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Matthias Loy - Ohio Lutheran Leader - Forgotten by ELCA. Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry. Lutheran Librarian.

In This IssueThe Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 17 by Matthias LoyThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles ChiniquyThe Lutheran Hymnal Text Only EditionBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph StumpLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad DietrichFeaturedThe Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 17 by Matthias Loy

“This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced within its scope, though for the present special attention will be given to the controverted subject of predestination.”

Matthias Loy (1828-1915) was a giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the Joint Synod of Ohio, the Columbus Seminary and Capital University, and edited the Lutheran Standard and the Columbus Theological Magazine. In 1881 he withdrew the Joint Synod from the Synodical Conference as a result of Walther’s teaching about predestination. Many of Matthias Loy’s books are available in Lutheran Library editions.

Level of Difficulty: Intermediate: Some subject matter knowledge helpful.

Book Contents

Vol. XVII. February, 1897. No. 1.

Introductory by Prof. George H. Schodde, Ph. D.Funeral Sermon. By Rev. E. L. S, Tressel, A.M., Baltimore, Md. Text: Psalm 90:12.The Epistles Of Thomasius. By Rev. R. C. H. Lenski, A. M., Springfield, Ohio.Sermon Outlines For Lent. Based On The German Of J. H. Schultze, By Rev. Professor A. Pflueger, A. M.

Vol. XVII. April, 1897. No. 2.

The Call To The Ministry, Or Theses On The Fourteenth Article Of The Augustana. By J. Humberger, A. M., Covington, Ohio.A Short History Of The Higher Criticism Of The Pentateuch. By Rev. G. Finke, Le Mars, IA.Annotations On Philippians 2:5-11. By Rev. P. A. Peter, West Baltimore, O.The Relation Of The Luther League To The Church. By Rev. H. J. Reiman, A. M., Oil City, Pa.Biblical Research Notes.Funeral Sermon. By Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, A.M., Baltimore, Md. Text: Mark 10:14.Notes. By Prof. George H. Schodde, Ph. D.Theological Seminaries In The United States.

Vol. XVII. June, 1897. No. 3.

Church Architecture. After The German Of Harnack By Prof, A. Pflueger, A. M., Columbus, Ohio.“Neglect Not The Gift That Is In Thee.” 1 Timothy 4:14. By Rev. D. Simon, A. M., Prospect, Ohio.Funeral Sermon. By Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, A.M., Baltimore, Md. Sermon Preached At The Funeral Of A Cheerful Christian Wife Whose Husband Was Skeptical.

Vol. XVII. August, 1897. No. 4.

Baccalaureate Address. To The Class Of 1896, Capital University, By Prof. M. Loy, D. D.A Mirror For Pastors. Translated From The German Of Guthe By Rev. W. E. Tressel. Baltimore, Md.City Missions— Especially Among Outsiders. By Rev. Simon Peter Long, A. M., Columbus, Ohio.The Epistles Of Thomasius. By Rey. R. C. H. Lenski, A. M., Springfield, OhioChrist And The Sabbath. By Rev. P A. Peter, West Baltimore, Ohio.

Vol. XVIII. October, 1897. No. 5.

The Missionary-Spirited Pastor. By Rev. Edward Pfeiffer, A. M., Fremont, Ohio.The Epistles Of Thomasius. By Rev. R. C. H. Lenski, A. M., Springfield, Ohio,A Mirror For Pastors. Translated From The German Of Guthe By Rev. W. E. Tressel, Baltimore, Md.Funeral Sermon. By Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, Baltimore, Md, Text: Malachi 2:6.

Vol. XVIII. December, 1897. No. 6.

The Call To The Ministry, Or Theses On The Fourteenth Article Of The Augustana. By J. Humberger, A, M., Covington, Ohio.

The Church Of Rome And The Inquisition. By Rev. J. C. Schacht, Marion, Ind.

What Belongs To The Essence Of The Lord’s Supper? By Rev. P A, Peter, West Baltimore, Ohio.

Christus Comprobator. By Rev. G. Finke, Le Mars, Ia.

Funeral Sermon Preached On The Death Of A Young Wife. By Rev. E. L. S. Tressel, Baltimore, Md, Text: Rev. 21:3-4.

Biblical Research Notes. By Prof. Geo. H. Schodde, Ph. D., Columbus, O.

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Publication InformationLutheran Library edition first published: 2022Copyright: CC BY 4.0Read moreRecent Books and Articles PublishedThe Columbus Theological Magazine Vol. 17 by Matthias Loy

“This Magazine is designed to supply the want, long since felt, of a Lutheran periodical devoted to theological discussion. Its aim will be the exposition and defense of the doctrines of the Church as confessed in the Book of Concord. Theology in all its departments is embraced within its scope, though for the present special attention will be given to the controverted subject of predestination.” Matthias Loy (1828-1915) was a giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the ...

Read moreThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles Chiniquy

Includes: Transubstantiation is the most Degrading form of Idolatry, Why we must put our trust in Jesus and not Mary, A Roman Bishop’s Testimony, and Why I will Never go back to the Church of Rome. “If there is a thing which is as evident as two and two make four, it is that Romanism is the old idolatry of Babylon, Egypt and Rome, under a Christian mask. But this new form of idolatry is so boldly denied by some of the great dignitaries of Rome, and so skillfully concealed by others, ...

Read moreThe Lutheran Hymnal Text Only Edition

By request, here is a text only version of the public domain hymns in The Lutheran Hymnal. The hardback version which includes the music is available from Concordia Publishing House. May this ebook be a blessing to you in your personal devotions. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Download the eBook PDF Apple/Kobo EPUB Kindle AZW3 Legacy MOBI (If EPUB or AZW3 won’t work on your device) You can expect your book to arrive within a few hours. If you ...

