A theology of the cross , in contrast , keeps its feet firmly planted on our broken Earth and says , “ God was in Christ reconciling the world to God .” The incarnation witnesses to a God who puts aside divine characteristics to become human , to suffer and to die .
Saint and sinner Luther described Christians as “ simultaneously saint and sinner .” Some religious traditions distinguish between “ saints ,” who obey God ’ s will , and “ sinners ,” who disobey . Lutherans cling to a both / and understanding of Christian identity that redefines the word “ saint ”: a saint is a forgiven sinner .
Vocation The term “ vocation ” literally means “ calling .” Until Luther ’ s time it was used primarily to refer to those with a special religious calling to be a priest , monk or nun . Luther expanded the idea to include all Christians . First , Luther affirmed that all Christians are priests . Second , Luther affirmed that all human work is a calling from God if done in faith and for the service of neighbor .
Contextual theology In The Freedom of a Christian , Luther insists that it ’ s not enough simply to acknowledge that Christ is Christ . Instead , the purpose of preaching is to make the connection , to deliver the goods so Christ may “ be Christ for you and me .”
So , here at Calvary , the outfits might be different , the songs new , we “ dip ” at communion instead of sipping , but we still preach the Good News of the risen Christ . We still do church through the lens of law and gospel , saint and sinner because we are still justified by grace alone .
Yea , we might not be the Lutheran church you grew up with , but I truly believe we are the Lutheran church Luther had in mind . We are evangelical as we reach into our community as called members of the priesthood of believers and share the means of grace with all .
A theology of the cross , in contrast , keeps its feet firmly planted on our broken Earth and says , “ God was in Christ reconciling the world to God .” The incarnation witnesses to a God who puts aside divine characteristics to become human , to suffer and to die .
Saint and sinner Luther described Christians as “ simultaneously saint and sinner .” Some religious traditions distinguish between “ saints ,” who obey God ’ s will , and “ sinners ,” who disobey . Lutherans cling to a both / and understanding of Christian identity that redefines the word “ saint ”: a saint is a forgiven sinner .
Vocation The term “ vocation ” literally means “ calling .” Until Luther ’ s time it was used primarily to refer to those with a special religious calling to be a priest , monk or nun . Luther expanded the idea to include all Christians . First , Luther affirmed that all Christians are priests . Second , Luther affirmed that all human work is a calling from God if done in faith and for the service of neighbor .
Contextual theology In The Freedom of a Christian , Luther insists that it ’ s not enough simply to acknowledge that Christ is Christ . Instead , the purpose of preaching is to make the connection , to deliver the goods so Christ may “ be Christ for you and me .”
So , here at Calvary , the outfits might be different , the songs new , we “ dip ” at communion instead of sipping , but we still preach the Good News of the risen Christ . We still do church through the lens of law and gospel , saint and sinner because we are still justified by grace alone .
Yea , we might not be the Lutheran church you grew up with , but I truly believe we are the Lutheran church Luther had in mind . We are evangelical as we reach into our community as called members of the priesthood of believers and share the means of grace with all .