The Federation for Authentic Lutheranism: A Layman's Viewpoint

Abstract

David L. Carlovsky presents a detailed layman’s perspective on the rise and fall of the Federation for Authentic Lutheranism (FAL), a small confessional Lutheran body formed in 1971 by congregations disillusioned with the theological liberalism of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). Centered around the experiences of Lawrence Marquardt, a prominent lay leader, the essay chronicles FAL’s origins in conservative resistance, its efforts to preserve doctrinal purity, and its eventual dissolution in 1975. Carlovsky explores FAL’s mission work, internal struggles, and its interactions with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS). The essay highlights the challenges of maintaining confessional integrity amid institutional pressures, financial constraints, and human frailty. Despite its brief existence, FAL is portrayed as a courageous witness to biblical truth and a testament to the enduring value of confessional Lutheranism. —Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)