You have expressed Louise why it's so great to be a Lutheran. Lutheran tradition (in most circles of Lutheranism) is rooted in doubt. That's what got Martin Luther out of the rigid Catholic orthodoxy of his period in history and thrown him out into a glorious affirmation of wrestling with theological thinking that is best expressed in his personal writings. Read Luther's Table Talks sometime. Very insightful (and sometime a bit gross) into real, original, authentic Lutheranism. It was the successor to Luther that made it all a bit rigid with time. Melanthon, the apologist who came up with all the ideas for Lutheran orthodoxy, confessions, Book of Concord that all Lutheran pastors are supposed to agree with and teach by (but many have not read). OK, enough of history. Liked the praising of doubt that you lifted up.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful blog. I'm moved to make one comment: Faith is quite different from Belief (the latter is a Faith choice, by the way). But Faith is most important -- that one might struggle with doubts and still end up in the right place. And BTW, have you read The Sparrow? My wife hated it, but I found it well worthy of pondering. Peace.
Thank you for sharing the article. Always have enjoyed reading your writing. What a gift! Love to talk to you more about the religious/spiritual journey. I read the comments below and love to better understand what you mean by simplistic theology.
Such a wonderful piece of creative writing that I very much enjoyed reading, both for the subject matter and personal insight. Pastor Laura has a gift for enlightening our doubts and you, Louise, have an amazing gift for writing. Thank you for sharing! Joanne Manzi
I really appreciated what your pastor said about doubt. I also appreciated and identified with your path to your current position about certainty or lack there of. Thanks, Louise. BBBrown
You have expressed Louise why it's so great to be a Lutheran. Lutheran tradition (in most circles of Lutheranism) is rooted in doubt. That's what got Martin Luther out of the rigid Catholic orthodoxy of his period in history and thrown him out into a glorious affirmation of wrestling with theological thinking that is best expressed in his personal writings. Read Luther's Table Talks sometime. Very insightful (and sometime a bit gross) into real, original, authentic Lutheranism. It was the successor to Luther that made it all a bit rigid with time. Melanthon, the apologist who came up with all the ideas for Lutheran orthodoxy, confessions, Book of Concord that all Lutheran pastors are supposed to agree with and teach by (but many have not read). OK, enough of history. Liked the praising of doubt that you lifted up.
This was very insightful and really struck a chord with me, Louise. Continue on your path with your skillful writing.
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful blog. I'm moved to make one comment: Faith is quite different from Belief (the latter is a Faith choice, by the way). But Faith is most important -- that one might struggle with doubts and still end up in the right place. And BTW, have you read The Sparrow? My wife hated it, but I found it well worthy of pondering. Peace.
Thank you for sharing the article. Always have enjoyed reading your writing. What a gift! Love to talk to you more about the religious/spiritual journey. I read the comments below and love to better understand what you mean by simplistic theology.
Such a wonderful piece of creative writing that I very much enjoyed reading, both for the subject matter and personal insight. Pastor Laura has a gift for enlightening our doubts and you, Louise, have an amazing gift for writing. Thank you for sharing! Joanne Manzi
Wow thank you for sharing! I had no idea how much your childhood was so similar to mine. Hugs and thank you again for this, perfect timing
I really appreciated what your pastor said about doubt. I also appreciated and identified with your path to your current position about certainty or lack there of. Thanks, Louise. BBBrown