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MAGAZIN FUER EV .• LuTH. HOMILETIK
THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY· THEOLOGICAL M ONTHLY
Vol. xvn April, 1946 No.4
CONTENTS
Page
The Formative Years of Doctor Luther. E. G. Schwiebert _____ ___ .. _ 241
The Greatest Missionary Problem. H. Nau _______ .. ____________________ .... _ __ 257
Outlines on the Standard Epistle Lessons ___ .. ____ .. _____ .. ___________________ 267
Miscellanea ______ ____ .. __________ ________ .... ________ .. ____________________________ .. _______________ 280
Theological Observer ______ ______________________ .. ___ .. ___________________________ ______ ____ 297
Book Review _________________ .. ______ ___________ __ ____________ _________ __ ________ __ 315
Ein Prediger muss nicht allein wei-
den, also dass er die Schaie unter-
weise, wie sie rechte Christen sollen
sein. sondern auch daneben den Woe!-
fen wehTen, dass sie die Schafe nicht
angTelfen and mit falscher Lehre ver-
fuehren and Irrtum einfuehren_
Luther
Es ist kein Ding. das die Leute
mehr bel der Kircbe behaelt denn
die gute Predigt. - A pologie, Art. 24
If the trumpet give an uncertain
sound. who shall prepare himself to
the battle? -1 Cor. 24 :8
Published by the
Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States
CONCORDIA PUBLISHING HOUSE, St. Louis 18, Mo.
PDlf'DD EN t/. 8 • • .
Homiletics
Outlines on the Standard Epistle Lessons
GOOD FRIDAY
Is. 52:13-53:12
A The Cr-?fs occupies the central place of history. I Whether
:'we view it~th Isaiah, who foretold the crucifixi6n/ ,.or with
Joh;'-;};:;; stood under the Cross/ or whether we look back
nineteen centuries from our modern age.,~the message of the
Cross is the eternal wisdom of God (1 Cor-:-1: 23::24; 2: 7-8).
~ ~ .. !'J .. Our t~xt contains a medit~!Jon of repen~allt sinne_~'s under
the Cross. f Knowing the meaning of the Cross, we join in
that penitent confession as
WE STAND UNDER THE CROSS WITH THE PROPHET ISAIAH
I. We refuse to be disturbed by the blindness of men
II. We acknowledge the Crucified as our Substitute
III. We hail the Crucified as our victorious Redeemer
I
With Isaiah we see the Savior despised and rejected, so
.. marred that He barely resembles a man (Ps. 22: 6) J 'We hear
the multitude mutter: "He was stricken, smitten of God and
afflicted," meaning: A vile transgressor is stricken with a curse
by Jehovah (Ps. 22: 7-8; Matt. 27: 39-44). ? They did not know
the wisdom of God. r
('. Today the world is still ignorant of the meaning of the
Cross(l Cor. 1: 181I.) J Though not niany will say that Jesus
deserved the crucifixion, yet the masses see in the Crucified
not the Lord of Glory, but a helpless martyr who became the
victim of envy and hatred. All the theories invented for the
crucifixion and death of Christ leave man's mind in the dark.
.... Without the Spirit's enlightenment we, too, would not esteem
Him (v. 3). Now we see in the Crucified God's own Son,
who went into the lowest depths of suffering to save us.
~ Though many pass the Cross unheeding and comy~ratively
few "believe our report," Christ crucified shall be to us the
[267]
268 HOMILETICS
wisdom of God (Acts 8: 26-39) .1- Like Isaiah we will not per-
mit man-made theories to disturb our faith in the atoning
work of Christ.
II
,\. Isaiah -aescribes the intense suffering in body and soul
, I ' '"
' of the Crucified- (vv. 5-8, 10-11). He endured blows and
stripes, the crown of th()rns;- the crucifixion. He was af-
flicted all the way from Gethsemane to Golgotha: by Judas,
Annas, Caiaphas, the chief council, false witnesses, Pilate,
Herod, priests, elders, soldiers, the blaspheming mob. Truly
v.3a .
