Definition

Proper noun: * A foundational Lutheran statement of faith: The Augsburg Confession is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church, presented to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, on June 25, 1530, at the Diet of Augsburg. It was drafted mainly by Philipp Melanchthon to defend Lutheran teachings and practices as orthodox (catholic) and to justify reforms from Roman Catholic doctrine and practice. It remains a definitive doctrinal standard for Lutheranism.

Usage Examples

• As a subject:
  • The Augsburg Confession was a pivotal document of the Protestant Reformation.
  • Theologians studied the Augsburg Confession to understand core Lutheran beliefs.
• As an object:
  • The Lutheran princes presented the Augsburg Confession to the Emperor.
  • Many churches subscribe to the Augsburg Confession.

Advanced Usage

• "Subscription to the Augsburg Confession": This phrase refers to the formal agreement by Lutheran pastors, churches, or institutions to accept this document as a true exposition of their faith.
  • Ordination in that synod requires subscription to the Augsburg Confession.
• "The Unaltered Augsburg Confession": This specifies the original 1530 text, distinguishing it from a later modified version.
  • The Book of Concord includes the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.

Variants and Related Words

• Confessio Augustana: The Latin name for the Augsburg Confession.
• Book of Concord: The 1580 collection of authoritative Lutheran confessions, which includes the Augsburg Confession.
• Diet of Augsburg: The imperial assembly (Reichstag) where the confession was presented.

Synonyms

• Lutheran confession of faith (a descriptive synonym).
• Confession of Augsburg (an alternative word order).

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "To present a confession": The act of formally declaring one's faith, as done with this document.
  • Melanchthon's goal was to present a confession that would find political and religious acceptance.
• "Article of the Augsburg Confession": Refers to one of its 28 specific doctrinal statements.
  • Article IV of the Augsburg Confession deals with justification by faith.

Noun

1. the document drawn up in 1555 to defend the catholicity of Lutheran doctrine and to justify innovations in Lutheran practice; is still in effect today