SEMPER REFORMANDA exists to forward this ancient axiom. The Lutheran Reformation began when Martin Luther posted the 95 theses on the church door in Wittenberg. It will never be completed. As long as she remains the Church Militant, sin and error will continue to fuel her need for reform. She must continually return to the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets found in the Book of Concord. In today's cyber-world, SR intends to be a modern forum where theses can be posted for discussion in order that the reformation of the Church may ever continue.

What's Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander

A Re-Examination of the Mobile Ministerium

Abstract- In No Place for Truth, or, Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?, David F. Wells reports:

Of the 221 who graduated from Yale College between the years of 1745 and 1775 and went into the ministry, 71 percent remained in the church to which they were first called until their deaths. Only 4 percent held four or more pastorates. By contrast, today the average pastoral stint is as low as two years in some areas and denominations and seldom more than three years. Lying between the eighteenth century and our own is a cluster of steadily declining graph lines indicating shorter and shorter tenures, growing pastoral impermanence, and increasingly shallow bonds between pastors and their churches. (p. 228)

This essay was first delivered as an open/academic topic at the Sixth Annual Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis).

the reverend jonathan g. lange is a 1990 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Evanston, Wyoming.

Christ Today: His Presence in the Sacraments

Abstract- In this essay Dr. Piepkorn discusses the various places and ways which the contemporaneous Christ is present to and for His Church. Recognizing the plague of generic "presence" talk, Piepkorn eschews abstract theological formulations and brings the reader to think in concrete, biblical terms concerning the presence of Christ today. (25 July 99 / 73K)

doctor arthur c. piepkorn (1907-1973) was a 1928 graduate of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his Ph.D. in 1932 from the University of Chicago. He served several parishes together with a lengthy and distinguished tenure as chaplain in the United States Army. In 1951 he was called to teach as a professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Peipkorn was a prolific author and a collaborator in Tappert's translation of the Book of Concord. A collection of his essays was published in 1993 titled THE CHURCH: Selected Writings of Arthur Carl Piepkorn. He was also a regular participant in the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogues for many years.

The Sacrament of the Altar

Abstract- In this essay Dr. Hardt details Luther's understanding that Jesus' true Body, born of Mary, is present in the host in a manner different from omnipresence, that Luther's understanding of the Supper maintained a Cyrillian Christology, that for Luther the Words of Institution definitely achieve the Real Presence, and that Luther understood the Sacrament to be adorable, extending in time. (29 November 98 / 176K)

This work is a condensed English version of Hardt's 1971 doctoral dissertation, Venerabilis et Adorabilis Eucharistia (Eucharistic Veneration and Adoration). Interested readers should watch for the unabridged English translation, which is forthcoming.

the reverend doctor tom g. hardt was born in 1935 in Stockholm, Sweden. He was a candidate of philosophy (=B.A.) at Uppsala in 1956, and in 1971 he defended his doctoral thesis. His bibliography includes nearly 400 entries besides this dissertation. In 1961, together with some friends in the faith, he formed St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Stockholm, of which he became pastor. At the time of his death this past summer (1998) he was still pastor of this congregation.

Dr. Hardt found a mentor in the outstanding German theologian, Hermann Sasse. The consequence of this was that he stood opposed to all tendencies toward general protestantism, and saw not least in the Lutheran doctrine of the sacraments with its realism, a truth which was not negotiable. Without romanticizing, he placed a high value on a rich liturgical form growing out of the faith in Christ's true presence in the Divine Service.

