What do we mean by “Church” or “church”? When we use this term (or these terms, when writing permits distinguishing them with the capital letter), we really mean a handful of distinct things — it is important to keep these clear. In today’s episode, we go over the Church (universal), the church (institutional), and the church (local, congregational). For the Christian, there is great comfort in recognizing the reality of the Church, even when the churches may be in disarray.

“In short, according to Lutheran teaching, it is faith in the Gospel which in every case establishes membership in the Christian Church. To him who believes the Gospel, membership in the Christian Church may not be denied; of him who rejects the Gospel, membership in the Christian Church may not be asserted. Excommunication pronounced against true believers does not deprive them of membership in the Church.”

Francis Pieper, Christian Dogmatics

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Show Notes

Augsburg Confession:

Art. VII: Of the Church

Art. VIII: What the Church Is

Apology of the Augsburg Confession:

Art. VII & VIII: Of the Church

Smalcald Articles:

Part III, Art. XII

See Also

Apology of the Augsburg Confession:

Art. XV: Of Human Traditions in the Church

Formula of Concord: Solid Declaration:

Art. X

Further Reading

Christian Dogmatics by Francis Pieper:

Vol. I

Vol. II

Vol. III

Index (you do not need this volume, but it is nice to have)

These volumes can be found online as PDFs.

Church and Office by C. F. W. Walther

This volume may not be available online as a PDF.

Parental Warnings

None.