I Told That Liar Greg Jackson - The WELS Creed

 "I told that liar Greg Jackson I never went to Fuller! Oh, you did? Well, I just have to be careful about letting that slip. I'm glad you and I are on the same side."

 "I never went to Fuller too! Oh, sorry, Dave. I didn't know it was you."

Insta-Review of the New Year's Eve Vimeo

A review of the Vimeo, New Year's Eve - 

"We did have a couple of blackouts.  The music comes across as a little "warbly".  But hey, no UOJ and no Church Growth.  Pretty good for life on earth!" 
"

New Year's Eve, Holy Communion, 7 PM Central. The Circumcision and Name of Jesus

New Year's Eve, 2021
The Circumcision and the Name of Jesus

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

The Vimeo player will show up under this message for the live production and the saved one. Clear your browser history for better results and reduce the feed (lower right of the player, sprocket image).

`

Bethany Lutheran Church, 7PM

The Hymn # 110     Across the Sky the Shades of Night
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16

Introit

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth: who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. What is man that Thou art mindful of him: and the Son of Man that Thou visitest Him? Psalm. Thou, O Lord, art our Father and our Redeemer: Thy name is from everlasting.

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

Collect

Almighty and everlasting God, from whom cometh down every good and perfect gift, we give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, temporal and spiritual, bestowed upon us in the year past, and we beseech Thee of Thy goodness, grant us a favorable and joyful year, defend us from all dangers and adversities, and send upon us the fullness of Thy blessing; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual 

Gradual

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God: make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth.

V. The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

V. God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets: hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son. Hallelujah!

The Gospel 
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn # 123    Our God, Our Help

Blessings Are Eternal, Not Transient

The Hymn # 126     Arise and Shine in Splendor
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 #  552   Abide with Me

Prayers and Announcements

• Thankful for many blessings, kindnesses, and understanding.
• Pastor and Mrs. Jim Shrader, Pastor K and Doc Lito Cruz - dealing with diabetes.
• Those looking for work and a better income.
• Pray for those fighting anti-Constitutional mandates.

KJV Galatians 3:23-29 King James Version (KJV)

23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.

24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

KJV Luke 2:21 King James Version (KJV)

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

KJV Galatians 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.  

Paul's analogy is very good, because we all think of ourselves as under the Law as children. And parents think that of children as well. Every request for us Jackson kids to do something was met by a whiny, "Do we have to?" The response was usually forceful and loud.

Paul uses the situation of a a child who would be heir of the estate. Even though he is the future overlord, the tutor is still the one who administers the law to him. The child can remain a minor - many rich children do. The tutor goes away or the child keeps him as a shield, a go-between, someone who cleans up messes and erases evidence.

God did not keep the Gospel Promises from Israel. They are all through the Books of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings. However, many refuse to see this, or they emphasize the prophets condemning sin while ignoring the Promise of the Messiah and His blessings. Jeremiah is so forceful in his denunciations that a "jeremiad" is the name for a lengthy tirade against something. However, one of the most beautiful Gospel passages is in Jeremiah.

KJV Jeremiah 31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 

Some people are so contrary that they read this as the Law becoming obsolete (Antinomians, anti-Law). One pastor who preached this also denied the Creation - and soon he was an avowed atheist as well. 

But the truth is the opposite of what the false teachers say. The Law is eternal, revealed clearly in Creation, where everything happens by command, order, cooperation, according to the will of God and the command of the Logos. 

Besides, the Law commands what is good for us. However, Paul wrote to the Galatians, who were mixing the Law and the Gospel, as urged by the Law salesmen. His apostolic letter was so forceful that the issue did not come up again.

The Law teaches us about right and wrong, so we can realize what it means to be forgiven and to live in peace because of faith in Christ Jesus.

25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

This is so easy to picture. We are children when under a tutor, babysitter, teacher in school. But through the Gospel we are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

This means moved by the Gospel rather than ordered by the Law. I often hear, "You don't have to do this." and I say, "True. I want to do this. Almost everything I do is because I want to - except paying taxes. The government helps me with that."

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The distinctions made by man do not apply to God's family, where we are one. Although many rules and restrictions make us under the law, the Gospel means we can emphasize what is eternal rather than what is transient.

