Yes, we admit it. We're Lutherans - and all that that entails


© Pastor Jeff Samelson, Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD

The following was written by Pastor Jeff Samelson, Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD. Jeff can be e-mailed.

Have you ever experienced frustration when you told someone that you were a Lutheran, or attended a Lutheran church, and he or she automatically assumed wrong things about what you believe and stand for? Around here, the word "Lutheran" often makes people think of theological, social and political liberalism -- "Lutheran" brings to mind compromise, activism, and the blurring of denominational distinctions. These are hardly the things we in the WELS believe and stand for, but in this area few people know who we are or what we're like, so we get lumped together with churches with whom we share nothing but a name. With Reformation Day coming up at the end of this month, this is, therefore, a good time to consider and celebrate -- and be ready to confess -- what it really means to be Lutherans.

So we declare:

Yes, we're Lutherans. As Luther came to understand, and as he so boldly proclaimed, we believe and teach that all people are sinners damned to hell, and the only way to be saved is by God's grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.

So yes, we are a Lutheran church. We don't accept any other way to God or to eternal life in heaven except through the true Christian faith -- that is, through faith in Jesus Christ as one's Savior from sin.

Sure, we're Lutherans. As Luther saw the Bible as the only authority in matters of faith and doctrine, we too take our stand on the Holy Scriptures. We hold firmly and faithfully to the written Word of God, because only there can we learn of our Lord -- only there can we come into contact with the good news that Jesus Christ, God's Son, suffered, died, and rose from the dead, so that all who believe in him will be freed of their sins and will have everlasting life.

So yes, we are a Lutheran church. We believe and teach that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, that it is a unified whole, that it contains no errors, that it contains and clearly teaches all that we need to know for salvation, and that no other authority -- whether human reason, science, scholarship, tradition, or the declarations of leaders within the church on earth - may stand in judgment over, or in opposition to Scripture.

     

Go To Page: 1 2 3


The copyright of the article Yes, we admit it. We're Lutherans - and all that that entails in Lutheranism is owned by Pastor Jeff Samelson, Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD. Permission to republish Yes, we admit it. We're Lutherans - and all that that entails in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo


Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

8.   Nov 15, 2001 7:52 AM
In response to message posted by oofdah:

I have seen, at least here in Milwaukee, where the papers will report on Lutheran trends a ...


-- posted by H2O


7.   Dec 10, 2000 11:43 AM
In response to message posted by PastorSamelson:

hi pastor samelson seems to me the confessional viewpoint of lutheranism should b ...


-- posted by oofdah


6.   Nov 30, 2000 8:00 PM
I have put a link in my last article so that my readers at Christianity Protestant can easily access this excellent article.

John, You have so many great articles here! I am interested to see your ...


-- posted by Minnie


5.   Nov 3, 2000 7:26 AM
Hmm. Being Lutheran. What does that imply? How do non-Lutherans perceive Lutherans? How do Lutherans perceive themselves? I think I'll run a poll. Also looks like fertile ground for further study. Rev ...

-- posted by H2O


4.   Nov 2, 2000 5:52 AM
In response to message posted by PastorSamelson:

Thanks for replying. Yes, it seems that ELCA must be the "Lutherans" that have mor ...


-- posted by Caroline





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Pastor Jeff Samelson, Christ Lutheran Church, Columbia, MD's Lutheranism topic, please visit the Discussions page.