American Lutheran Views on Eschatology and How They Related to the American Protestants

Abstract

John M. Brenner’s essay, American Lutheran Views on Eschatology and How They Related to the American Protestants, surveys the historical development of millennial thought in American Protestantism and its influence on Lutheran theology. Brenner defines key eschatological positions—amillennialism, postmillennialism, and premillennialism—and traces their evolution from Puritanism through the Second Great Awakening to modern dispensationalism. He examines how Lutheran figures such as Schmucker, Seiss, and Peters engaged with millennialism, often adapting or resisting prevailing American religious trends. Brenner contrasts the permissive stance of the General Synod, General Council, and Iowa Synod with the confessional opposition of the Synodical Conference. He concludes that historic Lutheranism, grounded in Scripture and the Augsburg Confession, rejects both postmillennial and premillennial schemes, affirming Christ’s return not to reign on earth but to bring believers into eternal glory. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)