A few weeks ago the folks over at New Reformation Press were kind enough to ask me if I would write a series of guest blog posts for their site, telling the story of my journey to Lutheranism from evangelicalism. The entire series is now posted:
Many thanks to Pat and Ted at NRP for giving me this wonderful opportunity to share my story with a wider audience!
Thanks again for the wonderful posts. I re-posted and credited at my blog. It’s amazing how many people have had similar experiences to us. I’ve been a Lutheran about 8 years now, but the journey still seems so fresh.
Our Lord’s blessings to you!
Thanks for re-posting, Andrew…I really appreciate that! I would love to hear your story. I never get tired of hearing about how God brings people to the Gospel that is entirely outside of us, and to the peace and freedom and comfort that goes along with it.
Great account of how God has worked in your life since for longer than you can remember. Since my own similar journey in 2003, I have read this same story over and over. Evangelical churches simply don’t produce lasting faith or fruit. Did you know most who leave fall away completely? Glad we now know each other.both in the blogospher and on Twitter (Rose)!
hi Dawn,
I appreciate your post because I am kind of in a similar place right now, doubting my salvation. I find it hard to look outside of myself because I am very introspective, always looking at my performance. I find the law and gospel perspective very helpful but within the Vineyard church I go to, I’m starting to see more law than gospel. And there’s an emphasis on doing. A friend lent me on Sunday by RT Kendall on ‘The Judgment Seat of Christ’ which talks about rewards. That our imperfect works will be the wood, hay and straw that is burned up on the day of judgment. And that just filled me with a sense of fear. So I wonder if I have real, saving faith because my faith is so easily shaken like that.
Hi Martin,
Thanks for reading and thanks for your comments!
“Do I really have saving faith?” was the question that plagued me for much of my life. I was always looking at something inside of me – whether it be my obedience or my emotions or my experience – to determine whether or not my faith was genuine. Believe me, when you say you are very introspective I understand that completely. I think I elevated morbid introspection into an art form.
The problem is, our faith is the wrong thing to be focusing on. Our faith is not what saves us, in and of itself. We are saved by grace, through faith. Faith simply receives the gift. Our faith is merely childlike trust in the Savior – and this is itself given to us by God. I know the temptation is to then ask the question, “Am I trusting enough? Did I really receive the gift?”
That’s when you look to the objective, external Word. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). Martin – Christ came into this world and lived the perfect, victorious life that you could never live. He died for all of your sins, even those you committed just today. He loves you with a perfect love. In your baptism he put His name on you. Look not to your performance or the quality of your faith, but to the Object of your faith – your wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. Everything He did – His life, death, and resurrection – was for YOU. When you realize that your salvation is not up to you, that God even gives you the faith to believe (through His Word and the means of grace) it changes everything.
Let me know if you have any questions or if you would like further resources/reading material on this subject. If you would like I can e-mail you (to the e-mail address you submitted when you posted the comment). Issues Etc., Table Talk Radio and White Horse Inn are good radio programs to listen to if you are interested in Reformation theology and want to hear more about the Gospel that is outside of us.
Blessings,
Dawn
Dawn,
I already listen to Radical Grace, WHI, and BIll Cwirla’s sermons on-line. I’ve been thinking about leaving church on and off for a few months but there’s very few options for me if I did that. There’s no Lutheran church in the part of the UK where I live. In fact the Lutheran church has a very scant presence here which is a little depressing. I just feel a little burned out at present.
God bless,
Martin
Hi Martin,
How far away is the nearest Lutheran church?
In central London, a few hours away by train.
Martin
What other kind of churches are there within a reasonable distance? Are there any that preach Law and Gospel (even if they’re not necessarily Lutheran)?
There’s a United Reformed church in Brighton.
I went to the URC website for the UK and they look rather liberal…
Looks like these churches are about an hour or so from Brighton (is that where your current church is?):
http://www.christlutheranchurch.org.uk/site/
http://www.oslc.org.uk/
Hi, Martin. I’m a curate in a Lutheran church in Fareham, nr. Portsmouth. I know it’s not next door, but drop me a line at curate AT oslc DOT org DOT uk and we can at least make contact with each other and take it from there.
Unfortunately I don’t drive, so getting to these places is a bit difficult for me.
Martin, drop me a line anyway. I may be able to help.
Hi Dawn, I appreciate your story. I, too, came from an evangelical background but have gone onto seminary and just started my journey as a Lutheran pastor about 1 1/2 years ago. Through your story, you’ve encouraged me in my own beliefs of Lutheran theology.
ADMIN Note: This comment was transferred from the typepad blog which will be deleted soon.