Ongoing Critique of Christian News

Video of the Editor of Christian News - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th2kX_ezuQc&t=66s

Christian News (http://www.christiannewsmo.com) is a conservative Lutheran newspaper, published since 1962, that has a blog at http://www.christiannewsmissouri.com.  I recommend reading the newspaper and the blog.  A recent book, Love Him for Us, by Barbara Marquart Johnston, was also interesting and good.  I gave it four stars.  It was published by Lutheran News, Inc., parent organization of Christian News.

Since the beginning of this year I have done some brief, not exhaustive at all, comments on the published issues (which are not on the Internet unless you subscribe).  They are below.  I intend to continue to add comments for future issues as each one comes out.  There is far more in each edition than what I discuss below but I offer some thoughts.  Additional comments from others are welcome.

 

1-6-20

 

Didn’t mention Baal or God

 

Discussion of WELS was weak

 

Clint Poppe failed to recognize good in CN.

 

1-13-20

 

Reprinted report of abuse allegations

 

Left out Cascione – good

 

Why stay in LCMS if Voelz is that bad

 

1-20-20

 

Left out Cascione – good

 

Good to hold up sexual conservatism

 

1-27-20

 

Protecting life, against suicide

 

2-3-20

Strong statement on Kobe, shows unimportance of sports, prophetic

 

Inviting comments.

 

Defending hell, good to review book on the topic, something I missed.  Aaron Rodgers off base.

 

2-10-20

 

Strong statement on cremation

 

Harris more critical than Otten.  Hard to see why Harrison bent out of shape.  Is LCMS using the book?  It’s still LCMS approved.

 

Great rebuttal of Mark Surburg on marrying non LCMS-Lutherans

 

2-17-20

Willow Creek’s Dr. B. disputes allegations.

 

Don’t have problem with Gettys

 

Good to defend Finnish Lutheran, quote Pat Boone’s comments

 

Necessary to blast Greg Jackson?

 

2-24-20

 

What is a Christian essay is good.

 

Nobody else talks about canon issue.

 

3-2-20

 

Harrison discussed

 

3-9-20

 

Good to raise questions about Concordia Portland

 

Political idolatry – good points

 

3-16-20

 

Criticizing Greg Jackson – should it be priority?

 

Good articles on long ending of Mark, Larry Peters, climate change, Matt Richard on Devil, publicized Portland problems, mixed gender preaching

 

3-23-20

 

Slavery, not all immoral, abortion supporter at Concordia New York, Rupprecht on Lent, review of descend to hell book

 

3-30-20

 

Museum of Bible – Orthodox Church

 

4-6-20

 

Good articles on effects of coronavirus

 

4-13-20

 

Rob Bell, Charisma News, etc.

 

4-20-20

 

Norman Vincent Peale – Trump, good to not idolize Trump

 

4-27-20

 

Burfiend lead article good, article on evangelical sermons

 

5-4-20

Abstinence from worship

 

Washington Post blasts in person worship

 

5-11-20

Taking issue with Jonathan Merritt

 

5-25-20

 

How Baptism Saves

 

6-1-20

 

Strong opposition to suicide

 

Why can’t the LCMS preach?

 

Merritt on Mohler

 

6-8-20

 

Lutherans Going East, Taking Issue with Texas Church Growth

 

Leave the ELCA, Must Engage Roman Catholicism

 

6-22-20

Antiracism, Hale Catches a Shark with his boys

 

6-29-20

 

Good essay on anarchy

 

7-6-20

 

Great issue.  Juicy ecumenism on racism, why of pandemic, come back to church, Reu Beck, Joe Bill Dixon

 

7-13-20

 

Good to be against Black Lives Matter and Marxism, might be well to read Woke Church, which shouldn’t be condemned simply on the basis of its title

 

7-20-20

Good to support freedom of speech, good article against interfaith prayers which I also linked to.  I also linked to America the Beautiful?

7-27-20

Interesting to cite the church doesn’t need online watchmen, without comment.

8-3-208-24-

Although I’m concerned about these issues too, not sure totally fair to Greg Seltz.  Great article by Micah Hill.

