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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 98 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
- All Sins Equal Before GodRejectsTradition defaultBefore God all sins are fundamentally equal: there are no greater or lesser sins.Estimated, not verified
- Believer Remains Sinner And RighteousStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe justified believer is at once righteous (in Christ) and still a sinner (in himself): simul iustus et peccator.Estimated, not verified
- Concupiscence Is Itself SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultConcupiscence (the inclination/desire to sin) is itself truly sin, even when not consented to.Estimated, not verified
- Concupiscence Only Tendency Not SinStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe mere inclination toward sin is not sin until the will consents; only consented acts/dispositions are culpable.Estimated, not verified
- Concupiscence Remains After BaptismStrongly affirmsTradition defaultDisordered desire (concupiscence) remains in the baptized/regenerate even after original sin's guilt is removed.Estimated, not verified
- Conscience Universally Witnesses LawStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll people have an innate moral conscience/knowledge of God's law (written on the heart), so none sin in total ignorance.Estimated, not verified
- Cosmic Fall Creation AffectedAffirmsTradition defaultAdam's sin disordered not only humanity but the wider created order (a "cosmic fall" affecting nature itself).Estimated, not verified
- Elect Infants Dying Are SavedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultInfants who die are (at least the elect among them) certainly saved by Christ apart from any work or profession of their own.Estimated, not verified
- Entire Sanctification AttainableStrongly rejectsTradition defaultBelievers can, by grace, reach a state in this life in which they are freed from all willful/known sin (Christian perfection / entire sanctification).Estimated, not verified
- Evil Arises From Creaturely FreedomRejectsTradition defaultMoral evil arises necessarily from the gift of genuine creaturely free will, which God could not give without the possibility of its misuse.Estimated, not verified
- Evil Is Coeternal Principle DualismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultEvil is a real, independent principle or power, in some sense co-eternal with or independent of the good God.Estimated, not verified
- Evil Is Illusion Or UnrealityStrongly rejectsTradition defaultEvil and sin have no genuine reality; they are errors of perception or illusion to be dispelled by truth.Estimated, not verified
- Evil Is Privation Of GoodAffirmsTradition defaultEvil has no positive substance of its own; it is a privation or corruption of good (evil = the lack of a due good).Estimated, not verified
- Evil Originated In Angelic FallStrongly affirmsTradition defaultMoral evil entered creation first through the prideful fall of angels (Satan/the devil) prior to humanity's fall.Estimated, not verified
- Fall Affected Human Sexuality SpecificallyRejectsTradition defaultThe transmission and locus of original sin is especially bound up with sexual concupiscence/generation (sin is propagated through the disordered act of generation).Estimated, not verified
- Fall Historical EventStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere was a real, primeval historical event ("the Fall") in which the first humans disobeyed God and lost an original state of integrity.Estimated, not verified
- Fall Symbolic Of Human ConditionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Genesis Fall narrative is best read as a symbolic or mythic depiction of the universal human condition, not a report of a singular past event.Estimated, not verified
- Fall Was Fortunate Felix CulpaAffirmsTradition defaultThe Fall, though evil, was a "happy fault" because it occasioned a greater good (the incarnation and redemption) than would otherwise have been.Estimated, not verified
- Fall Was Upward IrenaeanStrongly rejectsTradition defaultHumanity was created immature and the "Fall" was part of a developmental ascent toward maturity rather than a catastrophic loss.Estimated, not verified
- Fallen Can Do Civic GoodAffirmsTradition defaultEven without saving grace, the unregenerate can perform genuine civic/external good (justice, kindness) that is truly good on its own level.Estimated, not verified
- Federal Representative ImputationLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultAdam was the appointed representative (federal head) of humanity, so his sin is imputed to us by covenant/representation, apart from our seminal presence in him.Estimated, not verified
- God Not Author Of SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultGod is in no way the author or cause of sin, even while sovereign over all things.Estimated, not verified
- Historical Adam EveStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAdam and Eve were real, historical individuals from whom humanity descends.Estimated, not verified
- Humanity From Single Pair MonogenismStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll humans descend biologically from a single original couple (monogenism), not from a population.Estimated, not verified
- Humans Naturally Good OptimismStrongly rejectsTradition defaultHuman beings are by nature fundamentally good, and wrongdoing is chiefly the result of ignorance, environment, or unmet needs rather than an inner corruption.Estimated, not verified
- Image Of God Retained After FallStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe image of God in humanity, though damaged by sin, is genuinely retained and is the basis of human dignity and capacity for relationship with God.Estimated, not verified
- Infants Born With Original SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultInfants are born already in a state of original sin (corruption and/or guilt), not in moral neutrality.Estimated, not verified
- Infants Morally Innocent At BirthStrongly rejectsTradition defaultInfants are born morally innocent and become guilty only by their own actual sins once capable of moral choice.Estimated, not verified
- Inherit Corruption Not GuiltRejectsTradition defaultFrom Adam we inherit a corrupted, death-bound nature and a tendency to sin, but not personal guilt for his act.Estimated, not verified
- Inherited Guilt For Adams SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAll humans bear actual guilt for Adam's sin: they are culpable before God on account of it, prior to any personal act.Estimated, not verified