Read moreBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph Stump

“The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible… Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear… Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted… doctrinal … ...

Read moreLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad Dietrich

[Fully Updated v.6.1] “In this little book the reader will find, first of all, the Small Catechism of Dr Martin Luther without alteration. This is followed by the shorter explanation of this Catechism, in questions and answers, by Dr. Conrad Dietrich, formerly Pastor, Superintendent, and Director of the Gymnasium in Ulm, Wuertemberg, born Jan. 9, 1575, in Gemuende, Hesse Cassel, died at Ulm, March 22, 1639. Full title: Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and ...

Read moreMartin Luther's Church Postil - The Complete Lenker Edition in One Volume

Luther considered his Church Postil “The Best of all His Books”. This is the Biblical, expository, evangelical, Christ-centered preaching for which Luther should be remembered. Read these sermons and be blessed. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Book Contents About The Lutheran Library Acknowledgements Contents List of Scripture Passages Preface by Lutheran Librarian Reason for the Church Postils Gospels First Sunday in Advent. Christ Enters ...

Read moreThe Augsburg Confession: An Introduction and Exposition by Matthias Loy

“Sincere believers of the truth revealed in Christ for man’s salvation have no reason to be ashamed of Luther, whom God sent to bring again to His people the precious truth in Jesus… The whole purpose of the book is practical. It steadily pursues the aim of helping our Lutheran people to a better appreciation of their Church and its precious heritage, and to a firmer stand and a more zealous labor to maintain them and make others partake of the blessings of the Reformation…” — ...

Read more







May God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace.From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org

Pastor Paul Rydecki and His Congregation Withdrew from ELDONA - Letter from Rydecki

May 16, 2022 

Dear Bishop Heiser and brothers in Christ in the ELDoNA: 

Ten years ago, when I was suspended from the WELS, I was, for a brief time, an independent pastor, and you know the challenges that come with being alone in the ministry (not that we are ever truly alone), the main challenge being perhaps the tendency of each of us to stray from pure doctrine and salutary practice when there is no brother in the ministry to caution or encourage us. I prayed that the Lord would guide me to a group of pastors with whom doctrinal fellowship could be recognized, who would help one another remain faithful in doctrine, practice, and Christian living. 

Nine years ago, Bishop Heiser and those of you who were in the diocese at that time, and one who has now fallen asleep, served as the Lord’s instruments of comfort to me and my congregation in Las Cruces after the turmoil we faced leaving the WELS. I will not say that you supported me. I will say that, together with me, you supported the good confession about Christ and His vital teaching of justification by faith alone, which required a repudiation of the false teaching of Objective Justification as it has been defined and taught by the synods. I will never be able to express the joy that filled my heart when I heard the Theses on Justification read for the first time. I was so thankful to God for giving me a group of Christian brothers who not only believed as I did, but who were willing to confess the doctrine of Christ openly and receive me into their fellowship, in spite of the reproach you suffered from the synods because of it. I still give thanks for it. 

The idea of an ecclesiastical bishop, as I understood it and as I found it described in the ELDoNA Charter and related Theses, seemed like a fine way to ensure that all the member pastors taught and lived well, and would continue to teach and live well, in accordance with the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. We cannot all be looking into one another’s practice and life on a regular basis, nor, I dare say, would any of us welcome such a constant intrusion coming from every pastor in our fellowship, so having one man appointed for this task seemed good to me. I happily applied for membership in the diocese and have enjoyed interacting and working with you all over these past nine years. 

Over the past year, it has become increasingly clear to me that the office of bishop, as understood by the bishop and others in the ELDoNA, includes more than the Scriptures or Confessions include or than the founding documents of the diocese spell out. Having a “Church Order” handed to us and “authorized” by the bishop in 2021 took me off guard. Certain statements in the Church Order troubled me, such as, “No variation from the text of the creeds set forth in the Service Book…may be used in the Divine Service” (Missal, p.40), “It should also be noted that the selection of the Office Hymn is to be strictly adhered to as appointed for use in this diocese” (p.41), and “Under no circumstances may any unauthorized form of general prayer be substituted for those appointed for use in the diocese” (p.42). Exchanges with the bishop over the past year also pointed in this direction. 

But this understanding was solidified in the Episcopal Address and ensuing discussion that took place at the 2022 Synod. I am very disappointed to discover that it is, in fact, the prevailing understanding and expectation within the diocese that the bishop’s responsibility of “oversight” and “administration” “encompasses all that has been associated with this [episcopal] polity in the historic sense,” as stated in the Bishop’s Episcopal Address, including “obliging the parsons and deacons of their superintendency to conform in all things according to our ‘Church Order.’” 

This came as a surprise to me, because episcopal polity in the historic sense is not what we have ever known in the ELDoNA. The Evangelical Episcopacy, as, for example, in the superintendency of Martin Chemnitz (explained in his Church Order of 1569), was a human arrangement set up for that time and place in history in response to the recent finding that “a large portion of [the pastors and ministers of the church in that principality] were not real pastors, but rather unlearned and unfit mercenaries, acting as hired hands” (p.4). The Superintendency described by Chemnitz was made up of many specific superintendents, five general-superintendents, and a consistory made up of superintendents, theologians, and political appointees, all of whom were answerable to Duke Julius. (Indeed, it was the duke who authorized and mandated the use of Chemnitz’ Church Order within his territory, not the superintendent.) We have never had anything resembling this situation. For one thing, our ministers have not been found to be “unlearned and unfit mercenaries,” necessitating strict enforcement of a Church Order. As for the individual superintendents of the 16th century, they had far less authority than the ELDoNA bishop is claiming for himself, as important decisions were made within the consistory and not by any individual superintendent. 

