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New York Post Exposes Truth about Ichabod

The American Spectator : The Church of England and Same Sex Marriage

WWCD?
What would ChurchMouse Do/

The American Spectator : The Church of England and Same Sex Marriage:


Prime Minister Cameron finds himself at odds with leading figures of the established church.

Two notable retired Church of England bishops have recently spoken forcefully against Britain's possibly legalizing same-sex marriage by 2015.

"This matter is so serious and so important for our nation that we cannot allow this act of cultural and theological vandalism to happen," recently warned former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey in uncharacteristically vivid language. "The government has no mandate from the people to redefine marriage, and that is why we are gathered here today," he told a group called Coalition for Marriage. Carey has also called potentially legalized same sex marriage "one of the greatest political power grabs in history."

Tony Blair's former government legalized British same-sex civil unions in 2004. Prime Minister David Cameron supports a process that would legalize same-sex marriage by 2015 for England and Wales.

"Marriage will only remain the bedrock of society if it is between a man and a woman," Carey has written in a recent op-ed. "The honourable estate of matrimony precedes both the state and the church, and neither of these institutions have the right to redefine it in such a fundamental way."

George Carey was appointed as senior prelate of the Church of England and the global Anglican Communion under Margaret Thatcher's rule. He style was typically careful. But when forced to choose, he almost always sided with theological orthodoxy against liberal revisionism. Although often hailed for his brilliance, Carey's successor, Archbishop Rowan Williams, is often more ambivalent on key theological and ethical issues. His post-modern nuances frequently make his ultimate point incomprehensible.

The Church of England remains the largest religious communion in Britain, but only a small fraction of British people are regular church goers. The more spiritually healthy congregations tend to lean evangelical, often thanks to African, Caribbean, or Asian immigrants. Despite diminished numbers, bishops of the established church, some of whom sit in the House of Lords, are still public figures whose stances often attract publicity.
"[We are] worried because an institution that has stood the test of time and is the building block of society is under threat," Carey announced to the Coalition for Marriage. "[And we are] disappointed that the government has taken upon itself to redefine the nature of marriage." Carey noted that some of his homosexual friends are "uncomfortable that their situation is being exploited to challenge the traditional view of marriage." These friends "perceive that when marriage as we understand it is challenged, so is the centrality of the family at the heart of our society."

Similarly, retired Bishop of Rochester Michael Nazir-Ali has warned against Britain's diluting the definition of marriage. He defended traditional marriage for serving a wider social good for the nation and not simply the parochial interests of religious institutions. "On this issue the church is not just talking about themselves and their rights, they are talking about the wider good of society and therefore must be listened to," he said.
Himself of Pakistani ancestry, Nazir-Ali had been considered a potential Archbishop of Canterbury. But his more liberal critics regarded him as too acerbic. There was probably little chance that the former Tony Blair government would countenance the appointment of an outspoken defender of Western mores against multiculturalism. Nazir-Ali's parents were converts from Islam to Christianity. He was himself the youngest bishop of the global Anglican Communion when still in Pakistan but had to flee in the 1980s amid threats from angry Islamists. He retired as bishop in the Church of England in 2009 to focus on advocacy for persecuted Christians.

While emphasizing the church should defend traditional marriage as a social good of itself, Nazir-Ali warned that legalized same-sex marriage inevitably would threaten traditional churches: "Given the direction that legislation has taken recently where conscience has not been legally recognised, how can we be sure that any assurances given to the church at this time will not later be overtaken first by an amendment which allows such marriages to take place in religious premises and later on a case is brought by someone which rules that it is discriminatory not to do so?" Thanks to his immigrant past and history of persecution as a religious minority in Pakistan, Nazir-Ali is renowned for more robustly defending the church's role and its teachings in British life than native-born prelates typically are.

The Archbishop of York, John Sentamu, a native Ugandan, is not typically as outspoken as Nazir-Ali. But as the Church of England's second most senior prelate he also is opposing same-sex marriage, even while accepting same-sex civil unions in Britain. "Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman," Sentamu told a reporter earlier this year. "I don't think it is the role of the state to define what marriage is. It is set in tradition and history and you can't just [change it] overnight, no matter how powerful you are." He surmised that Prime Minister Cameron would be acting like a "dictator" if he attempted to foist same-sex marriage on Britain. "The Church has always stood out -- Jesus actually was the odd man out. I'd rather stick with Jesus than be popular because it looks odd."

