Rev. Robert Nordlie was found guilty of confusing Law and Gospel,
but will remain an LCMS pastor. On March 29, 1999, after more than three years of hearings
and appeals in the LCMS Dispute Resolution Process, the Synod’s President and five
Vice Presidents’, known as the Praesidium, ruled that
the preaching of Rev. Robert Nordlie, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Wayzata,
Minnesota contained serious errors in the doctrine of Justification. However, the
Praesidium has declined to suspend him from the ministry.
The case was filed by members of Nordlie’s congregation represented by Mr. Michael
Olson. Nordlie’s book published by Concordia Publishing House (1992) titled,
"The Goal of the Gospel: God’s Purpose in Saving You", was also at the
heart of the controversy. There was a second author, Philip Bickel, but Olson could not
charge him because Bickel is not Olson’s pastor. After more careful examination, the
Synod’s Commission on Doctrinal Review revoked the doctrinal certification for
Nordlie’s book. The book’s original certification shows how flawed the doctrinal
review process is. In his book, Nordlie articulates the errors that appeared in his
preaching, namely, that in addition to salvation the goal of the Gospel is obedience.
Throughout the book Nordlie constantly confuses Law and Gospel. The Gospel is not a new
law or energizer for good works. The good works of Ephesians 2:10 are a gift of God not an
initiative of the human will. The goal of the Gospel is forgiveness of sins, faith, and
eternal life. Nordlie forgets to show us that all human works which are the result of our
love are the fulfillment of the law, not the Gospel. On page 95 Nordlie writes "In
Chapters 1 to 4 we have seen that God has saved us so that we are enabled to obey his
will,...." He is wrong. The goal of the Gospel is not good works or obedience but
salvation through faith in Christ.
Much of the Praesidium’s views are stated in the following paragraphs:
"4. Unfortunately, the problems in Pastor Nordlie’s preaching and teaching
are not unique to Pastor Nordlie. They are apparent elsewhere in the Synod at large as a
result of the inroads of a Reformed-like articulation of the relationship of Justification
and the Christian life. The Praesidium urges the entire Synod to a renewed study of the
proper understanding and articulation of the doctrines of Justification and Sanctification
and the proper distinction between Law and Gospel."
"5. The Praesidium has determined that the greater good in this situation, for
Pastor Nordlie, his congregation, and the church at large, would be better served by
ongoing efforts to retrieve Pastor Nordlie from his unclear teaching, rather than
suspending him from membership in the Synod. Therefore, the Praesidium declines to suspend
Pastor Nordlie."
From the above we draw the following conclusion: There are so many pastors in the LCMS
who are confused on the preaching of the Gospel promoted by the Church Growth Movement
that the Praesidium will allow it to continue. On at least two occasions the Minnesota
District President, Lane Seitz, has come to Nordlie’s defense. Districts such as
Michigan, Texas, Southern, Florida-Georgia, California-Hawaii-Nevada, Pacific Southwest
are so thoroughly infected with the Church Growth Movement that the Praesidium has come to
the conclusion that it is now virtually impossible to maintain the correct teaching of the
Gospel in the LCMS. Four hundred and sixty nine years after the Augsburg Confession they
try to save face by saying we should study the issue. The majority of pastors in Minnesota
give their full support to Lane Seitz and Nordlie. Olson and company thought they would
catch Nordlie in his error when, to their surprise, they also caught the LCMS Praesidium.
In one decision, the Praesidium has made the doctrine of Justification one opinion
among others in the LCMS. How dare the 1998 Synodical Convention lecture the ELCA about
its confusion on the doctrine of Justification.
The Synod was originally formed for the purpose of lay people hearing the correct
exposition of Law and Gospel. By this statement of the Praesidium, the Synod is officially
heterodox. The good of the Synod is now more important than the Gospel and lay people
hearing it on Sunday morning.
Nordlie’s approach is just the kind of preaching necessary for Dr. Norbert Oesch
of PLI, the COP, and LCEF to staff, build, and grow lots of "Willow Creek Community
Churches" in the LCMS.
It is not as if the Praesidium is made up of theologically weak men. By conservative
standards, the current LCMS Praesidium is the most orthodox of any Praesidium since 1969
and, most likely, before that. It is not as if the Synodical President is
"weak." The 1998 Convention gave A. L. Barry unprecedented power to directly
suspend a District President with the adoption of Resolutions 7-05 and 7-06, authority
Barry claimed he didn’t have. Now he has it, but for the good of the Synod
doesn’t want to exercise this authority to remove Minnesota District President Lane
Seitz, for not removing Nordlie.
Barry has chosen the course of peace, not to protect the Gospel but to protect the
Synod from the Gospel. The Praesidium is preserving the entire Synodical structure, fund
accounts, investments, real-estate, income, and membership. This is the smart move, very
smart, the Sanhedrin would approve. It is expedient that the Gospel be compromised so that
the LCMS not perish. In one move the Praesidium has turned the Lutheran Confessions into
historic rather than current documents, and Walther’s "Law and Gospel" into
a Synodical relic rather than the handbook for preaching in the LCMS.
