Adult Discussion - Lutheranism As A Way Of Life

The ASLC Adult Discussion Forum is currently studying
"Baptized We Live - Lutheranism As A Way OF Life" by
Daniel Erlander. This booklet discusses Lutheranism as:
a way of seeing;
a way of hearing;
a way of teaching;
and a way of following.

(If you would like a copy of this booklet, please contact either Karen or Pastor Chad.)

On Sunday 21 September we will be discussing the following questions concerning Chapter One - A Way Of Seeing.
If you are interested in answers to these questions, please contact Pastor Chad on this Blog.
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Lutheranism As A Way of Life
21 September 2008



Questions from Chapter One – A Way of Seeing.

1. “We do not find God. God finds us”

What does this mean to you? Is there any particular time that God found you that you are willing to share with us?

2. “God does not despise flesh.*”
“*Flesh in this context refers to the human body – bones, muscles, organs, etc. and in a wider sense, the material world. The goodness of matter is affirmed in Genesis 1 and, above all, in the birth of Jesus as God in the flesh. When Paul talks about “flesh” in Romans 8, he is not talking about matter but a will that is directed away from God. We need to understand the difference between these two uses of “flesh” in order to avoid the unbiblical idea that matter is evil.”
Take a look at what Paul says in Romans 8, especially verses 12 – 25. The Bible often seems to use the word “flesh” as a synonym for “man’s sinful nature.” Some sermons and teachings that you may have heard in the past may have seemed to have emphasized that “flesh” is synonymous with “sex” is synonymous with “sin.” Has our interpretation of these passages been incorrect? The current ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality very strongly affirms that belief “that God has lovingly created all humans as sexual – and therefore relational – beings.” “The Bible makes clear that our sexual nature is both a blessing and a source of vulnerability.”Is it our understanding as Lutherans that “flesh” is inherently “sinful”?
Have we misinterpreted this teaching?
What are your thoughts on this subject?


3. “The presence of pain, violence and evil in the above list does not lead us to conclude that God causes evil. Rather, we believe that God is present IN the evil, suffering WITH his creation.”

Rather than conclude that God causes evil, we should ask why God tolerates evil?
If God is both Good and All Powerful, why does evil exist in this world?
Why does God tolerate His suffering WITH his creation if he has the capability to end suffering?




4. Sacraments – Baptism and Eucharist.

What happened to the other 5? (In the Roman Catholic Church - Reconciliation
( formerly known as Confession), Confirmation, Marriage, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick ( formerly known a Extreme Unction ),

5. Baptism
“You are marked with the Cross of Christ forever.”
“Because of Baptism we are Christians.”
“In the baptismal water we died with Christ.”

Does not the Lutheran concept that because of Baptism we are Christians clash with the concept of some “evangelical Christians” that one needs to be “born again” to become a Christian?

I always thought of baptism as a sign of life with Christ rather than as a sign of death with Christ. After all, did not Jesus get baptized by John the Baptist as a sign of life and the Holy Spirit? (Mark 1:9) How do you understand Baptism?

How may a person become a Christian, other than through Baptism? In the New Testament the only person who is identified as being baptized is Jesus. Neither Mary nor Joseph nor Peter nor the rest of the Apostles nor Paul are identified as being baptized. Were the Apostles not Christians before the Holy Spirit descended on them on Pentecost? Was Jesus not a Christian before the Holy Spirit descended on him when he was baptized by John the Baptist?

Why do Lutherans consider sprinkling an infant to be Baptism while other Christians require full body immersion of an adult for Baptism? Isn’t sprinkling an infant just a painless substitute for circumcision?


6. Eucharist

When and why did Lutherans get away from the tradition of weekly communion?
Why are Lutherans returning to the tradition of weekly communion?

“Lutherans often look sad as Holy Communion because they were taught that the primary focus of the meal is “my sinfulness.” The recovery of the ancient understanding of Holy Communion as “Eucharist” or “Thanksgiving” is long overdue.”Where and why did the notion of equating communion with sinfulness arise?
Is this what you were taught?

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