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Dear
sir: We thank you for your question and hope to provide you with helpful
information. At the same time, we do not pretend to speak on behalf of
or represent the beliefs of other denominations, the information
addressed in this response concerning the Lutheran Church - Missouri
Synod is taken from published sources either by those within or
representing the denomination.
First, let us state that the beliefs held in common between the
Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and the Lutheran Church - Missouri
Synod (LC-MS) are many. Both denominations are creedal and hold to the
authority, inspiration, sufficiency, and infallibility of Scripture.
Both denominations affirm salvation in Jesus Christ, who alone is the
way, the truth and the life. Both denominations look to the sola's of
the Reformation, and though the LC-MS emphasis's that salvation is (1)
by Grace alone [Sola Gratia]; (2) by Faith alone [Sola Fide]; and (3) by
Scripture alone [Sola Scriptura]; the PCA would go further to define
salvation (4) by Christ alone [Sola Christus]; (5) by God alone [Sola
Deo Gloria]; and as some have put it (6) by the Cross alone [Sola
Crux].
Differences between the two denominations are found in several areas, a
few of the most notable listed below:
1. Church Polity - Whereas the LC-MS is known for a modified
congregational form of polity where there is greater emphasis on
congregational autonomy, the PCA is a more connectional church (Acts 15,
16:4-5). While connectional, the PCA remains committed to a more
"grass roots" structure and influence.
2. Sacraments - Whereas the LC-MS follows the traditional Lutheran view
of the elements in the Lord's Supper known as Consubstantiation (where
while it is true that the bread and wine are not actually turned into
the body of Christ (Transubstantiation), that the presence of Christ's
body is present "in, with, or under" the elements body and
blood of Christ), the PCA holds to a Calvinistic view of the Sacrament
(where Christ is spiritually present and represented by the elements and
received by faith. The Westminster Confession states that
"...receivers are not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by
faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to
their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace." Calvin once made
the point that Christ having ascended does not come down but that we are
drawn by faith to him.)
While the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (Project
Wittenberg), representing the views of the LC-MS, has stated "we
reject also the Calvinistic perversion of the doctrine of conversion,
that is, the doctrine that God does not desire to convert and save all
hearers of the Word, but only a portion of them. Many hearers of the
Word indeed remain unconverted and are not saved, not because God does
not earnestly desire their conversion and salvation, but solely because
they stubbornly resist the gracious operation of the Holy Ghost, as
Scripture teaches, Acts 7:51; Matt. 23:37; Acts 13:46.", this is to
misrepresent the teaching of Calvinism. Calvinism, at the same time that
it teaches that God desires that all would come to repentance, also
teaches that no one can come to Christ unless the Father has enabled him
(Jn 6:65)
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