The irony is how well the Praesidium is doing its job. They did exceptional work in
identifying and articulating Nordlie’s theological error. They have a clear
understanding of Justification. Their assessment that Nordlie’s error is shared by
many other pastors in the Synod shows their clear understanding of its impact on the
Synod. They are truthful and forthright in explaining the doctrinal errors. There is no
cover-up here. They exhibit a heartfelt desire to confess the truth of the Gospel and make
a good public confession to Jesus Christ.
Then, beyond comprehension, with all this accumulated theological training, wisdom,
experience, and discernment they publicly announce that for the good of the Synod they
aren’t going to do anything about it. So the Praesidium has decided to be more
forgiving than God. Thank God the infectious disease center in Atlanta has more fear of
epidemics than the Praesidium has for false doctrine. Small pox is so unsightly, but dying
and dead souls can look great in a full church. Paul told the congregation at Corinth
(1Cor. 5) to throw out the man causing the problem or it will spread like yeast in bread.
No Synodical President in the history of the Synod would have signed such a statement.
We have witnessed here a classic example of the separation of faith and practice. Time has
never healed false doctrine. Men rule wherever doctrine is pushed aside. The ten tribes
never improved no matter which leaders died or who took office. The Kings of Israel wrote
the book on expediency until they were extinct. "Isa 7:12 But Ahaz said, I will not
ask, neither will I tempt the Lord." Their examples of failure are lost on our
Praesidium. Only the Babylonian captivity led Judah to repent. The Praesidium knows the
difference between false and true doctrine. Luke 12:47:" And that servant, which knew
his lord's will, and prepared not [himself], neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many [stripes]. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of
stripes, shall be beaten with few [stripes]. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him
shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the
more." John 9:41 "Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin:
but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." James 4:17: "Therefore to
him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin."
The Praesidium is obviously more afraid of Nordlie and earthly consequences than of
God. They are more concerned about protecting the Synod from Herman Otten than from
Nordlie and his corruption of the Gospel. Herman Otten stands in good company outside the
Synod with President Robert Preus and the Gospel.
What good is winning elections and losing Justification? The so called "United
List" is now a thing of the past. The "Balance" motto has been "The
right man will do the right thing." Now we learn that the wrong thing is the right
thing if it’s our guys doing it. "Balance" is more interested in protecting
the Synod and its fund accounts from "radicals" who would destroy everything in
order to keep the Gospel. It is little wonder that Tom Baker and company fought against
those who wanted the name "Lutheran" on the congregations and wanted no changes
in the confession of the "Creeds." Baker thinks the Apostles’ Creed
contains Law when Walther used it to define the Gospel on page 19 of "Law and
Gospel".
The right teaching of the Gospel has become too heavy a cross for the LCMS. Whatever it
is the Praesidium thinks it will keep in this life, we are all even-up in the grave, those
who think they kept something and those who didn’t care.
The goal of "Balance" has shifted from doctrinal purity to financial security
and the Schwan Foundation. So, everyone gets their piece of the pie. Conservatives chase
after Rev. Larry Burgdorf, the COP chases after Norbert Oesch, PLI, and LCEF mega-bucks
for mega-churches, and the Hyper-Euro-Lutherans elevate themselves above their
congregations with the sacrament of ordination. All we have to do is just not be too
particular about the doctrine of Justification.
After Christ cast the demons out of the men into the herd of swine we read, Mat 8:34
"And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they
besought [him] that he would depart out of their coasts." The whole city understood
who Jesus was and didn’t want Him to be all that close. Gospel purity presents a
similar problem for the Praesidium. Now the Praesidium has preserved peace in the Synod.
International Center
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Office of the President
The Reverend Dr. A. L. Barry
President of the Synod
March 19, 1999
To:
The Reverend Doctor Robert Nordlie
The Congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Wayzata, Minn.
Mr. Michael Olson, spokesman for those who filed charges
President Lane Seitz
From:
The Praesidium
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
Re:
The decision of the Praesidium in regard to charges against Pastor Robert Nordlie
Grace and peace to each of you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
On March 3, 1999, the Praesidium of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod met for two
hours with Pastor Robert Nordlie to discuss charges against him, pursuant to Bylaw 2.27 2
b (1998 Handbook, p. 29). This was the second time that charges of false doctrine have
been filed against Pastor Nordlie. An earlier set of charges was dealt with by the
Praesidium in December of 1997.
Pastor Nordlie was accompanied by a member of his congregation, Dr. Timothy Behrens,
who served as a silent witness for Pastor Nordlie during the meeting. During the first
hour of the meeting, Pastor Nordlie shared with the Praesidium information that he felt
was helpful in addressing the charges against him. During the second hour, the Praesidium
discussed with Pastor Nordlie the information he had shared with the Praesidium prior to
this meeting as well as during the meeting itself.
