The Reformation-era writings that make up the
Lutheran Confessions
remain lively resources for Christian ministry and mission today. Because each of the documents within the
Book of Concord
was written with a specific context and rhetorical purpose in mind, each has its own compelling story and objectives. Luther's catechisms present the faith for daily life at the grass-roots level, with teaching elements that we might now view as typical of social media and multimedia.
The Augsburg Confession
and its
Apology
provide an adaptable foundation for preaching, teaching, church organization, and dialogue that is rooted in the promise of Christ, received through faith. Fifteen years after the Diet of Worms, the
Smalcald Articles
reveal yet another "Here I stand" moment for Luther. Finally, the
Formula of Concord
shows how the next generations of Lutherans used collaboration and consensus as they wrestled with important themes of faith and life. In summary, as these texts engage us with their stories, they invite us to consider what is most important about our journeys of faith and Christian witness in today's twenty-first-century contexts.