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How The Gospel Works, Richard R. Caemmerer Sr.
How The Gospel Works, Richard R. Caemmerer Sr.
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the long plan of God we can imagine one good issue emerging from this debate. That is that the meaning of the Gospel becomes clearer and its preaching to the church and the world more apt and timely.
Walther's Theology Of The Word, Carl S. Meyer
Walther's Theology Of The Word, Carl S. Meyer
Concordia Theological Monthly
C. F. W. Walther (1811-1887), the premier theologian of the Missouri Synod, was a dogmatician who relied heavily on the writers of Lutheran Orthodoxy of the 16th and 17th century. He made little use of the historical-exegetical method. John Philipp Koehler, the historian of the Wisconsin Synod, points out, for instance, regarding the proposal to have one joint theological seminary within the Synodical Conference in 1878: “Walther's hobby, the Latin disputation, with Latin the medium of instruction, as embodied in the Missouri proposals for the joint seminary was as antiquated scholasticism and besides would have kept the whole study of …
Clement Of Rome And His Use Of Scripture, Herbert T. Mayer
Clement Of Rome And His Use Of Scripture, Herbert T. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Clement of Rome provides a good example of how a pastor's Hermeneutical principles, theological presuppositions, and practical concerns interact to influence his understanding and application of the Gospel.
Evangelization And Humanization, Won Yong Ji
Evangelization And Humanization, Won Yong Ji
Concordia Theological Monthly
In his article Dr. Ji offers a review and critique of the Frankfurt Declaration and indicates the nature of a sound conjunctive relationship between evangelization and humanization in the Christian mission today. Variations of this article have appeared in Lutheran World, XVII (1970), 358-361, and Lutherische Rundschau, XX (1970), 468--472.)
The "Jesus Of History" And The "Christ Of Faith": In Relation To Matthew's View Of Time-Reactions To A New Approach, Jack Kingsbury
The "Jesus Of History" And The "Christ Of Faith": In Relation To Matthew's View Of Time-Reactions To A New Approach, Jack Kingsbury
Concordia Theological Monthly
The expression "Jesus of History - Christ of Faith" is a relatively recent idiom, the roots of which can be traced back to a lecture delivered in 1892 by the German systematician Martin Kahler, who entitled his address “The So-Called Historical Jesus and the Historic, Biblical Christ." In the last decade this idiom has come to specify a particular problem that has engaged the interest of New Testament scholars with great intensity. The problem is given with the fact that Jesus died about A. D. 30 but that all of the written materials we possess about Jesus were set down …
Old Testament Theology As Heilsgcschichte, Arlis John Ehlene
Old Testament Theology As Heilsgcschichte, Arlis John Ehlene
Concordia Theological Monthly
An important group of Old Testament scholars in Germany and America is currently making copious use of the term Heilsgeschichte and the ideas associated with it. Avoided until recently by scientific theologians as suggestive of Biblicism and obscurantism, it has staged a comeback as a key word in some of the most respected scholarly circles.
The Old Testament In The Pulpit, Herbert T. Mayer
The Old Testament In The Pulpit, Herbert T. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
How much should the pastor preach from the Old Testament? Probably the general answer should be: More than he has been doing. A brief review of sermon study series and sermon books published for pastors of The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod reveals an average of four or five New Testament studies for each Old Testament text.
Dangerous Trends In Modern Theological Thought, K. Runia
Dangerous Trends In Modern Theological Thought, K. Runia
Concordia Theological Monthly
When we approach the problem of demythologizing from this starting point, it is beyond question that the Bible rejects every attempt in this direction.
God's Tabernacles Among Men: A Study Of The Transfiguration, Walter R. Roehrs
God's Tabernacles Among Men: A Study Of The Transfiguration, Walter R. Roehrs
Concordia Theological Monthly
One of the features found in all accounts of the Transfiguration of our Lord is the suggestion of Peter: "Let us build here three tabernacles." We are not told what Jesus' answer to this request was, but from the sequence of events it is clear that it went unheeded.
