DOCSLIB.ORG

The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luthera 1529

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luthera 1529 The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luthera 1529 KIRSI I. STJERNA INTRODUCTION In the Large Catechism, Martin Luther offers a radical reorien- tationb in the matters of theology and spirituality. After diag- nosing what appeared to him as his church’s failures to provide proper spiritual care, Luther set out to offer a new compass� for religious life. The sweeping reforms he proposed took root pri- marily through preaching and education as people embraced the new vision and transmitted it to their children. He believed all Christian people—laity and priests—needed a guide to compre- hend the basic biblical, creedal, and sacramental teachings. a Martin Luther, The Large Catechism, in the Book of Concord, ed. Timothy Wengert and Robert Kolb (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2000), [introduction, 377–79,] 379–480. Der Große Katechismus, in Die Bekenntnisschriften der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche, 6. Auslage (Göttingen: Vanderhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967). See the new critical edition with parallel texts of the Early Modern High German and Latin, Die Bekenntnisschriften der Evangelisch-Lutherischen Kirche (Vollständige Neuedition), ed. Irene Dingel (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2014); and Die Bekenntnisschriften der Evangelisch- Lutherischen Kirche: Quellen und Materialien (Vollständige Neuedition), ed. Irene Dingel (Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2014). b For interpretation of Luther’s catechisms in English, see Timothy Wengert, Martin Luther’s Catechisms: Forming the Faith (Minneapolis: 279 280 WORD AND FAITH 1. The 1530 Augsburg Confession, the Luther published two of the most popular catechisms of all first public Lutheran confession in time: the Small Catechismc for children and the less educated laity, twenty-eight articles, was presented and the Large Catechism for the clergy and more educated read- at the long-awaited imperial Diet ers. While the Small Catechism utilizes the catechetical form of at Augsburg by Philip Melanchthon (1497–1560), Luther’s closest colleague questions and answers, the Large Catechism does not. Both were at Wittenberg. Melanchthon crafted the adopted into use immediately in the new evangelical congrega- text on the basis of previous working tions. Along with the 1530 Augsburg Confession1 by Philip Mel- documents prepared by a group of anchthon,2 Luther’s catechisms stand apart as the most widely Wittenberg theologians, including Luther. The confession was presented in German (verbally) and Latin to Emperor Charles V, who immediately rejected it with Catholic theologians’ Confutatio. Melanchthon’s Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531) is also included in the 1580 Book of Concord. See BC, 107–9. Also, Charles P. Arand, Robert Kolb, and James A. Nestingen, The Lutheran Confessions: History and Theology of the Book of Concord (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2012). 2. Philip Melanchthon, a humanist and a professor at the University of Wittenberg, was Luther’s closest friend and an interpreter and systematizer of Luther’s theology. A promoter of unity, he is known for writing the first Lutheran systematic theology, Loci communes. See also Timothy Wengert, Philip Melanchthon, Speaker of the Reformation (Farnham, UK: Ashgate Variorum, 2010). 3. The Book of Concord, from 1580, is the standard, official collection of Lutheran confessional texts. The book was facilitated by Martin Chemnitz and Jacob Andrae and their respective nobility from north and Fortress Press, 2009); Charles P. Arand, That I May Be His Own: An Overview of Luther’s Catechisms (St. Louis: Concordia, 2000); Robert south concerned about the unity in Kolb, Teaching God’s Children His Teaching: A Guide for the Study of Luther’s the midst of increasing inner-Lutheran Catechism (St. Louis: Concordia, 2012). The most comprehensive disputes. It includes the ecumenical study is in the five volumes of Albrecht Peters, Commentary on Luther’s Creeds, Luther’s Small Catechism and Catechisms (Ten Commandments, Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism and Large Catechism, Melanchthon’s Augsburg Lord’s Supper, Confession and Christian Life), trans. Thomas H. Confession and the Apology of the Augsburg Trapp et al. (St. Louis: Concordia, 2009–2013). Confession, Luther’s Smalcald Articles, c See the Small Catechism, in TAL, vol. 4, forthcoming. The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther 281 employed Lutheran confessional texts included in the 1580 com- Melanchthon’s Treatise on the Power and pilation called the Book of Concord.3 Primacy of the Pope, and the Formula of According to his own recollection,4 Luther already in 1516– Concord with its two parts: the Epitome and the Solid Declaration. See note a 17 was preachingd from the materials typically included in above for the newest critical edition e the medieval catholic catechisms: the Ten Commandments, of the confessions in the original 5 Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and the Ave Maria. This was languages. 