Assesses Movement’s Future Role

[Printed in “Viewpoint,” Missouri in Perspective (October 23, 1978).]   The “moderate” confessional movement in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is not so much “disspirited” as “dispersed.” This is one central theme from an address to the 1978 Assembly of Evangelical Lutherans in Mission by the Rev. Dr. Robert Bertram, Oct 13. The Christ Seminary professor suggested that the …

WHERE IS THE CONFESSIONAL MOVEMENT MOVING?

Robert W. Bertram [Address to the ELIM Assembly; 13 October 1978]   Answer. “The confessional movement” in the above question refers to that movement which recently emerged within the Missouri Synod, and against it, but which meanwhile has scattered beyond the Synod (though significant remnants still remain there) and by now has largely lost its confessional target, momentum …

Transfer of Church Authority to Church Administration?

Robert W. Bertram July 10, 1978 (The 12th International Ecumenical Seminary held July 3-13, 1978 in Strasbourg France.)   Résumé Introduction: The growing objection to ecclesiastical bureaucracy is, at least implicitly, a confessional objection: as church authority is exercised more and more by church administrators, that authority (so the objection goes) becomes not only more hierarchical but what …

Using the Doctrine of Original Sin in Pastoral Care; Some Theses for Discussion

Edward H. Schroeder [Presentation at University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis, MN, CPE program with Ken Siess, 19 June – 28 July 1978] 1. Original sin is the name given in the Christian tradition for the fundamental human malady that needs to be cured. Salvation is the solution to the problem of sin. 2. Within the parameters of covenant …

Like Movement, Like Seminary

Robert W. Bertram [Printed in Viewpoint, 19 February 1978.]   Recently at Christ Church Cathedral here in Saint Louis we, Seminex, presented our upcoming graduates to the Church as candidates for that Church’s ministry. Yet “the Church” which received them on this occasion was represented only by presidents of AELC. But AELC, of course, represents only a part …

Look Again

(The Corinthian Double-Take) II. Cor. 5:20-6:2. (Second Lesson for Ash Wednesday)   [Initial Diagnosis] My lifestyle — it bothers you, doesn’t it? That in effect is what Paul is saying to his Christian critics in Corinth. It disturbs you to be served by someone like me, Paul, a perennial loser, an apparent masochist who seems to enjoy sticking …

“Who Me?”

Edward Schroeder [Published in The Lutheran Independent, edited by Rev. Frank J. Leonard, Issue #4, September, 1977.]   “Two Sundays in a row I went to X-Lutheran church and both times there was no Gospel in the sermon. It was gentle legalism. And the pastor is AELC!” That’s what I heard from a pastor back for summer school …

Confessional Movements and Formula of Concord Article 10

Robert W. Bertram [Address, Munich, Germany, July, 1977.] Question: When is the church a “confessional movement”? Answer: whenever it has to challenge secular authority, especially its own, in order to liberate its one unique authority, the Gospel and sacraments, which for the church is authority “enough”. Seven Propositions I. Why the question? Two reasons: one churchly, the other …

Seminex Exile—Love It. Don’t Leave It

Edward H. Schroeder [Printed in Strivings (Seminex student journal) Vol. 1:2 (April, 1977).] “Exile”: the NT term for such as us Many of us in Seminex have had to learn that the exilic tradition is a New Testament tradition, albeit a rather thin one. So it is not surprising that we continue to have trouble with it. The …

A Letter in Response to a Call to Teach at Seminex

Robert W. Bertram [Printed in “The Lutheran Independent” Issue #4, September, 1977, edited by Frank J. Leonard.] ABSTRACT The call to teach at Seminex from Seminex’s board and the AELC represents a third time the Caller, the Spirit, has called. Despite New Orleans (Convention) efforts to retract the call to speak the Word of God without fear or …