u/TinySnorlax123

Hello. The version of predestination that Lutheran theology seems to hold is something I've been struggling with. If it is something that seems contradictory to human minds but isn't in actuality, why can't we say that with all other contradictions. How can we say that the Muslim, the Jews, the Hindus, etc are wrong for this and that reason if we say that it is possible for things to be seeming contradictions that are impossible to solve with our mortal minds. People say the Lutheran view brings consciences to rest, but it doesn't seem to do that. Instead it haunts the conscience by robbing it of any form of indication that the Gospel is truly reliable. If that assessment of mine is true, I can not accept that doctrine, for it would tear down the Gospel instead of building it up. I am a Lutheran and I have no problem with any other part of our theology, but I just can't seem to harmonize this. I've been looking into the exact wording in the Book of Concord and trying to harmonize it with a more concrete doctrine of predestination, but I don't see that view anywhere else so I assume I'm missing something and that a kind of bondage of the will centric view truly isn't allowed for in the Formula of Concord. It's so frustrating because this is the one doctrine that is keeping me from being able to fully and confidently say that I affirm the whole book. Does it allow for a view that is heavier on God's role in allowing (not causing) the damned to reject Christ inevitably? If not, how can you harmonize this view with our God given reason which brings comfort to the hearts of men through it allowing them to realise that Christ is the one true Lord? Please help me.

This is literally all I posted. I get disagreeing, but isn't it kind of ironic for a sub all about different ideologies competing to ban someone for their ideology.

Hi. I'm quite confused because this server is, to my understanding, a place for Protestants of all kind of denominations and convictions. Yet, in rule 5 it says "We encourage everyone to share insights that align with basic Christian doctrine (for example, Trinity, salvation by grace through faith alone, eternal security)". I specifically wonder about the part concerning eternal security. Do you mean by that, as it seems like it means, that it is a matter of basic Christian doctrine and especially Protestant doctrine to affirm that those who at one point hold true faith can never be damned, even if they later apostatize? Because I am a Confessional Lutheran and that is not our teaching. Does this mean that this server is not for those of Protestant traditions that reject free grace theology?

Edit: it seems this sub is also explicitly against theistic evolution. Will adhering to that doctrine be a problem?

I would like to know what, if anything, the Book of Concord says on divine command theory (DCT) and natural law theory (NLT). Please provide citations.