Strangers to Sisters - Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary Library: Essays

the Ohio Synod. 98 This method led to, at least in the eyes of Koehler, Pieper and Schaller,
a more Scriptural approach to Lutheran theology. Stoeckhardt himself notes that such an
approach had the following positive results in the Election Controversy,
Precisely in these days God has pointed us toward
Scripture, as with an outstretched finger. The doctrinal
strife of the last years has directed us once more to
Scripture. We have become aware anew of the proper
principle of Lutheran theology, and that is the Scriptural
principle. We confront face to face old and new opponents
and hold fast: We let the Word remain, as it reads, and we
renounce on principle all rational connected rhyme. 99
But the exegetical task for Stoeckhardt is not something to remain in a glass case,
broken only in the case of doctrinal emergency. Rather, Stoeckhardt instilled in his
students the importance of diligent, continuous study of the Holy Scripture, especially in
the original Greek and Hebrew. “Diligent, continuous mediation brings also tentatio
(temptation) with it, for the devil in all respects impeding to the Word, and propels one
into prayer, and so scriptural study makes proper theology” became Stoeckhardt’s take on
Luther’s maxim. 100
And for Stoeckhardt, like the Wauwatosa theologians, true understanding of
Scripture happens only when one takes seriously the simple clear meaning of words,
grammar and syntax of the original language. To forego this analysis is to give short
shrift to the theological task of the pastor. Forsaking the exegesis of the original biblical
texts for the writings of the Lutheran fathers opened the door for misunderstanding at the
least and doctrinal aberration at the worst,
98 The Anti-Missourian Brotherhood was the name of the group that broke away from the Norwegian
Synod over the Election Controversy. This group eventually merged with the Norwegian-Danish
Conference and the Norwegian Augustana Synod to form the United Norwegian Lutheran Church in
America.
99 Joel Pless, “George Stoeckhardt: The Exegetical Task,” (lecture, 39 th annual Bethany Reformation
Lectures, Mankato, MN, October 26-27 2005), 9.
100 Pless, George Stoeckhardt…, 10.
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