Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Principals Of Biblical Interpretationin The Lutheran Confessions, Ralph Bohlmann

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Basic and preliminary to the above investigation, however, is an understanding of the principles of biblical interpretation employed in the Lutheran Confessions. The setting forth of these principles and the presuppositions upon which they rest is the primary purpose of this paper. In our investigation we shall give primary attention to confessional statements referring explicitly to biblical interpretation and to examples of biblical interpretation within the confessions that illustrate hermeneutical principles.

The Concept Of Free Will In The Lutheran Confessions And In Selected Writings Of Soren Kierkegaard, David Klumpp

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Ultimately freedom is a spiritual concept. Our Lord said, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free." Saint Paul underscores the freedom that comes to the follower of Christ in the words, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death. " This freedom is of a different nature from the freedom so ardently sought after today, but …

An Examination Of The Logic Of Religious Discourse With A View To Ascertaining The Impact Of Linguistic Analysis Upon Contemporary Philosophy Of Religion, John Groh

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper proposes to examine how linguistic analysis, together with its precursor logical positivism, has provoked a reassessment of the nature of religious discourse. The problem is accurately stated in two questions: (1) What are the challenges which analysis directs to the philosopher of religion in the area of religious language? (2) In what ways do the replies of the philosophers of religion relate to and illumine these challenges?

The New Quest Of The Historical Jesus In Selected Alte Marburger Of Rudolf Bultmann, Bruce Barth

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to investigate the new quest of the historical Jesus as it has been carried out by four pupils of Rudolf Bultmann. These four pupils are: Ernst Kasemann, Gunther Bornkamm, Gerhard Ebeling, and Ernst Fuchs. They are part of a group of former Bultmann pupils who have called themselves the "Alte Marburger," or "old Marburgers," from the fact that they all studied together under Bultmann at the University of Marburg.

The Doctrine Of Baptism As An Ecumenical Factor, Elvin Janetzki

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This ecumenical problem of apparent unity in disunity is the starting point for this study. All aspects of the problem, however, cannot be fully investigated here, so it has been narrowed down to show how a major ecumenical organization, The World Council of Churches, through its Assemblies and Commissions has become increasingly interested in the doctrine of Holy Baptism, to investigate why it has done so, and to trace the attempts it has made to formulate a doctrine of Baptism that it is hoped will resolve the problem of unity in disunity to the satisfaction of all concerned.

The Exegetical Basis For The Early Lutheran Doctrine Of Baptismal Regeneration, Martim Warth

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis was motivated by the question often raised in the classroom about the relation of faith to the regeneration in baptism. The question can be formulated in many ways. Is faith the presupposition for regeneration? What difference is there between faith and regeneration? Must faith precede baptism? What type of faith is given in baptism? What is faith without understanding of the Word of God? If baptism regenerates the infants who do not have preceding faith, what does baptism effect in the adult who already has faith? Can we still speak of regeneration in adult baptism? Or is baptism …

A Survey Of Recent Teaching On Holy Scripture In Selected American Lutheran Theologians, Leander Waechter

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

In this thesis the writer intends to investigate the doctrine of Holy Scripture as this doctrine is set forth and expounded among leading American Lutheran theologians. As the title indicates, the primary objective of this study is a survey, involving: (a) investigation and research: (b) analysis: (c) presentation and summary

The Celestial Element In The Sacrament Of The Altar In Contemporary Lutheran Theology (1945-1963), Donald Veitengruber

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper does not propose to defend the use of the term "celestial element." The debate which has grown up around the Arnoldshain Theses shows us that we ought not stake the Lutheran or New Testament theology of the Sacrament of the Altar on the use of this term. And yet, it is a good term, for it takes us immediately to the heart of that which separates the Lutheran from the Reformed tradition. Do we only receive bread and wine in the Sacrament, or do we receive something more? This "something" is the "celestial element."

Pieper's Principium In Its Historical-Theological Setting, David Meyer

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

My purpose is not merely to seek a critical and objective analysis of Pieper’s understanding of Scripture as the present-day principium theologiae, but my purpose is to reproduce Pieper’s theology of the principium against the backdrop of his theological world as he saw it.

The Cosmological Proof For The Existence Of God In Post-Reformation Theology, Otto Stahlke

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It ls the aim of this study to inquire whether the Post-Reformation theologians were aware of the difficulty which the cosmological proof has encountered in later thought, and, if so, how they responded to this difficulty.

