The Pamphlet - "We Still Believe" - Reveals a Horrible Secret - Denying Justification without Faith. Yes!

I commented on the brochure 9 years ago.
This is the link.

On a website of a church near us, I ran into the wording of my We Still Believe pamphlet, which I encouraged Lutheran pastors to use, if they wished. I did not ask to be named, paid, or honored in any way. I ran into a copy on the Lutheran website tonight, so I grew curious about it still being used.

The pamphlet was used in Columbus, Ohio, which has a large ELCA population, so it was aimed at those smarting from ELCA rationalism and apostasy. I copied it for Christian News and welcomed congregations to use the wording. Many different synods used it while condemning me, an endless source of amusement for me and Christina.

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We Still Believe - Pamphlet Reactions, 2008

That is almost exactly the We Believe Statement printed inside of Crossroads Worship Folder. Rachel

September 28, 2007 at 7:43 AM

 Anonymous said...

Interestingly, a quick google search shows that there are other WELS congregations and even a CELC congregation that also use this "Mission Statement".

Re Gregory Jackson, be aware that while some of what he writes is "good", he does not believe in and is a very vocal opponent of objective or universal justification (which I suppose is one of the reasons that to my knowledge he is not in fellowship with any major (or even minor) Lutheran body). There are really good essays on the subject of objective justification by Prof. S. Becker, see, e.g., http://www.wlsessays.net/authors/B/BeckerUniversal/BeckerUniversal.PDF.

October 9, 2007 at 7:38 AM

 Anonymous said...

This Statement is also on quite a number of CLC (Church of the Lutheran Confession) websites.

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We Still Believe - Original Text - Miraculously Preserved by a WELS Blog

From The Shepherd's Voice by Michael Shotey

In an age of anxiety, we still believe that peace comes from Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

In an age of confusion, we still believe that the Bible is the Word of God, inerrant and infallible.

In an age of doubt, we still believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

In an age of guilt, we still believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross to remove the power of sin, death, and Satan from our lives.

In an age of fear, we still believe that Christ rose bodily from the dead to win for us eternal life.

In an age of self-centeredness, we still believe that God acts through the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion.

In an age of constant change, we still believe in the unchanging Holy Trinity: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

"If you hold to my teaching, then you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:31-32

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Schottey's comments -

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2007

Mission Statement (only not so CG)

This is a sample from a brochure of a church pamphlet. It was originally composed at Mequon during a evangelism conference. It comes from Rev. Gregory Jackson of Bethany Lutheran Church an independent Lutheran congregation. I have not always agreed with everything he has said, but this is the most confessional statement I have found to be used in such a way.'

His Website is http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/

I would caution you of going there if you believe "The Holy Christian Church" refers only to the WELS. The Rev. Jackson searches for the truth at all costs, his tone is polemical but I've found his material refreshing and enlightening. (If not always agreeable)

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GJ - Michael sent in a number of good comments at the time, and he always signed his name. I mentioned him lately when he wrote the best post on the Notre Dame player's invisible girlfriend. He is well known and appreciated as a sports writer.

The statement above was aimed at mainline members disgusted with doctrinal apostasy.

If you want to see how I do a lot of my research work, copy one sentence from We Still Believe and paste it in Google's web search. The bolded words will show up in those websites that have copied all or most of the statement. I have found it in WELS, CLC (sic), independent Lutheran, and Episcopalian congregations.

The original post in Christian News was titled - Steal This Brochure - and many did. They are welcome to it. I give away everything I do with the thought that some will pay to have it printed.