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| Just don't mention Justification by Faith, even if Bob Preus (Rolf's dad) taught it from the old Lutheran dogmatics. |
Jim Craig (Jcraig) Junior Member Username: Jcraig Post Number: 33 Registered: 1-2016 |
In this fiftieth anniversary year of the Seminex fiasco at CSL, one name to be remembered with thankfulness is Rev. Herman Otten. In the current issue of Christian News, a publication started by Pr. Otten, a 1974 article from Christianity Today is reprinted and outlines his activities during this crucial time period. Most familiar with Otten know that he was denied certification in the synod even by the conservative administration which prevailed in the struggle. As a student at CSL during the ‘60s he was one of the first voices to point to heresies being taught at the seminary. According to this article, he was ostracized for not following proper protocols in exposing heresies being taught. It seems he should have been thanked, not ostracized for the great service he rendered to the church. Can anyone, such as Pr. Preus, provide a more complete explanation of Herman Otten’s banishment from the LCMS? He served faithfully for many years in a congregation in New Haven, MO, but was never certified by the LCMS. It seems like a terrible injustice was perpetrated on this faithful servant. Jim Craig | ||
     Rolf David Preus (Rolf) Senior Member Username: Rolf Post Number: 11254 Registered: 5-2001 |
My son Andrew is now pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in New Haven, Missouri where Pastor Otten served for many years. Rev. Otten published a multivolume "Christian News Encyclopedia" several years ago that would give you all the information you need about how he was blackballed out of the LCMS. Here is the web address for Christian News: https://www.christiannewsmo.com/ The short story is that he made public what he was taught in the classroom at the St. Louis seminary. The seminary argued he had no right to do that, and he argued he did. The matter was adjudicated and Otten won, but they didn't let him in. He had many supporters and many critics. He was a bold confessor of God's truth, a good husband and father, and a faithful pastor. Yes, he was mistreated by the LCMS, but he was not embittered by it. He just kept on confessing until he died. A good example for us to follow. Rolf David Preus |
