Why Lutheranism?

[Riff]

.

 

[DaRev]

Luther affirmed faith alone justifies as opposed to faith and works. Scripture clearly teaches us that we are by our very nature sinful and in opposition to God. There is no way that we could ever work or cooperate toward our justification. Scripture clearly denies this. We have faith given to us by the grace of God. It is by His grace alone, through faith alone, that we are justified, made right with God.

Roman Catholicism wrongly teaches a synergistic justification, requiring our cooperation. The mistake that they make is the confusing of justification and sactification. Our justification is wholly the work of God. Our sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit where we cooperate with Him by the works (fruit) of faith, and only comes after the fact.

 

[Bryne]

I am not Catholic because I cannot in good faith embrace all their doctrines, so I could not, in good conscience, become Catholic.

I am not Orthodox for similar reasons...plus some cultural concerns.

I became Lutheran because of their view on the Lord's Supper.

 

[Riff]

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[DaRev]

Catholics affirm that man can not work for salvation. However, they also affirm that we have a duty as Christians to love God and our neighbors (which Christ commanded) and that we are created for good works. Paul affirms this many times in his epistles (Ephesians 2:10). Also, have you ever noticed that ALL (a bold statement), yes ALL, Scriptures referring to the final judgment speak of God the Son judging on the basis of our works. He will not ask if we have faith, He will judge us on our works.

Psalm 51:5; Psalm 53:1-3; Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; and good portions of Romans 7 and 8 all teach us that our "works" completely fall short of God's will, and that they do nothing but condemn us.
As St. Paul teaches us in Romans, the good that we do is the result of Christ within us. Thus the "good works" are not done to merit justification or salvation, but are done in response or reaction to our having already been justified by grace through faith on account of the work and merit of Christ alone.

Also, do you not realize that the words "faith alone" appear once together and it clearly states "not by faith alone". Don't know why it's twisted so out of proportion to support your beliefs...

Do you realize that the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible? I guess according to your logic, the Trinity must not exist if the word doesn't appear.

You need to read the Bible to learn what it teaches. Don't just look for single words to support your theories. The Scripture as a whole clearly supports salvation by grace alone through faith alone on account of the works and merits of Christ alone.

 

[Riff]

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[alexnbethmom]

Rev's not being snarky - he's pointing out the truth.

 

[DaRev]

Anyone else (I'm particularly looking for someone who does not have a snarchy attitude)?

You don't call this remark "snarky"?

Also, do you not realize that the words "faith alone" appear once together and it clearly states "not by faith alone". Don't know why it's twisted so out of proportion to support your beliefs...

 

[QuiltAngel]

There probably aren't any others jumping in here as DaRev has explained it well and we here agree.

I have not been a lifelong Lutheran and the thing that "is keeping me here" is that I believe what the Bible says and I believe that what the Lutheran church teaches is what the Bible teaches.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Anyone else (I'm particularly looking for someone who does not have a snarchy attitude)?

I suppose if you want a bunch of "yes-men" answering you could go pose this question in OBOB.

Otherwise, you'll just have to be content getting the truth here.

 

[WildStrawberry]

I'm a lifelong (LCMS) Lutheran and I remain so because I believe as Quilty does, I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and that what the Lutheran Church teaches comes directly from Scripture.

As for "Faith Alone"... If we can in ANY part "save ourselves" through works, then Christ's sacrifice was for naught. Same as the Roman church teaches about Mary being a co-redemptrix (Pope John Paul II taught this) and being without sin...if that were true then Jesus would have had no reason to come be sin FOR us.

Our works and even our faith come DIRECTLY from God, specifically the Holy Spirit. We don't accept God by ourselves, indeed we CAN NOT accept Him,in fact if it were left up to us we would only turn Him away. But thanks be to God that He calls us and redeems us by faith through the Word and Sacrament!!

 

[filosofer]

I have studied a little bit (and visiting churches), and always remaining within the Lutheran confession of the Christian faith. Nothing else comes as close to Scripture.

 

[jonathan1971]

I'm lutheran because the ELS church in town was the only one that would stick to it's confession. I was told basically that "we follow the book of concord and are not willing to change." Coming from a reformed calvinstic background it was quite refreshing to hear this.

After being forced to partake of the Lords Supper with heretics, such as federal visionist, theonomist, and hyper-patriarchs, I also appreciated how they fenced off the Lords table from unbelievers.

As far as Lutheranism versus catholism(sp) I believe in faith alone, Christ alone, and scripture alone. Scipture supports my position whether the pope in rome says so or not.

Rev isn't being snarky he's presenting the gospel to you. You should thank him for it.

 

[porterross]

For me, Confessional Lutheranism cuts through all the unnecessary fluff and gets right to the heart of Scripture. It makes the most logical sense, unencumbered with man-made interference between us and Christ, as He said it should be.

 

[alexnbethmom]

As far as Lutheranism versus catholism(sp) I believe in faith alone, Christ alone, and scripture alone. Scipture supports my position whether the pope in rome says so or not.

that's it, in a nutshell....

Rev isn't being snarky he's presenting the gospel to you. You should thank him for it.

exactly.

 

[seajoy]

Anyone else (I'm particularly looking for someone who does not have a snarchy attitude)?

Sounds like you are looking for someone who agrees with you. You aren't going to find that in this neck of the woods.

 

[LilLamb219]

Catholics affirm that man can not work for salvation. However, they also affirm that we have a duty as Christians to love God and our neighbors (which Christ commanded) and that we are created for good works. Paul affirms this many times in his epistles (Ephesians 2:10). Also, have you ever noticed that ALL (a bold statement), yes ALL, Scriptures referring to the final judgment speak of God the Son judging on the basis of our works. He will not ask if we have faith, He will judge us on our works.

Also, do you not realize that the words "faith alone" appear once together and it clearly states "not by faith alone". Don't know why it's twisted so out of proportion to support your beliefs...

The Holy Spirit works in us Christians so that we do good works. Because we have faith, we are not lacking. When someone is looking at his "works" and wondering if they're good enough, he is not looking to Christ. I don't have to sit and worry if I'm doing enough. I worry about my neighbors out of love and want to do things for them, but I'm not wondering if they're (the works) good enough for God. Because actually, on my own they never will be. But because I'm a baptized child of God, I will do good works and when God looks at me, He sees His Son, with whom He is well pleased.

 

[Studeclunker]

I have to agree with everything Reverand has posted. Hence, I haven't posted till now. I've been the whole gamut of religions looking for a Church home when I was a young adult. The Lutheran Church teaches directly out of the Bible. They doesn't do any gymnastics with Scripture to support any one doctrine or theology. In the modern world, that's a nice firm anchor to hold on to.

Riff, your religious affiliation shows Lutheran... yet you are strongly arguing the Roman Catholic viewpoint. What's going on? Are you dis-illusioned with the Lutheran Church? Are you looking for an excuse to go back to the bondage of the RC's works system?

 

[Riff]

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[Tangible]

You seem to be assuming that only one church can have a "true Eucharist". On what do you base that assumption?