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In reading the letters in this forum on the issue of Dr Benke, one thing
strikes me as odd and sad. Those who claim to be standing for the
high ground of Lutheran Confessionalism and scripture, use philosophical
arguments instead of the confessions or scripture to support their position.
They misrepresent the prayer made in Yankee Stadium and are so concerned
with their own Lutheran elitism that they fail to see the big picture that
their strange use and support of power is painting. If they wish for
the LCMS to retreat into the communities of Missouri and Minnesota and only
minister to the narrow frozen chosen, then their tactics are well thought
out. If instead they wish to practice the true implications of Justification
by Grace, they must realize that their self-proclaimed doctrinal purity is
only the product of the grace of God instead of their effort. They
seem to pat themselves on the back for this divisive elitism, thereby denying
the concept of grace altogether. They proclaim themselves to be the
true guardians of faith, but now instead of fighting against the Papacy,
the Anabaptists or true theological foes, they have turned to cannibalism.
When they cannot find an enemy exciting enough to fuel their penchant for
controversy, they turn on their own. How sad. The ultimate
sadness comes, however, when they accuse others of violating the Lutheran
Confessions, yet do not even show how the confessions are violated, and
they accuse others of violating scripture, yet never once use scripture
in their argument or support!
This has very little to do with doctrinal purity or scriptural adherence,
it is a power struggle plain and simple, and those who want the LCMS to
be their own private club have found in Benke a scapegoat and poster child
for their attempt. The grace of God has seemed to have escaped them
completely. We can only be thankful that it seems to be a vocal minority
in the LCMS who are more contempt with leading churches into the ground,
holding onto their own graceless purity until another church closes its
doors, that are supporting this obvious witch hunt. Some people thrive
on division and hatred, while labeling those who realize they are only sinners
saved by God's grace alone as "wishy-washy" or "syncretistic."
They would be more content with only 10 people left in the LCMS, all who
agreed with them , then recognizing that the grace of God put them where
they are. They act like crusaders who must protect God from those they
deem less than worthy. Is not God capable of building his won fences,
and opening and closing the gate on his own? Many here don't; think
so.
........................................
Edward J Hassertt
Seattle University School
of Law
Read and submit letters of reaction and opinion on this case (click here)
If you would like to make a reaction statement, please send it
to jay@lutherancentral.com
and we will be glad to review it and possibly publish it. We would like
to hear your opinon.
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