Furthermore, a bishop/superintendent in the historic sense had jurisdiction within the congregations themselves, including the examining and confirming of confirmands and the excommunication of parishioners who were not members of his own congregation. Indeed, the local pastor was allowed to excommunicate no one without the approval of the superintendent and the consistory. For that matter, the local pastor wasn’t even supposed to commune his own members unless he had followed the procedure prescribed by the Church Order of obligating the parishioner to submit to private examination every time he or she wished to receive the Lord’s Supper—something that clearly went beyond the Scriptures. In their attempt to keep “good order,” I believe that princes and bishops/superintendents in the historic sense often went too far. 

Thankfully, however, unlike historic Lutheran bishops/superintendents, the ELDoNA bishop’s jurisdiction has always extended only to the pastors who are members of the diocese. It has never extended to the flocks over which the Holy Spirit has made us all overseers (or “bishops”). 

Therefore, when seeking to understand what the ELDoNA bishop’s responsibilities were, I turned, not to history, but to the diocesan Charter and related Theses, where no mention is made of “obliging the parsons and deacons of their superintendency to conform in all things according to our ‘Church Order.’” The Charter of the Diocese clearly delineates how we pledge to work together within the diocese. It was to this that I agreed when I joined the diocese. I urge you all to reread what is actually written there, as opposed to what some claim to be the unwritten intention. “Therefore, we pledge ourselves to work together in the diocese as follows,” with nine points following, none of which includes agreeing that the bishop may determine all matters of adiaphora for us (in our worship or otherwise) or that we bind ourselves to follow his determinations in matters of adiaphora or church ceremonies within our own congregations. 

The first of the nine points is an agreement to “uphold those principles which Dr. Chemnitz affirmed regarding the Superintendency.” “Those principles” do not include everything Chemnitz wrote in his Church Order. The statement is followed explicitly by the four principles from Chemnitz which we agree to uphold. None of these four principles grants the bishop the authority to decide on all matters of adiaphora (or any matters of adiaphora, for that matter) within our congregations. When Chemnitz states that “each one does not build up himself or act as lord in his congregation and do what he pleases…” this does not imply that the bishop may then act as lord in our congregations and do what he pleases. It implies that we will each be careful not to act in ways that cause offense within our own congregations or among our sister congregations, but will take one another into consideration in love and not enact practices that are likely to cause offense. 

I agree with the Malone Theses when they state that “we seek to achieve a high degree of uniformity in the liturgical expression of our theological agreement.” I never understood this, however, to mean absolute uniformity or the imposition of a single service which must be strictly followed as published. I agree with the Malone Theses when they state that “we commit ourselves to endeavor over time, by common consensus, to minimize local deviations from common practice.” I never understood “common consensus,” however, to mean the necessary consensus with whatever the bishop determines to be best. 

Another of Chemnitz’ stated principles in the Charter is that “when some complaint arises, the matter must be put before the conference and settled while the meeting is still in session.” This is what I attempted to do during the Tuesday morning meeting at the 2022 Synod. I was later reprimanded (not by the bishop, but by his deacon) for bringing up the matter during the meeting, as if that were not the proper time or place to bring up such a complaint. Again, I urge you all to read what is actually written in the Charter. 

But if the Episcopal Address describes the actual polity of the ELDoNA going forward, then the Charter is flawed and should be corrected and expanded so that it says what it means. To expect pastors and congregations to understand from the Charter, as worded, that the ELDoNA bishop’s responsibilities “encompass all that has been associated with this [episcopal] polity in the historic sense” is both unreasonable and dangerous, because much has been associated with “episcopal polity in the historic sense” that is neither Scriptural nor beneficial to God’s Holy Church. 

When the bishop seeks to “authorize” Bible translations, orders of service, specific prayers, hymns, lectionaries, dialects of English, etc., for use within our congregations, branding some as “licit” and others as “illicit,” he is implying that the authority for us to worship as we do in our congregations comes from him. I do not find this to be a Scriptural principle. My understanding is that Christ has called me to shepherd the flock which He entrusted to my care through their divine call, which entails working with them to establish and enact forms of worship which are in keeping with sound Christian (i.e., Lutheran) practice. While I have always welcomed the counsel and advice of the bishop in these matters (and have usually followed his advice out of love), I do not believe he has a divine call to dictate or to mandate worship forms for my congregation. I did not call him to do this by the act of joining the diocese. My congregation also does not acknowledge having called him to do this. Nor was there a magistrate who appointed him to oversee my congregation. I asked him to be my overseer when I joined the diocese, to look over my life and my ministry and to correct me on the basis of Scripture if I strayed from what God would have me do as a pastor. That is all. 

To state the matter simply, I wish to pursue unity in the Holy Scriptures, as we have understood them in the Lutheran Church, and to be ruled and restrained by the Scriptures alone, in conformity with the Lutheran Confessions and in love toward my neighbor. And I am willing and eager for a brother in Christ to apply those Scriptures to me if I err, whether he holds the title of bishop, or pastor, or simply Christian. This is the kind of unity I seek and the kind of unity I thought we already had in the diocese for the past nine years. 

Others, however, seem to wish to pursue unity in the doctrines and traditions of men, seeking unity in the utter sameness of a single manmade Church Order imposed across an entire continent, which goes far beyond the Scriptural requirement of things being done “decently and in good order.” They seek unity in being ruled and restrained by one who is not only a bishop who holds the power of the Keys, as all ministers do according to the Gospel, but who also holds power delegated to him by human right. Indeed, they are willing to be disciplined by the bishop for things that are neither contrary to Scripture nor causes of offense to members of Christ’s flock. I cannot abide by such an arrangement. It is like building on the foundation of Christ with wood, hay, and straw. 

