You Can't Do This! I Know My Rites! Anglicans Steal a March on Moldstad

Bishop Gene Robinson: "May I pick the hymns?"
FLORIDA: Bishop Formally Fires 22 Priests

By David W. Virtue
www.virtueonline.org
4/5/2008

On March 25, the Bishop of Florida, the Rt. Rev. Samuel Johnson Howard, formally fired 22 priests from the Diocese of Florida the largest single group of priests to be deposed in the history of the Epsicopal Church at one time.

In a letter obtained by Virtueonline, Howard wrote, "By my action today, with the advice and the consent of the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Florida, and pursuant to Canon IV.10.2.ii, I hereby release from the obligations of priests (for causes which do not affect the person's moral character) and deprive of the right to exercise the gifts and spiritual authority conferred in ordination upon:

The Rev. David C. Allert, Priest
The Rev. Charles S. Bailey, Deacon
The Rev. Gary Blaylock, Priest
The Rev. Charles H. Colt, Priest
The Rev. Gilbert T. Crosby, Priest
The Rev. Mark Eldredge, Priest
The Rev. Travis Greenman, Priest
The Rev. Edwin C. Griswold, Priest
The Rev. George W. Hall, Jr., Priest
The Rev. Harald K. Haugan, Priest
The Rev. Dorothy Head, Deacon
The Rev. James L. Hobby, Priest
The Rev. Sharon S. Hobby, Priest
The Rev W. Hall Hunt, Priest
The Rev. Neil G. Lebhar, Priest
The Rev. Petrina A. McCarty, Deacon
The Rev. Lawrence E. O'Connell, Priest
The Rev. William Earl Palmer, Priest
The Rev. James M. Parker, Priest
The Rev. Shawn E. Porter, Priest
The Rev. Leonard Eugene Strickland,Priest
The Rev. George W. Stockhowe, Jr., Priest

Neither Strickland nor Porter were ever inhibited, a source told VOL.

This action is taken after expiration of the six month period of inhibition for abandonment of the communion of this church and failure of either of the above named individuals to communicate any retraction of any declaration of act relied upon in the determination that the above individuals have abandoned the communion of this church.

The letter was dated March 25, 2008 And signed by the Rt. Rev Samuel Johnson Howard VII Bishop of Florida.

The letter was signed in the presence of two witnesses the Rev. Gayanne Silver and the Rev. Sandra K. Moyle.

The letter was forwarded to the Presiding Bishop, Recorder of Ordinations, The Secretary of the House of Bishops, The Church Deployment Office and the Bishops of the Episcopal Authority (or Ecclesiastical Authority of each) and to various offices in the Diocese of Florida.

All of the above priests challenged the Episcopal Church on pansexuality and the church's ordination of an avowed homosexual to the episcopacy, the formal acceptance of homosexual behavior for clergy, the blessing of same sex unions, same-sex rites, and the abandonment of the authority of Scripture. They believed the church had moved beyond the bounds of Scripture to endorse behavior that endangered their souls and those of their parishioners.

Most of the priests have entered into formal association with Continuing Anglican jurisdictions that are orthodox in faith and morals.

http://www.virtueonline.org/portal/content/Howard_Pronouncement_Letter_3-25-08.pdf

Buffalo Bob Was WELS

Buffalo Bob Smith, mentor to Howdy Doody, served as a WELS organist in North Carolina. The Howdy Doody Show was one of our favorites, a true classic.

Buffalo Bob Smith - The celebrity nickname of Bob Smith, the host of the classic children's puppet series HOWDY DOODY/NBC/1947-60. With the assistance of a silent clown named Clarabell, Buffalo Bob Smith, entertained the children in his audience (known as the Peanut Gallery) and interacted with all sorts of comic characters including the freckle-faced puppet star of the show, Howdy Doody. On earlier episodes Buffalo Bob Smith was just called Mr. Smith but by 1948 he was known as Buffalo Bob, a name given him by the Sycapoose Indians, a friendly tribe of American Indians who lived near the circus town of Doodyville. Buffalo Bob wore a yellow buckskin outfit with red fringe and buffalo insignias, supposedly because he was a descendent of Buffalo Bill. At the beginning of each program Buffalo Bob asked "Say, kids, What time is it? The kids then yelled "It's Howdy Doody Time!" Before taking on his role as host of THE HOWDY DOODY SHOW, Bob Smith was a member of the "Hi-Hatters," a radio singing group popular in the 1930s. Coincidentally, Bob Smith was born in Buffalo, New York. He died of cancer on July 30, 1998 near his home at Flat Rock, North Carolina. A replica of Howdy Doody resides in the Smithsonian Institution.

Here is a great link about Buffalo Bob, explaining the keyboard and North Carolina connection.

***

(AP) "Buffalo Bob" Smith, the host of The Howdy Doody Show in the early years of television, died Thursday of cancer. He was 80.

Smith, who lived in the western North Carolina town of Flat Rock, died at a hospital in nearby Hendersonville, said family publicist Kelly Stitch. She said the family would not release further details.

Fans knew the opening routine of the show by heart. Smith would shout out, "What time is it?" and the Peanut Gallery - the kiddie studio audience - would respond with glee: "It's Howdy Doody time!"

Even though the TV show went off the air in 1960 after 13 seasons and more than 2,500 shows, Buffalo Bob and the freckle-faced marionette Howdy Doody were more than celebrities to millions of baby boomers across the country.

They became like a member of the family to their young fans and the young at heart. Columnist Bob Greene wrote in 1987 that the show "may have been the most important cultural landmark for my generation."

"I always liked kids," Smith, the father of three sons, said in an interview in 1994. "You can't kid a kid. They know right away if you like them or not."

Among the show's other much-loved characters in the town Doodyville, U.S.A.: Clarabell the Clown, Princess Summerfall Winterspring, Phineas T. Bluster, Dilly Dally, Chief Thunderthud, Trapper John and Flubadub. One of the performers who played Clarabell was Bob Keeshan, later to become TV's Captain Kangaroo.

"No one knows how hard we worked all those years," Smith told People magazine in 1987. "Live TV is the most difficult thing to do in the world. You're on the spot all the time."

Recovering from a 1954 heart attack that sidelined him for months, he actually did some appearances from a specially built studio in the basement of his home.

After his return to the NBC studio in 1955, he told The Associated Press he drove himself out of "a feeling of pride. You're happy that people want you to entertain them." He said the heart attack taught him to "remember your limits."

In the 1960s, Smith retreated from his spot in front of the TV camera and went back into radio, this time as an owner. He bought three radio stations and dabbled in real estate.

In 1970, he got a call out of the blue from a student at the University of Pennsylvania, who asked him to bring along Howdy Doody to the school and do a show.

"I thought he was putting me on," Smith said.

He wasn't.

College students who had grown up watching Howdy Doody felt right at home back in the Peanut Gallery. Over the next six years, Smith and his famous sidekick made hundreds of appearances across the country.

He and Mildred, his wife of more than 57 years, moved to Flat Rock in 1991 to spend more time on his other passion, golf. He still made occasional appearances at nostalgia events, bringing his marionette with he snub nose and perpetual smile with him.

Smith got his start on the radio and his nickname in his hometown, Buffalo, N.Y.

"I did just about everything you could do on the radio when I was 15," he said. Two years later, singer Kate Smith came to Buffalo.

Smith joined her vaudeville act, playing the piano at times and other times playing master of ceremonies. He was back working successfully in radio when NBC was looking for someone in 1947 to be host of a children's television show.

That was the birth of The Howdy Doody Show.

Despite his efforts to keep a low profile in later years, Smith's trademark "Buffalo Bob" voice always seemed to give him away.

"I walk into a supermarket and nobody recognizes me," he said in the 1994 interview. "Then I open my mouth and somebody always says, 'That's Buffalo Bob!'"

In addition to his wife, Smith is survived by sons Robin, Ronald, and Christopher and three grandchildren.

A private memorial service is planned but no date was given.

