John Lenker

January 28, 1858 (age 71)

Sunbury, Pennsylvania, United States

Lenker was ordained in 1880 but did not enter the active ministry until two years later when he was called to Grand Island, Nebraska. After four years there he was called to work for the Board of Church Extension of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States and in eight years raised $400, 000 for this cause. He then turned his attention to the virgin field of Pan-Lutheranism. During his student days in Germany he had traveled at his own expense in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Baltic Provinces, and in Austria and Germany. Everywhere he tried to arouse the churches to a "Lutheran consciousness, " and everywhere he sought to persuade the churches in the older lands to take a conciliatory attitude toward the daughter churches in the "diaspora. " To bridge the gap between the old and the new lands, Lenker joined Dr. Luthardt of Leipzig University and Pastor Medem of Magdeburg in publishing three pamphlets Kirchliches Addressbuch fuer Auswanderer nach Nordamerika (1882), Blank Letters of Recommendation (1882), and Dringende Bitte fuer Auswanderer (1882). But the seeds of Pan-Lutheranism were most effectively sowed and disseminated in the epochal and prophetic Lutherans in All Lands Series. In 1893 Lenker published a book, built largely of the materials that he had collected in his travels and from first-hand correspondence with leaders in various lands, which he called Lutherans in All Lands. The first edition of more than eight hundred pages was supplemented by other editions, the most notable being the supplemented edition of 1919. In 1901 the book appeared in German under the title Die Lutherische Kirche der Welt. A Lutherans in All Lands Company was formed at Grand Island, Nebraska, and later at Minneapolis, Minnesota; both of these were superseded by the Luther Press at Minneapolis. From these presses came the Lutherans in All Lands Quarterly and the Northern Review, both under the editorship of Lenker. From 1900 to 1904 Lenker was at the Danish-American Lutheran institution, Trinity Seminary, Blair, Nebraska, where he taught church history, Old Testament exegesis, Hebrew, and German. Again straining at the leash of routine, he set about to make another dream come true. Some years earlier he had resolved that he would issue an edition of Luther's works. The first volume, Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-two Psalms, translated by Henry Cole, was issued in 1903. Luther on the Creation was published in 1904, supplemented in 1910 by a second volume: Luther on Sin and the Flood. The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude also appeared in 1904. Of "Luther's Church Postil Gospels, " one volume appeared in 1904, two in 1905, one in 1906, and one in 1907. Luther on Christian Education was published in 1907. "Luther's Epistle Sermons" were published in three volumes (1908 - 1909). Lenker was president of the General Lutheran Missionary Conference; vice-president of the American Lutheran Mission for Russia; secretary of the American Lutheran Statistical Association; and founder of the students' missionary societies of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. After 1904 he made his home in Minneapolis.

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book

Lutherans in All Lands: The Wonderful Works of God; Volumes I and II (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from Lutherans in All Lands: The Wonderful Works ...)

Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost

A Treatise on Good Works Together with the Letter of Dedication

(This collection of literature attempts to compile many cl...)

Concerning Christian Liberty

(This collection of literature attempts to compile many cl...)

Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, ... Second Thousand (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Chri...)

Excerpt from Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, Walch's Analyses and Bugenhagen's "Summaries"; Second Thousand Paul of modern times, who was the first to carry the Gospel. From Europe back to Asia, sailing from Copenhagen, Den mark, Nov. 29, I 70 5, under commission of the Scandinavian King, Frederick I V, and landing at Tranquebar, India, July 9, 1706; and there baptized the first Protestant con vert and erected the first Protestant church, and was the first to translate the Scriptures and Luther's Writings into the language of cultured heathenism; and whose letters and reports were translated into English by Rev. Anton Wilhelm Boehme, the German Luther an pastor in London, thus laying the foundation of the Heathen Mission Work in the English World, the 200th Anniversary of whose work the Protestant Church throughout the World is now celebrating; to Ziegenbalg, the mis sionary Paul, who was also three times in Africa and plead for the sending of the first missionaries to the dark continent, and was the first returned Protestant missionary to visit Germany, S candi navia and England; this volume of Luther, the theological Paul, is, with the hope that Ziegenbal g and Luther may be honored together, not only by all Lutherans throughout the world, but by Protestants of all Bonomi nations, most cheerfully, prayerfully and respect fully, and in the name of Christ, our Saviour, dedicated. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole's Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts ... and Edited in Complete Form (Classic Reprint)

(Excerpt from Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two ...)

