Pinpointing the greatest theological challenge facing the LC-MS today is no easy task. If a lay person such as myself were to try and pick one of our many issues, I would say it centers on the age old problem of God’s people fitting in with the rest of the world. This was something that concerned our German ancestors before they set off for the new land, and still divides the synod today. What would they, and what should we look like as confessional Lutherans in America? Studying our last forty years is a good starting point. However, wrongly accrediting it to demographics is merely a politically correct answer. Seminex, which most Lutherans dare not speak of, caused a split over this very issue which was never adequately put to rest in the synod (Rev. Daniel Preus, The LC-MS Holiday from History).

The fact is we do not fit in, and should rightly be proud of that as Lutheran Christians. What God accomplished through men such as Dr. Luther clearly assures us of His providence, “The gates of hell will never prevail against the Church (Matt 16:18).” St. Peter said we are a “holy nation” which means that God has set us apart as His own people. And while St. Peter likely was not specifically referring to Lutherans, being truly confessional should be seen an accurate exposition of what he meant. Unfortunately, Confessional Lutheranism is not what is once was in the LC-MS. How many of us know the Ten Commandments, The Lord’s Prayer, or the Apostles Creed? And more appropriately, how many of us know their explanations? Perhaps that is not the consensus on what it means to be confessional. Take then the Lord’s Supper. How many of us know what Lutherans (LC-MS) believe we receive in the sacrament, or should that not matter? St. Paul did say that we should have not divisions (schisms) and be perfectly joined together in one mind (1 Cor. 1:10). If your idea of fellowship does not run that deep, the maybe Jesus should be our lowest common denominator. What percentage of people in the LC-MS do not believe Jesus Christ is truly the only way to everlasting life? I’ve heard in seminary lectures that this number is dangerously close to half. If that be the case, perhaps our supervisors should speak up and shepherd the flock the way Christ intended. We do not fit in and should no longer fool ourselves about reality.