The Orthodox Lutheran Volume I June, 1952 Number 8 The Sevenfold Gifts “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” The sevenfold blessing, symbolized by seven flames, is listed in Isaiah 11:2 as - Spirit, Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, and Fear of God. Luther’s Hymn to 0 blessed Light, Thou Trinity And undivided Unity: The “rriune God The fiery sun has sunk from sight, Fill Thou our hearts with heav’nly One of the best-known teachers light. of the ancient Church was Ambrose, bishop of Milan, in Northern Italy. Thee with a song we praise at morn, He was the man whom Augustine, Thee with a prayer at eve adorn, afterwards bishop of Hippo, in Our simple song will worship Thee Northern Italy, praised with such a grateful heart because he rescued Now and throughout eternity. him from his life of error and sin About three years b e for e his and showed him the beauty and power of the salvation wrought by death, Luther translated the beauti- Jesus, the only Redeemer of man- ful hymn and added a third stanza kind. to emphasize the fact that its stately Ambrose was a highly gifted poet. verses are addressed to the Holy Some of his hymns have been used Trinity. For it is a Vesper hymn of throughout the centuries and still praise to the Holy Trinity. serve to edify thousands of Chris- Stanza 1 describes a heart that tians. The mighty hymn known as desires to be set aglow with heaven- Te Deum is ascribed to him, and he ly light as the glory of day fades is the author of the Ambrosian into darkness. Stanza 2 tells of the Liturgy, a form of service still used Christian’s need for continual praise in Milan. to the Holy Trinity. And stanza 3 Of the shorter hymns of Ambrose is a very effective doxology. one of the best-known is that which The hymn, in Luther’s translation, opens with the words 0 lux be&a appeared first in Klug’s hymn-book Trin,ifafis (Thou art three in unity, of 1543 and was quickly included or, as in the Lutheran Hymnal, No. in o t h e r collections as well. Its 564, 0 Trinity, most blessed Light). counterpart, with the same meter In the original hymn there were and rhyme-scheme, is No. 541 in only two stanzas which, in literal the Lutheran Hymnal, which is a translation, read: morning hymn. P. E. K. Church Work Booming in Minneapolis Many and varied are the reports ticularly because of the correct and concerning t h e activities of Holy ‘complete application of the text to Trinity and its pastor. Contrary to problems at hand. The afternoon fictitious reports, the facts reveal and evening were spent in con- that not the majority, but, to our ference, with our Church Board and present knowledge, only eight souls, their wives, plus o t h e r s at the who joined our church, left again, Parsonage in Navarre on beautiful and that happened within a week. Minnetonka Lake. Our pastor, We thank and praise God the however, during this time was again Spirit for moving others to see the in Frederic, Wisconsin, where we truth and affiliate with us and be- are having services and trust that come active and satisfied in our a congregation can be organized. In fellowship. Also it has been our joy addition, we a r e contemplating a and privilege to confirm t h r e e beginning in two more places soon. adults on Palm Sunday. On June God-willing, Holy Trinity w i 11 8 we shall confirm six children. erect a new school-parish building In each regular meeting of the during the spring and summer. The congregation applications for mem- plans, now almost completed, in- bership are presented by the Board clude five full-size classrooms, a of Elders, serving as the Mission large library, a large utility room, Committee a n d Examining Com- a suite of offices and an auditorium mittee, thru the Church Board, and seating a b o u t 800, including a thus our Lord “daily addeth”. kitchen, organ and choir loft, and a The matter of membership in the large sanctuary. Immediately after O.L.C. continues to be a cause of Christmas six most desirable lots much joy and satisfaction. On Sun- were located, bought with cash in day, May 11, we were honored with six weeks. Thereupon an organ was the presence of t h e Conference purchased for use in the American Board. In the morning service the Legion Hall where we hold ser- Rev. W. H. McLaughlin, President vices and meetings regularly with of th.e O.L.C., delivered a splendid splendid facilities. sermon, which was enjoyed par- Members of Holy Trinity have The Orthodox Lutheran Volume I June, 1952 Number 8 Official organ of the ORTHODOX Officers of The Orthodox Lutheran L U T H E R A N CONFERENCE and Conference edited by an Editorial Board, elected President, Rev. W. H. McLaughlin, by the Conference. M.S.T., Rt. 1, Elberfeld, Indiana 0 Vice President, Rev. P. E. Kretz- mann, Ph. D., D. D., Ed. D., Cuba, This publication will a p p e a r Missouri monthly at a subscription price of $2 per year. Kindly make checks Secretary, Rev. Albert M. Schup- and money orders payable to THE mann, B. S., Route 2, Plymouth, ORTHODOX LUTHERAN, Okabena, Nebraska Minnesota. Treasurer, Mr. F. J. Niebruegge, Kindly address all correspondence Route I, Box 350, Clayton 24, MO. and any article intended for pub- Board Member-at-Large, Mr. H. A. lication to THE ORTHODOX LUTH- Strumpler, 3817 Hartford St., St. ERAN, Okabena, Minnesota. Louis 16, MO. - 98 - resolved, in the fear of God and trusting in His abiding grace, to Send In Names have all things in readiness for the For Sample Copies opening of our school in a modern building, air-conditioned, and located We will be pleased fo send sample in a fine setting, directly opposite copies of the Orthodox Lutheran to from the large North Side Junior any address any reader will send in. High School, away from commercial Send in as many names as you wish districts but with favorable trans- on a postal card or in a leffer. Such portation facilities. At least two sample copies are free. rooms will be needed and put into 0 operation at once to care for the enrollment in elementary s c h o o 1 Is the OzLC Growing? work. Kindergarten is desirable What success in numbers did those soon. Efforts are being made to men expect who 1 as t September locate a suitable parsonage near the formed the Orthodox Lutheran Con- new church plant. ference? They did not set any goals. May we, in all humility, say that No church group whose only busi- our organization, the purchase of ness is to preach the Word ever sets ideal property, our plans to acquire any goal of numbers. more advantageous property, our The OLC people are pledged to hopes to erect a beautiful plant so the Old Missouri doctrinal position, soon, all are results of faith based