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PART I
The Lutheran Position on Doctrine and Practice
1. What is the Lutheran position on determining correct theology?
Answer: One of the chief principles of Lutheran theology is sola
scriptura (Scripture alone). This Catechism states that the natural meanings of
the statements in Scripture are the only source for correct doctrine and
practice.
2. Where is the Scriptural principle of Sola Scriptura, and other Biblical
norms, articulated and summarized?
Answer: The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church. This book of theological treatises was formulated by
Lutheran theologians in 1580 to establish the correct teachings and faith of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church. It contains eight treatises: The Three Ancient
Creeds, The Augsburg Confession (1530), Apology of the Augsburg Confession
(1531), The Smalcald Articles (1537), Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the
Pope (1537), The Small Catechism (1529), The Large Catechism (1529), and the
Formula of Concord (1577).
3. Where in the Book of Concord does it say that the statements in the Bible
are the only rule and standard for correct doctrine and practice?
Answer: There are approximately 16 places in the Book of Concord that either
state or infer that the statements in the Bible are the only rule and standard
for correct doctrine and practice. Two of the most famous statements are: “the
Word of God shall establish articles of faith” (Smalcald Articles, II,
ii, 15) and the Bible “is the only judge, rule and norm according to which, as
the only touchstone, all doctrines should and must be understood and judged as
good or evil, right or wrong” (Formula of Concord, Ep. Rule and Norm, 7).
4. Should we also use human reason to determine correct doctrine and
practice?
Answer: Human reason can help to understand the true meanings of
Scriptural statements, but it must be used ministerially and not magisterially.
That is, we may use our reason to serve in our understanding of Scripture, but
it must never overrule what Scripture plainly says. The Introduction of
the Concordia Self-Study Bible explains it this way: “Although the
ability to reason, which is also a gift from God, distinguishes human beings
from animals, it is not regarded as the criterion by which questions of a
religious nature are answered. Where paradoxes occur, a childlike faith must
prevail over logical deductions. Scripture takes precedence over reason. This
means that when, for example, God’s Word teaches a triune Deity-Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit-we bow to Biblical revelation, even though such a teaching is beyond
the understanding of our human mind. The same is true when Scriptures speak of
the virgin birth of Jesus, of his twofold nature (God and man), of his
resurrection and ascension, of the partaking of his body and blood in the Lord’s
Supper. All these teachings we believe, because they are stated in Scripture,
although they are beyond our mortal comprehension” (p. xvii).
5. Did Martin Luther believe in the principle of Sola Scriptura?
Answer: A famous Methodist theologian named Philip Watson read the works
of Martin Luther and wrote an exposition of his theology. He titled his book
Let God Be God. This is essentially what Martin Luther did; he adamantly
demanded that all Christian theology be derived from the natural meanings of the
translated words from the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. He warns us: “if the
teaching of men comes into the Church, then throw out every bit of it, and know
that, as surely as God lives, all human doctrine is idolatry” (What Luther Says,
1201). Most people want to serve God . . . but only in an advisory capacity. We
serve God by following His Word.
For Part II click
here.
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