Quantcast
Channel: Ichabod, The Glory Has Departed
Viewing all 11909 articles
Browse latest View live

Making Disciples Booklet - Illustrated by Norma Boeckler - Finished Today

$
0
0

One layman caught onto the modern fanaticism of "making disciples" in the Great Commission. That has been the raspberry seed in my wisdom tooth for many years.

A reader was really surprised by the WELS fanaticism about "disciples." That is the key term in the Pietistic Church Growth Movement, just as UOJ is the dogma uniting all the elements of Church Growth. See the update posted today - mentioning The Next Disciple.

Jay Webber claimed he did not see the UOJ-Church Growth connection. But that exculpatory remark comes from someone who makes a move toward Luther's Galatians Commentary and runs away from it like it's a mosquito from South America.

For the majority of Lutheran clergy who have never cracked the spine of Luther's Galatians Commentary - the book is simply saturated with justification by faith statements. But most pastors are content to say, "I have never seen a unicorn (the commentary, the Book of Concord, Luther's Sermons), so unicorns must not exist."



McCain Plagiarism Links - Not To Mention His Bad Spelling and Worse Editing

$
0
0

Making Disciples - Now In Production

$
0
0


There is a lot about translating in this 45 page booklet. Of course, I do not know Greek, Latin, or Hebrew, according to WELS. I preached in German and learned a little French. Mequon students said in shock, "You know German?" I said in shock, "You don't?"

How did Little Ichabod get so good in Greek and Latin that he tutored WELS students who could not get one language or the other?

Happy Birthday, High Achiever.


He can parse
He can read
Start him young
Teach him Greek.
If I age, let me age,
Let him live.
Bring him Greek
N T Greek.
Koine Greek.


"We hear LI got his language skills from his mother,
who studied seven languages and has
a photographic memory."

Free PDF of Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism. Pre-production Version

$
0
0
The Bible as soul food.
The is the link for the PDF of Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism

Feel free to save and share it. I will fill orders at the author's astonishing low price, when it becomes available, probably over the weekend.

Simply ask, add your mailing address, extra copies if needed, and I will send them.

So far Create Space is very fast in sending an order out.


Fulfilling Herman Otten's Agenda Is Much Easier by Not Following His Example

$
0
0
This is Luther's brilliant paraphrase of Paul's
statement to the Galatians.
Does this also apply to Biblical paraphrases that
add a work to manufacture UOJ? The New NIV
does this.

Christian News editor Herman Otten had all kinds of admonitions for me in his issue featuring The Faith of Jesus: Against the Faithless Lutherans.

The Plastic Text War
I should join the war over the plastic text of the Bible, Pastor Otten says.

The last time I used any of the modern Bibles was 1992, when I left the Wisconsin Abusive Sect and the old, classic NIV of 1984. I was still using the NIV software when a member of Trinity in Bridgeton gave me a KJV Bible program. After that, I always used the KJV in writing.

I noticed that the New KJV had some problems. Once I saw how the readings varied from one New KJV to another (same verse!). I was using two different New KJV Bibles in New Ulm and Nicollet.

I also noted with irritation that the New KJV had Jesus urging the apostles to "make disciples" in the Great Commission. As Little Ichabod observed, that turned a Gospel admonition into Law - an observation that drove David Koenig (CLC sic) nuts. Koenig also did his drama queen act over "jumping on that like a hobo on a hotdog." Afterwards, I laughed that the two statements of mine that got highlighted were borrowed from LI and the mysterious 29A.

Starting in Phoenix, 1998, I used the KJV in all worship services.

There is no war over the KJV text, which is the traditional one.

As I recall, William F. Beck of Beck Bible (AAT) fame was very interested in the New Testament text. Beck (AAT) became Good News for Modern Man under the guidance of Otten's buddy with two wives, his own building, and copious Schwan grants. When that blew up, the eventual outcome was another "translation."

I suspect people were playing around with the New Testament text at that time, but I lost interest and lost track. The Beck Bible effort shows that everyone has a pet Bible, and that takes away from the unity of expression, memorization, and church lectionaries.

Real literature is meant to be read out loud. The great writers of England assumed that their works would be read to others. How it sounded in formal readings mattered. Gibbon worked on his style until it reached that classic sound that says The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.

The KJV has that great meter and sound, careful attention paid to how most people would know its contents - hearing it read in church. Faith comes by hearing the Gospel, and that matters most of all with the greatest language (besides German) being used for the Word of God.

How can anyone memorize the Beatitudes in the KJV, New RSV, various feminist Bibles, various Beck editions, and the no longer existing NIV of 84 or the New NIV of today?

How happy are they who... That is so lame, dumb, and nonsensical, compared to Blessed are they...

The Missouri Synod seems to have moved from the classic (ironic used of the term) NIV to the ESV, which is the Calvinist edition of the RSV, which came from the National Council of Communist Churches in the USA (shortened to National Council of Churches, USA).

WELS is definitely in the bag for the New NIV, which is by default their official living paraphrase of the Word of God. I pity the fools who study the Scriptures from that rotten pot of Nida meddling, erasing, and additions. Their DPs are known for never departing from the party line, but one asked, "Where does this stop?"

Lutheran synodical leaders - from ELCA to the mini-micro groups - are in bed with Nida's corpse, dying with their dead hero. They are so good at plotting together. Why not plot to use the KJV family as the only possible choices for synodical studies, Bibles in the catalogue, congregational reading, etc?

That would be a start.

Here the pope-king is carried by his slaves,
as if he were a god.
Luther is a bit hard on those who separate faith
from justification.


The Plan To Restore the Word of God, Even in ELCA

Secondly, once they have their Thrivent grants in place, they would move toward two choices, and two only.

  1. The KJV
  2. The 21st Century KJV

They could do that. Look at how far they have gone, working together with ELCA, toward women's and gay ordination. Readers, both goals  are all but accomplished. It's like the PhD student who has successfully defended his dissertation. He only needs to rent his cap and gown and get his diploma.

Long ago, the LCA launched its effort to make translations as varied and pickable as anyone wanted. One lectionary series (Jubilate, I think) had three readings from three translations each week. How fun for the whole family - Mom, Dad, kids; or Mom, Mom, kids; or Dad, Dad, kids!

Once the Nida family of idiomatic - or - dynamic equivalency paraphrases was accepted as the only way to publish the Word of God, the loosey-goosey exegesis followed.

The KJV21 simply translates some of the more obscure words in the old KJV (which is slightly modernized compared to the original plagiarized from Tyndale).

I only use the KJV, so I look up the Greek or perchance the modern renderings of an exotic word in the KJV. WELS pastors express horror about "throwing the baby out with the bathwater," which they did in getting rid of the KJV. But they are far too happy to toss out the KJV baby--and all modern versions of it--with the bathwater of antique words.



KJV21

The best way to judge this translation is to look at key passages, corrupted by the moderns, and judge how closely the KJV21 follows the KJV (which follows Tyndale following Luther).

From their website -

Abbreviations Used in Comparisons
 
KJ21®...........21st Century King James Version
KJV...................................King James Version
NASB...............New American Standard Bible
NIV..........................New International Version
NKJ...........................New King James Version
NRSV..............New Revised Standard Version
REB...............................Revised English Bible
TEV............................Today's English Version

Part One

King James Version compared with the
21st Century King James Version
 KJVKJ21®
Ezra 9:3...and sat down astonied.....and sat down stunned.
Ps 140:5...they have set gins for me....they have set traps for me.
Pr 23:16Yea, my reins shall rejoice,......yea, my inmost being shall rejoice.
Mt 17:12...Elias is come already, and they...have done unto him whatsoever they listed....Elijah is come already and they...have done unto him whatsoever they pleased.
Mk 9:6For he wist not what to say;...For he knew not what to say...
1 Cor 9:7Who goeth a warfare any time at his owncharges?Who goeth to war at any time at his ownexpense?
Php 2:1If there be...any bowels and mercies,...If there be...any tenderness and mercies,...

Part Two

21st Century King James Version* compared with contemporary versions*In the examples that follow the KJ21® is either identical to, or substantially the same as, the KJV.
 KJ21®Contemporary Versions
Gen 1:28"Be fruitful and multiply, andreplenish the earth, and subdue it;...
  • NIV "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.
  • NRSV "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it;...
  • NKJ "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;...
  • TEV "Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control.
 In the KJ21® the text focuses on mankind's duty to restore to the earth what is being consumed, rather than merely to take possession of the earth.

1 Sam 8:5"Now make us a king to judge us,...
  • NIV "...now appoint a king to lead us,...
  • NRSV "...appoint for us, then, a king to governus,...
  • TEV "...appoint a king to rule over us,...
 In the KJ21® the elders of Israel reflect the Biblical view of the government as a judge, rather than as a ruler.

Pr 11:16...and strong men retain riches
  • NIV ..but ruthless men gain only wealth.
  • NRSV ...but the aggressive gain riches.
  • NKJ ..But ruthless men retain riches.
  • REB ...a bold man gets only a fortune.
 In neither the KJ21® nor the KJV does the writer/poet manifest any bias against the accumulation of wealth.

Ecl 9:9Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest...
  • REB Enjoy life with a woman you love...
 In the KJ21® the preacher recognizes the unique and blessed status of traditional marriage, together with its joyful potential.

Isa 7:14Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a Son...
  • NRSV Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son...
  • REB A young woman is with child, and she will give birth to a son...
  • TEV ...a young woman who is pregnant will have a son...
 Isaiah, in the KJ21® and KJV, cites as a sign that a virgin shall conceive, truly an astonishing miracle.

Mt 6:13...lead us not into temptation,...
  • NRSV ...do not bring us to the time of trial,...
  • REB ...do not put us to the test,...
 In the KJ21® Christ's petition to the Lord is for deliverance from the temptation of sin, rather than deliverance from misfortune.

Mk 5:30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him,...
  • NIV At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him.
  • NKJ And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him,...
 In the KJ21® St. Mark says that Christ's healing qualities come from virtue, rather than from power.

Rom 16:1I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church...
  • NRSV ...a deacon of the church...
  • REB ...a minister of the church...
 In the KJ21® St. Paul does not hesitate to ascribe the glory and honor of servanthood to a woman (servanthood being the highest calling of all men and women).

1 Cor 13:1Though I speak with the tongues ofmen and of angels, but have notcharity,...
  • NRSV If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love,...
  • NKJ Though I speak with the tongues of menand of angels, but have not love,...
  • REB I may speak in tongues of men or of angels, but if I have no love,...
 In the KJ21® St. Paul uses the term charity rather than love, charity being more specific in connoting selfless benevolence and a disinclination to ascribe evil to others.
Click here to download a full copy of the Comparative Word Study






Part Deux - Fulfilling Herman Otten's Agenda Is Much Easier by Not Following His Example

$
0
0
I met Pastor Herman Otten almost 30 years ago.

Otten's Agenda
In his issue of Christian News where he quoted The Faith of Jesus: Against the Faithless Lutherans,
Otten had plenty of unsolicited advice for me.

The recent issues have focused on the terrible things going on in the LCMS. He has often questioned Thrivent's agenda and the use of Marvin Schwan's loot.

These problems are easily solved by not being a member of WELS, the LCMS, or the Little Sect on the Prairie. The problems are aggravated by being a member of the CLC (sic) or the micro-mini groups that broke off from the LCMS, or from each other, or from their recent temporary mergers.

Oddly enough, each sect has selected handlers who encourage Otten to praise them and to spike stories of criminal arrests and convictions in their clergy and teacher ranks.

For example, I sent Otten the story of Scott Zerbe, Fred Adrian's married vicar with one child, who had an affair with a minor girl in Adrian's congregation. Otten was quite upset over my sending of this story and spiked it.

For the longest time he also spiked the story of WELS having a pan-denominational worship conference, whose speakers included ELCA, the Missouri Synod,  Roman Catholic, and women teaching men. Everyone was welcome to lead sessions - except the ELS. No matter what I said, Otten would not publish the story or print the poster. Finally he allowed a brief mention in a letter I wrote. Cousin Paul Tiefel in the CLC (sic) was in a boiling rage that I covered the story about his dear Cousin James Tiefel, both nicknamed Teufel by their brother clergy, for some reason.

Christian News is a place where  a lot of grousing is printed and people blow off steam without anything being accomplished.

The Answer
The solutions are fairly easy, though it may mean no more free Thrivent napkins, no more paid synod events. False friends will stop offering their pseudo-friendship and relatives will fail to repay their loans.

Do not mention Thrivent, hold Thrivent insurance or financial instruments, or invite their salesmen (aka Planned Giving Counselors) into the parish. Do not ask for matching funds for anything. Do not give away the membership list. Excommunicate Thrivent agents in the congregation for their support of Planned Parenthood, ELCA, and Mark Jeske (descending order).

Leave any and all established synods - ELCA and its break-off groups; WELS; the Little Sect on the Prairie; both CLCs; and the LCMS with its various lobbying groups.

Go back to The Lutheran Hymnal for worship and stop buying overpriced CPH and NPH books and materials.

As stated before in this post about Bibles, return to the KJV or the KJV21 for all worship and study materials.

Susan Johnson, a graduate of Jay Webber's favorite Canadian seminary,
is bishop of the ELCiC Lutherans.





Luther's Gospel Sermon for Oculi Sunday. The Stronger Man

$
0
0



Luther's Sermon for OCULI. THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT. Luke 11:14-23

German text: Erlangen edition 11:127; Walch 11:752; St. Louis 11:550.

TEXT:

Luke 11:14-23. And he was casting out a demon that was dumb. And it came to pass, when the demon was gone out, the dumb man spake; and the multitudes marveled. But some of them said, By Beelzebub the prince of the demons casteth he out demons. And others trying him, sought of him a sign from heaven.

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. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out demons by Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you. When the strong man fully armed guardeth his own court, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him his whole armor wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.

CONTENTS:

CHRIST’S DEFENSE AGAINST THOSE WHO SLANDERED HIM.
* The different doctrines presented in this Gospel 1-2.

I. CHRIST’ S DEFENSE AGAINST HIS SLANDERERS.

1. Christ defends himself with fair and reasonable arguments 8-5.

2. He defends himself with a public example and a like work 6-9.

3. He defends himself with a parable taken from experience 10.

4. He defends himself with beautiful sayings and teachings 11.

5. He defends himself with a threat

* How and why we are not to trust in the works and worthiness of saints, but in God’s Word 18.

II. THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THIS GOSPEL.

1. Of the deaf, dumb and possessed man 14.

2. That the Jews called the devil Beelzebub

3. Of the strong man, who guards his house in peace

4. Of the stronger man who overcomes the strong man 17-18. 5 . That the unclean spirit wanders through desert places 19.

6. That Satan returns, and takes with him seven more wicked spirits 20.

I. CHRIST’S DEFENSE AGAINST HIS BLASPHEMERS.

1. This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things, and in which nearly everything is set forth as to what Christ, his kingdom and his Gospel are: what they accomplish and how they fare in the world.

In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.

By this act Christ draws us to himself, leads us to look to him for every blessing, and to go to him in every time of need. He does this that we also, according to the nature of love, should do unto others as he does unto us.

This is the universal and the most precious doctrine of this Gospel and of all the Gospels throughout the church year. This poor man, however, did not come to Christ without the Word; for those who brought him to Christ must have heard his love preached and were moved thereby to trust in him.

We learn therefore that faith comes through the Word; but more of this elsewhere.

2. Secondly, it is here demonstrated how Christ and his Gospel fare in the world, namely, that there are three kinds of hearers. Some marvel at him; these are pious and true Christians, who consider this deed so great that they are amazed at it. Some blaspheme the Gospel; these are the Pharisees and scribes, who were vexed because they could not do the like, and were worried lest the people should hold Christ in higher esteem than themselves. Some tempt him, like Herod desired a sign after his own heart, that they may make sport of it. But he answers both parties; at first, the blasphemers in this Gospel, and later on the tempters, saying that no sign shall be given this wicked generation except the sign of the prophet Jonah, of which we read in the verses following. He answers the blasphemers in a friendly way and argues five points with them.

3. In the first place, with honest and reasonable arguments he concludes from two comparisons that one devil cannot cast out another; for if that were so, the devils would be divided among themselves and Satan’s kingdom would indeed not stand. For nature teaches that if a kingdom is divided against itself and its citizens drive out each other, it is not necessary to go to war against it, for it will come to ruin soon enough of itself. Likewise a house divided against itself needs no other destruction.

Even the heathen author Sallust, teaching only from the light of nature and experience, says: “Great wealth passes away through discord, but through concord small means become large.” If now the devils were divided among themselves to such a degree that one should drive out the other, Satan’s dominion would be at an end, and we would have rest from his attacks.

4. What then were these blasphemers able to say to such clear arguments?

They were put to silence, but their hearts were hardened, so that they did not heed his words. A hardened heart will not be instructed, no matter how plainly and clearly the truth is presented; but the faith of the righteous is strengthened when they see that the ground of their faith is right and good.

And for the sake of such we must answer those whose hearts are hardened, and put them to silence. Even though they will not be converted nor keep silence still it serves to reveal their hardened hearts, for the longer they talk the more foolish they become, and they are caught in their folly, and their cause is robbed of the appearance of being right and good, as Solomon also says in Proverbs 26:5: “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.” That is, answer him according to his folly that his folly may be put to shame for the sake of others, that they may not follow him and be deceived, thinking that he is right. Otherwise, where no such condition exists, it is better to keep silent, as Solomon also says in the same chapter, verse 4 “Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.”

5. Nor could they say here that the devils only pretended to be divided among themselves and to yield to one another in order to deceive the people, for it is publicly seen how they resist and contend, cry and rave, tear and rage, when they see that Christ means to expel them. It is then clearly seen that they are opposed to Christ and his Spirit, and they are not united with him, to whom they must yield so unwillingly. Therefore it is only a flagrant blasphemous lie, in which they are caught and put to shame, by which they try in venomous hate to give the devil credit for a work of God. From this we learn not to be surprised when our doctrine and life are blasphemed and stubborn hearts will not be convinced nor converted, although they are overwhelmed, as it were, with tangible truth and completely put to silence. It is enough that through our arguments their obstinate folly is revealed, acknowledged and made harmless to pious people, so that the latter may not be misled by its fine pretension. They may then go whither they will, they have condemned themselves as St. Paul says, Titus 3:11.

6. In the second place, he replies with a public example and a similar work, when he says: “By whom do your sons cast them out?” As if he would say: “Is this not simple idiocy? Just what you praise in your sons, you condemn in me. Because your sons do it, it is of God; but because I do it, it must be of the devil.” So it is in this world. What Christ does, is of the devil; if some one else did it, it would be all right. Thus the tyrants and enemies of the Gospel do now, when they condemn in us what they themselves do, confess and teach; but they must proceed thus in order that their judgment may be publicly approved, when they are condemned by all justice. The sons, of whom Christ here says that they drive out devils, were, I think, certain exorcists among the people, for God, from the beginning, had given this people manifold spiritual gifts and he calls them their “sons,” as though to say: I am the Son of God and must be called a child of the devil, while those who are your sons, begotten by you, do the same things and are not to be considered children of the devil.

7. “Therefore shall they be your judges,” that is, I appeal to them. They will be forced to decide that you wrongfully blaspheme me, and thus condemn yourselves. For if one devil does not drive out another then some other power must do it that is neither satanic nor human, but divine. Hence the words: “But if I by the finger of God cast out demons, then is the kingdom of God come upon you.” This finger of God is called in Matthew 12:28 the Holy Ghost, for the words read thus: “But if I by the Spirit of God cast out demons,” etc. In short, Christ means to say: If the kingdom of God is to come unto you, the devil must be driven out, for his kingdom is against God’s kingdom, as you yourselves must confess.

But demon is not driven out by demon, much less by men or the power of men, but alone by the Spirit and power of God.

8. From this follows that where the finger of God does not cast out the devil, there the devil’s kingdom still exists; where Satan’s kingdom still exists, there the kingdom of God cannot be. The unavoidable conclusion then is that, as long as the Holy Spirit does not enter our hearts, we are not only incapable of any good, but are of necessity in the kingdom of Satan.

And if we are in his kingdom, then we can do nothing but that which pleases him, else it could not be called his kingdom. As St. Paul says to Timothy: “The people are taken captive in the snares of the devil unto his will” 2 Timothy 2:26. How could Satan suffer one of his people to take a notion to do something against, and not for, his kingdom? Oh, it is a striking, terrible and powerful statement that Christ here admits such a dominion, which we cannot escape except by the power of God; and that the kingdom of God can not come to us until that kingdom is driven out by divine, heavenly power.

9. This truth is proved in the case of this poor man, who was bodily possessed of the devil. Tell me, what could he and all mankind do to free him from the devil? Without a doubt, nothing. He had to do and suffer just as his master the devil willed, until Christ came, with the power of God.

