Pastor emeritus Nathan Bickel has left a new comment on your post "The Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America ...":
Ichabod -
The article's first paragraph more or less offers the sad state of affairs. It says:
In the Lutheran Church, one encounters a great deal of talk about ‘confessional Lutheran’ doctrine and practice; sadly, the substance has been something quite different. The various ‘synods’ often appear more interested in a ‘theology of glory’ (focusing on worldly prestige, money, and ‘numbers’) than a ‘theology of the cross’ which recognizes that the Church is despised by the world, because she is the Bride of Christ.
I've noticed lately while driving down M-15 coming into Bay City, Michigan, a highway billboard sign advertising the "Bethel" WELS church. The sign can only be seen while driving north; and it is on the other side of the highway. In my opinion, the sign is a complete waste of money. The only reason I barely recognized it was, I saw it on Bethel congregation's church sign while picking my grandson up from school. That church sign, can be more easily seen and read.
And, of course, both signs trumpet the false teaching of universal objective justification. They say:
"His Cross; His Crown; Our victory."
What an inept and stupid way to attempt to witness to unbelievers! This message gives them the false hope that they are included - simply because Christ did all this for them. Again - no faith; no Holy Spirit and no perspective.
How does a church / congregation make itself evangelistically irrelevant? Keep on preaching, teaching and practicing universal objective justification.....
Nathan M. Bickel
www.thechristianmessage.org
www.moralmatters.org
