Finally Found the Solution to Blog Stall

 

Blogger kept me from blogging all day. I asked Google about it and got more answers that I could figure out. I had to reboot with the right address.

Pastor Jordan Palangyos - Home, Sweet, Home

This is Pastor Jordan Palangyos' uncle's home, where he spent his high school years.

Facebook Asked Me To Be Moderator of Historic St. John Milwaukee Page and Christian News - Hale Page.

Historic St. John Milwaukee

Christian News - Hale

The Historic St. John Milwaukee page on Facebook was moribund and lacking a moderator, so Facebook asked me to do it - and I accepted. The name was lame, so I spiffed that up to make sure people found what they were looking for. Hastings always called it Historic St. John, so I modified the page title to HistoricStJohnMilwaukee.

The Christian News - Otten page had no moderator, so Facebook asked me to be moderator there, too.

I changed the page's name to Christian News - Hale.

I am just going to post some positive messages about Biblical doctrine on both pages, and make people more aware of the KJV.

Calvin and Zwingli - Great Pretenders

 

Calvin and Zwingli – Great Pretenders

Huldrich Zwingli was a Swiss contemporary of Luther, an ordained priest but not highly educated. He echoed the Reformation in Germany, but he wanted to have his own version while associating with Luther. The obvious break came when they met at Marburg and Zwingli rejected the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion, 1530. Rather than being cautious about changes in the Church, Zwingli made up his own mind and simply declared the Sacraments to be mere symbols.

The problem was much greater and deeper than the issue of Sacraments. Zwingli fell into the habit of accepting what was reasonable in the Bible to him, rejecting what was not. The Sacraments are mysteries, the revelation of God to man about guiding and strengthening people in the Faith. This problem for Zwingli not only concerned the misuse of human reason but also the rejection of the efficacy of the Word.

Zwingli died fighting Roman Catholics on the battlefield, soon after the Marburg statement, 1531. His style and shortcomings were soon manifested in John Calvin, who was trained as a lawyer but adopted as a Swiss leader fighting Catholicism. His first attempt to lead Geneva failed, and he was expelled. He was invited back to Geneva in 1541.

Calvinist Problems with Reason and the Efficacy of the Word

Zwingli and Calvin established a Christianity opposed to Roman Catholicism but also alienated from the German Reformation. The two categories are human reason and the efficacy of the Word.

Reason, Magisterial and Ministerial

Sig Becker, The Foolishness of God, distinguished between the use of magisterial reason and ministerial reason in Luther. The question is not how bright or educated an individual is, but how that person treats the Scriptures. Magisterial reason places human reason above the Bible and judges its content. For example, if the Feeding of the Five Thousand seems impossible, then someone can make up a reason why it happened. The explanation is – everyone was ashamed that the boy was willing to give up his food, so they brought out the food they had hidden in their clothes, which is why they had leftovers. “It was a miracle of sharing,” as many rationalists have said.

This kind of reasoning was used against the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion, the Lord being present in both natures, human and divine, conferring forgiveness upon the believing participant.

Zwingli rejected the Sacraments, saying the Holy Spirit did not need a vehicle, like a horse cart, to work. Likewise, Calvin made fun of the Real Presence in his Institutes.

The ministerial use of reason means that man puts aside his opinions and subordinates them to the plain teaching of the Word of God. In this way, man uses his education, studies, and abilities to learn the truths revealed by the Scriptures. This is in harmony with the efficacy of the Word, which is taught throughout the Bible.

Efficacy of the Word

Denying the efficacy of the Word is the key to the errors of Zwingli, Calvin, and all Enthusiasts – those who separate the Spirit from the Word. Efficacy is foundational throughout the Bible, starting with Genesis 1. Basic to Zwingli and Calvin is denial of this divine energy always working with the Word and never apart from the Word. They consider the Bible itself as “dead letter” - unless the interpreter makes it come alive, or germane and appealing. One example from Calvinist lore is – the Word is like an iron statue in a garden, pointing the way but not providing the energy.