Famous WELS Actor Dead at 84

Charlton Heston died at the age of 84, after a remarkable career as a Hollywood actor, Second Amendment advocate, and WELS member.

Mrs. Ichabod says I misspoke. Heston was an Episcopalian.

How did I make that mistake? Oh, I remember. Heston was the featured speaker at a WELS Lutherans for Life gathering. The Wisconsin sect pulled out of Lutherans for Life because they were worried about unionism. So when Heston was announced, I naturally remembered him as a Wisconsin sect member.

They would never listen to someone from another denomination! Would they?

Mrs. Ichabod is speaking. Hmm? Oh yes, I forgot. They invited every denomination except one to teach them about worship. Which one did they overlook? They forgot to invite the ELS? Tiefel - you devil.

What is the definition of a unionist? Answer - Someone who loves every denomination except his own.

Reading Comprehension 101

Michael Schottey has left a new comment on your post "Conservative Lies and Liberal Truths":

Notice I didn't say I was glad that sinned (sic). I said glad that they repented.

If the angels rejoice, Rev. Jackson, at a lost sheep who returns to the fold--why do you not? What would you demand for penance?

Are you better than Samuel, do you have a better method of proving repentance than taking a person at their (sic) word?

***

GJ - I have to repeat myself when I write about WELS felonies. The basic Wisconsin sect approach is to say, "They repented."

My primary emphasis was upon the cover-ups by synodical officials. Their secrecy shows they have not repented. The (ELCA) Lutheran magazine has often posted news of their clergy when arrested.

The same synod officials who claim they know nothing about high crimes will suddenly become omniscient when they know all about a pastor who has questioned Holy Mother Synod.

VP Paul Kuske's favorite fake pastor, Floyd Stolzenburg, was allowed to pose as a Wisconsin pastor when he was forced out of the LCMS ministry for cause. WELS officials claimed their non-WELS pet was "repentant," Michael's favorite word of the week. Yet Floyd told everyone he had a "Scriptural divorce." Does lying about one's ex-wife constitute repentance in WELS?

When VP Kuske and Pastor Schumann helped their Church Growth buddy Floyd into Emmanuel Lutheran Church, they showed no signs of repentance. No, Kuske denied helping Floyd. Kuske's denials became gold standard proof that something was true.

The lying did not stop. Soon the Little Sect on the Prairie was gathering money from Floyd's Masonic church for Thoughts of Faith. Jay Webber thought that was a terrible sin until he was a recipient of some of that money. Some interesting fibs from a repentant ELS - Thoughts of Faith was not ELS, even though John Shep was installed at an ELS convention. How do I know? I was there. Kovaciny was not ELS, even though he was sent by the ELS to the Ukraine.

Floyd posted all kinds of Thoughts of Faith material on his church website, until I linked the pages for people to enjoy. CG fanatics think it is "unclassy" to quote them. In fact, the original quoted material is "unclassy." They just do not like being caught being themselves and bragging about it.

Then we have the murderers and molesters in WELS. Are the church officials repentant about covering up for them? Did they apologize to the Escanaba congregation for allowing a murderer to serve as pastor for a year or two? Did they apologize to the pastors they stuck with Tabor's phony mission congregation in Cape Girardeau?

Ichabodians, do you notice a pattern? The guilty are protected and rewarded by synod officials. No one is allowed to discuss the secrets.

Michael, I am not sure angels rejoice that DP Mueller, VP Kuske, and the ELS all helped to legitimize the hireling ministry of Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, Junior. If the Wisconsin and Norwegian sects want to brag about spreading the Church Growth doctrine of Fuller and Willow Creek, they should brag about Stolzenburg and tell the truth...for once.

Do angels rejoice that Al Just served almost no time in the hoosegow for murdering his wife, lying about it, and letting his church officials support him? The jury found him guilty of murder. Just confessed his guilt enough that several people know about his confession. But Just also let people continue to think he was innocent. I hear no heavenly host rejoicing at this highly selective repentance.

I missed the feature article in FIC (Forward in Collusion) where the district pastors repented for electing and re-electing Ed Werner as District Pope. In fact, I do not believe the Wisconsin sect ever admitted to have a synodical official in state prison.

When the victim of Scott Zerbe and Fred Adrian sued the Wisconsin sect in court, Holy Mother WELS lied about their previous cases of abuse. The synod's lawyers said they knew nothing about anything. The victim's lawyer produced a list of well-known cases, forcing the sect to come clean for once. I still have the list they were forced to give the court. (Yes, even the infallible Wisconsin Synod must obey a judge's order.) The jury found against WELS, Adrian, his congregation, etc. $400K in damages. The repentant synod immediately appealed the verdict. Adrian rejoiced in a letter - we are covered by insurance. No Fred, everyone with that company had to pay for your failure to supervise a married vicar in your congregation. Fred had two vicar reports. One said - Yes I knew. The other said - No I did not. Michael can sort out which one caused angels to rejoice in heaven.

The Church of the Lutheran Confession (sic) is no different. If the synodical pope's relative is caught, the white-wash flows like a mighty river. False doctrine? "We only see it through our telescopes - There she blows. Like a shock of wheat. WELS in 1952. Shudder. Thank God we are not like them."

Briefly Noted

Time of Grace, Mark Jeske: Has he gone too far with unionism?

Someone asked about educational episodes through Bethany Lutheran Worship. Once we are over the Opening Night jitters, plans will be made. Some possibilities are: 1) The Book of Concord; 2) Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant; 3) Basic Christian Doctrine.

A seminarian at the Sausage Factory in Mequon says his post was true and not from a District Pope. No, a DP would have a flunky send out a false report. The only way Mequon could be called unionistic today would be to have a Lutheran teacher there. An Evangelical teaching at Mequon? Big deal. Teufel had the whole National Council of Churches teach at his "WELS" worship confab, years ago. Everyone was invited to teach--except anyone from the Little Sect on the Prairie!

Norm Teigen agreed that the Synodical VP was voted out of office but denied Pope John campaigned for the job. I never said Pope John the Malefactor campaigned for it.
The hatchet man bragged about getting rid of the other VP. Then he was sore that appeared in CN.

Who is the ELS hatchet man? You all know his name. Do the sectarian character assasins work on their own or are they guided, directed, and blessed by synodical leaders? "Thanks for the teaching job, Dad. Too bad I had to step over a few dead bodies to reach the podium."

Rev. Mouse says only stupid people sign their names to posts. Ergo, he is not stupid, but the rest of you are.

Responding to my peerless parody of Phantom of the Opera, Rev. Mouse also says that it must be nice to have so much time to waste. Mouse writes a nasty, anonymous note almost every day. Every one is a personal attack. I can tell by the content that he reads every post I write, but he never has anything to say about doctrine, the Confessions, Luther, or anything of substance. I gather he is stuck in Buffalo Chip Prairie, North Dakota, nicking sermons from the Net, passing the time by being a big shot to his ovine friends from the Sausage Factory. "Hey, Fritz, I got another note posted on Ichabod. Let's have another Schwein."

The Second Sunday after Easter

Misericordias Domini: The Second Sunday after Easter




Hymn #188
The Invocation p. 5
The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 6
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 7
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 9
The Epistle and Gradual 1 Peter 2:21-25
The Gospel John 10:11-16
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Apostles Creed p. 12
Sermon Hymn #191
The Sermon
The Good Shepherd

The Prayers and Lord's Prayer p. 13
The Benediction p. 14
The Closing Hymn #656





KJV Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

KJV 1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

KJV John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.”

Sadly, most people are not familiar with the images used by Jesus in this simple but profound sermon. Sheep farming is rare. I read recently that most sheep farms in the US are run as hobbies and tax dodges for the wealthy.

We had family friends who raised sheep, and that made us familiar with the nature and behavior of those creatures. As children, we played around the sheep and had fun with them. The two boys and their sister were strong and full of mischief, but they were not destructive.

