Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Good morning, friends. It's Pastor Wolf Muller here on June 25, the year of our lord, 2024. It is the anniversary. Oh, whatever 2024 -15 30 is, it's that anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg confession. In some ways, this is the real reformation day, the day that the princes presented before to Charles V in Augsburg the doctrines of the lutheran faith. And I was thinking about that and reading it just now, and I thought to myself, you know what? I bet a lot of people don't have a copy of the book of Concord of the Augsburg confession to be able to read it today. So I thought I'd read it for you, at least the first 22 articles. Article 20, sorry, 21 articles. Article 22 starts with the abuses that are corrected. It gets a little wordy, but I think I can read in a few minutes the first 21 articles of the Augsburg confession. I'm also going to put a link to the text so that you can have it yourself as well. I'm going to skip the introduction, but it's really great. They basically say, look, we want Christian Concord. That's why we've presented these articles in the simplicity of Christ. And we hope that the people on both sides of the argument will kind of obviously agree that we're not teaching anything new. They didn't agree. The roman representatives at the Augsburg confession or the Diet of Augsburg wrote a refutation of the Augsburg confession, which was then responded to by the apology of the Augsburg confession. Beautiful text.
[00:01:32] And things went south. It's also interesting in the introduction that the princes who are writing this say to the emperor, we know you've pledged to work with the pope to call a general council. We're all for it and we're expecting it. In fact, they talk about how the emperor has twice talked about how we need a general, free christian council to sort these things out.
[00:01:56] That council never came about. It was Trent, and the Lutherans weren't invited. So that design of the emperor, at least at this stage in the reformation, didn't happen. Also interesting that they referenced both the Diet of spires, 1520 615 29 in that introduction, where the Lutherans were made legal and illegal.
[00:02:17] So both are referenced there. The other thing to note before I give it to you, just the words, is it's going to say they teach. And remember, it's because the princes are presented understanding the doctrine of the teachers. So it's not like they teach, but we don't. The princes believe it, but they're bringing forth the confession of the theologians of the church. So that's why it's instead of says we teach, it says they teach, it's it's still they're bringing forth this teaching. All right, here it is. 1st 21 articles of the Augsburg Confession Chief Articles of faith article one of God are churches with common consent do teach that the decree of the Council of Nicaea concerning the unity of the divine essence and concerning the three persons is true and to be believed without any doubting. That is to say, there is one divine essence which is called and which is God, eternal, without body, without parts of infinite power, wisdom and goodness, the maker and preserver of all things, visible and invisible. And yet there are three persons of the same essence and power who are co eternal, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. And the term person they use as the fathers have used it to signify not a part or quality in another, but that which subsists of itself.
[00:03:35] They condemn all heresies which have sprung up against this article as the Manicheans who assume two principles, one good and the other evil. Also the Valentinians, Arians, Eunomians, Mohammedans, and all such. They condemn also the Samosateans, old and new, who contend that there is but one person sophistically and impiously argue that the word and the Holy Ghost are not distinct persons, but that word signifies a spoken word, and spirit signifies motion created in things.
[00:04:09] Article two of original sin they also teach that since the fall of Adam, all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with concupiscence, and that this disease or vice of origin is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death upon those not born again through baptism and the Holy Ghost.
[00:04:38] They condemn the Pelagians and others who deny that original depravity is sin, and who, to obscure the glory of Christ's merit and benefits, argue that man can be justified before God by his own strength and reason.
[00:04:53] Article three of the Son of God they also teach that the word that is the son of God did assume the human nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin Mary, so that there are two natures, the divine and the human, inseparably enjoined in one person, one Christ, true God and true man, who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, that he might reconcile the father unto us and be a sacrifice not only for original guilt but also for all actual sins of men.
[00:05:30] He also descended into hell and truly rose again. The third day afterward he ascended into heaven, that he might sit on the right hand of the Father, and forever reign, and have dominion over all creatures, and sanctify them that believe in him. By sending the Holy Ghost into their hearts to rule, comfort, and quicken them, and to defend them against the devil and the power of sin, the same Christ shall openly come again to judge the quicken the dead, etcetera. According to the apostles Creed.
