To Define and Affirm Lutheran Identity

WHEREAS, The term Lutheran identity is used without having a clear definition, nor having scriptural or confessional references; and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod states in Article II of its Constitution: The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation: Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice; a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God, to wit: the three Ecumenical Creeds (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Athanasian Creed), the Unaltered Augsburg Confession, the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, the Smalcald Articles, the Large Catechism of Luther, the Small Catechism of Luther, and the Formula of Concord.

WHEREAS, Article VII of the Augsburg Confession (AC) declares, “it is enough to agree about the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. It is not necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be the same everywhere. As Paul says, ‘One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all’ (Ephesians 4:5–6)” (2–4); and

WHEREAS, According to AC XXVIII: “It is necessary that the doctrine of Christian freedom be preserved in the churches. In other words, the bondage of the Law is not necessary in order to be justified, as it is written in the Epistle to the Galatians, ‘do not submit again to a yoke of slavery’ (5:1). It is necessary for the chief article of the Gospel to be preserved, namely that we obtain grace freely by faith in Christ, and not by certain observances or acts of worship devised by people. … It is proper to keep such ordinances just so long as consciences are not burdened to think that they are necessary to salvation, or to regard it as sin if they are changed without offending others” (51–52, 56); and

WHEREAS, According to Article X of the Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration: “As soon as Christian freedom is weakened and human traditions are forced on the Church with coercion, as though it were wrong and a sin to omit them, the way is already prepared for idolatry. In this way, human traditions are multiplied and regarded as divine worship, not only equal to God’s ordinances, but even placed above them” (15); and

WHEREAS, There is great benefit in common traditions, rites, and ceremonies, as stated in AC XXIV, “Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. The Mass is held among us and celebrated with the highest reverence. Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved, except that the parts sung in Latin are interspersed here and there with German hymns. These have been added to teach the people” (1–2), and stated in 2016 Resolution 4-04A, “To Appeal to the LCMS Congregations, Workers, and Institutions within Christian Freedom and for Love’s Sake to Retain a Common Order of Service for the Lord’s Supper,” although they do not form the basis of our unity or identity, but are useful for teaching the faith; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm the definition of Lutheran identity as already listed in the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Synod Constitution, namely that: Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments, not in the uniformity of human rites, ceremonies, or traditions instituted by men. Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written, in errant Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice. Symbolic al Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church as a true and unadulterated statement and exposition of the Word of God;

and be it further

Resolved, That all policies and Bylaws of the Synod regarding Lutheran identity be examined and brought into conformity with the Scriptures and the Confessions mentioned above.