A Popular Presentation of the Teachings of the Bible New King James Edition

Edward W. A. Koehler, D.D. (18751951) Third Revised Edition Prepared for publication by Brent W. Kuhlman

3558 S. Jefferson Avenue St. Louis, MO 63118-3968 1-800-325-3040 www.cph.org Third Revised Edition 2006 Estate of Edward W. A. Koehler Second Revised Edition 1952 Alfred W. Koehler First Edition 1939 Edward W. A. Koehler All rights reserved. Used with permission. Other than downloading and reproduction for congregational use, no part of this material may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. For ordering information, please contact Concordia at 800-325-3040 or visit Concordia at www.cph.org. Order A Summary of Christian Doctrine (12-4127WEB). Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, quotations from the Lutheran Confessions are from Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions, 2006 by Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of Concordia, call 800-325-3040. Quotations from the Lutheran Confessions marked Triglot. are taken from Concordia Triglotta, 1921 Concordia Publishing House. All rights reserved. Some quotations taken from Luthers Small Catechism with Explanation, 1986, 1991 Concordia Publishing House. Hymn texts in the foreword are from Lutheran Service Book, 2006 Concordia Publishing House. Manufactured in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Koehler, Edward W. A. (Edward Wilhelm August), 1875-1951. Summary of Christian doctrine : a popular presentation of the teachings of the Bible / Edward W. A. Koehler ; revised by Brent W. Kuhlman. 3rd rev. ed. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN-13: 978-0-7586-0017-2 ISBN-10: 0-7586-0017-8 1. Lutheran ChurchDoctrines. 2. Theology, DoctrinalPopular works. I. Kuhlman, Brent W. II. Title. BX8065.3.K64 2007 238.41dc22 2006019598 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06

Contents
Forewords Abbreviations Part I: The Holy Scriptures 1. The Bible: The Source and Norm of Christian Doctrine
Bible proof 21 Gods Word revealed in human language 22 Right and wrong use of human reason in determining truth 22 Correct interpretation of the Bible 23 Human sources of doctrine rejected 23 Why man-made doctrines are not to be accepted 24 Position of the Lutheran Church 24

13 17

21

2. Origin and Inspiration of the Bible

Different human writers but one divine author 26 Divine inspiration 27 Divine inspiration is not dictation 29 Divine inspiration is an article of faith 30 All Scripture is inspired 31 Apocryphal books are not inspired 32 Copies and translations of Scripture are not inspired 32

26

3. Attributes of the Bible

The authority of the Bible 33 The inerrancy and truth of the Bible 33 The efficacy of the Bible 34 The sufficiency of the Bible 35 The perspicuity, or clarity, of the Bible 36

33

4. Divisions of the Bible

The Old and New Testaments 38 The general character of the books of the Bible 38 Law and Gospel 39

38

5. The Purpose of the Bible

The Bibles threefold purpose 40 No other book can accomplish this divine purpose 41 The entire Bible serves this purpose 42

40

6. The Use of the Bible

All people can use the Bible 43 How to use the Bible 44 Various uses of the Bible 46 Wrong use of the Bible 48

43

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Gods Word

49

Part II: Of God 7. Natural and Revealed Knowledge of God

Nature exhibits Gods existence 53 The conscience proves Gods existence 54 Belief in Gods existence is universal 54 The extent and limit of natural knowledge of God 55 The purpose of natural knowledge of God 55 The revealed knowledge of God 55

53

8. The Essence and the Attributes of God

The divine essence 57 The divine attributes 58

57 64

9. The Triune God

The unity of God 64 The trinity of God 65 Trinity in unity 67 God is incomprehensible 68 A fundamental Christian doctrine 68

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding God Part III: Creation and Providence 10. The Creation of the World
Source of information 73 The Creator 73 The creation 74 The duration of creation 74 The orderly progression of creation 75 The purpose of creation 75 The biblical record versus human myths 76

69

73

11. Divine Providence and Government

God rested 77 The immediate preservation of creation 77 The mediate preservation of creation 78 The concurrence of God 78 The government of God 81