Now then, if he could not free himself from the devil as to his body, how could he, by his own power, deliver his soul from Satan’s spiritual dominion? Especially is this the case since the soul, because possessed of sin, is the cause of all bodily possession as a punishment, and sins are more difficult to remove than the punishment of them, and the soul is always more firmly possessed than the body. This is proved by the fact that the devil permits the body to have its natural powers and functions; but he robs the soul of reason, judgment, sense, understanding, and all its powers, as you readily see in the case of this possessed man.

10. He answers them in the third place, by a comparison taken from life, namely that of a strong man overcome by one stronger, and robbed of all his armor and goods etc. By this he testifies also that no one but God can overcome the devil, so that again no man can boast of being able of himself to drive out either sin or the devil. Notice how he pictures the devil! He calls him a mighty giant who guards his court and home, that is, the devil not only possesses the world as his own domain, but he has garrisoned and fortified it, so that no one can take it from him. He rules it also with undisputed sway, so that it does whatever he commands. Just as little as a house or court may withstand or contend against the tyrant who is its master, can man’s free will and natural powers oppose sin and Satan, that is, not at all; but they are subject to them. And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God.

11. He answers them fourthly, with pointed proverbs and teachings, as: “He that is not with me is against me,” and, “He that gathereth not with me, scattereth.” “The devil is not with me for I drive him out, hence he must of necessity be against me.” But this saying does not apply to the devil alone, but also to the blasphemers whom he here convicts and condemns, as being against him since they are not for him. “To be with Christ” is to have the same mind and purpose as Christ, that is, to believe in Christ that his works save us and not our own, for this is what Christ holds and teaches. But “to gather with Christ” is to do good out of love to him, and to become rich in good works. He that does not believe is, by his own free will, not with Christ but against him, because he depends upon his own works. Therefore, he that does not love, does not gather with Christ, but by fruitless works becomes only more sinful and drifts farther and farther from the faith.

12. In the fifth place, he answers with a threat, namely, that the last state always is worse than the first. Therefore we should take heed that we not only refrain from blaspheming the Gospel and Christ, who does such great things for us and drives the devil out of us; but with zeal and fear hold fast to them, in order that we may not become possessed of seven worse devils whereas one possessed us before. For thus it was with the Jews, who had never been so wicked as while the Gospel was being preached to them. So also under the papacy, we have become seven times, (that is, many times) worse heathen under the name of Christ than we ever had been before as St. Peter says: “The last state is become worse with them than the first.” 2 Peter 2:20. And if we neglect the great light which we now have, it will come to pass in our case also, that we shall become worse than we were before, for the devil does not slumber. This should be sufficient warning.

13. Finally, when the woman cries out to Christ and praises him, saying, “Blessed is the mother that bore such a son,” etc., he opposes her carnal worship and takes occasion to teach all of us the substance of this Gospel, namely, that we should not go gaping after the works or merits of the saints but rather see to it that we hear and keep the Word of God. For it does not concern or profit us in the least to know how holy and honorable the mother of this child might be, nor how noble this Son of hers may be; but rather what this Son has done for us, namely that, by grace, without any merit or worthiness on our part, he has redeemed us from the devil.

This fact is proclaimed to us through the Word of God, and this we are to hear and hold in firm faith; then shall we too be blessed like this mother and her child.

Although such a Word and work will be blasphemed, we should suffer it and give an answer with meekness, as St. Peter teaches, for the improvement of others.

II. THE ALLEGORICAL OR SPIRITUAL MEANING OF THIS GOSPEL.

14. This dumb, deaf, blind, and demon-possessed man represents all the children of Adam, who through the flesh are possessed of Satan in original sin, so that they must be his slaves and do according to his will. Hence they are also blind, that is, they do not see God. They are deaf, for they do not hear God’s Word, and are not obedient or submissive to it. They are also dumb, for they do not give him one word of thanks or praise, nor do they preach and proclaim Christ and the grace of God. But they are all too talkative about the teachings of the devil and the opinions of men. In these things they see only too well and are wiser than the children of light in their undertakings, opinions, and desires. In these things they hear with both ears and readily adopt the suggestions of flesh and blood. So then, whatever we do, in word and deed, as to both body and soul, is of the devil, whether it be externally good or bad, and must be redeemed through the work of God. We are in his kingdom and therefore we acknowledge him, see, hear, and follow him and praise and proclaim his name. All this takes place through the Spirit of God in his Word, which casts out the devil and his kingdom.

15. The Jews called the chief of the devils Beelzebub. The Hebrew word “sebub” means a fly; “baal” or “beel,” a man or ruler, as a householder.

When the two words form a combination, they mean an arch-fly or chieffly, or, in plain German “Fliegenkoenig oder grosse Hummel,” that is, kingfly or the great drone. They gave Satan this contemptuous epithet as though they were entirely free from him, secure against him, and lords over him. That is the way all conceited, corrupt hypocrites do; they imagine they are so pure and holy, that the devil is a helpless, feeble fly compared with them, and that they do not need the grace of Christ nor the Word of God.

Still they think he is strong enough for others, yet, that whatever godfearing people teach and do must be the devil’s own work, and they consider it such a trifling thing as though it were a dead fly. The devil can well endure such contempt, for by it he is placed above the true God in their hearts.

16. The tyrant in the court or palace is the devil, as I said before. He is in peace, however, as long as God’s Word and finger do not oppose him, and just like this deaf-mute, his people do whatever he wishes, for they know no better. His weapons and armor are the carnal conceit, doctrines and traditions of men, by which he terrifies the conscience and protects himself.

17. But when the stronger man, the Gospel, comes, peace flees, and he rages like a madman, for he resents being condemned, unmasked, punished, and publicly branded. Then he gathers up his armor, the powerful, wise, rich and holy people, and sets them all to attacking God’s Word, as we see in the persecution of the teachers of the Gospel. Such rage and persecution signify that the devil retires very unwillingly and raves in his whole body; for as he acts in the body and its members when he must depart, so he also behaves in the whole world, resisting with all his power when he is to give place to the Gospel; but it is all in vain, he must be expelled.

18. For a Stronger One, that is, Christ, comes and overpowers him and takes away his whole armor, that is, he converts some of those same persecutors, and to that extent makes him weaker, and his own kingdom stronger. He divides the spoils too, that is, those he converts he uses for various offices, graces, and works in Christendom, of which Paul writes in Romans 12:6. He is also in the court yard or ante-room of the palace, for the devil’s kingdom consists in outward appearances and pretences of wisdom, holiness, and strength; but when it is captured by the Gospel it is found to consist of pure folly, sin and weakness.

19. The text continues, “When the unclean spirit has gone out, he wanders through dry places, seeking rest,” etc. This means as much as the saying, “The devil never takes a vacation” and “The devil never sleeps,” for he is seeking how he may devour man. “Dry places” are not the hearts of the ungodly, for in such he rests and dwells like a mighty tyrant, as the Gospel here says; but there are dry and waste places here and there in the country where no people live, as forests and wildernesses. To these he flees in wicked rage because he is driven out. You will remember that the devil found Christ in the wilderness. Now, in Judea, there is not much water, hence we read that it contains many and wastes. In other countries, however, as in our own, which are well watered, the devils stay in rivers and lakes, and there they sometimes drown those who bathe or sail upon them. Furthermore, at some places there are water spirits, who entice the children from the shores into the water and drown them. These are all devils.

20. That he comes again and finds the house swept and garnished (Matthew adds “empty”) signifies that the man is sanctified and adorned with beautiful spiritual gifts, and that the evil spirit clearly sees that he can do nothing there with his familiar tricks, for he is too well known. Thus when the worship of idols was driven from the heathen, he never attacked the world with that device again. But what did he do then? He tried something else, went out, took with him seven spirits, more evil than himself, and entered in with them and dwelt there, and the last state of that man was worse than the first. So he has dealt with us. When Christ had become known in the world and the devil’s former kingdom with its idol worship had been destroyed, he adopted another plan and attacked us with heresy and introduced and established the papacy, in which Christ was entirely forgotten, and men became worse heathen under the name of Christ than before he was preached, as we can see now with our own eyes.

Such also was the lot of the Jews after the destruction of Jerusalem, and of the Greeks under the Turks. And so all will fare, who at first hear the Word of God and afterwards become secure and weary of it. St. Matthew says, in Matthew 12:14, that Satan finds the house empty. And in Matthew 13:25, he sowed tares among the wheat, by night, while men slept. Therefore it is necessary for us to watch as the apostles always admonish us, especially St. Peter in 1 Peter 5:3: “Brethren, be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”; for wherever he overthrows faith, he easily restores again all former vices.

Oculi - The Third Sunday in Lent, 2016. Luke 11:14-28. The Stronger Man Is Jesus

$
0
0

Oculi, The Third Sunday in Lent, 2016

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson


Bethany Lutheran Worship, 10 AM Central Standard Time

Mid-Week Lenten Services are Wednesdays at 7 PM.

The Hymn #175      When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
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        O Sacred Head

The Stronger Man Is Jesus

The Hymn #172:6-10                      O Sacred Head
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 #151                   Christ the Life                   

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.


The Stronger Man Is Jesus

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.

1. This is a beautiful Gospel from which we learn many different things, and in which nearly everything is set forth as to what Christ, his kingdom and his Gospel are: what they accomplish and how they fare in the world.

In the first place, like all the Gospels this one teaches us faith and love; for it presents Christ to us as a most loving Savior and Helper in every need and tells us that he who believes this is saved. For we see here that Christ had nothing to do with people who were healthy, but with a poor man who was greatly afflicted with many ills. He was blind, as Matthew says; also dumb and possessed with a demon, as Luke tells us here. Now all mutes are also deaf, so that in the Greek language deaf and dumb are one word.

One sign of Jesus' divine work was instant opposition, attributing only the worst to Him. Various objections were raised in the style of drama queens. "He is breaking the Sabbath!" In this case, Jesus  has power over devils through His master, the Prince of Demons, Beelzebub, they claim with their fakey emotions.

The sceptics jump on difficult miracles, like the Canaanite woman, but pass over the many miracles requested and performed or simply performed without many details. Some are simply grouped together and summarized. Likewise, we overlook the constant blessings coming our way and examine why one need or problem is not met at the moment it vexes and annoys us.

The crowd reaction shows tne way to hide the real issue is to react against the person. "You are a devil." Another is to run to the aid of the institution. "You are wrecking Holy Mother Church!" Of course, the language is different in the Gospels. They are afraid of Pharisaical Judaism being destroyed.  They key to opposition is taking away their inner righteousness, earned by works and by being children of Abraham by the flesh. Jesus teaches, "Only faith in My righteousness receives forgiveness."

