SORE Distress - Copycat Cult Booted from Their Movie Theater

The SORE came from promiscuous, unprotected sects.

According to a member of St. Peter's in Freedom, The SORE has lost its lease to the movie theater and must move out.

The hilarity is only beginning. Another church outbid them for the lease. Apparently, the only thing accomplished by The SORE was stirring up the envy of another Emergent Church. The new church coveted that building, that popcorn machine, and...sob...those 20 sub-woofers. Let me take a moment to compose myself. There. I'm better now.

The member, who is an attorney, has a discordant note in his information. The SORE was supposed to remain separate from St. Peter's in Freedom. I find that claim rather odd. It had to be a lie from the start. Ski was listed on the staff of St. Peter in the WELS annual. That meant one congregation, several pastors.

Glende took three days to answer an email! He must have been organizing his Facebook albums. He has not been reworking his anonymous blog. Apart from creating a smokescreen for his pal Aaron Frey, he has not contributed to the blogosphere.

Once again, the Glende/Ski method is at work. They did a series of sermons together where they copied more cool stuff from the Net.

Glende and Ski want to make their morganatic marriage official now - merging the two operations into one, but keeping two locations. They have been more than a little obvious since the beginning.

The SORE is little more than a youth meeting of the local WELS congregations. They added one more WELS church to a small town that already had 20 WELS congregations - and they called it outreach!

Pastors like Jay Webber would like to distance themselves from debacles like this, but Glende and Webber have a Shrinker guru in common - Floyd Luther Stolzenburg. Webber was happy to have Kovaciny as the bagman collecting money for the Ukraine at Floyd's Masonic church. Notice how Floyd's teaching style is reflected in the teaching style of Tim Glende, claiming to learn something when it is really an alien thought being imposed on the unsuspecting sheep:

Floyd Luther Stolzenburg, teaching at St. Paul German village, where Glende grew up:
"We have discovered that the Early Church was an institution that unknowingly saw its world through Church Growth eyes. We have some benefits they did not have in that we can look back today and analyze their successes and failures."
Floyd Luther Stolzenburg,
"Church Growth - the Acts of the Apostles,"
GJ - Notice the direct assault against the efficacy of the Word? A Lutheran church would have tarred and feathered Floyd for that statement.

Tim Glende:
"We learned that the church is about more than just the building.  Christians belong to Christ and to each other.  The SORE’s building has never officially “belonged” to them.  It was during this series, that Pastor Ski announced another church has put in an offer on the Big Picture [the movie theater where The SORE currently meets] … and that offer has been accepted…  In the next few weeks Pastor Ski will be announcing where The SORE’s new home will be.  Please understand that this does not mean that the ministry is ending, it only means that the building and location from which the ministry operates from will be changing."

The SORE is not the only movie theater, multi-church copycat of Emergent Church/New Age thinking. Randy Hunter has his Latte Church with couches, a female pastor, and a vicar. The First VP of WELS has a Soul Cafe and a long-standing love affair with Fuller Seminary. Ex-SP Gurgle is starting a multi-church and school site next to their own Rock N Roll mission. Chicago has a stealth mission full of felt-needs activities. FICKLE hails all these efforts and promotes the reputations of false teachers like Bivens, Aderman, Kelm, and Patterson. Those men would not be false teachers if they joined their real home for doctrine, The Mission Covenant Church. But in terms of Lutheran doctrine, they are not even up to the level of mild Lutheran.

Ichabeetle

Laboring for Lutheran doctrine in a Schwaermer world.

Calvin Separates the Holy Spirit from the Word

 

John Calvin

J-721
"When intent upon establishing their peculiar tenets, Calvin and Zwingli likewise preferred rational argumentation to the plain proofs of Holy Writ. Their interpretation of the words of the Sacrament is but one glaring instance; but there are many more. The schools and the denominations which they founded became infected with this same disease of theology."

Martin S. Sommer, Concordia Pulpit for 1932, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1931, p. iii. [GJ - Note Kelm's "Lord, Liar, Lunatic" argument which he kelmed from Josh McDowell.]

J-722

John Calvin, Commentaries, Amos 8:11-12: "...we are touched with some desire for strong doctrine, it evidently appears that there is some piety in us; we are not destitute of the Spirit of God, although destitute of the outward means."

            Benjamin Milner, Calvin's Doctrine of the Church, Heicko A.Oberman, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1970, p. 109. CO, XLIII, 153. [GJ - Can anyone figure out why Gunn and Ski are allergic to Holy Communion in their beehives?]

J-723

“Wherefore, with regard to the increase and confirmation of faith, I would remind the reader (though I think I have already expressed it in unambiguous terms), that in assigning this office to the sacraments, it is not as if I thought that there is a kind of secret efficacy perpetually inherent in them, by which they can of themselves promote or strengthen faith, but because our Lord has instituted them for the express purpose of helping to establish and increase our faith. The sacraments duly perform their office only when accompanied by the Spirit, the internal Master, whose energy alone penetrates the heart, stirs up the affections, and procures access for the sacraments into our souls. If He is wanting, the sacraments can avail us no more than the sun shining on the eyeballs of the blind, or sounds uttered in the ears of the deaf. Wherefore, in distributing between the Spirit and the sacraments, I ascribe the whole energy to Him, and leave only a ministry to them; this ministry, without the agency of the Spirit, is empty and frivolous, but when He acts within, and exerts His power, it is replete with energy. ..then, it follows, both that the sacraments do not avail one iota without the energy of the Holy Spirit; and that yet in hearts previously taught by that preceptor, there is nothing to prevent the sacraments from strengthening and increasing faith.”

            John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970, I, p. 497. Also cited in Benjamin Charles Milner, Jr., Calvin's Doctrine of the Church, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1970, p. 119. Institutes. IV.xiv.9.

J-724

“We must not suppose that there is some latent virtue inherent in the sacraments by which they, in themselves, confer the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon us, in the same way in which wine is drunk out of a cup, since the only office divinely assigned them is to attest and ratify the benevolence of the Lord towards us; and they avail no farther than accompanied by the Holy Spirit to open our minds and hearts, and make us capable of receiving this testimony, in which various distinguished graces are clearly manifested…They [the sacraments] do not of themselves bestow any grace, but they announce and manifest it, and, like earnests and badges, give a ratification of the gifts which the divine liberality has bestowed upon us.”

