The theology of the reformation centers upon five solas: scriptura, fide, gratia, Christus, & Deo gloria. That’s not French. But, please pardon my Latin. Sola means alone. I’ll talk about the five together in another article. Today, sola scriptura, scripture alone is the key to our conversation. This’ll be a comparative look at the two views of the scriptures between the LCMS and the ELCA.
This is a step into the way-back machine. The issues concerning the modern leadership of the ELCA are a result of the formational view of the scriptures. There are some important parts of the family tree to get in order. The LCMS was formed on April 26, 1847. The ELCA was formed on April 30, 1987 as a result of the merger between three American Lutheran church bodies.
These are the three Lutheran bodies comprising the merger, resulting in the formation of the ELCA. The Lutheran Church in America (LCA) was formed in 1962. The American Lutheran Church (ALC) was formed in 1960. The Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC) was formed in 1976. That last one is significant to our discussion. The AELC is the church body formed after the 1974 split from the LCMS and the “walk-out” of a significant number of faculty and students from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. That time period and its details deserve lengthy attention on their own.
The AELC’s influence on the formation of the ELCA can’t be undersold. For us today, the view of scripture needs to be understood in the way one is stated and the other restated. The center of the controversy between the LCMS and the dissenters, leading to the formation of the ELCA, was the reliability and the normative function of the scriptures. Those who walked out did so because the LCMS stood firm on a position that the Word of God, the Bible, is true and correct as we have received it.
The LCMS Constitution and By-Laws speak of the scripture this way in Article II, Confession. “The Synod, and every member of the Synod, accepts without reservation: 1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm of faith and of practice;”
That is to say, Scripture IS God’s Word and it conforms us to itself. The Word of God is specifically identified as the “only rule and norm of faith and practice.” Our understanding of the confessions of the Lutheran church flow from that. And, every member congregation is compelled by their membership in the LCMS to confess the same way. The scope of the Bible for us is for both faith and practice. So, all aspects of life in the church are subject to direction, correction, and formation by the Word of God.
The ELCA says four unique things in its Constitution and By-Laws. Hear them from the perspective of the longstanding statement of the LCMS starting in Chapter 2: Confession of Faith, 2.02.a and following. “a. Jesus Christ is the Word of God incarnate, through whom everything was made and through whose life, death, and resurrection God fashions a new creation.” This definition creates a sense of a Jesus, who can be known outside of the scriptures. The deity who can be known apart from the scriptures is the one through whom everything was made and by whom new creation comes.
Second, the constitution also says, “b. The proclamation of God’s message to us as both Law and Gospel is the Word of God, revealing judgment and mercy through word and deed, beginning with the Word in creation, continuing in the history of Israel, and centering in all its fullness in the person and work of Jesus Christ.” This defining characteristic cuts short the definition of the scriptures. It carves out the possibility that the inconvenient parts of the epistles of Paul, Peter, John, James, and the author of Hebrews can be excluded. Here God’s Word is further reduced in its normative function for me.
Third, the constitution says, “c. The canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of God. Inspired by God’s Spirit speaking through their authors, they record and announce God’s revelation centering in Jesus Christ. Through them God’s Spirit speaks to us to create and sustain Christian faith and fellowship for service in the world.” Notice what isn’t said. In this definition God’s Word isn’t inspired and God-breathed as we received it. Rather, for the ELCA, the Bible is inspired through the authors, but not absolutely correct in the writing we received. Further, the faith inspired can override the words of the scripture, if we deem it necessary.
Lastly, this section says, “2.03. This church accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life.” This statement seems authoritative concerning the scriptures. But, it follows a definition of what the scriptures are, which has carved out a space for my opinion of them and their interpretation.
The current situation in the ELCA is best understood not in reverse by a transgender bishop, the ordination of transgendered priests, homosexual clergy, or female clergy. We need to clearly see that the Word of God, the Holy Scripture we have received, is not authoritative to the ELCA. That lack of authority creates the space for all past, current, and future errors.
This matters for us in the LCMS. It matters because we are forever fighting the battle to maintain sola scriptura among our churches. It also matters because Christians on the other side of the fence are being served and taught by pastors who are thoroughly committed by ordination vows to this unfaithful definition of the scriptures. They are two generations deep into pastors, who believe, teach, and confess this error. Without a solid, reliable Bible, our faith stands on shaky ground.
You are responsible in the Christian faith to help your friends and family find a faithful church and a faithful pastor. Such a church can never be a church that denies or makes clear the path to deny the normative function of the scriptures, for faith and life.
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” [2 Timothy 3:16-17]
Let us be ever instructed by the Word of the Lord! Thanks be to God!
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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This is why I’m a roosted member of the LCMS. Taught 40 years in Lutheran schools.
Indeed, that’s the right reason.
Either all scripture in the canon is true, or none is true.
No some yes some no.
Exactly, the scriptures are not a buffet from which we get to choose.