Why remain Lutheran?

[Chisky]

Thanks, I do try to keep up with folks online. I've been listening to Bible Studies from an LCMS church in California. I've been praying for the strength to return to church. I know the problem is me. I should be able to find a church I want to attend. I should be able to forgive those who hurt me. It isn't so much that I haven't forgiven them, although I still am hurt by their actions, I just don't trust the church anymore.

Do you understand that? I guess I forgive but there are consequences, why expose myself to more pain?

I appreciate your patience with me and allowing me to vent a little. I thank God for you, perhaps you are part of the cure for this pain I feel.

 

[cerette]

Thanks, I do try to keep up with folks online. I've been listening to Bible Studies from an LCMS church in California. I've been praying for the strength to return to church. I know the problem is me. I should be able to find a church I want to attend. I should be able to forgive those who hurt me. It isn't so much that I haven't forgiven them, although I still am hurt by their actions, I just don't trust the church anymore.

Do you understand that? I guess I forgive but there are consequences, why expose myself to more pain?

I appreciate your patience with me and allowing me to vent a little. I thank God for you, perhaps you are part of the cure for this pain I feel.

Yes I think I understand how you feel. As believers, church is dear & close to us. To be let down by your church is not an easy thing. I was once a member of a close-knit congregation where everyone was very much friends with each other. After some years parts of the congregation including the Pastor changed their doctrine on some points, so I ended up leaving that church. It was very, VERY, difficult emotionally. I imagine going through a divorce must feel similar to what I went through then. I still feel hurt & pain when I think about it.
It's a good thing we know that Jesus is not bound to and limited to local congregations or any institution. We have such a treasure in the fact that He is available to us even when we find ourselves alone and outside the fellowship of a local congregation.

 

[Chisky]

Yes, thank God for that. He is always here. Thank you for the posts. It is nice to have someone who knows where you are

 

[bach90]

While there is much attractive in Orthodoxy, to become Orthodox would require accepting extra-Biblical doctrine--and thus the words of uninspired men--as divine truth. I am thinking offhand of the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary. The key here is that the doctrine is required de fide for membership in the Orthodox Church. This is more than the Lord Himself requires for membership in His body.

The Book of Concord mentions the Perpetual Virginity of Mary at least twice, once explicitly and once implicitly. (SA, Part I, IV explicitly and AC III implicitly). Semper Virgo was held pretty unanimously in the Lutheran Church until about 1900.

 

[GreekOrthodox]

More input would be greatly appreciated.

Tristan, I'm a former born and raised LCMS Lutheran and former elder who converted to EO 12 years ago. There are a whole host of differences in how Lutherans and EO approach salvation. I'd be happy to answer questions as they come along. I'm just not sure if this board is the most proper place to do so as I am a guest here.

In Christ,
Brian

 

[truefiction1]

Symbolism is everything to the psyche, or soul, as it speaks directly to that subconscious part, serving to unify the truths that lie within with our conscious minds, in order that we may walk in the Light. Which, do you think, of the Christian Churches upholds, to the highest degree, the proper respect for this reality of human existence, by means of its ritual forms of worship, worship which incorporates the much needed symbolism?

 

[cerette]

Yes, thank God for that. He is always here. Thank you for the posts. It is nice to have someone who knows where you are

Let me know if you want more links to good Lutheran materials online..

 

[Daniel Stinson]

Thanks, I do try to keep up with folks online. I've been listening to Bible Studies from an LCMS church in California. I've been praying for the strength to return to church. I know the problem is me. I should be able to find a church I want to attend. I should be able to forgive those who hurt me. It isn't so much that I haven't forgiven them, although I still am hurt by their actions, I just don't trust the church anymore.

Do you understand that? I guess I forgive but there are consequences, why expose myself to more pain?

I appreciate your patience with me and allowing me to vent a little. I thank God for you, perhaps you are part of the cure for this pain I feel.

I moved to Georgia in the late 1980's and it was extremely difficult locating Lutheran congregations. Now it isn't so hard near the various metropolitan markets. Many Lutherans were forced to find the next best thing to Lutheranism as a temporary congregation until an actual Lutheran congregation is formed nearby. The Dutch Reformed have a long history of implementing Luther's Catechism, though they lean Calvinist, and Reformed Presbyterian are relatively close to Lutheranism, again leaning Calvinist. Both participate more regularly in the infant Baptism and the Eucharist than most other Calvinist leaning denominations.

Wesleyan congregations tend to be more Conservative and traditional than their counterparts: Episcopal-Methodist, United Methodist, or Pentecostal.

Inner-city congregations are under heavy secular and post-modern influence. The LCMS and WELS typically remains rural or metropolitan outside the areas where their theology isn't at all accepted. Strong confessional leadership is needed, even if it sounds to others that you're nagging them on doctrine or the confessions; because Lutheranism is worth fighting for, you have to take the approach of "Hymn #658: Onward, Christian Soldiers" marching as to war against the Satanic influence of infighting.

Probably the best advice is to see if a confessional congregation in the suburbs is willing to shuttle you via a congregational member into a legitimate Lutheran Order of Worship or even Bible Study. My congregation has some members that basically commute to Church on Sundays to avoid inner-city Liberalism's influence on local congregations in-town.