77

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Creation Part IV: Of the Angels and of Humanity 12. Of the Angels
Existence of angels 87 The time of their creation 87 The nature of angels 87 The good angels 88 The evil angels 89

83

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13. Of Humanity
The creation of humanity 91 Human nature 92 Procreation 93 The original state of humanity 93 The fall of humanity 95

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A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Angels and Humanity Part V: Of the Law and of Sin 14. Of the Law
Natural knowledge of the Law 101 Human conscience and its

97

101

functions 102 The revealed Law 103 Definition and authority of the Law 104 Fulfillment of the Law 105 The curse of the Law 106 The purpose of the Law 107 The Christian and the Law 109

15. Of Sin
Definition 110 The cause of sin 111 The consequences of sin 113

110

16. Original Sin

Hereditary guilt 115 Hereditary depravity 116 Bible proof 116 Original sin is not essential to human nature 117 Original sin is a universal human trait 118

115

17. Actual Sin

Definition 119 Classification of sins 120 Sin against the Holy Spirit 120 Hardening of the heart 122 Sins against the conscience 122 Origin and cause of actual sin 123 Temptation 123 Offenses 124 Adiaphora 125

119

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding the Law and Sin Part VI: Salvation by the Grace of God through the Redemption in Christ Jesus 18. The Saving Grace of God
The necessity of grace 129 The certainty of divine grace 129 Definition of grace 130 Attributes of saving grace 131

126

129

19. The Person of Christ

The names of the Redeemer 133 The natures of Christ 134 The personal union of the natures in Christ 139 The communication of attributes 141 Why did our Savior have to be God and man? 144

133

20. The Life of the Redeemer in the States of Humiliation and Exaltation
The humiliation 146 Stages of humiliation 148 The exaltation 150 Stages of exaltation 151

146

21. The Work and Office of Christ

The prophetic office 158 The priestly office 161 The work of our high priest 162 The kingly office 168 The purpose of Christs work 171

158

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Salvation by the Grace of God through the Redemption in Christ Jesus

173

Part VII: Salvation by the Grace of God through the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit 22. Conversion Is Not the Work of People But of God
The relation between redemption and sanctification 177 Conversion is not our work 177 Conversion is the Holy Spirits work 181

177

23. Conversion
By the Law, God works knowledge of sin and contrition of the heart 185 The Holy Spirit calls people by the Gospel 186 The Holy Spirit enlightens people with His gifts by working faith in their hearts 187

185

24. Faith
Faith is the work of God 192 The essence of faith 192 The object of faith 195 The fluctuations and loss of faith 197 Faith can be lost 198 The functions of faith 199

192

25. Justification by Faith

Faith needs an object 201 Justification in detail 201 Why does faith save us? 206 The results of justification 208

201

26. Sanctification through Faith

The meaning of the word sanctification 211 Sanctification in detail 211 True faith always sanctifies 213 Sanctification varies 213 Santification is never perfect 214 Santification of life is not optional 214 Santification of life has no saving power 215 The causes of sanctification 215

211

27. Of Good Works

Two kinds of good works 217 Characteristics of good works before God 217 The unconverted cannot do good works 218 Everything a Christian does is not a good work 219 Adiaphora 219 Good works are necessary but not for justification 220 Good works are rewarded 220

217

28. Prayer
Christians pray 222 The form of prayer 222 The content of prayer 222 The basis of prayer 223 Prayers addressed to the triune God 223 We are moved to pray 224 For what may we pray? 224 For whom should we pray? 225 How should we pray? 226 When and where should we pray? 227 The efficacy of prayer 228 Prayer is not a means of grace 229

222

29. The Life of a Christian

Life under the cross 230 A life of hope 232

230

30. Preservation through Faith to Salvation

God keeps us in the faith 234 God preserves faith through the means of grace 235 Believers are to use the means of grace 235 The goal of such preservation of faith 236 Warnings against apostasy 236 Salvation is exclusively a work of divine grace 237 God wants all to be saved 237 Not all people are saved 238 A difficulty 238

234

31. The Election of Grace

General statement 240 Bible proof 241 Election in detail 242 Rsum 243 Knowledge of election 244 The comfort of this doctrine 245 The relation of the election of grace to the work of grace 245 False teachings on election 246

240

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Salvation by the Grace of God through the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit Part VIII: Salvation through the Means of Grace 32. The Gospel
The necessity of the means of grace 253 What are the means of grace? 253 The functions of the Gospel 254 The validity and efficacy of the means of grace 256 The Gospel is always efficacious 257 The Gospel is not always effective 257

247

253

33. The Law and the Gospel

The Law and the Gospel 259 Differences between the Law and the Gospel 259 The use of the Law and the Gospel 260

259

34. The Sacraments

Origin of the word sacrament 263 Definition 263 The validity of the Sacraments 264 The power of the Sacraments is the power of the Gospel 266 The benefit of the Sacraments 266 The number of Sacraments 266

263

35. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

A divine and permanent institution 269 The external element is water 269 The mode of Baptism 270 The formula of Baptism 271 Who is to be baptized? 272 Baptism is a means of grace 274 The source of Baptisms power 275 Baptism is not to be repeated 276 Necessity of Baptism 277 How should we use our Baptism? 278

269

36. The Sacrament of the Altar

Names 279 A divine and permanent institution 279 The visible elements 280 The heavenly elements 280 Transubstantiation 281 Representation (Symbolism) 282 Bible doctrine 283

279

 Which church has the Lords Supper? 285 The sacramental union and consecration 286 The validity of the Sacrament 289 The sacramental action 289 Sacramental eating and drinking 290 This do in remembrance of Me 291 The Lords Supper is a means of grace 294 The source of the Sacraments power 295 The beneficial use of the Sacrament 296 Self-examination 298 Open and closed Communion 299 The necessity of the Sacrament 300 Reasons for frequent attendance at the Sacrament 300

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Salvation through the Means of Grace Part IX: Of the Church and the Ministry Publishers Note 37. The Hidden/Invisible Church
What is the church? 313 The attributes of the church 316 God solely responsible for building and preserving the church 318 Where is the church? 319

305

311 313

38. The Revealed/Visible Church

Definition 322 Church denominations or confessions 323 True and false churches or confessions 323 Unity of faith, unity of doctrine, and unionism 325 The local church or congregation 328

322

39. The Government of the Church

Form of church government 330 Christ rules the church by His Word 330 The church has no divine authority apart from Gods Word 331 The dignity and authority of the local congregation 332 The holy and royal priesthood 333 The function of elders or pastors 334

330

40. The Office of the Keys

Who possesses the Office of the Keys? 336 The Office of the Keys is the power of the Word 337 Extent and limit of this power 338 The cardinal truth of the Word and the churchs commission 338

336

41. The Power to Remit and to Retain Sins

Objection to and misuse of this power 340 The releasing key 340 The binding key 342 Use of this power 343

340

42. Church Discipline

The duty of church discipline 345 The procedure 345 The meaning of excommunication 347 The purpose of excommunication 348

345

Publishers Note 43. The Office of the Holy Ministry

The Office of the Holy Ministry is a divine institution 351 The local congregations right to call a minister 352 God calls ministers through the church 354 Who may be called into the ministry? 355 Call and ordination 355 The clergy is not a holy order or priesthood 356 No grades in the ministry 357 The purpose of the Office of the Holy Ministry 358 The power of the Office of the Holy Ministry 359 The necessity of the Office of the Holy Ministry 359 The highest office in the church 360 The holy and royal priesthood 361 Difference between the royal priesthood and the Office of the Holy Ministry 362

349 351

44. Antichrist
General and specific use of antichrist 363 The marks of antichrist 363 Who is this antichrist? 365

363

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding the Church and the Ministry Part X: Civil Estates 45. Civil Government
Necessary distinction 375 Origin of civil power 375 Form of government 375 Purpose of government 376 Right of government 376 Limit of governmental power 377 The basic principle 377 Our duty to the government 378

368

375

46. Separation of State and Church

Difference between state and church 379 Separation of state and church 379 No church state and no state church 380

379

47. Matrimony
Matrimony is a divine institution 382 Matrimony is not a sacrament 382 Celibacy or matrimony 383 Polygamy 384 Prohibited marriages 384 Definition of marriage 385 Betrothal 385 The relationship between husband and wife 387 Matrimony is a lifelong union 387 Divorce 388 Remarriage 388

