Words Make a Difference: “Christian”

What’s the proper adjective to modify “Church” in the Third Article of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds: Should it be “holy Christian church” or “holy catholic Church”? Luther used Christlich, the common German translation of catholicam. Today French Lutherans use universelle = universal. Swedes say allmännelig = everywhere. Norwegians say almen = everywhere. Germans say […]

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If you repent….

“God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin….Therefore be assured that you who repent have been forgiven….” Thus announced the pastor in his absolution at the Sunday morning worship service. How dead were we? Mostly dead?  Not quite? It’s another gospel-plus distortion of the gospel: The gospel + […]

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