A Tale of Two Bibles: A Necessary Clarification and Caution
As many of you are aware, Concordia Publishing House has been working hard at producing and publishing The Lutheran Study Bible. This work began nearly six years ago, and the title of the Bible was announced publicly a long time ago. We learned a year or so ago that the ELCA was producing a Bible and that they decided to call it: “Lutheran Study Bible.” The ELCA Bible is now in print. I encourage you, particularly if you are a pastor, to advise your folks that the ELCA Bible is not The Lutheran Study Bible by CPH. The two Bibles are quite different in content, style and purpose. Most significantly, the ELCA Bible takes a different approach on key doctrinal points than does The Lutheran Study Bible. So, please be aware, and spread the word, that The Lutheran Study Bible is coming, from CPH, in October 2009, and that the ELCA Bible is something quite different. Be sure to point people to The Lutheran Study Bible web site, or its Facebook Group, or Twitter feed. I respectfully request and encourage you to share this blog post on your blog site, e-mails, congregation newsletters, etc.
As an example of the differences between these two Bibles, here is how each deals with the Great Commission in Matthew 28. First, the comments from The Lutheran Study Bible, then the comments from the ELCA Bible. Each Bible’s notes on these passages are quoted in their entirety, without editing or excerpting.
The Lutheran Study Bible on the Great Commission
28:18–20 Though all God’s people are to bear witness to the Lord (cf Ps 145; Is 43:10), the focus here is on the apostles and their calling as leading witnesses and representatives of Jesus. (Compare to the authorization in Mt 10:1–7.)
28:18 “All authority.” Christ’s human nature, which had refrained from exercising the divine authority belonging to the person of Christ, now is fully exalted and given free use of divine authority (cf v 19). “He can also powerfully effect and do everything that He says and promises” (FC SD VII 43). “The Church’s authority and the State’s authority must not be confused. The Church’s authority has its own commission to teach the Gospel and to administer the Sacraments [Matthew 28:19–20]. Let it not break into the office of another. Let it not transfer the kingdoms of this world to itself. Let it not abolish the laws of civil rulers. Let it not abolish lawful obedience” (AC XXVIII 12–13).
28:19 “make disciples.” See note, 5:1. Jesus gives us the tools to make disciples: Baptism and His teaching. all nations. Not just the Jews, but Gentiles too (cf 10:5–6). baptizing them in the name. “Name” is singular, followed by the threefold naming of the divine persons. This illustrates the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. See p 0000. Those baptized in the name of the Father have God as their Father; baptized in the name of the Son, they receive all the benefits of the Son’s redeeming act; baptized in the name of the Spirit, they receive the life-giving, life-sustaining power and presence of the Spirit. Christian Baptism is founded on this institution. See note, Nu 6:22–27. baptizing. Washing with the water of new birth. “Baptism is no human plaything, but it is instituted by God Himself” (LC IV 6). “It is necessary to baptize little children, that the promise of salvation may be applied to them, according to Christ’s command to baptize all nations (Matthew 28:19). Just as in this passage salvation is offered to all, so Baptism is offered to all, to men, women, children, infants. It clearly follows, therefore, that infants are to be baptized, because salvation is offered with Baptism” (Ap IX 52).
28:20 “teaching.” Disciples are made not only through Baptism, but through the ongoing catechetical work of the Church. observe all. Christians are called to do more than “obey”; they are called to treasure God’s Word in their hearts. commanded. Not only Christ’s moral injunctions (the Law) but also His invitation to trust in Him (the Gospel). I am with you always. Not only in Spirit but also according to His human nature. See “be with,” p 0000. “He is present especially in His Church and congregation on earth as Mediator, Head, King, and High Priest. This presence is not a part, or only one half of Him. Christ’s entire person is present, to which both natures belong, the divine and the human—not only according to His divinity, but also according to, and with, His received human nature” (FC SD VIII 78). end of the age. When He returns visibly.
28:16–20 Christ commissions His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations through Baptism and teaching. Christ promises to be with us, and He is the one who makes disciples through our baptizing and teaching. Today, remember your Baptism and confirmation in the faith, which are precious blessings for the Lord’s disciples. His love and care are new for you every morning. • Send us, Lord, to make disciples in Your name in accordance with our callings in life. Amen.
The ELCA Bible on the Great Commission
28:16-20 the eleven disciples went to Galilee: The eleven meet Jesus on a mountain in Galilee. Even when the eleven see him, some doubt. Jesus’ resurrection returns to the question of his authority in 7:28-9:34; 21:23-32. Through the resurrection, God has given Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth. This does not mean that only now does Jesus have authority. It establishes his authority exercised throughout his life and ministry (28:20). The end of the Gospel sends the reader back to the beginning (4:12-9:34), and it gives God’s answer to the Pharisees’ charge (9:34). In contrast to 10:5-6, 23, Jesus now send the disciples to make disciples of all nations. That does not mean make everyone disciples. Most people who are helped by Jesus and believe in him never become disciples. Jesus includes in salvation people who do not believe in him or ever know about him (5:30; 25:31-45). Disciples are students, called for the sake of the world to learn from Jesus and to bear witness to the kingdom. They are salt and light (5:13-16). Jesus promises to be with them always as they carry out this mission. Previously, Jesus promised to be present in the exercise of forgiveness (18:18-20) and in the “least of these” who suffer (25:31-45). (p. 1658)
End of quotes.
