The official explanations for the cancellation of Issues, Etc. do not make sense. The financial rationale is full of holes. The programmatic argument is problematic, to say the least. The only conclusion that I can reach, at this point, is that Issues, Etc. did not fit with the prevailing ideology of the LCMS.

An ideology assumes that it holds the sole perspective on reality for a group of people. Any voice contrary to that ideology must be silenced for the benefit of the community. Communism, fascism, socialism, consumerism, capitalism, nationalism etc. are all possible examples. Each of these “-isms” contends that it offers an ideal for human flourishing. Anyone or anything that opposes this ideal is opposed to the desired end. Thus, it is appropriate, even necessary, to destroy all opposition for the benefit of the community. The previous century is filled with examples of how an ideology leads to mass destruction in the name of progress. Christian theology, however, is not an ideology, although idealogues have been, and continue to be, active within the church. I will not make the effort to make the distinctions now as an IPA waits for my attention, but think “two kingdoms” for the time being.

I would argue that there is a prevailing ideology influencing Western Christendom in our day. My neologism for this ideology is “Hybelspongism.” The ideology proclaims that the church must change or it will die. In its liberal forms, this requires widespread acceptance of the cultural and social norms of the day, including tolerance of sexual deviancy, inclusion of all religions while denying the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and embarrassment for Christian faith. Instead, this ideology reduces the church to social activism (inclined toward the Democrats) and bows to pluralism. Spong is a representative figure of this wing. In its conservative forms, Hybelspongism rejects the historic liturgy of the church, direct and consistent proclamation of Christ crucified and resurrected for salvation, and an aversion to catholic and orthodox faith and practice. Rather, conservative Hybelspongism preaches relevance to a world bent on destruction, pandering to prevailing ideologies for the sake of attraction (consumerism, entertainment, democracy, therapy, etc.), and places its hope in the charisma of its leaders and their ability to program in a way that will numb the masses.  Hybels, of course, is a figurehead for the conservative branch. Other figures include Osteen and Warren.

If anyone in these branches of Hybelspongism dares to speak against the ideology of their church, then they are immediately dismissed and even destroyed. Consider the current state of orthodox pastors and congregations in the ELCA, Episcopal Church USA, PCUSA, etc. Those who do not get with the program are marginalized, a term I borrowed from the more sensitive bureaucrats in these bodies. In the conservative wing of Hybelspongism, those who do not change the church to get with the times are tagged as fundamentalists and accused of not being missional, concerned or emergent.

My fear and suspicion with the Issues, Etc. debacle is that an ideology, not a theology, drove the actions that led to the termination of the program and its employees. The financial, stewardship, and programmatic reasons offered by the current administration are insufficient, if not laughable. I am not stupid nor am I a genius. Still, I am clever enough to recognize idealogues at work.

The rallying cry of the LCMS hierarchy, much like Obama’s campaign, is the need for change. Lutheran Chicken-littles scream, “The sky is falling!” Unless we transform the church to accomodate (or engage or entertain, depending on your position), the church will die. Just look at the statistics! The assumption is that the mass consumer of our age will never be transformed by the Gospel as traditionally understood and proclaimed. The Mass that fed the faith of kings and paupers, literate and illiterate, Europeans and Africans, etc. is no longer sufficient. The church is now in dire jeopardy, nevermind Jesus’ promise in Matthew 16. So, it appears, by any means necessary the church and its message must be made palatable to the depressed, lonely, and spiritually impoverished consumer of our age.  Unfortunately, Willow Creek, the Sixth Reich of Hybelspongism, recently admitted that such an approach has not been effective. Ideologues, of course, cannot tolerate such information as their investment is too great. They would rather suffer an ignominious death in a lonely bunker.

It now seems that discordant voices will not be allowed in the LCMS, at least in the public realm.  As long as they squeak in lonely corners of the church, then they will be left alone. But Issues, Etc. was a loud voice in the wilderness of North American pop-evangelicalism, presumptively silenced because it did not fit with the dominant ideology.  It appears the LCMS must be saved from itself through human creativity, programming, and bureaucracy. The masses are too stupid to know better. Therefore, the new church must come forth, trampling all opposition, so that it can carry its torch for generations to come! Or something like that, I suppose. I would argue that this is the best construction at this point. If wrong, I will be the first to repent publicly.

As a convert from generic evangelicalism, I am especially saddened by the events of the past few weeks. Yet even in our wasteland, I find hope. I still see the Mass celebrated. I still hear the proclamation of Christ crucified and resurrected for sinners. I still speak with survivors of our present age who find consolation in the catholic and orthodox faith of the LCMS. And I am certain that the Risen Christ will remain at work through the power of His Gospel long after Hybelspongism has gone the way of Schleiermacher and all other forms of thought alien to His Church.

+Kyrie Eleison+