I spent 30 years in the wilderness of decision theology and then found the LCMS church. Lutheran doctrine made the most sense out of all the scriptures!
@@TheRomanCatholicChurch Would the Good Samaritan have been saved by his good works alone? God doesn’t command us to be “good”, he commands us to be “HOLY” which we cannot do as sinners. We are saved by faith alone because our good works don’t atone for the wages of sin. That being said, doing good works should be expected out of those that are also commanded to walk like Christ
@@THECURBLAYER I didn't say "good works alone", I said faith and good works (or faith that worketh by charity, see Gal. 5:6). God commands us to be holy/good, they are synonymous. John 5:29 "they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment." God commands us to be good only by participating in HIS infinite goodness, made available by HIS infinite Passion, the merits of which are acquired to man by faith that worketh by charity, not faith alone (James 2:24). 2 John 1:6 "And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments." Matthew 19:17-19 "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. [19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." The merits of that holiness/goodness is from the Passion of Christ and not from dead works of your own strength. A person acquires the merits of Christ's death by cooperating with the grace of God by BOTH faith AND works, not faith alone. You have to do mental gymnastics to even pretend that you agree with James 2:24. You're obviously a heretic departing from the Scriptures. Council of Trent, Decree On Justification, Chap. 8. (How One is to Understand the Gratuitous Justification of a Sinner by Faith) "But when the Apostle says that man is justified 'by faith' [can. 9] and 'freely' [Rom. 3:22, 24], these words must be understood in that sense in which the uninterrupted consent of the Catholic Church has held and expressed, namely, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because 'faith is the beginning of human salvation,' the foundation and root of all justification, 'without which it is impossible to please God' [Heb. 11 :6] and to come to the fellowship of His sons; and are, therefore, said to be justified gratuitously, because none of those things which precede justification, whether faith or works, merit the grace itself of justification; for, 'if it is a grace, it is not now by reason of works; otherwise (as the same Apostle says) grace is no more grace' [Rom.11:6]."
@@TheRomanCatholicChurch curious how do you answer Romans 4? And James 2:24 is not talking about justification before us and God but between your fellow man. Pretty much the verse used for those who are antinomians (just the same as legalistic but opposite spectrum and still living under a curse) or your basic secular christian who nods with their head but don't truly believe the gospel.
Eat your heart out guys. I go to Pastor W’s church, I get to sit in his Bible Class and even have lunch with him sometimes. He’s a joy to be with as a friend and as a Pastor.
I was raised Baptist and Pentecostal, I’ve spent the last year and a half searching through every church denomination I could find (particularly the Catholic Church.) I read Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Etc. And found that a lot of what I had believed might be wrong, thankfully after a lot of struggle and dismay I found the LCMS, or rather the Lord lead me there. Now I’m in a catechism class and going to be confirmed this year likely. God is good
Same here, brother. I was raised Pentecostal and non-denominational. I started reading into what the early church fathers taught and how they understood scripture and I noticed how many things I was taught and believed did not align with them. I realized that we should heed to the wisdom of the early church fathers as they are closer to the apostles and a few of them were even taught by the apostles themselves, and therefore have a better understanding of the scriptures. It became evident that the Lutheran Church teaches the fullness of the Christian faith according to the scriptures and supported by the church fathers. I started going to an LCMS Church at the beginning of the year and God willing will be confirmed in a few months.
My husband is pentecostal. Our children choose which church any given Sunday. The older they get, the more they go to Lutheran Church and say they love it because of the potlucks and the liturgy.
I am Catholic as well and am officially entering the Lutheran Church on 12/11/22. I now understand more at my age, 60, and feel Eternity is more achievable and comforting. Thank you, God and Pastor W.!
Martin Luther fought against the RCC and was called a heretic and excommunicated! Read about the council of Trent! Rome has resolved nothing about all their unbiblical, crazy ungodly traditions ( I was a Catholic for 40 years, until I read the Bible) the Lutheran’ s are compromising and bowing the knee to Rome!
By his divine grace, I too have returned from being a wayward rebel against our creator to a believer. Thanks in large part to a couple of wonderful Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists and their crazy ideas about the sacraments I was reminded how much of a Lutheran I am. Now on the path to seminary.
The simplicity of what I am slowly learning from the LCMS is what I keep saying to my dear friend and her husband who are now LCMS Lutherans. I just keep saying, "They keep it simple. They do not complicate it." I am going to be taking a class starting February 10 to learn why I am becoming Lutheran. Thank you Pastor Wolfmueller. Your journey sounds so very familiar to mine.
Ah yes catechism classes, ah I remember my confirmation well. At least doing as an adult you won't have to be an acolyte. Ideas always afraid I would knock over the candles or catch the alter cloth on fire. That's awesome though, I am thrilled for you truly.
I am a Baptist with a lot of questions and i have really been praying about becoming a Lutheran. This channel has helped me understand Lutheranism a lot better
I was raised IFB, had a story very similar to Pr. Bryan's, eventually became 1689 Reformed Baptist, and then went on to visit all kinds of churches. Eventually had kind of a theological smorgasbord, and never thought I'd settle anywhere. Finally came to rest as a confirmed Lutheran on Palm Sunday of 2017, year of the quincentennial of the Lutheran Reformation, and have rest. I don't leave church feeling convicted. I leave church every Sunday feeling forgiven. I've gotten a foretaste of heaven. I've just met with Jesus Himself, there in the room, in a special way, giving me full assurance of my salvation, as did all of my church family along with me.
I was one of those Roman Catholics who left for Bible Churches in the late 1970s, when in my late teens. I had been told Lutheranism was just Catholic lite. So, when Charismania wasn't working anymore for me, I started listening to Dr. R. C. Sproul on the radio. I learned about Reformed Theology and Luther and Calvin. I thought Luther's view of the Communion made more sense, so eventually I read the Book of Concord, which seemed to me to be the most Biblical system of doctrine. Thanks for sharing your story.
God recently has lead me to a Lutheran Church to serve, and I was very very very reluctant at first. I still struggle, but I know it is where God wants me to be. I too have been to many many Churches. I grew up Catholic, left after God gave me a dream to leave, and I went quite a few places. And during COVID when the Churches all shut down, my now husband lived in a sexton house on a Lutheran Church property. And they were the first to open back up, but on the verge of closing permanently. My husband now, stepped in, who grew up Lutheran but left to be pentecostal for a while, he went back to being Lutheran and became President of the Lutheran Church. Before we got engaged, I was reluctant to follow him and was offered a position to be head of evangelism at a Calvinist leaning evangelical Church where I was first saved. And it was a choice to marry my husband and serve the Lutheran Church, or end the relationship and serve the Evangelical Church. After much prayer, God showed me to serve the Lutheran Church and to marry my Husband. However, since I was a Catholic and left, going back to the religiosity of the service was rather difficult, though the theology of the two are worlds apart. I started to become a member, but got nervous to what I was agreeing to, and stopped. God has been pulling me more and more to become a member. I have been searching out Lutheran teachers to try and get a better understanding. And upon reaserching Gregory Scultz who I admire for recent events, I stumbled upon your page. I enjoy what you say about Biblical Simplicity, that is really great. And I am hoping to learn more about what it really means to be Lutheran so I can be equipped to help save our dying Church.
You are so helpful. I was raised in the LCMS but wondered in the Episcopal wilderness for most of my adult life. I'm back where I belong now and I love learning from your videos.
I'm thankful I was raised Lutheran. Very well put. I'm glad for all who love God and are filled with his Holy Spirit, but I am a simple man who loves simple facts. Lutheranism is perfect for me.
30 years ministry in the Episcopal Church. Left for Catholicism (10 years) plus a time with the Orthodox. Have now 'landed' in the LCMS. I'm nearly 70, and FINALLY feel at home. Why in the heck did it take so long?
Thanks to The American Gospel Documentary, Chris Rosebrough, Steven Kozar, and now your channel, my wife and I have left our mega church. We are meeting with a local LCMS pastor next week about steps we can take to join and correct the fact that we didn't have our 3 year old and 6month old baptized. I am so glad there are faithful Pastors helping people discern truth. Thank you.
I was raised Pentecostal and after being agnostic most of my adult life I found myself on a similar journey for truth. I landed in the Presbyterian PCA and embraced Reformed theology to make sense of the entirety of Scripture but that said, I absolutely love your videos. Its very interesting to hear about what our Lutheran brothers and sisters believe.
