Produced by Rev. Kurt A. T. Bodling, presently at the State
Library of Pennsylvania
AMERICAN LUTHERANISM VINDICATED; OR, EXAMINATION OF THE
LUTHERAN SYMBOLS,
on
CERTAIN DISPUTED TOPICS:
INCLUDING A REPLY
TO THE PLEA OF Rev. W. J. MANN.
BY
S. S. SCHMUCKER, D. D.,
Professor of Christian Theology in the Theological
Seminary of General Synod at Gettysburg, Pa.
Earnestly contend for the faith, once delivered to the saints. JUDE 3.
BALTIMORE:
PUBLISHED BY T. NEWTON KURTZ,
No. 151 WEST PRATT STREET.
1856
Entered according to act of Congress in the year 1856,
BY S. S. SCHMUCKER,
IN THE CLERK'S OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES,
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA.
STEREOTYPED BY GEORGE CHARLES, NO. 9 SANSOM ST., PHILA.
PRINTED BY C. SHERMAN & SON.
TO THE READER.The design of the following treatise, and the occasion which elicitedit, are indicated both on the title page and in the introduction of thework itself. Its primary object is not to discuss the obligation ofSynods to adopt the doctrinal basis of the Platform. What we felt it aduty to the church to publish on that subject, we have presented in theLutheran Observer. But the pamphlet of the Rev. Mann, entitled Plea forthe Augsburg Confession, having called in question the accuracy of someof the interpretations of that Confession contained in the DefiniteSynodical Platform, and affirmed the Scriptural truth of some of thetenets there dissented from; it becomes a question of interest among usas Lutherans, which representation is correct. For the points disputedare those, on the ground of which the constitutions of the GeneralSynod and of her Seminary avow only a qualified assent to the AugsburgConfession. In hope of contributing to the prevalence of truth, and theinterests of that kingdom of God which is based on it, the writer hascarefully re-examined the original documents, and herewith submits theresults to the friends of the General Synod and her basis. Since theseresults as to the question, what do the symbols actually teach? arededuced impartially, as must be admitted, from the original symbolicalbooks themselves, as illustrated by the writings of Luther, Melancthon,and of the other Reformers of the same date; those who approve of thosebooks should so far sustain our work: and those who reject these tenets,that is, the New School portion of the church, will not object to seeinga vindication of the reason why they and the General Synod avow only aqualified assent even to the Augsburg Confession, namely, because theseerrors are there taught.
The topics here discussed, are all such as are left free to individualjudgment, both by the Constitution of the General Synod, and that of herTheological Seminary. Both explicitly bind to the Augsburg Confession,only so far as the fundamental doctrines, not of that confession, butof the Scriptures are concerned. A fundamental doctrine of Scriptureis one that, is regarded by the great body of evangelical Christians asessential to salvation, or essential to the system of Christianity; sothat he who rejects it cannot be saved, neither be regarded as abeliever in the system of Christian doctrine. The doctrinalpeculiarities of no denomination, though often highly important, cantherefore be regarded as fundamental, without unchurching all otherdenominations and consigning them to perdition. The topics herediscussed are, 1. Ceremonies of the Mass. 2. Private Confession andAbsolution. 3. The Divine institution of the Christian Sabbath. 4.Na