TLHP 58 U.V. Koren and C.F.W. Walther’s views on American Government with Andrew Soule

In this episode of The Lutheran History Podcast, the discussion centers on the perspectives of 19th-century Lutheran pastors C.F.W. Walther and U.V. Koren regarding American slavery and governance. Both men were against slavery and sought its abolition, yet they had differing views on whether the institution itself was sinful. Koren condemned the abuses of slavery as evil but maintained that the institution was not inherently wrong, which contrasted with Clausen's stance. Additionally, both pastors critiqued the Enlightenment ideas shaping American society, cautioning against the perils of radical individualism and self-determinism. They believed these ideologies posed a threat to social order and Christian values, a concern that remains pertinent today.