With Intrepid Hearts: Introduction and Overview of the Formula of Concord (OnePage Summary)

By Paul Arndt With Intrepid Hearts

Welcome to With Intrepid Hearts, a study and practical application of the Formula of Concord (Epitome and Solid Declaration).

It’s my hope that this new digital resource will help you …

  • firmly believe
  • clearly teach
  • and boldly confess

… the person and work of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures, especially in an anti-Christian world.

The videos for the first session are ready. My hope is that they will give you a compelling introduction and clear overview of the Formula of Concord.

Below is a “OnePager”. As the name suggests, it is a one page summary of all of the videos and resources for the Introduction and Overview.​ You can access the OnePager (here) or in the picture below.

Coming Next:  The Formula of Concord – The Summary, Rule and and Norm

In our next series of videos, we will begin a conversation about the “Summary, Foundation, Rule and Norm” of the Formula of Concord. 

The subtitle to this section in the Formula introduces and frames the content in the following way …

A Comprehensive Summary, Foundation, Rule and Norm … 

Whereby all dogmas should be judged according to God’s Word, and the controversies that have occurred should be explained and decided in a Christian manner.

If you would like to read along, I’ve provided links to the online Book of Concord and corresponding references to the Concordia: Reader’s Edition from Concordia Publishing House.

You can also following along in the study guide. It will help you find all of the relevant quotes and references from the Lutheran Confessions.

Content Resources

Readings from the Book of Concord

If you are using the Concordia: A Reader’s Version of the Book of Concord, Paul T. McCain the contents for discussion can be found at the following:

  • Editor’s Introduction (helpful historical context) from pp. 441-472.
  • The Summary Content, Rule and Norm of the Epitome (“reader’s digest version”) from pp. 473-474.
  • The Summary, Rule and Norm of the Solid Declaration (“longer version”) pp. 503 -510.

Some of the Topics We Will Cover

  • Key Words and Phrases
  • Everyone Has a Confession
  • The Comprehensive Summary, Foundation, Rule and Norm of the Formula of Concord
  • The Scriptures Speak First and a Confession Follows
  • Pure, Christian Symbols Thoroughly Grounded in God’s Word
  • We Teach Nothing New: The One, Universal and Catholic Faith
  • Subscription to the Confessions and Ordination Vows: Quia (“Because They Are In Accord”)
  • The Concord Way
  • Some Have Departed
  • Necessity Requires Us to Explain the Faith
  • This is Not a Mere Disagreement About Words
  • The Need to Refute and Encourage
  • The Pattern of the Formula: Thesis and Antithesis

The Private Community Platform

I have also created a private community platform so that you can ask your questions, comment, or connect with others. I’ll also host the entire video series on that site so that you can access all of the content in one place.

If you haven’t yet joined the private Lutheran Spirituality community you can sign up here … ​

If you’re already a member of the community, please feel free to add your thoughts or comments to any of the posts in the “home”, “getting started”, or “hello” tabs in the sidebar.

If you have any technical problems with the videos, accessing the resources, or signing up for the community, please let me know and I’ll try and help resolve the issue.

You can sign up for With Intrepid Hearts community course by going to …

With Intrepid Hearts (sign up)

When you sign up, you’ll receive the videos sent directly to your inbox and directions on how to access the private Lutheran Spirituality community.

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Blessings and all gifts needed to us from the Triune God as we “hold to the pattern of sound words” (2 Timothy 1) and “contend for the faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 3-4).

2 Timothy 1:13-14: Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, guard through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. (WEB)

Jude 3-4: Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 

We stand with intrepid hearts. Come what may, we do belong to Jesus.

Paul

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P.S. If you want to reference all of the videos and courses you can access them here …