Lutherans are Christians who accept the
teachings of Martin
Luther (1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian
who realized that there were significant differences between
what he read in the Bible and the practices of the Roman
Catholic church at that time. On October 31, 1517, he
posted a challenge on the door of Wittenberg University,
titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological
issues). His hope was that the church would reform its
practice and preaching to be more consistent with the
Word of God as contained in the Bible.
What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct
separation between the Roman Catholic church of the time
and those who accepted Luther’s suggested reforms.
"Lutheran" became the name of the group that
agreed with Luther’s convictions. Today, nearly
five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation
on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of
Luther’s theological teachings, such as Grace
alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. These comprise
the very essence of Lutheranism: |
Martin Luther by Lucas
Cranach in 1529
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We are saved by the grace of God
alone -- not by anything we do;
Our salvation is through faith alone -- we
only need to trust God made known in Christ who promises us
forgiveness, life and salvation; and
The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the true
standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
Luther's Small
Catechism, which contains teachings on the Ten Commandments,
the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Holy Baptism, Confession
and Absolution, Holy Communion and Morning and Evening Prayers,
is still used to introduce people to the Lutheran faith, as
is the Augsburg
Confession.
Over the years, different Lutheran church bodies have been
established and organized to meet the needs of Lutherans in
communities and nations all over the world. The Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran group
in North America, founded in 1988 when three North American
Lutheran church bodies united: The American Lutheran Church,
the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the Lutheran
Church in America. Learn
more about the History of the ELCA.
Is Lutheranism the Only True Religion?
"Do Lutherans believe theirs is the only true religion?"
This question was once put to the late Dr. Elson Ruff, editor
of The Lutheran. His answer was, "Yes, but Lutherans don't
believe they are the only ones who have it. There are true Christian
believers in a vast majority of the churches, perhaps in all."
The ELCA Confession of Faith says "This church confesses
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and the Gospel as the power
of God for the salvation of all who believe ..."
How Do Lutherans Look upon the Bible?
To borrow a phrase from Luther, the Bible is "the manger
in which the Word of God is laid." While Lutherans recognize
differences in the way the Bible should be studied and interpreted,
it is accepted as the primary and authoritative witness to the
church's faith. Written and transcribed by many authors over
a period of many centuries, the Bible bears remarkable testimony
to the mighty acts of God in the lives of people and nations.
In the Old Testament is found the vivid account of God's covenant
relationship to Israel. In the New Testament is found the story
of God's new covenant with all of creation in Jesus.
The New Testament is the first-hand proclamation of those who
lived through the events of Jesus' life, death, and Resurrection.
As such, it is the authority for Christian faith and practice.
The Bible is thus not a definitive record of history or science.
Rather, it is the record of the drama of God's saving care for
creation throughout the course of history.
What Do Lutherans Believe About
Creation?
Lutherans believe that God is Creator of the universe. Its dimensions
of space and time are not something God made once and then left
alone. God is, rather, continually creating, calling into being
each moment of each day.
Human beings have a unique position in the order of creation.
As males and females created in God's image, we are given the
capacity and freedom to know and respond to our creator. Freedom
implies that we can choose to respond to God either positively
or negatively.
Where Do Lutherans Stand on the
Question of Sin?
Lutherans believe that all people live in a condition which
is the result of misused freedom. "Sin" describes
not so much individual acts of wrongdoing as fractured relationships
between the people of creation and God. Our every attempt to
please God falls short of the mark. By the standard of the Law,
of which the Ten Commandments are a classic summary, God expresses
his just and loving expectations for creation, and our failure
to live up to those expectations reveals only our need for God's
mercy and forgiveness.
What Sacraments Do Lutherans Accept?
Lutherans accept two Sacraments as God-given means for penetrating
the lives of people with his grace. Although they are not the
only means of God's self-revelation, Baptism and Holy Communion
are visible acts of God's love.
In Baptism, and it can be seen more clearly in infant Baptism,
God freely offers his grace and lovingly establishes a new community.
It is in Baptism that people become members of Christ's Body
on earth, the Church. In Holy Communion -- often called the
Lord's Supper or the Eucharist -- those who come to the table
receive in bread and wine the body and blood of their Lord.
This gift is itself the real presence of God's forgiveness and
mercy, nourishing believers in union with their Lord and with
each other.
Do Lutherans Believe in Life After
Death?
While there is much we do not and cannot know about life beyond
the grave, Lutherans do believe that life with God persists
even after death. Judgment is both a present and future reality,
and history moves steadily towards God's ultimate fulfillment.
This of course is a great mystery, and no description of what
life may be like in any dimension beyond history is possible.
Anxiety for the future is not a mark of faith. Christians should
go about their daily tasks, trusting in God's grace and living
a life of service in his name.
This information was compiled from: http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe.aspx
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