As to the Archbishop of Canterbury himself, his views are as always opaque. But speaking recently to the World Council of Churches in Geneva, he implied opposition to legalized same-sex marriage, at least as interpreted by the British media. He spoke of "alien cultural standards [that] are somehow being imposed -- particularly in regard to inherited views of marriage and family." And noting claims that failure to legalize same-sex marriage "perpetuates stigma or marginalisation for some people," he suggested this concern should be "addressed at the level of culture rather than law." Like the Oracle of Delphi, Williams' remarks usually call for interpretation that is rarely definitive.

British Roman Catholic bishops of course are strongly opposing same sex marriage, with support from some Muslims, while liberal Judaism, Quakers, and Unitarians are for it, as are some liberal Church of England bishops. The Church of England's unique role as established church ensures its special role in the debate. That debate may ultimately revive at least parts of the often dormant church as they defend traditional faith against Britain's latest secular trends.


'via Blog this'

---

churchmousec (http://churchmousec.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "The American Spectator : The Church of England and...":

Thank you, Dr Jackson!

This is in my draft links to cover next week.

However, as you and my regular readers know, I have devoted some of my Lenten posts to the forgotten and hidden Christians who may be subject to domestic abuse.

For the moment, they seem to be more important -- and more ignored by the Church at large ('Ewww!') -- than special interest groups.

However, I plan to visit 'special interest lobbying' topics -- God willing -- before Palm Sunday.

In Christ

Churchmouse

My Reaction on ALPB Online Discussion about the ELCA Merger

ELCA and the Olde Synodical Conference
have united around UOJ, Church Growth, and Thrivent.

What Were You Expecting from the ELCA Merger - ALPB Online Forum

I was serving an LCA congregation when the merger was developing. I was writing for The Lutheran magazine (as a stringer) as well. I expected the merger to leverage the radical elements in the ALC, LCA, and AELC - and it did.

The tacit quota system guaranteed that ELCA would be a nightmare, and it was.

I was shocked at the clergy apathy. The greatest number of memorials concerned the pension fund.

My family left the LCA before merger, but we found that the other synods were already in a de facto merger with ELCA, thanks to AAL/LB and a mutual enthusiasm about Church Growth.

I became a Lutheran in the 1960s, when there was genuine interest in Martin Luther. The friend who influenced me to join a Lutheran congregation is now a Transcendental Meditation teacher. Another friend from the same church is an atheist.

I have seen my generation destroy the Lutheran Church, its Confessions, its liturgy, its hymns, its sermons, and its missions.

I expected ELCA to accelerate that process, and it did. The alleged shock of the 2009 decision was a revelation to me - where were those people for 20+ years? The ALC started Lutherans Concerned with offering money.

The departures from ELCA and the Episcopal Church USA were a sign to me that corporate denominationalism is dead.

Our blessing from this turmoil is an appreciation of Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz, the Book of Concord, Leyser, Jacobs, Reu, Loy, Krauth, and Schmauk.

There should be a special place in Hell for the Baby Boomers who destroyed the Lutheran Church - and I do not limit that to ELCA.

***

GJ - Thousands of others are expressing the same disappointment in the Baby Boomer Lutherans - the synodical leaders, professors, and pastors.

Philip Melanchthon's Hymn for St. Michael's and All Angels

"Lord God, We All to Thee Give Praise"

by Philip Melanchthon, 1497-1560

Translated by Emanuel Cronenwett, 1841-1931

1. Lord God, we all to Thee give praise,
Thanksgivings meet to Thee we raise,
That angel hosts Thou didst create
Around Thy glorious throne to wait.

2. They shine with light and heavenly grace
And constantly behold Thy face;
They heed Thy voice, they know it well,
In godly wisdom they excel.

3. They never rest nor sleep as we;
Their whole delight is but to be
With Thee, Lord Jesus, and to keep
Thy little flock, Thy lambs and sheep.

4. The ancient Dragon is their foe;
His envy and his wrath they know.
It always is his aim and pride
Thy Christian people to divide.

5. As he of old deceived the world
And into sin and death has hurled,
So he now subtly lies in wait
To ruin school and Church and State.

6. A Roaring lion, round he goes,
No halt nor rest he ever knows;
He seeks the Christians to devour
And slay them in his dreadful power.

7. But watchful is the angel band
That follows Christ on every hand
To guard His people where they go
And break the counsel of the Foe.

8. For this, now and in days to be,
Our praise shall rise, O Lord, to Thee,
Whom all the angel hosts adore
With grateful songs forevermore.

Hymn #254
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Heb. 1: 14
Author: Philipp Melanchthon, 1543, cento
Translated by: Paul Eber, 1554
Translated into English by: Emanuel Cronenwett, 1880, alt.
Titled: "Dicimus grates tibi, summe rerum"
Tune: "Old Hundredth"
1st Published in: Genevan Psalter, 1551

U.S. televangelist Robert Schuller leaves church board - Yahoo! News. Crystal Cathedral Had a Glass Jaw - The Schuller Family

U.S. televangelist Robert Schuller leaves church board - Yahoo! News:


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - U.S. televangelist Robert Schuller and his wife have left the board of the California megachurch that they founded and made famous for the "Hour of Power" broadcasts, amid a financial dispute with its leaders.

