The ELCA Betrays Christ

9/8/2014

"The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell." - William Booth

So it is with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

A recent article by long time ELCA seminary professor, author, speaker and current ELCA president of The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (LTSP), Rev. Dr. David J. Lose, is proof to William Booth's point. Addressing the concept of hell, Rev. Lose tries to dismiss the belief by saying “as you read the rest of the New Testament there are very few references to hell (outside similar parables) and in the Old Testament next to nothing.” (read here)

Truth be told, “hell” is specifically addressed fifty-five times in Scripture (King James Version, see here) and that does not include other references to it or the use of different words and phrases for “hell” like “lake of fire” and “everlasting punishment.”

Hell is a major problem for the liberal leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America because it stands contrary to their belief and teaching that all people will be saved (universalism).

The ELCA seminary president goes on, in his article, to say “For the last few decades at least, you see, 'hell' has stopped being a particularly lively or compelling topic in mainline preaching and conversation. Given it’s relatively scant place in Scripture, that may be a far more faithful treatment of the topic than many on the far right of the religious spectrum would guess. But while many of us have a harder and harder time imagining the God we know in Jesus consigning someone to a place of eternal torment and therefore applaud this development, I have wondered from time to time if we’ve figured out exactly what is a good substitute for hell.

What, that is, is the motivation for our gathering, our giving, our serving and volunteering? At least things were pretty clear when you had heaven as the carrot and hellfire as the stick. But what now? Even heaven seems increasingly difficult to talk about, as we perhaps too narrowly defined it as, well, the opposite of hell. So if we don’t have the mother-of-all reward-and-punishment schemes to fall back on, have we figured out exactly what we’re offering people.”

Rev. Lose then states, “I don’t miss hell...”

The Son of God, Jesus the Christ, spoke of hell more than anyone else in Scripture. So Rev. Lose and the ELCA's attempt to deny the existence of hell is blatantly a satanic lead assault on truth, Scripture and salvation.

“The friendly preacher who fails to warn of the reality of Hell, betrays the Son of God with a kiss.” - Ray Comfort

19 Comments

Fred

9/9/2014 12:37:25 pm

This false teacher aka President David "screw" Lose is completely wrong when he says that "God condemns people to hell"

If you go to hell that is your fault because of your failure to believe that Jesus Christ died for you.

If you are saved and go to heaven that is entirely due to God's grace and forgiveness given to us on account of Jesus Christ. We receive the benefit of salvation in faith (which is also given to us as gift from God via the Holy Spirit).

So if you are saved God gets all the credit.

If you are condemned that is entirely your own fault.

I know this does not sit well with "Doctor" Lose's vaulted human reason that "tells him" that God will grade on a curve based on our "good works" under the law (God will "save" everyone trying to be good aka universalism) but it is Scriptural truth.

It is also Lutheranism 101.

Luther clearly taught this in no uncertain terms.

If your salvation is up to your "works" then it is completely uncertain. If it is up to God via the Promises in His Word then it is completely certain.

This Lose character is either a complete idiot or a lying satanic scum leading people to the hell he claims not to exist. Luther would be doing cheetah flips in his grave if he had any clue people like this would be spreading such nonsense under a seminary and denomination that bears his name.

Brian

9/9/2014 02:43:14 pm

"...the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." (John 5:28-29)

George

9/10/2014 11:06:10 am

This quote from Scripture needs to be sent to Lose. It disputes his claim.

Janet Muldoon

9/11/2014 07:56:08 am

George, mail it to him certified mail.....reading this verse could save his soul and many others

9/11/2014 05:00:05 pm

I hope you are not suggesting we are saved by our "works" irrespective of faith in Christ. If so, your position on salvation would not be a bit different then Mr. Lose's (aka Universalism or salvation based on being "good" according to the law).

Here is what the Apology to the Augsburg Confession (Ap V 251-252) says about how verses such as John 5:28-29 should be understood:

"All passages about good works can be judged according to this rule: when eternal life is granted to works, it is granted to those who have been justified by faith (in Christ). Only justified people, who are led by the Holy Spirit, can do good works. Without faith and Christ as a mediator, good works do not please according to Hebrews 11:6, 'Without faith it is impossible to please God'"

Everything hinges on Christ not ourselves.

God's action, choices and work is what matters not ours. When we have faith (which is also given to us by God's Word) then because we are part of the "vine" (Christ) the things we do become "good" because of who we are in (Christ). Apart from Christ, we can do nothing so it doesn't matter how many "good works" we do since we are doing them for selfish reasons (to earn merit for ourselves before God).

