UnEvangelical Custom

"I would be unevangelical and contrary to the teachings of the Lutheran Church if a candidate for ministry would insist that he can accept a call to a congregation only under the condition that the congregation retain all the ceremonies and customs which have ever been observed in the Evangelical Lutheran Church (statues, church holidays, organs, chanting the liturgy; in connection with baptism:    applying the water three times, making the sign of the cross, using the chrisom-cloth, the renunciation, the exorcism, the confession of faith by the sponsors; in connection with the Lord's Supper: unleaven bread, wafers, altar, not breaking the bread, passing the bread and wine to the mouth of the communicant while he is kneeling; vestments, private confession, bowing the head when the name of Jesus is spoken, the pericopal system, crucifix and candles, the divisions of the commandments into two tables, with three on one and seven on the other, etc.). The case might, however, arise that acceptance or rejection of an adiaphoron would be an indirect denial of the truth." Fritz Pastoral Theology 1932 (Previous support from AC VII and FC, SD X Love Old Quotes.

It is very important for all people to understand that not all these rites must always be observed.  It is also important for congregations and their pastors to educate one another on why they do things they way they choose to do them.  There are many times and cases when the rejection of some of these practices may cause very BIG theological problems.  But some of these practices done without meaning can also lead to other DEEP theological problems.

I thought this crazy theological thought presented by Fritz in his Pastoral Theology. Thank you.

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