The Messiah In Exilic And Postexilic Eschatological Prophecy, Werner Wadewitz

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

We hope to have to have shown on the basis or the Messianic elements in these exilic and postexilic eschatological prophecies, that by the time the last books of the Old Testament canon were being written and added--of which these were the last prophetic books--the picture of the Messiah was such as God wanted to reveal in the time of "shadows," till the "body” would come. If the portrait of the Messianic Priest-King is not as clear nor complete as we would like to see it, perhaps the thinking behind this was that for this reason people would become more …

A Study Of Epistemology In The Theologies Of Emil Brunner, Martin Heinecken, Taito Kantonen, And Joseph Sittler, John Heinemeier

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Chapter I of the paper will deal with Brunner and Chapter II with Heinecken, Kantonen and Sittler in comparison to Brunner. The concluding section will summarize Brunner’s position, evaluate the comparison made between his position and that of the three Lutherans, and raise several questions for further investigation in this field.

The Theology Of Frederick Henry Quitman As Illustrated Primarily By His Catechism And Hymbook, Waldemar Wehmeier

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This research, therefore, was motivated by a desire to know more about the man who stood as a “Saul among the host of Israel" determining the course of the New York Ministerium for twenty-one years, given an honorary S.T.D. by Harvard University, so revered by his congregation that when he could no longer walk he was carried into the pulpit to a chair, and yet summarily dismissed by many as a rationalist and a socinian.

The Ministry During The Period From Saint Clement Of Rome To Saint Cyprian Of Carthage, James Fackler

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is the intention of this writer to present a systematic consideration or the concept or the ministry from documents or the Christian Church outside the New Testament to the middle or the third century. To do this it will be necessary to take into consideration the historical development of thought through the period. History, or tradition, will present vignettes with which this writer intends to give you, the reader, a concept of the ministry from St. Clement or Rome to St. Cyprian of Carthage.

The Basis For Distinguising Moral Law From Ceremonial And Political Law In The Old Testament, George Loose

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to attempt to find an answer to the question, and in doing so, to examine the bases which have been used in the Lutheran Church. Some attention will be given to the attitude toward the laws in Old Testament times, but this is just for the sake of background. It would provide material for another study. Some attention will be given also to the position of other Christian churches, but again only to clarify the position of the Lutheran Church.

The Personal Union In The Theology Of Barth, Brunner And Berkouwer, George Lobien

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The problem about to be investigated is whether or not G. C. Berkouwer, Karl Barth and .Emil Brunner teach a personal union or the two natures 1n our Lord Jesus Christ. Or, to state it more comprehensibly, it they claim to teach a personal union of the two natures, we then propose to uncover exactly what they mean by the use of this term. Furthermore, throughout the study we shall attempt to indicate to the reader the areas of agreement and disagreement among these three outstanding Reformed theologians. Lastly, it must be admitted in all candor that our appraisal of …

The Doctrine Of The Universal Priesthood Of Believers And Its Exemplification In Pre-Reformation And Reformation Hymnody, Fred Precht

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

It is the task of this paper to trace the history and development of this universal priesthood as it is reflected in Christian hymnody and, to a certain degree, in the related liturgical materials and practices. In the pursuit of this task it has been our method, at least with respect to the hymnody, to take especial note of certain expressions and key words which express the concepts of sacrifice and priestly functions such as offer, bring, sacrifice, gift, altar, victim. Not dismissed were also such corporate expressions as "we" and its cognates.

Requirements For A Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics For Use In Training Filipino Pastors, Robert Mcamis

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

Our Lutheran Church was late in beginning work in the Philippines. We do not have much time as American missionaries to work in this field. We have a real challenge before us in building an indigenous Lutheran Church in a short time. This paper is concerned with the doctrinal aapect of the indigenous church. · If a strong, evangelical Lutheran Church is to take root and grow in the Philippines, it must be built upon the right foundation. This must be done in the training of students for the ministry who can better translate these theological concepts to their own …

The Altenburg Debate, William Schmelder

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study is an attempt to understand what the issues were which culminated in the Altenburg Debate of 1841. Why did it take two years to find a solution to the problems of the colonists? Were any other solutions attempted? If there were, why were they unacceptable? Against whom did Walther debate at Altenburg? What position did the opposition2advocate? What was the source of Walther's theses? These and many other questions enter the mind of the student of the early history of the Missouri Synod when he begins to evaluate the Altenburg Debate.

The purpose of this study is to …

Philip Melanchthon's Doctrine Of The Holy Eucharist, Randell Tonn

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This dissertation is an attempt to determine, primarily on the basis of his own major writings, opinions and letters, the doctrine of the Holy Eucharist as taught, believed and confessed by Philip Melanchthon. The question we seek to answer is: “What was Philip Melanchthon’s doctrine of the Holy Eucharist?" This question is deliberately phrased to exclude the question, "What do other commentators say that he taught and believed?" On the basis of his own words, we seek to determine what is Melanchthon saying about the Eucharist; not what might he be interpreted as saying; what would we prefer him to …

Citationsof The Church Fathers In The Augsburg Confession And The Apology, Robert Heckmann

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this study is to 1ook again at one facet of the nature of the Church as defined by these Confessions. Such a study, with the insights it affords, is a prerequisite to an intelligent participation in the current discussions of the nature of the Church and the paths to her reunification.

