A Brief History of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod: Part 1

and rest, it was neither commanded nor forbidden in Scripture. The theses also pointed out that we do worship on Sunday for the sake of order and, at the time, so-called "blue laws" ought to be observed in accordance with the Fourth Commandment.12 With today's society shaping the way it is, the future need in health care, especially geriatrics and the growing use of Sunday as a workday, no doubt this question will plague the Church again as it seeks to serve its members and neighbors with the Gospel.

Unwittingly the Synod found itself embroiled in a controversy over the issue of slavery. Prof. Laur Larsen, the Synod's representative on the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, was asked by a reporter of the Norwegian periodical, Emigranten, whether or not the seminary faculty favored the Southern cause. One must realize that, at the outbreak of the Civil War, Missouri was a border state. As a border state it was a slave state, but would remain with the North. Obviously the faculty at St. Louis would be caught in the midst of the debate. Prof. Larsen did not reply and his silence was taken by others as supporting the rebels (even though historians now believe that the German element kept Missouri in the Union). Prof. Larsen was thus induced to respond. The Synod resolution of 1861 fueled further debate on the matter from a hermeneutical standpoint. An appeal from Christiania (Norway) was inadequate as it contained contradictions and produced support for both sides. It must also be noted that the theological staff in Norway was ill-equipped to deal with the question - slavery was never an issue in the Fatherland!

Christian love was displayed toward Rev. Clausen as the Synod sought to clarify and resolve the issue. Finally in 1868, five years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and three years after Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Court House, VA, the Synod adopted the resolutions regarding slavery. The late date shows the determination of the Synod to clear up this matter, especially since the debate became a matter of Biblical interpretation. On a sad note, Pastor Clausen could not accept the final two theses and submitted his resignation from the Synod. His faction would eventually be part of the United Norwegian Church which would later be a part of the 1917 merger.13

Is justifaction universal? Have the sins of all been paid

Go To Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic