Fendt2: Behnken, Bohlmann, the Preus cousins

      This continues from Part 1 in a 3-part series (Table of Contents in Part 1) presenting certain highlights from the 1980 book by ALC theologian Edward C. Fendt regarding the controversies between the LC–MS and the ALC. — We continue our sampling of quotes:

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264 ff.: July 7-9, 1960 – big meeting between LC-MS and NLC: LC–MS: John Behnken, Martin Franzmann (see above p. 191), Alfred Fuerbringer, H. J. A. Bouman (Dean of Systematics), Oliver Harms (1st VP), L.B. Meyer, (Planning Counselor),  Norman Nagel (Cambridge-Ev Luth Ch of England), Th. Nickel (Pres. N. Ill. Dist.), Wittmer (3rd VP); NLC men: Bergendoff, Fendt, Menter, etc. for the National Lutheran Council  – “President John W. Behnken presided and opened the session with prayer.” [Behnken was already in fellowship with the NLC. Others were there to back him up!]

270: Franzmann: “Both therefore submit in principle to the authority of the Scriptures.” [Franzmann grants the opposition with submitting to the “authority of the Scriptures”, indicating that he did not, because they did not.]

270: Franzmann: “"The NLC presentation tends to view the 'Doctrine of the Gospel' in antithesis to 'whole theological systems' and to emphasize its basic simplicity. The Missouri presentation views the Doctrine of the Gospel in its organic connection with the whole of divine revelation and therefore tends to stress the innate comprehensiveness and complexity of the Doctrine of the Gospel. [Franzmann is utterly unclear on the “differences”. This is not about knowledge of languages, this is about theology and doctrine, and Franzmann falls into a mud hole. This is confirmed by the followup statement:] “It was generally agreed that the two papers supplement each other.”

280 ff.: Nov. 18-19, 1960 – 2nd big meeting, LC-MS and NLC: Bouman, Tappert, “Confessional Subscription”, 

280: "In this respect there is a danger of a "legalistic use" of the Confessions" [This smokescreen wording that is trying to hide a quatenus, or conditional, subscription to the Lutheran Confessions.]

281: “term "tension" was questioned and subsequently changed to "distinction."" ["Tension" says it better for truth cannot stand with false. There should have been no agreement if differences remained.]

283: “Both of the meetings on "Doctrinal Conversations of Lutheran Cooperation" were characterized by friendly exchange of convictions and opinions. The last action quoted in the above minutes virtually meant full steam ahead to explore real cooperation between the participating [syncretistic] groups. Everybody present seemed happy over the progress being made.”

 

290: "President Harms brought along a strong committee, all of them except one continuing as members from the former panel in the doctrinal discussions. The sole exception was Dr. J. A. O. Preus, then president of Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois.: [J. A. O. Preus would play a large role in the events of the 1974 Walkout.]

300: Fendt: “My overriding concern stems from the fragile status of this fellowship at the present time (November 1978) [Fendt sees the LC–MS drifting away from ALC.]

300-1: “... always remembering the explanation of the eighth commandment in Luther's Small Catechism…  I have often wondered whether writers in Christian News, Affirm, and the Confessional Lutheran, et al have remembered this injunction. I do not want to become guilty of character assassination.” [Fendt implies these publications broke the 8th commandment, and were “guilty of character assassination”.]

302: “In the words of one contemporary church historian not in the A.L.C., but for valid reasons does not want his name alluded to here, "this is the stuff that makes church history alive and meaningful."" [I strongly suspect this was CHI Director August Suelflow.]

304: “enabling men to proclaim the Word of God to save the sinner” [this phrasing leaves the impression that man’s proclamation “saves the sinner”, but actually the sinner is already saved and needs only believe the Gospel!]

306-7: “The LC-MS gave its approval for this fellowship with the A.L.C. with a decisive majority vote in its 1969 Convention. At the 1969 LC-MS Convention Dr. Harms was not re-elected as president of his church. He was succeeded by Dr. J.A.O. Preus. However, that convention commended Harms for his leadership in the fellowship negotiations … and did not comply with Dr. Preus' suggestion to delay the vote of approval until more definitive statements could be made in the areas of the inspiration, inerrancy, and authority of Holy Scripture by the negotiating commissioners.” [The 1969 LC–MS convention was schizophrenic by approving fellowship with the ALC and electing J.A.O. Preus. The Synod would later reverse itself.]

314-5: “In the service [Sept. 1970, installation of Richard Schultz as Pres. of CTS-Springfield] when the time came for greetings from other seminaries, Dr. John Tietjen, then president of Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Louis, was the first speaker. In his greeting he included a recital of the covenant made by David and Jonathan over against King Saul when the king threatened them. He asked his new counterpart in Springfield to join him in a similar covenant and in his reply Dr. Schultz accepted the offer. Most of the persons present readily understood who was being referred to in the portrayal of King Saul.” [J.A.O. Preus referred to as King Saul and Schultz joined with John Tietjen against J.A.O.P.]

316: “1971. Chief essayist for the LC-MS during all these years of meetings has been Dr. Ralph Bohlman. His in-depth approach and well-organized materials have always impressed the Commission.” [This “in-depth approach” – was it any different than Franzmann??] … This has always been a refreshing interlude when each delegation learns at first hand that the situation in the other church is not as bad as it was made out to be by some agitator, news release, or disaffected commentator." [These "disaffected commentators" were the watchmen on the walls defending orthodoxy.]

 316: “It is fortunate that the presidents of our two churches are cousins. [J.A.O. Preus, David Preus] They have known each other since early childhood and can communicate with each other with genuine understanding and affection. Even though they may disagree in matters of ecclesiastical procedures, they share a common faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Both are committed to be faithful to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.” [Fendt would hardly admit to real doctrinal differences that David later described in his book Two Trajectories.]

317: WELS, John Behnken and prayer fellowship: "I well remember many years ago, when the old fellowship was broken between the Missouri and Wisconsin Synods, President Behnken and I … He told me how for many years he had had Thanksgiving Day dinner with a close relative (sister perhaps?) who belonged to a congregation of the Wisconsin Synod. He went on: "Now she will have been told that we cannot any longer pray together. What would you do?" [The theological leader of the LC–MS asked an ALC professor how to handle a question of fellowship.] I responded quickly: "I would pray with her" and he said "I shall.""  [Behnken practiced prayer fellowship with one who would not believe it proper and thereby do violence to her conscience. See Luke 14:26 – "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters…he cannot be my disciple".

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In the next Part 3 we conclude our series.