 

 

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A New Walther Emerges - The Actual Leader, Not the Mythical

Walther is the little dog pretending he brought over 700 people over to start the Missouri Synod. The big dog is Stephan, who developed and executed the Saxon migration to America.

The Walther episodes I am posting are the very first draft as I work on how to present the doctrinal material. 

The biographical first part is done, but needs editing and dates.

Next will a discussion of Calvinism, Pietism, and Rationalism. This is important for understanding the current debacle, where the Missouri Synod and its little sisters pretend to be Lutheran while embracing Calvinism and Rationalism.

Finally, Walther's entirely false doctrine is exposed in two areas:

1. Objective Justification

2. Election without Faith

The next book is Attempted Murder, about the wholesale rejection of the traditional text and the translation of the week devised to sow confusion.
 

Historical Photo - Titanic, 1912

 

The Missouri Synod's Immaculate Conception

 

The Missouri Synod’s Immaculate Conception, 1847

Most people think the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod began in 1847, with Pastor CFW Walther as its leader.[1] They claim the noble Walther came to America to repristinate the country and rescue it from the loose doctrine of American Lutherans who were already established there. Some people are vaguely aware of a leader who was deposed for his adultery, but he was gone, serving a church in Illinois. Thus a great synod with a famous leader – The Great Walther – could only have been conceived without actual sin.

The gap between the Rogate Sunday sermon in 1839 and the founding of the Missouri Synod in 1847 is filled with a storm of confusion, accusations, and suppression of the truth. Walther himself did not want the early history of the synod told, and most were happy to write as little as possible.[2]

One story, difficult to hide, is the way Loehe sent men to America to establish schools and congregations for Lutherans. They founded the future Concordia Seminary in Ft. Wayne, Indiana in 1844. The Loehe pastors gathered to form a synod and invited the Perrysville cult to join in the discussions. The initial conversations did not go well, but the two groups agreed a bit later and formed a synod. The credit should go to the Loehe pastors for the fellowship extended, but Loehe is not even mentioned in the official history quoted above. No one can say exactly why, but the mention of Loehe makes LCMS pastors angry and incoherent. Walther fought with him, but one test of Missouri loyalty is discounting Loehe.

Walther asked Loehe for the Ft. Wayne property – free – and continued financial support. Loehe agreed and continued the support.

http://www.projectwittenberg.org/etext/loehe/letter.txt

SYNOD'S LETTER TO PASTOR W. LOEHE IN NEUENDETTELSLAU (sic)

 Highly honored and dearly beloved brother in the Lord:

 Pastor D. Sihler has requested at this year's first synodical

 conference to call Pastor Oster as director and teacher at the

 Seminary in Fort Wayne. He based this request on his declining health

 and the fact that his own ever-growing congregation is making it

 impossible for him to expand the time and energy necessary for the

 seminary. We have come to the unanimous conclusion that we do not

 have the right to issue a call on behalf of the seminary, because it is a

 private institution, founded by the love of the German brothers.

 Consequently it was decided to ask you, beloved brother, and

 through you also the other participants of this work of love, whether

 you are willing to surrender the seminary to the Synod, formally and

 actually giving it under the Synod's free disposition, while

 nevertheless continuing with support in the forms of money, books,

 etc. in the usual loving manner, because the Synod--especially at this

 time of its organization--does not have the resources for the

 seminary's upkeep.

 In addition, it was agreed to ask you in a brotherly manner to

 forward to us the writings of Pastor Ostor (sic) thus enabling us to

 form our own opinion concerning his attitude, knowledge, spiritual

 gifts and qualifications for the proposed position.

 With the heartfelt request to include us and our work in your

 brotherly supplications, we command (sic) you to the Lord's mercy.

 Chicago, May 6 in the year of our Lord 1847.

 On behalf and in the name of the "German Evangelical--Lutheran

 Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States" at their first annual

 conference here.

