Trinity Te Deum

The official newsletter for Trinity Lutheran

Rev. Paul R. Harris – 512-453-3835 Church; 512-251-4204 Home Sunday School and Study 9:15 AM – Divine Service 10:30 AM Austin, Texas June 2 , 2013 Volume 15, Issue 4 June - July 2013

Bringing it rary practices were on that uniformity in worship is a path away from traditional desirable but never for the sake Altogether ones, he said that was not his of righteousness. We don’t intent. When asked specifically worship the way we do by di- In the June-July 2008 Te how he reconciles his diverse vine command but by agree- Deum I said that it was very worship styles with the Synod’s ment among men. hard to say what we reject about specific statement that we agree contemporary worship without to use only used doctrinally ap- The high church presenter saying something un-Lutheran proved hymnals, he said that no while stopping short of saying about worship. Our Statement one stated what those were. that we worship the way we do of Confession says that we re- This is tap-dancing around the by divine command said that ject revivalistic worship prac- truth that are hymnals are con- the way we worship - liturgical- tices, but we didn’t specify what sidered doctrinally approved ly, with , with music those practices are. Because it once the Synod in that serves the words and does is difficult to speak clearly as a adopts them. The contemporary not drive them as in rock music, Lutheran about worship practic- worship presenter was allowed with pulpits and – best es, I was looking forward to the to skate on several key points. serves the delivery of the gifts conference on worship the As- This is probably due to the fact of Christ. It keeps the Sacra- sociation of Confessing Evan- that we recognized he was as ment, and therefore Christ and gelical Lutheran Churches put Daniel in the lion’s den. His gifts central in the Chris- on at our church April 16-18, tian’s life. The traditional pre- 2013. We had a present- The presentation on tradi- senter pointed out, correctly, ing on contemporary worship, tional worship correctly stated that even the most formal wor- traditional worship, high church that as Lutherans we do not be- ship forms are not able to guar- worship, and a pastor trying to lieve that ceremonies are a mat- antee that Christ and His gifts bring it all together. Several of ter of justification. We don’t are at the center. Luther pro- our members have asked me get the righteousness of Christ tested against the worship of his what I thought of the presenta- by going through certain out- day because of this. In our day, tions, here is my two cents. ward ceremonies. The Church, Catholics, Episcopalians, and according to the , is free ELCA Lutherans preserve high The advocate for contempo- to use or not use ceremonies. forms of worship but true doc- rary worship said that the main Luther, coming out of the Cath- trine has not been preserved and reason for having it was to olic church which required cer- even has been gutted by them. “meet people where they are,” emonies, was very free in re- so he has a variety of worship gard to them. They can serve One of the best points made styles. When asked if he in- the fallen flesh by bringing in the presentations, and I think tends to bring people along much needed order, yet this it was by the high church pre- from contemporary to liturgical same fallen flesh will always senter, was that in contempo- worship, he just said that “we have a tendency to misuse them, rary worship the Word is used teach them about worship.” to put trust in them. However, primarily for education not When asked about his Com- our Lutheran confessions do say proclamation. This has always munion practice, he was eva- that we Lutherans worship the been a basic difference between sive. When asked if he thought way the historic church does the Reformed and Lutheran the- that churches with contempo- minus the errors that crept in; ology. Calvin had clergymen

1 clothed in a Geneva gown, an the Lutheran Church Missouri “The lady doth academic not an ecclesias- Synod we have agreed to walk tical one. The Reformed have together. We’re not doing this protest too much, always been big on “how to” when we worship as the Bap- methinks.” Christianity. Lutherans have tists, Pentecostals, or the Com- emphasized the proclamation of munity Church does. In fact as Posted on March 19, . the presenter who brought it all 2013 by Rev. Paul R. Harris together said. When we wor-

