I am currently exploring the idea of leaving the Baptist tradition for Lutheranism. Although this video is nearly a decade old, it helped me today! I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me to it. Thank you Rev. Wolfmueller.
Awesome! When you become a Lutheran, you will realize what you were missing (speaking as a former Baptstim myself): sacramental theology, creeds, liturgy and deep ancient history.
I’m a former Pentecostal, confirmed Nov. 2021….. if I may suggest checking out Will Wheedon, and Chris Rosebourgh, both can be found on TH-cam, oh and of course Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.
We are new Lutherans and feel like we've come home. I grew up non denominational, my husband assembly of God, and been through every doctrine imaginable, including Calvinism. I wrestled with the sacraments because I thought it was too RC. My husband never diverted...always loved the simplicity of the Gospel and the Word and there was one verse that jumped out at me that made me settle in lutheranism: "Did God really say?" I saw I was questioning Gods Word. Since becoming Lutheran and posting my excitement I have been blocked, unfriended, told that I was believing heresy, was blasphemous, etc.. but that's okay. I have this inner peace. 😊
I was bouncing evangelical church to church looking for one which taught doctrine. I attended one for a decade, they went full-Warrentard. Took the crosses down, surveys, celebrity praise teams, psychobabble self help best life now experience talks. "What is going on????" Couldn't put words to reality. Left for SBC, taught SS. The LifeWay materials were just rotten. Threw them out, taught Nicene doctrine to include 1 Cor. 15:1-8 to begin every class. Drew complaints, was asked to stop by leadership. Left, despaired. Heard Lutheran Hour, then began DuckDuckGoing. Found Fisk, Wolfmueller, Wolf, Nagle, Rosebrough, et al. Thanks be to God!
@@exvan3571 I’m in a Baptist small group here in the neighborhood. I went to here one of the girls sing at her Baptist church. It was SUCH a drag. The Pastor even said out loud, “ I am not here to make you feel good.” Wow.
I’m a former “evangelical.” It was Lutheranism that kept me Christian after the Law of fundamentalism in the “Bible Church” nearly destroyed me. It’s all about grace! Salvation is 100% Jesus & 0% me! Lutheranism gets it!
I began my religious journey as a Southern Baptist then became Independent Baptist then Reformed Baptist then Presbyterian (PCA) and by God's grace became Lutheran (LCMS). It has been a journey with eating a lot of crow along the way. Finally SCRIPTURE ALONE! God's peace be with you.
Thank you so much for this message. I long to get off of the pendulum. The more I listen to Lutheran message focusing on Law and Gospel / Sin and Grace, the closer I get.
Amazing testimony, I was taught that Lutheran's were not saved also, my grandpa's family was ELCA and I was raised Catholic but converted to Assembly of God at age 11 became a christain but in the last two years have really been searching the scripture and found that the Lutheran's do have the correct doctrine of the Bible, I feel free since I ve become Lutheran LCMC and after reading the writings of Martin Luther shock that I was wrong all these years I thought I found the answer, what a relief to find truth at last, I sat with a Lutheran pastor about 2 hours just talking about my false doctrines, and I believe God lead me to this church to find the truth of God.
In my Evangelical background, Lutherans were considered almost like Roman Catholics though not quite as "bad." Then I actually studied them myself and met Lutherans, confessional like LCMS and WELS. What an education! Most of my worship in last two hears has been either online Lutheran worship and more recently in person worship. If not for COVID, I very well might be a Lutheran now. What I appreciate most is Lutherans don't "backdoor" the law onto you like other churches. What I mean is all the arbitrary rules some churches put on you after joining.
21:00 mark, I had the same feeling when I realized that my salvation does not depend on me or my decision to accept Jesus. I was raised Southern Baptist, but fell away from going to church and was agnostic for many years. I started searching and God put several Christian women in my life at just the right moment. One was a Lutheran (prior S. Baptist too) and the revelation that I am incapable of deciding to be saved was such an eye opener to me. I was in tears, just as is described in this video.
Watching in 2019. Thank you for this. I so needed it. I was Evangelical for many years and then decided Communion waa empty. I ended up at an LCMS church and then discovered the theology of the Cross rather than the theology of glory. I love God's Word and His wonderful grace.
wow ... "the emotional roller-coaster of Evangelism" is so TRUE. I wish I had a Facebook account to spread this video to the masses of confused/mingled-Law&Gospel fellow brothers and sisters in the Evangelical American & Danish world.
Pr. Wolfmueller, thank you so much! It's crazy how similar our conversion experiences are. I definitely identify with the lonely part right now and the losing of friends and The difference between Law and Gospel being so precious. Very comforting to know that someone else made this journey and came out the other side. God bless you!
Twenty years in Calvary Chapel, I visited and expressed interest an LCMS Lutheran church, and they were shocked that I was even there. I remember this so vividly, they said, “It’s strange that you’re here, normally only people who are born into LCMS are here. People don’t usually just walk in and check us out”. I was thinking, “Wow, don’t they get converts on a regular basis? What is it about this group that they don’t consistently get converts.” I went a couple more times and also attended their bible study once or twice. There are some things I do admire about Lutheranism.
Yes, I grew up in a Lutheran church in the 60s which was already going bad. We got Churchianity and moralism, never Gospel. Thank God, when I was 16, I couldn't see any more reason to keep going. 90% of my growth in Christ has been made possible through the work of nondenominational "Bible" church pastors. I'm pleased that there are still worthwhile Lutheran churches, but even the LCMS church I spent a couple of years in about twenty years ago had a gutless squish for a pastor. I keep hoping to find a good LCMS pastor in person, but until then, will remain a PCA Presbyterian.
@@bobtaylor170 All LCMS pastors or their affiliates here in Canada (Lutheran Church-Canada), are amazing, Bible-based and passionate to the core. I love LCMS/LCC!
@@bobtaylor170 that’s sad to hear. I’m my experience is the opposite. Most Lutheran pastor I know are very well prepared. They know their Bible and church history.
@@Solideogloria00 , this guy should never have been in pastoral ministry. He was a coward. He taught the adult Sunday School class. One Sunday, he began it in this way: "Are we really showing the love of God to someone when we tell the person that apart from Jesus Christ, that person is going to Hell? "NO!!!!!!!!!" Well, then what's the point? Why do we believe in Jesus Christ if not for the salvation of our souls, and why are we commanded to witness to them if God doesn't love them and want them to be saved? As I said, a squish. A horrible disappointment. I hope in sixteen years he's found a testosterone patch to be a helpful source of what he so clearly needed and so clearly lacked.
Thank you for this talk. I am looking for the word to be preached and keep me off of your swing set I'll be looking for a new church home soon. Thank you for showing me the Lutheran church. 😊
Your baptism story reminds me of Nacho Libre - the scene when Nacho baptizes El Skeleto in the gym in a pan of water .... LOLOL - thanks for this wonderful presentation - I'm LCMS former southern Baptist and you nailed it. We've found The Treasure in the LCMS - bottom line to all my evangelical friends: You can't argue with Scripture.
Baptism is not a work, but a miracle from God. 1 Peter 3, specifically verse 21, says baptism now saves you. It's just what the Word says, and we are very grateful for this gift of grace. We are buried with Christ and risen with Him through this baptism, therefore we can walk in newness of life (Romans 6). Nothing that we do ourselves, but what God has done and doing for us
7 minutes in and a mention of Calvary Chapel. I can already tell where this is going because I lived it; the most manipulative environment I have voluntarily allowed myself to be a part of...
In this culture, we are so imbued with shallow emotionalism, legalism, and making mindless nice-nice that we just can't see the difference. You have to suffer through the law-oriented burden of "Evangelicalism" in order to understand how it differs from true Evangelicalism the original Evangelicalism- the faith of Jesus and Paul and Luther. -
One reason that CCM is popular is that it allows you to DO something. That appeals to our inborn legalism, that seeks to please God through the Law. That colors both contents and form.
Strange title of this video. Most Lutherans I know consider themselves to be evangelical. I am a Baptist who loves singing A Mighty Fortress is Our Lord and love Bach Lutheran Cantatas. Although not exactly a "protestant" church, we Baptists admire deeply Luther´s courage and bravery when facing the Jesuit persecution and intimidation.
+E. Diaz del Campo Lutherans were the original Evangelicals. The problem is that those who call themselves "Evangelicals" aren't. It's not about us. It's about Jesus.
There's a great book by an LDS author that shows that there's perfect harmony between the prophetic statements concerning the garden of Eden being in Missouri and the Old Testament account concerning the garden of Eden. It's called Canaan, Babylon, and Egypt A Comparative Theological Analysis on Creation sold by Eborn Books.
