Lutheranism

[[File:Lutherrose.svg|right|180px|thumb|The Luther Rose.]]{{christianity}}
'''Lutheranism''' is a major [[Protestant]] [[denomination]]. It traces its beginnings to the sixteenth century and the attempts of the Saxon [[monk]] and [[theologian]] [[Martin Luther]] to reform the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. From its origins, Lutheranism eventually spread throughout [[Germany]], to [[Scandinavia]] and its colonies, and to the Baltic countries.

Its membership is about 70 million members worldwide, roughly equal to the number of [[Methodist]]s and slightly below the number of [[Anglican]]s<ref>[http://www.lutheranworld.org/content/about-lwf About the Lutheran World Foundation] at lwf.org.</ref><ref>[http://www.christiantoday.com/article/lutheran.numbers.grow.worldwide.shrink.in.global.north/5355.htm Lutheran Numbers Grow Worldwide, Shrink in Global North.] christiantoday.com, 16 February 2006.</ref> It is the most numerous Protestant [[sect]] in [[Europe]], being the denomination of the state churches of [[Norway]], [[Denmark]], and [[Iceland]], and also the former state churches of [[Sweden]], [[Finland]], and several German ''Länder'' (states/provinces). Most of the Lutheran churches of Europe have episcopal polities, while other Lutheran groups use congregational or synodical polities.

Lutherans generally support the [[Ecumenism|Ecumenical Movement]] and consider themselves to be both [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] and [[catholic]].  They historically resist [[separation of church and state]], although holding to the {{wpl|Doctrine of the two kingdoms|doctrine of the two kingdoms}} that says the church should stay out of politics. Despite its highly institutionalized role in the Nordic countries, revival movements led by lay preachers are common. These come in various shapes, sizes and degrees of zeal. A good example is [[Laestadianism]], members of which are not allowed to watch TV for example.

Lutherans [[Belief|believe]] the unlimited accumulation of wealth to be a [[Work ethic|reward by Providence]] for good work.{{fact}}

Unlike Catholic pastors, Lutheran pastors are permitted to marry. The Lutheran Church lacks a consensus position on [[homosexuality]] and ordains homosexual pastors; it was also one of the first mainline denominations to permit [[female]] [[priest]]s. Confessional Lutheran groups, such as the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), reject both of these positions, condemning homosexuality by citing [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/Romans#Romans 1:18|Romans 1:18-28]] and
[[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/1 Corinthians#1 Corinthians 6:9|1 Corinthians 6:9]], and refusing the ordination of women, citing [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/1 Corinthians#1 Corinthians 14:33|1 Corinthians 14:33-36]] and [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/1 Timothy#1 Timothy 2:11|1 Timothy 2:11-14]]. The LCMS allows women to hold church office while the WELS does not.

==History==
Martin Luther was the only one of the major Protestant reformers to be expelled from the Roman Catholic Church rather than leaving of his own accord, as John Calvin and Henry VIII did. This occurred after Luther posted his Ninety-five Theses in Wittenberg, Saxony, on October 31, 1517; disturbed by perceived corruption in the [[Roman Catholic Church]], Luther aimed to correct abuses in the church while conserving its [[catholic]] heritage.  His movement originally called itself the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession.  The name Lutheranism, however, was initially applied by the enemies of Luther during the Leipzig Disputation in 1519.

The Edict of Worms (1521) placed Lutherans under imperial ban, and at the Council of Trent in 1545 the Lutheran view was condemned.  In the Peace of Augsburg (1555) each prince in the empire was allowed to decide whether his subjects would be Lutheran or Roman Catholic.  [[Cuius regio, eius religio]] is a [[Latin]] phrase meaning "whose region, his religion."

