Lutheranism, in common with Arminianism, rejects the Calvinist teaching of Limited Atonement, the doctrine that Christ’s death sufficiently atoned for the sins of SOME people (God’s chosen or elect) and not for ALL people. Lutherans however do not accept the Arminian position that Christ’s death, while it was not sufficient for the salvation of anyone,
The debate between the Lutheran and Reformed view of Holy Communion is a long and fierce one stretching over many centuries. Having grown up Lutheran and now being a Presbyterian pastor, this debate has been of great interest to me. I think it might be worthwhile to note the major reasons why I have come
Some Notes Against the Lutheran View of Communion Read More »
I grew up in a conservative Lutheran tradition and even consider attending an LCMS seminary. I was very grateful for my church but ultimate studied my way into the Reformed tradition and attending a seminary which led to me becoming a Presbyterian minister. When I was just starting out at seminary, I attended a couple
From the time I was five years old until my college years I attended with my family a Lutheran church (Holy Cross) in Jenison, MI. As this was a member of the conservative Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), I’ve long assumed that the previous church we attended (Faith Lutheran in Grand Rapids, MI) when I was
Luther’s Augustinian Theology of the Cross, by Marco Barone with foreword by David J. Engelsma. Resource Publications, Eugene, OR. 2017. 141 pp. For first thirty years of my life I was a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Though I am now a licensed Presbyterian minister, I have retained a great interest in
Review of Luther's Augustinian Theology of the Cross Read More »
“We preach faith, and any person not willfully resisting obtains faith.” – C.F.W. Walther, The Proper Distinction Between the Law and Gospel, p. 15. Lutheranism is neither Calvinistic nor Arminian. But what is it? There are at least three soteriological views I’ve heard ascribed to modern Lutherans: 1 . Salvation is a paradox. God desires
Soteriology:Theodicy: This first graph is the Lutheran view of soteriology (as it has taken me years to pry out of them). They believe there are three major soteriological teachings of Scripture (“Christ died for all”, “Not all will be saved”, and “Salvation is a work of God Alone”) and that we should not try to
Graphical Representation of Lutheran Soteriology and (lacking) Theodicy Read More »
Calvinism and Arminianism are commonly presented as the only two options regarding soteriology, the doctrine of salvation. Either 1) Jesus’ death sufficiently atoned for the sins of a specific number of people elected by God to salvation (as in Calvinism) or 2) Jesus’ death made salvation possible for each and every person who decides to
