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The Soteriological Approach To Christian Doctrine., F. E. Mayer
The Soteriological Approach To Christian Doctrine., F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Lutheran Confessions present all Christian doctrine from the soteriological standpoint, that is, from the meaning each has for our salvation. Each and every doctrine of Christian revelation must be viewed in actu, not only in statu; it must be within the focus of a real spiritual problem and be presented only in its soteriological significance.
Justification And Anthropology, Wenzel Lohff
Justification And Anthropology, Wenzel Lohff
Concordia Theological Monthly
The author suggests that contemporary difficulties with respect to understanding the article of justification arise in large measure from the fact that justification has been separated from its anthropological rootage. At the same time, Dr. Lohff argues that the doctrine of justification offers great help to modern man, who often feels trapped in his very humanness. Furthermore, justification, when proclaimed properly, makes Christian unity possible. He describes justification briefly as the right and unequivocal determination of a human practice: to always live anew the life of faith in the Gospel.
Open Letter To Charismatic Lutherans, Paul F. Hutchinson
Open Letter To Charismatic Lutherans, Paul F. Hutchinson
Concordia Theological Monthly
The author is pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri, and has been actively involved in aspects of the charismatic movement.
“The Log In Your Own Eye.", Paul G. Bretscher
“The Log In Your Own Eye.", Paul G. Bretscher
Concordia Theological Monthly
It is painful for me to write what I am about to write-about the log in the eye of my own church. I am not blind to some of the specks or even logs which concern many of my brothers. Every confusion and diffusion and diminution of the Gospel deeply disturbs me. But our first concern has to be the log in the eye of those among us who assume they are qualified to do eye surgery on their brothers. The Lord's judgment has a strange way of beginning at Jerusalem.
Doctrinal Emphases In The Missouri Synod, Erwin L. Lueker
Doctrinal Emphases In The Missouri Synod, Erwin L. Lueker
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has had the same doctrinal basis for 125 years. It is remarkable that within that period of time the loyalty of no group in Synod to that basis as given in the constitution could be seriously challenged. This, however, does not mean that there were no variations in emphases. This study is a brief synopsis of such variations. It is not concerned with difference, uniformity, contradiction, or inconsistency in doctrine (although some of these factors may be present) but with coordinating stresses. Examination of consistent adherence to basic insights is also beyond the scope of this …
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 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.
The Christian Faith And Revelation, Fred Kramer
The Christian Faith And Revelation, Fred Kramer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Christian faith rests solidly on God's own revelation of Himself and of His will with respect to man. Divine revelation is an act of God, not subject as such to the correction of the philosopher. Divine revelation has, however, a human correlative, namely theology. Theology, as the word is here used, is the church's speaking and teaching about God and His will. It is not itself revelation, which is always God's activity, but the church's speaking and teaching based upon divine revelation and therefore subject to correction, where it may need correction, on the basis of divine revelation.
The Presence Of Christ's Body And Blood In The Sacrament Of The Altar According To Luther, Norman Nagel
The Presence Of Christ's Body And Blood In The Sacrament Of The Altar According To Luther, Norman Nagel
Concordia Theological Monthly
The great feature of the 450th celebration of the Reformation is the extent of ecumenical participation. It might almost be said that our Roman Catholic brethren have taken over the show. Luther studies provide an index of the growth in mutual understanding, but what help is Luther at the heart of Christian unity, the doctrine of the Lord's Supper?
Moving Toward Lutheran Unity, Oliver R. Harms
Moving Toward Lutheran Unity, Oliver R. Harms
Concordia Theological Monthly
Two words in this topic seem to me very important: "moving" and "unity." They express thoughts that many persons seemingly have wanted to avoid or to ignore. There are those who say we are already at the point of unity. Others are sure we will never get there. Some flexibility in thought is required at both ends of this spectrum of opinion.
Some Thoughts On The Church In The Lutheran Symbols, Herbert J. Bouman
Some Thoughts On The Church In The Lutheran Symbols, Herbert J. Bouman
Concordia Theological Monthly
Near the end of 1536 Martin Luther wrote that "a seven-year-old child knows what the church is" (SA III XII). In our time great ecumenical gatherings expend incalculable amounts of time and effort in wrestling with the doctrine of the church, and first-rate theologians in all churches provide the printing presses with an unabating flow of materials in discussion of the problems and implications of ecclesiology.
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.
Luther On Justification, John F. Johnson
Luther On Justification, John F. Johnson
Concordia Theological Monthly
Once upon a time every student of theology identified in any way with the Lutheran Confessions was able to read, pronounce, and understand the expression articulus stantis et cadentis ecclesiae. More importantly, he was not only able to read it; he believed with all his heart that this designation referred to the doctrine of justification. Indeed, this has always been the distinguishing mark of evangelical Lutheranism.
Changes In The Missouri Synod, Arthur C. Repp
Changes In The Missouri Synod, Arthur C. Repp
Concordia Theological Monthly
Have there been doctrinal changes in The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod? Few questions have disturbed that Synod more during the past quarter of a century. Both negative and affirmative answers have been staunchly maintained. ''Missouri has not changed its doctrinal stand" was the repeated claim made by Theodore Graebner, though few men changed their doctrinal position as much as he did in so short a time.
Notes On The Inerrancy Of Scripture, Robert Preus
Notes On The Inerrancy Of Scripture, Robert Preus
Concordia Theological Monthly
This study is o1fered as an approach to the problem of the inerrancy of Scripture as it concerns the Lutheran Church today. The attempt is to present a position that agrees with Scripture's testimony concerning itself and with the historic position of the Christian church. At the same time the attempt is made to be timely and to take into account contemporary issues raised by modern Biblical theology.
The Unity Of The Church And Her Worship, Walter E. Buszin
The Unity Of The Church And Her Worship, Walter E. Buszin
Concordia Theological Monthly
To possess a good understanding of the worship of the church one must possess as well an understanding of the doctrine of the church. Both, the church and her worship, are unique; each shares significant characteristics of the other. Both are creations of the Holy Spirit; both are spiritual in their very essence. The church can neither thrive nor exist without worship. Christian worship, on the other hand, is inconceivable without the church. The church is not only the locus operandi of all true Christian worship; it is also the agency of the Holy Spirit and as such prompts the …
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.
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.
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.
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 …
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 …
The Role Of A Brief Statement Since 1932, Carl S. Meyer
The Role Of A Brief Statement Since 1932, Carl S. Meyer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The year 1932 has been called the confessional high-water mark of the Missouri Synod because of the adoption of A Brief Statement in that year. Not only was it "Dr. Pieper's legacy of sound Scriptural teaching," but it was also, so it was maintained with evident exaggeration, the testimony of "a confessional unity of mind and heart embracing every pastor and congregation and enduring the test of searching examination by the 'norma normans' of Holy Scripture."
Reports On Interchurch Relations, Alfred O. Fuerbringer
Reports On Interchurch Relations, Alfred O. Fuerbringer
Concordia Theological Monthly
For The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod the year 1962 brings a number of very significant developments in interchurch relations, some of which will call for crucial decisions.
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.