Should I stay or should I go now . . .

There has been a flurry of discussion in LC-MS circles about leaving the LC-MS or staying in fellowship and trying to remain faithful to the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions. I don’t think I have the energy to hash through all the complex issues of Union and Confession. The simple fact of the matter is the church has always struggled with the issues of truth. From the book of Acts when the Jerusalem Church struggled with the conversion of Gentiles, the Christological Controversies of the first four centuries, the well known Reformation of the 16th Century (happy Reformation Day btw), the issues of revivals in the 19th Centuries, to the issues of today . . . the Church strives to remain faithful to God’s Word and proclaim the fullness of God’s Word to all people.

The central article of the Church is still justification. That Jesus satisfied the wrath of God for our sins by dying on the cross is the heart of the matter. Theology is intertwined. If you really want to you can make most any issue finally be about justification. But that doesn’t give us license to insist on our own way on many things or impose our personal preferences upon others.

Things are so complicated (at least in the LC-MS) because I believe the many sides of the issues are honestly hoping to be faithful to God’s Word. Of course with theologically contradictory statements and practices it cannot be as simple as just letting all opinions co-exist.

“Ok Companion . . . what’s the punch line?” – You’re right dear reader . . . to the point.

I’m a Lutheran. I believe that means I am an LC-MS Lutheran. We can still proclaim the truth, we can talk about the issues, and there are still avenues to enact change. I’ll work within our Synod to keep doctrine and practice united to one another. In the end I am convinced that this is how the Gospel of Jesus . . . my Companion on the Way . . . is made known to everyone.

~Companion