AboutJason Harris Expertise I am an LCMS Pastor. I can answer questions about Lutheran theology past and present, Lutheran and Protestant church history from the reformation onward. I can address Latin to English translation questions in the Lutheran Confessions. I am also well versed in American Protestant history of all types.
Experience I would be considered a "confessional" and "high-church" Lutheran familiar with more conservative viewpoints.
Publications I have been published several times in Liturgy, Hymnody, and Pulpit Journal.
Education/Credentials I received my Master of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne Indiana.
Question Hello, I am a 21 y.o. Indian girl. I was born Hindu, but now I am considering becoming a Protestant. I have a few concerns though:
1. What is the Protestant view on menstruation? Can I attend Church during menstruation? And will I be looked down upon just because I menstruate?
2. I don't believe in any rituals, like baptizing. Do Protestant Churches require me to get baptized? Are there rituals in Protestantism?
3. And what are the main beliefs of Protestantism?
Please guide me, I am new to this.
Thanks a lot,
Shruthi
Answer Hello Shruthi,
Blessings on your inquiry into this very important matter. Religious conversions of any sort are likely to create many changes in your personal, family and public life. Periods of questioning can be daunting and confusing.
First and foremost, Protestant Christianity is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. The heart and core of the Gospel is who Jesus is and what he has done for you, Shruthi. The Bible says, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." It is an exchange wherein your guilt and impurity have been put onto Christ when he was killed on the cross. His perfect record of pure deeds has been credited to you. Thus Christians are a common union of Holy Ones and forgiven sinners, given new life in Christ forever and ever. This Faith has been summed up for millenia in the words of the Apostles' Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ,
His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Christian Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Believing and confessing this faith, you have been clothed with the perfect righteousness of Jesus. You are already clean because of the word of the Gospel Jesus has spoken to you. Restrictions on menstruation, clean foods, and other "purity laws" are a common component of many world religions such as Hinduism and Judaism. These however, are not a part of Christianity. Holiness and purity is not attained by your outward deeds or rituals, but is a free gift placed upon you by God and treasured by the gift of faith to cling to these promises.
A man or woman in Christ is always seen by God as completely pure and holy. Christ is the bridegroom who has declared his bride, the Church, to be blameless and pure before the judgment seat. We are presented to him as a virgin bride adorned for her wedding day.
Baptism is taught very differently depending on what particular kind of Protestant church you go to. Many churches teach that Baptism is a required ritual of obedience to God's covenantal demand. Others teach that it is a symbolic gesture to show everybody else your personal work of faith and vow to try to gradually live a pure life. In these two cases, it is a primarily a personal work.
The Lutheran teaching on Baptism is very different. It is God's word combined with water. God's word, the Gospel, is the power of salvation. This word gives you faith to believe what Jesus did on the cross for you. God connects this word to a variety of simple everyday things. You are reading it on your computer screen. It is printed with ink on paper. It comes to us as bread and wine. It pours over our head in simple water.
By this, we can proudly proclaim "I am baptized!" "My sins have been washed away!" "I am pure!" "Jesus' life is now my life!"
I pray the the Holy Spirit be with you and guide you into all Truth. For you are His beloved Shruthi. He has lived, died, and rose again all for you. May you continue to receive his good gifts unto life everlasting.
Pastor Harris
PS For more basic explanation of Christian belief. See the following link.
