Something from ... the Lutheran Confessions about Lutheran worship

The Lutheran Reformation is correctly labeled a conservative reformation.  The Lutherans sought to conserve as much as possible from the rites and ceremonies that the Church had always practiced.  The problem was not the rites and ceremonies, as if they needed to be jettisoned so that something new and innovative could take their place.  The reformers noted the abuses that had crept in over time (in some cases, having been practiced for a long time).  They exposed these abuses as unscriptural and removed them.  But, by and large, Lutheran worship in the 1500's looked strikingly similar to the Roman church.

Other efforts to reform the church (e.g., Calvinists, Anabaptists, and other groups simply labeled "Reformed") got rid of many established rites and ceremonies.  Basically, if it looked, felt, or smelled Roman Catholic, they got rid of it.  This would be known as the radical reformation.

But Lutherans were not radicals.  The Augsburg Confession goes to great pains to demonstrate that Lutherans are not a sect.  We are still the church catholic, meaning we have been faithful to the teachings and practices of the Christian Church, abuses having been corrected.

It may surprise 21st century Americans to read how Lutheran worship and practice is described in our confessions.  For various and sundry reasons, we have drifted more toward Protestant (i.e., radical reformation) practices.  The reasons are outside the scope of this post, but they are worth consideration.

The Lutheran Confessions describe Lutheran rites and ceremonies.  These are not mere historical documents which present a snapshot in time.  They are a faithful confession of the Scriptures and of the rites and ceremonies which teach and reinforce what the Scriptures say.  These confessions we still uphold and observe.  These are confessions which faithful Lutheran congregations have their pastors swear before God and his Church to believe, teach, and confess.

So, here is something from the Lutheran Confessions about Lutheran worship.

Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. The Mass is held among us and celebrated with the highest reverence. Nearly all the usual ceremonies are also preserved… (Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV:1,2)

Because the Mass is for the purpose of giving the Sacrament, we have Communion every holy day, and if anyone desires the Sacrament, we also offer it on other days, when it is given to all who ask for it. (Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV:34)

We answer that it is lawful for bishops, or pastors, to make ordinances so that things will be done orderly in the church, but not to make satisfaction for sin… It is proper that the churches keep such ordinances for the sake of love and tranquility, to avoid giving offense to another, so that all things be done in the churches in order, and without confusion. (Augsburg Confession XXVIII:53-55.)

However, it is pleasing to us that, for the sake of peace, universal ceremonies are kept. We also willingly keep the order of the Mass in the churches, the Lord’s Day, and other more famous festival days. With a very grateful mind we include the beneficial and ancient ordinances, especially since they contain a certain discipline. (Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article VII/VIII:33)

Masses are celebrated among us every Lord’s Day and on other festivals. The Sacrament is offered to those who wish to use it, after they have been examined and absolved. And the usual public ceremonies are observed, the series of lessons, of prayers, vestments, and other such things. (Apology to the Augsburg Confession, XXIV:1)

Nothing in customary rites should be changed without a reasonable cause. So to nurture unity, old customs that can be kept without sin or great inconvenience should be kept. (Apology to the Augsburg Confession, XV:51)