Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons^™

Evolutionary Theology Of Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, His Critiics And A Personal Evaluation, Robert Letalien

Bachelor of Divinity

This paper will be an attempt to evaluate the lifegoal of Teilhard, namely, his reconciliation of the theory of evolution with the Christian faith. The emphasis will be placed upon his hopes for the future of man in the light of his philosophy. The future of man he labels as the “Omega point." To see how this point is reached it will be necessary to briefly describe how Teilhard views the evolutionary process from the inception of matter until the fulfillment of all things at the Omega point.

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.

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.

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.

The Process Of Americanization Excerpts From Moving Frontiers, Carl S. Meyer (Editor)

Concordia Theological Monthly

In addition to a fervent zeal for home missions, the history of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, from the end of the Civil War to the end of World War I was marked by two dominant characteristics. The first was a vigorous theological conservatism which led it to resist any compromise in the historic Lutheran confessional position. The second. characteristic, shared with other ethnic groups, was a continued isolation, from American linguistic, economic, and. social pattens. These characteristics were intensified because the majority of the Synod's membership was rural. During the same period most of the other American churches were moving …

Some Contemporary Premillennial Views Of The Rapture, Kenneth E. Gooden

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Body Of Christ, Richard R. Caemmerer

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Apology of the Augsburg Confession warns against two distortions in the meaning of the church. The one is that the church be viewed as an outward organization in which believers and hypocrites are mingled. In the days of the Reformation this distortion implied that the church was a political organization to which men adhered through the carrying out of rites and obligations. In our own time it may take the form of stress on extending and financing the church's business to the point of devaluating its other concerns. The other distortion is that the church is regarded as a …

Motivation In Paul's Epistles, M. H. Grumm

Concordia Theological Monthly

There is no pastor worthy of the name who does not keep the perennial question of motivation at least simmering at the back of the stove. A problem not only of pastors but of teachers, parents, psychiatrists, salesmen, advertising men, and politicians is this: How do you move people? move them not only to do something but to want to do something? The pastor, of course, is concerned with more than a job by which he earns his bread and butter and with more than a specific job for a specific aim, for this office covers the whole range of …

Christianity And Communism -An Ideological Comparison, Ralph L. Moellering

Concordia Theological Monthly

In his book Communism and Christ, Charles W. Lowry contends that we are living in a new religious age. As evidence he points to the post-World War II popular religious revival, to what he calls "a new priesthood" set up by psychiatry, to the influence of existential thought in philosophy and theology (consider Paul Tillich), and to the "collective neurosis" brought on by the crisis and anxieties of our hydrogen-missile age. "The final and conclusive proof that we have entered into a new religious era Lowry perceived in the expansion and menace of the "new universal salvation religion - Communism."

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 Nevius Methods, Wi Jo Kang

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Nevius Methods derive their name from the Rev. Dr. John L Nevius, a Presbyterian missionary to China. Nevius first arrived in Ningpo, China, as he wrote: "'My first home in China was in the city of Ningpo, in the province of Che-Kiang, which place we reached in the spring of 1854." Later (in 1861) Nevius moved to Shantung province, and he became a prominent missionary there. The Rev. Dr. Charles A. Clark called Nevius a prophet of new mission methods. Nevius' views on missions and mission methods first appeared in a series of articles published in the Chinese Recorder …

The Secret Of God's Plan, Harry G. Coiner

Concordia Theological Monthly

A restive search is going on today, and almost everyone is engaged in it. The search is for meaning in life, for significance, for purpose. Captured by a meaningless job and caged inside four walls with a TV set for companionship, modern man feels trapped. We need not extend the picture except to suggest that a disintegrating anguish takes possession of people when suddenly they realize that life is empty and sterile, completely lacking in meaning for them. One single devastating question keeps begging for an answer: Why live? The author of Ecclesiastes struggled with this question long ago and …

The Christ-Figure In Contemporary Literature, Donald L. Deffner

Concordia Theological Monthly

The terms "Christ-figure," or "Christ-image," or "Christ-symbol" with respect to literature are commonly understood to designate a motif, or, more specifically, a person whereby something analogous to our blessed Lord's personality and work is played our.

Educational Policy Of The Meiji Restoration And Christian Education For Women In Japan, Yoko Maruyama

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Old Testament Locus De Novissimis In Contemporary Lutheran Theological Thought, Howard Tepker

Doctor of Theology Dissertation

It is the purpose of this dissertation to present in an objective manner the various views held by leading Lutheran theologians and scholars who have written on phases of the Old Testament locus De Novissimis during the past two decades, or whose works have been republished in this period of time. This writer is aware of the mass of research that would be required if one were to undertake to offer a critical analysis of present-day scholarly thought. He will therefore assume the more modest task of presenting what might be called a composite picture of trends in contemporary Lutheran …

Polygamy And The Church, Willard Burce

Concordia Theological Monthly

Polygamy is a common practice among the Enga uibcs of Wabag, New Guinea. A survey a few years ago showed that nearly 30 percent of Enga marriages were polygamous.