and such people should never expect upon the Clear Word, the sacred and to gain great numbers. The trend sweet promises of the Gospel. Our of t.he times is away from the old prayers have- been answered beyond ways; the spirit of the day is com- human expectations. Our future promise to please men, attract mem- success and joy is assured by the bers by compromise. And therefore all-sufficient grace of God working men of the OLC or any group like it in us, through US, and for us. To in either Lutheran or Reformed God be all honor and glory! ! circles s h 10u 1 d understand that We suggest this motto for all our growth will be slow and the way congregations: “Ye are bought with will be rough. a price: Therefore glorify God in But the OLC is gaining congrega- your body and in your spirit which tions one by one. What size it will are Gods.” Nor shall we forget the be five or ten years from now no remarks of Gamaliel: “If this plan mortal man can predict. Growth of or undertaking is of men, it will a Christian church group is in the fail; but if it is of God, you will hands of the Lord who gave no not be able to overthrow them (it).” other orders than that the Word The annual Mission Festival will should be taught. be observed on June 22 with Dr. 0 Paul E. Kretzmann, Vice President There are few passages from Holy of the Conference preaching in the Writ which have been more sadly morning service, and the Rev. %. G. misinterpreted and misapplied of Schupmann, member of the Higher late years than that which gives Education Board, preaching in the promise of a more abundant life. afternoon service. These festivities are to take place on the property of our president, Mr. A. F. Berg, ORTHODOX LUTHERAN CON- on the shores of Lake Independence, FERENCE for which we plan a full near Maple Plain, Minn. social a n d especially educational It is our hope and sincere prayer program, concerning which you will that many of you will be with us read details in the July issue of then and especially on August 24, the ORTHODOX LUTHERAN. 25 and 26 for the Convention of the 0. G. S. - 99 - The Torty-Four” Today Where Are They and How Do They Stand? It is hard for us to believe that Louis Seminary professor; member, any one would claim to have settled synodical Foreign Missions Board; the “44” controversy by means of till 1951 Chairman of synodical the Fort Wayne Agreement of 1947. Unity Committee; essayist, district And yet the President of the Mis- conventions. souri Synod wrote: “We were as- 3. CLARENCE M. AMLING: Now sured that the a b o v e agreement a layman; member, Board of Dir- means that the Signers as a group ectors; Television Committee. will no longer exist and that the 4. H. BARTELS: Now a D.D.; ex- Continuation Committee w i 11 no president, English District. longer exist.” 5. WALTER E. BAUER: Professor, Wide-awake Missourians h a v e Valpo University. shown that the Statementarians did 6. C. A. BEHNKE: Now a D.D.; not return to old Missouri orthodoxy President, Eastern District; Synod- after the Fort Wayne Agreement. In ical Board of Social Welfare chair- fact, Dr. Theodore Graebner stood man. on the floor of the 1947 Chicago 7. A. F. BERNTHAL: Ex-vice Convention and said: “I stand by President of Michigan District. every word of the Chicago State- 8. A. F. BOBZIN: Member of ment.” As a “group”, perhaps, the selections committee for 1953 Con- “44” no longer technically exist, but vention: Synodical Board for Euro- as a fifth column within the Missouri pean Affairs. Synod they h a v e certainly been 9. PAUL BRETSCHER: St. Louis working these five and more years Seminary professor; Board for Parish to undermine the old Missouri Synod Education; Committee on Fraternal position on church-fell,owship. Organizations; Editorial Board, It would not be fair to the ortho- C 0 N C 0 R D I A THEOLOGICAL dox members of the Missouri Synod MONTHLY. not to identify the “44” by name 10. WILLIAM F. BRUENING: and show where they are at the Public relations department, South- present time. In fact, we feel it to eastern District; also Visitor. be our God-given duty to do this, 11. A. W. BRUSTAT: Editorial in order to avert suspicion from our Board, AMERICAN LUTHERAN. innocent Missouri brethren, who 12. R. R. CAEMMERER: Professor disapprove of the Statement and the at St. Louis Seminary; Editorial Fort Wayne Agreement. The fol- Board of LUTHERAN WITNESS; lowing tabulation will show that the Editorial Committee of CONCORDIA “44” occupy many of the “highest” THEQLOGICAL MONTHLY. positions of leadership in the Mis- 13. THOMAS COATES: Ex-official, souri Synod today. As you study Walther League; president, Portland this list, kindly remember that some Concordia College. of Missouri’s worst errorists are not 14. L. H. DEFFNER: Secretary, on this list. Kansas District; e d i t o r, District Where Are The Original “44” Today? Paper. 1. LAWRENCE ACKER-former 15. H. H. ENGELBRECHT: Visitor, Lutheran Hour speaker; LLL pas- English District. toral advisor; visitor of Northern 16. E. J. FRIEDRICH: leader of Nebraska District and circulation the “44”; Synodical Board of Dir- manager of its paper. ectors; Supt. Wheat Ridge Sana- 2. WILLIAM ARNDT-retired St. torium; Editorial Board, B I B L E - 100 - STUDENT; Director, Lutheran Ser- 34. H. LINDEMANN: Visitor, Eng- vice Society of Colorado. lish District. 17. 0. A. GEISEMAN: Synodical 35. F. W. LOOSE: Pastor in Ohio Board of Directors; chairman, 1950 (Central District). Convention nominations Committee; 36. ADOLPH F. MEYER: Chair- Editorial Board, AMERICAN LU- man, Synodical Board of Public THERAN. Relations; Visitor, Atlantic Distr‘ict; 18. C. A. GIESELER: Professor, Managing Editor, AMERICAN LIJb Valpo University. THERAN. 37. PAUL F. MILLER: Retired 19. E. B. GL ABE: Synodical pastor. Board of Social Welfare; Minnesota 38. W. G. POLACK, SR.: Deceased Children’s Friend Society. professor, St. Louis Seminary.. 20. T H E 0 D 0 R E GRAEBNER: 39. 0. A. SAUER: Selections Com- Deceased professor at St. Louis mittee for 1953 Convention Nom- Seminary; former L U T H E R A N ination Committee, S e c r e t a r y WITNESS co-editor. Armed Services Commission; 1st 21. A. R. HANSER: New York Vice-President, Southeastern Dis- pastor. trict. 22. B. H. HEMMETER: Vice- 40. THEOPHIL SCHROEDEL: president and public relations of- Minneapolis Pastor. f icial, English District. 41. 0. H. THEISS: Executive 23. H. B. HEMMETER: Deceased secretary of Walther League. president of Springfield Seminary. 42. EDMUND W. WEBER: Vet- 24. W. H. HILLMER: Assistant erans Administration chaplain at executive secretary, Board for Mis- Fort Wayne, Ind. sions in North and South America. 