382

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding Civil Estates 390 Part XI: Of the Last Things 48. Temporal Death
Definition 395 Cause 395 A universal fact 395 Temporal death is not the end of a person 396

395

49. The State of Death

Continued existence 397 Where are the souls? 397 The souls do not return to earth 398 The determination of a persons eternal destiny 399

397

50. The Second Coming of Christ

The fact of Christs coming 400 The manner of Christs coming 400 The time of Christs coming 401 The signs of Christs coming 401

400

51. The Millennium

The position of the Lutheran Church 403 Premillennialism 403 Postmillenialism 404 No biblical support for chiliasm 404

403

52. The Resurrection of the Dead

The possibility of a resurrection 407 The fact of the resurrection 407 The time of the resurrection 408 The efficient cause of the resurrection 408 Who will be raised? 408 Identity of persons in body and soul 409 Condition of the body 409

407

53. The Final Judgment

The time and location of the judgment 411 The judge 411 Who will be judged? 412 By what will people be judged? 412 The judgment is not an investigation 414 Punishment and reward 414

411

54. The End of the World

The fact 415 The time 415 The means of destruction 415 Annihilation or renovation 416

415

55. Eternal Damnation

The fact 418 State of damnation 418 The cause of damnation 419 The location of hell 419 The purpose of this doctrine 420

418

56. Eternal Salvation

The fact 421 The state of bliss 421 Where is heaven? 423 The way to heaven 423 The purpose of this doctrine 424

421

A Selected Bibliography for Further Study Regarding the Last Things Index

426 429

Foreword
Publishers Preface to the Third Edition
For nearly three-quarters of a century, A Summary of Christian Doctrine has been a valuable tool for the student of the Lutheran faith. Its concise presentation of doctrine offers a unique introduction to the Lutheran Confessions for students and laypeople. Whenever possible, this third edition makes use of modern versions of the key source texts used by Edward Koehler, including the New King James Version of Holy Scripture and Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions. In addition, Brent Kuhlman, editor of this edition, has made every effort to update the textual notes and to add bibliographic information to reflect the nearly seven decades of theological research and publishing that has transpired since the first edition. We pray that this third edition of A Summary of Christian Doctrine will take its place with the previous editions as a treasured resource for information and instruction in the Lutheran faith.

To the Third Edition

Lord Jesus Christ, with us abide, For round us falls the eventide. O let Your Word, that saving light, Shine forth undimmed into the night. (Lutheran Service Book 585:1)

Gods most holy Word is His precious gift to us. Gods Word does and gives what it says. He kills the sinner through His Word of the Law. He raises up a new man through the Word of the Gospel. This Gospel is nothing else than the good news that Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God
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14__A Summary of Christian Doctrine

who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29), that without any merit or worthiness in us, God was in Christ graciously reconciling the world to Himself, not counting our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). And this Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God to salvation for all who believe (Romans 1:16). Jesus won this salvation for us in His bloody death, and it is delivered to us in the preached Gospel, Baptism, and the Lords Supper. Through these, as through means, [God] gives the Holy Spirit who produces faith (AC V). Such faith clings only to Jesus Christ confessed in the Word of the Gospel (Luke 24:2527, 4447). In [the Gospel] the righ-teousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). Dr. Koehlers popular book makes this good confession: We are nothing; Jesus is everything. And so his book is like the voice of John the Baptist, who proclaimed: [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).
In these last days of great distress Grant us, dear Lord, true steadfastness That we keep pure till life is spent Your holy Word and Sacrament. (Lutheran Service Book 585:2) Brent W. Kuhlman Trinity Lutheran Church, Murdock, Nebraska The Day of Pentecost (March 15, 2005)

To the Second Edition

The great popularity and evident usefulness of the first edition of A Summary of Christian Doctrine, as well as the express desire of Dr. Koehler to issue a second revised edition, has led his children to have this book published. To the undersigned was given the joyful task to examine and to arrange the manuscript and notes that Dr. Koehler had almost completed for publication prior to his death. Although the second edition generally follows the copy of the first, certain portions have been clarified and elaborated upon. We issue this book in the hope that many will be led to Gods truth through it and many more confirmed therein.
Alfred W. Koehler Oakland, California, November 19, 1951.