The resignation of Robert and Arvella Schuller from the Crystal Cathedral board follows the $57.5 million bankruptcy sale in February of the towering, glass-walled church in the Southern California community of Garden Grove to a Roman Catholic diocese.

A Crystal Cathedral representative was not immediately available for comment.

"We cannot continue to serve on the board in what has become an adversarial and negative atmosphere, especially since it now seems that it will not be ending anytime soon," Arvella Schuller said in a statement on Saturday.

The couple and their daughter, Carol Schuller Milner, have alleged in bankruptcy court that the church owes them money for copyright infringement, intellectual property violations and unpaid contracts, their attorney Carl Grumer said.

Fuller dogma - a house of cards.

Their departure from the board marks the closing of a chapter for the embattled congregation, which began in 1955 when they started holding services in a rented drive-in theater.

With the success of Robert Schuller's "Hour of Power" broadcasts, his congregation in 1980 opened the Crystal Cathedral church, which is famous for its 10,000 panes of glass. Robert Schuller retired as senior pastor of the church in 2006.

"Hour of Power" is currently in re-runs while production is on hold. The church has faced declining donations.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange County envisions using the cathedral as a place of worship for its congregants, after the existing Protestant congregation completes its move to a new location.
(Reporting By Alex Dobuzinskis; Editing by Paul Thomasch)



'via Blog this'

***

GJ - WELS and Missouri followed the trend that Schuller started, just like lemmings running off the cliff. The Church Shrinkage Movement has lined the pockets of thousands of clergy while slaughtering the sheep and scattering the flocks.

The God of Abram Praise

"The God of Abraham Praise"
by Thomas Olivers, 1725-1799
1. The God of Abraham praise;
All praised be His name
Who was and is and is to be
And still the same!
The one eternal God,
Ere aught that now appears;
The First, the Last: beyond all thought
His timeless years!

2. The God of Abraham praise,
At whose supreme command
From earth I rise and seek the joys
At His right hand.
I all on earth forsake,
Its wisdom, fame, and power,
And Him my only Portion make,
My Shield and Tower.

3. He by Himself hath sworn,--
I on His oath depend,--
I shall, on eagles' wings upborne,
To heaven ascend;
I shall behold His face,
I shall His power adore
And sing the wonders of His grace
Forevermore.

4. The whole triumphant host
Give thanks to God on high;
"Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!"
They ever cry.
Hail, Abraham's God and mine!--
I join the heavenly lays,--
All might and majesty are Thine,
And endless praise.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #40
Text: Ex. 3:6
Author: Thomas Olivers, c. 1770, cento
Tune: "Yigdal"
Melody: Hebrew, 17th century

Isaiah Mighty Seer in Days of Old - Written and Composed by Martin Luther

"Isaiah, Mighty Seer, in Days of Old"
by Martin Luther, 1483-1546
1. Isaiah, mighty seer, in days of old
The Lord of all in Spirit did behold
High on a lofty throne, in splendor bright,
With flowing train that filled the Temple quite.
Above the throne were stately seraphim,
Six wings had they, these messengers of Him.
With twain they veiled their faces, as was meet,
With twain in reverent awe they hid their feet,
And with the other twain aloft they soared,
One to the other called and praised the Lord:
"Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
Holy is God, the Lord of Sabaoth!
Behold, His glory filleth all the earth!"
The beams and lintels trembled at the cry,
And clouds of smoke enwrapped the throne on high.

Hymn 249
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Is. 6: 1-4
Author: Martin Luther, 1526
Translated by: composite
Titled: "Jessia, dem Propheten, das gescha"
Tune: "Jessia, dem Propheten"
Composer: Martin Luther, 1526

A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth

"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth"
by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676

1. A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth,
The guilt of all men bearing;
And laden with the sins of earth,
None else the burden sharing!
Goes patient on, grow weak and faint,
To slaughter led without complaint,
That spotless life to offer;
Bears shame and stripes, and wounds and death,
Anguish and mockery, and saith,
"Willing all this I suffer."

2. This Lamb is Christ, the soul's great Friend,
The Lamb of God, our Savior;
Him God the Father chose to send
To gain for us His favor.
"Go forth, My Son," the Father saith,
"And free men from the fear of death,
From guilt and condemnation.
The wrath and stripes are hard to bear,
But by Thy Passion men shall share
The fruit of Thy salvation."