[00:06:02] Article four of justification also they teach that men cannot be justified before God by their own strength, merit, or works, but are freely justified for Christ's sake through faith, when they believe that they are received into favor, and that their sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who by his death has made satisfaction for our sins.
[00:06:32] This faith God imputes for righteousness in his sight.
[00:06:37] Romans three and four article five of the ministry that we may obtain this faith the ministry of teaching the gospel and administering the sacraments was instituted for through the word and sacraments, as through instruments, the Holy Ghost is given who works faith where and when it pleases God in them that hear the gospel, to wit, that God, not for our own merits, but for Christ's sake, justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ's sake.
[00:07:17] They condemn the Anabaptist and others who think that the Holy Ghost comes to men without the external word through their own preparations and works.
[00:07:28] Article six of new obedience also they teach that this faith is bound to bring forth good fruits, and that it is necessary to do good works commanded by God because of God's will, but that we should not rely on those works to merit justification before God for remission of sins. And justification is apprehended by faith, as also the voice of Christ attests, when ye shall have done all these things, say we are unprofitable servants. Luke 1710.
[00:08:03] The same is also taught by the fathers. For Ambrose says, it is ordained of God that he who believes in Christ is saved freely receiving remission of sins without works by faith alone.
[00:08:18] Article seven of the church they also teach that one holy church is to continue forever. The church is the congregation of Saints, in which the gospel is rightly taught and the sacraments are rightly administered, and to the true unity of the church. It is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the gospel and the administration of the sacraments.
[00:08:45] Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be everywhere alike. As Paul says, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all, etcetera. Ephesians four, five, and six.
[00:09:03] Article eight what the church is although the church properly is the congregation of saints and true believers. Nevertheless, since in this life many hypocrites and evil persons are mingled therewith, it is lawful to use sacraments administered by evil men. According to the saying of Christ, the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses seat, etcetera. Matthew 23 two both the sacraments and word are effectual by reason of the institution and commandment of Christ.
[00:09:36] Notwithstanding, they are administered by evil men.
[00:09:40] They condemn the donatist and suchlike, who denied it to be lawful to use the ministry of evil men in the church, and who thought the ministry of evil men to be unprofitable and of non effect.
[00:09:53] Article nine of baptism of baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through baptism, are received into God's grace.
[00:10:11] They condemn the anabaptists who reject the baptism of children and say that children are saved without baptism.
[00:10:19] Article ten of the Lord's supper of the supper of the Lord they teach that the body and blood of Christ are truly present and are distributed to those who eat the supper of the Lord and they reject those who teach otherwise.
[00:10:35] Article eleven of confession of confession they teach that private absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession an enumeration of all sins is not necessary, for it is impossible, according to the psalm, who can understand his errors? Psalm, 1912 article twelve of repentance of repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted, and that the church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance.
[00:11:15] Now repentance consists properly of these two parts. One is contrition, that is, terrors, smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin. The other is faith, which is born of the gospel or of absolution, and believes that for Christ's sake sins are forgiven, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terrors.
[00:11:40] Then good works are bound to follow which are the fruits of repentance.
[00:11:46] They condemn the anabaptists who deny that those once justified can lose the Holy Ghost. They also are also those who contend that some may attain to such perfection in this life that they cannot sin.
[00:11:59] The novatians are also are condemned who would not absolve, such as had fallen after baptism. Though they returned to repentance, they also are rejected, who do not teach that remission of sins comes through faith, but command us to merit grace through satisfaction of our own.
[00:12:19] Article 13 of the use of the sacraments of the use of the sacraments they teach that the sacraments were ordained not only to be marks of profession among men, but rather to be signs and testimonies of the will of God toward us, instituted to awaken and confirm faith in those who use them. Wherefore we must so use the sacraments that faith be added to believe the promises which are offered and set forth through the sacraments.
