Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

The Use Of The Exodus In Interpreting History, Elaine Marie Prevallet

Concordia Theological Monthly

Our study takes the complex of traditions grouped around the exodus as its point of departure. We shall consider the use made of this event at four stages in Israel's history and attempt to determine two factors: (1) whether the prophetic interpretation of the exodus event at a given period in Israel's history has been shaped by the historical situation and (2) whether the exodus event is used to interpret the historical situation. Finally, we may be able to draw some conclusions relative both to the Israelite view and use of history.

Editorial, Editorial Staff

Concordia Theological Monthly

CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY is the theological organ of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. For 35 years it has been edited by the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, as its predecessors had been for 75 years before that. The editorial policy states that articles which appear in it "are to be theologically sound, i. e., according to the Scriptures and in conformity with the Lutheran Symbols." The policy also states that "uniformity of opinion or agreement with traditional points of view in such areas as exegesis and the practical application of doctrine shall not be required," provided the articles meet the …

Pleroma And Christology, Harold A. Merklinger

Concordia Theological Monthly

Theologically, πλήϱωμα is among St. Paul's basic concepts. This is particularly true in his epistles to the Ephesians and to the Colossians. In them he uses the term freighted with Christological content.

The Relationship Between Dogmatics And Ethics In The Thought Of Elert, Barth, And Troeltsch, Edward H. Schroeder

Concordia Theological Monthly

A concern for dogmatics and a concern for ethics do not always go together. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, for example, has always had a strong dogmatic tradition, but has in general been uninterested in what is commonly called ethics. But this is the opposite of the situation in many other American denominations. To put the problem into a broader perspective, what is the relationship between dogmatics and ethics? A helpful approach is to study the distinctive answers given by Werner Elert, Karl Barth, and Ernst Troeltsch, which prove to be distinctive not only because their personal theological convictions …

The Status Of Societal Religion In The United States, Martin E. Marty

Concordia Theological Monthly

In recent years citizens of the United States have been experiencing a new version of an old debate. This debate concerns itself with the question: Does or should a nation, a culture, or a society have a single integrating and supporting societal religion? What is the relation of a particular theology to such a common faith or religious consensus in our society and in our nation? The parties which are participating in this widespread and profound debate are many; we can identify some of them.

Theology And Moden Literature-Survey, Donald L. Deffner

Concordia Theological Monthly

In Randall Stewart's American Literature and Christian Doctrine, the author unabashedly abandons "the so-highly-prized, the so-strenuously-inculcated academic neutrality" (p. viii) and pleads for a creatively critical evaluation of modern literature by Christian theologians. According to Stewart, the Christian critic must charge contemporary literature "to give an answer for the faith" that is in it. In the same spirit, John Killinger insists he must "ask hard questions of the creative arts… that the critic [the theologian] must judge, or it has nothing at all to say." (Sec John Killinger, The Failure of Theology in Modem Literature, pp. 15, 16)

The Ethics Of Nuclear Warfare, Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

At the beginning of this atomic age Einstein once remarked, "The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything except our ways of thinking. Thus, we are drifting toward a catastrophe beyond comparison. We shall require a substantially new manner of thinking if mankind is to survive." Fission, fusion, radar, television, automation, miniaturization, jets, rockets, satellites - all of these discoveries and inventions have come tumbling out toward us with such speed that we have not had the time fully to digest the significance of this rapid pace and to reflect on its consequences. During the few years of our …

Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

We are not thinking of the unprinted memorials but have in mind those resolutions which, even though never expressed in specific convention actions, were nevertheless implicit in the resolutions adopted by the delegates at the 1965 convention of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

This issue is the second in the Biblical Studies series, a series first suggested by the Commission on Church Literature and subsequently endorsed by the general leadership of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. This issue is a contribution toward a fuller understanding of the nature of the Word of God. All the articles contribute to this thematic study. One's appreciation of God's written Word can be so controlled by specific problems, like the Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch, that the full grandeur of this book can disappear behind a carefully built fence of minor concerns. The contributors to this …

