No institutional solution exists for Lutheran apostasy. Voting is a political process, and the results are always political.
AC V got me started on doctrinal quotations embedded in graphics. The growing list is on the left.
Everyone should study the quotations I have provided, to the point of memorizing them. That is just the starting point. Every single person is responsible for his own knowledge of the Christian faith. Whatever is lacking in the family or congregation or sect is no excuse. The books are there. The Word of God is so plain and powerful that the Holy Spirit will train that person to discern the what is good and truthful.
We only need a few authors to guide us. The Book of Concord is a selection of the best. If we do not know our way around it, but can sing along with any pop tune, whose fault is that?
The very best theological authors are: Luther, Melanchthon, Chemnitz, and Chytraeus.
Luther is best studied in his Small Catechism, Large Catechism, and Smalcald Articles. Is the last title new? It is right there in the Book of Concord. If a percentage of Lutherans knew the Smalcald Articles, there would be no Church Growth Movement in the Lutheran sects.
Melanchthon is best in his Augsburg Confession and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.
Chemnitz was the chief editor of the Book of Concord, the senior writer for the Formula of Concord. The Formula addresses every current doctrinal issue.
We can also study Chemnitz through his Examination of the Council of Trent, his Loci, and his writings against the Calvinists.
American Lutherans should be last on the list, because they began with names I just mentioned. Starting with Walther, for example, is like studying the U. S. Constitution by watching Judge Judy on TV. Walther has his good and bad points. He is not the ultimate theologian, but rather a Pietist with some Lutheran tendencies.
Some good American authors are: Hoenecke, Schmauk, Krauth, H. E. Jacobs, and Reu. Each one struggled against the weaknesses and unionism of Pietism.
Nevertheless, the prerequisite for all this is a thorough knowledge of the Book of Concord. Faithful Lutherans will also consign their NIVs, NNIVs, ESVs, and Living Bibles to the archives.
The most Luther-like translation is the King James, which is slightly modernized from the very first one. There are some amended editions of the KJV. I believe the KJV 21st century is the least edited. I use and quote the KJV because it is quite clear and never changes. If I need to explain a word or two, I can do that.
