Both Fr. Peters and Cyberbrethren have posts on the topic of “What is a Lutheran.” The contrast between the two is remarkable. In Fr. Peters’ post I get the impression (please note the subjective opinion; in all likelihood it is not what Fr. Peters intended to convey) that the problem with the Lutheran church is that we have forgotten the rules, even though, apparently ours are much easier to follow than those of all those other questionable denominations. On Cyberbrethren, quoting Dr. Rober Preus, the crux, so to speak, of the matter is stated so clearly: to begin with, “This Book of Concord contains a quite divergent assortment of creeds and formal confessions which have one thing in common, a doctrinal unity, a united commitment to the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” and ending with, “No collection of books or statement has so adequately, so accurately, so comfortingly reflected and exhibited the Biblical Gospel as do the Lutheran Confessions.” From the time of Luther, being a Lutheran has to do with love and devotion to the Gospel. It may not be everything, but it certainly comes first, and it is the only thing which, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, has power.
I think, dear George, that you miss the point of Fr. Peter's rejoicing in the Symbols. It is of a piece with the sainted Robert Preus' joy in them: the wondrous confession they provide of our Savior and His redemption and our eternal hope. I know for certain that Fr. Peters would not object to your last two sentences, but would be "Amen!"ing them loudly and clearly!
I would echo Pr. Weedon's response to G. Marquart's comment. Indeed, if one were publishing these two "Was heisst Lutherisch" posts, the most logical thing would be to have them as Chapter 1 (Preus) and Chapter 2 (Peters) of the same pamphlet. Chapter 2 is calling the church to be what it is defined to be in Chapter 1. As well it should.
Yea and verily... being a Lutheran has exactly to do with love and devotion to the Gospel and this is what drove our forebears to write such wonderful and glorious confessions that remind us that the Church has to do with the Gospel... the Sacraments are about the Gospel... the Ministry is about the Gospel... etc...
We do not have rules per se but we do have Confessions and those Confessions not only confess the Gospel that call us to confess it -- not with the words that we write or speak only but in the way we live out those words...
Both Fr. Peters and Cyberbrethren have posts on the topic of “What is a Lutheran.” The contrast between the two is remarkable. In Fr. Peters’ post I get the impression (please note the subjective opinion; in all likelihood it is not what Fr. Peters intended to convey) that the problem with the Lutheran church is that we have forgotten the rules, even though, apparently ours are much easier to follow than those of all those other questionable denominations. On Cyberbrethren, quoting Dr. Rober Preus, the crux, so to speak, of the matter is stated so clearly: to begin with, “This Book of Concord contains a quite divergent assortment of creeds and formal confessions which have one thing in common, a doctrinal unity, a united commitment to the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” and ending with, “No collection of books or statement has so adequately, so accurately, so comfortingly reflected and exhibited the Biblical Gospel as do the Lutheran Confessions.” From the time of Luther, being a Lutheran has to do with love and devotion to the Gospel. It may not be everything, but it certainly comes first, and it is the only thing which, by virtue of the Holy Spirit, has power.
ReplyDeletePeace and Joy,
George A. Marquart
I think, dear George, that you miss the point of Fr. Peter's rejoicing in the Symbols. It is of a piece with the sainted Robert Preus' joy in them: the wondrous confession they provide of our Savior and His redemption and our eternal hope. I know for certain that Fr. Peters would not object to your last two sentences, but would be "Amen!"ing them loudly and clearly!
ReplyDeleteI would echo Pr. Weedon's response to G. Marquart's comment. Indeed, if one were publishing these two "Was heisst Lutherisch" posts, the most logical thing would be to have them as Chapter 1 (Preus) and Chapter 2 (Peters) of the same pamphlet. Chapter 2 is calling the church to be what it is defined to be in Chapter 1. As well it should.
ReplyDeleteYea and verily... being a Lutheran has exactly to do with love and devotion to the Gospel and this is what drove our forebears to write such wonderful and glorious confessions that remind us that the Church has to do with the Gospel... the Sacraments are about the Gospel... the Ministry is about the Gospel... etc...
ReplyDeleteWe do not have rules per se but we do have Confessions and those Confessions not only confess the Gospel that call us to confess it -- not with the words that we write or speak only but in the way we live out those words...