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Full-Text Articles in Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
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.
The Just Shall Live By Faith, Otto W. Heick
The Just Shall Live By Faith, Otto W. Heick
Concordia Theological Monthly
When did Luther reach the reformation insight into the doctrine of Justification? The author reviews the literature on the question, and brings to the attention of American readers the work of Uuras Saarnivaara, which has received little scholarly attention since its publication.
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 …
Justification By Works: Fate And The Gospel In The Roman Empire, Robert L. Wilken
Justification By Works: Fate And The Gospel In The Roman Empire, Robert L. Wilken
Concordia Theological Monthly
A prominent theme in the Christian writings of the second and third centuries is that men are "rewarded and punished according to the quality of their works." It is sounded in the middle of the second century by Justin Martyr in his First Apology: "We have learned from the prophets and declare as the truth, that penalties and punishments and good rewards are given according to the quality of each man's action." A century later, Origen, in Contra Celsum, lists this belief as an article of faith alongside the resurrection and virgin birth.
Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer
Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
Justification by grace through faith constitutes the unifying theme of this issue. Profs. Robert Bertram and George Hoyer treat the topic from different points of view. Bertram's paper was originally delivered to an international group of army officers in Europe; Hoyer spoke to a group of American architects in Kansas! The warm reception accorded both papers is evidence of the continuing relevance of this Lutheran shibboleth.
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.
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.
Covenant And Justification In The Old Testament, Walter R. Roehrs
Covenant And Justification In The Old Testament, Walter R. Roehrs
Concordia Theological Monthly
The Lutheran World Federation convention at Helsinki in 1963 was not able to reach agreement on a formulation of the doctrine of justification. This lack of agreement, it is said, does not imply disagreement regarding the doctrine itself, but it resulted from the inability to formulate or present this basic teaching of Scripture to modern man in such a way as to speak to him in terms that are relevant and pertinent to him. This difficulty arises, it is said, particularly because modern man no longer asks Luther's question: "How do I find a gracious God?" but asks: "Is there …
Calvin's Doctrine Of Justification, Thomas Coates
Calvin's Doctrine Of Justification, Thomas Coates
Concordia Theological Monthly
Justification by faith was the great central doctrine of the Reformation, a doctrine which formed the foundation of the entire theological system of Luther and was bequeathed by him to the succeeding generations of Christendom as the great heritage of the Reformation. This doctrine, of course, did not originate with the reformers, but was restored by them to its rightful position as the pivot around which the entire Christian religion revolves - the doctrine which, in a preeminent sense, marks the great cleavage between Christianity and all heathen religions. The unique and distinctive character of Christianity, in contrast with all …
The Inclusive Nature Of Holy Baptism In Luther's Writings, Harry G. Coiner
The Inclusive Nature Of Holy Baptism In Luther's Writings, Harry G. Coiner
Concordia Theological Monthly
Though our action or behavior does not make the sacrament valid, nevertheless legitimate concerns are to be expressed from time to time regarding our understanding and employment of Baptism. Luther reminds us that Baptism is no human trifle devised or invented by men, but it is instituted by God Himself; for He strictly commanded that we must be baptized, or we cannot be saved; let no one regard it as a trivial matter, like putting on a new red coat. He expressed his estimation of Baptism in strong terms.
A Brief Statement-Guidelines And Helps For Study, Unknown
A Brief Statement-Guidelines And Helps For Study, Unknown
Concordia Theological Monthly
Documents such as A Brief Statement are functional; they are intended to perform a service and have validity and worth because, and insofar as, they do perform a service. As Lutherans, who receive and embrace the Holy Scriptures as the pure fountains from which the people of God must drink to live, we live in the conviction that the one functioning power in the life of the church is the Word of God.
Vicarious Satisfaction: A Study In Ecclesiastical Terminology, Henry W. Reimann
Vicarious Satisfaction: A Study In Ecclesiastical Terminology, Henry W. Reimann
Concordia Theological Monthly
There is no dispute in modern theology on the importance of the work of Christ. Biblical, Reformation, and confessional studies have combined to recall theology to the importance of Christology and soteriology. Even the recent emphases on ecclesiology and eschatology, stemming from our ecumenical and apocalyptic times, have not been unproductive of more vital soteriological emphases.