• _~. Isaiah tells us more v. 6 a: ' The Lord hath laid on Him
- the iniquity of -us aU .• ::t The -sins of ,~'u men were charged
against Him - sin and' guilt and its consequences: griefs and
sorrows (Matt. 8: 17), punishment, chastisement (v. 10; 2 Cor.
5: 21).
'" He was innocent (v. 9 b). " Yet it pleased the Lord to
bruise Him be'CaUSeHe t ook ' oui:' place. ~ Isaiah emphasizes
the substitution, d e; laring it no less than 12 times in ch. 53.
Can we view the Crucified without smiting on our
breasts? He bore the sin of many, of all : ~ar crimes atro-
-' .
cities, transgressions, and iniquities; ' also the sins of His own
people (v. 8 b») the indifference, desertion, and denial of His
disciples (v. 6 a).
Can we think lightly of our sins as we behold the Man
, '" -' - -
of SorrowE; . and remember that our indifference, selfishness,
pride pressed the thorns int~ His scalp and drove the nails
through His hands and feet? May we penitently join in the
confession (vv. 4-6), . ~. Look up to the Crucified and say, "Thou
wast wounded for my transgressions," etc.
III
Through our crucified Redeemer we have pardon, peace,
and healing. See all your sins on Jesus laid;
The Lamb of God was slain;
His soul was once an offering made
For every soul of man.
The crucified Redeemer was victorious . .J. He was cut off
out of the land of the living, but He was taken from prison
and from judgment (Acts 8: 33). Who shall declare His
generation? (Rev. 1: 18.) The strife, the wounds, and the
HOMILETICS 269
grief were His, but His was also the joy of victory. ) The
spoils of His victory are redeemed souls (vv.l0-12) i/ We now
belong to Him. His chastisement effects our peace; His
stripes bring about our healing. oS :The ills we suffer are in-
deed a consequence of sin. However, to the pardoned, justi-
fied sinner this suffering is not a punishment, but a correction
sent by God's love. Jesus bore the punishment for all your
sins (Hymn 153: 4) . I.
We who have stood under the Cros have the sacred
obligation to make known the message of o;r -crucified" and
exalted Redeemer:- So He would sprinkle many nations--and
draw all men to Himself (v. 15; John 12: 32; Hymn 510: 1).
EASTER SUNDAY
1 COR. 5:6-8
V.L.MEYER
The appeal of the happy Easter message is chiefly per-
sonal. "Go, tell His disciples and Peter," etc. That crushed
soul in particular should know. Jesus personally visits Mary
Magdalene, the Emmaus disciples, and Thomas. - All this
written for our learning. Whoever you are, whatever you
may have done, Easter proclaims the accomplished atonement
and certified salvation for every penitent sinner (Rom. 4: 25;
John 11: 25-26).
Easter also has a direct appeal to Christian congregations.
Our text was addressed to the Corinthian church as a group.
EASTER DAY IN A REJOICING CONGREGATION
I. A day of united rejoicing over the victory of the Lamb
II. A day of congregational consecration to holier service
I
The Corinthian church, founded by St. Paul (1 Cor. 4: 15) ,
was blessed with a large membership (Acts 18: 10) and en-
dowed with excellent gifts (1: 5-7; 12: 4-11).
But Satan soon built a chapel next door. See Luther's
preface to this letter and Kretzmann, Pop. Com., N. T., p.87
for a description of existing evils. One of the darkest blotches
was the case of incest (5: 1), concerning which the church was
indifferent, yea, puffed up (v. 2). This prompted Paul's appeal
for discipline and the rebuke v. 6 a.
270 HOMILETICS
It is quite certain that this letter was written from
Ephesus at Passover time, a fact which accounts for his
approach to the problem:
a. The O. T. Passover (Ex. 12: 3-14) was a means of grace.
