Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

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Bente Friedrich. Historical Introductions to the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lutheran Church

I. The Book of Concord, or The Concordia

1. General and Particular Symbols

2. The German Book of Concord

3. The Latin Concordia

4. English Translations

5. Corpora Doctrinae Supplanted by Book of Concord

6. Subscription to Confessions

7. Pledging of Ministers to the Confessions

II. The Three Ecumenical or Universal Symbols

8. Ecumenical Symbols

9. The Apostles' Creed

10. Apostles' Creed and Early Christian Writers

11. Tertullian and Cyprian on Apostles' Creed

12. Variations of the Apostles' Creed

13. Present Form of Creed and Its Contents

14. The Nicene Creed

15. Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed

16. The Athanasian Creed

17. Luther on Ecumenical Creeds

III. The Augsburg Confession

18. Diet Proclaimed by Emperor

19. Apology Original Plan of Lutherans

20. Transformation of Apology into Confession Due to Eck's Slanders

21. Marburg, Schwabach, and Torgau Articles

22. Luther's Spokesman at Augsburg

23. Drafting the Confession

24. Public Reading of the Confession

25. Luther's Mild Criticism

26. Luther Praising Confession and Confessors

27. Manuscripts and Editions of Augustana

28. Signatures of Augsburg Confession

29. Tributes to Confession of Augsburg

IV. Melanchthon's Alterations of the Augsburg Confession

30. Changes Unwarranted

31. Detrimental Consequences of Alterations

32. Attitude toward Variata

33. Alterations in Editions of 1531, 1533, 1540

34. Alterations Render Confession Ambiguous

35. Variata Disowned by Lutheran Church

V. The Pontifical Confutation of the Augsburg Confession

36. Papal Party Refusing Conciliation

37. Further Success Not Hoped for by Luther

38. Papal Peace Sought by Emperor

39. Compulsion Advocated by Theologians

40. Emperor Employs Mildness

41. Augustana Submitted to Catholic Party

42. Rabid Theologians Appointed as Confutators

43. Confutation Prepared

44. A Bulky, Scurrilous Document

45. Confutation Adopted and Read

46. Confutation Denounced by Lutherans

47. Luther on the Confutation

VI. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession

48. Emperor Demands Adoption of Confutation

49. Sustained by Luther

50. Copy of Confutation Refused to Lutherans

51. Lutherans on Roman Duplicity and Perfidy

52. Original Draft of Apology

53. Apology Presented, But Acceptance Refused

54. Apology Recast by Melanchthon

55. Completion of Apology Delayed

56. German Translation by Jonas

57. Alterations of Apology

58. Purpose, Arrangement, and Character of Apology

59. Moderate Tone of Apology

60. Symbolical Authority of Apology

VII. Smalcald Articles and Tract concerning Power and Primacy of Pope

61. General Council Demanded by Lutherans

62. Luther's Views Regarding the Council

63. Elector Opposed to Hearing Papal Legate

64. Elector Imbued with Luther's Spirit

65. Opinion of Theologians

66. Elector's Strictures on Opinion of Theologians

67. Counter-Council Disadvised

68. Articles Drafted by Luther

69. Articles Endorsed by Elector

70. Melanchthon's Qualified Subscription

71. Luther's Articles Sidetracked at Smalcald

72. Articles Not Discussed in Meeting of League

73. Meeting of Theologians

74. Luther's Articles Subscribed

75. Endorsed by Princes and Estates

76. Symbolical Authority of Smalcald Articles

77. Editions of Smalcald Articles

78. Tract on the Power and Primacy of the Pope

79. Authorship of Tract

80. A Threefold Criticism

VIII. Luther's Efforts at Restoring Catechetical Instruction

81. Modern Researches Respecting Luther's Catechisms

82. Meaning of the Word Catechism

83. Chief Parts of Catechism

84. Parts Inherited from Ancient Church

85. Service Rendered Catechism by Luther

86. Catechetical Instruction before Luther

87. Medieval Books of Prayer and Instruction

88. Church Visitation Reveals Deplorable Ignorance

89. Luther Devising Measures to Restore Catechism

90. Cooperation of Parents Urged by Luther

91. German Services with German Catechism

92. Luther Illustrating Method of Procedure

93. Value Placed on Memorizing

94. Memorizing to Serve Understanding

95. Manuals Preceding Luther's Catechism

96. Luther's Catechetical Publications

97. Immediate Forerunners of Luther's Catechisms

98. Catechism of Bohemian Brethren

IX. The Small and the Large Catechism of Luther

99. Luther Beginning Work on Catechisms

100. Tables Published First

101. Completion of Catechisms Delayed

102. Similarity and Purpose of Catechisms

103. Particular Purpose of Large Catechism

104. Special Purpose of Small Catechism

