We are pleased to announce the first English translation of "Slavery, Humanism, & the Bible: Selections from Lehre und Wehre" by C.F.W. Walther.

We publish this translation in response to the Epiphany 2000 Issue of "Logia" which falsely claims that Walther promoted American democracy in LCMS congregations. The article in question is titled, "A Historical Perspective of Walther's Position on Church, Ministry and Polity," by Dr. John C. Wohlrabe.

Logia is wrong. Walther taught the Bible and did not introduce democracy into LCMS congregations. We let Walther speak for himself and show "Logia's" shabby attempt at historical revisionism in order to discredit all LCMS Voters' Assemblies as non-Biblical.

Walther teaches that the New Testament does not support any form of earthly government, be it democracy, republic, dictatorship, monarchy, oligarchy or the American Constitution. He denounces the concept of so-called God given human rights as nothing but humanism seeking an earthly utopia in place of a doubtful eternal relationship with God.

At the height of the Civil War, Walther saw that LCMS members were being deceived by abolitionist humanism posing as Christianity. In a series of several articles in 1863, Walther was not afraid to expound the true doctrine of the Bible on slavery. Walther reasoned that if the Synod was truly Christ's church ruled by Christ's Word, publishing the doctrine of slavery from the Bible would not polarize, harm, nor destroy it, but build it. Indeed, God did build the Missouri Synod into thousands of congregations with millions of members.

Today the accepted practice of church administration advises that Christ and His church must be protected from the less popular doctrines of the Bible.

The preservation of the church as an earthly institution by means of psychology, Church Growth methodology, contemporary worship, Leadership Training and silence on sensitive issues is all too often a higher priority than the preservation of true doctrine. The result must be the loss of both church and doctrine. Can anyone do God's will by protecting souls from God's Word?

Despite the sentiment of the American majority, the press, and the Civil War, which split the state of Missouri, Walther boldly published the Bible's doctrine on slavery in several issues of "Lehre and Wehre" (Doctrine and Defense). He didn't try to moderate the tone of the Bible with conciliatory questions such as, "Who wouldn't want to follow the truth of God's Word?" Rather, he states, "Thus sayeth the Lord," and lives or dies with the earthly consequences.

In footnote 5, Walther writes: "We are quite aware of what kind of antagonism we are inviting in that we are discussing the issue based on God's word. We are quite aware of what terrible weapon against us we are placing into the hands of those who oppose slavery. However, the word and honor of God is higher than all else...."

Walther does not personally approve of or promote slavery, particularly the odious American interpretation of slavery, that denied the justice and rights the Bible teaches should be practiced in the institution of slavery. American slaves were not captured in battle or enslaved to pay off debts. Rather, they were kidnapped, brutalized, and treated like cattle solely because of their race. Walther shows that the American slave masters could hardly claim they were following the Bible. The Bible never teaches the superiority of one person over another by divine right. Rather, the Bible teaches we should "Love our neighbor as ourselves."

Walther quotes numerous passages where the Bible encourages slaves, regardless of age, gender, race, or creed, to obey and serve their masters according to God's will. He quotes the Lutheran theologians and the Bible on the proper administration of slaves. The Bible does not say masters, Christian or non-Christian, should free slaves. However, Walther does quote Luther's advice in "The Old Lutheran Scholars About Slavery", as follows:

"Quite properly, we start with Luther. He mentions slavery often, especially in his exegetical writings. In his explanation of Chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians, Paul's words give him the necessary impetus. We quote: '1 Cor. 7:20-21: Everyone should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you, but if a chance for liberty should come, take it.' At another time Paul reiterates this counsel."

While religious bodies in our generation are deeply involved in politics and advising the government, Walther totally shuns such activity. He will not advise, counsel, petition, or instruct the state in any way. Even though he had the Bible on his side, he did not use it to influence Lincoln or any other entity outside the church. Rather, he strictly adheres to the principle, "Give unto Caesar that which is Caesar's."

Walther is simply following Christ. Not once in the Bible does our Lord advise, warn, or threaten the earthly tyrants of His day, even when Pilate butchered Jews and mingled their blood with the sacrifice. Christ would not even ask Pilate to release Him.

Walther explains in the Foreword, "Before we discuss the agitating question of slavery, we wish to reiterate that we are not concerned with emancipation, which for political reasons is being considered by government, for this is not a theological issue. For us Christians here too the word of God applies: 'Be subject to those who are in authority over you.' What we are dealing with here is the question whether slavery itself, that is, the relationship between slave and master, is a sin; or does sin adhere to this relationship merely "in concreto," as all relationships between sinful men,..."

It would be presumptuous on our part to assume that the yoke of slavery under which many in the early church suffered and about which the Bible teaches a great deal could not be again imposed on the church. In this possibility, Walther reminds the church of its duties to God and their slave masters according to the Bible.

The Bible does not teach that slavery in itself is a sin, nor does it promote any interference with the institution of slavery or any government. Christ never spoke against slavery, nor does the Old Testament, or even the Koran. Rather, the Bible opposes sin in every form for which each individual is culpable before God. No earthly system grants human beings the divine right to mistreat or sin against their neighbor. No earthly system gives immunity from God's wrath against sin. Our society abhors slavery but has legally butchered 40,000,000 infants in the last 27 years under the pretense of human rights.

Walther's unstated conclusion is obvious. "Young man, if you want to go to war, that is your choice. Just don't claim you were sent by God to free slaves." Yet even on this point Walther refuses to make a comment. His goal is to only state doctrine from the Bible, which should be enough for any Christian.

This historic article clearly demonstrates Walther's brilliance as a theologian, his love for God's Word above every human and earthly attachment, and his unflinching adherence to the separation of church and state. Would that every church body followed his example. There is no kingdom on earth more valuable than God's Word.

The magnificence of Walther's approach is that he confronts his own age with the timeless truths of God. Members of the Synod have the comfort of knowing that their church was not born out of the contemporary pop culture of 1847 but the Bible. Little written today will stand the test of 150 years, as do Walther's writings.