CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL MONTHLY

Attitudes Toward the Use of Force and Violence in Thomas Muentzer, Menno Simons, and Martin Luther RALPH L. MOELLERING

Brief Studies

Homiletics

Theological Observer

Book Review

VOL. XXXI July 1960 No.7 THEOLOGICAL OBSERVER

THE NEW NESTLE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT two years from now there will appear a com­ Professor Kurt Aland of the University of pletely new edition of Nestle's beloved - [uenster, now in charge of the Nestle Greek N ovum T estament1tm Graece. _ .ew Testament publication, in New Testa­ JOHN THEODORE MUELLER ment Studies (January 1960), whets the THE CHRISTOLOGY OF CHALCEDON appetite of every student of the Greek New Testament by delineating what the 25th edi­ The Anglican Theological Review (April tion of the Nestle New Testament might be. 1960) discusses under the given heading, hiting under the given heading, he remarks among other articles, the relevance of the Creed of Chalcedon for today. The formula 18.[, though the 24th edition has appeared irh some important changes based on the was directed against four heresies: Arianism, Bodmer Papyri, a reprint of this edition condemned at Nicaea in 325; Apollinarian­ m.ight become necessary before the 25th edi­ ism, condemned at Constantinople in 381; cion can be published, perhaps in 1962, when Nestorianism, condemned at Ephesus in 431; • ... e Wuerttembergische Bibela12stalt will cele- and Eutychianism, condemned at Chalcedon 'ate its 150th anniversary. In the 25th edi­ in 451. Arianism declared that the pre-exist­ ent Logos was a creature and this pre-existing )n there will be a number of far-reaching langes. Thus the cursive type hitherto used created Person was incarnate as man. Apol· will be replaced by the vertical type now linarianism concerned itself with the union favored in Germany as elsewhere. The exist­ of humanity and Deity in our Lord, and its ing text revisions will be completely re­ answer to the problem was that part of our worked. Old Testament citations will be dis­ Lord's humanity was replaced by Deity. Ac­ [inguished in some other way, as the heavy cording to N estorianism the man Jesus is type now used makes them too conspicuous. a human person in full communion with the A thorough check is made of the extent of Person of the Divine Logos. Lastly, in Eu­ each citation. In the margin the number of tychianism our Lord's Deity and His hu­ references to parallel texts will be cut down manity were confused; His humanity was to those of real importance for academic absorbed into His Deity. The writer calIs study. The apparatus criticus too will show attention to the fact that today the doctrine several changes, as, for example, the omission of the Person of our Lord is again the center in future of all references to Tischendorf, of fundamental controversy, particularly on \)vestcott -nd Hort, and Weiss; for since the the Continent. He says: "We are in the "pparattu crieicuJ in 1927 was enlarged and midst of a great Christological Renaissance based on the manuscripts themselves, such and the doctrine of the Person [of Christ} is references have become ever more super­ receiving fresh atrention from Barth, Brun­ fluous for assessing the value of a reading. ner, Bultmann, and a whole host of Thomists, These and other references may, however, be such as Galtier, Parente, and Garrigou­ included in a special appendix to enable the Lagrange. . .. Chalcedon is still with us, and smdent or critic to learn what reading is sup­ its problems are still ours. We too are puz· ported by other editions. According to the zled by the problems of what is human learned editor, the work on the 25th edition nature, what is divine nature, and what is is well under way, and there is hope that in personality, human and divine. We too are 439 440 OBSERVER again considering substance. Can it be that ing of the LWF Commission on World Mis­ the ancient Christology has more relevance sion. The commission is to meet Aug. 28 to for today than we formerly believed?" The Sept. 3 at Bukoba, Tanganyika. author's question must definitely be answered Federation officials express hope that the in the affirmative. The Christology of Cha1ce­ station will begin broadcasting on Christmas don merits constant careful consideration as Day 1961. that of Scripture and the Christian Confes- Geneva. - Two Executive Committee sions. JOHN THEODORE MUELLER members of the Lutheran Wodd Federation are recovering from recently suffered heart BRIEF ITEMS FROM LUTHERAN SOURCES attacks, according to news received at LWF Geneva. - "Voice of the Gospel" is the headquarters here. name the Lutheran World Federation will operate its African radio station by, Dr. They are retired Bishop Ordass of Buda­ Sigurd Aske, director of the service, disclosed pest, former head of the Hungarian Lutheran Church, and Dr. Osmo Tiililii, professor of at LWF headquarters here. systematic theology at the University of Hel­ He said also that the federation's projected sinki. station will be located in or near Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. Professor Tiililii was stricken on March 23 while attending the committee's meeting in Dr. Aske reported decisions on these mat­ Porto Alegre, Brazil, and interned in a local ters on returning here from negotiations with hospital in serious condition. the Ethiopian government concerning the LWF's charter to broadcast in that country. Bishop Ordass, who is first vice-president While operating under the name "Voice of the federation, suffered a heart infarct in of the Gospel," the station will be authorized mid· February, according to word received to use in its broadcasts the call letters "L WF" here late in March. By that time he was re­ and "such other designations as (the federa­ ported well on the road to recovery. tion) may elect," Dr. Aske said. Minneapolis, Minn. - Three church Respecting the station site he said that four bodies became one when The American Lu­ locations in the vicinity of Addis Ababa are theran Church was formally organized here now under consideration. on Friday morning, April 22, to climax more The final selection will depend on the out­ than a decade of merger negotiations. come of technical studies now being con­ The historic event joined together the ducted by the Rev. Allan G. Thompson, Evangelical, American, and United Evangeli­ administrative director of the broadcasting cal Lutheran churches in a denomination of service. more than 2,258,000 members-the third The LWF Executive Committee, at its largest Lutheran body and one of the 10 March meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil, ex­ largest Protestant bodies in America. pressed satisfaction with the favorable and It was the first major merger of Lutheran rapid way in which the radio project of the bodies since 1930 and only the third in this Department of World Mission has progressed country in the 20th century. All three of the in recent months. uniting churches were themselves the product Also at Porto Alegre, the director of the of merger, the ALC in 1930, the ELC in department, Dr. Arne Sovik, informed the 1917, and the UELC in 1896. Executive Committee that the board of direc­ It was also the first major union of Lu­ tors for the broadcasting service would be theran bodies crossing lines of national constituted in connection with the next meet- origins, the ELC being of Norwegian, the OBSERVER 441

