newtronical1

Martin Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18, 1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism. He had studied to become a lawyer before becoming an Augustinian monk in 1505, and was ordained a priest in 1507. While continuing his studies in pursuit of a Doctor of Theology degree, he discovered significant differences between what he read in the Bible and the theology and practices of the church. On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the church door at Wittenberg University to debate 95 theological issues. Luther's 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 to a religious war, fueled by fiery temperaments and violent language on both sides. As a result, there was not a reformation of the church but a separation. "Lutheran" was a name applied to Luther and his followers as an insult but adopted as a badge of honor by them instead.

Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of theology and practice espoused by Luther, such as Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Scriptura:

We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do;

Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to believe that our sins are forgiven for Christ's sake, who died to redeem us;

The Bible is the only norm of doctrine and life -- the only true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.

Another of Luther's principles was that Scriptures and worship need to be in the language of the people.

Many Lutherans still consider themselves as a reforming movement within the Church catholic, rather than a separatist movement, and Lutherans have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades. In fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has entered into cooperative "full communion" agreements with several other Protestant denominations.

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. These and other Lutheran confessional documents included in the Book of Concord may be ordered from the ELCA Publishing House at 800/328-4648 or www.augsburgfortress.org.

nate

Thanks for the info, my brother and his family just joined a Lutheran church and i did not know much about the faith. They live about 16 hours from me and i don't get to see them often enough to talk with him about it. Again thanks for the info.

Nate

newtronical1

Thats why I posted it Nate, so people can get a better understanding on different faiths and beliefs. The Lutherns are almost identicle with the Catholic faith. There are a couple variations but Lutherns are closer to what Catholics believe then all the other denominations.

nate

i grew up in a catholic church but around high school i distanced myself completely from God, I then married into a baptist family and seen the error of my ways and was drawn back to God. Most of my family are still catholic with the exception of myself and my brother. i do enjoy learing about other faiths it is very interesting esp the history of them.

SteveQB

Thanks for your article, I have found and am starting to understand Grace because of my Lutheran Church. I believe Martin Luther understood Grace and how there's nothing we can do to earn it because God offers it to everyone. I choose to accept His grace these days and am grateful for the God of love.