The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 13, 2001

Table of Contents

Letters and documentation regarding Atlantic District President David Benke's participation in the New York City interfaith prayer service, "A Prayer for America," on Sunday, September 23, 2001:

Page Date Content

2 Sept. 24 Initial letter

3-4 Sept. 24 Documentation: President Benke's participation in NYC Prayer Service

5 Sept. 26 Documentation: "Benke apologizes to Synod"

6-7 Sept. 30 Letter: "The Errorist Attack on the Gospel"

8-10 Oct. 1 Documentation: Discrepancies between what President Benke actually said and the Benke-Kieschnick website version

11-13 Oct. 3 Documentation: "How many Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc.?" (The Order of Service)

14-16 Oct. 4 Documentation: "President Benke's need to convince us of his integrity"

17-18 Oct. 9 Documentation: Benke, Kieschnick participate in joint worship with ELCA

19 Oct.10 Documentation: "A Prayer for America": "Event" or "Service"?

20 Oct. 11 Documentation: Benke's comments as he meets again with ELCA

21 Oct. 11 Letter: Why don't Benke and Kieschnick post transcript and link?

22-25 Oct. 12 Letter: Commentary on DayStar article, "Missouri Synod Responds to Terrorism"

26-27 Oct. 13 Letter: Invoking Dr. Barry; Benke's ELCA comments; Videotape of Prayer Service

28-30 Oct. 13 Documentation (and closing comment): Readings on Unionism and Syncretism

May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of the Church, grant you wisdom as you consider this matter. For the sake of the clear confession of the Gospel of Christ, The Rev. Charles Henrickson

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr.

Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net

(314) 351-2098

District President David Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick

Vice-President Daniel Preus

Vice-President Wallace Schulz

Vice-President Robert King

Vice-President Paul Maier

Vice-President William Weinrich

September 24, 2001

Dear sirs,

In regard to President Benke's participation in the New York City Prayer Service on Sunday, September 23, 2001:

This is the clearest case of, not merely unionism, but downright syncretism in the history of our synod! And on a grand scale, with millions watching!

The gospel is not served, it is not confessed--indeed, the gospel is eviscerated!--when Jesus Christ is presented as one of many options from which to choose on a smorgasbord of "spirituality." This has always been our synod's confessional position.

If President Benke's participation in this service is not grounds for his removal, especially in light of his "previous offenses," I don't know what is. If President Kieschnick does not seek to remove him from office, then I can only conclude that he is in agreement with him. If this most blatant act of unionism/syncretism is allowed to stand, then the floodgates will be opened and we become indistinguishable from the mainline liberal denominations. A weak "apology" ("I'm sorry if some of you misunderstood my actions") will not do. This calls for removal from office.

We must not let this slide.

On the next page is the documentation of President Benke's participation.

For the sake of the clear confession of the gospel of Christ,

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

President Benke was introduced by the Rev. Calvin Butts, who identified him as "the Rev. Dr. David Benke, who is President of the Atlantic District of the Lutheran Church, the Missouri Synod." President Benke, in clerical garb, then said:

Oh, we're stronger now than we were an hour ago. And you know, my sisters and brothers, we're not nearly as strong as we're going to be. And the strength we have is the power of love. And the power of love you have received is from God, for God is love. So take the hand of one next to you now and join me in prayer on this "field of dreams" turned into God's house of prayer:

O Lord our God, we're leaning on You today. You are our Tower of Strength, and we're leaning on You. You are our Mighty Fortress, our God who is a Rock; in You do we stand. Those of us who bear the name of Christ know that You stood so tall when You stooped down to send a Son through death and life to bring us back together, and we lean on You today.

O Tower of Strength, be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones; bring them closer to us day by day.

O Heavenly Father, we pray at this time that You might extend Jacob's ladder for those who ascended the stairways to save us, as others escaped the fire and flames.

O Tower of Strength, open innocent and victimized hearts to the sacrifice of the Innocent One; pour Your consolation upon the traumatized, especially our children.

O Heavenly Father, un-bind, un-fear, un-scorch, un-sear our souls; renew us in Your free Spirit. We're leaning on You, our Tower of Strength. We find our refuge in the shadow of Your shelter. Lead us from this place--strong--to bring forth the power of Your love, wherever we are.

In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

New York City Prayer Service: Beginning at 2:14:41

http://www.cspan.org

Watch New York City Prayer Service: Beginning at 2:05:22

http://www.msnbc.com/news/628163.asp?cp1=1

Thousands flock to N.Y. service: Yankee Stadium ceremony is led by Winfrey, Jones

MSNBC STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 -- Yankee Stadium became a cathedral, mosque and synagogue Sunday as some 20,000 people came for a interfaith service to remember the victims of terrorism. "We need faith, wisdom and strength of soul," said New York's Roman Catholic archbishop.

THE SERVICE -- billed as "A Prayer for America" -- came as the number of missing at the World Trade Center climbed still higher to 6,453.

The service mixed solemn words with patriotic and inspirational songs, culminating in Lee Greenwood's rendition of "God Bless the USA." The crowd waved flags, sang along and shouted "USA! USA!" at the close of the service.

The Rev. David Benke, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Atlantic District, said it was a day when "the field of dreams turned into God's house of prayer."

One after another, members of the clergy -- Jews, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, Sikhs, Greek Orthodox -- stepped up to offer prayers. . . .

http://web.journalgazette.net/content/fwgazette/2001/09/24/news/24i_2a_nws_memorial.htm

Faiths gather to share grief: Yankee Stadium's 'field of dreams' turned into 'God's house of prayer'

By Joel Stashenko, Associated Press

NEW YORK - Representatives of New York's broad spectrum of faiths took the field of Yankee Stadium on Sunday for a flag-draped gathering of prayer for the victims of terrorism. "We need faith, wisdom and strength of soul," said New York's Roman Catholic archbishop.

The service - billed as "A Prayer for America" - mixed solemn words with patriotic and inspirational songs, culminating in Lee Greenwood's rendition of "God Bless the USA." The crowd waved their flags, sang along and shouted "USA! USA!" at its close.

Still, said the Rev. David Benke, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Atlantic District, it was a day when "the field of dreams turned into God's house of prayer."

One after another, members of the clergy - Jews, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Protestants, Sikhs, Greek Orthodox - stepped up to offer prayers. . . .

