Franz Delitzsch, who died on this day (March 4) in 1890 (b. February 23, 1813), was a prolific German Lutheran Old Testament scholar and writer. He taught at Rostock, Erlangen, and Leipzig, and was renowned for his scholarship and his defense of Jews against anti-Semitism. Possibly his most important work was his translation of the [...]

On this day (December 8) in 1854, the dogma of “immaculate conception” (the belief that Mary the mother of Jesus was preserved free from the effects of original sin from the moment of her conception) was entered into Roman Catholic doctrine by Pope Pius IX, who made the official declaration in the encyclical Ineffabilis Deus. [...]

Today (November 29) is the birthday of Anglican scholar and author some of the world’s most famous Christian fiction, C.S. Lewis, born on this day in 1898 in Belfast, Ireland (d. November 22 1963). Here are a couple of brief reflections from Lewis, on miracles and the incarnation. “The central miracle asserted by Christians is [...]

Today (November 8) marks the death (in 1527) of one of Luther’s most antagonistic theological opponents, Jerome (Hieronymus) Emser (b. March 20, 1477). Here is a part of one of Luther’s replies to Emser’s writings, subtitled “Emser’s Long Spear.” Your long spear is the spear of Goliath, and your short dagger, the dagger of Joab. [...]

Verse 7: And are trying to pervert the Gospel of Christ. They had, in fact, only introduced one or two commandments: circumcision and the observance of special days. But Paul says that the gospel was being undermined, in order to show that even a slight corruption can eliminate the whole thing. It is similar to [...]

…even believing theologians of the modern type are frequently too timid to use technical terms that are fully warranted by Biblical and ecclesiastical usage, because they are afraid that these terms might prove offensive to their audience. They are averse to speaking of hereditary sin in their sermons or of the wrath of God against [...]

Polycarp: “I know that through grace you are saved, not of works, but by the will of God, through Jesus Christ.” The Epistle of Philippians. Hermas: “I have heard, sir, said I, from some teacher, that there is no other repentance except that which took place when we went down into the water and obtained [...]

SIGNIFICANCE—PRINCIPLES AND IMPORTANCE OF PRIVATE SEELSORGE. WE now begin a new department of Pastoral Theology. We have studied the pastor in relation to his office and call, in his personal, intellectual, and devotional life, his position in society and his relation to Synod. We have looked upon him as the builder, leader, and guardian of [...]