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2.406 Luther and the Lutheran Confessions
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
Fall 2008
Instructors: Kirsi Stjerna kstjerna@ltsg.edu ext. 2155
Kristin Johnston Largen klargen@ltsg.edu ext. 2158
Office hours: by appointment
Rationale and description of the course:
This course explores the Lutheran confessional texts included in the Book of Concord as a witness to the gospel and guidance for faith and life. From their contents, especially the Augsburg Confession and Luther’s Catechisms, the course will define and describe the main themes of Lutheran theology and spirituality. First-hand reading of the documents and learning about their history, context, and content will give students an appreciation of the historical foundations of Lutheran theology as well as perspectives for critical reflection on the role of the Confessions in today’s ecumenical context.
Objectives and goals:
*To learn the history and main contributions of each book
*To interpret contemporary Lutheran theology in light of its history and expression in the BoC
*To understand what kind of authority the Confessions have for the church and ministry today
*To articulate the basic tenets of Lutheran theology as expressed in the BoC
*To think theologically, historically, inclusively, critically and ecumenically
*To apply one’s knowledge of the BoC to various contemporary public ministry settings
Strategies, texts, and assignments:
Throughout this course, lectures on the history, composition, and primary contributions of each document within the BoC are interspersed with lectures on specific theological topics related to each document. In all the lectures and discussions we strive to develop and articulate the connections between the individual documents and the BoC as a whole, the way in which the various theological themes are expressed in the different documents throughout the book, and finally, the way those themes are interpreted and lived out today, in the contemporary context.
Required Reading:
The Book of Concord, eds. Timothy Wengert and Robert Kolb.
The Fortress Introduction to the Lutheran Confessions. Günther Gassmann and
Scott Hendrix.
Recommended Reading:
Carter Lindberg, European Reformations
Heiko Oberman, Luther, Man between God and the Devil
Timothy Lull, ed., Martin Luther’s Basic Writings
Timothy Wengert, A Formula for Parish Practice
Discussion Groups:
Students are expected to do the weekly readings and participate in class discussion joyfully. Class discussions will be both in small & large group format.
Quizzes and Exam:
At various times in the semester, there will be brief in-class quizzes, based on the reading and the following list of questions in the syllabus. The dates of these quizzes are noted on the schedule in the syllabus. The quizzes are not difficult, but are meant to serve as additional motivation to keep up with the reading. The final quiz is cumulative and will be longer than the previous quizzes. With rare exceptions, students will not be allowed to make-up missed quizzes.
The final exam will be a take-home exam, distributed on the penultimate day of class, and due back on the final day of class. More will be said about this exam toward the end of the semester.
Evaluation:
First three quizzes = 30%
Final cumulative quiz = 20%
Take-home final = 40%
Class attendance & participation = 10%
The student is responsible for observing the deadlines and instructions for all assignments. Late work may or may not be accepted, according to the instructors’ discretion.
Principles of inclusivity: In this class, and in this seminary, we respect the rules of inclusivity, as stated in the academic catalog, pages 13-14. Please note that written work that does not conform to these standards will be returned for a re-write; and in the classroom, we will practice referring to both human beings and God in ways that are respectful of personhood and inclusive in terms of gender, race and class.
*A word about laptop computers: The use of a laptop in the classroom is a privilege, not a right, and this privilege can be revoked at any time during the semester by the instructor, if any student is found to be using his/her computer for personal business. Such action is a distraction to the class, and disrespectful both to the instructor and one’s classmates: forewarned is forearmed!
Helpful questions to guide your reading throughout the course:
Here is a list of questions that you should be able to answer after reading the relevant parts of the BoC. These questions may or may not show up on the in-class quizzes. Please keep them handy, and refer to them periodically throughout the semester.
1. Give the titles, authors, and dates of each book in the BoC.
2. Briefly describe the purpose, context and main contribution of each book in the BoC.
3. Discuss the authority the Confessions in relation to gospel, scripture, and creeds.
4. Describe the intended audience, goals, and content of the Catechisms.
5. Describe the intended audience, goals and the context of the CA.
6. Name and describe the subject of the articles 1-13 in the CA.
7. Name and describe the subject of articles 14-21 in the CA.
8. Name and describe the content of articles 22-28 in CA.
9. Identify the following controversies: Adiaphoristic, Majoristic, Synergistic, Osiandrian, Antinomian, Crypto-Calvinistic.