4. Timeline 1518 Sermons on catechesis materials 1518 Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer 1521 Philip Melanchthon’s Loci Communes 1525 Booklet for the Laity and Children, Stephen Roth 1522 A Personal Prayer Book 1523 Reform of the Latin Mass 1524 First evangelical hymns 1526 German Mass 1527 Summer: Visitations 1527 November: Torgau meeting 1528 Visitations articles 1528 Ember sermons on catechesis 1528 Catechisms by Johann Agricola 1529 January: Small Catechism 1529 April: Large Catechism 1529 Latin translation [Revisions] 1529 October: Marburg Colloquy, Marburg Articles 1530 June: Diet of Augsburg, Augsburg Confession 1538 Last edition of Large Catechism in Luther’s lifetime 1580 Book of Concord, includes catechisms 5. The word catechism comes from a Greek term, kathcevw, meaning to “teach orally” (literally, “to echo back”). This method of utilizing “questions and answers” has long roots in Christian tradition. It has been employed since d Decem praecepta Wittenbergensi praedicata populo (WA 1:394–521). the second century to teach Christians e E.g., An Exposition of the Lord’s Prayer for Simple Laymen (1519) (LW the basics of Christian faith and for 42:15–81). Luther’s A Personal Prayer Book (1522) included his 1519 proper preparation for receiving the preaching material on the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. In and the Lord’s Prayer (LW 43:5–45). See also TAL, vol. 4, forthcoming. 282 WORD AND FAITH the early church, rigorous catechetic not unusual in any way.6 Regular “catechetical” preaching education of the adult converts took was normal and expected in certain areas in Germany already place for those desiring to be baptized, before the Reformation.7 Often substituting as assistant pas- who then received the Creed, the Lord’s tor for his friend and colleague, the Wittenberg town pastor, Prayer, and permission to attend the 8 eucharistic gathering. Johannes Bugenhagen, as was the case in 1528, Luther climbed the preaching pulpit at the Marienkirche (St. Mary’s Church) in 6. In the Middle Ages, the catechetic Wittenberg for three rounds of catechetical sermons. The listen- tradition focused on the penitential ers’ notes from three sets of these sermons (18–30 May; 14–25 practice. Manuals, after the model of Augustine of Hippo’s fifth-century September; and 30 November–18 December 1528) give insights Enchiridion [Handbook] on Faith, Hope, into Luther’s singular method in both preaching and teaching, and Charity, were designed to teach as evidenced in the printed catechisms.f the meaning of the Creeds, the Education on the basic tenets of Christian faith and practices Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer was essential for establishing the evangelical theology in praxis. in particular. One of the most popular While developing their distinctive Reformation Christian iden- of such medieval manuals, from a Franciscan preacher, Dietrich Kolde tity and faith language, Lutherans needed tools for interpreta- (1435–1515), The Mirror of a Christian tion and application. A flurry of new catechisms with evangelical Man (1470), gave instruction on what theology flooded the busy market.9 to believe, how to live, and how to die, The Large Catechism was published on the eve of the Mar- with a premise that one could improve burg Colloquy of October 1529, which was convened by Philip one’s chances with right faith and of Hesse.10 Here Luther would meet with his Swiss counterpart action. The leading work in Luther’s Ulrich Zwingli11 to test the waters for unity that could poten- time came from the humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466–1536), The tially allow for a pan-Protestant alliance against the Catholic Handbook of the Christian Soldier (1501). imperial powers. The major points of agreement resonate with Catechetical methods of teaching have the theology that was fleshed out in Luther’s Catechism (which also been used in different religious and has potential as an ecumenical Christian source of devotion and philosophical traditions (e.g., Socrates). 