The break with the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in 1961 narrowed our circle of fellowship drastically. Some predicted that without our larger sister, we would slowly shrink out of sight. But the Lord had other plans.

God's Word is precious. In it he has revealed his gracious plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. Around that saving message all of his Word revolves. To that Word he therefore wants his church to remain true. And he does bless those who seek to follow it.

Committed to God's Word

Earlier in our history, three professors—John Schaller, August Pieper, and John Phillip Koehler—served at our seminary, located at that time in Wauwatosa. They taught what became known as the "Wauwatosa Theology" or "Wauwatosa Gospel." They stressed that Scripture is God's inspired Word in every part and totally without error. Moreover, they stressed the importance of direct, systematic study of Scripture in the original languages. The study of dogmatics, the systematic approach to various doctrines, is important, but even more so is the diligent study of the Word. Such is still the emphasis of our seminary today. Such also was the approach to our continued study of the doctrine of fellowship—the pressing question in 1961. After the break, men like Prof. Armin Schuetze and Dr. Siegbert Becker, formerly a Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) professor, were instrumental in leading us to further study and apply what Scripture had to say about the doctrine of fellowship.

Meanwhile the LCMS continued on its own course. In the 1960s the "historical-critical" method of studying the Scriptures gained prominence at its seminary in St. Louis. Though some in Missouri fought this trend, it left its mark. This approach allows the scholar to evaluate the sacred text in light of the literature of its day to determine what the text says. Such an approach reduces the Bible from a book that is God's truth in all it says to one filled only with likelihoods and possibilities to be decided by the scholar's mind. With this approach the scholar can study history and critically evaluate what the Bible says.

Thank God WELS is still committed to the Word! Teaching all its words correctly is our ongoing concern. But again remember the reason why. Every teaching of Scripture revolves around its central message of God's salvation in Christ. When we deflect, dent, or disfigure any teaching of the Bible, we at the same time detract from Scripture's central teaching.

"God's Word is our great heritage and shall be ours forever," says a hymn much loved in our circles (Christian Worship 293). That we still have this Word in all its purity is not our doing. It is purely God's grace. Whether that Word will still be ours in the future depends on God's abundant grace.

Concerned about reaching out