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Toward A Theological Understanding Of The Psychological Implications Accompanying Death, Ralph Wentzel

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is an attempt not only to understand the bereavement and grief of loved ones who are left behind, but it is also an uncompromising work depicting the reality of death and the pressing needs that arise when it is imminent, needs that are unique to every individual and that must be treated as such. As a Christian, I hope to convey thoughts that will relate to the personal needs of both the bereaved and to the suffering and dying patient. It is hoped that this paper will help the pastor to realize that he is not the "living" …

Paul's Principals Of Counseling In First And Second Timothy: The Search For A Biblical View Of Counseling, Robert Gaiser

Master of Divinity Thesis

Thus this paper seeks to define a balanced position between psychology and theology and between secular counseling and counseling by those with theological training. This is done in a general overview. But going beyond the definition of these terms and the relationship of theology to psychology, the author seeks to set forth some counseling methods or terms that Paul uses in his two letters to Timothy. The purpose of this paper is to set forth these principals to aid us in the area of pastoral counseling.

Ministry Without Fear, Krister Stendahl

Concordia Theological Monthly

I worry a lot about speaking to you senior seminarians. I feel honored and moved by the occasion. I sense much of the feelings and the fears and the joys and hopes, sometimes together and sometimes in clash, that are present in this room and in your branch of the church. It is the kind of situation in which it is difficult for anyone to speak who doesn't have to pay the price of staying and sweating it out. I will not give a very delightful and happy dinner speech, although, I guess, real humor is not to tell stories …

The Interior Warfare, Harry N. Huxhold

Concordia Theological Monthly

In a recent bulletin of the Academy of · Religion and Mental Health a psychiatrist quotes a Harvard junior, "Many students turn into themselves and become preoccupied with their own thoughts and emotions to the point of obsession.'' We should not be surprised. Your generation has been more sensitive to the nature of man and his interior struggle than most generations. The era of Freudian psychology and existential philosophy has exposed the depths of man's psyche to the point of nausea. It was not too long ago that we greeted the Freudian view of man as the clinical evidence of …

The Doctrine Of Man In William Golding's Lord Of The Flies, Howard W. Kramer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Since Lord of the Flies is so frequently found on the required reading list of English literature courses, it is to be expected that the theme of the novel is the subject of frequent discussions in literary circles and perhaps even in gatherings of much less sophisticated readers. One would, then, be inclined to examine seriously the theme of a novel as widely read and discussed as is Lord of the Flies. Since the theme of the novel involves so fundamental a concept as the doctrine of man, one may surmise that the average reader finds an unusual attraction in …

The Congregation Of Christ-A Charismatic Body, Walter J. Bartling

Concordia Theological Monthly

My original assignment was a little vague. I knew I was to deal with the New Testament materials which treat in general with the subject of charismatic gifts. There would be other specialized presentations on specific gifts. It was not until I received a promotional brochure that I was given a formulated subject: “The Lordship of Jesus and Charisma for His Body." This formulation of the subject and the slogan for the conference, "Jesus is Lord," suddenly made it quite clear to me how I should approach my topic. There is really only one passage in the New Testament in …

Consolation In 2 Cor. 5:1-10, Frederick W. Danker

Concordia Theological Monthly

Commentators, lexicographers, and grammarians, almost by consensus, render έφ’ ᾠ in 2 Cor. 5:4 in a causal sense, with such variations as "because," "inasmuch as," "in view of the fact that." Exceptional is Margaret Thrall's rendering "on condition that." She paraphrases: "For indeed, we who exist in the physical body groan with weariness. (But, for the Christian, this is a legitimate attitude to our physical existence only on condition that we do not want to be divested of somatic existence altogether, but rather to be further incorporated in the Body of Christ.)" The paraphrase is obscure, but the reminder that …

A Topical Sermon, Andrew Weyermann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The sermon in this issue calls attention to the possibility of dealing with very specific and even rather difficult subjects from the pulpit. It is not necessary for sermons to restrict themselves to generalities, and it is possible for preachers to build on, rather than continually repeat, the “foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God." (Heb. 6:1)

Meditation, Oscar Cullmann, Paul M. Bretcher (Translator)

Concordia Theological Monthly

This passage speaks of two realities that seem to exclude each other: the Holy Spirit and critical testing. We ask: Is it not of the very essence of the Holy Spirit that, where He is at work, critical testing ceases? And again: Must not critical testing, if it is to be fruitful, exclude all prophetic inspirations?

