Today we are going to talk about Lutheranism , one of the branches of Christianity whose pioneer was the great Martin Luther, a German theologian and friar who became a great doctrinal reformer.
A branch of Christianity.
What is Lutheranism?
Lutheranism is one of the main branches of Christianity, which follows the doctrine of its founder Martin Luther, who was one of the greatest doctrinal reformers.
The fact that this term was not devised by its own founder stands out, but it was his opponents in the year 1519, who began its use.
However, it is said that Luther preferred the term "Evangelicals", so the name of his group of followers was changed, remaining as the "Evangelical Lutheran Church", under this name it is known until today.
This current arose due to Luther's attempts to reform the principles and postulates of the Catholic Church, after publishing the 95 theses that he sent on October 31, 1517 to the archbishop-elect of Mainz, Albert of Brandenburg.
This was the greatest and most influential power of the Holy Roman Empire at that time, for that reason that day is now considered the Day of the Protestant Reformation.
Subsequently, all his writings were disseminated worldwide, all thanks to the printing press, an invention that was in full swing at the time.
Due to the loss of control by the Catholic Church, an assembly called: "Diet of Worms" was held in 1521.
The assembly was preceded by Carlos V, who had been named "Emperor of the Germanic Roman Empire", in which the absolute separation between Catholics and Lutherans was sentenced.
The main points of difference were two: first, the formal principle, which was the origin of authority in the Church, and second, the material principle, which expressed the doctrine of justification.
Currently, the Lutheran World Federation corresponds to and represents the main Lutheran community, with more than 74 million people.
Beginnings of Lutheranism
It is considered that the emergence of this branch of Christianity dates back to October 31, 1517, since it was the date on which Martin Luther published his ninety-five theses, nailing them to the door of the "Church of All Saints". in Wittenberg, Germany.
Luther did not intend that with this act the Church would be divided and a new institution would be created, much less that his approaches would generate a new Christian current, for which he expressed the following words:
“I beg you to leave my name alone. Do not call yourselves 'Lutherans', but Christians. Who is Luther? My doctrine is not mine. I have not been crucified by anyone. How, then, could it benefit me, a miserable bag of dust and ashes, to give my name to the children of Christ? Stop, my dear friends, clinging to these party names and distinctions; away to them all, and let us call ourselves only Christians, after him from whom our doctrine comes.”
However, his name was used to refer to this doctrine. The term Lutheran or Lutheranism is used both by people who have identified with this current and by the Catholic Church.
Martin Luther, nailing the 95 theses, in the "Church of All Saints".
Doctrine of Lutheranism
There are 4 important points to point out where the Lutheran doctrine differs from what Catholicism proposes. Also, it should be noted that it presents some differences with what is currently known as the evangelical doctrine:
1-Sacraments: First, the two sacraments expounded by Christ are presented, which are: baptism and the Holy Communion.
However, Lutherans additionally practice other rites, these are: confirmation, anointing of the sick, marriage and holy orders, which are a little different from the originally constituted sacraments.
2-Images: They allow the use of images, but only as a method of teaching and learning, not for worship or idolatry.
3-Liturgy: Early Lutherans had a tendency to hold services similar to the pre-Tridentine Mass. Currently, they are influenced by the contemporary services of evangelical churches.
4-Clothing and other customs: Lutherans allow the pastor and the congregation to dress modestly and freely. Similarly, the pastor is permitted to marry and have a family. He may also engage in income-generating activities for his own benefit or that of the church.
Founder
Lutheranism was founded by Martin Luther, who was born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben and died on February 18, 1546, also in the Holy Roman Empire. He stood out as a theologian and a friar.
In addition to his work as a teacher, he dedicated himself to being a preacher in the Santa Maria church in the city of Wittenberg and in the "Church of All Saints", where he subsequently nailed his 95 theses.
He began the so-called religious reform and exhorted the church to return to the original scriptures, he did a great job to make people realize that they did not have to continue paying indulgences to the Catholic Church, but that there was a direct path to salvation and to the forgiveness of sins. He dedicated his whole life to the service of God.
Main beliefs of Lutheranism
Lutheranism considers Jesus Christ as spiritual founder, believes in the Trinity, which is made up of God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit, each one of these people being different and united in a single call from God,
Likewise, it believes in the Bible as the only book written under divine inspiration, considering itself the living word of God.
In addition, Luther states that God does not justify men by their good works, but by His grace, where faith is the only possible source of forgiveness and salvation, this being one of the great differences with the Catholic branch.
In this previously mentioned branch, they state that salvation is linked to personal merits and forgiveness can be obtained in exchange for money, goods or actions.
Another of the great differences is the absolute rejection of the primacy or universal authority of the papacy as a divine institution, since it is proposed that all people have direct communication with the Father, without the need for a mediator on earth to be able to cleanse their sins. , this they can do themselves having a repentant heart.
Similarly, the existence of a purgatory and the need to repeat the prayer of the saints and thus earn a place in heaven are denied.
It should be noted, although the figure of the Pope is not recognized, ministers and priests are needed in a similar way, not to cleanse sins, but to manage the church's assets, these being both spiritual and physical, controlling that they are fulfilled. the sacraments and helping people lead a life with Christ.
