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| Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry |
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| This is a great book to read - everyone should know about Passavant. |
No part of the
church, least of all of the Lutheran Church, dare claim that
she knows and understands all truth. A church or a section of
the church that boasts and vaunts as if she had assimilated
and embodied all the treasures of divine wisdom and knowledge
only shows her Phariseeism and ignorance. The church and her
people, even the wisest and best of them, must be ever willing
and eager to learn. –
George Henry Gerberding, from the
Introduction to English Lutheranism in the Northwest
by George Henry Trabert, copyright 1912 by the General
Council, Philadelphia.
***
GJ - Funny how I often think of this, and the thought is often taken way too far into doctrinal indifference apostasy. I told the reader who sent this, from Gerberding, yes and no.
Gerberding showed a little too much enthusiasm for every church leader he admired - in one dedication. I recall him listing Oberlin and Spener, though Spener had his Luther-centric moments (far more often than WELS-LCMS-ELS leaders, who rate a zero). Spener was an early editor of Luther's sermons.
Gerberding contributed valuable works, which are often overlooked today, such as The Way of Salvation. Also,The Lutheran Pastor is very good, a perfect antidote for a visit from the lastest Fulleroid from the synod. (A Fulleroid is a veteran of Fuller who is a royal pain. It requires surgery.)
The Passavant book should be studied by all Lutheran pastors. He was a true hero of the Lutheran Church, helping entire synods, building institutions, emphasizing the Lutheran Confessions - not just talking about them.
He was one of the giant oaks of the Lutheran Church. Now we only have weeds.
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| George H. Gerberding |
(August 21, 1847–March 27, 1927). B. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; educ. Thiel Coll. and Muhlenberg Coll. (see Ministry, Education of, VIII A 7, 11); ordained 1876; pastor and miss. in Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Dakota; founder and 1st pres. Syn. of the Northwest, pres.Chicago Syn. (see United Lutheran Church, Synods of, 20, 8); prof. Chicago Luth. Sem. and Northwestern Luth. Sem. (see Ministry, Education of, XI B 6, 10). Works include The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church; Life and Letters of W. A. Passavant, DD; The Lutheran Pastor; The Lutheran Catechist; The Lutheran Church in the Country; Lutheran Fundamentals; R. F. Weidner.
G. H. Gerberding, Reminiscent Reflections of a Youthful Octogenarian (Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1928).