 Signed respectfully and most humbly,

 C. Ferd. Wilh. Walther, President

 

No one can explain how Loehe’s generosity can be misconstrued. The mysterious break with Loehe suggests a future problem with Walther needing to be the whole show, the infallible leader who subordinated everything to his will.

Walther asked Bishop Stephan’s son to return from Germany and become a pastor.  As a leader, Walther talked young Stephan out of his land, yet the settlers never gave back the money, books, and possessions they stole from his father. In addition, Walther made a point of making fun of Stephan at the seminary and undermining him in his role as a pastor.

---

[1] The LCMS official history on its website says as much – “The roots of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod trace back to 1847, when Saxon and other German immigrants established a new church body in America, seeking the freedom to practice and follow confessional Lutheranism.” https://www.lcms.org/about/lcms-history

[2] http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/2016/01/walther-loehe-exchange-walther-wants.html

Military Gardening Group Convenes To Enjoy Cool Evening and Sassy

 Sassy had all her shots and remains in great health.

The Military Gardening Group met yesterday for pour-over coffee with cane sugar, pour-over with whipped cream and Ghiardelli chocolate, and pour-over with sugar, chocolate, and whipped cream. Tis a fussy group.

They arrived with 25 bags of shredded cyprus wood mulch, which will protect and feed the roses through the autumn and winter.

Mrs. Ichabod joined Ranger Bob, PFC, and me to enjoy the cool breezes, hummingbirds, and yellow jackets. Bob gets rather excited when he spots a nest, because they love him as much he loathes them.

The shy roses were starting to bloom, three Veterans Honor and two purple roses. More are sending up their new shoots for additional buds and blooms.

Sassy sat in the garden facing us. Her opening is to bark orders at Bob until he has given her Milk Bones and fiber crackers. Sometimes he starts with a tirade about her being spoiled, overfed, and "nothing but a chow hound," a term used for Army recruits who specialize in eating food. She grins during the speech because it always ends with food - and everyone cheering Bob for being so tough.

I told a Sassy story while she was facing us. At the end, Bob said, "Look at Sassy's face!" She was beaming about her many virtues being described and praised. Often, after a morning walk, Mrs. I says, "Any new Sassy stories?" Sassy listens as I tell how she teases Pat and Bob about kissing one, or the other, or both. Sassy clearly loves to play pranks and get laughs.

After the audience and food, Sassy walked beyond the driveway to guard us and keep an eye on the children playing in the street. She is always alert for danger and anything new or unusual.

Our vet tech neighbors drove by to ask about us taking on their pine needles. We have been doing that for years. Their kids and friends bring them over in the fall. I cut roses for people, pointing out that each snip means more roses will bloom faster, with the energy no longer going to the current flowers.

Like the cardboard, newsprint, leaves, and wood mulch, nothing remains of the pine needles except the biological replacements as they are broken down. The soil is noticeably higher than it was 10 years ago. The garden often feels like a big soft mattress, because the organic matter holds on to so much moisture.

Leander Keyser on the Price of Our Apostasy

Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

And that is the trouble with many people of our own country; they have forsaken God and His way of righteousness; they have been untrue to His Word, and have proudly proclaimed that human reason, and science, and philosophy are their sufficient guide. Who will deny that we have been conspicuously guilty of such departures? We have wanted to be in the fashion with certain other nations, which thought they had reached that degree of scholarship and power when they could dispense with God and His special revelation.

If we persist in this course, I fear God will presently give us up to our own devices. He will say: “You think you know better than I, as I have revealed the way of righteousness in my Word; so go to, and see what you can do without Me.” That would be the worst judgment God could visit upon us — simply to let us go our own willful way. Every time in the history of the world a nation has been given up to its own devices, it has rushed headlong to ruin. 

From: Keyser, Leander. In The Apostles’ Footsteps: Sermons on the Epistle Lessons for the Church Year. The Lutheran Literary Board: 1920.