The Word Of God In The Theology Of Lutheran Orthodoxy, Robert D. Preus
The Word Of God In The Theology Of Lutheran Orthodoxy, Robert D. Preus
Concordia Theological Monthly
The intention of this paper is not to offer a complete delineation of the doctrine of the Word of God in the theology of Lutheran orthodoxy, a project entirely too vast to be undertaken within our limited space. Our interest is to learn what the orthodox Lutheran teachers say to us on the specific issues now under debate. I have therefore restricted this study to a simple twofold purpose: (l) to present and analyze what Lutheran orthodoxy has said on the chief problems concerning the doctrine of the Word and (2) to offer significant observations regarding the real concerns and …
Rudolf Bultmann And The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism, John H. Elliott
Rudolf Bultmann And The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism, John H. Elliott
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son, a pre-existent divine Being, who appears on earth as a man. He dies the death of a sinner on the cross and makes atonement for the sins of men. His resurrection marks the beginning of the cosmic catastrophe … all who belong to Christ's Church and are joined to the Lord by Baptism and the Eucharist are certain of resurrection to salvation. . .. "
Editorial Comment, Martin H. Scharlemann
Editorial Comment, Martin H. Scharlemann
Concordia Theological Monthly
There they were! In front of them lay the Sea of Reeds; behind them were the troops of Pharaoh. To Moses came the order from God Himself, "Tell the people to go forward!" At His command an east wind began to blow strongly enough to create a way of escape for Israel and a path of destruction for its enemies. God's word is always one of power. When He speaks things begin to move - forward! In fact, His action is at times His first word, giving promise of more to come.
Editorial Comment, Walter R. Roehrs
Editorial Comment, Walter R. Roehrs
Concordia Theological Monthly
In his instructive novel about the cure of souls entitled The Hammer of God (recently brought out in an excellent English translation by Augustana Book Concern of Rock Island, Ill.) Bishop Bo Giertz of Sweden touches one of his deep pastoral and episcopal concerns in a bit of dialog.
Justification By Faith In Modern Theology (Continued), Henry P. Hamann Jr.
Justification By Faith In Modern Theology (Continued), Henry P. Hamann Jr.
Concordia Theological Monthly
In accordance with the writer's convictions concerning the source of St. Paul's teachings mentioned in the previous article we begin the investigation of the present topic with the questions: What might Paul be expected to mean by words like "righteous" (δίχαιοζ), "righteousness" (διχαιοςύνη) , "justify" (διχαιοῦν) on the basis of his knowledge of the Old Testament? What effect would the use of these terms and related ones in Aramaic by the rabbis be expected to have on his own usage?
A Critique Of Aulen's Christus Victor, George O. Evenson
A Critique Of Aulen's Christus Victor, George O. Evenson
Concordia Theological Monthly
One of the most significant theological books published in recent decades is Christus Victor by Gustaf Aulen. In it he suggests that there are three main ideas or theories of the atonement: the classic, the Latin, and the subjective-humanistic. That which makes the book both significant and controversial is the author's contention that the authentic Scriptural doctrine of the atonement is the classic idea, that Luther was an exponent of the classic idea and that therefore the orthodox Lutheran doctrine of the atonement differs markedly both from Scripture and from Luther. Aulen asserts that “the doctrine of Lutheranism became a …
Contrition, Theodore Engelder, Herbert J. Bouman
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 Paradox In Perspective, Martin H. Scharlemann
The Paradox In Perspective, Martin H. Scharlemann
Concordia Theological Monthly
Paradox" is an ancient word and an honorable one. The Greeks applied it to anything that seemed contrary to public opinion or strange and marvelous. In this latter sense the term occurs in the New Testament. It was heard on the lips of the multitude that saw the healing of the palsied man. "We have seen παοάδοξα today," they said in astonishment and awe (Luke 5:26). In Latin authors "paradox" came to mean an apparent contradiction. This is today its most common meaning in ordinary speech, although we must hasten to add that the Christian continues to feel in it …
Dr. C. F. W. Walther As Theologian, Francis Pieper, John Theodore Mueller
Dr. C. F. W. Walther As Theologian, Francis Pieper, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
This is to say that in order to preserve the doctrine of justification in its purity. there must be added to it the Scripture teaching that God imparts and communicates to men the forgiveness of sins procured by Christ for the entire world in no other way than by the Gospel and the Sacraments. Therefore the Biblical doctrine of justification stands and falls with the Biblical doctrine of the means of grace.
