In May of 1845, One Hundred and Seventy-Five years ago, the General Synod gathered in Philadelphia. The General Synod was a loose federation of regional Lutheran church bodies — Synods, Ministeriums and Conferences. It promoted what it called an “American Lutheranism,” which left behind what it saw as European culture and doctrine for one which was in harmony with American denominations of a Reformed heritage. Among the things discarded were the liturgy, the saving nature of Baptism and the real presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Lord’s Supper. It promoted “new measures,” revivalist worship styles, evangelistic techniques and camp meetings.
When Friedrich Wyneken came to America, he fit well in the General Synod. He was a part of the Germans Awakening, a pietist movement concerned that Christians cultivated a personal relationship with Jesus and lived a holy life. He was not alone — most of the fathers of the Missouri Synod were pietists in their youth. In a war of words with German Methodists and with time to think on a voyage to Germany, he became convinced that Confessional Lutheran doctrine was more faithful to the Word of God. As he traveled Germany, recruiting pastors to serve in America, he told everyone how Lutherans in America had abandoned Lutheran doctrine to embrace Reformed and Arminian teaching and practice.
When he returned to America, Wyneken implemented Confessional Lutheran practice and taught according to the Lutheran Confessions in his parishes. Before his own Synod of the West, he argued for the truth of the Lutheran Confessions and won them over. The Synod of the West sent him as a delegate to the next General Synod convention.
Wyneken arrived late to the convention. He challenged the body to answer concerns about their orthodoxy by sending copies of works which represented their theology to Lutheran leaders in Germany. After much debate, the proposal failed. Wyneken then introduced a second resolution, that the Synod reject as heterodox those works. This measure also failed. After that, he left for home. Wyneken was to remain a member of the Synod of the West until it dissolved in 1846.
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Good succinct description of the ongoing challenge of Lutheranism in America. Democracy does not like the supercession tendencies of Lutheran teaching. Democracy does like religion that rejects what it sees as European ‘cultural’ beliefs. Reference David Luecke.”STILL RELYING ON MEDIEVAL MOTIVATION” for example. Somehow it is believed that the Apostolic faith once received has failed. A new ‘faith’ has to be constantly adjusted to what is ‘believable.’
Thanks! Mostly this is narrative of where *American Lutheranism was coming from
Yes, absolutely true. Dynamic is still there. Lutherans today are still tempted by seeming protestant success. Can you say “Transforming Congregations Network” where LCMS churches were told this is how you must change to survive in American Society today. TCN was an “Inside Job.” Lutherans telling Lutherans that Lutheranism was dying! Lutheranism was failing because of …….. well its Lutheran.