Our DNA
Dear sisters and brothers in Jesus,
All living things have DNA, a blueprint for their identity. Likewise, every church has a unique DNA. Churches can differ in their worship and architecture style, their location and demographics. But those aren't the things that make them unique because those aren't the things that comprise their DNA. It is a church's confession that makes it unique and exposes its DNA.
As Lutheran Christians, we have a number of "official" confessions of faith. The first and chief of the Lutheran confessions is known as the Augsburg Confession. The date was June 25, 1530. The place was Augsburg, a major city in the 16th century, located near modern-day Munich in Germany. The issue? A demand by the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Charles V, that the Lutheran leaders of his German provinces declare and defend the teachings of their churches. So princes, theologians, and various government officials gathered at the city hall that Saturday to do just that. Notably absent was Martin Luther, who was still in hiding, being protected by his own prince in his own territory.
A layman, Dr. Christian Beyer, read in German twenty-one articles on which there was apparent agreement with the Church of Rome and seven articles over which there was great disagreement. Legend has it that Dr. Beyer read the articles with such conviction and clarity that the thousands who gathered outside the city hall could hear every precise word through the open windows. Seven princes and representatives of two cities declared themselves in agreement with the document, along with the theologians who had prepared the document as well as thousands of Lutheran Christians who accepted it with their mouths and actions. These 28 articles became known as the Augsburg Confession (AC), the first official confession of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
Other similar documents, articles, and confessions would follow in the years to come. The Apology ('Defense') of the Augsburg Confession, which together with the AC set forth the original doctrines of the Reformation and showed how they are not new doctrines but are in continuity with those of the historic church. The Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Martin Luther, which proved to be such invaluable vehicles for teaching the historic Christian faith that we still use them to instruct the faith today. The Smalcald Articles and the Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope, which showed our differences with the Roman Catholic Church. And the Formula of Concord and its explanation, which showed our differences with other Protestants. Together with the three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian) of Christianity, they were all published in the Book of Concord in 1580. These became known as the "Lutheran Confessions" and our pastors are still asked to subscribe to them on the day of their ordination and whenever they are installed in one of our churches. This explains why we're not simply 'conservative' Lutherans but, more importantly, 'confessional' Lutherans as we hold to the Lutheran Confessions.
While ancient, these documents still hold a central place in the mission and ministry of our congregation and our national church body, for we maintain that these Confessions are "a true exposition of the Word of God and a correct presentation of the doctrine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church." It is this subscription to the Lutheran Confessions that makes us not only Bible-believing Christians but also confessional Lutherans.
While Saturday will slip by for many Lutherans without the fanfare of, say, Reformation Day, June 25 marks the day in 1530 on which those God-fearing laymen took their stand for the gospel and presented their confession of faith before the Emperor. It was a real life example of Psalm 119:46 - "I will speak of your testimonies before kings and will not be put to shame."
For this reason, many consider June 25 to be the birthday of the Lutheran Church. That confession made 493 years ago continues to shape what we believe, teach, and confess before the world today. Centered on Christ and focused on the free gift of salvation that is ours by grace through faith, the Augsburg Confession reminds us of the high privilege it is to confess Jesus Christ. As our lips confess His name and as we worship Him with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, we rejoice in knowing that Jesus also confesses us before His Father in heaven (Matthew 10:32).
On Sunday, we will commemorate the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, not because we follow our Lutheran forefathers in a cult-like fashion, but because they stood firm on the truths of God’s Word in spite of serious opposition and we want to follow their example of faith. As we reflect on the bold confession made by believers of the past, the Holy Spirit will strengthen our faith, too, that we might rededicate ourselves to standing firm on the truths of Scripture, regardless of any opposition we face. I hope to see you Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bater