The presenter who was to ship the way other denomina- This of course is from Ham- bring it all together pointed out tions have historically but claim let. The one I’m thinking from what should be familiar to those our doctrine is Lutheran (This is also from England, and is no of you who avail yourself of was the contemporary worship lady, but then he isn’t a man Bible study opportunities a presenters claim.), at best we either. Or at least not what Trinity: the two ditches. On the are baiting and switching. As intended man to be. Likewise, one side is the Catholic ditch the same presenter pointed out, when I don’t fear, love, or trust which says ceremonies are nec- we are being “good” salesman. in God above all things or when essary and they give righteous- We are showing them enough I hate, lust, or lie, I’m not the ness, grace, and forgiveness of the product called “Lutheran- man the Lord would have me be apart from . On the other ism,” but not too much that they either. side is the Reformed ditch, reject it. In other words, we think Protestant, which says will talk about , salvation Who I speak of is British ceremonies are not only not by grace, forgiveness for all actor Ian McKellen of Gandalf necessary but they are harmful sins, but we don’t tell them fame. In an interview in Time to faith. The truth is in the about infant baptism, closed magazine (December 2012, 62), middle. Ceremonies are useful Communion, male only clergy, the “longtime advocate for gay to order, emphasize, and focus etc. rights” and proud homosexual is the sinful human mind on the asked, “Do you still rip Leviti- right things, but they are useless As a Synod we have an- cus 18 out of hotel ?” He and even harmful apart from swered “which forms are per- does, and the man doth protest faith. We don’t have them be- missible for worshipping” the too much, methinks. cause we have to but because same way we have answered we want to. This “two ditches” “who can be a pastor.” Bibli- I don’t rip pages from the view is straight from Luther. cally, a local church can Call Book of Mormon or the Koran. “He rejected the ceremonial and ordain any man they want Why does this unapologetic laws of the Roman church, not as their pastor. But synodically, homosexual feel the need to only because held consciences we agree to only Call and or- play Thomas Jefferson or in bondage, but also because dain those who have been certi- Maricon with the Bible? Does they were contrary to the law of fied by the Lutheran Church he really think ripping out pages love. On the other hand, and Missouri Synod. changes anything? More im- quite as decisively, he rejected portantly why does he care that the antiliturgical biblicism of Although I have not done so they are in there? Because he’s the Enthusiasts. They con- intentionally, it is possible that I not so far gone as to care what demned every ecclesiastical tra- have put words in the mouths of the Bible says. He wants some dition as such and would allow the presenters. You can read of the Bible just not all of the no liturgical form unless it their presentations here Bible. could be traced right to the Bi- http://www.acelc.net/. Printed That would be me too. ble.” (Luther on Worship, 179) copies are available on the read- When my parents were on this Are we free not to have ing table. side of heaven, I wished there them? Yes the Gospel gives us wasn’t a Fourth Command- that freedom, but as members of ment. When I’m paying my 2 taxes, I wish I could rip out whatever is lovely, whatever is Sunday class and awe your fel- Paul’s admonition to pay your admirable---if anything is excel- goers with your taxes. The evolutionist, femi- or praiseworthy—think grasp of nist, abortionist, want to rip out about such things.” Philippians knowledge. the passages that bother them. 4:8 If you haven't studied the Funny no one to my This is Paul's exhortation to Old Testament since your knowledge wants to rip out the the church in Philippi at the young days in VBS or Sunday Passion of Christ, “It is fin- close of his Philippians . School, you might just be star- ished.” “He is not here; He is In today's world this is quite tled to learn how much they risen.” We only want to rip out difficult with news full of don't teach you as a child, and if the Law, but the only answer to doom, death, and calamity. you weren't raised in the Lu- the Law is the perfect life and Magazines and newspaper theran church you probably innocent death of Christ. We headlines scream of scandal. missed out on all kinds details can’t deal with the condemna- The radio and TV are full of that most Protestant churches tion of the Law, whether written obscenities and lewdness. Small don't focus on because they are in our hearts or on the printed wonder it's so hard to keep your weak on their Church history. I page, by ripping out pages, by mind focused on the noble, was raised Baptist and thought I doing better, by trying harder, right, pure, lovely, admirable, knew the book of Genesis pretty or by punishing ourselves. praiseworthy, or excellent. Even well. Before attending Pastor God’s Word is going to have if you don't watch TV, read the Harris' classes though, I had the last say. It both bespeaks us paper, or listen to the radio, the never heard that Adam and Eve guilty in ourselves and right- mind tends to want to turn in- not partaking of the Tree of the eous in Christ. You can’t have wards and focus on the petty Knowledge of Good and Evil one without the other. cares and irritations of this life was their way of worshipping and the injustices we feel are