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im veredelten Rohbauzustand
neu anbringen
Aug 5, 2013 19:43
10 yrs ago
3 viewers *
German term

zum Bekenntnis zurückkehren

German to English Social Sciences Religion
This phrase comes from some Ev. Luth. church records in Texas (USA), dating from 1911. There was much dissension between the pastor and the congregation concerning the way things were being done in the church:

"Nach heftiger Debatte, Resigniert der Pastor, unter dem Vorbehalt in drei Monaten zu gehen, falls die Gemeinde nicht zum Bekenntniß bis dahin zurückkehrt."

My interpretation: "Following an intense debate, the pastor acquiesced with the stipulation of leaving in three months, if the congregation does not return to the ????? by then."
Proposed translations (English)
3 +1 return to (strict adherence) to the confession
3 +3 return to the faith

Discussion

Timoshka (asker) Aug 7, 2013:
Thanks, Johanna! This is the "smoking gun," so to speak. There is now no question in my mind, based on the facts presented. The pastor was threatening to leave if his parishioners did not return to complete adherence to the Augsburg Confession of Faith.
Johanna Timm, PhD Aug 7, 2013:
Hi Timoshka! More here: In 1895 Texas left the General Council and affiliated with the Iowa Synod, not because of any conflict, but because of the hope of more pastoral prospects. This ended an era.[…] A few congregations, unhappy with the new alliance, broke off and formed the Old German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas of the Unaltered Augsburg Confession.
http://gulfcoastsynod.org/about-us/what-lutherans-believe/hi...
Timoshka (asker) Aug 7, 2013:
@ Johanna Danke für diesen Hinweis! I think this must be what "Bekenntnis" refers to in the original record, as the pastor wanted to adhere strictly to the doctrines of the Augsburg Confession, while the parish members wanted the pastor to take a more relaxed approach in some church matters.
Ramey Rieger (X) Aug 6, 2013:
Qualifier Return to the fold/faith are classic expressions, capturing the essence. Yet there is no indication that the congregation has lost faith, or strayed from the path, which is what these phrases indicate, other than in the eyes of the pastor. Therefore, I believe a qualifier is necessary - true faith/Lutheran faith or fold.
Johanna Timm, PhD Aug 6, 2013:
Vielleicht... bezieht es sich auf das Augsburgische Bekenntnis (A.B.) http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessio_Augustana
(bis heute sind sich die lutherischen Kirchen da nicht einig)
philgoddard Aug 5, 2013:
You could say "returned to the fold".
Timoshka (asker) Aug 5, 2013:
No. The pastor was Lutheran and he had an Ev. Luth. congregation as well. Many members of the congregation, however, felt the pastor unnecessarily excluded members of other denominations from serving as "Taufzeugen," etc. in their congregation. This, of course, led to heated debates, with the pastor ultimately threatening to leave unless the congregation returned to the "Bekenntnis." I'm assuming he was suggested they were "straying" from the rules, regulations and/or beliefs of the Ev. Luth. church?
philgoddard Aug 5, 2013:
Bekenntnis means denomination. Have they switched to a different one?

Proposed translations

+1
10 hrs
Selected

return to (strict adherence) to the confession

This would seem to fit the context of the dispute you have explained in your discussion.
Peer comment(s):
agree Johanna Timm, PhD
21 hrs
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, William, for this suggestion."
+3
1 hr

return to the faith

I also like Phil's suggestion - return to the fold or come back into the fold
Peer comment(s):
agree Elisabeth Kissel : ..and I also like Phil's suggestion
50 mins
agree Cilian O'Tuama : faith/fold were my thoughts too, is hard to say which is better.
1 hr
agree Ramey Rieger (X) : I think this needs a qualifier, such as "true"
10 hrs
Something went wrong...
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