ALC of German, and the UELC of Danish Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding heritage. abundantly above all that we ask or think, Amid fiying banners, lusty hymn singing, according to the power that worketh in us, unto Him be glory in the church by Christ and tense antlclpation, 1,000 delegates Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. marched in slow procession from Central Lu­ Amen. theran Church, after a communion service there, to the Minneapolis Auditorium a block After a litany and the Lord's Prayer an away. estimated 7,000 persons filling the audi­ As presiding officer, Dr. William Larsen, torium to near capacity raised their voices president of the UELC, and chairman of the in Luther's "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." Joint Union Committee for the three-way Again, in quick succession, the delegates merger, called the constituting convention to adopted the constitution, by-laws, and articles order. of incorporation and ratified articles of union In quick succession the delegates adopted - and the merger into The American Lu­ an agenda, appointed convention committees, theran Church was completed. and accepted the certifications of the presi­ The first session of the convention con­ dents of the three merging bodies, which cluded with the election of Dr. Schiotz as transferred the resources of their churches to president of the new church, and the second the new church. opened with the election of Dr. Norman Then came the moving "Ceremony of A. Menter as vice-president and Dr. Larsen Joining Hands," conducted by Dr. Lawrence as secretary. Dr. Menter is president of the S. Price of Fremont, Ohio, the convention ALC's Michigan District and the National chaplain. Standing before an improvised Lutheran Council. altar, over which hung a banner proclaiming Also named were six representatives at the convention's theme - "Thine Be the large, three lay and three clergy, to six-year Glory" - he intoned: terms on the 46-member church council. The Forasmuch as the delegates of the American council- responsible for the leadership and Lutheran Church, the Evangelical Lutheran supervision of the church in spiritual mat­ Church, and the United Evangelical Lutheran ters - will include the president and vice­ Church in convention assembled this twenty­ second day of April, in the year of our Lord, president of the church, the presidents of its nineteen hundred and sixty, have covenanted 19 districts, and a layman from each district. together to form one Lutheran body in Christ; The church council, with the board of and trustees and the secretary of the church, will Forasmuch as men and women of good form the joint council, which will function Christian mind and purpose do here cast their as the legislative agency of The ALC in the lot together for a more effective witness and interim between the biennial general con­ work in the church of Christ in the world; Let there now be given a visible sign and ventions. witness of this new unity by the joining of Also at the second session, delegates hands of the presidents of the uniting adopted a schedule of terms for lay members churches. of the church council, ratified members of With that, the three presidents - Dr. boards, commissions, and standing commit­ Henry F. Schuh of the ALC, Dr. Fredrik tees, and elected a standing committee on A. Schiotz of the ELC, and Dr. William Lar­ relations with other Lutheran churches, mem­ sen of the UELC - solemnly joined hands as bers of boards of institutions, and a nominat­ the chaplain continued: ing committee as well as a resolution com- 442 OBSERVER

