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Zitat

ZITAT: A Need For Compassion

Unless I'm way off base with my basic translating skills (and have completely forgotten how to perform an accurate Google search!), I believe the English word "quote" (used as a noun) is translated as "zitat" in German. That will help to explain the strange 'Z' word listed in the title of this post.



The present divisions within Christendom are surely the result of a great deal more than doctrinal divisions. Doctrinal divisions exist, to be sure, but our differences are easier to address when we approach one another with compassion. Doctrine has never been a problem for (genuine) Lutherans; charity sometimes has. Lutheran pastors can be some of the most difficult people to get along with, a sentiment with which my own congregation would no doubt agree! Far too often, I’ve put their ability to forgive “seventy times seven” to the test (Matthew 18:22). If only our love for one another were as pure as our doctrine, there would be a great deal more Lutherans in the world today. The negative comments I hear about Lutherans (particularly, “confessional Lutherans”) rarely have anything to do with doctrine. We must be careful not to sacrifice warmth and compassion on the altar of theological integrity.

*- Pastor Eric Andersen

I'm no Pastor, but I can certainly identify with this.

In fact, the Lord has been emphasizing my own personal need to demonstrate much more compassion, compassion, compassion than perhaps I have been showing to others.

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About JKR

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