[00:12:50] They therefore condemn those who teach that the sacraments justify by the outward act, and who do not teach that in the use of the sacraments, faith which believes that sins are forgiven is required.
[00:13:05] Article 14 of ecclesiastical order of ecclesiastical order they teach that no one should publicly teach in the church or administer the sacraments, unless he be regularly called.
[00:13:22] Article 15 of ecclesiastical usages of usages in the church they teach that those ought to be observed which may be observed without sin, and which are profitable unto tranquillity and good order in the church, as particular holy days, festivals, and the like. Nevertheless, concerning such things, men are admonished that consciences are not to be burdened, as though such observance was necessary to salvation.
[00:13:52] They are admonished also that human traditions, instituted to propitiate God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins, are opposed to the gospel and the doctrine of faith. Wherefore, vows and traditions concerning meats and days, etcetera, instituted to merit grace and to make satisfaction for sins are useless and contrary to the gospel.
[00:14:18] Article 16 of civil affairs of civil affairs they teach that lawful civil ordinances are good works of God, and that it is right for christians to bear civil office, to sit as judges, to judge matters by the imperial and other existing laws, to award just punishments, to engage in just wars, to serve as soldiers, to make legal contracts, to hold property, to make oath when required by the magistrates, to marry a wife to be given in marriage.
[00:14:49] They condemn the Anabaptists who forbid these civil offices to christians.
[00:14:54] They condemn also those who do not place evangelical perfection in the fear of God and in faith, but in forsaking civil offices. For the gospel teaches an eternal righteousness of the heart. Meanwhile, it does not destroy the state or the family, but very much requires that they be preserved as ordinances of God, and that charity be practiced in such ordinances. Therefore christians are necessarily bound to obey their own magistrates and laws, save only when commanded to sin, for then they ought to obey God rather than men. Acts 529 17 of Christ's return to judgment also they teach that at the consummation of the world Christ will appear for judgment, and will raise up all the dead. He will give to the godly and elect eternal life, and everlasting joys. But ungodly men and the devils he will condemn to be tormented without end.
[00:15:58] They condemn the Anabaptist who think that there will be an end to the punishments of condemned men and devils. They condemn also others who are now spreading certain jewish opinions, that before the resurrection of the dead the godly shall take possession of the kingdom of the world, the ungodly being everywhere suppressed.
[00:16:20] Article 18 of free will of free will they teach that man's will has some liberty to choose civil righteousness and to work things subject to reason. But it has no power without the Holy Ghost to work the righteousness of God, that is, spiritual righteousness, since the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, but this righteousness is wrought in the heart, when the Holy Ghost is received through the word.
[00:16:55] These things are said in as many words by Augustine in his hippognostikon, book three. We grant that all men have a free will, free inasmuch as it has the judgment of reason not that it is thereby capable without God either to begin or at least to complete aught in things pertaining to God, but only in works of this life where good, whether good or evil good. I call those works which spring from the good nature, such as willing to labor in the field, to eat and drink, to have a friend, to clothe oneself, to build a house, to marry a wife, to raise cattle, to learn divers useful arts, or whatsoever good pertains to this life. For all of these things are not without dependence on the providence of God, yea, of him and through him they are, and have their being evil. I call such works as willing to worship an idol, commit murder, etcetera.
[00:17:58] They condemn the Pelagians and others who teach that without the Holy Ghost, by the power of nature alone, we are able to love God above all things, also to do the commandments of God as touching the substance of the act. For although nature is able in a manner to do the outward work, for it is able to keep the hands from theft and murder, yet it cannot produce the inward motions such as the fear of God, trust in God, chastity, patience, etcetera.
