Fair Criticism About This 'Lutheran' Book Fair
I love my wife.
I love her for many reasons, but more and more I'm starting to love her for the way she's becoming more keenly aware -- thanks be to God! -- of why her husband (that would be Yours Truly) is always so concerned about doctrine all the time due to the legitimate spiritual dangers that false doctrine presents to our family as well as to our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Case in point, here's what she sent me the other day attached to an email that simply said, "Which books should I remove from this table if I get the chance to?"
I couldn't be happier...I couldn't be more upset.
Of course, I'm absolutely thrilled that she came to me on her own to ask me for my thoughts about which of those books were bad. At the same time, I'm deeply distressed since I know what kind of soul-damning nonsense is found sitting on those tables.
There's something else that's deeply troubling though. Notice anything about those pictures?
Keep in mind that this was a "Book Fair" hosted by one of the oldest remaining Lutheran Day Schools in the entire country and one that decided a long time ago to change it's name to "Trinity Christian School" because the descriptor of "Christian" instead of "Lutheran" was much more "inclusive" and "loving" for sure.
Sadly, this is the result of ecumenism, syncretism, and unionism run amok in both this particular so-called Lutheran Day School and the LCMS church that's affiliated with it.
What kind of a message does that send to people?
Why bother calling ourselves Lutherans if it doesn't really matter to us (Jude 1:3)?
Most importantly, why agree to host a Book Fair like this when it's akin to promising people a "cure" for them when, in reality, those tables are filled with pure poison wrapped in a label that makes it look like it's medicine instead (Isaiah 5:20; Matthew 15:12-14)?
When will we learn that just because something calls itself "Christian" or is classified as a "Christian Bestseller" does not mean that it is (Matthew 7:15-16)?
When will we start believing all the passages in the New Testament that repeatedly warn us about false teachers, the wolves in sheep's clothing, like some of the "Pastors" who published some of these books (2 Peter 2)? Did I see three different books by Rick Warren alone!?!
What a dangerous and wicked game we play with people's souls (as well as our own)! Boy, just the thought of people I know and love (including possibly their children!) buying one or more of these books and being led astray by some sweet sounding false doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3).
In a Lutheran layman's terms, I believe this is fair criticism about this Lutheran Book Fair.
NOTE: I'm not a called and ordained minister of God's Word and Sacraments. I'm a layman or a Christian, Candy-Making, Husband, Father, Friend who lives in the "City of Good Neighbors" here on the East Coast. To be more specific, and relevant to the point I want to make with this note, I'm also a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism a little over a year ago. 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 inconsistent with our Confessions and Lutheran doctrine (in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word, which our Confessions merely summarize and point us back to) so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray (James 3:1). Finally, please be aware that you might also discover that some of the earlier pieces I wrote on this blog back in 2013 definitely fall into that category since I was a "Lutheran-In-Name-Only" at the time and was completely oblivious to the fact that a Christian "Book of Concord" even existed (Small/Large Catechism? What's that!?!). In addition, there are some entries that are a little "out there" so-to-speak since the subject matter was also heavy influenced by those old beliefs of mine. I know that now and I'm still learning. Anyway, I decided to leave those published posts up on this website and in cyberspace only because we now have this disclaimer, and only to demonstrate the continuing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). Most importantly, please know that any time I engage in commenting on and/or interpreting a specific portion of the holy Scriptures, it will always closely follow the verse-by-verse notes from my Lutheran Study Bible and/or include references to the Book of Concord unless otherwise noted. Typically, I defer to what other Lutheran Pastors have already preached and taught about such passages since they are the called and ordained shepherds of our souls here on earth. Finally, I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the length of most entries. I'm well aware that blogs should be short, sweet, and to the point, but I've never been one to follow the rules when it comes to writing. Besides, this website is more like a dude's diary in the sense that everything I write about and share publicly isn't always what's "popular" or "#trending" at the time, but is instead all the things that I'm studying myself at the moment. For better or for worse, these posts tend to be much longer than most blog entries you'll find elsewhere only because I try to pack as much info as possible into a single piece so that I can refer to it again and again over time if I need to (and so that it can be a valuable resource for others -- if possible, a "One-Stop-Shop" of sorts). Thank you for stopping by and thank you in advance for your time, help, and understanding. Grace and peace to you and yours!