3. "Yea, Father, yea, most willingly
I'll bear what Thou commandest;
My will conforms to Thy decree,
I do what Thou demandest."
O wondrous Love, what hast Thou done!
The Father offers up His Son!
The Son, content, descendeth!
O Love, how strong Thou art to save!
Thou beddest Him within the grave
Whose word the mountains rendeth.

4. From morn till eve my theme shall be
Thy mercy's wondrous measure;
To sacrifice myself for Thee
Shall be my aim and pleasure.
My stream of life shall ever be
A current flowing ceaselessly,
Thy constant praise outpouring.
I'll treasure in my memory,
O Lord, all Thou hast done for me,
Thy gracious love adoring.

5. Of death I am no more afraid,
New life from Thee is flowing;
Thy cross affords me cooling shade
When noonday's sun is glowing.
When by my grief I am opprest,
On Thee my weary soul shall rest
Serenely as on pillows.
Thou art my Anchor when by woe
My bark is driven to and fro
On trouble's surging billows.

6. And when Thy glory I shall see
And taste Thy kingdom's pleasure,
Thy blood my royal robe shall be,
My joy beyond all measure.
When I appear before Thy throne,
Thy righteousness shall be my crown,-
With these I need not hide me.
And there, in garments richly wrought
As Thine own bride, I shall be brought
To stand in joy beside Thee.

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #142
Text: Is. 53: 7
Author: Paul Gerhardt, 1648, cento
Translated by: composite
Titled: Ein Laemmlein geht
Tune: An Wasserfluessen Babylon
1st Published in: "Deutsch Kirchenamt"
Town: Strassburg, 1525

Paul Gerhardt - O Sacred Head Now Wounded

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"
by Paul Gerhardt, 1607-1676
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
With grief and shame weighed down,
Now scornfully surrounded
With thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
What bliss, till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.

2. Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee,
Thou noble countenance,
Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee
And flee before Thy glance.
How art thou pale with anguish,
With sore abuse and scorn!
How doth Thy visage languish
That once was bright as morn!

3. Now from Thy cheeks has vanished
Their color, once so fair;
From Thy red lips is banished
The splendor that was there.
Grim Death, with cruel rigor,
Hath robbed Thee of Thy life;
Thus Thou has lost Thy vigor,
Thy strength, in this sad strife.

4. My burden in Thy Passion,
Lord, Thou hast borne for me,
For it was my transgression
Which brought this woe on thee.
I cast me down before Thee,
Wrath were my rightful lot;
Have mercy, I implore Thee;
Redeemer, spurn me not!

5. My Shepherd, now receive me;
My Guardian, own me Thine.
Great blessings Thou didst give me,
O Source of gifts divine!
Thy lips have often fed me
With words of truth and love,
Thy Spirit oft hath led me
To heavenly joys above.

6. Here I will stand beside Thee,
From Thee I will not part;
O Savior, do not chide me!
When breaks Thy loving heart,
When soul and body languish
In death's cold, cruel grasp,
Then, in Thy deepest anguish,
Thee in mine arms I'll clasp.

7. The joy can ne'er be spoken,
Above all joys beside,
When in Thy body broken
I thus with safety hide.
O Lord of life, desiring
Thy glory now to see,
Beside Thy cross expiring,
I'd breathe my soul to Thee.

8. What language shall I borrow
To thank Thee, dearest Friend,
For this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Oh, make me thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
Outlive my love for Thee.

9. My Savior, be Thou near me
When death is at my door;
Then let Thy presence cheer me,
Forsake me nevermore!
When soul and body languish,
Oh, leave me not alone,
But take away mine anguish
By virtue of Thine own!

10. Be Thou my Consolation,
My Shield when I must die;
Remind me of Thy Passion
When my last hour draws nigh.
Mine eyes shall then behold Thee,
Upon Thy cross shall dwell,
My heart by faith enfold Thee.
Who dieth thus dies well!

The Lutheran Hymnal
Hymn #172
Text: Is. 50: 6
Author: Paul Gerhardt
Based on the Latin poem "Salve caput cruentatum"
By Bernard of Clairvaux, 1153, asc.
Translated by: composite
Titled: O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
Composer: Hans L. Hassier, 1601
Tune: Herzlich tut mich

Oculi. The Third Sunday in Lent

Norma Boeckler

Oculi, The Third Sunday in Lent, 2012

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

Bethany Lutheran Worship, 10 AM, Central. Note Time Change, Lose an Hour

Mid-Week Lenten Services are Wednesdays at 7 PM.