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.

2. Secondly, it is here demonstrated how Christ and his Gospel fare in the world, namely, that there are three kinds of hearers. Some marvel at him; these are pious and true Christians, who consider this deed so great that they are amazed at it. Some blaspheme the Gospel; these are the Pharisees and scribes, who were vexed because they could not do the like, and were worried lest the people should hold Christ in higher esteem than themselves. Some tempt him, like Herod desired a sign after his own heart, that they may make sport of it. But he answers both parties; at first, the blasphemers in this Gospel, and later on the tempters, saying that no sign shall be given this wicked generation except the sign of the prophet Jonah, of which we read in the verses following. He answers the blasphemers in a friendly way and argues five points with them.

This happened often. Jesus performed a miracle and the crowd asked for another one as proof, perhaps something even more direct and dramatic. When people marvel at the exotic sights, animals, and plants from around the world, I ask myself, "Have you visited your own backyard? More is going on than you can study in a lifetime."

The crowd reaction, as outlined by Luther, shows how the Word is effective. For those who obstinately reject the Word and Him who bears it, there is nothing but blindness and scandal in their hardened hearts. The dabblers want just a little more, or much more, tempting Him to give proof when they already had a sign from heaven.

This happens with sound doctrine too. "Show us that this is correct doctrine" is followed by "I don't see it, show us more." Sometimes the claws and fangs come out much later as various oaths and curses are called upon the person they just questioned. "Prove to me you are correct, you cowardly liar!"

Addressing the Beezebub faction, Jesus asked, How can Satan drive out Satan?"
Exorcism was practiced by others, so their accusation was easily turned against them. But when the guilty are shown their guilt, and they are unrepentant, they grow in their anger, not in their contrition. 

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

Those who shout down false doctrine are simply calling down even more examples of sound doctrine to condemn them. The primary role of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of sin "because they do not utterly trust in Me." (John 16:8ff, Jackson Revised Living Cottonpatch Jerusalem Bible)

Therefore, by extension, the purpose of the Word is to plant faith and encourage faith. The Word conveys Jesus to the hearers, and Jesus makes faith in Him spring up whenever He speaks and acts.

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

This is the proof - when Jesus through God's power casts out demons, the Kingdom of God is actively at work. 

Stronger Man Parable
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.

Because the entire Bible is about Jesus, parables are either about Jesus Himself or His work.

When Jesus was born, some believed in the coming Messiah, and were justified by faith, but that was limited to a small group with access to the Old Testament in Hebrew or Greek. They lived in a tiny corner of the world, perhaps scattered about in that world (The Diaspora). 

God's plan was to make it global, so tree-worshiping pagans--like our ancestors--could hear the Gospel, receive forgiveness and salvation.

Until the ministry of Christ, almost the entire was in the grip of the strong man - Satan. When a strong man guards his palace (Planet Earth in this case) all this goods are in peace. So when Satan ruled over everything, he had a lot to show Jesus in the temptations.

And it did not matter which pagans won which wars, because the power simply shifted between pagan powers, who still kept Satan's good in peace. Many of those movements were changing history for Christianity, unknown to their Father Below. The Greek conquest of the world set up the entire West for Greek culture and the Greek language. Think Septuagint making the Old Testament Gospel known to more people, the New Testament able to reach everyone.

As strong as Satan was in guarding his palace, a Stronger Man came to defeat him. Jesus is the Stronger Man of the parable. He was the bait that Satan grabbed, defeating by death the Savior. But this death did not give Satan a win but a loss. The Stronger Man defeated sin, death, and Satan by His death and resurrection.

10. He answers them in the third place, by a comparison taken from life, namely that of a strong man overcome by one stronger, and robbed of all his armor and goods etc. By this he testifies also that no one but God can overcome the devil, so that again no man can boast of being able of himself to drive out either sin or the devil. Notice how he pictures the devil! He calls him a mighty giant who guards his court and home, that is, the devil not only possesses the world as his own domain, but he has garrisoned and fortified it, so that no one can take it from him. He rules it also with undisputed sway, so that it does whatever he commands. Just as little as a house or court may withstand or contend against the tyrant who is its master, can man’s free will and natural powers oppose sin and Satan, that is, not at all; but they are subject to them. And as that house must be conquered by a stronger man and thus wrested from the tyrant, so must man also be ransomed through Christ and wrested from Satan. We see again, therefore, that our works and righteousness contribute absolutely nothing toward our salvation; it is effected alone by the grace of God.

As Luther says, no one can defeat Satan but Christ Himself. But since God gives us the power and authority to use His Word, we can stand up against Satan, his crafts and assaults, and defeat him with the word.

Satan employs a thousand arts, chiefly aiming at our emotions, where we are weakest. But the Word has 100, 000 arts. Any false doctrine or mistaken notion can be met with the Word of God and struck down, usually in many places and in many different wordings. 

The unbelieving world says, "Place your trust in your feelings. They will always guide you." They often make the feelings divine in some way. But how many people wake in the morning with great feelings, only to be crushed by the events of the day? Or how many feel completely discouraged - not just the pastors, but the laity too - and yet find encouragement in the Word and in the words and deeds of other Christians?

Advantages
Many advantages come from this defeat of Satan, who still occupies vast territories and seeks to retake what he has lost.

The wealth of the world and the intelligence of man was turned to service in the Word of God. Men and women said, "How can we take this Gospel to the ends of the earth?" They used every possible resource and technological advantage to do this, from the ice cream social for funding to the printing press and Internet for spreading the Word.

The Spirit through the Word moves people to share this Gospel. One of the delights of publishing is to have strangers write and say, "I want 10 copies of that book" or "I email your posts to all my friends."

That moved me to (after Making Disciples) to plan a future booklet on the Scriptures and the doctrine of the Word. The gardening book comes first, which will be a lesson in Christian faith.

So wherever the Gospel is, faith springs up because the presence of Jesus through the Word plants faith like a seed that is created to grow. And Satan loses more territory all the time. As I observed, a Christian couple can get married and love long enough to see 50 descendants or more who have heard the Gospel and believed, especially when the children are baptized, taught the Word, and brought to the Means of Grace.



Michigander's Comments on the KJV21, Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism and Christian News

$
0
0
This painting shows how many of us feel
looking into the fog of modern Lutherdom.

Your Making Disciples booklet was downloaded when you posted about it.  Very good material. 

I visited the KJV21 link to see more comparisons, which did seem to hold up well.  Then I looked for my copy of the KJV21.  Didn't find it.  Then I remembered I gave it away some years ago.  I downloaded the whole Book of Mark they offered in a WORD file (also to other word-processor versions).  I'll be following the lessons using the KJV21 text.  I did that this morning.  There was not enough difference -- one or two words here and there, which were appropriate -- so that only the few changes made it obvious I was reading a different version of the text but not much different.

I might have to get another copy of the KJV21.  They have a deal going:  buy one hard cover copy at $34.95 and get a second free.  They also sell leather-cover versions (two or three colors) for another $10.00 or so and one can mix or match versions as part of the deal.   


The issue of CN that contained all the quotes from The Faith of Jesus came Friday.  A week and a half after the issue's date, I think it was, maybe a longer time.  Then there was his diatribe about your sinking into the abyss of heresy.  That was humorous.  Poor Herman.  There was a favorable reference to your report on the LCA all those years ago as being the right stuff.  Too bad you've lost it.  Poor Herman.



***

The KJV21 preserves the precision of the KJV and the original Greek text here:

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22 even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,
24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The new NIV adds their "all" to the text, which is not present in Greek or even in the older, obsolete NIV, and they turn the "faith of Jesus" into "faith in Jesus." So by adding and subtracting they invent a new Bible, bit by bit.

WELS pastors call it the Ninevah translation.
They are not allowed to mention Murdoch owning it.

Blame ELCA on CFW Walther and His Precious UOJ. Christian News Misleads Its Readers

$
0
0

Christian News and the Bronze Age Missourians insist that Walther is the cure for everything wrong in Lutherdom today.

WELS and Missouri grew into their mummified dogmatism when both were Germanic denominations. Their publications and congregations were dominated by the German language until WWI. The prolixty of Walther and his need to control everything put its stamp on both synods.

However, the great danger to Lutherans was the obnoxious Halle University perversion of justification that Walther rode like a pony all his life. The Easter absolution of the entire world was the Rambach explanation of 1 Timothy 3:16.  Martin Stephan learned it when he studied at Halle, and he taught it to Walther and others. CFW never let go of the poison and taught the same nonsense from the moment of his conversion on.

Apparently, Walther felt a bit superior to Stephan, because CFW had the college degree that Stephan never earned. But all Walther had was a degree in rationalism from Leipzig University and heavy-duty training in Pietism from one abusive guru and then a second one, Stephan.

Stephan was the real founder of the LCMS, and he enforced his spiritual leadership by owning the bodies of the young women in the group. He really had two congregations in one. The first was the Pietistic cell group parish in Dresden, set aside for his ethnic group and given the freedom to have their cell group meetings at the church. He formed a second group of those attracted to him, as the Walther circle of pastors were, and had his clergy followers collect money from them.

Walther and the clergy leaders took their disciples with them once Stephan was under house arrest and his career over, following his trial for adultery and financial manipulations.

The clergy knew about Stephan's adultery but covered for him anyway - a decisive trait of UOJ, since everyone is born forgiven.

Walther led the mob that extended Stephan the Left Foot of Fellowship, after robbing this bishop of gold, land, books, and personal possessions. This put the future Missouri Synod on a firm financial foundation and eventually made Walther the heir of his dead brother's congregation in St. Louis, the head of the seminary, and the president of the rapidly growing synod.

Walther had no problem with African slaves traded naked in the markets of St. Louis. Stephan's Bohemian ethnic group used slaves too, so Missouri was the only Lutheran denomination founded in a slave state and not disgusted by slavery. The Northern Lutheran groups (like Augustana) were.appalled by human slavery and expanded into the free states.

UOJ Codified and LCMS Began To Fall Apart
The Brief Statement of 1932 codified and normed the Pietistic perversion of justification, which greased the slide of Missouri into mainline apostasy. This did not happen overnight and never became a 100% solution. Justification by faith is still found at Concordia Publishing House and still taught by some WELS clergy.

Nevertheless, UOJ was recently found to be taught officially by all three sects - WELS, LCMS, and ELS. To quote President Voss, they dreamt they woke up, floating on a sea of iniquity, AND THEY WERE THIRSTY!