[00:18:29] Article 19 the cause of sin of the cause of sin they teach that although God does create and preserve nature, yet the cause of sin is the will of the wicked, that is, of the devil and ungodly men, which will, unaided of God, turns itself from God, as Christ says John 844. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own article 20 of good works our teachers are falsely accused of forbidding good works, for their published writing on the ten Commandments, and others of like import bear witness that they have taught to good purpose concerning all estates and duties of life, as to what estates of life, and what works, and every calling be pleasing to God. Concerning these things. Preachers heretofore taught but little, and urged only childish and needless works as particular holy days, particular fasts, brotherhoods, pilgrimages, services in honor of saints, the use of rosaries, monasticism, and such like. Since our adversaries have been admonished of these things, they are now unlearning them, and do not preach these unprofitable works as heretofore. Besides, they begin to mention faith, of which there was heretofore marvelous silence. But they teach that we are justified not by works only, but they conjoin faith in works, and say that we are justified by faith in works. This doctrine is more tolerable than the former one, and can afford more consolation than their old doctrine.
[00:20:04] Forasmuch, therefore, as the doctrine concerning faith, which ought to be the chief one in the church, has lain so long unknown, as all must needs grant that there was the deepest silence in their sermons concerning the righteousness of faith, while only the doctrine of works was treated in the churches. Our teachers have instructed the churches concerning faith, as first, that our works cannot reconcile God or merit forgiveness of sins, grace, and justification. But we obtain this only by faith, when we believe that we are received into favor for Christ's sake, who alone has been set forth the mediator and propitiation, in order that the father may be reconciled through him.
[00:20:48] Whoever therefore trusts that by works he merits grace, despises the merit and grace of Christ, and seeks a way to God without Christ, by human strength, although Christ has said of himself, I am the way, the truth, and the life. John 14 six.
[00:21:08] This doctrine concerning faith is everywhere treated by Paul, Ephesians two eight by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, etcetera.
[00:21:22] And lest anyone should craftily say that a new interpretation of Paul has been devised by us, this entire matter is supported by the testimonies of the fathers. For Augustine in many volumes defends grace and the righteousness of faith over and against the merit of works. And Ambrose, in his de vocation gentium and elsewhere teaches to like effect, for in his devocatio gentium he says, as redemption by the blood of Christ would become of little value, neither would the preeminence of man's work be superseded by the mercy of God. If justification, which is wrought through grace, were due to the merits going before, so as to be not the free gift of a donor, but the reward due to the laborer.
[00:22:13] But although this doctrine is despised by the inexperienced, nevertheless God fearing and anxious consciences find by experience that it brings the greatest consolation, because consciences cannot be set at rest through any works, but only by faith. When they take the sure ground that for Christ's sake they have become, they have, they have a reconciled God, as Paul teaches romans five one being justified by faith, we have peace with God. This whole doctrine is to be referred to that conflict of the terrified conscience. Neither can it be understood. Apart from that conflict, therefore, inexperienced and profane men judge ill concerning this matter, who dream that christian righteousness is nothing but civil and philosophical righteousness.
[00:23:02] Heretofore consciences were plagued with the doctrine of works. They did not hear the consolation from the gospel. Some persons were driven by conscience into the desert, into monasteries, hoping there to merit grace by a monastic life. Some also devised other works whereby to merit grace and make satisfaction for sins. Hence there was a very great need to treat of and renew this doctrine of faith in Christ, to the end that anxious consciences should not be without consolation, but that they might know that grace and forgiveness of sins and justification are apprehended by faith in Christ.
[00:23:41] Men are also admonished that here the term faith does not signify merely the knowledge of the history, such as in the ungodly and in the devil, but signifies a faith which believes not merely the history, but also the effect of the history, namely, this article. The forgiveness of sins, to wit, that we have grace, righteousness, and forgiveness of sins through Christ.
[00:24:05] Now he that knows that he has a father gracious to him through Christ, truly knows God. He knows also that God cares for him, and calls upon God in a word. He is not without God, as the heathen for devils and the ungodly are not able to believe this article, the forgiveness of sins hence they hate God as an enemy. Call not upon him, expect no good from him. Augustine also admonishes his readers concerning the word faith, and teaches that the term faith is accepted in the scriptures, not not for knowledge as such as in the ungodly, but for confidence which consoles and encourages the terrified mind.
