With Intrepid Hearts: The Formula of Concord, Article II – Free Will (OnePager)

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.

Article II – Free Will (OnePager)

Below is a “OnePager”.

As the name suggests, it is a one page summary of all of the videos and resources for Article II of the Formula of Concord – Free Will.​

You can access the OnePager (here) or in the picture below.

Ask a Question in the Intrepid Hearts Chat Box

If you have a specific question about the Formula of Concord or some of the topics that we have covered, you can type that query into the new Intrepid Hearts chat box.

When you type your question into the box, the AI software will search all of the videos that I have created for an answer. If I, or Dr. Schulz, ever talked about your question, you’ll get a real time response with resource references.

Here’s what it looks like …

Below are some prompts that you could use …

  • what is original sin?
  • what is original righteousness?
  • what is free will?
  • what is the Formula of Concord?
  • what is concupiscence?
  • according to the Formula of Concord, what is the sole source, rule and norm of the Christian faith?
  • what is the status of the controversy in Article I of the Formula of Concord (Original Sin)?
  • when it comes to original sin, what is the difference between “substance” and “accidens”?
  • how is man spiritually blind and dead in his sin?
  • what is the status of the controversy in Article II of the Formula of Concord (Free Will)?
  • What is Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism and Synergism?
  • Why are there only two efficient causes in man’s salvation and not three?
  • What are the four states of the will?
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You can try the content chat box in the button below. I hope this is a helpful tool.

Intrepid Hearts Chat Box (here)

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Coming Next: The Formula of Concord – Article III (Righteousness of Faith Before God)

In our next series of videos, we will begin a conversation about Article III of the Formula of Concord – Righteousness of Faith Before God.

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. McCainthe contents for discussion can be found at the following:

  • Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article III, The Righteousness Before God,  pp. 479-482
  • Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article III, The Righteousness Before God, pp. 536-546

Other foundational readings concerning the Article of The Righteousness Before God can be found in the Lutheran Confessions at the following locations:

  • Augsburg Confession, Article IV, Justification, (The Concordia pp. 32-33)
  • Apology to the Augsburg Confession, Article IV, Justification, (The Concordia, pp. 82-ff)
  • Smalcald Articles II, I:  The Chief Article, pp. 262-263
  • Smalcald Articles XIII:  How One is Justified, pp. 283

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 …