10. Give a succinct explanation of justification by faith.
11. Name the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic tradition.
12. Explain ex opere operato.
13. Identify the criteria for a sacrament and their use in the Confessions.
14. Explain why baptism is necessary according to the Confessions.
15. Indicate why infants should be baptized.
16. Explain the role of confession of sins and repentance in Lutheran tradition.
17. Explain transubstantiation vs. spiritual presence vs. real presence.
18. Indicate why Luther and the Confessions objected so strongly to the sacrifice of the
Mass.
19. Name the major benefits of the Lord’s Supper.
20. Explain the insistence of Luther and the Confessions on the presence of Christ’s body
and blood in the Lord’s Supper.
21. Explain Luther’s concept of “ubiquity” and “the right hand of God.”
22. Name the conditions and duties for the office of the bishop as stated in BoC.
23. Distinguish the priesthood of all believers and the institution of the office of ministry.
24. Define the church and its unity from CA Art. VII.
25. Describe the relationship of the Holy Spirit and the church.
26. Name the two essential marks of the true church.
27. Explain why the Confessions both reject good works and affirm their necessity.
28. Discuss the relationship between justification and sanctification.
29. Discuss the relationship between justification coram Deo and justice coram hominibus.
30. Describe the nature of the two realms or kingdoms.
31. Explain the Confessions’ call to preach both the law and the gospel.
32. Discuss the tension in Christian life as simul iustus et peccator.
33. Discuss observations regarding the Confessions’ take on gender and sexuality.
34. Discuss the role and the effectiveness of the Word in Christian life.
35. Explain sin and evil as described in the Confessions.
36. Explain freedom/bondage of the will and predestination in the Confessions.
37. Discuss the role of faith and good works in justification.
38. Define the basic doctrine of God in the Confessions.
39. Summarize what the Catechisms teach about prayer.
40. Name some of the unique principles and traditions of Lutheran faith that may be of significance today.
Course Schedule:
September 3rd Introduction to the Syllabus
General Overview
Read: BoC, the “Preface”, pp. 5-17.
Gassmann and Hendrix (G&H), chs. 1- 2,
September 10th Creeds & Catechisms
Read: BoC: “The Three Ecumenical Creeds,” “The Small Catechism,”
“The Large Catechism”
G&H, ch. 3
September 17th God & Creation
FIRST QUIZ
Read: BoC: CA 1; LC/SC review Luther’s explanation of the first article of the
Creed plus commandments 1-4; Smalcald articles preface & Part I
September 24th NO CLASS: SENIOR PANELS
October 1st Doctrine of Christ
Read: BoC: CA 3, 17; LC/SC Luther’s explanation of the second part of the
Creed; Smalcald Articles Part II; FC VIII, IX
October 8st The Augsburg Confession & the Apology SECOND QUIZ
Read: BoC: “The Augsburg Confession,” & skim “The Apology”
G&H, ch. 3[review]
October 15th Anthropology & the Doctrine of Sin
Read: BoC: CA 2, 11,12, 18, 19; LC/SC Luther’s explanation of the Ten
Commandments & Commandments 5-10, Confession;
Smalcald Articles Part III, art. 1, 2; FC I & II
October 22th Doctrine of Justification; Law & Gospel
Read: BoC: CA 4-6, and 18, 20, 21; LC/SC Luther’s explanation of the
Creed & article 2, Luther’ explanation of the Lord’s Prayer;
Smalcald Articles Part III, 4, 13; FC, III, IV, V, VI
Read: G&H, ch. 4
October 29th LUTHER COLLOQUY
(class will be held in the chapel)
November 5th The Sacraments
THIRD QUIZ
Read: BoC: CA 9-13, 22-25; LC/SC Baptism and Lord’s
Supper, Baptismal Booklet [SC]; Smalcald Articles
Part III, 5, 6, 7, 8; FC 7.