In the 17th century Rosicrucianism was associated with Lutheranism. <ref> "Review of The Origins of the Freemasonry: Scotland's Century 1590–1710". Contra Mundum. Retrieved 1 December 2009. </ref> For over a century after that there was a period known as Lutheran Orthodoxy, when little theological innovation was made in the denomination. Significant Lutheran personalities in this era include Johann Gerhard, Nikolaus Hunnius, Abraham Calov, and David Hollaz.  Lutheranism spawned the Pietist movement in the late 17th century as a response to arid intellectualism in the orthodox [[Theology|theologians]].  Reformer Philipp Jakob Spener posited that experience was the basis of all certainty.

Eighteenth century Lutherans Christian Wolff and Johann Semler, influenced by [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] [[rationalism]], advanced the acceptance of reason as a final authority.

In 1817, Prussia forced the Lutheran and [[Calvinism|Reformed (Calvinist)]] churches in its territory to unite into a single polity. This event proved the impetus for a revival of Confessional Lutheranism, or assent to the whole of its religious teaching.  Prominent figures in the effort to restore historical Lutheranism were C. P. Caspari, E. W. Hengstenberg, and C. F. W. Walther, the latter immigrating to the [[United States]] in 1838 to found the LCMS.

In the 20th century the neo-orthodoxy of the Swiss theologian Karl Barth and [[existentialism]] have been the most prominent theological developments.  The Lutheran World Federation, founded in 1947 and based in Geneva, promotes world unity.

===In the United States===
It has been claimed that American (US) Lutheranism does not differ from European Lutheranism.  Theologian Gerhard Friedrich Bente noted, "As for American Lutheranism, it is not a specific brand of Lutheranism, but simply Lutheranism in America; for doctrinally Lutheranism, like Christianity, with which it is identical, is the same the world over. Neither is the American Lutheran Church a distinct species or variety of the Lutheran Church, but merely the Lutheran Church in America."
<ref>"[http://pastoralmeanderings.blogspot.com/2009/11/americanizing-lutheranism.html Americanizing Lutheranism]."  Pastoral Meanderings:  The Random Thoughts of a Lutheran Parish Pastor.  November 14, 2009.</ref>  However, American Lutheran bodies, having historically taken many forms, are not identical to each other and thus cannot be identical to their European counterparts.  Another website notes, "In the United States the Lutherans have been more conservative, and thus far have preserved more of their confessional spirit."<ref>"[http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/lutheran.htm Lutheranism, Lutheran Church]."  Believe.  1997-2010.</ref>

American Lutheranism began as early as 1625 when [[Netherlands|Dutch]], German, and Scandinavian Lutherans settled in what is now [[New York City]].  Additionally [[Sweden|Swedish]] Lutherans settled in [[Delaware]] by 1638.  Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg organized the first synod (council) of Lutherans in America, the Ministerium of North America and Synod of Pennsylvania, in 1748.

With the founding of the Gettysburg Seminary in 1826, Samuel Schmucker helped establish the General Synod, which built colleges, orphanages, homes for the aged, and hospitals in Lutheran communities.

The LCMS (Missouri Synod) was formed in 1847 and was characterized by adherence to traditional Lutheran texts, affirmation of [[biblical inerrancy]], and opposition to Americanization.  They believed that the synod should have no authority over individual congregations, that doctrinal conformity was the prerequisite for Lutheran unity, and that the [[Bible]] required agreement in all that the Bible taught.  LCMS pastors are still required to affirm that the Lutheran confessions are the most significant explanation of the teachings of Scripture.  They also believe that non-believers will go to [[hell]], citing [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/1 Peter#1 Peter 3:19|1 Peter 3:19-20]] and [[RationalWiki:Annotated Bible/Acts#Acts 1:25|Acts 1:25]].

In 1867 the General Council was formed as a reaction against the General Synod.  They adopted the Akron Rule in 1872, reserving Lutheran pulpits for Lutheran pastors and Lutheran altars for Lutheran communicants.  The Synodical Conference was formed in 1872 from Midwest confessionalists, and the United Synod, South was formed in 1886.