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/news/12702C8BA022E8A186256AD1003728CB?OpenDocument&highlight=2%2Cprayer?opendocument&headline=Religious%20leaders,%20entertainers%20lead%20Yankee%20Stadium%20crowd%20in%20prayer

Religious leaders, entertainers lead Yankee Stadium crowd in prayer

By Frances Robles, Elisa Ung and Jennifer Autrey, Knight Ridder Newspapers

The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.

NEW YORK - REFLECTION AND PRAYER

America mourned its dead and missing on Sunday, focusing its attention on a podium at second base at Yankee Stadium, which for two hours became the anguished heart of a nation in pain.

In the largest memorial service since the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, the event called "A Prayer for America" brought together about 16,000 people to remember, to honor and to pray.

From the first strains of "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" and the opening statement by actor James Earl Jones, the message of the moment was clear: In the midst of horrendous loss, even in the depths of sadness, Americans believe they can find their way back to hope.

"We need faith, wisdom and strength of soul," said New York's Roman Catholic archbishop.

The service mixed solemn words with patriotic and inspirational songs, culminating in Lee Greenwood's rendition of "God Bless the USA."

Many in the crowd cuddled teddy bears donated by St. Louis area residents. They waved their flags, sang along and shouted "USA! USA!" at its close.

The Rev. David Benke, president of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Atlantic District, said Sunday was a day when "the field of dreams turned into God's house of prayer."

One after another, members of the clergy - Greek Orthodox, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Protestants, Roman Catholics and Sikhs - stepped up to offer prayers. . . .

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr.

Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net

(314) 351-2098

District President David Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick

Vice-President Daniel Preus

Vice-President Wallace Schulz

Vice-President Robert King

Vice-President Paul Maier

Vice-President William Weinrich

Secretary Raymond Hartwig

Board of Directors (Secretary Hartwig and Board also to receive copy of previous letter from 9/24)

September 26, 2001

Who said it?

My participation in this service was a direct violation of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and consequently, violation of the Constitution, Bylaws and doctrinal resolutions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I also recognize that my participation in this interfaith prayer service was a violation of my duties and responsibilities as an elected officer of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

While well-intended, what I did was wrong. I therefore sincerely and publicly apologize to the Synod for my actions in this connection. I assure the Synod that I will not repeat this error in the future by participating as an officiant in ecumenical services.

It was Atlantic District President David Benke, in his signed apology of October 22, 1998, after he had participated in a prayer service in New York City on September 9, 1998--a service similar to that of September 23, 2001.

Here is the link to the story, "BENKE APOLOGIZES TO SYNOD OVER PRAYER SERVICE," LCMSNews, Nov. 20, 1998:

http://www.cuis.edu/ftp/lcmsnews/999581-BENKE_APOLOGIZES_TO_SYNOD.-981120

If you cannot access that link, then go to:

http://www.lcms.org

Click: NEWS & EVENTS Find: Past News Click: Archive of Past News Stories

Scroll down to:

999581-BENKE_APOLOGIZES_TO_SYNOD.-981120, 5 Kb, Fri Nov 20 15:12:15 1998

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr.

Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net

(314) 351-2098

District President David Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick

Vice-President Daniel Preus

Vice-President Wallace Schulz

Vice-President Robert King

Vice-President Paul Maier

Vice-President William Weinrich

Secretary Raymond Hartwig

Board of Directors

September 30, 2001

The Errorist Attack on the Gospel

It was one week ago today that the Errorist Attack on the Gospel took place in New York's Yankee Stadium. On that day, "The House That Ruth Built" was turned into "The House That Truth Forgot." The religious leaders assembled there made for the people a golden calf fashioned out of unionism and syncretism. They built for themselves a tower that they thought would reach to the heavens. But their "Field of Dreams" was only a "Field of Vain Imaginations."

The Errorist Attack on the Gospel was an attack on the Twin Towers of Truth and Love. For it is not truthful, it is not loving, for a Christian minister to affirm the ministrations of the heterodox and the heathen by saying, "Oh, we're stronger now than we were an hour ago." It is not truthful, it is not loving, for a Christian minister to address Hindus, Jews, Muslims, and Sikhs as "my sisters and brothers." It is not truthful, it is not loving, to call such an assembly, "God's house of prayer," and to lead that congregation in prayer.

It is not truthful, it is not loving, to hide the light of the Gospel under a bushel. Using a vague prayer filled with ambiguous language ("O Tower of Strength," "a Son/son," "the Innocent One/one"); inserting the phrase, "Those of us who bear the name of Christ"; and tacking on, "In the precious name of Jesus," at the end--that is not enough to get the job done.

No, it is not truthful, it is not loving, for a Christian minister to hide the light of the Gospel under a bushel. For there was no renunciation--indeed, only affirmation--of the errors previously spoken by clerics of the various heterodox bodies and false religions. There was no call to turn from false gods. There was no preaching of who the One True God is. There was no confession of the exclusive claims of Christ and salvation in him alone. What was not said spoke volumes.

Does this ambiguity and reticence in the face of false teaching and idolatry--does this agree with the words and examples of the prophets and apostles and of Christ himself?

I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols. (Isa. 42:8)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? (2 Cor. 6:14-16)

Finally, it is not truthful, it is not loving, for an officer of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod to take part in such a unionistic, syncretistic service. To do so is to act contrary to the conditions of membership in that synod, one of which requires, "renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description" (Article VI). And it is especially not truthful and not loving to persist in such offensive conduct after previous admonition (Article XIII). In this case, the synodical officer was previously admonished, and he signed an apology (10/22/98) in which he himself admitted that his conduct was a "direct violation" of Scriptures, Confessions, and Constitution, and in which he assured the Synod that he would not "repeat this error in the future."

Therefore I call for the removal from office of the Rev. David Benke as President of the Atlantic District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

I also call on Synodical President Gerald Kieschnick to retract his approval and defense of District President Benke's conduct in this matter.

