Hi, so I’m brand new here. Mostly just interested in discussing theology, Christian practice, exploring and talking about Scripture. All the good stuff.
I’ve been a believing Christian for as long as I have memories. I was raised in an Evangelical home by believing parents, and in a non-denominational church for the first eight years of my life. For reasons I won’t get into here, my family was forced to leave that church, and when I entered my teenage years I became more interested in learning more about my faith, about Scripture, the history of Christianity and the Church more broadly. The super short version of my own personal story is that I ended up as a Lutheran, chiefly because I found in Lutheranism a biblically grounded and grace-focused theology and framework for being a Christian.
I identify as a “Confessional Lutheran”, which just means that I hold to, and believe, the historic Lutheran Confessions are biblically grounded and faithful expositions of good Christian theology and teaching.
I’m in my early 40’s, and at this point I’ve been a member of a couple Lutheran congregation for over a decade (I moved around a lot in my 30’s), though have identified as a Lutheran for around 15+ years.
I don’t know how well Lutheranism is known around these parts, so perhaps to offer a couple highlights about what I believe just to break the ice:
I believe in the Holy Trinity. I believe in the Incarnation; the Virgin Birth, the sinless life, the atoning death, and glorious resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe He ascended into heaven, is seated at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in justification by grace alone through faith alone on Christ’s account alone.
I believe in the divine authority and inspiration of the Bible, which is God’s holy word.
I believe that following Jesus is a life-long endeavor of trusting in Him and, by the power and work of the Holy Spirit working in me, taking up my cross, dying daily in repentance, and seeking a life shaped by Him and obedience to His commandments.
I believe that I am a sinner who, every day, needs the Savior; for He alone is my hope, my salvation, and my only strength in this sin-soaked world of hurting people and widespread suffering.