Content

This unit is an introduction to the Lutheran Confessions as contained in the Book of Concord. It concentrates on the overall content of the Lutheran Confessions, especially the Augsburg Confession and Its Apology, the Smalcald Articles and Luther’s Catechisms, to help students appreciate the background and main themes of the confessions for the study of theology and for the life of the church.

Unit code: CT2205L

Unit status: Archived (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Australian Lutheran College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate understanding of the basic tenets of the Christian faith as expressed in the Lutheran symbols (the Book of Concord), especially the Augsburg Confession, the Apology, the Smalcald Articles and the Small and Large Catechisms of Martin Luther

2.

Explain the centrality of the doctrine of justification for the Lutheran Confessions generally and for the Augsburg Confession and its Apology in particular

3.

Begin to demonstrate personal integration in confessional theology and its application to vocational formation for service in the church

4.

Demonstrate an understanding of major theological concepts and their historical development in the Lutheran symbols

5.

Research, document and write detailed essays on a theological topic, using appropriate primary and secondary sources

Unit sequence

CH2003L Reform of the Church or equivalent is desirable

Pedagogy

Lectures, seminars

Indicative Bibliography

  • Arand, Charles P., et al. 2012. The Lutheran Confessions: history and theology of the Book of Concord. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress. (recommended for purchase)
  • Gassmann, Gunther, and Scott Hendrix. 1999. Fortress introduction to the Lutheran Confessions. Philadelphia, PA: Fortress. (recommended for purchase)
  • Kolb, Robert, and Timothy J. Wengert, eds. 2000. The Book of Concord. The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress. (recommended for purchase)
  • Fagerberg, Holsten. 1972. A new look at the Lutheran Confessions (1529–1537). Translated Gene J. Lund. St Louis, MO: Concordia.
  • Grane, Leif. 1987. The Augsburg Confession: a commentary. Trans. John H. Rasmussen. Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg.
  • Kolb, Robert K., and James Nestingen, eds. 2001. Sources and contexts of the Book of Concord, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.
  • Maurer, Wilhelm. 1987. Historical commentary on the Augsburg Confession, Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press.
  • Schlink, Edmund. 1961. Theology of the Lutheran Confessions, Philadelphia, PA: Fortress. (Republished 2003, St Louis MO: Concordia)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 2700 words

0 60.0
Essay

Essay 1800 words

0 40.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-07 08:43:51 +1000