Lane's Blog: Issues Etc. Cancelled Permanently?! (UPDATED 3/25/08)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Issues Etc. Cancelled Permanently?! (UPDATED 3/25/08)

I was in James White's channel when someone came in and told us that Issues Etc. is cancelled permanently and Todd Wilken, the show's host, and Jeff Schwarz, the show's producer are fired. Sure enough, if you go to the Issues, Etc. archive, there is no page there anymore. (***Update: They reinstated it.***) This is all breaking news so I'm not sure about much of the details, but you can read more about this here, here, and here. This blog seems to be keeping up with it well. The person who told me about this said, "I would appreciate it, if you care about the show, to call this number: 1-888-843-5267."

Sign the Petition to Protest the Termination of Issues, Etc. Here

Here are some links where you may be able to find out more:

HT: 1, 2, 3

The Wittenburg Trail has set up a financial support fund for Wilken and Schwartz.

Feel free to comment with more information. Several already have.

UPDATE (3/18/08):

Here's a friend who has commented on it who knows Jeff personally. Personal information regarding something Jeff's family is going through right now amidst this termination is posted there. I suggest for all to read this.

Ingrid Schlueter and James White sound off on the situation, too.

Also, someone has set up a blog for discussing this matter exclusively. It is called Bring Back Issues Etc.

UPDATE (3/19/08):

I just got word that because of the calls and emails, the archives are going back online. You might want to get these while you still can. It's not certain how long they'll be available:

Issues Etc. Audio Archive

Chaz Lehmann has been keeping up with this closely, too, as he knows the parties involved personally. This story about Schwartz's wife and how these recent events will affect their family should be read.

UPDATE (3/21/08):

R. Scott Clark is reporting that a reliable source shared with him that Todd and Jeff were called to the LCMS headquarters and offered severance in return for keeping their silence about the issue. There's still no explanation from the LCMS. I wrote a letter to David Strand expressing my concerns including my disdain for there being no explanation of the move, and I basically got what looked to be a mass email reply with my name added to the top:

Dear Mr. Chaplin:

Thank you for your e-mail. We are sorry for your disappointment over the change in KFUO-AM programming. However, we hope you will enjoy our future programs.

Sincerely in Christ,

David L. Strand

END OF POST.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: I don’t know if this will come in handy, but I’ve created a blog that can serve as a clearinghouse for information about the cancellation, and a place for fans of the show to discuss what should happen next. Even if the show never returns to KFUO, I believe something resembling Issues Etc. will sprout again — probably online — but only if Lutherans work together to make it happen.

http://bringbackissues.blogspot.com/; Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:33:00 PM PDT
Darth Nemoyer said...: ------------------------

Here is all sorts of contact information to tell people what you think about this, let them know how important Issues, Etc. was to us, and ask why the show was cancelled:

Rev. David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication
(314) 996-1200
(314) 822-0000
david.strand@lcms.org

Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
1333 S. Kirkwood Road
St. Louis, MO 63122-7295
(888) 843-5267
(314) 965-9000
FAX: (314) 996-1016
infocenter@lcms.org

KFUO Radio Station
(314) 725-0099
(314) 725-3030‎
(314) 721-2969

Rev. Dr. Gerald Kieschnick
Synod President
(314) 996-1402
(314) 842-7110
president@lcms.org

LC-MS Board of Directors
(314) 996-1350

------------------------

Meanwhile, an online petition has been started up about Issues, Etc. being ended. I don't know how much good it will do, but it should be able to do some. it certainly can't hurt to put your name down. Here's the link:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Issues/petition.html

For anyone who comes across this and has Facebook, the most discussion it seems is going on at the "Bring back Issues ETC!!!" Facebook group.
http://facebook.com/group.php?gid=11679316089

------------------------

Finally, financial help for the Schwarz and Wilken families can be sent to the following address. Just put in the memo line that it’s for the “Schwartz/Wilken Fund”. The Schwarzes especially need the help and Rev. Jack Schwarz's wife Beth has been recently diagnosed with small fiber neuropathy and they need to go to Mayo Clinic to try figuring out what can be done.

"Schwartz/Wilken Fund"
Saint Paul Lutheran Church
P.O. Box 247
Hamel, IL 62046

All help and all prayers are appreciated.

------------------------

I will be continuing to post information and resources relating to the cancellation of Issues, Etc. and firing of Rev. Wilken and Mr. Schwarz. So, if you could please help me draw people to the resource of my blog, I would really appreciate it.
http://latinkid.blogspot.com/2008/03/pulled-from-air-issues-etc.html

God bless,
--Aaron Nemoyer; Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:31:00 PM PDT
Paul Riemann said...: Lane,

This is the same response I received. Following is my email to David Strand, and his response.

Dear Mr. Riemann:

Thank you for your e-mail. We are sorry for your disappointment over
the change in KFUO-AM programming. However, we hope you will enjoy our
future programs.

