What Caused the Federation for Authentic Lutheranism to Break-up

Abstract

The author describes his paper as follows, “The purpose of this paper is to show that the reasons for the dissolution of the F.A.L. were multifaceted, and no single event or reason led to the break-up of this church body. The purpose of this paper is not to second guess or play the role of the “Monday morning Quarter Back”. Nor is it the intent of this author to pass judgement on the F.A.L. or any of its members of Pastors. Certainly God used this small body for doing works in His kingdom. The individual members and Pastors were also strengthened, having had to take a confessional stand against such a large church body as the L.C.M.S., a stand that often meant loss of Church property and severed ties with relatives. The reason this paper is being written is that what has been written in the past does not square with the evidence to be found. I do not condemn this earlier work for it is good, but the conclusion may be more subjective than the evidence allows. Perhaps the advice of Prof. Fredricks should be heeded, “that history is best written 25 years after it has happened.” Perhaps my approach will also tend to be subjective but will rely more heavily upon documents than on responses on a questionnaire when emotions were still rather high, and even the responses were subjective. The more one looks through the evidence the more facets he finds that led to the end of FAL. The study of this subject has benefitted me greatly in doctrinal and practical matters.”