We got some sheep to aim themselves into the corner where the fence came together. Sure enough, the other sheep crowded around them and tried to follow them. Soon we had a large group of sheep, all pushing forward against the fence. I thought we made a terrible mistake. Thinking the sheep might be stuck in that position until dawn, I tried to pull them away and separate them. The sheep resisted and kept pushing forward. Our friend laughed at my predicament and said, “Don’t worry. Leave them alone. They will back away later.” I waited for the drama to unfold later, but nothing happened. The sheep finally wised up.

“For ye were as sheep going astray: but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”

The poetry of this passage comes from the way in which shepherds cared for their sheep in the time of Jesus. At night, all the shepherds kept the sheep in a communal pen with the guard across the doorway, protecting them. The only way a predator could get at the sheep was to climb over the fence or to climb over the guard at the door. In the morning, the individual shepherds came to the pen and called their sheep by name. Each sheep had a name like White Nose or Fat Tail. The shepherd knew his sheep and the sheep knew his voice.

KJV John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. 6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. 7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. 19 There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

When Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd,” He was using a term which really means, “I am the Unique Shepherd,” but that does not translate well. We all know of the Good Shepherd as Christ, the only Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

The shepherd imagery comes from Old Testament times and from the economy of the New Testament times as well. Mutton and wool are not essential to us now, but they were the mainstay of the People of God. Sheep and goats travel well with their owners and provide a vast array of useful products.

Sheep are especially vulnerable and foolish, so God chose to compare us to sheep, making Jesus the Good Shepherd.

From Isaiah 40, a familiar passage in Handel’s “Messiah:”
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd,
He shall carry the lambs in His arms,
And gently lead those with young.

The words of the 23rd Psalm is so familiar that people forget a sheep seems to be the author:

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he
leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with
me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord for ever.

The Good Shepherd provides us with the spiritual nourishment we need from the Means of Grace. He guides us and leads us toward all good things. The Bible does not emphasize material needs first, but spiritual needs. Man worries about material needs most of all, spiritual needs least.

Material needs are the small things in life, from God’s viewpoint.

“Seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness, and all these things will be yours.” The only way we can seek the righteousness of the Kingdom is through Christ. His righteousness comes to us through the Word and Sacraments, never apart from the Word and Sacraments.

In this way, God chose to give us assurance of His forgiveness. If we depend on feelings, or a beautiful sunset, or works, the foundation of assurance is weak and transient. The Word—visible and invisible—does not change or vary. The Holy Spirit at work in the Word prompts faith.

People do believe. The grace coming through the Word and Sacraments begins and sustains faith in God’s Promises. Through faith in Christ, we receive the blessings promised. The Gospel Promises promote Gospel fruits, such as prayer and good works for our neighbors.

The Good Shepherd lesson teaches us about the crucifixion and the resurrection - I lay down my life for the sheep and take it up again.

This message also emphasizes the personal relationship between the Good Shepherd and the believer. That should never be forgotten. Jesus knows each and every one of us by name. He knows us and we know His voice.

Believers do not listen to the voice of others. That is why false teachers make disciples so easily. They get to work with the vast majority who do not believe, the masses who see religion as a pacifier or a meal ticket. They demand wolf-preaching and they get wolf-preaching.

This great love of false teaching bothers faithful pastors and members, but it must be so. They want and need each other. They hate sound doctrine and persecute it. The correct teaching of the Bible is never loved by the masses. If they cannot attack the message directly, they attack the bearer of the message.

But we have this great Promise, that the Shepherd is as anxious for us as we are for Him. A shepherd can only have pity upon helpless sheep that wander and get themselves into trouble, fatal trouble. Our sinfulness is our great burden, and Christ takes that upon Himself.

If someone does something wrong, we want our pound of flesh. But the Parables of Forgiveness teach the opposite about God’s nature. In the Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, and Prodigal Son, the nature of God is rejoicing over the lost being found again.

KJV Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Lately I have had trouble getting my own homework in on time. One week I used “The Prodigal Son returns” on the email with my homework. Another week I quoted Shakespeare:

The Quality of Mercy

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown.
His scepter shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings.
But mercy is above this sceptered sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings;
It is an attribute of God himself;
And earthly power doth then show like God's
When mercy seasons justice.
The Merchant of Venice, by the Earl of Oxford (Shakespeare)

Shakespeare’s plays show that he was a Christian, perhaps a Protestant who became a Catholic at one point. The words of this passage are the essence of the Gospel, and they might have been used to calm the fury of Queen Elisabeth. I have found it effective in dealing with professors.

The Gospel promotes mercy in those who hear the message. Jesus came to us in mercy so that we would enjoy His love and mercy forever.

As the Good Shepherd, He does more than lead us to green pastures through the Word. He also uses His staff to warn away and punish false teachers. Every pastor and Christian has that obligation, to emphasize sound doctrine and reject false doctrine. Our relationship to Christ is not sustained by warm and fuzzy feelings, by vague and conflicting words, but by the Very Word of God, which conveys Christ’s mercy to us in clear, plain words.

He laid His life down and took it up again, for our sakes.

KJV John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Collect
Lord God, heavenly Father, who of Thy fatherly goodness hast been mindful of us poor, miserable sinners, and hast given Thy beloved Son to be our shepherd, not only to nourish us by His word, but also to defend us from sin, death, and the devil: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that, even as this Shepherd doth know us and succor us in every affliction, we also may know Him, and, trusting in Him, seek help and comfort in Him, from our hearts obey His voice, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy Son Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.


QUOTATIONS



"You may say: 'I want to remain in the heterodox church in order to accomplish good in it, namely to prevent it from losing the truth altogether.' If you happen to be in a heterodox church, then first of all, bear witness to the truth clearly and definitely. If they listen to you, good. Under certain circumstances, you can wait a little, to see whether the truth is accepted. But as soon as it is clear that they will not accept the truth, you must separate yourself from that group which holds to the error. If you, nevertheless, remain in it, then you are no longer reinforcing the truth, but rather, the error...It is an absolute contradiction to be both a witness-bearer for the truth, and an associate of false teachers."
Francis Pieper, The Difference Between Orthodox And Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 49.

"As Luther says: You 'cannot remain in the same stall with others who propagate false doctrine or are attached to it or always speak good words to the devil and his crowd.'" [XVII, 1477; probably St. Louis edition]
Francis Pieper, The Difference Between Orthodox And Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 49.

"Every departure from God's Word, every error, is dangerous to the soul. There is a fearful, diabolical power in error; for every error is the devil's work, and through fellowship with error a person puts himself under the influence of the devil. Here human reason is helpless."
Francis Pieper, The Difference between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 42.

"Let us therefore beware, lest by practicing fellowship with the heterodox we put ourselves carelessly into danger, and thus lose our salvation." Francis Pieper, The Difference between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 42. "Finally: heterodox churches are in a continuous state of warfare against the orthodox Church, against that Church which, in conformity with the will of God, confesses all parts of the truth. Heterodox people revile and persecute those who abide by God's Word. Surely, an evil work!"
Francis Pieper, The Difference between Orthodox and Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 44.

"If any one shows us that even only one pastor preached false doctrine, or that even only one periodical is in the service of false doctrine, and we did not remove this false doctrine, we thereby would have ceased to be an orthodox Synod, and we would have become a unionistic fellowship." [the one after only is italicized each time] Lehre und Wehre, Jahrgang 36, Nummer 8, S. 262-3
Francis Pieper, The Difference Between Orthodox And Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 55.

"We have no intention of yielding aught of the eternal, immutable truth of God for the sake of temporal peace, tranquility, and unity (which, moreover, is not in our power to do). Nor would such peace and unity, since it is devised against the truth and for its suppression, have any permanency. Still less are we inclined to adorn and conceal a corruption of the pure doctrine and manifest, condemned errors. But we entertain heartfelt pleasure and love for, and are on our part sincerely inclined and anxious to advance, that unity according to our utmost power, by which His glory remains to God uninjured, nothing of the divine truth of the Holy Gospel is surrendered, no room is given to the least error, poor sinners are brought to true, genuine repentance, raised up by faith, confirmed in new obedience, and thus justified and eternally saved alone through the sole merit of Christ." (Closing of Formula of Concord, Trigl. p. 1095)
Francis Pieper, The Difference Between Orthodox And Heterodox Churches, and Supplement, Coos Bay, Oregon: St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1981, p. 65. Tappert, p. 632. Heiser, p. 294. FC SD XI, #94-96.

