Confessional Lutheranism

Confessional Lutheranism

Confessional Lutheran is a name used by Lutheran Christians to designate themselves as those who accept the doctrines taught in the Book of Concord of 1580 (the Lutheran "confessional" documents) in their entirety as completely faithful (quia) to the teachings of the Bible. While most Lutheran denominations find the basis of their faith in the Book of Concord, "Confessional Lutherans" maintain that faithfulness to it requires attention to how that faith is actually being preached, taught, and put into practice. Confessional Lutherans believe that this is a vital part of their identity as Lutherans.

While the term "Confessional Lutheran" is generally used among the more conservative churches found in groupings such as the International Lutheran Council and the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference, churches of the larger Lutheran World Federation subscribe to the Book of Concord as an exposition of faith, in so far as (quatenus) it agrees with the Bible.