What's In A Name? The 'Core' of Sin
What's in a name?
Well, apparently, there could be a lot of bad things.
Some of you might have noticed a change to this website.
"The Lutheran Layman" used to be the name of this blog, but from now on we'll be going with "Just A Lutheran Layman" instead.
Why the sudden change? What's the point? I mean, it seems so subtle so why even bother? Ah yes! "Subtle" is a good word I think (Genesis 3:1).
Let's just say I want to be on guard against arrogance, a cult of personality, haughtiness, pretension, pride, and self-worth. In other words, I want to be careful not to inadvertently end up worshipping at the idol of self (although it's clear that's likely what I've been doing the past few months; 1 John 1:9).
Most importantly, I want to proclaim Christ crucified -- not Jeff crucified -- as if my own personal experiences while navigating from the works-righteousness waters of American Evangelicalism to the justified by grace shores of Confessional Lutheran doctrine are somehow more important than Him and what He did and continues to do for me.
To do so would be for me to become part of the problem, or the very thing I'm trying to speak out against with the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17), the Word of God, in this spiritual war (can somebody say "hypocrite" please?).
What's in a name? The "core" of sin -- pride.
Sure, I may interject from time-to-time and share some personal experiences...but only in so far as they glorify my God.
Besides, claiming to be "THE" quintessential Lutheran layman was mighty pretentious of me when I've been a Lutheran-In-Name-Only for only 2 years and a Confessional Lutheran for a mere 5 months now, wouldn't you say?
In a Lutheran Layman's terms, from now on, I'm "JUST" a Lutheran layman, because I'm nothing special, but my Savior most certainly is and I want to tell you about Him and what He's done for you!
[NOTE: As you know, I am a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is not consistent with Lutheran doctrine -- in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word -- so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Grace and peace to you and yours!]
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Well, apparently, there could be a lot of bad things.
Some of you might have noticed a change to this website.
"The Lutheran Layman" used to be the name of this blog, but from now on we'll be going with "Just A Lutheran Layman" instead.
Why the sudden change? What's the point? I mean, it seems so subtle so why even bother? Ah yes! "Subtle" is a good word I think (Genesis 3:1).
Let's just say I want to be on guard against arrogance, a cult of personality, haughtiness, pretension, pride, and self-worth. In other words, I want to be careful not to inadvertently end up worshipping at the idol of self (although it's clear that's likely what I've been doing the past few months; 1 John 1:9).
Most importantly, I want to proclaim Christ crucified -- not Jeff crucified -- as if my own personal experiences while navigating from the works-righteousness waters of American Evangelicalism to the justified by grace shores of Confessional Lutheran doctrine are somehow more important than Him and what He did and continues to do for me.
To do so would be for me to become part of the problem, or the very thing I'm trying to speak out against with the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17), the Word of God, in this spiritual war (can somebody say "hypocrite" please?).
PRIDE
3622 Man Would Proudly Deify Himself
In short, the misery and woe that one man would love to be the god of another come from the apple in Paradise, when Adam and Eve wanted to be gods in the devil's name. This apple still lies heavy in everybody's stomach, causes constant belching, and will not be digested. For even the true saints still have at least something of the core in them.
(What Luther Says, Compiled By Ewald M. Plass, p. 1133)
What's in a name? The "core" of sin -- pride.
Sure, I may interject from time-to-time and share some personal experiences...but only in so far as they glorify my God.
Besides, claiming to be "THE" quintessential Lutheran layman was mighty pretentious of me when I've been a Lutheran-In-Name-Only for only 2 years and a Confessional Lutheran for a mere 5 months now, wouldn't you say?
In a Lutheran Layman's terms, from now on, I'm "JUST" a Lutheran layman, because I'm nothing special, but my Savior most certainly is and I want to tell you about Him and what He's done for you!
[NOTE: As you know, I am a newly converted Confessional Lutheran who recently escaped American Evangelicalism. That being said, please contact me ASAP if you believe that any of my "old beliefs" seem to have crept their way into any of the material you see published here, and especially if any of the content is not consistent with Lutheran doctrine -- in other words, if it's not consistent with God's Word -- so that I can correct those errors immediately and not lead any of His little ones astray. Thank you in advance for your time and help. Grace and peace to you and yours!]
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Thank you for visiting A Lutheran Layman! Please feel free to leave a comment or a question since we do not exercise censorship. We've seen a similar policy with other blogs and it's worth repeating: Please act as if you're a guest in my home, and we'll get along just fine. I think anyone would agree that the kind of back-and-forth that is characteristic of blogs/chat forums and social media is becoming tiresome for all of us. Still, we should confess, edify, and love (and contend and defend when needed). Bottom line? Search the Scriptures! Apply Acts 17:11 to anything and everything you find here and, if you do happen to disagree with something you find here (which is certainly ok), or think I'm "irresponsible" and "wrong" for writing it, then please refute my position by supporting yours with Scripture and/or the Confessions. I don't think that's an unreasonable request, especially for those who identify themselves as "Christians" here, right? Besides, Proverbs 27:17 tells us "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another" and 2 Timothy 3:16 says, "all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." If you have an opinion that's great, I welcome it, but try to support it using God's Word. I mean, if the goal here is to help us all arrive at the truth of God's Word (myself included), then it should be easy to follow through on this one simple request (I'm talking to all you "Anonymous" visitors out there). Grace and peace to you and yours!