Practical Theology Commons^™

An Historical Survey Of Liturgical Vestments For Clergy And Sanctuary With Final Reference To Good Lutheran Usage, Harry Krieger

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

In other cases unfortunately, the Liturgical trend has produced no improvement, but quite the opposite. Individuals and groups have been swept along by it, to be sure, but have adopted much that is questionable, if not thoroughly repugnant, because they were impressed with the novelty of the thing adopted, or because it was supposed to be an improvement. As a case in point we mention the imprimatur which a large Lutheran body in America recently placed upon the wearing of a colored stole over an academic robe or so-called Genenva gown, in violation both of liturgical principles and historic practice. …

An Investigation Into The Effectiveness Of Preaching For The Purpose Of Teaching Christian Doctrine, Martin Brauer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis is "An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Preaching for the Purpose of Teaching Christian Doctrine." By Christian Doctrine we mean everything that the Bible tells us about God, His nature, His work and His attitude toward man, and everything that the Bible tells us about the origin, purpose, and destiny of man, his nature, and his relationship to God. Men and God are the great theme of Scripture. Everything that the Bible says can some way or another be fitted under this theme.

A Survey And Evaluation Of Religious Broadcasting, A Karl Boehmke

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper will attempt:

I. To separate the historical thread of religious broadcasting out of the history of broadcasting in general.

II. To evaluate religious broadcasting as an aid to the Church.

III. To indicate trends which religious broadcasting may follow in the future.

The Lord's Prayer, The Pastor's Prayer, G. H. Smukal

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Kingdom is the kingdom of the Father, for the Father is addressed. And since Jesus teaches us to pray for the coming of the Father's kingdom, the Father must have a kingdom. This argument is sustained by the conclusion of the prayer: Thine is the Kingdom. Since the Father has a kingdom, He is a King. Though He is the King, we are to approach Him as our Father. Jesus teaches us to believe with a rejoicing heart that we are children of a king and encourages us to seek better acquaintance with, and greater knowledge of, the King …

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

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

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.

Youth Guidance In Marriage Problems, Elfred L. Roschke

Concordia Theological Monthly

"Youth Guidance in Marriage Problems" is the topic of this article. Before we begin the actual consideration of the topic, it may be well to get our bearings and to give some definitions. What do we mean by guidance? We believe that this term designates, or should designate, any effort by means of example and by means of precept, by direct or indirect instruction, to show people, especially young people, the true and right way, the best course to follow. Since this guidance, according to the topic, is to be a guidance of youth regarding the problems of one of …

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 Lutheran Pastor As Teacher, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

That every Lutheran pastor should be able to preach is a fundamental requirement. Every graduate of every theological seminary, whether this be a Lutheran institution or not, is expected to present the truths of salvation in the form of an address, speech, or oration, be it more or less formal or more or less technical and scientific. But many a person, in referring to this self-evident presupposition for graduation from a theological seminary, has in mind only the person of the preacher and the form. of his message. That is to say, the emphasis is on the art of preaching …

The Golden Age Of Lutheran Church Music, Walter Buszin

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

While the chief aim of this thesis is to give thought to the musical developments of the Golden Age of Lutheran Church Music, the writer will attempt also to present an account of the general background which is furnished not only by the cultural and political, but also by the ecclesiastical conditions of this period and the periods which preceded it. This is being done not only because the author sees fit to accept the dictum set forth by Egon Friedell, but also because he is firmly convinced that developments within the Golden Age of Lutheran Church Music will then …

Dignified Methods Of Church Publicity, August Brustat

Bachelor of Divinity

Church publicity is an important phase of church work. It is the MEANS by which we call to the attention of immortal souls the truth of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Methods of church publicity are an important part of the curriculum of a theological Seminary. Prospective ministers of the Gospel will be greatly aided in their future parish duties if dignified ways and means of publicizing the Gospel are called to their attention in the course on Practical Theology.

The Problem Of Infrequent Communion In The Missouri Synod, Herbert Kern

Bachelor of Divinity

A widespread neglect of the Lord's Supper exists in our Church. A number of years ago an editor of the "Lutheran Witness" wrote: "One of the alarming symptoms in the Church is the neglect of the Sacrament by so many members. "Recent Communion statistics offer positive proof that the Eucharist does not occupy that place in our congregational life which Christ clearly intended for it.

