ICHABOD, THE GLORY HAS DEPARTED - explores the Age of Apostasy, predicted in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, to attack Objective Faithless Justification, Church Growth Clowns, and their ringmasters. The antidote to these poisons is trusting the efficacious Word in the Means of Grace. John 16:8. Isaiah 55:8ff. Romans 10. Most readers are WELS, LCMS, ELS, or ELCA. This blog also covers the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Left-wing, National Council of Churches denominations.
I am filled with cheerfulness, comfort, and joy by the faith of professor Nils Dahl (PhD*, Yale University) when he said, "The text! The text! We have the text!" (The King James Version, Gregory L. Jackson PhD, p, 189 footnote.)
* GJ - Dahl earned his doctorate in Europe, studying under famous New Testament scholars, including Bultmann. Dahl did not agree with them and focused on the content of the Bible, Old and New Testaments. He was considered the greatest Biblical exegete by Harvard Dean Krister Stendahl.
The text we have is the TEXTUS RECEPTUS not Vaticanus (Westcott-Hort/Nestle Aland Text). Vaticanus was soundly rejected for the Reformation, not just by a man (Erasmus) but by God the Holy Ghost Himself. He alone guides His church into all truth: the TEXTUS RECEPTUS and translations of the TEXTUS RECEPTUS: Luther's 1545 Bible, and the King James Bible. This is why the King James Bible is the only dominant Bible among Christians today (50% King James to 30% NIV).** The King James Bible is the only translation that never changes. This makes sense because God's word never changes. So here is God's unchangeable, eternal word: the King James Bible and it's unchangeable eternal foundation: the TEXTUS RECEPTUS.
** GJ - The KJV/NKJV combined may be more like 60%. Scholars are divided. I question the 30% figure for the NIV, easily the worst of the bad paraphrases. The Evil Four - NIV, RSV, NRSV, ESV - include three paraphrased licensed by the National Council of (Marxist) Churches.
Why is only 15% of a book written by Luther and yet is called Luther's Large Catechism? We will be teaching Luther's Large Catechism itself, not as the ruminations of a horde of dyspeptic men and prating women.
The sermon quotations will continue both in the masthead and now also in the body of the blog, so people can take advantage of the RSS feed.
17. But when the stronger man, the Gospel, comes, peace flees, and he rages like a madman, for he resents being condemned, unmasked, punished, and publicly branded. Then he gathers up his armor, the powerful, wise, rich and holy people, and sets them all to attacking God’s Word, as we see in the persecution of the teachers of the Gospel. Such rage and persecution signify that the devil retires very unwillingly and raves in his whole body; for as he acts in the body and its members when he must depart, so he also behaves in the whole world, resisting with all his power when he is to give place to the Gospel; but it is all in vain, he must be expelled.
18. For a Stronger One, that is, Christ, comes and overpowers him and takes away his whole armor, that is, he converts some of those same persecutors, and to that extent makes him weaker, and his own kingdom stronger. He divides the spoils too, that is, those he converts he uses for various offices, graces, and works in Christendom, of which Paul writes in Romans 12:6. He is also in the court yard or ante-room of the palace, for the devil’s kingdom consists in outward appearances and pretenses of wisdom, holiness, and strength; but when it is captured by the Gospel it is found to consist of pure folly, sin and weakness.
Luther was mocked wearing St. Patrick's livery and a bishop's hat at ELCA's Wartburg Seminary.
The Gloria Patri The Kyrie p. 17 The Gloria in Excelsis The Salutation and Collect p. 19
Collect
We beseech Thee, Almighty God, look upon the hearty desires of Thy humble servants and stretch forth the right hand of Thy majesty to be our defense against all our enemies; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.
The Epistle and Gradual Ephesians 5:1-9 The Gospel Luke 11:14-28 Glory be to Thee, O Lord! Praise be to Thee, O Christ! The Nicene Creed p. 22 The Sermon Hymn #524In Thee Lord Have I Put My Trust (alt tune #177)
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 #568 We Praise Thee O God
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
KJV Luke 11:14
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Opposing the Gospel
KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.
The greatest folly today is rejecting the concept of the Underworld - not just organized crime, but Satan and his underlings, servants, managers, and stormtroopers. The occult is just part of it, and so are the pagan religions, including those followed by middle-class, supposedly normal people. I had two of those in a religion class. Once they identified each other in introductions, they were glued together. Satan's name is literally "the Opposer" and we should not take that lightly. One online student said she was an ordained priestess of a forgotten, ancient Egyptian religion. She began attacking everyone who expressed faith in Christ, but alas - that was not allowed. The venom was real.
When we belong to Jesus Christ, He protects us as a shepherd protects the flock. When people spend time with the occult, they fall into its grip and are terribly weakened. Luther concluded that this man was terribly weakened and came to Jesus, helped by friends. The Savior took away his spiritual disease and made him whole again, so he became coherent and began to speak. The audience marveled at this, because the man went from total captivity to health.
