A New Confession
With the anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession, I have to wonder why we so vehemently oppose new confession? We acknowledge the confessions of the Book of Concord as both true exposition of God's Word but also inherently historical and polemical documents. When we read an article of the Augustana, we are careful to not misapply it to a current situation, reflecting on its original context and issues to determine its relevancy to the contemporary situation. We don't consider this document universal. It does not address every situation every time. On the other hand we consider scripture universal and able to speaks to all situations. (Although not every scripture passage applies to every situation.) The confessions then are not comprehensive but speak to specific situations. When new challenges to faith arise and when a historical confession does not provide suitable refutation, we must confess what God's Word says to these challenges. New confessions aren't wrong; they are necessary. Hopefully we won't have to wait three years to respond with Synodical ratification of a new confession, during which time the heresy may spiral out of control. With the ancients, they'd often call a council before this happened. We should do the same. Cost is a non-issue when true confession must be made. Let us not forget Melancthon and the confessors, remembering always to remain diligent as they did and act when need arises.
