In this Bible study we finish up article twenty of the Augsburg Confession.
Quiz #9 (blue sheet): Quiz-9-for-Nov-17-Augsburg-Confession-Art-18-20.pdf
Handout 1: Handout-Articles-of-the-Augsburg-Confession-Overview-Nov-3.pdf
Overhead: AC-articles-18-21.pdf
(Picture is of Salem Lutheran Church, Malone, TX)
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This Bible study is an overview of Augsburg Confession, articles eighteen through part of article twenty.
Quiz #8 (grey sheet): Quiz-8-for-Nov-3-Augsburg-Confession-Art-6-17.pdf
Handout 1: Handout-Articles-of-the-Augsburg-Confession-Overview-Nov-3.pdf
Overhead: AC-articles-18-21.pdf
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This Bible study is an overview of Augburg Confession, articles six through seventeen.
Quiz #7 (blue sheet): Quiz-7-for-Oct-27-Augsburg-Confession.pdf
Handout 1 (from October 13): Handout-Articles-of-the-Augsburg-Confession-Overview.pdf
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The Augsburg Confession is divided into “Articles of Faith and Doctrine” and “Articles Concerning Dissension, and Corrected Abuses.” In order to better understand the two-fold structure of the Augsburg Confession, this study began with a quick review of the historical events from 1517 to 1530 (page 3 of last week’s handout). Due to the conciliatory and gentle demeanor of Emperor Charles’ invitation to the Diet of Augsburg, the Lutherans were expecting quite a different kind of meeting than what transpired. We saw from the preface to the Augsburg Confession that the Lutherans were still desiring a “general, free, and Christian council” in 1530. Following the diet of Augsburg, that expectation quickly faded away.
When the “Evangelicals”(what the Lutherans were called) arrived in Augsburg, they discovered that the pamphlet, “The Four Hundred Four Articles of John Eck,” had been circulated, in which they were accused of practically every heresy that had ever been condemned by the church. Therefore, the first 21 articles were added to the Augsburg Confession after they arrived, in order to reprove Eck’s slanderous document and show the orthodoxy of Lutheran doctrine.
This study worked its way through an overview of the first five articles of The Augsburg Confession. Having arrived at the fifth article , we made the observation that Tappert’s translation included an erroneous and misleading footnote(#4 on page 31), which claimed “that the Reformers thought of ‘the office of the ministry’ in other than clerical terms.”
Quiz #6 (green sheet): Quiz-6-for-Oct-20-Book-of-Concord-Subscription.pdf
Handout 1 (from October 6): Subscription-What-Kind.pdf
Handout 2: Handout-Articles-of-the-Augsburg-Confession-Overview.pdf
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“The Word of God alone should be and remain the only standard and rule of doctrine” (FC SD Rule and Norm 9). Concerning the church fathers and church councils, we accept them in so far as they agree with the Word of God, “to which everything should be subjected” (9). However, the church does need a “summary of our Christian doctrine… a unanimously accepted, definite, common form of doctrine, which all our evangelical churches together and in common confess, from and according to which, because it has been derived from God’s Word, all other writings should be judged and adjusted as to how far they are to be approved and accepted” (10). This summary serves the church by maintaining a standard by which members can maintain the true doctrine.
A Lutheran Church by definition should subscribe unconditionally to the Book of Concord, because(Latin: quia) it agrees with the Word of God. The Lutheran Confessions themselves speak of just that kind of subscription. “Therefore we also have determined not to depart even a finger’s breadth either from the subjects themselves, or from the phrases which are found in them, but, the Spirit of the Lord aiding us, to persevere constantly, with the greatest harmony, in this godly agreement, and we intend to examine all controversies according to this true norm and declaration of the pure doctrine” (Preface to the Book of Concord).
Quiz #5 (tan sheet): Quiz-5-for-Oct-6-Book-of-Concord-Prefaces.pdf
Handout 1 (white sheets with answers to the quiz on the second page): Subscription-What-Kind.pdf
Handout 2: Historical-Introduction-6-7-.pdf
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The Lutheran theologians explain, in the preface to the entire Book of Concord, that they never intended teach anything new, but only hold “to the ancient consensus which the universal and orthodox church of Christ has believed, fought for against many heresies and errors, and repeatedly affirmed” (Preface, 3).