105. Small Catechism Intended Also for Pastors

106. A Book Also for Schools and Teachers

107. Titles of Large Catechism

108. Editions of Large Catechism

109. Title of Small Catechism

110. Editions of Small Catechism

111. Translations and Elaborations of Small Catechism

112. The Part "Of Confession."

113. Office of the Keys and Christian Questions

114. The Table of Duties – Haustafel

115. Symbolical Authority of Catechisms

116. Enemies and Friends of Small Catechism

117. Evaluation of Small Catechism

118. Literary Merit of Small Catechism

X. The Smalcald War and the Augsburg and Leipzig Interims

119. Bulwark of Peace Removed

120. Luther Foretold Coming Distress

121. Unfortunate Issue of Smalcald War

122. The Augsburg Interim

123. Attitude of John Frederick toward Interim

124. Melanchthon's Attitude toward the Interim

125. Melanchthon and the Leipzig Interim

126. Provisions of Leipzig Interim

127. Flacius and Other Opponents of Interimists

128. Grief over Melanchthon's Inconstancy

129. Interim Eliminated Politically, But Not Theologically

XI. Controversies Following the Interim and Settled by the Formula of Concord

130. Three Theological Parties

131. Various Theological Controversies

132. Conflicts Unavoidable

133. Melanchthon Prime Mover of Conflicts

134. Melanchthon's Humanistic and Unionistic Tendencies

135. Melanchthon's "Shameful Servitude."

XII. The Adiaphoristic Controversy

136. Contents of the Leipzig Interim

137. Issue in Adiaphoristic Controversy

138. Opposition to the Adiaphorists

139. Doctrinal Position of Anti-Adiaphorists

140. Sophistries of Adiaphorists Refuted

141. Theological Attitude of Flacius Sanctioned

XIII. The Majoristic Controversy

142. Early Origin of This Error

143. Formula Renewed – Abandoned

144. Major Champions Error

145. Major's Modifications

146. Menius Sides with Major

147. Attitude of Anti-Majorists

148. Major's Concessions Not Satisfactory

149. Absurd Proposition of Amsdorf

150. Other Points of Dispute

XIV. The Synergistic Controversy

151. Relation of Majorism and Synergism

152. Luther's Monergism

153. Luther's Doctrine Endorsed

154. The Father of Synergism

155. Unsound Statements of Melanchthon

156. Pfeffinger Champions Synergistic Doctrine

157. Statements of Pfeffinger

158. Strigel and Huegel Entering Controversy

159. Weimar Disputation

160. Strigel's Rationalistic Principle

161. Strigel's Theory

162. Strigel's Semi-Pelagianism

163. Strigel's "Cooperation."

164. Objections Answered

165. Teaching of the Anti-Synergists

166. Attitude of Formula of Concord

XV. The Flacian Controversy

167. Flacius Entrapped by Strigel

168. Context in which Statement was Made

169. Formal and Material Substance

170. Further Explanations of Flacius

171. Controversy Precipitated by Flacius

172. Publications Pro and Con

173. Adherents of Flacius

174. Decision of Formula of Concord

XVI. The Osiandrian and Stancarian Controversies

175. Osiander in Nuernberg and in Koenigsberg

176. Opposed by Moerlin and Lutherans Generally

177. Corruptions Involved in Osiander's Teaching

178. Excerpts from Osiander's Writings

179. Attitude of Brenz and Melanchthon

180. Osiander's Views on Image of God

181. Error of Stancarus

182. Deviations of Parsimonious and Hamburg Ministers

XVII. The Antinomistic Controversy

183. Distinction between Law and Gospel of Paramount Import

184. Agricola Breeding Trouble

185. Agricola's Conflict with Melanchthon

186. Luther's First Disputation against the Antinomians

187. Luther's Second Disputation against the Antinomians

188. Third and Fourth Series of Luther's Theses against Antinomianism

189. Luther's Third Public Disputation against the Antinomians

190. Agricola's Retraction Written and Published by Luther

191. Luther's Fourth Disputation against the Antinomians

192. "Grickel" Remained Grickel

193. False Propositions of Agricola

194. Poach, Otto, Musculus, Neander

195. Melanchthon and the Philippists

XVIII. The Crypto-Calvinistic Controversy

196. Contents and Purpose of Articles VII and VIII

197. John Calvin

198. Calvin's Zwinglianism

199. Melanchthon's Public Attitude

200. Melanchthon's Private Views

201. Misled by Oecolampadius and Bucer

202. Secret Letters and the Variata of 1540

203. Not in Sympathy with Lutheran Champions

204. Melanchthon Claimed by Calvin

205. Advising the Crypto-Calvinists

206. Historians on Melanchthon's Doctrinal Departures

207. Westphal First to Sound Tocsin

208. Controversial Publications

209. Brenz and Chemnitz

210. Bremen and the Palatinate Lost for Lutheranism

211. Saxony in the Grip of Crypto-Calvinists

212. Bold Strides Forward

213. Apparently Victorious

214. "Exegesis Perspicua."

