One of best writings to come out of the LC–MS concerning the changes in the editions of the Cyclopedia was by CTS-FW Prof. Raymond F. Surburg in a 1977 "Book Review" of the 1975 print edition. It shows surprising candor about his own church body, the LC–MS. It is a good supplement to the history presented in the recent book Rediscovering the Issues edited by Dr. Ken Schurb. In fact it is so informative that I have decided to republish the entire 1500-word article on this blog in 3 parts, with numerous enhancements. Many hyperlinks have been added for immediate access to sources and for ease in comparing the significant and provocative changes. Excerpted from Concordia Theological Quarterly, April, 1977 (vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 99-109).:
%20crop.jpg "Dr. Raymond F. Surburg (1909-2001)")
Book Review
[by Raymond F. Surburg]
LUTHERAN CYCLOPEDIA. Erwin L. Lueker, editor. Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, Missouri, 1975. 845 pages. Cloth. $24.95.
In 1927 Concordia Publishing House published the Concordia Cyclopedia: A Handbook of Religions Information, with Special Reference to the History, Doctrine, Work and Usages of the Lutheran Church [Internet Archive]. It was Theodore Graebner who first suggested this reference work and he served on the editorial board until 1923, but in that year was replaced by Paul E. Kretzmann, with Ludwig Fuerbringer and Theodore Engelder serving as editors from the very start. They were assisted by a number of notable scholars in Synod. This volume reflected the conservative stance of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod on all matters presented and discussed.
In 1954 its successor appeared utilizing materials that had appeared in its 1927 predecessor, but under the editorship of Dr. Erwin Lueker. Naturally this volume endeavored to present matters of Biblical interpretation, systematic theology, church history, life and worship in the church as they were understood and practiced in the two decades that had elapsed since 1927. Renamed as Lutheran Cyclopedia, it was expanded to 1160 pages. William F. Arndt, Richard R. Caemmerer, Otto A. Dorn, and Frederick Mayer served as editorial advisers. A number of professors and scholarly pastors served as consultants. [Surburg passes over commenting on the changes from 1927 to 1954, preferring to focus on the change from 1954 to 1975. More on this later.]
In 1975 Concordia issued a Revised Edition of the 1954 Lutheran Cyclopedia, again with Dr. Erwin Lueker (now a Seminex professor [Surburg now begins his criticisms.]) serving as editor. In the preface to the 1975 edition the reader is told that numerous corrections, suggestions and criticisms poured in as soon as the 1954 edition appeared and all these were entered into a master copy before the decision was made to issue a revised edition. The editor states [page vi]:
The number of entries has been considerably increased, articles from the previous editions were carefully reworked, and the mechanics improved. Subjects on which information would be sought especially in a Lutheran cyclopedia are somewhat more complete than those on which information is available in many other reference works. Thus a length of an article is not necessarily a criterion of importance.
About 250 individuals, professors, district presidents, synodical executives, and others contributed to the revision. The views that now are dividing the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod are partially reflected in certain articles written by those sympathetic to the so-called “moderate movement” in the LCMS.
In contrast to the three volume The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church (Augsburg Publishing House, 1965), this cyclopedia reflects an emphasis on matters related to the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, but it does contain a wealth of material useful to Lutherans of other synods. There is also information of a general nature about Christianity in all lands and at all times and places. Like its predecessors, the 1975 revision covers the major subjects in the areas of Biblical interpretation, systematic theology, church history, and practical theology, which includes religious education, preaching, counselling, evangelism, and worship. The revised Lutheran Cyclopedia contains information on church bodies and their official teachings, hundreds of historic persons, and the religious status of other countries. Lutherans in the United States and Canada will find numerous discussions of topics of interest to American and Canadian Lutheranism. Short bibliographies at the end of many articles will be helpful for research students or those wishing to pursue a subject in greater depth. Few outstanding personalities in the history of Christianity are forgotten. People associated with American and European Lutheranism are given space; there is even a list of all synodical and district presidents of the LCA, ALC and LCMS.
As one compares the Concordia Cyclopedia, The Lutheran Cyclopedia, and the revised Lutheran Cyclopedia the observant reader will find theological shifts. …
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