Church
Fowler
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod · Alpena: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
Where to find them
Public details for this congregation.
TraditionLutheran Church-Missouri SynodAbout →
Sourcing statusTradition default
Beliefs on file1047 positions
Statement of faithNot on file
Where they stand
Each position below is labelled by how it was sourced, so you can weigh it for yourself.
VerifiedConfirmed by the church
From their statement of faithEstimated, not verified
Tradition defaultEstimated, not verified
Showing 105 of 1047 positions across 18 topics. Expand any topic to see the rest.
God & the Trinity53 positions
- Analogical LanguageAffirmsTradition defaultHuman language about God is analogical: true but never capturing God univocally as it captures creatures.Estimated, not verified
- Apophatic PriorityAffirmsTradition defaultWhat God is in himself is ultimately beyond human comprehension, so negative ("God is not...") statements are more reliable than positive ones.Estimated, not verified
Christ71 positions
- Assumed Fallen Human NatureStrongly rejectsTradition defaultChrist assumed a fully fallen human nature (subject to the effects of the Fall) in order to heal it from within.Estimated, not verified
- Assumed Unfallen Human NatureStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist assumed an unfallen, sinless human nature, untouched by original sin/corruption.Estimated, not verified
Sin & the fall64 positions
- Adams Sin Brought Physical DeathStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPhysical death entered the human race as a consequence of Adam's sin; humans were not originally subject to death.Estimated, not verified
- All Sin Deserves Death EquallyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEvery sin, however small, deserves God's condemnation/death: there is no class of sin that does not by nature merit it.Estimated, not verified
Salvation72 positions
- Active Obedience ImputedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChrist's lifelong law-keeping (his "active obedience"), not only his death, is imputed to the believer as their positive righteousness.Estimated, not verified
- Annihilationism Conditional ImmortalityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe finally lost are ultimately destroyed/cease to exist rather than suffering everlasting conscious torment (annihilationism / conditional immortality).Estimated, not verified
The Holy Spirit51 positions
- Assurance Is Normal For BelieversStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSettled assurance of salvation is normal and to be expected for genuine believers in this life.Estimated, not verified
- Blasphemy Against Spirit UnforgivableStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is a specific sin against the Holy Spirit that is unforgivable.Estimated, not verified
The Church62 positions
- Apostolic Succession Required For Valid MinistryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA minister's ordination is only VALID if conferred by a bishop standing in apostolic succession.Estimated, not verified
- Apostolicity Is Doctrinal Not SuccessionalStrongly affirmsTradition defaultApostolicity consists primarily in fidelity to apostolic DOCTRINE, not in an unbroken chain of ordinations from the apostles.Estimated, not verified
Sacraments & ordinances70 positions
- Age Of Accountability Before BaptismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBaptism should wait until a person reaches an age of accountability and can repent and believe for themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Anointing Sick Is A SacramentRejectsTradition defaultAnointing of the sick with oil is a sacrament conveying grace, healing, and forgiveness to the seriously ill.Estimated, not verified
Worship & liturgy59 positions
- Altar Call InvitationStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA public invitation/altar call inviting people to come forward to receive Christ or rededicate is a fitting close to worship.Estimated, not verified
- Being Slain In The SpiritStrongly rejectsTradition defaultManifestations like being "slain in the Spirit," holy laughter, or falling under God's power are genuine works of the Spirit in worship.Estimated, not verified
Last things49 positions
- A Literal Mark Of The Beast Is ComingAffirmsTradition defaultA literal future "mark of the beast" will be imposed as a condition of economic participation.Estimated, not verified
- All Will Finally Be SavedStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIn the end all rational creatures will be reconciled to God and none will be finally lost (universal reconciliation/apokatastasis).Estimated, not verified
Scripture65 positions
- Authority Creeds SubordinateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe ecumenical creeds and confessions are authoritative only insofar as they faithfully summarize Scripture.Estimated, not verified
- Authority Holy Tradition OrthodoxStrongly rejectsTradition defaultScripture is rightly read only within Holy Tradition: the Fathers, councils, liturgy, and consensus of the Church.Estimated, not verified
Revelation, creation & science41 positions
- Adam Special Creation From DustStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe first human was specially and directly created by God from the dust, not biologically descended from earlier hominins.Estimated, not verified
- Angels Created BeingsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAngels and other spiritual beings are part of God's created order, made by God.Estimated, not verified
Life & bioethics61 positions
- Abortion Gravely Wrong In PrincipleStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDeliberately ending a pregnancy by killing the unborn is in itself a grave moral wrong.Estimated, not verified
