Although the Brief Statement is poorly written and inadequately supported, I must defend it against charges of deliberate false doctrine.
I agree it is poorly written and poorly supported, but all heresy is.
Like the poorly written and poorly supported WCF? I thought "enabled to answer this call" meant semi-Pelagianism and that grace "offered, but really exhibited, and conferred" was baptismal regeneration. But I went to "The Highway" discussion group and had the WCF explained to me.
Quote
So lets look at your “Doctrinal Statement “ of your beliefs:
It isn't my "Doctrinal Statement". I'm not even a member of the LCMS since I am not a minister. If the leadership of the LCMS wants people to think the "Brief Statement" is something more than a set of poorly worded and poorly supported theses which even the Brief Statement says has no binding authority on anyone, there is not much I can do about it.
What I have done is urge all Lutherans to return to the Book of Concord. If additional expositions of scripture are needed, propose theses like Luther did. And don't mislead people by calling your theses a "doctrinal position."
Quote
First, you say the whole world is reconciled to God without any biblical support?
"reconciling the world unto himself"II Cor. 5:19
Quote
Second, if the world is reconciled to God (which are the first words of your LCMS Brief Statement, “of Faith in Christ”) then what need is there of personal reconciliation, so yes it is poorly written?
"hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation" II Cor. 5:19
Quote
Third, If the world is reconciled to God then this is universalism by definition, so yes it is heretical!
No, it is not universalism or heresy. However, rejecting the need for personal reconciliation by faith alone in Christ alone is heresy. Are the elect reconciled, justified, and their sins forgiven before they ever come to faith?
