Why makes/keeps you Lutheran?

I'm taking stock of my beliefs and studying just about every Christian faith group in existence. (Yes, I am tired. LOL)

I would like to know a few things:

1) Why are you Lutheran (vs. Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox)?

2) What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

3) If you converted to Lutheranism, what faith(s) did you follow previously?

4) And what convinced you to convert?

I appreciate your time/patience with my questions.


Thank you,

SS

I assume that you are replying to someone. but as you have so few replies I will presume
to put myself forward. My name is Ian, this letter was also originally intended for someone else. Christianity is my only real interest is , mainly from the aspect of “what has happened” After Matthew related “The parable of the leaven” (Matt 13:33) Matthew went on to quote
Matt 13:35 ... I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
If you want to discuss this, I would be happy to tell you some of what I know.
Ian

Ok, I'll try to help this along:

1) I was raised a Lutheran and confirmed the in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I did not remain a Lutheran much past my confirmation and spent about 10ish years as an Anglican. What brought me back to Lutheranism is the doctrine captured in the Augsburg Confession. I actually have to say that it is the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (also by Philip Melanchthon) that is my favorite document of the Lutheran symbolical writings.

2) I am in the ELCA. I don't actually have strong feelings about the internal disagreements of the different Lutheran denominations and actually disagree with the overall direction the ELCA has taken. The particular congregation matters more to me and I was already personally acquainted with the pastor of what is now my home congregation. Speaking of the different Lutheran churches, I quite like the "responsible communion" approach of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) and think that the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) has the best hymnal/worship book (this is typically a single volume in Lutheranism).

3) My denominational history so far has been LCMS -> Episcopal Church -> ELCA.

4) Philip Melanchthon's early confessional writings are pretty awesome. His later stuff strays from Lutheran Orthodoxy, but he's still a bad ass.

I have difficulty in navigating in this site I have never found a message that had been sent to me I tried to give you an address but the site would not let me, maybe you have skype if so I am oggleboggle1 call me if you like
Ian

1) Why are you Lutheran (vs. Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox)?

The reasons have changed over the years. In the beginning I was Lutheran to avoid displeasing my parents. Then I stayed Lutheran because my best friends were Lutheran. Now I've fully embraced it, basically because every time I raise a question, I eventually come full circle to agreeing with the Lutheran answer.

2) What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

Confessionalism. The LCMS.

3) If you converted to Lutheranism, what faith(s) did you follow previously?

4) And what convinced you to convert?

I was baptized in a United Methodist church. I can't say I ever really followed it though. My older sister completely rejected Methodism, which shook my father into some searching of his own. He had been raised in a Disciples of Christ Church, but my mother (a Lutheran) refused to attend, so the Methodist church we attended was a compromise.

Anyway, my sister heavily influenced me ... but then I went even farther. I had basically reached the point of agnosticism (Yes, even at a very young age. Don't dismiss the idea that very young people can have very deep questions.) Even though I was confirmed a Lutheran, I had no intention of staying.

So, a chain of events convinced me to stay. As I said, my sister's path shook my father, so we went on a journey as a family. The family returned to my mother's Lutheran roots. The whole family is now confessional Lutheran. My older sister is a devoted organist of an LCMS church in Iowa. My younger sister is an LCMS pastor's wife.

As for me, it was the campus pastors at Iowa State University who started to turn me around. Through patient counseling that didn't judge all my questions, I got to the point where I decided there was no point in leaving the LCMS. That may sound odd, but it was an important step. I became convinced that there was no "perfect" answer - no perfect church. No matter where I went something was going to displease me.

Further, I wasn't capable of discovering things on my own. I needed a community of believers. So, why not the LCMS?

From there I went on a long journey of gaining a solid philosophical, theological, historical, and scientific background ... at least as much as a layman can. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it was a good thing for me.

Once I had done that, I read the Book of Concord. In summary, my response to reading that after reading tons of other thinkers was, "Wow! Cool!"

Dunstan said:

1) What brought me back to Lutheranism is the doctrine captured in the Augsburg Confession.... It is the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (also by Philip Melanchthon) that is my favorite document of the Lutheran symbolical writings.

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I am unfamiliar with the Augsburg Confession but certainly will do my research.

2) I don't actually have strong feelings about the internal disagreements of the different Lutheran denominations and actually disagree with the overall direction the ELCA has taken.

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If I may ask, what direction has the ELCA taken and with which you disagree?

Speaking of the different Lutheran churches, I quite like the "responsible communion" approach of the American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC) and think that the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) has the best hymnal/worship book (this is typically a single volume in Lutheranism).

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Gotta ask: How does the AALC define the "responsible Communion?"

3) My denominational history so far has been LCMS -> Episcopal Church -> ELCA.

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I think going from the Episcopal Church (EC) to ELCA--or vice-versa--would make sense for a number of people, as it doesn't seem like a huge leap. (ELCA practices open Communion, correct? That practice, along with its more liberal views, make the EC and ELCA more alike than not.)

For you, what are the most glaring differences between the EC and ELCA?

