Ask the Pastor

Information

A place to ask questions about the Lutheran Faith that are answered by orthodox Lutheran Pastors. Join this group and add a discussion with your question. Be sure to title the discussion clearly and include details of your question in the body.

Members: 156
Latest Activity: on Sunday

Procedures for this Group

If you have a question that you would appreciate answered by an orthodox Lutheran Pastor, Start a Discussion in this group. Make the Discussion Title clearly identify your question, so people coming after you can easily find the question looking through the title. Clarify the question in the body of the discussion posting.

The intention of this group is for pastors to answer the questions submitted here; please do not reply here if you are not a pastor unless you have something else that needs to be clarified that hasn't already been asked. Perhaps you can send a message to the pastor answering the question asking for further clarification rather than asking for it in this group; he can then post a clarification on the discussions in this group.

Pastors: If you want to help out in this group, click here and follow the instructions. If you disagree with an answer given by another, try to resolve those disagreements in a well-reasoned, Christ-like way lest the faith of some (laymen) be harmed by pastoral disagreements which might accidentally escalate to more than disagreements. This also could be done using the private messaging found on the Trail.

Discussion Forum

Bible Study 1 Reply

Hello all,Should a person be using any documents written by Dr. Luther such as "A Simple Way to Pray" in a regular Bible study session? Dr. Luther references the Apocrypha from time to time, so…Continue

Started by Bob Schultz. Last reply by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt Jun 12.

"Son of Man" 1 Reply

Good day Pastors: I have a question on my mind-of which( I have had for awhile)-may I have a Pastoral answer to please? It is what is the significance of the statement "Son of Man"? I have been…Continue

Started by john mac. Last reply by Rev. Robert Mayes Jun 5.

Valid Baptism 16 Replies

Greetings in Christ,We have been having an incredible discussion lately on the validity of a Baptism done in a setting other than even a Christian church. Of course there are some conditions…Continue

Started by Bob Schultz. Last reply by Bob Schultz May 8.

Lutheran view of Purgatory/Limbo 5 Replies

Hello, Pastors! Good day and greetings. Newly studying the Lutheran faith, I have many questions. As a former attendee of a Church of Christ and a former Catholic catechumen(classes),I have deep…Continue

Started by Susan M. Last reply by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt Apr 29.

Statutes and Judgments 2 Replies

Hello,Regarding the Old Testament, I believe that it's laws and ceremonies are/were fulfulled in Christ. Even regarding the Ten Commandments, we are not under them anymore, we are under the Gospel,…Continue

Started by Bob Schultz. Last reply by Bob Schultz Apr 9.

Getting Frustrated 6 Replies

Hi WT,This is a somewhat unhappy rant I have so please bear with me. I may have talked about this issue in the past on this forum. But I have come to a period I am very frustrated with my current…Continue

Started by TLu. Last reply by Rev. Robert Mayes Apr 2.

The Bible we have today 5 Replies

Greetings,My question today is on the Bible and how it was compiled. I know it was put together by various councils in the early centuries, but what was it's finished form then? I'm not refering to…Continue

Started by Bob Schultz. Last reply by Dr. Ralph "Rafe" E. Spraker, Jr. Mar 26.

Infant Baptism and repentance. 1 Reply

The Bible clearly states that we should "repent and be baptized".I do believe Baptism does create faith for the baby but no where does it say that it creates repentance.1) Does the repentance come…Continue

Started by Christopher McDonald. Last reply by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt Mar 25.

Baptism and Communion are only symbolic-how to refute? 14 Replies

Hi Pastors,I am in the process of becoming Lutheran and have been convinced by The Holy Spirit through Scripture,teaching, and preaching of the Real Presence in Communion and God using Baptism to…Continue

Started by Blanca Fleischmann. Last reply by Robert Morrissette Feb 6.

judgement 1 Reply

what does God REQUIRE of us that we may be judged right before Him?Continue

Started by James H. Little. Last reply by Rev. Richard Mittelstadt Feb 2.

