Becoming Lutheran

 I am a cradle Episcopalian who has recently been received as a pastor in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.  It's been a long road, but I am thankful to be part of the LCMS.  Allow me to give you a bit of my journey.

I grew up in New Jersey, attending three Episcopal Churches.  After three years in the Army, I completed college, got married, and started seminary at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry.  I served four churches in the Episcopal Church.  The final church I served left the Episcopal Church in 2006 and became part of the Convocation of Anglicans in North America.   After serving that church for over 21 years, I retired and started attending an LCMS congregation.  About four and a half years later, I am in the process of becoming the pastor of the LCMS church that I attend.

Part of becoming Lutheran has been relearning theology.  Part of becoming a pastor in the LCMS has been a process called Colloquy.  It is a way that the LCMS receives pastors from other traditions into the LCMS.  The capstone of the Colloquy process is an interview at the LCMS International Center in St. Louis by the Colloquy Committee.  The Committee that interviewed me was made up of the executive vice president of the LCMS, the president of Concordia Seminary, a professor from Concordia Theological Seminary, and a district president.  Districts are like dioceses in the Anglican tradition and the head of districts is either called district president or bishop.

Prior to the LCMS and for many years, I considered myself a four-point Calvinist.  I have always rejected the idea of limited atonement.  The idea that Jesus died only for the elect, that is, those He has called to Himself and given the free gift of eternal life, is refuted in many places in the Bible.  The Colloquy Committee grilled me on my theology, using T.U.L.I.P., a summary of Calvinist theology.

T stands for total depravity, and on this, Lutherans and Calvinists agree.  U stands for unconditional election.  Lutherans differ with Calvinists on this.  The Lutheran position is that while God does grant unconditional election to those He calls to Himself, Lutherans reject the double predestination of the Calvinists.

L stands for limited atonement, which Lutherans reject on the basis on a number of Bible teachings, including John 3:16.  I stands for irresistible grace, which Lutherans also reject, and this is where I got into a bit of trouble with the committee.  Lutherans believe that humanity in its sinful condition can and does reject the grace of God.  It is only by God's grace that any of us receive God's gift of eternal life, but God allows humanity to reject His offer of grace and salvation.   For Lutherans, God's grace is not irresistible.  

P stands for perseverance of the saints.  Lutherans believe that Christians can fall away from God.  For a host of scripture passages in support of this belief, I refer the reader to this. 

Relearning theology has been a good exercise.  Lutherans, following Martin Luther, seek to be biblical in all things.  This is not to say that Calvinists, Arminians, Wesleyans, or any other theological tradition is not concerned with theology based on Scripture.  It is to say that I believe that the Lutheran tradition rightly teaches biblical theology.

In my next post, I'll talk about Lutheran worship.  The writer would love to hear your thoughts.  Please add your comments.


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