Full Text for CTM Theological Observer 4-4 (Text)

<1tnurnrbitt ijJqrnlnguttl :alnut~l!l Continuing LEHRE UNO W EHRE MAGAZIN F UER E v.-LuTH. HOMILETIK THEOLOGICAL Q UARTERLy-THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol. IV April, 1933 No.4 CONTENTS Pare FUERBRINGER, L.: Die persoenliche Weisheit Gottes .... 241 GRAEBNER, THEODORE: Separation of Church and State 249 MUELLER, J. T.: Luther oder Calvin . .. .. . . ... . . .. ... 255 MAIER, W. A.: Archeology - the Nemesis...... 264 KRE TZ MANN, P. E.: The So-called '-Christian Interpola- tions" in Josephus .... .. .................... . . . . . ..... 274 Tanz und Kirchen disziplin ..... .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 281 KRETZMANN, P. E.: Die Hauptschriften Luthers in chro- n ologischer Reihenfolge . .... . . ... .... ....... .. ..... . 284 Dispositionen ueber die a ltkirchliche Epistelreihe.. . . . . . . .. 286 Miscellanea . . . . .. . .. 297 Theological Observer. - Kir chlich-Zeitgeschichtliches .. . ... 302 Book R eview. - Literatur . . ...... . ........ . ......... .. . . . 313 Ein Predlger mlll8 Dicht alleln 1Dft3, bie an bas 0:uguftinifdje Beitaner bes Imperium Romanum erinnern, b a £i ®bangeIium unb b a £i tlteidj au berfiinbigen, bie nidj± bon biefer jilieIt finb unl> ltlebet bie 0:fte nodj bie meue jilieft jemafs afs oiinbnisfii~ig anerfennen fonnen. "CEin oi§: ~eute forttoidenbe£i friiftige§: Beugnis fiir bie Q5eroinbung bon 5treue gegeniioer bem ){lefenn±nis unb gegeniioet bem arten ~oIf§:±um oUbd aoer bie .aniffouriflJnobe. SDabei ift gerabe Ilier bie ®r~altung bes SDeutfdjtum>3 - ois 1917 nannte fie fidj offiilieU ,beutfdj' - feineslnegs ein firdjIidjer \j3togrammpunft, fonbern butdjaus ein e±~ifdjer meoenerfoIg ber ridjtig erfa13ten firdjIidjen .lJaup±aufgabe. SDutdj if)ren etften iioer~ ragenben iYiif)rer Sfar! iYerbinanb jiliUf)elm jili a I t f) e r ift i~t ein ftreng bogmatifdjet ~~arafier unausWfdjIidj aufgepriigt. .anan fann biefe :njeo~ Iogie gerabe aus @riinben be§: Iut~erifdjen mefcnniniffes able~nen." (jiliie fidj D. (Nert bas benff, ltlirb nidjt ltleiter bargeIeg±.) ,,0:oer e£i fteljt bodj nidjt fo, toie ooetfliidjIidje Sfritifer gern oef)auptcn, a!£i 00 barin eHoa£i fpeaififdj 0:merifanifdjes ftecrc. ~on ben 71 [? 1 \j3aftoren, bie bie @S1)llObe 3ltlei ~a~re nadj i~ret @tiinbung (184 7) aii~lte, ~aHen 26 aUf beutfdjen Unibetfitiiten f±ubieri; 41 ltlaren unter )3o~es ®influ13 in ~euenbettelsau, 0:uern~eim unb ~iirnoetg borgebilbe±. SD i e f e s @efdjledjt ift ois ~eute ma13geoenb geoIieoen. midjt einmal bas ift tidjtig, ba13 bie bort ge±rieoene 5l::~eorogie au§:fdjIie13Iidj bie beutfdje 5l::~eorogie be§: 17. ~a~rljunbert§: repri" ftiniere. SDiefe €Ot)nobe ~at dne ~euauflage ber jilialdjfdjen Eut~erau>3gcroe beranftartet. .anan ltlirb gerabe ljeute oei un§: ein ~erftiinbni§: bafUr ljaoen, ltla§: bie baburdj aUf amerifaniidjem ){loben eigcntIidj erft erm.iJgHdjte ~er~ tiefung in Eutljer§: gefamtes €Odjrift±um audj ±f)eorogifdj aU oebeuten ljat. SDie ±~eologifdje ~oroilbung ber \j3aftoren biefer @5t)nobe ltlitb audj bon iljren eroitterten @egnern af§: oefonber§: griinblidj anedann±. SDamil ift gerabe fjiet @eltliiljt geoo±en fUr bie ®rfiiUung jener oefonbeten 0:ufgabe Des Eutljer±um§:, fidj ber foaiologifierenben 0:uffaifung bom @:l1angeIium unb bom fiddj @0±te6 in feiner llmltlelt oi§: Dum iiuf3erften entgegenau~ ftemmen. ®oen besljalb ltlurbc fjier aoer auclj aHem engIifdj~metljob1itifdjen )!Befen ftd;;; unb erfolgreidj jiliiberftanb geleiftet. Unb bam i ± toirb audj bie fraftbolle ®rljaHung Des SDeutfdj±ums mittelbar aufammen~iingen. jilia§: bie .aniffoutift)nobe aHein butdj ben @eoraudj bet bmtfdjen €Opradje in i~ren @5eminaren, ~oUeges unb fonftigen Unterridjganf±alten, in i~ren 81 [?] Beitfdjriften, in I.l3rebigt unb Unterridjt bafUt geleifte± lja±, ltlirb Bum min~ beften bem llmfang nadj bon feiner anbern Drganifation, geltlif3 audj nidjt bon .ben beutidjen €oiinger~, @)port~ unb @5djiii2cnl1creincn, iioer±roffen. U €O. 277 ltlirb bie famofe IDc~t~e bon ber all 0:nfang Des ){liirgerfriegs aUf bem @5eminar in @5i. Eoui§: ltlefjenben iYaljne bet @5eaefiioniften al§: ljiftorifdjes iYafiUln eraiifjIt. - SDer 2fofdjnitt fdjIie13t mit ben €Oiiten: ,,:;'5n ber ~flege bet .ilirdjenmufif fteljen fie [bie Eutljeraner] aUen anbetn @e~ meinfdjaften boran. ~er Sfirdjendjor bC6 @5t. mafs~~oUege bet ~orltJegi~ fdjen Eutfjetifdjen .ilirdje in 0:merifa iit oeriifjmt im (lanoen Eanbe. 0:udj in ben ~ereinigten €Oiaa±en oelviiljrien bie Eutfjeraner ba£i rutfjerifdje @:tIjo§:: Theological Observer. - .reitd)lid)~3citgefd)id)t1id)es. 305 mebet quiifetif clje ,;snbnIena gegeniibet bet @lcljolJfung§ntbnung nnclj t~en~ rngifcljet lj3uti±ani§mu§, fnnbern ~ienf± an bet ~a±inn in bet SJingabe an ben biitgetIicljen IDetuf." - @leite 367 raf3t D. (Het± miebet bie @leBeHinn§~ fa~ne aUf bem @leminat au @It. 2nui§ me~en. ~aB et bie bnn i~m aUf St'teue unb @Iauben a[§ @efcljidj±e angennmmene .Im~±1;e n1;ne maHaiiife SJintctgebanfen benui.?t, ge~t au~ bem :Bltfammen1;ang 1;etbnt. "jillit et~ innern 1;iet an ben @egenfa¥ altJifcljen .ben 3'ii1;rern .be~ ungatifdjen 3'rei~ l)eigfamlJfe~ Sf .0 f f u ± 1; unb ® ii t g e r ~, bie beibe im 2ut~ertum mut~ ael±en unb in benen ficlj betfelbe @egenfaj3 lJraftifdj 1Diebet1;nHe. ... ,;sm @leBeHin~hieg ltJe~t auf bem Iut1;erifcljen @leminat ilU @It. 2nug bie 3'a~ne bet fnnferbatiben @lilbf±aa±en, bie @liubenien bnn @eH~~butg liru±en filt bie HberaIen ~ntbftaa±en. ... ,;sn bet :Beit be~ beutfcljen 2egitimif±en ,;suIi~ @l ± a 1; r ffunpft ber ~1ine ® tun b ± big flit ben ~nU~f±aat. ... Wnge~ fidj±~ bief er ~ieIgeftar±igfeit lJnHtif cljet WUffaffung unb IDe±iitigung, .bie rut~erifdje .lmenfcljen auf faft allen Sfrieg~fdjaupriiten unb in allen 2agern innetlJnHtifcljeu WU5etnanberfe\3ungen ileig±, muf3 jebet ~erfudj, ein be~ f±imm±e5 lJ1lHtifdje5 ~nrmarlJtngramm be~ 2ut1;ertum5 ilU ermiHem, fdjeitern. " @l. 440: ,,~af3 bie inneren Sfriifte be~ 2u±1;er±um~ Bur au±ngenen ®e~ meinbebifbung bami± nicljt e:dofdjen ltJaren, i3eig±e fidj bot allem in ~iaflJora~ berljiir±niffen bei ben ber lJ!Cuf3ifcljen Uninn im 19. ,;salJr~unbet± wiberf±w beuben 2utqetanern roie in ber oftetreidjifdjen St'oIetanilfirdje, ItJn nadj bet 3'teigaoe (1781) bie .2age infolge bet taiinnaIiftifcljeu jj3rebigt befonber5 ungiinftig roar, roie in ~ntbamerifaf IDtafHien, Wuftralien, ®iibafrifa." - @l. 501: "SJeinridj ID ii 1) met qat au~ ()uellen be~ 18. ,;sa1;rl)unbert5 ein anfcljauHclje~ mUb bon ben lut~erifcljen 3'armern ber ~ e t e i n i g ten @l t a a ± en entroorfen: @lnfi.bi±iit ber IDaultJeife, unbegreni3te Wtbei±~freu~ bigfeit, 2!bneigung gegen ben ffiaubbau, @lotge um ba~ @ldjulltJefen - alle5 im @egenfai.? ilU ben 3'armern anberet fonfeHionellen SJetfunft." @'i. Theses on Unionism Discussed at the American Lutheran Con- ference Meeting in Milwaukee. - It is significant, we believe, that the A. L. C., when it convened last fall, listened to two papers on unionism, that