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Lutherans/Questions Answered by Expert Brad Varvil
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Fundamentalism and Lutherans | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: As an LC-MS member I am often confronted with "Oh, you're a fundamentalist". It seems like that is a ... A: I sympathize with you in this. What I've found over the last 15 years or so, is that the term ... | |
| Faith Lutheran Seminary | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: Pastor Varvil, I would like to ask about Faith Lutheran Seminary. It is no longer identified as ... A: At its beginning, the name was Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, and was formally affiliated with ... | |
| a choice ? | 6/30/2010 |
| Q: Lutherans seem to have a real issue with other evangelicals using the phrase "making a decision for ... A: It's not quite a discussion of semantics, but it's a little theological point that can cause big ... | |
| original sin and baptism | 6/23/2010 |
| Q: How do Lutherans define the concept of original sin? Is it an actual one sin we are born with, hence ... A: There's a short and a long answer to that question, written across the centuries of Christian ... | |
| original sin and baptism | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: How do Lutherans define the concept of original sin? Is it an actual one sin we are born with, hence ... A: Lutherans understand Original Sin, as that which we all, by nature of our common humanity, inherit ... | |
| Bible | 6/1/2010 |
| Q: Brad, What is the Lutheran point of view on the Bible? Most christians (including Catholics) ... A: Yours is a good question, and while I'll answer it directly, it also points to another question ... | |
| Rosary | 5/19/2010 |
| Q: I am a Lutheran and a fellow church member gave me a rosary for my birthday. I don't feel ... A: I responded to a similar question just the other day, so for a more detailed answer, you might want ... | |
| Lutheran Rosary | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: Pastor, I am interested in praying the rosary, can you tell me how the Lutheran rosary should be ... A: A desire toward prayer is a good and wholesome thing. In fact, we find in Scripture, that our ... | |
| marriage after divorce in the Lutheran church | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: I am a widowed Roman Catholic, seeing a wonderful divorced Lutheran man. I would like to get ... A: May you be blessed in your future union. It's worth noting, that Lutherans do not have the expanse ... | |
| communion and changing denominations | 4/15/2010 |
| Q: I was raised Presbyterian and my husband Episcopalian. A few years ago, we switched from the ... A: My apologies for missing that element of your question previously. There's a longer and shorter ... | |
| communion and changing denominations | 4/15/2010 |
| Q: I was raised Presbyterian and my husband Episcopalian. A few years ago, we switched from the ... A: While you could find Lutheran church bodies out there with communion practices closer to what you're ... | |
| Spiritual Warfare | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: I attend the church where you were formally the intern pastor. I only recently came back to God ... A: Spiritual warfare can take many forms, and they can be very dangerous. I will offer a couple ... | |
| communion | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Catholics think their the elect. A member of my family has a small group into "latter rain" theology ... A: Greetings, To clarify, I don't think a Roman Catholic who understands their catechism would ... | |
| communion | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: Catholics think their the elect. A member of my family has a small group into "latter rain" theology ... A: The issue of communion has been a sticky one for a very long time, not least here in the US, were ... | |
| Marriage | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: My son is Lutheran and his fiancee has no particular religion although her Mom is catholic. She has ... A: I don't envy you this task. I think you will have to look for an opportunity to have that candid ... | |
| Marriage | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: My son is Lutheran and his fiancee has no particular religion although her Mom is catholic. She has ... A: Because Lutherans are not bound by canons like our Roman Catholic friends, the answer to your ... | |
| Communion | 3/22/2010 |
| Q: I recently after found myself called to Holy Communion and set out to find a Lutheran Church in my ... A: The question you raise is one that has been troubling for many. I will do my best to answer it, and ... | |
| Preaching Schedule! | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: Please let us know when you will be preaching at Good Shepherd. We appreciate your Bible messages ... A: I will be preaching during our Maundy Thursday service, at which we will celebrate the first ... | |
| Evangelical VS Misouri Synod | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: I recently became a member of my local Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I would like to know, what ... A: my dear sister in Christ, Thanks for you kind words. I'll see what I can do now for addressing the ... | |