UOJ is really the spirit of mockery and radicalism, yet it hides itself under the cover of Biblical words. The radical Seminex leaders - and martyrs - came from WELS. They graduated from Northwestern College WELS (RIP), and the loved UOJ and the historical-critical method of interpreting the Bible (HCM for short).

For years elements in WELS and LCMS joined Christian News in saying about HCM - "Burn it with fire!" But the problem was UOJ, not HCM, which just one node of UOJ.

One people declare God's universal declaration of forgiveness (never recorded in the Bible) and make that their guide for Biblical interpretation, no rules exist for anything. Ask Bishop Stephan, who installed a young woman at his parsonage, twice, against his wife's loud protests. Or look at the manifest of Stephan's ship traveling to America - his mistress had her own cabin, but his sick wife and children (syphilis, from bishop dearest) were left at home.

And despite the protests, everybody knows in the WELS and LCMS leadership:
Everybody knows that the boat is leaking
Everybody knows that the captain lied
Everybody got this broken feeling
Like their father or their dog just died. (Leonard Cohen)

I grew up and grew old in the Ecumenical Age. When I went to Notre Dame, they gave me, a Lutheran, a full scholarship. The faculty consisted of a Methodist (Hauerwas), a Mennonite (Yoder), a liberal Calvinist (Hommes), a Seminexer friend of Neuhaus who became a Roman Catholic (Wilken), a former nun married to a former Jesuit, and some Holy Cross priests, plus the gay worship professors. They tolerated every point of view except traditional Christianity. I often made comments in class that were followed by awkward silence.

UOJ is ideal for mergers and ecumenism because all Christian doctrine is muted by this precious dogma of Universal Absolution without Faith.

The martyrs of WELS (Jungkuntz and Gerhke) were taken in by Missouri and became official martyrs to parade before the LCMS. When things heated up, many in the Seminex faction of Missouri were straight out of WELS.

Like tainted meat, some continued to move through the digestive system of Lutherdom and ended up in ELCA. But they had much damage to do along the way. Jungkuntz chaired the board for Seminex, and his board approved their seminary becoming the official school for the Metropolitan Community (all gay) Church.  Talk about closed communion! Everyone had to be gay, clergy and laity alike. The straight denominations were never so strict.

Seminex brought along their gay professor (Deppe) and radicalized the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Every ELCA seminary is in a financial crisis, because few men want to study at gay feminist seminaries.

The entire student body of Bethany Lutheran Seminary (ELS)
can do their choir tour in a mini-van.
They would trounce the CLC (sic) at
donkey basketball.
Some of you are spitting out your morning Cocoa Puffs while reading this. "I don't see the UOJ Seminex ELCA connection!"

But I do, because I am fairly well read on ELCA and SynCon news. The key issue is - who is elected to the regional bishop's office in ELCA? A surprising number have been Seminex graduates. Cogitate on that, doubters. In WELS, only those who went the Northwestern Prep can be a teacher or leader in their abusive sect. An outsider? Shudder - not someone from MLS or Prairie or Mobridge - nevah!

The ELS will take someone from WELS, perhaps, and even from a WELS school, but WELS will never let anyone forget he was in the Bethany program or had his Pietism watered down in other ways.

Missouri will take on someone tainted by WELS - such as DP John Wille who graduated about the same time as Mark and Avoid Jeske, from the Sausage Factory. Was that held against Wilke? No.
Or Al Barry - he vicared in WELS during his dazzling four-synod career (ELS, orthodox something or other in a church basement, WELS vicarage, LCMS). WELSians would not even speak to somewhat so diverse, let alone make him SP.

The CLC (sic) stages Donkey Basketball games
to raise funds.
I report; you guffaw.
Donkey Basketball at ILC! March 13 from 7:00-8:30pm, the ILC gym will be host to a Donkey Basketball Tournament featuring teams from ILC and Messiah, Eau Claire. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. For advance tickets, contact Prof. Roehl at ross.roehl@ilc.edu. Dairyland Donkey Ball is providing the donkeys and the mule expertise to host the event. Check them out on Facebook or at the link below. If any close congregations would like to provide riders for a team, let Prof. Roehl know. This should be a great time!

Will Paul Tiefel, notorious false teacher at Messiah,
ride a donkey in this splendid athletic contest?

His little publication, WIISD, was so bad that his
elders told him to cease and desist.


UOJ is the guiding principle. That radicalism, that opposition to the Word in the Means of Grace, will always lead its adherents to mainline apostasy. as Mark Jeske reveals with every eructation of his ghastly TV show. He is already in occult prosperity dogma - who knows where UOJ will take him next.

The UOJ false teachers stick to together like lint to Velcro - just try to pull them apart - literally. Their love for each other is even greater than the love of one drunk for another.
Thus the abusive sects of the Synodical Conference - WELS, LCMS, ELS, CLC (sic) - practice looking down their noses at others, but they love, admire, and covet the ELCA.  They will boot one of their own with glee while sitting down with the scornful of the ELCA.

Psalm 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

And the days will come,
when Lutherans will promote
jackasses riding on jackasses.

How To Talk UOJ - Avoid the Issues and Pound the Table

$
0
0

The person arguing on Extra Nos follows the normal rules for defending UOJ from any meniton of the Book of Concord, Luther, or the Scriptures:


  1. Always be angry and sarcastic.
  2. Switch to mockery ("Mr. LPC"), another form of anger.
  3. Make something or somebody an idol - whether Walther, Bob Preus, or Jack Kilcrease.
  4. Hold the opinions of man (synodical votes) over the doctrine of the Bible.
  5. Ducking the issues, call everyone else a lying coward.


Lito Cruz has a PhD in math and does a superb job of eviscerating the UOJ arguments below.Part of math training involves critical thinking and the problems with logical fallacies.


Blogger Alec said...
This is fantastic. Don't know how I missed it before.
Thank you. I needed the laugh!

Alec
Friday, January 8, 2016 at 3:19:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Gregory Jackson said...
I read it to my wife again. We both laughed because the Lutheran leaders wrote the script. I just copy and paste.
Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:05:00 PM GMT+11
 Delete
Blogger Alec said...
True art. It teaches and entertains with a light touch.

Reposted today at Humor | Hitler loses the Universal Objective Justification (UOJ) War

Hope many more people enjoy it and learn. Thanks Greg (and Lilo).
Friday, January 8, 2016 at 11:12:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Hi Alec,

Thanks for reposting, Pr. Greg is one heck of a witty writer.

Blessing to you brother.

LPC
Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11:41:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
I fail to see the humor. There are mis-representations galore. This Jackson fella; He makes the claim on his blog and in the video that Robert Preus repudiated objective justification. Where is the citation for this claim?
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 6:30:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

It is in the Preus' book 'Justification and Rome'. Preus sites old Lutherans and the quotation from them are denials of UOJ.

It is denial by default - that is by quoting the statements of orthodox Lutherans involved in the BoC. One has to have a wild perverted imagination to read UOJ in to the statements of Calov or Quenstedt etc.

LPC
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 2:06:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
"Denial by default". According to who? You? The Jackson guy? Have you or him read the book?
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 2:47:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Gregory Jackson said...
Him have read the book several times, to answer your question, Don.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 3:07:00 PM GMT+11
 Delete
Blogger Don Vega said...
Gregory Jackson; and you are English teacher?

What do you think of this statement?

"Then God, in His infinite grace, took action. He sent His Son, who was the radiance of His glory and the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3), to become man (John 1:14) and to redeem the world (Galatians 4:4) and restore it to glory and communion with Him (John 3:17). For Christ’s sake God, who was angry with the sinful world, was reconciled, propitiated, and at peace with the world (1 John 2:2; Luke 2:14)."
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 3:22:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Gregory Jackson said...
Don, I was responding to your bad grammar - Have you or him read the book?

You were asking "Have you read the book" and also "Have him read the book?"

So I answered using your grammar. You simply want to post some unthinking accusations. You should get some rest, eat some prunes, and grow up a bit.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 3:39:00 PM GMT+11
 Delete
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

Yes , I have read it and my copy is filled with notes. If Preus intended to promote UOJ then he should have not used quotes from orthodox Lutherans that question or put the teaching in to doubt.

Dr, Jackson made pictures of these quotes and let me give you an example...
In p. 131 #74 quoting Calov - "Although Christ has acquired for us the remission of sins, justification and sonship, God just the same does not justify us prior to faith..."

This runs roughshod against the LC-MS Brief Statement 1932 Article 17 which says that God has declared the whole world ALREADY righteous in Christ.

LPC
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 8:47:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
But you did not answer my question regarding the quote I posted, Gregory Jackson. I was giving you the opportunity to address a contradiction in your claim concerning Preus; "tonto como un asno"

On your blog you have posted a quote by Rev. Jack Cascione in a graphic many times. I see no difference in what the graphic says and the quote I gave you. The quote appears on page 32 in the Preus book, Justification and Rome. Why would Preus say that if he denied objective justification?

Mr. LPC: Your line of reasoning is absurd. Of course the quotes are appropriate in the book. Preus wholeheartedly believed in Justification by Faith. All true orthodox Lutheran Christians believe this. Faith justifies us when we believe all the things the atonement and redemption accomplish. This is ever so evident in the Smalcald Articles Part II Article 1:

"1] That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4:25.

2] And He alone is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, John 1:29; and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all, Is. 53:6.

3] Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, Rom. 3:23f

4] Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Rom. 3:28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise 3:26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ."
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 2:07:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Alec said...
Don Vega,

Do you believe that people who reject UOJ are your brothers in Christ?

I ask this because as someone new to Lutheranism, the carte blanche rejection of Timothy 5 in the discussion of this issue is startling.

Of course, if UOJ people do not believe Justification by Faith alone Lutherans are brothers, then the behavior makes sense.

Hope you will answer me.

Alec
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 2:38:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
"Do you believe that people who reject UOJ are your brothers in Christ?"

It would depend on your definition of 'brother'. I could not be in fellowship with one who denies objective justification. I would not be able to commune with him. Since I can not commune with him, I would not consider him a brother. That is not to say that there are not true believers who will be in Heaven from across all denominations.

I do not understand how 1 Tim. 5 bears credence to the discussion.

Gregory Jackson should on the other hand recant his false accusations regarding Robt. Preus as I have shown here that he is in error.

The problems with him and Mr. Lito are this: They view that people are saved because of their faith and not through faith by grace for the sake of Christ. There is a difference and I hope you are able to see it.
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 3:37:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

I do not think you understand what UOJ teaches. Do you believe the whole world including those who are to be born and the atheist etc are justified in Christ now, this very moment. Do you believe that the Muslim in your are is also already justified, meaning declared righteous? That is these people have been declared righteous already before faith and before they could repent and believe?

