Full Text for Grabau Versus Walther (Text)

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