Dr. Piepkorn means that the Symbols find their home in the liturgical life of the Church. This, of course, is true of the Creeds. For Lutherans, it was not uncommon to read the entire AC on its anniversary. The Smaller Catechism frequently was recited liturgically. The Formula began as sermons. The Larger Catechism was also sermons. Thus the setting in which the Confession of the Church literally lives is before the altar as the people of God gather to hear the Lord's Words and receive His body and blood and extol His mercy. True confession isn't just statement of "doctrine" but the proclamation of the great things that God has done for us sending His Son and His Holy Spirit to us.
2 comments:
I'm interested in understanding what this very terse sentence means - PW, could you please give your reading of it? I would much appreciate it!
Dr. Piepkorn means that the Symbols find their home in the liturgical life of the Church. This, of course, is true of the Creeds. For Lutherans, it was not uncommon to read the entire AC on its anniversary. The Smaller Catechism frequently was recited liturgically. The Formula began as sermons. The Larger Catechism was also sermons. Thus the setting in which the Confession of the Church literally lives is before the altar as the people of God gather to hear the Lord's Words and receive His body and blood and extol His mercy. True confession isn't just statement of "doctrine" but the proclamation of the great things that God has done for us sending His Son and His Holy Spirit to us.
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