- Involuntary Thoughts Can Be SinAffirmsTradition defaultInvoluntary sinful thoughts or desires that arise without consent can be genuinely sinful and require repentance.Estimated, not verified
- Mary Preserved From Original SinStrongly rejectsTradition defaultThe Virgin Mary was, by special grace, preserved free from original sin from the moment of her conception (Immaculate Conception).Estimated, not verified
- Mortal Venial DistinctionStrongly rejectsTradition defaultSome sins are "mortal" (gravely severing the soul from grace/eternal life) while others are "venial" (wounding but not destroying the relationship with God).Estimated, not verified
- No Special Grace Needed PelagianStrongly rejectsTradition defaultHumans can live righteously and attain salvation by free will and effort without a special interior grace beyond creation, law, and example.Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin Damns Apart From Actual SinAffirmsTradition defaultOriginal sin alone, apart from any actual personal sin, is sufficient to condemn a person.Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin Is PrivationRejectsTradition defaultOriginal sin consists essentially in the loss/privation of original righteousness (a lack), rather than a positively infused evil.Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin Only Corrupts Will Not ReasonRejectsTradition defaultThe Fall corrupted the will and affections most deeply, while the intellect/reason retained substantial soundness.Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin RealStrongly affirmsTradition defaultAdam's first sin has real, inherited consequences for all his descendants (an "original sin"), not merely a bad example.Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin Removed By BaptismStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe guilt of original sin is truly removed/remitted by baptism (concupiscence may remain, but the guilt is taken away).Estimated, not verified
- Original Sin Transmitted By PropagationStrongly affirmsTradition defaultOriginal sin is transmitted to each person through natural generation (by being descended from Adam), not by imitation.Estimated, not verified
- Partial Depravity Residual GoodStrongly rejectsTradition defaultHuman nature is wounded by sin but retains a substantial capacity to choose and do genuine good, including toward God.Estimated, not verified
- Pre Fall Original RighteousnessStrongly affirmsTradition defaultBefore the Fall, humanity possessed an original righteousness / supernatural endowment of grace and integrity that was subsequently lost.Estimated, not verified
- Presumptuous Vs Weakness SinsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSins committed deliberately/high-handedly are more culpable than sins of weakness, ignorance, or passion.Estimated, not verified
- Realist Seminal SolidarityAffirmsTradition defaultWe were really, seminally present "in Adam" and so truly participated in his sin (realist/seminal solidarity).Estimated, not verified
- Satan Real Personal AgentStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSatan is a real, personal spiritual being who tempts and opposes God, not merely a symbol or personification of evil.Estimated, not verified
- Sin Became Human Substance FlacianStrongly rejectsTradition defaultAfter the Fall sin is so deep that it has become the very substance/essence of fallen human nature.Estimated, not verified
- Sin Is Disease Or Missing MarkRejectsTradition defaultSin is best understood primarily as a sickness/disorder of the soul or a "missing of the mark" to be healed, more than a legal offense to be punished.Estimated, not verified
- Sin Is Primarily Relational BreachRejectsTradition defaultSin is most fundamentally a rupture of relationship/covenant with God and neighbor, more than law-breaking or substance-corruption.Estimated, not verified
- Sin Is Transgression Of LawStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSin is fundamentally the transgression of God's law/command (an offense against a divine standard).Estimated, not verified
- Sin Is Ultimately Self Idolatry PrideLeans toward affirmingTradition defaultThe root of all sin is pride / inordinate self-love (turning from God to self).Estimated, not verified
- Sin Requires Voluntary ActStrongly rejectsTradition defaultProperly speaking, something counts as sin only if it is voluntary (chosen knowingly and willingly).Estimated, not verified
- Sin Total In Degree Perfectionism DeniedStrongly affirmsTradition defaultNo one in this life (apart from special exception) is wholly free from sin; the regenerate continue to sin.Estimated, not verified
- Sins Differ In Gravity And GuiltAffirmsTradition defaultSins genuinely differ in heinousness and in the degree of guilt and punishment they incur.Estimated, not verified
- Soul Created Directly By GodRejectsTradition defaultEach human soul is created immediately by God at conception, not propagated from the parents.Estimated, not verified
- Total Depravity Every FacultyStrongly affirmsTradition defaultSin has corrupted every part of human nature (mind, will, affections, body) so that no faculty is left untouched ("total" in extent, not necessarily in degree).Estimated, not verified
- Total Inability Cannot Choose GodStrongly affirmsTradition defaultIn the fallen state, a person is unable to turn to God or do saving good without a prior, enabling work of divine grace.Estimated, not verified
- Traducianism Soul InheritedAffirmsTradition defaultThe soul is propagated from the parents along with the body (traducianism), which helps explain how a sinful nature is inherited.Estimated, not verified
- Unaided Will Can Take First Step SemipelagianStrongly rejectsTradition defaultA person can take the first step toward God (the initial desire or seeking of faith) by free will, with grace then assisting thereafter.Estimated, not verified
- Unbaptized Infants Lose BeatitudeRejectsTradition defaultInfants who die unbaptized are, because of original sin, deprived of the beatific vision (whatever their further state).Estimated, not verified
- Unbelief Is The Root SinStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThe fundamental sin is unbelief (failure to trust God's word) from which other sins flow.Estimated, not verified
- Unforgivable Sin ExistsStrongly affirmsTradition defaultThere is a sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) that will not be forgiven, in this age or the next.Estimated, not verified
- Unforgivable Sin Is Final ImpenitenceAffirmsTradition defaultThe "unforgivable sin" is best understood as persistent, final impenitence/rejection of grace until death, not a single past utterance.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
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