I do not think you have read the Brief Statement 1932 article 17. This statement has been discussed many times in this blog. But I will repeat it for you a problematic and erroneous sentence there...

"in the article of justification. Scripture teaches that God HAS ALREADY declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, "

How could the whole world be righteous in Christ when in fact the whole world is not IN CHRIST.

My reasoning is not absurd for if you supper impose the Calov quote, Calov denies that statement.

LPC
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 9:27:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

Ah I see now your problem for sure and I claim it is you who is absurd. On the one hand you stated...
"Faith justifies us when we believe all the things the atonement and redemption accomplish".

Yet on the other you claim against us --- "They view that people are saved because of their faith and not through faith by grace for the sake of Christ"

First this is a straw man, I believe that a person is saved by faith in the finished work of Christ. Not faith per se but man is saved by the object of his faith in Christ and only and upon when faith in Christ happens. Faith has an object and if that object is Christ, then man is saved, declared righteous or justified.

The problem we have with UOJ is that they have an absurd view as to when Justification of Man happens. Do you believe man is justified before faith, before he was born or anytime before faith? Mr. Don Vega, we obviously have a problem because if you DO BELIEVE this. Kindly answer this so we can have an intelligent discussion.

I hope you do not believe that man is already justified when Jesus died on the cross or was raised from the dead, for that would mean that everyone since the Cross has already been justified - which makes that position Universalist.


LPC
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 9:54:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
First we must deal with the serious false allegation regarding Robt. Preus because it is a lie. If you are not willing to admit truth in regard to him, how can we have a truthful discussion regarding doctrine?
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 11:53:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

Don't run away scared - you are deflecting the discussion.
I asked you questions which if you answer will prove whether or not Preus believed in UOJ in his Justification and Rome book.

I take it you have not yet read the book - so why don't you run away in a corner read it and comeback when you have done that.

We can hit these right off the park - define for me what you believe is the doctrine of Universal Objective Justification.

Then we can now debate whether or not in Preus' last days he believed in your doctrine on the basis of his book Justification and Rome.

Let me warn you - your type of running away from my questions is typical of other UOJers I dealt with. Show me you are someone I can take seriously, for if you simply evade, you will be another nail in the coffin why I reject UOJ.

LPC
Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 8:10:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
Mr. LPC, you are stonewalling besides deflecting. I have exposed your lie and that of this cowardly Gregory Jackson fellow by the quotation I posted. Furthermore, if you look on page 59, he reiterates that the world is redeemed and reconciled to God. Robert Preus' family members many times have testified to the truth. You are telling me you know better than his own words in the book and the closeness of his family? Can you depart from reality any more?
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 8:48:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,

It is you who is evading. A gentleman should answer questions hurled at him and yet you do not answer my questions. I have been answering your questions now be polite and answer mine. I have page 59 in front of me. Why don't you provide an actual quote from the text itself? Give me an actual text.

P. 59 talks about the righteousness of Christ, none of them in categorical terms imply UOJ in the sense that God has already imputed righteousness to the whole world, prior to faith or before faith or before they were born, none.

Of course the atonement of Christ is the basis for the salvation of man, the question is WHEN does this benefit get to man. Lutheran exegetes who do not even believe in UOJ have affirmed and so do I that the basis for man's justification is Christ's atonement. The question is WHEN does this justification of man happen?

Here is what Preus says:

"It is precisely this righteousness which is imputed to the SINNER WHO BELIEVES and thereby becomes his righteousness . It is the purpose of the Formula of Concord to affirm just this fact"

Am I any better than Preus' family members? Are you familiar with scholarly procedures? In law as well as in scholarly circles, what you verbally say does not count, what counts is what you have written down. Even Augustine himself had to write his Retractions.

Preus prior to this book I could say he believed in UOJ. This book was written at the end or even posthumously. When I was reading his book the minimum I could conclude if ever Preus believed in UOJ was that he was confusing because the quotes he used in his book were quotes from orthodox Lutherans who can not be believed to have taught UOJ.

The fact that you can not even articulate with me what you believe about UOJ shows to me you yourself have a shaky understanding of it. Your evasion does not promote your cause.


LPC
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 10:54:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
Here is what I believe objective justification is, Mr. LPC.

"Then God, in His infinite grace, took action. He sent His Son, who was the radiance of His glory and the express image of His person (Hebrews 1:3), to become man (John 1:14) and to redeem the world (Galatians 4:4) and restore it to glory and communion with Him (John 3:17). For Christ’s sake God, who was angry with the sinful world, was reconciled, propitiated, and at peace with the world (1 John 2:2; Luke 2:14)." Pg 32 Justification and Rome

"This righteousness of Christ, this vicarious obedience under the Law and vicarious obedience unto death, results in the redemption of the world and the reconciliation of the world to God. This righteousness which constitutes the vicarious atonement is the basis of the sinner’s justification before God. " Pg 59 Justification and Rome

I believe these thing the same as Robt. Preus.
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 12:54:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Gregory Jackson said...
In short, Don, you reject the Formula of Concord, the Book of Concord, Melanchthon, Luther, St. Paul, and the Holy Spirit, Don. Therefore, your opinions about Dr. Robert Preus are irrelevant.

"This article concerning justification by faith (as the Apology says) is the chief article in the entire Christian doctrine, without which no poor conscience can have any firm consolation, or can truly know the riches of the grace of Christ, as Dr. Luther also has written: If this only article remains pure on the battlefield, the Christian Church also remains pure, and in goodly harmony and without any sects; but if it does not remain pure, it is not possible that any error or fanatical spirit can be resisted. (Tom. 5, Jena, p. 159.) 7] And concerning this article especially Paul says that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Therefore, in this article he urges with so much zeal and earnestness the particulas exclusivas, that is, the words whereby the works of men are excluded (namely, without Law, without works, by grace [freely],Rom. 3:28; 4:5; Eph. 2:8-9), in order to indicate how highly necessary it is that in this article, aside from [the presentation of] the pure doctrine, the antithesis, that is, all contrary dogmas, be stated separately, exposed, and rejected by this means." Formula of Concord, SD
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 1:47:00 PM GMT+11
 Delete
Blogger Don Vega said...
There is no opinion, only the words of Preus which is the truth. Accept it and denounce your lies. When are you two going to address the quotes. You are confirming my original thought of you; clodding and imbecile.
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 2:09:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Don,
As I said, at a minimum my conclusion is that Preus was being confusing but the mass of his quotations of orthodox old Lutherans negate the UOJ doctrine that God has already declared the whole world righteous in Christ.

Your quote has lots of past tenses.

So you and Preus believe that God is now reconciled (a finished event) with the whole world. He is no longer angry with the unbeliever, he is at peace with them. The unbeliever has no more need to fear God? Do people still go to hell today based on your doctrine?

LPC
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 2:12:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
It's not my words, or Preus for the matter but scripture. How could a God who dies for His creation be mad? No, the unbeliever should fear God, but he does not and in so doing damns himself to hell.
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 2:46:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Gregory Jackson said...
Don, you are opposed to the Word of God "KJV John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

You are very mixed up, which is why you are so angry.
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 3:14:00 PM GMT+11
 Delete
Blogger Don Vega said...
Nowhere have I or Preus denied this. Get some rest. Eat some prunes. Grow up a bit.
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 3:25:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Mr. Vega,

It is you who needs to stop and calm down you are very excitable. You do not appreciate the points being made to you.

The reason Pr. Greg quoted to you John 3:36 is because you claim that God is at peace with the world, he is not angry with the whole world anymore.

Can you see why he quoted that to you? I should have not asked -- you don't see it do you.

You do not even realise why I said most of your quote about God being reconciled to the world and no longer at war is IN THE PAST TENSE, which I intend to imply as unbiblical.

In Luke 2:14 God is declaring peace, but with God if you do not want his peace, you will receive his war. That does not mean God is at peace with the whole world, he is announcing Isaiah 1:18. Also God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself 2 Cor 5:19, this reconciling started in the past but it is still going on today, it is not in the past tense, a completed event, no way. Only believers are reconciled with God, for they are the only ones in Christ and that is where God's peace is located.

So your answer to me is that God who is at peace with the world wants the unbeliever to fear him even though God is not mad anymore with him, and yet, when this unbeliever fails to fear a God who no longer is mad at him, this God (so you suppose) sends that unbeliever to hell.


Hehehehe, Mr. Vega, hell is the ultimate expression of God's wrath. You make God inconsistent in himself. Which is which, Mr. Vega? Is God no longer mad, and yet he sends people to Hell (the expression of his ultimate wrath) for those who do not fear his anger which does not exists anymore?

You are confused about God. You have swallowed UOJ sophistry (you probably do not know what that means since you reason that way).

I recommend you eat a lot of peanuts, it is know to cure morons of their stupidity.

Sincerely yours,

LPC
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 7:01:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
So you now admit Preus was a UOJer?
Friday, February 26, 2016 at 11:41:00 PM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
I can not conclude beyond the shadow of a doubt that he was in the last several chapters of his book a UOJer. Why would I conclude that, I already told you at the very minimum, Preus was confusing - did I not say that?

You were running well in taking the discussion to the Scriptures away from Preus for after all what we do think about him are opinions and thus is irrelevant. You can get everything in the world right, you can even be right about Preus, but if you get Justification wrong you are still in deep pooh.

I can not conclude he remained a solid UOJer if I look at the last few chapters of his book.
For one reason, he discusses faith in not only in 1 chapter of the book but the vital last 4 chapters of the book.

In UOJ the object of faith is the (imagined) justification that has presumed to have already happened to the world either when Christ died on the cross or was raised from the dead. According to Pr. Jay Webber in this blog(I am too busy to cite it for you but you can find his comments in this blog), that is the object of faith in UOJ. UOJ confuses and conflates the Atonement with Justification, much like the Calvinists do. They conclude that since Christ died for the world, that automatically means God has also justified or forgiven the whole world.

In p.86 Preus quotes Quenstedt.

"When the terms grace or mercy of God are set forth as the object of our trust, this does not exclude Christ our Mediator and His ATONEMENT for our sins from being object of our faith, but includes it".

The emphasis is mine. This is nothing more but the exposition of Rom 3:21-26 which JBFA people have always asserted.

So in so quoting Quenstedt, I can hardly say Preus is being a UOJist here.

LPC
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 9:57:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
Well, Mr. LPC, you can conclude beyond the shadow of a doubt that Preus was a UOJer to the end. His two quotes that I provided cement the deal. The world is reconciled to God on the account of Christ.

