Belief overview

Augsburg Confession and the Book of Concord

Historic Lutheran confessions organize the doctrinal identity of the tradition.

73%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: Historic Lutheranism gives great importance to the confessions gathered in the Book of Concord, especially the Augsburg Confession.

How the religion understands it: These texts function as normative witnesses subordinate to Scripture, articulating Lutheran faith in doctrine, worship, and practice.

Context: The weight of the confessions helps explain Lutheranism's historical continuity and its internal differences between more confessional and less confessional currents.

Documentary evidence

Supportive

Apology of the Augsburg Confession IV

confession,apology,justification,lutheranism

Confessional development of the doctrine of justification.

Reference: Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Article IV.
Content: The text expands and defends the doctrine of justification by faith.
Use in debate: It is central to Lutheran theological self-understanding.

Augsburg Confession, Article IV

confession,augsburg,justification,lutheranism

Classic Lutheran article on justification.

Reference: Augsburg Confession, Article IV.
Content: The article teaches that human beings are justified freely through Christ by faith.
Use in debate: It is one of the most important confessional texts of Lutheranism.

Augsburg Confession, Article V

confession,ministry,sacraments,lutheranism

The ministry of the Word and the sacraments.

Reference: Augsburg Confession, Article V.
Content: The article relates the ministry of the Word and the sacraments to the communication of faith and grace.
Use in debate: It helps explain the Lutheran link between gospel, ministry, and means of grace.