Cf. Pieper, Christl. Dogm., III, 253. It commemorated the
mighty deliverance from the Egyptian bondage, but the peni-
tent and believing partaking of the lamb, which typified Christ,
brought pardon and peace.
b. N. T. Christians also have a Passover Lamb (v. 7 b),
the antitype of the former, risen again, whose death and resur-
rection freed us from sin, death, and hell (Rom. 8: 33-34) .
c. This death and subsequent resurrection of the Passover
Lamb for their sins should be the focal point of the Corin-
thians' congregational thinking and united rejoicing. That
would also do away with their indifference and arrogance.
The death and resurrection of our Passover Lamb should
occasion united rejoicing on our part. Celebrate not at home,
but in God's house, uniting hearts and voices, rejoicing and
being glad together for liberation from the spiritual prison
camp. There is power, inspiration, edification in united ob-
servance of the victory of the Lamb; also incentive to sanc-
tification and consecration to holier service.
II
The misdeed of that offender, as well as the Corinthian
church's attitude, was not only a grievous sin, but a detri-
ment to the church. Comparable to the action of leaven,
sometimes used in a good sense (Matt. 13: 33), more generally
in an evil sense, e. g., false doctrine (Matt. 16: 6), false beliefs
(Gal. 5: 2, 4), evil example (v. 6 b). The infection spreads,
permeates, often doing irreparable harm and producing sham
Christianity (Matt. 7: 21-23; 2 Tim. 3: 5; Rev. 3: 15-16) and
apostasy (2 Tim. 2: 16-18) . Hence- Paul, arguing from the
sacrificial slaying of the Lamb, pleads for congregational re-
moval of the leaven and urges greater sincerity and truth.
The church as such, not only individuals, should strive toward
holier life and service.
The glorious message of the victory of our Lamb should
not only refill our hearts with joy of salvation, but rouse us
to solemn rededication. That requires congregational self-
examination. Is there any leaven at work among us? Are
HOMILETICS 271
we tolerating indifference toward the means of grace, world-
liness, lodgery, unionism, false doctrine, lack of interest in
local and synodical work, unscriptural divorces, etc.? Let us
heed the Easter call. Resist beginnings. The distance to
Corinth is not great. The old leaven clings and spreads.
Purge it out, and put in the new leaven. Let good influence
and good example prevail and spread (2 Cor. 5: 15). His
tremendous sacrifice on our behalf is deserving of sincerity
and truth on our part.
Congregational growth and improvement presupposes in-
dividual betterment. As the parts, so the whole. Standing
before the bloodstained Cross and open tomb, let us appro-
priate to the fullest the certainty of our pardon and salvation
and in return strive in His strength toward ever holier service.
EASTER MONDAY
ACTS 10: 34-48
OTTO E. SOHN
The Easter story is joyous. Easter day is joyous. But
it is easy for Cl'eatures of habit to shrink the joy of Easter
to the day and to the time when the words are said. The
Easter story should do more than provide a setting for good
cheer. For it is a power. The text shows the story of the
resurrection asserting its power, not on Easter day, but some
years later; not in a churchly environment, but in a conversa-
tion of the Apostle Peter with a man and his friends who
were not Christians by profession.
THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION STORY
I. It is a power indeed
II. It can and should be channeled and distributed to others
I
What is powerful about the resurrection story? Does it
make so much difference in people when they hear it? What
do we mean when we say that it is a power?
A. Let us make sure that we recognize the story. It is
the announcement that Jesus Christ, who had been crucified
and buried, rose again from the dead. The story by itself
is interesting, remarkable, utterly unusual. But there is more
272 HOMILETICS
to it than the means of arousing curiosity. It is more than
just a miracle. The resurrection of Jesus Christ has to be
viewed in the setting of Christ's life and death, of His entire
purpose and ministry (vv. 38-40). This was the Christ
anointed with the Holy Ghost for a specific purpose, proving
Himself to be the Son of God and Lover of souls, dying on
the Cross for the remission of the sins of all mankind. His
resurrection is more than marvelous. It is God's own token
(vv.40-41) that Christ is He who was sent and anointed and
that His redemption is true and complete.