First, “We believe, teach, and confess that the prophetic and apostolic writings of the Old and New Testaments are the only rule and norm according to which all doctrines and teachers alike must be appraised and judged…. Other writings of ancient and modern teachers, whatever their names, should not be put on a par with Holy Scripture. Every single one of them should be subordinated to the Scriptures and should be received in no other way and no further than as witnesses to the fashion in which the doctrine of the prophets and apostles was preserved in post-apostolic times…. The ancient church formulated symbols (that is, brief and explicit confessions) which were accepted as the unanimous, catholic, Christian faith and confessions of the orthodox and true church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We pledge ourselves to these, and we hereby reject all heresies and teachings which have been introduced into the church of God contrary to them” (FC Ep Rule and Norm, 1-3). Concerning the non-doctrinal canons of the councils, “Nothing should be changed in the accustomed rites without good reason, and to foster harmony those ancient customs should be kept which can be kept without sin or without great disadvantage” (Ap XV 50).
Note: At the beginning of each class, there will be a 5-minute quiz, which will be included in the links below. Immediately after the quiz, we will go over the answers to that quiz. If you don’t want to hear the answers, take the quiz first, then start the audio of the class. Written answers will be included in the second link, which is the present class outline.
Quiz #4 (blue sheet): Quiz-4-for-Sep-22-Book-of-Concord-Scripture-Like-Creeds.pdf
Handouts (white sheet with answers to the quiz on the back): Class-4-Book-of-Concord-and-Councils.pdf
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Simply put, this Bible class examines the Scriptures to see the newly-formed Christian church engage in creed-like statements of faith. There are both professions of who Jesus is and His work on our behalf. We the profession of faith used with baptism, the pledging of men into the Pastoral Office, and the rejection of heresy.
Note: At the beginning of each class, there will be a 5-minute quiz, which will be included in the links below. Immediately after the quiz, we will go over the answers to that quiz. If you don’t want to hear the answers, take the quiz first, then start the audio of the class. Written answers will be included in the second link, which is the present class outline.
Quiz #3 (Grey sheet): Quiz-for-Sep-15-Book-of-Concord-Creeds-Part-2.pdf
Handouts (white sheet with answers to the quiz on the back): Book-of-Concord-Class-3.pdf
Extra Source Materials: Where-did-we-get-the-Creeds.pdf
The following is a reading guide (through December) for those who would like to read along with us.
Reading Guide for Tappert, Kolb, English only of Triglotta, Concordia Reader’s Edition: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-1-Page-1-2.pdf
Reading Guide for Triglotta, Jacobs, Henkel, Die BekenntnisSchriften, Tappert, Kolb: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-2-pages-1-2.pdf
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This Bible class presented an overview of the historic and ecumenical creeds of the Christian church. The Apostles’ Creed is the oldest of the creeds. Although it is first quoted at the end of the fourth century (390 and then 404), it has its roots in the old Roman Creed of the second century. The Nicene Creed was approved at the council of Nicea in 325 A.D. and revised at the Council of Constantinople of 381 A.D. The third Council of Toledo of 589 A.D. added the words, “And from the Son” (filioque). This creed confesses the full divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit against the Arians and others. The Athanasian Creed was most likely not written by Athanasius, even though the topics which it addresses are contemporaneous with Athanasius. It was already in use in the 6th century and serves as a detailed explanation of the Trinity and the person of Christ.
The relationship between the Scripture and the Creeds can be summed up by two Latin phrases: Scripture is norma normans (“the rule that rules”) but the creeds are norma normata (“a rule that is ruled”). Finally, we took a look at Mark 8:27-29 in which Jesus asks Peter, “But who do you say that I am?”
Note: At the beginning of each class, there will be a 5-minute quiz, which will be included in the links below. Immediately after the quiz, we will go over the answers to that quiz. If you don’t want to hear the answers, take the quiz first, then start the audio of the class. Written answers will be included in the second link, which is the present class outline.
Quiz #2 (Pink sheet): Quiz-for-Sep-8-Book-of-Concord-Creeds.pdf
Handouts (white sheet with answers to the quiz on the back): Book-of-Concord-Class-2-Student-Guide.pdf
Extra Source Materials: Three-ecumenical-creeds.pdf and Apostles-Creed-Background.pdf
The following is a reading guide (through December) for those who would like to read along with us.
Reading Guide for Tappert, Kolb, English only of Triglotta, Concordia Reader’s Edition: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-1-Page-1-2.pdf
Reading Guide for Triglotta, Jacobs, Henkel, Die BekenntnisSchriften, Tappert, Kolb: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-2-pages-1-2.pdf
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This Bible class is the beginning of a 9-month course on the Book of Concord, the confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. A creed is a summary statement of the religious belief of a certain group of people. We begin this course by responding to five common reasons which groups give for being non-creedal (or even anti-creedal). After that, we examine the five ways in which creeds have served the church.
Note: At the beginning of each class, there will be a 5-minute quiz, which will be included in the links below. Immediately after the quiz, we will go over the answers to that quiz. If you don’t want to hear the answers, take the quiz first, then start the audio of the class. Written answers will be included in the second link, which is present class outline.
Non-creedal (or even anti-creedal):
Why have creeds?
Quiz #1 (Green sheet): Quiz-for-Sep-1-Book-of-Concord-Introduction.pdf
Handouts (white sheet with answers to the quiz on the back): Book-of-Concord-Intro-Student-Guide.pdf
The following is a reading guide (through December) for those who would like to read along with us.
Reading Guide for Tappert, Kolb, English only of Triglotta, Concordia Reader’s Edition: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-1-Page-1-2.pdf
Reading Guide for Triglotta, Jacobs, Henkel, Die BekenntnisSchriften, Tappert, Kolb: Book-of-Concord-Reading-2019-2020-Chart-2-pages-1-2.pdf
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In the beginning there was a distinction between the Creator and His Creation. Yet at a point in time “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). The divine second person of the Trinity took up a human nature and manifested Himself to our human senses. This God-Man appointed Apostles to be His eyewitnesses, particularly of His resurrection from the dead. Through this empirical evidence of the Apostolic witnesses we are directed to believe that Jesus is the promised Christ and receive life in His name. Strict apologetics (the scientific validation of Scriptural truth) is quite limited to the knowledge that there is a god who also demands moral behavior. From there, we must quickly move on to the revealed knowledge which tells us who God is, what He has done, and what His will is toward us. Revealed knowledge creates faith in the promise of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, human reason, natural law, logic and philosophy can be employed within the sphere of the senses. Although apologetics and existential proofs for God are valid, the real “search” for God begins with the incarnation. Luther uses the account of Jacob’s ladder(Gen 28) to teach us not to approach heaven by human reason speculating about the divine majesty, instead we are to embrace the incarnated Jesus Christ as presented in the Word. “There is no other God than this Man Jesus Christ”(LW 26:29). John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The New Testament is a confirmation of the historical Jesus just as it was promised in the Old Testament. “We have the prophetic word confirmed…” (2 Peter 1:19-21).
The individual Christian and the incarnate Christ live in both kingdoms simultaneously. It is within the vocations of the three estates that we see the proper use of apologetics. It is used by parents in teaching and raising children to serve society and the church. If parents employ teachers to help them in their God-given task, then they need to be on guard against those who would deny not only natural knowledge, but revealed knowledge as well. Individual Christians must speak up for the historicity of the Scriptures and the truthfulness of the Word of God. And, yes, we need to beware of philosophy and empty deceit (Col 2:8) and cast down any arguments which exalt themselves beyond its proper sphere(2 Cor 10:4-5). But ultimately we must present the message of the cross of Jesus Christ. The substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins is the only saving message of truth. If the hearer is offended by the cross of Christ or thinks that its message is foolishness, then so be it. There is no other name by which we must be saved.
Handouts 1:The Search for God Begins with the Incarnation.pdf
Handouts 2: Lutheranism-and-the-defense-of-the-Christian-Faith-Montgomery.pdf
Overhead 1: Overheads-Aug-25-2019.pdf
Full document cited in this lesson:
http://www.ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/montgomerychristianapologetics.pdf
http://www.blts.edu/wp-content/uploads/lsq/11-1.pdf
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