For Protestants that think the Catholic Church is one of many good options

[MaryT777]

Ok, here is from the Missouri Synod (Lutheran, Of cource) site smallcatechism.org/,

"The Roman Catholic Church has seven sacraments. These include Confirmation, Confession (that is, asking for forgiveness of sin), Ordination (when a person becomes a priest), Marriage, Extreme Unction (that is, anointing someone just before the time of their death), Holy Baptism, and Holy Communion. Other Protestant Churches do not have sacraments at all.

Following the teaching of Martin Luther, Lutherans recognize Sacraments as something so holy and so special, that they deserve to be in a special category. That is why Lutherans have just two sacraments: Holy Baptism and Holy Communion."

Ok, so like I was saying, the Catholic Church has seven sacraments, and the Lutheran Church has two. People on this thread (who apparently are Lutherans) keep denying this fact. Why is that? Anyone can look it up!

Good question. The LCMS Lutherans I know recognize two sacraments.
Mary.

 

[marywarfield]

This lifelong Catholic who has never been in a Lutheran
Church googled “how many Sacraments Lutheran”
and the answer was a resounding TWO.
deolutheran.org/sacraments.html

It would appear that the Lutherans on the this thread
were correct.

 

[steido01]

The Wikipedia page is surprisingly (mostly) accurate: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lutheran_sacraments

Of course, our Confessions are much clearer, as Jon has already posted.

 

[JonNC]

This lifelong Catholic who has never been in a Lutheran
Church googled “how many Sacraments Lutheran”
and the answer was a resounding TWO.
deolutheran.org/sacraments.html

It would appear that the Lutherans on the this thread
were correct.

Mary and all,
I, too, did an internet search, and found the following:

gloriachristi.org/id36.html

And Late LCMS President A.L. Barry:

Although Holy Absolution has no visible element, it definitely does have Christ’s institution.The Lutheran Confessions refer to Holy Absolution as a Sacrament (LC IV.74;Ap.XIII.4).
The Lutheran Confessions also wisely point out that “No intelligent person will quibble about the number of sacraments or the terminology, so long as those things are kept which have God’s command and promises”(AP XIII.17).
Luther speaks often about Holy Absolution, connecting it with the oral proclamation of the Gospel and with the ongoing living out of Holy Baptism. While it is customary in Lutheranism to speak of two Sacraments—Baptism and Holy Communion—we do well to keep in mind this important truth:“God is surpassingly rich in his grace: First,through the
spoken word,by which the forgiveness of sin is preached to the whole world; second,through Baptism; third,through the holy Sacrament of the Altar; fourth,through the power of the keys; and finally,through the mutual conversation and consolation
of the brethren”(SA III.4.1).

And on Ordination, this, first from the Apology of the Augsburg Confession:

But** if ordination be understood as applying to the ministry of the Word, we are not unwilling to call ordination a sacrament.** For the ministry of the Word has God’s command and glorious promises, Rom. 1:16: The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Likewise, Is. 55:11: So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please. 12]** If ordination be understood in this way, neither will we refuse to call the imposition of hands a sacrament. **For the Church has the command to appoint ministers, which should be most pleasing to us, because we know that God approves this ministry, and is present in the ministry [that God will preach and work through men and those who have been chosen by men].

So, from a Lutheran perspective, we go right back to what Melanchthon states: we don’t quibble over the number of sacraments, but instead are much more concerned about the means of grace, and how grace comes to us through them.

Jon

 

[marywarfield]

Mary and all,
I, too, did an internet search, and found the following:

gloriachristi.org/id36.html

And Late LCMS President A.L. Barry:

And on Ordination, this, first from the Apology of the Augsburg Confession:

So, from a Lutheran perspective, we go right back to what Melanchthon states: we don’t quibble over the number of sacraments, but instead are much more concerned about the means of grace, and how grace comes to us through them.

Jon

Yes Jon, there are those that claim ordination in Lutheranism
is an “unofficial official” sacrament not discussed as
so. Since it appeared to be controversial and I know
nothing of Lutheranism in practice I left it out. The
websites themselves were not official and while
belonged to Lutherans seemed to be poking fun at
their own Church. Very confusing.

 

[JonNC]

Yes Jon, there are those that claim ordination in Lutheranism
is an “unofficial official” sacrament not discussed as
so. Since it appeared to be controversial and I know
nothing of Lutheranism in practice I left it out. The
websites themselves were not official and while
belonged to Lutherans seemed to be poking fun at
their own Church. Very confusing.

Hopefully, Mary, what I’ve provided has taken some of the confusion out of it for you.

Jon

 

[Isaiah45_9]

Hopefully, Mary, what I’ve provided has taken some of the confusion out of it for you.

Jon

Hey, some of us know that Luther’s opinion of Absolution involved a mug with an inscription at the bottom of it.

 

[Galbin]

It seems today that the vast majority of protestants view the Catholic Church as a Christian option than why not be catholic there are so many advantages

There is one in every town in the world almost
Consistent teaching
Diversity of cultures and ways to celebrate
Endless history

I could go on for ever but it seems that if you believe the Catholic Church is a good option why not be catholic the positives are endless

For me it saved my marriage, my wife and I are in a much better place financially because we more in line with god, I spend more time with my family, I treat others better, and on and on

Protestants do not want to be Catholics because Catholics have different doctrines and beliefs. Catholicism also isn’t perfect in my opinion. For example, many Protestant churches allow female priests and gay couples.

 

[Stilldreamn]

Yes Jon, there are those that claim ordination in Lutheranism
is an “unofficial official” sacrament not discussed as
so. Since it appeared to be controversial and I know
nothing of Lutheranism in practice I left it out. The
websites themselves were not official and while
belonged to Lutherans seemed to be poking fun at
their own Church. Very confusing.

I don’t think our synod understands how unsettling this type of controversy is to average pew-sitters like myself, let alone folks from outside looking in. I have been mulling over this ordination issue for a while as it plays out in the proper roles of clergy and laypeople (and our poor deacons’ roles and training vary based on the local bishop/district president.) Lutherans have not given up their habit of being polemic in speech and nowhere is it more evident than when discussing “romanizing” or “sacerdotal” Lutherans.