WHAT IS A LUTHERAN?
 

Lutherans subscribe to the authority of the Scriptures, the Lutheran Confessions and the three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles' Creed, Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed). These confessional writings and creeds are recorded in the volume, The Book of Concord, the very purpose of which was and still is to seek "harmony" ("Concord") among those who call themselves "Lutheran."

According to the Confessions, Lutherans believe, teach and confess that the Bible is the Word of God and that it is the "sole rule and norm of all doctrine." Along with this understanding of Scripture, it is uniquely Lutheran to believe, teach and confess that all of Scripture is divided into either Law or Gospel. Along with the Scriptures, Lutherans subscribe to the Confessions as normative for faith and life because they are an interpretation of the Word of God.  And this confession is made by both people and pastors who call themselves "Lutheran."

General Lutherans are free to view the of Concord from either the "quia" or the "quatenus" perspective. Those who hold to the "quia" perspective believe the Book of Concord is a faithful exposition of Scripture. Those who hold to the "quatenus" perspective subscribe to the Book of Concord insofar as the Book of Concord is faithful to the Scriptures. 

Lutherans are "evangelicals" meaning what Lutherans believe, teach and confess as part of their public witness to the world for the sake of the Gospel of our salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That witness sends Lutherans into the world as they respond to the Scriptural dictate to "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-20).
 

 

The Holy Scriptures

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We believe the Bible is God’s written revelation to man, and thus the 66 books of the Bible given to us by the Holy Spirit constitute the plenary (inspired equally in all parts) Word of God (1 Cor 2:7-14; 2 Pet 1:20-21).

We believe the Word of God is an objective, propositional revelation (1 Thess 2:13; 1 Cor 2:13), verbally inspired in every word (2 Tim 3:16), absolutely inerrant in the original documents, infallible, and God-breathed.

We believe the Bible constitutes the only infallible rule of faith and practice (Matt 5:18; 24:35; John 10:35; 16:12-13; 17:17; 1 Cor 2:13; 2 Tim 3:15-17; Heb 4:12; 2 Pet 1:20-21). We believe God spoke in His written Word by a process of dual authorship. The Holy Spirit so superintended the human authors that, through their individual personalities and different styles of writing, they composed and recorded God’s Word to man (2 Pet 1:20-21) without error in the whole or in the part (Matt 5:18; 2 Tim 3:16).