Those who have trust or "faith" in God's Word of Promise (Christ) will be saved. Those who do not trust in Christ but rather have faith in their own works (that is to say themselves) will not.

Since we are not God, we cannot judge other people (even Lose) based on external actions. That is God's role and only He knows a persons heart.

But we can and should judge right Christian doctrine as we are commanded in the Word to do. And on this account, Lose's teachings are very Anti-Christic as they point a person to belief in self not the Word of God in Christ.

Lose's essential teaching is "humanism" or works righteousness. According to Lose and others like him, God will credit his self-chosen "good works" according to the law to his credit. Therefore, faith in Christ is not necessary as your "works" are something you the human can control. That is how he can plausibly claim that Buddists, Hindus, Moslems, etc will be "saved" in that there "visible" external works may appear to be better then other humans (even Christians) works according to the law. This is faith in self and not Christ.

Typically, for deniers of God's Word like Lose, the "good works" he trusts in to supposedly "merit" God's Grace is economic Marxism and totalitarian government. This is very evident when you Google and read some of the other article and books this man has written. The "spirit" that Mr. Lose appears to follow is that of Karl Marx not Jesus Christ.

In a sense, trust in your works and self really is the "universal" human belief so in that sense Lose is doing and promoting what comes naturally to humans. Problem is, this is not Biblical Christianity but the great lie of Satan (you are "free" and you can save yourself by your works when you are really trapped in Sin and need a savior). However, if those things (faith in self and works) were pleasing to God or a path to salvation, there would be no need for Christ to die for us on the Cross. This is how Lose's teaching of "universalism" is both false and Satanic.

9/12/2014 09:51:53 am

Your terminology is incorrect. Universalism is the belief that every individual will be saved, no matter what he does or believes. The belief that men can earn salvation by doing good works is never called "universalism," even if it is widespread or "universal." If you want to argue that both doctrines are erroneous, you may do so. But they ore OPPOSITE errors, not equivalents.

9/13/2014 05:21:40 am

As for your admonition not to judge Dr. Lose's soul, my previous comments have said nothing about him personally. It was you who called him "lying satanic scum." Your sermonizing seems to be insincere as well as incoherent.

Nelson

9/13/2014 09:33:18 am

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe and tremble." (James 2:19)

"Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

9/14/2014 01:33:21 pm

This verse marks the end of the age when all people along with their works (for who can divorce one's life from one's activity?) will be judged by God. Those who have done evil will undergo the resurrection unto condemnation, ie. hell. Seems clear to me.

9/13/2014 06:12:28 pm

"Brian" I am not sure why any of what I wrote is "incoherent" to you.

You put a rather simplistic label on a rather more complex theological issue.

You either trust in yourself and your actions by the law or you trust in Christ for forgiveness of sins. Since a "Universalist" does not point a person to trust in Christ, they are believers in self and works.

In the real world, there are only two things you can place your trust in for your future: yourself or God.

If you do not believe God's Word, particularly that of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ, then you believe in yourself and your works.

A "universalist" may or may not actually believe that there is a God or Eternal life. But if one so happens to exist, then this "god" is bound to respect "good works" so that it what is left. Universalism is simply the third use of the law on steriods. This is evident by Mr. Lose and his kind writing for themselves a "new and higher law of love" which they believe is achieved by "inclusiveness" aka acceptance of homosexuality, socialism, etc. Even if God saves all, people still must be "purified" by accepting this new and higher law. This thinking is clearly evident if you actually took the time to bother to read Lose in any greater extent. Lose is a legalist and a believer in works righteousness.

Now as far as "personal comments" about Mr. Lose by yourself. Did I ever state that your made any negative ones? Why are you reading my comment as being personally direct to you when it was not. It is simply a restating of biblical truth.

As far as my previous comment, please get the context right. If you bother to read the entire sentence I wrote, I clearly indicated I did not know if Mr. Lose made his comments in error or as a deliberate attempt to mislead. Obviously one motivation is certainly more malicious then the other. So how is it "insincere" to point this out? If you are simply one more post-modern who is easily offended by strong language I would suggest that you do not read any of Luther's writing as his rebukes of those opposed to the Gospel/promoter of works righteousness often go far beyond the mild condemnation I wrote here.

If I did not have sincere concerns about right Christian doctrine and placement of trust in Christ rather then self, I wouldn't have taken the time to respond to this article or your post. Both Mr. Lose's form of "liberal" legalism/work righteousness based on Marxism and what maybe yours or others "conservative" form of legalism/works righteousness based on the personal morality and social conservationism are equally as problematic.

I hope you will forgive me if I gave you personal offense. I will continue to pray for Mr. Lose and you as Christ commends us to do.

