James Robertson's Page

Evangelical Catholics & Confessional Evangelicals

by Gene Edward Veith

Imagine a church that is both evangelical—proclaiming the free forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus Christ—and sacramental, centering its spiritual life in the regenerating waters of baptism and the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion. Imagine further a church that is strongly grounded on Scripture, but yet avoids the solipsism of individual interpretation in favor of a comprehensive, intellectually rigorous and eminently orthodox theological system. Imagine a worship service that features both strong preaching and the historic liturgy. Imagine that this is a historical church with a rich spiritual tradition, but without legalism. Imagine, in short, a church that has some of the best parts of Protestantism and the best parts of Catholicism. Finally, imagine that this church body is not some little made-up sect, but one of the largest bodies of Christians in the world. Such a church might seem like what many Christians—disaffected by both the vacuity of liberal theology and the shallowness of American evangelicalism—are dreaming of. For millions of Christians such a church actually exists—it goes by the admittedly inadequate name “Lutheran.”

Eccles 12:12 ...of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason - I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other - my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.Martin Luther
Now, as concerning faith, we ought to be invincible, and more hard, than the adamant stone; but, as touching charity, we ought to be soft, and more flexible than the reed or leaf that is shaken with the wind, and ready to yield to everything. Martin Luther
The fundamentals of Christianity, belief in the inerrancy and sufficiency of the Bible, the virgin birth and divinity of Jesus Christ, the vicarious and atoning character of his death, his bodily resurrection and ascension, and his second coming are the irreducible minimum of authentic Christianity. All are included in the Lutheran Confessions.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Sola scriptura, sola gratia, sola fide, solus Christus, sola crux. Soli Deo gloria