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Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod · Mapleton: a neutral profile of what this congregation describes about its beliefs.
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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 89 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
- Capital Punishment LegitimateAffirmsTradition defaultThe civil authority may rightly execute criminals for grave crimes.Estimated, not verified
- Capitalism Intrinsically UnjustRejectsTradition defaultCapitalism as a system is intrinsically exploitative and stands under God's judgment; Christian faithfulness requires working to replace it.Estimated, not verified
- Christ Lord Over Every Sphere TransformationRejectsTradition defaultChrist's lordship extends over every sphere of life (politics, economics, art, science) and Christians are called to bring all of them under his rule.Estimated, not verified
- Christians Should Seek Public OfficeAffirmsTradition defaultIt is fitting for Christians to seek and hold civil office in order to govern justly.Estimated, not verified
- Christians Should Vote And Engage CivicallyAffirmsTradition defaultActive civic participation (voting, advocacy, holding office) is a positive Christian duty in a free society.Estimated, not verified
- Church Should Pursue Structural JusticeRejectsTradition defaultThe church is called to confront and change unjust social structures (economic, racial, political), not only to convert and disciple individuals.Estimated, not verified
- Civil Disobedience Justified Against Unjust LawAffirmsTradition defaultChristians may, and sometimes must, disobey civil laws that command sin or are gravely unjust.Estimated, not verified
- Civil Government Ordained By GodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultCivil government is divinely instituted, and obedience to lawful authority is a Christian duty (Romans 13).Estimated, not verified
- Civil Religion Blends Faith And NationRejectsTradition defaultPatriotism and Christian devotion properly reinforce one another, and love of country is part of Christian duty.Estimated, not verified
- Clergy Should Avoid Partisan PoliticsAffirmsTradition defaultMinisters should refrain from partisan political advocacy from their office and keep the pulpit free of partisan endorsement.Estimated, not verified
- Common Good Is A Governing AimAffirmsTradition defaultPolitical life should be ordered toward a shared "common good" that the state has positive responsibility to promote, not merely the protection of individual rights.Estimated, not verified
- Compromise With Opponents Morally PermissibleAffirmsTradition defaultPolitical compromise and coalition with non-Christians or ideological opponents is a legitimate and prudent way to pursue the common good.Estimated, not verified
- Consistent Life Ethic Links All KillingRejectsTradition defaultFaithfulness requires a "consistent life ethic" opposing abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, and unjust war together as a single seamless garment.Estimated, not verified
- Death Penalty For Many OffensesRejectsTradition defaultThe civil law should impose the death penalty for a wide range of offenses specified in the Mosaic law (e.g. blasphemy, adultery, idolatry, sabbath-breaking).Estimated, not verified
- Democracy Most Consonant With The FaithAffirmsTradition defaultDemocratic, representative government is the political order most consonant with Christian convictions about human dignity and the limits of power.Estimated, not verified
- Dominion Means Use Nature For Human BenefitAffirmsTradition defaultThe dominion mandate means the earth's resources are given chiefly for human use and development, and exploiting them for human flourishing is good.Estimated, not verified
- Duty To Submit Even To Unjust RulersAffirmsTradition defaultChristians are generally obligated to submit to and pray for even unjust or persecuting governments rather than to resist them.Estimated, not verified
- Economic Systems Beyond Church CompetenceAffirmsTradition defaultChoosing between economic systems is a prudential, political matter outside the church's proper teaching authority; the church should not endorse capitalism or socialism.Estimated, not verified
- Ethnic Or National Identity God Ordained BoundaryStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod ordains distinct nations/ethnic groups with boundaries that should be preserved, such that ethnic separateness has positive theological warrant.Estimated, not verified
- Giving Is Freewill Not A Fixed RuleAffirmsTradition defaultNew Testament giving is freewill, proportional, and cheerful, without a binding fixed percentage like the tithe.Estimated, not verified
- Gospel Is Chiefly Personal Not SocialAffirmsTradition defaultThe gospel is essentially a message of individual reconciliation with God, and social transformation is at most a secondary by-product, not part of its core content.Estimated, not verified
- Holy War Or Crusade Can Be RighteousRejectsTradition defaultGod may sanction war as a holy or sacred cause, such that fighting it is itself an act of religious obedience or merit.Estimated, not verified
- Just War Criteria BindingAffirmsTradition defaultA war may be just only if it meets defined criteria (just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, last resort, proportionality, reasonable hope, discrimination/non-combatant immunity).Estimated, not verified
- Lawful Oaths Are Permitted And ReverentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultTaking a solemn oath before lawful authority, calling God to witness the truth, is a permitted and even reverent act.Estimated, not verified
- Lesser Magistrate May Resist TyrannyRejectsTradition defaultLower civil officials (magistrates) may rightly resist and even depose a tyrannical higher authority, and citizens may follow them.Estimated, not verified
- Lethal Violence Ever JustifiedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIt can be morally legitimate for Christians to use lethal force under some circumstances (e.g. defense of the innocent, just war).Estimated, not verified
