VERBUM DEI MANET IN AETERNUM · THE WORD OF GOD ENDURES FOREVER
The Rev. Dr. Charles Porterfield Krauth
The Rev. Charles Porterfield Krauth was one of the most prominent Lutheran scholars, theologians and leaders of the 19th century. He was born March 17, 1823 in Martinsburg, West Virginia and died January 2, 1883 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had recently returned from a trip to Europe intended to recover his health. He is buried in the prestigious Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His friend Joseph Seiss lies nearby.
Krauth graduated from Pennsylvania College (Gettysburg College) in 1839 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg in 1841 and then served various congregations as pastor for more than 20 years. In 1864, he became professor of dogmatics at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia,In addition to this position, in 1868, he became Professor of Mental & Moral Philosophy (Psychology) at the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1873 also became vice provost. He was the first president of the General Council, a confessional federation of Lutheran synods, and edited The Lutheran and The Lutheran Church Review. His daughter was hymn translator Harriet R Spaeth.
His works include: Fundamental Articles of Faith and Church Policy, 1866; The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology, 1872; Theses on Pulpit and Altar fellowship, 1877 (Which detailed the “Galesburg Rule, which boldly stated that Lutheran pulpits were for Lutherans only and that Luther altars were for Lutheran Communicants only), Vocabulary of the Philosophical Sciences, 1877; Constitution for Congregations, 1880.