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970, I, p. 503. Institutes, IV, XIV, 17.    [GJ - But rock bands and movie screens are efficacious. Thus a stage but no altar in the Chicanery missions. Sub-woofers trump the Sacraments every time - for a Calvinist.]

J-725

“But assuming that the body and blood of Christ are attached to the bread and wine, then the one must necessarily be disservered from the other. For the bread is given separately from the cup, so the body, united to the bread, must be separated from the blood, included in the cup.”

John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, 2 volumes, Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1970, I, p. 570. Institutes, IV, XVII, 18. [GJ - Calvinist contempt for the Sacrament of Holy Communion leads to Contempt Services.]

J-726

John Calvin, Institutes IV.xvii.19: "We must establish such a presence of Christ in the supper as may neither fasten Him to the element of bread, not enclose Him in bread, not circumscribe Him in any way (all of which clearly derogate from His heavenly glory)...."

Benjamin Charles Milner, Jr., Calvin's Doctrine of the Church, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1970, p. 128. [GJ - This from a guy who thought Jesus needed a secret way into the room where the disciples were, because the door was locked.]

J-727

John Calvin, True Method of Reforming the Church: "The offspring of believers are born holy, because their children, while yet in the womb, before they breathe the vital air, have been adopted into the covenant of eternal life."

Benjamin Charles Milner, Jr., Calvin's Doctrine of the Church, Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1970, p. 123. [GJ - Holy Baptism is despised, leading to Babtist doctrine and Lutherans slobbering at the feet of Babtists.]

J-728

"To remain properly humble while firmly rejecting all erroneous teachings regarding the means of grace, we should remind ourselves how even Christians who teach and, as a rule, also believe, the correct doctrine of the means of grace, in their personal practice very often lose sight of the means of grace. This is done whenever they base the certainty of grace, or of the forgiveness of sin, on their feeling of grace or the gratia infusa, instead of on God's promise in the objective means of grace. All of us are by nature 'enthusiasts.'"

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics, 3 vols., trans., Walter W. F. Albrecht, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1953, III, p. 131. [GJ - To paraphrase Valleskey - "Isn't that also true of WELS?"]

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Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Calvin Separates the Holy Spirit from the Word":

"Calvin and Zwingli likewise preferred rational argumentation to the plain proofs of Holy Writ. Their interpretation of the words of the Sacrament is but one glaring instance; but there are many more. The schools and the denominations which they founded became infected with this same disease of theology."
Martin S. Sommer

Is this not the same approach that Kilcrease had when we contended for Justification by Faith Alone against his Universal Objective Justification?! Kilcrease demanded that we discuss the "conceptualities" of Scripture and was frustrated by direct quotes of Scripture that proclaimed Justification only by the righteousness of the Holy Spirit's faith worked in man through the Means of Grace.

***

GJ - Father Jack Kilcrease, OP, follows a method found frequently in the LCMS. Unknowingly, they operate from a Calvinist perspective while daring to treat justification by faith as "Calvinism." I am working on that post, for future publication.

Church Mouse Reviews The Sausage Factory

Here is the link.

Top Secret - Pope John the Malefactor's Newsletter

Too many secrets.

Log in with your name and secret password.

From Extra Nos - Justification by Faith Alone in Luther's Rose

JBFA in Luther's Rose

I was in my son's church the other day and I took a tract produced by my synod that explain's Luther's rose. The tract was the explanation of Luther about his seal.

I was amazed at the words of Luther (note for Lutherans: that means how un-UOJ the words are). My admiration for his Biblicism and dogged understanding of justification rose another level. To use Wesley's words - it strangely warms my heart.

Here are the words which he penned and addressed to Lazarus Spengler:

Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology. The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. "For one who believes from the heart will be justified" (Rom. 10:10^[2]). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive. "The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17^[3]) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27^[4]). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matt. 28:3^[5]; John 20:12^[6]). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal.This is my compendium theologiae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen. ^[7][1]

Dr. Luther, I do appreciate it my friend, the emphasis are mine.

Nothing Has Changed: Thrivent Is the Umbrella Church for ELCA, WELS, LCMS, ELS, CLC (sic)

Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Abortion on Demand, Global Terror - Funded by Thri...":

Ran into this article while researching the cooperative work between (W)ELS Committee on Relief and the Lutheran World Relief eugenicists.

http://meansofgrace.0catch.com/metrolutheran.htm
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METRO LUTHERAN UNITES ELCA, WELS, LCMS, AFLC,

PROMOTES ABORTION AND HOMOSEXUALITY

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson



Most conservative Lutherans do not realize that they work directly with the ultra left-wing Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For instance, the Wisconsin Synod has worked with ELCA and its predecessor bodies ever since 1958, according to John W. Bachman in Together in Hope: 50 Years of Lutheran World Relief. The current Bulletin of Reports and Memorials for WELS lists a financial contribution to LWR. WELS has men on the LWR board, not as members but as "consultants," which reminds WELS members of a famous quotation by Wisconsin Synodical President John Brenner.



"Rev. Brenner tells us how unionists in the General Council chloroformed the conscience of the body. When they entered into working arrangements (in the distinctly religious sphere) with the Reformed churches, they glazed the matter over by reporting that 'the object of these conferences is purely that of counsel concerning the problems of foreign mission-work.' Only counsel; no fellowship; just consulting with one another. Thus does the camel push its nose into the tent. Let us keep our eyes open" (p. 98ff.).

Carl Lawrenz, Chairman, Commission on Doctrinal Matters, Fellowship Then and Now, Concerning the Impasse in the Intersynodical Discussions on Church Fellowship, p. 23.



John Bachman has also noted: "On at least one occasion LWR representatives participated in a study retreat with WELS staff members." (Together in Hope, p. 126)

Patsy Leppien (What's Going on among the Lutherans?) noticed in her research that Lutheran unionism began with cooperative Lutheran relief efforts after World War I. We can see how the Wisconsin Synod repeated the mistakes of the Missouri Synod (simultaneously denouncing those errors). Missouri did not at first cooperate in externals (relief or non-religious efforts) with the liberal Lutherans, then found reasons to do so. In 1986, WELS was still passing out leaflets saying they did not cooperate in externals, 28 years after joining LWR efforts. I was leaving the Lutheran Church in America in 1986 when Pastor John Seifert (now a WELS district president) gave me a leaflet stating that WELS opposed cooperation in externals.

