Church & Ministry - Lesson 18

CHURCH AND MINISTRY

2003

LESSON EIGHTEEN

III. Thesis VI: Re: The Ministry (con’d)

Part B. The ordination of the called [persons] with the laying on of hands is not a divine institution but merely an ecclesiastical rite [Ordnung] established by the apostles; it is no more than a solemn public confirmation of the call. (Church and Ministry, p. 247)

A. Scripture Proof

1. Walther:

“Whatever cannot be proved to be God’s institution from His Word cannot be regarded and accepted as His own institution without committing idolatry. Scripture does not tell us of any divine institution of ordination; it merely attests that it was used by the apostles and that at that time the communication of precious gifts was connected with the laying on of hands. According to God’s Word there is, of course, no doubt that even today ordination is not a meaningless ceremony if it is connected with the ardent prayer of the church, based on the glorious promises given in particular to the office of the ministry, it is accompanied with the outpouring of heavenly gifts on the person ordained. (Church and Ministry, p. 248)

B. Confessions and Creeds

1. Smalcald Articles

“‘This is attested also by the common custom of the church; for formerly the people chose the pastors and bishops. Then came the local bishop or one in the neighborhood and confirmed the chosen bishop by the laying on of hands; at that time ordination was nothing else (nil nisi) than such a ratification.’ (Of the Power and Jurisdiction of Bishops, par. 69-70; German text, Triglot, pp. 522,524)” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 248) (See Tappert, pp. 331,332; Kolb and Wengert, p. 341)

2. Apology

a. “‘Since then it is very comforting to know that God desires

to preach and work through men and those elected by men, it is well for us to praise and honor this election very highly….’ (Art. XIII [VII], par. 9-13, German text, Triglot, p. 310).” (quoted Church and Ministry, pp. 248, 249) (see Tappert, p. 212, Kolb and Wengert, p. 220).

b. Walther:

“Here our church confesses that ordination is to be regarded as divine only if by it is understood election into the ministry per synecdochen (by way of synecdoche) and not, as it is commonly understood, as a divine act that makes the call valid”. (Church and Ministry, p. 249).

C. Witnesses in Private Writings

1. Luther: (See Lesson Two)

a. “‘The laying of hands, which blesses, ratifies, and attests this, just as a notary and witnesses attest a secular matter and as a pastor blesses the bride and bridegroom, ratifying their marriage and witnessing that they were bethroed to each other before and that they publicly confess this….’ (“An Example of How to Consecrate a True Christian Bishop,” 1542, St. Louis edition, 17:114).” (quoted Church and Ministry, p. 249).

b. “‘On the ministers of the Word we lay our hands, and at the same time offer our prayer to God, but only to witness thereby that it is divine institution, as is not only this but also all other offices of the church, the secular government, and the home….’ (“Exposition of Genesis,; Chap. 41, 1544, St. Louis edition, 2:1344-45),” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 250)

2. Melanchthon:

a. See Lesson Ten

b. “‘And it is usual and laudable that this is done in the presence of some Christian and learned pastors [Seelsorger], who listen to their teaching [Lehre] and by way of witnessing lay their hands on them….’ (See Concerning the Calling and Dismissing [Enturlaubung] of Ministers (Gie, Ben, 1608), p. 19).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 261)

3. Chemnitz

a. See Lesson Seven

b. “‘Although ordination does not make the call, nevertheless, when anyone has been rightly called, then this rite is a declaration and public confirmation that the call, which preceded it, is legitimate’ (Loci theologici, “De eccl., folio 126”). (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 261)

4. Gerhard:

a. See Lesson One

b. “‘Ordination is not a sacrament truly and properly so called, as is Baptism, but merely an ecclesiastical custom [Gebrauch]’ (Loci theologici, “De min. eccles.,” par. 156).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p.263)

5. Dannhauer, John Conrad

a. aka Johann Konrad.

b. 1603-66: prof. Strasbourg “Theologian of Lutheran Orthodox tradition.” (Luth. Cyclo. P. 221).

c. “‘Ordination belongs to good order. We therefore do not read that the called apostles were ordained as soon as they were sent out’ (Hodosophia christiana, p. 77, al. 149).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 265).

6. Kromayer, Jerome

a. aka Hieronymus Kromayer

b. 1610-70.

c. born Zeitz, Ger,; wrote against R.Cm., Calvisism, syncretism (Luth, Cyclo., p. 452).

d. “‘Ordination is used in a wider and narrower sense. In its wider sense it denotes the call itself; in its narrower sense it designates the solemn attestation before the congregation. The call is necessary, but ordination (in its narrow sense) is an adiaphoron….’ (Theologia positivo-polemica, p. 1060 [Dr. Walther’s translation]).” (quoted, Church and Ministry, p. 266)