Thatnk you so much for your videos. I have been in the same boat you were in, trying to discern what tradition/denomination I belong to, but recently I have discovered Lutheran theology and it’s like hearing most of the conclusions I had already reached played back to me. I’m not crazy, I’m Lutheran!
Thank you for this. I have Lutheran heritage through my parents (born in Germany). Jesus became real to me in the Lutheran church at 15 but I soon left on a journey to Baptist and Pentecostal churches, indeed I meet my wife of 30 years in a Pentecostal church. However after attending bible college I found myself asking similar questions as you. So, 4 years ago my wife and started attending Lutheran church. The surroundings were familiar to me, for my wife and children...well they embraced this new church life wholeheartedly to my surprise. Many of the things you experienced we also did. Thanks.
I would like to share my testimony. I was raised to be Catholic by my grandparents and in my younger years, I had a good amount of faith(albeit the faith of a child)... When I was in my teens, I lost my faith in God. I became angry with him as I started to persue other Faith's from Buddhism to Paganism and even Satanism. My hate grew and I became blasphemous. I worked against The Lord. I did horrible things against Him and His children. At one point.. I started to have a dream where I was met by the Archangel Michael. He would say to me "Alright, that's enough. Our Father wants you to come home." I would tell him no and try to fight him..losing Everytime. Eventually, after my stint in the Army; I found myself struggling on a spiritual and mental level. I went for a run at 2 in the morning and for some reason, I decided to pray for the first time in many many years. It was at that moment where I felt an overwhelming and awe inspiring presence of love and forgiveness. I stopped.. I broke down and cried in both shame and gratefulness. It's been about 9 years since then and I have not turned my back on God and will never do so again.
@@sancheznancy4897 I think, ultimately it's easy to fall into the trap during our hormonal teen years. The best I can tell you is to go out and find a place where you can be alone with God and pray. God loves you. He has loved you from the very first day of Creation and will continue to love until the end of all things and beyond. Remember that, pray and put your faith in him.
Sanchez Nancy I'll let God speak to you... through His Word. 📜🙏❤️✝️🕊 "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." -Romans 5:8 “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalms 51:10-11 KJV "“If you love me, keep my commands. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-The Spirit of Truth... John 14:15-17a “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2 NIV "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," -Romans 8:1 Jesus loves you!❤️ His ways are always better for you! 🙏✝️🕊
God bless you pastor for your faithfulness to make these videos! I have been in “decision theology” and pietism for most of my Christian life. I just recently began attending an LCMS church and God is rooting out many false doctrines that have been hindering my faith.
Merry-Go-Round Seekers: The only problem is that the ELCA is neither Lutheran nor Christian. I don’t mean that there are no Christians in that body. But any church that supports murder (abortions), homosexuality and female pastors cannot be Lutheran nor Christian.
@@rickpettey8822 seems pretty judgmental. Has it ever occurred to you the LCMS, by its own very public testimony and choice, is literally not part of the global Lutheran community? That it’s a minority amongst US Lutherans? It will not commune with about 95% of all Lutherans and is not involved with liturgical churches (as are most Lutherans)? Yet ok to judge on who is and isn’t “real” Lutherans or Christians?. The irony is thick. I hope those visiting LCMS churches will find welcome, not criticism and obsession with telling billions of other Christians why they are “wrong”.
@@mic1240 Sorry, but your response is nothing more than sinful human sentimentality with no basis in the Word of God. You, like so many, do not believe in absolute truth. The late Dr. McDaniel (Bishop in the ELCA, pastor, professor) himself in a presentation made at a conference at Concordia Theological Seminary around 1991-1993 said that ELCA was no longer a Lutheran church body and fast departing from the Christian faith. He remained in it to try and bring it back around. You can make all the derogatory statements about confessional Lutheranism you wish but if you read God's Word a Church body cannot advocate open sin and consider itself Lutheran let alone Christian (abortion/murder; homosexuality; false preachers {i.e., women}; Ez. 3:16ff; Jeremiah 23:31ff; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Matt. 10:34-39; Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 1:18-32; 16:17,18; 1 Tim. 2:11-14, etc.). No sir, it is not I who am judgmental, but yourself. For you judge yourself to stand above the Word of God. To be Lutheran is to preach Christ and Him crucified which means one must faithfully proclaim God's Law without which the Gospel serves no purpose. "It is not only necessary that the pure, wholesome doctrine be rightly presented for the preservation of pure doctrine and for thorough, permanent, godly unity in the Church, but it is necessary that the opponents who teach otherwise be reproved (1 Tim. 3; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 1:9). Faithful shepherds, as Luther says, should do both things: (a) feed or nourish the lambs and (b) resist the wolves. Then the sheep may flee from strange voices (Jn. 10:5-12) and may separate the precious from the worthless (Jer. 15:19)" [Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, par.14]
@@rickpettey8822 . You have no idea about me, yet again claim only you know who does and doesn’t know “absolute truth”, again judging and validating exactly what wrote. Have a wonderful day.
I'm Lutheran from India.... Member of "Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church India "..... I'm proud Lutheran and I dream of uniting all Lutheran churches of the world in one and strongly in Christ ....if anyone Lutheran thinks same please let me know here by commenting
I'd die before agreeing to that. Majority of Lutherans are LGBT affirming, marrying, and women pastors. I've even seen lutheran church websites with rainbow flags on them. They've lost their damn minds.
Born and raised in the word of faith movement “Rhema Kenneth Hagin wing” and I’m finally learning about real Christianity. Pray for my Word of Faith PTSD to ease up! 😅 love your channel.
I'm not Lutheran but i see a lot of humility and truth in the things you say. Though i have my beliefs about Martin Luther, Salvation, etc. I will never claim that Lutherans are wrong.
I'm a Lutheran because we trust in God with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, but in all of our ways we aknowledge Him, and He makes our path straight. A man's nature is sinful and bent towards wickedness. Man's reason is flawed and can't be trusted fully. God is infallible and can confidently be, whole heartedly trusted.
The level of peace I had when leaving the Charismatic teaching behind for more Reformed teaching is inexpressible. Us Coming into the LCMS, hearing the Liturgy, knowing the theology and joining was like coming home in a foreign land. I never want to leave, I pray this will be where I can grow old and die.
All excellent theology aside.. Your videos are very entertaining to watch. Love the video editing. Thanks for bringing the Word rightly taught to youtube!
Except that 1 Peter suggests that the bible needs interpretation and that it is not for personal interpretation. nd you can get very confused by comparing what the bible says in one place to what the bible says in another.
@@GingaNinja2013 You: but also understand that tradition, church history, and the church itself can indeed be wrong. Me: Well, history can't be wrong. But church teachings could conceivably be wrong. That is unless the church is the Catholic Church which Jesus promised that the spirit of truth would be with it forever. That church cannot teach error.
You are charismatic and adorable. I was really enjoyed watching this. I was baptized Lutheran, but do not practice. However, my Grandmother does and she will be 90 this year. I want to understand what she believes the after life to be.
I grew up as a Nazarene in the Holiness wing of Christianity and then spent some years with the evangelical Southern Baptists and while Jesus was preached and the Bible held as inerrant in both I was left in despair. I never could measure up to the perfection the Nazarenes taught and it was frightening that any slip-up could send you to hell. The Baptist believing that salvation can't be lost was a comfort, but I still couldn't measure up to the person sermons said I should be. Deep theological questions that roiled around in my mind, driving me near crazy at times, couldn't be answered. Because a dear friend of mine was a LCMS Lutheran, I visited a church in my area. I had planned to visit other churches too but never moved on. I had believed for a long time that the Lord's Supper was more than a symbol and when I read on the back of the bulletin what Lutheran's believe I felt relief as it gave words to what I believed. I love that Lutherans take what the Bible says and simply believe it, even the times when they can't see into God's reasoning they still believe. There's no endless hunt for an answer that isn't given to us as if God could be fully understood through reason, nature, and science. It's about trust from what we do understand about God through His word. I love the focus being on Jesus and not on us making ourselves better people; only Jesus can change our hearts in that way. Everything not depending on my heart but on the external work that Jesus did and does for us comforts me. I like that there are tangible things outside of myself that give me salvation and it doesn't all depend on me. I love that we don't just sing, have a prayer, and listen to a sermon. It comforts me that each week we confess what we believe as a congregation, that we pray together, that we confess our sins together. The church is more interactive. I love that we are to live confessing lives and lives of repentance and in this way we don't have to fear losing our salvation at the drop of a hat. Lutheranism comforts me, it sorts all of my deep questions, and it makes sense as a whole theology.