God. Or that Adam was the first In America you can rip out done to us. Did you know that pastor, and he preached to Eve as many pages of the Bible as most Wednesdays our faithful and his children. I didn't know you want. If you try it with pastor offers a way to bring that Nimrod was “a might other books you’ll be accused your mind back to focusing on hunter against the Lord” which of un-American censorship. If the pure and lovely Word of led the church fathers to believe you try it with the Koran, you’ll God? There are two separate he hunted God's people. I am be decried by politicians. Bible studies offered; a morning continually blown away by how You’re safe tearing pages out of and evening class to fit your much the faith of the translators the Bible, but methinks when hectic schedule. impacts how you read the Bible. you protest that much you’re If they're Reformed Protestant saying more about yourself than The morning class meets at they have a way of changing the about God or His Word. 10:00a.m. This class is currently gifts of God into works for you studying the main Bible stories to do. If you want to get a pic- of the Old and New Testaments. ture of this yourself, bring a In a few more weeks we should thumb drive to church and ask be farther along than the Sun- Pastor or Liz to copy the mp3 Unsolicited day morning Genesis study, so files of the Galatians study for Letter from a you could come to the Wednes- you to listen to. The faith of day morning class and get a Christ that saves you in many Member sneak peak at what you'll be versions becomes your faith in learning Sunday mornings Christ that saves you. This is “Finally Brothers, whatever down the road. With this new monstrous, and it's all from is true, whatever is noble, what- found knowledge you can make changing the word of to the ever is right, whatever is pure, intellectual comments in the word in. The Galatians study 3 was the first class I attended and heads down to the Draught ways having to follow up with I was hooked on hearing Pastor House after class, so if you he and she? You could resort to Harris teach since then! don't have time to grab a bite what Anthony Burgess does in before Bible study, you can get his book 1985. He uses “heesh” The evening class is reading a pint of beer, or glass of wine, instead of he/she (162). To such through Revelation, and you and try out the various food lengths we will go to prove may be somewhat confused truck vendors that pull up to the we’re really not sexist that we coming in the middle, but the Draught House to ply their will prove we are stupid. thing about Revelation that I've wares. learned from this class is that Jacques Barzun in his Dawn the book repeats itself. It shows I cannot urge you strongly to Decadence gives four reasons you the end of the world five enough to come to the Bible for using man when speaking of different times, so come join us, studies that are offered. Aside men and women: etymology, we're about to get to the second from learning Biblical facts, convenience, the unsuspected ending of the world. One of the you hear again and again the incompleteness of ‘man and beautiful things about the book treasured message of the Gos- woman,’ and literary tradition. of Revelation is that while it pel. Our pastor puts a great shows the chaos and discord of amount of time and effort into The Sanskrit root man, the world, and the persecution preparing the classes so you get manu means human being. In of the church, it also clearly the best of the best in what the the compounds ‘spokesman’ shows again and again that God previous church fathers thought and ‘chairman,’ man keeps the is in His Heaven. If the violence and taught. He has an abun- original sense of human being. of this past year has left you dance of maps to show you This is proved by the word shaken, come hear and believe where things were taking place ‘woman’ which etymologically that the Lamb is reigning and as well as a wealth of is the ‘wife-human being.’ the day is coming when the knowledge about the other Lord will wipe away every tear events going on at the time the It is not just inconvenient from our eyes. writers were writing that im- but clumsy to use “man and pacted their readers, and us. woman” repeatedly and then If you've never attended any Don't sell yourself short think- have to follow it just as fre- of Pastor Harris' classes prepare ing you can read the Scriptures quently with ‘his and her.’ “It to be awed at his knowledge of at home just as well. We have destroys sentence rhythm and the Greek language. The Book an excellent teacher in Pastor smoothness, besides creating of Revelation almost everyone Harris, and we have comfy emphasis where it is not want- agrees is a very confusing book. chairs to sit in, so you don't ed.” In this regard the feminists Pastor keeps a copy of the have to sit at his feet :) Hope to give us contradicting signals. Greek Bible in the class and is see you in class! Sincerely, You have to say ‘woman’ when able to interpret on the fly to Darcy Geu men are mentioned, but you are help clarify the parts where in sexist if you say actor and ac- failed attempts to make things tress. clearer the English Bible trans- lations made things obscure, or A War of Words If you discipline yourself to out right added to the text. If say woman every time you say you're worried about not having Posted on February 18, 2013 by man in the name of complete- time for dinner when you get Rev. Paul R. Harris ness or fairness, you are being home from work before heading neither. What about teenagers? out to Bible Study, good news: Do you consciously say What about anyone not yet con- the class doesn't meet until 7:15 “chairwoman” or “spokeswom- sidered an adult? so you don't have to rush so an?” How about making sure Finally, “[I]t is unwise to much. There's also a group that you refer to him or her and al- give up a long-established prac- 4 tice, familiar to all, without re- cond does not happen because happens primarily within the viewing the purpose it has only paganism has priestesses. context of a Christian congrega- served.” From prehistoric times The third doesn’t happen be- tion. In this fundamental unit of Genesis 1 informs us, “And cause you can’t say it without the Church, it is the primary God created Man, male and fe- laughing. responsibility of the divinely male.” Even if you don’t regard called pastor to be the ecclesias- the Bible as God’s word, at Serendipitously after writing tical supervisor within the con- least in 1611 when the King the above I read the article gregation. It is the pastor's first James was published, ‘man’ “Away with Words” in the Feb- responsibility to supervise him- meant human being. For centu- ruary 18, 2013 issue of Time. It self - his doctrine and life. As a ries, zoologists have without notes that half the states have called servant of the Word, the apology spoken of the species taken steps toward using gen- pastor is obligated by his sacred Man. Philosophers have spoken der-neutral language in official /installation vows to of “’Man’s unconquerable documents. However, they are preach or teach nothing that is mind.’” Poet Webster could finding it difficult to remove not in accord with the Holy say, “’And man does flourish some “gender specific words.” Scriptures and the Lutheran but his time.’” “In all these us- Here are the offending words Confessions, and to adorn his es man cannot possibly mean that must remain: airman, man- life with holy living with the male only. The coupling of hole, man lock. They have been help of God. woman to those statements successful at changing penman- would add nothing and sound ship to handwriting, freshman It is the called pastor's sa- absurd” (Adapted from Dawn to to first-year student, and cred responsibility to ensure Decadence, pp. 82-83). sportsman to outdoor enthusiast that no false doctrine be pre- (p.12). sented in any venue within the Yet most people are willing congregation whether it be in to sound absurd rather than be As offensive as the silly rea- his , the hymns, the accused of sexism, misogyny, soning of the states is, even choir anthem, the Bible class, or worse. Check on more so was the light airy man- and especially in public wor- this. See how many of them ner of the story. It was the tone ship. But what if the pastor studiously are “men and wom- of a human interest puff-piece; (who is also a sinner), fails in en-ing,” “he and she-ing”, till the tone they never have when this responsibility? Who is to heesh, I mean till sheesh, they speaking about serious things provide churchly supervision have made so much of a distinc- like climate change or assault for him? Primarily this must fall tion between them that their rifles or gay marriage. Hey, to the members of the congrega- younger listeners think they are they’re only talking about doing tion. This is one reason Luther- two different species. away with words, and abortion ans have always thoroughly in- only does away with fetuses, structed catechumens prior to See it’s not a war of words. and doublethink was only a becoming adult members of a It’s a war being won one word problem in a novel. congregation. God's sheep must at a time. Firemen are firefight- be able to know the difference ers. Policemen are cops. Wait- between true and false doctrine resses are servers. Stewardess- The Proper Use and and, if necessary, judge the doc- es are flight attendants, but fe- trine of their shepherd if he male pastors aren’t pastoresses; the Inappropriate should stray into error. female are never - Abuse of esses, and female rabbis aren’t But doesn't all this talk rabbits. The first does not hap- Ecclesiastical about "supervision" and "judg- pen because the name change Supervision ing" sound legalistic, loveless, would highlight that something Properly speaking ecclesias- or intolerant? First, there is ab- new has been created. The se- tical (churchly) supervision solutely nothing loving about 5 error! False doctrine or teaching Church. In reality, false teach- is most grievously