Page 94 - God's Church through the Ages - Student Textbook

Lutheranism and Calvinism differed greatly on the doctrine of predestination. Lutherans affirm neither “double
predestination” (some chosen for salvation and others chosen for damnation) nor “limited atonement” (Christ
died for only the sins of the elect) as many Calvinists do. Lutheranism promoted a higher view of the free will of
man to make a choice about salvation according to God’s grace. During this period of time, each Protestant
group wrote to distinguish differences between their beliefs, giving rise to various denominations.

You ever heard the song, “They will know you are Christians by your love.” Christ told us that he
desired for believers to be united in love. His desire is for one universal church where there is
total unity. That’s what Heaven will be like, but not now.
Today, so many religious leaders have inserted false beliefs into their teachings. Pastors will tell people to
bring a bottle of water in, pay some money, and the bottle will be “blessed.” Drinking blessed water will
provide jobs, wealth, and health. Such teaching is totally foreign to the Word. When a religious leader takes
such a position, those who seek to live by the pure teachings of the Word will end up separating themselves
from fellowship with such false teachings.

Along the course of history, various denominations have risen over teachings about baptism, church polity,
communion, and even over what a preacher should wear when presenting the sermon. Some of the divisions
are over major doctrinal areas in the Bible. But some are over insignificant petty things.

“Major on the majors and minor on the minors” is good advice for believers today. We can fellowship with
anyone who claims the name of Christ, but we have to be weary of what the actual doctrines are that others
hold to. They need to be centered in God’s Word! If a person believes that the rapture will happen before the
Tribulation, and another believes it will happen mid-way through the Tribulation, and another at the end of
the Tribulation, is that worth separating fellowship? No! But if a person claims to be a Christian, but denies
the deity of Jesus Christ, then that is a significant difference that calls for separation.

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Johann Gerhard, 1582-1637

Johann Gerhard was the premier Lutheran theologian of the early seventeenth century.
Combining his profound understanding of evangelical Lutheran theology with a broad
interest in ethics and culture, he produced significant works on biblical, doctrinal,
pastoral, and devotional theology. His Loci Theologici are regarded as the standard
compendium of Lutheran orthodoxy, with topics ranging from the proper understanding
and interpretation of Scripture to eschatology. They interact with the writings of the
Church Fathers, Luther and his contemporaries, and the Catholic and Calvinist theologians
of his day.

In his Loci, Gerhard addresses the doctrines of the Lutheran faith with skill and precision.
His series remains a classic of Lutheran theology and offers contemporary church workers and researchers a
wealth of material on the distinctive of Lutheran doctrine.

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