Posted on 10/05/2015 9:49:15 AM PDT by markomalley
Pope Francis will visit a Lutheran church in Rome on November 15.
St. John Paul II visited the church in 1983, as did Pope Benedict in 2010.
“For us Lutherans in Rome, he [Pope Francis] is our bishop,” Jens-Martin Kruse, the church’s pastor, told the Italian news agency SIR. “Not in the legal sense but in a symbolic sense.”
“The times are definitely not good for faith and for Christians,” Kruse added. “Even in Italy, the churches are empty. There is, then, a common task is to find new ways to help people to approach anew the pages of the Gospel and have a personal relationship with God.”
Note to Lutheran FReepers, this is not an attack. Rather, I have a question: I thought that such a statement would go against everything that Lutheranism stands for. I know it goes against the Smalcald Articles the the Small Catechism, not sure whatever other fundamental documents..
How could a Lutheran make such ridiculous statements? Has something changed in your doctrine?
“not sure whatever other fundamental documents..”
How about going against the Word of God?
What kind of Lutheran? There’s a wide range, even in the US.
Maybe because we now have a protestant pope. A pope who is trying his best to change Catholic doctrine.
...”Has something changed in your doctrine?”
I’ll attempt a reply from Catholic perspective:
No, doubtful anything has changed in their doctrine but rather why not ask why Mr. Montini “Paul VI” invited six protestants to the so called Council where the destruction of the doctrine of Holy Mother Church were attempted.
The mass that they came up with, Novus Ordo, is so protestant that people are departing in droves to join the protestants who are far better at being protestants than the Novus Order tries to be.
Perhaps he created a pseudo church which poses as the Roman Catholic Church.
What a better way, then, to thank the successive papal imposters than to call one of them “Our Bishop”.
European “Lutherans” as well as ELCA Lutherans in this country would be excommunicated by Luther for their unbelief and disobedience to the Word of God. They are not Christian, or Lutheran, because they reject the teachings of the Bible.
In John 8:31,32, Jesus clearly states, “If you continue in My Word, then you are My disciples indeed. And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Nowhere in scripture will you find women “pastors”, homosexual “marriage,” acceptance of killing God’s babies. Willful sinning is not a sign of repentance but of stubborn rebellion against God. These people will be with the goats on Judgment Day, hearing Jesus say, “I never knew you.”
Taken aback by this too.
However, it’s becoming apparent that much of the world is getting caught up in the current pope’s popularity and movement toward harmonizing all religions for an ideal New World Order, just as we’ve been warned.
It’s fascinating to see prophesy play out, day by day.
Interesting trying times ahead, especially for those who those who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
This is my same question. I thought the pope meant essentially nothing to us as Lutherans. I will have to ask the pastor at the church I attend.
The Catholic church left me a long time ago...
There are different denominations within the Lutheran namesake. Some, like the ELCA, are not really very Lutheran. The LCMS and the Wisconsin Synod are sticklers to the original Lutheran dogma.
Luther did say (and other Lutheran theologians agreed with) that it wasn’t the office of the Pope that was an issue. Indeed, for good order it may be a good thing. It was the theological claims to be able to keep people out of heaven on a whim and such that was the issue.
Heck, we would pray for BXVI at times in my Lutheran parish.
I need to see what group this church is affiliated with. If it is with the State churches or the Free Churches. I have an idea, but I need to double check.
If it is the place I found, you won’t like it.
They are left of the ECLA here in the states and promote gay weddings and abortion.
There are “Free Church” Lutheran’s in Rome and Italy, but I doubt the Pope would want to visit a place like that.
Oh, please!
By being a lib 'lutheran'. elca does it all the time.
“Original Lutheran dogma” strikes me as highly ironic.
Nothing has changed in our doctrine. Unfortunately like most mainstream denominations the majority of the Lutheran church has gone skipping down the path of least resistance and appearing popular. I do not know what the Italian situation is. THere are still conservative Lutheran synods in this country that adhere to sound doctrine and the Augsburg confession, Unfortunately we are the minority, and the go along to get along majority get all the press.
Like every denomination, and all people, God has preserved a remnant that will stand for truth in these last days.
and AMEN!
Trust me, I sympathize...
Care to elaborate?
Be rooted in Christ!
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