Fabulous! However, unless you have walked this walk of turmoil created by the false teaching in churches today you will probably not appreciate or understand what he is discussing. It is not about being "Evangelical" - he is discussing his conversion to the truth - God came to us, God saves us - the simplicity of the Gospel. Man has nothing to do to be saved. Faith is a gift of God. Man can not make a decision to believe in Christ and therefore be saved. This teaching puts salvation in our hands where there is no peace, no assurance, because on that day when I don't "feel" saved or I have "sinned".... did I really give my life to Jesus or do I need to do it again.... Salvation is completely God's work. God came to us. He gave us Jesus. Salvation is His work, not man's response. We can not "decide" to believe. This truth is taught in most Lutheran churches.
one thing i noticed in the Catholic Church they dont preach the Law, while Calvinists rely too heavily on the Law and not enough on the Gospel, i think Calvinists get their Limited Atonement is from the old testament sacrifices where the Sin Atonement was only for Israel while Calvinists see the Atonement of Christ only going to those who believe and are Elect, but doesnt the Lutheran Church believe in Election as well and Predestination? im caught in the middle on election though i see the Elect of God as only those who believe since Scripture states that the unbeliever stands condemned already.... any Pastor want to shed some light on this? ps i have the Book of Concord on my Ipod touch along with Luther's small catechism
Kevin, For the Lutheran teaching on election and predestination, turn in your Book of Concord to the document called The Formula of Concord. In the Formula, there are two parts, the Epitome (which is more brief) and the Thorough Declaration (which covers the same articles, but more thoroughly). In either of those parts, you want Article 11. If you can navigate my confusing instructions, you'll find it. The Bible does tell us that those who are sons of God through Christ were chosen by God before creation (Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 8:29). It does not say that He chose anyone from eternity for damnation. In fact, the Bible is clear that God wants all to be saved (Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9). I know, the two don't seem reconcilable within human curiosity. But it is simply what the Bible says. And as the Lutheran Confessions do a good job of pointing out, the doctrine isn't for the sake of curiosity, but for comfort. It is comforting to know that the same God who brought me to His Son through Baptism chose to do so before the world began, and He keeps drawing me back to His Word and to the Lord's Supper to be sustained in the faith.
Spener was an evangelical Lutheran...a big influence for the start of Pietistic movement.. Don't forget Tauler, Suso---rhineland mystics of Germany...forerunners of evangelical movement.
When I became Lutheran I still considered myself an evangelical. As an evangelical I did not automatically reject 2000 years of Christian tradition but looked at it in light of God s Word. I consider the majority of the Church fathers evangelicals and reformers like Martin Luther and Thomas Cranmer evangelical as well. This is too weird for my simple mind.
+Paul Nurmi There's evangelical (centered in the Gospel) and Evangelical (no real sacraments, legalistic, synergistic, emotionalistic, works and feelings oriented). In many ways, the two are polar opposites.
Hi Mary, check out what holy Scripture says about Baptism does/is/gives/benefits (holy Gospel of John 3:5, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21, Gal 3:27, Titus 3:5). May be difficult to logically understand the mysteries of Christ, but as believers we are given the Faith to trust in His Word and Promises. Baptizing "all nations" (aka "all people" ... word/concept nation is 19th century) and teaching them.
Protestants might have followed the lead of Castellio and Denk; but they preferred Calvin and Luther - preferred them because the doctrines of justification by faith and of predestination were more exciting than those of the Perennial Philosophy. "Waiting on God" is a bore; but what fun to argue, to score off opponents, to lose one's temper and call it "righteous indignation," and at last to pass from controversy to blows, from words to what St. Augustine so deliciously described as the "benignant asperity" of persecution and punishment.
Is it likely you are wrong in saying: "Protestants might have followed the lead of Castellio and Denk; but they preferred Calvin and Luther - preferred them because the doctrines of justification by faith and of predestination were more exciting than those of the Perennial Philosophy." The Protestant Reformation followed on the heels of the English Dr. John Wycliffe pointing out that salvation was through grace by faith in Jesus Christ and that the Holy Bible and not Catholic myth that you can buy salvation was to be followed in matters of doctrine. Reference to "Perennial Philosophy" seems misplaced because there is one true religion and that is the uncorrupted Christianity as taught by Jesus and which a humble Christian deacon, Philip the Evangelist, was told to go and explain to a Black man sitting in a chariot headed towards Ethiopia along the Gaza Road outside Jerusalem. He was given a Bible study, using only one Book actually, the Scroll of the Book of Isaiah. Jesus had recently arisen and ascended to heaven and Philip pointed out how the prophecies in Isaiah referred to Christ. The eunuch was baptized into a true, Christian, 7th day Sabbath-keeping church looking forward to the second "advent" of Jesus Christ. In proof of all of that, the Holy Spirit made Philip vanish in front of the Ethiopian eunuch. But today you have a church that has changed times and laws and implemented mystical practices into the body of Christ. Note too that if the Ethiopian had done these things those practices would have been regarded as obeah or voodoo but look whose promulgating and keeping Christmas trees and all that stuff!
A Lutheran Pastor told me that even after the absolution and Kyrie, we are still sinners. I know this is right and true. But can you expound on this? Specially at the end of your discourse you said we have been forgiven. How are we sinner and saint at the same time.
I would say it’s same as the Catholic Church when the Priest absolves your sins ( IT’s Jesus forgiving through the Priest and not the Priest himself). It’s part of the liturgy.
Addendum: It's not a confusion of Law and Gospel to recognize the very real problems with CCM and the driving philosophy behind it. As one raised evangelical, I am quite familiar with the songs. Whereas I can think of a handful with real theological depth, I have an entire hymnal in my LCMS congregation.
I hear his criticism and generalization regarding seeing God's word as commands. However, to be fair, not all non Lutherans see it this way. Stereotypes and over generalization can be unhelpful and produce ignorant tribalism. Let's not create caricatures and straw men to emphasize differences.
There's a marked difference between entertainment (movies) and worship. If you can understand why CCM is not appropriate for the Divine Service, then you will understand why some Lutherans would discourage CCM. CCM doesn't market itself as entertainment, but as worship. Too many of those songs are completely vacuous and Christless. Why would anybody listen to that?
That's because Lutherans aren't Protestants (or Catholics). People misunderstand this because they were the first church to "leave" the Catholic church. The churches that followed after and broke off are Protestants. My pastor says that both the Catholic church and protestant churches are based on works. BTW Evangelicals are protestants. Choosing to believe is a work.
*THE IMMUTABLE LAW OF GOD* *I* I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me. *II* *You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.* *III* You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. *IV* *Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.* *V* Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. *VI* You shall not murder. *VII* You shall not commit adultery. *VIII* You shall not steal. *IX* You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. *X* You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s. Exodus 20:2-17
My friend, I strongly encourage you to rethink your disillusionment with Lutheranism. Confessional Lutherans' problem with CCM is that very seldom do the lyrics contain solid Trinitarian, Christocentric, biblical theology. Too many times the motivation for having contemporary music is to draw people into the Church rather than for teaching God's Word and worshiping Him. Many evangelicals talk as if the relevancy of our message hinges on the church trends we buy into. Nothing could be more wrong.
1 Peter 3:21 "There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism" NKJV. Baptism isn't a work that we do to ourselves. Instead it is what God does for us through the pastor by joining simple water with the spoken Word of God. Jesus died and rose again to defeat sin, death, & the devil. The Holy Spirit brings that saving faith to each one of us through Baptism. Hence as the Bible says "baptism doth also now saves us" Webster Bible 1 Peter 3:21.
Choosing to believe is a work of God. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” I could never understand people like you who think that believing is a work. God enables us to believe in Him, but that is not a meritorious work on our part. How are you supposed to exercise faith in God without believing?
@@RomGabe I'm not going to go back and watch it again, but he implies that "evangelicals" are only about gifts, say they take the Bible seriously and don't, and only view the Word of God as a "law book", lean to works and feelings to be saved. He seems to be drawing only from personal experience on those points. None of this is true! His personal experiences should not be a referendum on all "evangelicals" even though many of us believe this is an outdated term.
@@randyrml1 I think he is saying that Evangelical theology is deficient since it does not truly believe the Bible has the following attributes: Attributes of the Holy Scriptures: 1) innerant (without error), 2) infallible (unable to error), 3) efficatious (God's Word is powerful, and gives life; i.e. the Word & Sacraments - the Means of Grace), 4) clear ("this is My Body ... this is my Blood", "baptism now saves you"), 5) sufficient (for salvation), 6) and last but not least Awesome.
@@randyrml1 How can Bryan Wolfmuller in this video "mischaracterizes Evangelical beliefs" ?!? He was a former Evangelical himself. I also grew up Baptist conservative, and agree with this descriptions and characterization of American Evangelicals/modernProtestants.
Sorry, but if you'd read more of Luther, you'd know how wrong you are. Modern Protestantism is rationalistic; Lutheranism is sacramental. Modern Protestantism is as philosophically contaminated as Catholiism is. And the modern "Evangelical's" doctrine of justification is more similar to that of Leo X than that of Luther. Protestantism says that it's about you. Lutheranism says that it's about Jesus.
I left the Lutheran world after listening to a number of Lutheran pastors babble on about how human beings are worthless in God's eyes. God became a man and gave His own life on the cross. You do not die for someone if you think they are worthless. This is stupid. More hostility: we are not evangelicals, blah blah blah. Why not be a different kind of evangelical, one who is more sacramental and recognizes the legitimacy of infant baptism, etc. I am tired of the hostility.
26:34 The sheer arrogance and pride. You have nonbiblical traditions aplenty, like infant baptism and closed communion, but you are so prideful that you claim to be perfect.
Why would anyone be so arrogant to say that "there are only Lutherans in heaven because when they get to heaven, they'll be converted." Might as well say Jesus was Lutheran and heaven will look like Germany. Our distinction between Law and Gospel set us apart, but it does not make us better - which is where much of Arrogant Lutheran conversations lean. Be careful and remember 1 Pet 3:15-16 "give a defense, yet do it with gentleness and respect!!!" Arrogance isn't gentle or respectful.