UOJ is not universalism. I believe (as do others) faith is required for salvation; or to put it another way; a lack of rejection (unbelief) saves since all are declared innocent on the account of Christ's blood. A lack of rejection = faith since one is either quick or dead.

Let me ask you something. Since you confess repeatedly that the sins of the world are not forgiven in the atonement; what assures you that your sins are indeed forgiven, Mr. LPC?
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 11:23:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
Your quote happened in the first part of the book, I point to the last part where he expound JBFA like most non-UOJ Lutherans do. Anyway that is irrelevant now.

UOJ is indeed the universalism of Huber. For you like UOJ I have encountered believe that all are now saved and have been forgiven by God (with out the means of grace) after the cross but then he un-forgives people who do not believe in UOJ. So you got God acting against his character who only forgives people who are in Christ. So you got forgiven people who wind up in hell.

UOJ is the word of faith heresy, believe that you are already forgiven and so are, believe you are not forgiven and so you are not - you are what you believe, a demonic teaching akin to Christian Science.

The Word and the Sacraments assure me that my sins are paid for. In Cor 15:3 Scripture says that Jesus died for my sins. This is what I confess and believe as per testimony of God - according to Scripture Rom 3:21-26 such faith in the blood of Christ tells me that I am justified.

The Augsburg Confession Article IV, complies with Romans 3/4 as I stated above.

God regards the person's faith in the atonement of Christ as righteousness because it apprehends Christ's person and work. Why would God do this? Because the person has never seen Christ died on the Cross and yet he believes the testimony of Scripture. Thus it is faith in the promise of God - that Christ died for his sins.

UOJ people and JBFA people clearly do not have the same object of faith.

LPC
Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 12:03:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger Don Vega said...
You're trying to reconcile what is objective to what is subjective. It is not possible.

Does atonement pay a debt?
Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 3:43:00 AM GMT+11
Blogger LPC said...
I do not need to resolve anything. It is the UOJ who has to do that for in the UOJ scheme there are two justifications that happen. One at the Cross/Resurrection of Christ and once again when you truly believe that first Justification.

UOJ depicts as if God was in FaceBook, he begins to friend everybody and then when these people reject God's message, only then does God un-friend them.


Your UOJ masters teach you that it is a paradox, you are being fooled, no - it is an absurdity which Christianity does not accept. It is not like the doctrine of the Trinity which says there is one essence of God in three persons. It is not like the God and Human nature of Christ for in UOJ, we have an assertion A and at the same time the assertion NOT A, in the same sense.

There are two things wrong about UOJ, a.) Justification is not objective it is always subjective in the Bible, b.) Justification is not universal for justification is exclusive only to those who believe in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

In both counts UOJ contradicts the Bible twice. UOJ makes Atonement and Justification to be equal and the same, similar to the way Calvinists look at these two subjects. It is also similar to how the medieval Roman Church treat one and the same, Justification and Sanctification.

UOJ is confused universalism.

You should notice why you simply ignored Pr. Greg's John 3:36 scripture to you. It shows you are not able to rebut or explain it under your UOJ salvation scheme.

Listen, every person born in this world is under sin, under God's curse, even if Jesus died for that person's sins. The job of the HS is to use the means of grace so that person might be IN Christ, so that person might be brought under the covering (another meaning of the Atonement) of Christ. The HS uses the Law and the Gospel to bring that person to repentance and faith. If that person denies the truth that Jesus died for his sins, the person is calling God a liar 1 John 5:10, that person REMAINS in His sin - John 8:24. John 3:36. When the person agrees with the testimony of Scripture that Jesus died for his sins, i.e. believes as per Romans 3:21-26, that person is justified. That faith itself as Luther says, IS justification.

UOJ has a two tier justification that the Bible never talks about, it is a rational pietistic concoction of those who are afraid and allergic to the mention of faith. UOJ has sola gratia but no sola fide just like the Calvinists. UOJ does not realise the means of grace that it is connected to the atonement and the message of the Gospel is part and parcel of the Atonement of Christ. God delivers the message/offer of peace to sinners. They reject this offer of peace, they get what they want, war from God. They remain un-reconciled with God.
LPC has left a new comment on the post "Hitler Loses The Univeral Objective Justification ...":

It is God who sends them to Hell - Lk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
So it is God who un-friends them.

You do not possibly know what you are agreeing with. If something is subjective it can not be objective and vice versa. So you are a sophists accepting something is A and NOT A at the same time.

Because of this, you can prove anything - ex falso quodlibet. So there is no sense in conducting a dialog with someone who does not recognise sophistry in his belief system.

LPC

A Say What? Headine from Christian News. Lutheran Hour Ministries - Mormons are not Christian’s

$
0
0

One of the most popular errors today is theapostrophe s used to form a plural.

Here is an example from Christian News, the front page.

From Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism. Tear Down the Tower of Babel Bible Paraphrases, Return to the KJV or KJV21

$
0
0

King James 21stCentury - KJV21


          The way to improve Biblical knowledge and memorization, to make Scripture readings in preaching and teaching consistent, is to use the King James Version or the slightly updated KJV12. Below are KJV21 readings with an explanation of why they are test examples in my examination of Bible translations, paraphrases, and stream-of-consciousness living amplified nonsense.

KJV21 Readingsand Explanations

         

Mark 16 does not break off at verse 9 but retains the entire chapter.
This is consistent with the best evidence and does not relegate half of Mark 16 to a footnote.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
Teach all nations is the correct translation and grammar, and it avoids the Fuller Seminary agenda of making soul-winning disciples who will growth the church. Fuller teaches against inerrancy, against the efficacy of the Word, and for women’s ordination. Their agenda is suspect.

Acts 3:21 21 whom Heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
The Calvinists have the risen Christ trapped in Heaven, so He cannot be present in both natures in the Sacrament of Holy Communion. The verb is definitely “receive” but The New RSV carries on the Calvinist perspective with remain -
”who must remain in heaven until the time of universal restoration that God announced long ago through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:21 NRSV

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless: is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break: is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The KVJ tradition uses the correct word – communion – twice, but that is horrifying for those who deny the efficacy of the Sacraments, reject infant faith, and question the Real Presence. Others use “a participation in,” a vague and wordy phrase for one word in Greek, used in the Pauline benediction, 2 Corinthians 13:14 – communion. The various translations use communion of the Holy Spirit, not a participation in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference,23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
The old NIV did not have a second “all” but the New NIV has all as sinners (correct) but “all” are justified, the second “all” found only in the imagination of mainline apostates.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and “all” are justified freely – New NIV.

1 Peter 3:21 21 The like figure to this, even baptism, doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
The anti-Sacrament denominations are not against baptism, just against the efficacy of the Word in baptism. The clear witness to the power of baptism is reduced to symbolism by the NIV
          21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also…NIV

No Need for Another Translation

          WELS is talking about making up their own translation, which will be done in 2217, if it goes as fast as the Hoenecke translation did. Lutherans should climb down from their Tower of Babel and resolve to use a faithful translation. The KJV may be a bit antique for some, but the answer to that problem is KJV21, with very modest changes, not unlike the modest changes made in the first version of the KJV from 1611.

          Many traditional Lutherans have been caught up with the game of manuscripts and changing the original readings to suit their interests. That problem is solved with the KJV and the KJV21. The time is here to invoke the adiaphora article of the Formula of Concord, as it should be in times of confessional crisis.

But the other side contended that in time of persecution, in case of confession, especially when it is the design of the adversaries, either through force and compulsion, or in an insidious manner, to suppress the pure doctrine, and gradually to introduce again into our churches their false doctrine, this, also in adiaphora, can in no way be done, as has been said, without violence to conscience and prejudice to the divine truth.
Book of Concord, Formula of Concord, Article X, Solid Declaration, 3.

The Germans sought to have a single Bible to unify the Christian Church. Luther’s was not the first. The English also sought unity with one Bible rather than many versions, so King James I authorized the unified effort, honoring Tyndale’s martyrdom and Luther’s influence.
          
Owning the right Bible translation is not enough. We should avail ourselves of the Means of Grace, and apply the lessons of the Holy Scriptures to our daily lives.
Luther:
Therefore I beg such lazy paunches or presumptuous saints to be persuaded and believe for God's sake that they are verily, verily! not so learned or such great doctors as they imagine; and never to presume that they have finished learning this [the parts of the Catechism], or know it well enough in all points, even though they think that they know it ever so well. For though they should know and understand it perfectly (which, however, is impossible in this life), yet there are manifold benefits and fruits still to be obtained, if it be daily read and practised in thought and speech; namely, that the Holy Ghost is present in such reading and repetition and meditation, and bestows ever new and more light and devoutness, so that it is daily relished and appreciated better, as Christ promises, Matt. 18:20: Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

Besides, it is an exceedingly effectual help against the devil, the world, and the flesh and all evil thoughts to be occupied with the Word of God, and to speak of it, and meditate upon it, so that the First Psalm declares those blessed who meditate upon the Law of God day and night. Undoubtedly, you will not start a stronger incense or other fumigation against the devil than by being engaged upon God's commandments and words, and speaking, singing, or thinking of them. For this is indeed the true holy water and holy sign from which he flees, and by which he may be driven away.

Now, for this reason alone you ought gladly to read, speak, think and treat of these things, if you had no other profit and fruit from them than that by doing so you can drive away the devil and evil thoughts. For he cannot hear or endure God's Word; and God's Word is not like some other silly prattle, as that about Dietrich of Berne, etc., but as St. Paul says, 
Rom. 1:16, the power of God. Yea, indeed, the power of God which gives the devil burning pain, and strengthens, comforts, and helps us beyond measure
.

The Book of Concord, The Large Catechism, 9-11.


Witte's Son-in-Law Has a Call to Glende's Appleton Circus

$
0
0
Steve Witte is the father-in-law
of Stephen Kuehl.
After 23 years of Church Growth,
Shepherd of Peace is borrowing to stay open another year.
 Witte and Lawrenze were Church and Change founders.


Rev Stephen P Kuehl         Shepherd of Peace         Powell OH called to -

St Peter Freedom WI      Associate Pastor 2-22-16

ELCA-LCMS-WELS Church and Change conference,
midwifed by Mark and Avoid Jeske.

This was one page of the Church and Change
program when that cancer was still out in the open.

Big Rose Pruning - Big Rain To Follow

$
0
0
This is how a KnockOut row will look when pruned.
They do not prune themselves, but really respond to
mulching, watering, and frequent trimming.