"That is the reason why our Church from the very beginning declared that it requires its preachers 'not to depart an inch' from its confessions, not to turn aside from the doctrines laid down in them, non tantum in rebus, sed etiam in phrasibus, that is, both as regards the matter offered in their sermons and the manner of their teaching."
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 277.

"On the ground of these and many other testimonies the Church has always taught with unanimity that, when a saint knowingly and purposely acts contrary to God's command, he is no longer a saint, but has lost the true faith and cast away the Holy Spirit. But if he turns again, God will keep the gracious oath which He has sworn, saying: 'As I live, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live.'"
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 219. Ezekiel 18:23.

"But when a person persists in his sin against his conscience, though he knows it to be a sin, and continues sinning purposely for a long time, he no longer has faith and cannot truly pray to God; the Holy Spirit leaves his heart, for another spirit, the evil spirit, rules in it, whom the sinner has admitted into his heart. To him the Holy Spirit yields His place and departs."
C. F. W. Walther, The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel, trans., W. H. T. Dau, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1928, p. 220.

Bruce Church: Count the Offering

Bruce Church thought the WELS financial turnaround was due to a gift from the Schwan Foundation for $8 million.

I went back to my records and found WELS receiving $24 million in 1998, 10 years ago.

WELS doubled its spending during the peak of Schwan donations, entering into many obligations that could not be maintained. When the Schwan money began to decline, WELS turned into the profligate nephew written out of his aunt's will. Panic!

The improvement has probably come from the Michiganders unhitching their purse strings and a few 2007 tax-beating gifts. SP Gurgel had so many gifts of leadership, as he claimed, that synodical income went up as soon as he left the country.

Disturbing is the trend of saying, "We are doing great" when some big gifts come in. The last time I checked my Bible, money was the small stuff in the Kingdom. I am waiting for some sign that Book of Concord doctrine is getting a toehold.

Planting a False Story

I received a "signed" comment on April Fool's Day about an Evangelical speaking at the Sausage Factory in Mequon. I was expected to post information and denounce it. I really do not know why I should have, even if it were true. The whole faculty adores Deformed theology now. They either promote it or say nothing against it.

Planting false stories is an old WELS/ELS trick. The idea is to promote a falsehood to someone who is a source for another person. Then, when the story is spread, denounce the person who believed the story (which came directly from a friend) without revealing who deceived whom in the first place.

One ELS hatchet man was angry that I published his story in Christian News about the Little Sect on the Prairie getting rid of the confessional VP, so they could get their guy in - John Moldstad. They knew Orvick eventually had to keep his annual promise of retiring. The VP in the ELS becomes Synodical Pope by divine promise, or something like that. The hatchet man did not like the liberals' plans being exposed in Christian News, so he planted a false and slanderous story about a prominent WELS pastor being caught in adultery. He told layman A. Layman A told his son B. Layman B told me. I checked it out. Totally false. I have to wonder about someone so warped that he would do something like that.

One WELS pastor left the ministry, not because he adored Church Growth, but because he copied Willowcreek sermons verbatim and lied about it. Someone fed a layman the story that this minister was being welcomed back into the WELS ministry. I checked it out - false story.

Laymen are surprised that synodical officials engage in these tricks. They should not be. An evil tree bears evil fruit.

Angel of Church Growth - From Phantom of the Opera

Behind the Mask, Deformed Theology
OLSON
Where in the world
have you been hiding?
Really, you were
perfect!
I only wish
I knew your secret!
What is this new
Church Growth?
PAUL KELM (abstracted, entering the dressing room)
Waldo once wrote
of this Church Growth . . .
I used to dream he'd
appear . . .
Now as I sing,
I can sense him . . .
And I know
he's here . . .
(trance-like)
Here in this church
he calls me softly . . .
somewhere inside . . .
hiding . . .
Somehow I know
he's always with me . . .
he - the unseen
genius . . .
OLSON (uneasily)
Paul Kelm, you must have
been dreaming . . .
stories like this can't
come true . . .
Paul Kelm, you're talking
in riddles . . .
and it's just
like you . . .
PAUL KELM (not hearing him, ecstatic)
Angel of Church Growth!
Guide
and guardian!
Grant to me your
glory!
OLSON(to himself)
Who is this angel?
This . . .
BOTH
Angel of Church Growth!
Hide no longer!
Secret and strange
angel . . .

WALDO'S VOICE, denouncing confessional pastor...
Insolent boy!
This slave
of Scripture
basking in God's
glory!
Ignorant fool!
This brave
young pastor,
sharing in my
triumph!
PAUL KELM (spell-bound)
Angel! I hear you!
Speak -
I listen . . .
stay by my side,
guide me!
Angel, my soul was weak -
forgive me . . .
enter at last,
Master!
WALDO'S VOICE
Flattering guru,
you shall know me,
see why in shadow
I hide!
Look at your face
in the mirror -
I am there
inside!
(The figure of WALDO WERNING becomes discernible
behind the mirror)
PAUL KELM (ecstatic)
Angel of Church Growth!
Guide and guardian!
Grant to me your
glory!
Angel of Church Growth!
Hide no longer!
Come to me, strange
angel...
WALDO'S VOICE
I am your Angel ...
Come to me: Paul Kelm of Church Growth ...

The 1,000th Post - Coming Soon

Ichabod Remains the 800 Pound Gorilla

The 1,000th Ichabod post will appear fairly soon.

ELCA has an official blog. Their posts are monthly, if they are fired up. ELCA supposedly has a huge PR budget, but their news archives for April are still at zero. Maybe their news desk is in India, to save money. Today I phoned the help desk for a local university. I was speaking to a woman in India, trying to talk over a bad IP phone connection. I think sharks were chewing on the trans-oceanic cable.

WELS AnswerMan has been letting me down, ever since they got a new SP. The other one (composite or not) was so good at sticking his thumb in people's eyes! I depended on that site for humor.

Now Missouri is kicking up a fuss again, over a radio show. They seemed strangely lethargic when someone close to Kieschnick murdered an old lady and set her home on fire to cover up the crime. He was or was not ever connected with the big worship event. He was, before the murder. He was not ever, after the murder. If you have a good memory or click on the labels, you recall that the LCMS pastor of that congregation, Nunnes, disappeared and then emerged as head of the moneyed and liberal pan-Lutheran Wheatridge Foundation. No one asks anymore, "What did he know and when did he know it." They just get him out of town.

Michael S. must be happy that Nunnes is still part of a Lutheran congregation. We know, from UOJ pronouncements, that the whole world is righteous, so repentance is superfluous. Sin more that grace may abound, but move the guilty out of state as soon as possible.

Conservative Lies and Liberal Truths

Conservative synods guard against false doctrine - far away from them.
Michael Schottey has left a new comment on your post "The Mouse That Squeaked":

Wow...

I believe you that all of those things are true. But why? What do any of those have to do with journalism? What purpose would it have served if they had all been "front page news" in FIC?

You know nothing of these men but their misdeeds. I praise God that some of them are back in Lutheran congregational life. Why would you not?

***

GJ - At least Michael signs his name.

This is how the news works - When a man murders his wife, the story is put in the newspaper, on the radio, even on TV. The conservative Lutherans do not admit to anything. They cover up crimes because the felonies would hurt them politically.

When the police investigate a murder, the church officials have an obligation to assist in any way possible. Why do you think Tabor got away with it? People wrote letters to WELS to keep the synod from taking him on. There was nothing in his file when the police investigated.

What moved WELS to take on the notorious Tabor in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and form a new church around him? I know about Tabor from Roger Zehms, who was the circuit pastor taking Tabor in, Bischoff (in the LCR with Tabor), Jay Webber (who was at Scriptural, CG, where Tabor left) and a few other contacts.

