"...the ears of the hearers"

Hieronymus Kromayer [1610-1670]: “It may happen that the ears of the hearers may take from what is presented to them something that is better and more consonant with the truth than was intended by the teachers. Thus, for example, in the papacy, despite the rubbish of human traditions, Christ nevertheless was apprehended and retained by devout hearers, and again among the hearers that recently left the papacy [Calvinists], who did not recognize the depths of Satan despite the subtle discussions of the absolute [divine] decree [regarding predestination], some had the doctrine of the justification of a sinner by faith in Christ’s merits deeply engraved on their hearts. Therefore, we by no means absolutely condemn those who toward the end of the preceding century were put to death by the command of Duke Alva in Belgium [in 1567].[1] Most of them did not recognize the depths of Satan, and far from trusting in their good works, they desired to be justified and saved solely by faith in Christ. The [practical] use of this doctrine in the area of teaching is that we must carefully distinguish between the dogmatists and the hearers and not measure the whole church [ganzen Kirchen], by the errors of the former. In controversies this doctrine is to be used against those severe judges who often cast the stone of judgment upon whole and often innocent fellowships [Gemeinschaften] if religious persecution arises” (Theologia positivo-polemica, part 2, pp. 512–13).

From C.F.W. Walther, "Kirche und Amt."

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[1] Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, 3rd Duke of Alba[1] (29 October 1507 – 11 December 1582) was a Spanish general and governor of the Spanish Netherlands (1567–1573), nicknamed "the Iron Duke" by the Protestants of the Low Countries because of his harsh rule and cruelty…. n 1567, Philip, who was a zealous opponent of Protestantism, sent Alba into the Netherlands at the head of an army of 12,000 men, with unlimited powers for the extirpation of the heretics. Alba quickly erected a tribunal, the Council of Troubles, which soon became known to the Calvinists as the "Council of Blood," to try all persons who had been engaged in the late commotions that the rule of Philip had excited. During the ten years it operated, thousands of people were executed. The precise number is disputed: Dutch sources cite 18,000 victims, while Spanish accounts mention only a few hundred. About 12,000 casualties can be considered as the most accurate estimate, of which 1,083 were executed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernando_Álvarez_de_Toledo,_3rd_Duke_of_Alba#cite_note-Israel-1

Wyneken on how to preach in America.

Rev. Karl Boehmer just privided a translation of Friedrich Wyneken's letter to Biewend from Nov. 25, 1842. Wyeneken was back in Germany on leave from St. Paul's Ft. Wayne, drumming up support for the Lutheran Church in America, and getting a strong dose of Lutheranism from Loehe et al. Biewend wanted Wyneken's thoughts on his desire to likewise leave Germany for the live of a missionary preaching in America. Wyneken's advice on preaching is as fresh and worthy of consideration as it was almost 170 years ago! Step into the office!

Matt H.

I am afraid I do not have much to say in answer to your last three questions. You wish to obtain a more thorough insight into the conditions within the American church, and knowledge of what is needed there. I would not know what answer to give you so that you can become better acquainted with the situation over there. It is chaos, and I am afraid to say the Lutheran church also knows very little about its own calling. Meanwhile, the need there is the same as everywhere else: To preach Jesus Christ to poor sinners in season and out of season, that He has become our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. And because by God’s grace you hold the position of the church, you can easily use it to evaluate various conditions, to beware of the sectarians, to confront them and to gather the congregations; in short, it will become easier for you on the whole to make the right call. James 1:5 will be especially helpful. – It is especially important for a German preacher to know that he should leave every staged pulpit mannerism and tone, all pussyfooting, twisting and turning indulged in to get by, the fear of people or the need to please people, making allowances etc – all that he should leave here, and behave and act instead like the Lord’s messenger to His diverse sinners, like one to whom the Lord Himself has entrusted the office. May the dear, faithful Savior speedily redeem His church from fearful and considerate preachers, who see the misery of our congregations and say nothing! – Over there, you need to be brisk, free and joyful on the one hand; serious, grounded and calm on the other. Pastoral care must be exercised there in a manner suited to the circumstances, as it must be everywhere, and church discipline must be exercised. But you will learn all of that from your Master, from the Word, from life and prayer. If only your intent is to be faithful in all things, and if only you are called, the Lord will provide according to your needs.

Luther on the church and caring for "body and soul."

