Martin Luther is often characterized as holding to a literal understanding of the Scriptures only... more Martin Luther is often characterized as holding to a literal understanding of the Scriptures only, and opposing allegorical interpretation. After an examination of Luther's Old Testament lectures and Luther's insightful exegesis of animal symbolism, this characterization is challenged.
"The mixture of American civic patriotism and religious worship is not new to the 21st century. ... more "The mixture of American civic patriotism and religious worship is not new to the 21st century. In the early 1800’s, American religion was also heavily affected by the reigning nationalist and political character of that time. This tendency to mix the two kingdoms was found in groups not only like Methodists and Baptists, but also Lutherans.
Confessional Lutheranism was scarce in the 1820’s and 30’s in America, but it was not completely absent. The Confessional Tennessee Synod and her chief theologian, David Henkel, argued convincingly for Lutheran orthodoxy on the basis of the Scriptures.
This essay examines the exegetical methodology of Rev. David Henkel based on three of his works: The Heavenly Flood of Regeneration (1822) – a treatise on the Biblical theology of Baptism; Answer to Mr. Joseph Moore, the Methodist (1825) – a defense for his Baptismal theology found in Heavenly Flood (against American Protestant sacramental views); and Against the Unitarians (1828, printed 1830) – a treatise dealing with the doctrines of the Trinity and Christology."
This article examines the sacramental theology of the Lord's Supper in the writings of St. Cypria... more This article examines the sacramental theology of the Lord's Supper in the writings of St. Cyprian of Carthage (c.200 - 258 A. D.). The Lord's Supper was widely recognized in the third century, and it shaped Cyprian's theology as well. This article offers insight into an aspect of Cyprian's theology that does not always receive as much attention as baptism and church fellowship. Cyprian's theology is examined, clarified, and compared to modern Roman Catholic and Lutheran theology on the Lord's Supper.
Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology, vol. XIV, no. 4 (Reformation 2005), pp. 31-40., Oct 2005
It has been rightly recognized that Martin Luther was influenced by faithful pastors who came bef... more It has been rightly recognized that Martin Luther was influenced by faithful pastors who came before him. But not much attention has been given to one particular influence on Luther, St. Hilary of Poitiers. This essay shows the connections between Hilary’s thought (from his treatise, De Trinitate) upon Luther’s sacramentology. Luther relied upon De Trinitate as he argued against the Sacramentarians in his treatise, “That These Words Still Stand Against the Fanatics”. As he debated the Sacramentarians, Luther argued that Jesus’ body is omnipresent and therefore capable of being bodily eaten as the Words of Institution literally say. To help support his argument on omnipresence, Luther used Hilary’s understanding of the Trinity and the Incarnation as it relates to the two natures of Jesus. This essay also notes comparisons between the theological opponents of Hilary to those of Luther.
Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology, vol. XX, no. 1, pp. 33-43, Jan 2011
In the 17th and early 18th centuries, Lutherans were divided over a new style of church music as ... more In the 17th and early 18th centuries, Lutherans were divided over a new style of church music as well as church music that was secular sounding. This paper traces the spread and influence of the new style of church music from Italy through Germany, as well as the controversies surrounding it. This style, known today as the Baroque style, divided Lutherans into two main camps. What is interesting is that the Pietists generally opposed the new style in the church, while the orthodox generally accepted it. Some prominent theologians from this 17th- and early 18th-century debate will be examined, such as Selneccer, Spener, Dannhauer, Erdmann Neumeister, as well as important contributions by minor writers such as Theophilus Großgebauer, Gottfried Ephraim Scheibel and more. The musicians of the time will also be considered, examining the perspectives of Praetorius, Schutz, Johann Kuhnau, Telemann, and more. This historic divisions over the new Italian and secular styles of church music will be examined for application to today’s divisions and discussion over contemporary worship.
