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Of Congregational And Synodical Authority, John Constable
Of Congregational And Synodical Authority, John Constable
Concordia Theological Monthly
It is the blessing and the bane of the church in the 20th century that it is both the inheritor and the victim of its own organization. Among people who cry for the ''good old days" of simple truths, simple faith, and simple organization there is always the specter of complex reality. Gone are the days, we are told, when a member of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod could quote a father of the first, 16th or 19th century to support a proper thesis. Yet all seem to do it to underpin a modern position. Paul, Luther, and Walther are cited …
Scripture, Confession, Justification, Carl S. Meyer
Scripture, Confession, Justification, Carl S. Meyer
Concordia Theological Monthly
From the very outset of the immigration movement which became part of the Missouri Synod, there was a strong confessional stance. The "Brief Outline of the Emigration Code," in its first paragraph, contained a confession of faith. Those who signed the code said that they had accepted "the tenets of the Lutheran faith, as contained in God's Word of the Old and New Testaments, and set forth and confessed in the Symbolical Writings of the Lutheran Church."
Erasmus, Luther, And Aquinas, Philip Watson
Erasmus, Luther, And Aquinas, Philip Watson
Concordia Theological Monthly
One of the most recent additions to the growing Roman Catholic literature on Luther is a study of his doctrine of the bondage of the will in the light-as the subtitle of the German edition says-of the Biblical and ecclesiastical tradition. Its author, Harry J. McSorley, endorses Luther's own view of the outstanding importance of his De servo arbitrio as dealing with the most central issue of his reforming work. He also endorses Luther's claim that his primary concern was a reformation, not simply of practical abuses but of doctrine, and he fully agrees that no area of doctrine in …
The Early Success And Gradual Decline Of Lutheranism In England, 1520-1600, Basil Hall
The Early Success And Gradual Decline Of Lutheranism In England, 1520-1600, Basil Hall
Concordia Theological Monthly
This calendar was an unofficial enterprise intended to oppose the names of "Protestant saints" to those of "Popish saints" in the traditional calendars in Elizabethan use, and it cannot be taken to mean that a deep or ready sympathy existed for Lutheran doctrine and religious practices at that time. In fact it would be difficult to find an Elizabethan writer approving of Lutheran teachings and methods of worship and advocating them apart from those subjects which had become common to Protestantism, including justification by faith.
Helsinki-After One Year - A Symposium, Unknown
Helsinki-After One Year - A Symposium, Unknown
Concordia Theological Monthly
The contemporary movement toward a united world Lutheranism entered upon its present phase only 40 years ago. 1923 at Eisenach, Germany, the Lutheran World Convention was organized after World War I to enable Lutherans to pool their spiritual and physical resources to salvage the battered remnants of many mission fields, to bring relief to millions of sufferers all over the world, and to enable the European Lutheran churches to get back on their feet. After 24 years and another world war the members of the LWC were sufficiently encouraged by past successes to take a long step toward a stronger …
The Voice Of Augustana Vii On The Church, Frederick B. Mayer, Herbert T. Mayer (Translator)
The Voice Of Augustana Vii On The Church, Frederick B. Mayer, Herbert T. Mayer (Translator)
Concordia Theological Monthly
In Europe as well as in the U.S. A. the question concerning the nature of the church is as much alive as the question concerning the nature of the Gospel Fundamentally one's ideas about the church are determined by one's position toward the Gospel. In the United States the Reformed theologians are concerning themselves with the question of the church from two points of view: the theological and the practical. As to the theological aspect of the question, the Reformed bodies offer a variety of answers, among which three stand out.
Luther As Exegete, Douglas Carter
Luther As Exegete, Douglas Carter
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the era of the 16th-century Reformation it was given to Martin Luther to fill a role unique in its range. He was a controversialist who joined issue with the regnant theology of his day; a reformer who brought about such a renewal of the church as many of his contemporaries and predecessors had dreamed of; the reorganizer who changed the ecclesiastical map of Europe; a pastoral administrator; a spiritual director; and a writer of great versatility whose published works run to more than 50,000 pages in the Erlangen edition.
