Schrift 18: Walther's other 13 Theses- Inspiration, Luther's Doctrine

      This concludes from Part 17 (Table of Contents in Part 1) a series presenting an English translation of C.F.W. Walther's major essay on the Inspiration of Holy Scripture in the Missouri Synod's chief theological journal, Lehre und Wehre. — Walther is noted for his "Thirteen Theses" on the doctrine of Election of Grace, or Predestination.  But the following 13 Theses should be elevated to a similar level of importance in the Lutheran Church today.  To preface this listing, I repeat Walther's statements introducing Luther's own words (see Part 7):

“There is no essential aspect in the doctrine of inspiration of our systematicians that could not be substantiated by Luther's clear statements.  Let  us then, for the following main aspects of the doctrine of inspiration of our dogmatists, obtain the evidence from Luther's writings:”

Walther's Thirteen Theses – Luther's Doctrine of Inspiration

I. All of Holy Scripture is a work of the Holy Spirit. (Parts 8 & 9)

II. There is a specific difference between a prophet in the true sense and a worldly and indirectly enlightened pure teacher. (Part 10)

III. In the Holy Scriptures, nothing is in vain. (Part 10)

IV. The Scripture is free of error. (Part 11)

V. The Scripture is nowhere in contradiction with itself. (Part 12)

VI. At each letter and tittle of Scripture is infinitely much located, and the whole Church is bound to all of them. (Part 12)

VII. The simplistic presentation peculiar to Scripture, and the description therein of minor things, God himself has the Holy Spirit as author. (Part 13)

VIII. Even where the Scriptures report on sexual matters which are offensive to the natural sentiment, the Holy Spirit himself is the correspondent. (Part 13)

IX. Also the lack of proper order, which seems to be found here and there in the Scriptures, has its reason in the wisdom of God the Holy Spirit. (Part 14)

X. Also what the Scriptures say of Natural History is said by God the Holy Spirit Himself. (Part 15)

XI. Also the chronological information in the Holy Scriptures is of divine origin. (Part 15)

XII. The interpretation of the Old Testament given by Christ and the Apostles is the authentic interpretation of the Holy Spirit Himself. (Part 16)

XIII. Even where one cannot understand the Scriptures, one must contemplate and treat them with holy awe and confess one's ignorance. (Part 17)

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      Let no Lutheran teacher of today deceive you – this is Luther's doctrine.  Let no Lutheran teacher deceive you concerning "Lutheran Orthodoxy" or the "dogmaticians", for all their essential teachings on this doctrine were established by Luther. And Walther is to be credited as the leader in presenting Luther's doctrine to our modern age.  Those who purposely avoid (or twist) Walther and claim Luther for their cause are demonstrated to be weak at best, false teachers at worst.

SOLA SCRIPTURA!  Amen! Amen!