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| The free ebook, The Way of Salvation, is found here at the Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry. It may be in print soon. |
Lutheran Layman:
In The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church, George Gerberding gives a great example of what happens with those who do not believe in the Efficacy of the Word, The Office of the Keys, and The Means of Grace. Revivals were sweeping across 19th century America. In its wake, it left the ashes in such area as the "Burnt Over District" of upstate New York. The pastors in the General Council often had to pick up the pieces in their mission work. The following is an excerpt from chapter 23 called Revivals:
"We object to the modern revival system, because it rests on an entire misconception of the coming and work of the Holy Spirit. The idea seems to be that the Holy Spirit is not effectively present in the regular and ordinary services of the sanctuary, that since the day of Pentecost He has come and worked with power during every revival and then departed to be absent until the next.
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| George Gerberding wrote about building congregations and was known for accomplishing genuine growth based on Biblical doctrine. Who would have guessed that he did not need gourmet coffee, no-talent rock groups, and marketing studies? Doth ye wish to measure Werning's and Ron Roth's fame? - look around at the destruction. |
This is directly contrary to the teaching of the Divine Word. When Jesus was about to leave His disciples, He said, John 14:16: “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” From these words, and others spoken by our Saviour, two things are plain: That the Comforter came as the visible Christ’s substitute, and that He came to abide. The system also undervalues the divinely ordained means of grace. Little if any renewing grace is expected from the sacrament of Christian baptism. Few if any conversions are expected from the regular and ordinary preaching of the Word. Little if any spiritual nourishment is expected from the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Because the regular Church ordinances are thus undervalued, they are largely fruitless. Few conversions are expected during the ten or eleven months of regular church services. It naturally follows that the unconverted will shake off all serious thoughts under the regular church services, under the plea that they will give this matter attention when the next revival comes around. And even the work of sanctification for the saints is largely crowded into the few weeks of revival. It is doubtless for this reason that we find so much levity and irreverence in many so called revival churches. Because the Holy Spirit is not supposed to be effectively present in the Word and Sacraments, there is nothing inspiring and uplifting in these things. A careful observer can not fail to notice that in churches which believe in grace through the means of grace, there is an atmosphere of deeper solemnity and more earnest devotion than in such revival churches. Another objection to the modern revival system is the utter indifference to doctrine that generally goes hand in hand with its methods and practices. To “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints” seems to be altogether out of place at a modern revival. The popular sentiment is: it makes no difference what a person believes, or to what church he belongs, or indeed, whether he belongs to any, if only he is converted, if only his heart is right! Hence we find but small provision, if any, for doctrinal instruction in the revival system. Those who are expected to be gathered in and brought to Christ, are left in ignorance of the great doctrines of sin and salvation.
They have the most imperfect conception of God’s Way of Salvation. And yet they are expected to enter upon that way and walk in it! The first and great object of the revivalist seems to be to work directly on the emotional nature of his hearers. And when the feelings are aroused, when the excitement is up, the hearers are urged to come forward, stand up, to follow the saw-dust trail, etc. Now there is no true religion without feeling, no true piety without heartfelt sorrow for sin, longings for union and fellowship with God, together with a childlike trust and love to Him. But when Paul was sent to convert the Gentiles, he was directed first of all “to open their eyes,” that is; to instruct them, and then to “turn them from darkness to light.” The revivalist, however, makes a short cut and goes at once to the feelings, contrary to the Scriptures and to the laws of the mind. Therefore the revivalist not only permits, but encourages the ignorant and inexperienced to assist in exhorting and helping such as are inquiring after life and salvation. But, “can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall in the ditch?” Better let these novices sit at the feet of Christ! We may also mention the proselyting spirit that so often accompanies this system. How with all its protestations of charity, brotherly love, and union, it often runs out into the meanest spirit of casting aspersions on others and stealing from their churches. We might speak of the divided churches that often result. As Dr. Krauth once forcible said: “They are united to pieces, and revived to death.” No wonder, that in sections of our country where this system has held sway, worldliness and skepticism abound. These places have been aptly called “burnt districts.” It seems next to impossible to make lasting impressions for good on such communities."
In Christ,
