The Modern Reformation

​The Modern Reformation: Why the Move to Confessional Lutheranism Echoes Luther's Stand
By Rev. Dr. Cary Larson
Presiding Pastor of The American Association of Lutheran Churches
 
The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century was a fierce debate over authority and the purity of the Gospel. When Dr. Martin Luther posted the 95 Theses, he was challenging the Church’s deviation from Scripture and its subsequent doctrinal decay. Today, a similar, principled movement is unfolding within American Lutheranism, as pastors and congregations shift from the progressive theology of churches that hold to the “Lutheran” label to the Confessional stance found in bodies like The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC).
 
This transition is not a retreat; it is a profound modern enactment of the Reformation's core principles. It represents a stand for theological fidelity over cultural accommodation.

The Battle Over Authority: Sola Scriptura and the Two Voices

The engine of this modern schism, just like the original, is the question of Scriptural authority—the formal principle of Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone).
 
When the governing documents of most progressive “Lutheran” bodies are examined, the official teaching seem to affirm Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and trusts the Gospel for salvation. They affirm that they hold the Scriptures, the ecumenical creeds, and the Book of Concord as the foundation for its teachings. Yet, in practice, these progressive bodies, in the best-case scenario, will place at the same authority of the Scriptures and the Confessions, ideologies such as climate change, inclusion, diversity, and social justice.
 
This dual voices or emphasis has created a theological crisis:
●View of Scripture: 
While the progressive “Lutherans” affirm the Bible, they do not adhere to the Christian doctrine of inerrancy (the belief that the Bible is without error in all it affirms). This absence has opened the door for interpretations that challenge bedrock historical doctrines. Quick research with any search engine with find ample evidence that these bodies openly question the virgin birth and the bodily resurrection of Jesus. While some lesser progressive bodies will say that they hold the Word of God as “inspired,” they will not go to the length as Dr. Martin Luther and the Reformers who followed him, that the Word of God is indeed infallible, inerrant and the norm of norms. 

●Controversial Decisions: 
The 2009 decision to ordain non-celibate LGBTQ+ individuals and bless same-sex unions along with the constant evolution of church practices and teachings is proof that the largest progressive body, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is prioritizing progressive cultural trends over clear biblical fidelity. While progressive "Lutherans" that left the ELCS post-2009 do not recognize the LGBTQ+ agenda, they still ordain women contrary to Holy Scripture in obedience to egalitarian cultural demands (note: there is no Scriptural support for women's ordination). 

Gospel vs. Gospel: Blurring the Lines of Salvation

The second, critical theological divide concerns the “Material Principle” of the Reformation: Justification by Grace through Faith (Sola Fide).
 
The progressive “Lutheran” bodies in fact teach “another gospel” by blurring the distinction between God's Law and Gospel.
●The Gospel Mis-defined:
Progressive “Lutheran” bodies have incorrectly defined the Gospel as primarily social justice and liberation from oppression, rather than the free gift of forgiveness of sins received through faith in Christ's atoning work. This emphasis shifts entirely to external social action and political activism (social justice) as the primary definition—or even replacement—for the true Gospel. The “good work” of progressive “Lutherans” moves from a response to justification to a means of defining justification itself.

●Gospel Reductionism: 
Progressive “Lutherans” subscribe to a theological error that collapses the distinction between the Bible's authority and its central message by making their mis-defined gospel the ultimate norm and judge of the entire Scripture. This practice leads to diminishing or discarding non-Gospel biblical content, such as certain moral laws, historical narratives, or doctrines regarding the sacraments, if they are not seen as directly furthering the message of personal forgiveness.

●Compromised Doctrine: 
Progressive “Lutheran” bodies entry into full communion with denominations that explicitly deny the real presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper is seen as a compromise of a vital Lutheran doctrine. This elevates ecumenical relations over the explicit command and promise of Christ (“This is My body”). Other teaching of the Bible are discarded for egalitarian reasons (women clergy) or pluralism (universalism) in full contradiction of the clear teaching of the Holy Scripture

●“Cheap Grace”:
 Some former members state that progressive “Lutheran” bodies have drifted toward a theology of  “cheap grace”—an overemphasis on radical inclusivity that minimizes the necessity of repentance and discipleship (following biblical commands) in response to the vicarious sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary’s cross, which has totally reconciled God and sinners and affords all who believe upon Christ Jesus, eternal life as a free gift (costly grace).
 
​Those returning to Confessional Lutheran bodies like The AALC are making a re-commitment to doctrinal clarity—a resolute stand for the historic, objective Gospel: the free forgiveness of sins won by Christ's death and resurrection.
 
A Return to the Quia (Because): The Confessional Path

The Confessional movement embodies a return to the historic Lutheran distinction between the three uses of the Law (curb, mirror, guide) and the one singular purpose of the Gospel (to create faith).
 
Confessional Lutheran bodies, like The AALC, adhere to the Book of Concord “because” (quia) it is a faithful exposition of Holy Scripture, serving as a definitive, time-tested guide. This contrasts with the progressive approach of adhering to the Confessions “insofar as” (quatenus) they agree with modern readings. Which has no moorings in the Holy Scripture. 
 
The quia subscription to the Lutheran Confessions is a powerful demonstration that, when an established church is perceived to have strayed from the objective authority of the Word, the faithful duty is to re-form the Church where the Gospel can be preached in its biblical purity and the Sacraments administered rightly according to Holy Scripture. It is a modern manifestation of the reformer's spirit: fidelity to God's Word above all else.

Reformation 2025
 
This current move toward Confessional Lutheranism is far more than a simple denominational preference; it is a modern echo of the 16th-century Reformation itself. By leaving progressive "Lutheran" bodies, pastors and congregations are executing a principled stand for theological fidelity that mirrors Luther's own battle: reasserting the unqualified authority of Sola Scriptura against cultural accommodation, and distinguishing the historic, objective Gospel (Justification by Grace through Faith) from modern, social-justice-focused definitions. This transition, exemplified by Confessional Lutheran bodies like The AALC and their “quia” subscription to the Book of Concord, represents a firm re-anchoring of the Christian faith in the inerrant Word of God, ensuring that the sacraments are administered and the Gospel is proclaimed in its biblical purity for the life everlasting.

For more information about The AALC please go to: TAALC.org.

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