The Hymn #175 Hamburg 2.43
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    Ephesians 5:1-9
The Gospel          Luke 11:14-28
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #172:1-5         Herzlich tut mir 2.55

Jesus Is the Stronger Man

The Hymn #172:6-10          Herzlich tut mir 2.55

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 #457       Friend 2.24

KJV Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

KJV Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. 24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Third Sunday in Lent

Lord God, heavenly Father, who hast sent Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to take upon Himself our flesh, that He might overcome the devil, and defend us poor sinners against the adversary: We give thanks unto Thee for Thy merciful help, and we beseech Thee to attend us with Thy grace in all temptations, to preserve us from carnal security, and by Thy Holy Spirit to keep us in Thy word and Thy fear, that unto the end we may be delivered from the enemy, and obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Jesus Is the Stronger Man

Lenski:

From 9:51 onward only the Samaritan opposition contained a discordant note, and in 11:1–13 Jesus is in intimate converse with his many disciples (the Seventy, 10:1, 17, and others). All this is changed. We see that the opposition has become far more intense and vicious, which foreshadows the end. Luke intends to point out this contrast and thus proceeds with this significant narrative. He considers time and place matters of indifference. The miracle, too, and the astonishment of the multitudes furnish only the occasion and are thus stated with brevity. What follows in the way of vicious slander, together with the reply of Jesus, is the story in which Luke is interested.

Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN : Augsburg Publishing House, 1961, S. 631.

Luke 11:14 And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. 15 But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. 16 And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. 18 If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. 19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. 20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The first part of this Gospel lesson describes the battle between the two kingdoms – the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. One way this reveals itself is Satanic opposition to any progress of the Gospel.

In this instance, Jesus cast out a demon from a person who could not speak, and the healed person began to speak. Some marveled but others immediately said that Jesus served Satan, called Beelzebub in this case.

Lenski:

It was originally the name of the Philistine god Baal to whom Ahaziah applied to heal his disease. In some manner, at which linguists thus far only guess, the Jews picked it up as a vile term for Satan. Some think that they corrupted it to “Beelzebub,” “Baal of flies” and thus “Baal of dung”; but this is not certain, being due perhaps only to pronunciation. “The ruler of the demons” explains exactly who is meant, the head of the hellish kingdom.

Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Luke's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN : Augsburg Publishing House, 1961, S. 632.

When a Lutheran minister opposes the false teaching of the charismatics, he is accused of “quenching the Spirit” and being possessed by Satan. The people who say these things are always talking about Jesus, just as Jesus warned in Matthew 7:15.

There are many denominational officials who do the same thing. They are not necessarily charismatic (Pentecostal), but they use all the right words in the wrong way. This is common and is only growing worse. To give an Episcopalian example, some clergy in Grand Rapids are letting one parish with a $2 million endowment go bankrupt so the bishop can have the endowment money, etc. And this is common today, with denominational officials soaking up all the “mission money” and using their power of control to destroy congregations.

Jesus turned this accusation against His opponents by pointing out that Satan cannot drive out Satan. There is ironic humor in this, because His response is also a prediction. If Satan drives out Satan, his kingdom must fall. This is exactly what is happening, but not because Jesus serves the devil. Jesus has a more powerful kingdom that will use Satan’s power of opposition to destroy sin, death, and Satan.

Since the rabbis also healed people (a tradition in modern times, too), Jesus asked,

19 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.

Jesus is saying, “You are calling your own healers Satan-driven. You will be judged for that.”

20 But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.

The power of the Kingdom of God is shown in Jesus’ exorcisms healings. And that continues today. When babies are baptized, adults are converted, sins are absolved, and faith deepens, the Kingdom of God is reigning victorious over the Kingdom of Satan.

One Kingdom gives forgiveness and eternal life through the grace of God. The other Kingdom gives destruction and death, and makes people pay for the it. The works salesmen are the worst of all, because they make salvation something to be earned by the Law, so people purchase Hell when they could have heaven for free – as Luther wrote.

In the next 10 years we will all see some of the most prominent clergy move into complete anti-Christian teaching, open and obvious, because they have already crossed the line into works salvation (Rick Warren) life-coaching as the Gospel (Joel Osteen) and New Age occultism (Mark Jeske). Their hordes of followers are simply another indication of the Age of Apostasy.

KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (falling away – Apostasy in Greek) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

KJV 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

The Age of Apostasy will necessarily be one in which the battles between the Two Kingdoms (God’s and Satan’s) will be even more out in the open, more hostile, and more like a defeat of the True Faith. God will shorten the times, or no one would be left. See Mark 13.

The Stronger Man

21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: 22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

The strong man in this brief parable is Satan. His kingdom was undisturbed and his power easily displayed – as it was during the temptation in the desert. “All these kingdoms will be yours if You only bow down and worship me.”

The history of this world has been a chronicle of violent conquest, something denied today in discussions about peace and easily won Nobel Peace Prizes.

