The Great Divide: A Lutheran Evaluation of Reformed Theology

by Jordan B. Cooper

For the Waltherian party, election is unconditional. It is a free act of God wherein God elects certain individuals unto salvation. He argued that proposing anything else negated the principle of sola gratia, giving humans credit in some manner for personal salvation.24 Walther was accused of being a closet Calvinist, and Walther defended himself by demonstrating his rejection of double predestination and limited atonement, and by showing the continuity of his own view with that of Luther and the Confessions.25 This led some churches to split away from the Synodical Conference26 under Walther’s leadership, while other major figures within the Synodical Conference, such as Adolf Hoenecke and Francis Pieper, defended Walther’s critique of intuitu fidei.27 Ultimately, the Waltherian position would become that of the Missouri Synod, Wisconsin Synod, and various other American Lutheran church bodies.28