9/13/2014 06:36:06 pm

The concept of "Universalism" is infinitely more complex then merely "everyone will be saved". Here is a good article on the phenomenon:

http://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/a/Universalism-Definition.htm

"The main argument for universalism is that a good and loving God would not condemn people to eternal torment in hell.

Some universalists believe that after a certain cleansing period, God will free the inhabitants of hell and reconcile them to himself.

Others say that after death, people will have another opportunity to choose God.

For some who adhere to Universalism, the doctrine also implies that there are many ways to get into heaven."

In other words, the "universalism" is very much about following the law. In most cases however, the "old fashioned" law of the bible is not "pure" enough for the universalist as it is mostly "negative" in its prohibitions against harming others. The "liberal" universalist whats "positive" compulsions added to it like Marxist income redistribution.

Here is a good article on how this operates in practice:

http://gnesiolutheran.com/paulson-against-the-holy-blasphemers/

The problem with Christ is he is always offensive to legalists.

Particularly those who are very good at keeping the law (either conservative personal moralists who keep the "old law" of the bible and "liberal" personal moralists who prefer Marxism and making up new and "higher" laws).

Those who are good at keeping the law always find it unfair that God will just unconditionally forgive nasty old sinners for simply believing in Christ.

9/14/2014 12:16:49 pm

Ironically, I see value in both the webpages you recommend here. Those articles are comprehensible because the authors work with the "simplistic" definitions of words one might find in a dictionary.

Michael

9/15/2014 11:30:41 am

"And having been perfected, [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation TO ALL WHO OBEY HIM." (Hebrews 5:9)

9/28/2014 08:05:21 pm

Is this still another implication that the law saves us? If that's what you are trying to say, you are confused between law and gospel.

Its a bad hermeneutic to start with your own ideas (one must obey the law to be saved) then work backwards to find a scripture quote to support what you want. Literally any false human idea can be supported that way.

Luther taught that all scripture points to Christ as the savior of the world, that Scripture contains both Law and Gospel, and that Scripture interprets Scripture. You get the proper meaning of this passage by referring the other Epistles and Gospels.

Specifically, Romans 1:4-5 says: "Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the OBEDIANCE OF FAITH for the sake of His name among all the nations."

The phrase "Obedience of faith" literally means in the original Greek "by the listening of faith" - so "all those that obey him" means all those who have faith (trust) in the hearing of the Gospel message not keeping of the law.

Obedience in both these verses consists of faith (trust) in Christ and His Gospel of Unconditional Forgiveness of Sins and Eternal Life.

J. K.

10/10/2014 12:27:13 am

The Greek words in question (STRONG'S CONCORDANCE numbers 5218, 5219) both mean "attentive listening," and by implication, "obedience." In the context of Heb. 5:7-9, they must mean obedience to God's will.

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience [5218] from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey [5219] him."

The same Greek word is used in Eph. 6:1, 5; "Children, obey [5219] your parents.... Slaves, obey [5219] your earthly masters...."

9/15/2014 11:45:34 am

"If certain sectarists would arise..., holding that all those who had once received the Spirit or the forgiveness of sins, or had become believers, even though they should afterwards sin, would still remain in the faith, and such sin would not harm them, and hence crying thus: 'Do whatever you please; if you believe, it all amounts to nothing; faith blots out all sins,' etc...,

It is, accordingly, necessary to know and to teach that when holy men, still having and feeling original sin, also daily repenting of and striving with it, happen to fall into manifest sins, as David into adultery, murder, and blasphemy, that then faith and the Holy Ghost has departed from them. For the Holy Ghost does not permit sin to have dominion, to gain the upper hand so as to be accomplished, but represses and restrains it so that it must not do what it wishes. But if it does what it wishes, the Holy Ghost and faith are certainly not present. For St. John says (1 John 3:9), 'Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin, ...and he cannot sin.' And yet it is also the truth when the same St. John says (1:8), 'If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.'" (Smalcald Articles, Pt.3, Art.3, Secs. 42-43) http://bookofconcord.org/smalcald.php#repentance

10/2/2014 07:37:04 pm

"Part II, Article I: The first and chief article.

1] That Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins, and was raised again for our justification, Rom. 4:25.

2] And He alone is the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world, John 1:29; and God has laid upon Him the iniquities of us all, Is. 53:6.

3] Likewise: All have sinned and are justified without merit [freely, and without their own works or merits] by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, in His blood, Rom. 3:23f

4] Now, since it is necessary to believe this, and it cannot be otherwise acquired or apprehended by any work, law, or merit, it is clear and certain that this faith alone justifies us as St. Paul says, Rom. 3:28: For we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the Law. Likewise 3:26: That He might be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Christ.