Jesus is talking about the greatest battle of all, the one between Satan and the Savior, with Jesus Himself serving as the bait for Satan (as one early writer described it). Jesus on the cross was the bait that trapped Satan. He grabbed for the ultimate victory over man and the Messiah, only to be hooked and caught, Christ triumphant in His resurrection and Ascension.

The battle continues because God chose to allow the Gospel to grow into all the corners of the world. People say, “Why doesn’t God end this evil world?” But at the beginning, Jesus had 500 followers to form the foundation of the Christian Church. The entire world was pagan except for those 500. Should God have ended the world then and let paganism be the dominant religion?

At the height of the Middle Ages, after millions had been drawn into the Kingdom, the official teaching was based on works, not the Gospel, Purgatory (the early form of Estate Planning, with huge donations buying forgiveness) rather than heaven.

The work of Luther, the Concordists, and the post-Concordists released the power of the Gospel from Medieval and Enthusiast error. That meant billions more people were graciously drawn into the Kingdom of God by the Means of Grace.

The Savior, the Stronger Man, has taken the castle and spoils away from Satan. The Gospel was the basis for freedom and prosperity in Europe and later the world. The Protestant Faith has left countries free and full of opportunity while Catholicism has been content to remain Medieval and slavish wherever it dominates.

There is no reason for Satan to control the lives of anyone, but his power is felt at all times because he is still the Prince of This World. He rages against all believers and will until his final defeat.

Naturally, since we belong to the Whining Generation, this seems unfair. But it is ultimately fair.

Norma Boeckler

Our sinful nature is a given. It cannot be talked away, although many try. “It’s all good.” And “Don’t be judgmental.” And “the power of positive thinking” are all disguises, to make people assume the opposite of the truth.

We are all weak and sinful, and Satan works that advantage to make us feel worthless in our sinfulness. That means distrust in forgiveness based on the Gospel.

Until recently we had great security and peace in America, because of the benefits of God’s gracious establishment of this country, with great leaders and an assumption of the Christian faith as our guiding light. Until recently our biggest battles were emotional, but that does not mean they are slight.

The emotional battle is the greatest one of all, because our emotions are volatile and tricky, able to turn the best things into bad and frightening omens of disaster. Fear takes over and panic sets in. Faith flies out the window, as Luther said.

This is the battle against faith in Christ, because Satan tells us we are worthless. False Christians will be only too happy to chime in and help their Father Below do his work.

But we have this advantage. In this parable and hundreds of other examples, the Word of God tells us Jesus is the Stronger Man. Satan may accuse of a thousand faults, of 10,000 faults, but our forgiveness comes from faith in Christ, not in ourselves. Man’s forgiveness is incomplete and faulty, but God’s forgiveness is complete and everlasting.

One complication now is the state of the world and our nation. That bears down on the vast majority. People who had good, secure jobs are thrown into confusion and dismay. When money is tight, it is convenient to bear down on employees, double their work load, reduce salary, and do many other things that strike at our confidence.

Results matter to people, and that eats away at us in various ways. It is very bad for ministers to look at visible results because only God can see the difference, and He may work slowly where it matters most.

But for anyone who feels despair or depression, the Gospel is the cure. And it does not mean someone is weak or foolish. Those who are most sensitive to spiritual matters feel the battle most of all.

Nothing attracts Satan’s attacks more than the Gospel and its influence on a believer. The battle is a good sign, and complacency is a bad sign.

That has been the great seduction of the church in the last 50 years. I have seen the Lutheran Church go from battling for the truth to suppressing the truth. Satan wins.

The Wisconsin Synod had big conferences on the downward trend of the LCMS. The LCMS had parish meetings where the pews were packed with people wanting to hear about the inroads of the liberal apostates.

Now all is peaceful. Everyone is happy and busy looking for additional feeding stations on the Thrivent sow. Doctrinal conflict is bad, the leaders say, so “Do not think too hard about this.” Ministers who object to false doctrine are not team players. They are trouble-makers who must be removed.

Laity who object find themselves removed from choice committees and whispered about.

Doctrinal battles in the visible church mean that people care about what the Bible teachers (as opposed to what life-coaches suggest).

Inward battles mean that Satan has found a danger zone where his conquest is wandering off the reservation. He knows that the person recaptured is seldom lost again. They do not want to re-visit the emotional turmoil.

24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

That can happen, and someone who has fallen down many times in a row can feel even more ashamed and despairing than ever before, which is what Satan wants. Nevertheless, although it is more difficult, it is not impossible with God.  No sin is too great for Christ’s forgiveness – except dying in unbelief.

Where Is the Key When Locked in the Doubting Castle?

