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Issue 14

The Closer to Luther the Better the Theologian

by August Pieper
translated by Andrew Hussman

This essay written by August Pieper, entitled Quo propior Luthero, eo melior theologus, appeared in volume 14 of Theologische Quartalschrift in 1917, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the 95 Theses and the Reformation. While holding true to the doctrine of sola Scriptura, Pieper distinguishes Martin Luther from great men of other eras by highlighting his simple, child-like faith and trust in God and the Word. He discusses why it is essential for both church leaders and laypeople to continue to study Luther and provides several different approaches to studying Luther effectively.

Gold Nugget No. 7: First Sermon on the Festival of Reformation

by C.F.W. Walther
translated by Aaron Jensen

Walther delivered this sermon in 1861. In it he reminds the heirs of the Reformation exactly what they have inherited and encourages them to cling to it.

Gold Nugget No. 8: Second Sermon on the Festival of Reformation

by C.F.W. Walther
translated by Aaron Jensen

In this Reformation sermon, first preached in 1856, Walther celebrates the great freedoms which the Gospel brings.

Stewardship Sermon

by Adolf Hoenecke
translated by Evan Chartrand, Benjamin Ehlers, and Benjamin Reichel

Hoenecke preached this sermon in 1890 on the eleventh Sunday after Trinity. It was translated as part of the American German Lutheran Writings Class in 2009.

Disputation about the Creation of Man in the Image of God and the Horrible Destruction of that Image

by Jakob Andreae
translated by Aaron Jensen

In this disputation, Andreae points out that arguing about words for the sake of words is a waste of time that only brings about confusion and discord, yet the words are vitally important insofar as they preserve and defend God's revealed truth, and in that case are worth fighting for. Andreae shows that only through a correct understanding of the image of God and of original sin is our salvation and God's honor properly upheld.

I Know My Name in Heav’n Is Written

by Salomon Franck
translated by Aaron Jensen

Salomon Franck (1659-1725) was a lawyer who was most famous for his poetry. Many of his poems were set to music by Johann Sebastian Bach. Among his many works are “I Leave All Things to God’s Direction” (CW414) and “O God, Forsake Me Not” (CW424). This hymn, which meditates on the joy that from eternity God has by grace and in Christ elected his own for heaven, is set to the melody “Wer Nur Den Lieben Gott” (CW444).

August Pieper

by Aaron Voss

August Otto Wilhelm Pieper was born on September 27, 1857, in Carwitz, Pomerania, as the second youngest son to August Berhnhard Pieper and his wife Bertha. The pedigree of this great Wisconsin synod pastor, professor, and theologian was not that of a pastor soldiering for the gospel, but rather that of a soldier in the Prussian army. His father followed a line of Piepers and served in the Prussian army. August’s father eventually reached the rank of corporal, but after a year in this position, he decided the private life better suited him. Pieper’s father was honorably discharged, and he transitioned from one leadership role to another. He became mayor of Carwitz and was highly respected as a peaceable man. He was by all accounts a good ruler, especially because he supported Frederick William III’s Prussian Union. His unionist support looked good on his résumé but could have been detrimental to the history of our beloved Synod.