Why Lutheran? Objectivity.

Lutheranism is objective. From assurance of salvation to the means of grace, to Christ crucified, it's objective. I don't think Reformed Theology or Arminianism, let alone Roman Catholicism, has the level of objectivity that Lutheranism does. I'll explain.

In Lutheranism, the means of grace are objective. We are baptised into Christ and Christ is truly given to us in baptism. Not only some people receive Christ in baptism, but everyone does. If Christ is rejected in baptism, it is all on the person rejecting, not because they did not receive an inward call or because they didn't make their own baptism effective by their own free will. This also applies to the Sacrament of the Altar. Christ is truly and objectively given to you - this means to everyone who receives the Eucharist. The Reformed claim that Christ is only received by the elect in the Eucharist. Therefore, He is not received by the non-elect. In Arminianism, the Eucharist is usually just a memorial.

The atonement of Christ is also objective in Lutheranism. In Lutheranism, Christ died for you. Thus, we know He died for us because He died for everybody. Not only that, but Christ universally objectively justified the human race at the cross (Rom 5:18). This, of course, must be received through the means of grace. But, Christ's atonement is perfect and justifies; a work already done that only need be received as a free gift. In Calvinism, it does the same thing, but is limited to the elect alone. Therefore, the question comes up repeatedly: How do you know Christ died for you? In Arminianism, Christ's death is not penal at all. It's all dependent on the will of man to make it effective. There are worse theological problems with that, but that is for another time.

This all brings us back to the assurance of salvation. In Calvinism, which of course is another Reformation tradition, they have grace alone through faith alone. Rock on. However, this faith alone is not a sure thing because of the lurking question of did Christ die for me or not? They could be baptised and not receive grace; hear the Gospel preached and not receive grace; and receive the Eucharist and not receive grace. All of these are dependent on the mysterious sovereign inward call of the Spirit. Thus, assurance of salvation generally comes back to less sinning. In Arminianism, assurance all revolves around holy living; sometimes salvation itself. This is not to say that Calvinists and Arminians cannot have assurance of salvation. But it is to say that they have less objectivity in that realm that the Lutheran doctrines teach.

In Lutheranism, we know we are justified because a) Christ justified us on the cross, outside of ourselves, and b) we have received Christ in baptism, the Word, and the sacrament as a free gift, by God giving Himself to us. Both of these are outside of ourselves and the means of grace actually work faith in the recipient (cf. Eph 2:8-9). Thus, God gives us Christ on the cross, for everyone - and then Christ is given to us via Word and Sacrament, as a free gift, apart from our willing or doing (Rom 9:16). Both Word and Sacrament are to be received by faith alone; which they themselves bring! All of it is completely outside of ourselves. All we contribute is the sin that made it necessary. These means of grace give forgiveness of sins and faith and the Holy Spirit is there all the time. Not because we believe the Spirit can be manipulated, but because God has said He will come to us in grace in these ways.

Thanks be to God.