Lutheran Origins

On 31 October 1517, an Augustinian monk and Bible scholar named Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the door of the university chapel in Wittenberg, Germany. The theses merely invited scholarly debate on certain theological questions raised by the church’s sale of indulgences—forgiveness granted by church authorities for a fee. However, many were upset by widespread abuses in the church, and Luther’s theses quickly set in motion much-needed reforms. These reforms were all based on the key biblical doctrine that Luther was seeking to recover: salvation by God’s grace through faith in Christ, apart from good works. Emphasizing that the Bible is the primary authority for faith, doctrine, and life, Luther translated the Bible into the vernacular, and encouraged everyone to read it. The concern for proclaiming the good news of God’s grace resulted in reforms in worship, such as worship in the vernacular. Other reforms included underscoring the priesthood of all believers, permission for the clergy to marry, and two sacraments instead of seven.

Luther simply sought to bring change to the church, not to break off and start a separate church. Unfortunately, it was not possible for such reforms to be embraced by the church authorities of that time. Consequently, Luther and those who embraced his teachings were condemned, and began to operate outside the realm of Roman Catholicism. Originally a label applied by Luther’s enemies to those who adhered to his teachings, the term “Lutheran” eventually became a badge of honor.

Lutheran Christians believe:

• in one God, revealed to the world as Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
• in the power of sin that separates us from God, from the world, and from one another;
• in salvation that comes by the grace (free gift) of God through faith in Jesus Christ—completely apart from our good works;
• in the importance of God's Word being proclaimed “for us,” a Word of unconditional love that reveals both judgment and mercy for all people;
• in the sacrament of Holy Baptism, by which God makes us members of God's family, the one universal Church made up of believers of every time and place;
• in the sacrament of Holy Communion, through which our sins are forgiven, our faith is nurtured and we are empowered to live faithfully together and serve God in the world.
• in the Bible as the inspired Word of God, the authoritative standard for faithful teachings and for faithful living