It has become rather trendy for some folks to leave Lutheranism, usually for Eastern Orthodoxy. Few have gone either to Rome or to Canterbury. But those who do rather rarely look at themselves as sinners constantly in need of forgiveness, at all times. And this is especially displayed in the liturgies of the various "churches" that these folks end up converting to. None of these assemblies in their liturgies have Confession and Absolution the way Lutherans do. Put simply, the East does not have it at all, except for their "Forgiveness Sunday" once a year. Rome and Canterbury place doubt upon it because in their "absolution" they have the word "may." They say "May God forgive you, bring you to eternal life," etc. For these assemblies, the Word of God is not sure. The Word of God's forgiveness is not sure. It is always dependent on something.
These assemblies have the same doubt that the reformed do when it comes to the Word of God. It is always contingent upon something else, usually something we do.
In fact, only Lutheranism does not take away from, or add to, the Word of God in the pure Gospel of sure forgiveness in Christ.+
Yes, things are messed up in the Missouri Synod (and Wisconsin too for that matter). But things aren't perfect anywhere you go if you look to people.
Look instead to the sure Word of Christ in forgiveness always for you and before you.
Those who leave Wittenberg for Constantinople, Rome, or Canterbury are trading pure gold for fool's gold; pure diamonds for shards of glass.
O Lord, keep us in the true faith of Your pure Gospel. Amen.
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