Did God choose people to be his own by grace alone or because he saw something (like faith) in some people and not in others? The Election Controversy takes a careful look at the discussions revolving around this key issue in Christian history and theology and examines its effects on Lutheranism in North America in the twentieth century--and to this very day. In this informative book, Dr. John M. Brenner (PhD in historical theology) systematically explores the background and origins of the Election Controversy through the writings of Martin Luther, Philipp Melanchthon, Martin Chemnitz, and other Lutheran dogmaticians in the Age of Orthodoxy. Brenner also examines major essays, articles, and theses produced by Midwestern Lutherans during the nineteenth- and twentieth-century Election Controversies, considering efforts to resolve disagreements on the issue--efforts ultimately culminating in strong disagreement between some Lutheran synods. The Election Controversy will help readers develop a thorough understanding of the continuing struggle.