"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism" (Eph 4:5)
Now, so as we said before. "Whosoever will be saved must above all else cling to the true Christian faith." So thats it, our sinful nature says. We must be better than everyone else. Or worse yet, we WELS members will be the only ones in heaven...everyone else is wrong and therefore won't be saved. Not so fast my friends. Jesus condemns that very attitude when he describes the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Was the Pharisee morally better? By the world's standards, certainly. Did the Pharisee know more about the law? Positive. Yet which was considered the more righteous before God? The man who humbly laid himself at the feet of his merciful Father and pleaded for his grace and favor.
We on earth live in the church militant, which is a far cry from our home in heaven which is described as the church triumphant. There will always be wars and rumors of wars, even in the Christian church within and between the varying denominations. Let us never speak about who is "better" or "best" But rather, preach Christ crucified. The Holy Spirit will not create false faith, and will not strengthen the unbelief of the apostate. Rather than focus on who is wrong or who is right, simply preach the Word in its truth and purity, and the light which guides our path will reveal himself, much more perfectly than we ever could.
"I believe in the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints..."
We have a church that is much more important than the earthly church we are members of. We have the Holy Christian Church that spans across humanity wherever the Word is taught correctly and the sacraments rightly administered. It knows no denominations, and no schism. There, there is only unity...for there is One Lord, One Faith, and One Baptism.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Another hymn from the CW Supplement
I've procured the lyrics to another hymn from the Upcoming Christian Worship Hymnal Supplement; How I get them? Do not worry about this, I have my connections.
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg5jbc26_1d4bvbn
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg5jbc26_1d4bvbn
Thursday, October 11, 2007
About "Plan B"
Earlier in a comment concerning my review of the Schroeder Presentation --(http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dg5jbc26_0dzcsh4) an MLC student asked about "Plan B" here is what President Schroeder had to say:
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The special offering being planned will address the synod’s capital debt of $22.4 million. Currently, we are budgeting nearly $3 million to make payments on that debt. If the debt is retired, we will have $3 available for missions and ministry. If the debt is not retired in full, we will continue to budget whatever is necessary to make payments on it.
There are plans under discussion right now to consolidate and restructure that debt. This step will reduce our payments by about $500,000 per year and will pay the debt off in ten years (this assumes that we receive NOTHING in the special offering.) So that is the first step of “Plan B,” if one is needed. On the spending side, we will be looking at many other possible solutions, including increased efficiencies in the way that we do things, potential staffing reductions where possible. On the income side, we have already seen a number of very positive signs that the support for the synod’s work is increasing dramatically. Early reports of congregational mission offerings are very positive. Gifts from individuals are running well ahead of projections. And gifts for the debt offering are already coming in, even before we have begun organized debt reduction efforts.
In other words, even as we plan for the offering to be successful, alternatives are being considered and plans put into place. Those plans will develop and change as more information comes to us during the next several months.
Rev. Schroeder
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The special offering being planned will address the synod’s capital debt of $22.4 million. Currently, we are budgeting nearly $3 million to make payments on that debt. If the debt is retired, we will have $3 available for missions and ministry. If the debt is not retired in full, we will continue to budget whatever is necessary to make payments on it.
There are plans under discussion right now to consolidate and restructure that debt. This step will reduce our payments by about $500,000 per year and will pay the debt off in ten years (this assumes that we receive NOTHING in the special offering.) So that is the first step of “Plan B,” if one is needed. On the spending side, we will be looking at many other possible solutions, including increased efficiencies in the way that we do things, potential staffing reductions where possible. On the income side, we have already seen a number of very positive signs that the support for the synod’s work is increasing dramatically. Early reports of congregational mission offerings are very positive. Gifts from individuals are running well ahead of projections. And gifts for the debt offering are already coming in, even before we have begun organized debt reduction efforts.
In other words, even as we plan for the offering to be successful, alternatives are being considered and plans put into place. Those plans will develop and change as more information comes to us during the next several months.
Rev. Schroeder
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Devotional Thoughts on Romans 12:9
"Love must be sincere, Hate what is evil, cling to what is good."
Among well-intentioned sayings that creep in unwanted to the Christian faith is one particularly noxious one. It goes "Hate the sin, but love the sinner." I quick survey of Christians, even Lutherans, may turn up that many among the faithful believe this to be a Bible verse. A quick googling of the phrase turns up many Christian sites both for and against the phrase. The person to whom the quotation is ascribed? Ghandi. A decent human being for sure, but not the best Christian.