As far as I can tell, this is a fundamental difference of understanding among us that prohibits me from continuing as a member of this diocese. Therefore, I hereby resign from membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America. My congregation also met on Sunday, May 15th, in formal assembly and approved the following statement of their own composition to pass on to the diocese, together with their grave disappointment in the direction the diocese has taken: 

We the members of Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church support our pastor in his decision to leave the ELDoNA. As the Lord emphasizes humility for all of his people, He makes this a priority for his shepherds. This is one of the last lessons he taught his disciples by washing their feet on Maundy Thursday. The bishop’s “episcopal Address to the 2022 Synod of the ELDoNA” is inconsistent with Christ’s example. We recognize that it is our pastor’s decision to be made, but believe that it is appropriate and useful to support him and declare unity with respect to this matter. With a sad heart, we unanimously agree that he should leave the ELDoNA. 

I will continue to pray for you all and ask for God’s blessings on your families and on your ministry. To be clear, I am not declaring myself to be out of fellowship with you, as I consider you neither false teachers nor enemies of Christ nor my personal enemies, but as my friends and brothers in Christ who are going down a dangerous path on which I cannot follow. It is not safe to build on the foundation of Christ with wood, hay, and straw, which includes, in my opinion, yielding your God-given authority in your congregations to one who has no call to your congregations, and submitting to being disciplined in matters that God has left free. … 

May the merciful Lord guard and defend you from the dangers associated with this sort of polity, as it is being defined and as it is being conducted, and may He guard me and those with me as well, that we may all build on the foundation of Jesus Christ with gold, silver, and precious stones, and not with wood, hay, and straw. Whether you think of me as such or not, I remain your friend and brother in Christ. 

A servant of Christ Jesus, 

Rev. Paul A. Rydecki Emmanuel Lutheran Church Las Cruces, New Mexico

Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry - Classic Work by (former) Father Chiniquy,

The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry In This IssueThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles ChiniquyThe Lutheran Hymnal Text Only EditionBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph StumpLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad DietrichMartin Luther's Church Postil - The Complete Lenker Edition in One VolumeFeaturedThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles Chiniquy

Includes: Transubstantiation is the most Degrading form of Idolatry, Why we must put our trust in Jesus and not Mary, A Roman Bishop’s Testimony, and Why I will Never go back to the Church of Rome.

“If there is a thing which is as evident as two and two make four, it is that Romanism is the old idolatry of Babylon, Egypt and Rome, under a Christian mask. But this new form of idolatry is so boldly denied by some of the great dignitaries of Rome, and so skillfully concealed by others, under the spotless robe of Jesus, that not only the too unsuspecting nominal Protestants, but even the ‘very elect,’ are in danger of being entrapped and deceived.

“Go to the magnificent cathedrals, as well as to the humblest chapels of the Church of Rome, if you had any knowledge of the old mythology, and you will see that, today, Minerva, Juno, Venus are worshipped under the sweet and blessed name of Mary; they see again the clouds of incense burning on their altars, and the multitude of male and female devotees humbly prostrated at the feet of their idols, asking them now, as formerly, to appease the wrath of their angry God. But, today, very few read the books which could throw any light on that subject, and among the few who read these books, unfortunately, the greater part remain under the impression that there is a great deal of exaggeration in what is said by Protestants against Rome. — Charles Chiniquy

Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed.

Book ContentsPreface by Lutheran LibrarianThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat.Mariolatry.Papal Idolatry.Transubstantiation Is Idolatry.Transubstantiation Is The Most Degrading Form Of Idolatry.God Himself Turns The Wafer-God Of Rome Into Ridicule.Our Saviour Jesus Christ Foretells The Abominable Idolatry Of The Wafer-Christs Of Rome, And Warns His Disciples Against It.Transubstantiation Makes God Inferior To Man, And Changes Man Into God.Why We Must Put Our Trust In Jesus Alone And Not Invoke Mary.Why I Will Never Go Back To The Church Of Rome.A Romish Bishop’s Testimony.The Jesuits: The Greatest Enemies Of Common Sense And Truth.The Jesuits Are The Most Implacable Enemies Of Human And Christian Liberty; They Want To Bring Man Down Below The Brute.The Jesuit Society Is The Most Impious Enemy Of The Laws Of God.Father Chiniquy. To Mgr. Lynch Archbishop Of Toronto.Copyright NoticeOrder a Printed Copy

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Publication InformationLutheran Library edition first published: 2020Updated: August 2022Copyright: CC BY 4.0Read moreRecent Books and Articles PublishedThe God of Rome Eaten By A Rat by Charles Chiniquy

Includes: Transubstantiation is the most Degrading form of Idolatry, Why we must put our trust in Jesus and not Mary, A Roman Bishop’s Testimony, and Why I will Never go back to the Church of Rome. “If there is a thing which is as evident as two and two make four, it is that Romanism is the old idolatry of Babylon, Egypt and Rome, under a Christian mask. But this new form of idolatry is so boldly denied by some of the great dignitaries of Rome, and so skillfully concealed by others, ...

Read moreThe Lutheran Hymnal Text Only Edition

By request, here is a text only version of the public domain hymns in The Lutheran Hymnal. The hardback version which includes the music is available from Concordia Publishing House. May this ebook be a blessing to you in your personal devotions. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Download the eBook PDF Apple/Kobo EPUB Kindle AZW3 Legacy MOBI (If EPUB or AZW3 won’t work on your device) You can expect your book to arrive within a few hours. If you ...

