Thinking Fellows Has Lutheranism Failed?
Jan 12, 2026
The discussion dives into whether Lutheranism has truly failed in America. The hosts redefine the church's mission, focusing on nurturing faith and administering sacraments. They debate the balance between local congregations' roles and the church's outreach. Historical perceptions and reasons for social service decline are scrutinized. The conversation also touches on the challenge of maintaining relevance in a changing culture, the complexities of evangelism, and why fewer Lutheran voices rise in public discourse. Ultimately, they argue that decline doesn't equate to failure.
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Dual Purpose Of The Church
- The Church's goal is to nurture saints through gospel proclamation and sacraments.
- It also exists as God's instrument to seek and save the lost.
Failure As An Obedience Question
- Failure should be judged by obedience to the church's responsibilities, not by cultural popularity.
- The church can only fail regarding duties it is responsible for fulfilling.
Augsburg Confession On The Church
- The Augsburg Confession defines the Church as where gospel is purely taught and sacraments correctly administered.
- It says agreement on gospel and sacraments is enough for true unity.