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 .) CTQ 75 (2011): 372-380 Book Reviews Walther, DVD, four disks. Directed by Dale Ward. Produced by John Klinger. Saint Louis, MO: Concordia Seminary, 2011. Arriving in time for the 200th anniversary of c.P.W. Walther's birth, Walther is the story of the Saxon immigration under Martin Stephan in audio visual form. The first president of the Missouri Synod is the most prominent figure in the account, but it is really about the Stephanite immigrants, their troubled settlement in St. Louis and Perry County, and the resolution of their identity as a Lutheran church leading to the formation of the Synod. Movies have to be understood by people who have no previous know ledge of the story, have to maintain a narrative flow, and are expected to portray a conflict, its development, and resolution. Walther succeeds in all three areas. Historical and theological commentary background materials are supplied by historians from the St. Louis and Fort Wayne seminaries. The archivist of Trinity Lutheran Church in Saint Louis provides the perspective of the congregation that was at center of the Synod's founding. The fourth disk offers reflections about Walther from synodical and seminary presidents, Ralph Bohlmann, Karl Barth, John F. Johnson, Dale C. Meyer, Robert Kuhn, Gerald Kieschnick, Matthew Harrison, Dean Wenthe, and Lawrence. Rast. On the same disk is the 1938 commemorative movie, Call of the Cross, as well as deleted scenes from the 2011 version, printable poster, discussion guide, and bibliography. All four disks are congregation friendly. Since the question of a balanced treatment comes with all attempts to depict the past, commentary from historians might have been added. Por ex ample nothing is said of Walther's insistence on organizing the Synod on the basis of all of the Lutheran Confessions. The story would have more intriguing by calling attention to Johann Grabau's attempt to subordinate the Saxons to his authority, a threat that Saxon pastors recognized and was a factor in both the Altenburg Debate and the formation of the synod. This movie continues the time worn impression that the synod was primarily or even exclusively a result of the experiences of the Saxon Lutherans who settled in Missouri. Sihler and Lochner are included, but more could have been said about these and others whom Wilhelm Lohe sent to America. Their ideas had a role in what the Missouri Synod became and is. These critiques do not detract from the educational experience provided by this movie and its executive producer John Klinger-an opportunity to tell the whole story, one that Lutherans can ponder in understanding our Synod! Martin R. Noland Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church Evansville, Indiana John Jirth, Idio ment their their 10W d to 1 all ; are The Ie of disk alph !r.iId arne ~nes All , to ex the ling , to oth vas ings ", by fait found relate( of sigr (more N Crana, parinf attem) What tendec witht: TI the m Luthe the fOI image discm o portra Luthe donor traits vidua donm 379 ied in the Risen es" the order of John Zizioulas, contribution of autions against ':'f social ethics, fkinship. with Dietrich :hristology), in Christus pro me tat avoids both :reation: Christ apter. Malcolm ;iveness of sins propriations of a). Referencing tudy, Jan-Olav and surprise. s Did?: Evolu understanding tradition and :1 suggests that me for moral ~r by F. LeRon and Ethics," light of cross- e a theological W. The results John T. Pless formation. By 19. '127 pages. Bonnie Noble, Charlotte, not nation master , appreciation. tore than just Book Reviews pretty pictures; the strength of Noble's book is that she helps the reader under stand why Cranach's paintings are so noteworthy. Noble begins with a brief survey of the literature on Cranach's artwork. As one might expect, much of this work has appeared only in German. Noble is less than satisfied with the consensus view that there exists a "perfect reci procity between Luther's ideas and Cranach's images" (7). Of course, the inter pretation of art is never that easy. Throughout her treatment, Noble addresses the age-old discussion of the relationship between art and text. Can a piece of art lead the viewer to discover new theological in.<;ights, or is the purpose of the work of art to illustrate the theological texts that exist independently of it? From the outset Noble offers a helpful summary of the way in which Cranach's paintings aided in the development of a Lutheran understanding of art: "Broadly speaking, art functioned to instruct believers in theology and grace and helped define the theological parameters of religious communities" (10). Noble goes on to summarize specific functions of that art: (1) the paint ings "are didactic, instructing believers in the Lutheran doctrine of salvation by faith without works"; (2) the artist limited his selection of subjects to those found in the Bible; (3) "Lutheran art redefined sacraments," especially as it related to the faithful reception of these gifts; and (4) the inclusion of portraits of significant