Minister's suspension exposes debate on interfaith relations

The Journal News ^ | July 23, 2002 | Gary Stern

[George W. Bush]

If all of you are a fair sampling of devout Lutherans, I would say it's a little premature to count the Missouri Synod out just yet.

What you've written here reminds me of what I always thought Lutherans were supposed to stand for. And that isn't anything bad even if I might personally have a few doctrinal differences with Luther.

Maybe God is at work and you need to look to Him in the present period of adversity for orthodox Lutheran belief and practice. I certainly don't want to see the Missouri synod disappear and be replaced with liberal synods.

[GWfan]

Dear Pastor, thank you for your kind words. :)

[GWfan]

Thank you for your kind words as well and God bless.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

I do not advocate most ecumunical exercises. God calls his people to be separate and worship the One true God.

I think you left out a minor detail in this sentence...God does call His people to be separate and worship the One true God. But what is "worship"? Shouldn't the way we as Christians live out our lives as Jesus would, be the primary worship and purpose of our life? I don't care if your Catholic, Lutheran, Pentecostal, whatever...it is my calling to show Jesus to you through my life and the way I live it and interact with you. Thats the Christian walk. Theology is important, but love, a Christlike example, and relationships are more important than denominational differences.

[Charles Henrickson]

Websites to keep up on what's going on in the LCMS:

Consensus

Crisis in the LCMS

Crisis in the LCMS: A Summary

Benke Resources

DayStar (the liberal, pro-Benke/Kieschnick website)

[Charles Henrickson]

You guys are on my LCMS ping list. This is just to let you know that I won't be able to post or reply on any threads for a few weeks. My wife and daughter and I leave for Sweden one week from tonight, and there's lots to do before then. Back in late August. Bye for now!

[GWfan]

Pastor-

I hope that you have a wonderful time. I will pray for you to have safe travel. God bless.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

God's blessings and protection on your trip, Pastor. Have a wonderful time with your family.

I look forward to your return and to your very helpful words here.

[RedDogzRule]

“You bet. Every January, from the 18th to the 25th, Catholics are in Protestant Churches and Protestants are in Catholic Churches.”

I know I’m in the ‘way back machine’ here, but can you explain what your comment meant, if you recall? Sorry about my ignorance...

[RedDogzRule]

I agree with you Campion. The KJV’s use of “godspeed” is odd/oldfashioned/out of use, etc. Thus my general reluctance to use the KJV. After all, how clear is Shakespeare’s English to the modern reader?

I’ve cross-referenced the verse in other English translations, as well as in Luther’s 1545 translation, the Czech 1613 translation, and the Russian translation (which doesn’t come from the Vulgate, for fairness), and they all CLEARLY say “welcome” and not “godspeed”.