An M.D. wrote a book about a time when the American Bible Society created a secretive revised KJV, with thousands of changes - and this was decades before the official KJV revision of 1881. No one asked them to create it. They had no directions in their Protestant-Roman Catholic organization to do that. But they did. A few leaders got together and opposed it, so it was dropped and almost forgotten. 

That might be a footnote in history, but it is an important one, standing up for the truth of the Word of God.

We can remember the hurts, reverses, sorrows, tragedies of life. More importantly, the Gospel generates forgiveness, blessings, the fruits of the Spirit, which begin with 

1. Love,
2. Joy,
3. Peace.

Writing Plans Continue - Call Them NY's Resolutions

 "You dare quote the KJV!?" sayeth the KJV-Never crowd of cardboard scholars.

I expect to wrap up the second edition of The Bible Book: The KJV Reborn for Those Who Love the Word of God. Soon - God willing.

It is tempting to create the KJV Encyclopedia (no chance) because there so many sources for the topic.

The book is more of a self-study effort, because knowing the good and bad KJV authors is essential for appreciating the massive fraud called "modern translations." Fortunately the initial effort got me in touch with a variety of good authors.

I get blank looks about the I AM sermons of Jesus, so that is a good reason to make that the next book.

Future books will be Biblical books, one at a time, or themes about shorter ones (like the pastoral epistles). They will be included as a series linked to The Bible Book.

 The Wizard of Ooze

Making It Easy - Linking Nutritional Benefits of My Favorite Healthy Foods

Three of our members encouraged me on the topic of nutrition and avoiding bad foods. I am not an expert, which I have proven with my bad habits. However, I can link some of my favorite foods and their benefits, with the experts explaining.

Walnuts are the ultimate heart medicine, and cholesterol fixer. Good for -

• Anti-oxidants
• Omega 3
• Anti-cancer
• Lower weight and blood sugar
• Brain function

Almonds are massive nutrition sources. Good for -

• Anti-oxidants
• Vitamin E
• Blood sugar control
• Magnesium, good for many benefits, including blood sugar
• Lowering bad cholesterol (beats statins, believe me; my cholesterol is perfect because one member sent me walnuts until I was addicted)
• Weight loss

Brussels Sprouts are funny, ugly, and delicious. Good for -

• Lots of nutrition
• Incredible amounts of Vitamins K and C
• Anti-oxidants, fiber, and potassium
• Omega 3 and also lowers blood sugar
• Can be boiled, microwaved, or cooked crispy

Kidney Beans are not just for chili. Good for -

• Protein, fiber, and iron
• Lowering blood sugar
• Satisfying hunger and improving digestion

Kale is the superstar of greens and lasts all winter under the snow. Did God plan that?

• "For example, one cup (67 grams) of raw kale packs 684% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin K, 206% of the DV for vitamin A and 134% of the DV for vitamin C (2)."

Collard greens.

"Collard greens are a good source of calcium and the vitamins A, B9 (folate) and C. They’re also one of the best sources of vitamin K when it comes to leafy greens. In fact, one cup (190 grams) of cooked collard greens packs 1,045% of the DV for vitamin K (6).

Vitamin K is known for its role in blood clotting. In addition, more research is being done regarding its ability to improve bone health (7Trusted Source).

One study in 72,327 women aged 38–63 found that those with vitamin K intakes below 109 mcg per day had a significantly increased risk of hip fractures, suggesting a link between this vitamin and bone health (8Trusted Source)."

<whew!>

Spinach

"Spinach is a popular leafy green vegetable and is easily incorporated into a variety of dishes, including soups, sauces, smoothies and salads.

Its nutrient profile is impressive with one cup (30 grams) of raw spinach providing 181% of the DV for vitamin K, 56% of the DV for vitamin A and 13% of the DV for manganese (9).

It’s also packed with folate, which plays a key role in red blood cell production and the prevention of neural tube defects in pregnancy (10Trusted Source).

One study on the neural tube defect spina bifida found that one of the most preventable risk factors for this condition was a low intake of folate during the first trimester of pregnancy (11Trusted Source).

Along with taking a prenatal vitamin, eating spinach is a great way to increase your folate intake during pregnancy."