Sola Gratia, J. W. Behnken
Sola Gratia, J. W. Behnken
Concordia Theological Monthly
To speak on the very important topic "Sola Gratia” within a period of fifteen minutes, and to do this within the framework of the highly significant general theme: "The Gospel establishes and maintains our Lutheran Church," is an assignment to which I cannot even remotely do justice. At best I can refer only to a few major points. We are concerned here with the chief principle of the Reformation. Dr. Luther declared: "The word of grace and forgiveness of sin teaches us that we are justified and saved solely through Christ, without our merit; this is the principal article from …
The Doctrine Of Predestination In Romans 8:28-39, Luther Poellot
The Doctrine Of Predestination In Romans 8:28-39, Luther Poellot
Concordia Theological Monthly
The doctrine of predestination is presented as our highest and greatest comfort in suffering. The doctrine itself is set forth in vv. 28-30, while in vv. 31-39 Paul draws the conclusions which follow in regard to the power of the Christian religion, more specifically the doctrine of predestination, to support us in the trials and afflictions which come upon those whom God has elected to salvation.
God's Concurrence In Human Action, John Theodore Mueller
God's Concurrence In Human Action, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
In presenting the doctrine of divine providence, the teachers of the Christian Church usually stress, in the first place, God's actual conservation of all created things, by which His creatures persist both in their being and their operation (in esse suo ac vi operandi). Should their categories at times appear as rather scholastic or academic, it is well to remember that they were endeavoring to clarify and preserve intact in its purity the somewhat mysterious Scripture doctrine of God's actual participation in creatural action against the two fundamental fallacies of erring human reason: fatalism and atheism.
A Critique Of Contemporary Lutheran Preaching, Erdman W. Frenk
A Critique Of Contemporary Lutheran Preaching, Erdman W. Frenk
Concordia Theological Monthly
Preaching, i.e., the public proclamation of the Word of God, is the chief function of the Christian ministry. It is duty number one on a pastor's functional docket. It is his first and foremost responsibility. It was this in the early Church. It became this again through the Reformation. It must be this in the Church of our day. At the top of any list cataloguing the duties of a pastor in the order of their importance, preaching must stand first. If there is one field in which the pastor will seek to excel, it is in preaching.
The Buddhist Concept Of Death, Paul Heerboth
The Buddhist Concept Of Death, Paul Heerboth
Concordia Theological Monthly
The manifest turmoil and unrest of these latter days-atheistic Communism, idolatrous materialism, Iron Curtain barbarism, A-bomb fears, and now the "H" - are but a coarser outburst, a more inflamed symptom, of the fundamental problem of all centuries - "How can man in sin overcome his separation from God?” "How can man conquer death which without Christ makes this separation from God forever painful and forever permanent?" All mankind - also those who call themselves Buddhists - face this inescapable problem - the problem of death. Like all mankind, so also the Buddhists, though in a more comprehensive and attractive …
The Sacerdotai Office Of Christ According To The Letter To The Hebrews, George Stoeckhardt
The Sacerdotai Office Of Christ According To The Letter To The Hebrews, George Stoeckhardt
Concordia Theological Monthly
By His one sacrifice Christ has obtained an eternal salvation, which requires nothing to supplement it. By His sacrifice our sins are expiated once and for all, and our iniquity is atoned. In the very center of our Christian faith stands this Jesus Christ, who on the great Day of Atonement of the New Testament died and shed His blood for us. But even though Christ sacrificed Himself only once, even though the real work of redemption and reconciliation is completed, yet Christ has not relinquished His high-priestly office. The Epistle to the Hebrews throughout directs our attention to the …
The New Creation In Christ, Walter Bartling
The New Creation In Christ, Walter Bartling
Concordia Theological Monthly
All modern studies of the ἐν χοιστψ̄ formula take as their starting point the fascinating dissertation of Adolf Deissmann, which appeared in 1892. It is hardly possible to overestimate the influence this book has had upon research in Pauline theology. Deissmann's basic conclusion, that the ἐν of the formula has throughout a local significance, rests, no doubt, upon a proper grammatical insight and has received but slight modification by later scholars.
