Therefore, it would be wicked to remove private Absolution from the Church. If anyone despises private Absolution, he does not understand what the forgiveness of sins or the Power of the Keys is.—Apology XII:2
At a recent LCMS convention, wasn't there an actual resolution which affirmed the practice of private confession/absolution which was not passed unanimously? Anyone think of reading this to those who dissented?
But, symbols aside, it is a fact that most parishes and most pastors do not practice absolution because 1) they're not comfortable 2) they justify themselves that confessing at the beginning of liturgy is just as good 3) Romaphobia 4) all of the above. Symbols of the Lutheran Church are great but if your praxis does NOT match your theology (Which it most often doesn't, I'm not sorry to say), then what good are your symbols?--Chris
Chris, shouldn't we then also ask what good the Scriptures are if Christian practice does not perfectly reflect God's revelation to us in His Word? Are you truly not sorry to say that in a Christian communion the struggle with sin remains?
I think, Chris, the reason it's not practiced is because it's not the tradition that so many of our parishes received from those who went before. It was sadly lost long ago. But it's recovery has been a high priority at various times. The very first constitution of the LCMS listed as one of the goals every pastor ought have if he serves in a place where it has fallen into disuse, reintroducing and encouraging the private absolution again. For the last two hymnals, it has been part of the public liturgies in our worship books, and I think it would be safe to say that it is currently more widely practiced than it has been for a very long time. It was an opportunity at the last Synodical convention and it remains featured at many pastoral conferences as well.
3 comments:
At a recent LCMS convention, wasn't there an actual resolution which affirmed the practice of private confession/absolution which was not passed unanimously? Anyone think of reading this to those who dissented?
But, symbols aside, it is a fact that most parishes and most pastors do not practice absolution because 1) they're not comfortable 2) they justify themselves that confessing at the beginning of liturgy is just as good 3) Romaphobia 4) all of the above. Symbols of the Lutheran Church are great but if your praxis does NOT match your theology (Which it most often doesn't, I'm not sorry to say), then what good are your symbols?--Chris
Chris, shouldn't we then also ask what good the Scriptures are if Christian practice does not perfectly reflect God's revelation to us in His Word? Are you truly not sorry to say that in a Christian communion the struggle with sin remains?
I think, Chris, the reason it's not practiced is because it's not the tradition that so many of our parishes received from those who went before. It was sadly lost long ago. But it's recovery has been a high priority at various times. The very first constitution of the LCMS listed as one of the goals every pastor ought have if he serves in a place where it has fallen into disuse, reintroducing and encouraging the private absolution again. For the last two hymnals, it has been part of the public liturgies in our worship books, and I think it would be safe to say that it is currently more widely practiced than it has been for a very long time. It was an opportunity at the last Synodical convention and it remains featured at many pastoral conferences as well.
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