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Melanchthon The Churchman, Gilbert A. Thiele

Concordia Theological Monthly

In presenting Melanchthon as churchman we try to erect a little monument to him as a man of and for the church. To assist us in bringing some order into a large mass of fact and interpretation which has been accumulating over four centuries, we have thought it good to distribute our tribute over several areas.

Melanchthon The Theologian, Robert D. Preus

Concordia Theological Monthly

It would seem impossible that the theme "Melanchthon the Theologian," which is as comprehensive as it is indefinite, could be discussed satisfactorily in any brief presentation. The actual purpose and scope of this study is, however, narrower than the rather general theme might indicate. I propose to consider Melanchthon’s contributions to that discipline which is now known as dogmatics, to trace the impact of his systematic bent upon Lutheran theology, to delineate some of his main ideas on theology, and thus to assess him as a theologian.

Luther And Melanchthon, Erwin L. Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

Luther speaks directly to us in German language; Melanchthon in Latin. This may have some significance whether or not we agree with Schiller that the "soul of a people is in its language."

"Melanchthon, Christ's Witness" (Editorial Comment), George W. Hoyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

This was the theme of a chapel address with which Prof. Henry W. Reimann introduced the observance at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, on April 19-21, of the quadricentennial of Melanchthon’s death. This issue presents three short papers read at this occasion; others are scheduled for later issues. The papers were not written for publication and are presented substantially as read, along with such documentation as had been added to the papers. Some of the leading thoughts of Professor Reimann's address may fittingly introduce this little symposium.

Scripture And Tradition In The Council Of Trent, Richard Baepler

Concordia Theological Monthly

This study deals with the historical circumstances surrounding the Roman Catholic doctrinal decision at the Council of Trent regarding the authority of Scripture and tradition. By examining this decision in the light of events which led to its formulation as well as in the light of its subsequent fate, we shall be introduced to an issue which has become very much alive in both Roman Catholic and Protestant thought.

The Doctrine Of Justification And Reconciliation In The Theology Of Karl Barth, Robert D. Preus

Concordia Theological Monthly

The doctrine of reconciliation is among the last subjects Barth has spoken on. This doctrine is presented in Vol. IV of his Church Dogmatics and embraces three parts. In Barth's dogmatics reconciliation includes not only the doctrine of the atonement and justification but also the work and person of Christ and the application of salvation (conversion and sanctification).

The Altpreussische Union. Its Status And Significance Today With Special Reference To The Ecumenical Movement, Matthias Schulz Jr., Siegfried J. Lehmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Altpreussische Union of 1817 is not only a past event of historical interest, but it also deserves to be recognized as a significant factor in its effect on the contemporary scene. It continues to be effective in the church organization known as the EKU (Evangelische Kirche der Union), which stems from this union and through it exerts a definite influence on the life of the church in Germany. Moreover, it continues to be even more effective by reason of the principles on which it was based and which by no means apply only to Germany.

Why The Reformation Occurred In Germany, Gerhard Ritter

Concordia Theological Monthly

At the end of the Middle Ages, the moral prestige of the old papal church was severely shaken in all the countries of Europe. Open criticism of its moral shortcomings and its organizational defects had been going on for centuries. To the diverse splinter movements of heretical sects (which were never wholly suppressed) had been recently added the great reform movements of the Wyclifites and the Hussites. But even they had brought about no lasting and widespread upheaval. Ultimately the old hierarchy had always prevailed. Why then did the Germans, a people slow to be aroused, fond of order, and …

The Elizabethan Settlement And The English Church., Charles F. Mullett

Concordia Theological Monthly

In surveying the Elizabethan Settlement and the Church of England one can do no better than introduce his remarks with a flash of insight from the Rev. Laurence Sterne. According to "my Uncle Toby" in Tristram Shandy, everything in this world has wit in it, and instruction too, if we can but find it out. That the Elizabethan Settlement illustrates this wisdom may be established by two "texts" from our own country.

The Word Of The Lord Grew: The Historical Character Of The New Testament Word, Martin H. Franzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Word of the Lord grew" -three times in the Book of Acts Luke uses this sentence to sum up a period of the history of the first church (Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20). These words are a telling expression of the Biblical conception of the divine Word. Our Lord Himself compared the Word to a seed that is sown and sprouts and grows: 'The seed is the Word of God" (Luke 8:11). The Word of the Lord is a power and is active; it "prevails mightily," as Luke puts it in one of the passages just referred to (Acts 19:20). …

The Case Of Athanasius Against Arius, Samuel Labuchli

Concordia Theological Monthly

Every age must restate the events of history because in every age these events appear in a specific focus. The contemporary theological discussion concerning ontological and existential knowledge, the essence of Biblical faith, and the meaning of language in Christian theology make the controversy of the fourth century a highly modern issue. Indeed, the 20th century has to state its Christological position afresh. It cannot simply repeat the fathers between Nicaea and Constantinople. Yet it can learn a great deal from these fathers by seeking to understand, sine ira et studio, the case of Athanasius versus Arius.

