The Formal and Material Principles of Lutheran Confessional Theology

Authors

F. E. Mayer, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

8-1-1953

Document Type

Article

Keywords

holy scriptures, lutheran, faith, doctrine, confessions, principle theology, christian, justification, symbolics

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

The source of doctrine, or the formal principle, of Lutheran theology is sola Scriptura, the Scriptures alone. It does seem strange that with its avowed emphasis on the sole authority of the Scriptures the Lutheran Church nowhere has a specific article setting forth its attitude toward the Holy Scriptures. By contrast the early Reformed Confessions have an elaborate statement concerning the place and the scope of Scriptures, including even a list of all the books which are considered canonical. The Lutheran Confessions have no specific article dealing with the Holy Scriptures for three reasons.

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

Acts 2:12; Isaiah 53:5;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Mayer, F. E. (1953) "The Formal and Material Principles of Lutheran Confessional Theology," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 24, Article 46.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol24/iss1/46