What makes a Baptist become a Lutheran? I hope my fellow blogger, and would-be friend (I’m certain) Fraiser does not mind me posting this. He and I share many of the same concerns regarding SBC life in general, and I sympathize with his decision to make the move to the Lutheran church. I suppose it is yet to be seen what the final say will be on what “denomination” (if any) I end up being associated with in the long run. Here’s a major point of interest to me about why he chose the Lutheran church. I seem to preach this same thing in my circle of influence, only to have it fall on deaf ears.
Perhaps more significant for me than any other Lutheran distinctive is the Lutheran theology of the sacraments. If I had to present a single reason why I am Lutheran, that reason would be the sacraments. I am Lutheran because I am weak. I need what the sacraments give. In the sacraments I have “forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation.” In preaching, baptism, and the Eucharist the Word of God comes to me, and in the Eucharist the whole person of Christ is present and given for me. This is certainly the most difficult pill of Lutheran doctrine for other Protestants to swallow. Yet, the theology of the sacraments is far too vital for the life of Lutheran churches to be downplayed. The sacraments are means of grace by which the work of Christ is further mediated to us.
If we are truly reformed and biblical in our theological disposition, it will be difficult for us to disagree with this statement. You can read the rest of Fraizer’s post here.