 

8-17-20

 

Good commentary by Larry Peters.  Is it safe.  Good to give space to John MacArthur’s arguments.  Possibly could have printed a counter argument.  Sojourners supported reparations but so did an LCMS Pastor in Lutheran Forum, something not mentioned in CN.   Author of Defending Boyhood review not named.  Great photos on exercising.

8-24-20

 

Strong sermon by Wille.  Good to challenge legalism on masks, though I’m sure some STRONGLY disagree.  Well argued and well written.  Well done.  Great response to writer defending black lives matter.  Critic of MacArthur exposed for being wrong.

 

8-31-20

Failure to cope with mortality good point.  We saw “Greyhound” and enjoyed it.  Good to reprint what’s wrong with consulting the dead. J.I. Packer inconsistent.  NBA sickeningly hypocritical.

 

9-7-20

Be a German Lutheran – great points!  Blasting Cowboy Church.  Hmm.  Rightfully criticizing LWF for promoting climate change.

 

9-14-20

 

Not sold that all actions against racism are wrong.  Depends on what is truly said and done.  Good to call for submissions.  Good to critique Andy Stanley.  Also defending Son eternally begotten.  Pless says decline anniversary of ELCA ordaining women.

 

9-21-20

 

Satan’s press secretary – great points.  Also great commentary on politics and political parties, though some conservatives may take exception.  Great commentary on idolatry of the Lord’s Supper.  However, many LCMS Lutherans have been teaching and practicing the opposite for years.  Former Lutheran Witness editor Adriane Heins was big on the opposite.  Worship protest in Seattle.  Great to strongly oppose Pete Buttigieg.  Spiritism in black lives matter.  Facebook censoring “Exposing the ELCA.”  Horowitz defends South Dakota.  All in all, a very strong issue.

 

9-28-20

Good analysis on what confession is and isn’t.  To me, many have given the impression that repeating preset words in a robotic way is what confession is.  I don’t think that’s what it is biblically.  Also rightly taking issue with a robotic approach to communion.  California dream house is in ashes.

 

10-5-20

 

Marriage is man and woman based on Adam and Eve.  Good to take issue with some high church Lutheranism. Tim Challies on public schools.  Cultural Marxism grinding Christianity down.  Good points in why Christians are turning on their parents.  Sorry to read about financial problems at Camp Trinity.  We actually considered vacationing there but chose the Black Hills in South Dakota instead, mostly because it was closer to us.

 

10-12-20

 

Not a particularly impressive issue.  Some good articles and some okay articles but I referenced better ones on my web site. Pretty good comment on political position, a very controversial subject.  Some might push back but I think merit to position.

 

10-19-20

 

Some good articles, commentaries and sermons.  Probably good to avoid the overtly political.  The reprinted interview with Mark Galli was educational but I would not have printed it without comment.  He should not basically get a pass for becoming Roman Catholic after having been an editor of an Evangelical magazine for many years.

 

10-26-20

 

As I’ve previously argued, not sold that being adamant on using the word “Lutheran” is good or essential, especially in today’s context.  “Risky Christianity” article and Brent McCracken’s Gospel Coalition apologetics commentary were good.  Robert Preus’ essay on Bible authority from over 25 years ago was good but it seemed a little puzzling as to why it was reprinted again, right now.

11-9-20

 

Good to see Rev. Mark Surburg oppose Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory, something an LCMS pastor was shaky at best in doing in First Things a few months ago as was reported in Christian News.  Good commentary by Wayne Grudem on the election.  Why is Rev. Lincoln Winter in the LCMS if it is as bad as all that and what about those in the LCMS who are shaky?  How does that fit in?  Poland opposes abortion.  Good to learn about persecution and martyrdom in Vietnam and Haiti.

11-16-20

 

Courageous major expose in the lead article titled “Legally Married Lesbian Leader at Concordia College New York.” It has far reaching implications for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.  CCNY’s president, John Nunes, has a long history of not being that conservative (if conservative at all) as I commented myself in the 11-12-18 CN.  There was other documentation (which seemingly went nowhere) about Nunes then too.   Other excellent articles included a pastoral letter on the ongoing pandemic and again taking issue with Gottesdienst for its Roman Catholic doctrine of the mass.

11-23-20

 

Good devotional articles to start the issue.  Shows problems in the LCMS with prayer in New York City many years ago, a very weak article by a Concordia College New York professor, and administrative problems, and building on the egregious problems exclusively reported last week.  If little to nothing winds up being done, as seems likely, raises questions as to why one should be in the LCMS even though there are conservative writings and actions that can also be pointed to.  The “’Justification by Faith’ Is a Slogan” headline shows a questionable emphasis, possibly totally wrong.  It’s much more than a “slogan.”  It’s an essential truth: grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone, Christ alone.  Much more could be said in terms of analysis.

11-30-20

 

Lead article is by a decades-long Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod theology professor defending himself.  He says that the accusation that he is theologically liberal is totally wrong.  Whatever the merits or lack thereof against him, it is hard to imagine that anything officially will be done, given his many years of service.  A commentary rightfully blasting Nadia Bolz-Weber indicates that nothing officially has been done at Concordia College New York, which has had close associations with Valparaiso University (nominal at best in terms of biblical fidelity).  As long as LCMS maintains a connection with Valpo, however lukewarm it may or not be, there will be problems.  It seems unlikely that the LCMS will ever totally dump Valpo, even though the living Lord warns us to not be lukewarm (Revelation 3:14-22).  These are vital issues that should be addressed WITHOUT DELAY.

12-7-20

 

A front page article again (rightly) took issue with the lesbian same-sex married deaconess who has been preaching at Concordia College New York, a Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod-affiliated school.  The LCMS opposes homosexuality but somehow this slipped through the cracks.  No apparently public indication that anything is being done even now.  The deaconess is a supporter of the late Rachel Held Evans, who died totally unexpectedly at only 37 in spring 2019.  CN was on top of this and published articles about the facts of Mrs. Evans in its 4-29-20 and 5-13-19 editions.  Some were extremely opposed to calling Mrs. Evans a false teacher (which she was—and unrepentant false teachers by definition do not inherit the kingdom of God).  Other articles rightly support a traditional non-sacramental interpretation of John 6 and rightly oppose a Lutheran Forum article (written by an LCMS pastor) on racial reparations.  CN is right on both of those matters, but will CN’s viewpoint go anywhere?  It would go good if so but also extremely surprising if so.  It would require Concordia Publishing House and other prominent church officials to publicly acknowledge being wrong.

12-14-20

 

Although there are many noteworthy items in this issue, perhaps the most significant were the articles related to Rev. Paul T. McCain, who died unexpectedly at 58.  He had a long record of service to the church and did a lot of blogging.  He and the founding editor of CN clashed somewhat, even though CN favorably publicized Paul early on.  I had a little bit of contact with Paul.  I join others in saying that he will be missed and that a large bulk of his work was effective and helpful.  There were great tributes and witnesses from his children upon his death.  CN published interesting and good articles (from the 1990s) by Paul in this issue.

12-21-20

 

Good commentaries by David French, Tom Brock, Gene Veith and others.  Great to see the Christmas letters and pictures from the Hale family and from the Otten family.  Hale has almost completed a successful first year as the editor of CN.

12-28-20

 

The new editor of CN completed a successful year.  Issue again included some good articles, devotions and commentaries.  Not sold that the piece denouncing facial coverings was helpful.  Without going into reasons why, I do agree with the mainstream medical consensus that facial coverings can be helpful in avoiding COVID.  However, it seems that the more “conservative” one is, the less likely one is to agree.  In any event, people should have freedom to express views and some governments are too draconian but it might not be helpful to go too far the other way.  I don’t see facial coverings addressed in Scripture one way or the other.  The CN index indicates that relatively few books were reviewed in CN in 2020.  It could perhaps be a goal to have more books reviewed/mentioned in CN in 2021.

1-4-21

 

Good articles by Mark Nicolaus, Tim Bayly, Faith McDonnell, among others.  It is again noted in CN that a woman in a same sex government recognized marriage has been involved in Lutheran leadership, noting again that she did illustration for a Lutheran book publisher (where a top executive recently abruptly died similar to Ananias and Sapphira and Rachel Held Evans).  The woman in question seems to be a theological liberal generally and is associated with a Lutheran college with strong ties to the American Lutheran Publicity Bureau (which former CN editor Herman Otten rightfully said was apostate).  CN says nothing transparent is being done on this matter.  It’s a big issue as I noted in commenting on the 11-16-20 CN.  Almighty God notices if it is swept under the rug.

1-11-21

 

Lead article was “The LCMS Since 1974,” repeating grievances that have been mentioned before and that will probably never be resolved.  Some other decent articles but there perhaps could have been more about current issues, like the bad prayer that a Democrat congressman offered and President Trump’s seeming ambivalence toward lying and lawlessness. I understand, though, that it’s tricky offering comments on such issues.

1-18-21

 

Some good articles as usual.  On the last page CN’s managing editor asks, ““So what are the Norwegians saying about America - don't we look crazy right now!! I can't even watch the news. You don't know who to believe.”  An American pastor now serving in Norway points to the foundational truth of the Bible but is nonspecific about current events.  I think CN could be doing more to directly address issues relating to the current crisis in America.  In my opinion, one has to acknowledge that professing conservative Christians have taken a hit and that many liberals/secularists have valid concerns and observations.  Shocking to me how many conservatives who I have otherwise past respected have gotten to be so far out and wrong (at least in my opinion), in some cases horrendously judgmental.  Among other things, the concept that some claim to have been audibly told by God that Mr. Trump will remain in office, should be challenged.  It’s not something that is taught in the authoritative Bible.

1-25-21

 

Among other things, good commentaries on taming the tongue and on taking issue with the false prophecies regarding a U.S. presidential election.  Although one such false prophet released a nuanced statement of repentance, many others still stand by the false prophecies, which is a separate issue as to whether the elected president is a good president espousing God-honoring policies.  A syncretistic prayer is rightfully blasted.  Sadly and tragically, there appears to be much more syncretism/idolatry still coming and already happening.  CN remains cautious in being overtly political, which can be a good thing.  CN foundationally rightfully warns about judgment for those who reject Christ.

2-1-21

 

Very perceptive article reprinted from First Things on the danger of the idolatry of politics.  Other fine articles warning about the dangerous times.  It is too bad that some churches have not adequately addressed the textual criticism issue after all these years.  CN called a recent official commentary on the subject “worthless,” given that no specific individuals were censured.  All in all, a very strong edition of CN.

2-8-21

 

Great lead article on a Christian response to unrest and fine commentary by Mychal Massie on being faithful, as well as other good pieces.  Hopefully by God’s grace we can finally get by the Covid situation and it looks promising that we can.  Surprising that there was nothing about the collapse about Concordia College New York (though the subject was well addressed in past editions).  The death of Evangelical Lutheran Synod President John Moldstad was not yet mentioned either.

2-15-21

 

Good commentaries and information about the unceremonious collapse of Concordia College New York.  Among other good articles, good remarks from Michael Brown on the political scene.  In my opinion, the smart conservatives are acknowledging that the conservative camp took a hit with the January 6, 2021 events, and Dr. Brown expressed that pretty well.  Another commentary notes that Dr. Wayne Grudem’s position on creation isn’t the best.  Sadly, Dr. Grudem is not alone in this among those who are generally otherwise conservative.  Good reminder the Camp Trinity is doing good work.

2-22-21

 

Very good lead article by Pastor Paul Harris on obeying the government, as mandated in Romans 13.  It is a basic concept that is easy to understand but nevertheless is widely rejected, including among many who profess to be conservative.  Harris deals with the text and the interpretations of it (many of which are wrong).  Another article warns about excessive consumption of conservative news.  Although I am often conservative, I have always believed in reading widely and not just in the “conservative” camp.  Among other helpful articles is a piece on the government crisis in Myanmar (Burma), where Christians are facing great danger.  This very concerning situation has gotten very minimal coverage in the U.S. media.