The first half of the 20th century saw the formation of new Lutheran bodies and service organizations.  The Lutheran Bureau, formed in 1917, provided ordinary Americans with information on the Lutheran heritage.  The National Lutheran Commission for Soldiers' and Sailors' Welfare established camps, 
recruited pastors, and raised money.  The National Lutheran Council recruited chaplains, supported orphan missions, ministered to armed forces personnel, and aided reconstruction in Europe.  The Norwegian Lutheran Church in America (NLCA) was created in 1917 and the United Lutheran Church
in America (ULCA) in 1918.  The American Lutheran Conference (ALC), formed by moderate Midwestern synods as a reaction to the National Lutheran Council, banned cooperation with other Protestants.  The Lutheran Home Missions Council of America was formed to overcome ethnic boundaries and to allow for altar and pulpit fellowship.

The ALC and ELC (formerly the NLCA) merged in 1960 to form The American Lutheran Church.  The ULCA and Augustana Synod united in 1962 to form the Lutheran Church in America (LCA).  In 1987 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) was formed from a merger of the American Lutheran Church and the LCA and Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches.  In 2000 the ELCA approved an agreement with the [[Episcopal Church]], U.S.A., allowing for a high degree of altar and pulpit fellowship. This agreement also means that the ELCA bishops have been restored to apostolic succession.

Lutheranism is the third largest Protestant denomination in the United States with around eight million parishioners living in the United States and [[Canada]].  There are now many Lutheran groups, with the ELCA being the largest at around five million members.  In 1997 the ELCA agreed to share full communion with three other Protestant denominations, the Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ, and the Reformed Church in America.

==Theology==
Proponents of Lutheranism, a doctrinal and [[dogma]]tic church, claim that it revives original Christian concepts. Its formal principle is ''[[sola scriptura]]'', holding the Bible as the only authority on theological matters. Its material principle is that justification ([[salvation]]) is altogether the work of God (soli Deo gloria) and is possible by grace alone (sola gratia) by [[faith]] alone ([[sola fide]]) in Christ alone (solus Christus).  Thus anyone who truly believes in [[Jesus Christ]] as Savior and is baptized will be saved.  Grace, it holds, is available to [[human]]ity through the redeeming work of Christ by his [[death]] on the cross and his new [[life]], and Christ is the key to the understanding of the Bible.

One major thrust of Lutheran theology is a distinction between "law and Gospel," law being the rules that condemn people to hell and Gospel being the Good News that people can be forgiven their transgressions through faith. Thus, faith is sharply contrasted with "works," Lutherans being solidly opposed to justification by works, although they protest that faith always yields good works.

Lutheranism is considered to be orthodox Protestantism since it agrees with the Roman Catholic and the [[Greek]] Churches in accepting the authority of the Scriptures and of the three most ancient creeds, the Apostles', [[Nicene Creed|Nicene]], and Athanasian.  Lutherans acknowledge the Book of Concord, adopted 1580, which, with the above creeds, consists of Luther's Large Catechism (1529), Luther's Catechism for Children (1529), the unaltered (Melanchthon's) Augsburg Confession (1530), the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531), the Articles of Smalkald (1537), (per some synods) the Treatise on the Power and
Primacy of the Pope (1529), and the Form of Concord (1577).  The latter is composed of the Epitome of the Articles in Dispute and the Solid Declaration of Some Articles of the Augsburg Confession.  The first five texts were written by Luther and co-reformer Philip Melanchthon.

Lutherans retain the Catholic altars and vestments.  They accept the Catholic sacraments of (infant) [[baptism]] and [[Eucharist]], and while they do not accept the Roman Catholic doctrine of [[confession]] their liturgy does include a rite of penitence. They believe that the "substance" of Christ's body and blood are present in the bread and [[wine]] of communion but not his literal physical body and blood.  They number the [[Ten Commandments]] like Roman Catholics and not like other Protestants.

Lutherans believe in [[predestination]], or election of grace, to salvation.  This allows for [[Free will|freedom of human will]] in mundane matters but not in gifts from God. However, they do not, like Calvinists, believe in "double predestination," in which God randomly chooses who is going to heaven and who is going to hell. This question is somewhat of a muddy point and the cause of at least one schism among American Lutheran groups.

