The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Christian Soldier

I was at one time in the United States Army. I don't know if it was universally true but I was ordered to memorize all three of my "General Orders". Recently I was surprised that I still remembered the first:

"I will guard everything within the limits of my post and quit my post only when properly relieved."

It was serious business if an American soldier went to sleep on guard duty.

Also recently, I happened to read a quote from a very great man in the history of true Christianity, Martin Luther:

"If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition every portion of the Word of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I am professing Him. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on the battlefront besides is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

What might this say to those of us that shrink and refuse to confront and do battle with the antichristian evil of our New Age and politically correct world?

Duty, Honor, Christ: What say ye?

Denny

Rom. 3:22-24

Actually,I believe we all live where light meets darkness. So we can't escape it. The antithesis is in our face every day. Can we say with Joshua, "But as for me and my house we will serve the LORD."?

Joshua 24:14-16

"Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

Certainly there's a cost to discipleship. We must carry our cross and follow Him. Even as our Master suffered ridicule so will His followers.

Denny, I like the phrases you've sighted from your days in the military and the quote from Luther. I feel challenged by them and rightly so. When I read these statements it encourages me to make an assessment of my life. Am I hiding my light under a bushel or putting it on a lampstand so others can see the Light.

Actually I was thinking about the testimony of our lives when I heard the President's speech today. He said, "From the viewpoint of the centuries the questions that come to us are:

1. Did our generation advance the cause of freedom?

2. Did our character bring credit to that cause?

May God give us the grace and courage to be both salt and light in this generation. I hope we can man our posts and keep the faith no matter how our adversary attacks us.


Wes

The loyalty of the soldier is being proved everyday in this new age politically correct world. The 66th General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church gallantly defended Vice Pres. Wallace Schulz of the LCMS after he had been viciously attacked in the media and by his own denomination for suspending Rev. Benke, a LCMS minister who worshipped with the heathen at Yankee Stadium post 9/11 and has never repented.

Rev. Benke's suspension was eventually overturned. He was completely vindicated by the recent LCMS convention and is currently a district president. Dr. Schulz has been removed from his synod office and was fired from his position as principle speaker of "The Lutheran Hour."

Speratus, that's horrible. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yes, we expect persecution from the world but it is shocking when it comes from within the church. My pastor proved his loyalty today. He was describing the persecution of Christians in the world and closed his sermon by adding, "And Wally Schulz who was fired from 'The Lutheran Hour' because of his bold witness for Christ." This is the first time he had spoken from the pulpit on the shameful scandal that is destroying the Missouri Synod.

Point of clarity speratus that was in regards to that Lutheran Pastor praying with the Moslems at the ecumenical gathering right? And how some called for his resignation and others are saying that it was all right? Is that correct? I take it Schulz was against the ecumenical prayer?

Rev. Benke prayed at an interfaith worship service that included pagan clergy of various types. Charges of syncretism were brought against him. VP Schulz was assigned to judge the case. When Rev. Benke failed to repent of his sin, VP Schulz then suspended him from the clergy rostor. Immediately after his ruling was made public, Schulz was fired. The suspension was reversed on appeal. During the summer convention, Schulz and all the officers who agreed with him and who had supported his action were voted out of office. The vote was 53% to 47%.

My statement that Dr. Schulz was fired immediately after his ruling is not true and I apologize for it. However, he was fired shortly after the ruling. The President of the Lutheran Laymen's League says that Dr. Schulz was fired because he did not apologize for violating the League's conflict of interest policy.


Dr. Schulz replied that he could not recuse himself and remain faithful to his ordination vows. In any event, the LLL knew of his refusal to recuse months earlier and took no action until after the ruling. Independent groups outside the LCMS recognize that the ruling lead to his termination,

speratus,

I wonder how your denomination would have judged Elijah for his participation with the Priests of Baal, disregarding the fact that he prevailed and Jehovah was shown to be LORD? If Shultz rejects the validity of all other pagan religions and affirms that Christianity is the sole truth and salvation is only through faith in Jesus Christ, then I can't see why the man was disciplined? In my estimation, it provided for a marvelous opportunity for a conservative Christian to give witness to the true living God Who alone answers the prayers of those who have been made alive in Christ Jesus. So, based upon the little information you have provided, which may be admittedly insufficient in itself to make a sound judgment on this case, I would have to say that Shultz did no wrong but rather he was wronged.

In His Grace,

So if Benke had prayed in an ecumenical group that consisted of say Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, ie: Christian denominations then Schulz wouldn't have accused Benke of "bending the knee to Baal". Am I reading this right?

Or if perhaps Benke had prayed something that spoke to the exclusivity of salvation alone through Christ then Schulz wouldn't have accused him. Perhaps that would have been considered appropriate?

If Rev. Benke had rejected the validity of the pagan religions and proclaimed Christ as the only way to salvation, I'm sure he would not have been charged with syncretism. He would have probably been run out of Yankee Stadium. Here is his actual prayer given after he was strengthed by the prayers of pagans:


Dr. Schulz correctly ruled that Rev. Benke was guilty of syncretism. Dr. Schulz was unjustly punished for that ruling. The details are available at Crisis In the LCMS

Dr. Schulz did not accuse Rev. Benke. He ruled on charges brought by others. Dr. Schulz did find Rev. Benke guilty of unionism as well as syncretism since there were prayers by Methodists, Reform, Episcopalians, Orthodox, and Roman Catholics. This charge was upheld because a false impression of unity of doctrine with false teachers was given by his prayer.

speratus,

With the addition now of at least part of the prayer that Benke prayed, it would appear that he at least gave the impression that those outside of Christ could be with God in death and the prayers of sinners, excluding the prayer of repentance and faith in Christ, would be heard by God. What I find unfortunate is the denominational mentality voiced against him, though doubtless he is subject to those over him. What Benke appears to have done is to sin against God and the Church; i.e., the body of Christ, not just his specific denomination. My criticism here is against what also appears to be the denomination's narrowness. That denomination is NOT "the" Church, but rather a very small part of Christ's Church in the world. Am I espousing modern ecumenicism? Hardly!! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rolleyes2.gif" alt="" /> But I do affirm that the Church consists of many denominations, churches and individuals throughout the entire world.

In His Grace,

I don't understand what you mean by "denominational mentality". According LCMS rules, scripture is the sole standard by which all of its teachers are judged (Formula of Concord). The charges brought against Rev. Benke were based on scripture alone (e.g., Ex. 20:3; 1 Cor. 10:20, 21; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; etc.) not arbitrary synod by-laws.

The LCMS does not consider itself to be a real church. It is a voluntary synod of ministers and congregations who are in confessional agreement. It has no power to excommunicate or even defrock. The LCMS does have the power to suspend false teachers. When the LCMS overturned the Schulz suspension of a false teacher, the synod was acting contrary to Paul's instructions(2 Thes. 3:14, 15).

My mistake so Dr, Schulz served more as the prosecutor for the Synod. Or whatever is the proper term.


Unionism? 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? I must be mistaken it seems to me that you are suggesting that Lutherans are implying that they are the only true church. And to pray or do anything with any other denomination is wrong. I hope that I am mistaking what you are saying here. I would ask for more clarification at this point.