Upholding the Primacy of Scripture in Lutheran Doctrine
[1]1] 1. We believe, teach, and confess that the only rule and standard according to which all dogmas together with all teachers should be evaluated and judged are the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament alone, as it is written [Psalm. 119:105], “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” And St. Paul [Galatians 1:8], “… even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.”
2] Other writings, however, of ancient or modern teachers, whatever name they bear, must not be regarded as equal to the Holy Scriptures. All of them are subjected to the Scriptures. Other writings should not be received in any other way than as witnesses, that testify, how the pure doctrine of the prophets and apostles was preserved, after the time of apostles.
3] 2. Directly after the times of the apostles, and even while they were still living, false teachers and heretics arose. Symbols, i. e., brief, concise confessions, were composed against them in the early Church, which was regarded as the unanimous, universal Christian faith and confession of the orthodox and true Church, namely, the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed. We pledge ourselves to them and reject all heresies and teachings which, contrary to them, have been introduced into the Church of God.
4] 3. As to the schisms in matters of faith, however, which have occurred in our time, we regard as the unanimous consensus and declaration of our Christian faith and confession, especially against the Papacy and its false worship, idolatry, superstition, and against other sects, as the symbol of our time, the First, Unaltered Augsburg Confession, delivered to Emperor Charles V at Augsburg in the year 1530, in the great Diet, together with its Apology, and the Articles composed at Smalcald in the year 1537 and subscribed at that time by the main theologians.
5] And because such matters concern also the laity and the salvation of their souls, we also confess the Small and Large Catechisms of Dr. Luther, as they are included in Luther’s works, as the Bible of the laity. In these everything is comprised which is treated at greater length in Holy Scripture, and is necessary for a Christian man to know for his salvation.
6] As announced above, all doctrines are to be conformed, and what is, contrary to these is to be rejected and condemned, as opposed to the unanimous declaration of our faith.
7] In this way the distinction between the Holy Scriptures of the Old and of the New Testament and all other writings is preserved, and the Holy Scriptures alone remain the only judge, rule, and standard. According to the Holy Scriptures, as the only touchstone, all teachings shall and must be discerned and judged, as to whether they are good or evil, right or wrong.
8] But the other symbols and writings cited are not judges, as are the Holy Scriptures, but only a testimony and declaration of the faith. They show how at any given time the Holy Scriptures have been understood and explained in controversial articles in the Church of God by those then alive. They show by what arguments the teachings conflicting with the Holy Scripture were rejected and condemned.
(For further studies go to: www.bookofconcord.org, The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, Rule and Norm http://bookofconcord.org/sd-ruleandnorm.php.)
[1] www.bookofconcord; The Epitome of the Formula of Concord; Summary, rule and norm; 1-8. Some words and phrases have been modified to increase readability and understanding of our times.
