Public Statements by Augsburg Lutheran Churches



	Public Statements





From time to time Christians are compelled to give their witness during times of crisis and confusion in the church. We are called to resist attempts to obscure or corrupt the gospel. The Augsburg Lutheran Churches has made the following statements regarding: The Sanctity of Marriage The Authority of Scripture Biblical Language for God THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE We affirm that God created us male and female, and that it is God’s will and intention that human sexual expression and fulfillment take place only within the boundaries of marriage between one man and one woman (Matthew 19:4-6, Mark 10: 2—9). We recognize that all sexual acts outside of a heterosexual marriage between one man and one woman are contrary to God’s Word. We believe in the saving power of Christ to forgive, heal and liberate us from our sinful practices (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). All Christians are called to live a chaste life, and pastors and church leaders are expected to encourage and exemplify a chaste and pure life (1 Timothy 3:1-10,1 Timothy 4: 9-16, 1 Timothy 9:2 Timothy 2:22-26, Ephesians 5:3-7). We affirm Luther’s explanation of the sixth commandment in the Small Catechism which states: “We should fear and love God, and so we should lead a chaste and pure life in word and deed, each one loving and honoring his wife or her husband” (The Book of Concord, Tappert Edition, p. 343). Return to Top of Page
















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THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE We Believe the canonical Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God written by human authors who were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:20b-21). We believe with the Reformers that the Holy Spirit makes Scripture clear and understandable to all believers as it is spoken or read (1 Corinthians 2:9-16). We affirm that the faith and practice of the church must be in agreement with the clear teaching of scripture. We recognize the Lutheran Confessions as faithful reliable interpretations of Scripture and oppose (i.e., reject and do not accept) any teaching or practice that conflicts with our confession. Thus with Article 2 of The Statement of Faith in the Constitution of the LCMC as adopted in March 2001, we affirm the full authority of Scripture on matters of faith and life. Return to Top of Page BIBLICAL LANGUAGE FOR GOD Because we believe, teach, and confess the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – we also believe that biblical language for God is normative in the life of the church and is neither sexist nor exclusive. We believe that God has clearly revealed himself in Scripture and that we are bound by this revelation. We encourage our congregations to use the most accurate biblical translations available. Return to Top of Page
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