7. Catechetical preaching days coincided with so-called Ember Days: in the Western tradition, four times a year, sermons were offered in a set of three days in one week (often Wednesday, Friday, Saturday), with an invitation for Christians to pray and fast. 8. Johannes Bugenhagen (1485–1558) was Luther’s friend, pastor, and colleague. Also a lecturer at the university, he was instrumental in organizing the evangelical churches and writing evangelical church orders in northern Germany and Denmark. See Kurt K. Hendel, ed., Johannes Bugenhagen: f WA 30/1:2–122. The English translation of the third series is included in LW 51:135–93. The Large Catechism of Dr. Martin Luther 283 ethics). The central disagreement on the theology of the Lord’s Selected Writings, 2 vols. (Minneapolis: Supper, however, prevented unity between the Swiss and the Ger- Fortress Press, 2015). man reformations.12 Included in the Large Catechism is Luther’s 9. About thirty new catechisms were teaching on the Lord’s Supper and explication of his emphasis published just between 1522 and on Christ’s real presence in the sacrament offered to each recipi- 1530. On the writing of evangelical catechisms, see Ferdinand Cohrs, Die ent.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Xerox University Microfilms
    INFORMATION TO USERS This material was produced from a microfilm copy of the original document. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have been used, the quality is heavily dependent upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or "target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Page(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or section, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an image and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. When an image on the film is obliterated with a large round black mark, it is an indication that the photographer suspected that the copy may have moved during exposure and thus cause a blurred image. You will find a good image of the page in the adjacent frame. 3. When a map, drawing or chart, etc., was part of the material being photographed the photographer followed a definite method in "sectioning" the material. It is customary to begin photoing at the upper left hand corner of a large sheet and to continue photoing from left to right in equal sections with a small overlap. If necessary, sectioning is continued again — beginning below the first row and continuing on until complete. 4. The majority of users indicate that the textual content is of greatest value, however, a somewhat higher quality reproduction could be made from "photographs" if essential to the understanding of the dissertation.
    [Show full text]
  • Read Like a Lutheran!
    Read Like a Lutheran! Read the Book of Concord for Lent A Forty-Day Reading Plan for 2021 Have you always given something up for Lent? Consider giving up your time every day to dig into the Lutheran Confessions! *Page numbers, given in parentheses, reference Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, second edition, published by Concordia Publishing House. February 17: The Three Ecumenical Creeds (16–18); Luther’s Small Catechism (313–348) February 18: Luther’s Large Catechism: Preface–Part I, para. 77 (351–367) February 19: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 78–178 (367–378) February 20: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 179–291 (379–392) February 22: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part I, para. 292–Part II, para. 70 (392–408) February 23: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part III, para. 1–84 (408–418) February 24: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part III, para. 85–Part IV, para. 86 (419–431) February 25: Luther’s Large Catechism: Part V (431–440); Brief Exhortation to Confession (649–653) February 26: Augsburg Confession Preface–XX (27–44) February 27: Augsburg Confession XXI–XXVI (44–53) March 1: Augsburg Confession XXVII–Conclusion (53–63); Apology, Greeting to Reader (73–74) March 2: Apology I–IV (74–102) March 3: Apology V, para. 1–122 (102–118) March 4: Apology V, para. 123–212 (118–133) March 5: Apology V, para. 213–279 (133–143) March 6: Apology VII–XI (143–157) March 8: Apology XIIa (158–171) March 9: Apology XIIb (171–184) March 10: Apology XIII–XX (184–201) March 11: Apology XXI–XXII (202–210) March 12: Apology XXIII (210–218) March 13: Apology XXIV (220–236) March 15: Apology XXVII–XXVIII (237–251) March 16: Smalcald Articles: Preface–Part III, Art.