For the sake of the clear confession of the Gospel of Christ,

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

October 1, 2001

Addendum The Rev. Charles Henrickson

There are many discrepancies between what President Benke actually said and the version posted at the websites of President Benke and President Kieschnick. Most of those discrepancies are minor. However, there are a few discrepancies that are more significant:

What he said: "my sisters and brothers"

Website: "sisters and brothers"

What he said: "God's house of prayer" (or "God's House of Prayer")

Website: "a House of Prayer"

What he said: "our God who is a Rock; in You do we stand"

Website: "the Rock of our Salvation, and our Strong Deliverer"

What he said: "a Son" (or "a son")

Website: "your Son"

What he said: "through death and life"

Website: "to die and live again"

What he said: "to bring us back together"

Website: "in order to bring the world back together"

What he said: "O Tower of Strength, be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones; bring them closer to us day by day"

Website: "We implore You in tender mercy to comfort with signs of Your Presence those who mourn the lost and missing and cannot find you now in the ashes"

Below are the links to find both the audio/video of what President Benke actually said and the Benke-Kieschnick website version.

The audio and video and what President Benke actually said:

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

RealPlayer: New York City Prayer Service

Introduction by the Rev. Calvin Butts, beginning at 2:14:41

President Benke's remarks and prayer, 2:15:00 - 2:16:57

President Benke's website:

http://www.ad-lcms.org/wtc_message.html

President Kieschnick's website:

http://www.lcms.org/president/pdf/benke.pdf

Below are the texts of what President Benke actually said and the website version:

WHAT PRESIDENT BENKE ACTUALLY SAID:

O Tower of Strength, be with those who mourn the loss of loved ones; bring them closer to us day by day.

O Heavenly Father, we pray at this time that You might extend Jacob's ladder for those who ascended the stairways to save us, as others escaped the fire and flames.

O Tower of Strength, open innocent and victimized hearts to the sacrifice of the Innocent One; pour Your consolation upon the traumatized, especially our children.

In the precious name of Jesus. Amen.

THE BENKE-KIESCHNICK WEBSITE VERSION:

We're stronger now than we were an hour ago; but sisters and brothers, we are not as strong now as we are going to be. The strength we have is the power of love, and love comes from God, for God is love. Our task is to take that love from this place into our communities, one by one.

Join me now in prayer on this field of dreams which has now become a House of Prayer -

Lord, we are leaning on You today, for You are our Tower of Strength. We are leaning on you, for you are our Mighty Fortress, the Rock of our Salvation, and our Strong Deliverer.

Those of us who bear the Name of Christ understand that your towering love found its ultimate strength when you stooped to send your Son to die and live again in order to bring the world back together.

We implore You in tender mercy to comfort with signs of Your Presence those who mourn the lost and missing and cannot find you now in the ashes; unbind, unfear, unscorch, unsear our souls; renew us with your free Spirit.

O Tower of Strength, extend Jacob's ladder for those who ascended the stairways to save us even as others escaped the fire and flames,

O Tower of Strength, open innocent and victimized hearts to the sacrifice of the Innocent one; pour out your consolation upon the traumatized, especially our children;

O Tower of Strength, unite us now across all boundaries in acts of grace and truth in this great city; guide and empower with wisdom especially our religious and civic leaders;

O Tower of Strength, we are leaning on You today; keep us in the shadow of Your shelter, and send us forth to walk in peace,

In Jesus' Precious Name. Amen.

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr.

Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net

(314) 351-2098

District President David Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick

Vice-President Daniel Preus

Vice-President Wallace Schulz

Vice-President Robert King

Vice-President Paul Maier

Vice-President William Weinrich

Secretary Raymond Hartwig

Board of Directors

October 3, 2001

On his website, LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick wrote:

. . . on Sunday, September 23, 2001 thousands of people gathered in Yankee Stadium in New York City for a program entitled "A Prayer for America," led by Christians, at least one Muslim, and a number of public figures and officials.

So just how many Muslims were there leading the service? How many Jews? Sikhs? Hindus? (Not to mention Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc.) By my count, according to the publicity below, the following 22 clerics performed religious acts in this service:

2 Roman Catholics

6 Jews

1 Sikh

4 Muslims

1 Methodist

1 Reformed

1 Episcopalian

2 Baptists

1 Armenian Church

1 Lutheran

1 Greek Orthodox

1 Hindu

Newsday.com

September 23, 2001

"Uniting in Prayer: Yankee Stadium to host massive interfaith service"

http://www.newsday.com/features/religion/ny-nymain232380683sep23.story?coll=ny%2Dreligion%2Dheadlines

MAYOR RUDOLPH W. GIULIANI AND THE CITY OF NEW YORK HOST:

A PRAYER FOR AMERICA

SUNDAY, SEPT. 23, 2001, YANKEE STADIUM

A Prayer for America, a memorial service at Yankee Stadium hosted by the City of New York, begins today at 2:30 p.m. No program was to be distributed at the stadium, but this is rundown of the service that can be clipped out and taken along. . . .

INTRODUCTION: James Earl Jones

WELCOME: Oprah Winfrey

PRESENTATION OF COLORS: Admiral Robert Natter, Cmdr. in Chief, Atlantic Fleet

New York City Inter-Agency Uniformed Color Guard

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Joint Military Color Guard

SINGING OF THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

Police Officer Danny Rodriguez, Sgt. Kim Royster, Police Officer Ann Marie Moloney

INVOCATIONS

His Eminence Edward Cardinal Egan, Archbishop of New York

Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Fire Department Chaplain

BLOWING OF THE SHOFAR

Rabbi Haskel Lookstein

JEWISH PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Prayer for the Country: Rabbi Arthur Schneier

Prayer for the Families: Rabbi Alvin Kass, NYPD Chaplain

Reflection: Rabbi Marc Gellman, President, NY Board of Rabbis

Reading Psalm 23: Rabbi Joy Levitt

Ave Maria: Placido Domingo with the Amor-Artis Chorus and Orchestra

REMARKS

Mayor Rudolph Giuliani

RINGING OF THE BELL

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

CATHOLIC PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Reading: Roman 8:38-39 in Spanish: Griselda Cuevas, Incarnation Parish, Manhattan

Romans 8:36-39 in English: Firefighter George Reece

Reflection and Prayer: The Most Rev. Thomas V. Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn

SIKH PRAYER/REFLECTION

Dr. Inberjit Singh, Sikh Temple, Richmond Hills

Lift Every Voice and Sing: The Boys Choir of Harlem, The Girls Choir of Harlem

REMARKS

Gov. George Pataki

ADHAN CALL TO PRAYER BY THE MUEZZIN

Brother Abdul Wali Y. Shaheed

Translated by Sister Zaimah Sabree, Masjid Malcolm Shabazz

MUSLIM PRAYER AND REFLECTION

Prayer: Imam Fajri Ansari

Prayer: Imam Muhammad Shamsi-Ali

Reflection: Imam Izak-EL M. Pasha, NYPD chaplain,

with Lt. Sharif Nasef and Officer Adil Almonpaser

"Wind Beneath My Wings": Bette Midler

RINGING OF THE BELL

The Rev. Earnest Lyght, Bishop, Council of Churches of the City of New York

Prayer and Reflection

Reading of Psalm 34:1-8: The Rev. Carolyn Holloway

Prayer: The Right Rev. Mark Siak [Sisk]

Reading of Matthew 5:3-12: The Rev. James Forbes

Prayer: His Eminence Archbishop Anania Arapajinn, Armenian Church in America

Reflection: Rev. Calvin Butts, president, Council of Churches of the City of New York

Prayer: Rev. David Benke

"God Bless the USA": Lee Greenwood

BENEDICTIONS

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrious, Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America

Pandit Roop Sukhram, Hindu Sreeraam Temple, Brooklyn

"America the Beautiful"

The Amor-Artis Chorus and Orchestra with Police Officer Danny Rodriguez

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr.

Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net

(314) 351-2098

District President David Benke

LCMS President Gerald Kieschnick

Assistant Jon Braunersreuther (with copies of previous 13 pages of material)

Vice-President Daniel Preus

Vice-President Wallace Schulz

Vice-President Robert King

Vice-President Paul Maier

Vice-President William Weinrich

Secretary Raymond Hartwig

Board of Directors

October 4, 2001

President Benke's need to convince us of his integrity

In his statement at his website

http://www.lcms.org/president/pdf/benke.pdf

President Kieschnick quotes a portion of a document entitled, "The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: A Report on Synodical Discussions" (from pages 11-12 of the report or page 50 of the 2001 Convention Workbook).

http://www.lcms.org/ctcr/docs/pdf/chfellfinal.pdf

In the paragraph immediately following the portion quoted by President Kieschnick, that same report goes on to say (on page 13 of the report or pages 50-51 of the workbook):

Where pastors . . . are convinced of one another's integrity. . . .

It seems that President Benke needs to do more to convince his fellow pastors of his integrity. Here are four examples that demonstrate this.

First:

In spite of Article VI, 2, of the LCMS Constitution, which requires as a condition of membership in the Synod, "renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description," on September 9, 1998, President Benke participated in an interfaith prayer service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

Second:

On October 22, 1998, President Benke signed this sincere public apology and assurance to the Synod:

http://www.cuis.edu/ftp/lcmsnews/999581-BENKE_APOLOGIZES_TO_SYNOD.-981120

(also at: http://www.lcms.org , NEWS & EVENTS, Past News, Archive of Past News Stories

999581-BENKE_APOLOGIZES_TO_SYNOD.-981120, 5 Kb, Fri Nov 20 15:12:15 1998)

However, at some point after October 22, 1998, President Benke posted on the Atlantic District website--and still has posted--a lengthy defense of his actions:

http://www.ad-lcms.org/news.html

Under "A Blessed Epiphany in the Name of Christ," President Benke writes:

To those of you upset by the response of the Praesidium of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod either in asking for an apology for my actions or by the way in which the apology was required, to you I respond by stating that I have come to understand the motivations of the leadership of my church body. They have accepted my involvement as having good intentions. I intend to move on.

To those of you who have asked why I signed the apology presented, for conscience' sake, to you I respond by stating simply that the apology has been signed. I intend to move on and fulfill my good intentions.

And under "THE SCANDAL IS IN THE SPECIFICS: The Good Intention of My Participation In an Interfaith Prayer Service for the Poor," President Benke refers to:

The preparer of the apology I signed as a result of my participation in this service. . . .

In these statements, President Benke seems to be distancing himself from his own sincere public apology and assurance.

Third:

In spite of his previous sincere public apology and assurance, on September 23, 2001, President Benke repeated his error and once again participated in an interfaith prayer service, this time at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

RealPlayer: New York City Prayer Service

Introduction by the Rev. Calvin Butts, beginning at 2:14:41

President Benke's remarks and prayer, 2:15:00 - 2:16:57

Fourth, and not as serious as the previous three:

On September 24, 2001, I sent an e-mail to President Benke (and to LCMS President Kieshnick and Vice-Presidents Preus, Schulz, Maier, and Weinrich, and since then, postal letters to them and also to Vice-President King, Secretary Hartwig, and the Board of Directors), which included an exact transcript of what President Benke actually said and a link to where the audio/video could be heard.

On October 1, I sent an e-mail to President Benke (and to LCMS President Kieshnick and Vice-Presidents Preus, Schulz, Maier, and Weinrich, and since then, postal letters to them and also to Vice-President King, Secretary Hartwig, and the Board of Directors), which included: 1) again, an exact transcript of what President Benke actually said and a link to the audio/video; 2) the version appearing on the websites of President Benke and President Kieschnick; and 3) a comparison pointing out some of the many discrepancies between what President Benke actually said and the Benke-Kieschnick website version.

On the morning of October 2, I received an e-mail (as did President Kieschnick and Vice-Presidents Preus, Schulz, Maier, and Weinrich) from President Benke, in which he thanked me for pointing out the differences between the actual audio/video and the website version.

However, as of now, on the afternoon of October 4--eleven days after the event, ten days after he was sent a transcript and a link to the audio/video, three days after he was informed of the discrepancies, two days after he acknowledged those differences--President Benke still is posting the same version on his website:

http://www.ad-lcms.org/wtc_message.html

(President Kieschnick also still is posting the same version.)

Now perhaps President Benke has been too busy to request someone in his office to take a few moments and paste in the more accurate version he was sent. But one would think that, given the high degree of interest in this matter and the fact that more and more people are finding out more and more about it every day--one would think that President Benke would want to present the most accurate information available to the visitors to his website. (The same holds true for President Kieschnick.)

