A Conflict in Combining Confessional Lutheranism and Political Conservatism at King of Kings Ev. Lutheran Church, Garden Grove, California

Abstract

Mark Brunner’s 1981 church history paper examines the early years of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Garden Grove, California, highlighting tensions between confessional Lutheran theology and political conservatism. The congregation attracted members disillusioned with liberal church bodies and drawn to its rejection of ecumenical affiliations. However, figures like Adolph Neumann, a John Birch Society member, sought to merge political activism with church life, creating internal conflict. Pastor Joel Gerlach addressed the issue, emphasizing the theological distinction between eternal truths and temporal politics. The paper documents how political extremism disrupted congregational unity, influenced educational decisions, and ultimately led to the founding of a daughter congregation. Through interviews, letters, and historical context, Brunner illustrates how King of Kings matured by reaffirming its spiritual mission over political agendas, offering a cautionary tale about conflating church and state. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)