If a theological seminary is to fulfill its high purpose, two things are necessary. First, that the only source of all theological teaching is the pure fountain of Israel, the Holy Scriptures. Certainly, reason is also a glorious light, but it is such only in its realm, in natural things. In spiritual, divine things reason is totally blind. Therefore, if reason wants to be the judge in these things, it leads people down sheer wrong paths, into death and condemnation. Unfortunately, we now see that in most theological schools in our country and in other countries the Word of God is no longer the rule and norm, but is judged by foolish human reason. The consequence is that such schools spread unbelief and superstition instead of holy knowledge of God and cheat poor people out of their salvation. On the other hand, in our theological seminary it has been taught from time immemorial and up to the present day that the Bible, word for word, is God’s Word from beginning to end, inspired by God the Holy Spirit for our instruction to salvation, the only infallible rule and norm for our faith and our lives.
O today, at the dedication of our new seminary, we want earnestly to ask God that, as in the past, so also in the future, His Word will be the queen in our seminary, the fountain from which all doctrine is drawn, and we promise Him that we all will watch over this treasure. This school then will be a fountain that waters the thirsty land, a light that enlightens the blind, a portal that shows sinners the way to heaven.
The second thing that is necessary if a theological college is to fulfill its vocation is that Jesus Christ is shown to the students as the Son of God Who became man, the only Savior and Redeemer of the whole lost sinful world. In order to reveal this marvelous doctrine that has never entered the heart of man, God gave us His Word and commanded His Church to preach it in all the world. But where are the theological seminaries that show earnestness in this part? Oh! unfortunately in most of them Christ is robbed of His glory and presented as a high teacher of righteousness in life, Whose example we should follow in order to be saved by our own doing. One does not shy away from occasionally classifying the Lord Jesus with Buddha, Confucius, and others. But where this happens, there is no ray of light from such a school into the dark world, no consolation in life and death, but vain pagan, hellish darkness.
Let us, my brethren, rejoice with trembling at the sight of this new seminary in which our theological youth are to be formed. We rejoice that it is still the case with us that all our professors show the students that the core of Christianity is the wonderful teaching that Jesus Christ, the eternal, consubstantial Son of God, redeems the world of sinners through suffering and death, and that the proclamation of this gospel is the true and only task of a preacher. But let us rejoice with trembling and fervently pray to God that He will abide with us in Spirit and grace, lest the devil, who would like to be a doctor in these buildings, bring about our downfall.
The doctrine of the divinity of Holy Scripture and of faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world are closely interrelated. The one doctrine supports the other. The one of these two doctrines stands and falls with the other. In the future, as in the past, the two principles of the Reformation will determine all instruction: The Holy Scriptures alone shall establish articles of faith and nothing else, not even an angel; and: The content of all Holy Scripture is Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, the Redeemer and Savior of all people. Unspeakable blessing will then flow from this school to our children and our children’s children, and it will be a signpost to eternal life for many near and far. May God grant it graciously for the sake of Christ! Amen.
An excerpt from a speech given on June 13, 1926 by Friedrich Pfotenhauer at the dedication of the new location of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO. Translated by DMJ
Media Vita In Morte Sumus 