Keyser, Leander Sylvester

(March 13, 1856–October 18, 1937). Leading theol. in The General* Syn. of the Ev. Luth. Ch. in the USA; b. Tuscarawas Co., Ohio; educ. Wittenberg Coll. (Sem.), Springfield, Ohio (see Hamma Divinity School). Pastor La Grange, Indiana, 1879–81; Elkhart, Indiana, 1883–89; Springfield, Ohio, 1889–95; Atchison, Kansas, 1897–1903; Dover, Ohio, 1903–11. Prof. systematic theol. Hamma Divinity School 1911. Works include A System of Natural Theism; A System of Christian Evidence; In the Redeemer's Footsteps; In the Apostles' Footsteps; Contending for the Faith; The Problem of Origins; Our Bird Comrades. Source - LCMS Cyclopedia

After Walther - Attempted Murder: Broken Biblical Foundations, Corrupt Translations

 My first Greek New Testament was a Hort-Wescott.

A conversation with an MDiv made me consider the book to be written after Walther the American Calvin. I realized that a detective novel that I once planned was already on my bookshelves, ready to be written and released. The plot is simple - three men with a hidden agenda plot to get rid of the King James Version of the Bible and its text. Their labors were long, difficult, and packed with intrigues, lies, and Romanism. But they were not quite successful - Attempted Murder! - they longed to kill the traditional text of the Bible and its translation. They broke the foundations of Biblical understanding - as rationalists with chips on their stooped shoulders - and that provided the path for corrupt translations. Thus -

Attempted Murder: Broken Biblical Foundations and Corrupt Translations

The challenge is to gather information from my books on text criticism and translations. Next I need to explain matters so they make sense for those with little or no Greek and Hebrew - that is - the typical WELS-LCMS-ELS pastor.

My preference is always the King James Version, so I would like to see clergy and congregations move entirely away from the NIV-ESV broken Bibles. The text is the first, foundational issue for the Bible. If the text is butchered, as it is in the NIV-ESV, then the translation is an adiaphoron. Those heavily promoted and over-priced versions present a damaged product that reminds us of what the Bible once was. They are like Hollywood stars who have undergone far too many plastic surgery operations.

The evidence is there in black and white. The criminals let their laughable theories and fables remain in the archives, so the crime scene remains fresh and easy to examine.

This is just a sample. There is nothing wrong with the concept of text criticism, sometimes called Lower Criticism. The next stage was Higher Criticism, where the new ideas provided a basis for questioning the meaning of the Bible.

Text criticism looks for the best possible text. In the course of copying, there are easy to understand mistakes. Other mistakes come from careless copyists. Still other errors come from those with an agenda.

Wescott and Hort chose the worst sources for their Greek New Testament. As Bishop Wordsworth wrote, the two men changed 50 times as much as the project needed. What the pair loved most were the worst manuscripts, a tiny fraction of the thousands existing from ancient times. The overwhelming majority of texts are in complete agreement (minus the typos, or writos). Hort scorned them at the beginning and invented silly "laws" to explain his pernicious changes. Like arsenic, the poison was not immediately fatal but was slow acting.

Hort has his way now. Very few denominations allow the King James (and modern King James updates) to be discussed, let alone used. The Hort completely dominates all seminaries under the name Nestle-Aland edition - same style, same prejudice, same blunders, different brand.

Hence all translations begin with corruption.

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2020. Fruits of the Spirit, Galatians 5.

The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity, 2020

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Daylight Time

The Hymn # 236                Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid                

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19

Keep, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy Church with Thy perpetual mercy; and because the frailty of man without Thee cannot but fall, keep us ever by Thy help from all things hurtful and lead us to all things profitable to our salvation; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth, etc.

The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed             p. 22

The Sermon Hymn #288            Lord, Help Us Ever To Retain (Loy Translation)         
   

The Source for Evil vs. the Source for Good

The Communion Hymn #304                       An Awe-full Mystery Is Here

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 #660                                           I'm But a Stranger Here               

In Our Prayers

• In treatment - Mary Howell, Rush Limbaugh, Randy Anderson, Chris Jackson.
• Diagnostics - Pastor Shrader, Kermit Way.
• Recovering from a heart attack, Diane Popp's daughter, Joan Scott.
• Our Philippine Mission - Pastor and Mrs. Jordan Palangyos.

