Religion Commons^™

The Right And Wrong Of Private Judgment, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Ueber die Lehre zu erkennen and zu richten, kommt allen und jeden Christen zu, und zwar so, dass der verflucht ist, der solches Recht um ein Haerlein kraenkt" (Luther XIX:341). The matter of exercising private judgment is of supreme importance. (1) They commit a monstrous crime who keep God's people from dealing directly with God's Word and judging all doctrine on the basis of it. (2) Blessed is the community where the right of private judgment is recognized and practiced.

Intercessory Prayer Its Nature And Efficacy, Robert Hoyer

Bachelor of Divinity

Prayer is one of the less controversial subjects, as far as logical sequence of its presentation is concerned. It has been divided on many fundamenta dividomi, private and public, personal and impersonal, for temporal and spiritual blessings, subjective and objective. For the purposes of this thesis, two of these fundamenta have been adopted; we are to treat of objective personal prayer. This has been given the convenient name: intercessory prayer, from the Latin inter: between, and cedere: to pass. To intercede is defined by Webster: To act between parties with a view to reconcile differences, to make intercession; to beg …

The Right And Wrong Of Private Judgment, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

In his recent book Luther and His Work the Catholic writer Joseph Clayton says: "To this day Martin Luther is praised ... for bringing the gift of private judgment in faith and morals to all believers. On the other hand, among Catholics Luther is held in abhorrence as an apostate monk who drew countless souls into heresy and whole nations into schism; the evil of whose life has lived after him." According to Luther "No one, neither pope nor bishop, has any right to dictate to the individual Christian what he shall or shall not believe. . . The notion …

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

Concordia Theological Monthly

Examining the basic principle of unionism, "In essentials (fundamentals), unity - in non-essentials (non-fundamentals), liberty," we need to call attention to some additional points. We have to point out, in the first place, that in urging the acceptance of their principle upon us the union-men occasionally misapply a sound principle of theology. It is good theology to distinguish between fundamental and non-fundamental doctrines, the fundamental articles being those which form the basis of faith, the nonfundamental articles those "which are indeed found in Scripture but are not the foundation or object of faith in so far as it obtains forgiveness …

The Social Ethic Of Martin Luther, Carl Walter Berner

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the present effort to trace the fierce currents of Europe's political ground swells to their source, many writers wish to discover the first rising of the tide in the thought channels of Martin Luther's ideas on religion, politics, and social problems, away back in the sixteenth century. Able thinkers, like McGovern, who have sent their searching gaze into the dim years of history in the hope of discovering the precursors, either men or ideologies, of the present world-wide eruption, have held to a theory of history in which men like Luther are given a lion's share in the responsibility …

Youth Leadership, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

To offer a satisfactory summary of the problems which confront young people, particularly those of the late high school and college age, would require at least a semester's work, and therefore we can at best point out only those features of guidance which seem to require the most attention on our part. Let it be dated at once that the most difficult phases of work in the early stages of adolescence cannot be discussed at this time, partly because the amount of time at our disposal will not permit a satisfactory rehearsal of the most significant points, partly because most …

Verbal Inspiration- A Stumbling-Block To The Jews And Foolishness To The Greeks, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

We are asked to come in under the charter of liberty proclaimed by the moderns which calls for freedom from "the tyranny of words." We cannot do so, for three reasons.

First, we do not feel that Verbal Inspiration imposes a legalistic yoke on us. It does indeed require of us unquestioning acceptance of all the statements of Scripture. On that we and the moderns are agreed. We are bound by every word of Scripture. But we do not resent, nor rebel against, this bondage. It is a holy bondage. We rejoice in it. Why? Verbal Inspiration has taught us …

Luther: A Blessing To The English, W. Dallmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

John Skelton, poet-laureate of Oxford, Cambridge, and Loavain, whom Erasmus called "a light and ornament of British literature" and poet-laureate Southey also praised fabulously, was the most popular and audacious writer of his day. Tutor to Henry VIII, he scored the wicked courtiers. Cleric, he castigated the clergy. "Bestial and untaught men," not able to read or spell their own names, they appoint as priests, preferring habitual drunkards that lead disorderly lives to worthy candidates.

