciples alone, Rambach the Pietist, Walther and Stephan the Pietists, and Luther/Melanchthon on the Atonement.

Did Luther and the Reformation scholars contradict themselves - or did they speak in such an obscure way that the world's great scholars heard Justification by Faith while the brilliant if syphilitic mind of Martin Stephan heard Objective Justification?

Missouri was not built on OJ, but the Chief Article, Justification by Faith. The synod began crashing in 1932, not because Pieper died, but because Stephan lived  and the creeping cancer of OJ took over.

OJ now rules in ELCA-WELS-ELS-CLC-LCMS.
Lenker, Luther's editor, was a member of the forerunner of ELCA.

WELS Has a Plan for Its Failing College in New Ulm

 "We need millions of dollars to make up for the ridiculous plans of the past."

Report from the Field:
"There are teachers without a call because pastors are being used in teachers' positions.

This "need" for more students is more about the need to get more money than it really is about filling vacancies (that wouldn't exist if we weren't calling pastors to teach PE and be IT directors).

Falling enrollment because of rising prices and the fact that in the day of the internet they can't hide what goes on there like they used to - that is the real problem they want to fix.

And how are they going to do that you ask? By conning old people to give money to MLC so they can build boutique sports facilities, build a new dorm to replace the one that they tore down to build the diaper changing training center, and give staff raises!"

 "Our Friendship Sundays have not worked out well.
Ski suggested Friendship Sundaes instead."