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Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
The Gospel And The Theological Task, John H. Tietjen
The Gospel And The Theological Task, John H. Tietjen
Concordia Theological Monthly
"I'm no theologian, but …. " You have heard the statement many times. After a learned presentation by a theological professor at a pastoral conference a parish pastor rises to add his wisdom to the discussion and begins with those words, most often to take exception to something the professor has said. A delegate to a church convention utters them to convince his fellow delegates of the practical, down-to-earth advice he is about to offer, usually stated in very specific theological terms in spite of his introduction.
Preaching And The Recovery Of The Church, Richard R. Caemmerer
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
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 …
The Devotional Use Of The Bible, James G. Manz
The Devotional Use Of The Bible, James G. Manz
Concordia Theological Monthly
Our topic suggests that there is another use of the Holy Bible. This is the study of Holy Scripture which is traditionally associated with the discipline of theological seminaries and the work of Biblical scholars and ministers. Its technical term is exegesis and has as its task to get out of the sacred text what God put into it. To achieve its purpose an exegetical study of Scripture involves knowledge of the ancient tongues. Martin Luther had a high regard for that language study which had as its aim the understanding of the meaning of the Scripture. He said, "As …
Bible Study In The Life Of The Church, Oscar E. Feucht
Bible Study In The Life Of The Church, Oscar E. Feucht
Concordia Theological Monthly
At its 44th regular convention (1959) our church resolved "that the Synod reemphasize to its congregations the central place which the Bible has in Lutheran theology and the importance of Bible study in parish life and work." While in its theology our Synod has always emphasized the doctrine of Holy Scripture, the corresponding practice in the life of the church (as also in other ages) has left much to be desired. Bible use has not always reflected the church's teaching on Holy Scripture. It is for this reason that in every generation the church needs to ask itself: Is the …
Walther And Church Polity, August R. Suelflow
Walther And Church Polity, August R. Suelflow
Concordia Theological Monthly
When the Saxon immigrants of 1839 elected their spiritual leader, Martin Stephan, their bishop, they adopted the episcopal form of polity. They pledged full obedience to him.
Justification In The Theology Of Walther, Erwin L. Lueker
Justification In The Theology Of Walther, Erwin L. Lueker
Concordia Theological Monthly
"A person who wishes to describe Walther as a theologian must above all explain his position on the doctrine of justification." This view of Pieper is in harmony with Walther's own evaluation of theology.
Brief Studies, G. M. Krach
Brief Studies, G. M. Krach
Concordia Theological Monthly
Preaching Doctrine on the Basis of the Standard Gospels
Are We Preaching A Gospel Free From Law?, Everard Hinrichs
Are We Preaching A Gospel Free From Law?, Everard Hinrichs
Concordia Theological Monthly
Let us state the question which heads this paper more specifically: When we speak of the Gospel (grace, forgiveness of sin, Cross of Christ, Christ Crucified), is it permissible to mix elements of the Law into this concept? One would like to view this question as rhetorical, having for its answer the strongest possible negative. In view of its subject matter, however, one is left with a sense of that kind of interrogative which anticipates a negative answer yet searches deeply for whatever reason may motivate it.
Faith With Works, Frederic W. Danker
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."
Are We Really Preaching The Gospel?, Elmer A. Kettner
Are We Really Preaching The Gospel?, Elmer A. Kettner
Concordia Theological Monthly
With all of our glorying in the Gospel and our striving to retain purity of doctrine, is it possible that there is too little preaching of the Gospel in The Lutheran Church -Missouri Synod? It's not only possible; I fear that it's highly probable. This is not a blanket accusation against every pastor in Synod. One can judge only from the sermons that one hears and reads. Nor is this written to be sensational or critical. In this respect I am perhaps "the chief of sinners"; I have sometimes by-passed the Gospel. The Scriptures remind us to "exhort one another …
The United Testimony On Faith And Life, F. E. Mayer
The United Testimony On Faith And Life, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Lutheran Church bodies making up the American Lutheran Conference have now walked and worked together for a period of more than twenty years. They have learned to know one another both as to doctrine and as to manner of life. They have been associated as brethren serving the Lord. Coming out of varying backgrounds as to national origin and as to distinctive trends in church life and practice, they have learned to cherish one another's contributions to the fulness of the Church's life in Christ. Through closer acquaintance and deepening fellowship they have found that the common roots of …
Foreword, F. E. Mayer
Foreword, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
1900-1950: the end of the first half of the twentieth century brings mankind to an important milestone in the history of the world. The pastor will take time out to review the events of the past five decades and to evaluate correctly the signs of the times. But more important still, mindful of the fleeting of time and the approaching end of all time, the pastor will employ this opportunity to review his work not in terms of years, decades, centuries, millennia, but sub specie aeternitatis.
