Comments on: What exactly is the difference between Catholic and Lutheran belief in communion? They sound pretty alike to me.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:25:12 +0000

There is a lot in the Catholic faith that I do not agree with. As far as divorce goes, stuff happens. Sometimes you cannot save a marriage if there issomething like abuse involved. But you can get it anulled which makes no sense to me especially if there were kids produced. You have to pretend that this part of your life doesn’t matter ? And for the gay issue, there are many gay people in my Catholic church. I also know some who stopped which to me is horrible. I guess that you evolve throughout the course of your life and maybe need more from something that can no longer give it. I beleive in God, Jesus and the Holy Family. Holy Communion is the core of my being but cannnot embrace receiving it is another church just yet.

By: Kate

Kate — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:19:05 +0000

Kevin, I think it is sad that you felt this way. I have too. Church should have brought you together not separated you but all these rules meant you missing out on a life moment. I have been Catholic for over 30 years and I am so confused. It seems as if I believe what all these people are writing but it somehow doesn’t apply to me. Guilt ? They have rules over everything including sex in marriage. It is too much.

By: c. a.

c. a. — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 19:20:32 +0000

As a catholic, I follow most of what has been inculcated in me. I do not belief, though, that the pope is God messenger since it has been appointed by representatives of the human race.

By: Wayne

Wayne — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:58:04 +0000

Interesting discussion… Here’s my experience as a Lutheran taking Communion in a Catholic Church. I went to a Lutheran School/ Church, Missouri Synod and was Confirmed there. As I grew older I stopped going. Later on I married into a Catholic family and once our daughter was born she was raised as a Catholic at a Catholic school / Church that was just down the street where my wife also attended school / Church. My wife and I had both stopped attending our churches until our daughter started attending school. Eventually we started attending Mass on a fairly regular basis. I didn’t take Communion at first. But the moment came where I realized it wasn’t the same by not taking Communion. So I did several times. Being the Lutheran that I am I couldn’t help but wonder if I was doing something “wrong”. I knew there differences in the way it was observed and it bothered me the next time we went. I didn’t take Communion. The next week in Church I was conflicted about this and I prayed about it once I sat down. I wanted to take Communion but I didn’t want to feel so conflicted about what I was doing. Right after I raised my head the usher came up and asked if we wanted to present the Gifts. So we did! Several weeks later, once again I’m conflicted, I pray and once again we’re asked to present the Gifts. While all this was happening my wife’s aunt was sick with cancer and we attended a Healing Mass for her at a different Church. Again the same thing, I prayed about what I was doing and yes once again we were asked to present the Gifts. I haven’t wondered about it since…

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 08:23:50 +0000

Doesn’t the difference in communion come down to we, The Catholic Church, have the rite of Melchizedec?

By: gabriella knoefel

gabriella knoefel — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:03:03 +0000

ok im not sure what all those big words mean and im kinda young and all but iv been studying because there is this boy i like and hes lurtherin and im catholic and i was just wonering what the main differences where ar they about the same?

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 12:31:37 +0000

I was raised as a Lutheran. Although I have not regularly attended service since my late teens, I still hold to the religious beliefs I was raised in. Today my youngest step-son is taking his first communion in the Catholic church. I was actually looking forward to attending service again, but while discussing the matter with my wife last night she informed me that I would not be permitted to receive communion in the Catholic church. I thought she must have been mistaken. As a Lutheran I went through the Catechism, and I have attended services at Catholic churches before. Like so many others have said, there are more similarities than differences. Still, if I were to attend today I feel that I would be viewed as an outsider and this would cause tension within our family. For this reason I have decided that I will let my step-son know that I support him, but I will not be attending the service. I guess I’ll just view this as a reminder of why I don’t attend services anymore.

