Bryan Wolfmueller, pastor of St Paul and Jesus Deaf Lutheran Churches in Austin, TX, author of "A Martyr's Faith for a Faithless World", "Has American Christianity Failed?", co-host of Table Talk Radio, teacher of Grappling with the Text, and theological adventure traveler. View all posts by Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller →
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4 Comments
Hello Pastor Wolfmueller,
I found this message but enlightening and interesting. We came from an ELCA church but left when they became as we call it…”Lost”. I struggle in trying to explain the difference in the beliefs between our church and the Baptist church my daughter and her family attend. This helps me put it all in perspective. Thank you!!’
A lifelong Lutheran (Missouri Synod) myself, I have come to admire a certain Presbyterian (PCA) congregation in my community. My observations so far: Sunday morning services include intelligent 45-minute sermons and Holy Communion. The respect for the authority of Scripture is clear, the Gospel is emphasized, the liturgy is simple, the hymns and songs are singable, and even young families routinely spend nearly two hours at church each week.
Several years ago, noting how often I had come across Lutheran voices criticizing other denominations, I was inspired to write a bit of satire. Here are the first two of six verses:
Ein Festive Brag
1. A mighty fortress is Our Church. The rest, we’d say, are failing.
Contentiously upon our perch, against most trends we’re railing.
Beyond strive many a foe – non-Lutherans we don’t know.
Baptized though they may be, we criticize with glee,
In our own heads prevailing.
2. They follow Christ; it matters not. Their doctrine is contorted.
Pure Gospel they just have not got. That message they’ve distorted.
Let fierce debate begin, for we shall surely win.
While billions nothing know of Christ, we make a show
Of knowledge rightly sorted.
Paul,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
The command to beware of false doctrine comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul warns the church specifically that bad doctrine regarding the Lord’s Supper is dangerous to both body and soul.
Of course there are Christians and every congregation. God be praised! And of course Lutherans have been obnoxious. Lord have mercy.
But we can’t lose our saltiness. Those Presbyterians need you to be on their case. They need you to remind them that Jesus died for everybody, not just the elect. They need you to remind them that Jesus wants them to eat and drink his body and blood for the forgiveness of their sins. They need you to confess that apostasy is possible, so that they can hear the warnings of scripture clearly.
May God grant us a clear confession for the sake of the entire church.
PrBW
I like the feisty down to earth combative unique garrolous not nice impolite superiorily correct Bible based no nonsense Lutherans. Everyone else seems wan and limp wristed in comparison.
Hello Pastor Wolfmueller,
I found this message but enlightening and interesting. We came from an ELCA church but left when they became as we call it…”Lost”. I struggle in trying to explain the difference in the beliefs between our church and the Baptist church my daughter and her family attend. This helps me put it all in perspective. Thank you!!’
A lifelong Lutheran (Missouri Synod) myself, I have come to admire a certain Presbyterian (PCA) congregation in my community. My observations so far: Sunday morning services include intelligent 45-minute sermons and Holy Communion. The respect for the authority of Scripture is clear, the Gospel is emphasized, the liturgy is simple, the hymns and songs are singable, and even young families routinely spend nearly two hours at church each week.
Several years ago, noting how often I had come across Lutheran voices criticizing other denominations, I was inspired to write a bit of satire. Here are the first two of six verses:
Ein Festive Brag
1. A mighty fortress is Our Church. The rest, we’d say, are failing.
Contentiously upon our perch, against most trends we’re railing.
Beyond strive many a foe – non-Lutherans we don’t know.
Baptized though they may be, we criticize with glee,
In our own heads prevailing.
2. They follow Christ; it matters not. Their doctrine is contorted.
Pure Gospel they just have not got. That message they’ve distorted.
Let fierce debate begin, for we shall surely win.
While billions nothing know of Christ, we make a show
Of knowledge rightly sorted.
Paul,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
The command to beware of false doctrine comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul warns the church specifically that bad doctrine regarding the Lord’s Supper is dangerous to both body and soul.
Of course there are Christians and every congregation. God be praised! And of course Lutherans have been obnoxious. Lord have mercy.
But we can’t lose our saltiness. Those Presbyterians need you to be on their case. They need you to remind them that Jesus died for everybody, not just the elect. They need you to remind them that Jesus wants them to eat and drink his body and blood for the forgiveness of their sins. They need you to confess that apostasy is possible, so that they can hear the warnings of scripture clearly.
May God grant us a clear confession for the sake of the entire church.
PrBW
I like the feisty down to earth combative unique garrolous not nice impolite superiorily correct Bible based no nonsense Lutherans. Everyone else seems wan and limp wristed in comparison.