Close-Minded CFW Walther

[CrossWiseMag]

Here's the quote from the Ortho+Box today. I thought this one should stir things up. ;-)

"It must be true that since Christianity does not consist of merely one single church which everywhere confesses the same faith and the many different churches which exist contradict each other in their confessions, that either there is indeed no true church on earth, which has the unadulterated doctrine of Christ (which is impossible according to the promise of Christ), or from all the churches in all the world there can only be one which correctly carries the name "True Church." We hold the evangelical Lutheran Church as this "True Church" because she confesses the doctrines of the Word of God purely and clearly, and takes nothing away from it nor adds anything to it. She teaches the use of the holy sacraments without addition or subtraction to the institution of Christ."

-- C.F.W. Walther, "Concerning the Name 'Lutheran'"

+ + +

When we read this passage from C.F.W. Walther, our first impulse might be to shrink back from the force of the words. Walther is doing something we don't see much nowadays: he is claiming to know what the truth is.

We live at a time when it is considered the height of rudeness to claim that God has given us a single truth, contained in Holy Scripture. Many people believe there is more than one way to heaven--even outside of Christ. Walther, here, puts away such "universalism." He points out that Christ established His church to teach the only truth: that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ.

But Walther goes further. He also points out that there is only one version of this truth contained in the Bible. And God has promised in His Word to preserve that truth through His church. It follows, therefore, that one church retains the true teaching of Christ and the Apostles.

Before we shrink back from the idea that this "true teaching" might be Lutheran teaching, we owe it to ourselves to look at the Lutheran Confessions. There, we find answers to a host of questions--all based on solid Scriptural teaching, and in line with what the universal church has always believed. In the Lutheran Confessions--the Book of Concord--we find the truth: not because it is Lutheran, but because it is based on God's Word.

God's Word is powerful enough even to cut through false teaching, so Christians exist in many different kinds of churches. But Walther elsewhere points out that those Christians will be in heaven because of God's truth; not because of man's falsehood.

Let us always cling to this truth, despite the world's attempt to paint our tenacity as close-mindedness. Let us hold the truth dear: not as a mere intellectual exercise, but as an act of faith in God's mercy. And may God remind us of the responsibility we share, as His children, to proclaim His truth of salvation through Christ -- in Word and Sacraments -- to all those around us.

[SPALATIN]

Here's the quote from the Ortho+Box (http://www.crosswisemag.com/quotebox.htm) today. I thought this one should stir things up. ;-)

"It must be true that since Christianity does not consist of merely one single church which everywhere confesses the same faith and the many different churches which exist contradict each other in their confessions, that either there is indeed no true church on earth, which has the unadulterated doctrine of Christ (which is impossible according to the promise of Christ), or from all the churches in all the world there can only be one which correctly carries the name "True Church." We hold the evangelical Lutheran Church as this "True Church" because she confesses the doctrines of the Word of God purely and clearly, and takes nothing away from it nor adds anything to it. She teaches the use of the holy sacraments without addition or subtraction to the institution of Christ."

-- C.F.W. Walther, "Concerning the Name 'Lutheran'"

+ + +

When we read this passage from C.F.W. Walther, our first impulse might be to shrink back from the force of the words. Walther is doing something we don't see much nowadays: he is claiming to know what the truth is.

We live at a time when it is considered the height of rudeness to claim that God has given us a single truth, contained in Holy Scripture. Many people believe there is more than one way to heaven--even outside of Christ. Walther, here, puts away such "universalism." He points out that Christ established His church to teach the only truth: that we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ.

But Walther goes further. He also points out that there is only one version of this truth contained in the Bible. And God has promised in His Word to preserve that truth through His church. It follows, therefore, that one church retains the true teaching of Christ and the Apostles.

Before we shrink back from the idea that this "true teaching" might be Lutheran teaching, we owe it to ourselves to look at the Lutheran Confessions. There, we find answers to a host of questions--all based on solid Scriptural teaching, and in line with what the universal church has always believed. In the Lutheran Confessions--the Book of Concord--we find the truth: not because it is Lutheran, but because it is based on God's Word.

God's Word is powerful enough even to cut through false teaching, so Christians exist in many different kinds of churches. But Walther elsewhere points out that those Christians will be in heaven because of God's truth; not because of man's falsehood.

Let us always cling to this truth, despite the world's attempt to paint our tenacity as close-mindedness. Let us hold the truth dear: not as a mere intellectual exercise, but as an act of faith in God's mercy. And may God remind us of the responsibility we share, as His children, to proclaim His truth of salvation through Christ -- in Word and Sacraments -- to all those around us.

CWM--As always you take aim and fire and hit a bullseye. What you say here is so true. I wish I had the clarity to present this kind of information myself.

[pastel]

I disagree with this, at least in part. While I do believe the Lutheran beliefs are the closest to Biblical doctrines, I highly doubt any churches are perfect.

[SPALATIN]

I disagree with this, at least in part. While I do believe the Lutheran beliefs are the closest to Biblical doctrines, I highly doubt any churches are perfect.

