Walther: "We are also in great hope."

Here's a little section from Walther's great "Church and Office" which I've been re-working the past few months. Hoping to have the manuscript pretty much done in the next month or so.

P.H.

Preface to the Book of Concord: “As to the condemnations, censures, and rejections of godless doctrines, and especially of that which has arisen concerning the Lord’s Supper, … it is in no way our design and purpose to condemn those men who err from a certain simplicity of mind, but are not blasphemers against the truth of the heavenly doctrine, much less, indeed, entire churches [ganze Kirche]; … rather has it been our intention and disposition in this manner openly to censure and condemn only the deceptive doctrines and their obstinate and blasphemous teachers …. For we have absolutely no doubt whatever that even in those churches [Kirchen] which have hitherto not agreed with us in all things many godly and by no means wicked men are found who follow their own simplicity, and do not understand aright the matter itself, but in no way approve the blasphemies which are cast forth against the Holy Supper as it is administered in our churches [Kirchen], according to Christ’s institution, and, with the unanimous approval of all good men, is taught in accordance with the words of the testament itself. We are also in great hope that, if they would be taught aright, through the leading of the Holy Spirit to the infallible truth of the divine word, they would agree with us, and with our churches and schools.” (par. 19 [unmarked]; Triglot, p. 19; Mueller 16; BSLK 11).

Apology: “The wolves and false teachers, though they are in the church [Kirche] and do great harm, yet are not the church and the kingdom of Christ” (Ap. VII/VIII. 22; German text, Triglot, p. 234; Mueller 156; BSLK 239.25).

Here our church [Kirche] confesses that the heretics are not outside the church, but that they sow their pernicious seed within the church, so that therefore also in the multitude [Haufen] that the heretics gather around [versammeln] themselves, the true church is hidden. Hence the Apology also says: “The multitude [Haufen] of the wicked is much greater, indeed, almost uncountable, who despise the Word, bitterly hate it, and persecute it most vehemently, as this is done by the [Turks, Mohammedans, and other tyrants and] heretics, etc. Therefore, the true doctrine and church are at times almost entirely suppressed and lost as this has happened under the papacy, just as though it had completely gone under.” (Ap. VII/VIII. 9; German text, Triglot, p. 228; Mueller 153; BSLK 235).

Here our church confesses that because of the raging of the heretics it often “seems as though” there were no longer any church, though Christ “rules in the midst of his enemies.” (Ps. 110:2)