Dear Pastor Jackson,
I
decided to attempt to clarify what LCMS and WELS actually teach
regarding the doctrine of justification. Neither WELS or LCMS were able
or willing to honestly answer my questions.
Here are my questions to LCMS that remain unanswered:
1.The Brief Statement says:
"Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world righteous in Christ."
Has God already declared the world to be righteous in Christ prior to and without faith?
Has God already declared little infants righteous in Christ prior to baptism and faith and the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Ghost?
2. The CTCR report states:
"But
because theologically justification is the same thing as the
forgiveness of sins, it is Biblically and confessionally correct to
refer to the great sin-cancelling, atoning work of the Redeemer as the
"objective" or "universal" justification of the whole sinful human
race."
Has God already forgiven and cancelled the sins of the whole world prior to and without faith?
Has
God already forgiven and cancelled the sins of little infants prior to
baptism and faith and the washing of regeneration and renewal of the
Holy Ghost?
Renowned,
powerful doctors of theology in LCMS are unable or unwilling to answer
these questions. They refuse to reveal what the LCMS actually teaches
concerning the doctrine of justification. Oh my! Could LCMS be
officially teaching justification prior to and without faith in Christ?
C.F.W.
Walther, the first President of LCMS preached that God forgave the sins
of the whole world at Christ's resurrection. This clearly teaches God
forgave the sins of the whole world prior to and without faith in
Christ.
In contrast Scripture teaches no one is justified or forgiven without faith in Christ.
"But
without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6
Scripture teaches we are justified by faith in Christ.
"For
I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God
unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to
the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Romans
1:16,17
"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4
Faith
is a flickering elusive thing. Many times our faith seems so weak we
are convinced we have lost our faith. God wants us to be certain of our
justification so He instituted the sacrament of Holy Baptism in the name
of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Our
Baptism into Jesus Christ is with us forever. We can always find our
Baptism into Christ. Our Baptism into Jesus Christ depends entirely upon
God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Our Baptism into Jesus Christ does
not depend on our " accepting", or "asking Jesus into our hearts", or
"making a decision", or "devoting ourselves", or "dedicating ourselves",
or any other invented work that depend on us. Our Baptism into Christ
is entirely God's work.
In
contrast LCMS officially teaches Objective / Subjective Justification
that is contingent on you "accepting" it as true for you personally.
Wait a minute!! The true justification in the Bible is permanent not
contingent. Luther warned us it is very easy to slip and slide away from
justification by faith.
This
reminds me of an old John Wayne movie titled "McClintock". A huge fist
fight broke out on top of a hill between the cowboys and the
homesteaders. It was muddy so there was a constant stream of both
cowboys and homesteaders sliding down the hill into a muddy pond at the
bottom. Everyone was working to keep their balance and footing. This
picture is similar to Objective/ Subjective Justification where you are
constantly working to continue "accepting" Universal Justification as
true for you personally.
Are
you beginning to see the difference between true justification by faith
and justification by works? When we were helpless infants God baptized
us into Jesus Christ, and justified us in the name of God the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost. Here in our baptism into Christ we are permanently
and eternally clothed in the righteousness of Christ and justified in
the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
In
contrast 0bjective / Subjective justification is temporary, not
permanent. It is also contingent on you "accepting" it as true for you
personally. It occurs prior to and without faith, baptism, the washing
of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. It is uncertain because
it depends on you. God does not justify anyone prior to and without
faith, baptism, the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy
Ghost.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7.
True
justification by faith is personal, permanent, certain, and eternal.
God calls us by name and baptizes us into Jesus Christ in the name of
God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Notice that God is personal with us
calling us by our name as He clothes us in the righteousness of Christ
and justifies us in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in
our Baptism.
In
contrast LCMS Objective / Subjective justification is impersonal,
contingent, temporary, and uncertain. Notice that you must be personal
with God in order for God to justify you personally. You must "accept"
Universal Justification for you personally. This is justification by
works not justification by faith in Christ.
LCMS
Objective / Subjective Justification is not permanently valid. If you
die without properly and adequately and personally "accepting" Universal
Justification as your own it is immediately changed into eternal
damnation. This is a horrible horrible teaching. This is justification
by invented works.
True justification by faith in Christ is personal, permanent, certain, and
eternal. It is entirely God's work and will never be cancelled. Notice
the certainty of justification by faith in Romans 8:29,30.
"For
whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the
image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he
called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified." Romans 8:29,30
LCMS
theologians have deceitfully camouflaged Objective / Subjective
Justification as justification by faith. They refuse to answer my
questions. They are slippery evasive eels. LCMS pastors and theologians
lie and deceive by God's name and Word.
C.
F. W. Walther, the first President of LCMS is still their hero and
mentor. Walther clearly taught a Universal Justification prior to and
without faith, without baptism, without the washing of regeneration, and
without the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
C.F.W. Walther said, "For God has already forgiven you your sins 1800 years ago when He in Christ absolved all men by raising Him after He first had gone into bitter death for them." (The Path To Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD; pg. 12; ISBN 9781072530428)
C.F.W.
Walther clearly teaches everyone is already justified prior to and
without faith, without Baptism, without the washing of regeneration, and
without the renewing of the Holy Ghost. Note that this is not a
permanent or personal justification. It is a temporary justification
contingent on you "accepting" Universal Justification as true for you
personally.
