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Lutheran Central |
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Rev. Baumeister Says Schulz Missed Oppurtunity |
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Rev. Wallace Schulz had an excellent opportunity to speak the truth in love to Pres. Benke, the Church, and the world. In the context of a tragedy unlike any our nation has ever known maybe Pres. Benke broke a rule. To be suspended for being pastoral would seem to put the law above the Gospel. Couldn't Schulz have admonished his brother in love then encouraged him - and us - to tell the Good News about Jesus in ways that do not promote possible confusion. Unfortunately, these quotes from Schulz's letter to Pres. Benke do not reflect well the love of Christ, the character of the true church, or a passion for the lost.
"By President Benke's joining with other pagan clerics in an interfaith service [no matter what the intent might have been], a crystal clear signal was given to others at the event and to thousands more watching by C-Span. The signal was: While there may be differences as to how people worship or pray, in the end, all religions pray to the same God." "To participate with pagans in an interfaith service and, additionally, to give the impression that there might be more than one God, is an extremely serious offense against the God of the Bible,"
While Schulz is absolutely correct is denying that all religions pray to the same God, his referencing of all the people gathered in Yankee Stadium as "pagans" is unconscionable. Maybe Rev. Billy Graham would be surprised to hear himself labeled as "pagan". Schulz had to know that his letter lacked love and tact. His statements represent the LCMS as a sectarian, orthodox bull in a china shop! His subsequent suspension by Lutheran Hour Ministries at least shows that their mission to "Bring Christ to the Nations" is not being compromised by their speaker.
Neither is the issue "crystal clear" as he so arrogantly proclaims. It is not a crystal clear issue, nor was Pres. Benke's original conundrum. Either he declines the invitation to represent the Christian church and pray in Christ's name on behalf of hurting PEOPLE, or he accepts and risks that a person automatically assumes that everyone prays to the same god! I believe (and possibly the majority of the Church believes) Pres. Benke made the choice which proclaimed the hope of Jesus Christ rather than sitting back and wondering if someone would do something that wouldn't break a rule.
I am thankful Pres. Kieschnick is "calling up for review" Wally Schulz's decision. It would seem more God-pleasing that the issue might be brought before the whole church rather than just one representative of it. I wonder if Schulz consulted the other vice presidents or district presidents or the board of Lutheran Hour ministries or just rely on his special knowledge from God to adjudicate this issue.
It would be interesting and perhaps disheartening to discover how much this whole issue has galvanized non-Christians against the LCMS and the Church. Maybe even more than a prayer in the name of Jesus did among a people whose very souls were shaken...
Rev. Bo Baumeister
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