Schulz Compared to Nazi in Benke Case:
LCMS Character Assassination
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

In a stirring speech, Congressman Gary Ackerman (pro-abortion, Jewish, Democrat) compared Atlantic District President Benke to another German Lutheran, Martin Niemoeller, who had the audacity to stand up against the Nazis.

Don Matzat reported that congressman, Gary Ackerman, addressed himself specifically to Dr. Kieschnick with some 700 people present, along with New York TV cameramen at Benke's Brooklyn congregation.

Second Vice-President Wally Schulz through this media event was compared to the Nazis.

Ackerman shouted to Kieschnick "Don't just tell us that you support Dr. Benke, walk with him!"

Matzat writes: "President Kieschnick made his presentation and again clearly affirmed his approval of Benke's participation at Yankee Stadium. He also explained the appeal process that would take place and his effort to get the decision reversed."

It was just a year ago at the 2001 LCMS Convention I witnessed a gathering of District President wives in the back of the Convention hall applauding and bouncing on their toes like schoolgirls when Kieschnick won the LCMS Presidency. They were cheering, laughing, and wearing their large, shiny "Jesus First" buttons.

Now they had a President who appreciated the COP, not like that mean, old Barry who made three of their husbands apologize like schoolboys to the 1998 Convention for their bad behavior over the last triennium.

The COP is important. They collected 127 million dollars in 2000 and sent 25 million to the Synod. They administer Facilitors, executives, staff, buildings, programs, budgets, and control call lists like real CEOs. Now they have a President who gives them the respect due their office. Where would the Synod be without them?

In his speech to the LCMS Convention, Kieschnick drew the greatest applause when he demanded that the Eighth Commandment be obeyed in the Synod.

Now, a year later, here is President Kieschnick participating in the greatest hatchet job of a fellow member of the Praesidium in the history of the Synod. He didn't stand up and say, "Wait, Schulz is not a Nazi, he is an honorable man."

Having grown up in New York City, I know it is hard for the average LCMS Lutheran to understand that the New York media is convinced that Midwestern German Lutherans are anti-Semites until proven otherwise. Get used to it.

Matzat reports that all the New York channels covered the event at Benke's church on the 11:00 o'clock news. He writes, "Channel 7, ABC, graphically displayed the quotation from the Schulz document referring to Muslims and Jews as 'pagans' alongside the dictionary definition of a 'pagan' - one who is neither Christian, Jewish or Muslim. The ABC reporter made a major point of saying that calling Jews and Muslims 'pagans' is highly inflammatory."

The average LCMS Lutheran probably thinks this is the Gospel truth when it is a bald faced lie. Of course, how would they know the truth, because Kieschnick has not sent out Schulz's judgment against Benke to the Synod? Yet, Kieschnick has used the Synodical media to send out a scathing attack against Schulz's statement.

At no time are "Jews" or "Moslems" mentioned in Schulz's document. However, in the document, an LCMS pastor is quoted as saying, "Instead of keeping God 's name sacred and separate from every other name, it was made common as it was dragged to the level of Allah." Why doesn't LCMS President Kieschnick agree with this statement?

Schulz wrote, "Syncretism deals with the relationship of Christians with pagan religions." . . . By President Benke's joining with other pagan clerics in an interfaith service (no matter what the intent might have been), a crystal clear signal was given to others at the event and to thousands more watching by C-Span. . . . To participate with pagans in an interfaith service and, additionally, to give the impression that there might be more than one God, is an extremely serious offense against the God of the Bible."

Yes, the dictionary says that Christians, Jews, and Moslems are not pagans. However, in the Yankee Stadium Service with Benke, there were also Buddhist, Sikhs, and Hindus participating in the service. They are clearly pagans.

But Kieschnick never stood up to say, "Now wait a minute, you are twisting Schulz's words." No. Kieschnick participated in the public annihilation of Wally Schulz's name, career, and indeed, the Gospel.

Matzat writes: "When President Benke walked to the front of the church, the entire gathering stood and gave him about a three-minute ovation, breaking into clapping and the rhythmic chant 'Ben-ke, Ben-ke, Ben-ke.' Posters had been made and were flashed to the seven TV cameras lining the left side of the church. Some read, 'No Benke, No Atlantic District' or 'Schulz - Think for Yourself.'"

The entire affair reminds us of Acts 19:29, 34, "And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. . . all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians."

The point is, that Kieschnick and Benke are using the media to complain about a ruling made by a Synodical Vice President acting in an official capacity, as the President. The entire process reminds us of a Politburo propaganda rubout. Good-bye Comrade.

All these events in New York bring back memories of my youth and tell me I'm back in my element. The Synod is becoming just like home.


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.

July 16, 2002