This article examines the exegesis and history of exegesis of Eph. 4:11-12 to engage whether thes... more This article examines the exegesis and history of exegesis of Eph. 4:11-12 to engage whether these verses allow for the popular interpretation of the theology and practice of “lay ministry.” “Lay ministry” is defined throughout the article as lay people who are not Called or ordained, but may be licensed by a district or congregation to publicly preach and administer Sacraments. The history of exegesis, as to why Eph. 4:11-12 has been used for lay ministry is shown, going back to the mid-20th century with the World Council of Churches, Markus Barth, and D. T. Niles. The popular Confessional Lutheran argument against lay ministry from Eph. 4:11-12 using the “comma” between key phrases, is looked at but ultimately challenged. However, a key argument against lay ministry is found exegetically analyzing the term καταρτισμὸν in Eph. 4:12, in which it is argued that the lay ministry popular interpretation has misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Baptismal regeneration by the washing of water with the Word was confessed in a distinctly insigh... more Baptismal regeneration by the washing of water with the Word was confessed in a distinctly insightful and Scriptural way by early American Lutheran theologian David Henkel (1795-1831). Yet his writings caused a reaction and written controversy with Methodist pastor Joseph Moore. This paper will examine Henkel's baptismal theology, Moore's Protestant objections to Henkel's arguments, and Henkel's rebuttal to Moore's objections. This is valuable for theological discussions today between different denominations, as many of Moore's arguments are still used to challenge baptismal regeneration and Henkel's responses are still fitting.
This paper explores the proposal for the General Synod in early 19th-century America, and the con... more This paper explores the proposal for the General Synod in early 19th-century America, and the controversial formation of the Tennessee Lutheran Synod. Also, the key role and Confessional Lutheran theology of early American Lutheran David Henkel (1795-1831) will be treated in depth.
The lives and relationships between Kings Saul and David from 1 and 2 Samuel are examined in grea... more The lives and relationships between Kings Saul and David from 1 and 2 Samuel are examined in greater depth as symbolic representatives and typological figures. Saul personifies the Old covenant system, and David personifies both Jesus and the New covenant system. Attention is given to the New Testament fulfillment of Jesus as the Son of David, to David's ability to drive out unclean spirits of Saul, and to Saul and David's roles as prophets, priests and kings.
At times in Christian churches in North America, pastors and clergy are asked to resign from thei... more At times in Christian churches in North America, pastors and clergy are asked to resign from their positions. While there are certainly honorable reasons for doing so (such as in the case of persistent false doctrine, or if the pastor has a scandalous and immoral life), there are also reasons that may not be as honorable. In addressing pastoral retention in congregations, however, rather than addressing the question in a man-centered approach, the question should begin by a God-centered approach according to Holy Scripture. This paper addresses whether or not it pleases God according to Holy Scripture, and also according to the Lutheran Confessions as the correct understanding of Holy Scripture, for a congregation to ask their pastor to resign from his divine call.
In the late 1500’s, some congregational conflicts in German Lutheran churches erupted, causing co... more In the late 1500’s, some congregational conflicts in German Lutheran churches erupted, causing congregational unjust treatment and investigations by ecclesiastical overseers towards the Lutheran pastors. What happened? How were these conflicts dealt with? Can the ways these conflicts were dealt with help with conflicted congregations today? This presentation will explore these questions, in order to give help for unjustly treated Lutheran pastors today. Others interested in the history of this era will also appreciate this research.
Martin Luther is often characterized as holding to a literal understanding of the Scriptures only... more Martin Luther is often characterized as holding to a literal understanding of the Scriptures only, and opposing allegorical interpretation. After an examination of Luther's Old Testament lectures and Luther's insightful exegesis of animal symbolism, this characterization is challenged.
"The mixture of American civic patriotism and religious worship is not new to the 21st century. ... more "The mixture of American civic patriotism and religious worship is not new to the 21st century. In the early 1800’s, American religion was also heavily affected by the reigning nationalist and political character of that time. This tendency to mix the two kingdoms was found in groups not only like Methodists and Baptists, but also Lutherans.
