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American Association of Lutheran ChurchesEvangelical Protestant |
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Denomination History, Practices and Beliefs IntroductionThe American Association of Lutheran Churches or AALC mission is to go into the world to make disciples of all nations in the name of Jesus Christ. It is called by the Gospel and enlightened by the Holy Spirit through the means of grace. The work of the church is spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is in response to the Great Commission. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) is a confessional Church. They condemn and reject teachings that are contrary to their belief, teachings, and confessions. The AALC uses Scripture as the supreme authority. They believe the Bible is the Word of God and is inspired, inerrant and infallible. It is for this reason the AALC only ordain men for the pastoral office. American Association of Lutheran Churches accepts the Lutheran Confessions as well as the Apostle Creed, Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. The American Association of Lutheran Churches accepts all the canonical books of both the Old and New Testaments as a whole. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) came from the American Lutheran Church or ALC. American Association of Lutheran Churches is more conservative than the ALC. The ALC agreed to join with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); the American Association of Lutheran Churches or AALC was in opposition of this decision. The main offices of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) are located in Bloomington, Minnesota. History The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) was formed on November 7, 1987 at its constituting convention. Originally it was part of the American Lutheran Church. They did not want to be part of the joining together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). They oppose the theology of the Evangelical Lutheran Church because of their evangelical and charismatic focus away from the orthodox beliefs of the AALC. The American Association of Lutheran Churches believes the ELCA lacks theological strictness. The ELCA changed their belief system in order to merge with other churches. It was in 1999 when the ELCA changed its policy of communion to merge with the Episcopalians Church, the Presbyterian Church, and the Reformed Church in America, the United Church of Christ and the Moravian Church. The uniting with these churches has made the ELCA unrecognizable as Lutheran. The difference between the ELCA and the AALC is the nature of the Scripture. The ELCA does not have a comprehensible statement on the nature of the Scripture of the infallibility, inerrancy or inspiration. They do however, encourage the interpretation of the “man made Scripture” by all people. The ELCA considers the Scripture to be subject to errors and historically limited for doctrinal use. The ELCA disagrees with the American Association of Lutheran Churches or AALC with the ordination of women, sanctioned abortions, and promotion of homosexuality. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) is closest in doctrine to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LC-MS). American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) and the Lutheran Church –Missouri Synod (LC-MS) have in common the views of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, and the role of women in the church. The disagreements in doctrine between these two churches are the celebration of the Lord’s Supper among the congregations. The AALC is considered a closed Communion, and the LC-MS believe Holy Communion is only for the Missouri Synod Lutherans. The LC-MS are leaning toward ordination of women and AALC is adamantly against the ordination of women. Belief The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) believes the full authority of the Bible as being inerrant and the infallible Word of God. They believe the Lutheran Confessions are true interpretation of Scripture. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) confess their faith through the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed and the Athanasian Creed. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) believe in two sacraments which are the Baptism and the Lord’s Supper, and considered the means where God bestows His forgiving and empowering grace. They believe the body and blood of Jesus Christ are present in the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) believe in baptizing infants. Both infants and the adults receive the gift of regeneration from the Holy Spirit. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) believe Jesus Christ died and rose again to save us from sin, death and the devil. They believe, teach, and confess that Jesus is the only way to heaven. They believe Jesus Christ ascended into heaven, to sit at the right hand of the throne of God and He reigns over His Church through the power of His Word. The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) believes Jesus is among us today; He is a real presence and has established His presence by the Gospel and through the Sacraments or Holy Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. |
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MLA Style Citation: About the Author
Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies Teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She is a Religious Philosophy student of Liberty University, and a Homeschool parent and child advocate. She is well-known as a counsleor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults. |
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