"Propositions on Marriage and Divorce" (and Engagement) by P.E. Kretzmann

There is not much to say about this little gem from the June 1932 CTM by P.E. Kretzmann besides to commend its clarity. Kretzmann succinctly summarizes, and gives the pertinent biblical citations for, the traditional Lutheran (biblical) teaching on marriage, divorce, and engagement.

Since the 1950's, the Missouri Synod has sounded an unclear note, or at least one inconsistent with its own history, concerning its teaching on what makes a marriage a marriage, particularly in regards to how one rightly enters into marriage.

Much of the confusion, or avoidance of the issue, arose from a desire during the mid-20th century to change the Synod's teaching on engagement--resulting in a weakened definition and understanding of marriage.

This is especially apparent when you trace the evolution of the synodical explanation of the catechism on the 6th Commandment. Up to and including the 1943 version, the teaching on the nature of marriage, and how it is entered into, reflects the same teaching that had been clearly set forth in countless articles, essays, books, and presentations throughout the Synod's history, which in turn stood in continuity with the teaching of Luther, Lutheran Orthodoxy, and the Scriptures themselves.




From the 1912 explanation:

DOMI MANSIT--"She Stayed at Home"

In the Concordia Theological Monthly of October 1936, P.E. Kretzmann placed sections of an editorial from the magazine America in Miscellanea. While not a Lutheran writing, it is indeed a treasure that every Lutheran would heartily celebrate and by it be uplifted. "She Stayed at Home" is true, sweet, in the best sense of the word, and a heartfelt reminder of the great gift of motherhood our Lord has bestowed upon mankind.

Would we continue to see in today's Lutheran periodicals such sentiments and praise for the work, being faithfully and lovingly carried out, that God has given to womankind.

Read it below, or go here to read/access the PDF (go to the last page in the document).

"Matins as the Chief Service" by P.E. Kretzmann

Note: Thank you very much to Rev. Aaron Uphoff of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Randolph, NJ for the "heads up" and commentary on this interesting article.

In his June 1933 article in Concordia Theological Monthly, “Matins as the Chief Service,” P.E. Kretzmann gives modern readers a glimpse into a previous generation’s disagreements about worship.  Responding to the apparent push by some Lutheran ministers to substitute Matins for the Common Service without Communion on certain Sundays and/or festivals, Kretzmann gives an overview of three principles which guide Lutheran liturgics, discusses their application in service liturgies, and suggests guidelines should one insist upon making the Matins substitution.

The three principles are the gem of the article and he outlines them thusly:

1. Liturgical Unity: The liturgy must have a “singleness, wholeness, unity, so that the service does not present a disjointed conglomeration, but organizes into a single whole the many parts and intricate relations of a great symphony or a Gothic cathedral.” (p.438)

Biblical Ethics Concerning Young People by P.E. Kretzmann

P.E. Kretzmann is no stranger to readers of L-TOMs. He was an important figure in early and mid-20th century Lutheranism. Some of his other works have been reviewed here:
Christian Art: In the Place and in the Form of Lutheran Worship 

In The Days of Solomon

This Do Ye Often

The Lutheran Pastor as Teacher


P.E. Kretzmann was well known for his focus on the education and training of youth. Intimately tied to, and part of, Christian education, moral formation is crucial to the well-being of a Christian. In his September, 1933 essay, "Biblical Ethics Concerning Young People," Kretzmann begins with a lead in that could have been written yesterday, and is probably truer now...

The Lutheran Pastor as Teacher by P.E. Kretzmann

CTS-FW's Media Resources page is another great place to find L-TOMs. Well, maybe not books, but journal articles of the era, many of which certainly are treasures of the old Missouri Synod. Besides many other more modern periodicals, there are hundreds of articles from Concordia Theological Monthly from its inception in 1930 onward.

In the July 1941 CTM article The Lutheran Pastor as Teacher, P.E. Kretzmann lifts up the important point that teaching is of the essence of the pastoral ministry. It is a quick, 7 page read.

While some of what Kretzmann suggests are perhaps more specific to another era, much is timeless and good for pastors of today to meditate seriously upon:

This Do Ye Often by P.E. Kretzmann

Published in 1952 by NPH, P.E. Kretzmann wrote This Do Ye Often, a short piece (76 pages) and passionate plea for "the need of partaking of the Sacrament OFTEN." (emphasis in the original) While published shortly after Kretzmann left the Missouri Synod due to the worsening liberalization and laxity in the synod at that time, the work is obviously addressed to all Lutherans who would be faithful in the administration and reception of the Sacraments.

