Rise up O Men of God!
As I‘ve followed the numerous discussions regarding Issues, Etc. and the cowardly actions of those responsible for its termination and those in authority who either failed or refused to come to its aide, or who actively participated in promoting the ruse that the termination of the show was done for perfectly appropriate purposes and was purely apolitical in nature, I’ve perceived a common theme among those LC-MS listeners who supported the program, its host and producer. There appear within these reactions a general attitude and hope that this action will serve as a seminal event in the life of the LC-MS -- much like the days of Seminex and the period generally known as the “Battle for the Bible.”
Many note that at that time it was primarily due to the faithful stance of LC-MS laity that served to preserve confessionalism within the Synod. The argument is that just as the laity came to the fore then, it is time for them to rise up once again. Though this is the hope and prayer of many, there are some substantial distinctions between present day laity and those who stood fast in the 1970s.
Regardless of the reasons (whether because of an inadequately catechized individuals who’ve come in from other denominations, or because of a reduced emphasis on proper catechesis) there are many currently in our denomination who are not as well versed in the basic teachings of confessional Lutheranism as were the laity in the 1970s. Moreover, the average member of today’s laity is not as well informed of basic issues currently facing the church as were the laity who rose up to stand firm in the “Battle for the Bible.” I dare say that in many churches, if you were to turn to an average parishioner in the pew and asked them what they thought about the Issues, Etc. situation, they would respond, “What issues?”
There are certainly many varied interplaying factors and reasons for this. The real question is not why circumstances are such as they are, but rather what can be done to correct them? Further, as important is whether they can be corrected in time to make a difference?
Though the internet is indeed a wonderful means by which information can be quickly and widely disseminated, not all of us are information and blogspot junkies. I dare say that those of us who can’t get enough of this and are constantly searching for new and informative tidbits ion the net on this issue are a very small percentage of the LC-MS lay membership. I dare say that those responsible for the actions we have deplored assume that the internet plays a minor role in the lives of the majority of the laity. Corroboration of this lies in the under-estimation of those who relied on and cherished Issues, Etc. via the internet. Whether this underestimation was intentional or a true indication of their lack of knowledge, the fact that this error has not been corrected seems to support their minimization of the potential power of the internet. In the case of the LC-MS, they may be right. This remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, if we expect the laity to rise up in righteous indignation, the truth must be widely and informatively disseminated, the laity must recognize it as the truth, they must recognize the gravity of the situation and realize that there is both necessity for action and a means to accomplish the same. Even then, sheep without a shepherd are incapable of moving on their own in a clear and purposeful direction.
The sheep cannot identify the way to go without a shepherd. Though a few of our courageous pastors have stepped forward to speak the truth about the shameless events that have taken place and are continuing to unfold, even more of our pastors must gird up their loins and speak boldly and without fear. Moreover, these pastors must come to us with clear teaching on the 8th commandment, which is consistently being used falsely as a bludgeon to terminate dissent. When those who have erred are quick to assert that any criticism of their actions is a failure to put the “best construction” on their action and is thus a failure to abide by the 8th commandment, this is much like a thief who caught in the act then complains that he is simply being misunderstood. He thereby turns the attention away from his actions and onto those who have caught him in the act claiming they’re the ones who are really to blame. Unless we speak the truth in love and call sin exactly what it is, we are in jeopardy of applying cheap grace and denigrating the perfect sacrifice of our Savior.
We all must prayerfully submit to the perfect will of our loving Heavenly Father, regardless of how the ultimate resolution of all this may deviate from our own personal desires. In this regard, I rest upon His promise to provide us shepherds according to His Heart, who will “feed us with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15) My prayer is that we may clearly hear His Voice in them and joyfully follow His guidance through His Word properly preached.
Many note that at that time it was primarily due to the faithful stance of LC-MS laity that served to preserve confessionalism within the Synod. The argument is that just as the laity came to the fore then, it is time for them to rise up once again. Though this is the hope and prayer of many, there are some substantial distinctions between present day laity and those who stood fast in the 1970s.
Regardless of the reasons (whether because of an inadequately catechized individuals who’ve come in from other denominations, or because of a reduced emphasis on proper catechesis) there are many currently in our denomination who are not as well versed in the basic teachings of confessional Lutheranism as were the laity in the 1970s. Moreover, the average member of today’s laity is not as well informed of basic issues currently facing the church as were the laity who rose up to stand firm in the “Battle for the Bible.” I dare say that in many churches, if you were to turn to an average parishioner in the pew and asked them what they thought about the Issues, Etc. situation, they would respond, “What issues?”
There are certainly many varied interplaying factors and reasons for this. The real question is not why circumstances are such as they are, but rather what can be done to correct them? Further, as important is whether they can be corrected in time to make a difference?
Though the internet is indeed a wonderful means by which information can be quickly and widely disseminated, not all of us are information and blogspot junkies. I dare say that those of us who can’t get enough of this and are constantly searching for new and informative tidbits ion the net on this issue are a very small percentage of the LC-MS lay membership. I dare say that those responsible for the actions we have deplored assume that the internet plays a minor role in the lives of the majority of the laity. Corroboration of this lies in the under-estimation of those who relied on and cherished Issues, Etc. via the internet. Whether this underestimation was intentional or a true indication of their lack of knowledge, the fact that this error has not been corrected seems to support their minimization of the potential power of the internet. In the case of the LC-MS, they may be right. This remains to be seen.
Nevertheless, if we expect the laity to rise up in righteous indignation, the truth must be widely and informatively disseminated, the laity must recognize it as the truth, they must recognize the gravity of the situation and realize that there is both necessity for action and a means to accomplish the same. Even then, sheep without a shepherd are incapable of moving on their own in a clear and purposeful direction.
The sheep cannot identify the way to go without a shepherd. Though a few of our courageous pastors have stepped forward to speak the truth about the shameless events that have taken place and are continuing to unfold, even more of our pastors must gird up their loins and speak boldly and without fear. Moreover, these pastors must come to us with clear teaching on the 8th commandment, which is consistently being used falsely as a bludgeon to terminate dissent. When those who have erred are quick to assert that any criticism of their actions is a failure to put the “best construction” on their action and is thus a failure to abide by the 8th commandment, this is much like a thief who caught in the act then complains that he is simply being misunderstood. He thereby turns the attention away from his actions and onto those who have caught him in the act claiming they’re the ones who are really to blame. Unless we speak the truth in love and call sin exactly what it is, we are in jeopardy of applying cheap grace and denigrating the perfect sacrifice of our Savior.
We all must prayerfully submit to the perfect will of our loving Heavenly Father, regardless of how the ultimate resolution of all this may deviate from our own personal desires. In this regard, I rest upon His promise to provide us shepherds according to His Heart, who will “feed us with knowledge and understanding.” (Jeremiah 3:15) My prayer is that we may clearly hear His Voice in them and joyfully follow His guidance through His Word properly preached.
posted by rocky | 10:39 AM
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