215. Plotters Unmasked

216. Lutheranism Restored

217. Visitation Articles

XIX. Controversy on Christ's Descent into Hell

218. Luther's Doctrine

219. Aepinus in Hamburg

220. Opposed by His Colleagues

221. Other Participants in This Controversy

XX. The Eleventh Article of the Formula of Concord: On Predestination

222. Why Article XI was Embodied in the Formula

223. Unguarded Statements of Anti-Synergists

224. Synergistic Predestination

225. Calvinistic Predestination

226. Calvinistic Confessions

227. Marbach and Zanchi in Strassburg

228. The Strassburg Formula

229. Predestination according to Article XI of Formula of Concord

230. Agreement of Articles XI and II

231. Mystery in Doctrine of Grace

232. Predestination a Comforting Article

233. Statements of Article XI on Consolation Offered by Predestination

XXI. Luther and Article XI of the Formula of Concord

234. Luther Falsely Charged with Calvinism

235. Summary of Luther's Views

236. Object of Luther's "De Servo Arbitrio."

237. Relation of Man's Will toward God's Majesty

238. God Not the Cause of Sin

239. Free Will a Mere Empty Title

240. The Gospel to be Our Only Guide

241. God's Grace Is Universal and Serious

242. Sola gratia Doctrine Engenders Assurance

243. Truth of God's Majesty Serves God's Gracious Will

244. There Are No Real Contradictions in God

245. Seeming Contradictions Solved in Light of Glory

246. Statements Made by Luther before Publication of "De Servo Arbitrio."

247. Statements Made by Luther in 1528

248. Statements Made by Luther in 1531 and 1533

249. Statements Made by Luther in 1538 and 1545

250. Statements Made by Luther in His Commentary on Genesis

251. Luther Never Retracted His Doctrine of Grace

252. Luther's Doctrine Approved by Formula of Concord

253. Attitude of Apology of the Book of Concord

254. Agreement of Apology with Formula of Concord and Luther

255. Apology on Universalis Gratia Seria et Efficax

256. Apology on God's Mysterious Judgments and Ways

XXII. Article XII of the Formula of Concord: Of Other Heretics and Sects

257. Purpose of Article XII

258. The Anabaptists

259. Balthasar Hubmaier

260. Dachser and Hutt

261. John Denk

262. The Schwenckfeldians

263. Schwenckfeldt's Doctrine

264. The Antitrinitarians

265. Franck, Campanus, Ochino, Servetus, Blandrata, etc

266. Davidis and Socinus

XXIII. Origin, Subscription, Character, etc., of Formula of Concord

267. Lutherans Yearning for a Godly Peace

268. Pacific Overtures of Flacius

269. Lower Saxons Endeavoring to Mediate between Melanchthon and Flacius

270. Futile Efforts of Duke John Albrecht

271. Clash at Colloquy in Worms, 1557

272. Efforts of Princes to Restore Unity: Frankfort Recess

273. General Lutheran Council advocated by Flacianists

274. Futile Efforts of Princes at Naumburg

275. Andreae and Chemnitz

276. First Peace Efforts of Andreae Fail

277. Andreae's Sermons and the Swabian Concordia

278. The Swabian-Saxon Concordia

279. The Maulbronn Formula

280. The Torgau Book

281. The Bergic Book or the Formula of Concord

282. Subscription to the Formula of Concord

283. Subscription in Electoral Saxony, Brandenburg, etc

284. Where and Why Formula of Concord was Rejected

285. Formula Not a New Confession Doctrinally

286. Formula a Reaffirmation of Genuine Lutheranism

287. Scripture Sole Standard and Rule

288. Formula Benefited Lutheran Church

289. Necessity of Formula of Concord

290. Formula Fully Met Requirements

291. Formula Attacked and Defended

292. Modern Strictures on Formula of Concord

293. Formula Unrefuted

Отрывок из книги

