If Luther were alive today, would he be Catholic?

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Is this not fair to ask? I’m not demanding it, but saying that it’s not fair to make blanket accusations with strong disappointment over Catholic posts in the whole thread. How are those reading suppose to know what you are criticizing?

… I will let it go, but just find it worth noting.
True

Even though I am more of a spectator here, I just want to say you seemed very sincere throughout the whole thread rcwitness.
 
Is this not fair to ask? I’m not demanding it, but saying that it’s not fair to make blanket accusations with strong disappointment over Catholic posts in the whole thread. How are those reading suppose to know what you are criticizing?

… I will let it go, but just find it worth noting.
I’m more into CAF’s “ignore list” feature myself (as you may have heard me say elsewhere) but you’re entitled to your approach too.
 
I think you are making a fair request.
True

Even though I am more of a spectator here, I just want to say you seemed very sincere throughout the whole thread rcwitness.
Thanks. I am aware that there needs to be proper admonishing for attitudes and accusations which which are opposed to the efforts made by the Church hierarchy’s dialogue with non-Catholic communities.

But we, as laity, are also challenged to account for the faith we have, and are even called to by that same hierarchy. So it’s right and good that we share our convictions and reasons for the beliefs we accept in our hearts. I’m not in the business of repromanding or using big authority to make silly threats about other’s positions and interpretations. But I will certainly offer a response to accusations that something we call Apostolic is actually anti-Christ.

To tell you the truth, I see the real concern over some of these things. I even see the real concern with the sect which calls St Paul a false Apostle! They make some very challenging points!

It’s not always so easy to disect these theories and interpretations. That’s why I try to express what is my personal conviction and thoughtful understanding.

I don’t demonize Martin and appreciate when others don’t demonize my leaders.
 
I’m more into CAF’s “ignore list” feature myself (as you may have heard me say elsewhere) but you’re entitled to your approach too.
It’s a pretty effective tool to reduce blood pressure, encourage peace of mind and to smooth out your day. Yeah, the quote was funny, at that. 😉
 
These Luther(an) threads do stir the pot though, don’t they?

It’s interesting. What was the extent and relationship with Luther and the Orthodox Church? Why did he not move into that communion? If Luther’s gripe was Papacy, it would seem likely to remain in a valid communion with them, who shares his sentiments/belief.

I think we have much more of a relationship with Lutherans because of the historical union we had with Luther, than Orthodox do with Lutherans. But doctrinal wouldn’t Lutherans be closer to Orthodox than with us?
 
These Luther(an) threads do stir the pot though, don’t they?

It’s interesting. What was the extent and relationship with Luther and the Orthodox Church? Why did he not move into that communion? If Luther’s gripe was Papacy, it would seem likely to remain in a valid communion with them, who shares his sentiments/belief.
Well, didn’t he make remarks that he cant rely on councils and Church Fathers because they are contradicting each other? (paraphrase) EO’s claim to be the Church of the councils and they do rely on certain ECF’s for their liturgy and teachings (like John Chrysostom) So i understand why his initial reaction was to break free and go in his own direction. However, I think he likely re-evaluated his position later in his life and probably wished he did just consider the Eastern Churches. I know he was not pleased by all the division in the reformation and didn’t even want his own name attributed to any churches. Some people make him out to be the devil but i disagree with them. I think he just did what he thought was right at that time.
I think we have much more of a relationship with Lutherans because of the historical union we had with Luther, than Orthodox do with Lutherans. But doctrinal wouldn’t Lutherans be closer to Orthodox than with us?
Both opposed papal authority, so I would say yes.
 
As a long-time participants on web discussion forums, I sometimes think that every one of us should put something like that in our signatures. 😊 :cool:
Hi, Peter!
…I think that too many times we misread/misunderstand the thought of others (in our mind, our ideas are crystal clear because, as we are Created in the Image and Likeness of God, we have full knowledge of the origin of our thoughts–unfortunately, they don’t always translate to the word/text when we attempt to convey them to others); yet, often enough, instead of asking for clarification we strike at the jugular… it’s as if we completely forget Christ’s Command not to judge… so, instead of getting defensive we should attempt to reopen the dialogue (as I often try–though not ceding the point but rather asking for a chance to requalify the issue).

I find that levity helps–at least, it helps me! :D:D:D

Maran atha!

Angel
 
Lutheran Scholar:

How do LCMS Lutherans address the issue of retaining sin. I was thinking of this verse from the Scripture and I think the Corporate Absolution does not address this.
Your thoughts are appreciated:

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
Lutheran Scholar highlighted the relevant portions of the Confessions, but I’d just like to add what that means practically. It means that when a Lutheran sins publicly, and publicly refuses to confess, they cannot commune. If Nancy Pelosi were LCMS, she would not be permitted to commune.
 
Lutheran Scholar highlighted the relevant portions of the Confessions, but I’d just like to add what that means practically. It means that when a Lutheran sins publicly, and publicly refuses to confess, they cannot commune. If Nancy Pelosi were LCMS, she would not be permitted to commune.
Thanks for the additional information.

Mary.
 
These Luther(an) threads do stir the pot though, don’t they?

It’s interesting. What was the extent and relationship with Luther and the Orthodox Church? Why did he not move into that communion? If Luther’s gripe was Papacy, it would seem likely to remain in a valid communion with them, who shares his sentiments/belief.
Distance, travel times, communication, and cultural differences were the practical barriers. The Tubingen Lutherans did reach out the the Orthodox (after Luther’s death). There was some dialogue on the Lutheran Augsburg Confession, but the Ecumenical Patriarch was preoccupied in local politics and didn’t want to get involved with 'schizmatic Rome’s issues. Dialogue came to a general standstill. It ended with the Patriarch essentially agreeing with the Lutherans on some things, but asking questions about others (he was especially concerned about the Flioque and the number of sacraments - Lutherans did not number them and left it too open-ended for him). He told them not to talk to contact him about theological things again, but only to write as a friend. Modern talks have been more fruitful.
I think we have much more of a relationship with Lutherans because of the historical union we had with Luther, than Orthodox do with Lutherans. But doctrinal wouldn’t Lutherans be closer to Orthodox than with us?
The thing to keep in mind is that the Orthodox way of understanding ‘theosis’ is not entirely congruent with the ‘justification’ model that grew up in the West. Rome and Wittenberg ‘evolved’ one way, the East another. Lutheranism exists somewhere in the gray area between the two, but its closest sibling in common theological terms and thinking is Catholicism. (Well, probably some bits of Anglicanism and then Catholicsm… but you get what I mean.)
 
Lutheran Scholar:

How do LCMS Lutherans address the issue of retaining sin. I was thinking of this verse from the Scripture and I think the Corporate Absolution does not address this.
Your thoughts are appreciated:

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.’ And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained’” (John 20:21-23).
At our church we have an older rite that pronounces exactly that: During to corporate confession and abolition, our pastor will remind us that sins that are not confessed are retained by us.

It’s a very sobering rite.
 
At our church we have an older rite that pronounces exactly that: During to corporate confession and abolition, our pastor will remind us that sins that are not confessed are retained by us.

It’s a very sobering rite.
Could you post a link to this rite? I’d be interested in reading it.

Mary.
 
the Ecumenical Patriarch was preoccupied in local politics and didn’t want to get involved with 'schizmatic Rome’s issues.
And we appreciate his non-meddlesome approach (in retrospect anyhow – I know not whether Rome actually expressed any appreciation at the time). 👍
 
At our church we have an older rite that pronounces exactly that: During to corporate confession and abolition, our pastor will remind us that sins that are not confessed are retained by us.

It’s a very sobering rite.
The Service Book and Hymnal, in use in some Lutheran synods from 1958 through the late '80s , had an order for public confession in which the pronouncement of absolution was as follows: “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, hath had mercy upon us, and for the sake of the sufferings, death, and resurrection of his dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, forgiveth us all our sins. As a Minister of the Church of Christ, and by his authority, I therefore declare unto you who do truly repent and believe in him, the entire forgiveness of all your sins: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

After this, the Minister may also say: “On the other hand, by the same authority, I declare unto the impenitent and unbelieving, that so long as they continue in their impenitence, God hath not forgiven their sins, and will assuredly visit their iniquities upon them, if they turn not from their evil ways, and come to true repentance and faith in Christ, ere the day of grace be ended.”

This, too, is sobering.
 
Distance, travel times, communication, and cultural differences were the practical barriers. The Tubingen Lutherans did reach out the the Orthodox (after Luther’s death). There was some dialogue on the Lutheran Augsburg Confession, but the Ecumenical Patriarch was preoccupied in local politics and didn’t want to get involved with 'schizmatic Rome’s issues. Dialogue came to a general standstill. It ended with the Patriarch essentially agreeing with the Lutherans on some things, but asking questions about others (he was especially concerned about the Flioque and the number of sacraments - Lutherans did not number them and left it too open-ended for him). He told them not to talk to contact him about theological things again, but only to write as a friend. Modern talks have been more fruitful.

The thing to keep in mind is that the Orthodox way of understanding ‘theosis’ is not entirely congruent with the ‘justification’ model that grew up in the West. Rome and Wittenberg ‘evolved’ one way, the East another. Lutheranism exists somewhere in the gray area between the two, but its closest sibling in common theological terms and thinking is Catholicism. (Well, probably some bits of Anglicanism and then Catholicsm… but you get what I mean.)
Thanks bro.
 
And we appreciate his non-meddlesome approach (in retrospect anyhow – I know not whether Rome actually expressed any appreciation at the time). 👍
“meddlesome”? Sure, if that was the case.

I, personally, would prefer (even expect) an honest and thoughtful judgment (answer/affirmation/admonishment) as opposed to what sounded like the cold shoulder… :cool:
 
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