De Opere Spiritus Sancti, L. B. Buchheimer
De Opere Spiritus Sancti, L. B. Buchheimer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Article 5 of the Magna Charta of our Church bears the superscription "Of the Office of the Ministry." Specifically treated in Article XIV, it is here spoken of only in an incidental way, viz., as the office which is charged with administering the means of grace. Melanchthon wants to teach how faith is obtained, and that is through the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Notes On The "Satis Est" In Article Vii Of The Auguatana, John Theodore Mueller
Notes On The "Satis Est" In Article Vii Of The Auguatana, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
"And to the true unity of the Church it is enough. "[italics our own] to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments" (Et ad venam unitatem ecclesiae satis est consentire de doctrina evangelica et administratione sacramentorum). So reads one of the most important statements in the Augsburg Confession. It is inserted between a definition of the "one holy Church" and the rejection of the Romanist teaching that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should everywhere be alike. This antecedent and subsequent context must be kept in mind by all who …
Some Remarks On The Question Of The Salvation Of The Heathen, Th. Engelder
Some Remarks On The Question Of The Salvation Of The Heathen, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
''In order to save universal grace before the forum of the human understanding, some have thought that the Gentiles will be saved for Christ's sake, without faith in the Gospel, on account of their moral aspirations (thus, for example, Hofmann). Others have assumed that after this life an opportunity to hear the Gospel and to believe will be offered (Martensen, Kliefoth, etc.). But these are human speculations, without any basis in Scripture" (Pieper, Christliche Dogmatik, II, p. 35). Millions of men have died who never in their life heard the Gospel of Christ, their Savior. Shall we say that they …
The Evil Of The Hades Gospel, Th. Engelder
The Evil Of The Hades Gospel, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
Men are asking and imploring the Church to accept the teaching that some of those who have died in unbelief will get another opportunity to hear the Gospel in Hades. E. H. Plumptre tells us that it is our sacred duty to restore this "'lost article," this "'priceless, but forgotten truth," this ''truth of wider, happier thoughts," and charges those who refuse to do it with having a ''narrow, unloving'' mind. (The Spirits in. Prison, pp. 4, 17, 25, 28.) J. Paterson-Smyth "regrets that the indignant Reformers, in sweeping away the falsehood and the absurdities connected with the Roman purgatory …
A Re-Examination Of The Lutheran Doctrine Of The Real Presence, P. E. Kretzmann
A Re-Examination Of The Lutheran Doctrine Of The Real Presence, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
If one glances through the history of dogma, especially as offered in some of the larger compends, as well as in the more important encyclopedias of theology and religion, one is bound to notice the comprehensive discussions which are contained in these monographs and articles on the subject of the Lord's Supper, or the Eucharist. It is clear that the enemies of the truth, and in particular the archenemy of Christ's Word and institutions, have singled out the doctrine pertaining to this Sacrament for an unusual measure of vicious attacks, until finally large denominations of Christendom have, in their official …