Refreshing and very encouraging to hear all of these points spoken plainly and without any equivocation. If you want a worldly message or a mystical one that is as clear as mud, drop in at your friendly (unless you question them) Episcopal Church.
Lutheran education and upbringing can be tough. I was brought up Lutheran, and I will remain Lutheran. Lutheran Teaching continues to ring loud and clear, tried and true. Some 80% of what Lutherans teach can be found in our music. Believe it or not, when you sing - you are actually praying twice.
@@jackblack496 I personally do not have a problem with property owners being the ones to have the right to vote. Freedom requires equal amounts of responsibility. Freedom is the power of choice that individuals have in society, while responsibility is the attitude of the person to respond for the actions he chooses freely. Alexis de Tocqueville said, "The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money." “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” - Benjamin Franklin "There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt." - John Adams
I myself was brought up Lutheran; and I will remain Lutheran. I know what you mean about serpent liberalism, however. I'm liberal about a great number of things. Only politics is NOT one of them! Aside from bioethics being a major trigger for me; the telephone is perhaps my trigger issue of all trigger issues. I myself view a telephone call as an abortion.
@@jackblack496 that's the way it seems for most stateside and even European denominations. Methodism is probably in the worst spot though as far as all this politicism goes.
@@jackblack496 That's not my experience at all. I think you may be thinking of ELCA when it comes to "feminism" and I don't know what you're thinking of when it comes to "anti white." I invite you to attend an LCMS church in your area and talking to the pastor if you are interested in seeing what the church is really like.
It’s worth noting that not all churches with Lutheran in their names are really Lutheran in what they believe, teach, and confess. The ELCA is perhaps the foremost example of this kind of church. I also believe that the LCMS has it right. Where the Bible speaks we accept it as God’s own truth. Where the Bible is silent, we accept that, however curious we may be, if God hasn’t chosen to reveal it to us, we stop where the Bible stops.
Also, I really enjoyed the format as it reminded me of the first Northern Exposure episode. I think the music breaks within the talk give it better punch to various points. (allows us to mull) Plus it's fun!
I am a Lutheran as well. I was born into a Lutheran family and raised in a series of Lutheran churches. I was Lutheran for more than 21 years before I gave my life to Christ. I am still in the Lutheran church for the same reasons you describe. I believe of all Christian churches Lutheran doctrine adheres most directly to what the Bible says. I also believe that, like any organization of human beings there are Lutheran doctrines that either overstate or understate the scripture. But in all things directly related to salvation LCMS doctrine is correct.
How could you possibly be Lutheran, with out a single 'Don't'ca know' or a 'you'bet'cha'! I really do love the fact that the ELCA can laugh at itself and keep the traditions without throwing the baby out with the bath water. I know a heavy mix of metaphor there. Thanks Pastor Bryan!
I find unity in chanting, music is a key element as it touches our senses as God should in moments of strength and in weakness. It also creates consistency and that strengthens said faith in God. The entire story of WHY God and your own Quo Vadis is at the root of faith inside each and every one of us. I admire the fundamentalism of sticking to the scripture, but for others (those seeking guidance) to 'gain faith' or to 'strenghten faith' it takes much more.
Yes. Going to a building or belonging to an institution can't save you. Only Jesus can save. Going to church means nothing. Many are there who are unsaved and going to church, and many are there who are saved and don't go to church.
I am truly sorry that abuse occurred to you within the bounds of any Christian church, and I simply pray that the Lord may both convict them of their sins and draw you back into forgiveness and release from your trauma. Kyrie eleison.
Pastor, I can tell you that there is no “Catholic organization” that watches UA-cam videos to jump in and argue with you. In my case I watch your videos and enjoy them along with gospel simplicity just for their own case. It’s also, in the case of gospel simplicity, interesting to me to see an American evangelical explore Catholicism and orthodoxy and such with what appears to be an open mind. Keep up the interesting videos but don’t take as hostile when Catholics like myself chime in.
@@adolphCat Yes, I don’t believe traditional Lutheranism preserves apostolic succession and I do not believe their views of the priesthood square with each other. The teachings on the sacraments are different as are the teachings on the defects of the fallen person before god. Popular piety is much different. I could go on but you get the idea. I will say in many ways they are closer to Catholics than any other non-apostolic churches. I respect the belief of confessional Lutherans and accept them as Christian brothers and sisters.
Similar situation to you, spent most of my early years as a 'spiritual but not religious type since That's what my parent's are. Came into the church via evangelical/pentecostalism, but for similar reason started searching around. I landed into Anglo-Catholicism not Lutheranism, but I love your videos man!
I was raised LCA/ELCA, but for obvious reasons and am now attending a Conservative Mennonite church. They are Bible-based, but there is a lot of legalism and opinion-driven preaching. I so miss the proper observance of the Sacraments and the Church Year. It is very sterile and plain, with only a pulpit in the chancel area. So you go in, sit down and what do you see? An altar, a cross? No. A man, preaching for an hour on the evils of casual clothing. He does preach from the Bible usually, but sometimes gets on these tangents. Sadly these preachers have no clue how anyone else worships, so they paint everyone else heathen. I wish there was an LCMS church somewhere near me, but there is not. Most are ELCA (no way am I going back there!) or NALC. It good to hear Bible-based Lutheran teaching here!!!
I was baptized Lutheran when I was a baby but I don't go to church but I do worship the Lord Jesus Christ as my savor and I believe in the Lutheran way my question is do I need to be re-bapmitized because I haven't been to church since I was a child, but I do believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savor and my Lutheran believe? GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .
I am Lutheran in a church where I have no friends or fellowship because of it. To them I am tolerated, but not accepted. They don't have real doctrines or need one. They are born agains. They have their testimony..When God says "All Men Are Liars", what am I supposed to do with that? Take their word for it? Well the Pastor tries to teach sound doctrine, and when he does someone else leaves the church..when someone asks me why I am a Lutheran I say, "Luther kept it simple". He said, "make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price." In other words, be productive and have integrity in whatever you. That should be a goal for a lot of Evangelicals
Raised as aLutheran, my Grand father was a reverend, I find other churches so foreign and like you I was angry but the lord is leading me back! No Lutheran church in my city but I know the building is not the core of my love for God
My issue is when Lutherans think they have the bible right and everyone else has it wrong. Sounds bad but in order for you to be a Lutheran and believe Lutherans are the only ones to get the bible right - you must also believe that everyone else has it wrong. This became very clear to me when some Lutheran family friends refused to do communion in my church. I was embarrassed and offended. They said they only do communion in their church but later on i learned it was because my communion was not legit. I asked them later how Jesus would take that reasoning? They had no answer except that it is the way Lutherans do it. They later gave me a book on the teachings and history of Lutberans. It also pointed out many times how everyone else has it wrong and in many instances i got the impression that what they were trying to say was "we're better than them". It is the same feeling as when i get around mormons. (I have many friends and family members who are mormon). So its great that you are Christian Lutherans but dont think for a second that I am not saved because I interpret things differently. You are not a better Christian than me. Also if you want an example of why I am not a Lutheran...well when Jesus said to forgive others their sins against you he did not mean forgive the sins against God. Big difference. When someone sins against you it is probably a sin against God but that does not mean when you forgive them you are also making it right with God. Lutheran and Catholic priests and pastors have no bible authority whatsoever to act as God's representative and forgive sins. This is what the Holy Spirit and Prayer is about about. The apostles were given power specifically to them to forgive sins for God - but not us. Jesus never specifically said thousands of people after me will also have the power to forgive sin on behalf of God. This is an example of how many denominations do not look at the context or customs of events & actions - they simplify it so much as to skew what was really meant by a conversation or event. Is it possible to ask for forgiveness in prayer - yes. So why do people go to another individual and ask forgiveness?