Preaching And The Recovery Of The Church, Richard R. Caemmerer

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the first section, we dealt with the language of preaching. Can it be understood? Does God speak and act in it? In the second we dealt with the method of finding and conveying Biblical truth in preaching. Have current Biblical studies a contribution to make to the pastor as he sets about on his task of preparing and delivering sermons? The third article does not turn away from these questions and processes, but it locates them in their setting: the Christian church. Ours is a time of rediscovery of the meaning of the church.

The Will Of God In The Life Of A Christian, Eugene F. Klug

Concordia Theological Monthly

In what has been called "the greatest piece of theological writing" to come from his pen, The Bondage of the Will, Luther scores his contemporary Erasmus very sorely because of his unwillingness to assert plainly and forthrightly each and every truth which the Scriptures contain. Erasmus took a stance frequently duplicated today when theologians contend that Scripture does not contain propositional truth. Although we grant, of course, that it does not embrace formulations like a dogmatics textbook, the fact is that Scripture, as Luther reminded Erasmus, contains many doctrinal assertions which must be expressed and defended. "Take away assertions," Luther …

"In The Likeness Of Sinful Flesh", Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Incarnation is without question the most profound mystery in the universe. That the Creator should condescend to become a creature is an event that defies logical analysis and rational explanation. "This cannot be," said the Greek of ancient days. ''The infinite can not become finite without denying itself. God is God, and man is man. One cannot be the other." But God did become flesh, man, a full human being, and there is every reason in the world to call this, as Kierkegaard has done, the Great Paradox. It cannot be comprehended. It can only be received in grateful …

Christian Admonition And Its Practical Implications For The Church, Eugene E. Heckmann

Bachelor of Divinity

The problem to be discussed in this thesis is Christian Admonition and its practical implications for the Church. There is evidence of a renewed emphasis on the practice or Christian admonition among the lay members of the church. This renewed emphasis, therefore, offers valid reason to restudy the Scriptural teaching on admonition and to consider what has been written on this subject in the history of the Church. It appears to the writer that such an emphasis is very necessary in these days when there is a definite need for strong faith among Christian people. Hence, on the basis of …

Faith With Works, Frederic W. Danker

Concordia Theological Monthly

The fact that Christianity's message has spread far and wide may lead to the easy assumption that knowledge equals understanding and that in place of doctrinal emphases the practical aspects demand primary consideration. It is the purpose of this paper to show that Christianity cannot be functional unless its message is presented with a constant doctrinal emphasis and that if this doctrine is faithfully presented, the message will be functional. As in the preceding paper, "Faith Without Works," St. Paul's Epistle to the Galatians will provide the basic material for the subject "Faith with Works."

Tapeinophrosyne, Praytes, And Makrothymia In Paul's Theology- With Special Reference To Ephesians 4:1,2, Robert Elosser

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Many have, indeed, described and defined humility, but they have not at all correctly defined the nature and characteristic of humility as it is set forth in Holy Scripture. The aim of this thesis, therefore, has been to set forth the Biblical teaching on humility, as far as possible, in harmony with the clear Word of God. Whatever value this thesis may have, therefore, will depend on the degree to which it has succeeded in realizing this aim.

The Relationship Between The Church's Program For Ministerial Training And Her Mission Program, W. C. Birkner

Concordia Theological Monthly

The formulation of the theme to which I am to address myself indicates that our Church has become aware that the relationship of two vital parts of her program, namely, Missions and Ministerial Training, deserves some attention and a closer scrutiny at this time. The fact that occasionally the expressions "problem," or "dilemma," or "difficulty," or even "rivalry" are heard when the relationship of these two areas of activity is under discussion, is in itself an admission that this question has not always been clearly defined and a confession that not all members of the Church have arrived at the …

The Basic Content Of The Christian Gospel, Paul Harms

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

What is the basic content of the Christian Gospel? Why attempt to determine what it is that makes any message Gospel? As a church, we are very insistent that we are a gospel proclaiming people. If that is the case, we need to know what it is that we claim to speak when we speak. The very term "gospel” is used so often that it can readily be used in place of that which it supposedly names--the elements that compose it.

Christ, The Hope Of Glory, Martin H. Franzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

'' And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever." 2 Tim. 4:18.

