Why the Lutherans don't fit in

Here's a quick story, with a theory about why the Lutherans don't fit in anywhere.

[bencurry]

As a new Lutheran, I very much agree with this. It took my wife fours years of work to get me to accept that my nondenominational background was lacking in a lot of the things I valued in church. Eventually I found your channel and you did most of the work to turn me in the right direction. I originally didn’t like Lutheran’s because, as a told my wife, “you just feel like Catholic lite Christian’s, ” which she adamantly denied. Now, I know that is the point, and that having a value for the tradition has its place. Can’t thank you enough for all that you do, and the years of learning potential you’ve place here for so many people. Recently read the Large Catechism and now reading the Book of Concord to give myself a solid base.

[janethiele]

I am a life long Lutheran woman in Queensland Australia. My dad was a pastor as was my grandfather, 2 uncles and now my husband. I work as a high school teacher in a non denominational Christian school. I can safely say that in my time here (10 years), I have become more Lutheran. There is a depth and maturity in the Lutheran understanding of Word and Sacrament that does not exist in Reformed traditions. I am surrounded by Baptists and Reformed evangelical Pentabaptapressycostal type church goers whose go to churches called Riverlife, Shiloh, The Potters House, Victory, Elevate etc. They look at me quizzically when I talk about things like Word and Sacrament. Don't stop teaching us Pastor Wolfmueller. You make our theology make sense in a way that is easy to understand. Praise be to God.

[Lutheran-disguised-as-baptist]

as a new Lutheran who attends a 1689 Baptist church, this is super helpful. I recently became Lutheran theologically starting with communion, then baptism, then predestination. And finally a video by you describing the law gospel hermeneutic. Thanks to you and Dr Cooper!

[StevenKozarMessedUpChurch]

Great little illustration!! Thanks for all you do, Pastor Wolfmueller!

[roxanne]

Glad my parents had me go to K-8 Missouri Synod School and Church...Sola Scriptura...later
attended Wisc. Synod College, and Church. Excellent teachers and training !

[jimflys]

A very good summary and explanation. Life long Lutheran here, who for a time, eschewed the value and proper understanding of the sacraments. Shall I blame the ALC or my Baptist friends? I thank God for my Evangelical friends and churches that I attended for a time. With first-hand experience, I felt the void and the vapid nature of word only and feel good worship style that tried to fill the sacrament-less void. With the guidance of a confessional Lutheran pastor, I was brought back into a proper understanding of law, gospel, and sacramental worship with guess what at the center? THE WORD! (psst...that's Jesus)

[Wanttoknowabout]

One key thing that drew me to Lutheranism was the *proper distinction between* Law and Gospel. As I have matured in the Lutheran faith I have realized more and more that Lutherans in many areas always aim for a *proper distinction*. Word and sacrament is yet another one of those. Everything is in tension. We allow that tension to exist instead of caving in to the human desire to solve it all. We can't solve it all. God solved it for us!

[craigflower]

Bryan, I am a Lutheran Orthodox Priest (OK that is a Mouth Full) and as a "Defender of the Faith"; I encourage you in the Tradition of our Lutheran Faith "Be Strong! - Be Strong! And be Strengthened, Be Strong! - Be Strong! And we will Strengthen One Another. I with Concord share we as Lutherans take Faith, Producing Love (Lieb) and Works (Werck) wherein the Holy Ghost abounds in our Soul's, therein we turn to Truth, and Law amidst the Lawlessness of the Age. To surprise and experience in such simple Truth spoken so we may be Blessed. I Thank You for speaking from the Heart.
God Bless and remain Strong! In the Faith.

[tammyroberts]

You nailed it!! I have such a time trying to explain this. I’ve noted your comments in my Bible, so I’m ready the next time someone asks.

[mariaannino]

Yes - Lutheranism is the ultimate "both and' thanks for clarifying this way that we are unique

[vester]

Love listening to Pastor Wolfmueller from a lifelong MN Lutheran. 😊

[lynnerussell]

You do a great job explaining what being a Lutheran means. Thank you

[MartinConkling]

Many useful and accurate insights. The effect is often a one side or the other emphasis within our own congregations. In the area where Baptist and Non-Denominational churches predominate, we hear a lot of Lutherans speaking as these other churches do, e.g. personal piety, morality, obeying the commandments, making a decision for Christ, and on the east coast especially where Lutheran congregations could be mistaken for a Catholic mass if one did not read the sign out front before entering. As a Lutheran pastor and former professor, I believe we ought to catechise our poeple more intentionally. They will, I believe, better grasp the gospel in doing so.

[ralf]

Thank you for being such a great teacher.

[ericclark]

I started out in a small ELCA church as a kid. I then got involved with some third wave Charismatic United Methodists. Then I went to a Presbyterian College. Eventually I landed in the Vineyard. All that to say that in my wanderings and growth in my faith life, I have always really been grateful for the bedrock foundation that was laid in my life in the Lutheran Church. For me, the mystery of the faith, and my inability to understand it isn't a bug but a feature. Holding things in tension has taught me to embrace having to trust God. I feel like the great job that Lutherans do in being a sacramental tradition with a high view of scripture is indeed a defining characteristic of Lutheranism, and I am ever so thankful for the things I learned as a Lutheran.

[logiberra]

A little bit of encouragement here. I'm a member of an Anglican Church in the ACNA and we have in our liturgy a balance between the ministry of Word and Sacrament also. Our sermons land around 20 or 25 minutes. On extremely rare occasions, they will be 30 minutes maximum. Then we transition to the liturgy of the Holy Eucharist. Long story short...you're not the only ones my Lutheran brothers.

[jasonwreden]

So we’re basically the best of both worlds. Properly taught.

[marktaylor]

I think you hit the nail on the head. I am Reformed and definitely lean more toward Word. I love your teaching, and stumbled onto them because of your EverBook videos. I've even been through several books of the Bible teachings on The Word Endures podcast that you recommended some time back. But we aren't very far apart. 😎

[steverentfrow]

This was an excellent video. Thanks, Pastor W.

[richv]

I think that would still be a great idea to have a series of conferences with other pastors/priests from other denominations. It can help introduce others to the clearest form of Christianity, which is confessional Lutheranism. I’m sure a lot of people who subscribe to you would find it very interesting and edifying.