 Norma A. Boeckler

KJV Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

KJV Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.

Fourteenth Sunday After Trinity

Lord God, heavenly Father, who by Thy blessed word and Thy holy baptism hast mercifully cleansed all who believe from the fearful leprosy of sin, and daily dost grant us Thy gracious help in all our need: We beseech Thee so to enlighten our hearts by Thy Holy Spirit, that we may never forget these Thy blessings, but ever live in Thy fear, and, trusting fully in Thy grace, with thankful hearts continually praise and glorify Thee; through Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Background for the Epistle Lesson - Galatians 5:16-24, Fruits of the Spirit

The nine-fold fruits of the Spirit, by their title, suggest two categories at the same time. The Spirit means - these come from the Spirit in the Word and in us. In other words, these fruits come from God, His power and grace. So many churches think they need more money, more smiles, more programs, more everything except the one thing needful - more Gospel. The other category is fruits. These qualities grow from the power of Gospel, so the hearing of the Gospel moves us to be fruitful. The four stages in plants are - seed, plant, flower, and fruit. More fruit comes from the living seed of the Gospel. For someone who does not believe, the broadcast of the Gospel is the start of that seed of faith. The plant grows, flowers, and produces the fruit of Christian life. The qualities listed are the beginnings of the blessings that come from the Gospel.

The Source for Evil vs. the Source for Good

KJV Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

This short letter by Paul, written in his own hand (no secretary), had one purpose - to remove any excuse for returning to righteousness through the Law. That righteousness through the Law included customs, traditions, and outside sources of religion. This inspired letter was so successful that the issue was solved there. Galatians is recognized as the revelation of the Spirit through the hand of Paul. 

Luther:

"Because I exhort you to mutual love you are not to think that I have gone back on my teaching of justification by faith alone."

Yesterday my wife and I were joking about people claiming a higher station in life. "You are not a true member of that synod unless born in it." Counter - "No, you are not a true member unless born in a certain state." Counter-counter - "No, you are not a true member unless born in a parsonage in that most blessed state of the Union." Then we laughed, because people think it is true. It is the righteousness of custom and it is used today in various ways.

This lesson teaches the relationship between faith and good works. Faith is trust in God. Paul explained that in Romans 5:2 - as faith being access to grace through Christ. "Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Paul contrasts walking in the Spirit with following the lusts of the flesh. Walking in the Spirit means to live according to the Scriptures, to consider everything from God's point of view. That means beginning with forgiveness and understanding, since that is the example of Christ. The lusts of the flesh include all the ways in which we serve ourselves first, what we most want to do, such as getting even, shunning, using the stink-eye, everything noted so concisely in the Ten Commandments. What the unbelieving world urges as happiness is seldom anything but that in the long run. 

17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 

This is a life-long battle. Each individual thinks of himself first. That is why children jostle each other to be first in line, to get the biggest dessert, to get all the attention and rewards. The Spirit at work in us resists that, and with patient training we learn to consider others and to let others have what is best. Marriage teaches us much more about about sharing and concern for another. Children are another step in tutoring us about being selfless instead of selfish.

The Spirit resists our temptations to put ourselves first, but our human nature resists what the Spirit teaches us through the Word. One promises happiness but does not deliver in the long run. The other advocates for the needs and the happiness of others, but delivers more to us than what we give. 

Luther:

Do not despair if you feel the flesh battling against the Spirit or if you cannot make it behave. For you to follow the guidance of the Spirit in all things without interference on the part of the flesh is impossible. You are doing all you can if you resist the flesh and do not fulfill its demands.

