The oldest and most authoritative creed was the "Augsburg Confession," 1530, Augsburg, Bavaria, drafted mainly by Melanchthon and based on Luther's articles. Presented to Charles V at the Diet of Augsburg, a Catholic refutation was drawn up, and Melanchthon replied in his "Apologia." An imperial condemnation followed. The confession is an attempt to win the Catholic Estates by presenting Lutheranism in a Catholic light. Together with Melanchthon's "Apologia" of abuse, it is accepted as authoritative by Lutherans. The Protestant Estates, at Smalcald, 1537, rejected the pope's offer of a general council, and commissioned Luther to expound the articles of difference. The result was the first positive public renunciation of the papacy, and is called the "Smalcald Articles." Following Luther's death, dissensions caused the Assembly of Torgau, 1576, to draw up the "Formula of Concord" or "Torgau Book" in the Lutheran spirit eliminating Calvinism and Philipism. It was of limited acceptance and is now confined to use in Missouri.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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