Peace Lutheran Church, Galion, Ohio
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What is the Lutheran Church?
Written by the ELCA
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:
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.
©Copyright Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
A foot note. Several thoughtful and inquisitive people asked me if we as Christians
worshiped Martin Luther, like in some Christian traditions pray through, or to a Saint
like Martin Luther? The answer is absolutely not! We pray like other Christians,
"through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Pastor Ron
Written by the ELCA
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.
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.
©Copyright Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
A foot note. Several thoughtful and inquisitive people asked me if we as Christians
worshiped Martin Luther, like in some Christian traditions pray through, or to a Saint
like Martin Luther? The answer is absolutely not! We pray like other Christians,
"through Jesus Christ, our Lord."
Pastor Ron
| Martin Luther |