43. J. FREDERIC WENCHEL: Now a D. D.; retired pastor in Wash- 25. OSWALD HOFFMANN: Ex- ington, D. C. professor, Bronxville Concordia Col- 44. H. F. WIND: Now a D. D.; lege; executive secretary, Synodical Executive Secretary of Board of Public Relations Department; edi- Social Welfare; President, Associated torial board, AMERICAN LUTH- Lutheran Charities; Editorial Board, ERAN; synodical Television Com- AMERICAN LUTHERAN mittee. 26. A. R. KRETZMANN: Pastoral Do The “44” Still Hold The Doctrines advisor, Walther League. Of The “Sfakemenf”? 27. KARL KRETZMANN: De- By their fruits ye shall know ceased Curator of Concordia His- them. The best way of telling whe- torical Society. ther the “44” still hold their false 28. 0. P. KRETZMANN: Pres- doctrine on church-fellowship is to ident, Valpo University; Synodical examme their. activities. Such an Board for Higher Education; Editor, examination will show that the “44”, ,CRESSET; Associate S e c r e t a r y, or at least representative members Walther League; Editorial Board, of the “44”, still believe that it is AMERICAN LUTHERAN. permissible to have church-fellow- 29. GEORGE KUECHLE: Synod- ship with people who do not hold ical Board for Missions in North to the full truth of Holy Scripture. and South America. There is no valid reason for be- 30. WERNER KUNTZ: Synodical lieving that the “44” ever gave up Resettlement Service. their error. Certainly, the Missouri 31. ERWIN KURTH: Synodical officials with whom they dealt did Catechism Committee. not insist on that, and the “44” show 32. H. H. KUMNICK: Dean, Valpo this by continuing to practice what University. they preached in their “Statement”. 33. F. H. LINDEMANN: Editorial Since they practice unionism with Board, AMERICAN LUTHERAN. (Continued on following page) - 101 - The Torty-Four” Today Where Are They and How Do They Stand? (Continued from preceding page) St. Paul, the Rev. Melvin Hammar- impunity, it would be worse than berg, pastor, April 21-25. At the absurd to assume that the “44” have pastoral conference the topic for dis- given up their pet errors. cussion will be “The Pastor as a We do not have the space to Leader”. Dr. A. R. Kretzmann, follow up each and every one of p as t o r of St. Luke’s Lutheran the “44” in their unionistic activi- Church, Chicago (Missouri Synod) ties, but we herewith do offer just will be the speaker. Dr. Alvin N. enough evidence to show that they Rogness (ELC), Sioux Falls, S. D., still advocate c h u r c h-fellowship will speak at the Gustavus Adolphus without full agreement on Scriptural program”. - From LUTHERAN doctrine. COMPANION, April 15, 1952, page A. R. Kretzmann’s Practice 19. ‘Clergymen to ‘Cross Party Line’ A. R. Krefzmann’s Fellowship With -for the first time, pastors of the the ULCA: “Pastor-Student Con- Minnesota Conference of the Augus- vocation Slated in ‘52” tana Lutheran Church will hear a “Minneapolis - ‘Contemporary Missouri Synod clergyman w h e n Theology in Continental Europe and they hold t h e i r annual pastoral England,’ ‘The Second Mile in Luth- meeting Monday afternoon in St. eran World Action,’ ‘Parish Educa- Paul. tion,’ ‘The Diaconate,’ and ‘Pastoral “Dr. A. R. Kretzmann, pastor of Counselling,’ are subjects to be dis- St. Lukes Lutheran Church, Chi- cussed at the Pastors-Students Con- cago, a Missouri Synod congregation vocation sponsored Feb. 12-14 by of more than 5,000 members, will Northwestern Seminary (ULCA). speak on ‘The Pastor as a Leader.’ Speakers at the three-day seminary “The pastoral meeting will pre- include: Dr. Joseph Haroutinonian, cede the 94th annual convention, McCormick Seminary, C h i c a g o which will begin Monday night with (Presbyterian); Dr. Paul Empie (Na- Dr. Emil Swenson, Minneapolis, con- tional Lutheran Council), New York ference president, giving the sermon. City; DR. A. R. KRETZMANN, Chi- “All sessions will be h e 1 d at cago; Sister Mildred Winter and Dr. Arlington Hills Lutheran church Frederick Norstad. Sessions will be and will continue thru Friday. held in Salem Church.“-From LU- “A guest clergyman who will ad- THERAN (ULCA) of 10-21-51, Page dress the conference will be Dr. 46. Alvin N. Rogness, pastor of an A. R. Krefzmann’s Fellowship With evangelical Lutheran congregation The American Lutheran Church (Norwegian) in Sioux Falls, S. D.“- “A seminar sponsored by t h e From the MINNEAPOLIS STAR, American Lutheran C h u r c h at- dated April 17, 1952. tracted Lutheran pastors of all back- NOTE: This incident was pub- grounds to G u s t a v u s Adolphus licized twice in the LUTHERAN Church, Manhattan. The theme, ‘A COMPANION, official church paper United Lutheran Front In American of the Augustana Lutheran Church Life,’ was discussed by Dr. Arthur (Swedish). Here is their announce- C. P. Hays (Northwestern ULCA ment: Seminary, Minneapolis) and DR. A. “The annual convention (of the R. KRETZMANN of St. Luke’s Minnesota Conference) will be held Church (Missouri Synod) Chicago. at Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, It was one of 50 scheduled across - 102 - United States and Canada.” (The Hymns were sung, presumably in LUTHERAN of Nov. 21, 1951, Page the spirit of ‘joint worship. The 38) NOTE: The national committee speaker for the occasion was a mem- for these Seminars had as a mem- ber of the MISSOURI S Y NO D ber Dr. 0. A. Geisemann, State- CLERGY, for the first time in the mentarian and member of Synod’s history of the New York All-Luth- Board of Directors. We give more eran Reformation affairs, in the per- information below about t h e s e son of the Director of the Depart- Seminars. ment of Public Relations of the Unionistic Activities of Sfafemenf- Missouri Synod, the Rev. OSWALD arian Oswald Hoffmann C. J. HOFFMANN. The subject: One of the most influential men ‘Luther’s Leadership for the New in the Missouri Synod today is Prof. World’. A layman ‘presided’ over Oswald C. J. Hoffmann. Of his in- the ‘rally’. tersynodical meanderings the CON- “We realize that the New York FESSIONAL LUTHERAN of June, All-Lutheran Reformation d o i n g s 1950 has this to say: used to be called ‘services’ and are “The unionistic activities of the now called ‘rallies’. The pronounce- Lutheran Society, Inc., continue. ment which declared Missouri Synod Meeting after meeting f e a t u r e s participation in the latter to be pastors of any and all ‘Lutheran’ perfectly right, in distinction from b o d i es, including Statementarian the former ‘services,’ was made by Missourians, promiscuously inter- a Synodical District President. (See mingled in giving invocations, ad- CONFESSIONAL LUTHERAN, 1949, dresses and benedictions. page 38-39). An analysis of said “Announcement was made in Jan- pronouncement shows it to be mere- uary, 1949, that the Missouri Synod’s (Continued on following page) newly appointed Director of the De- partment. of Public Relations, the Rev. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann, had How ~Csngregationk become a member of the Lutheran Society. Our readers will note that Lose Their Rights support of this Society is, at best a type of selective fellowship, con- Religious freedom is not lost over- demned by Synod assembled in 1947. night. By easy stages one privilege The Society’s activities presuppose after another is delegated to gen- joint religious work an d worship eral boards, committees and officials. without settlement of doctrinal dif- Not only do congregations seem in- ferences, and are unionistic. The different at times in regard to their man who above others represents sovereign rights, but one sometimes the Missouri Synod before the pub- hears some thoughtless person say lic ought to exemplify, personally that what we need is more cen- and officially, the doctrines of Synod tralized power. as found in its BRIEF STATEMENT, However, this is not the way of not omitting paragraphs 28 and 29. the Scriptures. The affairs of the “Public Relations - New Type” congregation are n o t directed by ‘Climax of the Lutheran Society’s oficials and boards with arbitrary 1949 season was the ‘All-Lutheran powers, but by the principles of Reformation Rally in commemora- God’s Word. God’s Word is suf- tion of the 300th Anniversary of ficiently clear, and that alone (and Lutheranism in New York,’ held at not boards, officials, national federa- the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Oct- tions or councils with legislative ober 23. Pastors of various National powers), contains the answer to all Lutheran Council bodies offered the problems and the remedy for all opening prayer, received the offer- our. ills. F. R. Webber in the ing, and pronounced the benediction. CHURCH BUILDER. - 103 - The Torty-Four” Today (Continued from preceding page) LUTHERAN, Oct. 3, 1951, P. 2). ly an assertion or rendered opinion, The above reports we quote ver- without any attempt at support from batim from sources in periodicals of Scripture (or Synodical resolu- other “Lutheran” bodies, with whom tions) .” the “44” wish to be friends and Those American Lutheran brethren. Since we do not have the Conference Seminars space for quoting any more in that Last fall again 50 Lutheran one- way, permit us to refer to other day seminars were held thruout the cases which have received wide- U. S. and Canada from Oct. 15 to spread publicity. Prof. 0. H. Theiss, NOV. 15. The topics for these the top official in the Walther seminars were under the general League, has for some time been heading of “A United Lutheran taking part in the All-Lutheran Front in American Life”, with “Our Youth Leader’s Council. In 1952 he Common Ground” and “Our Com- attended at St. Olaf College of mon Tasks” as sub-topics. This was the ELC in Northfield, Minn., on the eighth annual series of seminars. January 8-10. He spoke of the great The former chairman Rev. Joseph mission opportunity the youth of Simonson, newly-elected executive Australia and Japan has. In 1951 secretary of the National Lutheran this Council met at Philadelphia Council’s Division of Public Rela- under the auspices of the ULCA. tions, this year was replaced by There the men “called upon the Pastor Herman Mees Meyer, A.L.C. pastors and the people of the Luth- pastor. Rev. Meyer said: “The sub- eran Church to center their atten- ject . . . is an effort from a tion upon youth.” At this session theological point of view to deter- also the work of the Topics Com- mine and emphasize the things we mittee of the Youth Commission of agree upon, rather than the things the American Lutheran Conference upon which we disagree.” (CON- was transferred to the All-Lutheran FESSIONAL LUTHERAN of Dec., Y o u t h Leaders’ Council. State- 1951). mentarian Theiss, executive secre- In a special release to the pastors tary of the Walther League of the of the Missouri Synod, President Missouri Synod presided at the Behnken of that body said: “If any sessions. “So ended another inspir- of our pastors have been asked to be ing series of Lutheran youth leaders’ speakers at these seminars, t h e y meetings. The 1951 meetings seemed must by all means avoid ‘every somewhat dominated by a somber unionistic practice and must not note of overhanging war clouds. But, create the impression that fellow- as usual the real chairman was the ship exists between our Synod and Man from Nazareth ” the Lutheran bodies in the National STANDARD of Fed . 3(LE:yRAN. Lutheran Council or the American In 1950 the Council met at Rock Lutheran Conference. IF THE Island at the Augustana S y n o d TOPIC ANNOUNCED IN THE Seminary. Dr. S. C. Michelfelder, NEWS RELEASE IS CORRECT, late executive secretary of the Lu- THIS WILL BE EXTREMELY DIF- theran World Federation strongly FICULT.” urged that a youth convention be The following members of the. included in the 1952 plans. “The “44” participated in these seminars: Walther League, youth organization E. J. Friedrich, Otto H. Theiss, A. of the Lutheran Church - Missouri R. Kretzmann, Lawrence Acker and Synod, had planned a European tour F. W. Loose. (See AUGUSTANA in 1951. In view of this new devel- - 104 - opment this group will consider the advisability of postponing its trip Proceedings of O.L.C. one year”, Organizing Meeting “One of the chief items of busi- ness before this group was a plan Still Available for a joint Lutheran youth maga- zine, presented by Rev. Wilfred This most informative booklet is Bockelman of the ALC. The pro- still available at 75c per copy. In posed plan calls for a special edition future years it will be an in- of the WALTHER LEAGUE MES- valuable historical source, to be ob- SENGER which could be used by tained only at high prices. Right any Lutheran youth gr o u p that now it is still a highly current com- cared to do so. The special edition pendium of the true facts about the would not contain the name “Wal- O.L.C., in contrast to t h. e legends ther League” in its title and would invented by our adversaries, and of have a section written especially all our official d o c u m e n t s and for other Lutheran synods.” (From fundamental doctrinal pronounce- the LUTHERAN STANDARD of ments, and a reliable guide in the January 28, 1950). application of Biblical doctrine to We wish we could give you all the present distress, which should the instances showing that the “44” be in the hands not only of all mem- are practicing what they preached bers of our congregations, but of all in their “Statement”, but this will members of t h e Synodical Con- have to suffi.ce. If there is enough ference who wish to be well inform- ed. We have noted that even Mis- interest in the subject, we can put souri Synod officials find the booklet out the other cases concering such serviceable a n d dependable for men as 0. P. Kretzmann, 0. A. reference not only regarding the Giesemann and others in a mimeo- O.L.C. but our sister Synods in graphed issue from our TRACT DE- PARTMENT. Kindly write to Rev. the Synodical Conference. 