By Matthew Monfore, April 1, 2021
Matthew grew up in the Lutheran church (Missouri Synod). He never heard anything about being born again and repenting of sin. Luther’s catechism has clear contradictions to the Christian gospel, and I do not hesitate to say that you cannnot believe Luther’s Catechism and be a genuine Christian.
| Lutheranism [from Luther’s Small Catechism and Luther’s Large Catechism] (accessed via bookofconcord.org) | Biblical Christianity |
| Numeral IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism states that baptism: “works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believer this” and conerning the water of baptism, “It is not the water indeed that does them [such great things], but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water” | Baptism in no way causes one to be a Christian; nor does it save someone. It is a symbol for those who have already been saved. Acts 10:43-48; Romans 8:9 |
| V. Confession states: “we receive absolution [remission of sins], or forgiveness, from the confessor [person being confessed to], as from God himself“ Lest there be any doubt what the catechism is saying, these words follow as an example of the confessor [person being confessed to]: “Dost thou believe that my forgiveness is God’s forgiveness?” and the response of the confessee [one doing the confessing] “Yes, dear sir.” And later on from the confessor, “And by the command of our Lord Jesus Christ I forgive thee thy sins…” | Forgiveness comes from God alone! Not from some man, who is tainted with sin. “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). |
| VI. The Sacrament of the Altar states: “It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink…” in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words” What is the source of forgiveness? The “Sacrament” or the “words”? Or is the sacrament produced “through the words”? Pay attention to the following from the Large Catechism: “It is the Word (I say) which makes and distinguishes this Sacrament, so that it is not mere bread and wine, but is, and is called, the body and blood of Christ“ “…we go to the Sacrament because there we receive such a treasure by and in which we obtain forgiveness of sins.” | Communion is symbolic. It does not save. Jesus said to do it in “remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). The Words were spiritual words [metaphorical] (John 6:35, 63). Jesus was not a literal door, light, vine, or bread (John 10:9; 8:12; 15:1; 6:35). |