Gerhard and Walther

[We are to read the Scriptures] piously and obediently, so that we do not perchance foist our own pre-conceived notions upon the Scriptures and attempt to make the Scriptures comply with them. Instead, we are to have the earnest intention to learn God’s will from the Scripture and follow it, so that we also gladly take our reason captive to the obedience of faith and willingly believe the Word of God, even though we are unable to grasp it with our reason.—Johann Gerhard, Schola Pietatis II:47.

The altar on which the holy Supper is celebrated should also be the pulpit of the laity where they, as true spiritual priests, proclaim the virtues of Him who called them from the darkness into His wonderful light. The preacher proclaims the crucified Christ from the pulpit, and when the sermon has ended, the believing congregation gathers at the altar to proclaim Him as well. By this, they demonstrate that they are part of the Church of Christ.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 332.