Some of the more difficult doctrines of Christianity, are also its foundation. As I surveyed the Convention Essays of the Old Missouri Synod (see here and here), the 1860 essay to the general Synod stood out as in great need of translation. This essay was referenced extensively by Dr. Franz Pieper in his Christian Dogmatics book (Vol. III, pages 191, 208-211; Christliche Dogmatik III, 224-225, 246-248) in the section dealing with the Lutheran doctrine of Absolution. As I proceeded to polish the translation, I could not avoid spending considerable time studying it, as it deals with the very heart of Christianity.
The essay's Theses were authored by Pastor Theo. J. Brohm, as reported by Pieper. This is probably why it has not been translated yet since it was not recognized as Walther's product. But since Walther was present, and there was considerable "free discussion" on this extremely important topic, I consider this essay to be as much a product of Walther as Brohm, probably more. In the year before, 1859, Walther had presented the first of his major essays on the Lutheran Doctrine Justification to the Western District and that naturally led into this "intimately connected" doctrine of Absolution. In my heart, there was no one but Walther who could have been so clear and forceful in teaching and defending this doctrine, even among his own pastors! The reader will note how even these pastors struggled with it. Any dear reader who struggles with the teaching of "UOJ", or Universal, Objective Justification, of the Lutheran Church will find adequate defense of it in this essay. — The essay is not excessively long at 25 pages. It deserves careful study by all pastors, and all who covet their soul's salvation. What follows is my partially polished, somewhat imperfect, translation with my personal highlighting for my own benefit in study it. Walther's 1859 essay has been identified as his "LDJ" essay. I would now give this essay the name of
the 1860 "LDA" essay:
A DOCX file of the above may be downloaded here.
The errors of Romanizing Lutherans, the Reformed (especially Methodists), and the Roman Catholic Church are exposed and defended against. May the reader benefit, as I have, in growing in faith. God Grant It! Amen.
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