pernicious disease which is now attacking the vitals of the Christian Church. Some of the propositions on which the speakers based their re- marks are not adequate, here and there deviating from doctrinal sound- ness; but we hope they will help to draw attention to one of the great issues, perhaps the most potent one, now dividing the Lutheran Church. We reprint the theses as they are published by Dr. Ren in the KirahUahe Zeitsch1-ift of February, 1933. Dr. Gullixson of the Seminary of the Nor- wegian Lutheran Church submitted the following theses on the theme "We Agree to Limit Church-fellowship to Those who Share with Us Our Mutual Faith and Confessions: ... "I. This declaration is based on the admonitions of Holy Scripture concerning the Christian's relation to error in doctrine and the teachers thereof. "II. It is definitely in line with the principles and policies of Luther and his associates of the Reformation period. "III. This principle is emphatically endorsed by the sad failure of the 'Union' of a century ago in Protestant Germany, where the authorities, 20 306 Theological Observer. - .Ritd)lid),.aeit\Jefd)id)Uid)e~. ignoring doctrinal distinctions, put the principles of indifferentism into thoroughgoing practise and brought forth, instead of the 'one ChUTCh' conceived in the mind of the King of Prussia, three churches with sharp- ened antagonisms. "IV. We would furthermore support this declaration with the thesis that the history of the Lutheran Church in America from its first begin- nings until now does show that not indifferentism, but definite principles both in profession and in practise form the right policy for the Church to pursue in facing its problems and its possibilities in America. "V. Furthermore we insist that the application of this principle must always be with courtesy, with no lack of firmness, but nevertheless with kindness. "VI. In defining this declaration, we first of all withdraw from the scope of that definition such church groups, such institutions and congre- gations, such individuals, as openly deny great truths which the universal Ohurch has always held basic. What unanimity can faith have with denial? "VII. In further analysis of this problem we urge that a collective confessional purpose of the Ohurch is involved here and that in bearing witness, whether one by one with word of mouth or collectively in action and attitude, it is for the witness to see to it so far as possible that he be understood by those receiving the testimony. "VIII. We further urge that there are public civic relationships in the typical American cOIlllUunity from which the church and its pastor cannot permanently remain aloof without jeopardizing opportunity. "IX. In certain outward manifestations of these civic relationships we believe that the setting for public functions wherein the pastor is asked to participate will largely determine the legitimate conclusions drawn by a community as to compromise of confessional standards. "X. Proper application of that principle which lies in our declaration leaves no room for laxity in guarding the sanctities of pulpit and altar. "Conclusion. The environment through which we move on into the future, the growing Lutheran consciousness, which is a present reality, the increasing impact being made on American life, all urge us forward along the pathway where alone Lutheran solidarity is to be found and where alone the destiny of the Ohurch of the Augsburg Oonfession can