Read about him and his daughter Lois here.
I became a Lutheran at the age of 16, when there was great excitement about the publishing of Luther's work. In my seventh grade class at John Deere Junior High, Moline, the teacher mentioned Luther and half the class erupted in cheers.
The typical Syn Conference pastor does not read Luther or grasp his basic teachings. The professors are even worse, passing along their ignorance and veiled animosity.
The Hyper-Europeans of the LCMS seem to read every theologian except Luther.
Chemnitz is ignored. Chytraeus is unknown.
WELS makes a point of putting down Lenski, a man of remarkable achievement. He was a parish pastor, a district president, a seminary professor and dean, and the author of many books beside his famous New Testament commentary.
The authors mentioned above would be the best antidotes to the neo-Pietism buzz of today. No one who read Examination of the Council of Trent would think of joining Rome.
A study of Luther's basic writing would destroy UOJ forever.
The best one-volume companion to Lutheran theology is the Book of Concord, which contains the writings of Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz, and Chytraeus.
My favorite Book of Concord symbol is the Large Catechism of Luther, which was edited from his sermons.
A close second is the Formula of Concord, because all the topics of today are addressed in eloquent, clear language. You will never hear the UOJ fanatics quote from "The Righteousness of Faith" or even ponder the meaning of that sub-section. They have far greater authorities to quote, like J. P. Meyer from Cocoa, MO.
The Schwaermer are allergic to these authors because they detect the aroma of pesticide: they are the pests.
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Shelby County History
In 1899, the Lenski family took up residence in the Anna parsonage as Pastor Lenski began his duties. In 1907, he saw the dedication of St. Jacob Evangelical Lutheran Church which he helped design and oversee in construction. Today this 92 year old edifice still stands as a testimony to his vision and foresight to build a magnificent house of worship.
In 1930, my father, Rev. F.J. Mittermaier, became the pastor of St. Jacob Church. He had been instructed at the seminary by Dr. Lenski. My father devoted all his energy to the work of the Lord. He loved to read scripture in the original Greek and would often have to be told to "put down his book and eat his oatmeal before it got cold." Receiving an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree as the most outstanding rural pastor in Ohio, he preferred not to be known by any title but that of pastor. Throughout the 33 years of his ministry in Anna, he maintained the deepest regard for his mentor, Dr. Lenski. For him it was a special blessing to be pastor of the Anna church. Often he loved to go to the church, sit in the pew, and watch the rays of the setting sun as it shone brilliantly on the head of Christ window above the altar.
In 1932, the congregation celebrated its 100th anniversary. Dr. Lenski returned to preach. As a small child, I clearly recall seeing this man who had olive skin, a heavy mustache, and intense blue eyes. Dressed in a white linen suit and Panama straw hat, he was a striking figure as he smoked a large cigar. After asking permission of my mother, he took my hand and off we went to the local ice cream parlor.
