Biography

Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm (C.F.W.) Walther was born in Germany in 1811 at a time when citizens were being denied their freedoms. In his late twenties, Walther immigrated to the United States to have the freedom of speech and religion. The son of a Lutheran pastor, Walther would also become a pastor of the Lutheran church. Walther would also write several books and edit periodicals regarding the church and theology. The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel is perhaps his most widely known work. The hymn, He’s Risen, He’s Risen, is also the work of Walther. He died in 1887. His life was chronicled in a video produced by Concordia Seminary in honor of the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Wailand Groenendyk
CCEL Staff Writer