Essay File: Recent submissions

Now showing items 4041-4060 of 4187

    • Private Confession and Sacred Absolution 

      Bartling, Mark F. (1997)
      Mark F. Bartling advocates for the restoration of private confession and absolution as central to Lutheran pastoral care. He critiques the shift toward therapeutic and programmatic ministry, arguing that true spiritual ...

    • Martin Luther and the Evangelical Church Service 

      Bartling, Mark F. (1983)
      Mark F. Bartling’s paper explores Martin Luther’s contributions to evangelical worship, emphasizing the centrality of Word and Sacrament. Bartling outlines Luther’s liturgical reforms, including the Formula Missae (1523) ...

    • Bible Study in the Congregation 

      Zahn, Larry A. (1984)
      In this 1984 conference paper, Pastor Larry Zahn addresses the challenges and opportunities of promoting Bible study within WELS congregations. Alarmed by low attendance statistics, Zahn explores reasons why members may ...

    • EF 2818 A Summary of an Interview with Pastor Paul Kuske 

      Zahn, Jason (2000)
      Jason Zahn’s 2000 interview with Pastor Paul Kuske explores the history and development of the Lutheran Association for Church Extension (LACE), founded in 1960 to provide financial support for self-supporting congregations. ...

    • Martin Luther and Catechetical Instruction at Wittenberg 

      Bartling, Mark F. (1979)
      Mark F. Bartling’s paper explores Martin Luther’s restoration of catechetical instruction during the Reformation, emphasizing the historical context, theological significance, and practical application of Luther’s Small ...

    • Luther and James: Did Luther Use the Historical Critical Method? 

      Bartling, Mark F. (1983)
      Mark F. Bartling’s paper, presented during the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth, examines Luther’s view of Scripture, particularly his controversial remarks about the Book of James. Bartling argues that Luther’s ...

    • The 90 Year Grudge of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Township of Grover Peshtigo, Wisconsin 

      Zahn, David (1987)
      David Zahn’s historical study explores the long-standing reluctance of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grover Township, near Peshtigo, Wisconsin, to formally join the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). Although ...

    • Gambling: Is It Always Wrong??? 

      Bartling, Mark F. (1995)
      In this seminar paper, Rev. Mark F. Bartling explores the ethical and theological dimensions of gambling from a Lutheran perspective. Prompted by local debates over casino gambling and stewardship concerns, Bartling examines ...

    • The Relocation of Sola Fide Lutheran Church Lawrenceville, Georgia 

      Zahn, Benjamin J. (2005)
      Benjamin Zahn’s paper documents the relocation of Sola Fide Lutheran Church from Scenic Highway to Webb Gin House Road in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Founded in 1977, the congregation experienced rapid growth, prompting multiple ...

    • What Part Did the 1938 Convention of the Missouri Synod Play in Their Doctrinal Downfall? 

      Zahn, Allen (1972)
      Allen Zahn’s 1972 paper explores the pivotal role of the 1938 Missouri Synod convention in the synod’s eventual doctrinal decline. Zahn argues that the convention marked a shift in priorities—from a commitment to pure ...

    • A Study of Article V of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, 1530 

      Bartling, Mark F. (0000)
      This comprehensive essay by Mark F. Bartling explores the theology and historical development of Article V of the Augsburg Confession, which addresses the Office of the Ministry. Bartling affirms that the preaching ...

    • The Purposes and Attitudes Which Helped Form The Lutheran Hymnal 

      Zager, Paul R. (1981)
      Paul Zager’s 1981 paper explores the historical context, motivations, and theological attitudes behind the creation of The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH), published in 1941. He highlights the need for a new hymnal due to liturgical ...

    • EF 3363 Christ Evangelical Lutheran Ministries: The Birth of a Confessional Lutheran Church Body in India 

      Barthel, Thomas J. (2008)
      Thomas J. Barthel’s paper traces the development of WELS mission work in India, culminating in the formation of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Ministries (CELM). Beginning with early contacts in the 1960s, WELS supported ...

    • Using the Scriptures in the Church 

      Bartelt, Wayne L. (1976)
      Wayne L. Bartelt’s essay explores the central role of Scripture in Christian worship, emphasizing that the Word of God is not merely a component of the service but its foundation and purpose. He argues that worship is ...

    • So What Does the Bible Say About the Lodge? 

      Zager, Paul R. (1982)
      Paul R. Zager’s 1982 paper examines the religious nature of fraternal lodges—especially Freemasonry—and evaluates them in light of biblical doctrine. Drawing extensively from lodge publications and rituals, Zager argues ...

    • With Whom Are We to Pray? 

      Bartelt, Randall J. (1978)
      Whenever we join in prayer with others it is a form of church fellowship. With this in mind, much of this paper is dedicated to examining the principles involved in church fellowship. We join in fellowship with others based ...

    • Wisconsin Synod Mission Festivals (1850-1875): Their Origin, Custom, and Benefit 

      Bartelt, Randall J. (1976)
      Randall J. Bartelt’s historical study traces the origin, development, and impact of mission festivals in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) from 1850 to 1875. Inspired by German Lutheran traditions and first ...

    • Scriptural Implications of the Cup 

      Bartels, Harry K. (1986)
      In this theological essay, Harry Bartels addresses the scriptural implications of “the cup” in the Lord’s Supper, focusing on the contemporary practice of substituting grape juice for wine. Bartels argues that Christ ...

    • Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church: Growth and Change 1952-1960 

      Zabell, Jon F. (1997)
      Jon Zabell’s 1997 paper chronicles the development of Calvary Lutheran Church in Thiensville, Wisconsin, during the 1950s—a decade marked by significant growth and transformation, especially in elementary education. In ...

    • Exegesis of Ephesians 5 (With Focus on the Section on Marriage) 

      Bartels, Harry K. (1982)
      Harry Bartels presents a detailed exegesis of Ephesians 5, emphasizing the theological and practical implications of Paul’s teaching on Christian marriage. He begins with a contextual overview of verses 1–21, highlighting ...