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Lutheran Central |
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Open Letter To Dr. Schulz |
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Dear Rev. Shulz, This correspondence comes to you after several revisions. Let me forewarn you about the frankness of this message. Rev. David Benke participated in the prayer service at Yankee stadium after the 9/11 attacks. For this I am very happy. The mayor of the city hosted this event in order to bring about peace to a city in turmoil and devastated from the attacks. Had Rev. Benke attended this event without consulting the president of the Synod I would be no less in support of him than I am now. This man represented the Lutheran Church and displayed compassion to fellow Americans in need. The fact that SOME of those in attendance were not Christians has NO BEARING, let me repeat, NO BEARING on the fact this man FOLLOWED THE EXAMPLE OF OUR LORD when he prayed with these people in that stadium. Was it not Christ Himself who professed that it is not those who are well that need healing, but rather those who are sick. I spoke recently with a pastor here in New Orleans who made a few poignant observations that I feel have eluded you in your assessment of the events of the day in question. The observations are as follows: 1. While you are so eager to admonish and judge Dr. Benke in his involvement in this prayer service, what would your feelings have been if he had turned down the invitation and not participated? Would you then have admonished and belittled this man for not showing compassion and praying for those who were in need, albeit Christian or non-Christian? Do those who do not profess Christianity need prayers more than those who have accepted Christ? If Judas had asked for forgiveness from God before hanging himself for betraying Jesus and truly meant it, do you not think God would have forgiven him? 2. A simple question? Do you believe God was present at Yankee stadium? Do you not believe He touched those who were there? If your answer is "Yes" and you believe God was present, do you not also believe He would want Rev. Benke there to minister to those Christians who were present and their families? If your answer is no, I challenge you to reevaluate YOUR values and ask you do you only minister to those who agree with you? Is it not God's wish for us to preach his word to the whole world or only to those who we go to church with in our little part of this world? 3. The Catholic Church is currently in major turmoil and is divided over SERIOUS internal issues. Is it really necessary to try and divide the Missouri Synod due to your own private agenda and RIDICULOUS allegations? Rev. Schulz, I respectfully suggest you look around you at the state of affairs in the world today. God wishes the BEST for us. My suggestion to you is to seriously reevaluate your opinion of Rev. Benke's participation. The thought of "being right" is not important. What IS right is to give God His due and profess our faith according to Scripture, not according to silly trivializations. Thank you for your time and I pray that if presented with a similar situation you would take the time to pray for those in need. I WILL PRAY FOR YOU! In Christ, Douglas P. Nodurft First English Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Thank you for your time!
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