The Doctrine of the Ministry

As Taught by the Dogmaticians of the Lutheran Church

doctor henry e. jacobs || 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.

Deathly Evangelism

reverend ronald f. marshall || 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.

Private Confession in the Lutheran Church

reverend paul h. d. lang || 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.

Ministry as an Office in the Church

ruben josefson || 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.

Change in Luther's Doctrine of the Ministry

doctor lowell c. green || 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.

In God's Stead and at God's Behest

reverend john w. fenton || 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.

Ministry in the Lutheran Church Today

doctor david p. scaer || Abstract - Much confusion surrounds the term "ministry" these days--it seems as if every man, woman and child in the church has one. This essay seeks to cut through the confusion by examining John N. Collins' watershed book, Diakonia.

Who Holds the Keys?

Luther on the Power of Jurisdiction

douglas d. fusselman || Abstract - The current practice of church discipline is clouded by a very real theological inconsistency--an inconsistency which stems in large part from a popular yet faulty understanding of the "power of jurisdiction." This essay seeks to both identify the source of this problem and then offer a workable solution by examining Dr. Luther's pertinent writings and the Lutheran Confessions.

Using the Third Use

Formula of Concord VI and the Preacher's Task

reverend jonathan g. lange || 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.

Only Playing Church

The Lay Minister and the Lord's Supper

douglas d. fusselman || 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.

The Husband of One Wife

Clergy Marital Status or Paradigm of the Public Ministry?

douglas d. fusselman || 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.

Editors and Submissions

SEMPER REFORMANDA publishes essays both new and old. Besides receiving well-written and well-researched articles from contemporary authors, the greater part of our essays are revived from dusty stacks in the library. The editorial group is constantly combing through old theological journals searching for essays that live up to SR standards. We look to revive the best of what our fathers have written to shed light and clarity on contemporary issues.

If you would like to join us in our quest, feel free at any time to post a comment with bibliographic information for articles that you think we ought to consider republishing. If you wish to submit your own writing, leave your email in the comment section and we will send you instructions for submitting original work. 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.

---

the SR editorial board

reverend terell o. huber is a 1982 graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at a two-point parish in northeast Nebraska: Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Verdigre and Christ Lutheran Church in Bazile Mills, Nebraska.

---

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

---

reverend daniel g. bremer is a 1984 graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. He is dominically ordered to serve in the Preaching Office at Grace Lutheran Church in Grand Island, Nebraska.

---

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 a two-point parish in southwest Wyoming: Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Evanston and St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

soli Deo gloria