Questions from a newb

[HalupkiMonster]

Hello!

I have a couple of questions.

I find that Lutheran theology, at least what I know of it so far, makes the most sense to me. I especially love what Martin Luther has to say about the scripture, and the various Lutheran commentaries I've referenced in Bible study seem to be perfect. Is the Lutheran Study Bible something worth buying for the notes?

For nearly 10 years, I've been on a search for the right Church for myself. I was baptized Presbyterian (PCUSA) as an infant, but grew up in a non religious family. At the age of 14, I joined the Eastern Orthodox Church (confirmed.) I had several large issues with Eastern Orthodoxy. For silly reasons that I regret now (mostly an effort to fit in with my friends,) I joined the Roman Catholic Church freshman year of college. I saw them as more liberal than the Orthodoxy I'd known for so long. After two months, I left. Not only did they have the same issues I saw within Eastern Orthodoxy, but even more (purgatory, indulgences, etc.) Plus there was some blatant hypocrisy in the people around me that I couldn't deal with (which I'm sure I could find anywhere, and letting it effect me was my own weakness.)

Without a formal Church home, I attend a very liberal Episcopal Church. I enjoy the freedom I have in such an open minded tradition. I never thought I'd say it, but I'm really loving the reading I'm doing about the reformers of our faith (though part of me is still afraid that Eastern Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism is/are the one and only way.)

What I want to know is, do Lutherans profess that they are the only way to Christ, the only people possessing the full truth of the good news?

Would someone in my circumstances be permitted to receive Holy Communion in a Lutheran (LCMS) Church?

I am a gay man, but I am celibate because of my religious convictions. I am not open about my sexual orientation. Would I be welcome in the LCMS? Do they have the understanding that possessing the predisposition to homosexuality is not sinful, only the sinful act is?

After worshipping and being culturally immersed in Eastern Christianity for such a large portion of my life, Western Christianity seems exotic, and like there are so many things for me to discover. I am theologically conservative, but have a few ideas that go against a lot of what is professed in the RCC and EOC. Imagine my happiness when I started reading the works of Luther!!!

When I was little I went to a Lutheran elementary school that was attached to a parish. I was in the Christmas story play and everything. I'm going to go there for Church once in a while, I think, while still attending the Episcopal Church until I am comfortable (the Episcopalians are just so darn nice.)

Growing up, both of my grandmothers (one a German Lutheran and one a Polish Catholic) taught me about Jesus and how to love Him. I'm just having the hardest time finding the right Church, and joining, blending and then leaving a congregation is a difficult process. The Lutheran Church sounds like it might be just what I am looking for.

Thank you for answering my questions!

 

[35JesusWept]

"I find that Lutheran theology, at least what I know of it so far, makes the most sense to me."

• That's often the case. Confessional Lutheranism always tends to make the most sense because it's, well, biblical. I've recently returned to Lutheranism (LCMS) after a long hiatus. Like you, I was on the search for a true church of sorts; sometimes a man meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it!

"Is the Lutheran Study Bible something worth buying for the notes?"

• The ESV LSB is very good. The notes are extensive and sound. My one and only issue with it is, the ESV text is outdated.

"I saw them as more liberal than the Orthodoxy I'd known for so long."

• You don't want to choose a church based on its liberalism. You won't find the LCMS to be liberal at all, unless of course you come across the rare whacko congregation.

"What I want to know is, do Lutherans profess that they are the only way to Christ, the only people possessing the full truth of the good news?"

• Good question, and one that's difficult to answer. We don't teach that we are the one true church as you will find in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, but obviously we believe that we're "right" and scripturally sound. We would prefer that everyone worship and teach as we do, but we don't make the claims that the RCC makes.

"Would someone in my circumstances be permitted to receive Holy Communion in a Lutheran (LCMS) Church?"

• Absolutely; if you're a member of the LCMS. We practice closed or "close" communion. You need to be a member of the synod. In some cases, if you're going through classes, speaking to your pastor regularly, are working towards joining the church, and have spoken with your pastor about Holy Communion, and are fully aware of what it is and why you're taking it, he may permit you to receive before you've officially joined. No pastor wants to keep someone away from the Lord's Supper if they can help it.

"I am a gay man, but I am celibate because of my religious convictions. I am not open about my sexual orientation. Would I be welcome in the LCMS? Do they have the understanding that possessing the predisposition to homosexuality is not sinful, only the sinful act is?"

• You would be more than welcome. Homosexuality only becomes an issue once you begin to practice the lifestyle. You've been given a cross to bare and it sounds like you're doing a great job.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Good answer 35.

Regarding:

"What I want to know is, do Lutherans profess that they are the only way to Christ, the only people possessing the full truth of the good news?"

I would like to add that while we are faithfully confident and steadfast in our theology, and believe that we have everything right as far as is humanly possible; when we confess in the creeds the Holy Christian (catholic) Church, the communion of saints; we are speaking of all faithful believers in Christ, not just confessional Lutherans. By all believers we mean those now living and those who have gone before and are now with our Lord, as well as all the company of heaven. (This is why our Churches worship liturgically, as we are following the example revealed to us in heavenly worship in the Revelation.)

Likewise we hold that there are two Churches, one visible and one invisible. The visible one is the one we see. It consists of buildings and organizations and lots of people and is made up of both believers and non believers. The invisible Church, is the one made up only of believers as I defined above.