GJ - Spinach loves the cold damp weather of early spring and easily lasts when planted before the winter. It bolts (goes to seed and is bitter) when the weather warms and bugs work it over late in spring. Early fresh spinach is a treat, right from the garden. Ask my rabbits.

More leafy greens are described here.

Dr. Fuhrman emphasizes beans (of all types), greens (of all types), plus uncooked nuts and seeds. If you want the book, I will be happy to mail it to you. I am getting it for about 99 cents.

Vimeo - Testing Chapel Improvements

 Vimeo Player will appear below this message.

Improvements: 

Second desktop - Melanchthon - for sound.

Using files from the second computer, not from an Internet link.

Original and best desktop - Luther - for Vimeo.

Camera - original one since the tripod has not arrived for the new one (which is much bigger).

Ways To Improve Home Reception

Use Google Chrome for the browser.

Clear the browser history. Very important.

Adjust the Vimeo player - set it on automatic or on a lower setting (less demanding). Look for the sprocket (gear) on the lower right of the Vimeo player.

Guess what? My cell phone went bonkers so don't try to phone tonight. email - greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com

Response to Previous Post about Rolf, OJ, and ELCA

Responding to This Justification Post - 

From a reader:

Dear Pastor Jackson,

I have struggled for a long time with 2 Cor. 5:19.  There are many interpretations of this verse.  I had come to think mine was unique, if I could back it up.  

I have to start with a translation, taken literally from the Greek:  "That is that God was in Christ the world reconciling to himself not reckoning to them the trespasses of them and having put in us the message of reconciliation."

The word reconcile is often equated with justification, and this is the verse used to prove it, because it supposedly defines reconciliation with non-imputation of sins.  Reference is made to Psalm 32:2, but that psalm is spoken by David, a believer, and the non-imputation is toward believers.

I agree somewhat with Lenski that reconcile is used in two ways.  This first way is not justification.  Furthermore, the imputation / reckoning is not about the imputation of Christ's righteousness, but literally this: not reckoning to them the trespasses of them, because the trespasses are reckoned to Christ.

I think too little is made of a parallel between verse 19 and 21.  Verse 21 explains and augments verse 19: "The one not knowing sin on behalf of us sin he made that we might become the righteousness of God in him."  As in verse 21, verse 19 is about Christ taking on our sins and the sins of the world (John 1:29).  The purpose was that "we might become the righteousness of God in him," not that all have become the righteousness of God in him, as the UOJists proclaim.  I don't recall who said it, maybe Aegidius Hunnius, but nowhere in Scripture is the righteousness of Christ imputed without faith.

Phil 3:9 bolsters this: "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

Of course, the UOJists will says that is subjective justification, and does not disprove universal justification, but a proper reading of 2 Cor. 5:19 does when compared with all of Scripture.  Nowhere is Christ's righteousness imputed without faith except in a spurious reading of 2 Cor. 5:19.

This shined brightly when I saw your posts again from Justification and Rome, p. 72 

"When does the imputation of Christ's righteousness take place?  It did not take place when Christ, by doing and suffering, finished the work of atonement and reconciled the world to God. Then and there, when the sins of the world were imputed to Him and He took them, Christ became our righteousness and procured for us remission of sin, justification, and eternal life. 'By thus making satisfaction He procured and merited (acquisivit et promeruit) for each and every man remission of all sins, exemption from all punishments of sin, grace and peace with God, eternal righteousness and salvation.'"

"But the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the sinner takes place when the Holy Spirit brings him to faith through Baptism and the Word of the Gospel. Our sins were imputed to Christ at His suffering and death, imputed objectively after He, by His active and passive obedience, fulfilled and procured all righteousness for us. But the imputation of His righteousness to us takes place when we are brought to faith."

This is stated so beautifully and fully comports with my interpretation of 2 Cor. 5:19, that it is about the imputation of the world's sins to Christ, not the imputation of Christ's righteousness to the world, a matter that requires faith in the procured and promised forgiveness of sins.  Verse 20 concerns this latter reconciliation when it says: "Be ye reconciled."

Blessed New Year to you.

Beans, Green, Nuts, and Fruit

Nine days ago I realized my pancreas warrantee had expired. I began reading Furhman's book above, realizing I need a revolution in my habits.

