Christ Alone

Augsburg Confession Article XXVI

Here is the link to this week’s article: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-the-distinction-of-meats/

In the early centuries of the church, all kinds of traditions developed, many of which continue to this day. These traditions include the church calendar, seasons of fasting and seasons of feasting, the order of scripture lessons for use in public worship, the use of vestments, fixed prayers for use on special days, and other similar customs.

At the time of the Reformation, the church placed a great deal of emphasis on observing such traditions, but many people lacked an understanding of the meaning behind them. For example, there is a long-standing traditions of abstaining from meat during the forty days of Lent. This tradition does not come from Scripture. It is simply a custom that developed as a way to prepare for Easter. This can be a very meaningful practice. Yet at the time of the reformation, many people believed that their salvation depended on keeping such observances. This contradicts the clear teaching of scripture that salvation is by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). Paul warns in the book of Galatians that those who rely on works for salvation have fallen away from grace (Gal. 5:2-4).

So the reformers emphasized that such traditions are not necessary. You are free to fast or not to fast. You are free to commemorate the feast days or not to do so. You are free to use pre-written prayers or to pray in a freer fashion. (Personally, I do both!)

At the same time, the reformers saw value in a lot of traditions. For the most part, Lutherans retained the order of the mass. They also kept the liturgical calendar. However, they noticed that there were so many festivals and saints days that it was burdensome to follow, that it distracted people from their vocations, and that people were often abusing the sacrament. So, instead of celebrating Mass every day, the Lutherans held public Communion only on Sundays and festivals such as Christmas and Easter. They removed a number of saints days from the calendar, and emphasized the fact that it is no sin to have simpler rites and ceremonies.

Tradition is a bit of a double-edged sword. It can serve a useful, didactic purpose, but it can also become burdensome or meaningless. When not understood properly, traditions can even become a harmful distraction from the free gift of grace offered in Christ Jesus.

Most Lutheran churches are very traditional. However, the Lutheran Brethren as a denomination is typically not, because of our unique history. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Lutheran state church in Norway had become bound by traditionalism — emphasizing liturgy and ceremony more than a living faith in Jesus. Many people were baptized, attended church, and got confirmed without ever understanding the gospel or coming to saving faith. Lay preachers such as Hans Nielson Hauge began to hold Bible studies and prayer meetings in homes and to call people to repentance and faith.

The founders of the Church of the Lutheran Brethren were heavily influenced by this revival movement, and as a result, the LB historically has been less liturgical than other Lutherans. Our pastors don’t wear vestments, and many of our churches do not follow the lectionary. Yet this also should not be understood as a law.

The challenge of the church in every generation is to communicate the gospel of Christ in language that will communicate to people. In our own day, many younger Christians (including myself) are deeply interested in historic church traditions and liturgy, as they find it beautiful and moving.

In our congregation, I have attempted to ground our worship in historic practice, while at the same time utilizing the best of contemporary forms.

Christ Alone

Augsburg Confession Article XV

Here’s the link to article XV: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-ecclesiastical-usages/

The term “ecclesiastical usages” refers to such traditions as:

  • Daily hours of prayer
  • The use of clerical vestments and churchly paraments
  • The church calendar (i.e. seasons such as lent, easter, advent, etc.)
  • The order of readings (i.e. the lectionary)
  • Collects and other ancient prayers
  • The burning of incense
  • Processionals

The Lutheran confessors set forth a conservative principle of worship. If a tradition is conducive to tranquility and good order and can be observed without sin, then it should be retained.

This automatically rules out some customs. Article XXI points out that we cannot pray to the saints. Articles XXII and following deal with other abuses that had grown up in the church and needed correction.

However, many ancient traditions are useful. For example, the Daily Offices teach us to hear the scriptures and to pray. Vestments, processionals, and incense can add beauty to the divine service. When rightly understood, they can help worshippers to hear the Word. If traditions can be observed without sin, then the church should keep them.

At the same time, the article points out that such observances are not necessary to salvation. We are not required to observe the canonical hours, or follow the lectionary, or to burn incense. Congregations have freedom in this matter. If a custom has become burdensome or it no longer has meaning, then it may be discarded.

The third paragraph points out the danger inherent in observing traditions. Let’s consider the example of Lent. Many Christians fast from meat (or something else) during the forty days leading up to Easter. This can be a meaningful discipline, and it may help us to pray. However, if we think that it makes us more pleasing to God, then it is harmful. We need to constantly be reminded that our traditions do not earn us anything. God won’t love you more if you fast. He won’t love you less if you don’t fast.

We can also apply this article to the use of contemporary music in the church. We are free to use guitars, drum kits, etc. We are free not to do so. However, we should be discerning about the songs we sing, and we should always keep Word and Sacrament at the centre of our worship.