Luther And Sanctification, Philip S. Watson
Luther And Sanctification, Philip S. Watson
Concordia Theological Monthly
In a volume of sermons which he published in 1788, John Wesley took occasion to repeat a criticism of Luther that he had first made after reading his commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians many years before. "It has frequently been observed," he says, "that very few were clear in their judgment both with regard to justification and sanctification"; and he cites Luther as an example. "Who," he asks, "has wrote more ably than Martin Luther on justification by faith alone? And who was more ignorant of the doctrine of sanctification, or more confused in his conceptions of it?" …
Pauline Charis: A Philological, Exegetical, And Dogmatical Study (Concluded), Raymond F. Surburg
Pauline Charis: A Philological, Exegetical, And Dogmatical Study (Concluded), Raymond F. Surburg
Concordia Theological Monthly
Francisco Zorell gives two definitions of grace that are not warranted by the context in which χάϱις, appears in the epistles of Paul.
Luther's Apologetics, Siegbert Becker
Luther's Apologetics, Siegbert Becker
Concordia Theological Monthly
The renewed interest in the construction of a Christian apologetic which is stirring in Protestantism ought also to stimulate Lutherans to take a fresh look at the possibilities of defending the Christian faith before an unbelieving world. As Protestantism shortens its lines in an attempt to strengthen its position, it behooves a Lutheran theologian to come to a clear understanding of the nature and the place of apologetics in the Christian witness.
Justification By Faith In Modern Theology, Henry P. Hamann Jr.
Justification By Faith In Modern Theology, Henry P. Hamann Jr.
Concordia Theological Monthly
In one of his justly famous Gesammelte Aufsaetze entitled Die Rechtfertigungslehre im Lichte der Geschichte des Protestantis1mus Karl Holl quotes the scholar Lagarde as declaring that justification as a doctrine was dead-this was in 1873 - and that no one lived by it any longer. The far more pressing task, moderns tell us, is to show to modern man that there is a God. Whether there is a God at all is the problem he has to face, not something about God, say, that God justifies. To this criticism of the very raison d’ȇtre of this study we should reply …
Was Luther A Nominalist?, Bengt Haegglund
Was Luther A Nominalist?, Bengt Haegglund
Concordia Theological Monthly
The problem of the relation between Luther and the tradition which derives its name from William of Occam has in our time acquired a new interest. Certain Roman Catholic critics are inclined to ascribe the Reformer's heretical ideas to nominalist influences. According to them nominalism bears within itself a ferment of dissolution; it rejects in a radical manner the fundamental presuppositions of the whole scholastic theology. Is such a view based on an accurate representation of nominalism? This is a question which we cannot answer within the limits of the present article.
Dr. C. F. W. Walther As Theologian, Francis Pieper, John Theodore Mueller
Dr. C. F. W. Walther As Theologian, Francis Pieper, John Theodore Mueller
Concordia Theological Monthly
This is to say that in order to preserve the doctrine of justification in its purity. there must be added to it the Scripture teaching that God imparts and communicates to men the forgiveness of sins procured by Christ for the entire world in no other way than by the Gospel and the Sacraments. Therefore the Biblical doctrine of justification stands and falls with the Biblical doctrine of the means of grace.
Sacra Scriptura And ''Verbum Dei" In The Lutheran Confessions, Fred Kramer
Sacra Scriptura And ''Verbum Dei" In The Lutheran Confessions, Fred Kramer
Concordia Theological Monthly
To understand the Lutheran Reformation of the sixteenth century correctly one must know and bear in mind the fact that it was begun by a man who amid fearful troubles of conscience and after a long and bitter struggle for the certainty of his salvation had rediscovered the Gospel and who in turn desired to share its blessings with others.
The Formal And Material Principles Of Lutheran Confessional Theology, F. E. Mayer
The Formal And Material Principles Of Lutheran Confessional Theology, F. E. Mayer
Concordia Theological Monthly
The source of doctrine, or the formal principle, of Lutheran theology is sola Scriptura, the Scriptures alone. It does seem strange that with its avowed emphasis on the sole authority of the Scriptures the Lutheran Church nowhere has a specific article setting forth its attitude toward the Holy Scriptures. By contrast the early Reformed Confessions have an elaborate statement concerning the place and the scope of Scriptures, including even a list of all the books which are considered canonical. The Lutheran Confessions have no specific article dealing with the Holy Scriptures for three reasons.