The Case of the Lost Luther Reference

Abstract- In this classic essay, Dr. Teigen identifies a mysterious Luther reference in Solid Declaration VII, thereby revealing the view of the moment and duration of Sacramental presence as espoused by both the Lutheran Confessions and Luther himself. An annotated bibliography of sources treating the question of when the Eucharistic bread and wine become the Lord's own body and blood (and how long they remain so) is appended to this essay. (9 April 98 / 59K)

This essay was first published in the October 1979 (43/4) issue of CONCORDIA THEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY and is now reprinted by permission of the editors. (For information on CTQ subscriptions, write to Lawrence R. Rast, Assistant Editor, at: CTQ@ctsfw.edu.)

doctor bjarne w. teigen (b. 1909) graduated from Concordia Seminary (St. Louis MO) and was ordained in 1935. He served parishes Iowa, Minnesota and Illonois. Teigen was called to Bethany Lutheran College and Seminary (Mankato MN) in 1945 where he taught chiefly English and Religion. In 1950 he became President of Bethany in which capacity he served until 1970. In 1979 he was awarded at honorary Doctor of Divinity by Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne IN). Besides a five part study of the Confessions, I Believe, Dr. Teigen also authored the instructive and controversial book,The Lord's Supper in the Theology of Martin Chemnitz(see the annotated bibliography).

Written and Spoken Word

Abstract- In this classic essay, Dr. Saarnivaara presents the propria of the written and spoken Word of God as differentiated by Dr. Luther. (28 December 97 / 36K)

This essay was first published in the May 1950 issue of THE LUTHERAN QUARTERLY and is now reprinted by permission of the editors. (For information on LQ subscriptions, write to Virgil F. Thomson, Managing Editor, at:VFThom@aol.com.)

doctor uuraas saarnivaara (b. 1908) was ordained as a minister of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church. He took his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School. His doctoral thesis was published in 1947 under the title, Luther Discovers the Gospel: New Light upon Luther's Way from Medieval Catholicism to Evangelical Faith. He served as dean of the Inter-Lutheran Theological School in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was a lecturer in theology at Ryttyla, Finland. During his last years, his work also extended to Latvia. Dr. Saarnivaara's bibliography includes forty books and numerous articles -- many of which have been published in Christian Monthly. He passed away in Finland on May 10th 1998 in the ninetieth year of his life.

The Augsburg Confession and Polity:
Where We've All Screwed Up

Abstract- In this essay, Rev. Gustafson discusses what the Augsburg Confession says about polity (church structure), especially in AC XXVII. Putting forth seven thesis, he first deals with the issues involving the pastoral office as they relate to polity, then comments on the present day situation in the ELCA and LCMS, and finally offers some suggestions for reform. (15 August 97 / 29K)

This essay was first presented at the Luther Academy Lecture Series No. 4 on 4 April 1997 in Chicago, Illinois.

the reverend doctor david gustafson received a M.Div. from Lutheran School of Theology (Maywood) in 1968, a Th.M. from Luther Seminary in 1973, and a Ph.D. from the Union Institute in 1990. He is the author of Lutherans in Crisis (Fortress Press, 1993), as well as many articles and reviews in The Lutheran Forum and LOGIA. Rev. Gustafson is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Peace Lutheran Church in Poplar, Wisconsin.

Deathly Evangelism

Abstract- "Most evangelism these days is way short on the wisdom of Jesus." Rev. Marshall is convinced that this shortage is intentional, an unconscionable exercise in false and deceptive advertising. The new, phony, soft, comfortable gospel which is now frequently offered in American churches may fill the pews but will not endure. Only the real Gospel, the hard Gospel, the Gospel with sharp edges can actually bring souls into Christ's kingdom and give them true Christian joy and certainty. (30 June 97 / 69K)

This essay, without the addendum, first appeared in Spring 1994 issue of Trinity Seminary Review (XVI/1), was reprinted with the addendum in the Pentecost 1995 issue of The Bride of Christ (XIX/3:8-19) and is now reprinted with the author's permission.

the reverend ronald f. marshall is an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America called as Pastor of First Church in West Seattle, Washington. He is an instructor at the Seminary consortium of Seattle and one of the editors of certus cermo, an independant monthly review of the Northwest Washington Synod of the ELCA.