When I was a monk I thought I was lost forever whenever I felt an evil emotion, carnal lust, wrath, hatred, or envy. I tried to quiet my conscience in many ways, but it did not work, because lust would always come back and give me no rest. I told myself: "You have permitted this and that sin, envy, impatience, and the like. Your joining this holy order has been in vain, and all your good works are good for nothing." If at that time I had understood this passage, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh," I could have spared myself many a day of self-torment. I would have said to myself: "Martin, you will never be without sin, for you have flesh. Despair not, but resist the flesh."

I remember how Doctor Staupitz used to say to me: "I have promised God a thousand times that I would become a better man, but I never kept my promise. From now on I am not going to make any more vows. Experience has taught me that I cannot keep them. Unless God is merciful to me for Christ's sake and grants unto me a blessed departure, I shall not be able to stand before Him." His was a God-pleasing despair. No true believer trusts in his own righteousness, but says with David, "Enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified." (Psalm 143:2) Again, "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" (Psalm 130:3.)

18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

This is the life-long struggle of living in a world of unbelievers, the majority, and yet submitting to the teaching of Christian Faith. The power of the Law and flesh will always be foremost in what we hear and see, but the most important is what the Scriptures teach us. To be under the Law means always measuring by the Law, which is why so many strive to be equal or better than others. "Your car is pathetic." Answer - "I am not my car. It is only transportation." One friend of my mother said, "Your son should join the ____ movement. That's the going thing right now." She replied, "He is doing OK without it."

One way to interpret this verse is to say, "Turn have-to into want-to." The action may be the same but the motivation is quite different. People will say, "You don't have to do this." One answer is, "I don't have to, I want to." Most of the day can be filled with want-to, and that turns the burden of the Law into the driving force of the Gospel. 

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance [fighting], emulations [jealousies], wrath, strife, seditions [dissensions], heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

This is life, reality, the world today. We can see it with special clarity since there is a great struggle going on for this country and for the West - the civilization that began in ancient Greece and became the nursery for Christianity and democratic republics. The works of the flesh can be called the works of unbelief, and they make the list the glamour and excitement of criminal enterprises on a global scale. The preaching of Paul and the Apostles pulled people out of this environment, and the world of paganism and witchcraft responded with violence. 

Although the Roman Empire had the power, authority, armies, ships, and traditions, the Christian Faith grew, became the new capital - Byzantium, Constantinople - and preserved what was best. Christianity was given a new tongue (Greek) because the Greek scholars escaped to Europe, starting the Renaissance. Erasmus and Luther learned Greek and turned that knowledge into direct translation of the New Testament into modern languages. Luther established the German language with his German Bible, just one benefit.

Just to show how powerful God is, all forces were against Him, even the death of His Son, but God used that to convert an entire civilization, turning the greatest evil into the greatest good for all mankind. Who can deny that Christian scholars preserved civilization (Irish monks included)? That missionaries brought food, education, and freedom to the rest of the world. I know the bad things that have happened because I enjoy reading histories of empires - Roman, British, Islamic, American. However, the Faith has always been the leaven which kept us from collapsing back into the old paganism and witchcraft of the past.

Let's not be naive. Witchcraft is around us today. Entertainment thrives on it. The richest and most powerful participate and brag about it, even at the family store's museum around the corner. Their symbolism is everywhere, but they are being found out.

Luther:

Every period of life has its own peculiar temptations. Not one true believer whom the flesh does not again and again incite to impatience, anger, pride. But it is one thing to be tempted by the flesh, and another thing to yield to the flesh, to do its bidding without fear or remorse, and to continue in sin.

Christians also fall and perform the lusts of the flesh. David fell horribly into adultery. Peter also fell grievously when he denied Christ. However great these sins were, they were not committed to spite God, but from weakness. When their sins were brought to their attention these men did not obstinately continue in their sin, but repented. Those who sin through weakness are not denied pardon as long as they rise again and cease to sin. There is nothing worse than to continue in sin. If they do not repent, but obstinately continue to fulfill the desires of the flesh, it is a sure sign that they are not sincere.

