"Jesus First" Problem With God:
Werning Files Charges On Cascione
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

The morning after the June 24th release from Reclaim News, "'Jesus First' Promotes Kieschnick, Muchow, and Werning Book," Dr. Waldo Werning called on the phone. His opening words were, "This is a declaration of war." My response, "Waldo, I don't want to hear about it." I repeatedly told him, "Just file your charges against me." He said he would. That was the end of the conversation.

Werning called back that night to continue his tirade in the middle of one of our Elder's Meetings. I repeatedly told him again to file his charges. He said he would. Now I have witness who heard me tell him to file his charges.

Please Waldo, stop the harassment. It is worse than Dispute Resolution. Send your charges, and file them with the District Office. Let's have the entire Synod agree with your heresy on the Doctrine of the Trinity and throw me out.

Where else in all of Lutheranism could we find a positive review of Werning' s book, by Dr. David Luecke with an endorsement by Dr. Charles Mueller Sr. on the back cover, except in the pages of "Jesus First?"

In his book, Werning drifts off into a form of Unitarian Modal Monarchianism. He writes about "experiencing God in a three-fold manner," and that, "God revealed Himself in three ways, we can make the Creator with creation green, the Son, Jesus with salvation, red, and the Holy Spirit, with spiritual enlightenment, blue . . ."

In addition, Luther's Catechism does not speak about prayer as a means of grace but Werning writes, ". . . experience Christ as Savior through prayer, and sense the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives."

There is a long list of LCMS clergy who support "Jesus First" and we discover they have placed anything but Jesus first. The LCMS theological rabble and malcontents have gathered themselves together like protesters on the picket line demanding right to reject theological discernment.

The "Jesus First" crowd has identified itself front and center as those too busy to be concerned about the truth but if you disagree with them, then you get dragged into Dispute Resolution.

Luecke, the reviewer, is the same fellow who filed charges against me in 1996 in Dispute Resolution. In a battle of the bladders, Judge Gene Schnelz ruled that Luecke had to have his congregation confess one of the three Creeds in his church services at least once a month or face being removed from the LCMS clergy roster. The transcript is published in "Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS." (Call 573-237-3110 or e-mail cnmail@fidnet.com for a copy) Who else could give a more glowing review of Werning's contemporary spin on Sebellian Unitarianism?

I'm sure there are readers who see little problem with Unitarian, Sebellian, Modal Monarchianism. It is just an old heresy dug up from the third century on the pages of Werning's book. In the Athanasian Creed we confess, "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic [i.e., universal, Christian] faith. Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."

The unconcerned reader may discover that this heresy raises a question about the salvation of their souls if they agree with Werning, David Luecke, Charley Mueller, and the "Jesus First" crowd on this book. It is such a trifling matter, Charley Mueller is busy giving advise in the latest issue of "Jesus First" about growing churches. We can't let a little Trinitarian heresy interfere with growing churches.

The Athanasian Creed states "For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord." Yet, Werning writes, "there are three main groups who, positively seen, can be considered as advocates for one of the three ways in which God has revealed Himself."

According to the Athanasian Creed, God has not revealed Himself in three ways! There are not three revelations of the same God! Every Person by Himself is God and Lord yet there is only one God. The only one who has revealed the Trinity is Jesus Christ. Without Jesus Christ we cannot know the Trinity.

"Jesus First" has two candidates for the Presidency of the LCMS who are obviously not concerned that "Jesus First" is promoting Unitarianism on the pages of Werning's book.

But if we look more closely "Jesus First" most likely has no intent to promote a hardened, third century, anti-Trinitarian teaching. No, their understanding of love (veiled antinomianism) means that salvation of souls with correct doctrine is not their highest priority. In others words, they just aren't that careful with the Word of God.

Yet, if anyone objects or points out the heresy, then there is an intense response. The charges into Dispute Resolution come flying. Their motto: Don't step on my heresy and we won't step on yours.

The long list of clergy supporting "Jesus First" console themselves with the fact that even if they are not the paragons of doctrinal purity they are at least for growth. Think again "Jesus First" promoters! The attendance at Concordia San Antonio, the 21 million dollar church growth extravaganza with a 14 million dollar loan they can't repay, has dropped again to 1200 per week and is falling. A few years ago it was 2800 per week.

This will be the future of Church Growth, no theology, and guess what? No crowd! Texas District President, Gerald Kieschnick promoted the entire Concordia San Antonio expansion. Wait till we see what he does with the entire Synod.

While Werning does "Jesus First's" bidding he also shows exactly what "Jesus First" is all about. I hope that Werning brings Luecke, Mueller, and the editor of "Jesus First" with him and they defend Werning's doctrine of the Trinity with him in Dispute Resolution against me.

I expect a long list of signers from "Jesus First" showing their support for Werning's book.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

June 26, 2001