We accept the lutheran confessions as articulated in the book of concord of 1580 because they are drawn from the word of god, and on that account we. As lutherans we accept the following creeds as a proper exposition of scripture, and therefore as a proper touchstone for all teachings. A readers edition of the book of concord, edition 0002revised by. The lords supper in the solid declaration of the formula of concord, part 2 pr. History and theology of the book of concord will make a remarkable and lasting contribution to a new generation of students, scholars, and pastors, and assist them in confessing christ in the twentyfirst century america and the world. We accept the lutheran confessions as articulated in the book of concord of 1580 because they are drawn from the word of god, and on that account we regard their doctrinal content as a true and binding exposition of holy scripture and as authoritative for all pastors, congregations and other rostered church workers of the lutheran church. Historical introductions to the book of concord by. Sean smith and guest pastors take an indepth look at passages from parts of the book of concord so you can have a deeper understanding of your lutheran faith. The lutheran confessions represent the result of more than 50 years of earnest endeavor by martin luther and his followers to give biblical and clear expression to their religious convictions. Mar 05, 2007 too often we hear the claims of being lutheran without the application of an objective standard.
The book of concord contained an exposition of those essential teachings of the gospel that lutherans. Nestingen and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. He is famous for his masterful volume, historical introductions to the book of concord. If you are unfamiliar with the book of concord, please consult the helpful explanations available in the left hand column under the introductions section. The fifth english translation since 1851, this edition succeeds that edited by theodore tappert published in 1959 by muhlenburg press. The book of concord download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Both the book of concord and concordia triglotta, which contains the lutheran confessions in english, latin, and german, are available through northwestern publishing house.
Welcome to the book of concords home on the internet. Lutheran is as lutherans teach and practice according to the book of concord. It also contains the three ecumenical creeds approved by the ancient church. Scriptures, creeds and confessions the elcas official confession of faith identifies the scriptures of the old and new testaments commonly called the bible. Despite its wooden translations and high price, this translation helped mark the beginning of renewed interest in the lutheran confessions among american lutherans. Bente the three ecumenical creeds the smalcald articles the augsburg confession treatise on the power and primacy of the pope the apology of the augsburg confession the epitome of the formula of concord. Pull out your book of concord and join a lively discussion of the lutheran confessions. When people are confirmed they are asked if they confess the doctrine of the evangelical lutheran church, as they have. Its publication concluded a 30year effort to heal the divisions that had broken out in the lutheran movement after martin luthers death and to keep the lutheran churches from being absorbed into an allprotestant union. Naomichi masaki concordia theological seminary, fort wayne, indiana.
The lutheran confessions of 15291580 to the project wittenberg home page table of contents. Lent is a time when christians devote more time to gods word and prayer. These confessions stand under scripture and are accepted because they agree with scripture. Confessional lutheranism is a name used by lutherans to designate those who accept the doctrines taught in the book of concord of 1580 the lutheran confessional documents in their entirety because quia they are completely faithful to the teachings of the bible. A lutheran confession for the twentyfirst century confessional evangelical lutheran conference. Historical introductions to the book of concord by friedrich. The book of concord is the lutheran confession of faith, similar to the catechism of the catholic church for roman catholics. This word reveals the spirit in which the lutheran confessions were written, not a. Commissioned in 1993, this translation of the book of concord brings a new generation of scholarship and sensitivities to bear on the foundational texts of lutheran identity. The book of concord was compiled and printed under the editorship of jacob andreae in the year 1580 for the 50th anniversary of the augsburg confession. This year, we are presenting it in this post thanks to. A poll was taken of over 2,000 lutheran pastors, asking them to list the questions they most frequently are asked about the lutheran confessions as contained in the book of concord. If a fellow lutheran says to me, what you are teaching is not lutheran, we can both refer to the book of concord and check it out.
Historical introductions to the lutheran confessions by rev. It is precisely because of this reality that confessional lutherans continue to assert the teaching of the lutheran confessions that the papacy is the antichrist. Confessional lutherans maintain that faithfulness to the book of concord which is a summary of the teachings found in scripture. The confessions of the evangelical lutheran church. Book of concord, collected doctrinal standards of lutheranism in germany, published in german june 25, 1580 and in latin 1584. Jan 23, 2010 the reformations greatest weapon against rome, was not romes errors, but romes truths said john nevin, a prominent american lutheran theologian in the 19th century. The lutheran confessions are ten statements of faith that lutherans use as official explanations and summaries of what they believe, teach, and confess. The confessions of the evangelical lutheran church robert kolb, timothy j. The book of concord the confessions of the lutheran church. The book of concord 1580 or concordia often referred to as the lutheran confessions is the historic doctrinal standard of the lutheran church, consisting of. Reference to a confession in the body of the text should always be by spelling out the confession, never by abbreviation. The book of concord the confessions of the lutheran church the book of concord contains documents which christians from the fourth to the 16th century a. This edition of the lutheran confessions will instruct, inspire, and educate all who use it and help them learn what.
