The American Lutheran Church Today

Abstract

Martin O. Westerhaus’s essay, The American Lutheran Church Today (1982), analyzes doctrinal trends within the American Lutheran Church (ALC) in the decades preceding its merger into the ELCA. Westerhaus begins by noting the ALC’s constitutional affirmation of biblical inerrancy and confessional subscription, contrasting these formal statements with the prevailing theology in its seminaries and leadership. He traces the shift from “old-Lutheran” orthodoxy to “neo-Lutheranism,” marked by adoption of the historical-critical method and a dynamic view of revelation. This approach, widely embraced by ALC theologians, redefines inspiration, limits inerrancy to salvific truths, and elevates the Gospel—rather than Scripture—as the ultimate authority. Westerhaus documents growing skepticism toward sola scriptura, diminished confessional binding, and openness to doctrinal diversity, citing influential voices such as Schiotz, Quanbeck, and Priebe. He critiques ALC positions on fellowship, which interpret Augsburg Confession VII narrowly, permitting intercommunion with non-Lutherans and minimizing doctrinal agreement. The essay concludes that the ALC, historically a centrist body, has moved decisively leftward, aligning with the Lutheran Church in America (LCA) and abandoning its former mediating role. Westerhaus warns that these trends undermine biblical authority and confessional integrity, signaling a profound theological realignment in American Lutheranism. Abstract prepared by Microsoft Copilot (GPT‑4).