Spring has arrived in Springdale, Arkansas. Most of the leaves are bagged and gone (into our Wild Garden) and roses are selling at Walmart.

Our roses broke out of winter dormancy, many with last summer's roses withered at the top, still trying to form a hip (seedpod). Pruning late in the season prompts fresh growth, not a good idea as the frost approaches. That is why we prune early and often in the growing season. Roses respond to pruning by growing faster underground and on top. Pruning also identifies dead wood that needs to be cut away.

KnockOut roses were at least five feet tall. We cut them back by 50%. They will regain their height quickly, as our landscaper neighbor discovered. When he suggested they needed pruning last year, they were already back to their original height and growing even more, with 50 blooms on each of 8 bushes. I cut them back just as much each time, and they grew back just as quickly.

Lyle Lovett is one style to use
for Crepe Myrtle bushes.
LI laughed when he saw mine, newly trimmed,
but admitted it looked great in bloom.


People also leave the spent flowers and seeds on their crepe myrtle, a neglected bush because it is drought tolerant and prone to rampant growth. By pruning, mulching, and watering it, we get enormous bright blossoms glowing in the bright sun. At first the bush needed considerable pruning just to get it off the mailbox near the sidewalk, Next we made the bottom branches bare of growth, to show off the bark. Energy for blooming is expended at the top for that Lyle Lovett look, with long-lasting blooms.

Early Spring Preparation

Here are some ideas:

  • Prune roses as soon as they break dormancy. Take the cuttings away completely. John 15:1-10.
  • Trim other flowering bushes.
  • Instead of raking away leaves and mulch, add to the piles beneath bushes and watch the organic matter shrink. The soil creatures devour organic matter in the spring and feed the soil by this process. Then they hold this nutrition and share it back and forth with the roots getting fed.
  • Obtain flat dishes that will capture rain and water from soaker hoses. This brings and sustains a larger toad population. They hydrate in shallow pools of water.
  • Ask children to bring toads to your yard for a bounty. I am providing $1 per toad, with a limit of 1,000 toads.
  • Increase the population of logs on the ground. These are ideal for fostering conditions toads love, and toads take shelter there. Add to the shelter population with rotten wood that falls from aging trees. 
  • Create a paradise for birds, with plenty of suet, sunflower seeds, watering places, piles of sticks, and collections of lint and string. Birds love short pieces of twine and string for nesting. Lint and leaves make good nest liners. I caught Mrs. Robin with leaves in her mouth. Instead of flying off empty, she held on and paced back and forth. She was not about to give up that carpeting for her nest.
  • Leave an area untouched, so beneficial insects can live and breed there.


One of the great thrills of gardening comes from changing the conditions and providing a new place for a variety of plants to grow. I saw that I had sunny places that only grew weeds, shady places that needed a lot of pruning above.  We slowly turned half the backyard into grass covered with flattened cardboard boxes. This spring we added about 60 bags of autumn leaves to the cardboard layer. Beneath is soft, rich, compost formed by the lawn rotting into the ground from lack of sunlight. Since we have clay soil, that mixture is especially rich.

One Facebook friend was offended that I planted a rose garden under our maple in the front. That went against all the rules. That area before was choked with weeds, greenery from weeds, and maple volunteers. Planting the first 10 roses was hellish, but we ended up with a circle of blooming roses, mulched with shredded cyprus in between. This year the maple rose garden gets a second circle of roses and caladiums growing up among them.

Crepe Myrtle bloom.


A bad rose garden under a tree is better than the Dogpatch look of a neglect, and our little rose garden did well from pruning above and watering below. When I watered the maple tree garden, I also sprayed the crepe myrtle up and down. That is way neighbors stop and talk about that bush instead of pitying me.

I goofed where I let roses grow among other plants. They were gradually engulfed by growth, just like Mark 4 (Matthew 13). However, they will move to the maple tree garden, forming a a new circle.

Learn rose names.
Bride's Dream is perhaps the largest
of all rose flowers. I ended up
with two of them for $5 each.


Hello - Christian News Readers. I Think The Faith of Jesus: Against the Faithless Lutherans Issue of CN Brought You Here

$
0
0


We went to vote early.

I check statistics at various times during the day. We left to vote with the views at 1100 for the day, but came back to 3,300 - a high number for any day. Now the figure is at 5, 5400 - before lunch.

I wondered why, until an email or two came in. People are getting their 2-15-16 issue of Christian News, which is packed with material from The Faith of Jesus: Against the Faithless Lutherans.

Here is the Kindle link for The Faith of Jesus: Against the Faithless Lutherans.

I also have a free PDF linked,

and a full-color illustrated edition of The Faith of Jesus , with art from Norma Boeckler.


On Kindle Now - Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pietism. Only $3.99 Now - Free for the Next Five DaysI Will Download It Too - for the Software

$
0
0
Illustrated by Norma Boeckler.



Kindle - Online Edition - Making Disciples: The Error of Modern Pieitism

I like having the Kindle editions on my computer. Using their built-in software,  I can find and quote a book easily, when needed.

Starting tomorrow, this will be free on Kindle for five days.

As expected, there are other Making Disciples books. so I was correct in thinking this might straighten out a few Church Growth /Church and Change robots...or just make them angry.

I plan on working with Janie Sullivan to place some of the Lulu books on Amazon/Kindle.

Copies will still be published as free PDFs. The idea is to distribute as widely as possible.

The Christian News Effect - 6,255 Views in 24 hours

$
0
0
The closer you look,
the better the stats.


Pageviews yesterday
6,255
Pageviews last month
52,644
Pageviews all time history
4,374,517



When Will This Happen to WELS - Given Their Contempt for Women?Click on the Link for This National Story

$
0
0


http://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/03/st-pauls-owen-labrie-rape-trial?mbid=nl_030116_Daily&CNDID=38873364&spMailingID=8607879&spUserID=MTEwMzU0MDc3MjM1S0&spJobID=880123380&spReportId=ODgwMTIzMzgwS0

I mentioned this case before. The private high school has a history of score reports and competitions to see who can "slay" the most young girls. They even write charts on the walls, which are painted over, and then filled out again.

That is why the men in the WELS system never grow up. They act like perpetual adolescents because they were born forgiven and know how to protect one another and use mutual blackmail to thwart any real discipline.

Going through college and seminary drunk makes a difference too.

"Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son."
Unless enjoying the superb WELS educational system.

Six Degrees of Separation from UOJ - Clergy Getting Antsy about Their Once-Favorite Dogma of Universal Forgiveness without Faith

$
0
0
According to LCMS Pastor Tim Rossow and his pussycat -
Luther, Melanchthon, and Chemnitz are "morons."
He and his ilk deserve our everlasting contempt.

One reader sent me a note about the clergy not being all in for UOJ. They are stuck with some of the terminology and yet... are uneasy with the extremes of WELSian posturing.

I opened up my LCMS folder of pictures to look over some leading characters.

Steadfast Lutherans is 100% for UOJ - Steadfast Flounder Rossow called those supporting justification by faith "morons." All links to Ichabod are banned by Steadfast - a great honor, I might add - and they adore any and all support for UOJ.

Steadfast is the lobbying group for Matt the Fat, SP of the LCMS, and Paul McCain seems to issue orders in his name.

The LCMS, ELS, and WELS leaders were delighted they could agree on UOJ, in their last revelation from Mt. Zion, so I am not seeing any light between them and UOJ, not even a sliver. They are wedged into UOJ like kids in a schoolbus.


The effective wording from the LCMS is from the Brief Statement of 1932, the beginning of the end for Missouri, when the Stephan-Walther-Pieper faction took full control and never let go.

Holy Scripture sums up all its teachings regarding the love of God to the world of sinners, regarding the salvation wrought by Christ, and regarding faith in Christ as the only way to obtain salvation, in the article of justification. Scripture teaches that God has already declared the whole world to be righteous in Christ, Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Rom. 4:25; 
LCMS Brief Statement, 1932


The rot that followed included their

  1. Embrace of mainline dogma and ecumenism, 
  2. Biblical errancy, taught at both seminaries, tolerated in the clergy,
  3. Pentecostalism, tolerated in the clergy and laity, and
  4. Fulminating Church Growth (rather than the Means of Grace) as their method.
In short, their 1932 BS had God declaring the entire world forgiven, with hilariously bad citations supporting it, such as Romans 4:25 (excluding Romans 4:24). So - in their glory days, at the peak of their climb, just before the stall at high altitudes, Missouri admitted to all the world that they could not read or grasp Romans 4:1 - 5:2. They had Walther and Stephan exactly right, but set their faces steadfastly against 
  • St. Paul, 
  • Augustine, 
  • Luther, 
  • Melanchthon, 
  • Chytraeus,
  • Chemnitz, 
  • Leyser, 
  • Hunnius, and 
  • Gerhard.

In contrast, the relatively dim-witted WELS leaders had JP Meyer's Ministers of God, an alleged commentary on Corinthians. They re-issued this great classic of false doctrine, with Panzer as the editor (and appointed executioner of the two Kokomo families). We all know WELS is infallible, that the Holy Spirit would never let any of its leaders be wrong in their ex cathedra declarations. The first three Kokomo Statements came directly from that commentary. so WELS had to lie about that, even though Sig Becker admitted that to be true.

In anyone doubted - look around the room glaring ferociously - the Kokomo Statements, used to extend the Left Foot of Fellowship to two families of dissenters, made certain the forgiveness of all people on earth and in Hell, guilt-free saints whether they believed or not.



Cascione's SpenerQuest has always supported UOJ, routinely savaging anyone who disagreed. They also bury any arguments that show how foolish and anti-Lutheran they are. I saw that when participating in their rigged discussions. If Rolf Preus conceded that people are justified only through faith, his comment was buried in a torrent of opinions. If I quoted Rolf agreeing  with the justification chapter in Thy Strong Word, that was also buried.  If a layman questioned UOJ, he was beaten like a rented mule until he repented, with Rolf doing most of the work. 

LutherQuest (sic) offers comfort to Sodomites.
Looking over my cast of characters, I do not see any leaders walking back their UOJ declarations. To do so would mean repudiating the false doctrine of Stephan, Walther, Pieper, Pope John the Malefactor,  JP Meyer, Sig Becker, David Valleskey, and Forrest Bivens.

They would have to apologize for extending the Left Foot of Fellowship to those who maintained the correct doctrine of the Bible and the Lutheran Reformation justification by faith.


Viewing all 11909 articles
Browse latest View live


<script src="https://jsc.adskeeper.com/r/s/rssing.com.1596347.js" async> </script>