The Seminary's Unchanging Foundation in a Changing World: Sola Gratia

Abstract

In this essay, Prof. John M. Brenner explores the foundational Lutheran doctrine of sola gratia—salvation by grace alone—as central to the mission and curriculum of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. He traces the biblical and confessional understanding of grace as God’s undeserved favor toward fallen mankind, rooted in Christ’s redemptive work and offered universally through the gospel. Brenner outlines the characteristics of saving grace—its certainty, completeness, effectiveness, and resistibility—and contrasts it with synergistic and legalistic errors throughout church history. He warns against modern threats to sola gratia, including decision theology, conditional gospel preaching, and misdirected mission priorities. The essay emphasizes the importance of properly distinguishing law and gospel in preaching, teaching, counseling, and evangelism. Brenner concludes by affirming the seminary’s ongoing role in training pastors to proclaim God’s grace faithfully in a world that desperately needs it. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)