I have lost a pound a day since then. 

My all-American diet previously included:

1. Some McDonalds and diet drinks.
2. Too much bread and bakery.
3. Portions too large.
4. Not enough exercise.
5. Desserts - the staff of life.

Fuhrman's book emphasizes

1. Greens 

2. Beans - various types

3. A variety of fruit, blueberries, apples, oranges

4. Nuts like walnuts especially, almonds

5. Low on eggs, meat, cheese, and fish

6. No sugared or diet drinks.

Lunch today -

A small can of kidney beans with walnuts

A bowl of blueberries

Water

Lunch was delicious, satisfying, and a boatload of good nutrition. Breakfast was two eggs and one piece of NY rye toast.

I really enjoyed the beans and blueberries because I was slightly hungry but not starving. The dessert cravings have gone away slowly. Giving up diet cola has been tough. 

At the gym they said they would be swamped with  new memberships in January-February, cancellations starting in March. Consider your New Year's resolutions on hold.

I sent Fuhrman's book to four people because eating is more than a matter of weight and blood sugar, though both matter a great deal. A lot of information is about heart healthy/blood pressure improving foods. 

Your Daily Wake-Up Article

ELDONA is almost 100% Ft. Wayne, where seminary students were expected to kiss the OJ ring of Robert Preus and David Scaer. It warmed my heart to see Jim Heiser and Rolf Preus shoulder to shoulder for one brief, shining moment.

Today I made some cinnamon pour-over coffee and sat down to read something interesting, amusing, shocking, or outrageous.

 Robert Preus taught this nonsense to his students at Ft. Wayne, but clearly saw the errors in his final book, Justification and Rome. Rolf and Daniel were too clueless to edit the counter-arguments out of the book.

The ALPB Online Discussion Forum was supposedly on the topic of the ELCA Bishop kicked out of her own political group. But no, it was actually another debate between the ELCA journalist-pastor Charles Austin and Rolf David Preus, son of Robert Robert Preus, son of Jake Preus, who also began Jack Preus - LCMS President and brother of Robert Preus. I think Rolf is back in the LCMS to stay, though he was ELS, then in his own Rolf Synod, then in fellowship with ELDONA, then back in the LCMS.

 Jay Webber (ELS) and Jon-Boy Buchholz traveled to the Emmaus conference to promote OJ, which also tickles the granite heart of Matt the Fatt. Why did the professors stay away in droves? Why did three synods rely on these two yokels?

What staggered me was the realization that they were debating - again - even though both teach the same Objective Justification, the world being absolved of all sin, somehow without the Word, without the Means of Grace, without faith in Jesus Christ.

I use control-f on each issue of Calvinist News (nee Christian News, nee Lutheran News), looking for key words to see how the Walther worshipers are doing. The cub editor never lets these terms appear on the grace-infused pages of his tabloid:

1. Justification by Faith
2. The Means of Grace
3. The Efficacy of the Word.

The terms in blue are basic to Biblical, Lutheran doctrine. Justification by Faith is named repeatedly in the New Testament and taught by the Holy Spirit with great clarity. Efficacy as a word-group in Greek is also used many times over and taught in various ways, such as Isaiah 55:8ff.

The Means of Grace serves as short-hand (like the Holy Trinity) for what the Scriptures teach - God's grace only coming to us through Instruments or Means - the invisible Word of teaching and preaching - and the visible Word of the Sacraments.

When ELCA pastors and professors speak of grace, they mean that the entire world is already forgiven. Like the WELS-LCMS-ELS OJists, the concept of faith makes ELCA angry, but they normally tiptoe around their Helen of Troy to avoid unpleasantness.

Robert Preus' last book, edited posthumously by Rolf and Daniel, includes many quotations devastating to the foolish cause of Objective Justification. Rolf tried to deny this, but when he gave his Dakota lectures, he failed to cite Justification and Rome.

So why does Rolf argue with Charles Austin? Neither one seems to concede their mutual unfaith, their dogma from the Halle and Norwegian Pietists, their repudiation of the Scriptures and the Book of Concord.

My other puzzlement is how clergy can be so offended by - and against - the King James Version but let these Scriptural blasphemies rule their lives and their dying synods. 