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Christian, in Pilgrim’s Progress, found that all he needed to escape despair was a set of keys – the Promises of God.

We should look for blessings, promises, and passages of hope in the Bible. Here is one of many blessings found in the Bible.

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. 28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Quotations

"Is it the office of the Word simply to afford directions that are to be followed in order to obtain salvation? It is more than a directory and guide to Christ.  It does more than 'give directions how to live.'  It brings and communicates the grace concerning which it instructs.  It has an inherent and objective efficacy, derived from its divine institution and promise, and explained by the constant presence and activity of the Holy Spirit in and with it.  Romans 1:16; John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23; Matthew 4:4; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12; Romans 10:5‑10; Isaiah 55:10."

            Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia:  General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 288.              

"What testimony is given to the presence of the Holy Spirit in and with the Word? The words of Scripture are repeatedly cited as the words of the Holy Spirit.  Acts 1:16, 28:25; Hebrew 3:7; Psalm 10:15."

            Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia:  General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 288f.  

"'When the Word is read at home it is not as fruitful or as forcible as in public preaching and through the mouth of thepreacher whom God has called for this purpose.' (Luther, Erlangen edition, 3:401)."

            Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia:  General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 290.   

 "'The Word is in itself the living seed of regeneration; the hand which does the sowing can add to it no further efficacy.' (Philippi, V, 2:15)."

            Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia:  General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 291.      

"Is the success of preaching as a means of grace conditioned by the observance of similar principles by the preacher? Undoubtedly.  For it is not preaching itself, but the Word as preached which is a means of grace.  This demands not only that nothing be preached but what comes directly or indirectly from Holy Scripture, but also that the contents of Holy Scripture be preached in due proportion and in the proper order."

            Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia:  General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 293.                

"Hence, too, the lack of emphasis, even in the best of Reformed preaching, upon the divine Word as the vehicle of regenerating grace and on the Sacraments.  The office of the Word, then, is merely to point to the way of life, without communicating that of which it conveys the idea.  The Word and Sacraments are declared to be necessary; their office in the Church is a divine institution; but they are only symbols of what the Spirit does within; and the Spirit works immediately and irresistibly."

            "Grace, Means of," The Concordia Cyclopedia, L. Fuerbringer, Th. Engelder, P. E. Kretzmann, St. Louis:  Concordia Publishing House, 1927, p. 298.              

"The doctrine of the means of grace is a peculiar glory of Lutheran theology.  To this central teaching it owes its sanity and strong appeal, its freedom from sectarian tendencies and morbid fanaticism, its coherence and practicalness, and its adaptation to men of every race and every degree of culture.  The Lutheran Confessions bring out with great clearness the thought of the Reformers upon this subject."

            "Grace, Means of," The Concordia Cyclopedia, L. Fuerbringer, Th. Engelder, P. E. Kretzmann, St. Louis:  Concordia Publishing House, 1927, p. 299.                

VirtueOnline - News - Exclusives - PLANO, TX: Apb Duncan Lauds Plan to Plant 1000 Anglican Churches in next 5 Years

WELS had that dream once.
They told God to get 'er going.

VirtueOnline - News - Exclusives - PLANO, TX: Apb Duncan Lauds Plan to Plant 1000 Anglican Churches in next 5 Years:


The leader of a reviving North American Anglicanism welcomed nearly 400 church planters, bishops, clergy, seminary leaders and lay leaders to the 3rd Annual Anglican 1000 Church Planting Summit on March 6-8, 2012 at Christ Church in Plano. Fifty percent of those in attendance admitted they have not been to a Church Planting Summit before.

"We have changed the subject in the discussions about Anglicanism in North America. We are reaching North America with the Good News of Jesus Christ by planting 1000 new churches. This is an extraordinary gathering of extraordinary people. We learned in January 2012 that we had achieved the 200 mark of new churches. As of today, there are a record number with 35 more on the boards," said Anglican Church in North America Archbishop Robert Duncan.

During his 2009 investiture, Archbishop Duncan made the prophetic call for 1000 new congregations. A few months later, a team gathered in Plano to dream about a cooperative movement to plant churches and answer this call. Since then, Anglican 1000 has become a primary ministry of the Anglican Church in North America to raise up Anglican congregations and communities of faith to reach people with the transforming love of Jesus Christ. Canon David Roseberry immediately stepped forward to provide the catalytic leadership necessary to launching our movement.

Anglican 1000 is a movement of God to help all North American Anglicans become a church with a church-planting culture. While Anglican 1000 is a key ministry of the Anglican Church, it has been catalyzed and managed by the Rev. Canon David Roseberry, Rector, and the Rev. Daniel Adkinson both of Christ Church in Plano, Texas.