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Comment Wall

Comment by Norm Fisher on March 25, 2010 at 3:25pm: To reply to questions or read the answers, click on the discussion forums above.

It's intended that there be one question per forum, making it easier to locate questions and answers.

Comment by Darth Swede on April 6, 2010 at 3:53pm: Ummm... Why isn't Pr. Walt Snyder, the _true_ originator of "Ask the Pastor" not a part of this group?

Comment by Suzee on April 6, 2010 at 5:16pm: http://xrysostom.blogspot.com/
Thanks for pointing, Darth. Another good blog to read.
I quite liked the Sons of Korah explanation, within the blog, and added to my psalm studies.

Comment by Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg on April 15, 2010 at 7:43pm: It happens, I think, because, in all candor, we are quite inconsistent. That in itself is quite understandable for there is not a man, woman, or child in this frail and fallen world who is not inconsistent. What is frustrating and a bit frightening is when we become content and comfortable with our inconsistencies.

Many of the older pastors were criticized by members of their congregations for so strongly emphasizing early baptism of children. For whatever it is worth, many of us pastors still try to strongly urge quick baptism of children -- but we have to try to not seem legalistic or overly demanding. And then there are many laypeople who give baptism a kind of lipservice but are lulled into complacency because of the incredible medical advancements of our day and age.

If we were true to Scripture, we would do as you suggest and would urge parents to see to their children's baptism sooner rather than later. Thanks for being a voice for conscience.

Comment by Don on April 16, 2010 at 3:06pm: I hear ya, lutheranlady.Go to the "new confession" thread and see where some wish to try to "explain" (away) the necessity of baptism.

My nephew has a three-month old daughter who is yet to be baptized. they keep talking about it, but never get around to it. My sister is concerned, but get this. Her view, as told to my mom, is that there's no immediate concern for little McKenna, but that her son (my nephew) and his wife may have some answering to do. What has happened? Is it a denial of original sin, a view that a loving God would not send little children to hell, so there's nothing to worry about except some conceern over the faithfulness of the parents?

What makes father, mother, and grandmother think that little McKenna is not lost without baptism? All raised LC-MS, but now have become so audacious. The idea that the answer to "What happens to babies who die before baptism?" is "Scripture is not clear" is now seen as legalistic?! Lord, have mercy!

Pastor Don Kirchner

Comment by Rev. Alan J. Wollenburg on April 16, 2010 at 5:45pm: Dear Lutheranlady: Yes, you are quite right. It must ever be our prayer that we pastors will not succumb to a 'dumbed down' theology which is, as you are truly pointing out, no theology at all. This is part of what the apostle meant, i believe, when the Holy spirit inspired him to write about "jars of clay" (2 Cor. 4:7ff.). For your part as a layman, please support and encourage your pastor and other faithful pastors to BE faithful pastors who faithfully represent the Lord and His Word so that they may truly be faithful servants of the sheep given to their care. Your "humble opinion and observation" is duly noted -- Pastor Kirchner and I and others really DO have stout hearts and seek to lead "instead of capitulate" -- but please try to understand how difficult that can be especially for some pastors who have ecclesiastical supervisors who do NOT encourage them to be stouthearted leaders. :( peace!

Comment by Suzee on April 21, 2010 at 12:11pm: Rick Holland=False Teacher
http://www.gracechurch.org/crossroads/mp3search.asp

Comment by Suzee on April 21, 2010 at 12:34pm: http://www.gracechurch.org/media/details/?mediaID=1301
Definite False Teaching by Rick Holland!

Comment by Suzee on April 21, 2010 at 12:34pm: Pastors!
Want to laugh?
http://www.gracelutherancc.com/
Listen to home page and staff page! LOL!

Comment by Suzee on April 21, 2010 at 2:35pm: Non-denominational is not the problem. His preaching is non Scriptural.
Care to share your comment on the quote?

Comment