Foreword__15

To the First Edition

If the truth of Gods Word is to accomplish its divinely intended purpose, it must be taught and accepted as it is revealed in Holy Scripture. Any change or corruption of these teachings will necessarily affect the influence they have on the hearts and the lives of people. Guided by wrong information, man will go wrong. Only the right doctrine can create the right faith in our hearts and lead us in the right way through life. Conscious of this, the author in writing this Summary of Christian Doctrine was guided by no other consideration than this: What does God say in His Word? Therefore he has documented his statements with pertinent Bible references. With the exception of a few instances, he has not attempted to disprove erroneous teachings; rather, he has in a positive way set forth what the Scriptures teach. The reason for writing this summary was to provide students with a suitable manual to be used in connection with the Bible as the basis for class discussion of Christian doctrines. Between the catechism (used in elementary instruction) and the larger works on dogmatics (used in theological seminaries), we have at present no book that in a concise form, yet in a fairly comprehensive manner, systematically treats the doctrines of the Scriptures. Although not supplanting the more scholarly works used in theological seminaries, this summary may supply a real need in Christian colleges. However, the summary may also serve pastors in office as a convenient review in Christian doctrine, recalling to their minds what they have learned, crystallizing their doctrinal concepts, and inciting them to dig deeper into the divine truths. The material has been arranged so it can easily be expanded into doctrinal papers and lectures at conferences and in congregations. But especially to teachers in parish and Sunday schools, the summary might prove helpful in clarifying and widening knowledge of those truths that they would teach their pupils. Teachers should not think that though they must continue studies in other fields of learning, they know enough to teach children the simple truths of the catechism and have, therefore, no need of further study. Confused teaching is often caused by confused knowledge. One must know well to teach well, and one must know more than just the lesson he wishes to impart. Therefore Paul says, [G]ive attention to reading (1 Timothy 4:13). A study of this summary will help us better understand the catechism, giving us deeper insight into its teachings. For this reason this summary may profitably be used for private study and also as a basic text in Sunday school teachers classes and institutes.

16__A Summary of Christian Doctrine

A Summary of Christian Doctrine is a plain and simple statement of the doctrines of the Bible. Avoiding technical terms and discussions, it should appeal also to the average layperson. Ignorance begets indifference, and indifference leads to the loss of the truth. In our day and age religious knowledge is in many quarters vague and superficial. In the press and over the radio, religious ideas and opinions are ventilated that cloud, obscure, and distort fundamental truths of the Bible. It is important, therefore, that also the laypeople of the church are well indoctrinated so they grow in knowledge of Gods Word beyond the elementary instruction they received in their youth. It is not enough that we have the truth in our books and Bibles; we must know the truth. The knowledge of the truth fortifies us against error. The works of many recognized writers in the field of Christian doctrine were consulted in the writing of this summary, and they were directly quoted when, in the opinion of the author, they adequately expressed the point under discussion. Numerous Bible references will be found, and these should be carefully studied so readers may see for themselves whether the doctrines set forth agree with the Word of God (Acts 17:11). Our faith must not be built on what men say but on what God says in His Book; only in this way can our hearts be established (Hebrews 13:9). The frequent references to and quotations from the Lutheran Confessions serve the definite purpose of showing that the teachings of the Lutheran Church are in full agreement with the Bible. It is, therefore, hoped that a study of this summary will encourage many to study also the Confessions of the Lutheran Church to the end that a true unity of faith may ultimately be achieved by all who profess adherence thereto. The author would express his indebtedness to all those who encouraged and helped him to publish this book, especially to Dr. C. F. Brommer of Seward, Nebraska, and to Dr. Theodore Engelder of St. Louis, Missouri, who read the manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. May the Lord bless the study of this summary so we may better understand and more firmly believe the truth that makes us free. Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus.
Edward W. A. Koehler River Forest, Illinois, January 29, 1939. Centennial of the Saxon Immigration.