Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays

the synods of Ohio, Iowa, and Buffalo not aware of this
unbrotherly and highly offensive treatment accorded the
minority? Or do they, by entering into negotiations for
church-fellowship with the Norwegian Lutheran Church,
practically admit the correctness of the definition given by
Dr. Melhorn of the purpose of their own proposed
merger? 205
It is true that the Norwegian Synod suffered many slights, insults and personal
losses at the hands of the ELC for their courageous doctrinal stand. But Meyer’s call to
correct the offensive treatment of the minority seems to miss the main point. The ELC
holds to false doctrine concerning the doctrine of election. How can we trust the progress
of the Intersynodical Theses in these chief areas if both Iowa and Ohio are willing to join
hands with those who hold the opposite position? Meyer does not address this.
Even the final set of theses, as well written as they were, contained a red flag.
Two of the Ohio Synod members of the Intersynodical Committee had made a special
declaration in connection with the doctrine of election. They declared that they could not
say “that the so-called second form of the doctrine which had been used by the Lutheran
church for more than 300 years gives expression to another doctrine. 206 Shadows of a
second Opgjor were being cast.
And how did the ELS feel about the ominous shadow the Intersynodical Theses
were casting over the Synodical Conference? There is a telling personal letter between
two ELS pastors, J.E. Thoen and G.A. Gullixson, dated February 5, 1926. In it Thoen
expresses his doubts about the outcome of the Intersynodical Theses, but also an alarming
optimism he sees in especially the Missouri men at these meetings,
205 John P. Meyer, “What is the Purpose of Organizing the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of North America”
Theologishe Quartalschrift 23, 4 (Fall 1926), 285.
206 Schuetze, Synodical Conference, 201.
108