[00:24:49] Furthermore, it is taught on our part that it is necessary to do good works, not that we should trust to merit grace by them. But because it is the will of God, it is only by faith that forgiveness of sins is apprehended. That is, for nothing and because through faith the Holy Ghost is received, hearts are renewed and endowed with new affections, so as to be able to bring forth good works. For Ambrose says, faith is the mother of a good will and right doing.
[00:25:23] For man's powers without the Holy Ghost are full of ungodly affections, and are too weak to do with to do works which are good in God's sight. Besides, they are in the power of the devil, who impels men to divers sins, to ungodly opinions, to open crimes. This we may see in the philosophers, who, although they endeavored to live an honest life, could not succeed, but were defiled with many open crimes. Such is the feebleness of man when he is without faith, and without the Holy Ghost, and governs himself only by human strength.
[00:25:58] Hence it may be readily seen that this doctrine is not to be charged with prohibiting good works, but rather the more to be commended, because it shows how we are enabled to do good works. For without faith human nature can in no wise do the works of the first or second commandment. Without faith it does not call upon God, nor expect anything from God, nor bear the cross, but seeks and trusts in man's help. And thus, when there is no faith and trust in God, all manner of lusts and human devices rule in the heart. Wherefore Christ said John 15 five, without me ye can do nothing. And the church sings, lacking thy divine favor. There is nothing found in man naught in him is harmless.
[00:26:51] Article 21 the worship of the saints of the worship of saints they teach that the memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith in good works, according to our calling, as the emperor may follow the example of David in making war to drive away the Turk from his country, for both are kings. But the scripture teaches not the invocation of the saints, or to ask help of the saints, since it sets before us the one Christ as the mediator, propitiation, high priest, and intercessor, he is to be prayed to, and has promised that he will hear our prayer. And this worship he approves above all, to wit, that in all affliction he be called upon. First, John two one. If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, etcetera.
[00:27:41] This is about the sum of our doctrine, in which, as can be seen, there is nothing that varies from the scripture, from the Catholic Church, or from the Church of Rome, as known from its writers. This being the case, they judge harshly, who insist that our teachers be regarded as heretics.
[00:27:59] There is, however, disagreement on certain abuses which have crept into the church without rightful authority. And even in these, if there were some difference, there should be proper leniency on the part of bishops to bear with us by reason of the confession which we have now reviewed, because even the canons are not so severe as to demand the same rights everywhere. Neither at any time have the rights of all the churches been the same, although among us in large part, the ancient rites are diligently observed. For it is a false and malicious charge that all the ceremonies and all things instituted of old are abolished in our churches. But it has been a common complaint that some abuses were connected with the ordinary rites. These, inasmuch as they could not be approved with good conscience, have been to some extent corrected.
[00:28:48] So the first 21 articles of the Augsburg confession, there are more to follow, but this is a good break in the section, and the articles get longer.
[00:29:01] The articles that follow are the articles of abuses that needed to be corrected, and so they're hashing those out in the remaining.
[00:29:10] Oh, there's 28 in the remaining seven articles, articles in which are reviewed the abuses which have been corrected. And I would commend those to you as well. They're very important, both kinds, in the sacrament, marriage of priests, article 24 of the mass, which is beautiful. Article 25 of confession, article 26 of the distinction of meats, which is very important. And article 27 of monastic vows, article 28 of ecclesiastical powers, also very important. What's the power that the pastor and the bishop has? So those are the articles that remain in the Augsburg confession. But this gives it a great. Gives you a great sense of what the Lutherans were up to. And this chief confession of the lutheran church presented so many years ago today, well, there it is. The Augsburg confession. Happy presentation of the Augsburg Confession day. I'd love to know what you think about it. You can leave.
[00:30:03] Oh, you can't leave podcasts. You can't leave comments, can you? Av? This is a blog post on the website, and I'll put the text that I read there as well, so you can leave comments there. I'd love to know what you think. Thanks. God's peace be with.
