Bible Dictionaries
Lutheran Confessions

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

The oldest and most authoritative creed was the "Augsburg Confession," 1530, Augsburg, Bavaria, drafted mainly by Melanchthon and based on Luther's articles. Presented to Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg, a Catholic refutation was drawn up, and Melanchthon replied in his "Apologia." An imperial condemnation followed. The confession is an attempt to win the Catholic Estates by presenting Lutheranism in a Catholic light. Together with Melanchthon's "Apologia" of abuse, it is accepted as authoritative by Lutherans. The Protestant Estates, at Smalcald, 1537, rejected the pope's offer of a general council, and commissioned Luther to expound the articles of difference. The result was the first positive public renunciation of the papacy, and is called the "Smalcald Articles." Following Luther's death, dissensions caused the Assembly of Torgau, 1576, to draw up the "Formula of Concord" or "Torgau Book" in the Lutheran spirit eliminating Calvinism and Philipism. It was of limited acceptance and is now confined to use in Missouri.

Bibliography Information
Entry for 'Lutheran Confessions'. 1910 New Catholic Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ncd/​l/lutheran-confessions.html. 1910.