Tom,

IF <---- what the person who wrote that section in the Wikipedia article was true, i.e., this is what the "Formula of Concord" actually states, then yes, your conclusion would be correct... it is synergism and actually no different than the Arminian position of "prevenient grace".

However, I not only read the entire Wiki article, but I also followed the links provided in the footnotes thinking that this doesn't sound like historic Lutheranism. Footnote '17' brought me to a copy of the "Book of Concord" which states:

Quote
17] 3. That by His Holy Ghost, through the Word, when it is preached, heard, and pondered, He will be efficacious and active in us, convert hearts to true repentance, and preserve them in the true faith.
Now, what this says is far different than what the Wikipedia article author states, or rather has interpreted the official statement says. wink Notice the salient part which states: "when it is preached, heard, and pondered, He will be efficacious and active in us,...". There is nothing said about resisting the Holy Spirit. There is particularly nothing mentioned about the "calling", i.e., this preaching of the Word being inherently efficacious.

My conclusion is that the author of the Wikipedia article has misconstrued what the "Formula of Concord" teaches.

In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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