The Coffee Hour — Battle for the Augsburg Confession, Ep. 4: American Lutheranism Develops

https://kfuo-od.streamguys1.com/recast/coffee-hour/20260128120414-2026-01-28_CH.mp3
Download Audio File

How did Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz influence the development of American Lutheranism? The Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie (the Forrest E. and Frances H. Ellis Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN) joins Andy and Sarah for a series on the Battle of the Augsburg Confession in American Lutheranism to explore the development of American Lutheranism in the 19th century, focusing on key figures like Samuel Simon Schmucker and Benjamin Kurtz. They discuss Schmucker’s vision for a uniquely American form of Lutheranism, the influence of the Second Great Awakening, and the internal conflicts within the General Synod as confessional Lutheranism began to assert itself against the backdrop of American religious life.

Find all episodes in this series at kfuo.org/tag/battle-for-the-augsburg-confession-series.

As you grab your morning coffee (and pastry, let’s be honest), join hosts Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth as they bring you stories of the intersection of Lutheran life and a secular world. Catch real-life stories of mercy work of the LCMS and partners, updates from missionaries across the ocean, and practical talk about how to live boldly Lutheran. Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact us at: listener@kfuo.org.

Today’s episode of The Coffee Hour is underwritten in part by Concordia University, Irvine. You can learn more about Concordia University, Irvine at cui.edu.