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By Martin R. Noland I am privileged to work as one of a number of editors at “LOGIA: A Journal of Lutheran Theology.” As an editor, I see final proofs of the issues before they go to print and our … Continue reading
Category Archives: Pastor Martin Noland
I believe that the LCMS is divided on the issue of the powers of the clergy. This does not refer to the authority that pastors have to preach and teach the Word of God, to administer the sacraments, to forgive … Continue reading
I used to be an avid reader of and subscriber to “First Things” magazine. Not because I agreed with the outlook of the editors or the stable of authors, but because they were interested in the same things I was … Continue reading
Moderates in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have not made much comment on the election of Matthew Harrison as President of the LCMS. This is wise, since they did not expect his election and their political plans for the future would … Continue reading
During the 1970s in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), the “liberal” faction referred to itself as the “moderates.” Richard John Neuhaus advised against this term, observing dryly that the LCMS never did anything in moderation. I always thought that, contra … Continue reading
Now that the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod has a new president, it can discuss the Benke case with less heat and more light. Maybe. At least the discussion is no longer REALLY about the next election. The “Benke case,” for those … Continue reading
The balloting for all offices of the synod are now done. Pastor Matthew Harrison is the new president of the Missouri Synod and Pastor Herb Mueller Jr. its first vice-president, by large margins. Pastors John Wohlrabe, Paul Maier, Daniel Preus, … Continue reading
In the “Brothers of John the Steadfast” article, “Nomination Numbers: What Does This Mean” (see https://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=9889 April 12, 2010), I opined that the nomination results for the President of the Synod indicated the “passing of a generation of Lutheran pastors … Continue reading
The June 2010 issue of “Christianity Today” (Vol. 54 #6, pp. 24-29) has an excellent article on denominational loyalty and the continued relevance of denominations in America. It is worth reading the whole article, and is presently not available online. … Continue reading
Opening my June 2010 Reporter to its centerfold (Vol. 36 #6; pp. 6-7) this morning, I read the article “President’s office nominees address issues in Synod.” Delegates to the 2010 convention of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod need to read that … Continue reading
In a recent post at the web-site of “Brothers of John the Steadfast,” I attempted to respond to those who have criticized the theological critique of doctrine and church practice that is frequently found at this site (see Criticism of … Continue reading
In the last couple of weeks, various members of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod have criticized the theological critique being published at Brothers of John the Steadfast (BJS). I am not going to defend everything that is published at BJS, because … Continue reading
The number of nominations for synodical president and vice-presidents were released last week. The most significant datum was the difference in nominations between the incumbent, President Gerald Kieschnick, and the leading candidate, the Rev. Matthew Harrison. The former … Continue reading
A recent post by the Rev. Dr. Timothy Rossow at “Brothers of the John the Steadfast” made me realize an extremely significant consequence of the Blue Ribbon Plan Recommendation #18. His post is at: https://steadfastlutherans.org/?p=9487. This is the … Continue reading
Yesterday we posted some news and commentary from Reclaim News on the intriguing situation with a congregation out in Oakland, California. The district is fighting to take the property away from the congregation. It is a story with as many … Continue reading
In a recent post on the blog “Brother’s of John the Steadfast,” the Rev. Dr. Tim Rossow comments on the eerie similiarity between President Obama’s health care plan and President Kieschnick’s synodical structure plan: Both are about Centralized Control – … Continue reading
Editor’s Note: Martin Noland posted a wide-ranging masterpiece of a comment on the Wendt commentary on the Forke-Worship Theses story. The title above was provided by the editor. Thank you, President Forke, for your contribution to this discussion; and thank … Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: for an introduction to this essay and for Part I click here. For Part II click here and for Part III cilck here for Part IV click here. This part of the paper completes the section on “Contemporary … Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: for an introduction to this essay and for Part I click here. For Part II click here and for Part III cilck here.) IV. Contemporary Challenges to Laymen’s Rights in the Missouri Synod – The Blue Ribbon Proposal … Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: for an introduction to this essay and for Part I click here. For Part II click here.) I am surprised that so few church historians have commented on the role of laymen in the reform and later establishment … Continue reading
(Editor’s Note: for an introduction to this essay and for Part I click here.) Before we look at contemporary challenges to laymen’s rights in Lutheran congregations, I would like to take you on a historical tour of the idea. … Continue reading
Church historian and regular contributor to BJS Pastor Martin Noland has written a timely review of the significance of laymen’s rights in the church. His point is to place into a helpful historical context the current challenges to congregational autonomy … Continue reading