Dr. Clark,

That is a helpful, interesting and thought provoking reply. I appreciate your time.

Rather than comment in detail further here I will dig into the resources that you recommend and then post later with further questions.

I do think it is important to note that I disagree with your assertion that there is a great deal of difference between the Small Catechism and the Book of Concord. After all the Small Catechism is just as binding for a confessing Lutheran as the Formula of Concord (both are part of the Book of Concord). I don't see much distinction between the two (or other confessional documents such as the Augsburg confession that Calvin signed) , but then again, I think that depends upon how one defines certain terms in each.

I also don't think its fair to label confessing lutherans as ARminian any more than when Lutherans labeled all the reformed as Zwinglian or enthusiasts. As I'm digging through these issues, I'm finding that while some terminology might be different there is a greater degree of commonality on some of these issues once one abandon's certain theological terms (such as resisting grace).

For what it is worth, our opinion of the FV proponents is the same.

Also - I didn't mean to mis-attribute that quote - I must have clicked the wrong button somehow.

Thanks again

__________________
Chad Hamilton
Peace With Christ (LCMS)
Fort Collins, Colorado