The work is truly devotional in nature. It is divided up into 15 chapters, four pages a piece. Clearly and simply written, Kretzmann includes many scriptural references, beautiful illustrations, and a stanza or two from a hymn to end each section. They are as follows:

Introduction
1. The Stimulus of Self-examination
2. Examining Oneself to Doctrinal Knowledge
3. The Assurance of the Forgiveness of Sins
4. A Confession Concerning the Person of Christ
5. The Remembrance of Christ's Atoning Work
6. A Better Understanding of Christ's Sacrifice
7. Obedience to the Savior's Command
8. Laying the Foundation of Complete Trust in Christ
9. Laying the Foundation of Union and Communion with Christ
10. Promotion of Communion or Fellowship with All Other Believers
11. A Tonic for Our Faith-Life
12. A Tonic in Temptation and Trials
13. A Powerful Motive in Sanctification
14. An Example and Incentive to Others
15. A Preparation for the Marriage Supper in Heaven
Luther's Summary on the Need of Frequent Attendance at the Lord's Table

One encounters in this book, and in many works of Old Missouri, a deep and abiding sensitivity and appreciation toward the sacramental and liturgical life of the pious Christian. Additionally, Kretzmann pulls no punches about the ravages of Pietism upon practice surrounding the sacraments nor the challenges of the American context for orthodox Lutheran teaching AND practice. Those who would encourage us to go hat-in-hand to heterodox church bodies for "schooling" in our sacramental or liturgical life, deriding our forefathers in the process, merely show their own ignorance of their inheritance.

This goes doubly for the suggestion that the Missouri Synod ought to have some sort of abiding debt of liturgical gratitude towards those who were uncritically swept up into the ecumenical, higher-critical, and liturgical movements of the 20th century. "Old Missouri" was not perfect, but it certainly had an awareness and Lutheran appreciation for the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church--apart from modern liberalism--because, not despite, its love of its Lutheran confession and heritage. P.E. Kretzmann is about as Old Missouri as one can get from that era, and his work stands as a testimony to this truth.

See a post on another of Kretzmann's work on the broader subject here: Christian Art.
One can also read a more detailed review of This Do Ye Often from 1952 here. [p.144 in the periodical, and the last page (16) when viewed at this site]



Need To Get Level: 6/10 8/10

It is an excellent devotional for the layman or pastor, and could easily serve as an outline for a class on the importance of the frequent and proper reception of the Lord's Supper. It also is nice for pastors to have on the shelf to reference when preaching about the Lord's Supper. It was suggested at the time as a good gift for confirmands. There is one on Amazon, and that is all that I can find after a short search...so get it now if you want it!

Update: I was reminded by Pr. Joshua Scheer of Wyoming that this book is available from Anchor Publications for $1.50 (with NO SHIPPING CHARGES for domestic orders)--making it so cheap and easy to get that I have raised the "Need to Get Level" to 8/10. I mean, really, get the change out of the couch and buy it folks...

Go here to get it. It is about the 17th book from the bottom of the page. A nice thing about Anchor Publications is that the price you see is the price you pay!

In the Days of Solomon by P.E. Kretzmann

P.E. Kretzmann was intensely interested in Christian Education, writing many educational books, especially for children, and books concerning education . To whet your appetite, an interesting work, Education among the Jews from the earliest times to the end of the Talmudic period, 500 A.D., is available online here.

In the Days of Solomon is a not well known book for middle school children. (126 pages) It was published by The Book Concern of Columbus, OH in 1932, probably, but a date is not given. One brief complaint concerning format is that besides the beautiful picture on the cover, there are no pictures, maps, etchings, artwork, etc. at all. The book is a historical novel set in the reign of Solomon during the building of the Temple. While I have some misgivings concerning historical novels set within biblical history, this approach is certainly to be preferred to a "retelling" of the biblical story that mixes the text and interpretation/commentary into a substitution for the real Scriptures. I'm a Biblicist, give the kids the real thing!