Waiting for Jesus it’s a lighthearted way of saying that simply believing the Scripture in its entirety is what it is, and if you want to label it Lutheran than so be it. Luther regarded that label as a pejorative , and it was intended in that way by the Roman Catholic Church that had a tradition of naming the heresy after its founder.
Organized religion will always confuse and separate people. It always descends into theology and childish argument. Spirituality should be left up to individuals who, if given the opportunity, will eventually develop the ability to realize that all individuals are part of the same Great Spirit. It's really a part of growing up and finding out that you are now an adult and can think and understand things for yourself. It's not rocket science.
That confession of misbelief was both confusing and divisive. Christ (the Man who rose from the dead and proved Himself to be God) refutes your teaching. I'll stick with His Word.
Moreover, it's simply not true that "individuals...will develop the ability to realize that all individuals are part of the same great spirit." That has never been examined in any mystical religion. Sorry.
With love for the Gospel I point you to the Biblical doctrine of Original Sin ( genesis 2-3, further expanded upon in Ephesians 2). Being spiritually dead to sin and in complete opposition to God and everything good we by our own very nature rely on ourselves and our understanding of “religion” or as you say “organized religion”. We bring our own tainted thoughts and presuppositions and baggage into what we believe about “religion” while the truth about who God is and while we are and everything “religion” is right in front of us in God’s Word! If we can somehow leave our sinfulness and reason and presuppositions out of the picture Gods Word is clear and simple. And it (God’s Word) actually saves mankind! The Word became flesh and lived among us.... that is Jesus! And through God’s Word the Holy Spirit works to create and sustain our faith. That is God give us everything we need for forgiveness, life and salvation. That is He gives us......Jesus!!!
I really enjoy learning about Lutherans but not from this guy. His comment at 13:26 kind of offended me. I've listened to Brian a lot and this is what i hear... 1. If your not Lutheran, your not a real Christian. 2. If your a regular Christian your not really a true Christian like the lutherans. 3. Lutherans are going to Heaven, who know about the other "Christians"? 4. Regular Christians dont know how to read the Bible or take it very seriously. 5. Regular Christian Communion isn't legit. 6. The good works of a Lutheran are more abundant and better than a regular Christian. 7. WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM.
@Driving Guy Idaho - I think you have a twisted view of Bryan Wolfmuller's presentation. He is talking about his path to Lutheran faith from Evangelicalism. I think it is undeniable that many Evangelicals are saved and going to heaven, but the SADDEST part is their denial of the blessed Sacraments, denial of the benefits of the historical Liturgy (language of the church), their denials of the time-tested Creeds, and their ahistorical approach to Faith. So sad...
@Driving Guy Idaho - Do you believe the Despair-Pride Pendulum is a reality in the lives of many Evangelicals? ... as a former-Evangelical I can testify that I have experienced it, and almost drove me to suicide, buddy.
Quotes from Marin Luther (heretic): “I look upon God no better than a scoundrel” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 1, Pg. 487. Cf. Table Talk, No. 963). “Christ committed adultery first of all with the women at the well about whom St. John tell’s us. Was not everybody about Him saying: ‘Whatever has He been doing with her?’ Secondly, with Mary Magdalen, and thirdly with the women taken in adultery whom He dismissed so lightly. Thus even, Christ who was so righteous, must have been guilty of fornication before He died.” (ref. Trishreden, Weimer Edition, Vol. 2, Pg. 107. - What a great blasphemy from a man who is regarded as “great reformer”!). “I have greater confidence in my wife and my pupils than I have in Christ” (ref. Table Talk, 2397b). “It does not matter how Christ behaved - what He taught is all that matters” (ref. Erlangen Vol. 29, Pg. 126). MARTIN LUTHER ON IMPORTANCE OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS “[The commandments] only purpose is to show man his impotence to do good and to teach him to despair of himself” (ref: Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), Volume III, p. 364). “We must remove the Decalogue out of sight and heart” (ref. De Wette 4, 188) “If we allow them - the Commandments - any influence in our conscience, they become the cloak of all evil, heresies and blasphemies” (ref. Comm. ad Galat, p.310). “It is more important to guard against good works than against sin.” (ref. Trischreden, Wittenberg Edition, Vol. VI., p. 160). MARTIN LUTHER ON THE MATERIAL NECESSITY OF GOOD WORKS “Good works are bad and are sin like the rest.” (ref. Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. III, pg. 47). “There is no scandal greater, more dangerous, more venomous, than a good outward life, manifested by good works and a pious mode of life. That is the grand portal, the highway that leads to damnation.” (ref. Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. II, pg. 128). MARTIN LUTHER ON HOW IMPORTANT FREE-WILL IS “…with regard to God, and in all that bears on salvation or damnation, (man) has no ‘free-will’, but is a captive, prisoner and bond slave, either to the will of God, or to the will of Satan.” (ref. From the essay, ‘Bondage of the Will,’ ‘Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings, ed. by Dillenberger, Anchor Books, 1962 p. 190). “Man is like a horse. Does God leap into the saddle? The horse is obedient and accommodates itself to every movement of the rider and goes whither he wills it. Does God throw down the reins? Then Satan leaps upon the back of the animal, which bends, goes and submits to the spurs and caprices of its new rider… Therefore, necessity, not free will, is the controlling principle of our conduct. God is the author of what is evil as well as of what is good, and, as He bestows happiness on those who merit it not, so also does He damn others who deserve not their fate.” (ref. ‘De Servo Arbitrio’, 7, 113 seq., quoted by O’Hare, in ‘The Facts About Luther, TAN Books, 1987, pp. 266-267). “His (Judas) will was the work of God; God by His almighty power moved his will as He does all that is in this world.” (ref. De servo Arbitrio, against man’s free will). “No good work happens as the result of one’s own wisdom; but everything must happen in a stupor . . . Reason must be left behind for it is the enemy of faith.” (ref. Trischreden, Weimer VI, 143, 25-35). MARTIN LUTHER ON CHRISTIAN LIVING “Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides… No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day.” (ref. ‘Let Your Sins Be Strong, from ‘The Wittenberg Project;’ ‘The Wartburg Segment’, translated by Erika Flores, from Dr. Martin Luther’s Saemmtliche Schriften, Letter No. 99, 1 Aug. 1521. - Cf. Also Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. II, pg. 404)) “Do not ask anything of your conscience; and if it speaks, do not listen to it; if it insists, stifle it, amuse yourself; if necessary, commit some good big sin, in order to drive it away. Conscience is the voice of Satan, and it is necessary always to do just the contrary of what Satan wishes.” (ref. J. Dollinger, La Reforme et les resultants qu’elle a produits. (Trans. E. Perrot, Paris, Gaume, 1848-49), Vol III, pg. 248). MARTIN LUTHER ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND CHARITY “If some were to teach doctrines contradicting an article of faith clearly grounded in Scripture and believed throughout the world by all Christendom, such as the articles we teach children in the Creed - for example, if anyone were to teach that Christ is not God, but a mere man and like other prophets, as the Turks and the Anabaptists hold - such teachers shuold not be tolerated, but punished as blasphemers . . . By this procedure no one is compelled to believe, for he can still believe what he will; but he is forbidden to teach and to blaspheme.” (ref. Luther’s Works [LW], Vol. 13, 61-62) “That seditious articles of doctrine should be punished by the sword needed no further proof. For the rest, the Anabaptists hold tenets relating to infant baptism, original sin, and inspiration, which have no connection with the Word of God, and are indeed opposed to it . . . Secular authorities are also bound to restrain and punish avowedly false doctrine . . . For think what disaster would ensue if children were not baptized? . . . Besides this the Anabaptists separate themselves from the churches . . . and they set up a ministry and congregation of their own, which is also contrary to the command of God. From all this it becomes clear that the secular authorities are bound . . . to inflict corporal punishment on the offenders . . . Also when it is a case of only upholding some spiritual tenet, such as infant baptism, original sin, and unnecessary separation, then . . . we conclude that . . . the stubborn sectaries must be put to death.” (ref. pamphlet of 1536; in Johannes Janssen, History of the German People From the Close of the Middle Ages, 16 volumes, translated by A.M. Christie, St. Louis: B. Herder, 1910 [orig. 1891]; Vol. X, 222-223) MARTIN LUTHER ON SOCIAL JUSTICE “Peasants are no better than straw. They will not hear the word and they are without sense; therefore they must be compelled to hear the crack of the whip and the whiz of bullets and it is only what they deserve.” (ref. Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294). “To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog!” - “If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs” (ref. Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294). “Like the drivers of donkeys, who have to belabor the donkeys incessantly with rods and whips, or they will not obey, so must the ruler do with the people; they must drive, beat throttle, hang, burn, behead and torture, so as to make themselves feared and to keep the people in check.” (ref. Erlangen Vol 15, Pg. 276). ADOLF HITLER MARTIN LUTHER ON THE LOVE OF JEWS “My advice, as I said earlier, is: First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire… Second, that all their books- their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible- be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted…Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country…Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it… He who hears this name [God] from a Jew must inform the authorities, or else throw sow dung at him when he sees him and chase him away”. (ref. Martin Luther; On the Jews and Their Lies, translated by Martin H. Bertram, Fortress Press, 1955). “Burn their synagogues. Forbid them all that I have mentioned above. Force them to work and treat them with every kind of severity, as Moses did in the desert and slew three thousand… If that is no use, we must drive them away like mad dogs, in order that we may not be partakers of their abominable blasphemy and of all their vices, and in order that we may not deserve the anger of God and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Let everyone see how he does his. I am excused.” (ref. About the Jews and Their Lies,’ quoted by O’Hare, in ‘The Facts About Luther, TAN Books, 1987, p. 290). “If I had to baptize a Jew, I would take him to the bridge of the Elbe, hang a stone round his neck and push him over with the words I baptize thee in the name of Abraham” (ref. Grisar, “Luther”, Vol. V. pg. 413). “The Jews deserve to be hanged on gallows seven times higher than ordinary thieves.” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 53, Pg. 502). MARTIN LUTHER ON THE SANCTITY AND DIGNITY OF MARRIAGE “If the husband is unwilling, there is another who is; if the wife is unwilling, then let the maid come.” (ref. Of Married Life). “Suppose I should counsel the wife of an impotent man, with his consent, to giver herself to another, say her husband’s brother, but to keep this marriage secret and to ascribe the children to the so-called putative father. The question is: Is such a women in a saved state? I answer, certainly.” (ref. On Marriage). “It is not in opposition to the Holy Scriptures for a man to have several wives.” (ref. De Wette, Vol. 2, p. 459). “The word and work of God is quite clear, viz., that women are made to be either wives or prostitutes.” (ref. On Married Life). “In spite of all the good I say of married life, I will not grant so much to nature as to admit that there is no sin in it. .. no conjugal due is ever rendered without sin. The matrimonial duty is never performed without sin.” (ref. Weimar, Vol 8. Pg. 654. In other words for Luther the matrimonial act is “a sin differing in nothing from adultery and fornication.” ibid. What then is the purpose of marriage for Luther you may ask? Luther affirms that it’s simply to satisfy one’s sexual cravings “The body asks for a women and must have it” or again “To marry is a remedy for fornication” - Grisar, “Luther”, vol. iv, pg. 145). MARTIN LUTHER ON THE QUALITY OF EDIFYING SPEECH “What harm could it do if a man told a good lusty lie in a worthy cause and for the sake of the Christian Churches?” (ref. Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 373). “To lie in a case of necessity or for convenience or in excuse - such lying would not be against God; He was ready to take such lies on Himself” (ref. Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 375). MARTIN LUTHER ON HUMILITY “St. Augustine or St. Ambrosius cannot be compared with me.” (ref. Erlangen, Vol. 61, pg. 422). “What I teach and write remains true even though the whole world should fall to pieces over it” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 18, Pg. 401). MARTIN LUTHER ON THE VALUE OF SACRED SCRIPTURE “To my mind it (the book of the Apocalypse) bears upon it no marks of an apostolic or prophetic character… Everyone may form his own judgment of this book; as for myself, I feel an aversion to it, and to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it.” (ref. ammtliche Werke, 63, pp. 169-170, ‘The Facts About Luther,’ O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 203). “If your Papist annoys you with the word (‘alone’ - Rom. 3:28), tell him straightway, Dr. Martin Luther will have it so: Papist and ass are one and the same thing. Whoever will not have my translation, let him give it the go-by: the devil’s thanks to him who censures it without my will and knowledge. Luther will have it so, and he is a doctor above all the doctors in Popedom.” (ref. Amic. Discussion, 1, 127,’The Facts About Luther,’ O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 201. Cf. Also J. Dollinger, La Reforme et les resultants qu’elle a produits. (Trans. E. Perrot, Paris, Gaume, 1848-49), Vol III, pg. 138). “The history of Jonah is so monstrous that it is absolutely incredible.” (ref. The Facts About Luther, O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 202). “…the epistle of St. James is an epistle full of straw, because it contains nothing evangelical.” (ref. ‘Preface to the New Testament,’ ed. Dillenberger, p. 19. - Cf. Also Jean Janssen, L’Allemagne et la Reforme. (Trans. E. Paris, Plon, 1887-1911). Vol II, Pg. 218). - For more great quotes from the Father of Protestantism visit Luther, Exposing the Myth. Also check out my book Dead on Arrival: The Seven Fatal Errors of Sola-Scriptura.
+James Wallace Interesting. Shall we now see all the doctrines of the Vatican throughout history and then you defend them all in the name of the word of God? Ohhh lets start with the Lords Supper! Yes, indeed. You dont serve your sheep the entire supper, only the bread.. Why?
+James Wallace The Pastor is a Lutheran. First off, many of those "quotes" are questionable in origin. Table Talk is not exactly a reliable source. Second, while called Lutheran, Lutherans don't believe Luther himself was infallible. There is much we don't accept from the writings of Luther. We subscribe to the Book of Concord, which contains 10 documents (3 of which are the historic creeds) and only 3 were written by Luther. Luther was a sinner and made mistakes. We only adhere to doctrines which are Biblical (i.e., Sola Scriptura). The quotes on the 10 Commandments certainly make me question the reliability of the source. The Small and Large Catechisms, written by Luther and in the Book of Concord, each have an entire section on the 10 Commandments, showing what they mean and how they guide the Christian life. However, the 10 Commandments don't save us. They're a guide for Christians but also a mirror, to show us our sins and point out how much we need Christ. Cherry picking questionable quotations is not a good way to refute Lutheran theology. Lutheran is a bad name for Lutherans precisely because we don't follow a man- we follow the Bible.
No infants are being addressed in Acts 8:36-38, only one adult, so that text does not debunk the whole idea of infant baptism. Col 2:11-12 equates Old Testament circumcision (performed on eight day old male INFANTS (Gen 17:12; Lk 2:21, etc.) with BAPTISM. If Baptism was not meant for infants, then why doesn't it say so here? THIS would have been the place to say it, but there is no prohibition of infants here or anywhere else in the Bible. Two times in the book of Acts whole HOUSEHOLDS were baptized. Are we supposed to assume there were no small children? I think not. Col 2:11-12 also clearly teaches that Baptism is not a work we do to merit favor with God, but it is a work God performs ON US ("the circumcision made without hands....the circumcision of Christ"). So we should bring children to God in baptism with faith in God to bring childlike faith (Oh yes, small children can believe: Mt 18:6; Ps 22:9) with the intent of instructing them in the faith as they grow (2 Tim 3:15). American evangelicalism denies that Baptism is something GOD DOES and hence it rejects the validity of infant baptism.
I began my religious journey as a Southern Baptist then became Independent Baptist then Reformed Baptist then Presbyterian (PCA) and by God's grace became Lutheran (LCMS). It has been a journey with eating a lot of crow along the way. Finally SCRIPTURE ALONE! God's peace be with you.
I am currently exploring the idea of leaving the Baptist tradition for Lutheranism. Although this video is nearly a decade old, it helped me today! I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me to it. Thank you Rev. Wolfmueller.
Awesome! When you become a Lutheran, you will realize what you were missing (speaking as a former Baptstim myself): sacramental theology, creeds, liturgy and deep ancient history.
I’m a former Pentecostal, confirmed Nov. 2021….. if I may suggest checking out Will Wheedon, and Chris Rosebourgh, both can be found on TH-cam, oh and of course Pastor Bryan Wolfmueller.
Right there with you! Hope things went well with you
@@harisa-esquiredtoread7367 They went very well indeed.
@@cwstreeper that's encouraging! Thank you
We are new Lutherans and feel like we've come home. I grew up non denominational, my husband assembly of God, and been through every doctrine imaginable, including Calvinism. I wrestled with the sacraments because I thought it was too RC. My husband never diverted...always loved the simplicity of the Gospel and the Word and there was one verse that jumped out at me that made me settle in lutheranism: "Did God really say?" I saw I was questioning Gods Word. Since becoming Lutheran and posting my excitement I have been blocked, unfriended, told that I was believing heresy, was blasphemous, etc.. but that's okay. I have this inner peace. 😊
@Clay Hamm it seems many who come to lutheranism went through different doctrines to get there! We attend an LCMS in Wisconsin. 😊
@ Brenda, peace be with you!
@@joebrinson5040 you too!
I was bouncing evangelical church to church looking for one which taught doctrine. I attended one for a decade, they went full-Warrentard. Took the crosses down, surveys, celebrity praise teams, psychobabble self help best life now experience talks. "What is going on????" Couldn't put words to reality. Left for SBC, taught SS. The LifeWay materials were just rotten. Threw them out, taught Nicene doctrine to include 1 Cor. 15:1-8 to begin every class. Drew complaints, was asked to stop by leadership. Left, despaired.
Heard Lutheran Hour, then began DuckDuckGoing. Found Fisk, Wolfmueller, Wolf, Nagle, Rosebrough, et al.
Thanks be to God!
@@exvan3571 I’m in a Baptist small group here in the neighborhood. I went to here one of the girls sing at her Baptist church. It was SUCH a drag. The Pastor even said out loud, “ I am not here to make you feel good.” Wow.
I’m a former “evangelical.” It was Lutheranism that kept me Christian after the Law of fundamentalism in the “Bible Church” nearly destroyed me. It’s all about grace! Salvation is 100% Jesus & 0% me! Lutheranism gets it!
welcome to the Word&Sacrament, Law&Gospel Church and Lutheran tradition/faith/branch/stream. Soli Deo Gloria.
@@RomGabe Amen!
I began my religious journey as a Southern Baptist then became Independent Baptist then Reformed Baptist then Presbyterian (PCA) and by God's grace became Lutheran (LCMS). It has been a journey with eating a lot of crow along the way. Finally SCRIPTURE ALONE! God's peace be with you.
