Applying the Principle of Adiaphora with Confidence, by Klemet Preus
Article X of the Formula of Concord deals with indifferent matters or what has been called “adiaphora.” The application of Article X to the question of worship among Lutherans in America today may seem difficult. But once we sweep away some of the extraneous issues and get to the core of the Biblical and Confessional position on adiaphora, we can apply it today with confidence.
Here was the issue which confronted the Lutherans. They had been part of the Roman Church until recently. While establishing the ministry of the Gospel and Sacraments among themselves they had discarded certain Roman customs. The Roman church wanted the Lutherans to return to these customs in order for there to be peace among the two groups. Some Lutherans figured that they should go ahead and reintroduce the abandoned customs. They thought that they might as well not antagonize the Roman church any more than necessary and since some of these customs were neither commanded nor forbidden in the church then they were not doing wrong for actions intended to minimize the conflict.
Other Lutherans said that there should be principles which would guide the church as she decided which customs to reintroduce. These are the principles.
Obviously you can’t introduce ceremonies which are contrary to the bible even if these customs are claimed to be indifferent matters.
If certain customs or ceremonies are designed to give the impression that our religion does not greatly differ from that of the papists then we are not free to use those customs even if, under different circumstances, the ceremonies would be indifferent matters.
When customs or ceremonies are introduced as though through these ceremonies contrary religions are reconciled, then such ceremonies are not matters of indifference. (FC SD X 5)
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