The LCMS Lutherans here are much like the Fargonian Lutherans; unity is not foremost on their agenda for sure.Yeah it is not something any of us should celebrate. I am wondering if the Fargonian Lutherans will have a parade.
It was important to Jesus:
Not sure if even I would speak for LCMS Lutherans.
The ELCA would never give up it’s stance on woman and homosexual ordinationn, abortion, Scripture, the Confessions and other issues to even begin unity discussions with conserative Lutheran Bodies. We probably have more in common with the Catholic Church.
Yes, this I believe is true.
Yes when it comes to how women are regarded and how sexual and reproductive morals are concerned, I believe you are right. But when it comes to affirming the social doctrines of the (Roman) Catholic Church and actually acting upon them, I suspect that is not the case. At the meetings I attend that deal with the various social issues our American society is faced with, I almost always find a good many Catholics. I seldom see my Missouri Synod brethren there.
I can say that Lutherans do love their small groups and to study Scripture. I am a Southern Catholic so a good Bible study always gets me excited. I wish the faithful of the Catholic Church would get more into that. Benedict even asked us to study the Scriptures more.
Just as it shouldn’t be foremost on our agenda.
I believe the Church has done so much to help those who want to come into full communion with Rome. The Church can only do so much.Just as it shouldn’t be foremost on our agenda.
What’s interesting is that the LCMS folks here are actually the ones I get along with the best. LCMC—not so much lol and ELCA—hit and miss
We’re getting a little off topic now, but certainly I don’t think anyone can accuse us (Catholics I mean) of not being aggressive enough in trying to increase our numbers.
Sounds like you’re getting a bit legalistic, Jotto.
Thank you as well for being so kind and understanding. I do not know is Mary meant here are CAF or here as meaning where she lives.
You’re right, Jotto. The LCMS generally doesn’t get in and mix it up. We have our beliefs and simply say so. We don’t see it as our place to be a political force. But that is changing, and not because we want it to. With issues such as the ministerial exemption and the HHS mandate, and other attempts by the current administration to limit not only our religious liberty but that of our Catholic siblings and others we seem to have no choice. So you may well be seeing more of us at life rallies, our leaders at congressional hearings, and involved locally and during elections.
It certainly appears that way at times. It may not seem so at first glance, but the movement by the ELCA/LWF away from orthodoxy on some of these issues has to have a cooling effect on Catholics as dialog partners. I think this is why the CC in Canada and other places is now actively seeking out confessional Lutheran synods for dialog
The LCMS absence from joint Lutheran-Catholic gatherings is conspicuous. For example, I am puzzled why the Missouri Synod did not sign the Declaration on Justification? Isolation doesn’t bode well for improving communication.
I think most of us LCMS posters are absolutely working toward unity (why else would we contribute to a Roman Catholic forum?
), just not at the expense of our doctrinal beliefs. It’s my hope that people read these discussions and notice how very much we have in common.Absence from joint gatherings? That’s just untrue. That we are generally quiet about our dialogue is true, but to imply that the LCMS is not interested in seeking unity with other Christians is false.