| Evangelical VS Misouri Synod | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: I recently became a member of my local Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I would like to know, what ... A: and welcome to the LCMS! I hope you will find it a faithful and friendly communion of sinners ... | |
| marriage requiments | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: Do you need to want children in order to get married in the Lutheran faith neither Me or my Fiance ... A: No, Lutherans do not have canons regarding the intentionality of children in the marriage. However, ... | |
| Doctrine | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: I've been to lots of churches over my 52 years. (raised Catholic; began to look around at 19. I've ... A: Ah, I think I better understand now. Pamphlets are useful things, but sometimes, without context, ... | |
| Doctrine | 3/6/2010 |
| Q: I've been to lots of churches over my 52 years. (raised Catholic; began to look around at 19. I've ... A: No, you certainly are not driving me crazy. It is my pleasure to help where I can. First, ... | |
| Doctrine | 3/4/2010 |
| Q: I've been to lots of churches over my 52 years. (raised Catholic; began to look around at 19. I've ... A: I am glad that you have found refuge in a Lutheran congregation, where you can receive the Word of ... | |
| USAFA Elevates Paganism | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: The Civil Engineers at the Air Force Academy placed a bunch of rocks in a circle so pagans could ... A: As an Air Force veteran, I sympathize with your concern in this matter. This is a trend that is ... | |
| baptism | 2/12/2010 |
| Q: My three daughters are being baptised on sunday. Is it normal to make an extra donation to the ... A: Blessings to you, and your daughters, upon this marvelous day! In short answer to your question, ... | |
| Divorce/Remarrying | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: My divorce was finalized last year in 2009. Back in 2008, I phoned my priest to ask him for an ... A: child of God, Yes, you would certainly be welcome in a Lutheran church. While we honor marriage ... | |
| Predestination | 1/29/2010 |
| Q: Could you please give some explaination on Dr. Luther's conclusions on predestination and how his ... A: I suppose I should spare you a dissertation and long debate, so I will endeavor to give you a ... | |
| Lutherans and Bishops | 1/27/2010 |
| Q: Could you say if Lutherans have retained Bishops through from the days of Dr. Luther? I understand ... A: The short answer to your question is, "yes, but..." Here's a bit more detail. The history of ... | |
| Getting Married/Faith? | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: My fiance and I are planning on getting married this summer. I was recently babtized and confirmed ... A: There are a lot of variables in what you ask, but I'll offer a couple observations. The short ... | |
| faith | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: I am a Roman catholic religious. I really find it difficult to go on with the catholic teachings. I ... A: Jain, Yes, indeed Lutherans recognize and confess the real presence of Christ in the Holy ... | |
| faith | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I am a Roman catholic religious. I really find it difficult to go on with the catholic teachings. I ... A: child of God, Greetings and blessing to you, this Advent season. A couple things strike me as I ... | |
| christianity | 12/1/2009 |
| Q: Sometimes I feel like the whole story of Christianity is that of an angry God who had to appease his ... A: I wouldn't say that you've completely missed the point, but perhaps you've missed the context. We ... | |
| God | 11/12/2009 |
| Q: I attended the Lutheran church in Sweden and over the years have come to understand that God is very ... A: beloved of God, Greetings! I don't know that anyone can speak authoritatively for the American ... | |
| God's Law | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I’m searching for a certain denomination and was hoping that by contacting you, you could help me in ... A: Craig, There's a lot in your question, and there are many good resources you could reference to ... | |
| conformation | 9/26/2009 |
| Q: how old does my child have to be for conformation A: There is no set age in the Lutheran tradition for the rite of Confirmation. Usually, it occurs ... | |
| Eternal Happiness | 8/30/2009 |
| Q: 1. What is Eternal Happiness and How do I obtain it? 2. How reliable is expert opinion from 0 to ... A: This seems similar to question you may have asked recently. Eternal happiness is reunion with the ... | |
| Moksha | 8/27/2009 |
| Q: 1. What is Eternal Happiness (Krsna Conscousness)? 2. How do emails all the expert in the category ... A: Perhaps you did not intend to send your list of questions to a Lutheran pastor, but since you did, I ... | |
| old covenant | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I have had a Jewish person tell me that the New Covenant cannot replace the Old Covenant because the ... A: Alex, This is a good question, and one often asked between faithful Christians and Jews. Without ... | |
| understanding different points of view | 8/10/2009 |
