Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Introduction to the Sig Becker Essays:
UOJ, Semi-UOJ, and Demi-Semi-UOJ


The late Sig Becker is still WELS' point man for UOJ and the Real Presence, and he proved himself to be an Enthusiast in both cases.

The old Synodical Conference cannot get past Enthusiasm, because they always start with their own dubious doctrinal history, make that the ruling norm, and discover Luther and the rest agreeing with them.

UOJ is especially noteworthy, because Walther clearly taught a perversion of justification, borrowed from Halle University's Georg Christian Knapp. The double-justification formula can be found in English, published in America, before Walther landed in New Orleans.

UOJ did not catch on in the Missouri Synod, but grew in influence, finally established as Holy Writ in the Brief Statement of 1932.

I am told that Kuske's blue catechism had the same effect on WELS, establishing UOJ as beyond criticism.

Like the Immaculate Conception of Mary and her blessed Assumption into heaven, UOJ is now discovered as being taught all the way back to Adam. Given its mission creep, we may learn in the future of the pre-existence of UOJ.

There are variations in UOJ, even though each flavor seems to be faux-vanilla:
1. Pure Kokomo UOJ.
2. Post-Kokomo UOJ, since everyone seems to criticize the Kokomo Statements while articulating the exact same principles. That should be called semi-UOJ.
3. Intrepid UOJ, which supports Marquart about his criticism of Darby, a Missouri Synod layman at the time. That would be demi-semi-UOJ.

Elgin UOJ, 1982, Pages 1-3

Milwaukee UOJ, 1984