Newly Lutheran

[JonSeeker]

Hello! In brief, I'm an older, same-gendered male in a relationship of 15 years, 11 of which are officially covenanted between the two of us, not a marriage. I grew up in the faith of Christ, my spiritual journey starting in conservative Baptist, going into fundamentalist/dispensationalist Baptist, through the Reformed, into the old London Particular Baptist variety, which in no way resembles Baptists of today. My sexual/love orientation being the driving force behind my studies of Scripture; trying to escape the inner conflict and find a church where I could fit. My first encounter with Lutherans was reading Martin Luther's "Bondage of the Will" and commentary on Galatians. Then I found my first relief in my conflict by reading a book on sexual ethics by a German theologian, Helmut Thielike, who pointed out the questionable and popular view of Sodom. This rather 'liberal' Lutheran theologian went so far as to speak highly of the 19th century Baptist preacher, Charles H. Spurgeon and republished one of his books. Most of my thoughts of Lutherans was the LCMS and of course I'd not be accepted there either, and then stepping from a Baptist style worship into a liturgical worship was a big step also. Theologically I am pretty much a 5-pointer, but the important matter to me is that God's salvation is 100% of grace, no merit from me. I do not think "free will" or my decision is what brought about my birth from above or regeneration. I am coming to view honestly John 3:5; Tit. 3:5; Eph. 5:26; Acts 2:38; 22:16 just as they stand without feeling a need to 'explain them away'. On eschatology I stand as an optimistic amil, believing I live in the 1000 years; but, I think on "the last day", there are far more standing by grace in Christ then will be on the Devil's side. I am really enjoying the quality music, dignity and reverence for God in the ELCA church I have joined here in Florida. I still need to study on the "law-gospel", or "law-grace" view of Lutherans and I need to keep learning the Christian calendar, liturgy, etc. To close, I came across the August 2009 "bound conscience" statement of the ELCA so this is what led me to this Lutheran church. I now have a church that holds to the historic doctrines of our faith of Christ; yet they have re-examined matters of such social disturbance in our day. So, I am fiscally and theologically conservative, but socially liberal. I'm looking forward to learning a lot about the Lutheran faith tradition within the overall body of Christ so I am very happy to be here.
Jon (I took this user name from the David and Jonathan story)

 

[AngCath]

Jon,

Welcome to the ELCA and to the ELCA sub-forum. I am very happy that you have found an ELCA congregation where you can worship God and grow in the faith.

I too am theologically conservative and socially liberal

Dunstan

 

[AngelusSax]

Happy to see you here! Blessings to you as you continue to grow in your faith journey in the ELCA.