Foreword, W. Arndt
Foreword, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
As the old year departs and 1949 enters, we lift up our eyes to the hills whence cometh our help. It seems doubtful that the world situation will improve materially during the twelve months that lie ahead; that the war clouds which still cast their gloom over the globe will be dispersed; that true peace will again unite the nations in amity and concord; that the state of virtual slavery, the horrible privations and destitution which crush vast multitudes in Europe and Asia will be ended; and that we can again eat our meals without thinking with a start of …
Comfort And Encourapment From Election, Victor Mennicke
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"
I Believe In The Resurrection Of The Body, W. F. Beck
I Believe In The Resurrection Of The Body, W. F. Beck
Concordia Theological Monthly
The upper house of the Convocation of Canterbury, Church of England, has decided to delete the phrase "resurrection of the body" at cremation ceremonies. One bishop said that young people scientifically trained are "not so much indignant as amused at the phrase." Whenever they reach these words in the Apostles' Creed, they must experience a limp in the tongue.
Foreword, W. Arndt
Foreword, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
Again a new year dawns. God be praised for the assurance we Christians have that in spite of wretchedness, fear, famine, war, and bloodshed reigning in the world it will be a year of grace for us. The Gospel, Holy Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and, in these heavenly gifts, Christ the Redeemer Himself will be in our midst; constantly the river will be flowing the streams wherof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High.
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
Luther was ready to give up his life ln the blessed cause of the reunion of Christendom. "I want you [M. Bucer] to believe me that I wish this dissension of ours settled, even though my life had to be sacrificed three times over on account of it, because I saw how necessary your fellowship is to us, how much harm the dissension has done and still does to the Gospel. ... May the Lord Jesus enlighten us and perfectly unite us-this is the burden of my prayer, the burden of my supplication, the burden of my sighs." (XVII:1975.) That …
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
"Interim hat den Schalk hinter ihm!" When the attempt was made to reconcile Lutheranism and Catholicism by means of the Augsburg Interim, the Lutheran laymen rose in their might and declared: "Selig ist der Mann, Der Gott vertrauen kann Und willgt nicht ins Interim, Denn es hat den Schalk hinter ihm!" "Of the Interim beware, For a knave is hiding there." (Hurst, History of the Christian Church, II, p. 217.) When Melanchthon and others offered the Church a modified form of this union document in the Leipzig Interim, 1548, the Lutherans at once detected the same knave hiding there. And …
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
A second catch phrase of the unionistic propaganda is "Unity In diversity," "Diversity within unity," "Einigkeit in Mannigfaltigkeit." It expresses the idea that the existence of the various denominations within the external church denominationalism is a blessing; the doctrinal differences do not divide the churches, but form one harmonious body of doctrine; and by practicing fellowship, pulpit fellowship, intercommunion, co-operation - interdenominationalism - the churches utilize the blessings connected with denominationalism.
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
The Reunion Of Christendom, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
Unionism is the order of the day. In an address delivered at Valparaiso on Sept. 23, 1942, Dr. J. W. Behnken declared: ''The things which are happening on earth in these days are not merely rocking the very foundation of our vaunted twentieth-century civilization, but are also causing dreadful difficulties for the Church. But far worse than this havoc is the alarming indifference to the Word of God as it manifests itself in the mighty movements to unite all churches professing the Christian name into one large body. Within very recent months some very ominous statements have been made belittling …
Foreword, W. Arndt
Foreword, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
Another year arrives, and what a hapless, disjointed, sad, disillusioned world it looks upon! Nation slaughters nation; the globe resembles one huge shambles; civilization apparently is collapsing, the social order disintegrating; the noble inventions and discoveries of science are harnessed to the chariot of destruction and death; the ingenuity of statesmen stands discredited; education has led downward; mankind may be compared to a large monster which is gnawing at its own vitals. Those whose eyes have not been entirely dimmed can plainly discern the seven angels pouring out the vials of divine wrath on the earth.