"Melanchthon, Christ's Witness" (Editorial Comment), George W. Hoyer
"Melanchthon, Christ's Witness" (Editorial Comment), George W. Hoyer
Concordia Theological Monthly
This was the theme of a chapel address with which Prof. Henry W. Reimann introduced the observance at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on April 19-21, of the quadricentennial of Melanchthon’s death. This issue presents three short papers read at this occasion; others are scheduled for later issues. The papers were not written for publication and are presented substantially as read, along with such documentation as had been added to the papers. Some of the leading thoughts of Professor Reimann's address may fittingly introduce this little symposium.
Melanchthon The Theologian, Robert D. Preus
Melanchthon The Theologian, Robert D. Preus
Concordia Theological Monthly
It would seem impossible that the theme "Melanchthon the Theologian," which is as comprehensive as it is indefinite, could be discussed satisfactorily in any brief presentation. The actual purpose and scope of this study is, however, narrower than the rather general theme might indicate. I propose to consider Melanchthon’s contributions to that discipline which is now known as dogmatics, to trace the impact of his systematic bent upon Lutheran theology, to delineate some of his main ideas on theology, and thus to assess him as a theologian.
The Doctrine Of Justification And Reconciliation In The Theology Of Karl Barth, Robert D. Preus
The Doctrine Of Justification And Reconciliation In The Theology Of Karl Barth, Robert D. Preus
Concordia Theological Monthly
The doctrine of reconciliation is among the last subjects Barth has spoken on. This doctrine is presented in Vol. IV of his Church Dogmatics and embraces three parts. In Barth's dogmatics reconciliation includes not only the doctrine of the atonement and justification but also the work and person of Christ and the application of salvation (conversion and sanctification).
Factors In Lutheran Unity, E. George Pearce
Factors In Lutheran Unity, E. George Pearce
Concordia Theological Monthly
Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem in the fourth century, advised his people that when they attended a divine service in a strange city, they ought not merely to enquire for the church or for the lord's house, because Marcionists and Manicheans and all manner of sects professed to be the Church and called their meeting places the House of the Lord; but they ought to ask: Where is the Catholic Church? The name "Catholic," used in all the early creeds and in the writings of the Fathers, came into use first to distinguish the universal Christian Church from the national Jewish …
De Ministerio Ecclesiastico, Augustana V, F. E. Mayer
De Ministerio Ecclesiastico, Augustana V, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
There is room for differences of opinion where the doctrine of the means of grace may be best discussed in a textbook on dogmatics, whether under the Prolegomena, under the Prophetic Office of Christ, in the article on the Church, or as a separate locus. But it is essential that the indissoluble connection between the doctrines of justification and the means of grace be preserved. The order established by the Augustana must be maintained, for grace and faith are correlative terms. Article IV presents justification by faith, and Article V very properly continues: "That we may obtain this faith [described …
Augustana Ii: Of Original Sin, Martin H. Franzmann
Augustana Ii: Of Original Sin, Martin H. Franzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
The very position of the article on original sin in the Augsburg Confession indicates the importance that the doctrine of original sin had for the consciousness of the Reformation. "We turn from God to man; here the peculiarity of the Lutheran Confession confronts us: we cannot speak of God without thinking also of ourselves. God and our ‘I’ belong intimately together." "Over against life as it should be there is life as it ought not to be." And so when the Augsburg Confession speaks of man, it speaks of sin, or better, of sinners, for it speaks personally and concretely …
Notes On The Consensus Tigurinus Of 1549, John Theodore Mueller
Notes On The Consensus Tigurinus Of 1549, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the latter part of May, 1549, there was adopted at Zurich, Switzerland, a Calvinistic covenant of the greatest importance - the so-called Zurich Agreement or Consensus Tigurinus, so named after the Latin designation of Zurich and its environs.
St. Paul's Usus Practicus Of Holy Baptism, John Theodore Mueller
St. Paul's Usus Practicus Of Holy Baptism, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
It may safely be said that the average Lutheran Christian does not think of his Baptism often enough and that the average Lutheran pastor does not remind his parishioners often enough of the great value and importance of Holy Baptism. There are, of course, exceptions, but these only establish the rule. If this appears as a rather severe indictment, let the reader bear in mind that due grateful appreciation of the meaning and blessing of Holy Baptism involves a most weighty point in Christian sanctification in which we never become perfect and that, because of our perverse Old Adam, we …
Lund, W. Arndt
Lund, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
During the first week of July all eyes were focused on the little town of Lund, Sweden, entertaining the World Convention of Lutherans. It is a town that is entitled to honorable mention in its own rights. Pleasantly situated in the maritime plain of southwestern Sweden and twenty miles distant from the port of Malmoe, it is the seat of one of the two Swedish universities and can justly claim to be an important center of scholarship and learning.
The Melanchthonian Blight, Richard Craemerer
The Melanchthonian Blight, Richard Craemerer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Luther's Reformation was a movement of truly spiritual vitality. He restored to light some of the most powerful impulses of the Christian religion - salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the royal priesthood of all believers, the divinity of the Christian calling. Somewhere around 1525, however, this vitality seems to wane. The German princes begin to dominate in the Lutheran movement, and they retain most of the pagan characteristics of their contemporaries. Theologians expend their best efforts in many decades of acrimonious controversy. The German people lag behind their neighbors in cultural and political progress, almost succumb to …
Mozley's Tribute To Luther, W. Dallmann
Mozley's Tribute To Luther, W. Dallmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
James B. Mozley was appointed Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford by Gladstone. In January, 1848, he reviewed the enemy Audin's Luther, the neutral Michelet's Luther, and the friendly archdeacon Hare's “Vindication of Luther," printed in Essays, Volume I. These works seem to be the sources of his knowledge of Luther. An Anglo-Catholic, who “has everything but the Pope," he is far from friendly to Luther.
Was Luther Needed?, William Dallmann
Was Luther Needed?, William Dallmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
Where all the world, the great in Church and State, had failed for centuries, Luther succeeded almost instantly. How? Mr. Newman says: "He adopted a doctrine original, specious, fascinating, persuasive, powerful against Rome, and wonderfully adapted, as if prophetically, to the genius of the times which were to follow. He found Christians in bondage to their works and observances; he released them by his doctrine of faith." - Lect. Justif., p. 386. He became a cardinal.
Luther The Reformer, Th. Engelder
Luther The Reformer, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
Luther would say: I did not reform the Church. He said: "It was God's Word which, while I slept or made merry, accomplished this great thing." (XX: 20.) The gracious and almighty God accomplished this great thing. "What is now going on in the world is not my doing. It is not possible that a mere man should begin and carry forward such a movement. . . . Another man is at the wheel [Ein anderer Mann ist's, der das Raedlein treibt]."
The Marburg Colloquy Of 1529: A Textual Study, George John Beto
The Marburg Colloquy Of 1529: A Textual Study, George John Beto
Concordia Theological Monthly
The primary sources on the Marburg Colloquy are comparatively numerous. While an official transcript of the proceedings was not kept, certain observers took notes and immediately after the conference supplemented these notes with the material they had retained in their memories. All of the sources are untranslated and are found in either German or Latin.
Geography Of The Bible In Relation To Inspiration, Carl Eberhard
Geography Of The Bible In Relation To Inspiration, Carl Eberhard
Concordia Theological Monthly
The connection between geography and the doctrine of inspiration, at least as far as this group is concerned, seems to be the sentence in the first paragraph of the Brief Statement of Missouri, which reads: "Since the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God, it goes without saying that they contain no errors or contradictions, but that they are in all their parts and words the infallible truth, also in those parts which treat of historical, geographical, and other secular matters, John 10: 35."