Resha Caner said:

...Now I've fully embraced it, basically because every time I raise a question, I eventually come full circle to agreeing with the Lutheran answer.

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That seems like a great--and valid--reason to remain Lutheran.

2) What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

Confessionalism. The LCMS.

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Admittedly, I know next to nothing about LCMS. Back to Google I go!

I was baptized in a United Methodist church. I can't say I ever really followed it though. My older sister completely rejected Methodism, which shook my father into some searching of his own. He had been raised in a Disciples of Christ Church, but my mother (a Lutheran) refused to attend, so the Methodist church we attended was a compromise.

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What did/does your mom object to about the DoC? Did it have more to do with its theology or its inclusion (or exclusion) of something during a typical Sunday service?

What, in your opinion, makes the UMC a "compromise" between DoC and Lutheranism? (I've only attended one UMC service--performed prior to a wedding--and never a Lutheran or DoC service.)

I became convinced that there was no "perfect" answer - no perfect church. No matter where I went something was going to displease me.

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That's my present-day hang-up: trying to find the "perfect" church body for me; as you've pointed out, one likely doesn't exist for just about anyone. (No wonder I feel stuck and frustrated. Heh...)

From there I went on a long journey of gaining a solid philosophical, theological, historical, and scientific background ... at least as much as a layman can. I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it was a good thing for me.

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That decision makes very good sense to me.

Soma Seer said:

I'm taking stock of my beliefs and studying just about every Christian faith group in existence. (Yes, I am tired. LOL)

I would like to know a few things:

1) Why are you Lutheran (vs. Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox)?

2) What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

3) If you converted to Lutheranism, what faith(s) did you follow previously?

4) And what convinced you to convert?

I appreciate your time/patience with my questions.


Thank you,

SS

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1. I decide to stay Lutheran because I find the Law Gospel distinction totally compelling, and I believe in the Solas of the Reformation, and I wish to be fed by the body and blood of Christ in the blessed sacrament.

2. My family and I are members of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS).

3. I have attended many different christian churches. But in general I was nondenominational evangelical protestant, then I converted to Roman Catholic, and then I became Lutheran.

4. I converted because my dying and moribund Catholic faith had become a source of pain in my life, then a Lutheran pastor told me the gospel and the grace of God.

1. I left other churches before starting to attend a Lutheran one. I went to my current Lutheran church because of their willingness to be what they say they are namely confessional. It was nice to finally find a church that was eager to stand by their confession and not pick and chose parts of one to follow or make it up as they went along.

2. I attend a small ELS (evangelical Lutheran synod) church close to where I live. You can find out more about them at their website:

Evangelical Lutheran Synod | Engaging you with Jesus

3. My last church, before Lutheranism, was a Presbyterian church of the Calvinist persuasion. I probably would still be there now if they hadn't made so many concessions to particular Baptists or federal visionists.

4. What got me in the door was their confession and a desire to stick with it. What convinced me to convert was the assurance they placed in the sacraments and hearing the gospel preached every Sunday.

Most, if not all, reformed churches treat the sacraments as ordinances, law. They place nothing in them except what they bring to them. It's really just an opportunity to proclaim their faith and not accept them, the sacraments, as a gift from God, Gospel.

Also, it's nice to hear the gospel on Sundays versus a book report on the latest and greatest must read. Which is really nothing more than monkery. That or listening to an hour lecture on the current "how to" topic of the month. More monkery.

Soma Seer said:

Admittedly, I know next to nothing about LCMS. Back to Google I go!

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One thing that is hard for most to get over is that Lutheranism is not an intellectual exercise. That doesn't mean reason is thrown out, but it's not the starting point. In Lutheranism one starts with Baptism. God reaches out to us, reveals himself to us. We can't build a tower of Babel to reach Him.

Soma Seer said:

What did/does your mom object to about the DoC? Did it have more to do with its theology or its inclusion (or exclusion) of something during a typical Sunday service?

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That's difficult to answer. Maybe the simplest way to say it is that my mother trusts her Lutheran upbringing and doesn't see the point in trying to intellectualize everything the way my father does. My father is very intelligent, and I love and respect him a lot. But sometimes one can be too smart for one's own good.

At the same time, she honored the "obey" part of marriage. My father made the decisions for our family. They discussed things, but he had the final say. I find it a beautiful thing that through patience and a loving attitude she allowed him to discover for himself what the Lutheran church had to offer.

So, there is no argument to offer. It's just the way it happened.

Soma Seer said:

What, in your opinion, makes the UMC a "compromise" between DoC and Lutheranism? (I've only attended one UMC service--performed prior to a wedding--and never a Lutheran or DoC service.)

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It's really not. It was just a way to make peace.

Soma Seer said:

That's my present-day hang-up: trying to find the "perfect" church body for me; as you've pointed out, one likely doesn't exist for just about anyone. (No wonder I feel stuck and frustrated. Heh...)

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I don't want to offend you, but maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe you shouldn't look for what you want, but go where God wants you to be - whether it's comfortable at first or not.