0. G. Schupmann, Highland Station, Order from: Box 2604, Minneapolis 11, Minnesota. Mr. Fred J. Niebruegge R. 1, Box 350 Quad Eraf Demonsfrandum Clayton 24, MO. These are the words t h a t our l Concordia College math teachers The demand for the power to taught us to place at the end of a compel is confession of incompetence problem, after we had completed it to lead. and proved our point. They are like an “Amen” to a pastor’s sermon. We place them at the end of this position in doctrine and practice. article, because we firmly believe A Promise To You we have proved our point. We Next time we hope to conclude set out to show that the “44”, pro- this feature presentation of the “44” ponents of an anti-Missourian prin- and related items. We have a ciple of church-fellowship, are in tabulation on the answers which the positions of “high” leadership in St. Louis Study Club received to the Missouri Synod and that they their 1951 survey of liberalism in the still hold their anti-Scriptural posi- Missouri Synod, that could not go tion. By operating as t.hey do in into this issue for lack of space. their positions of leadership, the “44” There is also a list of a g r o u p are leading the Missouri S y n o d of men who in 1951 were still will- down the steep path of religious ing to endorse the doctrine of the unionism. They are the chief cause Chicago ‘-Statement”. God-willing of the rapid disintegration of the we shall present those tabulations Missouri Synod’s formerly orthodox and summaries in our next issue. - 105 - “UnitedTestimony on Faithand Life” If I w e r e still a conservative contrary notwithstanding, and by the wifhin the Missouri S y n o d, the same token Missouri will probably above-named document would worry not be asked to give its reactions to me no end. For it is essentially an the “United Testimony on Faith and expanded reproduction of the “Com- Life” (UTFL). The logic of this mon Confession,” and in the article situation is that the two documents on the Church forms the basis for have been constructed on the same part of the newly published Part II principles, and even to some extent of that document. The latter docu- w i t h identical wording (usually, ment is treated also in a subsequent however, expanded in the UTFL); article. and two things equal to the same The “United Testimony” document thing are equal to each other. “CC.” is “the report of the Joint Union and UTFL are simply two expres- Committee to the Five Churches of sions of the same doctrmal position, the American Lutheran Conference?” that of the A.L.C. and is intended to be a “third step” The A. L. C. (according to the editor of the E.L.C. Kind of “Unify” Lufheran Herald) toward a closer UTFL very frankly and honestly organic union (merger) of the five tells what sort of unity it is to which bodies which “have now walked and it gives expression. The committee worked together for a period of which constructed it “finds the five more than twenty years” in the bodies in essential doctrinal agree- American L u t h e r a n Conference. ment,” finds between t h e m “an These five church bodies (A.L.C., adequate unity and witness with re- E.L.C., U.E.L.C., Augustana, and gard to the essential realities of the Lutheran Free Church), which show Christian faith. Their life and ex- no fear of a multiplicity of docu’- perience together t h e s e last two ments, should have no difficulty in decades lead them to believe that accepting this document and those such an essential unity exis,ts among which may follow, up to the expect- them.” In the Sixth Article of the ed consummation in 1956, as it re- Second Part, on “Spiritual Fellow- presents the actual “measure of ship,” a “measure of outward fellow- agreement” existing among them, ship” is based on “the measure of both in what it says. at such great unity that exists,” and we are told: length, and also in what it, with all “So long as witness can be borne to its wordiness, omits. the truth as we see .it in Christ, a Those in the Missouri Synod who measure of outward fellowship may accept the “Common Confession” be enjoyed even with such as differ should have no difficulty in accept- with us in the apprehension of cer- ing also this document, although tain aspects of the truth.” The they will very likely not be asked language of these quotations from to accept it. It may, however, cause the lengthy article by which union- them some anxious thought to re- ism is supposed to be excluded is a flect that the maiden who so readily good sample of the diffuse vague- accepted the proposal of the Mis- ness which characterizes the lan- souri Synod (to use the figure of guage of the document. Editor Mal- speech employed on the floor of min admits and deplores that the A.L.C. Convention) was at the “Unionism exists in all five bodies, same time giving a favorable ear to in varying degrees, and t h e r e is the proposals of our other suitors. more than a suspicion that very To these four the “Common Con- often nothing is done about it.” fession” will apparently not be sub- For anyone who cannot see the mitted, Missouri resolutions to the same conception of “doctrinal agree- - 106 - ment” operative in the construction “Through the Holy Scriptures, which of the “Common Confession,” a care- God caused to be written by men ful study of Pastor W a 1 t e r P. chosen and inspired by Him, God Scheitel’s article in the April Or&o- instructs and assures us regarding dox Lutheran, and of the article of His will for us . . . . Since the Holy Dr. Fendt (who took part in draw- Spirit by divine inspiration supplied ing up both the “CC.” and the to the holy writers content and UTFL) from which he quotes, is to fitting word, therefore we acknow- be recommended. ledge the Holy Scriptures in their Having pointed out t h e similar entirety , as the inspired Word of principles which governed the draw- God.” The favorite U.L.C.A. phrase, ing up of “C.C.” and UTFL, it will “Content and fitting word,” does not not be necessary to discuss in detail occur in UTFL; and its “Bible, as the occasional identity of language, a whole and in all its parts,” is the general agreement in substance, better than the “Common