Almost anything is considered an external now. Lutheran Brotherhood's Bond magazine states: ""As a direct result of the continually changing face of America, the three major Lutheran church bodies-the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the LCMS and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS)-have begun concerted efforts to reach non-English speaking cultures as well as African-Americans in their own neighborhoods." (Winter, 1996, p. 4) The program is explained by Rev. Robert Hartman, Administrator for Evangelism of WELS. Fuller Seminary has a cross-cultural ministry program which seems to set the agenda for the pan-Lutheran efforts.

Conservative Lutherans do not realize that their leaders are actively promoting the most anti-Christian causes through the Metro Lutheran, published by the Twin Cities Lutheran Newspaper, Inc., edited by Michael L. Sherer. The masthead states that members of the board come from the AFLC, ELCA, LCMS, and WELS. News stories also include the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). ELCA calls the tune with all unionistic activities, for three reasons:

1. ELCA is easily the largest Lutheran church body and can outvote the others when planning is done.

2. Those conservative Lutheran leaders who want to work with ELCA have already adopted the ELCA mindset.

3. Lutheran Brotherhood and AAL want the Lutheran groups to work together, so the money is spent on unionism rather than promotion of sound doctrine.

Therefore, it is no wonder that most ELCA-WELS-LCMS activities veer sharply to the left.



CONTENTS

Let's look at the contents of the Metro Lutheran and ask whether it represents the Biblical doctrines of the Christian faith.

1. Carl Leroy complained (July, 1997, p. 4) that John Chagnon was using the Concordat "as an opportunity to promote a primarily anti-gay agenda." (editorial page letter)

2. A large ad promoted a charismatic Lutheran conference (July, 1997, p. 5). "Help! Can I be a Charismatic and a Lutheran? Todd Wallace" and my favorite: "Uncorking the Spiritual Geyser, Greg Boyd."

3. Staffmember Jean Johansson wrote a favorable review of In the Company of Women: Voices from the Women's Movement, foreword by Gloria Steinem. Two of the three Lutheran women in the book were interviewed. Edna Schwartz explained how she was frightened as a board member of a county hospital when pro-life people phoned her in the middle of the night. She said the hospital had to perform abortions or lose federal funds. Rev. Joy Bussert, a pro-abortion activist in ELCA, described how she felt when she first heard a woman preach (Joan Forsberg, United Church of Christ): "I can still remember, my knuckles, my hands on the pew at the chapel at Yale...just shaking. Afterwards we [the other women in the chapel] all sat down off to the side of this big huge pulpit-and just started to cry." (July, 1997, pp.6-7) It must have been a big huge cry!

4. One photo shows two ELCA bishops posing with an archbishop of the Church of the Anti-Christ. "The three spiritual heads shared worship leadership at the 18th annual All Saints Day Celebration...." (December, 1996, p. 8)

5. An article on ELCA's ecumenical proposals with Anglicans, the Reformed, and Roman Catholics was almost completely favorable toward the proposals. Dr. Robert Jenson was quoted as saying of the Lutheran/Roman Catholic statement on justification: "If it were approved Lutherans would lose a lot of excuses they now offer for avoiding cooperation with Roman Catholics...[The Vatican's] Cardinal Ratzinger admits that, if it were adopted by Rome, the Roman Catholic doctrine and office of papal primacy would have to be reformed." One hardly needs to tell Christian News readers that Ratzinger is one fine spin-doctor. (December, 1996, p. 12)

6. Former LCMS pastor Henry Lieske, Golden Valley, was featured for his collection of articles about "moderates" and added that he became increasingly sympathetic toward the moderate position, "eventually joining those who left Missouri and journeyed into ELCA." (front page, April, 1996)

7. Ralph Bohlmann and Paul Maier headlined the same front page article: "Missouri Moderates Speak Out," by Willmar Thorkelson (ELCA). (April, 1996)

8. "The family of Pastor Morris Wee, who died in December at age 89, has given $1,000 to the Joint Committee for Ministry to and with Gay and Lesbian Persons, Their Families, and Friends. The committee serves the Minneapolis and Saint Paul Synods of the ELCA. The money came from gifts in memory of Wee, who had spent 40 years as pastor of congregations...and as president of Carthage College. After a granddaughter came out as a lesbian, Wee and his wife, Elizabeth, became active advocates of full inclusion in the church for gay and lesbian persons." (April, 1996, p. 7) Articles about WELS and the LCMS appear on the same page.

9. Robert Hintz' book, Not Without Sin, was reviewed favorably. It is about the LCMS doctrinal battles, Seminex, and family conflicts. "A son-in-law identifies with the LCMS conservative extreme; in the early 80s he becomes a Wisconsin Synod pastor and now serves a New Ulm parish." (April, 1996)

LESBIAN COOKBOOKS

10. An article about ELCA "disciplining" two San Francisco congregations for ordaining a lesbian couple (Phyllis Zillhart and Ruth Frost) and a homosexual (Jeff Johnson) was less than critical. "Bishop Robert Matheis of the ELCA's Sierra Pacific Synod presided and preached at St. Francis' celebration of the Eucharist on December 31st. His synod, representing 220 congregations in northern California and northern Nevada, has passed two resolutions expressing its desire to maintain 'a strong bond of fellowship' with the two congregations even after expulsion." (February, 1996, p.3)

11. The same issue of the Metro Lutheran boxed a story about the cookbook sold by St. Francis and its lesbian pastors. "This is a marvelous, must-have cookbook." (February, 1996, p. 8) ELCA's official Partners magazine for church workers and lay leaders published an impassioned plea for homosexual marriage in its January/February, 1996 issue. Robert Bertram was criticized in May/June issue of Partners for being critical of homosexual concepts.

UNIONISM

12. ELCA Pastor Maynard Nelson was given a full-page story. Nelson attended Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral minister's institute. "He became a part of Churches Uniting in Global Mission, a Schuller-organized association of large-church pastors." (February, 1996, p. 7)

13. The Billy Graham Crusade was announced breathlessly in the March, 1996 issue. The crusade was endorsed by ELCA bishop David Olson, ELCA Pastor Paul Youngdahl, and ELCA Pastor Morris Vaagenes. The parish pastors served on the crusade committee.