abused when is simply the most loveless ing/doctrine divides us and it is not done! thing that can occur within a erodes our assurance of for- congregation. Why? Because giveness and salvation. Love Those who have been elect- false teaching always “profanes rejoices in the truth, and ed to serve our Synod as eccle- the name of God among us” (1st does not rejoice in error! siastical supervisors have Petition meaning, LP, SC) di- demonstrated rather consistent- minishes the believers’ assur- So, what about ecclesiastical ly, that they frequently make ance of his salvation, and al- supervision within The Luther- their judgments based on the ways points to something or an Church - Missouri Synod? Constitution and Bylaws. The someone other than Christ cru- problem with this is that cified and risen for the confi- While Synodical ecclesiasti- Churchly (ecclesiastical) super- dence that our sins are fully for- cal supervision on paper has the vision must be based primarily given. That is the nature of false very same goal spoken about by on Holy Scripture and the Lu- teaching (heterodoxy). There- St. Paul in the text cited above: theran Confessions and if the fore, it is the most loving thing Loving correction to prevent Constitution – and if the Bylaws to do to help a fellow Christian losing the assurance of for- do not conform to Scripture and understand the truth of the Gos- giveness and eternal life so as to the Confessions, then no judg- pel of Christ and to avoid the preserve the unity of the ment contrary to them is to be false teaching that diminishes Church; in our day ecclesiasti- considered. Time and again we Christ's teaching. There is really cal supervision has evolved into have witnessed our elected ec- no virtue in error! There is no being primarily concerned with clesiastical supervisors make benefit to false teaching and it maintaining or forfeiting mem- determinations on the basis of does not deserve to be tolerated bership in the Synod. the best interest of the institu- within the Church. tion of the Synod, rather than be Perhaps it would be well to primarily guided by the Holy As St. Paul says in I Corin- remember the very first objec- Scripture and our Confessions. thians 13:4-6: "Love is patient tive of the Synod in our Consti- Therefore, ecclesiastical super- and kind; love does not envy or tution: "The Synod, under vision is grievously abused boast; it is not arrogant or rude. Scripture and the Lutheran Con- when the institution is given It does not insist on its own fessions, shall - 1. Conserve and precedence over Scripture and way; it is not irritable or resent- promote the unity of the true the Confessions. ful; it does not rejoice at faith (Ephesians 4:3-6; I Cor. wrongdoing, but rejoices with 1:10)...and provide a united de- Case in point: Rev. Dr. the truth." fense against schism, sectarian- Matthew Becker. Rev. Becker is ism (Rom. 16:17), and here- a rostered LCMS clergyman A phenomenon that is far sy..." (Constitution of the who is also a professor at Val- too often seen within our be- LCMS, Article III - Objectives) paraiso University, Valparaiso, loved Synod is that some folks Indiana. Dr. Becker is also an falsely pit the retention of pure The first objective of the outspoken promoter of the ordi- doctrine against Christian Synod is the first objective be- nation of women into the pasto- "love". This is a false division. cause it is the most important ral office and a staunch defend- Christian love rejoices and in- objective. After all, a Synod is er of evolution as an adequate sists in the truth of God's Word formed so that those of like explanation of God's creative being preserved. Christian love mind might gather together to activity. Both these positions helps a brother or sister see retain and promote biblical, are patently unbiblical and at their error clearly so that they Confessional purely so odds with the Lutheran Confes- may rejoice in the truth and pre- that the fullness of the Gospel is sions. Despite repeated publica- serve the unity of the one, true not hindered by error. There- tions by Dr. Becker respecting faith and the unity of the fore, ecclesiastical supervision both these errors, inadequate

6 ecclesiastical supervision has more thoroughly listed out in Walther in the Fourth Evening left him on our Synod's clergy the ACELC's "Evidence of Er- Lecture of his great work, The roster and eligible for a call to rors" Documents.. Proper Distinction Between any congregation, university, or Law and Gospel, serve as guid- seminary of our Synod. Thus, Ecclesiastical supervision is ance for us all: his loveless errors continue to essential to maintaining the the- do damage within our Synod by ological integrity of our congre- "When a theologian is asked dividing us, lessening our gations and Synod. If not done, to yield and make concessions Christian unity, and promoting or if done based on "Institution- in order that peace may at last a "theology" which erodes the al" concerns rather than Holy be established in the Church, authority