- Military Service Honorable VocationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultServing in the armed forces is an honorable Christian vocation.Estimated, not verified
- Nation Should Be Officially ChristianLeans toward rejectingTradition defaultA nation should publicly identify as Christian and order its laws, symbols, and institutions around the Christian faith ("Christian nation").Estimated, not verified
- Nations Have Right To Control BordersAffirmsTradition defaultA nation has a legitimate, God-permitted right to regulate its borders and limit immigration for the sake of order and the common good.Estimated, not verified
- Natural Law Grounds Public MoralityAffirmsTradition defaultA natural moral law, knowable in principle by reason apart from special revelation, is a legitimate basis for civil law and public argument.Estimated, not verified
- Nonhuman Creation Has Intrinsic ValueAffirmsTradition defaultAnimals and the rest of creation have value to God in themselves, not merely instrumental value for humans.Estimated, not verified
- Nonresistance No Force Even In Self DefenseRejectsTradition defaultChristians must not resist evildoers with force even in personal self-defense ("turn the other cheek" taken as a binding command, not counsel).Estimated, not verified
- Pacifism Is The Christian NormStrongly rejectsTradition defaultNonviolence is the normative Christian way, binding on all believers, not merely a special vocation.Estimated, not verified
- Peace And Order Higher Than Justice ClaimsAffirmsTradition defaultPreserving social peace, order, and stability should generally take precedence over pressing contested claims of justice that risk upheaval.Estimated, not verified
- Police Force Legitimate Christian CallingStrongly affirmsTradition defaultPolice work, including the use of coercive force to maintain order, is a legitimate Christian calling.Estimated, not verified
- Political Outcomes Show Gods FavorRejectsTradition defaultPolitical and material success (electoral wins, national prosperity, victory) can be read as signs of God's blessing on a cause or nation.Estimated, not verified
- Principled Pluralism State Protects Many FaithsAffirmsTradition defaultThe state should provide a fair, level public space for diverse religious and worldview communities rather than privileging Christianity or enforcing secularism.Estimated, not verified
- Private Property Divinely SanctionedAffirmsTradition defaultPrivate ownership of property is a God-given right that the state and church must respect and protect.Estimated, not verified
- Prosperity Material Blessing For FaithStrongly rejectsTradition defaultGod wills material prosperity and physical health for faithful believers, and these can be claimed through faith and giving.Estimated, not verified
- Racism Is SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultRacism (partiality and contempt on the basis of race or ethnicity) is a sin contrary to the gospel.Estimated, not verified
- Sanctity Of Life Top Political PriorityAffirmsTradition defaultOpposing abortion and protecting unborn life should be among the highest priorities of Christian political engagement.Estimated, not verified
- Scripture Binding Social Political NormsRejectsTradition defaultScripture provides binding, authoritative norms not only for personal conduct but for the ordering of society, economics, and the state.Estimated, not verified
- Separation Of Church And StateStrongly affirmsTradition defaultChurch and state should be institutionally separate, with the state neither establishing a religion nor coercing belief.Estimated, not verified
- Solidarity With The Poor ObligatoryAffirmsTradition defaultChristians are bound by a real obligation of solidarity with the poor and oppressed, such that their interests have a privileged claim ("preferential option for the poor").Estimated, not verified
- State Should Legislate Christian MoralityRejectsTradition defaultCivil law should reflect and enforce Christian moral standards on public matters (e.g. blasphemy, sabbath, vice), not merely a minimal shared morality.Estimated, not verified
- Subsidiarity Lowest Competent LevelAffirmsTradition defaultSocial problems should be addressed at the most local competent level, with higher authorities intervening only when lower ones cannot cope (subsidiarity).Estimated, not verified
- Swearing Oaths Forbidden To ChristiansRejectsTradition defaultChristians must not swear oaths at all (taking "swear not at all" as a binding command), affirming with a simple yes or no instead.Estimated, not verified
- Theonomy Civil Law Should Follow Mosaic LawStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe civil and judicial laws of the Old Testament (with their penalties) remain the standard for modern civil government.Estimated, not verified
- Tithing Ten Percent Is ObligatoryRejectsTradition defaultChristians are obligated to give a tithe (a tenth of income) to God's work as a binding standard.Estimated, not verified
- Two Kingdoms Distinct RealmsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGod governs through two distinct realms: a spiritual kingdom (church, gospel) and a temporal kingdom (state, law) that must not be conflated, with the church staying out of politics as such.Estimated, not verified
- Violent Revolution Ever JustifiedRejectsTradition defaultArmed revolution or violent resistance against an unjust government can be morally justified.Estimated, not verified
- Voluntary Poverty A Higher CallingRejectsTradition defaultVoluntary poverty or radical simplicity is a holier and more Christlike way of life, to be honored above the pursuit of wealth.Estimated, not verified
- Welcome The Stranger Binding DutyAffirmsTradition defaultScripture's command to welcome the foreigner and care for the sojourner imposes a real Christian duty toward immigrants and refugees today. (This question does not consider any political orientation's specific definition of what constitutes a legitimate "immigrant" or "refugee.")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
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