“I am the way and the truth and the life” (Jn 14:6). Last week Lula and I attended the annual retreat for LCMS Eurasia missionaries—this year held in Jūrmala, Latvia. I had the privilege of chatting with Rev. Isaac Machado, our first Lutheran pastor in Spain. I asked him what attracts Roman Catholics to the Lutheran Church most. Interestingly, he replied, “The liturgy.” (Some people unfortunately believe that liturgy is “Roman Catholic.” This is historically incorrect because the historic liturgy—meaning a clearly defined church service that includes Confession and Absolution, the Readings, the Creed, the sermon, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sacrament of the Altar, etc.—goes back to earliest Christianity and thus predates the official formation of the Roman Catholic Church in the Council of Trent by over 1,000 years). In other words, what Pr. Isaac was saying is that many people seem to be naturally drawn to the transcendentals (truth, goodness, and beauty) of early Christianity as they are revealed in the historic liturgy, which in Lutheranism revolves around Christ alone. I also asked him what the greatest difficulty is for Roman Catholics as they move over to Lutheranism. “Three things,” he replied. “Their devotion to the Virgin Mary; having to leave some aspects of Roman Catholic culture behind plus the ensuing tensions with some of their Catholic family members.” I can very much relate to these points, as I remember my dear mother who converted from Roman Catholicism to Lutheranism in her early 90s and had difficulty in these same areas. His observation of leaving the “old culture” also reminded me of our Iranian immigrants who likewise pay a huge price when they leave key aspects of Muslim culture and are often shunned by their Muslim family members for converting to the true faith of Jesus Christ. God bless you, Pr. Isaac, as you bring the ancient and faithful teachings of Christianity to the people of Spain—in Word, Sacrament, and faithful liturgy!
The Tiews in Germany 