of the Holy Scriptures. Scripture and our Lutheran but refuses to do so even in a Confessions, then our Synod single point of doctrine, such an Case in point: The tolera- suffers and is in terrible trouble. action looks to human reason tion of open communion in If such abuses of ecclesiastical like intolerable stubbornness, many of our Synodical congre- supervision continue unabated, yea, like down-right malice. gations. In accord with Holy then the only Lutheran Synod That is the reason why such Scripture our Synod officially still in existence since 1840's theologians are loved and holds to the practice of Closed will either crumble or become a praised by few men during their Communion in which those church body that has lot its Lu- lifetime. Most men rather revile who celebrate the Lord's Supper theran character altogether. them as disturbers of the peace, are in agreement in every article There is no virtue to being Lu- yea, as destroyers of the king- of Christian doctrine and that theran in name only. dom of God. They are regarded this agreement is the standard of as men worthy of contempt. But admission to the Lord's Table. Please join the congrega- in the end it becomes manifest tions of the ACELC in continu- that this very determined, inex- Case in point: The continu- ally praying for those who have orable tenacity in clinging to the ing practice of using laymen to been elected as our Synod’s ec- pure teaching of the divine perform Word and Sacrament clesiastical supervisors: The Word by no means tears down ministry within LCMS congre- President of the Synod, Mat- the Church; on the contrary, it is gations which is a direct contra- thew Harrison; our five just this which, in the midst of diction of Augsburg Confes- Synodical Vice Presidents, the greatest dissension, builds up sion, Article XIV which says: 35 District Presidents, and the the Church and ultimately “Our churches teach that no one Circuit Counselors who serve brings about genuine peace. should publicly teach in the under them. Pray that each of Therefore, woe to the Church Church, or administer the Sac- these men may steadfastly prize which has no men of this stripe, raments, without a rightly or- our doctrine and its practice men who stand as watchmen on dered call.” (Dau/Bente, second over the "peace" of the institu- the walls of Zion, sound the edition, p. 39.) Despite clear tion – for institutional unity se- alarm whenever a foe threatens directions from our Confes- cured with the price of the in- to rush the walls, and rally to sions, multiple districts still clusion of error is simply an il- the banner of Jesus Christ for a train and place laymen into lusion of unity. Pray that they holy war!"…Let us, then, my Word and Sacrament ministries will let Holy Scripture speak friends, likewise hold fast the within their own districts, and and that they will act according- treasure of the pure doctrine. Do our Synod still retains laymen ly. And if you share the con- not consider it strange if on that who also serve in these capaci- cerned cited here, please con- account you must bear reproach ties. sider joining our cause the same as they did. Consider The examples noted above by becoming a member of that the word of Sirach, chap. are just a few illustrations of the the ACELC. 4,33: ‘even unto death fight for many failures of proper ecclesi- justice, and God will overthrow astical supervision which are Let the words of C.F.W. thy enemies for thee,’ will come

7 true in our case too. Let this be ogy or explaining there was a ings that have never been ac- your slogan: Fight unto death in typo. cepted in the world are now re- behalf of the truth, and the Lord jected by large groups in the will fight for you!” (The Proper Okay, so they’re not, but church. Distinction Between Law and you know the problem is me Gospel, C. F. W. Walther, page because I think St. Paul has the I’m probably just overreact- 28.) answer to “Why can’t the Dis- ing, but I wonder why no one trict President’s wife serve as else reacts at all? Anyway, I’m Rev. Richard A. Bolland worship leader?” In short he sure Mrs. Hennings is not Assistant Pastor - Emeritus says in I Timothy 2 that Mrs. preaching. She’s probably not Gloria Christi Lutheran Church Hennings can’t serve as worship teaching. She probably just Greeley, Colorado leader for the same reason that took the lead in lining up the President Hennings could not men to do the preaching and give birth to their daughter, Eri- teaching – maybe including the We’re Emerging ka, who by the by is the banquet non-Lutheran ever emerging entertainer. Sweet. She probably led in the but into Where, same sense elementary school What, Whom? As there is no such thing as female teachers lead their boys. a male mother, so there is no Nothing wrong with that. Un- less you’re not a boy and it’s Posted on April 1, 2013 by Rev. Paul such thing as a female worship leader. As the former is not not elementary school but Di- R. Harris qualified physically, the latter is vine Service, worship.