I’ve been attending an online service with Pastor Chris Roseborough the last four weeks and this morning a light bulb just lit up. I’m an ordained Baptist and now I see the truth in the Lutheranism and have so many more questions. Is there any way I could call you sometime? I just need a mentor to help me on this journey. May the Lord richly bless you and yours.
Love what you said about the pastors not taking the Bible literally. Regarding the modern Lutheran Church: I love the perfect eschatology of Lutheran church. I do not love the fact that they call sprinkling “baptize”, which is a Greek not English word, meaning “submerge”. Sprinkling - by simple word meanings - is by definition not “baptism”. Finally, unlike Lutherans, I believe as *Luther* did about the 27 books of the NT.
It sounds like you and I went on similar journies, to all the various congregations and then back to the Lutheran Church. I remember before I went back to the LC-MS, I was with a charismatic individual who got angry when I used the word, "Holy Trinity". I think he was upset because you could not find that term in the Bible. I tried to teach him that we use words that help us understand what is within Scripture. When I mentioned Sola Scriptura, boy was I out of that group fast. :-)
I'm a practicing RC (which ain't gonna change) with an interest in the Reformation period generally and Martin Luther specifically. In the 21st century it is possible to look back at the issues which fractured the unity of Christendom with a measure of objectivity, whatever one's denomination. Undoubtedly, Pastor Bryan is an engaging presenter of theological dogmas, and explains with clarity the Lutheran insistence on the absolute authority of the Bible. But may I recommend another U-tube video on this subject by a catholic priest (Father Mike Schmitz) entitled "Why be Catholic and not just Christian" which covers much the same ground. (UK)
"We all serve the Lord in our own way; you in yours, me in His." Why is it that Evangelicals and especially Calvinist/Reformed theology has so much larger a presence on UA-cam than Lutheranism? Whenever I am looking for something Godly to watch to pass the time, sites like Desiring God, Canon Press seem to come up a lot more than the Lutheran perspective.
Thanks for sharing. I watched the first 2 parts of TMBH on the LCMS, and most of it I think I can agree on. One thing that puzzles me is pedobaptism. When I read the Bible I read people getting baptized on grounds of their faith, but the LCMS baptizes infants. Can you explain to me how I can find that in the Bible?
In Acts 2, the disciples baptized an assorted crowd of 3000 mothers, fathers, bachelors, young ladies and specifically small *children* (v39). Peter did not exclude anyone.
I think that's the idea though. Most Christians are trying to have the Bible mean what it says but then the questions arise "what is it saying here?" Everyone has their own interpretation as it's not always super clear; black and white. It also depends on the context, culture of the time, the audience the writers are actually writing to, etc.
I like the sparkle in your eye and the smile on your face. I was raised in a Luthern home and formally joined the church at age 14. At the time like you, I believed what the church taught and that was nearly 60 years ago. By the time I reached 16 I reached the age of reason and became increasingly uncomfortable with biblical legends and myths passed off as history. For me, it is a question of honesty and trust. When we set aside reason in favor of dogma the stage is set for conflict and hardship and that includes Christian vs, Christian. I understand the utility of religion and know that religion was invented by politicians and the details matter little. I know that religion is an $82 billion-a-year enterprise in the USA alone and I know that 60% of clergy don't believe what they preach (Dan Dennett survey). I know that most Christians believe their Jesus will return bodily to our planet within their lifetimes and I know they are going to be disappointed and suffer from a grand delusion. The tough question is, are you comfortable passing off legend and myth as history? Cheers!
I am pleased that you have found a church that you can call home but please be aware that the idea of the RIGHT theology has been detrimental to the unity of the church since the beginning of its formation. Your personality, your culture, even what side of the bed you got out of that day can affect your understanding of what you are reading. The bible is to be experienced to deepen your relationship with your creator. When we see Jesus face to face i don't think we will be spending much time discussing with him which church had a better understanding of the sacraments. How you love one another seems much higher in priority in Jesus's teaching. There is one body, one bride and she is being redeemed for a glorious marriage.
Why am I Lutheran? Cuz Luther was right. People who disagree with him usually either misrepresent his teaching or they’re pre-committed to doctrines that are only about 100 years old.
Bridgefin As I said, people either usually misrepresent his teachings or they’re pre-committed to doctrines that are only about 100 years old... Maybe 450 years old if you count reformation sectarians like Calvin, but usually those agree with Luther on main contentions.
@@zarnoffa He demonstrates what happens when someone, not protected by the Holy Spirit, contradicts the only church that is. He left Jesus and took millions with him. Not sure what can redeem one from that.
Bridgefin So, you’re saying the Oriental Orthodox and the Eastern Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox are all lost and apart from Christ? You sure you’re not in a cult?
@@zarnoffa They clearly have left the only church that Christ set up for them and within which Christ is the head. And the ones who start such a schism are judged more harshly than those who follow. Go out a few generations and people are brought up thinking that what they are in is true, and then they follow that towards God. And God judges their hearts. So no, not all are lost at all. And to a lesser extent than possible they may be affiliated with Christ and might be a faithful warrior for him. But they could have been even stronger.
I spent 30 years in the wilderness of decision theology and then found the LCMS church. Lutheran doctrine made the most sense out of all the scriptures!
James 2:24 "a man is justified by works and not by faith alone"
@@TheRomanCatholicChurch Would the Good Samaritan have been saved by his good works alone? God doesn’t command us to be “good”, he commands us to be “HOLY” which we cannot do as sinners. We are saved by faith alone because our good works don’t atone for the wages of sin. That being said, doing good works should be expected out of those that are also commanded to walk like Christ
@@THECURBLAYER I didn't say "good works alone", I said faith and good works (or faith that worketh by charity, see Gal. 5:6). God commands us to be holy/good, they are synonymous.
John 5:29 "they that have done good things, shall come forth unto the resurrection of life; but they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of judgment."
God commands us to be good only by participating in HIS infinite goodness, made available by HIS infinite Passion, the merits of which are acquired to man by faith that worketh by charity, not faith alone (James 2:24).
2 John 1:6 "And this is charity, that we walk according to his commandments."
Matthew 19:17-19 "if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He said to him: Which? And Jesus said: Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness. [19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
The merits of that holiness/goodness is from the Passion of Christ and not from dead works of your own strength. A person acquires the merits of Christ's death by cooperating with the grace of God by BOTH faith AND works, not faith alone. You have to do mental gymnastics to even pretend that you agree with James 2:24. You're obviously a heretic departing from the Scriptures.
Council of Trent, Decree On Justification, Chap. 8. (How One is to Understand the Gratuitous Justification of a Sinner by Faith)
"But when the Apostle says that man is justified 'by faith' [can. 9] and 'freely' [Rom. 3:22, 24], these words must be understood in that sense in which the uninterrupted consent of the Catholic Church has held and expressed, namely, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because 'faith is the beginning of human salvation,' the foundation and root of all justification, 'without which it is impossible to please God' [Heb. 11 :6] and to come to the fellowship of His sons; and are, therefore, said to be justified gratuitously, because none of those things which precede justification, whether faith or works, merit the grace itself of justification; for, 'if it is a grace, it is not now by reason of works; otherwise (as the same Apostle says) grace is no more grace' [Rom.11:6]."
@@TheRomanCatholicChurch Good works according to whom? God’s Word or The Pope?
@@TheRomanCatholicChurch curious how do you answer Romans 4?
And James 2:24 is not talking about justification before us and God but between your fellow man. Pretty much the verse used for those who are antinomians (just the same as legalistic but opposite spectrum and still living under a curse) or your basic secular christian who nods with their head but don't truly believe the gospel.
Eat your heart out guys. I go to Pastor W’s church, I get to sit in his Bible Class and even have lunch with him sometimes. He’s a joy to be with as a friend and as a Pastor.
bro I don't care. Jesus loves me anyway
It's not Godly to attempt to inspire the brethren to jealousy ;-)
You are tempting me with the sin of envy ;). God bless you.
@@Juliana65dude is just teasing goodness
I got to go to his parish once, it was a great experience
I was raised Baptist and Pentecostal, I’ve spent the last year and a half searching through every church denomination I could find (particularly the Catholic Church.) I read Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Etc. And found that a lot of what I had believed might be wrong, thankfully after a lot of struggle and dismay I found the LCMS, or rather the Lord lead me there. Now I’m in a catechism class and going to be confirmed this year likely. God is good
Same here, brother. I was raised Pentecostal and non-denominational. I started reading into what the early church fathers taught and how they understood scripture and I noticed how many things I was taught and believed did not align with them. I realized that we should heed to the wisdom of the early church fathers as they are closer to the apostles and a few of them were even taught by the apostles themselves, and therefore have a better understanding of the scriptures. It became evident that the Lutheran Church teaches the fullness of the Christian faith according to the scriptures and supported by the church fathers.
