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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 300

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300

II. THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Justification and Evangelicalism
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and as the foundation of the Church. Therefore, many congregations have the word “evangelical” in their name. However,
the term evangelical is also used by others in different ways.
In this study we are referring to “evangelicalism” as a particular movement in American Protestantism. It defines “evangelical” in ways that differ from the historic Lutheran usage
of the term. The way in which Lutherans refer to themselves
as “evangelicals” can be compared and contrasted with two
alternate definitions: How evangelicals see and describe
themselves, and how others see evangelicalism. Evangelicals
see and describe themselves as a “movement in modern
Christianity, transcending denominational and confessional
boundaries, that emphasizes conformity to the basic tenets
of the faith and a missionary outreach of compassion and
urgency.”1 Evangelicalism is not a denomination or synod,
but a movement in churches that emphasizes basic Christian
teachings and zeal for missionary outreach.

Justification and Evangelicalism
Leader’s Guide

Introduction

We probably all have friends or colleagues who enthusiastically describe themselves as “born-again Christians.” Perhaps
we have even heard such people talk about a specific time or
experience in their lives when they chose to begin following
Jesus or “made a decision for Christ.” We may admire the
openness and boldness with which they share their faith in
Christ, but at the same time have questions about certain
aspects of what they believe. Or, maybe their testimony and
Christian witness have led us to question our own faith or
our salvation: Am I really a Christian if I haven’t made a
“decision for Christ”? Have I been “born again”? Is simply
believing in Jesus enough, without the sort of born-again
“experience” that my evangelical friend describes? Is trusting in my Baptism (especially if it happened when I was an
infant) the same as trusting in Jesus? Why do I have so much
trouble talking openly and boldly about my faith in Jesus?
Or, we may ask: How can I share what Lutherans believe
about Baptism, faith and the saving work of Christ with these
Christian friends who seem to believe differently? Hopefully,
the following study will help address some of these questions.

Some church bodies are completely evangelical in this sense
(Southern Baptists, for example); in other church bodies
evangelicals are one faction among others (evangelical groups
within the United Methodist Church, for example). Among
the traditional beliefs that evangelicals hold are: the doctrine
of the Trinity (shared by all Christians), the virgin birth, the
full divinity and humanity of Christ, and Scripture “as the
divinely inspired record of God’s revelation.” They emphasize
the total sinfulness of man, and salvation by grace through
faith on account of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. They also
emphasize the importance of following Jesus by living a sanctified life, the necessity of personal witnessing (“heralding the
Word of God”), and the expectation of a “visible, personal
return of Jesus Christ.”2

(Slide 1) In this Bible study we look at the doctrine of justification and evangelicalism. Evangelicalism is a significant and influential part of Christianity in America. Some
of you might have grown up in evangelical churches or
circles, many of you have evangelical friends, and probably everybody has listened to evangelical radio stations,
watched evangelical preachers on TV and read books by
evangelical authors. In this Bible study we explore what
Lutherans and evangelicals have in common and where
they differ regarding justification.

(Slide 3) On the website of the National Association of
Evangelicals the four points are used to summarize how
evangelicals describe themselves:
“Conversionism: the belief that lives need to be transformed
through a ‘born-again’ experience and a life-long process of
following Jesus”;

What do we mean when we talk about evangelicalism or
evangelicals?

“Activism: the expression and demonstration of the gospel in
missionary and social reform efforts”;

(Slide 2) What are the characteristic features of evangelicalism? Are there different kinds of evangelicals? If so, what do
they have in common?

“Biblicism: a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the
ultimate authority”;

Are we Lutheran evangelicals? Evangelical means “pertaining to the Gospel.” Lutherans are rightly referred to as
evangelicals because we emphasize the Gospel in preaching

1
R. V. Pierard, “Evangelicalism,” Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, ed. Walter
E. Elwell (Grand Rapids: Baker; Carlisle, UK: Paternoster, 1984), 379.
2

Leader’s Guide |

2019 Convention Workbook

Pierard, “Evangelicalism,” 379–80.

2 | Justification and Evangelicalism

“Crucicentrism: a stress on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the
cross as making possible the redemption of humanity”.3
This video, based on these four points, may be used
and discussed if desired: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=XlldBqQ6bM4
(Slide 4) How do others see evangelicals?
Another helpful summary of evangelical identity identifies
the following six distinct theological teachings:
i. “Holy Scripture is the supreme authority …
ii. The main theme of Scripture is God’s saving work. God
sent his Son, who bore the sins of the world on the cross
and made redemption possible …
iii. Eternal salvation comes only through personal faith in
Christ, which God gives. Yet since God leaves room for
freedom of decision, the experience of becoming and
being a Christian assumes great importance …
iv. For this reason, evangelism and mission tend to take
precedence over social action …
v. Ethics is developed, not out of the situation, but out of
God’s Law and ordinances.
vi. Christ’s return is expected literally.”4
How do these definitions compare with what the class participants said about evangelicalism? What did the participants
mention that goes beyond this definition?
(Slide 5) Erich Geldbach, in his article in The Encyclopedia
of Christianity, names The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod as a part of the evangelical movement. What do you
think about this?
What speaks in favor of it?
What speaks against it?
There are obviously commonalities: Lutherans and evangelicals emphasize such basic biblical doctrines as the
Trinity, Christ’s two natures, the authority and inspiration of
www.nae.net/what-is-an-evangelical/. The points are by historian David
Bebbington. The National Association of Evangelicals takes up the theme up
positively as a self-identification: “These distinctives and theological convictions
define us – not political, social or cultural trends.” The order of the four distinctives
varies in use.

Erich Geldbach, “Evangelical Movement”, The Encyclopedia of Christianity, vol.
2, E-I (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans 2001), 217.