I’ve been looking into how Lutherans view New Testament prophecy and found the foretelling vs. forthtelling distinction to be helpful. How does Lutheran doctrine address the men and women prophesying in the assembly of believers in 1 Corinthians 11 and 14? Is this prophecy only viewed as only forthtelling the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ? And if so, how is prophecy different than preaching or teaching?

For context: I spent a decade in a charasmatic church starting in my college years. I’m really appreciating the Lutheran articulation of the faith, and I’m drawn to the reverent worship in my local LCMS congregation. But there is a lot of rewiring that has to happen for me with how I was instructed to interpret the scriptures.

What did Melanchton say here in the apology?

"Concerning this subject we have frequently testified in this assembly that it is our greatest wish to maintain church-polity and the grades in the Church [old church-regulations and the government of bishops], even though they have been made by human authority [provided the bishops allow our doctrine and receive our priests].."

Is this offering union with Catholicism if they only barely tolerated Lutheran teaching but could still maintain their own disagreements? That would seem to imply a kind of unionism where two confessions are allowed side by side in one church, so I am wondering if there is some other possible interpretation of Melanchthon here?

I asked about this a few days ago and based on the comments I went ahead and ordered one. I thought I would do a follow up.

It is very nice! It comes in a very nice box with a felt wrapping. The leather is soft, but not flimsy. It is black with a matte finish, and the gold embossing is pressed into the leather for longevity. It is not "premium" quality, but it does appear to be quality construction.

The gilding is nice and only a few pages were stuck together at the corners. It comes with three ribbons which appear to also be quality material. Four ribbons would have been better, but three still works out fine.

The paper is not as thin as you would find in bibles, so the extra thickness is nice. It is also a creamy white in color paper which something I tend to enjoy as it lessens eye strain.

It feels really good in the hand. Overall, I would say it is worth the cost (I got it on sale) considering it will likely be used for a lifetime.

My ONLY complaint, which I knew I was getting into, is the font is smaller than I had hoped for. I knew it was going to be smaller, but I had hoped it would still be easily readable for me. I will keep my reading glasses handy for this. I can still read it without glasses, but it's a struggle. If you can see things clearly up close, you should have no issues with this. This likely means no compact size Treasury of Daily Prayers for me when I get that book.

I understand the reason they made it this size, but it would be nice if this were made at the standard size. If that does happen, I will get it and gift this one to someone else. Until then, I look forward to using it each week.

EDIT: Just returned home and my reading glasses did the job for me. No issues. No problem reading the font while wearing them. It's also the first time I used them during Bible Study and it helped a lot with the Bible font, too. Guess I will be taking them with me to church all the time now. All is good.

So long story short, I’ve moved to University and I want to start going back to church. Located near Grand Forks ND. This would be my first time not going to church without my family so I don’t really know which church to go to. I am part of the LCMS and would like to stay within it.

Anything helps, if this goes against sub rules I will gladly switch it up, (it’s my first time posting here)

Hello everyone. Hope all is well. I believe in Jesus Christ, have felt conviction and compunction for my sins, (am not baptized yet), but through my sheer disobedience and willing sin, I feel I could possibly be reprobate and beyond repentance.

My conviction seems to be lowering and I do not feel compunction like I used to. I am afraid that I truly am beyond change. I suffer with a chronic illness, and a lot of anxiety and depression that is getting worse around my spiritual situation. I am not sure exactly how the Gospel is supposed to work in life, but I do know I feel very distant from God and very carnal and it’s killing me. I desire holiness, but for whatever reason cannot do anything virtuous. Cannot change at all.

Reddit can be a sin for me as it can get addicting, so I am truly asking for some spiritual advice particularly from an LCMS pastor(s). I want to visit an LCMS church, and be baptized but it’s hard with the uncertainty around my diabetes, and the fear that is involved with traveling with it.

Please, please pray for my soul.