Apparently the Augustana Ministerium (sic) is the recruiting tool for the Evangelical Lutheran Diocese of North America (ELDONA), much like Word Alone and the LCMC.
"It is a curious fact in denominational history, that, as an ordinary rule, the more large, catholic, and churchly the title of a sect, the smaller, narrower, and more sectarian is the body that bears it."
Charles P. Krauth, The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, Philadelphia: The United Lutheran Publication House, 1871, p. 115.
ELDONA seems to have about a dozen part-time congregations so far. The Augustana Ministerium title is historically confusing, since that was the name of a specific group of Swedish-American Lutheran ministers. In fact, Conrad Bergendoff's book about every single graduate of Augustana Seminary in Rock Island is called The Augustana Ministerium.
I am curious whether this conference is delving into doctrine and history or just repeating talking points from seminary.
Here are some ways to judge an essay or book:
- Does the author give a fair description of the opposing view, with accurate quotations? Giving one side of the argument is a logical fallacy called special pleading.
- What are the sources? All sides of the issue should be represented in the list of works cited.
- Are bromides used as a substitute for doctrinal discernment?