Book of Concord, or Concordia, is the title of the Lutheran corpus doctrinae, i.e., of the symbols recognized and published under that name by the Lutheran Church. The word symbol, sumbolon, is derived from the verb sumballein, to compare two things for the purpose of perceiving their relation and association. Sumbolon thus developed the meaning of tessara, or sign, token, badge, banner, watchword, parole, countersign, confession, creed. A Christian symbol, therefore, is a mark by which Christians are known. And since Christianity is essentially the belief in the truths of the Gospel, its symbol is of necessity a confession of Christian doctrine. The Church, accordingly, has from the beginning defined and regarded its symbols as a rule of faith or a rule of truth. Says Augustine: "Symbolum est regula fidei brevis et grandis: brevis numero verborum, grandis pondere sententiarum. A symbol is a rule of faith, both brief and grand: brief, as to the number of words, grand, as to the weight of its thoughts."

Cyprian was the first who applied the term symbol to the baptismal confession, because, he said, it distinguished the Christians from non-Christians. Already at the beginning of the fourth century the Apostles' Creed was universally called symbol, and in the Middle Ages this name was applied also to the Nicene and the Athanasian Creeds. In the Introduction to the Book of Concord the Lutheran confessors designate the Augsburg Confession as the "symbol of our faith," and in the Epitome of the Formula of Concord, as "our symbol of this time."

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As far as the text of the Augsburg Confession is concerned, both of the original manuscripts are lost to us. Evidently they have become a prey to Romish rage and enmity. Eck was given permission to examine the German copy in 1540, and possibly at that time already it was not returned to Mainz. It may have been taken to Trent for the discussions at the Council, and thence carried to Rome. The Latin original was deposited in the Imperial Archives at Brussels, where it was seen and perused by Lindanus in 1562. February 18, 1569, however, Philip II instructed Duke Alva to bring the manuscript to Spain, lest the Protestants "regard it as a Koran," and in order that "such a damned work might forever be destroyed; porque se hunda para siempre tan malvada obra." The keeper of the Brussels archives himself testifies that the manuscript was delivered to Alva. There is, however, no lack of other manuscripts of the Augsburg Confession. Up to the present time no less than 39 have been found. Of these, five German and four Latin copies contain also the signatures. The five German copies are in verbal agreement almost throughout, and therefore probably offer the text as read and presented at Augsburg.

The printing of the Confession had been expressly prohibited by the Emperor. June 26 Melanchthon wrote to Veit Dietrich: "Our Confession has been presented to the Emperor. He ordered that it be not printed. You will therefore see that it is not made public." (C. R. 2, 142.) However, even during the sessions of the Diet a number of printed editions six in German and one in Latin, were issued by irresponsible parties. But since these were full of errors, and since, furthermore, the Romanists asserted with increasing boldness and challenge that the Confession of the Lutherans had been refuted, by the Roman Confutation, from the Scriptures and the Fathers, Melanchthon, in 1530, had a correct edition printed, which was issued, together with the Apology, in May, 1531. This quarto edition ("Beide, Deutsch Und Lateinisch Ps. 119") is regarded as the editio princeps.

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