Some Excerpts from John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics (1934)

 

 

On purported contradictions in the Bible:

 

Even if two doctrines of Scripture seem to contradict each other (e.g., gratis universalis, election particularis), the Christan theologian never admits a real contradiction, . . . But even if the Christian theological cannot adjust an apparent historical discrepancy to his full satisfaction, he does not charge Scripture with error, but leaves the matter undecided, mindful of Christ’s declaration that “the Scripture cannot be broken,” John 10, 35. (John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934], 111)

 

The Intercession of Christ:

 

This perpetual intercession of the exalted Christ has no atoning value . . . but merely applicative value . . . Heb. 7, 24. 25; 1 John 2, 1; Rom. 8, 34; that is to say, it relates to the gathering and preservation of the Church, or to the salvation of the elect . . . Rom. 8, 34; Heb. 7, 25; 1 John 2, 1. (John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934], 313)

 

Saving Faith and Reflexive Faith:

 

. . . saving faith has for its object the forgiveness of sins which was secured by Christ’s perfect obedience and is now offered to all sinners in the Gospel, Mark 16, 15. 16; Luke 24, 47. . . . In order to describe saving faith more fully, our dogmaticians have said: a) Saving faith is always fides specialis, or the special faith by which an individual believes that for Christ’s sake his sins are remitted him. (John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934], 322, 323)

 

Tacit Admission that Lutheran Theology Engages in “Legal Fiction”:

 

When we speak of justification as a forensic, or judicial, act, we must note, however, that there is a distinctive between the judgment of the civil courts and that of God. The civil courts justify, or declare righteous, the just and condemn the wicked. Those who justify the wicked and condemn the just are an abomination to the Lord, Prov. 17, 15. But God in the act of justification, justifies the ungodly, Rom. 4. 5, and this on the valid ground that Christ by His perfect obedience has paid the debt for the wicked, Is. 53, 5. 6; 2 Cor. 5, 21. (John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934], 374-75)

 

 

 

Pre-millennialism as a heresy:

 

Millennialism (millenarianism) has no Scriptural foundation whatever. The passages which are usually quoted in its favor (Is. 2, 2-4; 11, 6-9; Zech. 9, 9. 10; Joel 3, 2 ff.; Micah 4, 1-4; Rev. 20, 1-10) do not predict a millennial reign at all, but describe the spiritual glory of the Church of the New Testament, which is brought about through the coming of the Messiah and the preaching of the Gospel throughout the whole world, Luke 2, 13. 14; 1, 76-79; 1, 46-55.

 

Chiliasm is not only unscriptural, however, but also anti-Scriptural. It expressly contradicts Holy Scripture, which plain teaches, a) that the time of the New Testament, and especially the last days before Christ’s coming, shall be a period of great persecution and suffering for all who love the Lord Jesus Christ, John 16, 33; Matt. 24, 9-13. 21-27; Luke 21, 16. 17; and b) that Christ’s kingdom is not earthly and external, but spiritual and internal, John 14, 27; 16, 33; Rom. 5, 1-5; Luke 17, 20. 21; Mark 1, 14. 15; Luke 10, 9-11; Rom. 14, 17-19. Moreover, by directing the Christian hope to a worldly reign of Christ, chiliasm misdirects and thus destroys the true Christian hope, which steadfastly looks for that wonderful glory of heaven, Phil. 3, 20. 21; 1 Cor. 1, 6-8, into which the Church Militant shall be gathered at Christ’s second coming, Matt. 25, 34; 5, 3. 10-12. (John Theodore Mueller, Christian Dogmatics: A Handbook of Doctrinal Theology for Pastors, Teachers, and Laymen [St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1934], 622-23)