Dr. Wohlrabe’s important paper, “Doctrinal Integrity and Outreach” is now available. Click here to read it in its entirity.
Here is an excerpt from the paper’s Conclusion:
There is no denying the deep polarization within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod at present. However, it should be recognized, as this paper demonstrates, this is not a recent occurrence. It has been developing for some time. Nor can it be characterized simply as a political power struggle. In reality, for more than fifty years there has been a battle within the Synod over the both/and of doctrinal integrity and outreach, as well as over the proper distinction between Law and Gospel. While some have sought to advocate outreach at the expense of doctrinal integrity, confessional pastors and lay people have sought to pull the pendulum back from an either/or to a both/and. The outcome of this ongoing struggle is unclear.
