History of Christianity Commons^™

Kiefl On Luther, Wm. Dallmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Luther's (fundamental error of the whole system is that in the work of salvation God does everything and man nothing."

So wrote the late Franz Xaver Kiefl, Dean of the Cathedral of Regensburg and before that professor of dogmatics in Wuerzburg, in Hochland of October, 1917. His article is "Martin Luther's Religious Psyche the Root of a Modem World Picture," reprinted in 1922 as "Catholic World-View and Modern Thought."

That is Luther's fundamental truth of the whole system.

Christian Worship Of The Ante-Nicene Church, Harold Krenz

Bachelor of Divinity

"Worship is man's response to God's revelation of Himself." In this sense worship consists of divine revelation and public response. This paper is devoted to the latter aspect of worship. It is the purpose of this paper to study the early origins of man's outward response to the revealed truths of Christianity; how the form of Christian worship was influenced by the Old Testament worship, how it received its indelible color from the Blood of Calvary, and how it began to develop into the highest and most beautiful of the aesthetic arts by the time the Christian religion became a …

Huldreich Zwingli, The Father Of Reformed Theology, Theo. Dierks

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the doctrine of atonement Zwingli merely repeated the traditional language of the Church. Zwingli tells us that, long before he even heard of Luther, he learned from Thomas Wyttenbach, one of his teachers at Basel, that "the death of Christ is the sole price of the remission of sins" III:544). This was nothing unusual, for such statements can be found in many Catholic writers before Luther.

Henry Viii And The Smalcaldic League, George Hoyer

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper aims to show that in all Henry VIII's dealings with the Protestant League he was motivated entirely by aims of Tudor policy. His object was to extend the scope of absolutism within his own realm, and also to preserve his dynasty in security on the throne of England, and in the end, to preserve for himself all the power and privilege which he discovered he controlled after a long reign of pursuing the first two objects. Wherever religious negotiation enters, it ls a motive of policy and not of conviction that governs Henry.

Jesuit Activity In The Catholic Reformation In Bavaria, Frank Bauer

Bachelor of Divinity

The Catholic Reformation may be defined as "all that was done on the part of the Catholics to hinder the progress of the sixteenth century Reformation and to reconquer the already occupied regions." The lion's share of this work was done by the Jesuits. This order was founded in 1540, and this date is often given for the beginning of the Catholic Reformation. They functioned at peak performance in those countries in which the Reformation had made serious inroads. This was true for most of Germany. It is to one of the principalities of Germany - Bavaria, to which we …

Religious Conditions In Israel In The Age Of Eli And Samuel, Paul Sohn

Bachelor of Divinity

To exhibit in its origin and growth the new order of things, which Samuel had introduced, the prophetic historian of the books of Samuel goes back to the time of Samuel’s birth and makes us acquainted not only with the political oppression under which Israel was suffering but also with the religious conditions at the close of the period of the Judges and during the high priesthood of Eli. He pictures to us the religious decline under Ell.

Beginnings Of Irish Monasticism, Milton Ernstmeyer

Bachelor of Divinity

Much of the early history concerning Irish monastic communities and their founders has been clouded by later traditional and biased records of the outstanding ecclesiastical foundations of Ireland. But the writings of Patrick supported by the most ancient Irish documents reveal monastic institutions which were founded for the primary purpose of spreading the teachings of Scripture. The simmple mission stations at the time of Patrick were soon to develop into more advanced seminaries and colleges for the Irish clergy, foreign missionaries, and scholars of the educated world. Its greet importance to the community life in Ireland.

Geographical And Historical Factors To Be Considered For An Effective Misson Program In China, Donovan Bakalyar

Bachelor of Divinity

As an aim, this paper purposes to extract from ·the geography and history of China factors which have an influence upon a missionary program in that country. A careful consideration of these factors will be helpful in acquiring the proper attitude or perspective for the missionary already before he enters the country. Much time will be saved, for everything will not be new when he begins his work, for he already will have a foundation upon which he can build.

The Federal Council Of The Churches Of Christ In America With Especial Reference To Social Gospel And Unionism, Herbert Hinz

Bachelor of Divinity

The Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America during the past thirty-odd years has gained an extraordinarily large influence in the affairs of the American Protestant church, and American life and government It has been thought well, because of the extensive power of the Federal Council, to investigate the Council, with reference to its background, religion and work, with special treatment of those factors which make control by the Federal Council in religious, civil and political life intolerable. It is to a study of' such features that this paper is dedicated.