15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign [GJ- miracle] from heaven.
Two kinds of unbelief followed. Attacking Jesus, they accused Him of serving Satan (Beelzebub), so they accused Jesus not only of being demonic but being subordinate to the Devil. They remind me of the person who acted super-spiritual, as if she had swallowed the Holy Spirit, feathers and all (as Luther once said). She was always attacking and undermining, at work and at church, and she drew people into her circle. The others attacking Jesus demanded a miracle from heaven, even though one took place in front of them. Those are good examples of people so hardened that they reject the Gospel or they demand a miracle just for them.
17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house against a house falleth.
This is an important lesson by itself. Jesus knows our thoughts. That is why we can pray silently to Him. Those who reject His divinity also reject praying to Him, except perhaps in well crafted general prayers. A survey of LCA pastors showed that most did not pray much at all. Faith moves us to offer Him requests and praise, but the hardened see no use for it. Faith and unfaith are opposed and will bring themselves into ruin, because faith tolerates unfaith and becomes no faith at all.
People should ask why the whale-sized churches and colleges turn into shells where no Christians worship and the buildings serve as movie theaters, banks, or Islamic colleges. Yale began as a college in 1701 to train ministers and a bit later -leading citizens serving the public. In spite of merging four seminaries together at Yale Divinity School, the "divinity" faculty is comprised of anti-Christian "scholars" and advocates of the worst sort. The math is simple: 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 1/2, because a four-way seminary merger turned into one, which was cut in half due to lack of interest and high costs. (YDS = the original Yale college, plus Berkeley Episcopal, plus Andover Congregationalist Seminary which merged some time ago with Newton Seminary.)
18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.
3. In the first place, with honest and reasonable arguments he concludes from two comparisons that one devil cannot cast out another; for if that were so, the devils would be divided among themselves and Satan’s kingdom would indeed not stand. For nature teaches that if a kingdom is divided against itself and its citizens drive out each other, it is not necessary to go to war against it, for it will come to ruin soon enough of itself. Likewise a house divided against itself needs no other destruction. Even the heathen author Sallust, teaching only from the light of nature and experience, says: “Great wealth passes away through discord, but through concord small means become large.” If now the devils were divided among themselves to such a degree that one should drive out the other, Satan’s dominion would be at an end, and we would have rest from his attacks.
We have slid into an era where disbelief is honored and the Christian Faith is considered backwards, prejudiced, evil, and destructive. The root of it goes back to the ministry of Jesus Christ. The number one source of opposition was His teaching about faith in Him, something we find throughout His work but especially in the Gospel of John. The final Gospel of four quotes Jesus preaching faith in Him rather than good works. The ultimate or foundational sin is not believing in Him. He stated clearly that the Holy Spirit (Scriptures, preaching, teaching) was being sent to convict the world of unbelief in Him.
KJV 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;
The modernists reject John's Gospel and place it 300 years later - a mockery - and discounts its content altogether. That is the position of all the Left Wing denominations and many of the so-called conservatives. The greatest and most dangerous sin is not believing in Christ, His Virgin Birth, His miracles, His atoning death, His Resurrection and Ascension.
19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.
This is the logical conclusion, based on what the opponents are saying in accusing Jesus. The "religious" are often the most antagonistic today because they have been trained in unbelief and social activism. Good works alone cleanse the apostates of their guilt - so they think. I know two highly trained engineers who cannot wait to trade their gas stove (boo hiss) with something else that will not hurt the environment. There are networks of people who feel the same way and act on it, too.
21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
This predicts the growth of the Christian Faith. Satan owned the whole world except for a little tribe in a little known province, and it was under the military might of Rome. There was no threat from Judaism against Rome, and they feared losing their sponsorship if Jesus became a "real" king, at least in the eyes of the Empire. Everything was relatively peaceful until the Apostles and newly convert believers from Jesus' miracles and sermons. Christ Jesus in the form of faith in Him caused turmoil everywhere.
All over the world are examples of the Gospels reaching unbelievers and influencing government. The power and government of Satan has been thwarted to some degree, and his wealth has been divided among his enemies. Nevertheless, we have to say today, "Wherever a chapel is built, Satan builds a cathedral next door." (Luther said the opposite, but this is true to the Scriptures, because we are in the end times.)
23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
This is a little parable where someone is cleansed of an evil spirit and becomes a more inviting target. I have seen that in addictions, where everything is really good and going well. Then the individual who was straightened out and baptized gets into a fight and commits a felon, worse off than evrey before.
27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
The final section warns about elevating the Virgin Mary to a status equal to Jesus. He clearly taught against such an equation in the Gospel of John, at the wedding at Cana and during His execution, both times addressing Mary as "mother."
The Word of God is so harmonious that we find the same lesson taught in different ways, so they form a remarkable unity and purpose.
