Comments on: What My Neighbor Believes: Lutheranism (Part One)

By: Computer Programming

Computer Programming — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 07:21:23 +0000

Wow, what a long and great explanation! Computer Programmings last blog post..Properties of String in PHP

By: Not Fainthearted

Not Fainthearted — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:39:03 +0000

Great post highlighting some of the somewhat mysterious to outsiders differences between these two Lutheran bodies. I would add only two things: The ELCA was a merger of several Lutheran bodies, in addition to the ALC another national body was the LCA. Same sort of track record regarding ordination and leadership of women in the congregational setting. Second would be to clarify that because the LCMS does not (for the most part) allow women to serve as elders, one of the consequences of that is that they cannot serve as communion assistants. In many congregations this also means they cannot read the lessons or preach. Thanks for entering into a great conversation. Not Fainthearteds last blog post..Live is harder than Memorex

By: Brother Paul

Brother Paul — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 02:33:02 +0000

Hi fellow believers,

I was interested in your explanation of the Lutheran Church, and how it operates. Very informative! But, I have a completely different take on this subject.

First of all, you can’t find the words “Lutheran Church” in the Bible. So, what are scriptural names for the church? There are many, but here are a few of them: 1.) church of Christ…Romans 16:16 2.) church of God 3.) household of Faith 4.) body of Christ 5.) The church , and so forth.

So how do you get into the true church in the Bible. Here are the steps of salvation that add you to the church: 1.) Hear the Word 2.) Believe the Word 3.) Repent 4.) Confess that Jesus is Christ 5.) Baptized for the remission or forgiveness of sins…Acts 2:38.

For much more information please look at trulysaved.blogspot.com

Blessings to all,

Brother Paul

By: Gattina

Gattina — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:13:45 +0000

When I went first to the States I really was surprised about the different lutherian churches ! In Germany all protestants are lutherian and the different churches united in 1922. Since then all protestant churches in Germany have the same rules. Women can be pastors and have the same rights than men. The confirmation is with 14 years. My American aunt was member of a “Lutherian” church and this church had nothing to do with the original Luther religion as I know it.

By: Hopeful Spirit

Hopeful Spirit — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:54:18 +0000

Bruce Ray: Thanks for dropping by and contributing to the discussion, clarifying the voting stance of the LCMS vis a vis women. However, the fact that the LCMS does not ordain women and prohibits them from serving as “elders” proves my point about the church’s misogynistic and patriarchal attitude.

I remained a member of the ALC and then ELCA for 37 years after that organization began ordaining women. After all that time, to attend or join a church that did not ordain women or recognize them as servants in a capacity such as “elder” would be unthinkable for me. Frankly, it would be analogous, in my estimation, to a return to other forms of segregation that I find equally abhorrent. I feel the same way about the church’s failure to acknowledge the inherent worth of all human beings by excluding from ordination those persons who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.

By: Bruce Ray

Bruce Ray — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:52:32 +0000

As a life-long Lutheran (most of it LCMS), there are just a couple of points that probably should be clarified — esp. as related to the role of women in our denomination. There is no prohibition on women voting, that is left to individual congregations to decide. Same goes for the various positions of authority. The denomination as a whole does not permit women to be ordained as ministers (pastors) or to serve as elders, but I don’t think there’s any other prohibition based upon gender. Our congregation has plenty of board chairs and officers who are women — and thank God for them!

The LCMS also practices Confirmation for our youth, generally after 2–3 years of instruction in the basics of our faith.

By: Dan King

Dan King — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:36:39 +0000

Hopeful…
What a great explanation of the Lutheran beliefs and background! I worship in a non-denominational church, and will be happy to write something concerning where our (very independent) church typically stands on things. I hope that this effort could be a unifying thing that will help people across various expressions of the Christian faith so that we better understand each other.

Dan

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 02:29:26 +0000

thanks, there is some great information in that post.