The Hermeneutical Dilemma: Dualism In The Interpretation Of Holy Scripture, Martin H. Franzmann

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod ought to have a special interest in hermeneutical questions. It is surely a great gift of God to our church that the authority of Scripture is for us still an unquestioned authority, that in all theological discussion in our midst it can be assumed that all participants are the '"humble readers" of whom Luther speaks, that each man '"trembles at the speech of God and continually cries, Teach me! Teach me!'" Of all church bodies we perhaps are, by the grace of God, the least corroded by the '"acids of modernity," the most "naive" in our …

Editorial, Walter F. Wolbrecht

Concordia Theological Monthly

Expatriate missionaries in Ogoja province in Nigeria record and record again spoken words and phrases and discourses in tribal languages and area dialects. Wycliffe translators in Middle America invest countless hours in inventing an alphabet or devising a syntax. Bible society linguistic experts in the Philippine uplands or in New Guinea mountain enclaves search ceaselessly for idioms and equivalents as they reduce a language to writing and begin one more distinguished translation task. All these and many others are tackling endemic illiteracy as a formidable barrier in the preliterate or simply illiterate society to the full communication of the Gospel …

Editorial, Alfred O. Fuerbringer

Concordia Theological Monthly

In some respects this month's Concordia Theological Monthly is a continuation of the issue for December 1964, which was prepared in advance to appear at the time of the observance of the 125th anniversary of the founding of Concordia Seminary. The essays presented now represent a selection of the papers and addresses given at the annual celebration on 8 and 9 December 1964.

Open Letter, Oliver H. Harms

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, through its Work Program Conferences, the Budget Review Committees, the Board of Directors, and upon recommendation of the Council of Administrators, has made the CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY, the professional magazine for the clergymen in the Synod, a regular visitor in the home of every pastor and professor in the Synod.

The Scope Of The Redemptive Task, Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

"When I open the chapel door of the Epistle to the Colossians,'" Adolf Deissmann once observed, "it is as if Johann Sebastian Bach himself sat at the organ." The intricate craftsmanship and majestic chords of this short letter are bound to elicit this kind of response in any one engaged in its study, particularly of that pericope which is sometimes called ''The Great Christology'" (Col 1:15-20). Our reflection on the six verses which constitute this unit will bring also us to the place where we stand in breathless adoration before the apostle's staggering description of the redemptive task which God …

Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

Amidst all the theological tumult and shouting of our day, a quiet revolution has been taking place in the church in the area of mission thought and practice. This issue is devoted to a discussion of this revolution, for it will also be the chief topic at the 1965 convention of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod in Detroit from June 16 to 26. The convention theme is taken from our Lord's mission command "Even so send I you." The articles by Victor Bartling, Martin L Kretzmann, and Roland Miller set out some of the basic theological principles for the …

New Testament Teachings And 20th-Century Church Practice With Special Reference To Relations With Missions And Sister Churches, Carl A. Gaertner

Concordia Theological Monthly

The church in the second half of the 20th century is caught up in the restless revolutionary forces sweeping over the face of the earth and inevitably is being shaken out of its complacency and self-satisfaction. In an age like this, everything is being sharply questioned and ruthlessly analyzed. This in itself is not bad. Under the blessing of God, much good should come to the church as a result of honest reevaluation, on the basis of God's Word, of the church's theology, its life in the world, and its mission.

Resetting Our Sights In Christian Education, Randolph Crump Miller

Concordia Theological Monthly

Christian education means telling the story of God's mighty acts in such a way that the listener participates in the dialog and comes into an engagement with God in his daily life. He is reborn daily with Christ, and therefore he sees the meaning of life in a new way as he lives in community as a Christian in the world.

The Mission Of The Churches To Higher Education, Wayne Saffen

Concordia Theological Monthly

It is perhaps significant that we consider the churches as having a mission to the university and college. This is an admission that on the secular campus the churches are outside looking in. They do not occupy the seat of power or even possess the persuasive ability to determine educational aims, philosophy, curriculum.

