Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Contrition (Concluded), Theodore Engelder, Erwin Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

Is the intention to abstain from sin and to live for God a part of the contrition which precedes faith?

Many Lutheran compends answer this question in the affirmative. Luthardt states: 'The process of conversion, wrought by God within man, begins with the self-judgment of repentance, which consists of a change of attitude, manifested in the acknowledgment of sin, sorrow for sin, and the earnest intention to break with sin and live to God"

Contrition (Concluded), Theodore Engelder, Herbert J. Bouman, Erwin Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

Does repentance follow faith? Such a question seems strange to Lutherans. We teach: "Now, repentance consists properly of these two parts: One is contrition, that is, terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel" (AC XII). Faith is "the chief part of repentance" (Ap XII 58, German Text). No, repentance, the essential characteristic of which is faith, cannot follow faith. Calvin and his adherents, however, teach that repentance follows faith.

Contrition, Theodore Engelder, Herbert J. Bouman

Concordia Theological Monthly

Confusion regarding the concept contrition can only confuse consciences. "Before the writings of Luther appeared, the doctrine of repentance was very much confused ... the people were able neither to comprehend the sum of the matter nor to see what things especially were required in repentance, where peace of conscience was to be sought for" (Ap XII 5). If the wrong place in the order of salvation is assigned to contrition, if it is not allowed to function in its proper sphere, if it is drawn into the doctrine of justification, or if it is made the chief factor in …

The Baptism Of Christ With Special Reference To The Gift Of The Spirit, Herbert J. Bouman

Concordia Theological Monthly

While John the Baptist, in the country beyond Jordan near Bethany (or Bethabara), was performing his office of preparing the way for the Messiah by his preaching and baptizing unto repentance for the remission of sins, and while all the people, from all directions and all walks of life, came to John to hear him and receive his baptism, Jesus also came from Nazareth (Mark) out of Galilee (Matt.). Since His twelfth year nothing had been recorded of Him except that He grew up in Nazareth. Now, after eighteen years of silence and obscurity, when He was about 30 years …