To What Intent Does God Afflict Us With Sickness? by Rev. Dr. Wilhelm Sihler

This short paper, "To What Intent Does God Afflict Us With Sickness?", is an excellent, brief resource that addresses common questions surrounding the reality of suffering and God's omnipotence. The PDF of the work is provided by 1580 Press, a site where one can find many other L-TOMs and other Lutheran works. I believe 1580 Press is run by Nathan Higgins.

Sihler was an important figure in the formation of the Missouri Synod and the establishment of the Fort Wayne Seminary. For a article on his life and work, see "Professor Wilhelm Sihler: Founding Father of Lutheranism in America and First President of Concordia Theological Seminary" by Lewis Spitz Jr.

In this brief paper, Sihler directly confronts the often troubling truth that God sends sickness to both unbelievers and believers. Straightforward assertion of the truth and childlike trust in the Word and promises of God are hallmarks of Missourian writing--especially from this era. And on this front, Sihler does not disappoint. When discussing God sending sicknesses to unbelievers, he writes: 

Theodore Engelder, 1865-1949 in Concordia Theological Monthly August, 1949

Theodore Engelder, 1865-1949; in CTM August, 1949

***Update: A little bit more of his bio, here, in German.


Here at L-TOMs, we sometimes will venture further back into the German speaking resources of the Missouri Synod from time to time, but are mostly focused on the English works of the first half of the century.

A major figure in the Synod during this time was Theodore Engelder, perhaps most famous for being the main translator for Pieper's Dogmatics and the book Scripture Cannot Be Broken, review and information on where it is available here. It is an excellent defense of the doctrine of Scripture's inspiration and inerrancy, a topic on which Engelder particularly concentrated.

A Century of Blessing (1846-1946) Concordia Theological Seminary, Springfield, Illinois

 

A Century of Grace is a centennial (1846-1946) publication in honor of Concordia Theological Seminary compiled by W.A. Baepler. It gives a brief history of the institution from its prehistory and founding in Fort Wayne, to its brief time in St. Louis, and ending with its time in Springfield, IL. A beautiful banner of the institution at each location begins each section. It also includes a list of the officers and faculty of CTS in the centennial year, a list of past presidents and faculty members of CTS by location,  and a list of graduates.

Perhaps most interesting are the tons of pictures (reproduced below) of buildings, past and current faculty, and churches in Springfield, IL.

Need to Get Level: 0/10

If you can pick up one of these from a retiring Springfield grad, do it. The historical sketch of the institution is a fine one and the lists interesting, but the gems are the pictures in my book. Hopefully this post will satisfy your curiosity until one comes your way.

 

 

 

 

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