What do Lutherans believe?
What do Lutherans believe?
Our second edition of the Theology Minute continues our look at our identity as a Lutheran church. Two weeks ago we shared where things began way back in the 16th century with the reformation of the Catholic church. This time we want to give you the foundation of what it means to be a Lutheran- specifically, what does a Lutheran believe?
There are a lot of theological points that we can discuss, for example, what does the true presence of Christ in Communion actually mean, or is the practice of baptizing infants actually biblical. These discussions are important but today we want to focus specifically on the foundations of the Lutheran church.
Lutherans form one of the many denominations that make up the Christian church. We, like other Christian churches, believe the bible to be the authoritative Word of God and we find our distinctive identity in how we understand and interpret this Word. Martin Luther writes in the Smalcald Articles (a document laying down his confession of faith) that the bible is the only source for establishing doctrine. This is what he says: “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so” (Smalcald Articles, Part 2, Article 2, The Mass). We believe in sola scriptura, “scripture alone”- the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice.
Because the bible is the sole source of authority for the Christian faith we also believe in sola fide or “faith alone.” Again in the Smalcald Articles, Martin Luther lays down “The Chief Article.” This says that our redemption is found ONLY in the person of Christ Jesus and that no human work can earn or merit this gift of grace. “The first and chief article is this: Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification… for we hold that on is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Smalcald Articles, Part 2, Article 1, The Chief Article).
This is what it means to be Lutheran.Though not an uncommon expression of faith among Christians, it is delivered in almost defiant terms as the foundation of our faith. Luther was struggling against the Roman church which, in the 16th century was teaching that salvation must be earned. As Lutherans we declare that we are saved not through anything that we do or through any desire from our human natures, rather it is only by God’s grace- sola gratia (grace alone) that we are given what we need for salvation, namely Christ, and it is only through faith in Christ, believing that we are sinners and that he took our sins on himself to the cross, that we are saved. This is what the bible teaches and there is no other means by which we can be saved.
There are a lot of other doctrines and theological positions that we will discuss in the weeks ahead but when asked what it means to be a Lutheran- we reply as follows- we believe in God’s grace alone, received by faith alone and our only source of authority is God’s Word alone.
Next week- What are LCMS Lutherans?
Our second edition of the Theology Minute continues our look at our identity as a Lutheran church. Two weeks ago we shared where things began way back in the 16th century with the reformation of the Catholic church. This time we want to give you the foundation of what it means to be a Lutheran- specifically, what does a Lutheran believe?
There are a lot of theological points that we can discuss, for example, what does the true presence of Christ in Communion actually mean, or is the practice of baptizing infants actually biblical. These discussions are important but today we want to focus specifically on the foundations of the Lutheran church.
Lutherans form one of the many denominations that make up the Christian church. We, like other Christian churches, believe the bible to be the authoritative Word of God and we find our distinctive identity in how we understand and interpret this Word. Martin Luther writes in the Smalcald Articles (a document laying down his confession of faith) that the bible is the only source for establishing doctrine. This is what he says: “The true rule is this: God’s Word shall establish articles of faith, and no one else, not even an angel can do so” (Smalcald Articles, Part 2, Article 2, The Mass). We believe in sola scriptura, “scripture alone”- the Bible is the sole infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice.
Because the bible is the sole source of authority for the Christian faith we also believe in sola fide or “faith alone.” Again in the Smalcald Articles, Martin Luther lays down “The Chief Article.” This says that our redemption is found ONLY in the person of Christ Jesus and that no human work can earn or merit this gift of grace. “The first and chief article is this: Jesus Christ, our God and Lord, died for our sins and was raised again for our justification… for we hold that on is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Smalcald Articles, Part 2, Article 1, The Chief Article).
This is what it means to be Lutheran.Though not an uncommon expression of faith among Christians, it is delivered in almost defiant terms as the foundation of our faith. Luther was struggling against the Roman church which, in the 16th century was teaching that salvation must be earned. As Lutherans we declare that we are saved not through anything that we do or through any desire from our human natures, rather it is only by God’s grace- sola gratia (grace alone) that we are given what we need for salvation, namely Christ, and it is only through faith in Christ, believing that we are sinners and that he took our sins on himself to the cross, that we are saved. This is what the bible teaches and there is no other means by which we can be saved.
There are a lot of other doctrines and theological positions that we will discuss in the weeks ahead but when asked what it means to be a Lutheran- we reply as follows- we believe in God’s grace alone, received by faith alone and our only source of authority is God’s Word alone.
Next week- What are LCMS Lutherans?
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