Self Diagnosis

“A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient,” is a quote attributed to Sir William Osler, a Canadian physician born in 1849. Osler was known as one of the greatest thinkers of modern medicine around the turn of the century. Many of his writings, even though he was addressing medical issues, can help us relate to some of the “new things” happening in some of our “progressive” churches, such as the ELCA. The doctrine of bound conscience allows one to diagnose one’s faith as it pertains to setting the rules in a relationship with God. A self-exam can allow one to determine that their spiritual health may satisfy themself, but, in fact, displeases our Lord. What constitutes an illness, or sin, is simply up to the individual, pushing God to the rear. This makes as much sense as the patient that looks at an obvious malady and ignores his doctor’s advice on a course of treatment that will lead to a cure. Replacing the authority of Scripture with the false gospel peddled by the leaders of the ELCA, is tantamount to refusing the cure that medical science offers. How many faithful brothers and sisters have been deceived with appealing words such as welcoming, tolerance, and diversity while they allow their own selfishness to overwhelm their love of our Lord and Savior. Romans 7:14-20, “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.” When we choose to shut out our Lord and Savior and try to go it alone, we return to our natural state, a selfish, sinful human being.

Another quote attributed to Sir Osler is, “When schemes are laid in advance, it is surprising how often the circumstances fit in with them.” The race to legitimize homosexuality by the misguided leaders of the ELCA have left them using subterfuge and any number of illegitimate plots to reach their stated goal. Whether it be stacking the deck by appointing committee members that agree with their desired outcome, conducting synod assembly votes after normal business was concluded and many dissenters had left (2005 Greater Milwaukee Synod led by then-Bishop Peter Rogness), or forwarding resolutions and studies over the objections of their members, there is no limit to their dishonesty and aim to dishonor our God. Know this, the calculated deviation from God’s plan will not enhance their church, it will and has severely diminished it. The schemes of the leadership of the ELCA have left their church in utter disarray, with churches voting to break fellowship, members leaving to find a church that preaches His Truth, and other members redirecting benevolence away from their bloated bureaucracy. ELCA members that accept these false gospels, begin their fall from grace. 1 Timothy 6:20-21, “Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.” The leadership of the ELCA would have their members wander away from the Lord in order that they may attain the goals of this world.

And finally in a 1910 article describing how one’s faith can aid in the healing process, published in the British Medical Journal, Osler said, “Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith — the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible. Intangible as the ether, ineluctable as gravitation, the radium of the moral and mental spheres, mysterious, indefinable, known only by its effects, faith pours out an unfailing stream of energy while abating nor jot nor tittle of its potency.” I’m not certain that Osler was a faithful Christian, but it is obvious that he understood the power of faith in the Lord. Not only can faith heal the body, but faith will cleanse the spirit, making us right with God. When we place our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in charge of our lives, and have a goal to please Him in all we do, we will truly be healed. Romans 4:18-25, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” There is nothing beyond the power of our God. Pray unceasingly for the leaders of the ELCA to return to Him.