Has the Lord declared the whole world righteous? The answer to this question shapes one’s deep understanding of the gospel. The Columbus Theological Magazine dedicated its first volume to examining this subject in depth. The contents of this book have never been successfully refuted.
“The doctrine which has been taught in the Lutheran Church during these three centuries has been established by the Scriptures, and defended against all foes, to the satisfaction of a host of eminent theologians whose linguistic learning and whose logical acumen have not been surpassed in any church or in any age. They sifted evidence closely; they thought upon the subject profoundly; they defended their doctrine triumphantly. They were not ignorant of the objections which could be urged against them. These objections were examined and refuted.” — Matthias Loy, ed.
Matthias Loy (1828-1915) was a giant of American Lutheranism. He served as president of the Joint Synod of Ohio, the Columbus Seminary and Capital University, and edited the Lutheran Standard and the Columbus Theological Magazine. In 1881 he withdrew the Joint Synod from the Synodical Conference as a result of Walther’s teaching about predestination. Many of Matthias Loy’s books are available in Lutheran Library editions.
Level of Difficulty: Intermediate: Some subject matter knowledge helpful.
Book Contents
Acknowledgment
Vol. I. February, 1881. No. 1.
Introductory.—the Burning Question.
Missouri Retractions.
The Divinity Of Christ In The Old Testament. By Prof. George H. Schodde, Ph. D.
“Das Wort Sie Sollen Lassen Stan!” [You should let the Word stand!] By Prof. C. H. L. Schuette, A. M.
Predestination. Translated from Dr. J. G. Baieri Compendium Theologiae Positivae by Prof. C. A. Frank.
Vol. I. April, 1881. No. 2.
The Formula Of Concord On Predestination.
I. The Difference Between Foreknowledge and Election
II. How Predestination is to be Completed
III. How We May Know the Elect
The Ultimate Ground Of Salvation.
The Status Controversiae As Formulated By Dr. Walther. By Prof. C. H. L. Schuette, A. M.
The Status Controversiae Reconstructed.
Concerning The Election To Eternal Life. Translated From Dr. Conrad Dietrich’s “Institutiones Catecheticae,” Published In 1613. By Prof. Geo. H. Schodde, Ph. D.
I. In order that the matter of the gratuitous election to eternal life of those who truly believe may be better understood, I wish you to explain to me what election is.
II. What is the character of this purpose and good pleasure of the divine will, according to which He has decreed. to save those who believe in Christ?
III. What are these causes and means of our salvation?
IV. In order that we may treat more fully of these matters singly I wish you to demonstrate by the firm testimony of Scriptures, I. That God according to His purpose seriously seeks and desires the salvation of all men?
V. Demonstrate II. that according to the purpose of God Christ died and made satisfaction for the sin of all men without exception.
VI. Demonstrate III. that according to the purpose of God this universal merit of Christ must be offered to all men without exception through the preaching of the Gospel.
VII Demonstrate finally IV. that God, according to is purpose, wishes that all should be saved by faith.
VIII But if God through the means mentioned seriously wills that all. should be saved, how does it happen that not all men are in fact saved?
IX. But what are the causes that not all and every one, to whom the Gospel is preached, receive faith from it, believe, and are saved?
X. But what is the reason that most men become reprobates and are condemned?
XI. Here this one thing must yet be asked: Can those who truly believe and who are elected, deprive themselves of, or lose faith and the grace of the indwelling Holy Spirit through mortal sins?
Vol. I. June, 1881. No. 3.
The Formula Of Concord On Predestination. (conclusion.)
IV. Why Are Not All Men Elect?
V. The Utility of the Doctrine Taught
VI. Secret and Inscrutable
VII. Further Elucidations
VIII. Difficulties Resolved
IX. Practical Importance of the Doctrine
Missouri On The Defensive.
Missouri Election Subversive Of The Universality Of Grace.
To Fight Back - Zur Wehre. By An Old Lutheran.
The Status Controversiae and E. W. K. (An Open Letter.) By C. H. L. Schuette.
Has the Lord declared the whole world righteous? The answer to this question shapes one’s deep understanding of the gospel. The Columbus Theological Magazine dedicated its first volume to examining this subject in depth. The contents of this book have never been successfully refuted. “The doctrine which has been taught in the Lutheran Church during these three centuries has been established by the Scriptures, and defended against all foes, to the satisfaction of a host of eminent ...
“Formerly the whole Evangelical Lutheran Church was unanimous in the conviction that Luther was the divinely commissioned Reformer of the Church and the herald of divine truth. But now (many) deny him this honor. They maintain, of course without the least proof, that he erred in various articles of faith, and do not hesitate to dispute his vocation as a Reformer. How easily, under such circumstances, may not even faithful Lutherans be led to waver in their faith, especially when ...
“The doctrine of Justification by Faith alone, was the turning point of the Reformation; it was the experience of its necessity and efficacy in the heart of Martin Luther that constituted his best qualification for the work of the Reformation; and as it distinguished the Lutheran Church from the Church of Rome, so it has come to be regarded as the distinguishing mark of separation between Protestantism and Romanism.” — Emanuel Greenwald Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject ...
“In these godless and worldly times we must earnestly and diligently preach conversion. We must insist on its necessity. We must reason, exhort, convince, beseech, and plead; ‘Turn ye, turn ye; why will ye die?'” “We must explain from the divine Word what is the nature of this change. We must labor to have the plainest hearer understand this vital subject and his personal relation to it. We must show how God, who alone has the power to give the new life, yet has ...
“Once family devotions were general, now they are rare… Yet the need of spiritual adjustment is ever the same… But how and when? Why not the breakfast table? Surely one or two minutes may be spared. Thirty seconds of silence, then the reading of a noble sentiment from some one who has been thinking for us,—another pause,—and a few words of prayer, framed by some one with more leisure than we have, but who puts us in the mood of prayer and so starts us right upon the duties of the day,—this ...
“Only one, true Christian Church exists, and that Church is made up of all those who sincerely believe in Christ as their Savior. The true Church, then, is invisible, including members of all denominations, even those without a denomination or formal affiliation. Only God can judge the heart, so one cannot judge whether a person has saving faith from his membership in one denomination or another.” — Gregory L Jackson We are pleased to offer this book with the express approval ...
“Human reason and inclination are always in their natural state averse to the doctrine of Justification by Faith. Hence it is no wonder that earth and hell combine in persistent efforts to banish it from the Church and from the world.” — Matthias Loy Level of Difficulty: Primer: No subject matter knowledge needed. The Great Doctrine of Christianity “This great doctrine of the sinner’s justification by faith in the Redeemer of the world, who lived and suffered and ...