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

(New addressees receiving previous pages also)

October 9, 2001

Documentation: Benke, Kieschnick participate in joint worship with ELCA

From the ELCA website:

http://listserv.elca.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0109&L=elcanews&P=R1213

http://listserv.elca.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0109&L=elcanews&D=1&H=1&O=D&F=&S=&P=1807

"Costs of New York Lutheran Disaster Response Effort High"

September 21, 2001

LUTHERAN LEADERS, STAFF MEET TO OFFER MUTUAL SUPPORT

The Rev. H. George Anderson, ELCA presiding bishop, Chicago, and the Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president, St. Louis, traveled to New York to show support for local church leaders. Bouman and the Rev. David H. Benke, president of the LCMS Atlantic District, have been working together to respond to human needs following the attacks. The ELCA and LCMS leaders met at the Interchurch Center in Manhattan. . . .

"We will work together to the maximum possible degree as Lutherans," Benke said. "We'll focus on what unites us as we proclaim the Gospel."

LEADERS AND MEMBERS GATHER TO SHARE STORIES, PRAY AND WORSHIP

Lutheran clergy and members from the ELCA and LCMS met together Sept. 18 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation in Manhattan. They shared information, prayed and worshiped together, in a rare show of unity between the two Lutheran denominations. Also attending were at least five ELCA synod bishops from nearby synods and several LCMS district presidents.

Kieschnick told the pastors. . . .

"Everything is connected and nothing is connected," Benke said at worship, adding the differences that separate the ELCA and LCMS "seem so trivial."

http://www.elca.org/dcs/disaster/sept11.html#Sept.20

"September 11 Attack: Sept. 20 report"

September 20, 2001

"Everything is connected, nothing is connected. Everything fits, nothing fits," President Benke reflected during two packed worship services in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, West Central Park.

Audio/video clip of joint worship service:

http://media.elca.org/ramgen/videonews/newyorktrip.rm

RealPlayer: newyorktrip.rm

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 10, 2001

Documentation: "A Prayer for America": "Event" or "Service"?

Is it reasonable to call "A Prayer for America" an "interfaith prayer service"? On his website, President Kieschnick calls it a "program" and an "event." President Benke, on his website, calls it an "interfaith event." Did "A Prayer for America" have only a few of the characteristics of a religious service, or did it have many?

"A Prayer for America" was publicized as an "interfaith service" and a "memorial service." It was referred to several times during the service as "today's service." President Benke called it "God's House of Prayer." It was reported in the media as an "interfaith service," "the service," "memorial service," and "New York City Prayer Service."

The service consisted of approximately 34 elements or acts. (See the order of service included in the Oct. 3 documentation, "How many Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, Hindus, Baptists, Roman Catholics, etc.?") The service included 28 religious acts, at least 22 of which were done by clergy. The service had invocations, religious ceremonies, scripture readings, "reflections," prayers, and benedictions, almost all done by clergy. According to the order of service, approximately 22 clerics from various religions performed religious acts. Also, there were remarks from two political leaders. During the service, two religious hymns were sung. Also, there was one patriotic song and one secular song. (Before and after the service, there were two more patriotic songs.)

The master of ceremonies, Oprah Winfrey, is well-known for promoting her brand of "spirituality." During the service, Winfrey told the assembly:

You know, I believe that when you lose a loved one, you gain an angel whose name you know. Over 6000, and counting, angels added to the spiritual roster these past two weeks. It is my prayer that they will keep us in their sight with a direct line to our hearts. May we all leave this place and not let one single life have passed in vain. May we leave this place determined to now use every moment that we have lived to turn up the volume in our own lives, to create deeper meaning, to know what really matters. What really matters is who you love and how you love. . . .

Audio/video of New York City Prayer Service:

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 11, 2001

Documentation: Benke's comments as he meets again with ELCA

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

October 11, 2001

ELCA BISHOPS RESPOND TO SEPT. 11 ATTACKS, AFTERMATH

01-251-JB

http://listserv.elca.org/cgi-bin/wa.exe?A2=ind0110&L=elcanews&D=1&H=1&O=D&F=&S=&P=1434

UPDATES FROM LEADERS IN METRO NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

Before their formal response was adopted, the bishops heard from church leaders in metropolitan New York and Washington, D.C. on Oct. 5. Among those who spoke to them was the Rev. David H. Benke, president of the Atlantic District, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Benke and the Rev. Stephen P. Bouman, bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod, have worked together through Lutheran Disaster Response (LDR) to provide a unified response in New York.

"It feels way too good to be here," Benke said, acknowledging it was unusual for an LCMS leader to address the ELCA Conference of Bishops. Benke said he was proud of the support and prayers he has received from the Rev. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS president, since the attacks.

From the start, Bouman and he agreed that Lutherans would respond together, Benke said. "Steve and I have done something against the grain," he said.

Since the attacks, it has been important that church leaders proclaim the gospel of hope, Benke said. "If we don't bring the gospel to that, what good are we?" he said. "We've been placed here for this moment."

Noting the theological differences between the ELCA and LCMS, Benke said it was unfortunate that it was a tragic event that brought the two churches together.

"If this is what it took to bring us together in prayer, we should be ashamed," he told the ELCA bishops. "I am ashamed about that."

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 11, 2001

Letter: Why don't Benke and Kieschnick post transcript and link?

In regard to President Benke's remarks and prayer at "A Prayer for America," both President Benke and President Kieschnick have admitted that their website version is inaccurate. Both men have--and have had for a long time--an exact transcript of Benke's words. So why don't they post the correct version instead of the inaccurate one?

Here are the facts: Benke spoke on September 23. Benke and Kieschnick were e-mailed an exact transcript of Benke's words the next day, September 24, with a print copy sent shortly thereafter. The many discrepancies (some of them significant, some less so) between the transcript and the Benke-Kieschnick website version were pointed out to them on October 1. Benke acknowledged these differences on October 2. And yet, here it is, the evening of October 11-- 18 days after "A Prayer for America," 17 days after they were given a transcript--and do Benke and Kieschnick have the correct version posted on their websites? No.

The Benke-Kieschnick website version:

http://www.ad-lcms.org/wtc_message.html

http://www.lcms.org/president/pdf/benke.pdf

The text of what Benke actually said may be found in the documentation of Sept. 24 or Oct. 1.