Original sin is explained as a positive and total depravity of human nature.  Lutherans believe that [[sin]] came into the world by the fall of the first man and that all human beings who are born in the natural way are conceived and born in sin.  They affirm that "men are unable through any efforts of their own or by the aid of 'culture and science' to reconcile themselves to God and thus conquer death and damnation." <ref>"[http://www.lcms.org/doctrine/doctrinalposition#manandsin Of Man and Sin]."
The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.  1973-2000.</ref>

==Comparison of theology==

===Differences between ELCA and LCMS===
While the LCMS believes that the Bible is inerrant, the ELCA holds that Scripture is not always accurate on matters of [[history]] and [[science]].  The ELCA maintains the possibility of dissent to confessional positions that do not deal directly with the [[Gospel]], while the LCMS does not.  The ELCA holds that disagreement in some matters of doctrine do not prohibit church fellowship, while the LCMS holds the opposite view.

===Differences between LCMS and WELS===
The LCMS makes a distinction between altar and pulpit fellowship and other manifestations of Christian fellowship that do not necessarily require full doctrinal agreement, while the WELS, which broke fellowship with the LCMS in 1961, places virtually all joint expressions of the Christian faith on the
same level.  The LCMS holds that the office of the public ministry is the one divinely established office in the church, while the WELS denies that it is specifically instituted by God in contrast to other offices.  The LCMS has concluded that Scripture does not forbid [[Women|woman]] suffrage in the church, while the WELS opposes woman suffrage in the church as contrary to Scripture.

===Differences between Lutherans and Roman Catholics===
In contrast to Roman Catholics, Lutherans believe that a person is saved by [[God|God's]] grace alone through [[faith]] alone in Christ alone and that [[Bible|Scripture]] alone has the authority to determine doctrine.  In contrast to Roman Catholics, Lutherans do not believe that the [[Pope]] has any divine authority or that it is proper based on Scripture to [[Prayer|pray]] to the [[saint]]s or to view [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] as a mediator between God and men.

Lutherans do not believe that the bread and wine are changed into Christ's body and blood ([[transubstantiation]]).  Lutherans reject such an attempt to explain the Real Presence and affirm that one must be content to believe the simple words of Jesus as a divine mystery beyond human comprehension or explanation.  Lutherans reject any understanding of the [[Eucharist|Lord's Supper]] as a sacrificial act on our part.

Unlike Roman Catholic [[priest]]s, Lutheran clergy may [[Marriage|marry]].

==Record on science==
Lutheranism's founder believed that [[science]] should never supersede [[faith]].  [[Answers in Genesis]] (AIG), in an article originally appearing in [[Creation Ministries International]]'s ''Creation'' magazine, explains, "Luther did not consider true science should be at odds with Scripture...Science which was at odds with Scripture was therefore false science...Scripture therefore is a greater authority than science, he argued." <ref>"[http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v6/i3/luther.asp Luther on Evolution]."  Answers in Genesis.  2009.</ref>

The AIG article also notes that Luther believed the inerrancy of [[Genesis]] is demonstrated by its simple words.  In his work ''Lectures on Genesis,'' Luther affirmed, "We know, on the authority of [[Moses]], that longer than six thousand years the world did not exist." <ref>"[http://www.jesuscult.com/Luther_Anti-Reason.htm Martin Luther: The damned whore, Reason]."  Jesus Cult.</ref>  Luther was also a [[Geocentrism|geocentrist]] and critical of the discoveries of [[Nicolaus Copernicus|Copernicus]], as articulated in his ''Works,'' Volume 22, c. 1543:  "People gave ear to an upstart astrologer <nowiki>[</nowiki>Copernicus<nowiki>]</nowiki> who strove to show that the earth revolves, not the heavens or the firmament, the sun and the moon...This fool wishes to reverse the entire science of astronomy; but sacred scripture tells us <nowiki>[</nowiki>Joshua 10:13<nowiki>]</nowiki> that Joshua commanded the sun to stand still, and not the earth."