    [Show full text]
  • The Book of Concord FAQ God's Word
    would be no objective way to make sure that there is faithful teaching and preaching of The Book of Concord FAQ God's Word. Everything would depend on each pastor's private opinions, subjective Confessional Lutherans for Christ’s Commission interpretations, and personal feelings, rather than on objective truth as set forth in the By permission of Rev. Paul T. McCain Lutheran Confessions. What is the Book of Concord? Do all Lutheran churches have the same view of the Book of Concord? The Book of Concord is a book published in 1580 that contains the Lutheran No. Many Lutheran churches in the world today have been thoroughly influenced by the Confessions. liberal theology that has taken over most so-called "mainline" Protestant denominations in North America and the large Protestant state churches in Europe, Scandinavia, and elsewhere. The foundation of much of modern theology is the view that the words of What are the Lutheran Confessions? the Bible are not actually God's words but merely human opinions and reflections of the The Lutheran Confessions are ten statements of faith that Lutherans use as official ex- personal feelings of those who wrote the words. Consequently, confessions that claim planations and summaries of what they believe, teach, and confess. They remain to this to be true explanations of God's Word are now regarded more as historically day the definitive standard of what Lutheranism is. conditioned human opinions, rather than as objective statements of truth. This would explain why some Lutheran churches enter into fellowship arrangements with What does Concord mean? non-Lutheran churches teaching things in direct conflict with the Holy Scriptures and the Concord means "harmony." The word is derived from two Latin words and is translated Lutheran Confessions.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of German-Scandinavian Relations
    A History of German – Scandinavian Relations A History of German-Scandinavian Relations By Raimund Wolfert A History of German – Scandinavian Relations Raimund Wolfert 2 A History of German – Scandinavian Relations Table of contents 1. The Rise and Fall of the Hanseatic League.............................................................5 2. The Thirty Years’ War............................................................................................11 3. Prussia en route to becoming a Great Power........................................................15 4. After the Napoleonic Wars.....................................................................................18 5. The German Empire..............................................................................................23 6. The Interwar Period...............................................................................................29 7. The Aftermath of War............................................................................................33 First version 12/2006 2 A History of German – Scandinavian Relations This essay contemplates the history of German-Scandinavian relations from the Hanseatic period through to the present day, focussing upon the Berlin- Brandenburg region and the northeastern part of Germany that lies to the south of the Baltic Sea. A geographic area whose topography has been shaped by the great Scandinavian glacier of the Vistula ice age from 20000 BC to 13 000 BC will thus be reflected upon. According to the linguistic usage of the term
    [Show full text]
  • CTR EDITORIAL (1000 Words)
    CTR n.s.16/2 (Spring 2019) 49–66 Sola Scriptura, the Fathers, and the Church: Arguments from the Lutheran Reformers Carl L. Beckwith Beeson Divinity School Samford University, Birmingham, AL I. INTRODUCTION I learned to show this reverence and respect only to those books of the scriptures that are now called canonical so that I most firmly believe that none of their authors erred in writing anything. And if I come upon something in those writings that seems contrary to the truth, I have no doubt that either the manuscript is defective or the translator did not follow what was said or that I did not understand it. I, however, read other authors in such a way that, no matter how much they excel in holiness and learning, I do not suppose that something is true by reason of the fact that they thought so, but because they were able to convince me either through those canonical authors or by plausible reason that it does not depart from the truth.1 Augustine to Jerome, Letter 82 Martin Luther and his reforming colleagues maintained that Scripture alone determines the articles of faith. All that the church believes, teaches, and confesses rests upon the authority of the canonical scriptures, upon the unique revelation of God himself through his prophets and apostles. Luther declares, “It will not do to make articles of faith out of 1Augustine, Letter 82.3 in Letters 1–99, trans. Roland Teske (Hyde Park, NY: New City Press, 2001), 316. 50 Criswell Theological Review the holy Fathers’ words or works.
