Lutheran Pietism (Most have heard of the occasional “Promise Keepers” gatherings around the nation. Wanting to offer our readers an assessment of the movement from the perspective of orthodox Lutheranism, we asked Pastor Gregory Jackson to give one. He has consented to do so, and we thank him. This is the first of four articles.… Read More »PIETISM AND PROMISES KEEPERS — Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part Ten (conclusion) Lessons From The Formula Of Concord Era The years after Luther’s death in 1546 are worth studying as a backdrop for the Formula of Concord. We can see many parallels to our present crisis in Lutheranism in America. The disaster in Germany was… Read More »After The Death of Luther — Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged Part Nine The Crypto-Calvinists Self-destruct After Luther’s death in 1546 Melanchthon’s followers, with his help, conspired to replace Luther’s doctrine with Calvin’s, at Wittenberg, Leipzig, and across Germany. Their stealth book, Exegesis Perspicua, revealed their dishonesty and allegiance to Calvin. Elector August, a faithful Lutheran who had been… Read More »After the Death of Luther — Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged Part Eight The Crypto-Calvinists Triumph Before Luther’s death most of the doctrinal battles were against the Medieval errors of Roman Catholicism. After his death in 1546 the errors of John Calvin began to undermine Lutheran doctrine. Calvin’s errors, in this controversy, concerned the two natures of Christ and… Read More »After the Death of Luther — Read More

The “Promises” And Antidotes Promise Keepers began with 72 men under the leadership of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney in 1990. McCartney and the others were members of the Vineyard denomination, a Pentecostal group led by Rev. John Wimber, a faith healer with serious health problems. Wimber and C. Peter Wagner taught the infamous “Signs… Read More »Pietism And Promise Keepers (fourth and last in series): Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part Seven Agricola And The Anti-Law Party John Agricola, a close friend both to Luther and Melanchthon, created problems about the relationship between Law and Gospel which are still plaguing Lutherans. Unlike the others, Agricola began his attack upon justification before Luther died in 1546. Those… Read More »After the Death of Luther – Read More

Part II. Methods of Pietism We must observe and avoid the Promise Keepers (Romans 16:17) because their doctrine and methods are derived from the errors of Pietism. They clearly do not trust in the efficacy of the Word or the Means of Grace. At the same time, they want to submerge all doctrinal differences by… Read More »PIETISM AND PROMISE KEEPERS (a four-part series) Read More

Part III. Doubting The Means Of Grace The Reformed and their semi-Lutheran followers (who make so much about small groups and discipleship) need outward proof of the faith. The Bible recognizes only two groups, according to C. F. W. Walther: 1) believers; and 2) non-believers. The child, theologian, mother, or convict who believes in Christ… Read More »PIETISM AND PROMISE KEEPERS (A Four-part Series) Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part Six Osiander’s Attack On Justification The Reformation began with Luther’s clear teaching about justification by faith, apart from works. Luther ignited a continuing firestorm of controversy by rejecting false doctrine. His opponents spent most of their energy attacking him personally, but he appreciated their ability… Read More »After The Death of Luther — Read More

“The Second Martin the Life and Theology of Martin Chemnitz” by J A O Preus Concordia Publishing house, 411 pages $35 I last saw Jack Preus, former president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, at a Bach concert, where he told my son, “If you want to translate, get a regular job. Translating doesn’t pay… Read More »Book Review Read More

How The Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten parts) Part Five: Melanchthon And The Synergists Luther said that the devil attacks Christianity from three columns. One denies the divinity of Christ; another His humanity. The third column denies in some way that He has earned salvation for us. After Luther died in 1546, all three… Read More »After The Death Of Luther — Read More

How The Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part Four: Melanchthon And The Majoristic Controversy After the death of Luther, Philip Melanchthon’s weakness led to the Smalcald War, the defeat of Lutherans in 1547, and the hated Interims. Goaded by the treachery of Charles V, the treacherous Maurice turned on the Roman Catholic ruler… Read More »After The Death Of Luther — Read More

Few people grow grapes, but many people enjoy roses, which have the same properties. Both types of plants require care, which remind us of the True Vine lesson of Christ. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman” (Jn. 15:1-KJV). A rose grower will prune away all the deadwood on his bushes,… Read More »THE WORD BRINGS RESULTS Read More

How The Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part Three: The Leipzig Interim After Luther’s death in 1546 Emperor Charles V conquered Germany with the help of the treacherous Elector Maurice. Charles used executions, imprisonment, and banishment of pastors to impose the papal doctrines of the Augsburg Interim (May 1548), which was hated by… Read More »After The Death Of Luther — Read More

How The Formula Of Concord Was Forged Part Two: The Augsburg Interim Luther died in 1546 and Charles V conquered Germany in 1547. “Interim” refers to the period between the defeat of Germany and the hoped-for Council of Trent, which would settle all doctrinal matters in dispute. The first Interim was announced in Augsburg by… Read More »After The Death Of Luther Read More

West Central Pastoral Conference Dates: Sept. 19-21, 1995 beginning at 10 a.m. (MDT) on Tuesday through noon on Thursday. Place: Redeemer Ev. Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, WY Agenda: 1) Old Testament Exegesis: Psalm 128 – Jay Hartmann 2) New Testament Exegesis: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 — Walter Schaller 3) Extremely Inactive Members: Should They Be Excommunicated or… Read More »Announcements Read More

How the Formula Of Concord Was Forged (Ten Parts) Part One: Luther’s Death When Luther died, Lutheranism collapsed. Military defeat of the Lutherans worsened the weaknesses of the Wittenberg faculty. This era is painful to read about and seldom studied, but it is important for two reasons. First: God used the compounded tragedy to bring… Read More »After The Death of Luther — Read More