In the Days of Solomon, however, is certainly for deeper study and contemplation on the Scriptures since it presupposes basic biblical knowledge and does not presume to supplant the actual words of God. It is told from the point of view of an Israelite family of a man named Nathan in Bethlehem, in particular, the son Samuel. Kretzmann emphasizes that the family's center of existence, according to the Word of The Lord, is their home life. The father models a devoted husband's sense of responsibility and leadership as the head of the household, and the mother's glory is as godly wife and queen of the hearth. The importance of family worship and religious education is stressed throughout the book. The solemnity and reverence of worship at the Tabernacle is highlighted, as well as reverence and obedience to the Lord's Word in the home. Outside of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, there are two trips made, one to Joppa, and one to the Jordan Valley, which provide an opportunity for further geographical survey and historical tie-ins. The culmination of the story is the completion and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem which the parents and older children attend.

For what it is, it is well done. While there are major potential pitfalls in such an undertaking, Kretzmann is a well-grounded and knowledgeable servant of the Word. Most modern examples of this genre are usually tragic failures, written by folks neither called nor prepared to undertake the challenge of producing godly and faithful materials for the religious education of the young. The common deficiencies of these sorts of books are usually not malicious, but rather spring from the ignorance of the writer who is not sensitive to (or even aware of) what is biblically and confessionally appropriate. Kretzmann, on the other hand, is knowledgeable of his material and sensitive to his goal and purpose--to further educate and develop the faith and life of his readers. He succeeds in his endeavor.

I appreciate In the Days of Solomon, and would confidently give it to my own children (and will!) around the age of 10-12. It is an interesting novel which will help familiarize children with "everyday family life" in ancient Israel and to contemplate how great a gift the Temple was to the O.T. Church, pointing to the Promised Seed, Christ, and His sacrifice and forgiveness.


Need to Get Level: 1/10

It is certainly not a "must-have," but it is a nice book for children who want to know more about life in the undivided kingdom. So, if you are one of the 1 in 10, get one of the three copies I could even track down before they're gone....
http://www.abebooks.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple-Kretzmann/1071687725/bd
http://www.amazon.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple/dp/B001EY28O2

Christian Art: In the Place and in the Form of Lutheran Worship by P.E. Kretzmann

Published in 1921 by CPH, Christian Art by P.E. Kretzmann can be read for free online and can be downloaded here. Kretzmann, most famous for his Popular Commentary of the Bible, was also a keen observer of the liturgical trends of his day and took a special interest in the proper form and place of art (music, architecture, visual, etc.) and beauty in Christian worship throughout his life. He wrote numerous articles in Concordia Theological Monthly and several books and tracts on liturgical matters.

Two of which are available to be read online:
- A Short Introduction to Church Architecture and Ecclesiastical Art: Especially from the Standpoint of the Lutheran Church
- The Liturgical Element in the Earliest Forms of the Medieval Drama (With Special Reference to the English and German Plays)

Christian Art is really two books in one volume. The first book is entitled "A Handbook of Church Architecture and Ecclesiastical Art," covering first its history, and secondly its execution in a Lutheran church building. The second book is entitled "A Handbook of Liturgy, Hymnology, and Heortology," which goes through the history of the liturgy, a section on hymnology, a section on heortology, and closes with "The Liturgical Content of the Lutheran Services." Please see the table of contents online for more detail.

I have always been impressed with P.E. Kretzmann and his work, especially his ability to cover vast amounts of terrain succinctly yet comprehensively. I have not read this volume cover to cover yet, but I am sure he succeeds yet again in this volume. The artwork and pictures are worth a perusal alone. The book is a helpful guide to the whole subject and history of beauty and art in the church...and by a Lutheran!

Kretzmann himself writes of the book in the preface:

The double volume which is herewith offered to the Lutheran liturgiologists and liturgists of America makes no claim of being an exhaustive presentation. It is merely, as the subtitle states, a hand-book for the student, for the busy pastor, and for all those interested in Christian art from the Lutheran standpoint and in the liturgical heritage of the Reformation. The references and  foot-notes, however, may prove of value to such as wish to make a more detailed study of any section.

Need to Get Level: 6/10

It is excellent, it is awesome, but it will run you 25-50 bucks at the places I have seen. But with that said...you will regret not getting it. So if you are a pastor or layman that deeply cares for beauty in Christian worship, wishes to learn more, and want a helpful handbook--get it!