At times I was very uncomfortable in the Lutheran church.

Resha Caner said:

I don't want to offend you, but maybe that's part of the problem. Maybe you shouldn't look for what you want, but go where God wants you to be--whether it's comfortable at first or not.

At times I was very uncomfortable in the Lutheran church.

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No offense taken at all.

Ironically, another forum member told me the same thing: I shouldn't look for a church that conforms to my beliefs but should join the Church--in his case/opinion, the EO faith--and allow it to conform me. I do understand what you're both saying, though, and am taking it both to heart and mind.

Soma Seer said:

No offense taken at all.

Ironically, another forum member told me the same thing: I shouldn't look for a church that conforms to my beliefs but should join the Church--in his case/opinion, the EO faith--and allow it to conform me. I do understand what you're both saying, though, and am taking it both to heart and mind.

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All in all the EO isn't bad. If I weren't able to get to a Confessional Lutheran church to worship, I would consider the EO. That may sound like a backhanded compliment, but the EO and Lutherans aren't really that far apart. There are some important differences, but per the attitude I mentioned earlier (no denomination is perfect), it's workable.

In contrast, I wouldn't attend an ELCA church even though they put a "Lutheran" label on the door.

Soma Seer said:

1) Why are you Lutheran (vs. Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox)?

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I was baptized as a Christian in 1949 at an LCMS church. Stayed there until college, began dating an LCMS girl, and worshipped with her family. Married in 1971 at LCMS; still married.

2)

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What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

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I was LCMS for 56 years and have been TAALC for 9 years. Did not find any doctrinal differences, but some in practice.

3) If you converted to Lutheranism, what faith(s) did you follow previously?

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Not applicable.

4) And what convinced you to convert?

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No applicable. But whenever (often between 1977-2003) someone wanted to offer something different, all I had to do was study the Bible and the Lutheran confession of the Christian faith was on target.

Since I am a pastor, I have been preaching and teaching for 32 years, and never have wavered from the Lutheran Confession. Since there was a question about TAALC, and responsibile communion, I should point out that the position was a temporary statement as we continued to study. Unfortunately that study was put on hold. I am Seminary president, and so am on the CDCR to examine all doctrinal statements. We are in the process of reviewing it. But it is a faithful rendering of 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.

1. The congregation has the responsibility to tell people what we believe regarding the Lord's Supper.

2. The person receiving the Lord's Supper has the responsibility to examine Scriptures to see whether the person agrees with that statement.

3. The pastor has the responsibility for administering the Lord's Supper in his congregation.

Again, this was a temporary statement, but has served well.

Resha Caner said:

In contrast, I wouldn't attend an ELCA church even though they put a "Lutheran" label on the door.

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If I may ask, what are all the reasons why you would not attend an ELCA church? (I could make guesstimations but would prefer to hear the facts from you. )


Thank you,

SS

Soma Seer said:

If I may ask, what are all the reasons why you would not attend an ELCA church? (I could make guesstimations but would prefer to hear the facts from you. )


Thank you,

SS

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Since this is an open forum and we would rather not argue with our brothers; start a thread here and we can discuss this openly: LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC

Soma Seer said:

If I may ask, what are all the reasons why you would not attend an ELCA church? (I could make guesstimations but would prefer to hear the facts from you.)

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As Mark suggested, that's a question better answered in the LCMS forum.

MarkRohfrietsch said:

Since this is an open forum and we would rather not argue with our brothers; start a thread here and we can discuss this openly:

LCMS/WELS/ELS/LCC.

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Oops... I didn't realize answering that question here might cause issues; I'll pose the question in the other forum.

Soma Seer said:

I'm taking stock of my beliefs and studying just about every Christian faith group in existence. (Yes, I am tired. LOL)

I would like to know a few things:

1) Why are you Lutheran (vs. Catholic/Protestant/Orthodox)?

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At the end of the day, the Gospel. Or perhaps more specifically the doctrine of Justification.

2)

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What branch of Lutheranism do you follow?

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I attend an ELCA church.

3)

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If you converted to Lutheranism, what faith(s) did you follow previously?

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I was raised Evangelical/Pentecostal. My first eight years was at a non-denominational Evangelical/Fundamentalist church. After my family was kicked out we started attending a Four Square church, a Pentecostal denomination.

4)

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And what convinced you to convert?

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Because in Lutheranism I felt like I was finally hearing the Gospel as for the first time, without gimmicks or needless dressing. Pure, unfiltered Gospel.

I appreciate your time/patience with my questions.


Thank you,

SS

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-CryptoLutheran

ViaCrucis said:

...In Lutheranism I felt like I was finally hearing the Gospel as for the first time, without gimmicks or needless dressing. Pure, unfiltered Gospel.

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Could you explain what gimmicks or needless dressing was added to the the Evangelical and Pentecostal services that you'd attended? (I never have been to a service of either group and, so, am very curious.)


Thank you!

SS

I asked this question this to a Methodist minister, with no satisfactory answer
In Gen 1:1 a world was created
Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth...
This is my question, Where is That world now?