14. An ironic note: the same front page (see #11) featured the LCMS giving Luther's polemic, "Against Han Worst," back to Germany. Imagine Luther serving on a crusade committee, subordinate to a man who denies infant faith, baptismal regeneration, and the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion! (March, 1996)

15. LCMS and ELCA are planning a joint hymnal for Blacks. It will include a commemoration of Martin Luther, Jr., a revival service, and a rites-of-passage service for youth. (March, 1996, p. 2)

16. Inter-denominational Lenten services were held at Lutheran Brotherhood headquarters during Lent. They were sponsored by the Protestant Advisory Committee on Scouting and Lutheran Brotherhood. (March, 1996, p. 2)

17. "A group of Christians and Jews, concerned about positions taken by the religious right, has formed The Interfaith Alliance of Minnesota (TIAM)." (March, 1996, p. 7)

18. A hunger relief article described efforts by ELCA, LCMS, WELS, ELS, AFLC, and the AALC. (March, 1996, p. 9) It pointed out that WELS gives $50,000 per year to Lutheran World Relief, according to Pastor Kenneth Strack, Tecumseh, Mich. (March, 1996, p. 9)

19. A feminist book was favorably reviewed by Pastor Judith Mattison. (March, 1996, p. 13)

20. In an article on ELCA/Reformed proposals, Rev. Margaret Thomas, a Presbyterian church executive, was indirectly quoted: "Approval by all four denominations would be significant as a removal of barriers that hurt the credibility of the gospel, Thomas said." (September, 1996)

21. The former editor of Metro Lutheran is an ELCA pastor (Charles Lutz). The current editor, Mike Shere, is an ELCA pastor.

22. Five faith groups have launched a volunteer effort. They are: Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches, Islamic Centers of Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Paul Area Council of Churches, Jewish Community Relations Council, and TURN (which has an ELCA Lutheran and LCMS Lutheran on its board). (front page, May, 1996)

23. Promise Keepers, founded by extreme Pentecostals, was endorsed by the AFLC's magazine editor. An ELCA leader said, "Our position is to work with the movement. Promise Keepers is there to light the fire, and Lutheran Men in Mission helps congregations fan the flame when they get home." (May, 1996, p. 3)

In the same issue, Pastor James Ritter (AFLC, board member of the Metro Lutheran) wrote that Promise Keepers united 42,000 pastors in Atlanta. (May, 1996, p. 5)

24. Former editor Charles Lutz thanked Lutheran Brotherhood and AAL for donating $5,000 and $7,500 respectively to the periodical. (June, 1996, p. 4)



FEMINIST AGENDA

25.

Women of ELCA speakers were announced for the July, 1996 convention. One was Wilma Mankiller, principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Another was Rigoberta Menchu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Kathryn Wolford, president of Lutheran World Relief, also spoke. (Note WELS and LCMS financial support of LWR.) Additional speakers were: Bishop Andrea Nesdahl, Bishop April Ulring Larson, and Pastor Ann Svennungsen. (June, 1996, p. 6)



26. Kathryn Christenson published an article about ELCA's two women bishops. (June, 1996, p. 12)



27. Jaroslav Vajda's book on Biblical heroes was criticized in a review by Jean Johansson. Only 20% of the profiles were of women. "One might have hoped for a more equitable gender balance..." (June, 1996, p. 13)

I continue to ask, "Why would any Lutheran pastor or layman want to identify with, work with, or support ELCA in any manner whatsoever? Are the issues and differences too subtle to comprehend?" I would not want to see any favorable comment about anything I value in a periodical that promotes lesbianism, homosexuality, abortion, unionism with all religions, feminism, and doctrinal indifference (although one finds no indifference toward conservatives!).

Martin Chemnitz Press on Facebook, Twitter Soon

I added a Martin Chemnitz Press page to Facebook.

I will put updates and other material there and link them to Twitter.

A Reformed minister from Indonesia was pleased to learn about free PDF downloads from Martin Chemnitz Press, so he recommended them to his FB friends. That led me to set up a page on FB for the books.

If you go there and click "Like" you will move the page a few steps closer to competing with the pages of professional wrestlers and rock stars.

Church Is the Human Outworking of the Person of Jesus...Let's Be the Church

A meeting was called for those who missed the lecture on plagiarism and the evils thereof.


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: The COREspondence
From: The CORE <info@gotocore.com>
To: Lamb Led to Slaughter
CC:

___One Church - Two Locations
"Be The Church" Series_

   September 12th kicked off our vision sermon series with St. Peter Lutheran
   Church and The CORE, “Don’t Just Go To Church - Be The Church”. Pastor Ski,
   Pastor Sievert, and Pastor Tim preached on being devoted to God’s Word,
   People, and Mission. Here is what we learned:

   In week 1, we were reminded that church is a place that God uses to create
   and strengthen our faith. He does this through his Word and Sacraments.
   Church is also a place that God uses to draw us to Him. We don’t go to
   church because we are saints; we go to church knowing that we are broken
   sinners that need to be told and reminded what Jesus has done for us through
   the message of the gospel. We are thankful to our God for providing a place
   for his people to gather.

   In week 2, we learned that the church is about more than just the building.
   Christians belong to Christ and to each other. The CORE’s building has never
   officially “belonged” to them. It was during this series, that Pastor Ski
   announced another church has put in an offer on the Big Picture (The CORE’s
   current location) and that offer has been accepted. Thank you for all of the
   prayers and support during this transitional time. In the next few weeks
   Pastor Ski will be announcing where The CORE’s new home will be. Please
   understand that this does not mean that the ministry is ending, it only
   means that the building and location from which the ministry operates from
   will be changing.

   In week 3, Pastor Tim reminded all of us that God’s mission is to reach
   people who are lost. Pastor Tim also reminded us that have the privilege of
   sharing the gospel of Christ with all people. For it is that gospel that
   works faith and leads sinners to the cross. It is that message that broken
   sinners are told and reminded that Jesus is their Savior.

   The next sermon series at The CORE will be “... And Other Dark Things” the
   series starts October 3rd and ends October 31st.

   _Neighborhoods and Small Group Update_

   Our fall neighborhood groups officially kicked off on September 12th.
   Sign-up was held for 3 weeks in the lobby and has now ended. New group
   sign-up will resume after the first of the year.

_Nine New Members at
The CORE_

   The CORE was proud to welcome 7 new members and 2 confirmand students. As
   part of their welcome, we played videos of their story and how God led them
   to our church. We are all just a small part in the Lord's big story.

   Thank you to our new members for sharing their story and being a part of
   God's mission. It was in these videos that we learned just how big our God
   really is and the incredible ways that He moves in
   our lives.

   _Looking Ahead_...