Furthermore, both President Benke and President Kieschnick could provide a link to the audio/video of the entire "A Prayer for America," so that people could see and hear for themselves what was said and done at Yankee Stadium: What did President Benke say? What was the context for Benke's words, that is, who were the other participants, and what did they say and do? Did this "event" have the characteristics of an interfaith prayer service? These important questions could be answered by going to the audio/video recording.

Benke and Kieschnick each provide many links at their websites. But neither provides a link to the New York City Prayer Service, a link they both have had since September 24:

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 12, 2001

Letter: Commentary on DayStar article, "Missouri Synod Responds to Terrorism"

The DayStar Network has posted at their DayStar Arising web page an article called, "Missouri Synod Responds to Terrorism" (Oct. 8, 2001). The full article may be found at:

http://www.day-star.net/ezine/terrorism_01-10-06.htm

The article defends President Benke's participation in several "inter-denominational and inter-faith events." A point-by-point response to this article will help to clarify the issues involved. (It should be noted that Benke himself has an article on DayStar Arising, in which he says he is "a participant in an e-mail network and host of conferences called 'Daystar'.") Here are excerpts from the Day-Star Arising article, "Missouri Synod Responds to Terrorism" (indented), followed by comments:

Disciples of the Lord Jesus, called to be salt in this world and shine as lights in his Name....

And if the salt loses its saltiness and comes out bland and indistinguishable, what good is it? And if the light is hidden under a bushel of politically correct phraseology, what good is it?

One of the most heartening outcomes in the aftermath, for most of us, has been the spiritual response of a nation in this time of hurt and mourning, and in particular the solidarity displayed by religious leaders from many differing faiths and traditions.

This is the problem, though: solidarity in things religious, in a "spiritual response." How can Christians display religious, spiritual solidarity with "many differing faiths"? For in reality, there are not "many differing faiths." There is the one true faith in the one true God, and there is everything else.

In the New York area, President Benke has been highly visible and actively involved. In addition to the collaboration in relief efforts with others, especially with fellow Lutherans of the ELCA, he participated in several inter-denominational and inter-faith events designed to bring assurance and consolation to people. One of these brought him together with the highly respected pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, a long-time friend and collaborator with Benke in human care concerns.

No one is criticizing President Benke (I know I'm not) for collaborative relief efforts or human care concerns. Those activities may be highly commendable, in fact. That is not the issue at hand. I am criticizing President Benke for his participation in "several inter-denominational and inter-faith events." Notice here how DayStar uses "events" instead of "services," which is what they were. The fact that these "events" are said to have been "designed to bring assurance and consolation to people" does not lessen the offense. Indeed, it increases it. For by confirming people in their idolatry and error, by giving the appearance that one religion is as good as another--this brings only false assurance and false comfort.

President Benke's tireless efforts came most spectacularly into the limelight when he delivered a brief meditational thought at the nationally televised interfaith "Prayer for America" memorial service at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, September 24. One statement he made, about the day being one when "the field of dreams turned into a house of prayer," was widely quoted in the next day's newspapers across the country, and he was identified as the LCMS's Atlantic District president.

He actually called it "God's House of Prayer," thus even more strongly affirming the acceptability of the prayers of the Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and Sikhs. Now why does DayStar not quote the rest of President Benke's "brief devotional thought," in which: he affirms the errors previously spoken ("Oh, we're stronger now than we were an hour ago"); he declares fellowship, in a religious context, with Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and Hindus ("my sisters and brothers"); and he leads those idolaters in prayer ("join me now in prayer").

One would hope that every Missouri Synod Lutheran would joyously affirm the witness of these synodical leaders to their Gospel-driven faith and their love and concern for their fellow human beings with great rejoicing and gratitude.

I do not affirm false, misleading witness. And the issue is not what is "driving" them. The issue is not their faith. The issue is the faith, that it is purely proclaimed. And don't speak to me of "love and concern" if you don't care enough about people to tell them the truth, unvarnished, in a way that clearly, unmistakably separates the one true God and Savior from the false gods being represented in that very service! And if you are not willing or able to give that kind of a clear witness in that setting, then don't go at all. At least you won't do any damage.

Pastor Benke is alleged to be guilty of a sin known in the LCMS as "unionism." Joining with persons of differing faiths in such events, it is held, must be construed as signifying that he thereby gave credence to the incorrect beliefs they hold, that is, that he condoned their error when he should have condemned it and so validated their false teachings. Even though nothing he said was incongruous with orthodox, biblical Christianity, and his prayer ended with "in Jesus' precious name," his very presence together with heterodox Christians and persons of other faiths made him guilty of "indifferentism" and "syncretism," traditional sources of great anxiety and apprehension in the synod.

So do you renounce unionism and syncretism of every description, as the LCMS consitution requires (because that's what Scripture and the Confessions teach), or do you not? Notice how DayStar puts "unionism" in quotes and describes it as though it were only a quirky LCMS hang-up. And again, "events" instead of "services." Oh, and the phrase, "it is held," implying that the author does not agree with this view. Then the minimalistic, "Even though nothing he said was incongruous with orthodox, biblical Christianity." Well, nothing he said was "congruous" with it, that's for sure. We've already pointed the problems in President Benke's "brief devotional thought." Then there is the prayer itself, with its ambiguous phrasings and its oral/aural contextual confusion. For example:

"You stooped down to send a S/s-on through death and life to bring us back together": Who is "a S/s-on"? What does it mean that he was sent "through death and life"? Is the chief benefit of this . . . whatever . . . "to bring us back together"?

"O Tower of Strength, open innocent and victimized hearts to the sacrifice of the I/i-nnocent O/o-ne": What is "the sacrifice"? Is it that of the valiant firefighter, frequently extolled in this service and even by Benke in the previous line of his prayer, or that of . . . who? Who is "the I/i-nnocent O/o-ne"? Who has "innocent hearts"? What does it mean to "open" those hearts?

Why doesn't DayStar examine Benke's devotional thought and prayer, the actual words?

Just as in our nation, however, also for the Missouri Synod these dreadful events could turn out to be productive of change for the good. One such good end would be that we re-examine the strange notion that when one celebrates the presence of God together with others, as in these public-square events in our pluralistic society, one is tacitly condoning or endorsing the divergent beliefs the others may have, and thereby compromising or watering down one's own confession.