Too often we hear the claims of being lutheran without the application of an objective standard. Perhaps you have attended an ordination of a pastor and heard him promise that he will perform the duties of his office in accord with the lutheran confessions. The book of concord contains the lutheran confessions of faith. New essays in the introduction which provide an overview of the textual issues and history of the lutheran confessions. This edition of the lutheran confessions will instruct, inspire, and educate all who use it and help them learn what it means to be, and to remain, a genuinely confessing lutheran christian. The inclusion of the three ancient creeds in the book of concord indicates that lutherans are not a sect but that they embrace and confess the ancient and orthodox faith. The book of concord is the name given to that book, published in 1580, that contains the lutheran confessions. The elcas official confession of faith identifies the scriptures of the old and new testaments commonly called the bible. The lords supper in the solid declaration of the formula of concord pr. It includes, first, the three creeds which originated in the ancient church, the apostles creed, the. A summary of the nature and meaning of the churchs commitment to the lutheran confessions.
The reformations greatest weapon against rome, was not romes errors, but romes truths said john nevin, a prominent american lutheran theologian in the 19th century. Confessions concordia theological seminary bookstore. Of course, most other church denominations have confessions scattered throughout various books like catholicism, but the book of concord is unique among all churches in the world, since it gathers together the lutheran churchs most normative expressions of the christian faith into a single book that has been used for nearly 500 years as a. The important word in that definition is the word convictions. What are the lutheran confessions steadfast lutherans. Looking forward to sunday morning 3 year lectionary fifth sunday after easter dr. Our redeemer lutheran church the lutheran confessions page. A while back concordia publishing house put together a reading plan for lent. The book of concord 1580 or concordia often referred to as the lutheran confessions is the historic doctrinal standard of the lutheran church, consisting of ten credal documents recognized as authoritative in lutheranism since the 16th century. The book of concord is a collection of theological document written between 1529 and 1577. History and theology of the book of concord 9780800627416 by charles p. The book of concord is a book published in 1580 that contains the lutheran confessions.
This book gives the history and theology behind the books that comprise the lutheran confessions the three ecumenical creeds, the augsburg confession, the apology to the augsburg confession, the large and small catechisms, the smalcald articles, the treatise on the power and primacy of the pope, the formula of concord. The lutheran confessions the lutheran churchmissouri synod. The book of concord is the authoritative collection of the lutheran churchs statements of faith. The lutheran confessions places the documents solidly within their political, social, ecclesiastical and theological contexts, relating them to the world in which they took place. The book of concord is the final authority along with the holy bible, of course of what it means to be a lutheran.
Generally these phrases are used to describe the documents complied in the book of concord. Concord comes from the latin concordia, meaning unity or agreement. Among the particular lutheran confessions the two catechisms of dr. It includes martin luthers large and small catechisms of 1529, the augsburg confession of 1530, and other many other materials that it is difficult to critique or rate something like this, as it is more a prayerbook and. The lutheran confessions is a remarkable achievement in lutheran publishing. The lutheran confessions series presents a comprehensive introduction of the major writing of the book of concord 1580. What are the lutheran confessions or the symbols of the lutheran church. Designed as an indepth look at the teaching of the lutheran church, the study guides contain sessions in a convenient, learnercentered format. The lutheran confessions represent the result of more than 50 years of earnest endeavor by martin luther and his followers to give biblical and clear expression. The augsburg confession is the first of the great protestant confessions. The lutheran confessions were collected into the book of concord in 1580.
A part of that could easily be the dedication of more time to learn gods word through reading through the lutheran confessions. Elca teaching evangelical lutheran church in america. The lutheran confessions lutheran churchmissouri synod. All orthodox lutheran church bodies base their teachings upon this treatise because they believe that it is a faithful to word of god. Looking forward to sunday morning 3 year lectionary sixth sunday after easter dr. The confessions of the evangelical lutheran church minneapolis.
These documents were constructed and assembled to give a public exposition of the christian faith as understood by lutherans. The fifth english translation since 1851, this edition succeeds that edited by theodore tappert. A readers edition of the book of concord, edition 0002revised 97807586431 by paul timothy mccained. The book of concord, a collection of lutheran confessions, 1580 this we believe, a confession of faith by wisconsin evangelical lutheran synod the eternal word.