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)
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