Sincerely in Christ,

David L. Strand
Executive Director
Board for Communication Services
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod
314-996-1200

-----Original Message-----
From: Paul Riemann
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 2:26 AM
To: David Strand
Subject: Issues Etc.

Mr. Strand,

I was deeply saddened by the news of the cancellation of Issues Etc. As a Calvinist, KFUO radio has been a favorite of mine for years, given the fact that poor theology is taught on most Christian radio stations. Issues Etc. in particular is my favorite show on KFUO. I am indebted to my Lutheran brothers for this service to the Reformed community.

Issues was a very unique show, and I can't think of anything that can
take it's place. I will now have a void in the late afternoon to fill,
if I can find anything worthwhile.

I believe those responsible owe the committed, faithful listeners an
explanation for this cancellation. Thousands have been faithful for
many, many years in listening and supporting not only Issues Etc., but KFUO as well.

I'm sorry, but I can't help feeling violated and abandoned by this
sudden, unannounced move. This may affect my future support of KFUO
Radio and the LCMS.

P.S. And why was the Issues Etc. program archive deleted? This seems a lot like adding insult to injury. Allowing access to this is the least that could be done for the faithful fans of the show. Shame on those responsible for this action!

Sincerely, Paul Riemann

--
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! Galatians
1:8; Friday, March 21, 2008 10:01:00 PM PDT
Lane Chaplin said...: That confirms my suspicions, Paul. Sheesh. This isn't looking good at all for the LCMS especially if the report from R. Scott Clark about Jeff and Todd being offered severance for silence holds.; Friday, March 21, 2008 10:11:00 PM PDT

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There are many today who regard truth and error as matters of small consequence; if a man lives rightly, they say, it matters not much what his beliefs and opinions are. Such statements do not surprise us. Night and day are all one to a blind man. Truth and error are all one to an ignorant man.

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Some people may wonder why I read books by "a bunch of dead guys". My reply is, "If I did, I would read books by Richard Dawkins (a professed atheist), Howard Stern (radio personality), or Ron Jeremy (a pornographer) who are still on this earth and walk amongst us." Men like Charles Spurgeon, A. W. Pink, and Jonathan Edwards wrote messages that are more alive today than many of the evangelicals that roam this land. Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, and He was on this earth 2,007 years ago. Does he change? Does the truth? If I'm reading a book by a man who went to sleep in Christ in 1692, was that not only 1,692 years since Christ has been on the earth? Is not the truth the same in 1692 as it was 2,007 years ago as it is today? Jesus Christ never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Heb. 13:8) If we distinguish truth only to those who still walk among us today, then we make the Bible itself obsolete and of none effect. Jesus, the truth Himself, is alive forever, never to die again, and is seated at the right hand of God this very moment to make intercession for those coming to God through Him. (Rom. 8:34, Heb. 12:2)

With all the talk in the world about which denomination has it right, or what's right: a Mega church or traditional, there's something that dawned on me that I'm sure not many people know: There is a temple talked about in the New Testament. This temple presented doctrine preaching against sin and for repentance. This temple used the law to convict people of sin. This temple taught that Jesus is the Christ, and is the Son of God. This temple taught to believe only in Jesus Christ. This temple taught eternal condemnation is for the people who do not. The doctrine of this temple taught justification by faith alone. This temple taught remission of sins for everyone who believes and repents. This temple taught to take NO thought for what you're going to wear, whether it be choir robes, Jesus T-shirts, business suits, North Face stuff, or rock and roll t-shirts, because who can add one cubit to their stature doing so, anyway? This temple taught to only serve God and not money so you should take no thought for tomorrow, what you're going to eat, or what you're going to drink; that the people that take thought for these things are called Gentiles and don't know God. The doctrine of this temple held that many are going to come up to Jesus at the last day and call him Lord, but He’s going to tell them to depart because He never knew them. This temple taught that traditions of man are worth nothing; that salvation comes by realizing that you’ve broken God’s law, believing in Jesus and repenting of your transgression of the law because there is no other way to the Father than through the Son. This temple taught that if you do, you’ll never die. This temple taught that Jesus didn't come to destroy the law or the prophesies, but he came to fulfill them. This temple taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Well, what did the people do to this temple? They mocked it. They hated it. They cursed it. They reviled it. They said it and the doctrine it taught was Satanic. There were very learned men in other temples; some could even recite the Scriptures and said this temple taught nothing that was of God, and that it presented some of the most ungodly doctrine they had ever heard. These men said that only ignorant people could believe such "nonsense". They were so filled with envy and rage by the doctrine being presented by this temple that several times they attempted to destroy it, but they were not able to. The day came, though, and finally they succeeded. Well, do you know what happened? After three days, this temple was rebuilt and can never be destroyed again.

Which of you, having a slave plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, "Go and sit down to eat?" and will not rather say unto him, "Make ready that I may eat, and gird yourself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward you shall eat and drink"? Does he thank that slave because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, "We are unprofitable slaves: we have done that which was our duty to do."
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Lane's Blog

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Issues Etc. Cancelled Permanently?! (UPDATED 3/25/08)

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