The predestinarian controversy

In the late 1800's, there was a terrific division within the Midwestern confessional synods over what role individual choice made in our salvation. The Iowa and Ohio synods held to a synergistic view, while Missouri and Wisconsin held to a strictly monergistic position, under which our salvation, being entirely by grace, was entirely God's work and entirely foreseen and intended by God. Missouri and Wisconsin accused Iowa and Ohio of Arminianism, while Iowa and Ohio accused Missouri and Wisconsin of Calvinism.

Today, the Church Growth movement has come into Missouri Synod big-time. A major component of Church Growth theology is the idea that there are millions of "seekers" who are looking for God but have not yet made a personal commitment to Him. This is plainly contrary to the view held by Missouri in the old controversy, and it might be a good idea to review what happened back then and consider what our theology will be going forward.

There may be driving forces within the more conservative wing of Synod in favor of a more synergistic approach as well. A large part of that more conservative group looks back favorably on Wilhelm Loehe and not so favorably on Carl Walther. To be sure, that is not, in the first instance because of their views on predestination and justification but rather because of Loehe's almost Anglo-Catholic view of the ministry as opposed to Walther's more Protestant view. Still, if we are going to become more Loehe's than Walther's synod, as many pastors wish, does that place a more synergistic view of justification in a better light?

This blog will, in the coming weeks, review the Scriptural and Confessional background of the issue. Relevant materials will include the Formula of Concord and Luther's The Bondage of the Will (De Servo Arbitrio), as well as other secondary sources.

The Missouri Synod is about to have a national convention, in mid-July, that could determine the synod's course for a century or more to come. It is urgent that all delegates be conversant with what is at issue theologically. It is not about pipe organ vs. praise band. It is about whether our teaching concerning justification will be Lutheran or something else.