By: Gabriele

Gabriele — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:16:51 +0000

I am 15 and was born and raised in a Catholic family, one that went to mass every Saturday night. Recently, say in the last 2 months or so, i’ve become so confused about what i really believe in, i’ve felt secluded. One big part of this was that I thought that the explanation of the holy eucharist was missing something. I have grown increasingly farther apart from the Catholic faith, and finally decided due to myself being so confused, to renounce Catholiscism. Im looking for guidance, and have been reading around alot, trying to figure out what i really beilive. And i always seem to end up back on page or a board that deals with the Lutheran faith. I was hoping, as a confused teen who is tying to figure out what he beilieves, for some insight into what the Lutheran faith is about. Im just asking if anyone has a good summary or points on what i should do, and also on the Lutheran faith.Thanks so much if you answer, it truly is appreciated.

By: CKS

CKS — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:17:52 +0000

Troubled… I believe that if you believe that you are receiving the body and blood of Christ you are welcome to commune in the Lutheran church

By: Troubled

Troubled — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 02:53:05 +0000

I was raised Catholic and have received 5 of the 7 sacraments (all except Holy Orders and Anointing of the Sick). My husband is a non-practicing Missouri Synod Lutheran and we decided together to raise our two children as Lutherans. I have been attending a Lutheran Church and send our boys to Lutheran school for the past 8 years. Just recently the pastor of the church we attend retired, he knew my position and that I was raised and confirmed Catholic but allowed me to participate in the Lord’s Supper. I also receive communion at Catholic churches (weddings, baptisms. We now have a new pastor and I am confused as to whether I am invited to the Lord’s Table anymore… I need to speak with the new pastor and make him aware of my position, but I am afraid I will be rejected. I’m not sure I am ready to comletely let go of my Catholic identity, it has been a part of me for over 30 years. On the other hand, I love the Lutheran beliefs, values, teachings and community. Does anyone have any advice for me??

By: jim scheffel

jim scheffel — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:58:09 +0000

Tt has seemed to me for a long time that rules, church doctrines and practices, etc., are constructs of men. I was raised in the Lutheran church, and still hold a belief in that, by His grace are we granted faith; so if we acknowledge that and maintain our trust (and ask forgiveness) we are forgiven and saved; once and for all.
All of the other religious structure on earth, regarding various liturgies,and communion practice are constructs of man.Indeed Paul was just a man. No man, even his desciples, can and never could, know the mind of God.
Does anyone really believe that Father God is concerned about religious practice in a building? C’mon- he knows whats in our hearts. In my view,we “commune” every time we pray earnestly.

By: Floyd Shoup

Floyd Shoup — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:26:15 +0000

I have enjoyed the above conversation. I have been a Lutheran for 20+ years, and came to Christ through a “born again” experince. God broke into my life as a young man and I was “saved” without any discision on my part, without any work on my part. It happened through prayer of others on my behalf. That said, I love the Lutheran doctrine, believing what Luther taught (after his own personal revelation.) When it comes to the Eucharist, we do believe that Christ is present in the bread and the wine, and scripture is too significantly revealing to believe otherwise. It is surely a mystery as to the how/why/what type of presence it is, and we should probably let it go at that. The unfortunate thing about us humans is that we all want to be right, spending a great deal of time and energy devoted to proveing just that. When we submit to the temptation of flexing our theological muscles too much, we chance losing our child-like faith, building a form of religious callous, which numbs our personal faith, and our feeling toward each other. Jesus told us two commandments will cover everything else. (paraphrased)”Love God, and Love Neighbor.” It’s about love and service to God by making Jesus known afterall, isn’t it? Keep up the good conversation.

By: shelley

shelley — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:43:43 +0000

It is not a mortal sin for Catholics to receive communion in a Lutheran church. It would only be a mortal sin to receive communion in a church that denies Jesus is lord. I am a Roman Catholic and I think there is very little difference between Catholic and Lutheran. Transubstantiation is the major item and it seems to be semantics. Unfortunately I do not think Benedict is the leader to fix the schism of words. He is busy making words a problem within the Church. Recently he changed a lot of words in the liturgy. He changed “one in being with” to “consubstantial with” because it is more like the Latin word. I am 54 years old and have a two degrees English and Communication Theory I have never used that word in my life time. I believe it to be a dis-used word in American culture, it therefore has no meaning. It may as well be a made up word. It is presnirted disconfbulated thinking. I think it is time to dispense with such immature notions that the words matter THAT much.