Robert Preus' dying words can be read in the graphics below.

 Ft. Wayne and Wayne Mueller - a merger of false teachers. 

 The rank stupidity of J. P. Meyer has been endorsed by the new edition of his work, editing by Panning, the New Testament professor.

Has anyone read a more astonishing rah-rah for Universalism?

 It's time for you to make a decision for OJ.

 Valleskey's legacy - to make J. P. Meyer took relatively wise.

 Here is the start of it all in the Synodical Conference, which has united all Lutherans with ELCA.

New Year's Eve - Holy Communion Service - 7 PM

 Unforgettable! Braaten denied and mocked Christian doctrine in his notorious Braaten-Jenson Dogmatics.

 Finding this hard to find and expensive, our group put together Luther's Sermons, the Lenker series and the Postils.

The New Year's Holy Communion service will begin at 7 PM. We will have all or most of the upgrades in place: a second desktop for sound, hymn files on that computer, and a camera manufactured recently.

Everything else will be classic, old, and appreciated - The Lutheran Hymnal, Luther's Biblical theology, the liturgy and hymns.

 Travis and Lauren, aka the Newly-weds, have been guiding the audio and video expansion.

From the Father and the Son - Credal Question

Someone asked about the filioque controversy, from the Latin word for "and the Son." Latin has that little trick, adding "que" to a word for "and." The "filio" part is from the word for son or daughter, which we still use as "filial respect" a phrase today chiefly honored by its absence.

I know that Concordia, Ft. Wayne, has promoted Eastern Orthodoxy so much that they have turned out a number of graduates who joined EO immediately after graduation. EO seems to exist in the LCMS as a safe cover or transition point for becoming a Roman Catholic priest. Ft. Wayne graduates tend to be obnoxious, rude, know-it-alls, emulating their favorite OJ professor. Even those who despise Scaer follow his example.

So this matter comes up among Lutherans via the two LCMS seminaries, Ft. Wayne and St. Louis. 

The Byzantine or Eastern Roman Empire continued to exist and thrive after the Fall of the Western, European Empire. The Bishop of Rome, now known affectionately as the Pope, asserted his primacy over all other bishops, the "first among equals," which was very annoying to the Eastern Orthodox.

The Emperor Constantine was bolder, calling himself "First of the Apostles." 

Creeds are fashioned over time, the Apostles Creed being so early that no one seems to know when it originated. The Nicene Creed was written later, to deal with the Two Natures in Christ.

EO was not happy with "and the Son" being added to the Nicene Creed, a change which happened much later. Rome and Eastern Orthodoxy were estranged at that point and that continued, like a married couple who live a thousand miles apart.

Eastern Orthodoxy had so many bitter, bloody controversies that they fell into an emphasis upon extreme smells-and-bells and flexible dogma. Those mainline ministers who chafe at the short-comings of their denominations and synods are attracted to EO, especially worship with anything-goes doctrine.

Long ago, Jay Webber insisted that I read a book on Melanchthon's discussions with the Eastern Orthodox, that coming from a someone who confessedly knew nothing about Luther except the usual negative drivel. Ft. Wayne at work!

The chap who helped edit Missouri's Lutheran Service Book joined EO as soon as the hymnal was out. He also denounced Justification by Faith at that time (following EO). But, that is no shock - an editor of the NIV Concordia Self-Study Bible, after retiring as a St. Louis professor, also repudiated the Chief Article. In both cases, they wanted to add works to justification, typical of Rome, EO, and ELCA.

Some years ago, I was reading on the Internet when a LCMS pastor wrote, "Sit down everyone and grab a beer. I have joined the Eastern Orthodox Church." 

So where are we? I see filioque as a sign that people are being taught and disturbed by Eastern Orthodoxy but not by Biblical Lutheran doctrine. <Sigh> I have to get out my Paul Kelm Luther quote on the hay wagon. 

The Lutheran (ELCA-WELS-LCMS-ELS-CLC) seminaries do not teach Biblical doctrine. They openly despise Luther's teaching and the Book of Concord. They gave it away during the Reformation's 500th Anniversary. 

What Did the Church Growth Experts Say? - "It's All about the Numbers!"

