Feb22

Glorious Lutheran Alphabet Soup (Just Like Mom Used to Make)

Posted In: WE Got Answers
My question concerns the NALC and Lutheran CORE which have recently been formed as the result of the ELCA’s decision to begin ordaining homosexual clergy. What are the primary differences between the NALC and the LCMS? Obviously women in ministry, but beyond this, is there hope for unity between the LCMS and NALC? The LCMS on paper seems to have beliefs fairly similar to WELS concerning women in ministry, but in practice we are very similar (women speak and teach publicly in most LCMS churches). The NALC has reaffirmed adherence to the Confessions and a strong belief on the authority of the word of God.

-D

D,

Thank you for the question, I think in order to appropriately answer the question, we need to clarify a few things.

First, I think we should focus primarily on the fact that NALC as CORE is really not a church body, but an association of congregations and individuals seeking renewal in the ELCA. With that said, at the outset, we ought be very clear that there are many discussions going on within both of these groups about many of the points which follow.

Second, I’m not sure if it is possible to “affirm” his statement that we are similar in practice to the NALC. I would say that the majority of congregations in the LCMS do not allow women to speak or teach publicly in the way that Scripture forbids (eg. there is a very clear distinction between being an officiant, preacher, or liturgical assistant in the Divine service and being a Kindergarten Sunday School teacher).

Third, and this is primarily what I’ve gathered by talking to pastors in the NALC, that the status of Scripture and the Confessions is no different than it was in the ELCA in 1988. In other words, they allow for historical criticism and have a “quatenus” subscription to the Confessions and see them as “valid interpretations.” A “quatenus” subscription to the Lutheran Confessions is one that says that they accept the Lutheran Confessions “in so far as” they are in line with Scripture. This is in contrast to the view of historic Confessional Lutheranism which subscribes to the Lutheran Confessions “quia” “because” they are a true exposition of Scripture. With the former, it really amounts to a very subjective judgement of the Confessions with the result that any real authority or uniformity is lost. It should also be noted that this was the exact same language the ELCA used and still uses.

In addition to the clarifications (which also point out where the difference really lies),there is a huge difference in what is necessary for fellowship, which inevitably comes from their pietistic roots (I do not intend the word “pietistic” to be derogatory, but merely descriptive of their historical roots) which see a distinction in doctrine as “essential/fundamental” and “secondary” (or some other term).

Finally, that the NALC still has women pastors isn’t one isolated error, but really touches upon errors in the doctrines of Christology, sin, and justification. Whether this is a declared error or a flecitious inconsistency I am not sure. It is probably a mix of both, with variance from person to person. The a NALC pastor near me delivered a paper calling into question (from a Biblical and catholic standpoint) the doctrine and practice of women pastors.

Matthew Lorfeld, Pastor
Messiah Lutheran Church
La Crescent, MN
http://www.messiahlacrescent.org

Share
└ Tags: , , , , ,