    [Show full text]
  • Confession (Book of Concord, Pp. 476-80)
    May: [Note to the readers. With this installment, our series Learning Luther ceases for the summer months to resume in September. Church leaders! If you have enjoyed and profited from these studies, permit me to exhort you to share the experience in an age appropriate way by supporting our new program, TforTeens ("Theology for Teens") at Roanoke College this summer. Please identify those young people in your midst who would benefit from this week with Prof. Ned Wisnefske, Chaplain Chris Bowen, our Synod Youth Minister Dave Delaney and myself. We will be pouring over the story of Creation and Fall in Genesis 1-3 with help from Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther. The cost is virtually free. Invest with us in cultivating future leaders of the church! -- Dr. Paul Hinlicky] Confession (Book of Concord, pp. 476-80) Introduction By Paul R. Hinlicky, Tise Professor of Lutheran Studies, Roanoke College & Docent, Evanjelicka Bohoslovecka Fakulta, Univerzita Komenskeho, Bratislava, Slovakia. Confession is not a sacrament as such but a sacramental practice that negotiates between baptism into Christ and reception of His supper. It consists in contrite confession of sin and pronunciation of divine forgiveness. It may be public and general, as is customary in many Lutheran churches. It may also be private and particular. The latter Luther not only allows but emphatically endorses, indeed, he exhorts Christians to it in this concluding part of his Large Catechism. As we heard last time, Luther refused to make a legalistic rule about frequency of communion, as had been done previously. Confession to the priest had been made a precondition to worthy reception; it was extorted with a checklist of prohibited thoughts, words and deeds.
    [Show full text]
  • Abuses Under Indictment at the Diet of Augsburg 1530 Jared Wicks, S.J
    ABUSES UNDER INDICTMENT AT THE DIET OF AUGSBURG 1530 JARED WICKS, S.J. Gregorian University, Rome HE MOST recent historical scholarship on the religious dimensions of Tthe Diet of Augsburg in 1530 has heightened our awareness and understanding of the momentous negotiations toward unity conducted at the Diet.1 Beginning August 16, 1530, Lutheran and Catholic represent­ atives worked energetically, and with some substantial successes, to overcome the divergence between the Augsburg Confession, which had been presented on June 25, and the Confutation which was read on behalf of Emperor Charles V on August 3. Negotiations on doctrine, especially on August 16-17, narrowed the differences on sin, justification, good works, and repentance, but from this point on the discussions became more difficult and an impasse was reached by August 21 which further exchanges only confirmed. The Emperor's draft recess of September 22 declared that the Lutheran confession had been refuted and that its signers had six months to consider acceptance of the articles proposed to them at the point of impasse in late August. Also, no further doctrinal innovations nor any more changes in religious practice were to be intro­ duced in their domains.2 When the adherents of the Reformation dis­ sented from this recess, it became unmistakably clear that the religious unity of the German Empire and of Western Christendom was on the way to dissolution. But why did it come to this? Why was Charles V so severely frustrated in realizing the aims set for the Diet in his conciliatory summons of January 21, 1530? The Diet was to be a forum for a respectful hearing of the views and positions of the estates and for considerations on those steps that would lead to agreement and unity in one church under Christ.3 1 The most recent stage of research began with Gerhard Müller, "Johann Eck und die Confessio Augustana/' Quellen und Forschungen aus italienischen Archiven und Biblio­ theken 38 (1958) 205-42, and continued in works by Eugène Honèe and Vinzenz Pfhür, with further contributions of G.