B. The resurrection story is powerful considered merely
as history. It defies unbelief. It cannot be set aside; the evi-
dence is inescapable (v. 41). Hence it speaks in terms even
of human logic about the whole work of Christ's redemption,
for which the resurrection is the seal.
C. But the resurrection story deals with more than evi-
dence and logic. For it is God's own way of preaching the
Gospel, of telling men that they have a Savior; d. Peter's
mode of preaching the resurrection (Acts 2: 22-36; 5: 30-32
and text; Rom. 4: 25). The Resurrection says about Christ:
God did this; and God did what He set out to do, namely,
provide forgiveness of sins for all men, as He had promised
(v. 43). Hence the resurrection story is the means by which
the Holy Spirit comes to men (vv. 44-46), giving them faith
in Christ as their Savior, joy of heart, and a new and in-
corruptible life.
II
That is a scene of power at work, this account of Peter
and Cornelius. Would that such power could go on! Look
at us! We need it, too! Our time needs it!
A. That is an important reaction to the story of this
text. For this story is in the Bible to make clear that Christ
saved not only certain people who were set aside by birth and
training, but all (vv. 34-37,43,45).
B. In order that all men might find Christ, God joins
with the resurrection story the mandate to tell it (vv. 36-37, 42;
all the resurrection accounts; Luke 24: 45-48) . The Christian
cannot look at the Easter story with polite and churchly in-
terest, with a sense of curiosity or complacency; but always
that story rings through to him, "Go, tell!"
HOMILETICS 273
C. This telling is not mere reciting. But it means wit-
nessing - telling a fact for which you are yourself the cor-
roboration. Peter could do that even on the level of logical
evidence (v. 41); he had been among those who saw the
risen Christ. But Cornelius and his friends, by virtue of their
witness of Christ in word and deed, became a corroboration
of the Easter fact even though they had not seen Him with
their eyes (vv.46-48; cf. John 20: 29). Herein lies the chal-
lenge of the resurrection story to every Christian: that every-
one may be a testimony of Christ arisen in him to newness
of life. Cf. Rom. 6: 1-12. RICHARD R. CAEMMERER
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
1 JOHN 5:4-10
Easter proclaims the victory of the Prince of Life over
the forces of evil. The raising up of Jesus Christ by the
Father confirms the glorious victory. Hell and Satan are
shorn of their might, death is devoured, and sin has lost its
power over the redeemed. All who in living faith walk in
the power of the resurrection partake of the Easter triumph.
FAITH OVERCOMING THE WORLD
I. The nature of Christian faith
II. Its victory over the world
I
Faith overcoming the world: a bold claim! Scientists
say that they are conquering the earth and nature, but John
makes a larger claim. What is this faith?
1. Not any kind of belief or opinion, but v.4: "What-
soever is born of God .... " Neuter gender, designating the
aggregate of believers. Into their souls a life from on high
has been planted. They have experienced a second birth mak-
ing them partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1: 4), consti-
tuting them children of God (John 1: 12-13). The victor
over the world "believeth that Jesus is the Sori of God" (v. 5).
See v.1 Luther: "This faith does not flutter about and stare
at its own thoughts, but is a certain understanding which lays
hold of God in this Christ as His Son, sent from heaven, in
18
274 HOMILETICS
whom He reveals His will and heart and saves from sin and
death to grace and the new eternal life" (St. L., XII: 534).
2. World-conquering faith rests on a solid foundation, v. 6:
"This is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ."
Two or three witnesses required by law to constitute ade-
quate testimony. Christ "came" -not "comes," i. e., in Word
and Sacrament - by water. His ministry began with His
Baptism. Luther: "Here He begins truly to be Christ." It
ended with the blood He shed on the Cross (Heb. 9: 12).