Fifteen Fifty-Nine Anno Domini, Carl S. Meyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The confluence of significant events in 1559 A. D. makes that year a notable one in church history. From time to time a half dozen or a baker's dozen of occurrences within the 12-month span alloted by the calendar to a single year may loom up so large that they are regarded as particularly significant and make the year a memorable one in the annals of mankind. Such was the year 1559.

The Pope's Council, Lewis W. Spitz

Concordia Theological Monthly

Pope John XXIII is calling an ecumenical council-a wise move on his part. Ecumenicity is popular. People are talking about it. The pope's council will claim its share of the conversation. Rome never misses a chance for favorable publicity. In this case it is spiced with the prospect of others, besides Roman Catholics, being invited. Who will it be? No matter, the pope's council will not, and cannot, be a free council, for at best the erring children of the non-Roman churches can be invited to return to the bosom of the mother church.

Pius Xii, A Roman From Rome, Walter G. Tillmanns

Concordia Theological Monthly

"E Romano di Roma," he is a Roman from Rome, the joyful multitudes shouted. For the first time in over 200 years a native Roman had been elected Bishop of Rome. The time was 5:30 P. M., the day March 2, 1939, the 63d birthday of Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli.

Aids To Bible Study: The Septuagint-Its History, Frederick W. Danker

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Gentlemen, have you a Septuagint?" Ferdinand Hitzig, eminent Biblical critic and Hebraist, used to say to his class. "If not, sell all you have, and buy a Septuagint." Current Biblical studies reflect the accuracy of his judgment. This and the next installment are therefore dedicated to the task of helping the Septuagint come alive for Biblical students who may be neglecting its contributions to the total theological picture, for clergymen who have forgotten its interpretive possibilities, and for all who have just begun to see how new things can be brought out of old.

The Seventeenth Century Dogmaticians As Philosophers, A. C. Ahlen

Concordia Theological Monthly

To assert that philosophy and theology are not identical would obviously be unnecessary in addressing myself to the present group; but to remind you that there are vast areas of common interest shared by these two disciplines is probably not superfluous. Living as we do in a time when reason is often ridiculed and up-to-the- minute theologians present highly rationalized arguments in favor of antirational views, we need to remind ourselves that philosophy is inescapable. The moment we reflect critically upon our experiences and beliefs, we begin to philosophize.

Spiritual Marriage In The Early Church: A Suggested Interpretation Of 1 Cor. 7:36-38, Roland H. Sedoldt

Concordia Theological Monthly

There is evidence of the ascetic attitude in the early Christian Church.

The feeling grew that the ordinary life with its natural duties and obligations is incompatible with the life lived in the spirit. Possession of the spirit requires a life which is extraordinary, where there is no room for worldly affairs, particularly for marriage.

Spiritual Marriage In The Early Church: A Suggested Interpretation Of 1 Cor. 7:36-38, Roland H. Sedoldt

Concordia Theological Monthly

In his commentary on First Corinthians, Karl Heim writes concerning 7:36: "Now comes the passage the interpretation of which has always caused the greatest difficulties. We are especially handicapped in not having the list of questions which the Corinthians addressed to Paul."

The lack of conclusive materials to reconstruct the problem in Corinth has led to an oversimplification. The ancient exegetes interpreted this section as a father-daughter problem in permitting or prohibiting marriage. Until recent times this interpretation was almost universally adopted.

Career Of The Reformer, Theodore Hoyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Under this subtitle four volumes of the new American edition of Luther's Works will be issued; the first one, Vol. :31, has just come from the press. (The earlier volumes [1-30], four of which have appeared to date, will contain Luther's expositions of various Biblical books.) These four volumes (31-34) will contain what are usually called Luther's Reformation writings: "All the significant and representative writings of Luther which are concerned with his career as a reformer" (31, x f.). The purpose is to show in his own words why and how he became the Reformer, what he did for the …

The Modern Papacy, Carl S. Meyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Under the caption "The Modern Papacy" the popes of the last century are included. A span of a hundred years (112 to be exact) is long enough to permit one to see and evaluate the main events, to delineate the chief movements and trends, and to point out the main currents of thought. We suffer in part from contemporaneousness, but the contemporary within the perspective of a century may not be in too distorted a focus.