The Pharisees, William Hepting

Bachelor of Divinity

We present here a study of Pharisaism with a view more fully to understand and appreciate the attitude of the Pharisees toward Jesus our Savior. The Scribes and the Pharisees were in a position of leadership in the church at the time of Christ's visible sojourn here on earth. They had studied the Old Testament; they knew the Torah; and they were acquainted with the Messianic prophecies. But when the Messiah came in the person of Jesus Christ, the Pharisees were the men who turned out to be His most stubborn opponents. Why? There must have been some reason for …

Huldreich Zwingli, The Father Of Reformed Theology, Theo. Dierks

Concordia Theological Monthly

Huldreich Zwingli (born January 1, 1484, died October 11, 1531) has often been called the forerunner of Calvin; but as Ritschl, Dogmengeschichte des Protestantismus, III:27, point. out, Zwingli is the "real author of the Reformed confession and, together with Bucer, the founder of Reformed theology." It was Bucer who formed the connecting link between Zwingli and Calvin.

The Influence Of St. Paul's Jewish Background On His Life And Letters, Henry Ressmeyer

Bachelor of Divinity

To attempt to understand St. Paul involves more than a study of his Epistles and the Book of Acts. His letters and the Acts of the Apostles reveal little of his “pre-Christian” biographical background. We must reconstruct his entire background from several cryptic passages, viz.,"Of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee.” Also: “Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.”

The Council Of Trent As A Landmark In The History Of Roman Catholicism, Carl Beiderwieden

Bachelor of Divinity

The Council of Trent is the most important assembly in the history of the Latin Church. To exaggerate the importance of this Council is impossible. On the action of that assembly was to depend whether Europe was to have one religion or many, whether the creed which for so many centuries had shaped the characters of mankind was to continue to speak as the united judgment of all wise and good men, or whether Christendom was to split into factions which would rend and tear each other in every segment of the globe, ‘till the very faith for which they …

The Salzburgers And Their Descendants, Norman Kretzmann

Bachelor of Divinity

To the ministry of the Lutheran Church in America, this thesis is respectfully inscribed; with the fervent prayer, that by carefully studying the history of the Salzburgers, and especially the unfeigned devotion and ardent seal of the first preachers of the Lutheran Church in America, they and their successors may be stimulated to aim at a more elevated standard of piety, and consecrate themselves anew to His service, who hath redeemed us with His blood, and honored us by appointing us His ambassadors, to reconcile the world unto Himself.

The Reaction Of The Roman Catholic Church To The Renaissance And Its Influence On The Lutheran Reformation, John Nieman

Bachelor of Divinity

After this introductory discussion the purpose will be to show the influence of the Renaissance on the Roman Church and the reaction of the Church to this movement, especially the feelings of the Papacy, which was in those days the Church.

Ancestor Worship, E C. Zimmermann

Bachelor of Divinity

The Law of God, written in the hearts of men, was doubtless much more clear in the early days of the human race than now, and while there may be no particularly outstanding instances of filial piety recorded in the first chapters of the Scriptures depicting the history of the human race up to the days of Noah, we need not necessarily begin to assume the contrary. We do know that these early patriarchs begat sons and daughters. Their children were doubtless dear to them and they in turn were dear to their children. There is no doubt about there …

Paul's Missionary Methods, Arthur Gerhardt

Bachelor of Divinity

No attempt has been made to fathom the depths of the manifold problems concerning the facts of Paul’s biography. Questions of chronology and literary criticism ate avoided to give place to the purpose of our thesis. That Paul was called directly by God, that he was an inspired apostle, must not be overlooked. In this study, however, the historical facts pertaining to his mission endeavors will chiefly be stressed. The treatment is not intended to be more than suggestive.

Gnostic Elements In Chrisitian Science, Paul Strickert

Bachelor of Divinity

The purpose of this thesis is not polemical. Nor is it the purpose to show that Christian Science is baaed directly and primarily on Gnosticism. It is to be a parallelism only; -- yet not of "accidental" doctrines taught in both, but of main tenets which are well substantiated.