Water and blood testify that He is God's Son and the Re-
deemer of the world. - V. 6 b: "And it is the Spirit that
beareth witness .... " The Holy Spirit descended upon the
baptized Christ, and He continues to witness of Him in the
written Word. "Spirit of Truth": His essential truth gives
His witness infallible authority.
We accept the word of fallible men; the Christian faith
is based upon testimony of the infallible God (v. 9). It is
the witness of the Triune God in heaven (v.7) and of a
trinity of witnesses on earth (v. 8). The chief witness, the
Holy Spirit, first. He constantly in the written Word and by
the Gospel ministry testifies that in His Baptism and His
death in blood Jesus has revealed Himself as the promised
Messiah, who has reconciled the world to God. - "Agree in
one," tend to one, i. e., their testimony is that there is salva-
tion only in Christ. - V. 10 a: believer bears in himself this
Witness, the Spirit (Rom.8: 16) .
What a glorious faith! Wrought by omnipotence of God
in souls of weak, sinful people (Eph.l: 19), it has a founda-
tion of documentary evidence which is divine and cannot
be shaken (1 Pet. 1: 7).
II
Vv.4-5: "World," not merely the ungodly, but all forces
of darkness, or "trinity of evil."
1. Overcoming presupposes warfare. The believer has
renounced sin in every form, and so he faces a world of
enemies, who tempt, slander, or persecute him (1 John 3: 13;
1 Pet. 4: 4,12; 5: 8). This warfare never ceases. Not "hath
overcome," nor "will overcome," but "overcometh." It is a
daily experience. Also a victorious struggle. He may fall
(Peter, David), but he rises, becomes experienced, and goes
from strength to strength and from victory to victory.
HOMILETICS 275
2. Such successful warfare is not of men, but of God
(v. 4 b). Luther: "The Christian warrior is not a sensible
heathen or a wise worldling, but one who by faith under-
stands the Word of God aright and has laid hold on Christ
by faith, which he exercises as his armor and weapon in
such contending. Thus he can stand against the devil and
the world and gain the victory; for the Word of God and
faith is such a power in him that it breaks through and can-
not be conquered" (St. L., XII: 532) . - "Hath overcome."
As David's victory over Goliath was assured beforehand
(1 Sam. 17: 46), so the believer's faith knows no defeat
(1 John 2:13; 4:4).
3. 0 blessed Christian soldier! Thy Champion, Christ,
and His Spirit within thee enable thee to go forth in world-
conquering power. Never doubt that His power within thee
is greater than all the hosts of hell. Gird thyself daily with
His armor until the end of thy course, when thou mayest also
triumph with that valiant contender Paul (2 Tim. 4: 7-8 a.
Hymns 444 ff.). L. J. ROEHM
SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
1 PET. 2: 21-25
To the scattered Christians of Pauline churches in Asia
Minor, Peter, the Apostle, addres.sed an encouraging letter.
Some of these Christians were slaves who had to endure
grief at the hand of pagan masters, perhaps because they were
Christians. The Apostle instructs and admonishes them and
dwells on the nobility of suffering innocently (vv.18-20).
He points to the vicarious suffering of Christ and to the noble
example left by the Savior. We turn to
CHRIST, THE SHEPHERD AND BISHOP OF OUR SOULS
I. He laid down His life for His sheep
II. He turns His wandering sheep back to Himself
III. He has left them an example to follow His steps
I
Christ was anointed with the Oil of Gladness above His
fellows (Ps. 45: 7), to be the true High Priest of His sheep
and therefore also to be the true Shepherd and Bishop of their
276 HOMILETICS
souls. As such He suffered for His sheep (v. 21), suffered
instead of them (Is. 53: 4-5). This substitutionary suffering
was an innocent suffering (v. 22; 1 Pet. 3: 18) . Our very
redemption was wrought by the innocent suffering, borne by
the guiltless Son of God in our stead (2 Cor. 5: 21).