I started going to an LCMS Church at the beginning of the year and God willing will be confirmed in a few months.
My husband is pentecostal. Our children choose which church any given Sunday. The older they get, the more they go to Lutheran Church and say they love it because of the potlucks and the liturgy.
Catholic here. I have admiration for many Lutherans. Thank you for sharing
I am Catholic as well and am officially entering the Lutheran Church on 12/11/22. I now understand more at my age, 60, and feel Eternity is more achievable and comforting. Thank you, God and Pastor W.!
Martin Luther fought against the RCC and was called a heretic and excommunicated! Read about the council of Trent! Rome has resolved nothing about all their unbiblical, crazy ungodly traditions ( I was a Catholic for 40 years, until I read the Bible) the Lutheran’ s are compromising and bowing the knee to Rome!
@@marciamazuryk3918 Praise God.
Salvation is found by trusting in Jesus alone, praise God@@marciamazuryk3918
Lutherans for the Win!!! By grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture alone, to the glory of God alone!
Thank God you wound up Lutheran. You’re such a blessing to so many people!
By his divine grace, I too have returned from being a wayward rebel against our creator to a believer. Thanks in large part to a couple of wonderful Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists and their crazy ideas about the sacraments I was reminded how much of a Lutheran I am.
Now on the path to seminary.
Still lutheran? Or did you go Orthodox or Catholic?
@@BibleLovingLutheran always Catholic, never Roman.
@@loweffortstolenmemes4778 oh. I don't know exactly what you mean by that. Calvinist?
@@BibleLovingLutheran Lutheran. We are Catholic.
@@loweffortstolenmemes4778 oh, they changed the Apostles Creed in the one I went to LCMS. They say One Holy Christian Church
The simplicity of what I am slowly learning from the LCMS is what I keep saying to my dear friend and her husband who are now LCMS Lutherans. I just keep saying, "They keep it simple. They do not complicate it." I am going to be taking a class starting February 10 to learn why I am becoming Lutheran. Thank you Pastor Wolfmueller. Your journey sounds so very familiar to mine.
Ah yes catechism classes, ah I remember my confirmation well. At least doing as an adult you won't have to be an acolyte. Ideas always afraid I would knock over the candles or catch the alter cloth on fire.
That's awesome though, I am thrilled for you truly.
I am a Baptist with a lot of questions and i have really been praying about becoming a Lutheran. This channel has helped me understand Lutheranism a lot better
Same
I was raised IFB, had a story very similar to Pr. Bryan's, eventually became 1689 Reformed Baptist, and then went on to visit all kinds of churches. Eventually had kind of a theological smorgasbord, and never thought I'd settle anywhere.
Finally came to rest as a confirmed Lutheran on Palm Sunday of 2017, year of the quincentennial of the Lutheran Reformation, and have rest. I don't leave church feeling convicted. I leave church every Sunday feeling forgiven. I've gotten a foretaste of heaven. I've just met with Jesus Himself, there in the room, in a special way, giving me full assurance of my salvation, as did all of my church family along with me.
I was Baptist too. Lutheran is the most Biblical.
Sameee
I was one of those Roman Catholics who left for Bible Churches in the late 1970s, when in my late teens. I had been told Lutheranism was just Catholic lite. So, when Charismania wasn't working anymore for me, I started listening to Dr. R. C. Sproul on the radio. I learned about Reformed Theology and Luther and Calvin. I thought Luther's view of the Communion made more sense, so eventually I read the Book of Concord, which seemed to me to be the most Biblical system of doctrine.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I tip my hat to you for reading and being able to comprehend the Book of Concord.
God recently has lead me to a Lutheran Church to serve, and I was very very very reluctant at first. I still struggle, but I know it is where God wants me to be. I too have been to many many Churches. I grew up Catholic, left after God gave me a dream to leave, and I went quite a few places. And during COVID when the Churches all shut down, my now husband lived in a sexton house on a Lutheran Church property. And they were the first to open back up, but on the verge of closing permanently. My husband now, stepped in, who grew up Lutheran but left to be pentecostal for a while, he went back to being Lutheran and became President of the Lutheran Church. Before we got engaged, I was reluctant to follow him and was offered a position to be head of evangelism at a Calvinist leaning evangelical Church where I was first saved. And it was a choice to marry my husband and serve the Lutheran Church, or end the relationship and serve the Evangelical Church. After much prayer, God showed me to serve the Lutheran Church and to marry my Husband. However, since I was a Catholic and left, going back to the religiosity of the service was rather difficult, though the theology of the two are worlds apart. I started to become a member, but got nervous to what I was agreeing to, and stopped. God has been pulling me more and more to become a member. I have been searching out Lutheran teachers to try and get a better understanding. And upon reaserching Gregory Scultz who I admire for recent events, I stumbled upon your page. I enjoy what you say about Biblical Simplicity, that is really great. And I am hoping to learn more about what it really means to be Lutheran so I can be equipped to help save our dying Church.
You are so helpful. I was raised in the LCMS but wondered in the Episcopal wilderness for most of my adult life. I'm back where I belong now and I love learning from your videos.
I'm thankful I was raised Lutheran. Very well put. I'm glad for all who love God and are filled with his Holy Spirit, but I am a simple man who loves simple facts. Lutheranism is perfect for me.
30 years ministry in the Episcopal Church. Left for Catholicism (10 years) plus a time with the Orthodox. Have now 'landed' in the LCMS. I'm nearly 70, and FINALLY feel at home. Why in the heck did it take so long?
Thanks to The American Gospel Documentary, Chris Rosebrough, Steven Kozar, and now your channel, my wife and I have left our mega church. We are meeting with a local LCMS pastor next week about steps we can take to join and correct the fact that we didn't have our 3 year old and 6month old baptized. I am so glad there are faithful Pastors helping people discern truth. Thank you.
I was raised Pentecostal and after being agnostic most of my adult life I found myself on a similar journey for truth. I landed in the Presbyterian PCA and embraced Reformed theology to make sense of the entirety of Scripture but that said, I absolutely love your videos. Its very interesting to hear about what our Lutheran brothers and sisters believe.
We are indeed brothers and sisters. I am glad you found your way back to faith.
How do you like the PCA?
Thatnk you so much for your videos. I have been in the same boat you were in, trying to discern what tradition/denomination I belong to, but recently I have discovered Lutheran theology and it’s like hearing most of the conclusions I had already reached played back to me. I’m not crazy, I’m Lutheran!
"If this is how You're gonna be, then this is how I'm gonna be." This punched me in the gut.
Thank you for this. I have Lutheran heritage through my parents (born in Germany). Jesus became real to me in the Lutheran church at 15 but I soon left on a journey to Baptist and Pentecostal churches, indeed I meet my wife of 30 years in a Pentecostal church. However after attending bible college I found myself asking similar questions as you. So, 4 years ago my wife and started attending Lutheran church. The surroundings were familiar to me, for my wife and children...well they embraced this new church life wholeheartedly to my surprise. Many of the things you experienced we also did. Thanks.
I would like to share my testimony. I was raised to be Catholic by my grandparents and in my younger years, I had a good amount of faith(albeit the faith of a child)... When I was in my teens, I lost my faith in God. I became angry with him as I started to persue other Faith's from Buddhism to Paganism and even Satanism. My hate grew and I became blasphemous. I worked against The Lord. I did horrible things against Him and His children.
At one point.. I started to have a dream where I was met by the Archangel Michael. He would say to me "Alright, that's enough. Our Father wants you to come home." I would tell him no and try to fight him..losing Everytime.
Eventually, after my stint in the Army; I found myself struggling on a spiritual and mental level. I went for a run at 2 in the morning and for some reason, I decided to pray for the first time in many many years. It was at that moment where I felt an overwhelming and awe inspiring presence of love and forgiveness. I stopped.. I broke down and cried in both shame and gratefulness.
It's been about 9 years since then and I have not turned my back on God and will never do so again.
