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Paul M. Bretscher (1893-1974) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Collection ID-0236

Scope and Contents

Folder list
  • 1 Re – Statement
  • 2 A Statement - Criticisms
  • 3 A Statement – Materials in Defense of
  • 4 A Statement – Miscellaneous
  • 5 A Statement – General Correspondence
  • 6 A Statement – Continuation Committee
  • 7 A Statement – Approvals
  • 8 A Statement – Reviews
  • 9 A Statement – Copies
  • 10 A Statement – Minutes of Meetings
  • 11 European Conferences 1948
  • 12 European Conferences 1949
  • 13 European Conferences 1950 (1)
  • 14 European Conferences 1950 (2)
  • 15 European Conferences 1951 – Programs, etc.
  • 16 European Conferences 1952 (Cambridge)
  • 17 European Conferences 1952 (Hanover) (1)
  • 18 European Conferences 1952 (Hanover) (2)
  • 19 European Conferences 1952 (Hanover)(3)
  • 20 European Conferences 1952 (Lund)
  • 21 European Conferences 1952 Reports I
  • 22 European Conferences 1952 Reports and Critiques
  • 23 European Conferences 1952 Berlin-Spandau 1 and 2
  • 24 European Conferences 1952 Uelzen
  • 25 European Conferences 1953 Bad Boll (1)
  • 25 European Conferences 1956
  • 26 European Conferences 1953 Bad Boll (2)
  • 26 European Survey October, November 1954
  • 27 European Conferences 1953 Oberursel and Free Churches
  • 28 European Conferences 1953 Paris
  • 29 European Conferences 1953 Reports
  • 30 European Conferences 1953 Report to Faculty
  • 31 European Conferences 1953 Gothenberg, Sweden
  • 32 European Conferences 1954 Programs and Theses
  • 33 European Conferences 1954 Pictures, Reports, Reviews
  • 34 European Conferences 1955
  • 37 Prayer Fellowship
  • 38 Theologische Hochschule
  • 39 VELKD
  • 40 World Council of Churches
  • 41 Zwei Reiche [Two Kingdoms]
  • 42 Scrapbook – Clippings from church periodicals, 1916–1919
  • 43 Personal materials, 1964–1965
  • 44 Concordia College, Milwaukee – Class of 1912 – 50th Anniversary Reunion, 1962
  • 45 Class of 1915 [Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis] – Reunion, 1965
  • 46 European Trip, May 29-Sept. 9, 1948/1949
  • 47 European Conferences, 1952 – Pictures and Postcards
  • 48 European Conferences, 1953 (Correspondence – Private)
  • 49 European Conferences, 1954 - Correspondence
  • 50 LWF Assembly – St. Paul, 1957
  • 51 Oslo – August 11-16, ’58 – LWF Theological Commission
  • 52 Lutheran World Federation (II)
  • 53 Lodges – Commission Meetings
  • 54 Lodges
  • 55 Fraternal Organizations, Oct. 6, ‘62
  • 56 Lodges – Meetings with Eagles, Moose, Grange, Masons
  • 57 Masonry
  • 58 Other Gospels – Lecture Material
  • 59 Masonry – Class Materials (Winter, 1961-62)
  • 60 Other Gospels, 1961-62
  • 61 Other Gospels, ’62-‘63
  • 62 Bultmann
  • 63 Communicating Christ in Christian Education (Paul H. Grotelueschen Lectures, River Forest, Ill.)
  • 64 Cosmological Views
  • 65 Death and Life – Thiele’s Papers
  • 66 Dichotomy vs. Trichotomy
  • 67 Doctrine of the Soul – Commission on Theology
  • 68 Intermediate State
  • 69 Kittel, Gerhard
  • 70 Klotsche – History of Christian Thought
  • 71 Literal Interpretation
  • 72 Lutheran Congregation
  • 73 Lutheran Teacher – Call
  • 74 Martens, Ray F. – Thesis
  • 75 Mary – Assumption Dogma
  • 76 Philosophy and Lutheranism
  • 77 Philosophy and Lutheranism
  • 78 Poems
  • 79 Popular Bible Commentary Series
  • 80 Prayers for the Dead
  • 81 St. Louis - Springfield faculties
  • 82 Schwagerehe
  • 83 Smalcald Articles
  • 84 Suicide and the church
  • 85 Universalism
  • 86 World War I, 1914-1918
  • 87 World War II, 1939-
  • 88 Wrath of God in Confessions (Essay 1952)
  • 89 In envelope: Family correspondence; European trip 1949; European Conferences 1952-letters from home; European Conferences 1953; European Conferences 1954-correspondence
  • 90 Lutheran-Presbyterian Dialogue - RSV changes
  • 91 History of Philosophy (Edgar Krentz copy)

Dates

  • Creation: 1946 - 1965

Biographical / Historical

Paul Martin Bretscher was born on 11 November 1893 in Wausau, Wisconsin, the son of Pastor Carl and Emma (nee Wiechmann) Bretscher. After attending Concordia College, Milwaukee, he graduated from Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, in 1915 and was ordained in 1918. He received his M.A. in 1928 and the Ph.D. degree in 1936 from the University of Chicago.

From 1915 to 1918 and 1923 to 1941 he was an instructor and professor at Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois. From 1918 to 1923 he served as a pastor in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1941 he was called to be a professor at Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis, where he served until his retirement in 1969.

Bretscher served on various boards and commissions of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, among them the Board for Parish Education (1944–1953) and the Commission on Fraternal Organizations (1940–1962). He was an associate editor of The Cresset (1940–1950), Lutheran School Journal/Lutheran Education (1935–1941) and the Concordia Theological Monthly.

In 1919 he married Minnie Spohn, and the couple was blessed with six children: sons Rev. Paul G., Rev. Carl, Manuel; daughters Ruth (Ressmeyer) and Esther (Gruell).

Bretscher died 10 August 1974 in Saint Louis, Missouri. His funeral was on 13 August 1974. [Obituary, The Lutheran Witness 93 (No. 14, 15 September 1974): 27–28]

Extent

3.33 Linear Feet (Eight 5" letter boxes)

Language of Materials

German

English

Physical Location

3.07.1.3 to 3.07.1.5.

Title
Paul M. Bretscher (1893-1974) Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Michael E. Averyt
Date
February 12, 1974
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • June 22, 2007: Revised by Marvin A. Huggins

Repository Details

Part of the Concordia Historical Institute Repository

Contact:
804 Seminary Place
Saint Louis MO 63105 USA
314-505-7935