Make me feel better

[LilLamb219]

For the past few days I've been having to endure an attack by one of my best friends because of my beliefs. He's a Christian, but not a Lutheran and doesn't understand Lutherans at all! I joined the Wittenberg Trail at the beginning of the year and he's upset that I'm there. He feels that my being there attacks his beliefs. And he called me a white supremist...he's Latino :(

I'm not what he says I am. And in no way did I attack him.

Someone please make me feel better? :sigh:

[seajoy]

People will get very defensive on things like this. Once, at work, a Latino (who knew I was Lutheran) asked me how was my God, Martin Luther....to which I answered "how is your God, the pope?" He thought it was fine to say whatever he wanted about my beliefs, but I should keep my mouth shut about his.

Anyway, if he is a good friend, I would tell him you are very hurt by his statements. I know you, Lambie, and you could never be those things he said. It's just a way to get you to shut up, that's why you have been accused. I feel bad for you. Things like that upset me very much. It's happened to me right in our own general forum. Just know that you are a dear child of God. You have a right to stand up for your faith. Be strong in the Lord, and also know that your friends here know the kind of person you are.

[LilLamb219]

Thank you for your kind words! It really helps hearing this :)

[filosofer]

While it hurts deeply, we shouldn't be surprised. The epistle reading for this coming Sunday says it all - if we suffer for the name of Christ (1 Peter 4:12-19). Possibly he even uses the argument, "You should be Christian instead of Lutheran". The answer is: "I am a Christian who confesses the Christian faith as a Lutheran."

You are indeed blessed (Matt. 5:10-12 [Jesus said:] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.).

:prayer:
:prayer:

[WildStrawberry]

Well Filo beat me to it, Lamb Dear.

Just know that we are here for you and that Jesus knows what's in your heart.

I agree with Angie, let your friend know that his attitude hurts you. If he is truly a friend, he will understand. Does he say WHY your being on WT hurts him? WHY he feels you're a white supremacist? If it's the whole "Luther 'n Hitler were [wash my mouth][wash my mouth][wash my mouth]! Buddies!!" idiocy, perhaps printing out some of the responses that have been talked about here on the boards would help him understand how all of that has been taken out of context.

I wish I had better words of encouragement. Let me know if you need to talk! I have great ears. *G*

Kae

[LilLamb219]

Thanks, guys :)

The problem with my friend is he doesn't "listen" to me. And with the WT site, he took offense with the front page because he felt as if he was being attacked and didn't think it was appropriate for a "Christian" site to do such a thing.

For those not familiar with this site, it has a web page introducing the online community that is similar to MySpace, but for Lutherans! I love it and wish I could spend more time there because it's something I've wanted to join for years but it hadn't been invented til recently ;)

Here are some things copied and pasted from the website:

This website has been created to help Christians "find their way home".

Today, many Christians who are members of evangelical and non-denominational churches are leaving to join Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Orthodox bodies.

The ahistorical, non-creedal, shallow and commercial trends (http://www.wittenbergtrail.com/page6/AmericanEvangelicalTheology.html) in many of today's evangelical and non-denominational churches are causing people, including pastors, to take a new look at the "historic" Christian churches.

The problem my friend has with the first sentence is that he, as a Christian, feels offended that someone would think he should need to "find his way home". I explained to him that there are a lot of confused Christians out there and that Lutherans view "home" as being with Christ. I deal with people every day on the Christian Forums who need to be turned back to Christ because churches keep turning them toward themselves to see how they're doing and they are in despair. This explanation didn't jive with my friend though.

As for the last paragraph, he belongs to a Southern Baptist church and they're non-creedal. So, he felt attacked by that. He also said that the statement made it sound as if Lutherans are the only ones who have it right and everyone else is wrong in worship. I told him he was misunderstanding what the site said.

Of course there were more misunderstandings on his part...and then we got into a LONG argument about Holy Communion. He actually said that he thought the Lord just gave it to us as an afterthought. He's very irreverent about communion and I found many of his comments concerning it to be extremely insulting, but I held back and didn't lay into him as I wanted.