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 Christian Congregation: Its Rights And Duties According To God's Word And Our Lutheran Confessions, J. T. Mueller

Concordia Theological Monthly

In my two brief addresses I shall endeavor to present to you, in their essential features, the paramount Biblical truths which Dr. Walther has propounded in his immortal book Die rechte Geatalt einer vom Staat unabhaengigen ev.-luth. Ortsgemeinde. Eine Sammlung von Zeugnissen aus den Bekenntnisschriften der evang.-luth. Kirche und aus den Privatschriften rechtglaeubiger Lehrer der selben; which means, in literal translation: The Correct Form of a Local Ev. Luth. Congregation which Is Independent of the State. A Collection of Testimonies from the Confessions of the Ev. Luth. Church and the Private Writings of Its Orthodox Teachers.

Why Should A Pastor Continue To Study Church History?, W. G. Polack

Concordia Theological Monthly

The history of the Church, the account of the progress of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the world, with all the many ramifications it presents, the great characters it introduces, and the stirring and dramatic events it portrays, strangely enough does not interest every pastor, as it does not interest every theological student at our Seminary. Some pastors sagely declare that they do not care about the study of church history, what they are interested in is making church history. The latter may be a most laudable ambition, but one wonders whether real, worth-while history can be made by …

The Pastor And His Audience, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

In that delightful book by Arthur Stevens Phelps entitled Speaking in Public we find, among the many scintillating epigrams and pungent sayings, this thought-provoking sentence: "It takes two to make a speech, the man that speaks and the man that listens." And again: ''If a speaker may be 'too full for utterance,' a congregation may be too full for audience." Both of these sayings contain much food for thought, especially for the Lutheran pastor.

The Pastor And His Sermon, E. J. Friedrich

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the course of the last fifteen or twenty years much was said and done to discredit the pulpit as an instrument of power in the building of the kingdom of God. Even within the sanctuary itself strident voices proclaimed with prophetic finality that the pulpit had lost its power and that the day of preaching had passed forever. Systematic efforts were put forth in many quarters to supplant the preacher by religious technicians in the fields of worship, education, social service, and organization; and men quite generally staked their hopes for a virile and world-conquering Church upon agencies and …

Chrisitan Burial, J. A. Petersen

Concordia Theological Monthly

The topic "Christion Burial" might on first thought appear to be a topic that rightfully belongs to the pastoral conference. It should not require so much thought to realize, however, that the right understanding of this important subject and, following upon the right understanding, the correct practice concerning Christian burial is of vital importance to the members as well as to the pastor of the congregation, especially in our day, when the opinion is steadily gaining ground that Christian burial should be denied no one, regardless of what the deceased has confessed and how he hos lived. At no time …

Antecedents Of The Common Order Of Service, Daniel E. Poellot

Bachelor of Divinity

I have restricted the scope of this treatise to the developments of that part of our Common Service which is commonly known as the Service of the Word, in the Ancient, Medieval, and Reformation Periods, beginning with the Scriptural sources of those rubrics, and ending with illustrations of practices as given in the Lutheran Kirchenordnungen of the 16th century. Later references are more incidental. Furthermore, the ceremonial of the Common Service also lies beyond the scope of this essay, as also the hymnology of the Lutheran Church is a field for itself.

Reflections On The Status Of Our Preaching, E. J. Freidrich

Concordia Theological Monthly

While not a few of those who answered our questionnaire stated that our preparatory schools and seminaries cannot, at least not as a rule, be held responsible for poor preaching heard in our circles, the general opinion seems to be that the alarming symptoms evident in our pulpit work do "reflect in a measure upon the training received at our preparatory schools and seminaries."

Matins As The Chief Service, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

There are three denominations (using the term in it popular connotation) which are properly designated liturgical. This means that they have liturgy, a service of sacramental and sacrificial material in which both the officiating minister, clergymen, or priest and the congregation join, including responsive or antiphonal chanting of a more or less elaborate kind. But it is not generally known, or at least it is not correctly understood by many, that of the three liturgical denominations only the Lutheran Church has caught and preserved the spirit of the ancient liturgy, that of the apostolic and subapostolic ages.