 Waldo Werning, Fuller Alumnus, Self-Proclaimed Church Growth Expert, David Valleskey Pal

I knew the late Waldo Werning. I hesitate to say "sainted Waldo Werning." When I rebuked him for lying about his Fuller attendance, he went ballistic on me. An ELS pastor asked me, "What did you do to Werning?" I said - "I pointed out his lies."

When I asked Werning earlier if he went to Fuller, he said he did. I wrote that in my Day-Timer and quoted it to him. When someone starts a hog farm, one does not wonder where the smell comes from. He plagiarized Fuller and the WELS/LCMS mission bosses ate that up. We were still FB friends when he died. He said before he died, "Are you staying out of trouble?" I said, "No."

Werning said, echoing Kent Hunter (Fuller DMin! - like Larry Olson) - "You must measure the numbers and let growth be growth and non-growth be non-growth."

Google says we averaged 2,000 views per day in December, a lifetime total of almost 9.5 million. No ads. No monetization. So much from "a spare room in a rented house," to quote a Matt the Fatt staffer who had to erase his plagiarized blog.

 "Downplaying?" Yuk, yuk, yuk. That is how one gets to be president of Mordor. He was in a class all by itself - Church Growth and state prison.

Abusive Churches - WELS/ELS Certainly Fits - Add LCMS, Not as Consecrated and In-Bred

I have spoken to two ex-WELS members in the last day. I am not going to add any personal details. But that is the setting for what follows.

People do not realize they are in an abusive cult because they are surrounded by those who constantly tell them that God is honored and pleased to have such a wonderful group of Christians - if only the rest were as good. An abusive cult will love-bomb people into the group but also hate them out. Someone who is ex-WELS is the worst of all reprobates, especially if that individual is onto the abuse and talking about it.

The two main components are the abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) and the foul doctrine. The evil doctrine allows and energizes the abuse. WELS teaches universal absolution without faith, which is handy for murdering one's spouse and using the youth group as sex slaves. But WELS also lays down its own law on everyone, and that law has no mercy, no forgiveness, and no fruits of the Spirit.

WELS has a long list of unrepentant, adulterous clergy and teachers. If they are in with the In Crowd, they are guilt-free. However, if a dissenter exhibits any mortal failing, the In Crowd will bury that person in verbal abuse, shun to a fare-thee-well, and excuse their behavior as discipline.

WELS has taken the verse "All men are liars" to a new level - Exponentially, one might say. Thus, they are pleased to brag about their dozens of rules about fellowship principles but will not admit they violate all of them - and have for decades. One proof of that is the shock in the voice of WELS members who do not realize they have been in bed with ELCA (and its forerunners) for many decades. "I never knew that!"

Support for the United Nations? Sure.

Pose with the head of ELCA at a leadership conference? Lie about it. "We had to take their money or someone else would have spent it."

Study at Fuller Seminary? Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, brag, deny. By all means, promote the men who studied there and lied about studying at Fuller. Here is a good one: "I am glad I was there so I could witness against their false doctrine."

Have any of the Ten Commandments survived the brutal regime of WELS? No. False doctrine is promoted as "a gray area of Scripture." The Eighth Commandment applies to dissenters who talk about doctrine, murder, adultery, and child abuse.

Murder? - "That was a long time ago." I am quoting a pastor.

But the worst part of this abusive behavior is the members and church workers try to adjust for the false reality imposed on them. Either they go along with all of it, which is extremely dangerous for the soul, or they snap out of it and get expelled.

Missouri does some of this. The Little Sect on the Prairie re-elected Pope John the Malefactor for being abusive. The micro-mini sects specialize in abuse.

My prescription for healing is two-fold.

First, begin reading the Lenker set of Luther's Sermons to hear the true Gospel and the Reformer's brilliant practical applications.

Second, leave the sect behind whenever that is possible. Worship at home is better than going along with an abusive, false-teaching group. Reading a book on abusive churches will help people realize that they come in all flavors, all confessions.

An ex-WELS pastor told me it was all over for the Wisconsin sect when he read in Mark Schroeder's spin-report that WELS does not repent. Once a sect has reached that level of self-absolution and self-absorption, there is no help.

The Word can address all these problems, but not if no one will wield the Sword of the Spirit.