Well, today we chatted briefly online and he tried to say he never called me a white supremist but was saying that by belonging to a "bigoted" site such as the Wittenberg Trail that I was belonging to a group such as the white supremists...he feels that he is being discriminated against in his form of Christianity and demands inclusion.

*sigh*

My friend and I NEVER could discuss religion. Ever. Without a fight. So, for a very long time we agreed never to discuss it. All I did was bring up the fact that I joined that site, and didn't state much else about it...and I got attacked for it badly because of my joining there.

I just don't know if my friendship with him can endure his disrespect for me.

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Thanks, guys :)

The problem with my friend is he doesn't "listen" to me. And with the WT site, he took offense with the front page because he felt as if he was being attacked and didn't think it was appropriate for a "Christian" site to do such a thing.

For those not familiar with this site, it has a web page introducing the online community that is similar to MySpace, but for Lutherans! I love it and wish I could spend more time there because it's something I've wanted to join for years but it hadn't been invented til recently ;)

Here are some things copied and pasted from the website:

This website has been created to help Christians "find their way home".

Today, many Christians who are members of evangelical and non-denominational churches are leaving to join Lutheran, Roman Catholic and Orthodox bodies.

The ahistorical, non-creedal, shallow and commercial trends (http://www.wittenbergtrail.com/page6/AmericanEvangelicalTheology.html) in many of today's evangelical and non-denominational churches are causing people, including pastors, to take a new look at the "historic" Christian churches.

The problem my friend has with the first sentence is that he, as a Christian, feels offended that someone would think he should need to "find his way home". I explained to him that there are a lot of confused Christians out there and that Lutherans view "home" as being with Christ. I deal with people every day on the Christian Forums who need to be turned back to Christ because churches keep turning them toward themselves to see how they're doing and they are in despair. This explanation didn't jive with my friend though.

As for the last paragraph, he belongs to a Southern Baptist church and they're non-creedal. So, he felt attacked by that. He also said that the statement made it sound as if Lutherans are the only ones who have it right and everyone else is wrong in worship. I told him he was misunderstanding what the site said.

Of course there were more misunderstandings on his part...and then we got into a LONG argument about Holy Communion. He actually said that he thought the Lord just gave it to us as an afterthought. He's very irreverent about communion and I found many of his comments concerning it to be extremely insulting, but I held back and didn't lay into him as I wanted.

Well, today we chatted briefly online and he tried to say he never called me a white supremist but was saying that by belonging to a "bigoted" site such as the Wittenberg Trail that I was belonging to a group such as the white supremists...he feels that he is being discriminated against in his form of Christianity and demands inclusion.

*sigh*

My friend and I NEVER could discuss religion. Ever. Without a fight. So, for a very long time we agreed never to discuss it. All I did was bring up the fact that I joined that site, and didn't state much else about it...and I got attacked for it badly because of my joining there.

I just don't know if my friendship with him can endure his disrespect for me.

LL,

I'm sorry that your friend's heart has been so hardened against our beliefs, practices, and the Gospel. I can only speculate, but usually when Christian people feel that their faith is being attacked by another Christian denomination it's often because they are insecure and having doubts about their own. When people attack us, we usually smile and carry on because we have the Lord and Scripture on our side.

I know this hurts, but the fact that he still wishes to discuss religion and doctrine with you tells me that there may be a door open.

Pray for patience, wisdom, and the right words to express and lovingly defend your faith. I will pray for you also.:crossrc:

Your friend in Christ,

Mark:)

[cerette]

Don't put up with that sort of stuff from a friend. If he truly is a friend, he will calm down enough to let you explain things instead of attacking you and calling you things you are not.

[Aibrean]

Well I can say that coming from a non-denom background, I have found my way home. I can understand how you are feeling. My husband when we were first dating was VERY defensive about being seventh day adventist until he realized how destroying it is and how he really didn't believe anything they did. I couldn't mention anything without him getting mad and he didn't want to listen to me talk about anything having to do with church.

