Pastor Kory's Page - July 2024
What are some of the best ways of describing the Lutheran Church – who we are, what we believe, and how we fit into the wider Christian Church? There are many directions we could go, but I’ve selected a handful of terms for this summary while also trying to provide some explanation about what these descriptions mean and how they help to characterize us as Lutheran Christians.
Lutherans are orthodox – This is not to be confused with Eastern Orthodox churches, which are common in Eastern European and Middle Eastern countries. The Greek term orthodox refers to “right teaching.” Orthodox beliefs are the foundational truths of the Christian faith as taught by Holy Scripture. Christian author, C.S. Lewis also referred to orthodox faith as “mere Christianity.” Lutherans are orthodox because we believe the classical, essential teachings of the Christian faith.
Lutherans are catholic – This is not to say that Lutherans believe and practice the same things as Roman Catholicism, which is centered around the Vatican in Rome and headed by the office of the Pope. (There is a great deal of overlap, however, between Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism.) The basic meaning of catholic is “worldwide” or “universal.” Lutherans confess the three historic creeds of the Christian Church, the Apostles’, Nicene, and Athanasian creeds, which summarize the faith universally taught by Christians throughout time and throughout the world. Martin Luther and his colleagues in the sixteenth century sought to make it clear that they were not departing from the catholic faith but seeking to reform the Church and to restore the Gospel to its proper prominence.
Lutherans are evangelical – We hear the term “evangelical” a lot these days as a way of referring to Protestant (or non-Roman Catholic) Christians. However, did you know that Lutherans are the original evangelicals? Early Lutherans referred to themselves as “evangelical” to show that their faith was centered on the Gospel. The Greek word, evangelium, means “Gospel”, which is, “good news.” Lutherans believe in and confess the Gospel that our sins are graciously forgiven by God through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. This evangelical message is the heart of everything we believe and do as Lutherans!
Lutherans are confessional – Unlike some modern Christians who may vaguely claim to follow “no creed but Christ”, Lutherans continue to confess the Christian faith just as it was articulated by many previous generations of believers. Lutherans believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and that the Bible is the sole standard for our Christian faith and life. As mentioned already, Lutherans also confess the Church’s ancient creeds. Additionally, we subscribe to the Lutheran Confessions, also called Concordia and The Book of Concord (1580). These Confessions include The Augsburg Confession, The Apology [or defense] of the Augsburg Confession, The Smalcald Articles, The Power and Primacy of the Pope, Martin Luther’s Small and Large Catechisms, and the Formula of Concord. Lutherans confess that these documents, written between 1529 and 1577, are a correct exposition of the Bible. (If you are unfamiliar with the Lutheran Confessions, I would suggest that you begin by reading Luther’s Catechisms and the Augsburg Confession.)
Lutherans are Christ-centered – Most importantly, our faith as Lutheran Christians is centered on Jesus Christ alone! We read the Bible in a Christ-centered way. We live and work together in the Church because it is the Body of Christ on earth. We receive God’s gifts of Baptism, Absolution, and Communion because in them, Christ is at work, forgiving our sins and renewing our faith. And just like 2,000 years of Christians before us, we believe and we share the Good News that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ is coming again!
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Kory Janneke