be at- tained." Dr. L. Boe, likewise of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, president of St. Olaf College, had drawn up theses which were far more liberal than those of Dr. Gullixson. They read: - "I. The American Lutheran Oonference declares it to be its conviction that America, in its philosophy and thinking, in its education and training, in its national and international relations, in its production and use of wealth and its distribution, must definitely be won for Christ and the principles of His kingdom, and further states, so as not to have its posi- tion misunderstood, that this does not necessarily involve winning America for the Lutheran Ohurch; "II. That, aside from the economic and social changes necessary to remedy the ills and injustices made evident by the present depression, a matter entirely within the power of the people to-day, this task of win- Theological Observer. - ~itd)lid)~8ettgefd)id)tlid)es. 307 ning America for a spiritual objective lies as a responsibility upon the whole Christian Church of America; "III. That the Christian Church, in order to be equal to the task, must approach it with fasting, a giving up of many things, and prayer, and a willingness to submit to an inner renewal by the Holy Spirit; "IV. That the Lutheran Church, in its emphasis on the divine Word and the means of grace, as expressed in the two cardinal principles of the Reformation and in its Confessions, has a special contribution to make, not in antagonism, but in a friendly attitude, toward other Chris- tian churches; "V. That, in order to make the witnessing of the Lutheran Church united and effective, friendly relationships and contacts between the Lu- theran bodies should be established on such a basis as to place no synod or Church in a false position in relation to its own faith and practise; "VI. That the Lutheran synods should, in so far as their faith and practise permit, cooperate in good works to the glory of God and the saving of our people; and finally, "VII. That the Lutheran bodies, in friendly relationship and contact, together should 'wait upon the Lord' for a revealing of His will and purpose as to the next step forward in the Lutheran Church in America toward full recognition in pulpit- and altar-fellowship. "VIII, In a spirit of friendliness and with the desire for friendly contact the American Lutheran Conference takes cognizance of the coming of Dr. F. H. Knubel to Milwaukee on Friday and directs its President to invite Dr. Knubel, as President of the United Lutheran Church, to address the convention at some convenient hour, and further, in the same spirit and without the implication of pulpit- and altar-fellowship, invites friendly representation from the Synodical Conference and the other Lutheran bodies. "IX. In view of the general distress and suffering and the many and sober problems confronting the people of the United States to-day the American Lutheran Conference would urge that the twenty-fourth of No· vember be not only a day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and other blessings from the Lord, but a day of humiliation and prayer, humili- ation nationally and individually because of our sins, prayer for guidance into a better day, and a day of dedication of ourselves and our means to the support of the Church and the relief, in cooperation with other citizens, of suffering and distress throughout our land. "X. In order to release for the advancement of the