The Rise Of Liberal Theology In Congregationalism, F. E. Mayer
The Rise Of Liberal Theology In Congregationalism, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The terms "Liberalism" and "Modernism" have been used interchangeably during the past few decades. Prior to 1910 the representatives of rationalistic theology in American Protestantism were known as "liberal theologians." The term "Modernism" was employed originally to denote the radical historico-critical method of two Roman Catholic scholars, Louis Duchesne and Alfred Loisy of the Paris University, who questioned virtually all of the ecclesiastical material on which the Papacy based its claim as well as the Biblical foundations. This movement was condemned by Pius X in 1907. It was quite natural that in the clash between the liberal and conservative theologians …
Nathan Soederblom, Theodore Graebner
Nathan Soederblom, Theodore Graebner
Concordia Theological Monthly
Lars Olof Jonathan (Nathan) Soederblom was born in the parish of Troenoe, Sweden, January 15, 1866, the son of Rector Joseph Soederblom and his wife. He received the degree of Candidate of Philosophy at the University of Uppsala in 1886 and the degree of Candidate of Theology in 1892. He was appointed pastor of the Swedish church in Paris in 1894 and also seamen's pastor at Dunkerque, Calais, and Boulogne. While in Paris, he pursued his studies and graduated from the Ecole des hautes etudes, in the section of the science of religion, in 1898, receiving the degree of Doctor …
The Altenburg Debate, P. E. Kretzmann
The Altenburg Debate, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
In an evaluation of Professor Polack's book The Story of C. F. W. Walther, which appeared a few years ago, the review editor of the Theologische Quartalschrift includes the following remarks: "Important and soul-racking though the later controversies were, they dwindle when compared with the difficulties of Walther and the Saxon immigrants as they came to a head in Altenburg. In Altenburg life and death, faith and despair, hung in the balance. In the later affairs it was Walther firmly grounded in the truth and unshaken in his faith who waged the battles, although he did not succeed in convincing …
Reason Or Revelation?, Th. Engelder
Reason Or Revelation?, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
What? Some more rattling of dry bones? As though we had to be told what an abominable and dangerous thing rationalism is! Just read on. The thing is not so dead as you may think. We are dealing with a live issue. There are many more rationalists in the churches than the census lists. Your own theological thinking may have more of a rationalistic bias than you are aware of. And in our spiritual struggles we are inclined to heed the insidious logic of reason more than the sure Word of Scripture, the certain promise of the Gospel. So the …
Intersynodical Documents, Unknown
Intersynodical Documents, Unknown
Concordia Theological Monthly
To let the pages of this journal serve as repository for important documents, we herewith reprint: 1. The report of the Missouri Synod Committee on Lutheran Union, including the Declaration of the American Lutheran Church Representatives; 2. The report of Committee No.16 of the Missouri Synod convention (St. Louis, June, 1938) with respect to the above-mentioned report and the action of Synod; 3. The resolutions of the American Lutheran Church passed at Sandusky, Ohio, touching the union question; 4. The resolution of the United Lutheran Church of America perta1n1ng to this subject.
Romanism, Calvinism, And Lutheranism On The Authority Of Scripture, F. E. Mayer
Romanism, Calvinism, And Lutheranism On The Authority Of Scripture, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The desire for a large Pan-Protestant union has endeavored to minimize the theological differences between Lutheranism and Calvinism. True, Luther and Calvin had many things in common, e.g., the rejection of Pelagianism and the Roman hierarchical system. But only too often the divergent conceptions of sin and grace, of faith and works, of atonement and justification, of repentance and sanctification, are viewed only as minor differences.
The Norm And Rule Of Doctrine In The Chrisitan Church Before The Reformation, Theo. Dierks
The Norm And Rule Of Doctrine In The Chrisitan Church Before The Reformation, Theo. Dierks
Concordia Theological Monthly
That the Gospel of Christ Crucified is contrary to all worldly wisdom is clearly affirmed by St. Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians, 1, 18 ff. He therefore warned the Colossians: ''Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ," 2, 8, and speaks of himself as "casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ," I Cor.10, 8.
Walther, As Christian Theologian, Th. Engelder
Walther, As Christian Theologian, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
Dr. Walther gave undying allegiance to the sola Scriptura. The doctrine of the authority and inspiration of Scripture lay close to his heart. But there was another matter which lay-yes, we may put it thus - still closer. The one thing which he stressed above all things, which he had in view in all his theological work, and in the interest of which he fought so staunchly and persistently for the sola Scriptura, was the Gospel of the grace of God in Christ.