I’m in the same rode and I’m 17 please help me Help me love Jesus again.
@@sancheznancy4897 I think, ultimately it's easy to fall into the trap during our hormonal teen years. The best I can tell you is to go out and find a place where you can be alone with God and pray. God loves you. He has loved you from the very first day of Creation and will continue to love until the end of all things and beyond. Remember that, pray and put your faith in him.
Sanchez Nancy
I'll let God speak to you... through His Word. 📜🙏❤️✝️🕊
"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
-Romans 5:8
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.”
Psalms 51:10-11 KJV
"“If you love me, keep my commands. "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-The Spirit of Truth...
John 14:15-17a
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
1 John 2:1-2 NIV
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,"
-Romans 8:1
Jesus loves you!❤️
His ways are always better for you! 🙏✝️🕊
@@sancheznancy4897 Hey, how's it going?
So are you lutheran then?
Thank you for Law & Gospel!
Pastor thank you for your wonderful preaching!! Thank you for taking so much time for us... When you could be rocking out to the radio in your truck.
God bless you pastor for your faithfulness to make these videos! I have been in “decision theology” and pietism for most of my Christian life. I just recently began attending an LCMS church and God is rooting out many false doctrines that have been hindering my faith.
Your videos are so helpful. I have been looking into The Lutheran faith. As a United Methodist I'm currently intrigued.
Joshua Beach You might be interested to know that the UMC is in full communion with the ELCA Lutheran church
Merry-Go-Round Seekers: The only problem is that the ELCA is neither Lutheran nor Christian. I don’t mean that there are no Christians in that body. But any church that supports murder (abortions), homosexuality and female pastors cannot be Lutheran nor Christian.
@@rickpettey8822 seems pretty judgmental. Has it ever occurred to you the LCMS, by its own very public testimony and choice, is literally not part of the global Lutheran community? That it’s a minority amongst US Lutherans? It will not commune with about 95% of all Lutherans and is not involved with liturgical churches (as are most Lutherans)? Yet ok to judge on who is and isn’t “real” Lutherans or Christians?. The irony is thick. I hope those visiting LCMS churches will find welcome, not criticism and obsession with telling billions of other Christians why they are “wrong”.
@@mic1240 Sorry, but your response is nothing more than sinful human sentimentality with no basis in the Word of God. You, like so many, do not believe in absolute truth. The late Dr. McDaniel (Bishop in the ELCA, pastor, professor) himself in a presentation made at a conference at Concordia Theological Seminary around 1991-1993 said that ELCA was no longer a Lutheran church body and fast departing from the Christian faith. He remained in it to try and bring it back around. You can make all the derogatory statements about confessional Lutheranism you wish but if you read God's Word a Church body cannot advocate open sin and consider itself Lutheran let alone Christian (abortion/murder; homosexuality; false preachers {i.e., women}; Ez. 3:16ff; Jeremiah 23:31ff; 2 Tim. 4:1-4; Matt. 10:34-39; Acts 20:28-31; Rom. 1:18-32; 16:17,18; 1 Tim. 2:11-14, etc.). No sir, it is not I who am judgmental, but yourself. For you judge yourself to stand above the Word of God. To be Lutheran is to preach Christ and Him crucified which means one must faithfully proclaim God's Law without which the Gospel serves no purpose. "It is not only necessary that the pure, wholesome doctrine be rightly presented for the preservation of pure doctrine and for thorough, permanent, godly unity in the Church, but it is necessary that the opponents who teach otherwise be reproved (1 Tim. 3; 2 Tim. 3:16; Titus 1:9). Faithful shepherds, as Luther says, should do both things: (a) feed or nourish the lambs and (b) resist the wolves. Then the sheep may flee from strange voices (Jn. 10:5-12) and may separate the precious from the worthless (Jer. 15:19)" [Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, par.14]
@@rickpettey8822 . You have no idea about me, yet again claim only you know who does and doesn’t know “absolute truth”, again judging and validating exactly what wrote. Have a wonderful day.
This is the single best video I've ever seen. Clear, concise, factual. Thanks, Pr. Wolfmueller!
I'm Lutheran from India.... Member of "Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church India "..... I'm proud Lutheran and I dream of uniting all Lutheran churches of the world in one and strongly in Christ ....if anyone Lutheran thinks same please let me know here by commenting
Let us continue to walk towards that goal together dear brother!
No we don’t
I'd die before agreeing to that. Majority of Lutherans are LGBT affirming, marrying, and women pastors. I've even seen lutheran church websites with rainbow flags on them. They've lost their damn minds.
@@VoltedSoldierThose are not true Lutherans. They may appear to be with their traditions and liturgy, but Luther would be outraged if he saw them.
Born and raised in the word of faith movement “Rhema Kenneth Hagin wing” and I’m finally learning about real Christianity. Pray for my Word of Faith PTSD to ease up! 😅 love your channel.
I'm not Lutheran but i see a lot of humility and truth in the things you say. Though i have my beliefs about Martin Luther, Salvation, etc. I will never claim that Lutherans are wrong.
I'm a Lutheran because we trust in God with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, but in all of our ways we aknowledge Him, and He makes our path straight. A man's nature is sinful and bent towards wickedness. Man's reason is flawed and can't be trusted fully. God is infallible and can confidently be, whole heartedly trusted.
The level of peace I had when leaving the Charismatic teaching behind for more Reformed teaching is inexpressible. Us Coming into the LCMS, hearing the Liturgy, knowing the theology and joining was like coming home in a foreign land. I never want to leave, I pray this will be where I can grow old and die.
All excellent theology aside.. Your videos are very entertaining to watch. Love the video editing. Thanks for bringing the Word rightly taught to youtube!
What you said around 7:40 and on about "what the Bible says we let it stand" got me. That's my heart.
Except that 1 Peter suggests that the bible needs interpretation and that it is not for personal interpretation. nd you can get very confused by comparing what the bible says in one place to what the bible says in another.
@@GingaNinja2013
You: but also understand that tradition, church history, and the church itself can indeed be wrong.
Me: Well, history can't be wrong. But church teachings could conceivably be wrong. That is unless the church is the Catholic Church which Jesus promised that the spirit of truth would be with it forever. That church cannot teach error.
I'll be catechized by spring, and am often being asked the same thing! Thank you!
Really good video. The buzzing added to the ambiance 👍🏻
You are charismatic and adorable. I was really enjoyed watching this. I was baptized Lutheran, but do not practice. However, my Grandmother does and she will be 90 this year. I want to understand what she believes the after life to be.
You make me so thankful to be Lutheran.
You look like a man of joy, truly free of sin and death. Baptized. Wink Wink. God Bless.
I grew up as a Nazarene in the Holiness wing of Christianity and then spent some years with the evangelical Southern Baptists and while Jesus was preached and the Bible held as inerrant in both I was left in despair. I never could measure up to the perfection the Nazarenes taught and it was frightening that any slip-up could send you to hell. The Baptist believing that salvation can't be lost was a comfort, but I still couldn't measure up to the person sermons said I should be. Deep theological questions that roiled around in my mind, driving me near crazy at times, couldn't be answered. Because a dear friend of mine was a LCMS Lutheran, I visited a church in my area. I had planned to visit other churches too but never moved on. I had believed for a long time that the Lord's Supper was more than a symbol and when I read on the back of the bulletin what Lutheran's believe I felt relief as it gave words to what I believed. I love that Lutherans take what the Bible says and simply believe it, even the times when they can't see into God's reasoning they still believe. There's no endless hunt for an answer that isn't given to us as if God could be fully understood through reason, nature, and science. It's about trust from what we do understand about God through His word. I love the focus being on Jesus and not on us making ourselves better people; only Jesus can change our hearts in that way. Everything not depending on my heart but on the external work that Jesus did and does for us comforts me. I like that there are tangible things outside of myself that give me salvation and it doesn't all depend on me. I love that we don't just sing, have a prayer, and listen to a sermon. It comforts me that each week we confess what we believe as a congregation, that we pray together, that we confess our sins together. The church is more interactive. I love that we are to live confessing lives and lives of repentance and in this way we don't have to fear losing our salvation at the drop of a hat. Lutheranism comforts me, it sorts all of my deep questions, and it makes sense as a whole theology.