Telling the truth keeps the innocent from suffering. Why did one or more pastors have to suffer from taking on the Tabor mission? WELS grabbed Tabor while he was fleeing the torches and pitchforks of the locals in Cape, first giving him a call, then moving him quickly to Milwaukee. When Tabor and his mistress killed Mrs. Tabor, WELS let him move from Milwaukee to Michigan. Three WELS congregations became associated with a murderer because Zehms and other WELS CG gurus knowingly sponsored Tabor. Zehms baptized a child who "was the spitting image of Tabor."

Telling the truth thwarts the guilty. The conservative Lutheran pastors know that the bigger their crime is, the more likely Holy Mother Synod will cover up for them. Even better, a system of mutual blackmailing keeps everything out of the public eye.

Not knowing one pastor was a known adulterer, I asked him, "Why does WELS elect such weak leaders?" He said, "No one wants the skeletons out of the closet."

Someone should do an audit and find out how many millions have been wasted on crackpot schemes like the Tabor WELS mission in Cape, the founding of Church and Change with WELS offering money, Crossroads in Detroit, Pilgrim (another Zehms pratfall) in Columbus, LPR (Zehms again), and many more.

The conservative synods work with ELCA and ape ELCA every chance they get. Then the conservatives denounce ELCA for being so liberal. ELCA may be the drag queen of the synods, but ELCA is honest about its doctrine and positions.

Issues Etc LCMS News

"Sure, Granny, I would be happy to help you with your will."

LCMS Foundation Fees
We have confirmed that the LCMS Foundation (LF), the bureaucracy responsible for fund raising for KFUO AM including the Issues Etc. program was charging 40¢ per dollar that they raised. (The industry standard is only 10¢)

That means for every $100,000 that the LF raised for Issues Etc. they pocketed $40,000 for themselves.

That left Issues Etc. with only $60,000.

This leads to another question for those who claim that the decision to cancel Issues Etc. was a business decision based upon financial considerations,

"If profitability was so important, why didn't the synodical executives find a cheaper solution for fund raising for Issues Etc. and KFUM AM?"
David Strand claims that Issues Etc. was responsible for more than 40% of KFUO AM's operating deficit. But, we'd like to know how much of a difference it would have made if KFUO AM and Issues Etc. would have been allowed to keep 90% of the money raised for it rather than the meager 60% that was left under the forced arrangement that it had with the LCMS Foundation?

This leads to yet another question...What was the LCMS Foundation doing with all of the money they were pocketing from Issues Etc. and KFUO AM?


***

Pres. Kieschnick Responds
A piece in the Wall Street Journal is hard to dismiss, especially when it finds fault.

Pres. Kieschnick responds to M. Z. Hemingway's article:



As President of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I express my extreme disappointment over the column “Radio Silence” published March 28 under “Houses of Worship.” Its author presents a distorted account of the reason for the discontinuation of the “Issues, Etc.” program on the Synod’s KFUO-AM Radio station. What is even more disturbing is the false and misleading picture she presents of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) as a deeply divided church regarding its mission and ministry.

First, let me say our church is happy to own and operate KFUO-AM, the oldest continuously operating religious radio station in the country, if not the world. We are proud of the ministry it has provided listeners for some 84 years, and we endeavor to continue this ministry. I must also note that all ministries of the church, of which KFUO-AM is but one, require financial support from their constituencies.

Here are the facts surrounding the termination of “Issues, Etc.” This program was cancelled by the Synod’s director of communications after years of attempts to keep the program financially solvent. In fiscal year 2007-08, KFUO-AM’s operating deficit was $620,000. Since 2001, the accumulated deficits of the station have been in excess of $3.5 million. While airing for only 18 percent of KFUO-AM’s programming week, “Issues, Etc.” in the last fiscal year accounted for more than 40 percent ($250,000) of the station’s total deficit. These figures are based on the audited financial statements of the LCMS. As of February 29, two thirds into the current fiscal year, KFUO-AM was on pace to suffer heavy loses again.

Listeners of “Issues, Etc.” have had nine years and countless invitations and opportunities to support the program financially, and some have, but not nearly enough to offset the show’s deep, ongoing losses.

More importantly, I wish to address the unfortunate comments in the column that The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is deeply divided and that it is pushing “church marketing” over the historic confessions of the evangelical Lutheran Church.

In truth, last summer the LCMS had its most positive and unified convention in years. Our church remains faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions, an integral part of our identity as a church body. As stated in a resolution adopted last summer by the national Synod convention: “From the founding of our Synod 160 years ago, we have been blessed by unity in our common confession and the articles of our shared faith, such as the Trinity, the person and work of Christ, original sin, baptismal regeneration, the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in the Sacrament, the inerrancy of Scripture and many others.”

In accordance with our unity in what we believe, teach, and confess, the Synod adopted the mission and vision of Ablaze!—a focused and concentrated effort to “share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those who do not yet know him.” One goal of Ablaze! calls for the Synod to start 2,000 new congregations by the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in the year 2017. This outreach emphasis is not “marketing” as suggested by last Friday’s column; rather, it is one of many ministry endeavors developed to foster the mission of our Synod “… vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and the world.” (LCMS Mission Statement)

In summary, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is more committed than ever to proclaiming the one message of Jesus Christ and his love for all (1 John 4:9-11).

On behalf of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, I invite readers to visit our website at www.lcms.org for more information on God’s grace and salvation in Christ.

Response (numbers refer to paragraphs):

#3: It is not Hemingway who's got the distorted picture. This Site has some alarming reports about re-allocating funds, the actual "loss" sustained by KFUO in comparison with other ministries of the LCMS, and a more accurate picture of just how popular "Issues, Etc." was, based on the number of downloads of radio programs. It also contains some nice charts and graphics :)

#4 Why is that "Issues, Etc." was required to have their own fundraising appeals when it is a "ministry of the LCMS" as Kieschnick reports in paragraph #1?

#6 Church unity is found in Conventions???? Even if, does our President forget the small margins which enabled his win, and the small margins on many other votes? Does he forget that that some candidates were singled out as "lawsuit signers" before every vote was taken? And mentioning one resolution does not unity make, especially when it is as vague as he quotes it.

#7 Ablaze! is not marketing, eh? What of the $2 million spent on mugs, t-shirts, posters, pens, mailings, stationary, staff members, advertising and so forth?

***

GJ - The strangest topics go viral in the Lutheran Church. One doctrinal disaster after another happens in full view of the public, with no comment. Then a radio show is suddenly the last straw. Didn't Jack Casione's buddy start Issues yers ago, leave the show, and end up as DP Benke's advisor? Check out the link. Matzat is a tongue-speaking, miracle working, Holy Spirit dreaming liberal. Cascione forgot to mention that when the two of them were like David and Jonathan.

Many things about Kieschnick's style and doctrine went undetected before he was elected Synodical Pope.

Here is my KFUO experience. They asked to interview me about Liberalism, Its Cause and Cure. I was warned in advance not to mention Christian News in the interview. When they asked about where to order the book, I mentioned NPH and Christian News. The interview was cut short.

Missouri has an odd take on Christian News, just like WELS. They like to benefit from the paper while shunning it. Editor Otten is more of a PR man for all the synods. He spikes stories for them and runs interference for them.

Paul McCain, MDiv, used Christian News to campaign for Al Barry. Jack Preus, Ralph Bohlmann, and Al Barry all used the paper to get elected. Kieschnick went out of his way to visit Otten before running. Kieschnick eyed Otten and told him, "So you have the power to make or break synod presidents?"

The problem with all this is the politican campaign. People work for a successful political strategy and focus on that. If they emphasized the Word and the Confessions, God's will would be accomplished. But they do not trust Isaiah 55:8-11.

The political process yields political results. The conservative politicians are on the shelf, fed and watered when necessary, but without influence.

