Lutheran Faith Background

What does it mean to be of the Lutheran Faith?  Here is an historical account, beginning with some information about Martin Luther, courtesy of www.xploreheartlinks.com.  (Holy Trinity Lutheran Church does not retain responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided below.)
 

Martin Luther (b. November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, d. February 18, 1546 in Eisleben) is known as the Father of Protestantism. He had been 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.

Scriptures and worship need to be done in the language of the people.

Many Lutherans still consider themselves as a reforming movement within the Church catholic, rather than a separatist movement, and Lutherans have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades.
 

For more information on Martin Luther, try these links.

http://www.luther.de/en/index.html
http://www.susanlynnpeterson.com/luther/home.html
http://www.educ.msu.edu/homepages/laurence/reformation/Luther/Luther.htm

Back to Top