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I love her for many reasons, but more and more I'm starting to love her for the way she's becoming more keenly aware -- thanks be to God! -- of why her husband (that would be Yours Truly) is always so concerned about doctrine all the time due to the legitimate spiritual dangers that false doctrine presents to our family as well as to our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Case in point, here's what she sent me the other day attached to an email that simply said, "Which books should I remove from this table if I get the chance to?"
I couldn't be happier...I couldn't be more upset.
Of course, I'm absolutely thrilled that she came to me on her own to ask me for my thoughts about which of those books were bad. At the same time, I'm deeply distressed since I know what kind of soul-damning nonsense is found sitting on those tables.
There's something else that's deeply troubling though. Notice anything about those pictures?
NOT A SINGLE DISTINCTLY LUTHERAN BOOK THAT I COULD TELL!!!
Keep in mind that this was a "Book Fair" hosted by one of the oldest remaining Lutheran Day Schools in the entire country and one that decided a long time ago to change it's name to "Trinity Christian School" because the descriptor of "Christian" instead of "Lutheran" was much more "inclusive" and "loving" for sure.
Sadly, this is the result of ecumenism, syncretism, and unionism run amok in both this particular so-called Lutheran Day School and the LCMS church that's affiliated with it.
What kind of a message does that send to people?
Why bother calling ourselves Lutherans if it doesn't really matter to us (Jude 1:3)?
Most importantly, why agree to host a Book Fair like this when it's akin to promising people a "cure" for them when, in reality, those tables are filled with pure poison wrapped in a label that makes it look like it's medicine instead (Isaiah 5:20; Matthew 15:12-14)?
When will we learn that just because something calls itself "Christian" or is classified as a "Christian Bestseller" does not mean that it is (Matthew 7:15-16)?
When will we start believing all the passages in the New Testament that repeatedly warn us about false teachers, the wolves in sheep's clothing, like some of the "Pastors" who published some of these books (2 Peter 2)? Did I see three different books by Rick Warren alone!?!
What a dangerous and wicked game we play with people's souls (as well as our own)! Boy, just the thought of people I know and love (including possibly their children!) buying one or more of these books and being led astray by some sweet sounding false doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3).
2 Corinthians 11:12-15 (ESV) 12 And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
In a Lutheran layman's terms, I believe this is fair criticism about this Lutheran Book Fair.
NOTE: I'm not a called and ordained minister of God's Word and Sacraments. I'm a layman or a Christian, Candy-Making, Husband, Father, Friend who lives in the "City of Good Neighbors" here on the East Coast. To be more specific, and relevant to the point I want to make with this note, I'm also a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism a little over a year ago. 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 inconsistent with our Confessions and Lutheran doctrine (in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word, which our Confessions merely summarize and point us back to) so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray (James 3:1). Finally, please be aware that you might also discover that some of the earlier pieces I wrote on this blog back in 2013 definitely fall into that category since I was a "Lutheran-In-Name-Only" at the time and was completely oblivious to the fact that a Christian "Book of Concord" even existed (Small/Large Catechism? What's that!?!). In addition, there are some entries that are a little "out there" so-to-speak since the subject matter was also heavy influenced by those old beliefs of mine. I know that now and I'm still learning. Anyway, I decided to leave those published posts up on this website and in cyberspace only because we now have this disclaimer, and only to demonstrate the continuing work of Christ and the Holy Spirit in my life (Hebrews 12:2; Philippians 1:6). Most importantly, please know that any time I engage in commenting on and/or interpreting a specific portion of the holy Scriptures, it will always closely follow the verse-by-verse notes from my Lutheran Study Bible and/or include references to the Book of Concord unless otherwise noted. Typically, I defer to what other Lutheran Pastors have already preached and taught about such passages since they are the called and ordained shepherds of our souls here on earth. Finally, I'm going to apologize ahead of time for the length of most entries. I'm well aware that blogs should be short, sweet, and to the point, but I've never been one to follow the rules when it comes to writing. Besides, this website is more like a dude's diary in the sense that everything I write about and share publicly isn't always what's "popular" or "#trending" at the time, but is instead all the things that I'm studying myself at the moment. For better or for worse, these posts tend to be much longer than most blog entries you'll find elsewhere only because I try to pack as much info as possible into a single piece so that I can refer to it again and again over time if I need to (and so that it can be a valuable resource for others -- if possible, a "One-Stop-Shop" of sorts). Thank you for stopping by and thank you in advance for your time, help, and understanding. Grace and peace to you and yours!
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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!