# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Mai 1863_S130
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

130 What Do the Apostles Say, and What Does Christ the Lord Say, About Our Catechism Controversy.

Luther and his book, as well as of those who believe the Lutheran Church
possesses in it an unblemished sanctuary, rest content with the mere
accusation. I demand the proof, and I am not frightened by the bravado of
the claim that O. C. R. Meyer, Church Councilor Schenkel, and other
professors have proven it, and that everyone must know this who is even
superficially acquainted with the most recent research, etc. Nor am I
unaware how much the theology of recent times imagines it has discovered in
contradiction to the "faith" to which I referred in No. 163 (see Rom.
12:7). And were I willing to content myself with occupying myself only "in
a cursory way" with such results of the new research, the dust of it might
cloud my own sight as well. But along the path of religious need I have
learned to distinguish the wheat from the chaff, to hold — as I have said
before — to wholesome bread, and to long for the grace that makes the heart
steadfast. (cf. 2 Peter 1:19.)

Let no one speak so vaguely into thin air! Let him read Luther's catechism
and examine every single word of it, whether it is drawn from God's Word or
not. But let no one demand of the faith, and of those who confess it, that
it surrender the standard of judgment to "the consciousness of the present
age." For we Protestants tolerate no other authority than that of Holy
Scripture. That it should come to prevail is our one and only task.

But what improper thing has one been able to discover in Luther's catechism
in the light of the Word of God? It and its explanation are charged with
the following:

1. That it teaches the doctrine that there is a devil. I ask: does this
doctrine have no basis in the Bible? Or from where else should it have
found its way into the "new catechism"? The devil, Scripture teaches,
seduces Eve, tempts Christ, is cast out by our Redeemer, and so forth. What
exegesis can expunge this doctrine from the Bible?

2. That it dares to speak of sorcery. — This, indeed, could not be
avoided, for in expounding the Second Commandment Luther touched upon this
sin. Thus God expressly forbids it in the books of Moses: "You shall not
allow a sorcerer to live among your people!" Of Saul it is told that he had
recourse to sorcery at Endor. The apostles repeatedly find themselves
confronting sorcerers. (cf. Acts 8:9; 13:8; 16:16.) Even at the close of
the holy Book of the Bible, "the sorcerers" are named among those who "are
outside." (see Rev. 22:15.) — There is really, then, nothing to be said
against this sin being properly explained as against the Second
Commandment, except that it does not correspond to "the consciousness of
the present age." But since the Lutheran Church believes in a Lord who
will indeed judge the age — including our own — together with its
consciousness, yet has by no means subjected his Bible and the faith to its
scepter, there can hardly be any question as to who, in this case, must do
some violence to his own