- Abortion Permitted To Save Mothers LifeAffirmsTradition defaultAbortion is morally permissible when continuing the pregnancy would directly threaten the mother's life.Estimated, not verified
Sexuality & marriage53 positions
- Abortifacient Contraception WrongStrongly affirmsTradition defaultContraceptive methods that may act after fertilization (potential abortifacients) are morally wrong even if other contraception is permitted.Estimated, not verified
- Annulment Recognizes Invalid MarriageRejectsTradition defaultSome unions that appeared to be marriages were never valid marriages, and the church can rightly declare them null (annulment).Estimated, not verified
Society & politics55 positions
- Active Nonviolent Resistance ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians should actively resist injustice through nonviolent means (protest, civil disobedience, noncooperation), not merely abstain from violence.Estimated, not verified
- Almsgiving Is A Binding ObligationAffirmsTradition defaultGiving to the poor is a binding moral obligation, not optional charity, and to withhold from the needy is a sin.Estimated, not verified
Angelology Demonology57 positions
- Angelic Fall Caused By PrideStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe angels fell primarily through pride: refusing subjection to God / seeking to exalt themselves.Estimated, not verified
- Angelic Fall Predates Human FallAffirmsTradition defaultThe angelic rebellion occurred before the fall of humanity, and the serpent's temptation issued from an already-fallen angel.Estimated, not verified
Anthropology49 positions
- Body Essential To PersonStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe body is essential to being a complete human person, not an accidental or dispensable container for the soul.Estimated, not verified
- Body GoodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe material human body is intrinsically good as created by God.Estimated, not verified
Covenant Law Israel44 positions
- Abrahamic Covenant Foundational And OngoingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe Abrahamic covenant is foundational and its promises remain operative for the people of God today.Estimated, not verified
- Baptism Replaces Circumcision Covenant SignStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBaptism is the New Covenant counterpart to circumcision, marking entrance into the covenant community.Estimated, not verified
Mariology Saints71 positions
- All Believers Are SaintsStrongly affirmsTradition default"Saints" in the New Testament sense means all believers, not a special canonized class.Estimated, not verified
- Altar Relics Required Or ProperStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is fitting (or required) that altars contain the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
- Apparition Messages Can Be Doctrinally AuthoritativeStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMessages delivered in apparitions (warnings, devotions, consecrations) carry real doctrinal or devotional authority for the Church.Estimated, not verified
- Assumption Is Dogmatically BindingStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBelief in Mary's assumption is a binding article of faith that must be held for full communion.Estimated, not verified
- Bodily Assumption Of MaryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life.Estimated, not verified
- Brothers Are CousinsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe "brothers of the Lord" are kinsmen/cousins, not siblings or step-siblings (the Hieronymian view).Estimated, not verified
- Brothers Of Jesus Are SiblingsRejectsTradition defaultThe "brothers and sisters of the Lord" in the Gospels are Mary's biological children, born after Jesus.Estimated, not verified
- Canonizations Are InfallibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA formal canonization is an infallible declaration that the named person is in heaven.Estimated, not verified
- Christ Sole MediatorStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is exactly one mediator between God and humanity (Jesus Christ) and no creature shares in that mediating office.Estimated, not verified
- Christotokos OnlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary should be called only "mother of Christ" (Christotokos) / "mother of Jesus," and "Mother of God" is misleading or improper.Estimated, not verified
- Church Approved Apparitions CredibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultWhen the Church formally approves an apparition (e.g., as "worthy of belief"), the faithful may reasonably trust it.Estimated, not verified
- Church Can Canonize SaintsRejectsTradition defaultThe Church has authority to formally declare particular departed persons to be saints in heaven (canonization).Estimated, not verified
- Communion Of Saints Includes The DeadAffirmsTradition defaultThe "communion of saints" is a living fellowship uniting believers on earth with the faithful departed in heaven.Estimated, not verified
- Communion Of Saints Is Living OnlyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe "communion of saints" refers to the fellowship of living believers with one another (and with God), not to interaction with the departed.Estimated, not verified
- Consecration To MaryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultConsecrating oneself (or one's nation) to Mary / to her Immaculate Heart is a wholesome act of devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Cult Of Saints Is Unbiblical AccretionStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe cult of the saints is a post-biblical accretion that should be removed rather than reformed.Estimated, not verified
