Book of concord lutheran library publishing ministry. Historical introductions to the book of concord by friedrich bente this volume is an essential reference for understanding the protestant reformation and the shaping of the lutheran confessions. The book of concord contains the confessional documents of lutheranism. I used to say and still do that lutherans hold to the t and u of tulip. This formula, which was probably prepared by jacob andreae, treated in its first article the lords supper. Since only the elect, whose names are written in the book of life, are saved, how, we can know, whence and whereby we can perceive who are the elect that can and should receive this doctrine for comfort. Scaer an excerpt from perspectives on evangelical theology kantzer and gundry, editors chapter 9. It is taken from the formula of concord, solid declaration, article xi the eternal predestination and election of god, verses 65 and 66. Although among the theologians of the augsburg confession there has not occurred as. Historical introductions to the book of concord book. The solid declaration of the formula of concord book of. The last singleissue article of the formula of concord, article xi is unique in that it. The formula of concord and the old lutheran dogmaticians. If you are unfamiliar with the book of concord, please consult the helpful explanations available in the left hand column under the introductions section.
History and theology of the book of concord charles p. The elcas official confession of faith identifies the scriptures of the old and new testaments commonly called the bible. Cryptocalvinism sacramentarians philippists ubiquitarians gnesiolutherans crypto lutherans. The solid declaration of the formula of concord book of concord. It is handsome, sturdy, wellformatted, and easy to use. Predestination in lutheran perspective white horse inn. The book clearly spells out a scheme for single predestination, therefore the historian expects to find single predestination in luthers writings. Librivox recording of the epitome of the formula of concord, by jakob andreae. Published as a memorial of the quadricentenary jubilee of the reformation anno domini 1917 by resolution of the evangelical lutheran synod of missouri, ohio, and other states. A summary of the christian faith has been appreciated by christians since its original publication for its easy to use question and answer format, its clear organization, and its coverage of all the essentials of the christian faith. Collected audio files from the book of concord, the triglot concordia, read by jonathan lange, a librivox volunteer. The following excerpt answers this question from the scriptures. The book of concord 1580 or concordia is the historic doctrinal standard of the lutheran.
It is interesting to note that the doctrine of predestination is discussed within the lutheran confessions e. Brief statement of lcms doctrinal position the lutheran church. Three ecumenical creeds and eight documents from the reformation era. Predestination doth not refer to all men, to the good and the wicked, but. Elca congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and. The christian book of concord was published in 1580 as a collection of eleven documents.
Of predestination and the eternal providence of god. Their theologians, who embrace the augsburg confession. The christian book of concord, or, symbolical books of the evangelical lutheran church. Walther and the predestination controversy or the error of. A testimony against the false doctrine of predestination recently introduced by the missouri synod. A confessional document, common in the era of the reformation, is a list that plainly states what a church believes. The confessional lutheran church believes that god desires that all people be saved, and come into the knowledge of the truth 1 tim. The best way to understand predestination is by referencing predestination scriptures, clarifying the doctrine, giving you some references of opposing views, and even explaining what its not. But because now, within the americanlutheran church, a public controversy has arisen concerning the doctrine of predestination, it is of course necessary, in order that no one may fish in troubled waters, and that all pious christians.
Discussion in denomination specific theology started by contramundum. Predestination is all about the holy spirit using the word to create faith whenever and wherever he. Predestination, grace, and free will in the thought of st. Some of luthers best students in the second generation of the reformation also tie the word of promise to the doctrine of predestination with the formula of concord 1577. Otoh, lutheranism didnt really come about until 1580 and the completion of the book of concord. Why lutheran predestination isnt calvinist predestination.
Make your calling and election sure predestination and assurance in reformation theology. If, therefore, many pious christians suppose the doctrine concerning predestination to be too difficult for them to know a. Its a remarkable book which promises many hours of pleasure for a new generation of christians. The reason why article xi was embodied in the formula of concord is stated in the opening paragraph of this article. Now, on his final assignment, the agent must pursue the one criminal that has eluded him throughout time. Click here for information on melanchthons alterations to the augsburg confession. The cryptocalvinistic controversy controversy on christs descent into hell the eleventh article of the formula of concord. Here is a list of predestination scriptures which support the doctrine. Although among the theologians of the augsburg confession there has not occurred as yet any public dissension whatever concerning the eternal. Predestination matters and heres why posted on july 6, 20 july 6, 20 by pastor matt richard here is an article that i wrote about predestination thats a bit too long for an article on bjs.