Excerpt from Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole's Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts Retranslated and Edited in Complete Form But, most illustrious Prince, neither of these Ino tives answer my design. For, in the first place, I am aware that none of the productions which proceed from me, deserve a patron and so far, it is a happiness that I know my deficiency. And, even if I could pro duce that which should be worthy of the sanction of a patron's name, yet I should by no means be anxious to put it under a patron's protection. Nay, as soon as i learnt from the Holy Scriptures, how terror-filled and perilous a matter it was to preach publicly in the church of God, and to speak in the midst of those whom you know will one day be your judges, and that in the pre sence of God the beholder of all things, in the sight of angels, and in the sight and hearing of all creatures, there was nothing that I So much desired as Silence, wishing also, that a sponge could deface all that ever I: had in my poor foolish way published abroad. For it is a momentous and awe-striking matter to render an ac count unto God even for every idle word. Nor does he now keep me in the ministry of the Word, but by an overruled Obedience to a will above my own, that is, his divine will: for, as to my own will, it always shrunk from it, nor is it fully reconciled unto into this hour. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7

Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Luther on Sin and the Flood

(Martin Luther was one of the most influential men of the ...)

The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther ... Based on the Kaiser Chronological Edition, With References to the Erlangen and Walch Editions;: 13

( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)

Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent

John Nicholas Lenker

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clergyman historian translator

Background

John Nicholas Lenker was born at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, the son of John Bobb and Mary Ann (Gearhart) Lenker.

Education

He attended Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio, where he received the degrees of A. B. and A. M. in 1879 and 1880, and in 1881 he received the candidate of theology degree from Hamma Divinity School in Springfield. The next year he spent in graduate study at the University of Leipzig, Germany.

Career

Lenker was ordained in 1880 but did not enter the active ministry until two years later when he was called to Grand Island, Nebraska. After four years there he was called to work for the Board of Church Extension of the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States and in eight years raised $400, 000 for this cause. He then turned his attention to the virgin field of Pan-Lutheranism.

During his student days in Germany he had traveled at his own expense in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the Baltic Provinces, and in Austria and Germany. Everywhere he tried to arouse the churches to a "Lutheran consciousness, " and everywhere he sought to persuade the churches in the older lands to take a conciliatory attitude toward the daughter churches in the "diaspora. " To bridge the gap between the old and the new lands, Lenker joined Dr. Luthardt of Leipzig University and Pastor Medem of Magdeburg in publishing three pamphlets Kirchliches Addressbuch fuer Auswanderer nach Nordamerika (1882), Blank Letters of Recommendation (1882), and Dringende Bitte fuer Auswanderer (1882). But the seeds of Pan-Lutheranism were most effectively sowed and disseminated in the epochal and prophetic Lutherans in All Lands Series.

In 1893 Lenker published a book, built largely of the materials that he had collected in his travels and from first-hand correspondence with leaders in various lands, which he called Lutherans in All Lands. The first edition of more than eight hundred pages was supplemented by other editions, the most notable being the supplemented edition of 1919. In 1901 the book appeared in German under the title Die Lutherische Kirche der Welt. A Lutherans in All Lands Company was formed at Grand Island, Nebraska, and later at Minneapolis, Minnesota; both of these were superseded by the Luther Press at Minneapolis. From these presses came the Lutherans in All Lands Quarterly and the Northern Review, both under the editorship of Lenker.