Of course, that has all changed :)

[LilLamb219]

Thank you for all the input, everyone :) I appreciate hearing all this!

[porterross]

The problem is obviously his, Lambi, and I'd bet a whole other bag of insecurities is behind the baseless criticism. He might be looking for you to delve deeper into finding out what's really bothering him, but who knows?

Just pray that Christ can speak to his heart and help him with his issues. He must have some internal turmoil.

[BreadAlone]

Someone please make me feel better? :sigh:

How firm a foundation, Oh saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He has said,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

In every condition, in sickness, in health;
In poverty’s vale, or abounding in wealth;
At home and abroad, on the land, on the sea,
Your One source of comfort I ever shall be.

Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
For I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

Throughout all their lifetimes My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when gray hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still on My shoulders be borne.

Plus everyone else said some pretty uplifting things too. :)

[LilLamb219]

Porter, but he's SOOOO completely arrogant it's hard to detect any insecurities. But you could be right. It could just be a front. He did say he spent hours reading through the site's information.

BA, thank you...I read it through and it was wonderful :)

[LutheranChick]

Wow, I don't know what more to say, as what everyone else has posted says it all. Just know that you and your friend have my prayers. By posting this, LilLamb, you have caused a multitude of prayers to be said for your friend, and you as well. (Gee that would tick him off- all these 'bigoted' people praying for him :) ) Maybe the Holy Spirit is at work on him already. God Bless you in your struggle!

[LilLamb219]

hehe I hope so!!! :angel:

Thanks :)

Wow, I don't know what more to say, as what everyone else has posted says it all. Just know that you and your friend have my prayers. By posting this, LilLamb, you have caused a multitude of prayers to be said for your friend, and you as well. (Gee that would tick him off- all these 'bigoted' people praying for him :) ) Maybe the Holy Spirit is at work on him already. God Bless you in your struggle!

[QuiltAngel]

Didn't he have to register to read much of what is on the site? It seems to be that in order to read many of the things I was wanting to read, I had to join.

I agree that your friend has some insecurities going on that what he is reading makes him uncomfortable. Either that, or he does not want to admit that there might be some truth to what he is reading on WT and what he has been taught may not be right.

Will keep him and you in my prayers.

[LilLamb219]

Didn't he have to register to read much of what is on the site? It seems to be that in order to read many of the things I was wanting to read, I had to join.

I agree that your friend has some insecurities going on that what he is reading makes him uncomfortable. Either that, or he does not want to admit that there might be some truth to what he is reading on WT and what he has been taught may not be right.

Will keep him and you in my prayers.

Thanks, QA :)

As far as I know, he did not register. He didn't go to the ning page for registration for the community, but read the page that kind of introduces the WT at http://www.wittenbergtrail.com. That page has explanations and links and even I haven't gone through all the links yet! It's pretty informative.

He doesn't understand that the WT community isn't set up to just bash other denominations. That's what he has in his mind that it is though and he's a pretty stubborn person (for the 12 years I've known him, he hasn't changed in that aspect :doh:).

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Thanks, QA :)
....he's a pretty stubborn person (for the 12 years I've known him, he hasn't changed in that aspect :doh:).

Your discription makes him sound almost Lutheran (in disposition, if not in doctrine).:)

[BreadAlone]

Your discription makes him sound almost Lutheran (in disposition, if not in doctrine).:)
LOL

[LilLamb219]

Your discription makes him sound almost Lutheran (in disposition, if not in doctrine).:)

He WOULD make a good Lutheran, wouldn't he? ^_^

[DaRev]

It would be very easy for someone from outside the Lutheran tradition to misunderstand what Wittenburg Trail is all about. It is primarily a site for established Lutherans and thus approaches subject matters from an internal point of view. Those from outside Confessional Lutheranism would easily be confused.