A question on Lutheran absolution

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This is a question for traditional Lutherans. (I know the RC position). I saw a video of a live traditional Sunday Lutheran service on youtube. It was being broadcast because of covid-19. The liturgy was traditional Lutheran and similar to the Catholic OF Mass. At the beginning of the service, the congregation was asked to recall their sins and there was a long prayer said recalling their sins and indicating their repentance. The Lutheran priest (or minister) then gave the (general) absolution, indicating that he absolved the congregation from their sins. My question is this:
Does this absolution from sins extend to those praying along and watching the live Lutheran Service?
and
If a non-Lutheran were present, would his sins also be absolved, or do you have to be a Lutheran to receive absolution from a Lutheran priest (or minister)?
 
AlNg said:
This is a question for traditional Lutherans. (I know the RC position). I saw a video of a live traditional Sunday Lutheran service on youtube. It was being broadcast because of covid-19. The liturgy was traditional Lutheran and similar to the Catholic OF Mass. At the beginning of the service, the congregation was asked to recall their sins and there was a long prayer said recalling their sins and indicating their repentance. The Lutheran priest (or minister) then gave the (general) absolution, indicating that he absolved the congregation from their sins. My question is this:
Does this absolution from sins extend to those praying along and watching the live Lutheran Service?
and
If a non-Lutheran were present, would his sins also be absolved, or do you have to be a Lutheran to receive absolution from a Lutheran priest (or minister)?
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On the second part, I’ve read nothing in the confessions that would indicate one must be a Lutheran by membership to receive forgiveness of sins and Holy Absolution.

As for the virtual setting, the confessions speak of contrition and faith:
Now, repentance consists properly of these [3]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.3) two parts: One is contrition, that is, 4) terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of.5) the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts 6) the conscience, and delivers it from terrors.
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Without guidance from a pastor, my sense is that absolution is effective in this setting. Someone may have more knowledge, however.
 
Margaret_Ann said:
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AlNg:
If a non-Lutheran were present, would his sins also be absolved,
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NO. Lutherans do not have a valid priesthood, ergo, they cannot absolve anyone.
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They wanted an answer from the Lutheran perspective. Invoking the Catholic therefore isn’t asking the question.

Anyway, to the original poster, you’d probably be better off asking a Lutheran forum for information on this sort of thing. Like this:
https://www.christianforums.com/forums/theologia-crucis-lutherans.367/
(technically a subforum of a larger forum, but obviously you’d find Lutherans to give you answers there)
 
I think they would believe that any Christian who was present would be absolved. Certainly most Anglicans would take that position about their own absolutions and I would be surprised if Lutherans were that different (we don’t get many Lutherans in the UK). I am not sure about those watching via the internet or TV, but quite possibly.
 
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I’m speculating here, but it might depend on the sacramental intent of the celebrant of the service. As in confecting the Eucharist, the intent is to consecrate the hosts on the altar, or otherwise specified, not all possible existing unconsecrated hosts.

Absolution might be for the immediate present congregation, or all hearing it, properly disposed, or something similar.
 
@Tis_Bearself thanks for the mention.

The OP brings up an interesting question. The Augsburg Confession speaks of Confession and Absolution in Articles IX and X:

Of Confession: Of Confession they teach that Private Absolution ought to be retained in the churches, although in confession [2]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article11.2) an enumeration of all sins is not necessary. For it is impossible according to the Psalm: Who can understand his errors? Ps. 19:12.

Of Repentance: Of Repentance they teach that for those who have fallen after Baptism there is remission of sins whenever they are converted [2]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.2) and that the Church ought to impart absolution to those thus returning to repentance. Now, repentance consists properly of these [3]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.3) two parts: One is contrition, that is, [4]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.4) terrors smiting the conscience through the knowledge of sin; the other is faith, which is born of [5]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.5) the Gospel, or of absolution, and believes that for Christ’s sake, sins are forgiven, comforts [6]](http://bookofconcord.org/augsburgconfession.php#article12.6) the conscience, and delivers it from terrors. Then good works are bound to follow, which are the fruits of repentance.

With that posted, I would say that absolution would extend to those participating in the divine service who feel contrition for sins and have faith that when the pastor declares absolution that on account of Christ, their sins have been forgiven. This would also extend to a non-Lutheran.

The big concern that I would see here though is that one should be a part of a local congregation for the purpose of being edified by Word, Sacrament, and communion in the body of Christ with other believers. Also, it is fitting that he/she should be engaged with their local pastor so that the pastor can assess the spiritual needs of the congregant and provide a word of Law where necessary to bring one to repentance, and alternately a word of Gospel to bring comfort to the soul who feels the weight of their sin.
 
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GKMotley said:
I’m speculating here, but it might depend on the sacramental intent of the celebrant of the service. As in confecting the Eucharist, the intent is to consecrate the hosts on the altar, or otherwise specified, not all possible existing unconsecrated hosts.
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That’s certainly true in the Eucharist, as well as Baptism because of the use of physical elements. Absolution doesn’t require such.
GKMotley said:
Absolution might be for the immediate present congregation, or all hearing it, properly disposed, or something similar.
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Faith comes by hearing.
Im speculating, however. Contrition and faith are the requirements for absolution.
 
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