Christian Theology Volume II

Milton Valentine (1825-1906) was the most prominent theologian of the General Synod after the death of Samuel Schmucker. Unlike Schmucker, Valentine was committed to the unaltered Augsburg Confession, and argues for Lutheran unity in America based on a quia subscription to the Augustana. Unity was impossible however, between the General Synod and the General Council due to the remaining liberalism amongst many clergy and theologians in the General Synod. Though committed to the Augustana and the historic Lutheran tradition as he understood it, Valentine was still largely influenced by the protestantizing tendencies of his own church body. This should not, however, serve as grounds for dismissing Valentine as a theologian. He was a highly original and intelligent theologian, producing the best theological textbooks to arise from the General Synod. Valentine's treatment of the order of salvation and the work of Christ are especially beneficial. When speaking of the sacraments, however, Valentine is influenced by Reformed thinking. This is the second volume of Valentine's Systematic Theology that served as a textbook for many years at Gettysburg Seminary where Valentine served as president. This second volume covers soteriology, the sacraments, ecclesiology, and eschatology.