Leading Thoughts On Eschatology In The Epistles To The Thessalonians, L. Fuerbringer

Concordia Theological Monthly

In our discussions of the leading eschatological thoughts in the Epist1es to the Thessalonians we now proceed to a new section. In -the previous installments we have noted that the Lord will return suddenly, as a thief in the night, 1 Thess. 5:1-3; that He will not return before the great Antichrist will have been revealed, 2 Thess. 2:1-13. But the apostle also shows the purpose for which the Lord will return, namely, for vengeance upon the unbelievers and for the glorification of the believers. This truth is stressed particularly in the section 2 Thess.1:3-12, to which we now turn …

Verbal Inspiration- A Stumbling-Block To The Jews And Foolishness To The Greeks, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

Before examining three further objections against Verbal Inspiration, it will be well to pause a while and survey the disaster wrought by the contention of the moderns that the Bible contains a lot of (1) errors, (2) immoralities, and (3) trivialities. Amplifying previous remarks on this subject, we would here present a comprehensive view of the frightful consequences of the denial of Verbal Inspiration. The moderns do untold harm (1) to the Church and (2) to themselves.

Leading Thoughts On Eschatology In The Epistles To The Thessalonians, L. Fuerbringer

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the autumn of 52 A. D. or somewhat earlier, while on his second great missionary journey, Paul, accompanied by Silas, paid his first visit to Thessalonica. Acts 17.

Being favorably situated on the Aegean Sea, Thessalonica was at that time the largest city of the Balkan Peninsula and one of the most important cities of the Roman Empire, vying with Rome and Alexandria for commercial supremacy. The population of Thessalonica must have exceeded 100,000. Many Jews lived there. It was just the place for Paul to undertake extensive missionary activity.

All Israel Shall Be Saved, Rom. 11:26, V. Bartling

Concordia Theological Monthly

"All Israel shall be saved." What do these words mean? The sentence must not be isolated from its context and given a meaning which collides with what precedes and follows. Paul's letters have had to submit to torture since Peter's days (2 Pet. 3:16). The history of the interpretation of our particular passage along with its setting illustrates such exegetical torture. Again and again Paul's words have been manhandled and wrested from their context.

Modern Humanism, F. E. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Humanism,'' in the words of Walter Lippmann, "to replace the conception of man as the subject of a heavenly King takes as its dominant pattern the progress of the individual from helpless infancy to self-governing maturity." Modem Humanism has been labeled as scientific or literary or philosophic humanism and more recently as Religious Humanism. Humanism parades under the name of religion and claims to be "a cult or belief calling itself religious but substituting faith in man for faith in God." C. F. Potter, an exponent of so-called Religious Humanism, defines it as "faith in the supreme value and self-perfectibility …

New Validations Of Theism., Theodore Graebner

Concordia Theological Monthly

The age-old problem of the rational proofs for the existence of a God has been given prominence in recent philosophical literature. The subject has long been in abeyance, and, in general, interest in philosophical theism has been on the wane ever since the traditional evidences were subjected to the devastating scrutiny of Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Only in Roman Catholic handbooks of systematic theology and of metaphysics the time-honored arguments for the existence of God are submitted as scientifically valid. Revival of interest in the subject is chiefly due to contributions of certain English philosophers to the discussion of …

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 …

Faith, Ed. Kohler

Concordia Theological Monthly

As the term "faith" holds a rather prominent place in the language of the Church, it may be well to examine more closely its meaning and implications.

Luther's Spiritual Martyrdom And Its Appeasement, Theo. Dierks

Concordia Theological Monthly

Luther had entered the monastery in order to merit eternal life and was convinced that the life of a monk was the surest way in which to obtain the grace of God. Now, the way in which Luther sought to gain salvation was according to the Catholic doctrine of justification, with this difference, that as a monk he had taken upon himself the heaviest yoke of Christ and that he had given himself exclusively into the service of God.

The Bible - Is It The Word Of God, Or Does It Merely Contain The Word Of God?, Ed. Koehler

Concordia Theological Monthly

Whether the Bible is the Word of God or whether it merely contains the Word of God has been a matter of controversy ever since higher criticism applied its dissecting-knife to the Sacred Record. While not bold enough to discard the entire Book as a human fabrication, men held that beside some divine truths the Bible contained quite a number of human interpolations and opinions, yea, even myths, fables, errors, and contradictions. Also in our day there are those who will not regard the whole Bible as the authoritative and inerrant Word of God, whose every statement they must accept …

Reason Or Revelation?, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

Rationalism is an evil thing, working untold harm. And harmonizing Scripture as practiced by Lutheran theologians is a form of rationalism. The harmonizers operate with the principles of rationalism. True, they do not apply them as widely as the gross rationalists. They restrict the harmonizing operation to selected portions of the Christian doctrine. But there they are engaged in the evil business of rationalism, in a wicked and harmful business.