Christ not only suffered for us, but He also died for
us (v. 24 a). As our Substitute, Christ carried our sins onto
the Cross. Voluntarily He bore the awful load of sin (Is. 53:
4-6, 12) . As our true High Priest He sacrificed Himself upon
the altar of the Cross (Lev. 14: 20; James 2: 21; Heb. 10: 5).
He died the death of the accursed (Deut. 21: 23), and thereby
He redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3: 13). Oh,
the sweetness of the Gospel truth! The Good Shepherd giveth
His life for the sheep and thus He atones for their sins, and
the accursed tree of the Cross becomes to them the true tree
of life (Gen. 2:29; 3:22; Rev. 22:2; Hymns 175:1; 172:5-6).
The blessed purpose of Christ's redeeming work is stated
v. 24 b. By His innocent suffering and death Christ has re-
deemed us from the guilt, the punishment, and the power of
sin. Since we have been healed by the wounds of Christ, sin
should no longer retain its strangle hold and deadly grip
on us. Out of deep gratitude to our good Shepherd we should
cease to exist for sin and live for righteousness. It is true,
we shall never be wholly sinless, but righteousness should be
our constant aim (Gal. 2: 20; 2 Cor. 5: 15; Phil. 3: 12). May
our prayer be Hynm 168: 6-7.
II
The great purpose of Christ's death on the Cross was to
turn His wandering sheep back to Himself. In v. 25 a the
Apostle refers to Is. 53: 6. By nature we have all turned
away from God and His Word of Life. We have listened to
the seductive whisperings of the devil, to the siren voices of
this world, and walked upon the self-chosen ways of sin.
Left to ourselves, we should be like sheep scattered abroad
and having no shepherd (Matt. 9: 36). But by the grace of
God we are returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our
souls. By His pleading voice (Is. 1: 18) our hearts and minds
were turned back to God (Acts 26: 18). According to His
abundant mercy He hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 1: 3). May
HOMILETICS 277
the preaching of the Cross be and remain unto us the power
of God (1 Cor. 1: 18).
Having returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls,
we shall be fed and refreshed in the green pastures and
beside the still waters of His Word. Gratefully we look up
to our risen and triumphant Shepherd as our Overseer, who
watches over us. We live under Him in His Kingdom and
serve Him. He will guide us with His counsel and afterward
receive us into the glory of the fold of heaven. What
blessed assurance and comfort!
III
The Apostle also reminded the Christians that the
Anointed had left them an example, a definite pattern, to
follow on their pilgrimage to the heavenly mansions. Christ's
painful way of sorrows has left us a blessed heritage of
shining footprints in which we should travel. Gratitude to
Christ should move us to render this homage. Of course,
our walk is only a weak copy of Christ's perfect pattern. Let
us 'ever keep the perfect model before the eyes of our faith.
Christ suffered innocently (v. 22). No deceitful words
ever fell from His lips (Is. 53: 9). The scattered Christians,
especially the slaves, were in danger of practicing deceit
to escape their duties. Therefore the Apostle admonishes
them. May the perfect pattern of Christ constrain us to
tame our tongue and to avoid all deceitfulness (James 3: 2-10;
Ps. 34: 13).
Even under the severest provocation Christ maintained
a majestic silence (v. 23 a; Is. 53: 7). To the end he re-
mained unblamable. Noone could convict Him of a single
sin (John 8: 46). Moreover, He prayed for His enemies
(Luke 23: 34). Christ pronounces those blessed who follow
in His footsteps (Matt. 5: 10-12, 44-45) .
V. 23 b. "He placed the entire matter into the hands of
the heavenly Father, the just Judge, that He might adjust
the affair as He should think best." God rights every wrong.-
What noble footsteps to follow! What a perfect example to
emulate! May the Holy Spirit ever remind us of our high
calling as redeemed Christians, sought by Christ, turned
back to Him, and strengthened to follow in His steps (Hymn
422: 1, 4) . H. C. HARTING
278 HOMILETICS
THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
1 PET. 2: 11-20
"Strangers," "pilgrims," "conversation" (cp. dvwrr(,lo