Read moreBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph Stump

“The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible… Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear… Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted… doctrinal … ...

Read moreLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad Dietrich

[Fully Updated v.6.1] “In this little book the reader will find, first of all, the Small Catechism of Dr Martin Luther without alteration. This is followed by the shorter explanation of this Catechism, in questions and answers, by Dr. Conrad Dietrich, formerly Pastor, Superintendent, and Director of the Gymnasium in Ulm, Wuertemberg, born Jan. 9, 1575, in Gemuende, Hesse Cassel, died at Ulm, March 22, 1639. Full title: Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and ...

Read moreMartin Luther's Church Postil - The Complete Lenker Edition in One Volume

Luther considered his Church Postil “The Best of all His Books”. This is the Biblical, expository, evangelical, Christ-centered preaching for which Luther should be remembered. Read these sermons and be blessed. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Book Contents About The Lutheran Library Acknowledgements Contents List of Scripture Passages Preface by Lutheran Librarian Reason for the Church Postils Gospels First Sunday in Advent. Christ Enters ...

Read moreThe Augsburg Confession: An Introduction and Exposition by Matthias Loy

“Sincere believers of the truth revealed in Christ for man’s salvation have no reason to be ashamed of Luther, whom God sent to bring again to His people the precious truth in Jesus… The whole purpose of the book is practical. It steadily pursues the aim of helping our Lutheran people to a better appreciation of their Church and its precious heritage, and to a firmer stand and a more zealous labor to maintain them and make others partake of the blessings of the Reformation…” — ...

Read moreJehovah's Witnesses: A Counterfeit Christianity by Joseph Stump [Journal Article]

“The peril… lies not in any apparent ability to gain a large number of adherents… but in the fact that where it is received… it undermines belief in the existence of the soul and in eternal retribution for sin. Those who accept even this much of its teachings become persons for whom the Gospel loses all power of appeal; for what appeal can the Gospel make to those who believe that they have no soul and that there is no eternal death from which they need to be saved?” – Joseph ...

Read moreMay God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace.From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org SHARE TO FACEBOOK SHARE TO TWITTER FORWARD EMAIL
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Robert Jenson Is Honored by Lutheran Forum

 

 Robert W. Jenson, died in 2017, age 87

Survivors of the ELCA merger of 1987 probably remember the toxic whale called Christian Dogmatics, 2 volumes, 1984. The nickname for the work was Braaten-Jenson, and one of my peers called it a "conservative book" because the other LCA-ALC theologians did not think God was an issue anymore.

I "bought" the Braaten-Jenson set so I could take notes and return it for cash. The authors denied and mocked - the Trinity, the Virgin Birth of Christ, the divinity of Jesus, the Atonement, and His Resurrection. 

When I returned the massive volumes, I told Fortress, "This is nothing but garbage." They replied, "It is being used in all our seminaries." Later, when the content became known, the seminaries reversed themselves about how much it was used.

Braaten, who is 93 and still publishing, wrote in Lutheran Forum about how brilliant they both were. Long ago, I said to the Augustana College librarian, "Betrand Russell seems to be living forever." She said, "He's got no place to go." 

The same might be said of Braaten, raised by missionary parents, fostered by the Lutheran World Federation, and adored by the apostates. The Left were wrenching their synods away from the Scriptures, Luther, and the Book of Concord. The pitiful LCMS, WELS, and ELS have followed, wagging their tails in hope of kind word from ELCA.

The big shift took place when British and American liberals covenanted together for a new King James Version. I have described that in The King James Version: Apostolic Texts Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations. The men who got behind the KJV Revision project were apostates who did everything possible to make that version - which failed utterly - to model their illusions, delusions, and lies. That was in 1870-1881.

Although rejected by almost everyone, the KJV Revision agenda continued and blossomed in the 1930s or so, as the rationalistic tendencies grew in Europe and then in America.

The laughability of Braaten, Jenson, and their crew is doubly fun. The younger and more radical set thought of their colleagues being too cranky and old, too aligned with the Left of the past. The second is that Braaten-Jenson ended up like the theologians they deposed, too ancient to be taken seriously in the youthful gay wokeness of the New Lutheran Church, ELCA. 

One can read Braaten-Jenson's tiresome faux-intellectual works and see the same old excuses and fables that arose from Halle University moving swiftly from Pietism to pure Rationalism. Karl Barth is mentioned in this issue of Lutheran Forum, but not Karl's Marxist bedmate and major writer for "Barth's" Dogmatics.

 "Either/Or - yes, that is the answer."
 "I hope you are writing this down!"


  "The existential threat to the core of our being, in the upper heights of the majesty and humility, regardless of our being-ness..."
 "Later with the footsies, Charlotte. Meine Frau will go shopping soon."

 "Ven did ve get so alt, Charlotte?"
 Hunsinger told the truth about Barth and his mistress, and some Evangelicals still adore the old coot. I met Hunsinger at YDS.
 That's a good one, Karl. You are like a Swiss fortune cookie, but stale.
 Karl! Off your meds again?
 Karl has his mistress next to him, his wife stage right, his very unhappy brother in the back.
 This is a highly regarded deposit of clever double-talk that only a seminary student can read without laughing out loud.

Joseph Stump Bible Teachings - Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry. Alec Satin.

View in browserNewsletter fromThe Lutheran Library Publishing MinistryIn This IssueBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph StumpLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad DietrichMartin Luther's Church Postil - The Complete Lenker Edition in One VolumeThe Augsburg Confession: An Introduction and Exposition by Matthias LoyJehovah's Witnesses: A Counterfeit Christianity by Joseph Stump [Journal Article]FeaturedBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph Stump

“The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible… Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear… Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted… doctrinal … apologetic… (or) historical." — From the author’s Preface

Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed.