G&H, ch. 5
November 12th The Smalcald Articles &
The Treatise on the Power & Primacy of the Pope
Read: BoC, “The Smalcald Articles,” & “The Treatise…”
November 19th The Church & the Office of Ministry
Read: BoC: CA 5, 7, 8, 24, 28 (23); LC/SC explanation of the Creed, article 3,
Marriage Booklet [SC]; Smalcald Articles, Part III art. 4, 7, 9, 10, 12; Part II, art 2,3,4; TPPP “The Power & Jurisdiction of Bishops;
FC X, XII
November 26th The Formula of Concord
Read: BoC: “The Formula of Concord”
G&H, ch. 3
December 3rd Election & Predestination
FINAL QUIZ!! [recap themes of justification, salvation,
grace & good works]
Read: BoC: CA 2, 4, 18-19; FC [review VIII], XI
G&H, ch. 6
December 10th The Christian Life: Holy Spirit & Prayer
Read: BoC: CA 23, 26, 27, 20, 21; LC/SC Ten Commandments,
explanation of the third part of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer;
Smalcald Articles, Part III art. 3, 11, 14-15.
December 17th TAKE-HOME FINAL DUE
Guest lecture: Dr. Maria Erling
The Confessions as Ideology and Witness, by George Lindbeck
G&H, ch. 7
Merry Christmas!
List of Abbreviations:
Ap = Apology to the Augsburg Confession
BoC = The Book of Concord [New edition]
BS = Bekenntnisschriften der evangelisch-lutherischen Kirche
CA = Augsburg Confession [in Latin: Confessio Augustana]
FC = Formula of Concord
FC-Ep = Formula of Concord, Epitome
FC-SD = Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration
G&H = Gassmann and Hendrix, The Fortress Introduction to the Lutheran Confessions
LC = Luther's Large Catechism
LW = Luther's Works, American Edition
SA = Smalcald Articles
SC = Luther's Small Catechism
TPPP = Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Reformation History and Theology
Bagchi, David and David C. Steinmetz, The Cambridge Companion to Reformation Theology (2004).
Greaves, Richard, ed. Triumph over Silence, Women in Protestant History (1985).
Hsia, R. P-chia, Cambridge History of Christianity, Vol. 6, Reform and Expansion 1500-1660 (2007).
Hendrix, Scott, Luther and the Papacy: Stages in a Reformation Conflict1 (1981).
Hendrix, Scott, Recultivating the Vineyard: The Reformation Agendas of Christianization. (2005).
Lindberg, Carter, The Reformation Theologians (2002).
Lindberg, Carter, The European Reformations (1996).
Lindberg, Carter, The European Reformations Sourcebook (2000).
McKim, Donald, The Cambridge Companion to Luther (2003).
Obermann, Heiko, Luther, Man between God and the Devil (1982).
Ozment, Steven, Protestants. The Birth of a Revolution (1993).
Stjerna, Kirsi. Women & the Reformation (2008).
The Lutheran Confessions
Althaus, Paul, The Theology of Martin Luther (1966).
Arand, Charles. Testing the Boundaries: Windows to Lutheran Identity (2000).
Cranz, F. Edward, An Essay on the Development of Luther’s Thought on Justice, Law, and Society, ed. G. Christianson and T. M. Izbicki; Intro. by Scott Hendrix (1998).
Daniel, David B., Charles Arand. Bibliography of the Lutheran Confessions (1988).
Fagerberg, Holsten, A New Look at the Lutheran Confessions 1529-1537 (1972).
Forde, Gerhard, Justification by Faith: A Matter of Death and Life (1982).
Grane, Leif, The Augsburg Confession (1987).
Gritsch, Eric and Robert Jenson, Lutheranism: The Theological Movement and its Confessional Writings (1976).
Kolb, Robert, Confessing the Faith: Reformers Define the Church, 1530-1580 (1991).
Lohse, Bernhard, Martin Luther’s Theology (1999).
Maurer, Wilhelm, Historical Commentary on the Augsburg Confession (1986).
Mildenberger, Friedrich, Theology of the Lutheran Confessions (1983).
Noll, Mark, ed., Confessions and Catechisms of the Reformation (1997).
Schlink, Edmund, Theology of the Lutheran Confessions (1961).
Sources and Contexts of the Book of Concord, ed. Robert Kolb and James Nestigen (2001).
Wengert, Timothy, Formula for Parish Practice. Using the Formula of Concord in Congregations (2006).
450 Anniversary of Augsburg Confession (1980).