Do we celebrate the presence of God together with idolaters? Did Moses celebrate the presence of God together with the worshipers of the golden calf? Did Elijah celebrate the presence of God together with the prophets of Baal? Did St. Paul celebrate the ignorance of the idolaters on Mars Hill when he said that God commanded them to repent and he spoke of the coming judgment? Did the holy martyrs celebrate the presence of God together with others, by merely making a few necessary concessions to their pluralistic society, or did they welcome death instead?

The Atlantic District president has stated that he is open to further discussion of this issue: "I take those comments [of persons not in agreement] very seriously as a rostered member of the LCMS," he says. "There are technical categories of exceptional circumstances as outlined in approved LCMS documents that would clearly apply to my participation."

"There is no controlling legal authority. . . ." "I did not have interfaith relations. . . ." "It all depends on what your definition of 'is' is. . . ." Don't pull a Clinton on us.

[continuing Benke's statement] "But those factors are not nearly as important to me as opening pathways to deep and lasting dialogue with those whose consciences have been offended at precisely a time when clear and open Gospel proclamation is so desperately needed. That offer is open and enduring from my end."

Dialogue this: How come neither President Benke nor DayStar mention Benke's previous sincere public apology and assurance of October 22, 1998, when he said, after being admonished for a similar incident:

"My participation in this service was a direct violation of the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, and consequently, violation of the Constitution, Bylaws and doctrinal resolutions of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I also recognize that my participation in this interfaith prayer service was a violation of my duties and responsibilities as an elected officer of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

"While well-intended, what I did was wrong. I therefore sincerely and publicly apologize to the Synod for my actions in this connection. I assure the Synod that I will not repeat this error in the future by participating as an officiant in ecumenical services."

Benke likewise has expressed the hope that this "war of words over a prayer" will not detract from the needs that are truly critical at this time. . . .

As all of the above demonstrates, this is not a mere "war of words over a prayer." This is about President Benke affirming the errors of idolaters, giving an ambiguous and unclear witness to the gospel, and betraying the trust expected when one has given his word.

Links

President David Benke's Remarks and Prayer at Yankee Stadium

President Gerald Kieschnick's Statement on the Yankee Stadium Event [PDF]

Why does DayStar link to the Benke-Kieschnick website version of Benke's words, when both men have been shown the many discrepancies between that version and what Benke actually said, and yet they fail to post the more accurate version?

For the sake of the clear confession of the gospel,

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King VP Maier VP Weinrich

Sec. Hartwig Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

October 13, 2001

Letter: Invoking Dr. Barry; Benke's ELCA comments; Videotape of Prayer Service

1) Invoking Dr. Barry

On his website and in correspondence, President Kieschnick repeatedly has invoked the sainted President A. L. Barry (by name or by title), thus implying that Dr. Barry would have agreed with him and approved of President Benke's participation in the interfaith prayer service on September 23. For example, in his website statement, President Kieschnick writes:

President Benke contacted me twice about the event prior to his participation. I did and I do support the pastoral decision he made to participate. His action in doing so is clearly in line with a document entitled "The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: A Report on Synodical Discussions." This document was prepared by past Synodical president Dr. Alvin Barry and our church body's Commission on Theology and Church Relations and unanimously adopted by that Commission.

Similarly, President Kieschnick's assistant, the Rev. Jon Braunersreuther, in an e-mail he sent on October 3, wrote:

Thank you for writing to express your concern. Our Synod has spoken clearly through its former President, CTCR, and Convention concerning this issue. Perhaps you'll want to re-read President Kieschnick's statement at:

http://www.lcms.org/president/pdf/benke.pdf

Blessings.

Does anyone think, for one moment, that President Barry would have approved of President Benke's participation in this service? Was it not Dr. Barry who, in 1998, admonished Benke for his participation in an interfaith prayer service and insisted that Benke sign a public apology and assurance that he would not "repeat this error in the future"?

The only difference between this situation and the one three years ago is not the absence of an alb, but the absence of an ALB.

2) Benke's ELCA comments

President Benke's recent comments regarding the ELCA have been reported in the press, as seen in the documentation of October 9, "Benke, Kieschnick participate in joint worship with ELCA":

"We will work together to the maximum possible degree as Lutherans," Benke said. "We'll focus on what unites us as we proclaim the Gospel."

What is "the maximum possible degree" to which Lutherans can work together? Does that include proclaiming the Gospel? Benke seems to say that we will be doing that with the ELCA.

"Everything is connected and nothing is connected," Benke said at worship, adding the differences that separate the ELCA and LCMS "seem so trivial."

That same article indicates that there were two joint worship services that day and that Benke spoke at both of them. In one service (the one reported above), Benke characterized the differences as "trivial." At the other service-so it has been reported informally, by more than one witness who was there--Benke characterized our differences with the ELCA as "idiotic." Is that accurate?

3) Videotape of Prayer Service

Previously noted is the link to the RealPlayer audio/video of the New York City Prayer Service:

http://video.c-span.org:8080/ramgen/gdrive/ter092301_nyprayer.rm

A videotape of the New York City Prayer Service also is available:

http://www.c-spanstore.com/166250.html

New York City Prayer Service

ID: 166250 - 09/23/2001 - 3:12 - $39.95

The Rev. Charles Henrickson

7606 Terri Lynn Dr. Affton, MO 63123

henricksonc@earthlink.net (314) 351-2098

DP Benke DP Kalthoff DP Garwood DP Bode

Pres. Kieschnick Asst. Braunersreuther

VP Preus VP Schulz VP King

VP Maier VP Weinrich Sec. Hartwig

Board of Directors Chairman Kuhn Member Balfour

October 13, 2001

Documentation (and closing comment): Readings on Unionism and Syncretism

Holy Bible, especially: Exodus 32:1-8; 1 Kings 18:16-40; Isaiah 42:8; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Acts 17:16-34 ( esp. vv. 30-31); 2 Corinthians 6:14-16; and 1 John 2:23.

Lutheran Confessions, Book of Concord, especially Formula of Concord, Article X.

Constitution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (in LCMS Handbook), especially Article VI, "Conditions of Membership," 2, "Renunciation of unionism and syncretism of every description."

Walther, C. F. W. Church and Ministry (Kirche und Amt), Part One--Concerning the Church--Thesis VIII, B, pages 113-36 (in 1987 edition). "Scripture Proof," "Witnesses of the Church in its Official Confessions," "Witnesses of the Church in the Private Writings of Its Teachers."

