[BillyBoy]

>> Is there a ranking that we Lutherans don't know about, BillyBoy? Maybe a chart like that Frowny Face to Smiley Face thing used in doctor's offices? <<

You seem to be confused. Did you actually read my post? My reference to "better Christians" was saying Lutheranism who actually believe in the bible are better than so-called Catholics like Nancy Pelosi who support abortion and homosexuality. In other words, it was complimenting Lutherans who oppose the ELCA decision on homosexuality.

>> Are you really, really sure you want to stand by that statement? <<

Yes I'm really, really sure I want to stand by that statement and the Pope got a lot of criticism for saying something similar a few months. The bottom line is my branch of Christianity was started by St. Peter and Paul. Your branch of Christianity was started by Martin Luther. Now Luther had some valid points, but I know who I hold is higher esteem and it ain't Luther.

[RobinOfKingston]

My friend, I think we have some pretty fundamentally different thinking here. Your use of "better Christians" is what I was addressing. People are Christian or not. We can, perhaps, sin more or less, but we are all in need of forgiveness through God's grace. Not Benedict's grace, not John Paul's grace. Not even St Peter's grace nor St Paul's grace.

As to founders of branches, I am Christian before I am Lutheran. Christian because there is no other salvation. "Lord, to whom shall we go?, You have the words of eternal life." Lutheran because it fits me, being the plain and simple man that I am.

Now, if you will excuse me, I am off to bed where I will pray for forgiveness for the pridefulness I have displayed in this writing. Before I go, though, thank you, for the recognition that "Luther had some valid points."

God bless you and all you hold dear.

[Jacob Kell]

“The bottom line is my branch of Christianity was started by St. Peter and Paul. Your branch of Christianity was started by Martin Luther.”

IMO, *all* branches of Christianity were started by Christ Himself. However, Martin Luther broke off from the Catholic Church. IMO, the Lutheran Church was originally started by Peter and Paul (after all, it was originally a part of the Roman Catholic Church), but later split from Catholicism under Luther, though he originally wanted to stay within the Catholic Church to work to change it.