religious and civic leaders redefined the understanding of piety (more on this below). Noble organizes her study around several significant groupings of Cranach's paintings. These include his famous Law and Gospel paintings (com paring and contrasting two examples of this style in Gotha and Prague), which attempt "to reduce complex theological issues into a (pictorial) slogan" (52). What Noble demonstrates regarding these paintings is that, despite their in tended simplicity, they are amazingly complex, inviting the viewer to wrestle with the intracacies of scriptural interpretation and theological discourse. The next two paintings that are examined are the Schneeberg Altarpiece and the more famous Wittenberg Altarpiece. The latter, completed a year after Luther's death, is best known for its inclusion of both Philip Melanchthon (at the font) and Martin Luther (in the pulpit). Because it is not possible to include images of these altarpieces in this review, any attempt to summarize Noble's discussion is virtually impossible. One side issue that applies to both altarpieces concerns the inclusion of portraits of various individuals. These include not only religiOUS leaders like Luther and Melanchthon but also significant political leaders and sometimes donors of the artwork. Noble points out that in pre-Reformation art the por traits of donors were often included as a nod to the piety of the indi vidual-more precisely, to signify that by commissioning the work of art the donor was performing a good work. For Lutheran art, the focus was different. I --- 380 Concordia Theological Quarterly 75 (2011) CTQ75 The inclusion of the donor's portrait was intended to signify that person's faith in Christ, with the proximity of the individual's portrait to the image of Christ in the painting reinforcing this perspective (79-84). Belchel TnOne final topic concerns Noble's examination of Cranach's Madorma Panels. PaBoth pre-Reformation and post-Reformation examples exist of these panels, thus making it possible to contrast the two. After 1520, Cranach stopped BraateI painting images of Mary that were based on extra-biblical legends and focused Lu on images of Mary with the Christ child. Halos, crowns, and backgrounds of Deutscgold-so prevalent in the pre-Reformation panels-are replaced with an image Roof Mary that is best summarized as a real, earthly mother (170). As Noble Paexplains: "The Virgin Mary became a paragon of Lutheran virtue rather than a worker of miracles or guarantor of salvation. No longer an intercessor, the Nass, . Virgin became the quintessential, ideal model of perfect grace" (10). Pu As I said, this is a great book, pictures and all. It is too bad that the Pannir pictures are only in black and white. While color plates would have made the Pr book cost-prohibitive, the publisher could have established a Website where 13 the color images might be quickly accessed. There is, of course, nothing that Piper,prevents the reader from making his or her own search on the Internet to 20locate color images of each painting; it can only add to the enjoyment of reading Noble's book! Preus, MPaul J. Grime $2 Reirnri '40 Spring 20 Walth, M $1 Wilste AI So R, p, I faith :hrist anels. mels, pped used ds of nage !oble Ian a , the t the e the 'here that at to It of rime CTQ 75 (2011): 381 Books Received Belcher, Kimberly Hope. Efficacious Engagement: Sacramental Participation in the Trinitarian Mystery. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2011. 199 Pages. Paperback. $29.95. Braaten, Carl E. Preaching Christ in a Pluralistic Age. Minneapolis, MN: Lutheran University Press, 2011. 172 Pages. Paperback. $18.00. Deutschlander, Daniel M. The Narrow Lutheran Middle: Following the Scriptural Road. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2011. 235 Pages. Paperback. $18.50. Nass, Thomas P. End Times: Jesus is Coming Soon. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2011. 398 Pages. Paperback. $18.50. Panning, Armin J. Life in the New Testament World: Understanding Professions, Practices, and Politics. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2011. 139 Pages. Paperback. $16.00. Piper, John. Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2011. 304 Pages. Hardback. $22.95. Preus, Peter, And She Was a Christian: Why Do Believers Commit Suicide? Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2011. 183 Pages. Paperback. $25.99. Reimringer, John. Vestments: A Novel. Minneapolis: Milkweed Editions, 2011. 407 Pages. Paperback. $16.00. Springer, Carl P. Luther's Aesop. Kirksville, MO: Truman State University Press, 2011. 249 Pages. Paperback. $39.95. Walther, Karl A. Grand Themes and Key Words: Exploring Important Bible Terms. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2011. 157 Pages. Paperback. $17.00. Wustenberg, Ralf K. The Political Dimension of Reconciliation: A Theological Analysis of Ways of Dealing with Guilt during the Transition to Democracy in South Africa and (East) Germany. Translated by Randi H. Lundell. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2009. 434 Pages. Paperback. $50.00.