   _"...And Other Dark Things"
   _October 3rd - 31st

   _"Gifted"
   _November 7th - 21st

   _Miss a Groeschel sermon? No worries. Click [1]here to listen to the podcasts or
   subscribe in iTunes._
     Links:
       1. http://gotocore.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0bf54dca97f6ac1cc264aac89&id=5c88450955&e=0db9984276

_Join us on [2]Facebook_
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Church isn’t where you meet. Church isn’t a building. Church is what you do.
   
Church is who you are. Church is the human outworking of the person of Jesus   Christ. Let’s not go to Church, let’s  be the Church. - 
Bridget Willard

   _Do you know someone who might be interested in hearing about what God is
   doing at The CORE?
   Forward this newsletter to them today._
    The CORE 215 E Washington St. Appleton, WI 54911
   920-364-0200
    _Check us out online! _[3]www.gotocore.com
     Links:
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       6. http://us1.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=0bf54dca97f6ac1cc264aac89&id=c2935dd384&e=0db9984276

Abortion on Demand, Global Terror - Funded by Thrivent

Remember, folks, Appleton is Thrivent.


Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "These Are Global Warming Propaganda Messages - Not...":

http://www.1010global.org/uk

This shouldn't surprise anyone. (W)ELS has been financing this through their contributions to LWR (Lutheran World Relief). LWR is a hobby horse of the newly elected "Conservative" LCMS synod president Harrison. Thrivent is the middle man in most of these monetary exchanges between the men and women in (W)ELS pews and the murderous horde who slaughter "other" people's children.

1 April 2008, New York
Ted Turner, Chairman of the United Nations Foundation (UNF), announced a collaborative effort with the United Methodist Church and Lutheran World Relief, to fight malaria in Africa. The announcement was presented during a special thematic debate of the United Nations General Assembly which took place on the 1st and 2nd of April. Together with the UNF, the organizations strive to raise US $200 million to fight the spread of malaria, and to contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

At a press conference held jointly with Srgjan Kerim, the President of the General Assembly, Mr. Turner stated: "Had it not been for the UN, humanity would have gone a long time ago."
http://www.un.org/unop/

Ted Turner on forced population reduction - genocide
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=ted+turner+population+control&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=37132dca8f7438ee

Millennium Development Goals,
Include depopulating the world. United Nations estimates that 6 billion of the nearly 6.5 billion people on the planet need to be eliminated.
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&q=Millennium+Development+Goals+world+population+day&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=37132dca8f7438ee

In 1996, Turner stated in an interview with Audubon Magazine that a 95% population reduction would be ideal. Below is his quote. “A total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal." http://www.jonesreport.com/article/04_08/28turner_911.html

These Are Global Warming Propaganda Messages - Not For Children

Imagine the mental deterioration of those who engage in this kind of communication. I cannot.

Angry, Bitter Apostates

The Church and Money Changers are eager to name-call. Anyone who disagrees with them is called angry, bitter, disgruntled, legalistic, crazy, hate-filled.

They often advise each other that I "hate the Wisconsin Synod." That is based on their reading of this blog. What they cannot face is 95% of the material comes from their own pastors and members.

One of them phoned me once, drunk and screaming. He wanted to know where all the information came from. I said, "From your own pastors." He took a few seconds to take it in, realized it had to be true, and slammed down the phone.

Read this out loud Shrinkers, so you can remember this - This blog is fueled by what you have done to destroy the Lutheran Church. Members and pastors of your synod forward me links. They do research on their own. They phone and email me. Somehow they find me instead of talking behind my back (no they are not like you cowards).

That means I get perspectives from all the synods except ELCA, and I am in contact with those who have left ELCA. Can you imagine that? An ELCA member I have never met can contact me directly and yet the whiners, boozers, and skirt-chasers of the Synodical Conference cannot.

I use my own recollections to show "the child is the father of the man" as the poet once said. The cowardly, greedy actions of 25 years ago are bearing fruit today. I should suppress those facts?

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 Brett Meyer has left a new comment on your post "Huge ELCA Church Votes To Leave - WELS Is Also To...":

Forgot to mention Pastor Jeske (W)ELS and his TV program Time of Grace working with LCMS Recognized Service Organization status, and being promoted as an LCMS program, while still a member of the (W)ELS. (W)ELS heads are still spinning from the blinding speed at which decisive action was taken by the Synod SP and DP's to correct that blatant display of unionism.

The New Age Church and Change group has taken over the (W)ELS and they're making an absolute mockery of the synods. History will record what has occurred and will list the names of so many people who helped make it happen, who rolled over in their sleep while they're kids were taught to pervert the Gospel of Justification by Faith Alone, view the Confessions as just another error prone book written by just another group of sinful human beings and in exchange they'll worship the swollen feet of the Synodical false teachers and sell their souls for a few years of warm fuzzy fellowship void of the oppressiveness of doctrine but with nostrils full of the stench that comes from the rotting carcasses of the Synods.

How's that for over doing it? Sad part is, it's true. Look your children in the face tonight and tell them you, by the grace of God, are doing everything you can to expose and refute false doctrine and practice in your church and Synod for the benefit of Christ's Church. Tell them you are, by the grace and mercy of God, doing everything you can to promote and defend the pure Word of Scripture as it's correctly explained in the Lutheran Confessions for the eternal benefit of Christ's Church.
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rlschultz has left a new comment on your post "Angry, Bitter Apostates":

All of us must remember to walk by faith and not by sight. When we refute error and stand by the truth of God's Word, we may not see the fruit of this within our short lives here on earth. Furthermore, we do not do this to gain recognition. All glory goes to God, who gave us eternal life by faith in Christ. We have been warned to expect mocking and abuse. Those who treasure their status and position in a Holy Mother Synod are weak kneed. They do not stand on Christ, the Solid Rock.

Huge ELCA Church Votes To Leave - WELS Is Also Too Gay For Them

"We didn't know we were copying a gay video."

Marion congregation votes to leave ELCA, second vote required

Molly Rossiter/SourceMedia Group News, 03 October 2010, No comments
Categories: human interest, religion and belief

MARION – In what was likely the narrowest margin possible,  one of the largest ELCA congregations in Eastern Iowa voted today to leave the denomination.

The vote of the congregation at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave., Marion, required a 67 percent majority. The congregation voted 67 percent plus one vote to leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 309-151. There are more than 1,800 members eligible to vote on church issues.

A second vote is required to confirm today’s vote. That vote has not yet been scheduled but has to be at least 90 days from today, according to the Rev. Perry Fruhling, the church’s pastor.

