A casual look at monastic life will often leave us with a favorable impression: chastity, obedience, service of the neighbor, poverty, and prayer— what could be wrong with these things? However, if one is looking for justification or perfection in such a lifestyle, they will never be satisfied (Galatians 5:14). The Roman Church outrightly rejected the Augsburg Confession’s declaration that monasticism does not merit the forgiveness of sins. Melancthon breaks down the Biblical truth of how one merits forgiveness. It is only by faith in Christ— to add any of our works into the equation does away from the full sufficiency of the cross. “Just as I am, without one plea- But that Thy blood was shed for me. And that Thou bidds’t me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.” LSB 570, st. 1

Rev. Eli Lietzau, pastor at Wheat Ridge Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wheat Ridge, CO, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Monastic Vows.

Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.

Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: [email protected].