A Laymen’s Commentary on the Smalcald Articles: The Church
Part III, Article XII. Of the Church. 1] We do not concede to them that they are the Church, and [in truth] they…
Part III, Article XII. Of the Church. 1] We do not concede to them that they are the Church, and [in truth] they…
Part III, Article XI. Of the Marriage of Priests. 1] To prohibit marriage, and to burden the divine order of priests with perpetual…
Part III, Article X. Of Ordination and the Call. 1] If the bishops would be true bishops [would rightly discharge their office], and…
Part III, Article IX. Of Excommunication. The greater excommunication, as the Pope calls it, we regard only as a civil penalty, and it…
Part III, Article VIII. Of Confession. 1] Since Absolution or the Power of the Keys is also an aid and consolation against sin…
Part III, Article VII. Of the Keys. 1] The keys are an office and power given by Christ to the Church for binding…
Part III, Article VI. Of the Sacrament of the Altar. 1] Of the Sacrament of the Altar we hold that bread and wine…
Part III, Article V. Of Baptism. 1] Baptism is nothing else than the Word of God in the water, commanded by His institution,…
Part III, Article IV. Of the Gospel. We will now return to the Gospel, which not merely in one way gives us counsel…
Part III, Article III. Of Repentance. 1] This office [of the Law] the New Testament retains and urges, as St. Paul, Rom. 1:18…
Part III, Article II. Of the Law 1] Here we hold that the Law was given by God, first, to restrain sin by…
THE THIRD PART OF THE ARTICLES. Concerning the following articles we may [will be able to] treat with learned and reasonable men, or…
Part II, Article IV: Of the Papacy. 1] That the Pope is not, according to divine law or according to the Word of…
Part II, Article III: Of Chapters and Cloisters. 1] That chapters and cloisters [colleges of canons and communistic dwellings], which were formerly founded…
Part II, Article II: Of the Mass. 1] That the Mass in the Papacy must be the greatest and most horrible abomination, as…
THE SECOND PART Treats of the Articles which Refer to the Office and Work of Jesus Christ, or Our Redemption. Part II, Article I:…
THE FIRST PART Treats of the Sublime Articles Concerning the Divine Majesty, as: I. That Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three distinct persons…
Note: This is the third series of posts providing commentary on the Book of Concord adapted from my Lutheran Essentials Class Notes. I…
Conclusion. 1] These are the chief articles which seem to be in controversy. For although we might have spoken of more abuses,…
Article XXVIII: Of Ecclesiastical Power. 1] There has been great controversy concerning the Power of Bishops, in which some have awkwardly confounded the…
Article XXVII: Of Monastic Vows. 1] What is taught on our part concerning Monastic Vows, will be better understood if it be remembered…
Article XXVI: Of the Distinction of Meats. 1] It has been the general persuasion, not of the people alone, but also of those…
Article XXV: Of Confession. 1] Confession in the churches is not abolished among us; for it is not usual to give the body…
Article XXIV: Of the Mass. 1] Falsely are our churches accused of abolishing the Mass; for the Mass is retained among 2] us,…
Article XXIII: Of the Marriage of Priests. 1] There has been common complaint concerning the examples of priests who were not chaste. 2]…