About Gordon F. Stoneburner Expertise I am a Principal/Superintendent at a Faith Lutheran School/Church in
Houston, Texas. I have served as a Director of Christian Education, teacher, and principal in the past. I have a BA in education/theology, and a MA in human services (counseling) from Concordia University, Chicago, IL. I have worked youth and adults in the education/theology field for 25 years.
Question I am a Southern Baptist but have friends that are Lutheran and I am curious about the Lutheran Faith. Baptist's believe...once saved always saved. How do Lutheran's feel about that...please give any information you feel would benefit us. We are considering attending a Lutheran church but want to know EVERYTHING about the religion beforehand. Thank You.
Answer Patty:
Lutherans believe that one can fall out of salvation. We can reject God - God does not reject us, but God does the saving, not us or our choice. These views differ significantly from the Southern Baptist views.
Other significant differences are infant baptism - since God does the work, not us, it makes sense that God can enter a child. Communion is Christ's body and blood in with and under the bread and wine (yes, real wine).
There are different groups of Lutherans. More discussion of them can be found on former questions about the LCMS and ELCA.
Both groups mentioned above have very detailed websites which describe their doctrinal views.
LCMS.org is especially good with a series of what Lutherans believe.
