I just have 2 questions here as it seems some people misunderstood me. I never argued the importance confession may/may not have (and I think it can be quite beneficial).
- Would Lutherans or more specifically LCMS believe in die idea of Persona Christi?
- Do you believe you will go to hell if you are in a state of “mortal” (in brackets as you would also don’t have a distinction but let’s call it bad or worrying) sin if you don’t go to a confession as in personal in front of a priest before you die?
If your answer is no, then it is as I thought, if yes, then I apologise for I was wrong.
No sarcasm intended if it sounds that way. I just got some other strange objections as well and I don’t think people understand my point. It is not about the actual act of confessing that is my problem, it is the ABSOLUTE necessity of it. The question isn’t if you do it, the question is what you think the actual purpose of it is.
Oh and do you have an example of the “can’t remember the word” prayer at the end that a priest will say. Just for interest sake.
We do believe this " in persona Christi" in the sense that when God pronounces our forgiveness, He does so through the mouth of the minister
lutherantheology.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/a-brief-introduction-to-confession-and-absolution/. It is indeed a
gift, not a requirement, as this little blurb shows:
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What Is Individual Confession and Absolution?
Individual confession and absolution is an opportunity to confess our sins to a pastor and hear God’s forgiveness spoken to us through his servant. While we practice corporate confession and absolution in the divine service, Holy Trinity offers opportunities throughout the week for anyone to come and confess sins that are particularly troubling to them. Here are a few details about individual confession and absolution.
- Private confession is entirely confidential. You can be sure that anything you share with me in private confession will never be communicated to anyone else for any reason.
- Private confession is offered so that we can hear God’s forgiveness spoken to us regarding specific sins that trouble our conscience. It is not necessary to name every sin we have committed in order to be forgiven.
- Private confession is a privilege, not a requirement. No one needs to come to private confession in order to be forgiven, but a Christian can certainly receive forgiveness through private confession, and it can be a more personal and specific offer of God’s forgiveness.
- Private confession is a biblical practice. “Confess your sins to one another” (James 5:16); “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld” (John 20:23).
- Private confession is a Lutheran practice. See the article on “Confession” in Luther’s Small Catechism.* htlc-lagrange.org/individualconfession.html.
Here’s a copy of the Rite:
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Form of Confession[edit]
Lutheran confession (in the same manner as confession in the Catholic Church) can be done in the church chancel with the penitent kneeling at the altar rail and the pastor sitting in front of them, in the privacy of the pastor’s office, or sometimes in a confessional. The words below, taken from the Lutheran Service Book and used in most confessions, say:
The penitent begins by saying:
Please hear my confession and pronounce forgiveness in order to fulfill God’s will. I, a poor sinner, plead guilty before God of all sins. I have lived as if God did not matter and as if I mattered most. My Lord’s name I have not honored as I should; my worship and prayers have faltered. I have not let His love have its way with me, and so my love for others has failed. There are those whom I have hurt, and those whom I have failed to help. My thoughts and desires have been spoiled with sin. What troubles me particularly is that…
Here, the penitent is to confess whatever they have done against the commandments of God, according to their own place in life. The penitent continues.
I am sorry for all of this and ask for grace. I want to do better.
The pastor continues:
God be merciful to you and strengthen your faith. Do you believe that my forgiveness is God’s forgiveness?
The penitent will say:
Yes.
The pastor places his hand on the head of the penitent and says the following:
In the stead and by the command of my Lord Jesus Christ I forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The pastor dismisses the penitent.
Go in peace.
The penitent responds:
Amen.