Book ContentsPreface1 Concerning God. That God Is. Who And What He Is.2 God Made, Maintains And Rules The World.3 How God Made Man In His Own Image. How Man Fell Into Sin And Became A Lost Being.4 The Justice Of God Must Demand Man’s Condemnation.5 The Love Of God Has Prepared A Way For Man’s Salvation.6 The Old Testament Prophecies Concerning The Saviour.7 God Sent His Only Son Into The World To Be Our Saviour.8 The Miracles Of Jesus.9 The Teaching Of Jesus.10 The Holy Life Of Jesus.11 The Significance Of Christ’s Sufferings And Death.12 The Bible Teaching Of The Resurrection Of Jesus.13 The Significance Of Christ’s Ascension Into Heaven. His Sitting At The Right Hand Of The Father.14 The Holy Spirit And The New Birth Which He Produces In Man.15 How The Holy Spirit Converts Men Or Brings Them To Faith.16 What Faith Is.17 We Are Saved By Faith Alone Without Works.18 The Holy Life Of The Christian.19 Concerning Satan The Tempter.20 The Christian Church.21 The Bible Is The Word Of God.22 Baptism.23 The Lord’s Supper.24 The Death Of The Body And Its Resurrection On The Last Day.25 Jesus Will Come Again To Judge The Living And The Dead.26 The Eternal Destiny Of Believers And Unbelievers.27 The Christian Law Of Life.28 Love To God.29 Humility.30 Thankfulness.31 Trust.32 Prayer.33 Self Defense.34 Self Denial.35 Self Control.36 Sorrow And Pain.37 Service, Work And Daily Occupation.38 Pleasure And Enjoyment.39 Character.40 Love To All Men.41 Duties In The Family And Home.42 Duties In The Church.43 Duties Of The Lord’s Day.44 The Study Of The Scriptures.45 Truthfulness.46 Property.47 Honesty.48 The Right Use Of Money And Power.49 The Sacredness Of Human Life.50 Purity Of Body And Soul.51 Duties As A Citizen.52 The Christian’s Life A Daily Repentance.Questions For Each Chapter.Order a Printed Copy

Print Copy: Bible Teachings by Joseph Stump - “Lutheran Librarian” edition

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Publication InformationLutheran Library edition first published: 2020Updated: to v6. 2022-07-28Copyright: CC BY 4.0Read moreRecent Books and Articles PublishedBible Teachings: A Summary View of Christian Doctrine and Christian Character by Joseph Stump

“The book presents Christian doctrine and Christian character, as both are drawn from the words of the Bible… Throughout the work the aim has been to draw the teachings of the Bible directly from the sacred record itself. Technical theological terms have been introduced only where it has been deemed necessary to make their meaning clear… Whatever aspect of a Biblical doctrine promised to be most helpful to the pupil has been adopted… doctrinal … ...

Read moreLuther's Small Catechism Explained by Johann Conrad Dietrich

[Fully Updated v.6.1] “In this little book the reader will find, first of all, the Small Catechism of Dr Martin Luther without alteration. This is followed by the shorter explanation of this Catechism, in questions and answers, by Dr. Conrad Dietrich, formerly Pastor, Superintendent, and Director of the Gymnasium in Ulm, Wuertemberg, born Jan. 9, 1575, in Gemuende, Hesse Cassel, died at Ulm, March 22, 1639. Full title: Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism Explained in Questions and ...

Read moreMartin Luther's Church Postil - The Complete Lenker Edition in One Volume

Luther considered his Church Postil “The Best of all His Books”. This is the Biblical, expository, evangelical, Christ-centered preaching for which Luther should be remembered. Read these sermons and be blessed. Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. Book Contents About The Lutheran Library Acknowledgements Contents List of Scripture Passages Preface by Lutheran Librarian Reason for the Church Postils Gospels First Sunday in Advent. Christ Enters ...

Read moreThe Augsburg Confession: An Introduction and Exposition by Matthias Loy

“Sincere believers of the truth revealed in Christ for man’s salvation have no reason to be ashamed of Luther, whom God sent to bring again to His people the precious truth in Jesus… The whole purpose of the book is practical. It steadily pursues the aim of helping our Lutheran people to a better appreciation of their Church and its precious heritage, and to a firmer stand and a more zealous labor to maintain them and make others partake of the blessings of the Reformation…” — ...

Read moreJehovah's Witnesses: A Counterfeit Christianity by Joseph Stump [Journal Article]

“The peril… lies not in any apparent ability to gain a large number of adherents… but in the fact that where it is received… it undermines belief in the existence of the soul and in eternal retribution for sin. Those who accept even this much of its teachings become persons for whom the Gospel loses all power of appeal; for what appeal can the Gospel make to those who believe that they have no soul and that there is no eternal death from which they need to be saved?” – Joseph ...

Read moreNew Gospel Sermons by Richard C. H. Lenski

“Christ our Savior and all his apostles preached justification by faith, even as did the prophets of the Old Testament. Justification is the central doctrine of all the Scriptures, the heart and soul of the entire Christian religion. All believers are justified, all the saints in heaven now have been made what they are by justification, and at the last day the righteous at Christ’s right hand will be there because they have continued in justification to the end.” — R.C.H. ...

Read moreEisenach Old Testament Selections by Richard C. H. Lenski

“The need of a more adequate exegetical-homiletical treatment of the ancient gospel and epistle selections has long been felt. The manager of the Lutheran Book Concern has commissioned the writer of these lines to meet this need.” — R.C.H. Lenski Richard C. H. Lenski (1864-1936) is best known for his insightful and still invaluable series of New Testament Commentaries. He served as Professor of Theology at Capital University and President of the Western District of Joint Synod of Ohio and ...

