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It is true, brethren, as you well
know, that in our day it is common for people to say, “Emphasizing doctrine so much only harms and hinders the kingdom
of God, yes, even destroys it.” Many say, “Instead of disputing over doctrine so much, we should much rather be
concerned with souls and with leading them to Christ.” But all who speak in this way do not really know what they are
saying or what they are doing. As foolish as it would be to scold a farmer for being concerned about sowing good seed and
to demand of him simply to be concerned about a good harvest, so foolish it is to scold those who are concerned first and
foremost with the doctrine, and to demand of them that they should rather seek to rescue souls. For just as the farmer who
wants a good crop must first of all be concerned about good seed, so the church must above all be concerned about right doctrine
if it would save souls.
(C. F. W. Walther, “Our Common
Task: The Saving
of Souls” [1872], Essays
for the Church [Saint Louis:
Concordia Publishing House, 1992],
Vol. I)
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