One of my candidacy committee’s reasons for denying me candidacy was that they felt that I was not spiritually mature enough as a Lutheran. Their suggestions were really not ones that I could use because of age restrictions, finances, timing, or whatever; but they did say that I needed a heart knowledge of Lutheranism, which they didn’t feel I had.
As much as I hate to say this, they are right — I don’t inherently express myself in Lutheran terms, so I’ve decided to blog my way through the Small Catechism. All *good Lutheran children* learn it during Confirmation and a professor friend of my father-in-law insists that his students memorize it to help them in their pastoral ministry. As I didn’t go through Confirmation, I’m working on it now. Once I’ve gotten through it, I’ll tackle other writings of Luther and maybe some stuff from the BCP as I am also trying to figure out if I shouldn’t just go back to being Episcopalian (as I feel totally at home in Episcopal worship and have been wondering about if I belong in the church for awhile).
For those who want to read my reflections or would like to respond to what I write, the blog is at http://www.peacefulwaters.org/wildgoose. It is called “Lessons of the Wild Goose” because the early Celtic Christians envisioned the Holy Spirit as a wild goose. (I am a Celtic Lutheran. Hear me roar.) All I ask is that you don’t argue theology of other churches with me in the blog because that isn’t the point of why it exists. I need to learn to express myself as a Lutheran and arguing about the sovereignity of God according to [insert Reformed theologian] is not going to help me.
Today I was reminded of the phrase, “I cannot, by my own reason or strength, believe in my Lord Jesus Christ, or come to him.” That’s my life, right now. I loved learning the small catechism. I learned so much about grace_.
I’ll hit that part of the catechism (the 3rd article of the Apostle’s Creed) next week. And I totally agree — that is sooooo my life right now as well.