Why We Left Lutheranism--Upholds Denominationalism

or affiliation with a church, cult, sect, secret society, etc. Thus we believe it is our scriptural duty to point out error and where churches differ in their teaching of Scripture.

Ideally, unity among Christians would be perfect. But the two words in that sentence that make this impossible are "ideally" and "perfect." There are many that espouse Christian unity, but when pressed will back off. They don't want to pay homage to a pope. They want a certain purity of lifestyle. Still others insist that, while one, their doctrines and teachings are pre-eminent (sadly, this has been the case in Lutheran mergers). Thus even when outward unity is effected, there is little inward unity and often the infighting of church politics is worse than the apparent outward display of disunity!

The Lutheran church recognizes the unity of the Invisible Church as only God can effect such unity. The Lutheran church accepts the baptisms that take place in other Christian church bodies (they don't accept as valid baptisms in the Mormon church). Lutherans don't "proselytize" from other Christian denominations.

I find it interesting that Mr. Guild accuses the Lutheran church of denominationalism. Yet he never says whether he tried to point out error and correct it, as Martin Luther tried to do. It appears from his writing that he left one group of Christians (Lutheran) for another group (non-denominational, or "we follow Christ"?). And as you read the remainder of his treatise, the tone I get is one of proselytizing Christian faiths for the success of their group! Return to the website where Mr. Guild makes his claims and see which churches members "left!" It doesn't make a strong case for destroying "denominationalism" to me. In fact, Mr. Guild calls his group a "Christian church"--yet there are two testimonials called "Why I Left the Christian Church!" (#1#2)

But Lutherans do stand on what they feel is the truth of Scripture. Call it partisanship, but you either stand for something or you'll fall for anything. If there is a difference of interpretation of Scripture, isn't it better that we agree there is a difference and try to study the difference and address the differences from Scripture? That is "[marking] them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned; and turn away from them". Someday we'll be in a perfect world with a perfect King

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