Full Text for CTM Theological Observer 12-7 (Text)

atnurnrb· m4tnlngintl 6tutlJl CODWlaing LEHRB UNO WEHRE MAGAZIN PUER Ev.-LUTH. HOMILE11IC THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY-THEOLOGICAL M ONTHLY Vol. XD July, 1941 No.7 CONTENTS ..... Verbal inspiration - a Stumbling-Block to the Jews and Foolish­ ness to the Greeks. TIl. Engelder .................. .... .....................__._...... "1 Sermon Study for Fourth Sunday after Trinity. Th. Laetseh ...... 510 The Lutheran Pastor as Teacher. P. E. Kretzm8nn .. . .. _ ............. 523 OutIlnes on the Wueritemberg Gospel Seledions .......... ............ ....... 528 MJsc:elbmea - .- - - _._._....... _ ...._._.._.._..........__ ... 535 TheoJocieal Observer. - Kirehlieh-ZeitgesehlehtIiehes .......... __ ... 543 Book Beview. - Literatur . __ ._.. __ . . __...... _ .... 554 PredlJer - nlcht aUeln wei­ den, alJo daa er die Sc:hafe Wlter­ w.lse. me lie rechte CbriIten lO11en .m...clem aucb daneben den Woe!­ feD we",.... duI II. en. Schafe JI1cbt 8IIIN1feD und mit faJ.chel' Lebr. ver­ fuebren WId Irrtum eIntuehren. Luther JI:s tat bin DJng. do dle Leute mehr bel dll1" Klrchll behaelt denn ene arute Predlgt. - Apologia. Art. If If . the trumpet live an uncerta1n ~d. who shall prepare bImself to the battle? -1 COl'. 14:' Publlshed for the Ev. Lath. Syuod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other State. CONCOBDIA PUBLISHING BOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. Theological Observer - ftitcf)Hclh'ldtgefcl)tcfJt1tcf)cs 543 The iGlrigi , the - - ,rwe.· 1 Synod. - In the Norwegian Synod, one of our sister synods in the Synodical Conference, preparations are being made for a proper observance of its ninetieth anniversary. One of its former presidents, the Rev. ChI. Anderson, in th~ Lutheran Sentinel sub- mits these interesting paragraphs on the early history of his Church: When the Norwegian Synod was organized in 1853, the following seven pastors were L."l active service: A. C. Preus, H. i'",. Preus, C. L. Clausen, H. A. Stl!b, J. A. O. Ottesen, N. Brandt, and G. F. Dietrichson. A total of 38 congregations was served by these pastors, 3 in Illinois, 4 in Iowa, and 31 in Vvisconsin. At the time of the organization of the Synod 17 of these congregations had formally accepted the constitution. :Most of the othe~(s, however, fOl'mally joined the Synod later on. Shortly after the organization meeting in 1853 Rev. V. Koren arrived from Norway and took up his work in Iowa, being the first resident pastor of our Synod west of the Mississippi. In 1854 Pastor O. T. Duus was added to the roster. In 1855 J. Storm Munch was added. At the meeting at Coon Prairie, VITis., in 1859, the following six pastors were accepted as mem.bers of the Synod: P. Brodahl, C F. Magelssen, Laur. Larsen, F. C. Clausen, N. E. Jensen, and B. J. Muus. In the mean time Pastors lVlunch, Dietrichson, and DUllS had returned to Norway, and Pastor C. L. Clausen was no longer in active service, so that there were altogether 12 pastors. Up to the synodical convention in 1859, 51 con- gregations had formally joined the Synod. DUling these years extensive work was carried on in the Home Mission field. They had no mission board to direct this work Though these pioneer pastors served a number of congregations, some of them as many as ten or more, congregations which often were scattered and long distances apart, they felt that they had to take time to visit new settlements which were established from time to time and organize the work as far as it was possible. This work was usually attended with great difficulties, as roads and means of transportation were very primi- tive. Their physical strength was taxed to the limit; but it was a great encouragement to them that their work was greatly appreciated by those to whom they mbistered. They sometimes came to places where the people for years had not enjoyed the privilege of having the Gospel preached and the Sacraments administered. When the pastor paid them his first visit, it was an event long to be remembered. In this way new congregations were organized every year. Strong appeals were made to pastors and theological candidates in Norway to come and take up work in these constantly growing mission-fields. A few came in response to these appeals, but not by far enough to supply the needs. It could not be expected that the overburdened pastors would be able to do thorough work under these circumstances; but they continued diligently and faithfully to minister to the spiritual needs of 544 Theological Observer - $~ircljHd)~.(leit\1efcljid)mcl)es thousands of hungry souls, hoping that the time would soon come when the crying need for workers would be met, at least in part, by the men who were being trained at the theological seminary of our brethren in the Missouri Synod. A. "T nc." - This is the heading of a brief article written by Pastor E. E. Zellmer of Sterling, Colo., and published in the Lutheran Standm·d. Inasmuch as it is somewhat of a counter blast to some of the unionistic utterances which have lately appeared in the Standard, we insert it here. When the author says, "As I see it, we, the American Lutheran Church and American Lutheran Conierence, are a kind of bridge or cenl 'al ground upon which the other two >nay meet with us," he undoubted y is sincere and believes that we of the Mis- souri Synod are going too far on the right while the U. L. C. A. is going too far on the left. We eto not agree with him. In an earnest doctrinal discussion of all issues involved we trust he would see that we have not ovcr=phasized certain truths 0:' made Lu~::eranism too narrow a tmng. \\/0 commend him, however, for uttering a note of warning with respect to the "union epidemic" and hope his words will be heeded. "Our democracy grants us various privileges, among wmch is free- dom of speech. As this also applies in our religious life and church, I feel constrained to express my views and fears on this 'unitv' question whid ,s been inh'oduced in the columns of the L1LtheTv5L Standant. ", ong as I have been in the ministry, I have net only wished and p:tayed for a Lutheran unity but have tried to contribute my part towards its cOilsmnmation; yet through 211 this I ilave never wanted a manuiaetur,sd union or a union built upon senti:rne~1.tal ideals or a plebiscite union, beca·c.se such 1.mions are not Lmity. lthough we will never yeflcl-:-t a cOInpl'2t2 agreement in all matters of religio:1. here on earth, -ler in unity does dema;:ld an agreement in the fundalTIt::J.uct..Li:) J.H \>,:n .. '.LJ..I:-'t..Lll.'e. "It is true that many go beyond the limit in their demands for th2 establishment of a Lutheran unity; but if I were to choose, I would p:.:efer this attitude to the attitude of those ;,vho apparently would ignore things precious and sacred for the sake of an external union. Esau once made this dreadful mistake when he sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. "W'hen I read the e-·:,Jressio:(1s 0., some of our brethren en tlllS subject in the LutheTan Standard, I 2.sk myself, Whither are we Has the union epidemic also affected us to the extent that Yife ae ready, even no " to go beyond our Lutheran Chure' , 'J with any indivi' "on that accepts Je~ 3avior? Simply t::: COIL___ _ .=5US is the Savior of the world is no~ enough for a Lu',he:c'831 Christian; for he knows churches that claim. a unity upon such a basis, but whe:" scarcely two agree on doctrinal il-lterpl'etations of Scripture unless such interpretations are of a liberalistic nature. Are we ii1. the Arnerican Lutheran Church or in the American Lutheran Confe .. ~".~~ uu ~.~.~ -",.~.3sed that our existence m future usefulness depends on a union with the other two Lutheran bodies? As I see it, we, the American Lutheran Church and American Lutheran Conference, 545 <:':2 a kind of bridge or central ground upon which the other two may meet with us. Would it not be wisest and most charitable to remain here until this meeting is effected in God's own way? We have made appreciable progress in the past two years toward this end 'wherever there was a Christian will to cooperate. Good and lasting things do not come easily or quickly. Let "Us stand our ground, avoiding all unneces- sary obstacles on the Gne side ane! making no unscriptural concessions on the otiler." A. The j {JI)k of Jol Problem of Suffering. - This is the heading of a very helpful article, appearing in the Lutheran Ch