Norman Teigen said...
I think that one of the major differences between WELS and LC-MS was over Boy Scouts.I think that the whole question of Synodical Conference re-establishment is worth opening.I sense that there is more consensus than difference among the former members of the SC.I personally think that my synod, the ELS, made a very big mistake in suspending relations with Missouri back in 1955.It is time for a new generation to see through the misinterpretations and misrepresentations that caused the SC to go out of business.Norman TeigenELS layman(Disclaimer: I am a member of the ELS but I do not presume to speak for the ELS.)
August 4, 2008 6:24 PM
Anonymous said...
Rev. M. T.To support what I said about the Wisconsn Synod insisting that "amt" is function and not office (as the Confessions indeed do use it), this from the WELS Q and A:(Quote) Lutheran writers during and after the Reformation era sometimes used phrases like "the office of the ministry" as a synonym for the preaching of the word of God and especially the preaching of the gospel and absolving sinners of their guilt on account of Christ's work. Please remember that often (as in Article V of the Augsburg Confession with the term Predigtamt), the term "office" means "function, task, or work" rather than "position." They were speaking of the glorious task or function given to the church to preach and apply the gospel of forgiveness on account of Christ. They were not referring to a specific public ministry position like that of a missionary, teacher, or parish pastor. (end quote).So we are to believe Melanchthon's intent was the tautological "the preaching of the Gospel was established for the preaching of the Gospel."J.T.
August 5, 2008 9:25 AM
Anonymous said...
Norm Teigen:Are you sure you're an ELS member? Every time you write on this blog, you sound more and more like an LC-MSer!
August 5, 2008 9:35 AM
Anonymous said...
Anon. writes,"Are you sure you're an ELS member? Every time you write on this blog, you sound more and more like an LC-MSer!"Apparently you haven't spoken wit/heard from too many ELSers, especially on the issue of Church and Ministry. Am I wrong, Rev. M.T., that most within the ELS believe Christ established an office to be filled by men to perform the functions rather than a mere institution of functions?J.T.
August 5, 2008 5:25 PM
Rev. Matthew Thompson said...
J.T.I believe you may have confused me with the other Lutheran, Rev. Matthew Thompson, of the ELS. I'm a pastor in the LCMS and am not very familiar with the ELS.
August 5, 2008 7:15 PM
Anonymous said...
Rev. M.T."I believe you may have confused me with the other Lutheran, Rev. Matthew Thompson, of the ELS."You are correct sir!J.T. (aka Ed)PS Any ELS guys out there to answer my question?
1 comment:
I was a member of the LC-MS for 15 years so I am ELS by birth, and current membership, but I also have Missouri in my blood. There is no WELS either in my genetics or in my experience.
There are differences between the synods, I admit. But I also know that there is a considerable unity between the ELS and LC-MS when it comes to proclaiming the Gospel.
There is difference in some areas of practice. I can remember when there was some sort of an impasse at my church in Des Moines. Someone suggested that St. Louis be consulted with an answer.
I said that the difference between a Norwegian Synod church and a Missouri Synod church was that the Germans looked to St. Louis for an answer while a Norwegian opened his Bible, read it, and then tried to resolve the problem with sanctified Christian common sense.
Norman Teigen
ELS layman
(Disclaimer: I am a member in good standing of an ELS congregation but I will never be asked to serve on the Synod's Doctrinal Committee.)
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