The Training And Education Of Saul Of Tarsus, Arlo Krueger

Bachelor of Divinity

In undertaking a study of this nature there are two possible avenues of approach. The one is the rationalistic approach, and the other we might call, for want of a better name, the reverent approach. Both of these methods of approach have their advocates and adherents among students of St. Paul's life. And it is right at this point where the majority of divergences have their origin. The one approaches the subject from a rationalistic, the other from a reverent standpoint; and consequently both arrive at widely divergent conclusions. Therefore it is of primary significance that, before entering upon our …

Church Union, L W. Heidemann

Bachelor of Divinity

It is the purpose of our paper to show from History and from scripture that we have no reason to become disheartened in our position of strict confessionalism and determined separation from such unions which are based on compromise instead of complete doctrinal unity. History shows that this position serves the best interests of Christ and His Church. The Bible demands that this be our position.

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod In Australia Inc., And Mission Work Amongst The Australian Natives In Connection With The Dresden (Leipzig) Lutheran Mission Society And The Hermannsburg Mission Institute, 1838-1900, Fredercick John Henry Blaess

Bachelor of Divinity

The Evangelical Lutheran Synod in Australia Inc., and mission work amongst the Australian natives in connection with the Dresden (Leipzig) Lutheran Mission Society and the Hermannsburg Mission Institute, 1838-1900

The History And Development Of The Tithe With Special Reference To Legalistic Aberrations, Otto Fink

Bachelor of Divinity

The author wishes to state that the Mosaic system of tithing has always puzzled him. It was not, however, until recent years that he began to take a deeper interest in the general subject of tithing. Due to the fact that many of our Lutheran pastors and layman are tithers, and due also to the fact that the scriptures speak so often of giving, he has taken this opportunity to investigate and trace the history and development of tithing from remote antiquity to the present day. The study is of inestimable value to him. It should be understood that no …

The Chief Heretical Groups Of The Early Church, Lewis Gerbhardt

Bachelor of Divinity

Peace and unity within the Church of the first and second century was an unattainable then as it is today. The early church experienced internal conflicts more trying than many of the persecutions and results fat more disastrous. Christianity had been given the world as the only true religion, the only religion professing Jesus Christ, the only name under heaven whereby salvation could be had. Many systems of religion and thought existed which likewise claimed to deal authoritatively with man and his soul, however conflicts between Christianity and these pagan beliefs were either short-lived or caused little opposition. The real …

The Church And Its Battle With Gnosticism, Luther Koepke

Bachelor of Divinity

As we look at Gnosticism we find it a counterfeit of the true and Christ-founded Church. To the people living at the height of the Gnostic heresy this erroneous teaching and Christianity must have seemed similar. Similar terms, and similar concepts, but Gnosticism offering these by a different method. Gnosticism came in similar garb, offered like benefits, but gave soul-destroying results.

The Reformation In The Relation To Elementary Education, E P. Weber

Bachelor of Divinity

While here and there a practical deduction may be drawn, the one aim of this paper is to present from a historical angle the Reformation in its relation to elementary education. In order to limit ourselves to the requirements of a treatise of this sort, we shall refer for the most part only to the educational thoughts of the Reformation author, Martin Luther.

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

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 …

The Herods In The Opinion Of Comtemparay Writers, Clarence Bopp

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Because the Herods were in power in Palestine at the time of Christ and His apostles, there are many references to them in the New Testament historical books. Most of these references record events which emphasize the character of a particular Herod. For this reason a study of the character of the various Herods is of as much importance to an understanding of the New Testament as is the study of events during their reigns. In this paper we have accordingly attempted not only to study the chief events which occurred under each Herod, but also to analyze the character …

A Criticism Of The Madras Conference From The Standpoint Of A Christian Believer, Wilbert Griesse

Bachelor of Divinity

What a wonderful thing it would be if all the denominations could get together on a common ground and work together against ·the forces of sin and hell: What an impression that would make upon the world! Such a condition would greatly further the cause of missions. It was especially the younger churches that were crying for unity. The younger churches cannot understand the divisions and the multiplied organizations of the mother churches. If they are all Christian, why are they not united?

Tradition And Reason In The Roman Sacraments, Wilfred Janke

Bachelor of Divinity

The supernatural truth was revealed to man through the Word of God. To this the Roman Catholic Church adds the unwritten tradition committed to the Church. Both Protestants and Catholics agree that it is not enough that God should give His revelation to man, but that gift must be kept pure and unalloyed and entire, otherwise it would be valueless. God, therefore, must both provide the sacred source of truth and keep it clean and uncontaminated. So far the two bodies are agreed.