Myth versus Fact about CFW Walther

Forster's vast research reveals the true nature of the Saxon migration that became the LCMS. He was trained in the Missouri Synod and earned a PhD as a historian.

When I tried to point out the vanity of promoting the CFW Walther myth on ALPB Online's forum, I was savagely attacked in the most bizarre fashion. The ELCA journalist Charles Austin and the apostate LCMS District President ganged up with some Walther disciples to launch a series of personal attacks, which I found amusing.

I fed their rage by answering them appropriately. They made such fools of themselves that the entire thread was erased and started over again. The Austin/Benke tag-team retreated for the second round.

This is a glimpse of what the group posted when I published some facts about Walther in the erased thread:
1. I had no right posting on the discussion board until I had proved all of my credentials, including where I was trained, where I was ordained, who ordained me, whether I went to Notre Dame or not, and whether I taught in higher education.
2. I was trashing Walther.
3. I had no right posting about Walther because I was not LCMS.
4. I made fun of Notre Dame graduates (not true).
5. I belonged to more than one synod, although they failed to mention Al Barry (four synods), Robert Preus (three synods), and Rolf Preus (LCMS twice, ELS, rejected by Canada's synod, Rolf Synod once but  abandoned by the Rolf Synod pastors). The Rolf thread on ALPB has 22 pages already.
6. Did I study urban ministry under Mark Jeske? Did I know about the Jeremiah Project?
7. Did I read Arabic script? One dysfunctional pastor said I had the pillars of Islam wrong on some details. He used a post on a rarely used blog from seven years ago.
8. The same people could not find biographical details about me, though those details are published all over the Net.
9. Not to be outdone, the "moderator" Peter Speckard blocked one of my new comments and later asked,
http://www.alpb.org/forum/index.php?topic=5300.msg324081;topicseen#msg324081


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Allow me to briefly compare the Walther myth to the reality.

1. Myth - Walther was an orthodox Lutheran who sought to bring true Lutheran doctrine to America, which was awash in Pietism, revivalism, and all kinds of doctrine error.
Fact - Walther's academic training was limited to a bachelor's degree in a rationalistic university. He placed himself under the leadership of one severe Pietistic guru and also joined a Pietistic Bible study group. When the first guru died, he and his cell group placed themselves under Martin Stephan, a Pietist with a Pietistic congregation that was allowed to have cell groups at the church's location.

2. Myth - Walther was a leader of the Saxons.
Fact - Stephan was the person who brought the large group over the America. Walther took over gradually after organizing the riot that deposed Stephan. Without Stephan there would have been no pilgrimage to America.

3. Myth - Walther taught Luther's doctrine.
Fact - Walther learned Halle's Easter absolution from Martin Stephan who studied at Halle. Walther taught this Easter absolution, contrary to Luther, all his life. Ironically - Stephan never graduated from the two universities he attended. His role as a Bohemian Pietist allowed him to serve a special congregation in spite of his lack of qualifications.

4. Myth - Walther never went along with Stephan being made bishop for life.
Fact - Walther signed the document pledging his obedience to Stephan, as all the clergy leaders did. Oddly, Walther listed himself as the pastor of the congregation where he had resigned his call. All this happened was after Stephan left his wife and family in Dresden (except one healthy son) - taking his female groupies along on the trip, including his main mistress Louise.

5. Myth - Walther and the clergy suddenly found out about Stephan's adultery.
Fact - Vehse and Marbach defended Stephan in court in Dresden, on the issues of serial adultery and financial mismanagement. The young ladies hanging around Stephan created questions on the ship (son's account) and lots of talk in St. Louis. Stephan avoided choice land in St. Louis over garbage property in Perryville, where he was less likely to be strung up along with his obedient clergy followers.

6. Myth - The riot was caused by a sudden, shocking discovery of the adultery of Stephan, after a moving sermon and a confession by one or two ladies. Louise later denied any confession.
Fact - Since the clergy knew all about the adultery, thanks to the court case, the walks at night with young women, and various other obvious signs of moral turpitude, the riot had to have another cause. Based on the research of others, I agree that the outbreak of syphilis among Stephan's girlfriends was the breaking point (potentially fatal for the leaders) and also an ideal opportunity for Walther.

7. Myth - No one can figure out how Stephan, known for his understanding and leadership of people, became so bizarre in his behavior and demands in America.
Fact - His children died from syphilitic symptoms after being institutionalized. His wife was also ill. Stephan complained of rashes, which are a sign of syphilis. His mental decline is consistent with the neurological phase of the disease, called "the great imitator." His trips to spas and his night walks were convenient ways to be with his various girlfriends. He even moved one into his house, like Karl Barth, and moved her back in when his long-suffering wife threw the girl out.

7. Myth - Walther handled the situation well.
Fact - Walther violated the Scriptures when he failed to confront the bishop about the adultery, passing up many opportunities. When Walther went down to Perryville, he used to opportunity to arrange support for the upcoming spontaneous riot and to steal the land the group gave to the bishop. He failed to meet with Stephan. Walther arranged the riot and only took his supporters along. No dissent was allowed.

8. Myth - Things got better after a rough but necessary action.
Fact - Walther and his crew stole a vast amount of gold from Stephan, a library of 1500 books, all personal possessions, and a total of 120 acres of land. The gold went a long way toward making the society solvent again. The land was divided among the winners. The books were handy for the new seminary (a theft copied later by Seminex, with howls of outrage from the grandchildren of the original thieves). Stephan was accused of stealing money from the group, so they piled slander on top of their crimes. As Luther noted, deception is always used as a cover for greed.

Zion on the Mississippi has almost all the information needed. The book has been around for about 50 years, so there is no excuse for the fairy tales broadcast by the LCMS.

The Stephan book, In Pursuit of Religious Freedom, makes it clear that Stephan left house arrest to pursue sexual freedom for himself in America. The group felt persecuted because Stephan was under a cloud for his corruption. They were sure the Gospel left Europe when they set sail, even though Walther himself was escaping arrest warrants for kidnapping his niece and nephew.

If the readers do not think the LCMS is as mean, vindictive, petty, and dishonest as Walther appears in the Stephan book, they should follow LutherQuest (sic) or ALPB for a few hours.

I found Servant of the Word, a gushing hagiography, to be useful in filling in details, including the Missouri fable about Stephan smuggling gold pieces in his hollow cane. Sure - while they were threatening his life, stripping him down to look for money, and forcing him to sleep outside for the night, the bishop was jingling away with his gold-filled cane.

I have bought the Fuerbringer books 2.5 times, giving them away to friends to read. Fuerbringer has interesting points about NOT KNOWING the early history from his Uncle CFW and the source of the jewel encrusted chalice stolen from Stephan and used by Walther as a trophy - for Holy Communion.

There is another book, CFW Walther, The American Luther. I read that long ago.