King David, a man after God's own heart, put it another way "But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off." (Psalm 37:38)
We are a squishy people. As a generality, and in specific, we do not handle God's holy and efficacious Word with the reverence it demands. We treat God's law as if it was a hot potato and we cast it aside as soon as it gets uncomfortable. Yes, it seems, some may dawdle a little longer and tempt the heat but sooner, rather than later, everyone gives up to the lack of comfort one finds in the mirror of the law.
Who are we to tell others that they're not good people? Its just not done! Its not right! God says to love everyone doesn't he? It certainly doesn't seem loving to tell other people they're wrong.
Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline, So be earnest and repent"
We are no one to tell others that they are doing wrong. However God's law is a immutable rule that cannot and does not have room for love in it. Those who break the law are not to be shown love, the purpose of the law is to cut...and sharply. CFW Walther wrote that Law and Gospel are not properly distinguished when they are co-mingled. It is true that when we as humans try to blunt the law with "But it's ok, you're still saved" It only leads the listener only farther down the path of licentiousness which eventually leads to destruction. Unrepentant sin will always tear down and destroy faith.
Repentance is not saying you're sorry, it is not trying to be better, or even promising to do good. Repentance is not an act that we can even perform for ourselves. Sin will only lead to more sin, and God hates sin. Therefore, God through his holy Word and Sacraments works repentance in us. He turns our sinful hearts of stone and shows us a better way, a way that leads to him. Yes it is true to say that God hates sin and therefore God hates sinners. But it is just as true and so much more blessed to say God loves all people and desires that they be turned from their lives of sin to live with him forever.
Among well-intentioned sayings that creep in unwanted to the Christian faith is one particularly noxious one. It goes "Hate the sin, but love the sinner." I quick survey of Christians, even Lutherans, may turn up that many among the faithful believe this to be a Bible verse. A quick googling of the phrase turns up many Christian sites both for and against the phrase. The person to whom the quotation is ascribed? Ghandi. A decent human being for sure, but not the best Christian.
King David, a man after God's own heart, put it another way "But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off." (Psalm 37:38)
We are a squishy people. As a generality, and in specific, we do not handle God's holy and efficacious Word with the reverence it demands. We treat God's law as if it was a hot potato and we cast it aside as soon as it gets uncomfortable. Yes, it seems, some may dawdle a little longer and tempt the heat but sooner, rather than later, everyone gives up to the lack of comfort one finds in the mirror of the law.
Who are we to tell others that they're not good people? Its just not done! Its not right! God says to love everyone doesn't he? It certainly doesn't seem loving to tell other people they're wrong.
Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline, So be earnest and repent"
We are no one to tell others that they are doing wrong. However God's law is a immutable rule that cannot and does not have room for love in it. Those who break the law are not to be shown love, the purpose of the law is to cut...and sharply. CFW Walther wrote that Law and Gospel are not properly distinguished when they are co-mingled. It is true that when we as humans try to blunt the law with "But it's ok, you're still saved" It only leads the listener only farther down the path of licentiousness which eventually leads to destruction. Unrepentant sin will always tear down and destroy faith.
Repentance is not saying you're sorry, it is not trying to be better, or even promising to do good. Repentance is not an act that we can even perform for ourselves. Sin will only lead to more sin, and God hates sin. Therefore, God through his holy Word and Sacraments works repentance in us. He turns our sinful hearts of stone and shows us a better way, a way that leads to him. Yes it is true to say that God hates sin and therefore God hates sinners. But it is just as true and so much more blessed to say God loves all people and desires that they be turned from their lives of sin to live with him forever.
And they say confessional Lutheran hymnody in the WELS is no more!
Father, God of Grace, You Knew Us by: +Paul Eickmann+/ Tune: Lauda Anima (+John Goss+)-Copyright 1999 WELS
Father, God of Grace, you knew us, Chose us, named us as your own,
Through eternal ages planning to redeem us in your son.
Praise the Father, God who loved us; ere creation was begun
We your creatures sinned against you, and our guilt was crimson-red.
Son of God, you came incarnate, Crushed the crafty serpent's head
Died our death, now live triumphant: Praise the Firstborn from the dead!
Counselor, you bring as promised from the Father and the Son
Righteousness fulfilled accomplished, Free forgiveness, Heaven won.
Praise the Spirit! He assures us Our salvation's work is done!
Lord your changeless Word has fed us, spanning time, transcending space.
Water, bread and wine sustained us, when the darkness hid your face.
Keep us with you, faithful Shepherd, by your saving Means of Grace.
Forward, lead us; Christ we follow, drawn by Word and promise true:
"To all nations, preach the gospel; I am evermore with you."
Keep us faithful, then Lord Jesus, Quickly Come! Make all things new!
Praise the Father, great Creator. Praise the Son, who took our place.
Praise the Spirit, sanctifier, God of free and faithful grace!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!
Father, God of Grace, you knew us, Chose us, named us as your own,
Through eternal ages planning to redeem us in your son.
Praise the Father, God who loved us; ere creation was begun
We your creatures sinned against you, and our guilt was crimson-red.
Son of God, you came incarnate, Crushed the crafty serpent's head
Died our death, now live triumphant: Praise the Firstborn from the dead!
Counselor, you bring as promised from the Father and the Son
Righteousness fulfilled accomplished, Free forgiveness, Heaven won.
Praise the Spirit! He assures us Our salvation's work is done!
Lord your changeless Word has fed us, spanning time, transcending space.
Water, bread and wine sustained us, when the darkness hid your face.
Keep us with you, faithful Shepherd, by your saving Means of Grace.
Forward, lead us; Christ we follow, drawn by Word and promise true:
"To all nations, preach the gospel; I am evermore with you."
Keep us faithful, then Lord Jesus, Quickly Come! Make all things new!
Praise the Father, great Creator. Praise the Son, who took our place.
Praise the Spirit, sanctifier, God of free and faithful grace!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Amen!
Dr. John Brug on Inerrancy of Scripture
www.wlsessays.net/authors/B/BrugInspiration/BrugInspiration.PDF
Devotional Thought on Deuteronomy 4:2
From the Athanasian Creed:
Whosoever will be saved must above all else cling to the true Christian Faith, for unless a person keep this faith whole and undefiled he will undoubtedly be lost forever.
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"Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you." (Deut 4:2)
The above statement from the Athanasian Creed is a stong statement. It says that if you do not believe every little part of the Christian faith, you will perish forever. Our modern political correctness shrinks away from this. We recite this on Trinity Sunday and look around, hoping that some visitor didn't pick that day to finally show up. We wonder if we ourselves know EVERY part of a faith that we never seem to truly grasp or understand. What about all the Christians out there that know Christ, but don't understand the sacraments? Do they also perish?
In contrast, the statement of the LORD in Deuteronomy 4:2 is just as strong. He has given us his Word and it is a completed work. We are not to alter it in any way, neither by adding or subtracting.
Now which part of the Christian faith is saving? Surely that is an easy question for even the earliest Catecumen to ponder. That Christ lived a perfect life and died for our sins. If this is sufficient then we are left to ponder what of the rest? Could the thief on the cross enter paradise without understanding the Trinity, but we are left to wander?
"Ma'am, when you understand the Trinity, come back and tell me...and i'll excommunicate you on the spot" (Rev. David Sellnow )
No, we are not to understand everything completely, but we are not to say to the Word..."I do not understand you, you cannot be true." For when we reject any doctrine of Scripture we detract from the glory and majesty of God. We abuse the sacraments rather than honor them. We make Jesus out to be not who he says he is. And if Christ is not who he says he is, then he is not true man and true God and did not come to redeem the world. No, this cannot be! The Word of God is his Christ. It is to be revered and honored and not altered. Whosoever will be saved, must hold to this one true Christian faith.
"Ma'am, when you understand the Trinity, come back and tell me...and i'll excommunicate you on the spot" (Rev. David Sellnow )
No, we are not to understand everything completely, but we are not to say to the Word..."I do not understand you, you cannot be true." For when we reject any doctrine of Scripture we detract from the glory and majesty of God. We abuse the sacraments rather than honor them. We make Jesus out to be not who he says he is. And if Christ is not who he says he is, then he is not true man and true God and did not come to redeem the world. No, this cannot be! The Word of God is his Christ. It is to be revered and honored and not altered. Whosoever will be saved, must hold to this one true Christian faith.
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