[Martin Luther]: “From this story (Acts 6) we learn in the first place how a Christian community [Gemeine] should be constituted. In addition, we have a true pattern of spiritual government [geistlichen Regiments] that the apostles here provide. They care for souls, occupy themselves with preaching and prayer, and yet also see to it that the body is cared for; for they suggest several men who are to distribute the goods [Güter], as you have heard. Thus the Christian rule is concerned for the people in both body and soul [Leib und Seele] so that no one suffers want, as Luke tells us, that all were richly fed and well cared for in both body and soul.

“This is a very fine pattern and example, and it would be well for us to do likewise, if only the people were so minded. A city could be divided, as here, into four or five parts, and every part would receive a preacher [Prediger] and several deacons to supply the people with preaching, distribute the goods, visit the sick, and see to it that no one suffers want. But we do not have the persons for that. Therefore, I do not have the courage to start it until our Lord God Christ will do it …. When you desire to introduce a common chest [gemeinen Kasten], you must know what kind of officials [Aemter] preside over a community [Gemeine]. A ‘bishop’ means a steward [Amtmann] of God who is to distribute the divine and spiritual gifts, preach the Gospel, and supply the people with the Word of God. He must have ministers [Diener], and these are the deacons who serve the community [Gemeine] in such a way that they have a list of all the poor people and care for them in all their needs with the money of the community [Gemeine], visit the sick, and in every way handle the supplies with great care” (Church Postil: Gospel Portion, “On the Day of St. Stephen, Holy Martyr,” 1525; Kirch.=Post. Ev. Theil 1525; Walch1.11:2754-56; St. Louis edition, 11:2065).

Quoted in Walther's Kirche und Amt, p. 382

Luther on Priesthood and Office

Martin Luther: “Thank God, in our churches we can show a Christian the true Christian Mass according to the order and institution of Christ as well as according to the right and true intention of Christ and the church. There our pastor [Pfarrherr], bishop or minister [Diener] in the pastoral office [Pfarramt] steps before the altar rightly, duly, and publicly called. But before that, he was consecrated, anointed, and born as a priest of Christ regardless of private chrism. He publicly and clearly chants the order [Ordnung] of Christ instituted at the Lord’s Supper. Then he takes the bread and wine, gives thanks, and distributes them, giving them by virtue of Christ’s words, ‘This is My body; this is My blood; this do,’ etc., to us and the others who are present and desire to receive. And we, especially those who desire to receive the Sacrament, kneel down beside, behind, or around him—man and wife, young and old, master and servant, mistress and maid, parents and children—just as God has brought us together. And we all are true and holy fellow priests, sanctified by the blood of Christ and anointed and consecrated by the Holy Spirit in Baptism. And in our priestly honor and adornment, which we received by birth and inheritance, we are there assembled, bearing on our heads our golden crowns (as this is pictured in Rev. 4:4) and having our harps in our hands and our golden censers. We do not let our pastor [Pfarrherrn] speak the order [Ordnung] merely for himself as for his own person. But he is the mouth of all of us, and we all speak the words with him from the hearts and with our faith directed to the Lamb of God, who is for and with us according to His institution [Ordnung] to feed us with His body and blood. That is our Mass, indeed the true Mass, which we surely possess”

Walther, Kirche und Amt, p. 363

Missing Marie - Rest in Peace Dear Sister

"Might through insignificance and weakness."

To sum it up, God's nature is such that He shows His divine majesty and might through insignificance and weakness. He Himself says to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9: "My power is made mighty through weakness [Luther Bible]."

Friedrich Wyneken

At Home in the House of My Fathers, p. 399

Noam Pikelny & Steve Martin play Duelling Banjos on Letterman

"The Punch Brothers" with Steve Martin

Prayer and Scripture

Blessed All Saints! Here's a lovely piece on prayer and the reading of Scripture from one of the "cloud of witnesses," Dr. Adolph Koeberle.

Prayer escapes the danger of disorder and confusion only when it is enkindled by the words of Scripture. From the Word proceeds its inner justification, as well as its life-giving power and the clearness of its petitions. A prayer life that does not stick to Scripture will soon become poor in ideas, poor in faith, poor in love, and will finally die. Free prayer and silent prayer require years of faithful association and training with the spirit of Scripture... The more that oratio arises from the meditatio of Scripture the more moving will the prayer be.

Adolph Koeberle, The Quest for Holiness, p. 177 (quoted in Doberstein - Ministers' Prayer Book)