Kingdom the poten- tialities lying latent in the organization of the American Lutheran Con- ference, the following recommendations are made to the constituent gen- eral bodies:- "1. That the changes in program, institutions, and methods made necessary and desirable because of the new relationships and the difficult times in which we live be faced soon and with patience, wisdom, and courage and that, whatever readjustments are made, have in view the advancement of the interest of the American Lutheran Conference and the whole Lutheran Church in America; and "2. That as a method or working principle there be a recognition on the part of each constituent body of a major or preponderant interest in 808 Theological Observer. - .l(itcf)Iicf)~.8eitgefcf)icf)md)e~. a given territory and a willingness gradually to retire where there is only a minor interest, thus releasing the Church to more intensive work in its main field and strengthening other Lutheran bodies; and "3. That each constituent body develop a strong Home Mission activity in the field of its major interest and possibilities." To understand the propositions of Dr. Gullixson, especially his refer- ence to "our declaration" in proposition No. 10, one must bear in mind that he based his remarks on the declaration in the Minneapolis Theses which treats of altar- and pulpit-fellowship and adopts as correct the rule "Lu· theran pulpits for Lutheran pastors only and Lutheran altars for Lutheran communicants only." In submitting a few comments, we are glad to say that we find no fault with the first five propositions of Dr. Gullixson. No.6, however, is not sufficient. The criterion we employ in making up our minds on the character of church-bodies and in determining whether we can fellowship them must not be the somewhat hazy question whether they hold or deny "great truths which the universal Church has always held basic," but rather the principle that the Word of God must be ac- cepted in its fulness by all who wish to be disciples of Christ. That in the application of this principle we must proceed in a charitable manner is of course at once to be admitted; but the Church would be dishonoring her great divine Master if she insisted on less than on the full acceptance of His revelation. In other words, the rejection of a divine truth, even if it does not belong to those truths which the Church always held basic, cannot be regarded as a matter of indifference. - Proposition No.7 has our endorsement, but with respect to the subject touched on in Nos. 8 and 9 great caution is required if the Church is to be faithful to her sacred trust and to hold fast the form of sound words (2 Tim. 1, 13) without compro- mising and without fear or favor. In approaching the propositions of Dr. Boe we, on the one hand, do not wish to appear unappreciative of the kindliness manifested there; on the other hand, however, we cannot but deplore the lack of emphasis on sepa- ration from errorists which characterizes his theses. His statements have the Reformed ring. "America must be won for Christ." Certainly. But as far as we human beings are concerned, we cannot win anybody for Christ; the Holy Spirit has to do it, and He operates through the vVord, the Gospel-message. Let us fill America with the glorious Gospel of the Savior! would have been a more appropriate exhortation. Merely succeed- ing in persuading numerous people, probably under stress of great enthu- siasm, to accept the label Christian will