It is really about the love of Christ. Simple really. Christ was a simple man with some simple messages about how we should live.

Catholics do not believe in unborn killing babies, however, there are circumstances such as the health or welfare if the mother are seen to be a decision that must be made in good faith after prayer and meditation by the husband and wife or mother. It is a grave decision that is between the parents and God. No one else will be with you on your judgment day.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:44:34 +0000

I have a really serious question. Do Catholics believe that abortion is okay if it is going to hurt the mother?

By: carno

carno — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 08:49:18 +0000

I am Catholic, but became so as an adult through my own desire to understansd more of what I was around as a child. ( father raised Catholic, but did not raise us religiously after divorce with my mother, went to church with grandparents sometimes) I was taught that Catholics could receive communion in a rc church but not orthodox? And that other religions could not receive in a cTholic church unless being Catholic. I feel that its more comfortable to receive communion in a church of my faith, and respectful to my beliefs, but I see how that doesn’t sit well when it comes to rules of who can and cannot receive communio. at a Catholic mass or a mass of another denomination. I believe that the rite taken for communion as a Catholic differs from that of another faith which I have not done and I am devoting myself to the Catholic faith through communion and confirmation. My fiance was baptised Lutheran and was introduced by his aunt as a child to the Lutheran church. He understands that had he received communion rites lutheran he wouldn’t receive commmunion at mass with me, out of simply respecting the difference in beliefs around communion with these two faiths

By: David

David — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:37:34 +0000

This is a fascinating discussion and I have learned a great deal. I am a devout Catholic but very open and accepting of others and their points of view. My wife is in religious “limbo” as of yet but was raised Lutheran. My brother recently came out to us and I know what the Catholic Church teaches regarding homosexuality. I am wondering what the Lutheran teachings are? I have always just felt that God is love and am accepting and respectful of all of God’s creatures and let God judge us all in the end. But hearing so many similarities between the two religions makes me wonder if I should consider becoming a Lutheran depending on if their stance is different regarding homosexuality.

By: josh

josh — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:31:29 +0000

I am lutheran and my wife recently became lutheran ( formally Catholic). Now we have two children. My wife has been talking to me about rejoining the catholic church. She does not demand that our children and I join with her, but she does feel that the catholic church is the closest religion that matches her mental model and heart. My question is if all christians will go to heaven if they beleive Jesus died for them, rose again,and is the one true Saviour. Then does it really matter what religion they are? Is it a problem to have a lutheran and a catholic co-exist in a marriage with children or should one religion be decided for the family until the kids are old enough to decide for themselves?

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:36:21 +0000

Although I am Lutheran and we have our differences with Catholics, I am sick and tired of the Catholic-bashing that I see some churches doing. If someone believes Christ died for them on the cross and rose again, the Bible says they’re saved. Stop being so judgemental. Look at your own church.Some of these new churches are accepting MODALISM. VERY BAD stuff. It denies the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–plz avoid them!! And pray for them to realize their error(s)! We ought to be praying for the whole visible Body of Christ, here on earth, anyway.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:23:10 +0000

@paula @Erik Z I am a Lutheran and we Lutherans absolutely do believe Romans 10:9+10. We just do not necessarily use the term “born-again”. We use the word “saved”. Meaning “saved by the blood of Christ”.The term “born-again is fine,but we don’t feel we need to change our language whenever someone else does,although some Lutherans may use it.Do not be judgemental about the sacraments. These are serious things to we who believe. And It is Biblical!!You should learn about these things. @paula You are getting hung up on a word–religion. We mean it in the way it was formally used,ie., Religion=Christian Faith.I don’t see why other Christians have to change a word just because a pentecostal or some other church assigns a bad meaning to it, to make the other churches look bad.What do you think everyone on here is talking about? The answer is their Faith, of course, which is a REAL Living relationship for all who believe in Jesus.Why should we keep changing our venacular?? We Christians know what each otheris saying + really means.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 06:50:20 +0000

@Erik Z I am a Lutheran and I, like my fellow Lutherans,believe Romans 10:9+10. We just do not necessarily use the term “born-again”. We use the word “saved”. That is saved by the blood of Christ.The term “born-again is fine, butis an older Baptist word.

