The means of grace are the ordinary means by which the Lord saves. It doesn't mean that he can't or won't save someone outside those means but they are what He has given the body of Christ, the church, to accomplish His will.
Based on your questions as a whole I would recommend
The Way Of Salvation In The Lutheran Church written by Gerberding. It can be read online at the link or downloaded as a pdf or another preferred format.
It is a pleasant high level read written for Lutheran's who were encountering American revivalism for the first time. If a person just reads the first two or three chapters then he will find how we read Scripture and the consequences of reading Scripture in that manner through multiple examples.
The super short answer in that regard is that we read Scripture according to it's God given perfect immediate context. As a rule unless there is some clear indicator in the text itself we read the words according to their plain meaning.
I assume the three below are all 1 time experiences, correct?
- Grace
- Baptism
- Lord's supper
You may be understanding or using grace in a different way than we do. We understand grace, primarily God's unmerited favor, to be a life long activity of God for us on acount of the person and work of Christ for all men.
The one baptism is a one time event with a consequence of a lifelong experience.
I'm not sure what you mean by the Lord's Supper being a one time experience. All who partake of, or receive, the Lord's Supper experience it to their benefit or detriment as often as they partake it or receive it.
I'm sorry about that. I understand that Jesus is Lord, that He is sovereign, these are just terms used to describe theology, like "Trinity".
Ok. A graduate of a Dispensational seminary once explained the dispute to me but I couldn't really affirm either whole heartedly because of the context in which it was presented.
Is there a theology for Lutheran soteriological views of scripture? A name? I am aware of 4, but maybe Lutherans fall into one of these?
- Free Grace
- Arminian(Prevenient Grace)
- Calvinist(Lordship Salvation)
- Calvinist(Free and Sovereign Grace)
If you're not familiar with any of these then it's no big deal.
None of the above. We are Christocentric. Our theology begins with the person and work of Christ for all men and then works outward. When a less central doctrine is recognized we don't then say, "Well if this is true then this other less central doctrine X Is or must also be true." Instead we return to the person and work of Christ to see whether there is a correct relationship to the less central doctrine X.
Maybe it is in a confession? Do Lutherans have confessions or creeds?
Yes, all of our Symbols are found in the
Book Of Concord.
Where are the disagreements in Christology between you and another "Christian"?
Unfortunately, "Christians" have found ways to disagree on Christology. An obvious example is that typified by the old NIV translation of Acts 3:21. Because of a particular Reformed Christological doctrine it had something like, "Christ must remain in heaven..." Thankfully, the NIV has corrected that error.
A consequence of that Reformed doctrine is found in their views of baptism and the Lord's supper as only symbols. See the Consensus Tigurinus for verification. (Calvin also said he didn't hold a symbol only view but he did sign the Consensus Tigurinus.)
Also, which part of TULIP could you halfway agree with? Is this universal among most Lutherans?
Dr R and myself can go along with total depravity to differing degrees. (Assuming my memory is correct, I don't remember which other point got him to one and a half.)
Yes, there are significant doctrinal disagreements and they can be found in the Book Of Concord. For example, we refer to what is called limited atonement as blasphemous.
Means of grace is assurance then, correct? I am not trying to trap you, just learning.
A promise depends on the one who made it. God's promises are sure and He says what occurs through the word and the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper on account of the person and work of Christ for all men. We merely receive what is promised through faith.
You're welcome.
