Having considered several unbiblical liberal theologies of the 19th, 20th & 21st centuries, let us be encouraged that there have been several biblical theological schools of thought during the same time. I’ll call these Modern Evangelical Theologies.
Before getting started with the variety of so-called Evangelical theologies, let us understand that the word “evangelical,” though once a rich term, has devolved into an almost meaningless catch-all. Originally evangelical was used to describe Protestants because they were all about the gospel, the evangel. Evangelicals were “gospelers.”
Since the late 20th century, the word evangelical has been somewhat hijacked by just about everyone who is even remotely Christian. There are even Roman Catholics who claim to be evangelicals. The variety of “evangelical” theologies that I will mention will include true evangelicals, and some about which I use the word lightly because their main emphasis is arguably not the gospel.
Contemporary Lutheran Theology. This embraces the Book of Concord, which contains the Augsburg Confession, the Formula of Concord, and Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms. Lutheranism rightly opposes the Roman doctrine of the infusion of righteousness, and champions the biblical doctrine of imputation. Lutherans strictly separate the Law and the Gospel. Lutherans order salvation so that faith causes salvation, rather than the other way around.
But let us be reminded that Lutheran Theology changed rather quickly after Martin Luther died and was succeeded by Philip Melanchthon. Melanchthon’s theology and emphases were not aberrant, much less heretical. They were more about degrees and nuances that differed from Luther. Practically speaking, in a variety of ways, Contemporary Lutheranism is more influenced by Melanchthon, than by Luther.
There are many subcategories of Contemporary Lutheranism. The two strongest branches represent the polar ends of a spectrum, between which the many smaller and lesser known groups exist:
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Founded in 1988 through the merger of several Lutheran denominations
Does not hold to a strict doctrine of inerrancy
Allows for same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ+ individuals
Focuses on social justice and ecumenical dialogue
The ELC is really more liberal than evangelical
The nearby Lutheran university is predominantly ELCA and far more liberal than evangelical
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS)
Founded in 1847
Emphasizes biblical inerrancy and a strict doctrine of justification by faith alone
Opposes same-sex marriage and ordination of LGBTQ+ individuals
Focuses on confessional orthodoxy and traditional Lutheran worship practices
Though the LCMS is much more “formal” than most evangelicals, it is conservative and evangelical
Next time: Reformed / Calvinistic Theologies