Lutheranism is distinguished from most of Christianity in how it approaches God's Word. We take a literal approach to God's Word, and we do not seek to "reconcile" things when they don't make sense to us.
But most of Christianity, sadly, tries to qualify or explain away God's Word.
Some examples:
*"I know the text in Genesis 1 says 'days', but they can't be literal days. This must be poetry or metaphor."
Lutheran Response: "Days" means "days." God spoke and His Word powerfully created. God's Word does what it says.
*"I know these texts talk about Baptism saving, giving the Spirit, regenerating, washing away sins, etc., but they cannot mean that, because only by faith are we saved."
Lutheran Response: Holy Baptism gives faith. God promises to attach His Word to the element of water and the Trinitarian Name. What God's Word promises, God's Word actually does. God's Word does what it says.
*"I know Jesus said 'this is My Body,' but it must mean 'represents' My Body because, after all, His Body was right there, and a human body can only be present at one place at a time."
Lutheran Response: Jesus says it is for the forgiveness of sins. Paul says it is a communing with the Body and Blood of Christ. Paul says if done in an unworthy manner then the communicant is guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ. How can one violate just a metaphor? Jesus said His Body and Blood forgives sins. He pointed to the Bread and called it His Body. He said it forgives sins. God's Word does what it says.
*"No one can forgive sins but God. So your pastor cannot declare Absolution."
Lutheran Response: Jesus breathed on the disciples and said "If you forgive men their sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are retained." God appoints His ministers to declare His Word of forgiveness. God's Word does what it says.
*"I know these texts say Christ died for all, the ungodly, false teachers, the world, etc., but they cannot mean that, because if He died for everyone, no one would be in hell. That just doesn't make sense."
Lutheran Response: God's Word of forgiveness still stands even when others reject it. When a slave rejected the Thirteenth Amendment, the objective fact is that that slave had still been freed from his slavery. The slave chose to reject the Thirteenth Amendment and stay in his slavery. God's Word of reconciliation and forgiveness is for all. It does not depend upon our faith. God has reconciled the world to Himself. We tell the world that Good News. God's Word does what it says.
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And of course I could give several other examples. But what we notice here--take careful notice--is that the Lutheran approach to God's Word is a very *objective* approach. It does not turn a person inward, or toward their own faith, or toward their own efforts. Instead, it takes God at His Word.
Do I not feel saved today?
God's Word says I am forgiven. God attached His Word to the Waters of Holy Baptism. I am baptized in His Triune Name. I am saved. Why?
Because He said so.
God's Word does what it says.
Have I had a rotten week, committing terrible sins that I could have never imagined?
God longs to meet with us in the Divine Service, coming to us and graciously forgiving our sins in Word and Sacrament.
"This is My Body, given for you for the forgiveness of sins."
God's Word does what it says.
The minister declares upon my confession, in Christ's stead, my sins are forgiven.
God's Word does what it says.
Now I simply rest, receive, and take Him at His Word, like a little child.
Rest.
Your sins are forgiven.
God's Word always does what it says.
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