Excommunicant Giving Down in Little Sect on the Prairie

"Honey, I shrunk the budget."

Synod Finances
Our synod treasurer reports that through the month of February the members of the ELS gave $95,228 to the Lord's work. This is $29,722 short of our projected monthly 2008 budget.

The Left Foot of Fellowship diminishes the Right Hand of Giving, as Pope John the Malefactor has learned.

Except in WELS - The Donor in Columbus, Ohio, was kicked out of WELS, along with his congregation Prince of Peace, and its pastor Marc (not the SP) Schroeder. Money still flows from Prince of Peace to the Sausage Factory in Mequon. Stockholm syndrome?

When WELS was supposedly short of money, SP Gurgel got a Get Out of Jail Free card and found himself in a foreign mission field, mailing "Come to the WELS" goatcart stickers to prospects.

Pope John could help Gurgel in his mission work, once he retires.

Mortgage Meltdown Leads to Ballpark Renaming

Bank One won the naming rights for the Arizona Diamondbacks Stadium, so it began as BOB, the Bank One Ballpark. Aggressive Chase Bank bought up Bank One, so the stadium was renamed Chase Ballpark. That seemed appropriate, since the D-backs were always chasing the hot grounders hit past them.

However, the mortgage crisis hit Chase so badly that they were forced to give up their naming rights, actually sub-letting the lease to another company, General Mills Food. Corporate lawyers were not sure they could do this at first, but an overnight decision from a circuit court allowed the controversial decision.

The food company thought Jolly Green Ballpark sounded too childish, so they decided to go upscale for the benefit of tony Scottsdale, nearby. The new name will be the Lesueur Ballpark, after the region near Minneapolis where the peas are raised. The cold weather is especially good for the peas.

Loof Lirpa, the company spokesman, admitted that the name was tricky. "Ya, da name must be said correctly or it sounds yust like La Sewer. We don't like dat."

The Chase public relations team vowed they would help get the bank back on its feet again so they could get the naming rights back. "It's so bad now, that when a customer starts a new account, we ask him for a toaster."

A reporter for the Arizona Republican agreed. He said, "I stopped at my branch today and they couldn't give me change for a twenty."

First Sunday after Easter

Quasimodo Geniti – The First Sunday after Easter

KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. 10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, 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. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Lord God, heavenly Father, we thank Thee, that of Thine ineffable grace, for the sake of Thy Son, Thou hast given us the holy gospel, and hast instituted the holy sacraments, that through the same we may have comfort and forgiveness of sin: We beseech Thee, grant us Thy Holy Spirit, that we may heartily believe Thy word; and through the holy sacraments day by day establish our faith, until we at last obtain salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

The First Sunday after Easter

The Hymn tune – Doxology vss. 1-8 #331
The Invocation p. 15
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
The Epistle and Gradual 1 John 5:4-10
The Gospel John 20:19-31
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn vss. 1-10 #208
The Sermon
The Two Natures and Communion

The Offertory p. 22
The Hymn #314
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 (Koren) vss. 1-4 #44

KJV John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.

Preface
It is such a privilege to be able to teach and preach the Word of God. I am currently teaching some students an Old Testament survey course. They live all over the United States. Many have limited backgrounds in the Bible, so they love taking a required course in the Old Testament, followed by a required course in the New Testament.

Every day I write to them (online) about the Gospel in the Old Testament, the Trinity in the Old Testament, and what Luther says about the Bible. Sometimes I teach the same students in the Old Testament and then the New Testament.

Now this opportunity has arisen to provide the Word of God to people all over the world. We are already hearing from people. One man said, “I never thought I would need the Internet to have a service from The Lutheran Hymnal.

John 20:19-31
This passage is one of the great doctrinal sections of John’s Gospel. The Fourth Gospel is undoubtedly a supplement to Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John’s Gospel assumes we know the first three Gospels. Therefore, each passage in John is especially important to learn, because the “disciple Jesus loved” (John), the man commended to care for Mary, had significant things to teach through the Holy Spirit’s revelation.

Lutherans often say, “What people teach about Christ is what they teach about Holy Communion.”

This passage is one of the best examples.

The doors were locked for fear of the Jews, but Jesus stood in the midst of them.

John Calvin did not accept Jesus being able to pass through the walls. He had Jesus coming by a secret passage. This is important for his view of Christ. Calvin imagined that the divine nature of Christ was limited by His human nature. Therefore, Calvin also taught against the Real Presence and made fun of it in his Institutes (the main doctrinal book of Calvinism).

Calvin was the founded of the Presbyterians and those who call themselves Reformed. Lutherans generally lump them together, even though there are differences. They agree about the rationalistic interpretation of the appearance of Jesus in the locked room and the Lord’s Supper being merely symbolic. For them, the Lord’s Supper is a law to obey, to witness to their faith, not a sacrament where our sins are forgiven.

The Calvinistic phrase used to defend this is – the finite is not capable of holding the Infinite. The bread and wine could not also be the Body and Blood of Christ, in their opinion.

But the Scriptures teach us otherwise, in two different ways.

One is through Christ Himself. His human nature was and is united with His divine nature. When He was surrounded by crowds ready to take Him and kill Him, he passed through them. It does not say they parted to let Him by. The Son of God, the Creating Word, does not have human barriers.
Coming into the locked room twice (John 20) is another example of the divine nature of Christ not being limited by His human nature.

If that were so, how could He ascend into heaven?

In so many passages we see the emphasis upon one nature, then the other nature, to show us the union of the two natures in the One Person, Christ. Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, John 4, “I am thirsty.” To her He was only a human being looking for water. And Jesus did experience all our human emotions, desires, and pains. But then Jesus spoke to the woman with such divine wisdom that she knew immediately He was the promised Messiah. He knew her heart. Only God could know her heart that way, so she immediately began witnessing to her friends about Jesus.

The crucifixion emphasizes the human nature of Christ, His enormous suffering, but that alone is not enough to make Him our Savior. The innocent Son of God died on the cross, not just a good and kindly Teacher. The Son of God rose from the grave, taught His disciples, and ascended into heaven. But He did not discard His human nature.

When Jesus entered the locked room, He showed His disciples His wounds. This revealed to them that He was not a vision, not a ghost, not a spirit. The crucified Messiah was in their midst with the wounds of His warfare against Satan. He came as the victor over Satan, the Hero, as Luther often mentioned in his writing. He won the battle against sin, death, and Satan.

Another way is way in which the Bible teaches us about Holy Communion. Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 speaks about the bread and the Body, the wine and the Blood. That clearly teaches us that the Lord’s Supper is not merely symbolic (where 2 remain 2), nor is it the sacrifice of the Mass (where the priest turns 2 into 2), but something else. The 2 elements, bread and wine, remain bread and wine, but they include the Body and Blood of Christ through the efficacious consecration of the Word.

Inventions
The human mind invents so many barriers to the truth of God’s Word, but the Scriptures have more insights than we have doubts.

How can the Son of God give us His body over the centuries, to millions of people?

That question is not answered by human reason but by the Feeding of the Five Thousand. Jesus took ordinary food and multiplied it so that far more was left than He received from the boy. The same introductory formula is used, “Jesus took the bread and broke it and gave thanks,” reminding us that the Feeding of the Five Thousand was a prefiguring of Holy Communion.
Why does God need so many Means of Grace?

God has appointed the Means of Grace (the Word and the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Communion) because of man’s need, not His need.

Why so many revelations of the Three Persons, One God? Every article of faith is backed by hundreds of interlocking Biblical passages? Why so many? Does God need them or does man?

Doubting Thomas
Much is said about Doubting Thomas, who denied the resurrection of Christ until he saw and felt the wounds of Christ. Thomas is not the major emphasis of this passage. Christ is. When Jesus appeared the second time and offered His wounds to be touched, Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God.”

Jesus rebuked him in a gentle way, by saying, “Because you have seen Me you believe? Blessed are they who believe without seeing.”

That is a blessing for all those listening today. Blessed are you for believing in the death and resurrection of Christ without having visible evidence.