Additional Aids For Ministerial Training, Laura Scott

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Foundation for Reformation Research

Concordia Historical Institute

KFUO

Its Graduates Speak; The Seminary Listens, Ronald L. Johnstone

Concordia Theological Monthly

How well does Concordia Seminary train its students for subsequent service in the church? This is the central question being asked continually by Concordia Seminary of itself; this is also the question of a study just completed by the Concordia Seminary Research Center. The following pages report in part the results of this study of training effectiveness.

The Student Association-An Evaluation, John Gienapp

Concordia Theological Monthly

"How does it feel to be top flea on a dead dog?" The wry question addressed to a student association president dramatizes a reality in the life of the association. That reality is the need for reevaluation. It is axiomatic that one thing always present at a seminary is change.

Some Directives For The Education Of A More Excellent Ministry, Arthur C. Repp

Concordia Theological Monthly

The continuing reevaluation which theological seminaries have been making of themselves, coupled with a growing criticism of the seminaries' products on the part of many in the church, has produced a lively ferment in the current discussion of ministerial education. Some outstanding theological books and articles of late have addressed themselves to this subject, all of them showing a real concern for finding a solution.

The Fieldwork Program At Concordia Seminary, Kenneth H. Breimeier

Concordia Theological Monthly

In a sense, there has always been fieldwork at Concordia Seminary. Ever since the beginning of the school, students have been preaching, teaching, and generally exercising the skills of the pastoral ministry. In another sense, the beginning of the fieldwork program might be reckoned from the inauguration of the required year of vicarage, or internship. In the early 1930s Synod asked the class that would have returned for its senior year to stay out for one year to work in the parish.

The School For Graduate Studies, Carl S. Meyer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The history and changing philosophies of what is now known as the School for Graduate Studies illustrates in capsule form the changes and struggles which the seminary itself has experienced during the past years.

A Critique Of Theological Education In The Light Of Changing American Culture, David S. Schuller

Concordia Theological Monthly

The more critical the situation faced by a ministry, the more intense has been its criticism of conventional theological education. Where the patterns of cultural change have been least severe, the conventional shape of ministerial training has been most successful. Turning to the areas of greatest change we find the most demanding tests that can be addressed to contemporary theological education. Moreover, such areas should prove most predictive of the types of change we can look for in the future.

Editorial, Herbert T. Mayer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Seminary and the Church

Gifts From The Lord Of The Church, Leonhard C. Wuerffel

Concordia Theological Monthly

After a little more than 16 years of service as the dean of students at a seminary, we have been asked to set forth some observations concerning the students served during this period of time. First of all, there is something frightening about such a request. To have been intimately associated with more than 2,000 young men, who today are ministers of the Gospel and are serving their Lord and His people somewhere in the world, is unquestionably a great privilege and a humbling experience.

The Congregation: Place Of God's Presence, Martin H. Scharlemann

Concordia Theological Monthly

Jerusalem lay in ruins. Its temple had been destroyed. In distant Babylon God’s people hung up their harps and sat down to weep. Where was God now? To be sure, He might be the Lord of the universe; but what was the point of this if His people were left to languish in exile? He had been present for them in the temple on Mount Zion; where could His people now seek His face?

Law And Gospel In Christian Education, Harry G. Coiner

Concordia Theological Monthly

When one attempts a discussion of Christian doctrine which involves Law and Gospel, the mind should think clearly and the pen should write carefully. Since the right distinction between these two doctrines is one important key to the proper understanding and teaching of the Scriptures, the attention of all who teach Christian doctrine is most earnestly invited.

Current Roman Catholic Thought On Prophetic Interpretation, Walter E. Rast

Concordia Theological Monthly

It is common knowledge by now that Roman Catholicism today is in the midst of a widespread movement of renewed interest in the Bible. One could cite as an illustration the discussions on the schema dealing with the church at the recent session of the Vatican Council in which New Testament ideas of the church played a noticeable role. Though for non-Roman Catholics the schema on the church may still leave something to be desired, the attention given to Biblical material indicates an important development.