Essay File: Recent submissions

Now showing items 3901-3920 of 4187

    • Bible School: Curriculum and Objectives 

      Behn, Paul (1972)
      Paul Behn’s essay addresses the urgent need for Bible schools in mission contexts, particularly in Hong Kong and similar societies, where secular education emphasizes intellectualism and material success over spiritual ...

    • Rebuilding a Youth Program 

      Behling, James A. (1983)
      James Behling’s essay outlines eight biblical principles for revitalizing youth ministry, emphasizing that effective programs must be built by the Lord and guided by the Holy Spirit. He begins with the need to truly know ...

    • The Gift of Faith: Given and Received (With Special Applications to Infants, the Mentally Retarded, and Alzheimer's Victims) 

      Zeitler, John C. (1996)
      John C. Zeitler’s essay explores the biblical doctrine of saving faith, emphasizing its divine origin, nature, and effects. Faith is not a human achievement but a gift of God, created through the Gospel and sacraments. ...

    • Scripture Study of Romans 14:13-23 

      Beckmann, Walter F. (1983)
      Walter Beckmann’s study of Romans 14:13–23 explores the tension between strong and weak Christians regarding matters of conscience, particularly food and drink. He explains that the strong Christian, grounded in Scripture, ...

    • Isagogical Study of Daniel 7-12 

      Zeitler, John C. (1994)
      John Zeitler’s Isagogical Study of Daniel 7–12 offers a confessional Lutheran analysis of the apocalyptic visions in the latter half of Daniel. Written for a pastoral conference, the study defends the book’s authenticity ...

    • Universal and Objective Justification with Special Emphasis on a Recent Controversy 

      Beckman, David J. (1983)
      In this essay, Pastor David Beckman explores the biblical and theological foundations of universal and objective justification, prompted by a doctrinal controversy in Kokomo, Indiana. He defines justification as God’s ...

    • Offering Evangelical Counsel to the Unmarried Living Together 

      Beckman, David J. (1988)
      Pastor David Beckman addresses the growing social and spiritual challenge of unmarried couples cohabiting, offering a framework for evangelical pastoral counsel. The essay begins by categorizing types of cohabitation and ...

    • Michigan Lutheran Seminary: Past, Present, and Future 

      Zeiger, William E. (2008)
      William Zeiger presents the history of Michigan Lutheran Seminary, from its roots and first founding in the late 1800’s, to its death and rebirth in the early 1900’s, and on to the present and its uncertain future.

    • Judaism: An Overview of Its Doctrinal Development 

      Beckman, David J. (1986)
      This essay offers a comprehensive historical and theological survey of Judaism, tracing its doctrinal evolution from biblical times to contemporary American expressions. Pastor Beckman begins with personal reflections on ...

    • Why I Left the Missouri Synod 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1964)
      In this serialized account published in Lutheran News (1963–1964), Dr. Siegbert W. Becker explains his departure from the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod after nearly five decades of membership and service. Becker details ...

    • The Descent of Christ into Hell 

      Zehms, Matthew D. (1972)
      Matthew D. Zehms’ essay presents a thorough exegetical, historical, and comparative study of the doctrine of Christ’s descent into hell, focusing on 1 Peter 3:18–20. Zehms affirms the traditional Lutheran understanding ...

    • Verbal Inspiration and the Variant Readings 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (0000)
      In this essay, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker addresses concerns about variant readings in biblical manuscripts and their impact on the doctrine of verbal inspiration. He argues that while textual variants exist, they do not ...

    • Universal Justification 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1984)
      In this 1984 convention essay, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker defends the doctrine of universal justification—the teaching that God, through Christ’s atonement and resurrection, has forgiven the sins of all people. Becker distinguishes ...

    • The Working of the Holy Ghost 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1974)
      In this 1974 address to Lutheran educators, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker explores the doctrine of conversion and the role of the Holy Ghost in bringing sinners to faith. He emphasizes the total depravity of natural man—spiritually ...

    • The Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther 

      Zehms, Elmer (0000)
      Useful Timeline of Luther’s Life

    • The Word of God in the Theology of Martin Luther 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1963)
      In this 1963 paper, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker presents a thorough defense of Martin Luther’s doctrine of the Word of God, emphasizing its divine inspiration, authority, and inerrancy. Becker argues that Luther consistently ...

    • Biographical Sketches for the Centennial History of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin 

      Zarling, Tim F. (1986)
      Tim F. Zarling’s essay provides biographical sketches of early pastors who served Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, in preparation for the congregation’s centennial celebration in 1987. Commissioned ...

    • The Victory of the Church over the Devil 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1958)
      In this 1958 Bible study on Revelation 12, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker explores the symbolic portrayal of the Church’s triumph over Satan. He identifies the woman clothed with the sun as the Church, crowned with twelve stars ...

    • The Verbal Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures 

      Becker, Siegbert W. (1960)
      In this 1960 essay, Dr. Siegbert W. Becker offers a comprehensive defense of the doctrine of verbal inspiration, affirming that the very words of Scripture are divinely given and inerrant. He traces this belief through the ...

    • Training Leaders in the Church to Serve 

      Zarling, Philip E. (2003)
      Philip E. Zarling’s essay explores the biblical and practical foundations for training leaders within the church to serve effectively. Rooted in the doctrine of Church and Ministry, Zarling emphasizes the distinction between ...