Confes- and the minor difference between sion’s” : “Holy Scriptures in their the two documents. But for the entirety.” The insistence on “the benefit of those to whom the latter human factor in the Bible,” how- document may not be accessible (the ever, is a serious defect, and goes writer has studied it very carefully, beyond the correct acknowledgment as it is printed in the Luih.eran of “the condescending love of God Herald of March 18, 1952, and it is in speaking to men through the now published with a brief critique agency of” (“by means of” would be in the April Quartalschrift), I shall better, W.H.M.) “human language.” in the following offer a few samples. “The human factor in the Bible” Not Quiie As Objecfionable As would give us that “divine-human the Common Confession Scripture” (“Gottmenschlichkeit der The printing out of the Scripture Schrift”) against which Dr. Walther passages referred to is a formal ad- warned us so fervently. vantage. The prevailing use of the Omissions and Deficiencies American Revised Version for such Lacking from the UTFL proper citations is not to be commended, are articles on “Man”, “Conver- but it is not as badi a fault as the sion”, “Election”, and “The Minis- “Common Confession’s” practice of try.” The last is supplied, to some citing whole chapters at the end of extent, in connection with the very an article without indicating what lengthy Article II, “Lay Activities in point they are intended to prove. the Church,” in the Second Part. The use of Scripture citations is in The articles on Conversion an d general better in the UTFL than in Election are supplied in “The Min- the “Common Confession.” neapolis Theses,” of 1925, w h i c h In the article of The Word, which, formed the doctrinal basis for the as in the “C.C.“, is a sub-section of organization of the American Luth- that on “The Means of Grace,” we eran Conference in 1930, and are have actually s o m e improvements appended to and reaffirmed by the upon the “Common Confession” UTFL (also to be found in “DOC- which corporate Missouri f o u n d trinal Declarations,” C.P.H., 1937, acceptable. The expression “verbal Pp.20-23). The Missouri Synod of inspiration” does not appear. But at those days did not find the state- least inspiration is predicated of the ments of the Minneapolis Theses on Holy Scriptures, not of the writers; these two doctrines adequate, and and UTFL: “We believe that the rightly so, but that part of the Mis- Holy Scriptures of the Old and New souri Synod which accepts the Testaments are the Word of God, “Common Confession” will surely given by inspiration of the Holy find no fault with them; and cer- Spirit for t he purpose of man’s tainly the A.L.C. can with entire salvation,” is better than “CC.“: (Continued on following page) - 107 - “The Common Confession, Part II” This supplement to the “Common concerned may sometimes d e t e c t Confession” may well be regarded which phrases were contributed by by Orthodox Lutherans as not re- the one and which by the other. quiring much attention or concern, Editor Schramm is no doubt right at least for the present, and that in his comment, that “in its final ,for three reasons: First, it is a form the ‘Common Confession’ will tentative draft, which is to&be given pretty w e 11 parallel the ‘United final form in a joint meeting on Testimony’.” But that the latter June 30; second, it does not bring reached its goal by so much more the “Common Confession” to a con- direct a route than the former is clusion, but is to be followed by a doubtless to be attributed to the Part III, which will contain articles fact that the American Lutheran on “Church Fellowship” and “Anti- Conference thelogians could in many Christian Organizations”; third, it instances give free expression to an expressly declares that Part I re- existing agreement, while the A. L. mains “Our common conviction and C. and Missouri conferees faced the testimony regarding the Christian problem of negotiating or simulat- Faith”, and is therefore of very little ing an agreement which was not interest to those who have rejected actually present, - the most unfavor- the “Common Confession” as such. If there is to be any “clarification or expansion” of the “Common “United Testimony Confession”, this certainly is not it. On Faith and Life” The verbal parallelisms with the American Lutheran Conference doc- (Continued from preceding page) ument (UTFL) reviewed in a pre- consistency subscribe to both docu- vious article a.rFj rat.hcr frequent, ments. but, with two exceptions, of no The very lengthy article “On the particular interest. Of the two docu- Church” (Article VI) does not in- ments the UTFL makes a more dicate that invisibility is a charac- favorable impression than the ob- teristic of the Church, and it does viously “patched up” C. C. As make room for a good deal of social Editor Schramm of the A. L. C. work and political activity among Lutheran Sfamdard says: “When the the functions of the Church. Joint Union Committee of the five Lacking entirely from the UTFL American L u t h e r a n Conference is any statement ,on “The L as t Synods drew up its ‘United Testi- Things.” The sub-section of Article mony on Faith and Life’ I know that VI, “On the Church,” entitled: “The it tried to make it a document that Church’s Hope and Triumph,” does would not require any additions”. indeed a s s er t “the Church’s ex- And the document makes the im- pectancy of the Lord’s return.” But pression of a finished job, one that that such subjects as ihe Millenium, will serve the purposes of the people the Antichrist, mass conversion of to whom it belongs. There is a lack the Jews, and preliminary resur- of constraint about it, as though rection of the martyrs h a v e ever the committees who d r e w it up been topics of discussion in the really enjoyed their work. The two Lutheran C h u r c h e s of America, parts of the “Common Confession” would never be gathered from the which are now before us, on the study of this document. Apparently other hand, bear the obvious marks these matters are not included in of negotiation and constraint, so that “the essential u n i t y that exists” the reader who is acquainted with among the five church bodies con- the previous positions of the parties cerned. Wallace H. McLaughlin - 108 - able circumstances conceivable for in the supplement to the “Common the drawing up of a “common con- Confession”, its possibility for harm f ession”. Neither of the two docu- becomes evident in the preceding ments is, or could ever become, our and following context of the same confession; but, as outsiders, we be- sentence in Article VI of the UTFL lieve that an objective