Sunday, September 16, 2007

Gone

I have been a Lutheran my whole life (35 yrs.). I was raised in a LC-MS church and 7 years ago, moved to the Netherlands.
Upon my first visit here, I was happy to see that there was a Lutheran church in the area. However, after I moved here, the church vanished. They are now a part of the PKN (http://www.protestantchurch.nl/).

What I can not figure out is where have all the Lutherans gone? Am I really the only one left in the whole country? It seems to be so...

They have gone through a "Unification Process", I just can't figure out how they can claim to be unified while not agreeing in ALL matters of The Faith. What of warnings such as
Romans 16:17?
"Now I urge you, bretheren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them."


What of Church Fellowship?
What of Altar Fellowship?
What of Confession and Absolution?
What of Baptism?

Are these just things to be quickly looked over or do they really matter?

HOW MUCH AGREEMENT IS NECESSARY FOR FELLOWSHIP?
  • Matt 28:19-20
  • Eph 4:3
  • Acts 20:27-31
  • Rev 22:19
  • 1 Cor. 1:10
  • Romans 15:5-6
  • Phil 1:27

What and where shall I go for my spiritual feeding... not for mine alone but also for that of my two children? Shall I give in and go to a Dutch Reformed church even though I am not 1 in ALL things with them? Is saying that "Jesus is the Savior, and we agree on that" enough?

Can leave one feeling lost and second guessing what has been learned over the years.

Lutherans

Are there any Lutherans in the Netherlands NOT with the PKN?