Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Psychology And Theology: A Return To Dialog, Alan C. Reuter

Concordia Theological Monthly

There is a close relationship between Christian theology and contemporary psychology. The Lutheran theological tradition is especially founded in an experiential matrix which gives it a common ground with psychological thought. However, this relationship between theology and psychology has not always been a clear or comfortable one.

Kyrios Jesus, Horst Wm. Jordan

Concordia Theological Monthly

The author provides a perceptive and pastoral analysis of the key issue before the Synod.

Theological Observer, William A. Buege

Concordia Theological Monthly

Theological Observer

Kosmos-Men Or Men For The Kosmos, Donald Heinz

Concordia Theological Monthly

Kosmos is a key theological term in the Gospel of John. The author of the Fourth Gospel chose this term to signal his concept of men without God, men in need of God, men in rebellion against God, men who would decide against God when confronted with His Sent One. The Christian church has often found it easy to look out into the world to see what John was talking about. The overtones of the English word "world" as a translation of "kosmos" have helped the church· deceive itself theologically.

The Gospel And The Ecumenical Movement, Robert P. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The first conference on "Life and Work," held in Stockholm in 1925, appealed to Christians to repent the divisions among them and to make the gospel the decisive power in all areas of life. This conference - the "Nicea of ethics," as it came to be called-was not summoned to discuss the theological or dogmatic questions which divide the churches; it was called to address the churches' task of working together in the public life. The invitation declared the world situation to be so serious that Christians could not afford to await the reunion of churches before setting "hearts and …

The History Of A Joint Catechism: Progress In India, Herbert M. Zorn

Concordia Theological Monthly

Efforts toward union have generally been characterized by emphasis either on "order" or "faith." To epitomize these emphases with the phrases "union first, agreement later" and "agreement first, union later" approaches caricature; but it does serve to indicate the direction in which each emphasis is headed. Both these emphases seem to partake of the same weakness, the supposition that the other side, somehow or other, will be taken care of. The "union first" supposes that agreement will grow out of union; "agreement first" supposes that a series of agreed propositions is going to take care of the organizational problems of …

New Testament Studies, Past And Present, Edgar Krentz

Concordia Theological Monthly

The pastor who picks up a recent New Testament introduction or theology, a study of the Synoptic Gospels or Acts, or a history of New Testament times may well feel that for him the study of the New Testament has become an arcane and esoteric discipline. The questions asked about the Redaktionsgeschichte of a Gospel, the surprising frequency with which the term gnosis or Gnosticism appears in current literature, or the discussion in many circles of "incipient catholicism" may well lead him to suspect that the whole discipline has now changed.

The Historical Jesus, The Kerygmatic Christ, And The Eschatological Community, John H. Elliott

Concordia Theological Monthly

We are about to discuss a subject that is quite difficult - if not impossible - to treat in completely detached or neutral fashion. For this is a subject which forces a man, every man, to take a position and to make a decision. The earnestness of this decision is to be found in the fact that this is not merely a subject for academic disputation. It is a question of theology and faith. The subject historically has been treated in terms of a question, or a "riddle," as one English scholar has called it. The question or riddle is …

The Relationship Between Dogmatics And Ethics In The Thought Of Elert, Barth, And Troeltsch, Edward H. Schroeder

Concordia Theological Monthly

A concern for dogmatics and a concern for ethics do not always go together. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, for example, has always had a strong dogmatic tradition, but has in general been uninterested in what is commonly called ethics. But this is the opposite of the situation in many other American denominations. To put the problem into a broader perspective, what is the relationship between dogmatics and ethics? A helpful approach is to study the distinctive answers given by Werner Elert, Karl Barth, and Ernst Troeltsch, which prove to be distinctive not only because their personal theological convictions …

Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Amidst all the theological tumult and shouting of our day, a quiet revolution has been taking place in the church in the area of mission thought and practice. This issue is devoted to a discussion of this revolution, for it will also be the chief topic at the 1965 convention of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in Detroit from June 16 to 26. The convention theme is taken from our Lord's mission command "Even so send I you." The articles by Victor Bartling, Martin L Kretzmann, and Roland Miller set out some of the basic theological principles for the …

New Testament Teachings And 20th-Century Church Practice With Special Reference To Relations With Missions And Sister Churches, Carl A. Gaertner

Concordia Theological Monthly

The church in the second half of the 20th century is caught up in the restless revolutionary forces sweeping over the face of the earth and inevitably is being shaken out of its complacency and self-satisfaction. In an age like this, everything is being sharply questioned and ruthlessly analyzed. This in itself is not bad. Under the blessing of God, much good should come to the church as a result of honest reevaluation, on the basis of God's Word, of the church's theology, its life in the world, and its mission.

