What are Lutherans, and what does the Lutheran Church teach?
Great questions! Very simply, Lutherans are Christians whose entire teaching can be boiled down to three easy-to-understand concepts: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone.
“Grace Alone” means that it is God’s goodness – and only God’s goodness – that allows us to be saved. The Bible tells us that all humanity has fallen short of the glory of God, and in no way deserves to spend eternity in heaven (Romans 3:23-24). To be sure, heaven is described as a Holy place – a place of perfection – without sin or sickness or the negative emotions and actions that exist in the hearts of mankind and our world. Grace, or mercy as it is often called, refers to the undeserved love and compassion which we have received from our Lord. Jesus paid the price to save us — to forgive us — and literally wipe away our past, present, and future sins and wrongdoings. This amazing grace is not about what we do… but what He has done. The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus stated clearly: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
“Faith Alone” is the biblical truth (and Lutheran teaching) that it is what we “believe” that matters – not what we “do.” Lutherans believe that our salvation is brought about by the work of Jesus Christ – through His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and His glorious resurrection. This, then, is our simple faith, that “. . . whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21 Throughout the centuries, false doctrine crept into the Christian faith that sought to raise the stature and power of the church. The Lutheran Church was born out of an effort to correct this error, and place the focus back on Christ where it belongs. In response to the question, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” the Apostle Paul and his coworker, Silas, answered simply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved . . .” Acts 16:30-31 Similarly, writing to the church in Rome, Paul offers this simple plan of salvation “. . . that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
“Scripture Alone” is the Lutheran doctrine that defines the Holy Bible to be the one and only absolute source for all Christian teaching. This point cannot be overstated, as it represents one of the great misunderstandings among first-time students of the faith who often look at Luther’s many written works and believe them to be elevated to a position of prominence. While it is certainly true that Martin Luther was a prolific writer, his books and hymns are and always have been subject to Scripture and are never used to supersede it. As Christians, Lutherans have one source and norm for all teaching, and that is the Holy Bible. Indeed, even the works for which Luther is best known – for example, the translation of the Bible into the language of the German people, the Small Catechism, or Book of Concord – were composed only to illuminate and exalt Scripture. Lutherans stand on Scripture alone – the inspired Word of God – as recorded in Paul’s letter to his young protege Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God . . .” 2 Timothy 3:14-16
How and when did the Lutheran Church get its start?
The Lutheran Church traces its roots to the very public effort by Martin Luther to force reforms upon the Church of Rome beginning in 1517. Luther, a Roman Catholic monk living in Germany, was troubled primarily by abuses that centered around fundraising efforts within the church, the keeping of Holy Scripture from the commoners, and power struggles between the church and government at the expense of the people. Known as the Reformation, the movement quickly spread throughout Europe, and ultimately around the world.
Today, the Lutheran Church has a rich tradition of deep devotion to God’s Word, and the beauty and purity of Holy Scripture.