An Analysis Of The Confessionalism Of Edmund Schlink, Based On His “Theologie Der Lutherischen Bekenntnisschriften,” Together With A Translation Of The Original German, Herbert Bouman

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This present study is concerned with the last-named work and grew out of long pre-occupation with the task of producing an English version. The importance of Schlink's book has been widely recognized in Lutheran circles. To make it available to additional thousands of English-speaking Lutherans who are not able to make full use of the material in its original German, the work of translation was begun by the late Paul F. Koehneke of Milwaukee, and after his death, carried forward to completion by the present writer.

This essay proposes to subject Schlink's theology of the Lutheran Confessions to a critical …

An Analysis Of The Theology Of The Merger Documents Between Lutherans And Reformed In The Sixteenth And Seventeenth Centuries, Walter Harms

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This thesis will analyze the theology of the merger documents between Lutherans and Reformed in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The analysis will consist in looking at the theology of these document• to discover what theology they contain, how the theology of one agrees with the theology of the others, and the purpose for which the documents• themselves propose this theology is to be used.

Luther's Theology Of The Holy Spirit In His Sermons Of John 14, 15, 16, Gerhard Galchutt

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The purpose of this research is to participate in the denominational investigations with regard to specific theologies of the Spirit. Scientifically stated our. purpose is only to see what Luther himself says·about the Spirit and the Spirit's working.

The Scriptual Conception Of Life, Chung An Chin

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

The Christian doctrine of hum.an nature as a section of theology is fundamentally built upon the basis of the divine revelation in Scripture, and looks at .man in his relation to God. Therefore, the study of man's life in theology has its own principle which is different from that of science or philosophy. Since Christian anthropology is based on the divine revelation, there must be no contradiction between theological and scientific know1edge concerning life, but we cannot expect to get every detail of scientific answer of human nature out of the Bible.

The Concepts Of Unity, Fellowship, And Cooperation Among Various Lutheran Bodies In America, Carl Bornmann

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

A detailed examination will be made of. the principles And practices of the United Lutheran Church in its relationship to other Lutheran bodies. Its relationships with non-Lutheran: Christian bodies will also be summarized. An extensive treatment will not be given to this second aspect, however, since this topic has been exhaustively ·treated in a Bachelor of Divinity Thesis under ·this very subject; heading.

The Eschatology Of The Lutheran Symbols, Walter Pieper

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

For some years there has been a renewed interest in eschatology. A specific treatment of eschatology from the Lutheran point of view, however, is still lacking. With the exception of Schlink and Brunstaed, neither of whose treatment is completely adequate, nothing has been written on the subject of the -eschatological expectation found in the Lutheran Symbols. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to draw the eschatological references from the Symbols to discover how the writers looked at that which lay beyond this life and how this expectancy related to their presentation of the faith.

The Sacrements And Sacremental Actions In The Works Of August Friedrich Chrisitan Vilmar, Edward Peters

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This paper is limited in its main part to what August Vilmar had to say about the Sacraments and what he termed “sacramental actions" ( sakramentale Handlungen). It is difficult, in a few words, to determine just what Vilmar included under these terms because in keeping with the Lutheran Symbols he did not categorically limit the Sacraments to a certain number and exclude all other acts of the Church. In certain contexts he spoke of seven and more Sacraments, and in other contexts, of only two Sacraments, placing the lesser acts of the Church into the category “sacramental” actions." In …

The Theology Of The Wisdom Of Solomon, Walter Rast

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

We are justified in supposing that for a Jew, living in Egypt and yet preserving the foundation of his religious heritage, this problem was poignant indeed. And, at the risk of oversimplification, our writer's personal confrontation with Hellenism would seem to be his chief problem, and the problem at the bottom of our own quest into The Wisdom of Solomon. As an outgrowth of this problem, it would seem that the question underlying our concern with The·Book of Wisdom would be: How does this writing compare theologically with those which hold a safe place in the canon?

The Shepherd-Flock Image In The Old Testament, Carl Graesser

Master of Sacred Theology Thesis

This study therefore follows a more systematic method. We shall look at each side of the image, utilizing the pertinent material in the entire Old Testament before moving on to another side of the image. After a brief survey of the extra-biblical usage, the-following chapters will deal with Yahweh as a shepherd, Israel as his flock, other leaders who are named shepherd, and finally, the Messianic shepherd.

It will be noted that this study deals largely with the primary Biblical sources rather than with secondary sources. We were able to locate but three discussions of the subject at hand of …