Some Directives For The Education Of A More Excellent Ministry, Arthur C. Repp

Concordia Theological Monthly

The continuing reevaluation which theological seminaries have been making of themselves, coupled with a growing criticism of the seminaries' products on the part of many in the church, has produced a lively ferment in the current discussion of ministerial education. Some outstanding theological books and articles of late have addressed themselves to this subject, all of them showing a real concern for finding a solution.

The School For Graduate Studies, Carl S. Meyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The history and changing philosophies of what is now known as the School for Graduate Studies illustrates in capsule form the changes and struggles which the seminary itself has experienced during the past years.

Gifts From The Lord Of The Church, Leonhard C. Wuerffel

Concordia Theological Monthly

After a little more than 16 years of service as the dean of students at a seminary, we have been asked to set forth some observations concerning the students served during this period of time. First of all, there is something frightening about such a request. To have been intimately associated with more than 2,000 young men, who today are ministers of the Gospel and are serving their Lord and His people somewhere in the world, is unquestionably a great privilege and a humbling experience.

August Hermann Francke, 1663-1963, Philip J. Schoeder

Concordia Theological Monthly

Why remember August Hermann Francke on the 300th anniversary of his natal year?

Certainly association and identification with Pietists and Pietism should not disqualify him for a niche in the hall of remembered saints. Though some still speak with caution and even opprobriously about Pietists and Pietism, the climate has changed especially with reference to the earlier Pietists. Much of the suspicion, detraction, and obloquy which became attached to the name and fame of Pietism stems from falsely attributing many excrescences and aberrations of later Pietism to the early founders of the movement.

The Psychological Disciplines In Theological Education, Paul W. Pruyser

Concordia Theological Monthly

Much has been written during the last decade about the relevance of certain aspects of psychology and psychiatry to the professional role and work of ministers. When one surveys the massive literature which has been produced in this area of concern one is impressed at first by great topical variety. which ranges from theological critiques of psychological concepts and theories to pastoral counseling; from the psychological screening of candidates for the ministry to how pastors might deal with grief; from life situation preaching to techniques of supervision in clinical pastoral training courses.

The Triangle Of Tension: An Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Tentatio, oratio, meditatio faciunt theologum,'' said Luther as he summarized his philosophy of theological education. In effect, we reaffirm these words in this issue, which we dedicate to Dr. Theo. Hoyer.

Fathers, Brethren, And Distant Relatives: The Family Of Theological Discourse, Jaroslav Pelikan

Concordia Theological Monthly

For the theologian, one Book is enough, and a thousand books are not too many. This paradox interprets the meaning and prescribes the role of the theological library. For the task of the theologian, of every theologian, is the exposition of the Sacred Scriptures. Yet to perform his task of expounding that one Book the theologian needs a great many books.

Reports On Interchurch Relations, Alfred O. Fuerbringer

Concordia Theological Monthly

For The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod the year 1962 brings a number of very significant developments in interchurch relations, some of which will call for crucial decisions.

The Door No Man Can Shut, E. J. Friedrich

Concordia Theological Monthly

We have come this morning to honor three eminent servants of the Word for their many years of faithful service in the kingdom of God. Being partakers of their joy, we unite with them in thanking God for the manifold blessings which He has for so many years bestowed upon them and upon their ministries. We also take pleasure in commending them for their faithfulness, congratulating them upon their achievements, and thanking God for the enduring benedictions which have come to our church through their dedicated services. And so the keynote of our celebration is joy - the hallowed spiritual …

Man As He Is: A Review, Arthur Carl Piepkorn, Leonhard C. Wuerffel

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran pastor who uses a free Monday to hole up with a copy of Graduate Study Number III • of the School for Graduate Studies of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, is in for an exciting and exhilarating experience. Part of the reason for this lies in the very way the book has come into being. The title page lists no author, and no part of the book was written by one person alone. The subtitle describes it as a symposium - the common end-product of an interplay of minds, in this case the minds of five capable representatives of …

Pauline Charis: A Philological, Exegetical, And Dogmatical Study, Raymond F. Surburg

Concordia Theological Monthly

No word is more characteristic of Christian faith than the word χάϱις, grace. It conveys the central and fundamental idea of the Christian religion.1 In Lambert's opinion χάϱις is the distinctive watchword of the New Testament; in fact, the words "grace reigns" might be placed over every page. The New Testament scholar Moffatt asserts that the New Testament is a religion of grace, or it is nothing.

