My mistake so Dr, Schulz served more as the prosecutor for the Synod. Or whatever is the proper term.
Judge would be closer. He was chosen because, unlike the President and 1st VP, he had not publicly spoken on the Benke affair and was, therefore, considered unbiased.
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Am I understanding this correctly are you saying that Lutheran pastors are forbidden from praying with Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. Lest they give the impression that the Lutherans hold to the same doctrines that the Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, ect. espouse?
Not all prayer is forbidden but ecumenical prayers are usually made with the intent to show that doctrinal difference are not important. LCMS is very lax on enforcement of this. WELS and ELS are much more strict. They have broken off fellowship with LCMS because unionism is tolerated. And now syncretism is also tolerated. The only thing not tolerated is the bold witness for Christ of Dr. Shultz.
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I must be mistaken it seems to me that you are suggesting that Lutherans are implying that they are the only true church.
A "true church" would be a church that teaches "sola scriptura" without any admixture of human doctrine. The marks of a true visible church are pure doctrine and administration of the sacraments in accordance with the command of Christ. If there are other true visible churches outside of Lutheranism, we are not aware of them. Churches who remain in the LCMS without confessional protest of the Benke affair can not be considered true visible churches.
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And to pray or do anything with any other denomination is wrong.
Yes, if it means we must agree with a false confession or give the impression that we do. But we do pray and work with our dear Christian brothers who do not use ecumenicalism as a pretext for promoting false doctrine.
Last edited by speratus; Wed Feb 02, 200511:11 AM.