“Ultimately it was this congregation’s decision whether or not to leave the ELCA,” Fruhling said in a statement released today. “Our congregation has participated in numerous forums and heartfelt discussions on the issues. This is the congregation being ‘the church,’ and St. Mark’s has always exhibited a genuine way of dealing with difficult issues.”

Although less than a third of the voting members of the congregation voted today, Fruhling said he felt the vote was representative of the congregation as a whole.

“I think everyone would say the people there were representative of our larger congregation,” he said.
The congregation started a year-long series of discussions and forums following the August 2009 decision of the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly to allow non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy to serve as pastors within the church. During a church meeting in January 2010, the St. Mark’s congregation passed a resolution declaring that marriage was between “one man and one woman.”

“Within our own church, faithful people have arrived at two very different places on interpretation of Scripture,” Pastor Fruhling said. “Some believe that the Scriptural texts we’ve studied do not refer to present-day same-gender, lifelong monogamous relationships.  Others state that Scripture is clear, pervasive, and consistent in constituting homosexual sex as sin.” 

St. Mark’s has more than 2,300 members in its congregation. The church has been a member of the ELCA since 1988 when the former American Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America and the American Evangelical Lutheran Church merged. 

“We will move forward knowing that our own church values will not change,” Fruhling said in the statement. ”We will continue to emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and proclaim salvation by grace through faith in Him.”

The Unity of the Lutheran Church Will Not Come from Public Relations Efforts

Sasse.

The unity of the Lutheran Church can come only if our churches return to the diligent use of the means of grace, to a serious study of the Word of God and the confessions of the Reformation.  Hermann Sasse (LW II, 265)
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LPC has left a new comment on your post "The Unity of the Lutheran Will Not Come from Publi...":

Pr. Greg,

You have been echoing this now for so many years, still no one likes to listen.

LPC


***

GJ - It is the sound of one hand clapping, to coin a phrase.

Many of us find it discouraging that the Lutheran leaders will not even talk in Biblical, Lutheran, Confessional terms. They have nothing to confess.

I know how to avoid the Third Rail topics that infuriate the Reformed. I could sell a lot of books if I avoided those topics.

The terms are: baptismal regeneration, infant baptism, the Real Presence, the efficacy of the Word alone, the Means of Grace.

The Lutheran leaders dance around these terms because they do not want to annoy the Enthusiasts in their midst. Avoidance has made these synodical leaders Enthusiasts, if they ever were Lutheran - I doubt it.

The seminary professors comprise a capon chorus singing the praises of their (fill in the blank) synod while mocking the Word, Luther, and the Confessions.

The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity

KJV Luke 13:32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.
Art by Norma Boeckler.


The Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity


Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

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

Bethany Lutheran Church, 10 AM Central Time


The Hymn # 239 Come Thou Almighty King 2:72
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
The Gospel
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #269 O Lord Our Father 2:56

Built on the Word

The Communion Hymn # 315:11-15 I Come O Savior 2:66
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 #651 Be Still My Soul 2:17

KJV 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

KJV Matthew 22:34 But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. 35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Eighteenth Sunday After Trinity
Lord God, heavenly Father: We are poor, miserable sinners; we know Thy will, but cannot fulfill it because of the weakness of our flesh and blood, and because our enemy, the devil, will not leave us in peace. Therefore we beseech Thee, shed Thy Holy Spirit in our hearts, that, in steadfast faith, we may cling to Thy Son Jesus Christ, find comfort in His passion and death, believe the forgiveness of sin through Him, and in willing obedience to Thy will lead holy lives on earth, until by Thy grace, through a blessed death, we depart from this world of sorrow, and obtain eternal life, through Thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen.

Built on the Word, Built on the Gospel

Matthew 22: 41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. 43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

Lenski had extensive parish experience and was also a district president. He edited a periodical for German Lutherans, taught at the seminary in Columbus, wrote a complete commentary on the New Testament, and published other books as well. A Baptist missionary doctor brought up the fact that he loves Lenski’s work. Augsburg-Fortress let it go out of print, but it came back because people appreciate his scholarship.

Lenski had a unique perspective when he said that “Programs come and go, but only one thing builds the church – the Word of God.”

Today’s lesson is a good example of how this happens. This section of Matthew shows a typical Passover type setting, still employed today, where questions are asked, first by the audience, finally by the rabbi. This tradition encouraged the teacher and the audience to study the Word of God, and it applied to the head of the household as well. Fathers can do the same thing today with their own families. That is God’s design, which is often neglected.

The audience was supposed to stump the rabbi and the rabbi was supposed to ask them a question they could not answer. Jesus led the religious leaders into a difficulty they could not resolve, and it clearly indicated He was talking about Himself.

--

Lenski:
Already the ancient fathers saw that Jesus here renews the supreme question he had a few weeks ago addressed to his own band of disciples, 16:13–16. Peter had given the true answer; the Pharisees refuse to give that answer. Until Palm Sunday Jesus had avoided use of the name “Messiah” because of its political and nationalistic implications. Now the time has arrived to disregard all such implications. On Palm Sunday Jesus had entered Jerusalem and the Temple as David’s son, Israel’s King, the Messiah. The pilgrim multitudes had shouted his great titles, the boys marching in the Temple courts had echoed those shouts. As the Messiah Jesus now asks the Pharisees this question, and they know that it is not an academic or a theoretical inquiry but the supreme question concerning his own person. It is put objectively, in the third person: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” It is thereby made easier to answer; but it pertains to Jesus himself nonetheless.


Luther finds a natural connection between the question concerning what makes a commandment great in the law (v. 36) and the answer Jesus gave (v. 37–40) and this great question which Jesus now asks and answers from Ps. 110. This connection has been denied, and yet it is only too obvious. Why would the covenant God of Israel, Yahweh Eloheka, ask his people to love him as he did if that love could never be realized in their hearts because of their sin and their doom under sin? His very covenant name points to the covenant promise of the Messiah in and through whose grace Israel would, indeed, come to love the Lord their God with the whole heart, soul, and mind (Jer. 31:33, 34). “The great and first commandment” (v. 38) and the Messiah, David’s son and David’s Lord, will ever belong together.


Lenski, R. C. H.: The Interpretation of St. Matthew's Gospel. Minneapolis, MN. : Augsburg Publishing House, 1961, S. 884.

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The first question in this lesson concerns the love of God (First Table of the Ten Commandments) and the love of our neighbor (Second Table). The famous religious leaders of Israel agreed that this statement summarized the entire Old Testament, and that is Jesus’ answer as well.