not be a worth·while achievement unless they lay hold of Christ in all sincerity as their personal Redeemer and Helper. It is at this point where one of the fundamental differences between the Lutheran and the Reformed system of theology becomes ap- parent. The Calvinist thinks it highly important that God should be mentioned in the Constitution of the United States, that public meetings should be opened with prayer, that the population of our land should profess itself a Christian nation, that there should be thrilling demonstra- tions of vast assemblies attended by the dignitaries of the State, honoring Christ as our exalted King. The Lutheran realizes that the kingdom of God does not come with observation; that its spread is like the develop- ment of a seed which is cast into the ground and which springs and grows Theological Observer. - ~itcl)lid)~8eUllefd)icl)mcl)es. 309 up, no one knows how; that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; and that, when it comes to counting, it is the Lord that knoweth them that are His. The faithful proclamation of, and testimony to, the truth which we possess in the Scriptures and in the Lutheran Confessions, careful indoctrination of our people, especially of the young, that is the task facing us and not external cooperation with other denominations, cooperation that will inevitably lead us into the channel of indifferentism. We are surprised to :find that Dr. Reu, while writing about the meeting of the American Lutheran Con- ference with utmost candor, does not hesitate to give his endorsement to the propositions of Dr. Boe. He expresses pain at the coldness with which Dr. Gullixson's theses were received, but he likewise professes sympathy with the position championed by Dr. Boe. A ray of hope we :find in the resolution of the conference to discuss the subject of unionism again at the next meeting, two years from now. When we think of the case of Dr. Mann, Dr. Krauth, and others, we do not consider it impossible that in those parts of the American Lntheran Conference where unionism is rampant there may set in a decided trend toward a more conservative and confessional attitude. A. 'i!)ie l8efe~ntttg atfcin ein !!Bed bc~ SJeHigen o.leifte~, her gilttHdjen , einen 6eftenptebiget in einet Iutljerifdjen Si'itdje ~affion~ptebigten ljaUen obet gat einen mabbinet in dnet Iutljetifdjen Si'itdje prebigen Iai3t. 60 etro~ aieljt dne Si'itdje in ben &taben. ~. 5t. IDl. II. 2lu5lanb. '.Die StefIung ber mobernen itljeologie itur Sdirlft. @aU D. 5tJjeobot Si'aftan aI~ ljetbottageubet Iutljerifdjet 5tJjeoIog borneljmIidj auf ptaftifdjem @ebiet, fo giU D. Dr. moberl ~eIfe gegenroiirlig in beutfdj4utljerifdjen Si'tei~ fen aI~ einer bet etften Iutljetifdjen 5tJjeoIogen auf fneng wiffenfdjaftIidj~ tljeoIogifdjem &wiet. Unfetn faemedungen liber Si'aftan (6. 231) roolIen roit baljet nodj einige Notiaen libet ben auIett genannien 5tJjeoIogen ljinau~ Theological Observer. - .lHrd)Hd)'{jeitgejd)id)tlid)es. 311 fugen, um Die 6teITung Der mODernen 5t1jeologte aur 6cljrtft noclj etlD~ nii~er au cljarafterifieren. D. ~erfe ift .orDen±Iicljer \{.Srofeffor ber 5t~eologie an Der Untber]itiit SjetDeIoerg. 