Upon the Lips of Another Christian: Private Confession and Absolution as Described by Lutheran Pastors Today

Abstract

Confessional Lutherans know from Luther’s Small Catechism that private confession and absolution is good and scriptural, but is it feasible to implement into twenty-first century gospel ministry? We know our great Lutheran forefathers like Luther and Chemnitz availed themselves of this practice’s benefits, but what does it look like today? Who is doing it, why are they doing it, and what impact does it have? With in-depth interview findings, this paper will present how a handful of Lutheran pastors today make use of private confession and absolution. This information will clarify what this practice can look like, inspire those who wish to begin promoting it, and present stories of the pastoral experience promoting it through various methodologies in different settings.