Reason Or Revelation?, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

There are more rationalists in the churches than go by that name. While the rationalists openly proclaim the sola ratio, the rule of natural reason, others market their wares under an alias. When the experience-theologians operate with the "enlightened reason" and the Roman Catholics make the church, or the Pope, their authority, they make natural reason a source and norm, the source and norm of theology. But that does not tell the whole story. Even among those who loudly proclaim the sola Scriptura there are many who have come under the sway of rationalism.

Lectures On Galatians, Wm. Dallmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

That majestic Lord gave Himself when He left His throne of glory in heaven for the lowly manger in Bethlehem in the days of Caesar Augustus, and Quirinius, the governor of Syria, and Herod the Great, the king of Judea.

The Social Implications In The Gospels And In The Book Of Acts, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

What are social implications? We might ask first: What is meant by "social"? Obviously the answer is: Anything that Involves two or more people as distinguished from a situation that concerns one person, or individual, alone. To satisfy one probable Inquiry at once, we hasten to say that we want to forestall any suspicion as to any inclination toward a social gospel by stating that the message of the Gospel as we find it in the Holy Scriptures, although commonly proclaimed before social groups, is definitely addressed to the individual, since faith is clearly a matter of the individual, as …

The Great Reconciliation, E. W. Koehler

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Great Reconciliation is truly the core and center of the entire system of Christian doctrine. All other teachings of the Bible either lead up thereto, or they proceed therefrom. Thus the doctrine of the Law and of sin shows us the need of a reconciliation. The doctrine of grace and of the redemption through Christ shows us how this reconciliation was effected. The doctrine of the means of grace and of faith teaches us how this reconciliation is made known and offered to sinners and how the individual personally apprehends the same. The doctrine of the Church shows that …

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 …

Fighting Liberalism With Blunted Weapons, Theo. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Modernists will not like certain sections of this book. The Christian Century says: ''This is a great book, greatly written, and greatly needed. Liberal Christians will find it hard to believe this. They still have in their mouths the bad taste of A Christian Manifesto, which was hailed with glee by the foes of spiritual freedom.

The False Arguments For The Modern Theory Of Open Questions, C. F. Walther, W. Arndt

Concordia Theological Monthly

The assumption of a successive origin of dogmas through so-called decisions of the Church, by which some men seek to uphold the modern theory of open questions, militates, In the second place, against the relationship existing between Scripture and Christian faith.

Holy Scripture Or Christ?, Th. Engelder

Concordia Theological Monthly

In his History of Christian Doctrine G. P. Fisher points out that "among Protestants and Roman Catholics the old question respecting the seat of authority in religion is once more eagerly disputed. Since Coleridge and Schleiermacher insisted that the primary object of faith is not the Bible but Christ, there has been a growing tendency to regard the Scriptures less as an authoritative manual of revealed tenets in theology and morals than as the medium of disclosing to us the personal Christ and the import of His mission and teaching.

The False Arguments For The Modern Theory Of Open Questions, C. F. Walther, W. Arndt

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the first place, it is not true that our dogmas come into existence gradually and that hence there are articles of faith "which are still in the process of formation, and others which as yet have either not at all or merely by way of beginning been drawn into the stream of events in which dogmas take shape." It is not true that some articles of faith have come down to us "as undecided, unfinished questions, incomplete structures, as open questions," because concerning these things one does not yet find unanimous agreement in the Lutheran Church.

The False Arguments For The Modern Theory Of Open Questions, C. F. Walther, W. Arndt

Concordia Theological Monthly

Johann Gerhard, whose authority is adduced against us, is of the same well-founded opinion [that, while in this life not a higher unity than a fundamental one is possible, errors that arise in a church-body should not be treated with indifference, even if they are of a non-fundamental character]. He writes against the papists, who place unity among the marks of the Church: ''It must be added that unity of faith and doctrine in the Church is not a perfect and absolute one in this life; for at times controversies occur between members of the true Church through which this …