Retrospect- Lutheran at Heart

As I look back over the years, I see the Lutheran influences on my beliefs more and more clearly. Although I was reared in other traditions, Luther was a childhood hero who helped guide me into classical Protestant perspectives. During undergraduate, seminary, and graduate school days, Reformation ideas helped keep me in touch with central aspects of the Christian Faith, and they moderated the effects of the surrounding theological liberalism and skepticism. Lutheran resources and the Lutheran Confessions helped guide my studies of Scripture, theology, the Sacraments, and practical ministry during my early years as a Protestant pastor. Later, a Lutheran view of vocation helped me as I sought to be a responsible educator and a decent and caring family man. 

Most of all, evangelical Lutheran perspectives on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and justification by faith have been a constant source of strength and encouragement through the ups and downs of this earthly pilgrimage. So, although other Christian traditions have influenced my life and thoughts, I have been a Lutheran at heart throughout my life!

Luther

Recently, I have been re-reading Frederick Nohl's  Luther: Biography of a Reformer, and I watched the film "Luther" again. The great Reformer's spiritual struggles and courageous witness have continued to inspire me over the years. Of course, Martin Luther was a real man with some serious human weaknesses, but he was also a faithful Christian, an astute Biblical scholar, and an insightful theologian. Apart from Scripture and the Apostles' Creed, Luther's story has been a recurring inspiration in my religious development since I first heard it in Sunday School as a child. At several times of personal religious renewal, I have refocused on the Scriptural teachings on grace and justification by faith. And each time the centrality of those biblical teachings has been renewed, the role of Luther in proclaiming the Gospel (evangelion) has come to mind.

Beginnings

At the beginning of the new year, I have been thinking about theological development. Over the years, I have become acquainted with several Christian traditions and studied their writings. I have seen strengths and weaknesses in various places. The theology of many contemporary Christians is rather vague or even confused. Liberal revisionists do not seem to care much for the Bible or Christian tradition. Many strict traditionalists of differing denominations seem to have untenable views of Scripture or church history. Many dedicated evangelistic Christians need deeper roots in Bible interpretation, church history, worship, and the sacraments. To me, the classical Reformation theology of the Lutheran Confessions is a good antidote for these drawbacks. So here I hope to explore some issues and reflect on Scripture and other readings.