| Q: What is or are the apposing points of view concerning: Matthew 24?? Which point of view is most ... A: Good afternoon, Nerol, That's a tremendously broad question and subject matter, which has filled ... | |
| lutheran holidays | 8/5/2009 |
| Q: What are the major Lutheran holidays? Are they different from Christian holidays? Are there any ... A: By the way you ask this question, I think you may be under the mistaken impression that Lutherans ... | |
| Martin Luther | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: Do all Lutherans teach that the Catholic church is the whore of BAbylon and that the pope is the ... A: It is important to keep Luther in his context. During the 16th century, and for several centuries ... | |
| Godparents | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: Does the Baptist religion recognize Godparents. Meaning, can a Baptist couple raising their child ... A: As a Lutheran pastor, I'll try not to speak definitively on what all Baptists believe, teach, and ... | |
| Marriage | 7/18/2009 |
| Q: My son and his fiance are both baptized catholics. His fiance chose to look for a church outside of ... A: Grace and peace to you, and congratulations on your son's impending wedding (as well as his service ... | |
| universalism | 7/17/2009 |
| Q: Would a Universalist (who believes that all souls will be redeemed by the atonement of Christ) be ... A: Generally, anyone would be welcome in a Lutheran Church, regardless of their personal theology. ... | |
| Lutheran & Catholic | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: I am a Baptist and i plan on possibly going to a Lutheran University. if i do, i have to go to ... A: Grace and peace to you, and congratulations to on your path into college! I sense that there are ... | |
| martial arts/meditation, confidence | 7/14/2009 |
| Q: If I become a Christian do I have to give up martial arts and meditation? I've heard some Christians ... A: That's a pretty huge question, and I'll offer the best I can from a distance. Your best counsel ... | |
| Marriage / Pre-Marriage | 7/10/2009 |
| Q: I am just wanting to know what the Lutheran Pre-Maritial Counselling would involve? My partner is a ... A: I think you will find that pre-marital counselling is different from pastor to pastor... and from ... | |
| salvation video | 7/6/2009 |
| Q: my friend & I decided to make a YouTube video based on an idea I saw on the Alpha Project. Would ... A: Good evening Greg, I'm not sure if it was just my connection, but I had a very hard time hearing ... | |
| Lutheran Baptism / Catholic wedding | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: My sisters and I were raised Catholic and in our early teens were baptized at a Lutheran church (for ... A: So long as baptism is done in the name of the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and with water, ... | |
| Remarriage | 6/16/2009 |
| Q: I am a divorced catholic, my fiance is a divorced Lutheran, can we get remarried in a Lutheran ... A: Laura, I suppose the short answer is, "probably." There is no canon law among Lutherans, akin to ... | |
| Predestination | 6/13/2009 |
| Q: Do the Lutherans honour the virgin Mary the same way the Catholics do by singing praises to her and ... A: Yes, we do. Luther was an Augustinian monk and priest, in addition to his doctoral status in Holy ... | |
| Virgin Mary | 6/9/2009 |
| Q: Do the Lutherans honour the virgin Mary the same way the Catholics do by singing praises to her and ... A: There is a broad spectrum of private piety among Lutherans regarding the Blessed Virgin, which ... | |
| Lutheran baptism | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: I am currently a practicing Catholic but am looking at the Lutheran religion since it is closely ... A: The similarities between Lutheran and Roman expressions of the Christian religion reflect our common ... | |
| Pastor remarry | 6/5/2009 |
| Q: My wife started going to a Lutheran church four months ago. She has fallen in love with her pastor ... A: My prayers go out to you-- this is a scandal of epic proportions. There will be great brokeness and ... | |
| about lutherans ? | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: how are you,sorry for i still learning English, can you tell me what the difference between baptist ... A: While a long examination is better left for another forum, I'll take a quick stab at the ... | |
| remarriage | 5/21/2009 |
| Q: I am a divorced Catholic. I remarried a divorced Lutheran. I have experienced much conflict and ... A: child of God, The quandary you find yourself in is not unique-- these same questions and pains have ... | |
| Lutheran Grandparents & Catholic Grandson | 5/16/2009 |
| Q: We are facing a very uncomfortable situation. We are Lutherans and out Daughter married a Catholic. ... A: Grace and peace to you, brother Ken. This must be terribly painful-- as I cast my mind forward to ... | |
| Lutheran vs. Evangelical Lutheran | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I was raised Catholic and never thought I'd change faiths because of my family. More and more ... A: Grace and peace to you! When attempting to understand the different branches of the Reformation, it ... | |
