#staupitz

Luther and Staupitz: or Why Lutherans Use Corporate Confession

So apparently Luther used to confess for HOURS and HOURS on end, confessing every single minute detail in his life. Every. Single. Detail. I imagine it must have been very tedious to listen to. So perhaps the Lutheran practise of corporate confession came at the urging of the poor priest who had to sit through all of Luther’s confession? That’s what my dad used to joke in any case, whether it is true or not I don’t know!

For those who aren’t familiar with the practice: instead of going to special booths and confessing privately to a priest Lutherans confess together every Sunday a common confession of our sins. Oh Lord I have sinned against you in thought word and deed, by what I have done and left undone...etc. And the pastor replies with As a called an ordained servant of Christ and by His authority I now forgive you of your sins, etc... And boom badda bing it’s done! It’s been done for a while now, by Christ, who has forgiven all our sins! That being said, Lutherans still can use private confession if needed. Luther himself admits that it can be a very useful tool! And he should know, since he spent so much time doing it...XD