The Role of the "Status Confessionis" Dispute in the Dissolution of the FAL

Abstract

Steven Blumer’s thesis examines the theological and organizational factors that led to the dissolution of the Federation for Authentic Lutheranism (FAL), with particular focus on the “Status Confessionis” dispute. Formed in 1971 by conservative pastors departing from the LCMS, FAL aimed to preserve doctrinal purity and provide refuge for like-minded congregations. Blumer details the pressures faced by those leaving LCMS, internal administrative challenges, and differing views on church fellowship. The dispute over whether congregations could commune with LCMS members in a state of confessional protest (in statu confessionis) became a flashpoint. Misunderstandings about church doctrine and fellowship practices led to division, culminating in the withdrawal of several congregations and eventual merger of FAL with WELS in 1975. Blumer concludes that while the Status Confessionis issue was not the sole cause, it accelerated FAL’s dissolution amid broader struggles for unity and doctrinal clarity. —Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4)