Confessional Lutheranism was scarce in the 1820’s and 30’s in America, but it was not completely absent. The Confessional Tennessee Synod and her chief theologian, David Henkel, argued convincingly for Lutheran orthodoxy on the basis of the Scriptures.
This essay examines the exegetical methodology of Rev. David Henkel based on three of his works: The Heavenly Flood of Regeneration (1822) – a treatise on the Biblical theology of Baptism; Answer to Mr. Joseph Moore, the Methodist (1825) – a defense for his Baptismal theology found in Heavenly Flood (against American Protestant sacramental views); and Against the Unitarians (1828, printed 1830) – a treatise dealing with the doctrines of the Trinity and Christology."
This article examines the sacramental theology of the Lord's Supper in the writings of St. Cypria... more This article examines the sacramental theology of the Lord's Supper in the writings of St. Cyprian of Carthage (c.200 - 258 A. D.). The Lord's Supper was widely recognized in the third century, and it shaped Cyprian's theology as well. This article offers insight into an aspect of Cyprian's theology that does not always receive as much attention as baptism and church fellowship. Cyprian's theology is examined, clarified, and compared to modern Roman Catholic and Lutheran theology on the Lord's Supper.
Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology, vol. XIV, no. 4 (Reformation 2005), pp. 31-40., Oct 2005
It has been rightly recognized that Martin Luther was influenced by faithful pastors who came bef... more It has been rightly recognized that Martin Luther was influenced by faithful pastors who came before him. But not much attention has been given to one particular influence on Luther, St. Hilary of Poitiers. This essay shows the connections between Hilary’s thought (from his treatise, De Trinitate) upon Luther’s sacramentology. Luther relied upon De Trinitate as he argued against the Sacramentarians in his treatise, “That These Words Still Stand Against the Fanatics”. As he debated the Sacramentarians, Luther argued that Jesus’ body is omnipresent and therefore capable of being bodily eaten as the Words of Institution literally say. To help support his argument on omnipresence, Luther used Hilary’s understanding of the Trinity and the Incarnation as it relates to the two natures of Jesus. This essay also notes comparisons between the theological opponents of Hilary to those of Luther.
Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology, vol. XX, no. 1, pp. 33-43, Jan 2011
In the 17th and early 18th centuries, Lutherans were divided over a new style of church music as ... more In the 17th and early 18th centuries, Lutherans were divided over a new style of church music as well as church music that was secular sounding. This paper traces the spread and influence of the new style of church music from Italy through Germany, as well as the controversies surrounding it. This style, known today as the Baroque style, divided Lutherans into two main camps. What is interesting is that the Pietists generally opposed the new style in the church, while the orthodox generally accepted it. Some prominent theologians from this 17th- and early 18th-century debate will be examined, such as Selneccer, Spener, Dannhauer, Erdmann Neumeister, as well as important contributions by minor writers such as Theophilus Großgebauer, Gottfried Ephraim Scheibel and more. The musicians of the time will also be considered, examining the perspectives of Praetorius, Schutz, Johann Kuhnau, Telemann, and more. This historic divisions over the new Italian and secular styles of church music will be examined for application to today’s divisions and discussion over contemporary worship.
This article examines the exegesis and history of exegesis of Eph. 4:11-12 to engage whether thes... more This article examines the exegesis and history of exegesis of Eph. 4:11-12 to engage whether these verses allow for the popular interpretation of the theology and practice of “lay ministry.” “Lay ministry” is defined throughout the article as lay people who are not Called or ordained, but may be licensed by a district or congregation to publicly preach and administer Sacraments. The history of exegesis, as to why Eph. 4:11-12 has been used for lay ministry is shown, going back to the mid-20th century with the World Council of Churches, Markus Barth, and D. T. Niles. The popular Confessional Lutheran argument against lay ministry from Eph. 4:11-12 using the “comma” between key phrases, is looked at but ultimately challenged. However, a key argument against lay ministry is found exegetically analyzing the term καταρτισμὸν in Eph. 4:12, in which it is argued that the lay ministry popular interpretation has misunderstood and misinterpreted.
