This discussion addresses the need to develop and embrace an evangelical theology of liturgical confession of sin consistent with driving convictions and characteristics of evangelicalism. Melanie Ross, drawing from David Bebbington, offers the following hallmarks of evangelicalism: a group of self-identified Protestants who hold a high view of biblical authority and possess a cross-centered theology affirming the substitutionary theory of atonement. Evangelicals uphold salvation by grace through faith, exhibit a free-church ecclesiology, and stress the importance of individual conversion, evangelism, and devotion. Evangelical worship, mostly though not always, exhibits qualities of liturgical freedom that is ideally regulated by Scripture.
According to the forementioned description, liturgical confession within an evangelical framework should exhibit the following qualities. First, confession should closely adhere to Scripture and replicate the character and content of biblical examples of confession. Second, confession should enact faith in Christ as the substitutionary atonement for the sins of the world. Third, confession should encourage renewed devotion to God in response to his saving grace revealed in the gospel. Fourth, liturgical confession, while corporate by nature, should be an authentic expression of personal faith. Lastly, confession need not conform to only one predetermined mode of application but instead can be implemented in a variety of means, expressions, and placements within a liturgy.
In efforts to construct an evangelical theology of liturgical confession, this discussion will incase and coalesce arguments of select theologians in evangelical scholarship. In doing so, I will propose a fourfold ethos of liturgical confession providing the thesis of this paper which is as follows: liturgical confession (1) is a theocentric act of worship, (2) enables rehearsal of the gospel, (3) renews assurance of communion with God, and (4) nourishes Christ-centered community.