The Careful Scribe

Augsburg

Putting it in writing

Luther couldn't leave Coburg. So his friend Philipp Melanchthon wrote down what the Lutherans believed. The result was the Augsburg Confession, with twenty-eight short sections called articles. One of them says God counts us righteous by grace, for Christ's sake, through faith. We don't earn it by our own good works.

On June 25, 1530, the confession was read aloud in German to Emperor Charles V and the princes of the empire. An official named Christian Beyer read it. The Lutherans didn't mean it as a rebellion. They hoped it would keep the church together. It didn't. Many Lutheran churches still treat it as a main statement of what they believe.

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Same story, three ways to learn it.

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At the kitchen table

A 10-minute guide for parents, grandparents, and mentors

You don't need the answers. Just ask, and listen.

“God, help us say clearly what we believe. Amen.”

  1. In 1530 Luther's friend Philip Melanchthon wrote down what Lutherans believe, and it was read aloud to the emperor. Why might it help to write down what you believe?

    Listen for
    It helps you remember. It helps others understand. And it helps you talk kindly with people who disagree.

  2. Melanchthon was careful and gentle. Luther was bold. Which one are you more like?

    If they pick one fast
    Ask what's good about the other kind of person too. Both were needed.

  3. What does this mean for us this week?

    Why this question
    Maybe: each person finishes the sentence “One thing I believe is…”

Share: Finish that sentence yourself first.