Baptismal regeneration by the washing of water with the Word was confessed in a distinctly insigh... more Baptismal regeneration by the washing of water with the Word was confessed in a distinctly insightful and Scriptural way by early American Lutheran theologian David Henkel (1795-1831). Yet his writings caused a reaction and written controversy with Methodist pastor Joseph Moore. This paper will examine Henkel's baptismal theology, Moore's Protestant objections to Henkel's arguments, and Henkel's rebuttal to Moore's objections. This is valuable for theological discussions today between different denominations, as many of Moore's arguments are still used to challenge baptismal regeneration and Henkel's responses are still fitting.
This paper explores the proposal for the General Synod in early 19th-century America, and the con... more This paper explores the proposal for the General Synod in early 19th-century America, and the controversial formation of the Tennessee Lutheran Synod. Also, the key role and Confessional Lutheran theology of early American Lutheran David Henkel (1795-1831) will be treated in depth.
The lives and relationships between Kings Saul and David from 1 and 2 Samuel are examined in grea... more The lives and relationships between Kings Saul and David from 1 and 2 Samuel are examined in greater depth as symbolic representatives and typological figures. Saul personifies the Old covenant system, and David personifies both Jesus and the New covenant system. Attention is given to the New Testament fulfillment of Jesus as the Son of David, to David's ability to drive out unclean spirits of Saul, and to Saul and David's roles as prophets, priests and kings.
At times in Christian churches in North America, pastors and clergy are asked to resign from thei... more At times in Christian churches in North America, pastors and clergy are asked to resign from their positions. While there are certainly honorable reasons for doing so (such as in the case of persistent false doctrine, or if the pastor has a scandalous and immoral life), there are also reasons that may not be as honorable. In addressing pastoral retention in congregations, however, rather than addressing the question in a man-centered approach, the question should begin by a God-centered approach according to Holy Scripture. This paper addresses whether or not it pleases God according to Holy Scripture, and also according to the Lutheran Confessions as the correct understanding of Holy Scripture, for a congregation to ask their pastor to resign from his divine call.
In the late 1500’s, some congregational conflicts in German Lutheran churches erupted, causing co... more In the late 1500’s, some congregational conflicts in German Lutheran churches erupted, causing congregational unjust treatment and investigations by ecclesiastical overseers towards the Lutheran pastors. What happened? How were these conflicts dealt with? Can the ways these conflicts were dealt with help with conflicted congregations today? This presentation will explore these questions, in order to give help for unjustly treated Lutheran pastors today. Others interested in the history of this era will also appreciate this research.
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(An appendix is also added as another paper)
Confessional Lutheranism was scarce in the 1820’s and 30’s in America, but it was not completely absent. The Confessional Tennessee Synod and her chief theologian, David Henkel, argued convincingly for Lutheran orthodoxy on the basis of the Scriptures.
This essay examines the exegetical methodology of Rev. David Henkel based on three of his works: The Heavenly Flood of Regeneration (1822) – a treatise on the Biblical theology of Baptism; Answer to Mr. Joseph Moore, the Methodist (1825) – a defense for his Baptismal theology found in Heavenly Flood (against American Protestant sacramental views); and Against the Unitarians (1828, printed 1830) – a treatise dealing with the doctrines of the Trinity and Christology."
(An appendix is also added as another paper)
Confessional Lutheranism was scarce in the 1820’s and 30’s in America, but it was not completely absent. The Confessional Tennessee Synod and her chief theologian, David Henkel, argued convincingly for Lutheran orthodoxy on the basis of the Scriptures.
This essay examines the exegetical methodology of Rev. David Henkel based on three of his works: The Heavenly Flood of Regeneration (1822) – a treatise on the Biblical theology of Baptism; Answer to Mr. Joseph Moore, the Methodist (1825) – a defense for his Baptismal theology found in Heavenly Flood (against American Protestant sacramental views); and Against the Unitarians (1828, printed 1830) – a treatise dealing with the doctrines of the Trinity and Christology."