The Grace Of God Gives Us Christ For Justification, Gerhard Schulze-Kadelbach
The Grace Of God Gives Us Christ For Justification, Gerhard Schulze-Kadelbach
Concordia Theological Monthly
Our theme is a confessional statement. The statement as a whole as well as each of its terms makes sense only as a confession. We must consider this for a moment at the very outset. In doing so, our thoughts tend in two directions. The realization that we are dealing with a confessional statement implies above all that the assertion of our theme is possible only within the Church. The little word "us" points unmistakably to this fact: "The grace of God gives us Christ for justification."
Luther's Concept Of The Atonement Before 1517, Lewis W. Spitz
Luther's Concept Of The Atonement Before 1517, Lewis W. Spitz
Concordia Theological Monthly
Recent years have seen a delightfully refreshing interest in Luther's writings. One might almost speak of a Luther renaissance. Luther scholarship in Sweden immediately comes to one's mind. But other countries as well have made their contributions, and other religious groups besides the Lutheran. We may think of such men as Werner Elert and Erich Seeberg in Germany, Philip S. Warson in England, and Roland H. Bainton in America. This number could easily be multiplied.
All Christians Believe In Justification By Faith, F. Pieper, Th. Engelder
All Christians Believe In Justification By Faith, F. Pieper, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
There is a great diversity among the Christians. Some are strong in their faith, while others are weak Christians. Some have an excellent knowledge of the Christian doctrine, others are woefully deficient in this respect (Eph. 4:13, 14; Rom. 14:1 ff.). There are orthodox Christians and heterodox Christians. (See Chap. 1 in "Saving Faith": "Orthodoxy and membership in the Christian Church are not conterminous.") But there is full accord among the Christians on the doctrine of justification. All Christians are at one in believing that God forgives their sins by grace, for Christ's sake, without any merit of their own. …
Objective Justification, E. W. Koehler
Objective Justification, E. W. Koehler
Concordia Theological Monthly
The doctrine of justification is rightly regarded to be the central doctrine of the Scriptures. All other teachings of the Bible either point to it, or they radiate from it. We can understand neither the work of Christ's redemption nor the work of the Spirit's sanctification if we do not understand the doctrine of justification. Luther calls it "diesen einigen und festen Felsen," and says: "In meinem Herzen herrscht allein dieser Artikel, naemlich der Glaube on Christum, aus welchem, durch welchen und zu welchem alle meine theologischen Gedanken fliessen und zurueckfliessen." (Luthers Vorrede zum Galaterbrief, St. Louis, IX: 9.) Let …
Luther's Spiritual Martyrdom And Its Appeasement, Theo. Dierks
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.
Lectures On Galatians, Wm. Dallmann
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 Doctrine Of Justification According To Gabriel Biel And Johann Von Palz, Theo. Dierks
The Doctrine Of Justification According To Gabriel Biel And Johann Von Palz, Theo. Dierks
Concordia Theological Monthly
"To understand Luther's spiritual development presupposes an understanding of what Luther was taught and what he later rejected” writes Dr. E. G. Schwiebert in his Reformation Lectures (a book which should be in every Lutheran pastor's library), and this understanding we have sought to give by these articles treating of the doctrine of justification as it was taught before the Reformation.
The False Arguments For The Modern Theory Of Open Questions, C. F. Walther, W. Arndt
The False Arguments For The Modern Theory Of Open Questions, C. F. Walther, W. Arndt
Concordia Theological Monthly
In the foreword of the present volume of this journal we stated in which sense one may without hesitation speak of open questions. At the same time we declared that we reject the modern theory of open questions. It appears necessary, however, that we point out how untenable the arguments are which are advanced In support and justification of this theory.
The Doctrine Of Justification According To Duns Scotus, Doctor Subtilis, Theo. Dierks
The Doctrine Of Justification According To Duns Scotus, Doctor Subtilis, Theo. Dierks
Concordia Theological Monthly
In his book Die Theologie des Johannes Duns Scotus, Seeberg compares Duns Scotus with Luther and maintains that Luther's conflict with Rome was chiefly directed against Duns Scotus. This is true to some extent, especially in regard to the question of free will and grace.
A Course In Lutheran Theology, Th. Engelder
A Course In Lutheran Theology, Th. Engelder
Concordia Theological Monthly
We have not exhausted the subject of sola gratia as treated by Luther in De Servo Arbitrio. There is the all-important matter of the sinner's justification before God. And the sola gratia is the heart of the doctrine of justification. That is the blessed truth which comforts the heart of the despairing sinner. That is the glorious truth which the minister of the Gospel needs to study and restudy, to study every day of his life.