Rev. McCain at Cyberbrethren posts a discussion as to whether Lutheranism is too clannish, cliquish, and negative. He notes that sometimes we hold on to our theology so tightly that we don’t want to thin it out with exposure from others, while at times we delve so hard into outreach that mission churches don’t even look Lutheran.

One way to tread down the narrow middle is to detail what is so great about Lutheranism, and by Lutheranism I mean confessional, historical Lutheranism.

I was born in a Lutheran family, and my parents insisted that I not follow the poor example laid by my peers and skip church. I continue to be thankful for that grounding. One may say, “gee, Dan, you were born a Lutheran and you don’t know anything else. Staying Lutheran was just convenient since you didn’t have to change theologies.”

Here’s how convenient confessional Lutheranism is in central Ohio: Mapquest shows that there are at least 150 churches within 10 miles of my house, and not one is LCMS. The closest LCMS church is 20 miles away, and two others are 30 and 35 miles away. The closest church of any Lutheran stripe, 1.26 miles away, is ELCA. Unfortunately the ELCA’s leadership has allowed the view that the Bible contains the Word of God rather than is the Word of God, and that divergence from Biblical inerrancy has resulted in various unbiblical practices.

So why, indeed, would I insist that my family currently travel for a half hour to a church, and why, indeed, do I pray for a new Lutheran mission that has the possibility of being just 2 miles down the road, when I have so many existing churches to choose from?

Some of these points may be made for other denominations. If so, then they are blessed.

Lutheranism begins not with what we do for God, but what God has done for us. Most world religions are man-centered, focused on making their gods happy so that their god will bless them. Some areas of Christianity are also infected with this to a lesser extent, resulting in praying hard enough so one can “name it and claim it” or “Hurricane Katrina came to punish the wickedness in New Orleans,” or “visit a Dominican monastery and get your plenary indulgence for this year”. You in your sinfulness cannot appease a perfect God. You can’t even get help — you don’t mix black paint and white paint and expect to get white paint. God has to save you. This focus on the direction of action makes Lutheranism special.

Second (the rest of these now in no particular order), Lutheranism accepts paradox. We have the new life in Christ, and yet we remain sinners. Christ tells us his supper is Body and Blood, yet we taste bread and wine. The biblical testimony is accepted without testing the Lord: for example, there is no rationalization that Christ is somewhere spiritually but not bodily. He is God; he can do all things. We instead are both Romans 7 and Romans 8 at the same time.

Third, Lutheranism uses scripture to read scripture. All of scripture testifies about Christ (John 5:39). When a commandment comes down that is impossible to us, it is not impossible to Christ, who has fulfilled the Law.

Fourth, and I wish this were true for more pulpits: both the Law and the Gospel are preached to their full sternness and sweetness. I ask pastors to please, preach the law, to crush us and remind us that we are sinners, but having done that, help us to see the nails, the pierced side, the blood and water, the death, and the resurrection that was done on our behalf. Not just for this upcoming Easter, either.

Fifth, Lutheranism holds scripture supreme, overruling traditions that run counter to scripture but not overruling traditions where scripture is silent. A lot of older Lutheran churches have a statue of Jesus behind the altar as if giving a blessing. If that helps you focus on Christ (and why not?) then that’s fine. Some Christian denominations insist that such a statue is a violation of the prohibition of idols. If one isn’t not thinking of Jesus with a statue of Jesus standing there, perhaps there are other problems. :) Some baptismal fonts are eight-sided, the sides signifying the eighth day of creation, the creation of new life in Christ. Scriptural? Sort of. Seriously cool? Yes. Other traditions can be adopted without force, using the opportunities to teach the faith.

Sixth, speaking of traditions, there is liturgical worship. Liturgical worship allows those who cannot read to participate. My older daughter can participate and even sing some of the LSB Matins. She knows the Apostles’ Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, so that lets her participate in the Divine Services. Both kids know the music and vocalize to some degree; not bad for 4-year-olds. When they go to their grandparents’ house in Kansas City, they will be able to participate in worship there, too. Liturgy teaches us the faith whether or not the pastor falters in his job.

Seventh, in the Lutheran church we have the promises of God in their entirety. It is a real comfort that my family is baptized and will not be asked to undergo a “believer’s baptism” or an altar call or told that their salvation is invalid. Where they and I are not faithful, God is faithful. God made their decision, though they could reject it.

Eighth, Lutheranism has a formal doctrine, defended with biblical text, which can be taught to young people and can be held on to until we die. It’s a lot easier than memorizing every verse in the Bible, though we teach that too.

Ninth, Lutheranism has strong hymnody in it that teaches biblical truth. It doesn’t all have to be Gerhardt, Luther, and Nicolai. Consider what you learn more from: “I could sing of your love forever” or “A Lamb goes uncomplaining forth, The guilt of all men bearing, And laden with the sins of earth, None else the burden sharing!” Lutheranism is known as the singing church; the more, the better!

Finally, confessional Lutheranism holds fast to biblical inerrancy, however ugly and illogical it can be for us. Do you think a six-day creation is illogical? Parting of the Red Sea? Walking on water? Try the incarnation of the perfect limitless God into the tiny living space of an infant, living perfectly for 33-ish years, allowing himself to be beaten, crucified, and killed, then risen from the dead, that we “may be his own, and live under Him in his kingdom, and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as He is risen from the dead, lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.” When we believe in the Incarnation, the other stuff becomes secondary.

Ten points, but hardly complete. There’s things like Two Kingdoms, private confession and absolution, orders of creation, doctrine of vocation, the communion of saints (and not just those venerated by Rome :) ), and others. I think though that within these ten points is information for non-Christians and non-Lutherans about what goes on in the Lutheran church. These things and others are reasons why 150 Christians churches are not enough in my area. We must build anew. Pray for us.