LLL Claims Neutrality But Sides With Kieschnick & Benke
By Rev. Jack Cascione

Resolution 3-07A Does Not Defend a Lutheran Understanding Public Prayer With Pagans

President Kieschnick continues to claim that the 2001 Convention's adoption of RESOLUTION 3-07A, "To Commend 'The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship' and the CTCR Report on the Synodical Discussions" as support for his position against Wallace Schulz:

B. Cases Of Discretion
Not every occasion where worship takes place is necessarily a manifestation of church fellowship. There are situations where discretion is appropriate. Some laity raised concerns about attending Baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals, etc. of family and friends in churches not in church fellowship with the LCMS. . . .Pastors, teachers, and other officially recognized church workers are often asked to participate in activities outside of their own and other LCMS congregations. Some of these are civic events.

Nowhere in 3-07A is there a Lutheran Understanding of Prayer Fellowship with pagans. Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs offered public prayers before Benke prayed. In order to support Benke and Kieschnick, the LLL has to defend public prayers with devil worshipers.

LLL Code Of Ethics Opposed to LCMS Constitution

It is amazing that an auxiliary organization of the LCMS has a code of ethics that forbids an LCMS Vice President, who is acting as LCMS President, from performing the duties of his office. Perhaps the LLL should associate itself with an organization whose constitution it can support?

Benke Breaking Conditions of His Suspension?

From Texas Concord:
That Will His Friend Kieschnick Do To Stop Him?
July 31, 2002
Here is a little item in the "PSWNEWS/Fax Flash for the week of August 5-12, 2002," which was sent out today.

"PSW DCE CONFERENCE, WYNDHAM HOTEL, PALM SPRINGS, CA, Oct. 14-16
Don't miss keynote speaker Rev. Dr. David Benke. Look for registration materials in August. Contact: Bonnie Hicks, 805-498-2217."

(Editorial Note from Rev. Al Loeschman: No doubt there will be some legalistic explanation from the offices of both the synod president and Benke as to why this is not against his suspension. It may be called a "civic event" just to cover their tails. If this is the procedure followed, as many suspect, it will show just what a perverse leadership we have.

Why can't the pastors and people of the LCMS see that this is worldly behavior, contrary to the spirit and letter of God's will? Has Satan deceived so many among us? I hate to think of the answer to that question.)

How Could Kieschnick Give Benke Permission To Do What He Was Not Invited To Do?

Rick Strickert replies to questions raised by Herman Otten:

Reverend Herman Otten raised two interesting questions to this writer. On the one hand, how could Molly Ziegler write in the Wall Street Journal on Friday, July 19, 2002 that Benke was not invited to speak at Yankee Stadium but wormed his way in to the ceremony? On the other hand, how could President Kieschnick give Benke permission to participate in Yankee Stadium when Benke was never formerly invited?

Strickert replies:

According to Benke's own account he was invited after he had lobbied through a series of phone calls on Sept. 20. However, the invitation was contingent on submitting to and being approved by an FBI clearance procedure (after all, as Benke groupies claim, it was a 'civic event';-) Benke had earlier noted that he had not been cleared, as other clerics had, to see Pres. Bush the previous Friday.

Benke apparently was pre-screened to get into the Yankee locker room on Sunday, the 23rd, but he was NOT on the final approval list read by the FBI representative. Benke's Protestant group leader ' thought that maybe I should just wait in the dugout when the rest went out and they would call me later.'

Benke ignore his leader's suggestion and FBI security and snuck on the field clutching Cardinal Egan's arm. Benke even states he was concerned that the security people might 'throw me off the field.'

That he was not on the list of final approved participants to be on the field is confirmed again by Benke's noting that a chair had to be found for him to sit in.

What an embarrassment Benke is to the Missouri Synod!

Rick Strickert, Austin, TX, carlvehse@hotmail.com

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.

August 2, 2002