Thank you for the question on confession, “What are the scriptural points on both sides of confession of sin in general like Lutherans believe versus confession by actually enumerating individual sins to God like evangelicals believe?
Confession is defined as naming that sin or admitting the wrong attitude or action before God. The verses are as follows:
Leviticus 5 says this, “So it shall be when he becomes guilty in one of these, that he shall confess that in which he has sinned. 6 He shall also bring his guilt offering to the Lord for his sin which he has [c]committed, a female from the flock, a lamb or a [d]goat as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf for his sin”(A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages? Bible citations are from the New International Version.
Psalm 38 says this, “For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin” (NIV).
I John 1:9 says this, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (NIV).
James 5:16 says this, “ Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (NIV).
In the Old Testament when a Jewish person sinned against the Law, he was required to confess that sin and to bring an animal sacrifice. Since the Temple is no longer present, the confession of general and specific sins are cited as in the prayers of Nehemiah and Ezra.
Lutherans has adopted the teaching that its members confess their sins to the priest to be absolved or forgiven of their sins. It is part of the Lutheran’s Confession of Faith. It is not that the priest/pastor has the authority in himself to forgive sins but it comes as a representative of the Lord. The confession remains between the priest and the member.
Evangelicals has adopted the teaching that believers are to confess their sins to God directly without the necessity of a person to pronounce forgiveness (I John 1:9). Believers are to confess their sins to one another, not so much as for forgiveness of sins but to hold each other accountable in repenting of that sin. Rarely do Christians admit their sins or failures to other believers whether one is a Lutheran or Evangelical.
The lack of honesty and transparency between believers leads to the pretense before others that everything is spiritually fine when that is not the case. Everyone puts on a “spiritual” face on Sunday or at a fellowship meeting. When a person shares a struggle in a group setting, most members are “shocked” and silent making that person feel shame instead of feeling supported. They don’t know what to do so most people sit in silence and let the leader of the group handle the situation. Without expression of compassion and support, that person leads to keep silent just as everyone else suffers in silence. Instead of receiving help, one receives disgust for sharing it publicly. Churches are full of wounded believers without any cure or help. Confession of sin or struggles is needed to find healing and wholeness.
SUMMARY: The Church is for redeemed sinners, not for “sinless” saints. Silence is not golden in the Church.
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