Foreword: Can The Lutheran Bodies Of America Get Together?, P. E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

A layman writes to the Lutheran of October 6, 1932: ''Have enjoyed the series of four articles on 'Lutheran Union' as presented from four different viewpoints. However, your editorial remarks concerning the above were quite disappointing to me in as far as you do not seem to like 'free conferences.' How will we Lutherans ever get together if we refuse to confer with one another? Surely a free conference is a good beginning. Differences will crop out of course, but must be honestly faced by all. We Lutherans cannot unite by ignoring real differences. A mere church-government union will not …

The Preparation Of Confirmands, Or The Instruction Of Catechumens, Herm. A. Steege

Concordia Theological Monthly

From the very earliest time of the Christian era, candidates for admission into membership of the Christian Church were first duly instructed and prepared. In the early days such instruction was to prepare them for baptism; for Baptism is the Sacrament of initiation, and it was natural that this mission-work of those days concentrated on adults. It seems to have exhibited various degrees of thoroughness. Without question such instruction was made a matter of prime importance in the Apostolic Age. The several glimpses which the Book of Acts gives us into this particular activity of the early Church easily convince …

The Ghost Of Pietism, Th. Graebner

Concordia Theological Monthly

It has been raised in the Norwegian Lutheran Church. An attempt is being fostered, with an energy and persistence worthy of a better cause to revive upon American soil the lay activities connected with the career of Hans Nielsen Hauge. When the Norwegian Lutheran Church was organized in 1917, the smallest of the bodies entering the union was the so-called Hauge Synod. Characteristic of this Norwegian body are revivalism and lay preaching. A minority was reluctant to enter the union because they feared a gradual submergence of their peculiar type if associated with the former Norwegian Synod and Norwegian United …

Suggestions Concerning Courses For Better Indoctrination, P E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The question of preparing courses of instruction for adequate indoctrination in the various institutions which have been found available for this purpose in the Church is a rather difficult one, but it can be solved successfully if everything is taken into consideration that is now at our disposal in the field.

Clerical Vestments In The Lutheran Church, P E. Kretzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran Church has a wonderful liturgical heritage. Because it is the true Church of the Reformation, it did not resort to unmotivated iconoclasm, preferring, instead, to reform conditions, customs, and usages, cleansing them from additional and incidental impure features and thus preserving the historical and liturgical continuity which is bound to have at least a confessional value.

The Lutheran churches of this country have during the last decades remembered this liturgical heritage. There has been a decided effort, on the part of many congregations and even of entire Lutheran bodies, to return to the liturgical usages of the period …

Pastoral Visits, F C. Streufert

Concordia Theological Monthly

We all agree that our visits of patients in hospitals are frequently not so productive as we desire, either because other patients make such, visits difficult or, at times, because of expected ridicule on the part of other patients or visitors, we are too timid in the confession or profession of our faith. But we must not be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and therefore should most cheerfully and boldly perform our pastoral duty. Such bold presentation of sacred truths of sin and grace, of admonition and of comfort, will strengthen the patient we ore visiting and will …

Sermon For The Golden Jubilee Of A Congregation, W G. Polack

Concordia Theological Monthly

It is with heartfelt rejoicing and fervent thanksgiving that you are met together in your house of worship on this occasion. After weeks and months of careful planning and prayerful preparation the day of your golden jubilee has come. You have united your hearts and voices in songs of praise, echoing the exultation of the psalmist: "Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, 0 my soul, and forget not all His benefits." “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous. … This is …

"Whom Shall We Send?", F Brand

Concordia Theological Monthly

Said one of our brethren to me the other day,.”I am not in favor of sending our best men to the Orient. We need them at home. Less gifted men are good enough.'' The brother is a man of acknowledged zeal for the work of the Lord and always willing to bring a personal sacrifice in order to win a soul for Christ. His firm conviction is that we "need our best men at home." The subject challenges careful thought.