Left unspoken, as Luther observed, is how this love relationship is resolved when all of us are sinful. When people are sinful and only expect divine justice, their response to God is hatred and fear, not love. Notice how hardened criminals respond to the police. They only see punishment in the police, so they hate and fear them. If an honest citizen sees a police vehicle, he feels safe, but a criminal runs. One Chicago policeman made a name for himself because of his own checkered past. He knew where to show up, and when suspects ran for no apparent reason, he chased them down and solved crimes.

That is how many people view God, and atheists are especially strident in their remarks. They are not indifferent. They use up their lives getting people to stop believing in God. This hatred and fear is obviously fueled by the Word hardening and blinding them.

KJV 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away [Greek word – Apostasy, believers becoming atheists] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.


And we would be in the same darkened place, without faith in the love of God, which is shown to us in Christ crucified for our sins.

When Jesus asked about the Messiah, He brought up a subject He avoided until then. Hundreds of articles have been written about why Jesus did not want to discuss His Messianic role when He performed miracles.

One example explains it – the crowd wanted to crown Him as king (Messiah). Their political ambitions were opposed to the role of the true Messiah. The strength of this popular feeling can be measured by the Zealot war 40 years later, which cause the destruction of the Temple and the enslavement of the people who were not killed. And yet, another Messianic revolt started up another 50 years later.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt1.html

Hundreds of rationalistic articles and books by “scholars” claimed that Jesus suppressed His messianic title because He did not consider Himself the Messiah. However, the truth is that almost no one could understand Him at that point, so He spent three years instructing the disciples. Even then, all but John ran away during the crucifixion.

Jesus asked this question using the assumptions of the religious leaders.

41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.

Their assumption was that the Son of David was inferior to King David, the model of the Messiah for his military might and political savvy.

43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, 44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? 45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? 46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.

This seems quite puzzling to the newcomer to this passage, so I will put it in more familiar language –

If you assume the Son of David is inferior to King David, then why does King David, inspired by the Holy Spirit, call Him Lord? How can the son of the king be the Lord of the king?

That silenced the religious leaders.

Silence is the most telling form of opposition. It shows a great level of anger, anxiety, and hatred than shouting and carrying on.

This silence led to opponents to put an end to Jesus. He not only had great power, divine power, but He also had popularity with vast crowds and the ability to teach the Word. He was a threat to them, and they could use His messianic claims as a threat to Rome.

Thus Jesus knew from the beginning how His ministry had to proceed. He had to gather disciples and plant members of the Christian church in various places. He did this through teaching the Word, inspiring faith in Him, and gathering disciples to organize the Christian Church after His resurrection and Ascension.

This Gospel creates and sustains faith in Jesus when it is taught in context. As I said before, hundreds of scholars have looked at this passage and missed its meaning. They know the words, they know the language. Without faith in Christ they might as well be reading blank pages. That is exactly what Jesus warned against – not having a child-like faith.

Someone said recently, “The synods have lost the Gospel by attacking faith.” I added my version. I said, “If everyone is born forgiven, why bother with any article of faith. The Confessions are meaningless, too.” That is being acted out on all fronts. The most obvious show it with their obvious contempt for the Word. The least obvious are the ones who want to politely engage over tea and cookies, anxious lest anyone take offense at their objections. Would anyone accept a 30-year plan of renewal if they knew they had five years left?

The Word of God is like seed. It will grow where it is broadcast, and we cannot tell exactly where that will be. I talked to someone about tomatoes, so I brought up dill. I said, “Plant dill.” Dill seed is very cheap. I bought a large envelope and scattered it all over the yard in Midland. Dill is weak the first year and reseeds itself after that. I did not examine each seed or determine where each one would land. I scattered the dill and saw it grow and seed itself.

The Gospel seed is exactly the same. When the Gospel of forgiveness is proclaimed, faith springs up in some for the first time and faith is renewed in others. This Matthew passage has Jesus teaching with authority that He is the Messiah. He is the one predicted by the Holy Spirit in Psalms of David. The mightiest king of Israel foresaw the coming of Christ and exactly how He would die and become our Good Shepherd.

Read Psalm 22 and 23. Notice the Messianic predictions in Psalm 22 and the great comfort proclaimed in Psalm 23.

In the midst of a dark, dying world, the Word of the Gospel builds up the invisible Church and gives eternal-life to all those who hear and believe that Jesus is their Savior, that He died for their sins, that He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven.

"The New Testament is the inerrant record of the revelation of Jesus Christ in word and deed, and of the truths and principles proceeding, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, from that revelation. The Old Testament is in like manner an inerrant record, having the express and often repeated testimony and authority of Christ, of the preparatory and partial revelations made concerning Him before His coming. Hebrews 1:1." Henry Eyster Jacobs, A Summary of the Christian Faith, Philadelphia: General Council Publication House, 1913, p. 3. Hebrews 1:1.

"The Old Testament dealt with the promises of God to the chosen people. Thereby God placed Himself in 'covenant' relation to Israel (berith). This relation, like the promises and the gifts of God to Israel, is always onesided. It is always God's covenant, not Israel's, and not a mutual agreement, not a suntheke. This promise and covenant indeed obligates Israel, and Israel assumes these obligations, but the covenant emanates entirely from God." R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of the Epistle to the Hebrews, Columbus: Lutheran Book Concern, 1938, p. 235. Hebrews 7:22;

"In view of their spiritual meaning the psalms are really lovely and sweet; for they are comforting to all depressed, wretched consciences, who are in fear of sin, the anguish and agony of death, and all sorts of trouble and misery. To such hearts the Book of Psalms is a sweet, comforting, lovely song, because it sings and preaches the Messiah, although one merely reads or recites the words without notes. Nevertheless, the use of notes or music, as a wonderful creation and gift of God, helps greatly to produce this effect, especially when the people sing along and do so with fine devoutness...Thus David, too, often dispelled, or at least checked or weakened, the evil spirit for Saul with his minstrelsy (1 Samuel 16:17ff.). For the evil spirit is not at ease when one sings or preaches God's Word in true faith. He is a spirit of sadness and cannot stay where a heart is spiritually joyful (joyful in God and His Word). What Luther Says, An Anthology, 3 vols., ed. Ewald M. Plass, St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959, II, p. 981. 1 Samuel 16:17ff.