This is a classic that is returned to often. Thank you.
you're not alone ;-)
So excited to find Brian Wolfmueller on TH-cam.
Thank you so much for this message. I long to get off of the pendulum. The more I listen to Lutheran message focusing on Law and Gospel / Sin and Grace, the closer I get.
As a 30 year student of Walther’s Law And Gospel this pastor has an extreme appreciation for the Gospel! Truly amazing stuff! God Bless you Pastor!
Amen! Thanks be to God for Law & GOspel!
Amazing testimony, I was taught that Lutheran's were not saved also, my grandpa's family was ELCA and I was raised Catholic but converted to Assembly of God at age 11 became a christain but in the last two years have really been searching the scripture and found that the Lutheran's do have the correct doctrine of the Bible, I feel free since I ve become Lutheran LCMC and after reading the writings of Martin Luther shock that I was wrong all these years I thought I found the answer, what a relief to find truth at last, I sat with a Lutheran pastor about 2 hours just talking about my false doctrines, and I believe God lead me to this church to find the truth of God.
God is Good! Praise him!
Hey, can I ask what you (sing. or plur.) mean by saying "feeling free"?
I have a similar story too--so thankful to have found the LCMS Lutheran church!
In my Evangelical background, Lutherans were considered almost like Roman Catholics though not quite as "bad." Then I actually studied them myself and met Lutherans, confessional like LCMS and WELS. What an education! Most of my worship in last two hears has been either online Lutheran worship and more recently in person worship. If not for COVID, I very well might be a Lutheran now. What I appreciate most is Lutherans don't "backdoor" the law onto you like other churches. What I mean is all the arbitrary rules some churches put on you after joining.
21:00 mark, I had the same feeling when I realized that my salvation does not depend on me or my decision to accept Jesus. I was raised Southern Baptist, but fell away from going to church and was agnostic for many years. I started searching and God put several Christian women in my life at just the right moment. One was a Lutheran (prior S. Baptist too) and the revelation that I am incapable of deciding to be saved was such an eye opener to me. I was in tears, just as is described in this video.
Watching in 2019. Thank you for this. I so needed it. I was Evangelical for many years and then decided Communion waa empty. I ended up at an LCMS church and then discovered the theology of the Cross rather than the theology of glory. I love God's Word and His wonderful grace.
I too was on that pendulum and have just found the comfort of the weekly preaching of law and gospel in my new home, the Lutheran Church. Praise God!
Law & Gospel is awesome. Praise be to God!
Loved this so much thank you pastor wolfmueller for this beautiful testimony
Amen!
wow ... "the emotional roller-coaster of Evangelism" is so TRUE. I wish I had a Facebook account to spread this video to the masses of confused/mingled-Law&Gospel fellow brothers and sisters in the Evangelical American & Danish world.
Pr. Wolfmueller, thank you so much! It's crazy how similar our conversion experiences are. I definitely identify with the lonely part right now and the losing of friends and The difference between Law and Gospel being so precious. Very comforting to know that someone else made this journey and came out the other side. God bless you!
Twenty years in Calvary Chapel, I visited and expressed interest an LCMS Lutheran church, and they were shocked that I was even there. I remember this so vividly, they said, “It’s strange that you’re here, normally only people who are born into LCMS are here. People don’t usually just walk in and check us out”. I was thinking, “Wow, don’t they get converts on a regular basis? What is it about this group that they don’t consistently get converts.” I went a couple more times and also attended their bible study once or twice. There are some things I do admire about Lutheranism.
You can’t judge the LCMS by a single experience or by a single congregation. I know many LCMS churches that are very welcoming to visitors.
Yes, I grew up in a Lutheran church in the 60s which was already going bad. We got Churchianity and moralism, never Gospel. Thank God, when I was 16, I couldn't see any more reason to keep going. 90% of my growth in Christ has been made possible through the work of nondenominational "Bible" church pastors. I'm pleased that there are still worthwhile Lutheran churches, but even the LCMS church I spent a couple of years in about twenty years ago had a gutless squish for a pastor. I keep hoping to find a good LCMS pastor in person, but until then, will remain a PCA Presbyterian.
@@bobtaylor170 All LCMS pastors or their affiliates here in Canada (Lutheran Church-Canada), are amazing, Bible-based and passionate to the core. I love LCMS/LCC!
@@bobtaylor170 that’s sad to hear. I’m my experience is the opposite. Most Lutheran pastor I know are very well prepared. They know their Bible and church history.
@@Solideogloria00 , this guy should never have been in pastoral ministry. He was a coward. He taught the adult Sunday School class. One Sunday, he began it in this way:
"Are we really showing the love of God to someone when we tell the person that apart from Jesus Christ, that person is going to Hell?
"NO!!!!!!!!!"
Well, then what's the point? Why do we believe in Jesus Christ if not for the salvation of our souls, and why are we commanded to witness to them if God doesn't love them and want them to be saved?
As I said, a squish. A horrible disappointment. I hope in sixteen years he's found a testosterone patch to be a helpful source of what he so clearly needed and so clearly lacked.
Thank you for this talk.
I am looking for the word to be preached and keep me off of your swing set
I'll be looking for a new church home soon. Thank you for showing me the Lutheran church. 😊
Brilliant sermon. So true.
Very true, but I don't think it is a sermon. It was part of a conference speech. :-)
WOW!!! 15:55 Man's will is the object of Conversion. It is what is converted in the first place.
Your baptism story reminds me of Nacho Libre - the scene when Nacho baptizes El Skeleto in the gym in a pan of water .... LOLOL - thanks for this wonderful presentation - I'm LCMS former southern Baptist and you nailed it. We've found The Treasure in the LCMS - bottom line to all my evangelical friends: You can't argue with Scripture.
WOW ... I could not said it better, ccarlosincali. Thank you for such succinct summary.
Baptism is not a work, but a miracle from God. 1 Peter 3, specifically verse 21, says baptism now saves you. It's just what the Word says, and we are very grateful for this gift of grace. We are buried with Christ and risen with Him through this baptism, therefore we can walk in newness of life (Romans 6). Nothing that we do ourselves, but what God has done and doing for us
On the other hand, "asking Jesus into your heart" and "making Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior" and responding to an altar call ARE works!
No, they're not. They're biblical, referencing the ways the Apostles told people how to be saved in Acts.
7 minutes in and a mention of Calvary Chapel. I can already tell where this is going because I lived it; the most manipulative environment I have voluntarily allowed myself to be a part of...
If you feel like, I'd like to hear your testimony
In this culture, we are so imbued with shallow emotionalism, legalism, and making mindless nice-nice that we just can't see the difference. You have to suffer through the law-oriented burden of "Evangelicalism" in order to understand how it differs from true Evangelicalism the original Evangelicalism- the faith of Jesus and Paul and Luther.
-
Law oriented ? Please elucidate. The Bible is full of rules for God fearing believers.
THE WORD IS ALIVE....
One reason that CCM is popular is that it allows you to DO something. That appeals to our inborn legalism, that seeks to please God through the Law. That colors both contents and form.
God's wrath being real makes His mercy relevant - Alistair Begg
Amen, brother!
Strange title of this video. Most Lutherans I know consider themselves to be evangelical. I am a Baptist who loves singing A Mighty Fortress is Our Lord and love Bach Lutheran Cantatas. Although not exactly a "protestant" church, we Baptists admire deeply Luther´s courage and bravery when facing the Jesuit persecution and intimidation.
+E. Diaz del Campo Lutherans were the original Evangelicals. The problem is that those who call themselves "Evangelicals" aren't. It's not about us. It's about Jesus.
Evangelicals seem to like Luther, but not Lutheran churches. Strange.
There's a great book by an LDS author that shows that there's perfect harmony between the prophetic statements concerning the garden of Eden being in Missouri and the Old Testament account concerning the garden of Eden. It's called Canaan, Babylon, and Egypt A Comparative Theological Analysis on Creation sold by Eborn Books.
No
Wrong. Wrong place, wrong info.
The Book of Mormon is as real and scripture as Harry Potter
Fabulous! However, unless you have walked this walk of turmoil created by the false teaching in churches today you will probably not appreciate or understand what he is discussing. It is not about being "Evangelical" - he is discussing his conversion to the truth - God came to us, God saves us - the simplicity of the Gospel. Man has nothing to do to be saved. Faith is a gift of God. Man can not make a decision to believe in Christ and therefore be saved. This teaching puts salvation in our hands where there is no peace, no assurance, because on that day when I don't "feel" saved or I have "sinned".... did I really give my life to Jesus or do I need to do it again.... Salvation is completely God's work. God came to us. He gave us Jesus. Salvation is His work, not man's response. We can not "decide" to believe. This truth is taught in most Lutheran churches.
+Lynn Thomas People who have never experienced the difference don't understand that there is one.
AMEN!
Lynn Thomas very well said!
Amen, very true!
What is 18 consolations by Martin Luther? Never heard of it. Could somebody help?
one thing i noticed in the Catholic Church they dont preach the Law, while Calvinists rely too heavily on the Law and not enough on the Gospel, i think Calvinists get their Limited Atonement is from the old testament sacrifices where the Sin Atonement was only for Israel while Calvinists see the Atonement of Christ only going to those who believe and are Elect, but doesnt the Lutheran Church believe in Election as well and Predestination? im caught in the middle on election though i see the Elect of God as only those who believe since Scripture states that the unbeliever stands condemned already.... any Pastor want to shed some light on this?
ps i have the Book of Concord on my Ipod touch along with Luther's small catechism
Kevin,
For the Lutheran teaching on election and predestination, turn in your Book of Concord to the document called The Formula of Concord. In the Formula, there are two parts, the Epitome (which is more brief) and the Thorough Declaration (which covers the same articles, but more thoroughly). In either of those parts, you want Article 11.
