Why Lutheran?
Dear friends in Christ,
Many of you know my family attended our niece's wedding last weekend back in Michigan. It was a wonderful time spent with family, seeing old friends, and making new ones. The young man our niece married is from Alabama which is where they will be living. Being from the "Bible Belt," most of his friends and much of his extended family are Southern Baptist, including his best man.
A little later on in the evening, he came up to thank me for the prayer I offered before the meal and as we got to talking about faith, church, etc., he asked me, "So why Lutheran?" I think he was looking for me to explain some of the differences between Southern Baptism and Lutheran beliefs and practices. It was a fantastic question and I was really excited for the rest of the conversation. But I quickly realized that as we were shouting at each other over the loud music and holding beers in our hand, it probably wasn't going to be the most conducive setting for such a conversation. So, I simply said, "Because I was born Lutheran." Obviously I wasn't 'born' a Lutheran, no one is born into any religion. Rather, I meant I was born into a family who were confessional Lutherans. It just seemed like the quick and easy answer. But it wasn't a good answer.
I've been thinking about that question all week and how I would answer it in a different setting and I thought I would try it out with you. Maybe someone has asked you the same question or perhaps you've wondered it yourself. Sure, I might have been 'born' a Lutheran, but I've chosen to remain a Lutheran, after learning numerous other religions (and non-religions), and here's why:
Lutherans have, use, and emphasize the Absolution. You know that little part near the beginning of the Divine Service after we confess our sins? The pastor turns and says to you, "By the command and in the stead of Christ, I forgive you all your sins." That brief, simple, repeated-every-week phrase? Yeah, I absolutely love it and no one else does it. (John 20:19-23; Matthew 16:19; 18:18)
The Lutheran church is the only one that teaches and believes "baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21). That through simple water and the life-giving Word of God, the Holy Spirit grants rebirth for the individual to everlasting life (John 3:5,6; Titus 3:5,6); the baptized is clothed and completely covered with the righteousness of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26,27); the baptized is crucified, buried, and raised with Christ to live a whole new life to glory and honor of God (Romans 6:1-11).
The Lutheran church distributes the true body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion for the primary purpose of forgiving sins (Matthew 26:26-28). All Christian churches celebrate Holy Communion. But many only view it as a symbolic meal of bread and wine (or grape juice) and not the real bodily presence of Jesus. Others view it as a sacrifice by which Jesus must pay for our sins again and again. No one else emphasizes it as a means through which Jesus distributes the very forgiveness for which He already gave up His body and blood into death "once and for all" (Hebrews 7:27). Lutherans have a uniquely comforting and empowering view of the Sacrament.
Lutherans hold to the efficacy of God's Word, meaning that through the preaching of the Word, God accomplishes that which the Word says (Isaiah 55:10,11). When "repent" and "believe" are preached and taught, the Holy Spirit accomplishes those very actions in the hearts and lives of the hearers as God wills. The power, will, and decision does not lie in the mind and intent of the individual but in the Word of God. Thus, we believe that God actually saves people through the preaching of God's powerful Word.
Combining all of those means the Lutheran church is one that emphasizes both Word and Sacrament. Traditionally, most Christian churches tend to favor either the Word (e.g. Evangelical churches) or the Sacraments (e.g. Roman Catholic) while downplaying the other. The Lutheran church holds both in high esteem and equal in power and comfort. This is why both are present and utilized in every Divine Service.
I could list more, but hopefully you get the point. That's what I would've liked to have said to the best man at my niece's wedding. I may have been 'born' into the Lutheran church but there are numerous reasons why I have stuck around and have no plans to leave. You can't find what we have everywhere. Please don't misunderstand me; I don't say these things to be arrogant. I would hope everyone would speak about their own church and faith tradition this way. If not, then why are you a part of it? But I was posed with the question and have been thinking about it all week. Perhaps if someone asks you a similar question in the future, you'll now be better prepared to answer than I was. What would you add to my list? I'd love to know!
God bless and keep you this weekend! I hope to see you on Sunday as we experience and enjoy everything I listed above!
In Christ,
Pastor Bater