Reading romans

[Moses Medina]

Hello all. I have a friend who is reformed. Back when I still didnt know what lutheran was I was going over the bible with him with a reformed bias. He "accepted" God and got baptized. Since then he has had ups and downs. Recently he has been struggling with finding motivation to read the bible. Im going to be reading a chapter a night and discussing it with him.

I really want him to come to my church but at the moment he doesnt want to. As I go through romans is there any free lcms material out there for this? Recommendations? I have the lutheran study bible too.

 

[Moses Medina]

My apologies, to further explain I must add that he initiated this. Im taking this as an opportunity to talk law and gospel properly, I ask for help though because I have no education on this nor theology. Im not ordained obviously as you all know.

 

[Tangible]

you could start here, Preface to Romans by Martin Luther

 

[DaRev]

Try this: http://www.osl.cc/believe/romhome.htm

There's a lot to it, but you may be able to glean some info useful to your task.

 

[Tallguy88]

A bit off topic, but I'm reading Romans for the first time.

Aside: Is the Lutheran Study Bible worth the price? I mean, $40 ain't chump change for me...

 

[Moses Medina]

Thank you tangibke and darev! Tallguy I personally feel its very worth it.

 

[Moses Medina]

Try this: http://www.osl.cc/believe/romhome.htm

There's a lot to it, but you may be able to glean some info useful to your task.

There is alot to it indeed! I'm sure this will be more then enough! Thank you!

 

[Monseigneur_Gentilhomme]

I would remember that Reformed isn't the same as American Evangelical. The Heidleberg Catechism's main emphasis is on the doctrine of Assurance.

 

[Moses Medina]

I would remember that Reformed isn't the same as American Evangelical. The Heidleberg Catechism's main emphasis is on the doctrine of Assurance.

Perhqps I have been using that term broadly. For that I apologize.

 

[LastWord]

Well, it looks as though your question was asked some time ago but just in case it is still relevant I will try to help.

He does not want to go to church. Why would he, what is there for him?

That is a question that must be answered. If he does not understand that we go to church to receive Christ's gifts, and by these gifts we have assurance of our election (strategic word), then why would he go?

Maybe start by explaining God's gifts in Word and Sacrament.

 

[Moses Medina]

Well, it looks as though your question was asked some time ago but just in case it is still relevant I will try to help.

He does not want to go to church. Why would he, what is there for him?

That is a question that must be answered. If he does not understand that we go to church to receive Christ's gifts, and by these gifts we have assurance of our election (strategic word), then why would he go?

Maybe start by explaining God's gifts in Word and Sacrament.

Thank you for your reply! This has actually been still in the works, of course I know that Gods doing all the work so I ask everyone here to pray for him.

I've invited him to catechism classes which my wife has also decided to go to and he was all for it.

I agree that I need to start sharing the means of grace with people, like the Eucharist, I don't want to overwhelm him however right now. I mean as stated before I helped shape his reformed theology and then all of a sudden I switch... I don't know, am I tiptoeing here, beating around the bush by with holding the sacraments right now?

 

[LastWord]

I would not say one has to introduce a comprehensive understanding of the sacrament right off the bat. What I wish to convey is simply that the Lutheran understanding of where God is to be found for you is most comforting because of its tangible and sure qualities.

In Reformed circles, it is faith that ascends to Christ when partaking of the elements of communion. But the biblical view understands that Christ is there in, with and under the elements by the Word of promise. The Lutheran need not ask if his faith is strong enough to receive Christ's body and blood for the sure and certain forgiveness of their sins. A Lutheran need not worry about their faith because their faith is nothing other than an open hand. It is God that must be faithful to give what He promised... God does all the doing that is needed. On the other hand, the Reformed's faith must reach up into the heavens and have no sure resting place but wonders to and fro like the raven that was sent out of the ark.

No need to share until your friend knows he needs assurance of being "one of the elect". This he cannot have as a Calvinist; He cannot look to the Cross; because the Calvinist reasons thusly, "though Christ died for sinners...He did not die for all... so He might not have died for me".

The Lutheran can answer the all important question, "Where can I find a gracious God?" God is where He has put Himself for you. In the waters of baptism, in the bread, in the cup, that is to say, in the very proclamation of the Gospel.

Well, I hope some of this helps to perhaps spark an idea of where and when to speak about the Sacraments, Justification, Law & Gospel...

Ask yourself, what were those things that got me realizing that Calvinism was wrong.

I was a Calvinist too. When my pastor started teaching on the sacraments I felt like he kept contradicting the scriptures and it got me digging into what Luther had to say. The Lutherans say amen when the word says "This is my body." because saying ANYTHING else is saying that it's something else. "This is _not_ my body."