Tim Glende's Anonymous Blog Described

Reaching out with our fangs fantastic programs,
soiling the Confessions spoiling the Egyptians.


rwakeman (http://rwakeman.myopenid.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Fox Valley High School WELS Played This Video for ...":

One read of the Fake-O-Bod should tell you everything you need to know about WELS leadership. They are mean and nasty.

The Boomers Got Their Cheap Seminary Education, Only To Stick the Next Generations with Harvard Costs and Mudville Quality

$$$$$$$$

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Twitter Advice Sought

Some of you use Twitter and know more about it. Clearly its use is omnipresent among the youth and very handy for instant communication.

I am using it now to promote the new posts. I would like to add the social networking buttons below each post but my efforts have failed so far.

One reason I got into this new format was the promise I could add the social network boxes easily. I pasted the code in the right place (I thought) but nothing showed up.

Let me know if you can help.

I do not use mobile devices, but lots of people do, so they can use Twitter for updates. So if you join as a follower you will get instant updates you can re-Tweet (as they say in Twitterland) Ichabod posts. I know The SORE backers are daily communicants at Ichabod and love to use Twitter.

A Reader Sent This Graphic

SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE - Here Is Why

Paid fly-by.
SEEK US would be a good motto for this operation.


A keen observer of WELS and the cultural climate wrote:

I do have some observations re: the sex ed youtube. Outrageous as it is on the surface, obviously WELS hasn't a clue about Behavioral Psychology and the effect of "role playing" on those who assume the identity (role) of others and this time the role of the Devil. Behaviorists know that once ideas are verbalized by language a threshold becomes crossed by the person who might not otherwise verbalize or express what the character played says. It involves an element of giving ones self over to the characterizing of the character portrayed in order to be convincing. It is a dangerous thing to do especially with a subject having to do with a titillating subject for the purpose of "educating"?

The young man portraying the Devil is either a very well trained professional actor or he was enjoying playing the part of the Devil. Behaviorists know that repeated verbalization of words, phrases, and ideas once considered objectionable, become easier and easier to accommodate
and assimilate as acceptable and eventually "normal". They know that "role playing" works to break down barriers including moral barriers of society. That is why it is used so much in corporate, education, etc.(and yes churches) to create conformity and "group think".

The danger for the soul of an actor who plays the Devil exists not only for himself, but for the hearers who become accustomed to the language. In the case of the WELS youtube....SEICUS couldn't have done it any better. There can be a place for theater or drama, but many years ago Missouri Synod had provisional membership for people who were actors or involved in theater, for the very reason of the dangers to the soul when putting one's own "self" aside in order to assume the persona of a character played. Such display as this latest from WELS is soul destroying in more than one way.

When some of us who were opposing the Human Potential exercises being imposed on classrooms in public schools years ago, one exercise to make profanity and profane ideas acceptable and common place, was for the teacher (facilitator) to encourage students to shout out every "forbidden" word and phrase they could think of.

The teacher (facilitator) would write the words and phrases on the blackboard, then everyone in attendance was instructed to repeat all the words and phrases until saying the words and phrases was no longer uncomfortable. Dramatization such as demonstrated in the sex ed youtube will be just as effective to break down any Biblical moral restraints remaining in WELS..

My name appears on articles, letters to the editor etc., on a regular basis with unpopular and politically incorrect ideas, and if slings and arrows come, unless it is for a "fact" correction, I consider such as having succeeded in touching a nerve. When one is identified with one's own words, and when one's writing is proven to be correct, it is easier to say, "I told you so".

Mary Thompson

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samuelthrace has left a new comment on your post "SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE...":

I can't recall a bigger load of psychological claptrap in my life! So does this mean that no one should play Macbeth on stage for fear of becoming a murderous pretender to the Scottish throne?

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GJ - OpenID - no profile. That is curious because WELS uses a role playing model to mold their sausages at The Sausage Factory. This secret initiation rite, called GA, is still being held in secret for the chosen few. The heart of GA is indeed role playing. The upperclassmen play one side or the other. The Softs or Pietists pretend to help the incoming students. The Hards aggressively persecute the students. The big climax is when the newcomers run through the doors, frightened of the Hards pursuing them. A big beer party awaits on the other side. Deception is theme, and WELS clergy forever play that game. Of course, GA is a big secret. No one can tell anyone. If someone begins GA knowing about the deception, he really gets it.

Role-playing is used to make the students fit in. Various other methods make sure all the students graduate just the same - like sausages; hence the ELS nickname for Mequon - The Sausage Factory.

I would hesitate to say no other clergy are two-faced, but WELS pastors do their sect proud in their double-talk. If the WELS pastor is taking a sympathetic approach with a layman, he is just as likely to switch sides when it really matters.

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Rev. Fr. Spencer has left a new comment on your post "SIECUS Could Not Have Done It Better Than The SORE...":

The current cesspit of the WELS is the Core in the city of Green Bay. Lest someone think this too harsh or unbrotherly, remember that a sewer is simply "a collection system that transports only the liquid portion of wastewater through small-diameter pipes laid at contour," while a cesspit or cesspool is "a pit, conservancy tank, or covered cistern, which can be used for sewage or refuse." [Thanks Wikipedia!] Thus, the Fox River may be termed the sewer of the WELS, transporting religious excrement, theological waste, and spiritual fecal matter downhill toward the Core located in Green Bay, which then becomes the collection point for such waste. An apt description of the situation, no? I think yes. But that's just my own personal opinion.

The Gadfly

Between This Video and the MLC Gay Video - Why Join WELS?

This video was also featured at Ski's sexucation class at Fox Valley High School - WELS.

Everyone invited. Aimed at minors.

Stupidity like this got Aaron Frey canned at Michigan Lutheran Seminary.

No wonder Glende blogged in support of Frey. Birds of a feather Tweet together.

Thrivent supported.

Groeschel produced it.

I am sure SP Schroeder will send a fierce email, carefully nuanced.


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"Special thanks to our promotional partners

1. Thrivent Financial - Joint Ministry with ELCA
2. WEMI - Schwaermer Family Radio
3. Christian Family Counseling - a ministry of WLCFS"

Fox Valley High School WELS Played This Video for Ski's Sexucation Class

Brought to you by the indolence of the COP, the hands-off of the SP, the protection of the DP, the spinelessness of the district, and Fake-O-Bod's Tim Glende.

I could only watch a few seconds of this tripe. I thought Beavis and Butthead swore off Groeschel. The DP lied and credibility died.