"Whoever regards his doctrine, faith, and confession as true and certain cannot stand in one stall with others who teach false doctrine or are agreeable to it, nor can he continue to speak sweet words to the devil and his followers. A teacher who is silent over against error and nevertheless pretends to be a true teacher is worse than an outspoken enthusiast and by his hypocrisy does greater harm than a heretic, so that no one should put confidence in him. . . . He does not desire to offend anyone; he wants neither to confess Christ nor to hurt the feelings of the devil and the world" (Luther, 118).

"[They] charge us with the lie that we tear asunder Christian love and unity to the great harm and detriment of the holy church. We certainly are ready and willing to keep peace with them and show them love, but only as long as they allow our doctrine to remain inviolate and pure. If we cannot obtain that from them, it is in vain for them to praise Christian love so highly. May that love be cursed to the depth of hell that is maintained to the harm and detriment of the doctrine of faith, to which whatever there may be must be subject: love, apostle, angel from heaven, and everything else" (Luther, 120).

"We gladly will be united with them in secular matters; that is, we are willing to keep bodily or temporal peace with them. But in spiritual matters we will avoid, condemn, and reprove them as long as they live as idolaters, perverters of God's Word, blasphemers, and liars. . . . But to yield to their blasphemies, ignore and approve them, that we neither can nor want to do" (Luther, 125-26).

"I must let them go and avoid them. . . . Nor will I have fellowship with any of them . . . neither by letters, writings, words, nor deeds. . ." (Luther, 126).

"Nevertheless there are cases in which someone may attend the worship of unbelievers or heretics. In the first place, in order to observe it, attending it only that one may bear better and surer witness against the ungodly nature of the unbelievers or heretics. . . . But here great care is needed in order not to make it appear as though we agreed with the opponents. Therefore, we must refrain from the opponents' acts of worship. . . . we must rather make it publicly known by some signs that we do not agree with them. . . . Where it is impossible publicly to show that we do not agree with them, it is better to remain away from such worship. . . . Here is no place for hypocritical dissimulation, for this offends both God and man" (Balduin [1575-1627, professor at Wittenberg], 130)

Meyer, Carl S., ed. Moving Frontiers: Readings in the History of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (1964), especially pages 288-90, 352, 362-64, 379, and 381-84.

"If you have the Bible you will certainly know that the true God is Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and furthermore that the first Commandment forbids the worship of any other god. The Jews in your lodge deny Christ, and so have not the true God, and hence have no God, and yet you will with them offer up prayer to some god, not the true God, and hence you practice idolatry with them" (From the Lutheran Witness of January 7, 1889; quoted on 384).

"There is much unionistic talk indulged in by some spokesmen of Lutheran army and navy work. Rev. J. A. Stub, of the Norwegian Synod, lately said: 'We can return to our doctrinal, racial, or synodical differences after the war if we must. But now we must be one and indissoluble behind our boys.' Only Lutherans who place doctrine and race on one level, as Rev. Stub does, can be misled by such cheap talk. If the Word of God demands of us that we separate in times of peace from bodies which permit their representative men to teach falsely . . . , then these same words of Scripture certainly forbid our cooperation in the distinctly religious sphere with these same bodies in time of war. The truth of God's Word is an absolutely constant factor. As the LUTHERAN WITNESS has said before, regarding this same matter, there is no emergency imaginable in which our Church could deviate from its principles" (Editorial from the Lutheran Witness of April 2, 1918; quoted on 381-82).

"And also any religious exercises (prayer, religious address or sermon, religious hymns) in connection with school commencements, so-called baccalaureate services and the like, or religious exercises of any kind in connection with political meetings, or other meetings of civic bodies, whenever members of different denominations take part, is unionism" (John H. C. Fritz, Pastoral Theology, 1932; quoted on 379).

Marquart, Kurt E. The Church and Her Fellowship, Ministry, and Governance (1990), Chapters 6-7, "The Nature of Church Fellowship," "The Basis and Criteria for Church Fellowship," pages 41-77.

Unlike preaching and the sacraments, prayer is not necessarily an official act of the church as such, but is something which individuals may do in private. Such private acts and situations are governed fundamentally by familial and other social relations and obligations, and do not necessarily commit and compromise the church. On the other hand, such considerations are overridden when and to the extent that churches act officially, normally through and with their public ministers (47-48).

". . .we cannot pray together with those who represent divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which we have learned (Rom. 16:17 and all parallels). . . . The Lutheran Symbols, all Lutheran doctrine and practice in orthodox times including the Synodical Conference synods in past decades, as well as the ancient church have insisted that unity and continuity of pure doctrine demands that we do not pray together with gainsayers" (48, n. 11).

"When joint prayer shows the marks or characteristics of unionism, it must be condemned and avoided. Such marks and characteristics of unionism are: a) failure to confess the whole truth of the divine Word (in statu confessionis); b) failure to reject and denounce every opposing error; c) assigning to error equal right with truth; d) creating the impression of unity in faith or of church fellowship where it does not exist" (48).

Marquart, Kurt. "Francis Pieper on Church Fellowship," pages 57-82 in The Pieper Lectures-1997, Volume 2: Church Fellowship (1998).

Feuerhahn, Ronald R. "Church Fellowship," pages 39-70 in Teach Me Thy Way, O Lord (2000).

A Closing Comment

Please read 1 Kings 18:16-40. Notice that Elijah did not "pray with" the prophets of Baal. Elijah prayed against the prophets of Baal! Notice also that Elijah did not merely give a "clear witness" to the one true God. Elijah made the strongest possible contrast between the one true God, Yahweh, and the false god Baal. He told the people assembled: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." Elijah taunted the prophets of Baal, ridiculing their prayers: "Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened."

Indeed, if President Benke had prayed and spoken like Elijah, today I would be applauding him rather than criticizing him. However, since he prayed and spoke like a pleaser of men, affirming their idolatry and effectively reducing the one true God to one among the pantheon, I therefore cannot remain silent. I urge President Benke to repent of his sin and to seek forgiveness in Christ. I admonish him to renounce his acts of unionism and syncretism. I call for his resignation or removal as an officer of Synod. And I call on President Kieschnick to retract his defense of President Benke's actions.

For the sake of the clear confession of the gospel,

The Rev. Charles Henrickson