I don't think he is saying the Lutheran Church is perfect, but is saying that it is true. there is a difference between perfection and truth.

[CrossWiseMag]

I read recently -- I can't remember where -- that the reason we can claim the Lutheran Confessions are "true" is that they are thoroughly Scriptural. They do not add to Scripture, nor take away from Scripture. This is not to say Lutherans have ALL the answers. We do not, because God has not given us all the answers. But the Lutheran confessions are a thorough, systematic examination of Scripture and its teachings. For that reason, they are true.

Charlene, I would simply ask you to examine the Lutheran Confessions. Take your questions to the Book of Concord, and see how clearly it lays out the Biblical teaching -- not based on passages here and there, but based on the entire counsel of God. After being raised in the Lutheran church, it was my reading of the Book of Concord that convinced me I really am Lutheran. It convinced me precisely because it is Biblical, not because it is right of its own accord.

[Protoevangel]

I fully concur with CrossWiseMag. It was the truth and consistency with Scripture in the Book of Concord that convinced me that I was truly Lutheran.

Assuming that you have read the Bible, I would highly suggest you read the Book of Concord.

www.bookofconcord.org (http://www.bookofconcord.org)

If it looks so big that it intimidates you, start with the Three Ecumenical Creeds, the Small Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession. Once you finish these, you will probably be hooked! :D From there, you won't have a problem deciding to keep reading them.

[sculpturegirl]

I realized that I was Lutheran before I knew what a Lutheran was-LOL! I am not even "officially" a Lutheran, except that I agree that the BOC exposes the truth of the Gospel, as far as I can tell.

[CrossWiseMag]

Funny you should say taht, sculpturegirl. Elsewhere in the same essay, Walther talks about how the name "Lutheran" can be applied to anyone who believes the Gospel--even though many of them don't realize they're Lutherans.

[Lutherrunner]

Funny you should say taht, sculpturegirl. Elsewhere in the same essay, Walther talks about how the name "Lutheran" can be applied to anyone who believes the Gospel--even though many of them don't realize they're Lutherans.

hmmmm......now if I could just turn my non-denom girlfriend into a Lutheran!:thumbsup:

[KagomeShuko]

hmmmm......now if I could just turn my non-denom girlfriend into a Lutheran!:thumbsup:
Yeah! That'd be awesome!

Odd, when people visit my church, they say, "Oh, I love your church. . ." but none ever seem to join. . .

(then, there are the few young ones that say "it's boring")

Stein Auf!
Bridget

[Jim47]

Yeah! That'd be awesome!

Odd, when people visit my church, they say, "Oh, I love your church. . ." but none ever seem to join. . .

(then, there are the few young ones that say "it's boring")

Stein Auf!
Bridget

Its sad that people go to church thinking they are going to be entertained :(

[pastel]

I read recently -- I can't remember where -- that the reason we can claim the Lutheran Confessions are "true" is that they are thoroughly Scriptural. They do not add to Scripture, nor take away from Scripture. This is not to say Lutherans have ALL the answers. We do not, because God has not given us all the answers. But the Lutheran confessions are a thorough, systematic examination of Scripture and its teachings. For that reason, they are true.

Charlene, I would simply ask you to examine the Lutheran Confessions. Take your questions to the Book of Concord, and see how clearly it lays out the Biblical teaching -- not based on passages here and there, but based on the entire counsel of God. After being raised in the Lutheran church, it was my reading of the Book of Concord that convinced me I really am Lutheran. It convinced me precisely because it is Biblical, not because it is right of its own accord.

I have. I even have a copy of Luther's Small Catechism. I'm not saying that. I just have red flags, warning bells, and shrill whistles come up whenever someone says, "Our way is the only way."

[CrossWiseMag]

I just have red flags, warning bells, and shrill whistles come up whenever someone says, "Our way is the only way."

Jesus said that, y'know, Charlene. There really IS a right way. That doesn't mean only Lutherans are in heaven, and I'm sure you know that. But it does mean that the Confessions happen to be right -- simply because they are thoroughly Scriptural.

The point of my posting Walther's quote was to make us all think about those "red flags, warning bells, and shrill whistles," and to consider whether they're really necessary. So if there are specific misstatements in the Book of Concord, let's talk about them. This should always be the challenge to those who dismiss Lutheranism. If there's nothing in the Book of Concord that's Scripturally incorrect, then anything that contradicts the Lutheran position must be at variance with the truth.

[Qoheleth]

CrossWiseMag,

You have pointedly demonstrated the intent, desire, goal and spirit of the Lutheran Confessions. Nice job


Q

[CrossWiseMag]

Gee, I was just trying to stir up trouble. ;-)

[SPALATIN]

Gee, I was just trying to stir up trouble. ;)

The best way to stir up trouble here is to try not to stir up trouble here. ;)

[pastel]

The best way to stir up trouble here is to try not to stir up trouble here. ;)


Not to mention people (such as me) who are stubborn (such as me), opinionated (such as me), and obstinate (such as me). ;)

But I can only speak for myself, of course; who needs God's mercy more than most. :holy: