Posted on 07/22/2015 11:08:55 AM PDT by NRx
If the role of religion in America today is to teach the faithful to bend over and kiss the ring of postmodernity and beg for forgiveness for actually believing something, the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod just failed spectacularly, flubbed its lines, and fell off the stage. I, for one, am elated.
Tuesday’s St. Louis Post-Dispatch revealed the grand faux pas with this somewhat ironic lede: “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod recently carried out what various members consider the equivalent of a modern-day heresy trial.”
My enthusiasm is, of course, mixed with sadness. The Rev. Dr. Matthew Becker (the hero/victim of the breathlessly Hawthornean Post-Dispatch piece) has agitated against the church’s plainly worded doctrinal statements, to which he was bound, for many years, and should have been removed from the LCMS’s clergy roster a long time ago. Though he teaches at Valparaiso University, which is not affiliated with the LCMS, he has managed to maintain his status on the clergy roster, despite several previously unsuccessful attempts to remove him. Tuesday’s news is therefore a victory for orthodoxy. Nonetheless it is tragic to witness a man persisting in promoting false and harmful doctrine, and tragic to see him face the consequences. And yes, the rich etymology of tragic traces back to the Greek tragos, which means “goat,” and yes, the sheep needed to be separated from this one.
(Excerpt) Read more at chroniclesmagazine.org ...
>>Some welcome news from our Reformed brothers and sisters and a break from the almost unending stream of bad news from the mainline denominations.
Thank God for the LCMS and PCA for standing firm.
Good for the LCMS! That clown is not only a heretic, but also a false prophet, calling God a liar, claiming He didn’t say something He said, and claiming He said something He didn’t say. Christ promised dire consequences for false prophets, who He called wolves, saying He will cast them into hell in Matt. 7:21-23. Unless they repent.
LCMs ping
We are Lutheran’s, not Reformed (inside baseball).
The recent drum role of cultural crises has galvanized the LCMS hierarchy lately. It is putting pressure on a lot of pastors and parishes (including my own) to make a stand. Most are saying, in true fashion “Here I stand, I can do no other! SO HELP ME GOD!”
Also, as a synod, we were founded when the Kaiser started to get cute with religion and culture. There is a reason the original Saxons ended up in Missouri, and it wasn’t a happy one. Same with some of our sister Synods in Russia and Australia.
This is good news; thank you!
There are still some synods/denominations that stand for biblical truth find one and support it!
My son is currently in the LCMS seminary There is another generation of well trained Godly young men rising up to take the banner forward It is a great blessing to see
I almost broke up laughing, but what more apt and colorful description could there be?
I will use that phrase early and often!
Leni
(LCMS)
My only regret is that Harrison is not eligible to take over the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.
Stolen by me as well!
Would be funnier if it wasn’t so sad
Someone should tell Rob Bell about that.
Bravo for the LCMS.
Thank you Nrx. This is a good sign from our Lutheran brethren that they are willing to hold the line on orthodoxy.
Just last week end I was at a flea market and there was an 1899 copyright (Geo. H. Trabert) original Luther’s Small Catechism for sale for $2.00. It is in excellent condition.
I have only skimmed through it thus far, however was very intrigued to see that Luther himself retained a lot more from his Augustinian formation than I ever realized. There is far less difference between actual Lutheran doctrine and Catholic doctrine than I previously realized.
Also, I had a very devout Lutheran Grandmother who came from Germany. This is great news that a mainstream denomination is standing up for actual Christian teachings because many are caving (esp. some Catholic social justice/ “progressive” CINO types - Pelosi, etc.)!)
I was on the LCMS Facebook page following the SCOTUS marriage decision and was pleased to see them stand up for their faith and what is right.
That’s what’s so sad about false prophets like Rob Bell and this clown. In the passage I mentioned, Matt. 7:21-23, it’s clear that Christ is saying false prophets delude themselves into believing the lies they tell, that they have the right to speak for God and change His Word. Must be some king-size narcissism or something. And it’s their false prophesy that get them cast into hell. There’s nothing wrong with casting out demons in His name or doing wonderful works in His name, but trying to countermand God’s Word with your own depravity won’t end well at all.
Becker is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unorthodox teaching and practice in the Church. The LCMS has the most excellent standards, but a polity that is cumbersome in dealing with false teachers. It is good to see the implementation of a work-around short of requiring a synod convention to exercise discipline. One is not called to be a disciple without submitting to discipline from within and without in accord with the biblical texts. Slowly but surely, the LCMS is coming around to ecclesial oversight, but it is not easy. There is an “every man did what was right in his own eyes” aspect from one parish to the next, and the temptation to avoid confrontation when it is most needed.
I always liked the LCMS and the LCWS. :)
Ditto.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.