Following this meeting with Pastor Nordlie, the Praesidium discussed this entire matter
at great length. The Praesidium sent a letter to Pastor Nordlie informing him that it
would hold a special meeting on March 24, 1999, at which time it would be reading a final
decision.
Therefore, the Praesidium has reached the following conclusions in regard to the
charges of false doctrine against Pastor Robert Nordlie:
1. It is the judgment of the Praesidium of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod that
Pastor Nordlie still does not recognize the concerns that the Praesidium expressed in its
letter of December 11, 1997:
"There are serious concerns with Pastor Nordlie’s teaching in regard to the
distinction between Justification and Sanctification. Pastor Nordlie bears the
responsibility to correct what is lacking in his teaching….He needs to make every
effort to distinguish between Justification and Sanctification more clearly and
accurately. He needs to place greater emphasis on the glorious good news of our salvation
in Christ Jesus our Lord--our Justification."
The Praesidium would again underscore its determination that there are serious concerns
with Pastor Nordlie’s teaching in regard to the distinction between Justification and
Sanctification and between Law and Gospel. The Praesidium finds that Pastor Nordlie
continues to be unable to discern his deficiencies in this regard.
2. The Praesidium would again concur with and underscore the decision of the
Synod’s Commission on Doctrinal Review regarding the book The Goal of the Gospel and
the reasons why the Commission on Doctrinal Review revoked the doctrinal certification of
this book:
"[The] basic flaw is the muddling of Justification and Sanctification [and
between] Law and Gospel. Obedience is spoken of in a way more at home in the Reformed
tradition than the Lutheran. There are times when the actual exposition of Scripture and
the Confessions (what there is of it) is not only weak but misleading."
3. The Praesidium would once again indicate that this confusion in Pastor
Nordlie’s teaching is responsible for the confusion and upset in his congregation.
The Praesidium notes with sadness that this situation has resulted in offense being given
to many of the people of God, both within his own congregation, and even beyond the
congregation.
4. Unfortunately, the problems in Pastor Nordlie’s preaching and teaching are not
unique to Pastor Nordlie. They are apparent elsewhere in the Synod at large as a result of
the inroads of a Reformed-like articulation of the relationship of Justification and the
Christian life. The Praesidium urges the entire Synod to a renewed study of the proper
understanding and articulation of the doctrines of Justification and Sanctification and
the proper distinction between Law and Gospel.
5. The Praesidium has determined that the greater good in this situation, for Pastor
Nordlie, his congregation, and the church at large, would be better served by ongoing
efforts to retrieve Pastor Nordlie from his unclear teaching, rather than suspending him
from membership in the Synod. Therefore, the Praesidium declines to suspend Pastor
Nordlie.
6. The Praesidium would once again strongly urge Pastor Nordlie to pursue continued
discussions of his improper distinction between Justification and Sanctification and Law
and Gospel with brother pastors in the Synod who can assist him in understanding where the
problems exist in his ministry. The Praesidium hopes that, through discussions with the
brethren, Pastor Nordlie will be able to recognize where the concerns rest and will also
be responsive to the fraternal and caring way this confusion in his ministry is being
handled.
7. The Praesidium recommends that the Synodical President direct the District President
of the Minnesota South District, as Pastor Nordlie’s supervisor of doctrine and
practice, to establish an ongoing series of meetings in which these issues can be
discussed with Pastor Nordlie. We recommend that the Synodical President direct the
district president to monitor Pastor Nordlie’s preaching and teaching closely to see
to it that Pastor Nordlie is in fact following through on correcting the deficiencies in
his ministry and is receiving admonition to do so, and finally, that the District
President provide to the Synodical president regular, detailed reports on what is being
done, describing the progress that is being made. It is the Praesidium’s expectation
that Pastor Nordlie will be able to recognize the very serious deficiencies in his
teaching and preaching and correct them.
Finally, when the Praesidium issued its December 11, 1997, letter concerning the first
set of charges against Pastor Nordlie, only certain portions of the letter were quoted by
Pastor Nordlie and others. This resulted in an inaccurate picture of the Praesidium’s
decision. Therefore, in order to avoid a repetition of this situation, the Praesidium
insists that wherever this letter of decision is shared, or referred to, the entire text
of this letter must be shared, not just selected portions from it.
The Praesidium would once again express its hope and prayer that under the blessing of
God the Holy Spirit, a restoration of peace and unity in Christ can be achieved at
Redeemer, Wayzata, and that the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will be preached and
taught purely, for the sake of both the membership of Redeemer and to all those in their
community and the world at large.
The Praesidium of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
President A. L. Barry
First Vice-President Robert T. Kuhn
Second Vice-President Robert King
Third Vice-President William C. Weinrich
Fourth Vice-President Roger Pittelko
Fifth Vice-President Wallace Schulz