I don't see Lutherans using the word "Danger" a lot

[Lutherrunner]

I notice on some other forums, people use the word "dangerous" a lot.....when referring to other beliefs or religions.....I know the ultimate answer is in the scriptures, but Lutherans seem to be able to deal with the doubts and questions getting there....we seem to enjoy the journey of thinking it through instead of just doing what we are told......I hope I don't upset anybody by that comment, but that's how I feel.....

Thought?

[KagomeShuko]

Why should we use the word "danger" at all when wanting to proclaim the love of God? Lutherans are a curious bunch and most enjoy asking questions, getting answers, and asking more questions. We learn that way and we also respect each others beliefs. We can also enjoy a good debate. Funny how people love to read debates we'll have. . .but some would never participate in them. . .LOL :D

Why would a statement telling us what is true about us be offensive? :)

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[SPALATIN]

I notice on some other forums, people use the word "dangerous" a lot.....when referring to other beliefs or religions.....I know the ultimate answer is in the scriptures, but Lutherans seem to be able to deal with the doubts and questions getting there....we seem to enjoy the journey of thinking it through instead of just doing what we are told......I hope I don't upset anybody by that comment, but that's how I feel.....

Thought?
Danger? Where? Oh that I might offend someone elses "faith"? Pshaw! I think that because we see that there is some mystery to God that other's seem to dismiss. Those who are Pre-trib don't want to rely on faith, but want to believe that their God will spell it all out for them so that they don't have to guess and that the only people it should be a mystery to are the unbelievers.

We see the mystery in God through the Sacraments especially. We don't understand everything that goes with the sacraments, but know that in them we receive God's grace and forgiveness of sins. If that is dangerous to some than I choose to live dangerously.

[Organist]

Oh well, I can come up with a reason to use the word "danger" - such as my Nativity Scene is in danger again with my cat around. :)

[Organist]

I notice on some other forums, people use the word "dangerous" a lot.....when referring to other beliefs or religions.....I know the ultimate answer is in the scriptures, but Lutherans seem to be able to deal with the doubts and questions getting there....we seem to enjoy the journey of thinking it through instead of just doing what we are told......I hope I don't upset anybody by that comment, but that's how I feel.....

Thought?

That is something to think about. Seriously, even other religions have parts of Scripture down very well. If anything, the main danger is in not believing in anything. Correct? :confused:

[Lutherrunner]

That is something to think about. Seriously, even other religions have parts of Scripture down very well. If anything, the main danger is in not believing in anything. Correct? :confused:
Oh yeah.....they have their scriptures down very well......but it seems to be "dangerous" when you don't think just like they do........

[SPALATIN]

Oh yeah.....they have their scriptures down very well......but it seems to be "dangerous" when you don't think just like they do........
I think it's dangerous that they don't think like we do. ;)

[CrossWiseMag]

Well, let me step out on a limb:

Baptist teaching is dangerous because it denies the efficacy of God's gifts of the sacraments, and in most cases, it eventually leads its adherents to doubt whether they have done enough to be saved.

Roman Catholicism is dangerous because it teaches people that Christ did not indeed complete His work of saving mankind on the cross.

Methodism is dangerous because it encourages people to look to an improvement in their behavior as proof of their salvation. When that improvement fails to materialize, despair can easily result.

Pentecostalism is dangerous because it encourages people to look at the signs of the Spirit -- outside the true "signs" of pure Word and Sacrament -- for an indication that they are saved.

Lutheranism teaches that every deviation from the truth -- that truth which is taught by God's Word and explained in the Lutheran confessions -- is dangerous. Having said that, it is not necessarily fatal. Because by God's grace, the Baptist can rely solely on Christ for salvation, and not on His decision to follow Christ. Because by God's grace, the Roman Catholic can understand that Christ did all the necessary work to achieve his or her salvation. Because by God's grace, the Methodist can despair of his inability to eradicate sin from his life, and simply rely on Jesus to save him. Because by God's grace, the Pentecostal can rightly understand that the Holy Spirit comes to us to point to Christ, and not to exhibit other signs that have very little to do with our Savior.

I think we need to be careful to distinguish between "mystery," to which Scott refers, and sinful misunderstanding of Scripture. God's Holy Word is very clear where God intended it to be clear. It is mysterious only in the places where God intended. So just because a Lutheran is willing to accept a "mystery" in the Lord's Supper, or in the area of "predestination," for example, that does not mean a Lutheran cannot speak strongly against wrong (indeed, dangerous) teaching. Baptism does save us. The bread is Christ's body. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ aslone. Anything that departs from these and other clear points of Scripture is, in fact, dangerous.

[SPALATIN]

Well, let me step out on a limb:

Baptist teaching is dangerous because it denies the efficacy of God's gifts of the sacraments, and in most cases, it eventually leads its adherents to doubt whether they have done enough to be saved.

Roman Catholicism is dangerous because it teaches people that Christ did not indeed complete His work of saving mankind on the cross.

Methodism is dangerous because it encourages people to look to an improvement in their behavior as proof of their salvation. When that improvement fails to materialize, despair can easily result.

Pentecostalism is dangerous because it encourages people to look at the signs of the Spirit -- outside the true "signs" of pure Word and Sacrament -- for an indication that they are saved.

Lutheranism teaches that every deviation from the truth -- that truth which is taught by God's Word and explained in the Lutheran confessions -- is dangerous. Having said that, it is not necessarily fatal. Because by God's grace, the Baptist can rely solely on Christ for salvation, and not on His decision to follow Christ. Because by God's grace, the Roman Catholic can understand that Christ did all the necessary work to achieve his or her salvation. Because by God's grace, the Methodist can despair of his inability to eradicate sin from his life, and simply rely on Jesus to save him. Because by God's grace, the Pentecostal can rightly understand that the Holy Spirit comes to us to point to Christ, and not to exhibit other signs that have very little to do with our Savior.

I think we need to be careful to distinguish between "mystery," to which Scott refers, and sinful misunderstanding of Scripture. God's Holy Word is very clear where God intended it to be clear. It is mysterious only in the places where God intended. So just because a Lutheran is willing to accept a "mystery" in the Lord's Supper, or in the area of "predestination," for example, that does not mean a Lutheran cannot speak strongly against wrong (indeed, dangerous) teaching. Baptism does save us. The bread is Christ's body. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, on account of Christ aslone. Anything that departs from these and other clear points of Scripture is, in fact, dangerous.
Excellently put my friend. The devil is in the details as the saying goes. Salvation/Justification is all up to God and Sanctification is 99.99999 percent God and .000001 us (I am sure that the decimals would truly by infinitesimal so my numbers are pure hyperbole at best.);)

[Jim47]

hyperbole );)
Is that what Job had? :P (Don't pay any attention to me, cause my wife don't either :cry: )

[Phoebe]

Anger is one letter short of danger.
There ya go!

[SPALATIN]

Is that what Job had? :P (Don't pay any attention to me, cause my wife don't either :cry: )
I don't know. Did Job exaggerate to extremes? ;)

[StarSapphire]

Anger is one letter short of danger.
There ya go!

Right on! :thumbsup: