From Lutheran to Catholic

Two of the most common questions I am asked, regarding my reversion are, "Why Catholic?" or "What is the difference?". They certainly are two very good questions. In a multifaceted, "buffet style" world, it is hard to sift through the differences between many things especially Christian denominations. I must admit the jump from Lutheranism to Catholicism is not nearly as far as jumping from being a Pentecostal or Baptist. Lutheranism is a spin off of Catholicism itself, so since the two closely resemble each other on the surface, it is easy to overlook or miss the differences.

The initial grievance Luther had was the selling of indulgences by the Roman Catholic Church, thereby questioning how the Church's practice of such corresponded with its teaching on sins, confession, absolution, and salvation. It is important to note, that initially Martin Luther had no intention to create "Lutheranism". He had no intention of starting the Reformation (capital "R"), and instead wanted the Church to enter a period of reformation (small "r"). 

Martin Luther was the big political whistle-blower of his day. The Catholic Church during the time of Martin Luther, was as much a political power as it was a spiritual one. The Catholic Church controlled a lot of Europe, and also was the sole entity involved in the coronation of the great kings of Europe. Martin Luther was correct in pointing out that reform was needed, and it did eventually come. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) made the necessary reforms and affirmations of Church teachings.

Looking back, a good Catholic would be obedient and accept the reforms and affirmations instituted by the Council of Trent, but the Reformation was roaring at that point. Had the reaction of the Church been quicker, we may not have had such a schism then. Had the princes not backed Luther, Lutheranism would not exist. It was the German princes that backed Luther once he was excommunicated. The split was as much political as it was doctrinal, if not more so at the time. I need not go into further detail on the rest of the Reformation. There are countless articles and books on the topic. 

Being apostolic is vital to the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church. Once you take the authority out of the dogma's, the dogmas become formed to our infallible human desire. Christ was very specific with the handling of his Church. He entrusted it to St. Peter. the first pope and the other apostles. These apostles then took the authority, teachings, and traditions Christ handed down, and chose disciples to carrying them on as well. Every bishop can be traced back to the original Apostles. How amazing is that?! This is why my reversion really is simple. By the Reformation taking down one papacy, they created thousands more. If every person is able to interpret Sacred Scripture, which was compiled by the very Catholic Church that is rebelled against, then who is to say what is proper and what isn't?

Many will answer, "Exactly! Who has the right to tell me what is true!" This is prideful. To think this way is to fall in the sin of pride. I used to think the same way, "Who is the Pope, a mere man, to tell me what the truth is?" I often knocked the Papacy down a couple notches during my sermons. By doing that I was instituting myself as the Pope at that moment. What a grave sin of pride that was! Praise God for forgiving these sins!

The reason we need a Pope, apostolic succession, dogmas, etc., is to preserve the teachings and traditions handed down by our Lord and Savior Himself! Christ chose Apostles (Holy Orders). Holy Communion was instituted by Christ. Christ Anointed the Sick. He instituted Baptism, and Reconciliation (Confession). Christ laid out the doctrine of Holy Matrimony. The people received the Spirit thanks to Christ (Confirmation). The Traditions of the Catholic Church come from the Messiah and his trusted Apostles. How can I deny this? How could I, when faced with the decision, go with the teachings based on a mere man's opposition to Church practices (which have been corrected)? To go with a mere person or Christ? I chose Christ. Rather, the Holy Spirit enabled me to choose Christ.

People have been debating Catholic doctrine for centuries. Catholics have debated their own doctrine for well over a millennium. What I always come back to, when being faced with opposition, is the authority. Who has the authority? Did Martin Luther take it with him? No! Catholic doctrine can be debated and dissected all day and night (it is), but what matters is who the carrier of the keys is. Christ gave St. Peter the keys to the Kingdom. I could not ignore Matthew 16:13-19 and many other passages that depict Peter as head any longer. Christ said that he will build his Church on the rock that is Peter.

Everything starts with God. God gave St. Peter the keys, which were passed onto St. Linus, then St. Anacletus I, they eventually were given to St. Deusdedit, St. Adrian III also held the keys, they eventually arrived in the hands of Celestine V, St. Pius V carried them, and the list goes on. The keys are carried today by number 266, Pope Francis. This connection to Christ is incredible and undeniable. Apostolicam really is the reason for my reversion. It is not because of how I feel about the Eucharist, Marian devotion, marriage, sex, or religious celibacy. Those all come after Christ. Jesus is the reason for my reversion, because he started the apostolic succession. It all started with our Savior. Amen, credo domine.

Here are some of the books I read during my reversion that I said I would provide in my last post:

1. "100 Biblical Arguments Against Sola Scriptura" by Dave Armstrong

2. The Acts of the Apostles, New American Bible

3. The Gospel of Matthew, New American Bible

4. "Practice Makes Catholic" by Joe Paprocki

5. "Rediscover Catholicism" by Matthew Kelly

I also utilized websites:

1. www.catholic.com

2. www.catholicscomehome.org

3. www.elca.org

My Call Story: From Apostolic to Crossing the Threshold

Before I go into the details of my return to the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church, I must describe my initial membership in Christ's Church. It starts with my baptism. I was baptized into Christ's Church on 9 December 1989 at Heiligste Dreifaltigkeit Kirche (Holiest Trinity Church) in Langwasser - Nuernberg, Germany. I firmly believe that my baptism not only ties me to God, but to Nuernberg. I have family there, so my heart is filled with Nuernberg. In Germany there is a healthy version of separation of church and state.  Unlike in the United States, religion courses are taught in public schools. Yes, that is no lie, religion is encouraged.

Heiligste Dreifaltigkeit Kirche

Looking back, it is interesting to note that while my mother (I will have to dedicate an entire post to her explaining more on her) had us (mom, sister, myself) going to a Lutheran Sunday school and church, I was getting religious instruction in the Catholic class at school. It is interesting, because I am curious as to that contributed into the return to the Church. I had a great respect for the Catholic Church until I became aware of the differences between Catholics and Lutherans. Once I discovered what the differences were, I slightly mocked the Church for its doctrines while still respected the Church. The respect for the Church remained, because my grandparents (mom's side) were, and my grandmother and husband (dad's side) are, devout Catholics.

The Benninghoff family's humble abode on the first floor. Subtract the satellite dish and add an Opel Kadett in the first parking spot, and you have it.

Now that I have explained my Catholic foundation, that was quickly overcome by Lutheranism as I became more involved in my church, it is time to discuss re-entry. As I mentioned in the previous post, I took Urban Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Seminary for my January Term. During this course we visited different churches and ministries with the goal of defining "urban". It was a Wednesday in January when we visited Holy Family Church in central Columbus, Ohio to attend the Latin Mass. I remember going in with great curiosity. I had never experienced the Extraordinary Form before, and knowing that this was the Form used in the early Catholic Church made it more interesting. I felt like I was going back in time.

I followed the Order of the Mass booklet they provided as best as I could. As I write this I remembered that the Presider was preaching about church unity. It was interesting a the time, because there was a good group of Lutheran and Episcopalian seminarians in the congregation. It is interesting now, because Church Unity Week concluded Sunday. The service was beautiful. The Latin was foreign, but felt close to home. After all, it was the history of the early Catholic Church celebrated! Although I could not understand the words by simply listening, I still felt fed in someway.

Now we stumble upon the word "apostolicam". I firmly believe the Holy Spirit shook me during the profession of this very word. Looking at Lutheran translations of the Nicene Creed, a lot of them now read, "one holy, one Christian, and apostolic church." I clearly remember saying "catholic" during my time at Parma Lutheran. I know that catholic means universal. I always understood that. What I did not understand, was how Lutherans interpret apostolic. How can there be so many ways to interpret apostolic? It seems pretty cut and dry to me now.

It was almost as if it was the Holy Spirit asking the question for me. Then again, it very well could have been. Regardless, the Spirit certainly influenced the question. I asked my professor, "What is the Lutheran interpretation of Apostolic?" His answer did not sit well in my soul. It was as if the Holy Spirit was shaking my soul, "There is more Johannes, there is more!" Luther was excommunicated, and thus the apostolic succession does not continue in the Lutheran church. The Lutheran church cannot proclaim a belief in apostolic succession, because they do not practice it. This realization was the start of a great journey of faith. Was I to leave everything and everyone that I loved at Seminary behind for a simple word? Was I to leave behind great fellowship for things even I declared as adiaphora (loosely translated, not required for salvation)? Was I to leave behind the church that raised me, that gave me so much faith and love? These were all large questions that I needed to answer honestly.

2012 was going to be an incredible year, "The Year of Finding Myself" as I titled it. I certainly found myself... needing to become Catholic. I was attending Trinity part-time, due to military training from July to October. It is amazing how that worked out; I was essentially going to complete my first year over two years. One of my first visits to St. Columbkille was on Good Friday. I remember kissing the crucifix and being filled, again, with the spirit leading me forward. I began to attend Mass with my would be confirmation sponsor, Angela. While spiritually great things were happening, emotionally I was torn.

I began to pray for peace, regarding a future decision. I was often upset at the reality before me. Come back to Christ's Church or stay with a church that does love the Lord, but is missing a lot. Parma Lutheran has some amazing people. I grew up with them; they were my second family. They supported my formation at seminary and countless times before. I was often reminded of the division that Christ discussed. This portion of the Gospel brought me the comfort and peace that I had been praying for. By July of 2012 I was almost certain that Catholicism was it.

Before I go on, I must state that I did not make a decision based merely on how I felt the Spirit moving me. I tested these feelings. I read books and articles. I discussed this with my pastor at Parma Lutheran and a priest at St. Columbkille. I also discussed the switch with friends, seminarians, and family. I was consumed by researching. Below I will provide the books I read, that led me back to Catholicism. It is never good to do something merely on emotion and feelings. Especially, a decision like this. This was a life decision. This decision will affect me for the rest of my living days and beyond.

From 15 July until 2 October I was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina for Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) training to be a human resource officer. I met absolutely amazing people, including a fellow Phi. I also met a strong Catholic man, Rich. I do not remember exactly how I discovered that he was Catholic, but once I did I suggested we go to Mass together. I discovered a beautiful Catholic parish not far from our hotel while driving around Columbia. St. Joseph Church (Diocese of Charleston) is a beautiful church, and one that would serve as our place of worship for two and a half months. The place was absolutely packed every Sunday at all masses! Ushers actually had to search for seats for people arriving last minute.

During BOLC we also went to Charleston twice, during which we went to Mass at the Cathedral. Seeing the Bishops cathedra (chair) was a great image for as I was debating between the true apostolic Church and the church that falsely claims belief in it. BOLC was certainly part of my journey. Rich and I continue to speak daily, and he provides great encouragement. I thank God for the people that have been place along my route, rather the people that seek to walk the route I do.

Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Charleston, South Carolina.

Before quickly discussing 2013, I will briefly discuss my trip to Ireland, and then to Germany with my friend Erik. While in Ireland visiting fellow Ohio Lambda Phis Steven, David, and Kevin, I was able to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral with Steven and David. What a great place. The look was unique and I was amazed at how the Church is so very catholic. It transcends cultures and continents as Christ intended. I was very grateful to be able to visit this great Cathedral.

St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland.

After the short trip to Ireland, it was off to Germany to visit family and see Berlin, Munich, and Weikersheim with Erik. While in Nuernberg I was also visited by my dear friends Lucy, Tyler, and their precious daughter Ashley. We toured the churches and ate delicious food. It was great to see good friends. What is also great is that Lucy is herself and comes from a family of strong Catholics. Her husband is also a convert and has a great zeal for the faith. He was very much a help in learning more about Catholicism. They continue to encourage me also. I am grateful to have them along for the journey. 2012 was certainly a year of finding, it was a blessing filled year.

2013 was the year of ambition. I had finally found myself... needing to be Catholic again, and it was now time to be ambitious. I went through the RCIA program at St. Columbkille led by Father Jamie and Deacon Paul. The members of Parma Lutheran were very loving toward me and my decision. I was fully initiated into the Catholic Church on Holy Saturday, and have been on fire ever since. Holy Saturday was the end to another great chapter in my life, and the beginning of a new one. I thank Angela my sponsor for being so inviting and encouraging. Thank you.

Once I was in, I began looking to the future. "What is God calling me to do, now that I am in His Church", I would ask. I was quickly drawn to the idea of Priesthood. The gifts identified by the senior ladies at church did not go away, the fire for ministry was still there. I began meeting with Father Jamie regularly for some time, and now meet with Father Sean. Both are great priests. I also talked with Father Kevin and Father Kalista. They also have great zeal and are awesome priests. I then was encouraged to contact the recruiter for the Diocese of Cleveland, the vocation director Father McCandless. I began meeting with him, and he also recognized that I was seeking something good and that something was there. I now am enrolled in Crossing the Threshold, the program for discerning men led by Father McCandless. I am absolutely loving life.

So why Catholic? I have rambled on long enough. I will answer this question in my next post, "From Lutheran to Catholic". May God bless all of you and thank you for reading. Credo Domine.