No person is free from temptations. Some are tempted in one way, others in another way. One person is more easily tempted to bitterness and sorrow of spirit, blasphemy, distrust, and despair. Another is more easily tempted to carnal lust, anger, envy, covetousness. But no matter to which sins we are disposed, we are to walk in the Spirit and resist the flesh. Those who are Christ's own crucify their flesh.

Some of the old saints labored so hard to attain perfection that they lost the capacity to feel anything. When I was a monk I often wished I could see a saint. I pictured him as living in the wilderness, abstaining from meat and drink and living on roots and herbs and cold water. This weird conception of those awesome saints I had gained out of the books of the scholastics and church fathers. But we know now from the Scriptures who the true saints are. Not those who live a single life, or make a fetish of days, meats, clothes, and such things. The true saints are those who believe that they are justified by the death of Christ. Whenever Paul writes to the Christians here and there he calls them the holy children and heirs of God. All who believe in Christ, whether male or female, bond or free, are saints; not in view of their own works, but in view of the merits of God which they appropriate by faith. Their holiness is a gift and not their own personal achievement.

Ministers of the Gospel, public officials, parents, children, masters, servants, etc., are true saints when they take Christ for their wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, and when they fulfill the duties of their several vocations according to the standard of God's Word and repress the lust and desires of the flesh by the Spirit. Not everybody can resist temptations with equal facility. Imperfections are bound to show up. But this does not prevent them from being holy. Their unintentional lapses are forgiven if they pull themselves together by faith in Christ. God forbid that we should sit in hasty judgment on those who are weak in faith and life, as long as they love the Word of God and make use of the supper of the Lord.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

This is definitely one of the great passages of the Bible and yet it consists of two verses and a closing. There is a gigantic gulf between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. The first comes from us; the second comes from the Gospel bearing fruit in our lives. It is no surprise that those who teach forgiveness without faith (Objective Justification) are entirely lacking in love and the entire list of the fruit of the Spirit. Moreover, they brag about their political maneuvers, pranks, and sophomoric behavior.

Love

Love is the most discussed and least practiced quality today. This love is selfless love, not the same as romantic love, though the two go well together. Animals show us how the parents work hard to keep their delicate newborns fed and sheltered. I used to feed the Blue Jays near our house so the parents would have food for themselves when feeding their young. We actually watched them hatch, flutter their tiny wings, and take off. 

Luther:

It would have been enough to mention only the single fruit of love, for love embraces all the fruits of the Spirit. In I Corinthians 13, Paul attributes to love all the fruits of the Spirit: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind," etc. Here he lets love stand by itself among other fruits of the Spirit to remind the Christians to love one another, "in honor preferring one another," to esteem others more than themselves because they have Christ and the Holy Ghost within them.

Joy

Joy is almost as favored as love in this world. We respond when we see scenes of joy in paintings, in movies, in real life. Anyone with pets can see that God has instilled a sense of humor and joy in them. Joy does not come from material things, but from those intangible moments that happen before our eyes. Ranger Bob said, "You have a perfect rose. Did you know that?" I gave him the gimlet eye. Don't I dote on them daily. He led me to the one blooming near the mailbox. "There." He wanted to take it to someone and grinned when I cut it for him and put it in a McDonalds cup with water. That has been repeated many times over, and the more I cut, the more I have to share.

People experience joy when they see the hummingbirds and bees at work in the garden.

We can see why Luther wrote, "You have as much laughter as you have faith."

Luther:

Joy means sweet thoughts of Christ, melodious hymns and psalms, praises and thanksgiving, with which Christians instruct, inspire, and refresh themselves. God does not like doubt and dejection. He hates dreary doctrine, gloomy and melancholy thought. God likes cheerful hearts. He did not send His Son to fill us with sadness, but to gladden our hearts. For this reason the prophets, apostles, and Christ Himself urge, yes, command us to rejoice and be glad. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy king cometh unto thee." (Zechariah 9:9.) In the Psalms we are repeatedly told to be "joyful in the Lord." Paul says: "Rejoice in the Lord always." Christ says: "Rejoice, for your names are written in heaven."

