It appears that some of the Lutherans in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod are having trouble with their ministers not wanting to hold loyally to their creed. In a paper entitled, "LCMS Confusion Confessing the Gospel versus Luther's Confession of the Creeds" by "Rev." Jack Cascione, it is stated, "The Church Growth Movement and leadership training are having such a corrosive effect on the confession of the Gospel in LCMS congregations that many pastors now write their own creeds and have their congregations confess them" (http://www.confessionallutherans.org/papers/jackl234.html). This writer bemoans the fact that "many in the LCMS part company with Luther. They have reduced the Gospel to justification by faith alone and no longer view the virgin birth, belief in the Holy Christian Church, etc., as part of the Gospel necessary for salvation." So much for the idea of justification by faith alone!

This writer says, "The question for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod is: what did Luther say about the importance of the Creeds in view of all the Lutheran pastors and congregations who are now inventing and confessing their own creeds?" He then begins a treatise on defending confession of the creeds in the church. At one point he says, "In reference to the Creed, Luther uses phrasing such as keeping the Creeds unaltered and unadulterated; not relinquishing the text; not toying with the text; and not changing the Creeds. For Luther, changing one's confession in the Creed was the same as changing one's faith and giving up the Gospel." If these folks only had that attitude toward the Scriptures. What about "keeping the Scriptures unaltered and unadulterated"? Remember Deuteronomy 4:2? "You shall not add to the word which I command you, not take anything from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."

This author also points out that "Luther says that everything in our salvation depends on our faith in the Creed; not just a part, but the entire Creed." How appropriate are the words of Jesus! "He answered and said to them, 'Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: "This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." For laying aside the command of God, you hold the tradition of menthe washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.' And He said to them, 'All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.'" (Mark 7:6-10).

Obviously, some are more loyal to their creeds than they are to the Word of God. -2004 Little Stream Run, Owensboro, KY 42303-1891. rmilliner@owensboro.k12.ky.us.

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