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.

Religion In America And The Church's Use Of Mass Media, Carl Schalk

Concordia Theological Monthly

There is little doubt that the church today faces a unique opportunity as well as a unique responsibility in communicating the message of God in Christ to man today.

The greatest need is for the churches to listen to what God says to them and through them. Yet the churches have equal responsibility to determine the best ways in which they can pass on to those who do not hear and who do not listen, what they know and believe about their Lord and Savior.

The Nature Of Spiritual Illness, William Edward Hulme

Concordia Theological Monthly

Our purpose this morning is to describe the nature of spiritual illness, a theological perspective of the person - as this person lives in our kind of world. All of us are sick to a degree, and so, when I talk about the nature of spiritual illness, I believe that you will see yourself in some of the things I say. In a sense, then, we are holding up a mirror. Since we have such a glorious answer to the spiritual illness this need not be the cause for despair as it would be if we had not the good …

The Relevance Of Certain Aspects Of Christian Living To Mental Health, Willard A. Rowell

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Rudolf Bultmann And The Sacrament Of Holy Baptism, John H. Elliott

Concordia Theological Monthly

In the fullness of time God sent forth His Son, a pre-existent divine Being, who appears on earth as a man. He dies the death of a sinner on the cross and makes atonement for the sins of men. His resurrection marks the beginning of the cosmic catastrophe … all who belong to Christ's Church and are joined to the Lord by Baptism and the Eucharist are certain of resurrection to salvation. . .. "

The Door No Man Can Shut, E. J. Friedrich

Concordia Theological Monthly

We have come this morning to honor three eminent servants of the Word for their many years of faithful service in the kingdom of God. Being partakers of their joy, we unite with them in thanking God for the manifold blessings which He has for so many years bestowed upon them and upon their ministries. We also take pleasure in commending them for their faithfulness, congratulating them upon their achievements, and thanking God for the enduring benedictions which have come to our church through their dedicated services. And so the keynote of our celebration is joy - the hallowed spiritual …

The Problem Of Christian And Church Fellowship, Ronald Frederick Blaess

Bachelor of Divinity

The history of the Christian Church from the first to the twentieth century could be written in terms of its struggle to maintain, to demonstrate, or to realise this fundamental unity between the Lord Jesus Christ and His body, the Christian Church, besought of God the Father by Him in His great high-priestly prayer, and declared above by St. Paul. But is this oneness an earthly or a spiritual oneness? Is it a oneness to be manifest in this life and world or only hereafter? Is it a oneness which can exist despite or inspite of divisions, frictions, and refusal …

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.

Functions Of Symbols And Of Doctrinal Statements, Erwin L. Lueker

Concordia Theological Monthly

The following outline was given to the faculty of Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, Oct. 9, 1959, as a guide for discussions of the functions served by confessional statements. In this presentation the writer did not attempt to give a complete historical survey of confessions, or to treat the most important confessions and statements, but to concentrate on the study of functions. Selections were made to show a variety of functions. Explanatory notes have been added for the orientation of the reader.

A Study Of Christian Education In Korean History, Sang Ye Han

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Wesley's Conception Of Religious Education And Conversion, Henry C. James

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Theological Implications Of Confirmation, Arthur C. Repp

Concordia Theological Monthly

Since the Christian's whole life is a continuous spiritual Baptism, what is the relationship of the Word and the Lord's Supper in Baptism? Are they subordinate to it? Not at all. As Regin Prenter points out, it is just because the baptismal covenant, God's promise of man's salvation and man's faith in God's promise, implies the necessity of a lifelong exercise of man's faith in that covenant that there is a need for a continuous sanctifying activity of the living Word, not in competition with, but in consequence of the regenerating activity of the living Word in Baptism. ln this …

Prolegomena According To Karl Barth, Robert D. Preus

Concordia Theological Monthly

In a former article I pointed out by way of introduction that Karl Barth by his raking cognizance of both exegesis and church history ranks rightfully above most of his contemporaries as a dogmatician of stature. In the present article I shall try to examine Barth's opinion on the subjects of theology and dogmatics more specifically. We shall find that Barth takes a position on the matter of prolegomena very close to that of the 16th- and 17th-cenrury Lutheran and Reformed teachers, that his position is in the main both Scriptural and sane. Here, although we shall perhaps discern nothing …

The Theological Implications Of Confirmation, Arthur C. Repp

Concordia Theological Monthly

The Lutheran practice of confirmation can hardly be described as uniform during its long history. The differences varied greatly both in number and in kind as many accretions attached themselves to this practice. Because there was no Biblical basis for confirmation, the Lutheran Church did not hesitate to warrant new emphases and directions with changing circumstances and needs. As confirmation is practiced today, especially in the United States, it is cluttered with the remnants of such additions, the origins of which are rarely recognized. Just as the Reformation Church thought it was restoring confirmation in accord with the tradition of …