mittee for the next convention of The ALC present ALC for 10 years after 20 years as in the fall of 1962. its director of stewardship and finance, a post A budget of $18,102,254 for the new he assumed when the church body was formed church's first year of operation was adopted in 1930. He had been a pastor in the old at the third business session. The total is Buffalo Synod for nearly 16 years. about $2,250,000 higher than this year's con­ Other business at the final session included solidated budgets of the uniting churches, but the adoption of pension plans for clergymen includes $2 million to be sought in a special and lay workers in the new church. "Year of Jubilee" appeal to provide extra Also adopted was a "message" from the funds for missions, education, and welfare constituting convention which pastors of activities of the new church. some 5,000 congregations in the United Provisional approval was given by the States and Canada will be asked to read at delegates to the constitutions of The ALC's all services of worship on Pentecost Sunday, three auxiliaries - American Lutheran June 5, opening the "Year of Jubilee" which Church Women, the Brotherhood, and the will be observed to the following Pentecost. Luther League. Minneapolis. - Latest statistics of the The fourth and final business session three church bodies uniting here to form The adopted resolutions applying for membership American Lutheran Church revealed a com­ in the Nationai Lutheran Council, the Cana­ bined baptized membership of 2,258,092 at dian Lutheran Council, the Lutheran W orId the end of 1959, a total gain of 66,765 over Federation and the World Council of the previous year. Churches, with which all three bodies are The Evangelical Lutheran Church reported now affiliated, and elected 15 councillors to an increase of 34,445 members, or 3.07 per represent The ALC in the NLC. cent, to 1,153,566; the present American Lu­ Also approved was a resolution to declare theran Church, 29,203 members, or 2.91 per altar and pulpit fellowship with the Lutheran cent, to 1,034,377; and the United Evangeli­ Free Church, which has twice declined to par­ cal Lutheran Church, 3,117 members, or 4.65 ticipate in the three-way merger. The ques­ per cent, to 70,149. tion will be raised again at the LFC's annual Among the 16 Lutheran bodies in America conference next year. Should a third referen­ the ELC ranks fourth in size, the ALC fifth, dum be authorized, and if the vote is favor­ and the UELe eighth. Largest is the United able, the Free Church would apply for mem­ Lutheran Church in America, with nearly bership in The ALC in 1962. 2,500,000 members, followed by The Lu­ Another resolution adopted by the dele­ theran Church - Missouri Synod, with more gates expressed the willingness of the new than 2,300,000. church to "enter into discussions looking Chicago. - Two division committees of toward altar and pulpit fellowship with any the National Lutheran Council elected new and all Lutheran churches which confess their officers at their semiannual meetings here. adherence to the Holy Scriptures as the Word Named as chairman of the Division of Lu­ of God in all matters of faith and life and theran World Federation Affairs was Dr. subscribe to the Confessions of the Lutheran Henry F. Schuh of Columbus, Ohio, president Church." of the American Lutheran Church. He suc­ The convention designated Dr. Henry ceeds Dr. Franklin Clark Fry of New York, F. Schuh as honorary president of The ALC president of the United Lutheran Church in for life. Dr. Schuh, who will observe his America. 70th birthday on May 30, has headed the Dr. Malvin H. Lundeen of Minneapolis, OBSERVER 443

president of the Augustana Lutheran Church, burg Theological Seminary at Dubuque, was chosen vice-chairman, and Dr. John Iowa, was re-elected secretary. M. Stensvaag, also of Minneapolis, president At a dinner held by committee members of the Lutheran Free Church, was elected and staff, tribute was paid to Dr. Wickey and secretary. Dr. Paul E. Bierstedt for their services in the The Division of College and University Division of College and University Work. Work elected Dr. Sidney A. Rand of Min­ Dr. Bierstedt will retire in June after 14 years neapolis, executive director of the Depart­ as central regional secretary of DCUW. He ment of Christian Education of the Evangeli­ plans to establish a service as an adult edu­ cal Lutheran Church, as chairman. He is di­ cation consultant. rector-elect of the Board of College Educa­ Porto Alegre, Brazil. - Dr. Malvin H. tion of the new The American Lutheran Lundeen of Minneapolis, president of the Church. Augustana Lutheran Church, was elected to Dr. Rand succeeds Dr. Gould Wickey of the Executive Committee of the Lutheran Washington, D. C, who is retiring from the World Federation at its annual meeting here, committee, on which he has served since its March 20-25. beginning 15 years ago. Dr. Wickey retired Dr. Lundeen fills the vacancy left by the last year after 25 years as executive secretary resignation of Dr. Oscar A. Benson, whom of the Board of Higher Education of the he succeeded last year as head of Augustana. ULCA. He is now executive secretary of the Dr. Benson, who held the office for eight National Lutheran Educational Conference. years, was named honorary president. He is Named as vice-chairman by the student now a pastor in Los Angeles. work committee was Dr. Donald Heiges, Sixty churchmen from 10 countries, in­ dean of students at Chicago Lutheran Theo­ cluding most of the 20 members of the LWF logical Seminary in Maywood, Ill. For eight Executive Committee, attended the sessions years before assuming his present post in here. Presiding was Dr. Franklin Clark Fry 1958, Dr. Heiges was executive secretary of of New York, president of the United Lu­ the division. theran Church in America and also of the Dr. Alfred H. Ewald, president of Wart- federation.