The Chicken and the Egg

It's long been a 'pet peeve' with me, so let me vent a moment, after I show you what got me going. In the "letters" section of the recent Lutheran Witness, a man from Oklahoma wrote in response to an article in a previous issue celebrating our Lutheran faith and heritage: "As I read, I got the distinct impression it was much more important to be Lutheran first and then Christian. How sad that the emphasis wasn't on being Christian first."

This really doesn't have to involve a long response. In fact, it begs a simple question which all Lutherans should be able to answer: Is being Lutheran different than being Christian? What part of being Lutheran is different than being Christian? And why does one have to come first? (thus, the "chicken and egg" title to this post)? No one seems to want to answer this.

My theory is that people seem to believe that each church possesses a basic Christian identity that is common to all, and that Lutherans add to that a body of teachings that are adiophora. I hope I'm wrong, but what other explanation is there? To say you are a "Christian first" implies at the outset that being Lutheran is secondary, and therefore not entirely essential to being Christian. And if that is true, which part of our Lutheran faith do we want to declare 'sub Christian'?

O.k., that's all the rant I'm going to make for now....

Comments

Anonymous said…
As long as there has been an orthodox church on earth there has also been a Lutheran church. She is (as strange as it may seem) as old as the world for she has no other doctrine than the patriarchs, the prophets, and apostles received from God and preached... When we are asked so often: 'Where was the Lutheran church before Luther?', it is very easy to answer: 'Everywhere there were still Christians who believed with their hearts in Jesus Christ and in his word who would not allow themselves to be diverted by any human regulations from the one faith that alone saves.
~C. F. W. Walther from "Concerning the Name 'Lutheran"
March 3, 2009 at 1:31:00 PM PST
William Weedon said…
Dear Seelsorger,

Thanks so much for your postings. I always look forward to them.

On this topic, are you familiar with Hemann's fabulous treatment in *On Being a Christian*? I heartily recommend it.
March 3, 2009 at 1:35:00 PM PST
Donald V. Engebretson said…
Thank you for the quote, Sam. It says it all.

Pr. Weedon - Thank you for your gracious words! --Regarding the recommended reading, are you referring to Dr. Hamann's book ON BEING A CHRISTIAN: A PERSONAL CONFESSION published by NPH in 1996 (I ask especially because you typed Hemann)? If so, I have not yet read it, but having had Dr. Hamann in seminary back in the 80's I believe I would enjoy it.
March 3, 2009 at 3:54:00 PM PST
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Historical Roots of the Warham Guild Hood

Image
In doing just a little checking on the internet, it's interesting to see how the Warham Guild hood, which I have as part of my STM degree attire, is actually a throwback to the Medieval hood. One article notes "the work of the Warham Guild in its imaginative renderings of medieval hoods" (reference is from here ). Again, here is my hood: The Medieval hood, which was originally a very practical outer garment to cover a person's head and shoulders, protecting both from the elements, bears striking resemblance to this revived form: This hood was also a part of the garb of monks in that era. The Medieval hood, in some cases, also had what is known as a "liripipe," a long tail hanging from the back of a hood. You can see the modern stylized version of this on my own hood. From an article on "Academic hood development" we read that "By 1463 the favourite dress of doctors was the hood with round bell-shaped cape, and the lir
Read more

The Firefighter's Cross

Image
[Note: A similar article to this will be shared with my department at their next meeting. During this Lenten season when we are meditating on the significance and meaning of the Passion of our Lord and the Cross at Golgotha, it seemed like one way to offer a witness to the department that captured their interest and yet was not too heavy.] [Editorial Note: In response to a recent comment on this article I have made some changes to the original version of this article especially in regard to references to the so-called St. Florian's Cross. For any confusion the previous unreferenced information may have caused I apologize. I hope that the changes are satisfactory.] THE STORY OF THE MALTESE CROSS In many ways the familiar symbol to the right requires no explanation. It is the universal insignia of firefighting nationwide. Yet the precise origins of this symbol are less clear. The most popular explanation proposes its beginning in the far distant past of medieval Crusaders fi
Read more

KFUO-FM Sale: Editorial from Board of Directors

October 9, 2009 Letters to the Editor St. Louis Post-Dispatch 900 N. Tucker Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63101 RE: “Missouri Synod agrees to sell KFUO” - Oct. 7, 2009 Dear Editor, The ongoing news coverage of the sale of KFUO-FM has been disappointing in its lack of completeness. There is significantly more to the story than has been reported. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s (LCMS) Board of Directors is elected by convention delegates and is responsible—on behalf of the 2.4 million members of the church—for conscientiously evaluating the assets of the church to determine how best to use those assets to further the proclamation, mission, and ministry associated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Synod’s board has been open about its intentions regarding the disposition of its FM station. Since as early as February 2008, this item has been on the board meeting agenda. Board minutes are made public by posting on the LCMS Web site and summaries are reported in the board’s insert “Board
Read more