This
reminds me of being confronted by a "ask Jesus into your heart"
fanatic. I was busy grocery shopping when this woman comes up to me and
starts asking me one question over and over: " Have you accepted Jesus
into your heart as your personal Savior?" I replied, "I am Baptized."
She brushed my Baptism into Jesus Christ aside as irrelevant and said,
"Sir, you must accept Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior." I
firmly replied, "No I don't. I am Baptized!" She softened her tone and
pleaded, "Sir, please pray with me. Just repeat after me. Dear Jesus I
accept you as my personal Savior." I firmly refused and said, "Go away! I
am baptized." I noticed her tone became increasingly threatening. "Sir,
you must accept Jesus into your heart as your personal Savior or you
will be eternally lost." I firmly replied, "No I don't need to do that. I
am Baptized." I noticed her demeanor changed to deep sadness as she
said, "Sir, I will pray God will help you to accept Jesus as your
personal Savior. I am very concerned you are not a Christian." I firmly
replied, "Go away! I am Baptized." I suddenly realized she would never
go away. I had to weave my way into a crowd of shoppers to make my
escape.
Luther
warned us that the greatest threat to our Christian faith would come
from those adding things you must do to be a Christian. C.F.W. Walther,
the first President of LCMS added an invented work you must do to be
forgiven and saved. He added his version of synergism named "faith". How
cute! He camouflaged justification by invented works as " faith".
C.F.W. Walther said:
"Only
one thing remains on your part so that you also possess the gift. This
one thing is--faith. And this brings me to the second part of today's
Easter message, in which I now would show you that every man who wants
to be saved must accept by faith the general absolution, pronounced 1800
years ago, as an absolution spoken individually to him." (The Path To
Understanding Justification, Gregory L. Jackson, PhD. ; pg.12; ISBN
9781072530428)
All
of these invented works that our old nature adds to justification
reminds me of the towering patch of rag weeds in my parent's huge
garden. My brother and I would spend the whole summer chopping and
hacking away to no avail. Soon new sprouts would shoot up from the
roots.
Reasoning,
the highest powers of our old nature, constantly brings forth new rag
weed "invented works" that we think need to be added to justification by faith in Christ. This is why Christ our Lord said:
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3
"Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of
the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:5-7
Christ our Lord is speaking of the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost in our baptism.
"
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our
Savior; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:5-7
Notice
God baptized us, clothed us in Christ's righteousness, justified us,
gave us the Holy Ghost, and made us His children and heirs of eternal
life in the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
"For
ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of
you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians
3:26,27
When
you were a helpless little infant God baptized you into Christ and
clothed you in the righteousness of Christ. Heaven opened and God the
Holy Ghost came to be with you forever. God the Holy Ghost is the gift
you needed the most. Here in your Baptism God gave you the gift of the
Holy Ghost to keep you in the one true faith believing in Jesus Christ
His Son, true God and true man in one person. Jesus took all your sins
upon Himself, was crucified, dead, buried, and rose again from the dead
the third day, ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God
the Father for you.
"Surely
he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem
him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our
transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of
our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the
LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:4-6
God laid all our sins on Jesus and clothed us in Christ's righteousness. Luther said:
"By
this fortunate exchange with us He took upon Himself our sinful person
and granted us His innocent and victorious Person." (Martin Luther, CPH;
LW; Vol. 26; pg. 284)
Then let us feast this Easter Day
On Christ, the Bread of heaven;
The Word of Grace hath purged away
The old and evil leaven
Christ alone our souls will feed,
He is our meat and drink indeed:
Faith lives upon no other. Hallelujah!
(Christ Jesus Lay In Death's Strong Bands; Martin Luther; The Lutheran Hymnal; CPH; 1941; Hymn 195)
Christ
our Lord true God begotten of His Father from all eternity and also
true man born of the virgin Mary is true God and man in one person. He
took all our sins upon Himself, crucified, dead, buried, risen from the
dead the third day, ascended into heaven and sits on God the Father's
right hand for us. Christ is risen from the dead for you. He speaks to
you today saying:
"Why
are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my
hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit
hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." Luke 24:38,39
Christ is risen from the dead for you! He speaks to you today with the same words he spoke to Thomas saying:
"Reach
hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and
thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." John 20:27
Christ is risen from the dead for you! He ascends into heaven to make His Father your Heavenly Father and His God your God.
"I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." John 20:17
Christ
is risen from the dead for you! Believe in Him. Trust in Him alone. He
is your true God and only Savior. He has swallowed up your death and
hell in a victory for you. Christ has abolished your death and hell.
"I
will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from
death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy
destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes." Hosea 13:14
Christ
is risen from the dead for you! Behold, He comes in the clouds to raise
you from the dead on the last day. Trust in Him. He is your true God
and only Savior.
"Thus
saith the Lord God; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and
cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of
Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your
graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, and shall
put my spirit in you, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall
ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the
LORD." Ezekiel 37:12-14
Christ is risen from the dead for you! He speaks to you:
"Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him
that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say
unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the
voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the
Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgement also,
because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is
coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice.
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation." John 5:24-29
Believe in Christ. He is your good Shepherd.
"And
this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which seeth the
Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise
him up at the last day." John 6:40
"My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give
unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any
man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater
than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I
and my Father are one." John 10:27-30
In Christ,
Tom Fisher
 |
| KJV John 21 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. |