- Honoring Mary Is Biblically WarrantedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultScripture itself warrants calling Mary "blessed" and honoring her as the favored mother of the Lord.Estimated, not verified
- Hyperdulia For MaryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary is owed a special degree of veneration (hyperdulia) higher than that given any other saint, yet still infinitely below the worship due God.Estimated, not verified
- Iconoclasm Was CorrectRejectsTradition defaultThe destruction or removal of religious images from worship spaces was a faithful purification, not a sin.Estimated, not verified
- Icons Are Windows To HeavenStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIcons are not mere art but genuine "windows" through which the faithful commune with the holy persons depicted.Estimated, not verified
- Icons May Be VeneratedRejectsTradition defaultSacred images and icons of Christ, Mary, and the saints may rightly be venerated (honored with bows, incense, kisses), the honor passing to the prototype.Estimated, not verified
- Images And Saints Are Means Of Grace Not IdolsRejectsTradition defaultMaterial things and holy persons (icons, relics, saints) are legitimate created channels of God's grace, not idols, because the incarnation sanctifies matter.Estimated, not verified
- Images Permitted For Teaching Not VenerationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultReligious images may be used for instruction and decoration but must not be venerated or bowed to.Estimated, not verified
- Immaculate ConceptionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary was preserved free from the stain of original sin from the very first moment of her own conception.Estimated, not verified
- Invocation Of Saints Is ForbiddenAffirmsTradition defaultInvoking or praying to saints/Mary is forbidden: a form of necromancy or misdirected worship.Estimated, not verified
- Joseph Prior Marriage ChildrenRejectsTradition defaultThe "brothers of the Lord" are most plausibly Joseph's children from a marriage before Mary (the Epiphanian view).Estimated, not verified
- Latria To God AloneStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAdoration/worship (latria) is owed to God alone and may never be offered to any creature, including Mary or the saints.Estimated, not verified
- Liturgical Calendar Of SaintsAffirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting to keep a calendar of saints' feast days and commemorate them in worship.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Apparitions Can Be GenuineStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary has genuinely appeared to people in history (e.g., at recognized sites) and such apparitions can be authentic.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Devotion Central To PietyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultDevotion to Mary is a central and indispensable feature of authentic Christian spirituality.Estimated, not verified
- Marian Titles Should Be MinimizedAffirmsTradition defaultThe proliferation of Marian titles and devotions should be restrained to keep Christ central.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Ark Of Covenant TypeRejectsTradition defaultMary is fittingly typified by the Ark of the Covenant, the Burning Bush, and similar Old-Testament figures.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Co RedemptrixStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary cooperated uniquely and subordinately in the work of redemption such that she may be called "Co-Redemptrix."Estimated, not verified
- Mary Died Before AssumptionRejectsTradition defaultMary truly died (fell asleep) before being raised/assumed, rather than being taken up without dying.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Free From Actual SinRejectsTradition defaultMary committed no actual personal sin during her life.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Has A Unique Redemptive StatusStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary occupies a quasi-divine or near-divine status, effectively a fourth person to be adored alongside the Trinity.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Immune To ConcupiscenceStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary was free from concupiscence (the inner inclination to sin), not merely from sinful acts.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Is An Ordinary Woman Post BirthRejectsTradition defaultAfter bearing Jesus, Mary was an ordinary believer with no continuing special status or role.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Mediatrix Of GracesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAll graces from God are dispensed to humanity through Mary's mediation.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Mother Of The ChurchStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary is rightly honored as "Mother of the Church," the spiritual mother of all believers.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Needed A SaviorStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary herself needed and received salvation through Christ, like every other human being.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Queen Of HeavenStrongly rejectsTradition defaultMary now reigns as Queen of Heaven, crowned and exalted above all the angels and saints.Estimated, not verified
- Masses For The Dead EfficaciousStrongly rejectsTradition defaultOffering the Mass/Divine Liturgy for a specific deceased person confers real spiritual benefit on that soul.Estimated, not verified
- Naming Baptism After SaintsRejectsTradition defaultTaking the name of a saint at baptism/chrismation and looking to that saint as a special protector is a good practice.Estimated, not verified
- No Images Of Christ Or GodStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is wrong to make any pictorial representation of Christ or God at all (the regulative reading of the Second Commandment).Estimated, not verified
- Orthodox Reject Latin PurgatoryRejectsTradition defaultPrayer for the dead is right, but the Latin doctrine of purgatory as a defined place/process of satisfactory punishment should be rejected.Estimated, not verified
- Patron Saints For Places And CallingsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is proper to assign patron saints to nations, occupations, and life-situations and to seek their particular patronage.Estimated, not verified
- Perpetual Virginity In PartuLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultMary remained a virgin even in the act of giving birth (her virginity was preserved "in partu"), without the ordinary physical changes of childbirth.Estimated, not verified
- Perpetual Virginity Post PartumAffirmsTradition defaultMary remained a virgin throughout her whole life and never had marital relations or other children after Jesus ("ever-virgin").Estimated, not verified
- Prayers Addressed Directly To SaintsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultPrayers may be addressed directly to saints and to Mary (e.g., "Holy Mary, pray for us"), not only to God.Estimated, not verified
- Prayers For Dead Affect Their StateStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe prayers, almsgiving, and Masses of the living can actually benefit and assist the departed.Estimated, not verified
- Prayers For The Dead Are ProperRejectsTradition defaultIt is right and beneficial to pray for the souls of the faithful departed.Estimated, not verified
- Private Revelation Not BindingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultEven genuine apparitions and private revelations add nothing to public revelation and bind no one's faith.Estimated, not verified
- Purgatory ExistsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThere is an intermediate state of purification (purgatory) in which the saved are cleansed before entering full glory.Estimated, not verified
- Relic Trade And Indulgences AbuseStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe historic trafficking and multiplication of relics was a corrupting abuse to be rejected.Estimated, not verified
- Relics Can Work MiraclesStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod works miracles, healings, or graces through the relics of saints.Estimated, not verified
- Relics May Be VeneratedRejectsTradition defaultThe physical relics of saints (bones, possessions) may rightly be honored and venerated.Estimated, not verified
- Rosary And Marian Prayers DevotionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultRepeated Marian devotions such as the Rosary are a wholesome and recommended form of prayer.Estimated, not verified
- Saints Can Grant Or Help DirectlyStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSaints and Mary can themselves grant favors, protection, or healing, not merely relay requests to God.Estimated, not verified
- Saints In Heaven Pray For UsRejectsTradition defaultThe departed saints in heaven are aware of and intercede in prayer for those still living on earth.Estimated, not verified
- Specialized Saints For Specific NeedsStrongly rejectsTradition defaultParticular saints are especially efficacious for particular needs (e.g., a saint for lost objects, travel, illness).Estimated, not verified
- Statues Three Dimensional PermissibleStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThree-dimensional statues of saints and Mary are an acceptable form of sacred art and devotion.Estimated, not verified
- Subordinate Intercessory Mediation LegitimateStrongly rejectsTradition defaultCreatures (Mary, the saints) can exercise a real but wholly subordinate, intercessory mediation that does not rival Christ's unique mediation.Estimated, not verified
- Theotokos Mother Of GodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMary may rightly be called "Theotokos" / "Mother of God" (God-bearer) because the one she bore is truly God incarnate.Estimated, not verified
- Three Fold Church Militant Suffering TriumphantStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Church exists in three states: militant (on earth), suffering (being purified), and triumphant (in glory), in active mutual communion.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration Distinct From WorshipRejectsTradition defaultThere is a real and legitimate distinction between the worship (latria) owed to God alone and the veneration/honor (dulia) given to saints.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration In Practice Is IdolatryStrongly affirmsTradition defaultWhatever the theory, the actual veneration of Mary and the saints functions as idolatry and dishonors God.Estimated, not verified
- Veneration Obscures ChristStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIn practice, the honors given to Mary and the saints tend to obscure or compete with the unique glory of Christ.Estimated, not verified
- Virginal Conception Of JesusStrongly affirmsTradition defaultJesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit while Mary was a virgin, without a human father.Estimated, not verified
- We May Ask Mary To PrayStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is good and proper to ask Mary specifically to intercede for us with her Son.Estimated, not verified
- We May Ask Saints To PrayStrongly rejectsTradition defaultIt is good and proper to ask the saints in heaven to pray to God on our behalf.Estimated, not verified
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