Read moreMay God cause his face to shine upon you and bring you peace.From Your Lutheran Librarian editor@lutheranlibrary.org SHARE TO FACEBOOK SHARE TO TWITTER FORWARD EMAILLutheran Library Publishing Ministry

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Haiku Books from Lawrence Eyre - Friend All the Way Back to Grade School

 Lawrence Eyre's Heartland Haiku is available at Amazon - as well as Walmart.com.

Eyre's Haiku Country is also available at Walmart.com, as well as at Amazon.com.
Lawrence inscribed this in the copy of Heartland Haiku that he sent to me for review:
"Greg: Whoda thunk Garfield kids would end up writing books after reading MAD ?"
At John Deere Junior High, teachers called us The Garfield Gashouse Gang, because we clustered together and had the best time laughing and being mildly disruptive. Mr. McAlister said, "The teachers can spot the Garfielders in each class."
 

 Garfield is now a condo unit, so it really needs a touch of Photoshop nostalgia.
The author and I go back to second grade, which was 67 years ago, when Lawrence's family moved to Moline and he matriculated at Garfield Grade School. Ann Johnson-Zander also went to Garfield and the three of us graduated from Moline High in 1966. The three of us lived in the same area of Moline and attended Yale at various times. 
I joined Salem Lutheran Church, after asking Lawrence where he attended. The next Sunday I got out of the car and went to Salem instead of First Christian Church, across the street. My mother said, "Where are YOU going?" I said, "Across the street," and I never returned to First Christian. As Tolkien observed in The Hobbit, we never know where that path will take us. I went to Augustana College, where I met Christina Ellenberger, whose birthday is this week.
Lawrence won a full scholarship at Yale College and joined the famed Whiffenpoofs singing club at Yale. 
Lawrence and I went to Yale Divinity, but at different times. We have stayed in touch, in part because of MHS reunions and Facebook. I have enjoyed posting his memorabilia in Moline Memories, and his mother's birthdays. Christina and I knew her at Salem and we saw his father at the Billy Graham event in South Bend, Indiana. Lawrence's parents went to Augustana College and were both in the choir, which may explain his singing voice.
It is a small world and haikus are small poems. Epic poetry and large novels can dazzle or puzzle the mind. Poetry demands so much more per word, and the haiku exposes one's lack of poetic gifts.
Lawrence went to a high school and a college where literature was taught with a deep appreciation for the authors and their contribution to Western culture. Although he earned acclaim for coaching tennis, Lawrence's haikus have been a staple in social media.
A haiku is a Japanese stanza of 17 syllables, three lines, 5-7-5.

The first stanza in Heartland Haiku - 
If trees are giving Their lives for this I'd betterSay something worthwhile
and also
Find your voice they saidI'm finding mine as manyVoices go silent
Heartland Haiku is one continuous poem, a challenge most of us would not want to address. The stanzas are humorous and ironic, also touching on the pain and tumults of life and death.
Quiet heroismLives on wherever peopleWork for daily bread
Haiku Country begins
In haiku countryExtra syllables die fastSeventeen or bust
LaterBeatles and Beach BoysWrote haiku songs long beforeAnyone noticed
AndNo haiku todayFive seven five drives me nutsWell maybe one more
These books are a delight. They are ideal gifts for people who would like to explore the craft and see how much can come from supposedly simple stanzas.
Lawrence and Laurie have been married 40 years.She is also a tennis coach. Their teams have been phenomenally successful.

 My father took us to the Yale football stadium, to see them demolish Princeton's team.  

Free Online Version from The Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry -

The King James Version: Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations. Gregory JacksonJackson, Gregory L Independent Bethany 2022 / May 2022TypeEbook

“Since Tischendorf lied so many times about Codex Sinaiticus, what does that suggest about his earlier work with Codex Ephraim Rescriptus - and his later work embracing Codex Vaticanus?” “How does anyone explain Sinaiticus having white, supple pages after resting unknown for 15 centuries?” — From Questions to be asked while reading this book.

“The most read English Bible is the King James Version, with 55% of the readers, compared to 19% for the latest New International Version, the English Standard Version, and the New Revised Standard Version… The KJV also received almost 45 percent of the Bible translation-related searches on Google, compared with almost 24 percent for the NIV, according to Bible Gateway’s Stephen Smith.” — From the Preface.

Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed.

Review from an unknown reader on Amazon

“Gregory L Jackson PhD is a Lutheran theologian, teacher, and pastor. He received a STM degree in Biblical studies from Yale in 1973 and he earned a Master’s degree and a PhD in theology at the University of Notre Dame in 1982…

“In this book, Dr Jackson demonstrates that “modern” Bible translations (such as the RSV and NIV) are neither inspired nor trustworthy. They are based on defective texts, translated by faithless men… Constantine Tischendorf with his ‘discovery’ of Codices Sinaiticus and Vaticanus which he claimed were the world’s oldest and best Bibles, Westcott and Hort with their redacted Greek New Testament which removed references to miracles and the divinity of Jesus, and Eugene Nida with his dynamic-equivalent, paraphrase translations in which essential doctrines are watered-down…” Review by “Amazon Customer”

Book ContentsDedication – Christina Ellenberger JacksonSpecial ThanksQuestions To Be Asked While Reading This BookPreface – Appreciating the King James Version

