Jim Craig (Jcraig)
Junior Member
Username: Jcraig
Post Number: 33
Registered: 1-2016
| | Posted on Monday, November 04, 2024 - 4:36 pm: |    |
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
| | Posted on Monday, November 04, 2024 - 5:34 pm: | |
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 |
Alan Lubeck (1431)
Senior Member
Username: 1431
Post Number: 2156
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 03, 2025 - 3:32 pm: | |
The seminary argued that Otten didn't have the right to make public what he was being taught?? What on earth did those particular heretics think the purpose of a seminary training public ministers is anyway? |
Karl Randolph (Oracle)
Senior Member
Username: Oracle
Post Number: 1063
Registered: 7-2018
| | Posted on Friday, January 03, 2025 - 8:08 pm: | |
We need a Herman Otten today! It should be easier today to prove that the profs are teaching heresy than it was in his day.
Of course the heretics think that the purpose of a seminary is to teach heresy. And to get a nice comfortable salary doing it. |
Jojakim Dettmann (Random_layman)
Senior Member
Username: Random_layman
Post Number: 4439
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2025 - 4:05 pm: | |
Rev. Edward Engelbrecht is a second Herman Otten of sorts.
For a second Herman Otten to accomplish things, there needs to be a counterpart in action. Herman Otten was heard by people who participated in the quasi-democratic synodical structure.
Today, the consolidation of power in a secret organization (United List) insulates the centers of power from second Herman Ottens. It is possible to solve this problem by declaring the United List to be an inimical organization under Bylaw 3.9.5.4.1.
“Pastors and congregations alike must avoid membership or participation in any organization that in its objectives, ceremonies, or practices is inimical to the Gospel of Jesus Christ or the faith and life of the Christian church.”
The use of sortition and donor licensing may also help:
http://www.lutherquest.org/cgi-bin/discus40/show.c gi?tpc=133165&post=314938#POST314938
http://www.lutherquest.org/cgi-bin/discus40/show.c gi?tpc=133311&post=313225#POST313225 |
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