evaluation which definitely implies a concern will prefer the UTFL to the CC, as of the church with the ordering of a more frank and unconstrained ex- society and with the affairs of the pression of the convictions of those state as such. To say that this who produced it, though in many context does not concern the Mis- respects we cannot share their con- souri Synod, since it does not occur victions. in the “Common Confession”, would There are five clear verbal paral- be very naive in view of the fact lels between UTFL and CC, Part that the UTFL is a document drawn II, all of them being found in the up with the cooperation of the same former document’s first part (“Con- men who introduced this sentence cerning Faith”), Article VI (“The into the supplement of the “Common Church”). Confession”. Presumably they know To aid those who wish to study what they mean by it, and have said the parallelism of the two docu- so in the UTFL. ments, I shall list the five parallels The first paragraph on “Church in in the order in which they are found Eternity” (CC) or “The Church’s in “The Common Confession, Part Hope and Triumph” (UTFL) fur- II”: 1). Second sentence of third nishes an example of the introduc- sub-section of Article I corresponds tion by the Missouri conferees of to last sentence of fifth paragraph some pointed references to the elec- of first section. of UTFL Article VI; tion of grace which the A. L. Cf. 2). entire s e c o n d sub-section of theologians did not feel the need Article II corresponds to paragraph of in t h e i r otherwise similarly 8 of first section of UTFL Article worded paragraph. In itself there is VI; 3). entire first sub-section of nothing wrong with this; but if any- Article III corresponds to f o u r t h one should i m a gin e that these paragraph of first section of UTFL references might serve in part to Article VI; 4). entire first sub-sec- make up for deficiencies in the tion of Article VIII corresponds to article of the “Common Confession” first paragraph of second section of which specifically treats of Election, UTFL Article VI; 5). first clause of (Continued on following_~______~ page) third sub-section of Article VIII cor- A CHURCH MEM:BER responds to first sentence of second COMPLAINS ABOUT THE paragraph of second section of ORTHODOX LUTHERAN UTFL Article VI. Of t h e s e five correspondences “Your Orfho,dox Lutheran is there are only two, number 1 and becoming foe much like a maga- number 4, to which I wish to call zine for preachers.” Is fhis. frue.? special attention. The statement: Affer fhe first several issues of “Following the example of our Lord fhe OL were auf, church mem- Jesus Christ, the Church seeks and bers praised a. They declared if works for the complete welllbeing was wriffen in a way fhaf fhe of all men”, is a portentous one, comm’on people can, under&and. and may serve as an open door Buf now we are fold fhaf we through which the “social Gospel” have foe much in our columns may make its entrance into Church which is foo “heavy” for ordi- life and activity. While this danger- nary church members fo grasp. ous significance of the sentence may Church members! - please not strike one who reads it in the write1 us whaf YOU fhink abouf innocent context in which it occurs fhis maffer. - The Editor. - 109 - traduced into the .article on “The The Common Confession Church’s Mission”, so a statement Part II Examined on Inspiration is even more strange- ly inserted into the article on “The (Continued from preceding page) Church and Education”. There we that would be a case of egregious read: “Holy Scriptures are God’s self-deceit. verbally inspired Word, that is, God There are two other sentences of moved men to write what He this supplementary document which recorded in the words which He one who has taken part in the wanted employed”. Here we have Missouri Synod debates regarding the wording “verbally inspired”, the “Common Confession” cannot which, as the former chairman of but suspect have been introduced Missouri’s committee on doctrinal into this supplement to meet objec- unity explained, was intentionally tions voiced against the original excluded from the “Common Con- doctrinal portion of the “Common fession’s” doctrinal article on “The Confession”. The first occurs in the Word”. But we do not have in this second sentence of the first sub- sentence the doctrine of verbal in- section of Article I, “The Church’s spiration. That God “moved men” Mission”, where it is stated that the to use “the words which He wanted Church “confronts a mankind which employed”, is nothing more than wifhouf th.e gracious working of fhe the divine guidance or government Holy Spirit is totally corrupt in theory of inspiration advocated by trespasses and sins, is completely the seventeenth century theologian blinded to the will of God, and Calixtus over against verbal inspira- willfully resis.ks every endeavor of tion, according to which those things God fo save if from deshucfionl which do not pertain directly to (our emphasis). A rejection of the God’s revelation and our salvation unscriptural distinction b e t w e e n were not directly g iv e n to the natural and willful resistance was writers by divine inspiration but missed in the “Common Conf es- were merely written u n d e r the sion”. The above sentence does not Spirit’s assistance a n d direction. supply this deficiency, though one Thus the writers were indeed guard- cannot but suspect that the Mis- ed against. error, but what they wrote souri Synod conferees thought it was not the words of God but did. merely the inerrant words of men. What adherents of orthodox Scrip- The simple statement that God the tural doctrine would like to know, Holy Ghost put into the minds of the writers, or gave to them, the over against the doctrine of the very words which they wrote, is former Ohio Synod, as represented neither expressed nor implied in by Dr. Emch’s recent exposition either the First Part of the “Com- based upon a quotation from an mon Confession” or the Second Part. Ohioan Catechism, is what A. L. C. theologians think of the attitude of Those who are really devoted to natural man toward “the gracious orthodox Lutheran doctrine will not working of the Holy Spirit”, rather be satisfied with the mere use of than the attitude of mankind a phrase, such as “verbally in- “without the gracious working of spired” or “willfully resists”, any the H o 1 y Spirit”. Nor can we more than they were satisfied with fathom what “every endeavor of the use of “objective justification” God to save it from destruction” in Part I of the “Common Confes- may be apart from “the gracious sion”. As for us of the Orthodox working