Another question for Protestants

[TinaK]

I just found this thread and hope I can be of some help (being a Lutheran myself). I just had a baby a week ago, so computer time is very limited I have been battling this same thing myself.

My first question is — which kind of Lutheran is your husband? ELCA, LCMS, ELS, WELS It makes a difference as to what some of the hangups are (i.e., the importance of the Book of Concord). I’m LCMS.

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1. Lutherans believe in sola-scriptura…It is agreed that the bible was written by humans inspired by the Holy Spirit. If they can accept the fact that the Holy Spirit guided these men to write God’s word to be handed down for centuries- why can they not accept the fact that the Holy Spirit would guide a man appointed as head of His church (the pope)- to lead His Church through the centuries.

Because they believe that Luther was inspired by the Holy Spirit. You have a very good grasp of what started the Lutheran church; however, he was excommunicated. (I think he would have left on his own at some point if that hadn’t happened.) There is still a lot of leftover “hatred” towards the Pope as well. When you realize that there are still Lutherans whose favorite version of the hymn “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word” is “Lord, keep us in Thy Word and Work, Restrain the murderous Pope and Turk…” (For the record, not mine. I found it in an old hymnal), it’s easy to see why the Pope is persona non gratia amongst some Lutherans. A lot of Lutherans don’t even realize that it is hatred.

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If what he did was such a Good thing, than why are there so many different sects of the Lutheran faith? If what he did was truly led by the Holy Spirit, why do so many disagree on the correct teachings.

There are so many different sects because of interpretation. (chuckle) That’s why I ask what kind of Lutheran. It comes down to whether or not the Book of Concord (BOC) is the correct exposition of scripture. ELCA can’t claim to hold to the BOC anymore. In the LCMS and WELS it depends on which church and what pastor one has, and the ELS is pretty well the only synod that sticks to the BOC throughout the synod. Oddly enough, I have found that quite a few Lutherans don’t realize that it is the Book of Concord that one professes to believe as a Lutheran. That’s why so many disagree and continue to disagree. In Catholic terms, the BOC is the equivalent of Tradition. However, when faced with the dilemna of how the BOC and sola scriptura, some throw the BOC out of the window (because it smells like TRADITION), some throw out sola scriptura (though they wouldn’t admit it), and others run a 50/50 mix, which is what it should be (from a Lutheran viewpoint, anyway).

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How can you see self interpretation as better than following the leadership of the man who is the successor of Peter- which is clearly stated in the bible is the rock which God will build His church upon.

Well, once one starts to realize that to use the BOC as it was intended — as the correct exposition of Scripture …:banghead:

I hope that this helps you somewhat. If I can be of any help, feel free to email/PM me. I’m struggling along the way of
Lutheran—>Catholic.

Tina

 

[gardenswithkids]

Hi Tina. Thanks for posting a Lutheran responce. I hope this forum helps you sort through your own struggles. And congratulations of your new baby!

TinaK:

When you realize that there are still Lutherans whose favorite version of the hymn “Lord Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word” is “Lord, keep us in Thy Word and Work, Restrain the murderous Pope and Turk…” (For the record, not mine. I found it in an old hymnal),

I never heard that version, but the words bring up a point about what was also happening in Europe in the time of Luther. The Church was struggling against the Turks (Muslims) in Europe who were trying to spread their religion around the time that the Reformation hit. While some people in the Church were distracted by that, others got away with doing some bad things that led to the split in Christianity. Luther had some very good points that he tried to bring to the attention of the Church, but the pope and other Church authorities at the time didn’t handle his concerns well.