Thank you for the great lesson, and letting us join you as you make your Pastoral rounds :)
Got some audio issues going there. However, as a fellow member of the LCMS, just on the west coast, I completely agree with you.
Refreshing and very encouraging to hear all of these points spoken plainly and without any equivocation. If you want a worldly message or a mystical one that is as clear as mud, drop in at your friendly (unless you question them) Episcopal Church.
I loved this video... there was just a little electronic buzz here and there
Ok i thought it was my phone doing that!
@@jupitermadcat me too
I like the buzz lol
By the grace of God, I'm a Lutheran too!
Lutheran education and upbringing can be tough. I was brought up Lutheran, and I will remain Lutheran. Lutheran Teaching continues to ring loud and clear, tried and true. Some 80% of what Lutherans teach can be found in our music. Believe it or not, when you sing - you are actually praying twice.
How do you feel about the stance on woman’s suffrage
@@jackblack496 I personally do not have a problem with property owners being the ones to have the right to vote. Freedom requires equal amounts of responsibility. Freedom is the power of choice that individuals have in society, while responsibility is the attitude of the person to respond for the actions he chooses freely.
Alexis de Tocqueville said, "The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money."
“When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” - Benjamin Franklin
"There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword. The other is by debt." - John Adams
The simplicity of Christ. Yes. Exactly. You nailed it. (Wish I could teach greek to that parrot).
This is great. Thanks for telling some of your story.
Yea, I am a lutheran to. Thanks for the pepping. Keep up the good work.
Wow well put my brother, I really like what you are saying. I will be searching more into this! Thank you!
You are marketing the Lutheran Church very well, and your theology is of high quality, but unfortunately many Lutherans are ultra liberal nowadays.
I myself was brought up Lutheran; and I will remain Lutheran. I know what you mean about serpent liberalism, however. I'm liberal about a great number of things. Only politics is NOT one of them! Aside from bioethics being a major trigger for me; the telephone is perhaps my trigger issue of all trigger issues. I myself view a telephone call as an abortion.
LCMS is now a hub for feminism and soon anti white multi culti
@@jackblack496 that's the way it seems for most stateside and even European denominations. Methodism is probably in the worst spot though as far as all this politicism goes.
@@jackblack496 That's not my experience at all. I think you may be thinking of ELCA when it comes to "feminism" and I don't know what you're thinking of when it comes to "anti white." I invite you to attend an LCMS church in your area and talking to the pastor if you are interested in seeing what the church is really like.
Mary O'Donnell self awareness check?
I was born and raised LCMS and my pastor is afraid to speak out. Most are. I’m not. I’m not a boomer. Simple as.
It’s worth noting that not all churches with Lutheran in their names are really Lutheran in what they believe, teach, and confess. The ELCA is perhaps the foremost example of this kind of church. I also believe that the LCMS has it right. Where the Bible speaks we accept it as God’s own truth. Where the Bible is silent, we accept that, however curious we may be, if God hasn’t chosen to reveal it to us, we stop where the Bible stops.
Praise be to God Almaighty!
I’m a Methodist that found the Lutheran Church and my salvation!
But Methodists are Christians too.
Very well said! I wish I could like this video twice :)
Love your joie de vivre Pastor
I was born into it. Family has been Lutheran since.... It took off
Also, I really enjoyed the format as it reminded me of the first Northern Exposure episode.
I think the music breaks within the talk give it better punch to various points. (allows us to mull)
Plus it's fun!
Very well said!
I am a Lutheran as well. I was born into a Lutheran family and raised in a series of Lutheran churches. I was Lutheran for more than 21 years before I gave my life to Christ. I am still in the Lutheran church for the same reasons you describe. I believe of all Christian churches Lutheran doctrine adheres most directly to what the Bible says. I also believe that, like any organization of human beings there are Lutheran doctrines that either overstate or understate the scripture. But in all things directly related to salvation LCMS doctrine is correct.
Truth. Beauty. Clarity.
How could you possibly be Lutheran, with out a single 'Don't'ca know' or a 'you'bet'cha'! I really do love the fact that the ELCA can laugh at itself and keep the traditions without throwing the baby out with the bath water. I know a heavy mix of metaphor there.
Thanks Pastor Bryan!
Pastor Wolfmuller is not part of the ELCA. He preaches in a LCMS Congregation.
I find unity in chanting, music is a key element as it touches our senses as God should in moments of strength and in weakness. It also creates consistency and that strengthens said faith in God. The entire story of WHY God and your own Quo Vadis is at the root of faith inside each and every one of us. I admire the fundamentalism of sticking to the scripture, but for others (those seeking guidance) to 'gain faith' or to 'strenghten faith' it takes much more.
Wonderful explanation! I am Catholic for all of the reasons you articulate here. Let's pray for reunification of Jesus's Church.
I am glad that you are a "Lutheran." So be one then. While letting me be me too. By the way I am a Roman Catholic and I am going to stay that way.
May God bless you...
♥️
I'm an Anglican. But I attend Lutheran church. The differences are few and miniscule.
Yep! You got it. I'm a lutheran, hubby is a Lutheran as are the three kids (I have baptism and confirmation photos to prove it😂)
I'm just born again (christian)and I believe in Christ is the way .can't follow after men.
Yes. Going to a building or belonging to an institution can't save you. Only Jesus can save. Going to church means nothing.
Many are there who are unsaved and going to church, and many are there who are saved and don't go to church.
@@JaakkoJohannes its true ,we who believe in Jesus are his Church, Jesus said I will build my church
@@jesuseselmasiashijodedios7989
Amen to that my friend
I’m still recovering from being raised WELS. I can’t even go into any Lutheran church and the memories of abuses flood my mind.
👀
I am truly sorry that abuse occurred to you within the bounds of any Christian church, and I simply pray that the Lord may both convict them of their sins and draw you back into forgiveness and release from your trauma. Kyrie eleison.
Pastor, I can tell you that there is no “Catholic organization” that watches UA-cam videos to jump in and argue with you. In my case I watch your videos and enjoy them along with gospel simplicity just for their own case. It’s also, in the case of gospel simplicity, interesting to me to see an American evangelical explore Catholicism and orthodoxy and such with what appears to be an open mind. Keep up the interesting videos but don’t take as hostile when Catholics like myself chime in.
Do you believe that there is any substantial difference between modern Roman Catholicism and Traditional Lutheranism?
@@adolphCat Yes, I don’t believe traditional Lutheranism preserves apostolic succession and I do not believe their views of the priesthood square with each other. The teachings on the sacraments are different as are the teachings on the defects of the fallen person before god. Popular piety is much different. I could go on but you get the idea. I will say in many ways they are closer to Catholics than any other non-apostolic churches. I respect the belief of confessional Lutherans and accept them as Christian brothers and sisters.
I wish you warn lcms Lutherans about the Elca body of Lutheran. I don’t like to call my self Lutheran because not all Lutheran are the same.
Similar situation to you, spent most of my early years as a 'spiritual but not religious type since That's what my parent's are. Came into the church via evangelical/pentecostalism, but for similar reason started searching around. I landed into Anglo-Catholicism not Lutheranism, but I love your videos man!
I was raised LCA/ELCA, but for obvious reasons and am now attending a Conservative Mennonite church. They are Bible-based, but there is a lot of legalism and opinion-driven preaching. I so miss the proper observance of the Sacraments and the Church Year. It is very sterile and plain, with only a pulpit in the chancel area. So you go in, sit down and what do you see? An altar, a cross? No. A man, preaching for an hour on the evils of casual clothing. He does preach from the Bible usually, but sometimes gets on these tangents. Sadly these preachers have no clue how anyone else worships, so they paint everyone else heathen. I wish there was an LCMS church somewhere near me, but there is not. Most are ELCA (no way am I going back there!) or NALC. It good to hear Bible-based Lutheran teaching here!!!
It would be very wise for God’s children to realize that God has a faithful believing remnant in every single denomination. ✔️
I was baptized Lutheran when I was a baby but I don't go to church but I do worship the Lord Jesus Christ as my savor and I believe in the Lutheran way my question is do I need to be re-bapmitized because I haven't been to church since I was a child, but I do believe in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savor and my Lutheran believe? GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .
I am Lutheran in a church where I have no friends or fellowship because of it. To them I am tolerated, but not accepted. They don't have real doctrines or need one. They are born agains. They have their testimony..When God says "All Men Are Liars", what am I supposed to do with that? Take their word for it? Well the Pastor tries to teach sound doctrine, and when he does someone else leaves the church..when someone asks me why I am a Lutheran I say, "Luther kept it simple". He said, "make a good shoe and sell it at a fair price." In other words, be productive and have integrity in whatever you. That should be a goal for a lot of Evangelicals
Raised as aLutheran, my Grand father was a reverend, I find other churches so foreign and like you I was angry but the lord is leading me back! No Lutheran church in my city but I know the building is not the core of my love for God
It sounds to me that all who become Lutheran have a similar journey. Even Luther himself!
My issue is when Lutherans think they have the bible right and everyone else has it wrong. Sounds bad but in order for you to be a Lutheran and believe Lutherans are the only ones to get the bible right - you must also believe that everyone else has it wrong. This became very clear to me when some Lutheran family friends refused to do communion in my church. I was embarrassed and offended. They said they only do communion in their church but later on i learned it was because my communion was not legit. I asked them later how Jesus would take that reasoning? They had no answer except that it is the way Lutherans do it. They later gave me a book on the teachings and history of Lutberans. It also pointed out many times how everyone else has it wrong and in many instances i got the impression that what they were trying to say was "we're better than them". It is the same feeling as when i get around mormons. (I have many friends and family members who are mormon). So its great that you are Christian Lutherans but dont think for a second that I am not saved because I interpret things differently. You are not a better Christian than me. Also if you want an example of why I am not a Lutheran...well when Jesus said to forgive others their sins against you he did not mean forgive the sins against God. Big difference. When someone sins against you it is probably a sin against God but that does not mean when you forgive them you are also making it right with God. Lutheran and Catholic priests and pastors have no bible authority whatsoever to act as God's representative and forgive sins. This is what the Holy Spirit and Prayer is about about. The apostles were given power specifically to them to forgive sins for God - but not us. Jesus never specifically said thousands of people after me will also have the power to forgive sin on behalf of God. This is an example of how many denominations do not look at the context or customs of events & actions - they simplify it so much as to skew what was really meant by a conversation or event. Is it possible to ask for forgiveness in prayer - yes. So why do people go to another individual and ask forgiveness?
To your last question: John 20:23
Do you think your church teaches about Jesus more accurately than the Mormon church?
I’ve been attending an online service with Pastor Chris Roseborough the last four weeks and this morning a light bulb just lit up. I’m an ordained Baptist and now I see the truth in the Lutheranism and have so many more questions. Is there any way I could call you sometime? I just need a mentor to help me on this journey. May the Lord richly bless you and yours.
Take it slow. Find an LCMS, AALC, or WELS pastor in your area on the internet.
I’m very happy to know that you are a Christian and that you believe the word of GOD and that some day you might get to Heaven!
Love what you said about the pastors not taking the Bible literally.
Regarding the modern Lutheran Church:
I love the perfect eschatology of Lutheran church.
I do not love the fact that they call sprinkling “baptize”, which is a Greek not English word, meaning “submerge”. Sprinkling - by simple word meanings - is by definition not “baptism”.
Finally, unlike Lutherans, I believe as *Luther* did about the 27 books of the NT.
great messages
It sounds like you and I went on similar journies, to all the various congregations and then back to the Lutheran Church. I remember before I went back to the LC-MS, I was with a charismatic individual who got angry when I used the word, "Holy Trinity". I think he was upset because you could not find that term in the Bible. I tried to teach him that we use words that help us understand what is within Scripture. When I mentioned Sola Scriptura, boy was I out of that group fast. :-)
I'm a practicing RC (which ain't gonna change) with an interest in the Reformation period generally and Martin Luther specifically. In the 21st century it is possible to look back at the issues which fractured the unity of Christendom with a measure of objectivity, whatever one's denomination. Undoubtedly, Pastor Bryan is an engaging presenter of theological dogmas, and explains with clarity the Lutheran insistence on the absolute authority of the Bible. But may I recommend another U-tube video on this subject by a catholic priest (Father Mike Schmitz) entitled "Why be Catholic and not just Christian" which covers much the same ground. (UK)
Thanks Pastor...
"We all serve the Lord in our own way; you in yours, me in His."
Why is it that Evangelicals and especially Calvinist/Reformed theology has so much larger a presence on UA-cam than Lutheranism? Whenever I am looking for something Godly to watch to pass the time, sites like Desiring God, Canon Press seem to come up a lot more than the Lutheran perspective.
Love it!
"This place has cookies" :)
You are so fun! Whenever the Bible says something we say OK. 😊 God doesn’t lie. ❤
thank you
Please we need more Lutherans in Minnesota and the Dakotas please!
Everything you say is true. And it's why I remain Catholic. Blessings to you.
Long Live CHRIST The King
Thanks for sharing. I watched the first 2 parts of TMBH on the LCMS, and most of it I think I can agree on. One thing that puzzles me is pedobaptism. When I read the Bible I read people getting baptized on grounds of their faith, but the LCMS baptizes infants. Can you explain to me how I can find that in the Bible?
In Acts 2, the disciples baptized an assorted crowd of 3000 mothers, fathers, bachelors, young ladies and specifically small *children* (v39). Peter did not exclude anyone.
I think that's the idea though. Most Christians are trying to have the Bible mean what it says but then the questions arise "what is it saying here?" Everyone has their own interpretation as it's not always super clear; black and white. It also depends on the context, culture of the time, the audience the writers are actually writing to, etc.
well said
I wish our Pastor at the Pilgrim Holiness church could talk to you.
Have Lutherans gone Liberal because I'm strait conservative!? Love a answer!
That place might have cookies, but we have donuts and coffee! LCMS!
Gay
I like the sparkle in your eye and the smile on your face. I was raised in a Luthern home and formally joined the church at age 14. At the time like you, I believed what the church taught and that was nearly 60 years ago. By the time I reached 16 I reached the age of reason and became increasingly uncomfortable with biblical legends and myths passed off as history. For me, it is a question of honesty and trust. When we set aside reason in favor of dogma the stage is set for conflict and hardship and that includes Christian vs, Christian. I understand the utility of religion and know that religion was invented by politicians and the details matter little. I know that religion is an $82 billion-a-year enterprise in the USA alone and I know that 60% of clergy don't believe what they preach (Dan Dennett survey). I know that most Christians believe their Jesus will return bodily to our planet within their lifetimes and I know they are going to be disappointed and suffer from a grand delusion. The tough question is, are you comfortable passing off legend and myth as history? Cheers!
I follow "Ancient Antochene Christianity" theology, it agrees the most with the Word of God.
I am pleased that you have found a church that you can call home but please be aware that the idea of the RIGHT theology has been detrimental to the unity of the church since the beginning of its formation. Your personality, your culture, even what side of the bed you got out of that day can affect your understanding of what you are reading. The bible is to be experienced to deepen your relationship with your creator. When we see Jesus face to face i don't think we will be spending much time discussing with him which church had a better understanding of the sacraments. How you love one another seems much higher in priority in Jesus's teaching. There is one body, one bride and she is being redeemed for a glorious marriage.
Why am I Lutheran? Cuz Luther was right. People who disagree with him usually either misrepresent his teaching or they’re pre-committed to doctrines that are only about 100 years old.
I disagree with Luther and my doctrines are 2,000 years old.
Bridgefin
As I said, people either usually misrepresent his teachings or they’re pre-committed to doctrines that are only about 100 years old... Maybe 450 years old if you count reformation sectarians like Calvin, but usually those agree with Luther on main contentions.
@@zarnoffa
He demonstrates what happens when someone, not protected by the Holy Spirit, contradicts the only church that is. He left Jesus and took millions with him. Not sure what can redeem one from that.
Bridgefin
So, you’re saying the Oriental Orthodox and the Eastern Orthodox and the Armenian Orthodox are all lost and apart from Christ? You sure you’re not in a cult?
@@zarnoffa
They clearly have left the only church that Christ set up for them and within which Christ is the head. And the ones who start such a schism are judged more harshly than those who follow. Go out a few generations and people are brought up thinking that what they are in is true, and then they follow that towards God. And God judges their hearts. So no, not all are lost at all. And to a lesser extent than possible they may be affiliated with Christ and might be a faithful warrior for him. But they could have been even stronger.