Practical Subjects For Pastoral Conferences, P. E. Kretzmann
Practical Subjects For Pastoral Conferences, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
It is an interesting phenomenon, and one entirely in keeping with the lessons of church history, including the history of dogma, that a period of intense interest in doctrinal matters and in doctrinal discussions in any church-body may be followed by a period which is characterized by evidences of fatigue and of being surfeited with studies and discussions of this nature. In other words, we may expect periods of externalization to follow generations of the required emphasis on Scriptural doctrine in its fulness and comprehensiveness.
Leading Thoughts On Eschatology In The Epistles To The Thessalonians, L. Fuerbringer
Leading Thoughts On Eschatology In The Epistles To The Thessalonians, L. Fuerbringer
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the two previous articles of this series we have treated the section 2 Thea. 2:3-12, in which Paul points out that, although the day of judgment will come suddenly, it will not come before the great falling away and the Antichrist will have made his appearance, and in which the apostle also describes in greater detail the nature and activities of Antichrist. This section has been the subject of much controversy. Moreover, the very fact that many will not recognize the Antichrist and will be deceived by him is an important factor in the "deceivableness of unrighteousness" and "strong …
The Progressive Revelation Of The Antichrist, P. E. Kretzmann
The Progressive Revelation Of The Antichrist, P. E. Kretzmann
Concordia Theological Monthly
That there have been many antichristian forces, many "antichrists" in the world since the days of our blessed Savior, that, in fact, they had their origin in apostolic times, is clearly stated in Holy Scripture, as in 1 John 2:18; 4:3; 2 John 7. Our knowledge of this fact, therefore, and our belief in this truth, is based upon a teaching, a doctrine, of the Bible.
Through Justification Unto Sanctification, Th. Hoyer
Through Justification Unto Sanctification, Th. Hoyer
Concordia Theological Monthly
"Will ye also go away?" Jesus said to His disciples, John 6:66. It called for decision. It was for many in Israel the parting of the ways. The people had hailed Him vociferously as the Great Prophet. The enthusiasm had reached its climax when Jesus fed the five thousand. Then Jesus said: "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you." Jesus gave them a clear statement of the nature of His kingdom and of His office, of the purpose of His coming, and of the results. Then came …
Foreword, W. Arndt
Foreword, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
In prefacing a few remarks to another volume of the CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY as it begins its twelve months' pilgrimage, I cannot do better than submit in translation with some comments several paragraphs written in 1879 and published in Lehre und Wehre by the sainted Prof. M. Guenther on the topic "Is the Missouri Synod Really Guilty of Overemphasizing Doctrinal Differences?"
Foreword, W. Arndt
Foreword, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
As one at the beginning of a new year views the religious scene, it cannot be denied that in the Lutheran Church more discussion of questions of doctrine and practice is taking place than has been witnessed in it for at least one, probably for more decades. The great issue is again whether the course of strict, uncompromising confessionalism which this journal and its chief ancestor, Lehre und Wehre, consistently sponsored from the very beginning is morally, that is, in the court of God and our own conscience, defensible, and not only defensible, but right, proper, just, and required. The …
The Unionistic Campaign, Theo. Engelder
The Unionistic Campaign, Theo. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Presbyterian Guardian, January 25, reports: "Dr. John A. Mackay, president of Princeton Theological Seminary and champion of Barthianism, is one of ten well-known Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Jewish leaders participating in an interfaith 'Institute on Religion' now being held in the Jewish synagog at Wilkes-Barre, Pa. The theme of the Institute is: 'Religious Values ID American Democracy.' Speakers in addition to Dr. Mackay are: Gregory Feige, noted Roman Catholic writer; Dr. Louis Finkelstein, provost of the Jewish Theological Seminary; Dr. F. Ernest Johnson, professor of Religious Education, Columbia University; and Rabbi Louis M. Levitsky, rabbi of Temple Israel, Wilkes-Barre." …
The Articulus Catholicus, Martin S. Sommer
The Articulus Catholicus, Martin S. Sommer
Concordia Theological Monthly
We have all heard, and had impressed upon us, that the true doctrine concerning justification by faith alone is the articulus stantis et cadentis ecclesiae. The truth of this statement has often been confirmed and established in our publications. But this article concerning justification by faith alone is not only the articulus stantis et cadentis ecclesiae, but it is also the articulus catholicus; that is to say, it is a teaching which has always been taught by all faithful teachers everywhere in the Christian Church.