If you can navigate my confusing instructions, you'll find it.
The Bible does tell us that those who are sons of God through Christ were chosen by God before creation (Eph. 1:4-5; Rom. 8:29).
It does not say that He chose anyone from eternity for damnation. In fact, the Bible is clear that God wants all to be saved (Ezek. 33:11; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9).
I know, the two don't seem reconcilable within human curiosity. But it is simply what the Bible says. And as the Lutheran Confessions do a good job of pointing out, the doctrine isn't for the sake of curiosity, but for comfort. It is comforting to know that the same God who brought me to His Son through Baptism chose to do so before the world began, and He keeps drawing me back to His Word and to the Lord's Supper to be sustained in the faith.
I was baptized in an ALC church (now ELCA) and confirmed Lutheran Brethren. I was clueless on that confirmation stage.
Spener was an evangelical Lutheran...a big influence for the start of Pietistic movement..
Don't forget Tauler, Suso---rhineland mystics of Germany...forerunners of evangelical movement.
Listen Roger MOrneu everything will be clear to you all
When I became Lutheran I still considered myself an evangelical. As an evangelical I did not automatically reject 2000 years of Christian tradition but looked at it in light of God s Word. I consider the majority of the Church fathers evangelicals and reformers like Martin Luther and Thomas Cranmer evangelical as well. This is too weird for my simple mind.
+Paul Nurmi There's evangelical (centered in the Gospel) and Evangelical (no real sacraments, legalistic, synergistic, emotionalistic, works and feelings oriented). In many ways, the two are polar opposites.
Hi Mary, check out what holy Scripture says about Baptism does/is/gives/benefits (holy Gospel of John 3:5, Rom 6:4, Col 2:12, 1 Peter 3:21, Gal 3:27, Titus 3:5). May be difficult to logically understand the mysteries of Christ, but as believers we are given the Faith to trust in His Word and Promises. Baptizing "all nations" (aka "all people" ... word/concept nation is 19th century) and teaching them.
Protestants might have followed the lead of Castellio and Denk; but they preferred Calvin and Luther - preferred them because the doctrines of justification by faith and of predestination were more exciting than those of the Perennial Philosophy. "Waiting on God" is a bore; but what fun to argue, to score off opponents, to lose one's temper and call it "righteous indignation," and at last to pass from controversy to blows, from words to what St. Augustine so deliciously described as the "benignant asperity" of persecution and punishment.
Is it likely you are wrong in saying: "Protestants might have followed the lead of Castellio and Denk; but they preferred Calvin and Luther - preferred them because the doctrines of justification by faith and of predestination were more exciting than those of the Perennial Philosophy."
The Protestant Reformation followed on the heels of the English Dr. John Wycliffe pointing out that salvation was through grace by faith in Jesus Christ and that the Holy Bible and not Catholic myth that you can buy salvation was to be followed in matters of doctrine.
Reference to "Perennial Philosophy" seems misplaced because there is one true religion and that is the uncorrupted Christianity as taught by Jesus and which a humble Christian deacon, Philip the Evangelist, was told to go and explain to a Black man sitting in a chariot headed towards Ethiopia along the Gaza Road outside Jerusalem.
He was given a Bible study, using only one Book actually, the Scroll of the Book of Isaiah. Jesus had recently arisen and ascended to heaven and Philip pointed out how the prophecies in Isaiah referred to Christ. The eunuch was baptized into a true, Christian, 7th day Sabbath-keeping church looking forward to the second "advent" of Jesus Christ. In proof of all of that, the Holy Spirit made Philip vanish in front of the Ethiopian eunuch. But today you have a church that has changed times and laws and implemented mystical practices into the body of Christ. Note too that if the Ethiopian had done these things those practices would have been regarded as obeah or voodoo but look whose promulgating and keeping Christmas trees and all that stuff!
Does one need to be a Lutheran to have assurance of salvation?
A Lutheran Pastor told me that even after the absolution and Kyrie, we are still sinners. I know this is right and true. But can you expound on this? Specially at the end of your discourse you said we have been forgiven. How are we sinner and saint at the same time.
And Paul Nison,Lamadyahu Yasrael...
In the Lutheran church service why does the pastor say he forgives sins?
Only Jesus forgives sins.
I would say it’s same as the Catholic Church when the Priest absolves your sins ( IT’s Jesus forgiving through the Priest and not the Priest himself). It’s part of the liturgy.
The only good thing is the doctrine and we must prepare to collect the disenfranchised big box church brethren
That's some good preachen there!
Addendum: It's not a confusion of Law and Gospel to recognize the very real problems with CCM and the driving philosophy behind it. As one raised evangelical, I am quite familiar with the songs. Whereas I can think of a handful with real theological depth, I have an entire hymnal in my LCMS congregation.
This is something known in the English language as sacrcasm.
I hear his criticism and generalization regarding seeing God's word as commands. However, to be fair, not all non Lutherans see it this way. Stereotypes and over generalization can be unhelpful and produce ignorant tribalism. Let's not create caricatures and straw men to emphasize differences.
There's a marked difference between entertainment (movies) and worship. If you can understand why CCM is not appropriate for the Divine Service, then you will understand why some Lutherans would discourage CCM. CCM doesn't market itself as entertainment, but as worship. Too many of those songs are completely vacuous and Christless. Why would anybody listen to that?
That's because Lutherans aren't Protestants (or Catholics). People misunderstand this because they were the first church to "leave" the Catholic church. The churches that followed after and broke off are Protestants. My pastor says that both the Catholic church and protestant churches are based on works. BTW Evangelicals are protestants. Choosing to believe is a work.
*THE IMMUTABLE LAW OF GOD*
*I* I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.
*II* *You shall not make for yourself a carved image-any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.*
*III* You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
*IV* *Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.*
*V* Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
*VI* You shall not murder.
*VII* You shall not commit adultery.
*VIII* You shall not steal.
*IX* You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
*X* You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
Exodus 20:2-17
My friend, I strongly encourage you to rethink your disillusionment with Lutheranism. Confessional Lutherans' problem with CCM is that very seldom do the lyrics contain solid Trinitarian, Christocentric, biblical theology. Too many times the motivation for having contemporary music is to draw people into the Church rather than for teaching God's Word and worshiping Him. Many evangelicals talk as if the relevancy of our message hinges on the church trends we buy into. Nothing could be more wrong.
I love the "Law and Gospel" part. But I can't understand how a work [baptism] can save you? Enjoyed your talk.
1 Peter 3:21 "There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism" NKJV. Baptism isn't a work that we do to ourselves. Instead it is what God does for us through the pastor by joining simple water with the spoken Word of God. Jesus died and rose again to defeat sin, death, & the devil. The Holy Spirit brings that saving faith to each one of us through Baptism. Hence as the Bible says "baptism doth also now saves us" Webster Bible 1 Peter 3:21.
Choosing to believe is a work of God. John 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
I could never understand people like you who think that believing is a work. God enables us to believe in Him, but that is not a meritorious work on our part. How are you supposed to exercise faith in God without believing?
I hope you would be interested to know that this teaching mischaracterizes evangelical beliefs about the Word of God, and about salvation in general
how so? How does Pastor Wolfmuller (he also has his own TH-cam channel) mischaracterizes Evangelical beliefs and their view on salvation specifically?
@@RomGabe I'm not going to go back and watch it again, but he implies that "evangelicals" are only about gifts, say they take the Bible seriously and don't, and only view the Word of God as a "law book", lean to works and feelings to be saved. He seems to be drawing only from personal experience on those points. None of this is true! His personal experiences should not be a referendum on all "evangelicals" even though many of us believe this is an outdated term.
@@randyrml1 I think he is saying that Evangelical theology is deficient since it does not truly believe the Bible has the following attributes: Attributes of the Holy Scriptures: 1) innerant (without error), 2) infallible (unable to error), 3) efficatious (God's Word is powerful, and gives life; i.e. the Word & Sacraments - the Means of Grace), 4) clear ("this is My Body ... this is my Blood", "baptism now saves you"), 5) sufficient (for salvation), 6) and last but not least Awesome.
@@RomGabe What I am saying is that this mischaracterizes Evangelical beliefs. And to some extent we disagree on correct interpretation.
@@randyrml1 How can Bryan Wolfmuller in this video "mischaracterizes Evangelical beliefs" ?!? He was a former Evangelical himself. I also grew up Baptist conservative, and agree with this descriptions and characterization of American Evangelicals/modernProtestants.
You don't need to "come out" of evangelicalism to become Lutheran, that is only in the "narrow" definition of the Steadfast guys.
It's a manner of speaking - we know what he's referring to...
and it is not narrow, it's a relief!
Sorry, but if you'd read more of Luther, you'd know how wrong you are. Modern Protestantism is rationalistic; Lutheranism is sacramental. Modern Protestantism is as philosophically contaminated as Catholiism is. And the modern "Evangelical's" doctrine of justification is more similar to that of Leo X than that of Luther.
