Lutheran Confessions

The Lutheran Confessions consist of the books and treatises contained in the Book of Concord of 1580, namely: The Augsburg Confession, The Apology to the Augsburg Confessions, The Smalcald Articles, The Power and Primacy of the Pope, The Small Catechism, the Large Catechism, The Formula of Concord - Epitome and the Formula of Concord - Solid Declaration.

The Lutheran Confessions define what Lutherans believe about the various doctrines that they cover.

Not all of those who call themselves Lutherans, however, agree with all of the teachings of the Book of Concord. These folk therefore, while calling themselves Lutheran, and perhaps even thinking they are following in the stead of Martin Luther and his "doctrine pure" in reality, are undermining the historic Lutheran faith by selecting the teaching they agree with and with those they disagree and still wanting to call themselves Lutherans. A Latin term has been co-opted to describe these folk. They are said to subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions in a "quatenus" manner - that is "in so far as" the Confessions agree with their position on what Scripture says. Such a position, while sounding good and fairly popular, in reality, is no position at all for any one, even a gross unbeliever could subscribe in such a fashion.

Those who adhere to the teachings of the Lutheran Confessions "because" the Confessions are in agreement with what the Bible teaches on the subjects they cover as said to subscribe "quia," that is "because" they are in agreement with the Holy Scriptures.

Lutherans throughout the world and in America have long been divided among those who hold to a quatenus or quia position mentioned above. Those who are confessional Lutherans ought to carefully consider the position of a Lutheran church before they join it as to its confessional subscription.

The Book of Concord can be found online, along with introductory material and other source material that helps put the development in context of the times.

Thanks to Pastor Mike Strong for this definition.