Miracle service
Some long for miracle services. I have even read of famous miracle rabbis in Poland in the last century (Isaac B. Singer’s stories). That is one way to bring people in. I know of large churches near us where they promise miracles to people.

We have a miracle every time Holy Communion is offered. The Word consecrates ordinary bread and wine. People receive the Body and Blood of Christ. God forgives the sins of those who receive the Gospel in faith.

KJV 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Jesus, Priceless Treasure: Migrates to Lulu.com

Cover by Norma Boeckler

Jesus, Priceless Treasure is being prepped for publication through Lulu.com. Distribution is far easier and corrections can be made easier.

I plan on making many things completely available and free, either through PDFs on Lulu.com (free download) or on a banner-free, ad-free website, or both.

The Efficacy of the Word in Holy Communion: Book of Concord

Holy Communion, by Norma Boeckler

8 Now, what is the Sacrament of the Altar?

Answer: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, in and under the bread and wine which we Christians are commanded by the Word of Christ to eat and to drink. 9] And as we have said of Baptism that it is not simple water, so here also we say the Sacrament is bread and wine, but not mere bread and wine, such as are ordinarily served at the table, but bread and wine comprehended in, and connected with, the Word of God.

10] It is the Word (I say) which makes and distinguishes this Sacrament, so that it is not mere bread and wine, but is, and is called, the body and blood of Christ. For it is said: Accedat verbum ad elementum, et fit sacramentum. If the Word be joined to the element, it becomes a Sacrament. This saying of St. Augustine is so properly and so well put that he has scarcely said anything better. The Word must make a Sacrament of the element, else it remains a mere element. 11] Now, it is not the word or ordinance of a prince or emperor, but of the sublime Majesty, at whose feet all creatures should fall, and affirm it is as He says, and accept it with all reverence, fear, and humility.

12] With this Word you can strengthen your conscience and say: If a hundred thousand devils, together with all fanatics, should rush forward, crying, How can bread and wine be the body and blood of Christ? etc., I know that all spirits and scholars together are not as wise as is the Divine Majesty in His little finger. 13] Now here stands the Word of Christ: Take, eat; this is My body; Drink ye all of it; this is the new testament in My blood, etc. Here we abide, and would like to see those who will constitute themselves His masters, and make it different from what He has spoken. It is true, indeed, that if you take away the Word or regard it without the words, you have nothing but mere bread and wine. 14] But if the words remain with them, as they shall and must, then, in virtue of the same, it is truly the body and blood of Christ. For as the lips of Christ say and speak, so it is, as He can never lie or deceive.

15] Hence it is easy to reply to all manner of questions about which men are troubled at the present time, such as this one: Whether even a wicked priest can minister at, and dispense, the Sacrament, and whatever other questions like this there may be. 16] For here we conclude and say: Even though a knave takes or distributes the Sacrament, he receives the true Sacrament, that is, the true body and blood of Christ, just as truly as he who [receives or] administers it in the most worthy manner. For it is not founded upon the holiness of men, but upon the Word of God. And as no saint upon earth, yea, no angel in heaven, can make bread and wine to be the body and blood of Christ, so also can no one change or alter it, even though it be misused. 17] For the Word by which it became a Sacrament and was instituted does not become false because of the person or his unbelief. For He does not say: If you believe or are worthy, you receive My body and blood, but: Take, eat and drink; this is My body and blood. Likewise: Do this (namely, what I now do, institute, give, and bid you take). 18] That is as much as to say, No matter whether you are worthy or unworthy, you have here His body and blood by virtue of these words which are added to the bread and wine. 19] Only note and remember this well; for upon these words rest all our foundation, protection, and defense against all errors and deception that have ever come or may yet come.

20] Thus we have briefly the first point which relates to the essence of this Sacrament. Now examine further the efficacy and benefits on account of which really the Sacrament was instituted; which is also its most necessary part, that we may know what we should seek and obtain there. 21] Now this is plain and clear from the words just mentioned: This is My body and blood, given and shed for you, for the remission of sins. 22] Briefly that is as much as to say: For this reason we go to the Sacrament because there we receive such a treasure by and in which we obtain forgiveness of sins. Why so? Because the words stand here and give us this; for on this account He bids me eat and drink, that it may be my own and may benefit me, as a sure pledge and token, yea, the very same treasure that is appointed for me against my sins, death, and every calamity.

23] On this account it is indeed called a food of souls, which nourishes and strengthens the new man. For by Baptism we are first born anew; but (as we said before) there still remains, besides, the old vicious nature of flesh and blood in man, and there are so many hindrances and temptations of the devil and of the world that we often become weary and faint, and sometimes also stumble.

24] Therefore it is given for a daily pasture and sustenance, that faith may refresh and strengthen itself so as not to fall back in such a battle, but become ever stronger and stronger. 25] For the new life must be so regulated that it continually increase and progress; 26] but it must suffer much opposition. For the devil is such a furious enemy that when he sees that we oppose him and attack the old man, and that he cannot topple us over by force, he prowls and moves about on all sides, tries all devices, and does not desist, until he finally wearies us, so that we either renounce our faith or yield hands and feet and become listless or impatient. 27] Now to this end the consolation is here given when the heart feels that the burden is becoming too heavy, that it may here obtain new power and refreshment.

28] But here our wise spirits contort themselves with their great art and wisdom, crying out and bawling: How can bread and wine forgive sins or strengthen faith? Although they hear and know that we do not say this of bread and wine, because in itself bread is bread, but of such bread and wine as is the body and blood of Christ, and has the words attached to it. That, we say, is verily the treasure, and nothing else, through which such forgiveness is obtained. 29] Now the only way in which it is conveyed and appropriated to us is in the words (Given and shed for you). For herein you have both truths, that it is the body and blood of Christ, and that it is yours as a treasure and gift. 30] Now the body of Christ can never be an unfruitful, vain thing, that effects or profits nothing. Yet, however great is the treasure in itself, it must be comprehended in the Word and administered to us, else we should never be able to know or seek it.

31] Therefore also it is vain talk when they say that the body and blood of Christ are not given and shed for us in the Lord's Supper, hence we could not have forgiveness of sins in the Sacrament. For although the work is accomplished and the forgiveness of sins acquired on the cross, yet it cannot come to us in any other way than through the Word. For what would we otherwise know about it, that such a thing was accomplished or was to be given us if it were not presented by preaching or the oral Word? Whence do they know of it, or how can they apprehend and appropriate to themselves the forgiveness, except they lay hold of and believe the Scriptures and the Gospel? 32] But now the entire Gospel and the article of the Creed: I believe a holy Christian Church, the forgiveness of sin, etc., are by the Word embodied in this Sacrament and presented to us. Why, then, should we allow this treasure to be torn from the Sacrament when they must confess that these are the very words which we hear every where in the Gospel, and they cannot say that these words in the Sacrament are of no use, as little as they dare say that the entire Gospel or Word of God, apart from the Sacrament, is of no use?

33] Thus we have the entire Sacrament, both as to what it is in itself and as to what it brings and profits. Now we must also see who is the person that receives this power and benefit. That is answered briefly, as we said above of Baptism and often elsewhere: Whoever believes it has what the words declare and bring. For they are not spoken or proclaimed to stone and wood, but to those who hear them, to whom He says: 34]Take and eat, etc. And because He offers and promises forgiveness of sin, it cannot be received otherwise than by faith. This faith He Himself demands in the Word when He says: Given and shed for you. As if He said: For this reason I give it, and bid you eat and drink, that you may claim it as yours and enjoy it. 35] Whoever now accepts these words, and believes that what they declare is true, has it. But whoever does not believe it has nothing, as he allows it to be offered to him in vain, and refuses to enjoy such a saving good. The treasure, indeed, is opened and placed at every one's door, yea, upon his table, but it is necessary that you also claim it, and confidently view it as the words suggest to you 36] This, now, is the entire Christian preparation for receiving this Sacrament worthily. For since this treasure is entirely presented in the words, it cannot be apprehended and appropriated in any other way than with the heart. For such a gift and eternal treasure cannot be seized with the fist. 37] Fasting and prayer, etc., may indeed be an external preparation and discipline for children, that the body may keep and bear itself modestly and reverently towards the body and blood of Christ; yet what is given in and with it the body cannot seize and appropriate. But this is done by the faith of the heart, which discerns this treasure and desires it. 38] This may suffice for what is necessary as a general instruction respecting this Sacrament; for what is further to be said of it belongs to another time.

