<> Ask the Pastor The Reverend Walter Snyder Q: My wife and I are interested in the relationship between Lutherans and their Reformation brethren in the Calvinistic traditions. One area we are having trouble with is finding out what was Martin Luther's position on "eternal security of the saints." It appears that modern conservative Lutherans teach that the elect can fall away under certain circumstances. Was this Luther's view as well? A: Luther wasn't as concerned as some others with writing on "eternal security." He addressed predestination, but not in great detail. However, what he wrote is congruent with the position of the Lutheran Church today: A believer can throw away his faith and his heavenly rest. This comes when we succumb to the temptations of devil, world, and flesh, removing our eyes from Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Warnings against apostasy in Romans 11:20, 1 Corinthians 10:12, and elsewhere are aimed against carnal (worldly, fleshly) security and self-confidence. Similarly, we cite 2 Peter 1:10 ("make sure that your calling and choosing are secure") so no one who now believes becomes slothful or arrogant, thus despising and discarding the Gospel. Our comfort in our election comes because we believe in Jesus as our Savior. If we cease to believe, we lose not only this comfort, but heaven itself. Q: First, let me tell you how much I enjoy your opinions in your column.... Now my question: In an earlier ATP, you answered a question regarding prayer. You stated that Luther suggested making the sign of the holy cross and saying "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen" before prayer. My pastor [in Ohio] has lamented to me before that he was sorry the Lutheran Church gave up making the sign of the holy cross very often. Why did the Lutherans give up this practice on most occasions? After reading Luther, I assume that making the sign of the cross is acceptable for Lutherans. Thank you. A: The sign of the cross almost disappeared with Lutherans because of the influence of Protestant bodies, and through internal change. It boils down to a pernicious "anti-Romanism" in much of Western Christianity, wherein anything that looks remotely Roman Catholic is denied and abhorred. Making the sign of the cross is not only acceptable for Lutherans, but is to be encouraged. Indeed, all Christians who make it as a reminder of the source of their salvation should be commended. The cross at prayer time reminds us that it is through Christ and his death that we have access to the Father. Many pastors will draw the sign of the cross with ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as we begin Lent on Ash Wednesday (this year, 12 February). Q: Our Bible class stumbled into a discussion of the 7 gifts of the Spirit. We recalled the blessing at Confirmation, "God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give you his Holy Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, of grace and prayer, of power and strength, of sanctification and the fear of God." We'd like to know the origin of this blessing and where in the Bible we can reference the 7 Gifts of the Spirit. Thanks. A: This blessing is drawn from several Bible passages, including Ephesians 1:17. The origin of the "Seven" Gifts of the Spirit is probably Isaiah 11:2-3, but many only read six gifts. These are wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, and fear of the Lord. Some include the Spirit himself as a gift; others take "delight in the fear of the Lord" from verse three as a separate gift. When you look in the New Testament, you quickly see that there are many more than seven gifts. Included are the "fruits of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23. Special gifts for chosen individuals are listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Offices in the Christian Church are also spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-30). Justifying faith is the primary gift of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3 and Ephesians 1:19). See also Romans 12. Q: My father is reading *Martin Luther, His Road to Reformation* by Martin Brecht. He found the word *anfechtungen* and could not come by its meaning. Could you help? Thank you for your time. A: In theology, this German word marks a soul-struggle, a great internal conflict. It is the New Man at war against his Old Adam. It is a time of trial, often torment, experienced most deeply and most often by those of great faith, and is safely overcome only through the power of the Gospel and the Holy Spirit. Until next week, when, Lord willing, we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is the coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1997 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.