From 1900 to 1904 Lenker was at the Danish-American Lutheran institution, Trinity Seminary, Blair, Nebraska, where he taught church history, Old Testament exegesis, Hebrew, and German. Again straining at the leash of routine, he set about to make another dream come true. Some years earlier he had resolved that he would issue an edition of Luther's works. The first volume, Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-two Psalms, translated by Henry Cole, was issued in 1903. Luther on the Creation was published in 1904, supplemented in 1910 by a second volume: Luther on Sin and the Flood. The Epistles of St. Peter and St. Jude also appeared in 1904. Of "Luther's Church Postil Gospels, " one volume appeared in 1904, two in 1905, one in 1906, and one in 1907. Luther on Christian Education was published in 1907. "Luther's Epistle Sermons" were published in three volumes (1908 - 1909).

Lenker was president of the General Lutheran Missionary Conference; vice-president of the American Lutheran Mission for Russia; secretary of the American Lutheran Statistical Association; and founder of the students' missionary societies of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. After 1904 he made his home in Minneapolis.

Achievements

One of the Lenker's most important publications was the standard edition of Luther's works for the English-speaking people. Thirteen volumes were all issued from Lenker's two Minneapolis presses. At his death he had nine other volumes of Luther's works ready for the press.

Works

Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost

A Treatise on Good Works Together with the Letter of Dedication A Treatise on Good Works Together with the Letter of Dedication

Concerning Christian Liberty Concerning Christian Liberty

$Luther\'s Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, ... Second Thousand (Classic Reprint) Luther\'s Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, ... Second Thousand (Classic Reprint)$ $Luther\'s Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole\'s Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts ... and Edited in Complete Form (Classic Reprint) Luther\'s Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole\'s Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts ... and Edited in Complete Form (Classic Reprint)$ Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7 Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7

Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7 Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7

Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Luther on Sin and the Flood Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Luther on Sin and the Flood

The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther ... Based on the Kaiser Chronological Edition, With References to the Erlangen and Walch Editions;: 13 The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther ... Based on the Kaiser Chronological Edition, With References to the Erlangen and Walch Editions;: 13

Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent

book
- Lutherans in All Lands: The Wonderful Works of God; Volumes I and II (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from Lutherans in All Lands: The Wonderful Works ...)
- A Treatise on Good Works Together with the Letter of Dedication
  (This collection of literature attempts to compile many cl...)
- Concerning Christian Liberty
  (This collection of literature attempts to compile many cl...)
- Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Luther on Sin and the Flood
  (Martin Luther was one of the most influential men of the ...)
- The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther ... Based on the Kaiser Chronological Edition, With References to the Erlangen and Walch Editions;: 13
  ( This work has been selected by scholars as being cultur...)
- Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, ... Second Thousand (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Chri...)
- Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole's Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts ... and Edited in Complete Form (Classic Reprint)
  (Excerpt from Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two ...)
- Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost
- Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7
- Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent

Connections

On September 18, 1919, Lenker was married to Nora Cecelia Walsted of Christiania (Oslo), Norway.

Father:: John Bobb Lenker
Mother:: Mary Ann (Gearhart) Lenker
Spouse:: Nora Cecelia Walsted

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book

Lutherans in All Lands: The Wonderful Works of God; Volumes I and II (Classic Reprint)

Epistle Sermons, Vol. II Epiphany, Easter and Pentecost

A Treatise on Good Works Together with the Letter of Dedication

Concerning Christian Liberty

Luther's Church Postil Gospels, Advent, Christmas and Epiphany Sermons, Vol. 1: Translated Now for the First Time Into English; With Introduction, ... Second Thousand (Classic Reprint)

Luther's Commentary on the First Twenty-Two Psalms, Vol. 1: Based on Dr. Henry Cole's Translation From the Original Latin; Revised, Enlarged, Parts ... and Edited in Complete Form (Classic Reprint)

Complete Sermons Of Martin Luther - Volumes 1-7

Commentary on Genesis, Vol. II: Luther on Sin and the Flood

The Precious and Sacred Writings of Martin Luther ... Based on the Kaiser Chronological Edition, With References to the Erlangen and Walch Editions;: 13

Epistle Sermons, Vol. III Trinity Sunday to Advent

John Nicholas Lenker

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