Most of the clergy are former Episcopal priests, deacons and laity who left that denomination over its distancing itself from Scriptural admonitions on faith and morals.

The Summit leadership announced a transition for Anglican 1000 from a start-up ministry to the central mission work of the Province. "Anglican 1000 has grown to the point where it needs the full support of the staff and leadership of the Anglican Church in North America," explained the Rev. David Roseberry, Chairman of the movement and an ACNA priest. "The impact of Anglican 1000 has been wide spread around the Anglican Church in North America and we look forward to its future and expansion."

"The passion and sacrificial commitment of those who are responding to the Lord's call to plant through our movement is both humbling and challenging. And once again, I was struck by how many young leaders were at Anglican1000," noted the Rt. Rev. John Guernsey, the recently installed first bishop of the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic (ACNA) formerly known as the Anglican District of Virginia. Newly consecrated CANA bishop Julian Dobbs said the conference was excellent, "a wonderful combination of biblical teaching coupled with practical how-to sessions."

Be willing to step out and do God's work, said David Hyman of Holy Trinity, Chatham, PA.

Steve Wood and Todd Simonis from Charleston, SC said they didn't want buildings. Instead they secured access to a nightclub on Sunday morning. Their congregation grew from 65 to 210 in just one Sunday.

Conference organizer Rev. David Roseberry said Jesus used the image of a net to catch fish rather than throwing out a single hook or fly. "We can't afford to cast one hook at a time, we need to be casting out nets to catch the the lost. We need to be helping every church planter to concede that the task in church planting is not one hook or fly or lure but a net. Jesus said this is a transferable skill. Church planting is not single line fishing."

Leaders said church planters cannot be lone rangers. They need a bishop or rector who sends you.

They noted that the unchurched in North America has grown from 130 million to 150 million So far, only 211 new churches have been planted. "We must do it together. We need to be patient. We need to hold our opinions and judgments till things work out."

Mega churches came in for criticism. Speakers noted that they are cutting programs and focusing on worship, serving and growing. Mega churches are getting simpler, simpler and simpler, they said.

As this was the third Anglican 1000 conference, lessons learned in the last 2.5 years have pushed a vision that will transform Anglicanism in North America. It would be a net that works - a network into a broken world and take them in what it means to follow Christ. If you have a website you have a church, said leaders.

"With God's help, we did change the subject. We are not talking about the same subjects we talked about in 2003 (Gene Robinson's consecration). I thank God for that change. Many are being drawn to this invitation and this challenge and Christ is bringing many partners to us who want to be part of this."

Because of the growth, a new Vicar is needed for Anglican 1000. The Next Provincial Assembly is June 7-9 in Ridgecrest, NC. It will be the first gathering of the whole church since it was founded in Fort Worth nearly 3 years ago. Bishop Todd Hunter will be principle speaker.

Present at the Global 1000 conference were:

393 registrants - 400
35 US states. 4 Canadian provinces.
76 planters since January of 2009
65 planted before 09. Some started by lay people.
66 trained leaders 35 seminary leaders
18 seminaries 100 people who will plant before 2014.
25 spouses

The conference also featured plenary sessions, reports from the mission field, workshops, worship, and networking fellowship to uplift, challenge, inspire, and bless the church planters and the new church plants.

Church planting begins at the bottom. The single most common reason why churches stall is because they start at the top. Worship is the most important thing, they said.

"Everybody is talking about church planting. All three Summit's have been different in the extent that at this one, we are one. We have let the past go. There is a palpable unity here," stated Roseberry.

"We will remain a movement, not a denomination, not centralizing but centering and integrating into everything we do," Duncan commented.


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Banks foreclosing on churches in record numbers | Reuters

Mark and Avoid Jeske posed with his mentor - on Photoshop.
The new name for the church - Our Lady of Purgatory Comfort.

Banks foreclosing on churches in record numbers | Reuters:


(Reuters) - Banks are foreclosing on America's churches in record numbers as lenders increasingly lose patience with religious facilities that have defaulted on their mortgages, according to new data.

The surge in church foreclosures represents a new wave of distressed property seizures triggered by the 2008 financial crash, analysts say, with many banks no longer willing to grant struggling religious organizations forbearance.

Since 2010, 270 churches have been sold after defaulting on their loans, with 90 percent of those sales coming after a lender-triggered foreclosure, according to the real estate information company CoStar Group.

In 2011, 138 churches were sold by banks, an annual record, with no sign that these religious foreclosures are abating, according to CoStar. That compares to just 24 sales in 2008 and only a handful in the decade before.

The church foreclosures have hit all denominations across America, black and white, but with small to medium size houses of worship the worst. Most of these institutions have ended up being purchased by other churches.


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