By: paula

paula — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:05:23 +0000

I read this the other day, A christian, is a relationship with the Lord, not a religion.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:30:20 +0000

I’m still have so much to learn. I am referring to Mikes comment at the top. He said Lutherans don’t pray for the dead. Catholics have Rosary’s when someone dies. What kind of services do Lutheran’s have for the dead? Do Lutherans pray the Rosary. I’ve prayed for my love one’s that died to let them be at peace wherever they are.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 06:51:18 +0000

It is acceptable for a Catholic to take Communion at a Lutheran Church. I was at a wedding for a friend who was Catholic and is now Lutheran. They made an announcement before the service started that told the Catholics that it was acceptable to receive Communion at the wedding. I do not know or understand why it is not permitted the other way around.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:09:09 +0000

Another issue that I have learned first hand about is that divorcees are not allowed to take communion in the RC church unless the marriage has been annulled. It is considered a sin. As a Lutheran I find that stance troublesome. Why wouldn’t someone that needs to be renewed, refreshed, and forgiven, be denied access to that gift?

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:21:26 +0000

I am a Lutheran and I take communion almost everyday in a Catholic church. At first I was told I could not take it but could be given a blessing. I said that Jesus said himself for ALL to take. He did not say Catholics only. For this reason I take communion and I hold the meaning of it in my heart as to the belief that the bread is the body of Christ and the wine is the blood of Christ, in memory of him, as he siad himself. I feel let no one or no church rule keep you from your belief in God. Do you realy think God cares if you are Catholic or lutheran as long as you believe in him. Go to John 3 16 and it does not say ” Catholic or Lutheran”It says ” God so love the world he gave his only son,and WHOEVER shall believeth in me shall not parish but have ever lasting life.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:23:46 +0000

Dylan – what exactly does excommunication mean to you if an excommunicated person can still receive Holy Communion? And a divorced person may still receive Communion in the Catholic Church… it’s when a divorced person remarries that the situation becomes a bit sticky.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:25:36 +0000

The reality is that we are not really united (at least not fully anyway), else we would not be discussing Lutherans vs Catholics. So, yes it is inconsistent with our profession of faith as Catholics to receive Holy Communion in a non-Catholic Church. First of all, because if the church does not have valid orders, then they cannot even consecrate the Eucharist in the first place – never mind if that particular church believes in the real presence or not. As Justin Martyr said back in 155 A.D., “No one may share in the eucharist with us unless he believes that what we teach is true,… “

By: Earl C

Earl C — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:35:37 +0000

My wife and I take the Lords supper together – she is catholic and I attend Lutheran services. My children are baptized catholic. I enjoy both places of worship and feel unity not division. catholic means universal not divided. It is to my understanding we share the Nicene creed of beliefs. We have been married for 30 years.My understanding is the catholic church reaches out to other christian and even other religions they just think they have a more perfect path to God but not the only path. We both believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior and in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe the Holy Spirit emanates from the Father and the Son, the son was fully man and divine. We both believe we are saved by grace and involve ourselves in community service, charity and giving. We are content and at peace. As for the pope I see him as a religious leader and his relationship with God is between him and God none of my business. He will be judged along side of the rest of us by Christ. The bible tells us to love even our enemies , how can we not love each other.

By: Erik Z

Erik Z — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:12:16 +0000

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus christ is Lord thou shall be saved

By: Erik Z

Erik Z — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 20:11:13 +0000

The bottom line is like Jesus said in John 3:7 you must be born again. He further says in the following verses that unless man is born again he cannot see or enter the kingdom of heaven. Never mind being baptizsed or taking communion, those acts do not save you. Once you become born again then you become baptised.