Today, in 1519, marked a watershed moment in religious history. The Leipzig Debate, held at Pleissenburg Castle in Leipzig, Germany, took place in June and July 1519 and reached its conclusion on July 16th. This public discussion was between theologian Johannes Eck, a supporter of the Pope, and Martin Luther. Luther was called upon to defend his writings against the church. Duke George of Saxony, who was an opponent of Luther, initiated and presided at the debate. This event was consequential in the Protestant Reformation.
This religious rift focused on several theological issues, such as free will and grace. However, the most significant issues dealt with Luther’s opposition to the Roman Catholic church’s positions on the existence of purgatory, the sale of indulgences, and the legitimate authority of the papacy. Luther defended his positions based on sola scriptura (scripture alone). Succinctly, his religious beliefs were that these matters must have a scriptural basis, and if they didn’t, he could not support the church’s position. Less than a year following the debate, Pope Leo X moved to excommunicate Luther for his teachings.
This Sunday, July 18th, we have a special guest who is quite familiar with religious rifts joining us for worship. During the mid-1970s, a scholarly theological schism at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis led many professors and students to depart and start a new seminary in a nearby building. As a result, that school became known as “Seminary in Exile.” In response, the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS), in support of Concordia Seminary, did not want its local districts ordaining any seminarians from the “Seminex” seminary. Our congregation, instead, welcomed the Holy Spirit’s guidance and called the Reverend Robert Wollenburg, a “Seminex” graduate, to serve as our associate pastor. The success of that decision is undebatable. Pastor Wollenburg, a survivor of that religious rift, returns this Sunday to preach and preside at our liturgies at 9:15 AM (indoors) or 10:30 AM (outdoors drive-in) liturgies. Would you please join us in welcoming home Pastor Wollenburg?