of the Holy Spirit”. Such Lutheran Conference, we ask first a confused s e n t e n c e certainly an unmistakable and unequivocal clarifies nothing. definition of the thing signified, and As the above is incongruously in- (Continued on following page) - 110 - One of Missouri’s stood for#$$$ $n orthodox teacher is worthy of the honor which is Forgotten Men-Pieper attested to.j:by the signatures here- with affixed by almost the entire With this issue of the ORTHODOX clergy of the Missouri Synod.” Dr. LUTHERAN we are laying the Pieper also w r o t e the BRIEF groundwork for the presentation of STATEMENT of the Doctrinal posi- a great paper on Unionism which tion of the Missouri Synod, which still is a classic in its field. This is the bone of contention in the paper was presented as a district present Missouri Synod cpntroversy. essay to t h e convention of the Francis August Otto Pieper was Oregon and Washington District of born on June 27, 1852 at Karwitz the Missouri Synod, meeting at in Pomerania (Pommern), a Prus- Spokane, Washington back in 1924. sian province of Germany. His The late Rev. J. A. Rimbach and father was town mayor. Young Prof. E. H. Brandt of Portland, Francis attended the colleges at Oregon were t h en authorized to Koeslin and Kolberg. The mixture translate the essay and see it into of politics with r e 1 i g i o n in print as a pamphlet for general .dis- (Continued on following page) tribution. It is a notable paper be- cause it was written and presented by a man on whom had fallen the The -Common Confession mantle of leadership first worn by Dr. C. F. W. Walther in the Mis- Part II Examined souri Synod. (Continued from preceding page) As most people know, Dr. Walther then also that it be called by its was the God-given first leader and right name. We shall, by God’s founder of the Missouri Synod. grace, resist every departure from When he died on May 7, 188’7, “his the pure doctrine either in matter mantle naturally fell up on the (and this is our primary concern) shoulders of Dr. Pieper whom he or, secondarily, in phraseology. We had himself selected and trained for abide by the unaltered “Brief State- his position of teaching at Con- ment”, which gives us both sound cordia Seminary in St. Louis. Pre- doctrine and the form of s o u n d viously Dr. Pieper had taken over words. all of Dr. Walther’s classes. Pieper In conclusion, we gratefully draw had also taken over the theological attention to the perfect proportion- leadership of the Missouri Synod. ing of the various articles of that He was President of that body from good confession of 1932, similar to 1899, succeeding the sainted Dr. H. the proportions observed in the C. Schwan. “AS synodical officer sixteenth century Lutheran Confes- it was the duty of Prof. Pieper to sions contained in the Book of visit the District synods when as- Concord. Though the “Common sembled in convention. Confession” by the time its Part III “On these occasions he contributed appears may be as long as the rather largely to the doctrinal discussions, verbose UTFL, or even as long as and much of the sustained respect the comprehensive but s u c c i n c t for his theological leadership was “Brief Statement”, it will never due to these trenchant and unfail- overcome the distortion of devoting ingly popular discussions of Christian two sentences to the doctrine of doctrine heard from the floor of our Election, three sentences to the doc- District synods.” At a testimonial trine of conversion, and eight dinner on Oct. 19, 1928 the follow- articles (approximately a third of ing statement was made about. him: the entire document) to “The Church “One who has borne so many in the World”. burdens and who has for fifty years Wallace H. McLaughlin - 111 - Sec. 34.66, P. L.. & R. U. S. POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 1 The Orthodox Lutheran Okabena, Minn. Okabena, Minn. Return Postage Guaranteed

raged in the Missouri Synod since One of Missouri’s 1938. In the grime and bustle of reli- Forgotten Men-Pieper gious strife Dr. Pieper has been largely forgotten. We wish to revive (Continued from preceding page) that precious remembrance by pre- senting one of his. finest writings, Germany had brought about general his essay on Unionism, in the con- disorganization and the political side viction that it will show that we of this union of Church and State are Dr. Pieper’s spiritual heirs and (the Prussian Union) was in every heirs of Missouri’s great doctrinal way harmful to the confession of heritage, while corporate Missouri, soundly orthodox Lutheran doctrine. like Esau of old, has traded this Fortunately Pomerania had the ad- heritage for a mess of unionistic vantage of a number of soundly pottage. Lutheran leaders who, at least in their own parishes, maintained the PONSFORD, MFNN., C H U R C H standards of their church, the Luth- JOINS OLC. The independent Luth- eran Church. As a boy Francis eran Church at Ponsford, Minn., Pieper witnessed the d e c a y of served by Pastor Francis Q. Schupp- Protestantism in Germany, due to mann, joined the Orthodox Luther- the evil influences w h i c h were an Conference on May 13, 1952. spreading thruout Germany from the high seats of learning, especially PASTOR MELVIN L. NATTERER from the theological faculties. In GOES TO WORK IN NEW ORE- 1870 he came to America with his GON PARISH. Pastor Natterer of widowed mother, and settled at Crete, Ill. has now been installed as Watertown, Wisconsin. L a t e r he minister of St. John’s Orthodox studied at Northwestern College Lutheran Church at Lebanon, Ore- (Wisconsin Synod) in Watertown, gon. This is a newly formed congre- then at Concordia Seminary in St. gation. Louis from 1872 to 1875. After his NEW WILMOT, S. DAK. PAR- graduation he served in the Gospel ISH STARTS CHURCH BUILDING. ministry at Centerville and Man- When the Missouri Synod officials in itowoc, Wisconsin, leaving there to a hasty and unprincipled manner become professor in St. Louis from influenced the MO. Synod parish to 1878 till his death on June 3, 1931. oust Pastor Paul Bloedel, some of its Dr. Pieper’s death occurred on members refused to follow, the offi- the eve of the unionistic uprising cials. They broke away from the in the Missouri Synod. His last MO. Synod and started their own legacy to the synod he loved so well congregation. Now they have bought and served so dearly was the BRIEF lots with a house on it and have be- STATEMENT, which was adopted gun to build a church. by that body at its convention in Further details on these new s 1932, on1.y to be ripped apart in the stories will be given in our next doctrinal controversies t h a t have issue. - 112 -