Benke-Matzat VS. Schultz At Suncoast Casino, Las Vegas

Rev. Jack Cascione

A Las Vegas casino was not the location to expect the most intensive
doctrinal debate in the LCMS since the 1974 St. Louis Seminary Walk-Out, but
this was a conference of contrasts.

For three days my wife and I walked through a vast maze of slot machines,
dice tables, roulette wheels, Black Jack tables, and thong-buttock and
fishnet-leg hostesses, into a room where an outstanding theological
convocation was being held.  We worshipped, prayed, studied God's Word, sang
hymns, and heard eight young ladies from Faith Lutheran High School sing
choral selections.

The controversy is about LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick giving Atlantic
District President David Benke permission to participate and pray in a civic
worship service with heathen clergy, sponsored by Mayor Rudy Gulianni at
Yankee Stadium.

This writer has attended hundreds of Synodical, district, seminary, and
pastoral conferences, symposiums, convocations, and conventions in the LCMS
since 1968.  None of them matched the drama and intensity of the Suncoast
Convocation.  At first I didn't want to go, but now, I will be talking about
it for the rest of my life.

On February 16-19, 2004, the Pacific Southwest District of the Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod sponsored The "National Theological Conference" at the
Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

During his presentation, Second Vice President of the LCMS, Rev. Dr. Wallace
Schulz, announced that as an official District Convocation, this was "a
meeting of the Synod in this place."  Three LCMS District Presidents and one
Emeritus District President attended and/or spoke at the Convocation.

Schulz also stated that the Pacific Southwest District should be commended
for inviting Atlantic District President David Benke, Rev. Don Matzat,
Southern Illinois District President Herbert Mueller and himself to talk
about Yankee Stadium.  This is the first time that Benke and Schulz
discussed the issues of Resolution 307A in a public forum open to all LCMS
pastors and lay people since the decision by the Dispute Resolution Panel
absolved Benke of all charges.

As the Lord would have it, former St. Louis Concordia Seminary President,
John Tietjen, who led the 1974 Seminary Walk-Out, died the day before the
Convocation began.

Schulz, Benke, Matzat, and Mueller each spoke on Tuesday, again on
Wednesday, and then they participated in a panel discussion on Thursday.
There were about 140 pastors and lay people in attendance, 8 to a table.
Each table spoke among themselves and individuals were given the opportunity
to ask questions directly to the presenters from microphones on the floor.

The speakers were articulate, well informed, intense, passionate, and to the
point.  Nothing was settled, but the issues were clarified and positions
hardened.

Briefly stated, these are the positions of the four main presenters:

Atlantic District President David Benke believes that God wants LCMS pastors
to participate and offer prayers in public civic events like Yankee Stadium
with heathen clergy, including Moslem clerics.  He explains that syncretism
(worship with clergy of different faiths) of any kind is not possible in
government sponsored worship events.  Syncretism is only possible within the
church.  Benke says that Resolution 307A, adopted by the 2001 LCMS
Convention, gives LCMS pastors the option to offer prayers with heathen
clergy, in civic events.

Reverend Don Matzat believes that the Lutheran Confessions clearly teach
that heathens, such as Moslems, worship the true God according to the
"natural law" in the First Article of the Apostles' Creed.  Articles, such
as one in the Concordia Journal, twist the Confessions when they claim
Luther didn't teach this.  The LCMS has always participated in civic worship
when we say "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance, sing "God Bless
 America" at sporting events, display the United States flag in our
churches, etc.

Vice President Wallace Schulz states that 307A is a "study" document that is
only addressing prayer and worship events with Christian clergy.  It is not
the official position of the Synod on fellowship.  The Bible is the final
word.  First Corinthians 10:14 and following clearly teaches us to "flee
idolatry."  His conscience will not allow him to agree with Benke.

Southern Illinois District President Herbert Mueller said that we must deal
with each other as brothers in repentance and absolution.  We must follow
the Scriptures.  He has not yet made up his mind on the issues that divide
Benke and Schulz.

An electronic copy of the presentation handouts on CD can be ordered from
concord@cableone.net for a fee of five dollars.

On a number of occasions, several speakers asked rhetorically, "If the case
has been settled, then why are we talking about it?"  The answer was
obvious, but never given.  We are talking about it because a three-man
Dispute Resolution Panel cannot decide the case for the LCMS Convention.
Whether or not LCMS pastors should pray or not pray at the same podium with
Moslem clergy in civic worship events, will be a deciding factor in the
reelection of President Gerald Kieschnick.

The Yankee Stadium event has similarities to the issue of gay marriage in
the United States.  After 225 years we learn from four Massachusetts Supreme
Court Judges, with no vote from the people, that the US Constitution has
always permitted gay marriage.  Suddenly, after the 157 years, Gerald
Kieschnick tells us that it has always been the position of the LCMS, based
on the Bible, for its pastors to participate in prayers with Moslem clerics
in civic events.

In 1974, the two main opponents in the "Battle for the Bible" were Synodical
President Jacob Preus and Seminary President John Tietjen.  In 2004, in the
Battle for the Church, David Benke is every bit as winsome, well spoken, and
urbane as John Tietjen, and Wallace Schulz is as articulate and
theologically astute as Jacob Preus.

There is much to be said about the Convocation that will be covered in
future articles.

The Suncoast Convocation demonstrated that the LCMS is doctrinally divergent
and pluralistic. Some pastors at my table didn't feel free to speak until I
promised that I would not file charges and wouldn't name names.  One pastor
told me, "What happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas." We all laughed.

All were agreed, except myself that President Arthur Scherer was correct in
his presentation when he illustrated that orthodoxy and mission are at
opposite poles.  It appears the COP majority believes that Jesus was a
"liberal."

Nearly all at the table thought it was pharisaic for me to only serve
Communion to LCMS Lutherans, though I have served members of the Wisconsin
Synod.

Two pastors told me it was pharisaic for me to claim that Luther's Small
Catechism is the correct interpretation of Scripture.  Another pastor
pointed out and that Pieper was incorrect when he identified the Bible as
the Word of God instead of Christ alone.  I was also told that the
Athanasian Creed is not ecumenical, and is therefore, not the official
position of the LCMS.

At least three speakers at the podium referenced the possible break-up of
the LCMS, but who will take on the 200 million dollar debt?

Gerald Kieschnick has no intention of addressing or stopping the doctrinal
differences in the LCMS.  Rather, his approach is to silence those who point
out the differences.

The Synod has become more important than what it teaches.

February 21, 2004