A Few Random Reasons I am A Lutheran

I know, I was baptized in a Lutheran church when I was about a month old, and that does account for a large part of why I am Lutheran. But after exploring awhile among the Pentecostals, I returned to my Lutheran roots. Here are a few "short" reasons why:

1. When asked, "Are Lutherans Conservative or Liberal?", the correct answer is Yes. And No.

2. We love the liturgy, but the liturgy does not define us.

3. Two brilliant pieces of writing by Martin Luther: "The Small Catechism", and "The Freedom of a Christian (also called "On Christian Liberty.")

4. Paradox.

5. The "priesthood of all believers," properly interpreted.

6. All the little Lutheran churches, still dotting the prairie, not giving up. (of course, I humbly realize that in other areas in the country, it might be other little churches that are not giving up.)

7. Gerhard Forde, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Soren Kierkegaard, Albert Schweitzer, Johann Sebastian Bach.

8. I am not in charge of my salvation; God is.

9. "Putting the best construction" on your neighbor's words, activity and behavior. (This is what Luther says it means to not bear false witness against your neighbor.) (I don't notice that we do this much, but it's not a bad standard to reach for.)

More musings and story-telling to come.....

The Lutheran song -- and commentary

Someone sent me this in an email this week. As my brain is dead from the Festival, and I am struggling with too many profound thoughts that aren't quite ready to be born yet, I thought I'd take a little commerial break with this. One caveat: I believe a couple of the people named "Lutheran" really aren't. Garrison Keiller didn't grow up Lutheran. I'm not sure what church he attends now. Several governors of Minnesota have been Lutheran, but I'm pretty sure that our current one isn't. Steve Jobs I think used to be Lutheran, but now is Episcopalian. Also, there is another governor on the list I'm not sure about. Feel free to add or subtract Lutherans. Otherwise, enjoy!