Why Not Catholic?

[ricg]

I think my reasons are similar to those of Cal. Josh. The essential difference is that the Lutheran Church is Christ-referential. While it does not see itself as such, the institutional pillars of the RC Church are self-referential. This plays out in hundreds of ways, but as pointed above, the most important is in the doctrine of justification.

But we've had an example on this very thread, where our RC poster posed the question of how one determines the canon of Scripture. His implied answer: check with the appropriate institutional RC church authority. Follow that reasoning to its logical conclusion: the church (meaning appropriate RC authority -- ultimately the pope) determines what is Scripture, i.e., God's Word, and therefore has the exclusive right interpret God's Word in a manner binding on all. Thus, the pope is the master of God's Word, rather than God's Word being master of the pope.

The Lutheran Confessions do not define the canon of Scripture. Scripture is authoritative because it is God's Word, not because of any action by a church figure or institution.

 

[QuiltAngel]

Well, I must say that it's been interesting to see some of the ideas the Protestant community has of the Roman Catholic Church. And, for the record, my money says that most people would call Lutherans Protestants simply in so much as Luther himself was a protester against the Catholic Church. I would imagine that's why many Lutherans celebrate the day the Protestant Reformation began as if it were a holiday.

I want to clarify something here. Yes, the Roman Catholic Church and most of Protestants call us Lutherans protestant. Luther was not a protester but a reformer. His purpose was to reform the Catholic Church, not to protest it or break away from it.

Another thing is, the reformation began when Luther nailed the 95 thesis (the points he wanted to discuss) to the church door at Wittenberg on October 31, 1517, so it makes perfect sense that we recognize it. How the word protestant was attached to the movement, I am not sure.

 

[filosofer]

Just a historical note: in the 16th century, the Latin word protesto carried the connotation of "to declare in public, affirm, bear witness," not the contemporary connotation "protest".

 

[QuiltAngel]

Just a historical note: in the 16th century, the Latin word protesto carried the connotation of "to declare in public, affirm, bear witness," not the contemporary connotation "protest".

That really does change the meaning of things, doesn't it? In this day and age though, we sure don't look at it that way.

 

[Giantsbran1227]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to be joining the lutheran church. I am considering becoming a minister and was wondering what the process would be in becoming a lutheran minister. Also can they marry?

 

[filosofer]

Great. For Lutherans, it requires four years of college, then four years of seminary. If you are planning on college, it might be helpful to get a degree in languages (Greek, Latin), and pick up Hebrew along the way. I recommend getting a degree in history, with a language minor; both will serve you well in the ministry. If you don't take Greek or Hebrew in college, it will be required before you can take any exegetical classes at the seminary, neither class will count toward graduation credits at the seminary.

And in the meantime, read, read, read... the Bible, the Lutheran Confessions, and theological books.

 

[DaRev]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to be joining the lutheran church. I am considering becoming a minister and was wondering what the process would be in becoming a lutheran minister. Also can they marry?

As Filo said, it requires 4 years of post-graduate study. While being able to study both Greek and Hebrew prior to entering seminary is most helpful, it isn't absolutely necessary. Both of the languages are taught at the seminaries at a pre-sem level. When I entered seminary I had some classical Greek study, but I took the pre-sem level Greek and Hebrew courses during my first year at sem and was still on track for the four year MDiv degree.

The normal course of study involves four years. The third year is a vicarage year (like an internship) where you would be assigned to a congregation and work with the pastor doing most of the functions of the ministry. Of course, there are some things you wouldn't be able to do like administer the Lord's Supper or pronounce absolution as these are things that are reserved for the called and ordained pastor.

Following the successful completion of the program you would earn the MDiv degree and be certified for ordination and then be called to a congregation to begin your ministry.

 

[DD2008]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to be joining the lutheran church. I am considering becoming a minister and was wondering what the process would be in becoming a lutheran minister. Also can they marry?

Thank God! I'm very happy to hear you are considering becoming a minister. The world needs as menay as it can get.

 

[RedneckLutheran]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to be joining the lutheran church. I am considering becoming a minister and was wondering what the process would be in becoming a lutheran minister. Also can they marry?

yes they can...

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

yes they can...

Many are Married before entering Sem.

In my experience, Pastor's wives are a blessing not only to the Pastor, but to the congregation itself.

God bless you on your journey!

Mark

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Many are Married before entering Sem.

In my experience, Pastor's wives are a blessing not only to the Pastor, but to the congregation itself.

God bless you on your journey!

Mark

This made my day today. Thanks.

 

[QuiltAngel]

Mine too!

 

[Edial]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I am going to be joining the lutheran church. ...

Good for you.

Ed

 

[Giantsbran1227]

I think I might join the RCC now. Im just so confused. I read scripture that tells me that alot of what the RCC does is wrong, but then I see that the RCC was the FIRST church, it does not have thousands of seperate branches like the protestant church (it is just 1 church), there are a ton of miracles that show the catholic faith to be correct (the incorruptible bodies of saints, marian apparitions, etc.). Im am SO lost and do not know what to do.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I think I might join the RCC now. Im just so confused. I read scripture that tells me that alot of what the RCC does is wrong, but then I see that the RCC was the FIRST church, it does not have thousands of seperate branches like the protestant church (it is just 1 church), there are a ton of miracles that show the catholic faith to be correct (the incorruptible bodies of saints, marian apparitions, etc.). Im am SO lost and do not know what to do.

The RCC was NOT the first church. And there are Catholics whose churches do not believe or follow all the tenets of Rome. They just don't broadcast it.

Whatever you do, you have to use scripture as your basis, not what man or men say.

My suggestion would be a lot of prayer and maybe go visit a Lutheran church and talk to the pastor.

 

[RadMan]

I think I might join the RCC now. Im just so confused. I read scripture that tells me that alot of what the RCC does is wrong, but then I see that the RCC was the FIRST church, it does not have thousands of seperate branches like the protestant church (it is just 1 church), there are a ton of miracles that show the catholic faith to be correct (the incorruptible bodies of saints, marian apparitions, etc.). Im am SO lost and do not know what to do.

Fear can be a very powerful persuader.

 

[seajoy]

I think I might join the RCC now. Im just so confused. I read scripture that tells me that alot of what the RCC does is wrong, but then I see that the RCC was the FIRST church, it does not have thousands of seperate branches like the protestant church (it is just 1 church), there are a ton of miracles that show the catholic faith to be correct (the incorruptible bodies of saints, marian apparitions, etc.). Im am SO lost and do not know what to do.

Would you really want your good works to be part of your salvation? I would be a nervous wreck, if that were the case. Scripture over man made ideas....keep that in the fore-front of your mind.

 

[RadMan]

Whatever you do, you have to use scripture as your basis, not what man or men say.

My suggestion would be a lot of prayer and maybe go visit a Lutheran church and talk to the pastor.

Off the subject but you have some great looking children. My gkids look better though. I'm not biased......am I?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Off the subject but you have some great looking children. My gkids look better though. I'm not biased......am I?

Nah, no bias there!! But I would agree with you, only because they're YOURS. Mine are better looking because they're mine! And thanks!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Here's another thing to bear in mind. You're getting a lot of people telling you to read the Catholic Catechism (in another thread) and not much more guidance than that. I wouldn't recommend reading anything like that (including Luther's Catechism) without some sort of guiding hand. That is just my opinion, though.

You're going to get a lot of "hard sells" from Catholics. We Lutherans are overjoyed that you're considering the Lutheran Church.