He has made a number of significant contributions to modern theology. Xvii we reject every type of millennialism, or chiliasm, the opinions that christ will return visibly to this earth a thousand years. Historical introductions to the book of concord by friedrich bente. Wolfhart pannenberg 2 october 1928 4 september 2014 was a german lutheran theologian. Predestination chronicles the life of a temporal agent sent on an intricate series of timetravel journeys designed to ensure the continuation of his law enforcement career for all eternity. This is why we must continue to confess like our lutheran forefathers did the inerrancy of scripture.
But he should hear christ, who is the book of life, and hear about. Calvinists and synergists have always contended that luthers original doctrine of predestination was essentially identical with that of john calvin. To the readers, one and all, of these writings of ours, we, the electors, princes, and deputies of the holy roman empire in germany, adherents of the augsburg confession, who have subscribed our names to the same, announce and declare, according to the dignity and rank of each one, our devotion. Concerning the eternal predestination and election of god. Formula of concord 1577 is an authoritative lutheran statement of faith called a confession, creed, or symbol that, in its two parts epitome and solid declaration, makes up the final section of the lutheran corpus doctrinae or body of doctrine, known as the book of concord. What is authoritative for lutheranism is the book of concord, not luther. Make your calling and election sure predestination and. Here is the preface to the entire work together with the saxon visitation articles from 1592. The book of concord the confessions of the lutheran church note. The doctrine of predestination in the missouri synod.
This is the file available for free download from as a text document. He is famous for his masterful volume, historical introductions to the book of concord. 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 five hundred years as a fixed point of reference for the lutheran church. In this usage, predestination can be regarded as a form of religious determinism. Two essays on election and predestination are included. Full text of the controversy concerning predestination. Welcome to the book of concord s home on the internet.
Several months ago a colleague remarked in a chapel sermon that in his memory he had been the only one who had ever preached a. Friedrich bente 18581930 was educated at concordia seminary, st. From this, my dear lutheran christian, whose desire it is to abide until death with our dear lutheran church. Predestination, in theology, is the doctrine that all events have been willed by god. If some one asserts, that that predestination of which the formula of concord speaks, is a predestination in a wider sense f the first principal sentence f as the first warden, immediately confronts him, saying. Click here for background information on the augsburg confession from bentes historical introduction to the book of concord. Elca teaching evangelical lutheran church in america. By that time there was a significant change in their understanding of salvation. A comparison and evaluation december 16, 20 in forum by jordan cooper throughout the history of the church, the doctrine of predestination has often been contentious.
One peter lombard is worth more than a hundred luthers, two hundred melanchthons, three hundred bullingers, four hundred peter martyrs, five hundred calvins out of whom, if they were all brayed in a mortar, not one drop of true theology would be squeezed. It should also be stated that the doctrine of election was never intended to be a security blanket thrown over a sinful lifestyle, and those. Historians viewing luther through the concord paradigm unaware though they may be have their perception of him colored, so to speak, by the book of concord. The book of concord has served the churches that adopted it as a confessional.
Id tag fields for the individual audio files have been edited to help keep everything organized. Historical introductions to the book of concord by. A long discussion followed, which was finally settled by the strassburg formula of concord of 1563, outside theologians participating and acting as arbiters. The resulting predestination controversy split the lutheran church. To the readers, one and all, of these writings of ours, we, the electors, princes, and deputies of the. Triglota book of concord english the book of concord. At any event, we must not read this one book as if it were the only or last thing luther wrote on the subject of predestination. Louis and served pastorates in humberstone and jordan, ontario, canada. A summary of the christian faith by henry eyster jacobs.
The etext used for these recordings can be found on the the book of concord webpage. On predestination luther and article xi of the formula of concord article xii of the formula of concord. Historical introductions to the lutheran confessions. Editorial props go to paul mccain, edward englebrecht, robert baker, and gene veith as well as concordia publishing house for a job well done.