The Battle to Preserve the Doctrine of the Inspiration and Inerrancy of Scripture in American Lutheranism

Abstract

Professor John F. Brug’s essay explores the foundational Lutheran doctrines of biblical inspiration and inerrancy, emphasizing that Scripture is the very Word of God—fully truthful and divinely authored. He warns that denying inerrancy leads to doctrinal decay, citing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) as a case study in theological compromise. Brug contrasts ELCA’s ambiguous confessional language with the clearer positions of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) and the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), detailing historical mergers and internal conflicts. He argues that confessional unity must begin with a shared belief in Scripture’s inerrancy, rooted in the Bible’s own testimony. The essay concludes with lessons for Lutherans seeking to preserve biblical doctrine, urging separation from false teachers and prioritization of Scripture over tradition or confessional documents. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).