6einem tm ~a~re 1929 erfcljienenen jillerf ,,~ie G:lrunbbogmen Des ~~riitentum. ~te merfii~nung unb Der merfii~ner" lDibmet ,,6cljrift unD ?Sefenntnis" dne einge~enbe ?SeiPrecljung fOlDo~r in dner Sleaenfion hlte auclj in einem oefonDeren 2frlffeI (,,~ie [Bei~nacljts~ hlunber unb Die m.oberne :it~eorogie"). ~er 2frtireI wiu ben Eefern ber t~eorogifcljen ,8eitfcljrtft ,,6clj:t:ift unb ?Sefenntnis" aeigen, "hlarum hlir bie C6rfa~rungst~eorogte, aIS beren merlreter D. ~eIfe geIten mUB, nicljt aIS oerecljtigt aneriennen, fonDern oefiimrfen". G:lIeiclj Das in ber Sleaenfion erhlii~nte ~enefclje jillorl ift oeaeicljnenb fur Die 6teITung ber mobernen C6r~ fa~rungst~eologie aur 6cljrift. jillit Iefen ba: ,,~amit ift augleiclj aW~ gefrrocljen, baB es nicljt cine 2futoritiit bet @5cljtift in jeDcm oeIieoigen 6inn fein fann, Die bie t~eologifclj~bogmatifclje jilla~rfjeigermittrung geaenb au macljen fjat, fonbern eine 2futoritiit, Die nur fo lueit teicljt, aI~ bie 6cljtift jillort bon ber merfiifjnung ift. ~iefe~ jillOtt bon ber merfiifjnung fjat bet ~u~feger f.o hleHeraugeoen, hl i e e s f i clj in f e in e m ~ nne r e n 0 e ~ a e u 9 t fj It t [iJ.on un~ untetfiricljen]; bas ~eif3t, er ~at e§ hleiteraugeoen in .oem ?Sehluttfein De§ ficlj im jillorl bdunbenben .\;>eiIigen G:leifte§." ~amit befcljreibt ~eIfe fefjr treffenb bie "jlfojeftibe ?Saft~" ber mobernen C6rfafj~ rung£!tfjcoIogie tm G:legenfatJ au Dem "objefttben ~eIfengrunb" ber .\;>eiHgen 6cljrtft, toie bies Sleftor jilliUfomm fo paffenb au§btfrcH. ~ie mODerne, gana rationafiftij clj eingefterrte 5t1jeologie nimmt bafjer aI§ G:lotte§ [Borl nicljt bie 6cljrift fefbft an, fonbern nur bie frommen G:lebamen, bie ba§ "fromme G:lfauben§behluttfein" be£! 5tfjeofogen iqm bei jeinem @5cljriftftuDium dngibt unb aUfpriigt. ~n f elnem treffIicljen 2frtifeI hleift Sleftor jilliUfomm bie~ meifterfjaft naclj. ~effe hlm feine£!hleg~ bie hlunberoare G:leburl ~C6fu iioer~ ~aupt au£! bem G:lebiet bcr ~ogmatif berhleil en ober gat oefiimpfen. (§r fpringt auclj nicljt hlie Slcin~ofb @5reoerg, ber ?SerHner ~ogma±ifer, mit bem ebangefifcljen ~ericljt iiber bie C6mpfiingnis unb G:leb11l..i be£! .\;>C6rrn leicljtfertig um, fo bat er fcljfietficlj au bem Slelurtat fommt, cine iioer~ natiirIidJe G:leburt ~C6fu orauclje gar nicljt angenommen 3U hlerben. ~effe ~iirt bie ?Sericljte iiber bie ~ungfrauengeourt fUr fIar unb burcljau§ aw~ reicljenb beaeugt. ~ie merfuclje, Diefe C6raiifjIungen af£J tenben3iii~ 3U be~ aeicljnen, weift cr ao, hleir fie "immer ben a:~araftet bon .\;>iJlJotfjefen be~ qarten". ~ennoclj lJefennt ficlj ~effe nicljt boIT unb gana aur @5cljrifthlafjr~eit "empfangen bon bem .\;>eiHgen G:leift, geooren au§ maria, ber ~ungfrau". ,8uniicljft lommt ~eIfe aUf ba§ jillunber ber @}eliurt ~fjrifti au fPrecljen, nicljt bon ber @5cljrift fefbft au§, fonbern aUf bem [Beg ber C6nthlicUung feines t~eofogifcljen @5l)ftem£!. ~fjm ift e~ bor aITem barum au tun, "ben bibIifcljen mericljt bon ber jungfriiuIicljen G:leourl ~C6fu in ba£! G:lanae be~ ~eiI~gefcljicljt~ Iicljen jillirfen§ G:lotte~ ein;3ufiigen". ~~ tut er bann aUf dne p~UofofJ~ifclje jilleife, auf Die hlir fjier nicljt einge~cn {onnen; aber ba£! SlefuItat ift, baB eine "aoftraHe moglicljfeit" ber ~ungfrauengeliurt nacljhlei§oar ift, hlenn auclj bie "fonfre±e 5tat]iicljIicljfeit be~ ?Sericljts" nicljt ficljergefterrt ift. jilleitere ~oirrungen ~e[fe£! in beaug aUf bie Ec~re bDn ber \{.Serfon ~qrifti laffen hlir ~ier unberiicfficljtig±' Un£! ift e~ ~ier nur barum au tun, bar3ufegen, hlie berfe~rl feloft Die meften unter ben mobernen :itqeologen aur 6cljrift ar~ SlegeI unb Slicljtfcljnur be~ G:lrauoen~ unb Eelien§ ftefjen, unb ba~ ift aW 312 Theological Observer. - ~it~n~:.8eitgef~i~m~e~. bem @lefagten lIar. SDie mobeme st1jeofogie ift nic'fjt @5c'fjrifj:tljeofogie. @5ie Ieitet Me einaeInen .