Christ Frees And Unites: The Third Lutheran World Federation Assembly, Hanns Lilje

Concordia Theological Monthly

The third assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, held in Minneapolis, August 15-25, 1957, sends Christian greetings to all Lutheran congregations in the world. Our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy. We are grateful to God for the rich blessings which He granted us throughout these days. It is with joy and affection that we think of the fellowship with so many brethren and sisters from all over the world.

Some Aspects Of The Asian Situation And Their Significance For Training For Service To The Church, R. Pearce Beaver

Concordia Theological Monthly

The revival of the ancient religions of Asia is one of the most important factors in the international situation which has developed since World War II. It may be regarded as part of a current worldwide revival of religion, or, on the other hand, there may be some ground to think that the Asian development stimulated a world movement. Religion is now more important as a factor in national and international affairs than has been the case for many centuries. The Asian churchmen, in the book Christianity and the Asian Revolution, state: "Nationalism imparts a new interpretation to religion. Instead …

Robert Barnes And Wittenberg, N. S. Tjernagel

Concordia Theological Monthly

From the year 1521, when Henry VIII attacked the theology of Martin Luther in his celebrated Assertio septem sacramentorum, to 1540, when he reiterated his theological Romanism by ordering the execution of Thomas Cromwell and Dr. Robert Barnes, English policy respecting Lutheranism went full cycle. Between those dates on which the conservative position of Henry VIII was so emphatically stated, the king of England departed from orthodoxy and came very near to espousing the theology of the Lutheran reformers of Wittenberg, Germany. The royal dalliance with heresy during those years was not unconnected with the king's success in securing his …

Papyrus Sixty-Six, Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Arabs who came across some fifty rolls of papyrus in the Fayum district of Egypt, back in 1778, burned them because they could find no purchasers and because they gave forth a sweet aromatic smell as they were consumed by fire. Only one roll escaped this tragic fate and was published as the Charta Borgiana, containing an account of the labors of the peasants along the Nile at Arsinoe for the year A. D. 191-192. It was not until 1889 to 1890, less than seventy-five years ago, that a beginning was made in the systematic exploration and study of …

Sir John Oldcastle Reconsidered, Rudolph Fiehler

Concordia Theological Monthly

From among the Puritan saints whose lives are told in John Foxe's Acts and Monuments of These Latter Days, it has not been the fashion for some time to single out Sir John Oldcastle, "the good Lord Cobham," as a special example of heroism and piety. Writers of history have become accustomed to set down this high-placed follower of John Wyclif as a hot-headed adventurer whose intemperate ambition led him to bring about a foolhardy armed uprising against his liege, the gallant and pious Henry V. Shakespeare scholars have had an interest in Sir John Oldcastle because, according to an …

William Frederick Arndt 1880-1957, Paul M. Bretscher

Concordia Theological Monthly

William Frederick Arndt 1880-1957

Labor, Industry, And The Church, David S. Schuller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The church stood amazed before the rising form of the industrial giant. Its size was frightening enough, but its two heads of unionism and management struck terror into her heart. The church felt she should say something to the monster. But then what could she say? It certainly didn't look like a membership prospect. And so the church pretended she didn't see it. But the church's heart continued to pound. And way down deep she felt guilty. She had a message - even for such two-headed giants. And she should be speaking.

The Apostolate: Its Enduring Significance In The Apostolic Word, Martin H. Franzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

Our Lutheran Confessions state: "We believe, reach, and confess that the sole rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with all teachers should be estimated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone." In using the word "apostolic," they are confessing to something which is not merely a historical but also a theological entity. For the conception "apostle" and "apostolic" is one which is determined entirely by its relationship to the Lord, who establishes the apostolate and sends the apostles.

Contemporary Church Architecture In The Lutheran Church Of America, Arlis J. Ehlen

Concordia Theological Monthly

A great many of the churches built for Lutheran congregations in recent years show the strong influence of contemporary developments in architecture. These buildings usually depart so noticeably from the traditional ecclesiastical styles that certain questions quite naturally come to the mind of the interested observer: I. What originally led these congregations to choose the contemporary idiom for their new churches? II. How, exactly, do the modern churches differ from the older ones, and in what ways are they still similar? III. How have church members, community, and visitors reacted toward the new churches after they were built and in …

Notes On Translation Of The Malayalam Bible, Herbert M. Zorn

Concordia Theological Monthly

These notes are designed to point out some of the difficulties of the translator's task, especially if he must transfer thought content into a language that is separated from the original in point of form, culture, distance, and time. It is not the writer's intention to present an exhaustive study of the Bible in Malayalam. Nor does he maintain that the problems dealt with are the most urgent and vexing. Peculiarities of Malayalam make it difficult to make clear some of the vexing problems to one not familiar with the language. Enough examples, however, will be cited to remind us …