Why makes/keeps you Lutheran?

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Yep. However, I managed to get used to it after a while. I found that it's all about what you are reading. An e-Bible is hopeless for me. But a book that you can read start to finish is ok for me now. I read Gene Veith's Spirituality of the Cross on Kindle in two sittings. It was easy.

Good book BTW.

 

[WirSindBettler]

Okay....It's called "Book of Family Prayer" by Nils Jakob Laache. It was originally intended to be used by Norwegian immigrant families that settled in the US around 1880's. Until the synod had an opportunity to send missionaries over to establish a church.

The book follows the church year with a daily bible reading, short lesson, prayer, and closes with a suggested hymn. Additional readings are included for special holy days.

I purchased by copy for $18 but I think the price and since gone up to $20.

Like I said I'm pretty sure you can get it from Bethany Lutheran but if they can't help call the denomination and ask them. I couldn't find a link to any official publishing house on the main denom. website.

If you are still on the fence I can try to scan a lesson so you can see what it's like.

Amazing book by the way. Though I'm LCMS, I use it for my daily devotions. Laache can take some of the paining thoughts of the inclination to sin, and relate them concisely and beautifully to the Theology of the Cross. I also know that at one time the book was as commonly owned as the Bible among Norwegian-American immigrants, and was happy to see that the ELS retranslated it, as the previous Strømme translation was hard to follow and archaic at times.

 

[OhioJB]

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

My parents went to a Lutheran Church, LCMS. I was baptized in the LCMS but then my church switched to a different Lutheran denomination during my youth, not even sure which but believe it had American in the name, which then was one of the denominations that formed the ELCA in I believe 1987 when I was stationed overseas in the military. I was confirmed around 1978 or 1979, so during the period it was a member of the second denomination described above. Back in those days as a kid I didn't know the differences and never heard them talked about, just knew I was Lutheran.

After my confirmation I didn't go to church much, and not at all after joining the military and after getting out. However, my parents having taken me to church and having me go through catechism and being confirmed, gave me the good Christian moral foundation I needed as I went through life. Sure, I made my mistakes, but I also treated people well as I'd want to be treated, and always knew the difference between right and wrong, so new what my transgressions were. In times of weakness and mistake making, I knew I had to change or avoid certain things in my life, and I did.

Also, having gone to church made me want to read the Bible. I started it several times but seemed to always read the same books before stopping for a couple or a few years. My faith itself never wavered, but my commitment to learning about it was very poor. Catechism can only teach so much, you really have to put in the effort to learn the Bible and understand it.

Now, moving on into my mid-40's I finally decided to get serious bout reading the Bible, and even deciding if I was even Lutheran or if I should consider another religion. I did some research and decided that at least for the time being, until I read the Bible and considered different Christian denominations' stances on issues, that Lutheranism was still the church that seemed right for me, but more in line with the LCMS, WELS, or maybe one of the smaller denominations. The ELCA was not for me so I could no longer consider the church I went to growing up as mine any longer, which was disappointing even though I wasn't attending during my adult life.

I have a lot of fond memories of my childhood church, especially the absolutely beautiful Christmas eve services we had back in the 70's and early 80's. I didn't realize how incredible it was until I watched Christmas eve services at other churches online. It didn't even compare. Our church was packed to the gills; we had multiple choirs broken up into age groups that sang; the congregation sang as well of course, including a German Christmas song or two; the congregation held candles at a certain point; a large Christmas tree sat in front of the pews; and of course there was the sermon itself. It was a fairly large church which added to the spiritual energy in the place. It was special.

After deciding I was probably more in line with WELS or the LCMS, I decided to buy a good study Bible. I purchased the large print version from Concordia Publishing, the LCMS printing house. I've finished the New Testament, the five books of Moses in the OT, and recently started reading the books of history, poetry and wisdom, and books of prophets concurrently. It'll take quite awhile to finish the OT, but I'm committed to doing so. So far I haven't read anything that makes me believe I'd be anything other than Lutheran.

Only thing else I could possibly see myself considering is the Eastern Orthodox church, but doubt I'd make that change at this point anyway.

In my case I'm not sure it matters much what I call myself, as long as I'm a Christian and acting like one, reading the Bible, praying, sometimes watching services online, etc. I have very serious allergies and allergy-induced asthma which makes communicating with people difficult, and it makes them uncomfortable to be around me. So I tend to stay away from those situations. I personally consider Saturday the day of worship, and every Saturday, or nearly every Saturday morning, I read the Bible, then pray as I drink a small glass of wine and eat unleavened bread I make for myself. When I pray I face tapestry I bought on Concordia Publishing House's website about three years ago showing Jesus standing with a flock of sheep around him. That may sound odd to some people, and some may not consider it Holy Communion, but it gives me great spiritual comfort, and somehow I believe Jesus is pleased with it. Yesterday when I was praying I felt a very strong spiritual presence as if Jesus was there with me. In a different situation, no allergies, etc., I'd be going to church to worship, but for my present circumstances being what they are, this seems to be working out well. I used to watch services online then have the wine and unleavened bread when they did, but it seemed too mechanical since I wasn't right there, and I didn't feel as spiritual about it. What I'm doing now feels right to me, but I'm sure many pastors would disagree with me, particularly giving myself bread and wine for Holy Communion.

Now, while I consider myself more in line with the LCMS or WELS, they would not consider me one of them since I went through catechism at another Lutheran denomination, despite being baptized LCMS. I'd have to go through a process to be a member of their church. Which I fully understand.

But I do believe I'm a Lutheran in my beliefs, so my parents picked the right Christian denomination for me. I love the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, but there are issues I couldn't get past if I tried with all my might. I know some consider the Pope the anti-Christ, I personally find that absurd and offensive, although I do find all the adulation bestowed upon him out of line and uncomfortable in a spiritual sense. And I do wish the leaders of Lutheran Church denominations were more in touch with members in terms of thoughts on social and spiritual issues, rather than just receiving requests to donate to the church in my email box or by phone. It leaves a bad impression. kfuo radio helps but I'd like to see more from top leadership of the LCMS in terms of communicating. I single out LCMS because I've focused mainly on them as my potential future denomination if I ever start actually attending a local church.

That's a long winded way of saying my family took me to Lutheran church as a kid, despite straying away from religion as most young people do, now that I'm reading/studying the Bible, I'm pretty sure it's still the religion for me.

 

[GracetotheHumble]

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

1. I am Lutheran because I believe it is true.

2. LCMS

3. I tried all sorts of Churches before finally settling on Lutheranism....LDS, Catholic, Pentecostal, Calvary Chapel.

4. I converted to Lutheranism because our religion focuses on the simple truth that is found in Jesus Christ.

 

[Tigger45]

1. Law & gospel
2. Theology of the cross
3. Two kingdom theology
4. Lutheran predestination
5. The embracing of biblical paradoxes
6. Liturgy
7. Sacramental
8. Adiaphora