As a segue into a new discussion post, Intrepid Lutherans are introducing a new poll topic on plagiarism committed by pastors. It seems like a question with an obvious answer, but perhaps there is nuanced thinking among our earnest readers. Please vote at the right of the screen.
Intrepid Lutherans was launched with the poll question: "Do you think the Wisconsin Synod is currently divided in Doctrine and Practice?" This is a serious question, and it is proposed without temerity. Relative to our many readers, a small number found the poll link and voted. The results are visually interesting and unsurprising given the nature of the efforts and messages here. A graphic of the results are posted below.
The divisions in doctrine and practice should be identified, corrected, and healed. Two other Lutheran-named synods have examples of festering wounds that have gone untreated. Since the trend is for the church to function as a worldly business (with SWOT marketing analysis, strategy sessions, etc.) then in the interest of maintaining a 'going concern,' a middle manager somewhere should crank out a Harvard Business School-style case study of the ELCA. What is the two-decade long result of giving a place at the podium to those who distance themselves from the Confessions in belief and practice? Is there a complicated heuristic in discerning that error always first seeks acceptance and tolerance on only minor points? What is the result if the error is not immediately corrected? Such a study and paper would be useful reading to strengthen the Boards of Elders around the synod.
The pains of division were entirely evident leading up to, throughout, and in the reactions after the LCMS convention last month. As that synod groans, what benefit is there to suggest that the very toxins causing their pain — adopting Church Growth Movement methodologies, copying sectarian worship practices, and ultimately distrust in the efficacy of the Word, etc. — would have no effect on WELS?
What rationale exists to think that we can whistle past the graveyard, that we can refuse to try to identify the prior mistakes of others, that we can copy and paste their mistakes into our dear Wisconsin Synod, and yet somehow come up with a different result? Which is it: are we less human or more Godly than they?