    [Show full text]
  • M4rnlngira:L Snutqly Continning LEHRE· UNO WEHRE MAGAZIN PUER Ev.-Luth
    Qtnurnr~ta: m4rnlngira:l SnutQly Continning LEHRE· UNO WEHRE MAGAZIN PUER Ev.-LuTH. HOMILETIK THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY-THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY Vol. xn December, 1941 No. 12 CONTENTS Page Verbal Inspiration - a Stumbling-Block to the Jews and Foolish- ness to the Greeks. Th. Engelder ........................................................ 881 Sermon Study on Heb.l:l-G. Theo. Laetsch ......................................... _ .. 913 Outlines on the Wuerttemberg Epistle Selections ................................ 927 Miscellanea ............. _.......... ................................................................................ 944 Theological Observer. - Kirchlich Zeitgeschichtliches .............. _..... 951 £In Prediger muss nlcht alleln wei­ Es 1st keln Ding, daa die Leute der., alJoO dB' r die Schate un tcr­ mehr bel der Klrche behaelt denn welae. w l.e de r.-ehte Chrlate.n sollen die gute Predlgt. - Apolog(e, Art. 24 seln. sondem auch daneben den Woel­ ten wehl'e1&. dass sie die Schate nleht angrelfen und mit talscher Lehre ver­ If the trumpet give an uncertain tuehren und Irrtum elnfuehren. sound. who shall prepare blmself to Luther the battle? -1 Cor. 14:8 Pu bUshed for the Ev. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States CONCORDIA PUBLISIIlNG HOUSE, St. Louis, Mo. Theological Observer - ,\l'ird)ficf)<3citgcid)id)tIid)es 951 Theological Observer - 5tb:djlidj,geitgefdjidjtIidje~ Is the Pope of Rome the Antichrist? - Under this heading the Australian Lutheran (July 11, 1941) writes: "The question should really be, Is he the 'man of sin' referred to in 2 Thess. 2: 3? For some reason the 'man of sin' referred to by St. Paul has always been identified with the Antichrist to whom St. John refers [1 John 2:18] .. .. Assuming that they are identical, are the marks of them found in the Roman Papacy? Luther and the Lutheran Church have always held that they are.
    [Show full text]
  • Johannes Bugenhagen and His Pomeranians Sermon
    A new beginning with the word – Johannes Bugenhagen and his Pomeranians Sermon on Romans 10, 9-17 at the English church service, the Day of John the Baptist (June 24th 2018 in St. Johns’ Church, Greifswald) The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Dear Friends, Brothers and Sisters, Do you know, why the goal of Toni Kroos yesterday evening was so important for the people of Greifswald? Because Toni Kroos is a son of this city and because the Pomeranian People, that means the people of this region, where we are living, have a broken identity. In the last century they lost part of their history and most of their people. Once, before the second World War, Pomerania was a great province of Germany. Now, it is nearly forgotten. Some in Germany think: Is there anymore an area called Pomerania in our country? Perhaps you realized the tough discussion about the name of the university of Greifswald in the last two years. Should the uni- versity be called after Ernst Moritz Arndt, a great scholar of the Pomeranian island of Rügen or not. Arndt and Kroos are guys from this area. So people think: We are somebody. We are not forgotten. Another great guy from Pomerania was Johannes Bugenhagen. Today is his birth- day. He was born in the yaer 1485, 533 years ago. He is one of the big four of the memorial at the Rubenow place. This church is linked very close to Johannes Bugenhagen, because it is a Johanneskirche, Johns’ Church.
