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.