The Doctrine of the Ministry
As Taught by the Dogmaticians of the Lutheran Church

Abstract- In this classic essay, Dr. Jacobs brings the teaching of the Orthodox dogmaticians to bear upon the confusion surrounding the Office of the Public Ministry. (30 June 97 / 97K)

This essay first appeared in the October 1874 issue of Quarterly Review (V/4:557-96).

doctor henry e. jacobs (1844-1932) was the Norton professor of Systematic Theology in the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia and Franklin Professor of the Greek Language and Literature in Pennsylvania College, Gettysburg. Dr. Jacobs served as editor for the 1882 English translation of the Book of Concord which was recently republished by the Johann Gerhard Institute (34 South Country Club Road, Decatur, IL 62521)

Private Confession in the Lutheran Church

Abstract- Lutherans hold that, "confession and absolution should by no means be allowed to fall into disuse in the church" (SA III.viii.1). Still, somehow it has. Today, in spite of decades of effort to reverse the trend, countless souls in Lutheran churches never do experience the benefits of private absolution. Why does the disuse of private confession persist and even grow even amid our conscious efforts to promote it? In this essay Lang answers by noting that some of the very factors that first led to the decline of private confession are still present to hinder its use today. (19 January 97 / 64K)

This article was first presented as a conference paper in the California/Nevada District of the LCMS in October 1952 under the title, "The Exodus of the Practice of Private Confession from the Lutheran Church and Its Implications--A Doctrinal, Historical, and Critical Study." It appeared under a much abbreviated title in Una Sancta, XXII,1 (1965) and was published again, albeit in a drastically edited form, in Concordia Theological Quarterly, 56:4 (1992). The SR editors believe that this reprint of the earlier edition(s) more faithfully presents the author's original intent and argument.

the reverend p.h.d. lang graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis in 1925. He was dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Trinity Lutheran Church at Palo Alto, California and as campus pastor at Stanford University where he remained until he retired in 1966. He was called to his eternal rest on 25 January 1981. Lang published seven books and pamphlets including Ceremony and Celebration and The Lutheran Order of Service in addition to numerous journal articles.

Ministry as an Office in the Church

Abstract- This English translation of Ruben Josephson's essay first appeared in 1952. It is just as timely today as it was then. In the first section the author shows the kinship between Rome and Pietism in their concern with the person of the minister at the expense of the office. In the second section, unfortunate developments in the theology of Orthodoxy are shown further to have eroded the Lutheran understanding of the preaching office. (18 October 96 / 28K)

This article first appeared in THIS IS THE CHURCH edited by Anders Nygren (Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press) 1952, and is in the public domain.

Change in Luther's Doctrine of the Ministry

Abstract- It is unfortunate (but true) that some scholars have sought to demonstrate Luther's teaching on the Holy Ministry by citing only works written during the early years of the Reformation. This classic essay shows the error of such scholarship by documenting Luther's theological maturation and development. (21 September 96 / 36K)

This essay was first published in the May 1966 issue of THE LUTHERAN QUARTERLY and is now reprinted by permission of the editors. (For information on LQ subscriptions, write to Virgil F. Thomson, Managing Editor, at: VFThom@aol.com.)

doctor lowell c. green received his B.D. from Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque IA and his D.Theol. from the University of Erlangen (1955), where his doctoral advisors were Werner Elert, Wilhelm Maurer, and Paul Althaus. About half of his career was spent as a parish pastor and the other half as a professor in various places. He is currently retired and holds the title of Adjunct Professor of History at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Dr. Green has published six books and dozens of journal articles.

"In God's Stead and at God's Behest"

Abstract- In Augustana XXV, the confessors maintain that the absolution is spoken "in God's stead and at God's Behest." This essay clarifies the meaning and implications of this phrase by a careful examination of both the Latin and German versions of the article in the context of the Augsburg Confession and its Apology. (21 September 96 / 63K)

the reverend john w. fenton is a 1989 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he is also pursuing an S.T.M in historical theology. He is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Zion Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan.