    [Show full text]
  • 500Th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation
    500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LUTHERAN REFORMATION L LU ICA TH EL ER G A N N A S V Y E N E O H D T LUTHERAN SYNOD QUARTERLY VOLUME 57 • NUMBERS 2 & 3 JUNE & SEPTEMBER 2017 The journal of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary ISSN: 0360-9685 LUTHERAN SYNOD QUARTERLY VOLUME 57 • NUMBERS 2 & 3 JUNE & SEPTEMBER 2017 The journal of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary LUTHERAN SYNOD QUARTERLY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF........................................................... Gaylin R. Schmeling BOOK REVIEW EDITOR ......................................................... Michael K. Smith LAYOUT EDITOR ................................................................. Daniel J. Hartwig PRINTER ......................................................... Books of the Way of the Lord The Lutheran Synod Quarterly (ISSN: 0360-9685) is edited by the faculty of Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary 6 Browns Court Mankato, Minnesota 56001 The Lutheran Synod Quarterly is a continuation of the Clergy Bulletin (1941–1960). The purpose of the Lutheran Synod Quarterly, as was the purpose of the Clergy Bulletin, is to provide a testimony of the theological position of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod and also to promote the academic growth of her clergy roster by providing scholarly articles, rooted in the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Lutheran Synod Quarterly is published in March and December with a combined June and September issue. Subscription rates are $25.00 U.S. per year for domestic subscriptions and $35.00 U.S. per year for international subscriptions. All subscriptions and editorial correspondence should be sent to the following address: Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary Attn: Lutheran Synod Quarterly 6 Browns Ct Mankato MN 56001 Back issues of the Lutheran Synod Quarterly from the past two years are available at a cost of $10.00 per issue.
    [Show full text]
  • [Formula of Concord]
    [Formula of Concord] Editors‘ Introduction to the Formula of Concord Every movement has a period in which its adherents attempt to sort out and organize the fundamental principles on which the founder or founders of the movement had based its new paradigm and proposal for public life. This was true of the Lutheran Reformation. In the late 1520s one of Luther‘s early students, John Agricola, challenged first the conception of God‘s law expressed by Luther‘s close associate and colleague, Philip Melanchthon, and, a decade later, Luther‘s own doctrine of the law. This began the disputes over the proper interpretation of Luther‘s doctrinal legacy. In the 1530s and 1540s Melanchthon and a former Wittenberg colleague, Nicholas von Amsdorf, privately disagreed on the role of good works in salvation, the bondage or freedom of the human will in relationship to God‘s grace, the relationship of the Lutheran reform to the papacy, its relationship to government, and the real presence of Christ‘s body and blood in the Lord‘s Supper. The contention between the two foreshadowed a series of disputes that divided the followers of Luther and Melanchthon in the period after Luther‘s death, in which political developments in the empire fashioned an arena for these disputes. In the months after Luther‘s death on 18 February 1546, Emperor Charles V finally was able to marshal forces to attempt the imposition of his will on his defiant Lutheran subjects and to execute the Edict of Worms of 1521, which had outlawed Luther and his followers.
    [Show full text]
  • Smoky Mountain Bible Institute History 140 Reformation & the Book Of
    Smoky Mountain Bible Institute History 140 Reformation & the Book of Concord Previously we focused primarily on the first 1500 years of Christianity’s history. Now, we will proceed from there forward, focusing on the Lutheran perspective. We just celebrated the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s nailing of the 95 theses to the castle church in Wittenberg on October 31st, 1517. This is seen by most of the world as the beginning of the Reformation. The 95 Theses themselves were primarily concerned with the practice of selling indulgences; full-fledged Lutheran theology was “hammered out” much more thoroughly in the years that followed. From the time of 1517 and on, the Reformation can be covered from many historical angles, but I would like to track it through its clear confession of biblical truth as we believe, teach, and confess it today. Because of Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press, these confessional documents were mass- produced and distributed, spreading the faith eventually all over the world. 1529 is the next significant date. Luther wanted to produce a simple tool for parents to use to teach their children the faith. So, he produced The Large and Small Catechisms, which give the clearest and briefest explanations of what the 10 commandments, creeds, Lord’s Prayer, baptism, confession & absolution, and Lord’s Supper mean in the daily life of every Christian. In the same year Luther was brought before the diet (a royal legislative court) at Worms and on the 18th of April, refused to recant his writings with the famous “Here I Stand” speech.
    [Show full text]