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I suspect that you had to consider long and hard about how to refer to “Lutheran Study Bible” (Augsburg Fortress) and contrast it with “The Lutheran Study Bible” (Concordia). It seems to me that your choice in no way advances any shared ministry our two denominations might have or hope for, but rather continues to press for distance. (Yes, this is in accord with Resolution 3-21A of the 2001 Convention of the LCMS in which the LCMS does not recognize the ELCA as an orthodox Lutheran church. I understand that.) Yes, the two study Bibles come from very different understandings of Biblical interpretation. Of that there is no doubt and you are right to alert LCMS pastors and laity of the differences. I’ll certainly be doing the same in the ELCA congregation I serve.
Your post makes it sound like the production of Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg Fortress) was a very recent project while The Lutheran Study Bible (Concordia) has been a lengthy process (6 years). We know that the production of any study Bible is a project that is not accomplished quickly. Just because you learned of it a year ago does not mean that it is somehow deficient.
Earl Janssen
@Earl Janssen
Earl, thanks for your thoughts. I grieve the direction the ELCA has chosen to head and while I understand why and how you feel offended by The LCMS’ declaration that the ELCA can not be regarded to be an orthodox Lutheran church, we feel it is our duty to speak this truth, to all who will listen. The fact that the ELCA is headed, in what appears to be a headlong and foregone conclusion, into accepting, advancing and encouraging homosexuality and gay marriage is a great tragedy. The many ecumenical agreements the ELCA has reached and by which it has set aside our confessional commitments is particularly painful.
We know for a fact, by the way, that AF began its development of its study Bible only relatively recently. Our project was well established, underway and publicly announced long before AF began its work. This is simply a matter of fact, not conjecture. In my opinion, the relatively scant notes in the ELCA Bible bespeak the haste with which this Bible was produced.
I have told everyone I know that they must buy both Bibles, for never before has there been such a clarifying moment to help everyone see and understand the very deep and critical differences between our two church bodies.
When a church that uses the name “Lutheran” can not even get the Great Commission right, this is an important opportunity truly to consider just where the theological direction the ELCA has headed ultimately leads.
Thanks for your comments.
At some point in the near future I would like to have a conversation with you about the differences and similarities of the ELCA and LCMS church bodies. I think one of the great things about being a Lutheran (and most difficult sometimes) is that our church is built on three principals – the rest is open for interpretation and is kinda grey. As I am sure you know these are
1. Law and Gospel
2. Justification by grace through faith
3. Theology of the Cross
What you are proclaiming sounds like law and no Gospel, it sounds like you are making the judgment on people and not leaving that to God. We are called to proclaim the Gospel to all, at least that’s what I am called to do.
I for one love the ecumenical relationships that the ELCA is making because it provides opportunity to minister to one another. If you have not looked around recently our churches as main line Protestant denomination is dying and pretty soon we all will have to join together just to exist. Instead of making the church look exclusive we should be inclusive because we all are saints and sinners and we need to come together to welcome anyone who walks through our doors, otherwise we are not doing what Jesus or Luther has called the church to do and to be.
Joe you miss one very defining point that Jesus would demand. He says you are truly my disciple if you obey my commandments. He views all of the scriptures as God’s Word and that He is both the message and the messanger. You may believe in Jesus and not believe Jesus. I think St. Paul makes it clear that both are required. The Lutheran principles of grace alone, faith alone and scripture alone are the foundation. Scripture is to inturpet scripture. Righteousness is required of Christians because it is our love response to God. To deliberately sin is not only to test God, but to deliberately fall from grace. Our opinions mean nothing, God’s Word does not lie and stands firm. Let everyman be a liar, this does not change the Word of God. Righteousness is how we return God’s love. Sin is still and abomination. God’s moral law is not up for vote. It is not just the letter of the Law I am speaking to. The letter of the Gospel must not be changed to allow sin to abound.
As an ELCA pastor I would love to argue with you over whether or not the ELCA is an orthodox Lutheran body any longer. But sadly, we are probably on the same side of this issue. The Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg) is just another sign of how much of a travesty Lutheran theology in the ELCA has become. I will not, and cannot leave the ELCA as a church leader. After all, if all of us who still submit to the Lordship of Christ leave the ELCA what then will it further mutate into? But pray for those of us who stand up for the trivial things like Sola Scriptura in the face of “Lutheran” leadership that takes a vast majority of it’s theological cues from human secularism.
Thank you Rus. I now have another specific name to add to my list of friends in the ELCA for whom I’m praying. God bless!