Luther's Table: Because The Beer Is Efficacious
I can only imagine what Martin Luther would think of Luther's Table, especially when the place claims to be continuing the "tradition of fostering faith and developing theological depth through conversation and fellowship" since we know he used to invite his students to his home after class to discuss theology and share a pint of his wife Katy’s home-brewed ale.
What? You haven't heard of the place before?
Here's a brief description from the Luther's Table website:
Simply put, an ELCA church in Renton, WA, Renton Lutheran Church, closed in 2006 after over 50 years of ministry in downtown Renton.
The people decided the community didn't need a new church, because making people feel comfortable first and foremost is what Christianity is all about.
Replace a torn down Church with a "Christian" Pub and Restaurant?
The ELCA. Man, what a shame, isn't it?
Now, it's no secret that the ELCA has become an apostate, blasphemous, and heretical branch of Christianity. What is a secret is how their particular mindset and brand of Liberal Christianity is beginning to sneak its way into the LCMS. That's a story for another day though.
It truly breaks my heart just thinking about the ELCA's beliefs/teachings and those caught up in them. I knew it was gonna be a rough ride only 10-15 seconds into that video when "PASTOR Gretchen Mertes" started speaking followed by "PASTOR Martha Myers" too.
Of course, who would argue that their hearts aren't in the right place? I mean, they definitely have good intentions, but so did Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-8).
I'm afraid they are grossly misguided and deceived since man influenced by his culture is the final authority rather than the Lord and His holy Word.
By the way, somehow I don't think this qualifies as "ministry" either, my dear friends. As the local news report pointed out...YOU WON'T FIND A BIBLE ANYWHERE AT LUTHER'S TABLE!
Hmmm, something tells me Luther himself would be posting a new 95 Theses to the windows of this place (they don't have doors because those are not as "inclusive, inviting, and welcoming" to people).
Dearly beloved, there's a real problem when only the secular News Reporter mentions the name "Jesus" while the "Bishop" and "Pastors" from the ELCA never do.
In fact, come to think of it, it's quite telling that "God," "Lord," and/or "Jesus Christ" were never mentioned once in that entire 7 minute video by the "Christians" themselves!
At least Jesus made an appearance as a stained glass window around the 4 minute mark though and then again near the end of the video clip since the bartender wanted to point out how He would probably order 2-3 drinks at Luther's Table. Lovely.
At the end of the day, there's a real problem when the secular News Reporter mentions the name "Jesus" while the "Bishop" and "Pastors" never do. And that Bartender who was truly offended that the Reporter would even ask if there are Bibles anywhere!?! Geesh! She might want to read Luke 9:26.
In a Lutheran Layman's terms, this is what happens when the "Social Gospel" is elevated above the Gospel of Salvation, and we Lutheran's know that the Word of God is efficacious -- not the beer.
[NOTE: As you know, I am a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is not consistent with Lutheran doctrine -- in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word -- so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Grace and peace to you and yours!]
Share|
What? You haven't heard of the place before?
Here's a brief description from the Luther's Table website:
Heard about us but not really sure what we're all about? We are about everyone being welcome and having a safe, fun spot to hang out. Come check us out! We're a new concept of what a church/cafe can be...
Simply put, an ELCA church in Renton, WA, Renton Lutheran Church, closed in 2006 after over 50 years of ministry in downtown Renton.
The people decided the community didn't need a new church, because making people feel comfortable first and foremost is what Christianity is all about.
Replace a torn down Church with a "Christian" Pub and Restaurant?
The ELCA. Man, what a shame, isn't it?
Now, it's no secret that the ELCA has become an apostate, blasphemous, and heretical branch of Christianity. What is a secret is how their particular mindset and brand of Liberal Christianity is beginning to sneak its way into the LCMS. That's a story for another day though.
It truly breaks my heart just thinking about the ELCA's beliefs/teachings and those caught up in them. I knew it was gonna be a rough ride only 10-15 seconds into that video when "PASTOR Gretchen Mertes" started speaking followed by "PASTOR Martha Myers" too.
1 Timothy 2:12 (ESV) I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
Of course, who would argue that their hearts aren't in the right place? I mean, they definitely have good intentions, but so did Uzzah (2 Samuel 6:1-8).
I'm afraid they are grossly misguided and deceived since man influenced by his culture is the final authority rather than the Lord and His holy Word.
By the way, somehow I don't think this qualifies as "ministry" either, my dear friends. As the local news report pointed out...YOU WON'T FIND A BIBLE ANYWHERE AT LUTHER'S TABLE!
"Oh heaven's no!"
*- Response From The Incredulous And Offended Bartender When Asked Whether Or Not There Are Any Bibles In The Establishment
Hmmm, something tells me Luther himself would be posting a new 95 Theses to the windows of this place (they don't have doors because those are not as "inclusive, inviting, and welcoming" to people).
Dearly beloved, there's a real problem when only the secular News Reporter mentions the name "Jesus" while the "Bishop" and "Pastors" from the ELCA never do.
In fact, come to think of it, it's quite telling that "God," "Lord," and/or "Jesus Christ" were never mentioned once in that entire 7 minute video by the "Christians" themselves!
At least Jesus made an appearance as a stained glass window around the 4 minute mark though and then again near the end of the video clip since the bartender wanted to point out how He would probably order 2-3 drinks at Luther's Table. Lovely.
At the end of the day, there's a real problem when the secular News Reporter mentions the name "Jesus" while the "Bishop" and "Pastors" never do. And that Bartender who was truly offended that the Reporter would even ask if there are Bibles anywhere!?! Geesh! She might want to read Luke 9:26.
In a Lutheran Layman's terms, this is what happens when the "Social Gospel" is elevated above the Gospel of Salvation, and we Lutheran's know that the Word of God is efficacious -- not the beer.
[NOTE: As you know, I am a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is not consistent with Lutheran doctrine -- in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word -- so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Grace and peace to you and yours!]
Share|
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for visiting A Lutheran Layman! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question since we do not exercise censorship. We've seen a similar policy with other blogs and it's worth repeating: Please act as if you're a guest in my home, and we'll get along just fine. I think anyone would agree that the kind of back-and-forth that is characteristic of blogs/chat forums and social media is becoming tiresome for all of us. Still, we should confess, edify, and love (and contend and defend when needed). Bottom line? Search the Scriptures! Apply Acts 17:11 to anything and everything you find here and, if you do happen to disagree with something you find here (which is certainly ok), or think I'm "irresponsible" and "wrong" for writing it, then please refute my position by supporting yours with Scripture and/or the Confessions. I don't think that's an unreasonable request, especially for those who identify themselves as "Christians" here, right? Besides, Proverbs 27:17 tells us "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" and 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." If you have an opinion that's great, I welcome it, but try to support it using God's Word. I mean, if the goal here is to help us all arrive at the truth of God's Word (myself included), then it should be easy to follow through on this one simple request (I'm talking to all you "Anonymous" visitors out there). Grace and peace to you and yours!