The following quotations by R. C. Lenski were published by Concordia
Publishing House in Volume II of The Abiding Word in recognition of the Missouri
Synod’s 75th anniversary. As you read Lenski, please take the following information
into consideration.
First, Lenski, the author of an outstanding 12-volume commentary on the New Testament
and numerous other books, was a member of the old Ohio Synod that later merged into the
American Lutheran Church (ALC) and then the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, now
called the ELCA. Talks on fellowship between Ohio and Missouri broke down over Ohio’s
Reformed view on election. Missouri would not compromise the Lutheran Confessions. The
sainted Dr. Harold Buls of Concordia Seminary in Fort Wayne would point out Lenski’s
problem with objective justification in his class on the Gospel of John while using
Lenski’s commentary as a textbook. Today many would question how these apparently
subtle differences would be divisive of fellowship.
Second, in spite of the fact that he was denied fellowship with Missouri, Lenski spoke
in very positive terms about Missouri’s adherence to correct doctrine.
Third, we can see from Lenski’s comments that long before "Church
Growth" became a movement, "liberalism" was considered necessary in order
to grow churches in America. But, Missouri was breaking the mold. Lenski says,
"Nevertheless, this growth!" Between 1847 and 1922, the Missouri Synod had grown
to nearly 3,000 congregations. Yet, from an outside perspective Lenski recognized Missouri
as the most orthdox Lutheran church body in the world. Lenski only has one conclusion to
explain the Missouri enigma, God’s blessing for adherence to His Word.
Lenski’s comments about the Missouri Synod are contained in an article by W. A.
Baepler titled "Doctrine: True and False". A paragraph by Baepler preceding
Lenski’s comments and Baelper’s closing remarks with a significant quotation by
Luther conclude the following quotation.
"Throughout all these controversies our Synod by the grace of God remained true to
its Confessions, and therefore, true to Scripture. It fought the good fight of faith
without any respect of person.
"And its fidelity to Scripture and to the Confessions has been acknowledged as the
source of the vitality and strength of our Synod. Wrote Dr. Lenski of the Ohio Synod in
the Kirchenzeitung of May 20, 1922: 'If there ever was a strictly conservative body, it
surely is the Missouri Synod. Nevertheless, this growth! Here is a historical fact that
refutes all talk trying to persuade us that we must be liberal, accommodate ourselves to
the spirit of the time, etc., in order to win men and grow externally. The very opposite
is seen in the Missouri Synod. Missouri has at all times been unyielding; it is so still.
In this body the Scriptures and the Confession have been, and still are, valued to their
full import. There was no disposition to surrender any part of them. With this asset
Missouri has been working in free America, abounding in sects and religious confusion, and
now exhibits its enormous achievements. What so many regard as Missouri’s weakness
has in reality been her strength. This fact we might write down for our own remembrance.
It is a mark of the pastors and leaders of the Missouri Synod that they never, aye, never,
tire of discussing doctrine on the basis of Scripture and the Confessions. That is one
trait that may be called the spirit of Missouri. People who thus cling to doctrine and
contend for its purity are of an entirely different nature from the superficial unionists
who in the critical moment will declare five to be an even number. God will bless all who
value His Word so highly. Gratitude towards God, who has granted this division of American
Lutheranism so much glorious blessing, and through Missouri has communicated this blessing
also to other parts of the Lutheran Church, will be the basic note of this festival
celebration. May God keep Missouri and us and all Lutheran Christians faithful in the
doctrine and confession of His Word and grant us his blessing for our external growth and
prosperity.’
"We are the heirs of the labors of the fathers. We are what we are by the grace of
God. 'Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not
receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hast not received
it?' (1Cor.4:7 Cf. also Rev. 3:7-10.)
"Let us therefore, watch and pray so that we lose not the doctrine entrusted to
us. Luther writes: ‘It is not my doctrine, not the product of my mind, but God’s
gift. Good Lord, I have not spun it out of my head; it did not grow in my garden; it did
not flow from my spring; it was not born of men. It is God’s gift, not any invention
of man. "We are nothing; Christ alone is all. If he turns away His face, we must
perish, and Satan will triumph, even though we were as holy as Peter and Paul. Let us,
therefore, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt us in due
time, for God resisteth and proud and giveth grace to the humble." I Peter. 5:6, 5.'
(VIII:27;XIV:455.)"
My comment: Oh, if it were only so today.