A Theological Appraisal Of Comparative Symbolics, Herbert J. Bouman

Concordia Theological Monthly

The religious scene in America presents a bewildering spectacle of about 250 religious groups maintaining a separate and often precarious existence. This multiplicity of denominations, sects, and sectlets, segregated not only by deep and basic doctrinal cleavage but all too often also by merely peripheral and even meaningless differences, is extremely confusing to a thoughtful observer. Even worse, the disunity of churches, all of which claim some relation to Christ and His Word, is bound to be a sore scandal. At first glance this ecclesiastical fragmentation seems to defy intelligent and intelligible analysis. A little stirring beneath the surface, however, …

The Barthian Inversion: Gospel And Law, Thomas Coates

Concordia Theological Monthly

Is the influence of Karl Barth on the wane? One of Europe's foremost Lutheran theologians, Oscar Cullmann of the University of Basle, is of the opinion that it is. He attributes this development to Barth's postwar neutralism, which has struck an unresponsive chord in the hearts of those who discern in the Communist ideology the negation of every Christian principle.

The Unity Of The Church, Paul M. Bretscher

Concordia Theological Monthly

This is an anniversary year for the Lutheran Church. The Augsburg Confession, the foremost of our Lutheran symbols, came into existence 425 years ago. Prepared by Melanchthon and approved by Luther, it was read in German at the Diet of Augsburg on June 25, 1530. Copies of the German and Latin text were presented to Emperor Charles V. This 1530 version, known as the "unaltered" Augsburg Confession, has since that memorable day been the touchstone of what constitutes Lutheranism. It reflects in matchless form the deepest theological concerns of Luther, Melanchthon, and their colaborers. It served a threefold purpose: (1) …

Theological Issues At Evanston, F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The second assembly of the World Council of Churches will be held at Evanston, Ill., August 15-31, 1954. The 161 member churches will be represented by 600 official delegates, 600 accredited visitors, 150 theological consultants, 120 youth consultants, fraternal delegates, and official observers from nonmember churches. The Christian world is vitally interested in the Evanston assembly, because the chief concern of this gathering will be to agree on the "Christian message" which the member churches of the W. C. C. will proclaim to the world. This message comprises a main theme and six subthemes, which will receive intensive study in …

The Historical Method In Biblical Interpretation, Raymond P. Surburg

Concordia Theological Monthly

The failure of exegetes to agree on hermeneutical principles is said to be one of the major causes for the divisions in Christendom, and, as Avey pointed out more than 25 years ago, American denominationalism will not disappear unless all bodies agree on basic principles of Biblical interpretation. Biblical scholars of the liberal tradition claim that the greatest obstacle to any agreement among exegetes lies in the continued use of the so-called dogmatic method inherited from the Reformers. Its advocates are charged that on the assumption that the Bible is divinely inspired and inerrant they employ the prooftext method in …

The Moral And Spiritual Qualifications Of The Biblical Interpreter, Raymond F. Surburg

Concordia Theological Monthly

The existence of many different Christian sects and denominations, although all purport to base their theological tenets on the Bible, has been a source of great perplexity to Christian and non-Christian students of the religious life of the past and present. While a number of reasons have been advanced for this situation, one of the underlying causes has been correctly stated by Burrows when he wrote: "Wrong methods of interpretation and use have prevented Christians hitherto from arriving at any unity in their understanding of the Scriptures."

Entmythologisierung, W. Arndt

Concordia Theological Monthly

As is universally admitted, German scholars are ingenious and versatile. Not only are their minds fertile in the invention of new theories, but if no new hypothesis can be found, the old ones are brought out of the closet, dusted, and supplied with novel labels. This latter phenomenon definitely is witnessed in the rise of the de-mythologizing theory, which, we are told, is a chief topic of discussion among theologians in Germany and other parts of Europe just now. A visitor from Germany recently remarked that the succession of engrossing novelties in the theological market is noteworthy and that the …

Liberal Theology And The Reformed Churches., F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The characteristic elements of the thought world during the put 75 years may be reduced to two outstanding and significant movements: science and democracy. Man placed an almost absolute faith in the omnicompetence of science. Science became a cult. The empirical method of science was considered the only means by which truth could be discovered and judged. The "scientific" method attempted to displace revelation; it branded the Scriptural theology as metaphysics and relegated it to the museums; it tended to eliminate the idea of God from human thought and to make man self-sufficient; its astronomical and biological theories questioned the …