\3eljren (tuie a. ~. bie tmtnberfJare @lefJurt be~ Sjei~ ranbe~) alt~ bem "aentrafen @lrauJjen~edefJni§" afJ. @5ie fterrt baljer ba§ "aentrafe @\fauben~erfefJni~" nefJen Me @5c'fjrifj:, ia fc'fjIief3Iidj iifJer bie @5c'fjrifj: unh f c'fjiefJt f 0 bie @5c'fjrift f ellift beif eite. SDief er "fdne n ffiationaH~mu~ ift baljer efJenfo berljiingni~boll tuie ber grofJe, ber fidj ljieraulanbe ar~ mober~ ni~mu~ breit madjt. @\eljen Me mobemen G>;rIebni§±ljeoIogen auc'fj nidjt immer fo ludi luie bie groben mobemiften, fo ift fdjHef3Iidj boc'fj iljr Un~ gfaufJe, ber fidj in iljrer @5tellung aur @5cljrift funbgibt, nidjt minber ber~ tuerfIidj. SDa~ burfen tuir nic'fjt bergeffen. ~. !it. m. (£~riftrid-'e manner. SDie Sunday-8choo~ Times madjt einige mittei~ Iungen iifJer ljerbonagenbe c'fjriftridje ~.niinner, beren 8eugni~ unb ~iden filr Me SjeiIige @5djrifj: getuit tueitergegeben tuerben blirfte. SDer erfte ift Sir ~ i rr i a m ~ if reo cB , iifJet ben tuir refen: "Sir William Willcocks, one of the greatest engineers of our day, builder of the great Assuan Dam and Assuan Barrage, which enormously increased the fertility of Lower Egypt, has passed on at the age of eighty. His later years were spent as a lay missionary in Egypt, where he made a remarkable translation of the New Testament into colloquial Arabic, had it printed in quantity, and distributed it largely with his own hands. His book Food and Faith was also widely used in Egypt in evangelism. He was a man of prayer and was universally loved by both Christians and jli!:oslems." S\'iinnten tuit nidjt bon f oIdjen .llniinnem remen, tua~ ei3 ljdtt bie miHion Heben? SDet anbete ift @leneraf m ira n mat i 0 bon ~ugofratuien, ber im mat 1931 geftorben if±. ftber iljn tuitb gefagt: "General Matio was a Christian administrator, beloved for his gracious rule, who had chosen the Bible as his personal guide through life. When he realized that his days were numbered, his request to those about him was: 'When I am no more able to read my Bible, place it in my hands as a testimony to all that I loved it dearly and that my Friend who has followed me in my lifetime will go with me through Jordan.' So when he lay in state, it was a touching sight to see his much-loved Bible in his hands with his cap, sword, and medals." G>;ine roeitete mitteifung mac'fjt ba~ ~ratt libet einen mtief, ben @leneraT lrlj at 1 e iil @I 0 t bon bon Sfljartum im ~aljre 1882 an Me @5c'fjiiIet bet fc'fjot: tifc'fjen miffion~fc'fjure in .\3obebafe, @5iibafrifa, gefc'fjriefJen ljat. SDet ~tief tmtrbe neuetMng~ im South African Outlook beriiffentric'fjt. ftfJet @\otbon lefm roir: "This great man was humble enough to add as the postscript to this letter to the Negro boys the words: 'Aid me in your prayers. They are worth diamonds to me, while I will never forget you.''' ~n bem ge~ nannten ~rief fcljteibt @lenera! @lotbon roeHet: "If you confess that Jesus is the Son of God, then God lives in your body, and you live in Him. God is nearer to you than your body; for your soul may separate from that body, but God will never leave nor forsake you. He began, He continues, and will end His work in you. Feed on, nourish, the thought. We all need His aid, therefore endeavor to keep in constant, secret, ejaculatory prayer, and then no evil can befall you." iJur unfere ungfiiubige 8eit finb ~u~fptiic'fje biefer 2rrt bon grof3er ~ebeutung. mac'fjen tuit unfete ~ugenb barauf aufmedfaml ~. !it. m.