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Papers by Benjamin Tomczak

Presented at the Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, Sep... more Presented at the Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI, September 19-20, 2016

Page 1. W111 the R ~§i;P¢Hl§Pl¢a§2 Stania vUp ' ' Rev Harriett Rodriguez V, ' &#x2... more Page 1. W111 the R ~§i;P¢Hl§Pl¢a§2 Stania vUp ' ' Rev Harriett Rodriguez V, ' ' II-'.“4 ' \ ..z§'- .- f"@E1 I A Page 2. Will Real Real Will the the Stand Up Stand Up Rev. Harriett Rodriguez Paul Please Paul Please Page 3. WILL THE REAL PAUL PLEASE STAND UP ...

A number of biographical sketches of Bo Giertz start with some variation on the same theme: He wa... more A number of biographical sketches of Bo Giertz start with some variation on the same theme: He was an atheist who became a bishop. He was a pastor's pastor. He was voted the most influential twentieth-century Swedish churchman. He wrote best-selling novels that powerfully preach and teach the Christian faith, like The Hammer of God, Faith Alone, The Knights of Rhodes, and With My Own Eyes. He wrote theological papers, devotions, commentaries, and hundreds of articles. There are a million copies of his books in print. He was sought for interviews, since he was a good quote ("The church has exactly as many sinners as members."). Some equate him to C.S. Lewis or Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And yet many would be hard pressed if asked to identify him. This paper hopes to change that and draw you to Giertz through his writings.

One of the buzzwords of 20th and 21st century theology -- especially Lutheran theology -- is "the... more One of the buzzwords of 20th and 21st century theology -- especially Lutheran theology -- is "theology of the cross." In the year where we mark the 500th anniversary of the Heidelberg Disputation where Martin Luther first talked about theologians of glory and theologians of the cross it is important to understand what it is to be a theologian of the cross, what that means for 21st century theology, and what incredible comfort the cross of Christ brings.

This essay especially explores four sinful tendencies that the theologian of the cross seeks to avoid: sinful speculation, attempting to tip the scales, eyeing the wrong prize, and failing to let God be God and do all the creating.

We know that our brain works. Thinking about things takes effort. We also know that the behavior ... more We know that our brain works. Thinking about things takes effort. We also know that the behavior of our conscience takes a toll on us. Neuroscientist and philosopher Patricia Churchland quantifies it. Neuroscience tells us that while the brain takes up 2% of our body mass, it uses 25% of our calories (Churchland, 33-34). Thinking, feeling, agonizing, working up the gumption to do or decide, takes a lot of energy. The conscience takes up a lot of energy.

This paper looks at the conscience from a biblical perspective.

American Lutherans have always wrestled with the relationship between the Holy Scriptures and the... more American Lutherans have always wrestled with the relationship between the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. This paper, presented at a Symposium on Hermeneutics, seeks to properly balance the relationship between the two, letting Scripture establish all doctrine and the Confessions offer an explanation and exegesis that is in accord with Scripture.

“It is altogether necessary for salvation to submit to the pope.” With these words Pope Boniface ... more “It is altogether necessary for salvation to submit to the pope.” With these words Pope Boniface VIII made clear the intended role of the papacy in the life of Christians everywhere. The papacy today still requires such submission when it declares in canon law that there is no appealing a papal decision and that the pope is a universal pastor of all Christians who can infallibly pronounce upon faith and morals binding the conscience of all Christians.

How revolutionary then when the Lutheran Church says, “The pope is the very Antichrist” and that he rules not by divine law but only by human law. How revolutionary then when the Lutheran Church makes demands of the pope, “Let us preach the Gospel and then we will treat you as our shepherd.”

In this presentation, we will look at Luther’s developing relationship with the pope and see how it parallels our own. We will look at the Antichrist in the past, present, and future, around and among us in this Reformation quincentennial.

Taking his cue from Scripture and the Confessions, Tomczak addresses the issue of liturgical unif... more Taking his cue from Scripture and the Confessions, Tomczak addresses the issue of liturgical uniformity in Lutheran worship. How much is too much, too little, or just right? Is uniformity good, necessary, or beneficial? What questions should we be asking as we approach liturgical discussions and debates in the 21st century?

A brief look at the significance of Luther's tower discovery and the "for you" of Biblical theology.

A brief overview of the St. Paul and the New Perspective on Paul

A Lutheran perspective on Reformed and Evangelical teachings concerning justification

Book Reviews by Benjamin Tomczak

A review of Sam Wellman's biography of Frederick the Wise, one of the few biographies of this maj... more A review of Sam Wellman's biography of Frederick the Wise, one of the few biographies of this major player in Reformation history and politics available in English.

A review of the recently published "Lutherans in America: A New History," by Mark Granquist. This... more A review of the recently published "Lutherans in America: A New History," by Mark Granquist. This work isn't just meant to "fill in the gap" since the last "classic" Lutheran histories were written by Wentz and Nelson, it also contends with what Granquist believes is a shift in ethos away from the ecumenical merger mania of the mid to late 20th century.

This paper looks at the conscience from a biblical perspective.

A brief look at the significance of Luther's tower discovery and the "for you" of Biblical theology.

A brief overview of the St. Paul and the New Perspective on Paul

A Lutheran perspective on Reformed and Evangelical teachings concerning justification

And he wouldn't deny that. Nor does he hide it. Horton's main goal is to walk the line between Ar... more And he wouldn't deny that. Nor does he hide it. Horton's main goal is to walk the line between Arminianism (in which he grew up) and hyper-Calvinism, which he defines as ranking "God's sovereignty and justice over his love" while, in his view, Arminianism tends to "reverse the order" (75). This goal places him squarely in the mainstream of Reformed theology.

A review of David Scaer's treatment of Baptism among 19th and earthly 20th century Lutherans. He ... more A review of David Scaer's treatment of Baptism among 19th and earthly 20th century Lutherans. He explores how those who tended to deny the miraculous powers of the means of grace (that is to say, rejected the truth of infant faith) still practiced and defended infant baptism.

A review of Stephen Westerholm's "Justification Reconsidered"