Concordia Theological Quarterly
Volume 75:3-4 July/October 2011
Table Contents
Walther and the Revival of Confessional Lutheranism
Martin R. Noland ................................................................................ 195
Grabau Versus Walther: The Use of the Book o/Concord in the American
Lutheran Debate on Church and Ministry in the Nineteenth Century
Benjamin T.G. Mayes ......................................................................... 217
C.F.W. Walther's Use of Luther
Cameron A. MacKenzie ..................................................................... 253
Mission through Witness, Mercy, Life Together in Walther and the First
Fathers of Missouri
Albert B. Collver ................................................................................. 275
Eduard Preuss and C.F.W. Walther
Roland F. Ziegler ................................................................................ 289
Wilhelm Lohe: His Voice Still Heard in Walther's Church
John T. Pless ........................................................................................ 311
Walther, the Third Use of the Law, and Contemporary Issues
David P. Scaer ..................................................................................... 329
The King James Version: The Beginning or the End?
Cameron A. MacKenzie ..................................................................... 343
Theological Observer ...................................................................................... 367
Dean Wenthe: An Appreciation
An Old Seminary, a New President, and the Unfolding
of Divine History
The Sacred Character of Human Life
Book Reviews ................................................................................................... 372
Books Received ................................................................................................ 381
Indices for Volume 75 (2011) .......................................................................... 382
Observing Two Anniversaries
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was born on October 25, 1811, in
Langenchursdorf, Saxony, Germany. It is appropriate that this issue honor
C.F.W. Walther on this 200th anniversary of his birth because of his
significant influence as the first and third president of The Lutheran
Church-Missouri Synod (1847-1850 and 1864-1878) and also president
and professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1850-1887). Most of the
articles below, which were first presented at the 2011 Symposium on the
Lutheran Confessions in Fort Wayne, reflect his influence in many areas of
biblical teaching, confessional subscription, and the life of the church in
mission. These historical and theological studies are offered here so that
Walther may be understood in his context and continue to be a blessed
voice in our synod as we face the future.
This issue also recognizes one other anniversary. The venerated King
James Version of the Bible, first printed in 1611, is now 400 years old. The
article below on the King James Version was originally given as a paper at
the 2011 Symposium on Exegetical Theology in honor of this anniversary.
The importance of this translation for the English-speaking world is widely
acknowledged. Although many may think that its day has passed, this
article demonstrates the ongoing influence of the King James Version
through other translations.
The Editors
manv
7'> (20ll): 217-252
Grabau Versus Walther:
are The Use of the Book of Concord in the
vcr
American Lutheran Debate on Church and Ministry
can in the Nineteenth Century
\lcr
)sits Benjamin T. G. Mayes
int\'
5S0r This is not a story of good against evil, but of two justified sinners,
:}od each filled with anger at the other and often completely misunderstanding
It be the other, due in part to their totally contrary experiences and fears. From
the early 1840s until 1866, a dispute raged between Carl Ferdinand
Wilhelm Walther and the Missouri Synod, on the one hand, i:md Johannes
tted
Andreas August Grabau and the Buffalo Synod, on the other hand. 1 The
debate centered on the doctrines of the church and the ministrv. Here we pro
will not describe the history in detaiJ.1 Instead, our task is to examine how
Grabau used the Book the authoritative statement of faith for the
Lutheran Church, in his dispute with Walther. Since Walther's use of the
confessions can be known from the English translations of his works, we
will focus here on hoy\, Grabau used them. Both Grabau and Walther
wanted to teach and conduct their ministries in accordance vvith the
tures and the Book of Concord. Yet these common authorities, the
two men and the synods they led (the Buffalo and Missouri Svtlods) came
out to significantly different points of view on how parts of the Book of Concord
hese should be understood.
her- By examining how Grabau used the Book (~f Concord in his dispute with
Walther, we will see that, far from Roman Catholic in teaching,
l Grabau's background of resistance to tlll' Prussian Cnion and Walther's back-
of resistance to Martin 5tephan, while not the on!\" reasons for the
took, did shape the deb