39] In conclusion, since we have now the true understanding and doctrine of the Sacrament, there is indeed need of some admonition and exhortation, that men may not let so great a treasure which is daily administered and distributed among Christians pass by unheeded, that is, that those who would be Christians make ready to receive this venerable Sacrament often. 40] For we see that men seem weary and lazy with respect to it; and there is a great multitude of such as hear the Gospel, and, because the nonsense of the Pope has been abolished, and we are freed from his laws and coercion, go one, two, three years, or even longer without the Sacrament, as though they were such strong Christians that they have no need of it; 41] and some allow themselves to be prevented and deterred by the pretense that we have taught that no one should approach it except those who feel hunger and thirst, which urge them to it. Some pretend that it is a matter of liberty and not necessary, and that it is sufficient to believe without it; and thus for the most part they go so far that they become quite brutish, and finally despise both the Sacrament and the Word of God.

Formula of Concord

The Mouse That Squeaked

Rev. Mouse, trying to get strong and brave.

A. Nony Mouse has left a new comment on your post "Bethany Lutheran Worship Will Be Weekly":

A degree in journalism? Don't you mean YELLOW journalism? I'm sure you could teach the class on that one, too.

***

GJ - I do not follow the communication standards of WELS, if that is what Rev. Mouse means.

Some WELS journalism highlights:

1. In Milwaukee, headquarters of Holy Mother WELS, Pastor Tabor murders his wife with the help of his mistress, moves to a new call in Escanaba, Wisconsin. Tabor was received into WELS in spite of general knowledge Cape Girardeau that he was an adulterer with a bastard child. WELS was silent.
2. District Pope Ed Werner routinely molested girls in his congregation for 20+ years. All the pastors knew. He was finally arrested. WELS lied about why. When he was convicted, WELS was silent.
3. Vicar Scott Zerbe had an affair with a minor child in Pastor Fred Adrian's congregation. Zerbe was convicted. WELS was silent.
4. WELS teacher Al Just murdered his wife in Phoenix, but claimed she rolled over a steak knife many times in her sleep. WELS defended him, sent people to support him, with DMLC President Huebner serving as a character witness. Just married his children's baby-sitter while in the slammer, got divorced from her, and now participates in WELS congregational life. He was seen with a youth group, but WELS was silent.
5. Floyd Stolzenburg was forced to resign from the LCMS ministry on a Saturday. The DP preached for him on Sunday. His wife divorced him - for cause. WELS embraced him and made him a Church Growth consultant in Columbus, Ohio. When he and divorced pastor Roger Zehms made a thorough mess of things, VP Paul Kuske wrote him a letter of recommendation to serve as pastor of Emmanuel, Columbus. So did WELS pastor Schumann. Stolzenburg never joined WELS but played the role of a WELS pastor - but WELS was silent.
6. A synodical VP propositioned a woman in the process of providing pastoral counselling. He was forced to resign from the ministry and lied about it. Why was his slot suddenly vacant. WELS was silent.
7. Vast amounts of money came to WELS via the Schwan Foundation, but WELS became insolvent. What happened to all the loot? WELS was silent.

We are all looking forward to honest journalism standards in WELS. Where would we find that? In FIC? The synod is too ashamed of the name Lutheran to have it in the magazine title. We are all ashamed together, Rev. Mouse. I am just as ashamed as you - that you are a Lutheran.

When the Last Domino Falls in the LCMS

I used to think there was some point where a synod would say, "Stop! We have run away from Luther's doctrine long enough."

Instead I have seen pastors grow fat and lazy while watching one outrage after another in their own district or circuit. Viewing another synod is the safest approach. Pick up the phone or email another pastor to denounce another synod. Telescopic orthodoxy is the rage. Identify a problem far, far way. Ignore the real problems next door. Never rock the boat. That's a good boy.

Pastors have secret email lists and secret blogs where one must have a password to read the precious words. How brave.

I look back on all the ousted pastors who said nothing until they became the targets. Some were happy enough to put the skids under another pastor or professor, to reduce the competition. WELS pastors told me Richard Jungkuntz was a genius at getting his fellow professor out on a limb and letting him hang there stranded. Jungkuntz became the head of a college doing that.

From my limited perspective, the first wave of this in the Missouri Synod began with the Robert Preus faction fighting to win control of the synod with Christian News helping. That never happened for various reasons. Bohlmann and Barry pushed Robert Preus out. McCain gleefully greased the skids under Preus, then gave Mrs. Preus an award for her late husband. Chokes me up, really.

Wally Schulz was not exactly an advocate for conservatives when he was riding high, working happily with one of the most liberal leaders in the LCMS, Oswald Hoffman. Schulz was successfully ousted.

Martin Niemoller is famous for this quotation:

1. "When the Nazis came for the communists, I said nothing; I was, of course, no communist.
   
2. When they locked up the Social Democrats, I said nothing; I was, of course, no Social Democrat.
   
3. When they came for the trade unionists, I said nothing; I was, of course, no trade unionist.
   
4. When they came for me, there was no one left who could protest."

The new flap over the LCMS radio program Issues, Etc. is a replay of the Schulz defenestration. I doubt whether the staff got their program established after publishing in Christian News or being known for rattling the cage of the LCMS. A conservative bigshot in the LCMS is one who knows how to pose while never appearing to be a threat to apostasy.

I am not arguing that everyone in the LCMS should rise up and restore this program. The staff could easily recreate the show for a broader audience without the synod. They would lose the falling-apart Lutheran Hour network, which has become a joke. They would gain freedom.

I told one LCMS conservative leader, who phones me from time to time, "You have to stop participating. That is only encouraging people to think there is hope. No money for the popes. No attendance at their conferences. No participation in any of their meetings. Imagine what would happen if half the audience walked at the next convention. Walked away and met in a nearby hotel. Or just went home."

He said, "Yes, you are right." A few months later his photo was in Christian News. He was running for a national office. He lost.

The issue is not "leaving the synod." Too many take Holy Mother Synod with them when they leave. The two CLCs represent the refined and distilled Pharisaical works-righteousness of the places they left, with the inherent problems of incest added to the brew. I have heard that line-breeding can improve offspring, but there is no evidence of that in either CLC.

I thought the emergence of the Lavender Mafia in the LCA would awaken people. Instead, I have watched people remain in ELCA while converting their initial outrage into a defense of the gay agenda. The newest ELCA report is another leap in the wrong direction.

Bethany Lutheran Worship Will Be Weekly

The Bethany Lutheran Worship broadcast will be weekly from now on, with broadcasts saved at the site. Cable or DSL are ideal for watching the service.

People can watch live on a 56k telephone line, but sound and images are not exactly together. Perhaps the recorded version is better. This is new to all of us. We are working on various ways to improve the service.

Hymnal improvements do not include feminist, Church Growthy, or ELCA-ish hymnals.

For some of us, the word improvement means something better, not something worse. The rash of Lutheran hymnal publishing has not been an advance.

A WELS member sent a check to help out with the broadcasts. His note said, "I never thought I would need the Internet to participate in a TLH service."

Education in Doctrine
Educational broadcasts can be planned, once the worship service is more routine.

Some ideas mentioned previously are: The Book of Concord and a series on Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant. I plan on making the PDF of CLP free.

A lot of things are happening at once. I am behind in my homework, which is funny, because I urge students to be on time. About one month of the semester is left. Then I can catch up with some of my promises. I am getting a degree in journalism and having a great time, but it is one more thing to do at the end of a long day.