Alister McGrath

Victor Hugo, from Christian History Institute

George Bernard Shaw

H. L. Mencken, Famous Journalist and Agnostic

Winston Churchill

Dr. Aland’s Influence on the New International Version

…

Required Reading: The Gospels of Mark and John and the Text

PART ONE – Introduction, The King James VersionPrefaceI. Autobiographical Academic IntroductionOld Testament - The Torah, Prophets, and WritingsScholars Are Divided - The ProphetsThe WritingsAbraham in the New TestamentSilencing the Mouths of Rationalists and ApostatesThe History of the BibleThe Old Latin Version and Jerome’s Vulgate - ApocryphaErasmus – The Reformer Who Stayed in the ChurchThe Luther Bible and the Printing Press Established the ReformationOne Reformation, One Evangelical and Protestant ChurchLuther: The Holy Spirit and the WordThe KJV Editors and Translators – Seven Year MiracleFrom Luther to Tyndale to the King James VersionPART TWO – The Greek New Testament FraudBrief SummaryThe Apostolic, Majority, Byzantine TraditionAuthors and Books - Good and Bad – On the Greek New TestamentThis Is How the Text Fraud Expanded, From Tischendorf to the KJV RevisionII.  Christian Faith and the Greek Text ProblemTwo Biblical ViewsIII. Books and Authors for Text and Translation Research, Laity and Pastors AlikeEdward Freer HillsDean John William Burgon (1813-1888)Jack MoormanKurt Aland and Barbara AlandMaurice A. Robinson and William G. PierpontAlexander McClureIV. Unbelievable Biblical Text RulesV. Westcott and Hort, Their Publishing Dates and AttitudeWestcott-Hort Quotations from Christian ForumsConcerning the Deity of Christ:Concerning the Scriptures:Concerning Hell:Concerning CreationConcerning the Atonement:Concerning Man:Concerning Roman Catholicism:Concerning the Cumulative Effect of Multiple Changes to the Manuscripts:VI. Westcott-Hort’s Use of Tischendorf Became Nestle-Aland’s Standard TextVII. Examples of Abandoning the Traditional Text of the King James VersionEdward Hills, The KJV DefendedThe Ending of the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:13Mark 1:1 – “the Son of God” removedThe Woman Taken in Adultery, John 7:53-8:11VIII. Eugene Nida United the Roman Catholics and Protestants with Bad Paraphrases Called Dynamic Equivalence TranslationIX. The Joy and Fruit of Ecumenism – Nida’s Acquired Doctrinal Indifference, Westcott-Hort’s Bad Text, Roman Catholic Unequal Partners in Dynamic EquivalenceThe Union of Bible Societies and Roman CatholicismThe Roman Catholic ExperienceToday’s English Version – Good News for Modern Man – Bad News for the BibleBratcher ObituaryEugene Nida United Protestants and Roman CatholicsX. Undermining from within Works So Much Better Than Direct Attacks from OutsideOrder a Printed Copy

Print Copy: The King James Version: Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations by Gregory Jackson

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Publication InformationLutheran Library edition first published: 2022Copyright: CC BY 4.0Bible KJV NIV ESVRelatedThe New Testament in Light of a Believer's Research by Paul Edward KretzmannParable of the Pharisee and the Publican by Charles Porterfield Krauth [Journal Article]The Exodus and the Wanderings in the Wilderness. Volume 2 of Bible History. by Alfred EdersheimThe Minister and his Greek New Testament by A.T. RobertsonThe Adversary A Study in Satanology by William A. Matson

The Book Has Shipped - The King James Version: Apostolic Texts Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations

 Artist Norma A. Boeckler designed the covers and the text of The King James Version.
The KJV books will start arriving soon. Then I will take the first KJV effort out of production, which will make that one incredibly valuable! (Maybe)

One day I found the link to all the book reviews. It was really gratifying to see that so many took the time to write reviews. 
Here is the entire book in its free PDF form .

 Janie Sullivan works on the final production of each new book - invaluable in making everything better and spotting typos.

KJV 2 - In Production

This Is the Final PDF. Feel free to share it with others.

Janie Sullivan has sent the new book to Amazon for printing and the Kindle version. That takes a few days to finish, under the watchful eye of HAL 9000.
The original has been rewritten and enlarged by 50% - almost 300 pages.
I am tired of superficial people knocking a Bible they know so slightly, so I gathered 10+ pages of praise for the King James Version. That is at the front of the book, where it belongs.
I also have an extensive list of books at the end, which will help people do similar research. I added notes to that list because I realized how much I had to learn to get the new version completed.
There are two major parts. The first one includes more information and appreciation concerning the KJV. 
The second part exposes the modern New Testament text (pieced together from fraudulent and dubious sources). When people the extent of the deception, they will be enraged or appalled. 
Below are four ladies who did so much to make this happen. Member Randy Anderson began supporting the writing efforts, which allowed me to stop relying on extra work. Many others have done the same. 

 Norma A. Boeckler created the covers and illustrations.


 Janie Sullivan went over the final version to fix errors and send it on to Amazon and Kindle.

 Virginia Roberts is the champion of proof-reading.
 
 Christina cheered on every writing project.

The PDF Is Ready For - The King James Version: Apostolic Texts, Precise Translation versus Fraudulent Texts and Heretical Translations

 Janie will have this in early March, so it should be finished during the month.

Hello KJV Fans and Opponents.
If you email me at greg.jackson.edlp@gmail.com - I can send you the PDF of the book. 
edlp stands for Every Day Lutheran Principles
You do not to edit the book. If you find the rare typo, send me a note on the error itself. I use control-f to find them since the PDF is not quite the same as the Word document.
This is free. I appreciate anything you have to say. One teacher pointed out a lot of things which I fixed on the first try, because there was a lot to address.
I am glad I ordered many new books for this project and went over the research again, new and old. I learned a lot. I think everyone will be inclined to read even more about the KJV from many excellent books.