Peace

Peace always accompanies Justification by Faith. As one person wrote, "I finally saw the cross as a reminder that He died for my sins, that I have forgiveness of sin." There is greater awareness of sin and forgiveness with age, and many episodes of long-suffering (patient endurance). Older people have more peace than younger people because of those experiences. 

Luther:

Peace towards God and men. Christians are to be peaceful and quiet. Not argumentative, not hateful, but thoughtful and patient. There can be no peace without longsuffering, and therefore Paul lists this virtue next.

Longsuffering

Most people can endure short periods of emotional and physical pain. If Satan cannot break us with direct assaults, he uses long, drawn-out periods of suffering, as if they will be never ending. The hymns of Gerhardt discuss this experience often - waiting for those times of joy and peace. I need to write some thankyou letters to those who got me to Springdale and made an independent church necessary. They could have imprisoned me as an editor or worse, but they gave me freedom and an endless supply of material to expose and explain. Everything is a lesson, even if the experience is cold and bitter at the time. If it forces us to study the Scriptures more closely, the great theologians (Luther, Chemnitz, Melanchthon, Krauth, Schmauk) more carefully, is that a loss?

Luther:

Longsuffering is that quality which enables a person to bear adversity, injury, reproach, and makes them patient to wait for the improvement of those who have done him wrong. When the devil finds that he cannot overcome certain persons by force he tries to overcome them in the long run. He knows that we are weak and cannot stand anything long. Therefore he repeats his temptation time and again until he succeeds. To withstand his continued assaults we must be longsuffering and patiently wait for the devil to get tired of his game.

Gentleness

I have known people who are always angry and anxious to start a fight at meetings. They look like junkyard dogs hoping to devour someone. 

Luther:

Gentleness in conduct and life. True followers of the Gospel must not be sharp and bitter, but gentle, mild, courteous, and soft-spoken, which should encourage others to seek their company. Gentleness can overlook other people's faults and cover them up. Gentleness is always glad to give in to others. Gentleness can get along with forward and difficult persons, according to the old pagan saying: "You must know the manners of your friends, but you must not hate them." Such a gentle person was our Savior Jesus Christ, as the Gospel portrays Him. Of Peter it is recorded that he wept whenever he remembered the sweet gentleness of Christ in His daily contact with people. Gentleness is an excellent virtue and very useful in every walk of life.

Goodness

A person is good when he is willing to help others in their need.

Faith

This is not faith in Christ but faithfulness. We appreciate people who are always friends, not just in the good times. Moving day is a good test. So is the hospital bed or the shut-in. Faithfulness means sticking to the task, to the person, to the truth. 

Luther:

In listing faith among the fruits of the Spirit, Paul obviously does not mean faith in Christ, but faith in men. Such faith is not suspicious of people but believes the best. Naturally the possessor of such faith will be deceived, but he lets it pass. He is ready to believe all men, but he will not trust all men. Where this virtue is lacking men are suspicious, forward, and wayward and will believe nothing nor yield to anybody. No matter how well a person says or does anything, they will find fault with it, and if you do not humor them you can never please them. It is quite impossible to get along with them. Such faith in people therefore, is quite necessary. What kind of life would this be if one person could not believe another person?

 Meekness

A person is meek when he is not quick to get angry. Many things occur in daily life to provoke a person's anger, but the Christian gets over his anger by meekness.

Temperance

Christians are to lead sober and chaste lives. They should not be adulterers, fornicators, or sensualists. They should not be quarrelers or drunkards. In the first and second chapters of the Epistle to Titus, the Apostle admonishes bishops, young women, and married folks to be chaste and pure.

against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

I have told young pastors who feel trapped, and older pastors who think they are owned by their synod - "Enjoy life. You are not a slave to people. Make up your own mind instead of being chained to a set of circumstances. In fact, you can enjoy the servitude if you change your mind."