The Apocrypha/Duterocanon

[Colabomb]

I am looking into Lutheranism as a possible future home.

In a Wels or LCMS church, would I face difficulty because I hold the Apocrypha to be Scriptural?

I understand most people would disagree with me (and I am fine with that) but would they bar me from the Sacraments? Would they fellowship with me?

Or is it seen as a non-essential?

IN Christ the Living King!

Your Brother!
John <><

[SPALATIN]

I am looking into Lutheranism as a possible future home.

In a Wels or LCMS church, would I face difficulty because I hold the Apocrypha to be Scriptural?

I understand most people would disagree with me (and I am fine with that) but would they bar me from the Sacraments? Would they fellowship with me?

Or is it seen as a non-essential?

IN Christ the Living King!

Your Brother!
John <><

Colabomb,

Most of us would not worry about your holding the Deutero-canon/Apocrypha to be scriptural. Luther did not see these books as being inspired like the other books, but he did consider them worthy of reading. Unfortunately they are not included in many of the protestant published bibles being sold on the market.

Scott

[Colabomb]

Colabomb,

Most of us would not worry about your holding the Deutero-canon/Apocrypha to be scriptural. Luther did not see these books as being inspired like the other books, but he did consider them worthy of reading. Unfortunately they are not included in many of the protestant published bibles being sold on the market.

Scott
I was afraid because I have read that the Lutherans hold to a closed Communion, and that those who disagree on doctrine are not to be allowed.

Does this deal with only Creedal Christianity? Or does it go further?

[SPALATIN]

I was afraid because I have read that the Lutherans hold to a closed Communion, and that those who disagree on doctrine are not to be allowed.

Does this deal with only Creedal Christianity? Or does it go further?

Let me ask why do you feel that the Apocryphal books are inspired?

How would this belief make you invalid for Holy Communion?

Many Lutheran Churches today hold to Close communion, but not necessarily Closed communion. Closed communion would be to say that if you aren't a member of a synod church or you haven't spoken with the Pastor you shouldn't plan on taking the Sacrament that Sunday.

Close communion would be to put the criteria in the bulletin and if you agree with the criteria you would be welcome to the sacrament. However, if you don't agree you should abstain. By taking the sacrament when you are not in agreement with things like the Real Presence of Christ and that it is a means of Grace would be to take the sacrament to your judgement.

Just for your own sake I would ask the Pastor or the Elder what their practice is and abide by it for your own sake. Taking the sacrament is serious.

[Colabomb]

Let me ask why do you feel that the Apocryphal books are inspired?

How would this belief make you invalid for Holy Communion?

Many Lutheran Churches today hold to Close communion, but not necessarily Closed communion. Closed communion would be to say that if you aren't a member of a synod church or you haven't spoken with the Pastor you shouldn't plan on taking the Sacrament that Sunday.

Close communion would be to put the criteria in the bulletin and if you agree with the criteria you would be welcome to the sacrament. However, if you don't agree you should abstain. By taking the sacrament when you are not in agreement with things like the Real Presence of Christ and that it is a means of Grace would be to take the sacrament to your judgement.

Just for your own sake I would ask the Pastor or the Elder what their practice is and abide by it for your own sake. Taking the sacrament is serious.
Much agreed. I agree that the Sacrament is a very serious thing.

No I don't think Disagreement concerning minor issues should keep me from celebrating with my Bretheren. The Question is do they?

Yes, I believe that Christ is Present in the Eucharist.

I plan to speak with the pastor before I recieve the Sacrament, I do that at every Church I attend.

[SPALATIN]

Much agreed. I agree that the Sacrament is a very serious thing.

No I don't think Disagreement concerning minor issues should keep me from celebrating with my Bretheren. The Question is do they?

Yes, I believe that Christ is Present in the Eucharist.

I plan to speak with the pastor before I recieve the Sacrament, I do that at every Church I attend.

To my knowledge, minor issues, such as how you hold deutero-canonical works are not salient to your salvation or anyone elses therefore they would not hold you back from the sacrament. The only thing I can think of that would is if they do have closed communion and they feel that you need to be educated in the doctrines first. If they have Close communion you won't have to worry at all about that.

[LutheranGuy]

Do any Lutherans hold the apocrypha to be Scripture?

I personally think they should be included in all Bibles but are not the exact same quality as Scripture, but are very useful for reading.

[Tetzel]

It really depends on if how you are applying it. If you were to teach of purgatory and prayer for the dead based on the Deuterocanon then you'd almost certainly run into trouble among Lutherans.

[ByzantineDixie]

Purgatory, yes, prayers for the dead, no.

From the Apology, Article XXIV

94] Now, as regards the adversaries' citing the Fathers concerning the offering for the dead, we know that the ancients speak of prayer for the dead, which we do not prohibit;