Lutherans in America: A Brief Comparison

Pastor Rolf Preus

November 4 & 5, 2008

 

The Lutheran Church has been in America for over 350 years.  The largest concentrations of Lutherans are in Pennsylvania and the Midwest.  We will consider four groups of Lutherans: The ELCA (A); The LCMS (B); the W/ELS (C); the AFLC and Lutheran Brethren (D).  This is over 99% of Lutherans in America.

 

The Bible (2 Samuel 23:2; Mark 12:24; John 10:35)

1. The Bible is the written Word of God and is therefore free from any error of any kind (BCD)
2. The Bible contains God’s Word but also contains errors in matter of science, history, geography, etc. (A)

 

The Lutheran Confessions (“. . . for our agreement is based on the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures . . . we are minded by the grace of the Holy Spirit to abide and remain unanimously in this confession of faith and to regulate all religious controversies and their explanations according to it.” Preface to the Book of Concord)

1. We accept the Lutheran Confessions because they agree with the Bible (BC)
2. We accept the Small Catechism and the Augsburg Confession because they agree with the Bible (D)
3. We accept the Lutheran Confessions insofar as they agree with the Bible (A)

 

Pure Doctrine (John 8:31-32; 1 Corinthians 11:23)

1. We can know the correct doctrine and be certain that we have it (BC)
2. It is sinful pride to insist on having the pure doctrine (AD)

 

Universalism (John 14:6)

1. Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven and all those who die without faith in him are lost (BCD)
2. We cannot insist that only Christians will go to heaven (A)

 

Church Fellowship (Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 10:16-17)

1. We should worship and commune only at congregations that teach the pure doctrine (B)
2. We may worship and commune at churches that teach different doctrines and we may invite to Communion those who belong to such churches (AD)
3. We should worship and commune only at churches that teach the pure doctrine and we should pray privately only with members of such churches (C)

 

Church and Ministry (Acts 20:28)

1. God established the local congregation and the pastoral office (BD)
2. God did not establish any particular form of church or ministry (C)

 

Women in the Church (1 Timothy 2:12)

1. Women may not be preachers in the Church (exercise the authority of the pastoral office) (B)
2. A woman may do anything a man may do (A)
3. Women may not preach or vote in the Church (exercise any authority over men) (CD)

 

Lodges and Boy Scouts (John 5:23)

1. The Masons and some other lodges teach a false religion and should be avoided (BD)
2. Christians may belong to the Masons and other such lodges (A)
3. The Masons, some other lodges, and the Boy Scouts teach a false religion and should be avoided (C)

 

Millennialism (John 18:36)

1. It is contrary to God’s word and the Lutheran Confessions to teach that Christ will return to set up a thousand year kingdom on this earth (BC)
2. It is an open question whether or not Christ will set up a thousand year kingdom on this earth (A AFLC)
3. Christ will return to set up a thousand year kingdom on this earth (Lutheran Brethren)