Why We Left Lutheranism--They Walk By a Man-made Creed

A creed simply states what a group believes about something. Among Christians, it defines what that group of Christians believes based on their study of Scripture. Scripture is the basis for the creed and should rule the creed. In seminary, Scripture is "the norming norm" and the creeds are the "normed norm." Scripture rules; creeds are subservient to Scripture.

Which is what the catechism does. It defines, in simple terms and using Scriptural references, what a Christian should minimally know. It was, as Luther wrote, "As the head of the household ought teach his house."

Lutherans have never taught that one needs to have the catechism in addition to Scripture. We simply use it as a tool to teach the basics of Scripture and of the Christian faith.

The problem, I believe, lies not in the catechism but in the teaching methodology. When I taught catechism (as we called it), I never allowed my students to have the catechism open on their desk before them. I asked that they only have the Bible and a notebook open on their desk. We looked at the passages in Scripture. We studied the passages in context. Training in the basics of the Christian faith is a systematic training of doctrines and proof passages. The catechism is one tool that does that, as is the Book of Concord which contains the three ecumenical creeds as well as the six Lutheran Confessions: Augsburg Confession, Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Luther's Large Catechism, Luther's Small Catechism, Formula of Concord, and the Smalcald Articles. And other systematic tools of theology include books on faith, the hymnals which most Christians use, the orders of service, and the like! If, as Mr. Guild contends, Lutherans "walk by a man-made creed," then the Church by his definition must cease using hymnals, orders of service, tracts, books on faith and beliefs, for these also constitute a "man-made creed." Even the sermon is a man-made creed! Even the three ecumenical creeds are man-made.

Creeds are man-made because of the nature of creeds. A creed is often written and agreed to because of a threat or disputation of doctrine and/or practice. A creed sets forth the doctrines of the group maintaining it. Even the catch-phrase "Deeds, not creeds!" is a creed! It puts forth that the group who advocates that position believes in a virtuous lifestyle (a noble goal) without defining theological dogma and doctrine.

Is the catechism a

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