Centuries later conservative Lutherans continued to echo his distrust of science.  Professor Joe T. Ator notes, "In 1873 the publishing house of the Lutheran Synod of [[Missouri]], published a book with the German title, Astronomische Unterredung (Astronomical Discussion), in which <nowiki>[</nowiki>the author<nowiki>]</nowiki> stated, 'the entire Holy Scripture settles the question that the Earth is the principal body of the universe, that it stands fixed, and the sun and moon only serve to light it.'" <ref>"[http://homepage.mac.com/stucker/apologia/sec7p2.htm What is Science?]"  Apologia.</ref>

Present-day American Lutherans as well tend to place more confidence in Biblical statements than in the findings of modern science. The LCMS and WELS are both officially [[young earth creationist]]. For example, ''Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation'', a conservative Lutheran resource often used in LCMS churches, blatantly states, "By faith Christians believe what the Word of God teaches about creation. Evolutionary theories are not scientifically verifiable." The ELCA offers no official position on this matter (although this is mainly for pragmatic reasons rather than any prevalence of [[creationist]]s among its clergy; one of its synods has officially endorsed the [[Clergy Letter Project]]).

In [[Europe]], the situation tends to be the other way; the Scripture and Science are not considered to be in contradiction, but the Scripture is to be read in the light of Science.

==Record in society==
Lutheranism in general supports {{wpl|caesaropapism}} and [[antidisestablishmentarianism]]; they do, however, separate church from state in everyday life. In Europe, almost all Lutheran states are [[welfare state]]s, with [[Sweden]] being considered as the model. European Lutheran churches tend to be staunch supporters of [[universal health care]], [[Social Security|social security]], maternal care and [[public education]]. Sweden was the first state in the world to achieve 100% literacy in the 1700s.

In American history, the German Lutherans, Episcopalian and Roman Catholic churches were of the minority of religions that opposed prohibition.<ref> Richard J. Jensen (1971). The Winning of the Midwest: Social and Political Conflict, 1888-1896. U. of Chicago Press. p. 67 </ref>

== Revival movements ==
There are many "revival movements" within Lutheranism, based on pietism, which organize [[revival meeting]]s and promote significantly more strict interpretations than mainstream Lutheranism. They feature charismatic lay preachers, i.e. religious leaders who are not ordained clerics. They have even their own institutions, such as Christian folk high schools (a type of an adult education center). Many of the movements require their members to follow a host of prohibitions and rules, such as bans on TV or alcohol. They have a strong community, leading to a degree of social exclusion and endogamy. The most famous is [[Laestadianism]], which is actually a group of 19 distinct movements. The Finnish Awakening (''herännäisyys'') is common in certain parts of [[Finland]], including a significant fraction of clergy. There are also "free churches". Like all other extremists, they absolutely love infighting, so there are dependent and independent sects and subsects, varying in the degree of condemning each other, or nonmembers, to hell.

==See also==
* [[Abrahamic religion#Taxonomy of the Abrahamic faiths|Abrahamic religion]]
* [[Clergy Letter Project]]
* [[What About Creation and Evolution?]] — a Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod position paper on [[creationism]]
* [[Thirty Years War]]

==External links==
* [http://www.lcms.org/doctrine/scripturalprinciples A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles]. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, 1973-2000.
* [http://www.projectwittenberg.org/etext/lcms/Synod/resolutions.pdf Official Doctrinal Statements of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.]
* [http://www.lcms.org/CTCR Theology of the ELCA]. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod, 2003-2010.
* [http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/andrew_white/Chapter3.html The Warfare of Science With Theology:  Chapter III–Astronomy] by Andrew Dickson White, infidels.org

==References==
{{reflist|2|90%}}

[[Category:Christian denominations]]

Categories: Christian denominations