| Divorce/remarriage | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: I was raised in a ALC (ELCA) church. I was baptized and confirmed. I had an abortion I didn't want ... A: beloved Child of God, My heart breaks for what you've been through-- for the poor counsel you ... | |
| protestents | 4/24/2009 |
| Q: do Protestants get confirmed? what is the difference Protestants and Lutherans? A: Lutherans, like Christians in many traditions, practice or celebrate the sacred rite (some say ... | |
| Divorced couple church wedding | 4/14/2009 |
| Q: I was raised a catholic was married by a justice of peace. I am divorced and currently dating a ... A: A couple thoughts I would share, and then a recommendation. First, Lutherans don't have the same ... | |
| Confirmation | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I come from a Lutheran background and started confirmation with my church but before we finished my ... A: Lisa, My heart breaks for your situation. Here are a few thoughts that may be of help. As you may ... | |
| marriage | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: Do Lutheran's belief that after you are married on earth, when you die you will no longer see or be ... A: In the Gospels, Jesus talks about marriage in several ways, and one of those discussions of Jesus ... | |
| Catholic thinking of converting...also baptism of my 3 children | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: I am a non-practicing catholic, and only was a catholic because that is what my parents are. I have ... A: I am glad that you found a Lutheran congregation that has been helpful and welcoming to you. I'll ... | |
| i have a question | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: hello my name is Austin im a Christian and need to know what does forgiveness mean? A: Austin, Forgiveness means that the one whom you offended, has relinquished his or her right to ... | |
| question | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: I have been attending a non denominational church for a while now with my children. I am looking ... A: I think the best thing for you to answer all your questions, is to sit down with a Lutheran pastor ... | |
| Mary in the lutheran church | 3/5/2009 |
| Q: I recently asked our pastor to honor Mary in the month of may this year as it had been done a few ... A: Barbara, The Magnificat is a beautiful prayer found in Scripture, and is a beloved part of the ... | |
| marriage | 2/18/2009 |
| Q: My sister is a non married Catholic, engaged to a divorced Lutheran. I know if they wanted to get ... A: Donna, When talking about these particular kinds of rules and regulations between Lutherans and ... | |
| Rosary? | 1/16/2009 |
| Q: Do Lutherans say the rosary? My grandmother was Lutheran(I never knew her), and my mother gave me a ... A: Greetings, Kathy! I wish this were a simple answer... but it's not. The short answer is that some ... | |
| Reading novels | 12/29/2008 |
| Q: Do you think, as a Christian, that it's OK to read Novels or non-fiction that include violence? I ... A: Christine, Grace, peace and mercy be multiplied to you this new year! Your question is certainly ... | |
| Homosexuality | 12/26/2008 |
| Q: Hey Jake, I have a question regarding homosexuality....3 Part Question 1. Is homosexuality wrong? ... A: Jake, Grace and peace to you this Christmas season. I will take a take a short path on your ... | |
| Early Christian Symbols | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: Please tell me what symbols were used by early (1st century) Christians? At what point did the ... A: Indeed, it does appear that some Christians used this symbol as well. My apologies, but attempting ... | |
| Early Christian Symbols | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: Please tell me what symbols were used by early (1st century) Christians? At what point did the ... A: Carol, This is more of a general Church History question, and might take a while to get a lot of ... | |
| all of the above..traditions | 10/12/2008 |
| Q: biblical reference on baptizing infants? it seems they should be an appropriate age to give ... A: Lutherans, along with the vast majority of the world's Christians, follow the ancient practice of ... | |
Lutherans
Answers by Expert:
Brad Varvil
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am happy to field questions regarding Lutheran theology and practice, and it's context within the western catholic tradition. General questions on the Christian faith are also welcome.
Experience
I have served in lay and ordained ministry for over ten years, and am currently a pastor in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I have worked with several Lutheran communions over the years, and have a particular fondness for dialogue with Christians of other traditions, for the study of Church History, and Patristics. I currently serve a Lutheran congregation in the Pacific Northwest.
Organizations
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod
Education/Credentials
I have a BA in Religion and Philosophy from a small midwestern Lutheran college (Bethany College, Kansas,) and a Masters of Divinity degree from an independent, Lutheran seminary in the Pacific Northwest (Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary, Tacoma.)
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