Protestantism says that it's about you. Lutheranism says that it's about Jesus.
I'm no Lutheran but it's about the head which this lump hold firm
Because you acted a fool do not assume all were fools with you. Not all Baptists claim to be Evangelicals.
You mean there are also Reformed Baptists, or what other category can they be?
I left the Lutheran world after listening to a number of Lutheran pastors babble on about how human beings are worthless in God's eyes. God became a man and gave His own life on the cross. You do not die for someone if you think they are worthless. This is stupid. More hostility: we are not evangelicals, blah blah blah. Why not be a different kind of evangelical, one who is more sacramental and recognizes the legitimacy of infant baptism, etc. I am tired of the hostility.
and go to Confesasion in ORtodox or Catholic church to have eternal live write on the paper all sins and repent to God
26:34 The sheer arrogance and pride. You have nonbiblical traditions aplenty, like infant baptism and closed communion, but you are so prideful that you claim to be perfect.
Why would anyone be so arrogant to say that "there are only Lutherans in heaven because when they get to heaven, they'll be converted." Might as well say Jesus was Lutheran and heaven will look like Germany. Our distinction between Law and Gospel set us apart, but it does not make us better - which is where much of Arrogant Lutheran conversations lean. Be careful and remember 1 Pet 3:15-16 "give a defense, yet do it with gentleness and respect!!!" Arrogance isn't gentle or respectful.
pnshdccb it’s a joke.
Waiting for Jesus it’s a lighthearted way of saying that simply believing the Scripture in its entirety is what it is, and if you want to label it Lutheran than so be it. Luther regarded that label as a pejorative , and it was intended in that way by the Roman Catholic Church that had a tradition of naming the heresy after its founder.
Lutheran keeps us on the path Martin Luther fasted and didn't yield when on trial he wasn't a cowardly man no one could buy him to get his endorsement
I hope heavent isn't like Germany lol
@@jeremyrushton8310 If Heaven was like Germany I would have plenty of good beer to drink and to drive pedal to the metal on autobahns. Lol.
Organized religion will always confuse and separate people. It always descends into theology and childish argument. Spirituality should be left up to individuals who, if given the opportunity, will eventually develop the ability to realize that all individuals are part of the same Great Spirit. It's really a part of growing up and finding out that you are now an adult and can think and understand things for yourself. It's not rocket science.
Alright Gnostic.
That confession of misbelief was both confusing and divisive. Christ (the Man who rose from the dead and proved Himself to be God) refutes your teaching. I'll stick with His Word.
Moreover, it's simply not true that "individuals...will develop the ability to realize that all individuals are part of the same great spirit." That has never been examined in any mystical religion. Sorry.
So what are you basing these claims on exactly?
With love for the Gospel I point you to the Biblical doctrine of Original Sin ( genesis 2-3, further expanded upon in Ephesians 2). Being spiritually dead to sin and in complete opposition to God and everything good we by our own very nature rely on ourselves and our understanding of “religion” or as you say “organized religion”. We bring our own tainted thoughts and presuppositions and baggage into what we believe about “religion” while the truth about who God is and while we are and everything “religion” is right in front of us in God’s Word! If we can somehow leave our sinfulness and reason and presuppositions out of the picture Gods Word is clear and simple. And it (God’s Word) actually saves mankind! The Word became flesh and lived among us.... that is Jesus! And through God’s Word the Holy Spirit works to create and sustain our faith. That is God give us everything we need for forgiveness, life and salvation. That is He gives us......Jesus!!!
I really enjoy learning about Lutherans but not from this guy. His comment at 13:26 kind of offended me. I've listened to Brian a lot and this is what i hear...
1. If your not Lutheran, your not a real Christian.
2. If your a regular Christian your not really a true Christian like the lutherans.
3. Lutherans are going to Heaven, who know about the other "Christians"?
4. Regular Christians dont know how to read the Bible or take it very seriously.
5. Regular Christian Communion isn't legit.
6. The good works of a Lutheran are more abundant and better than a regular Christian.
7. WE ARE BETTER THAN THEM.
@Driving Guy Idaho - I think you have a twisted view of Bryan Wolfmuller's presentation. He is talking about his path to Lutheran faith from Evangelicalism. I think it is undeniable that many Evangelicals are saved and going to heaven, but the SADDEST part is their denial of the blessed Sacraments, denial of the benefits of the historical Liturgy (language of the church), their denials of the time-tested Creeds, and their ahistorical approach to Faith. So sad...
@Driving Guy Idaho - Do you believe the Despair-Pride Pendulum is a reality in the lives of many Evangelicals? ... as a former-Evangelical I can testify that I have experienced it, and almost drove me to suicide, buddy.
Quotes from Marin Luther (heretic):
“I look upon God no better than a scoundrel” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 1, Pg. 487. Cf. Table Talk, No. 963).
“Christ committed adultery first of all with the women at the well about whom St. John tell’s us. Was not everybody about Him saying: ‘Whatever has He been doing with her?’ Secondly, with Mary Magdalen, and thirdly with the women taken in adultery whom He dismissed so lightly. Thus even, Christ who was so righteous, must have been guilty of fornication before He died.” (ref. Trishreden, Weimer Edition, Vol. 2, Pg. 107. - What a great blasphemy from a man who is regarded as “great reformer”!).
“I have greater confidence in my wife and my pupils than I have in Christ” (ref. Table Talk, 2397b).
“It does not matter how Christ behaved - what He taught is all that matters” (ref. Erlangen Vol. 29, Pg. 126).
MARTIN LUTHER ON IMPORTANCE OF THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
“[The commandments] only purpose is to show man his impotence to do good and to teach him to despair of himself” (ref: Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), Volume III, p. 364).
“We must remove the Decalogue out of sight and heart” (ref. De Wette 4, 188)
“If we allow them - the Commandments - any influence in our conscience, they become the cloak of all evil, heresies and blasphemies” (ref. Comm. ad Galat, p.310).
“It is more important to guard against good works than against sin.” (ref. Trischreden, Wittenberg Edition, Vol. VI., p. 160).
MARTIN LUTHER ON THE MATERIAL NECESSITY OF GOOD WORKS
“Good works are bad and are sin like the rest.” (ref. Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. III, pg. 47).
“There is no scandal greater, more dangerous, more venomous, than a good outward life, manifested by good works and a pious mode of life. That is the grand portal, the highway that leads to damnation.” (ref. Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. II, pg. 128).
MARTIN LUTHER ON HOW IMPORTANT FREE-WILL IS
“…with regard to God, and in all that bears on salvation or damnation, (man) has no ‘free-will’, but is a captive, prisoner and bond slave, either to the will of God, or to the will of Satan.” (ref. From the essay, ‘Bondage of the Will,’ ‘Martin Luther: Selections From His Writings, ed. by Dillenberger, Anchor Books, 1962 p. 190).
“Man is like a horse. Does God leap into the saddle? The horse is obedient and accommodates itself to every movement of the rider and goes whither he wills it. Does God throw down the reins? Then Satan leaps upon the back of the animal, which bends, goes and submits to the spurs and caprices of its new rider… Therefore, necessity, not free will, is the controlling principle of our conduct. God is the author of what is evil as well as of what is good, and, as He bestows happiness on those who merit it not, so also does He damn others who deserve not their fate.” (ref. ‘De Servo Arbitrio’, 7, 113 seq., quoted by O’Hare, in ‘The Facts About Luther, TAN Books, 1987, pp. 266-267).
“His (Judas) will was the work of God; God by His almighty power moved his will as He does all that is in this world.” (ref. De servo Arbitrio, against man’s free will).
“No good work happens as the result of one’s own wisdom; but everything must happen in a stupor . . . Reason must be left behind for it is the enemy of faith.” (ref. Trischreden, Weimer VI, 143, 25-35).
MARTIN LUTHER ON CHRISTIAN LIVING
“Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides… No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day.” (ref. ‘Let Your Sins Be Strong, from ‘The Wittenberg Project;’ ‘The Wartburg Segment’, translated by Erika Flores, from Dr. Martin Luther’s Saemmtliche Schriften, Letter No. 99, 1 Aug. 1521. - Cf. Also Denifle’s Luther et Lutheranisme, Etude Faite d’apres les sources. Translation by J. Paquier (Paris, A. Picard, 1912-13), VOl. II, pg. 404))
“Do not ask anything of your conscience; and if it speaks, do not listen to it; if it insists, stifle it, amuse yourself; if necessary, commit some good big sin, in order to drive it away. Conscience is the voice of Satan, and it is necessary always to do just the contrary of what Satan wishes.” (ref. J. Dollinger, La Reforme et les resultants qu’elle a produits. (Trans. E. Perrot, Paris, Gaume, 1848-49), Vol III, pg. 248).
