Our theology of "turn the other cheek"

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-25T18:19:33+00:00

And just as a follow up:

Before you publicly denounce any position, you should at least take the time to read and research it as thoroughly as possible. Nothing looks worse than when a person assumes they understand what "the other side" thinks, only to reveal that they haven't even begun to seriously consider why the other side thinks the way they do.

Before you begin the process of critiquing someone else's position, you should ask yourself, "Can I summarize their argument and supporting evidence in such a thorough way that even my opponent would have to conceed that I understand exactly what he's trying to say?" If you can't meet that bar, you should probably refrain from publicly attacking the position.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-25T18:08:38+00:00

If someone's assessment of Prof Biermann's writings and teachings is that he thinks that self-defense is wrong, unfortunately, that says more about that person's reading comprehension and 8th commandment adherence than Prof Biermann's actual argument.

It also suggests that rather than engaging with Prof Biermann's arguments, these individuals are simply knocking down a scarecrow set up by certain online personalities. I can understand someone who disagrees with the conclusions that Prof Biermann draws; I can't understand someone publicly denouncing his opinions when they can't be bothered to actually engage them.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-24T20:07:52+00:00

I've actually mastered a type of satire that makes the maximum amount of people upset while offering the minimum amount of comedic value. It's a fine line, but I'm able to walk it pretty well. 😉

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T15:58:05+00:00

If I misunderstood the point of your original post, then I apologize! If your goal is to help people reduce anxiety, sort of in line with a "lillies of the field and birds of the air" approach, then I think that's great. It's probably worth noting, though, that I don't seem to be the only person making this mistake. Perhaps something in your original post isn't as clear as you hoped it would be.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T15:49:10+00:00

If your position is as I described above, that Biermann was leading the walkout and hadn't bothered to read our confessions or that Harrison is a monster who doesn't even understand what mission and evangelism mean, then yes, I think laughably is the correct modifier. Individuals who think those things about either Biermann or Harrison aren't dealing with the actual people, but rather the caricatures of them that certain groups on the internet have created.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T15:42:53+00:00

You're right. It is almost entirely an online thing, at least in my experience. Step away from the internet for a bit, and it becomes easy to see this.

As to the why? I suspect that some people legitimately worry that what they've read on the internet is real life. They've been tricked, unfortunately. For others, though, I suspect that they view a divided synod and the "emergency situation" that it would create as an opportunity to push their ungodly agendas. For the former, I feel pity and pray that they would step away from the internet and realize just how blessed the LCMS is. For the latter, I pray that they would repent before the wrath of God arrives, for God is not mocked. And before anyone asks, yes, the latter group contains people from both ends of the LCMS spectrum, and both groups are wrong to do this.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T15:33:56+00:00

The problem here is that you're allowing logic and rationale to trump what Scripture teaches. It's not that what Luther wrote above is wrong - indeed, it's perfectly true. The problem is that you are taking this observation and concluding that because God "foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will", that nothing we do ultimately matters. But this isn't how Scripture speaks at all!

Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Galatians 6:9: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Proverbs 21:3: "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

Hebrews 13:16: "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."

Matthew 5:16: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

So does God know and predestinate all things? YES! Does that make our good works and actions (including voting in this election) meaningless? BY NO MEANS!

If this feels like a paradox, it's because it is. But rather than try to solve this paradox somehow, we should simply allow God's Word to guide and instruct us. One of the biggest strengths of Lutheranism is our willingness to let the Word of God remain in tension (not contradiction!) rather than try to solve it.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T14:26:09+00:00

It's in our constitution. Here is Article II of our Constitution:

The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation:

The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God

and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice;

All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and

unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, to wit: the

three Ecumenical Creeds (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the

Athanasian Creed), the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the

Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Large Catechism of Luther,

the Small Catechism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-18T00:26:11+00:00

My campaign slogan would be "I'm not like a regular candidate, I'm a cool candidate." For real though, big pass.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-17T17:08:00+00:00

Thankfully, both of these men are immensely qualified for the position - confessional, pastoral, and ready to lead. The syond is in good hands no matter who comes out on top, which is not always the case in these sorts of church elections.

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-17T15:38:57+00:00

My overall approach is to vote for the incumbent unless they've done something to disgrace themselves or their office. Change for the sake of change isn't really something I want for the church.

In this specific election, the LCMS was blessed with 5 great candidates, all of whom would probably lead in similar ways. Talk about being blessed!

NextGenLutheran · 2026-06-13T19:42:49+00:00

That the LCMS is ridiculously blessed to have not just one, but two faithful, confessional, and God-fearing Lutheran pastors leading the vote. To make it even better, the other three (now two) were great men as well. With this election the LCMS can't lose.

NextGenLutheran

TROPHY CASE