Postulates of Lutheranism
Lutheran theology is based on three main postulates, which agree with the postulates of the evangelical branch, these are:
- By Grace Alone (Sola gratia): This postulate is based on what is expressed in Ephesians 2: 8-10, quoted below.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God;
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to do.
These quotes express the fact that salvation is by grace, the only one who can cleanse sins is Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for each one of us. Any attempted good deed or other self-serving act is not eligible to be exchanged for salvation.
- By Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura): This postulate is based on the fact that the only source of this doctrine is the holy scriptures, which were created under divine inspiration, which throughout the Old and New Testaments expresses the correct way to act as Christians.
- By faith alone (Sola fide): This postulate is based on what Romans 1:16-17 expresses, quoted in the following:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed by faith and for faith, as it is written: But the just shall live by faith.
As expressed in the first postulate, we are saved by grace through faith, since God's forgiveness is granted through faith except for all works.
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Lutheranism in the world
Germany,
First period:
In Germany, Lutheranism had different periods, the first extending from the appearance of the theses for 1517 to what became known as the Formula of Concord for the year 1580.
At first Lutheranism grew rapidly, by 1526 it was known throughout the northern part of Germany and state churches began to be established; this was increasing over the years, until in 1546 a Religious War began that culminated in the year 1555.
It should be noted that there were several attempts to end this war and achieve reunification, but with none of the efforts made, an agreement was reached.
Luther dedicated himself until his death to fighting against those who said that his principles were crazy or that it was not correct, so in this period of Lutheranism there were many fights and internal disputes.
Over time, an agreement called La Forma de Concordia was concluded, which sought both conciliation and harmony and was published in 1577. The inclination of this document was towards the orthodox current.
Second term:
Then, a second period took place that began with the Form of Concord. This took place from 1580 until what became known as the start of the Pietist Movement in 1689.
During this period, due to the increase in the disputes that revolved around this, what was called "The Thirty Years' War" took place.
In the midst of this there were various attempts to unify the churches, including "The Charitable Colloquium" and "The Reformed Synod of Charenton".
None of them were successful; however, for the year 1648 the treaty known as the "Peace of Westphalia" was drawn up, where the Reformed were granted some concessions that had been previously limited and which the Lutherans enjoyed.
Third period:
This began with the Pietist Movement in 1689 and lasted until the Evangelical Union of 1817, during this period some attempts at reconciliation between both churches were made in the same way, but these plans were frustrated by the opposition of the theologians.
Subsequently, there were some signs of negotiation, where some modifications were proposed in the points with a high level of controversy, but this did not come to any end either.
Fourth period:
The fourth period begins with the Evangelical Union (1817), and extends to the present. During this time, various efforts were also made to unify the churches and thus bring about an end to the disputes between Lutherans and Reformed.
Finally, with the celebration of the 300 years of having postulated the theses, a resurgence of what was known as strict Lutheranism was achieved.
Since then, there has been a struggle between radical Lutherans and evangelicals that has continued to this day.
Denmark
By the year 1527, a measure to guarantee equal religious rights was respected for each of the inhabitants of this country, and later, by the year 1529, Lutheranism was declared the only true religion.
This brought some problems in the country, since by the year 1546 criminal laws were issued against the followers of Catholicism and the death penalty for priests who remained in Denmark, this situation being overcome in mid-1849, when freedom was decreed. of cults.
Norway
At the time of the reigns of Federico I and Cristián III, the country had converted to Lutheranism. But it wasn't until 1850 that Pastor Adolfo Lammers founded the first Free Apostolic Church.
Sweden
By 1529, under the reign of Gustavus Vasa, the reform was formally established and then in the year 1544, the old religion was declared illegal.
The reign of Eric XIV was marked by conflicts between Lutherans and Calvinists, while during the reign of his successor John III there were attempts at negotiation, but they failed.
These attempts were marked by several reigns and failed attempts, as well as extreme measures. In 1866, what became known as the "Progressive Party" emerged within the church, with the mission of abandoning religious symbols and converting the church to a secular entity.
Around 1922 freedom of worship was declared, however, currently the predominant religion is Lutheran, being practiced by 61.1% of the population.
Map of how Lutheranism spread in ancient times.
missions abroad
Although the Lutheran church has not had missions as a primary activity within it or, it is not included among its main objectives, over the years different religious organizations have been created that identify with Lutheranism and have dedicated themselves to missions. during the nineteenth century.
Some of these organizations are the Berlin Missionary Society (1824), the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Missionary Association (1836), the Hermansburg Society (1854), among others.
For the year 1833, the brotherhood known as the Lutheran Deaconesses was created in Kaiserweth, which spread nationwide, having a large number of institutions in Germany, arriving in the United States in 1849.
In this same country for the year 1837, the German Society of Foreign Missions was created, where many people have worked as volunteers around the world carrying the word of God.
Learning and Education in Lutheranism
Lutheran churches have always stood out due to the importance they give to education within their congregations, in addition to having an active participation within the universities.
It should be noted that, in countries where the main religion is Lutheranism, the education of children is in the hands of the different religious authorities, due to the importance given to religious education, coming to consider it as the most important part of this social aspect.
For children, in these countries it is mandatory to read and study the Bible daily, attend catechism and learn traditional songs and hymns, even in some Lutheran schools in the United States the mother tongue of the original writings is studied, which is German. and Scandinavian.
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