MARTIN LUTHER ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AND CHARITY
“If some were to teach doctrines contradicting an article of faith clearly grounded in Scripture and believed throughout the world by all Christendom, such as the articles we teach children in the Creed - for example, if anyone were to teach that Christ is not God, but a mere man and like other prophets, as the Turks and the Anabaptists hold - such teachers shuold not be tolerated, but punished as blasphemers . . . By this procedure no one is compelled to believe, for he can still believe what he will; but he is forbidden to teach and to blaspheme.” (ref. Luther’s Works [LW], Vol. 13, 61-62)
“That seditious articles of doctrine should be punished by the sword needed no further proof. For the rest, the Anabaptists hold tenets relating to infant baptism, original sin, and inspiration, which have no connection with the Word of God, and are indeed opposed to it . . . Secular authorities are also bound to restrain and punish avowedly false doctrine . . . For think what disaster would ensue if children were not baptized? . . . Besides this the Anabaptists separate themselves from the churches . . . and they set up a ministry and congregation of their own, which is also contrary to the command of God. From all this it becomes clear that the secular authorities are bound . . . to inflict corporal punishment on the offenders . . . Also when it is a case of only upholding some spiritual tenet, such as infant baptism, original sin, and unnecessary separation, then . . . we conclude that . . . the stubborn sectaries must be put to death.” (ref. pamphlet of 1536; in Johannes Janssen, History of the German People From the Close of the Middle Ages, 16 volumes, translated by A.M. Christie, St. Louis: B. Herder, 1910 [orig. 1891]; Vol. X, 222-223)
MARTIN LUTHER ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
“Peasants are no better than straw. They will not hear the word and they are without sense; therefore they must be compelled to hear the crack of the whip and the whiz of bullets and it is only what they deserve.” (ref. Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294).
“To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog!” - “If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs” (ref. Erlangen Vol 24, Pg. 294).
“Like the drivers of donkeys, who have to belabor the donkeys incessantly with rods and whips, or they will not obey, so must the ruler do with the people; they must drive, beat throttle, hang, burn, behead and torture, so as to make themselves feared and to keep the people in check.” (ref. Erlangen Vol 15, Pg. 276).
ADOLF HITLER MARTIN LUTHER ON THE LOVE OF JEWS
“My advice, as I said earlier, is: First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss sulphur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire… Second, that all their books- their prayer books, their Talmudic writings, also the entire Bible- be taken from them, not leaving them one leaf, and that these be preserved for those who may be converted…Third, that they be forbidden on pain of death to praise God, to give thanks, to pray, and to teach publicly among us and in our country…Fourth, that they be forbidden to utter the name of God within our hearing. For we cannot with a good conscience listen to this or tolerate it… He who hears this name [God] from a Jew must inform the authorities, or else throw sow dung at him when he sees him and chase him away”. (ref. Martin Luther; On the Jews and Their Lies, translated by Martin H. Bertram, Fortress Press, 1955).
“Burn their synagogues. Forbid them all that I have mentioned above. Force them to work and treat them with every kind of severity, as Moses did in the desert and slew three thousand… If that is no use, we must drive them away like mad dogs, in order that we may not be partakers of their abominable blasphemy and of all their vices, and in order that we may not deserve the anger of God and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Let everyone see how he does his. I am excused.” (ref. About the Jews and Their Lies,’ quoted by O’Hare, in ‘The Facts About Luther, TAN Books, 1987, p. 290).
“If I had to baptize a Jew, I would take him to the bridge of the Elbe, hang a stone round his neck and push him over with the words I baptize thee in the name of Abraham” (ref. Grisar, “Luther”, Vol. V. pg. 413).
“The Jews deserve to be hanged on gallows seven times higher than ordinary thieves.” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 53, Pg. 502).
MARTIN LUTHER ON THE SANCTITY AND DIGNITY OF MARRIAGE
“If the husband is unwilling, there is another who is; if the wife is unwilling, then let the maid come.” (ref. Of Married Life).
“Suppose I should counsel the wife of an impotent man, with his consent, to giver herself to another, say her husband’s brother, but to keep this marriage secret and to ascribe the children to the so-called putative father. The question is: Is such a women in a saved state? I answer, certainly.” (ref. On Marriage).
“It is not in opposition to the Holy Scriptures for a man to have several wives.” (ref. De Wette, Vol. 2, p. 459).
“The word and work of God is quite clear, viz., that women are made to be either wives or prostitutes.” (ref. On Married Life).
“In spite of all the good I say of married life, I will not grant so much to nature as to admit that there is no sin in it. .. no conjugal due is ever rendered without sin. The matrimonial duty is never performed without sin.” (ref. Weimar, Vol 8. Pg. 654. In other words for Luther the matrimonial act is “a sin differing in nothing from adultery and fornication.” ibid. What then is the purpose of marriage for Luther you may ask? Luther affirms that it’s simply to satisfy one’s sexual cravings “The body asks for a women and must have it” or again “To marry is a remedy for fornication” - Grisar, “Luther”, vol. iv, pg. 145).
MARTIN LUTHER ON THE QUALITY OF EDIFYING SPEECH
“What harm could it do if a man told a good lusty lie in a worthy cause and for the sake of the Christian Churches?” (ref. Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 373).
“To lie in a case of necessity or for convenience or in excuse - such lying would not be against God; He was ready to take such lies on Himself” (ref. Lenz: Briefwechsel, Vol. 1. Pg. 375). MARTIN LUTHER ON HUMILITY
“St. Augustine or St. Ambrosius cannot be compared with me.” (ref. Erlangen, Vol. 61, pg. 422).
“What I teach and write remains true even though the whole world should fall to pieces over it” (ref. Weimar, Vol. 18, Pg. 401).
MARTIN LUTHER ON THE VALUE OF SACRED SCRIPTURE
“To my mind it (the book of the Apocalypse) bears upon it no marks of an apostolic or prophetic character… Everyone may form his own judgment of this book; as for myself, I feel an aversion to it, and to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it.” (ref. ammtliche Werke, 63, pp. 169-170, ‘The Facts About Luther,’ O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 203).
“If your Papist annoys you with the word (‘alone’ - Rom. 3:28), tell him straightway, Dr. Martin Luther will have it so: Papist and ass are one and the same thing. Whoever will not have my translation, let him give it the go-by: the devil’s thanks to him who censures it without my will and knowledge. Luther will have it so, and he is a doctor above all the doctors in Popedom.” (ref. Amic. Discussion, 1, 127,’The Facts About Luther,’ O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 201. Cf. Also J. Dollinger, La Reforme et les resultants qu’elle a produits. (Trans. E. Perrot, Paris, Gaume, 1848-49), Vol III, pg. 138).
“The history of Jonah is so monstrous that it is absolutely incredible.” (ref. The Facts About Luther, O’Hare, TAN Books, 1987, p. 202).
“…the epistle of St. James is an epistle full of straw, because it contains nothing evangelical.” (ref. ‘Preface to the New Testament,’ ed. Dillenberger, p. 19. - Cf. Also Jean Janssen, L’Allemagne et la Reforme. (Trans. E. Paris, Plon, 1887-1911). Vol II, Pg. 218).
- For more great quotes from the Father of Protestantism visit Luther, Exposing the Myth. Also check out my book Dead on Arrival: The Seven Fatal Errors of Sola-Scriptura.
Table Talk was not written by Luther dillweed!
Kenneth Schmidt
Is this "Pastor" a Lutheran or not?
+James Wallace Interesting. Shall we now see all the doctrines of the Vatican throughout history and then you defend them all in the name of the word of God? Ohhh lets start with the Lords Supper! Yes, indeed. You dont serve your sheep the entire supper, only the bread.. Why?
The bread? Not the whole supper? What are you talking about?
God Bless
+James Wallace The Pastor is a Lutheran. First off, many of those "quotes" are questionable in origin. Table Talk is not exactly a reliable source. Second, while called Lutheran, Lutherans don't believe Luther himself was infallible. There is much we don't accept from the writings of Luther. We subscribe to the Book of Concord, which contains 10 documents (3 of which are the historic creeds) and only 3 were written by Luther. Luther was a sinner and made mistakes. We only adhere to doctrines which are Biblical (i.e., Sola Scriptura). The quotes on the 10 Commandments certainly make me question the reliability of the source. The Small and Large Catechisms, written by Luther and in the Book of Concord, each have an entire section on the 10 Commandments, showing what they mean and how they guide the Christian life. However, the 10 Commandments don't save us. They're a guide for Christians but also a mirror, to show us our sins and point out how much we need Christ.
Cherry picking questionable quotations is not a good way to refute Lutheran theology. Lutheran is a bad name for Lutherans precisely because we don't follow a man- we follow the Bible.
Acts 8:36-38 KJV . that one scripture debunks the whole idea of infant Baptism .
michael zaragoza ummmm...no.
No infants are being addressed in Acts 8:36-38, only one adult, so that text does not debunk the whole idea of infant baptism.
Col 2:11-12 equates Old Testament circumcision (performed on eight day old male INFANTS (Gen 17:12; Lk 2:21, etc.) with BAPTISM. If Baptism was not meant for infants, then why doesn't it say so here? THIS would have been the place to say it, but there is no prohibition of infants here or anywhere else in the Bible. Two times in the book of Acts whole HOUSEHOLDS were baptized. Are we supposed to assume there were no small children? I think not.
Col 2:11-12 also clearly teaches that Baptism is not a work we do to merit favor with God, but it is a work God performs ON US ("the circumcision made without hands....the circumcision of Christ"). So we should bring children to God in baptism with faith in God to bring childlike faith (Oh yes, small children can believe: Mt 18:6; Ps 22:9) with the intent of instructing them in the faith as they grow (2 Tim 3:15).
American evangelicalism denies that Baptism is something GOD DOES and hence it rejects the validity of infant baptism.
I began my religious journey as a Southern Baptist then became Independent Baptist then Reformed Baptist then Presbyterian (PCA) and by God's grace became Lutheran (LCMS). It has been a journey with eating a lot of crow along the way. Finally SCRIPTURE ALONE! God's peace be with you.