The Augsburg Confession: Renewing Lutheran Faith and Practice

by Timothy J Wengert

The Augsburg Confession is the single most-important confession of faith among Lutherans today. However, it is often taught either from a historical perspective or from a dogmatic one. Yet the context out of which it arose was far more practical and lively: marked from the outset as confessions of faith in the face of fierce opposition and threats. The original princely signers, while clearly outlining the teaching of their churches, were also staking their lives on the witness to the gospel that had been emanating from Wittenberg since 1517, when Martin Luther first published his Ninety-Five Theses. By situating both the history and the theology of this document within the practice and life of faith, Timothy J. Wengert shows just how relevant the Confession's witness is for today's Lutheran parishes and their leaders by unlocking how its articles can shape and strengthen the church's witness today.

240 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

Reviews

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Augsburg Confession is such a treasure and he explains what it means and why it matters very well. Enjoyed his examples. Primarily the Augsburg Confession is about “easing terrified consciences.” Powerful secular leaders felt so strongly about justification by grace through faith on account of Christ that they were willing to stand up to probably the most powerful man in the world. Several of these paid for that bold confession with their property and their lives. And a clear proclamation of what this bold confession means and makes a great difference in our daily lives. Author is ELCA and publisher is ELCA and I felt there were some criticisms of LCMS and there were some interpretations we might differ on, but overall, a very fine examination of this treasure. I also liked his book on the Formula of Concord. Also, the book has 300 pages, not what listed in Goodreads.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I could give this zero out of five stars. I stopped reading on page 83 when the author wrote: "My wife, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, often asks new members. . ." Utter trash.