Using the Third Use

Formula of Concord VI and the Preacher's Task

Abstract- From homiletics classes to how-to books, there are many who advocate a style of preaching which concludes each sermon with advice for holy living. Others, reacting against this notion, treat the "Third Use" essentially as a positive description of the Christian. This paper looks at current preaching practice in light of the language and logic of Formula of Concord, Article VI to clarify the Lutheran use of the Law in preaching. (18 March 96 / 47K)

This essay was first delivered as an open/academic topic at the Second Annual Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) and then at the 1993 National Free Conference in Chicago. It was also published in the Epiphany/January 1994 issue of LOGIA and is now reprinted by permission of the editors. (For information on LOGIA subscriptions, visit the LOGIA Home Page or write to Joel Brondos at: stimme@aol.com.)

the reverend jonathan g. lange is a 1990 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Evanston, Wyoming.

Only Playing Church?

The Lay Minister and the Lord's Supper

Abstract- In the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, hundreds of God's people receive what they believe to be the Body and Blood of Christ from the hand of a lay minister. Concern for these believers makes it imperative to determine if the efficacy of the Holy Communion is in any way dependent upon the Office of the Ministry. Can the functions of the Office be genuinely performed apart from the Office itself? Does the lay minister distribute the true Sacrament or only empty sacramental elements? Early Lutheran discussions of the Ministry yield unexpected-- even disquieting--answers to these and other related questions. (18 March 96 / 41K)

This essay was presented as an Open/Academic Topic at the Second Annual Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) on 6 May 1992. It was also published in the Epiphany/January 1994 issue of LOGIA and is now reprinted by permission of the editors. (For information on LOGIA subscriptions, visit the LOGIA Home Page or write to Joel Brondos at: stimme@aol.com.)

douglas d. fusselman is a 1982 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

"The Husband of One Wife"

Clergy Marital Status or Paradigm of the Public Ministry

Abstract- In spite of the longstanding assumption that a clergyman must be "the husband of one wife" (1 Timothy 3:2, 12; Titus 1:6), there is simply no general consensus on the intended meaning of this apostolic mandate. This exegetical ambiguity is evident in the church's practice: Lutheran clergy rosters are replete with single ministers, married ministers, widowed ministers, divorced ministers, and remarried ministers (not to mention homosexual and female ministers), all professing to stand within the bounds of scriptural directives. The modern church's inconsistent application of this important ministerial requirement should be reason enough to reexamine these portions of the Pastoral Epistles. (18 March 96 / 47K)

This essay was presented as an Open/Academic Topic at the Third Annual Theological Symposium at Concordia Seminary (St. Louis) in May 1993.

douglas d. fusselman is a 1982 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

SR Forum

SEMPER REFORMANDA now maintains a moderated discussion list. Here is your opportunity to discuss the essays of SR in an informed albeit informal manner. The discussion is moderated in order to maintain the same high standards of discourse that you have come to expect from SEMPER REFORMANDA. To post to the list simply send your message to SRForum@eGroups.com

SR Submissions

Policies and Procedures

If you would like to join us in our quest, feel free at any time to submit not only your personal writing but also the bibliographic information for articles that you think we ought to consider republishing. Proposed articles will be judged on their clarity of thought, literary style, and, most of all, their healthy distrust of the ecclesiastical status quo. SEMPER REFORMANDA always and only posts reformation theses. All submissions should be copied to the entire editorial board.

the SR editorial board

Direct correspondence concerning SR to rev. lange at: jglange@allwest.net

Direct correspondence concerning SR to rev. huber at: thubes@bloomnet.com

Direct correspondence concerning SR to mr. fusselman at: ddfuss@aol.com

Direct correspondence concerning SR to rev. bremer at: gracluth@kdsi.net

soli Deo gloria

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