5] Of this article nothing can be yielded or surrendered [nor can anything be granted or permitted contrary to the same], even though heaven and earth, and whatever will not abide, should sink to ruin. For there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved, says Peter, Acts 4:12. And with His stripes we are healed, Is. 53:5. And upon this article all things depend which we teach and practice in opposition to the Pope, the devil, and the [whole] world. Therefore, we must be sure concerning this doctrine, and not doubt; for otherwise all is lost, and the Pope and devil and all things gain the victory and suit over us.

AND Smalcald Articles, Pt.3, Art.3:

3] The rest become blind and arrogant [are smitten with arrogance and blindness], and [insolently] conceive the opinion that they observe and can observe the Law by their own powers, as has been said above concerning the scholastic theologians; thence come the hypocrites and [self-righteous or] false saints.

4] But the chief office or force of the Law is that it reveal original sin with all its fruits, and show man how very low his nature has fallen, and has become [fundamentally and] utterly corrupted; as the Law must tell man that he has no God nor regards [cares for] God, and worships other gods, a matter which before and without the Law he would not have believed. In this way he becomes terrified, is humbled, desponds, despairs, and anxiously desires aid, but sees no escape; he begins to be an enemy of [enraged at] God, and to murmur, etc. 5] This is what Paul says, Rom. 4:15: The Law worketh wrath. And Rom. 5:20: Sin is increased by the Law. [The Law entered that the offense might abound.]

.....

3] This, then, is what it means to begin true repentance; and here man must hear such a sentence as this: You are all of no account, whether you be manifest sinners or saints [in your own opinion]; you all must become different and do otherwise than you now are and are doing [no matter what sort of people you are], whether you are as great, wise, powerful, and holy as you may. Here no one is [righteous, holy], godly, etc.

4] But to this office the New Testament immediately adds the consolatory promise of grace through the Gospel, which must be believed, as Christ declares, Mark 1:15: Repent and believe the Gospel, i.e., become different and do otherwise, and believe My promise. And John, preceding Him, is called a preacher of repentance, however, for the remission of sins, i.e., John was to accuse all, and convict them of being sinners, that they might know what they were before God, and might acknowledge that they were lost men, and might thus be prepared for the Lord, to receive grace, and to expect and accept from Him the remission of sins. Thus also Christ Himself says, Luke 24:47: 6] Repentance and remission of sins must be preached in My name among all nations.

7] But whenever the Law alone, without the Gospel being added exercises this its office there is [nothing else than] death and hell, and man must despair, like Saul and Judas; as St. Paul, Rom. 7:10, says: Through sin the Law killeth. 8] On the other hand, the Gospel brings consolation and remission not only in one way, but through the word and Sacraments, and the like, as we shall hear afterward in order that [thus] there is with the Lord plenteous redemption, as Ps. 130:7 says against the dreadful captivity of sin.

......

Of the False Repentance of the Papists.

10] It was impossible that they should teach correctly concerning repentance, since they did not [rightly] know the real sins [the real sin]. For, as has been shown above, they do not believe aright concerning original sin, but say that the natural powers of man have remained [entirely] unimpaired and incorrupt; that reason can teach aright, and the will can in accordance therewith do aright [perform those things which are taught]; that God certainly bestows His grace when a man does as much as is in him, according to his free will.

11] It had to follow thence [from this dogma] that they did [must do] penance only for ac

10/10/2014 12:39:08 am

" 'Bless God always, and ask him to direct your ways' (Tobit 4:19). These actions properly belong to the kind of faith we have been discussing, one which believes that God is reconciled on account of his mercy and which WANTS to be justified, SANCTIFIED, and GOVERNED BY GOD.... Over and over we say that the Gospel of Christ must be ADDED TO [(not substituted for)] the preaching of the law, that for his sake good works please God." (Apology, Article IV, Sections 279, 281)

10/10/2014 12:53:21 am

"Here our opponents will raise the cry that good works are unnecessary if they do not merit eternal life. We have refuted this slander earlier. Of course, good works ARE necessary. We say that eternal life is promised to the justified, but those who walk according to the flesh can retain neither faith nor righteousness. We are justified for this very purpose, that, being righteous we might begin to do good works and obey God's law. For this purpose we are reborn and receive the Holy Spirit, that this new life might have new works and new impulses, the fear and love of God, hatred of lust, etc. The faith we speak of has its existence in penitence." (Apology, Article IV, Sections 348-350)

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The ELCA Betrays Christ

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