These words of St. Paul, even though individual in form and a personal confession of the Apostle, contain practically all the characteristics of the eschatological hope of the Church of Jesus Christ. For that hope is (1) a Christ-centered hope; it is (2) a hope that looks for a divine act of deliverance; it is (3) a hope for a total consummation; it is (4) a "practical" hope; and (5) it …

The Christian Missionary: A Free Man Self-Enslaved To All For The Sake Of The Gospel : An Exegetical Study Of I Corinthians 9:19-23, Graeme M. Rosenau

Bachelor of Divinity

In 1 Corinthians 9 :l9-23 Saint Paul concisely summarized the principles that guided his missionary approach to the unconverted. Since he was both an Apostle one an eminently successful missionary, this pericope is a precious piece of missionary literature. Yet, as one examines books dealing with the subject of missions, he finds but a few passing, references to the passage. It is the purpose of this thesis to examine at greater length Paul's missionary tactics and the theology behind them as these are expressed in l Corinthians 9:l9-23. It is primarily an exegetical undertaking, but a chapter is included to …

The Pastor After The Heart Of God, C. August Hardt

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the first of his Pastoral Letters (1 Tim. 3:1) Paul calls the office of a bishop (ἐπιοχοπή) a good work, χαλὸν ε̈ογον. That is a brief but beautiful and most significant characterization of the Christian ministry.

Our Life Of Faith, W. F. Beck

Concordia Theological Monthly

But a man is no statue. He, not God, does the believing. Like the sensory process of seeing or of hearing, believing is active as well as passive. It is not a pressed flower in a book, but a living plant which receives nourishment only to grow and produce fruit.

Concerning The Ministry Of The Church, Elmer J. Moeller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The editorial committee had hoped to publish this article in the February issue of this journal as a companion article to the one by H. G. Brueggemann, "The Public Ministry in the Apostolic Age." February issue, 1951. Circumstances beyond the control both of the editorial committee and of the author made it impossible to carry our this plan.

The Psychology Of Prayer, David Preisinger

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis proposes to present a brief description of the kind of prayer that possesses the three characteristics named above. The discussion is arranged according to the following outline: prayer according to the New Testament, prayer and religious experience. and God, as the impulse; for prayer.

Brief Studies, F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

A German Lutheran Declaration of The Doctrine of Holy Baptism

Brief Studies, C. A. Hardt

Concordia Theological Monthly

In spite of many fine Bible translations the pastor will constantly turn to his Greek New Testament, for no translation can reproduce fully the many fine shades of meaning in the original. A careful study of the original will frequently bring the exact meaning of a text or a word into sharper focus, change wholly or in part the meaning conveyed in the translation, or may even correct a misleading and inadequate translation. A few samples chosen at random will illustrate this.

Comfort And Encourapment From Election, Victor Mennicke

Concordia Theological Monthly

When we speak of our eternal election or predestination, we are dealing with a clearly revealed doctrine of Holy Scriptures. For this reason we confess in the Formula of Concord (Ep. XI, 5) : "This (predestination of God) is not to be investigated in the secret counsel of God, but to be sought in the Word of God, where it is also revealed." "It … must be learned from the Holy Gospel"

The Concept Of Faith In Romans, Bernard Geerdes

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the object of the writer of this thesis to undertake that study. He makes no claim that this is an exhaustive study. However, we shall treat some of the chief aspects or faith which Paul deals with in Romans. And since Romans contains the core of the doctrine of Justification by Faith, we hope to have a representative view of the Biblical aspects of faith.

Paul, The Pastor (His Corinthian Ministry), David Paul Bergmann

Bachelor of Divinity

Here, in this city of lewdness and immorality, of gross dishonesty and crying sins, the Apostle Paul preached the message of Christ Crucified. He rarely stayed in any city as long as he did in Corinth. Christ was the Savior even of publicans and sinners, hence even this stronghold of iniquity and vice was to be conquered with the Gospel of Christ.

The Preaching Of The Gospel As The Motive Power For Good Works, Philip H. Lochhaas

Bachelor of Divinity

The problem, then, with which this paper shall deal is this: “On what basis and in what manner shall a Christian minister urge his people to perform good works?" This shall be seen, first of all, from the Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments, the unalterable Word of God, which clearly sets forth the motivation for good works. It shall be seen, secondly, that the Scriptural motivation is clearly and correctly set forth in the Symbolical nooks of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The last section of this paper will be devoted to an analysis of sermons and writings …

Paul's Process Of Preaching The Gospel To The Gentiles, Otto C. Hintze Jr

Bachelor of Divinity

This thesis will be concerned with the spoken or preached Gospel in contrast to the other ways of presenting the Gospel.