The January 2013 Texas not qualified spiritually. No, District Supplement to it’s not because women are I have always thought the Lutheran Witness trumpets more sinful, less gifted, more Church Extension Fund was an the 25thannual Church Exten- irritable. St. Paul says it’s be- irresponsible “investment.” sion Fund conference in April. cause the man was first formed What responsible investor puts The keynote speaker is Dr. then the woman, and the man his money in an institution that Leonard Sweet. He is a world was not deceived at all and the is totally unsecured? Now I see renowned leader of the Emer- woman was incredibly deceived that CEF’s brazenness to ask gent Church movement, and by Satan (I Timothy 2). (This people to invest their money that’s not even the downside of makes Adam’s fall all the more with no guarantee against loss the soiree. egregious and Eve’s all the of principle is only exceeded by more understandable.) It’s be- their willingness to sit at the cause God is the head of Christ feet of un-Lutheran teachers and and Christ is the head of man be led by woman. Ironic that Found at the bottom of page and man is the head of woman their theme is “Come Follow Q is this: “Val Hennings will (I Corinthians 11). Me.” serve as worship leader. An additional presenter will be the This is all first year semi- LCMS Texas District President Ken Hennings.” We don’t need nary stuff, but it’s not Emergent any help emerging. We’re al- Church certified. In fact, this American Lying ready there. old time religion is downright embarrassing. You still believe Posted on March 4, 2013 by that the husband is to be head in Rev. Paul R. Harris I know that even as I type home, church, and world? You this that LCMS Ecclesiastical still believe that a woman ought “’I do not believe that any Supervisors are supervising not to teach OR have authority who shall be so fortunate as to this. Even as you read this, the over a man? Yup, and I have no be received into heaven through CEF is penning a letter of apol- earthly idea why. These teach- the atonement of our blessed

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Savior will be asked whether issue. We can’t pretend to dling of ecclesiastical supervi- they belonged to the Presbyteri- agree when we disagree. We sors and confronting those in an, the Methodist, the Episcopa- won’t do this in sports or poli- error with kid gloves, all his). lian, the Baptist, or the Roman tics why would we do it in reli- Catholic [faith]’” (American gion? This is a call to more faith- Lion, 206-7). Thus spoke Presi- fulness and better doctrine ra- dent Andrew Jackson, the I spoke too soon. The open ther than a call to repent. Ra- American Lion, while in the Communion crowd does defend ther than speaking with the White House, and I agree with their practice in the name of boldness of the American Lion, him. truth. They say: The truth can’t Andrew Jackson, we are engag- be known this side of heaven. ing in American lying: all Those of us who practice Who are we to say we have it? are equal; there are no false closed Communion are ma- Though St. Paul says it’s possi- doctrines; no one needs to re- ligned as if we believed only we ble for all to speak the same pent; we all need to improve. were going to heaven. None of things (I Cor. 1:10), they say us have ever said anything like that it’s not. Though Jesus says this. But neither have we said you will know the truth, they Sabbatical Update what the open Communion say no we can’t. Though St. crowd frequently says: Since we Paul says a little leaven leavens This is an update on my po- will be in heaven together, we the whole lump, they say, “We tential sabbatical. I have ap- ought to share Communion on agree on more than we disagree plied to the Lilly Foundation for earth. on. There are only small differ- a sabbatical from June 9, 2014 ences between us.” through August 31, 2014. The Admittedly our position can total cost is $30,417. seem contradictory. It’s like Though truth doesn’t admit $13,888.00 of this is for con- our position on abortion and the of degrees, the open Commun- gregational expenses. The cen- death penalty. On Biblical ion crowd always speaks in ter of my proposal is taking a grounds we are opposed to the those terms: More and less class in Hebrew at the seminary first but not to the second. The faithfulness; better or worse and an extended retreat at a Lu- Fifth Commandment forbids the doctrine. Even President Harri- theran monastery in Michigan. former but not the latter. Like- son slips into these categories. The deadline for submitting the wise, Scripture calls all those In his November 2012 Witness proposal was April 19, 2013. I saved by grace for Christ’s sake article he speaks of LCMS con- will be notified one way or the through faith brothers and sis- gregations communing non- other at the end of August 2013. ters in Christ, but it doesn’t call LCMS members at their altars I am deeply grateful that Trinity all Christians to the same for decades. He recommends agreed to let me apply. Even if Communion table. that “the circuit counselor, va- I don’t get the sabbatical, this in cancy pastor, or even district itself is refreshing. When you’re in discussions president let the congregation with those who practice open know (very charitably, to be Communion, they defend it in sure) that its practice needs to the name of love never in the improve before it calls a new name of truth. Why? Because pastor” (“Pastor and Congrega- truth is precisely the point at tion 101”. Emphasis mine, han-

Trinity Lutheran Church 1207 West 45th Street Austin, TX78756 512.453.3835 www.trinityaustin.com Trinity Te Deum is published bi-monthly.June Deadline 201 for3 all articles is the 15th of the odd months. All articles must be approved by Rev. Paul R. Harris. Articles with no author are written by him. 9

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