Lutheranism: Christianity and Martin Luther Essay

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Lutheranism is one of the largest Protestant denominations today.
Being "Lutheran"
Our congregations accept and preach the Bible-based teachings of Martin Luther that inspired the reformation of the Christian Church. The teaching of Luther and the reformers can be summarized in three phrases: Grace alone, Faith alone, Scripture alone.

Who is Jesus?
For more than 500 years people have asked this question. We were not present when Jesus lived on this earth, but in the Bible we have the record of His birth, life, death on the cross, and resurrection. Through the study of the Bible, you can seek the answer to this age-old question.

Martin Luther

Grace Alone
A Lutheran believes in "Grace Alone." That is, a Lutheran believes that on the basis of God's Holy Word that a person is forgiven and enters heaven by God's grace alone. The Biblical word "grace" refers to God's attitude of undeserved kindness toward us. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Faith Alone
A Lutheran also believes that we are forgiven and enter heaven by "Faith Alone." "For we maintain that a man is justified [declared innocent, righteous] by faith, apart from the works of the law" (Romans 3:28). Throughout the history of the Church, Christians have been tempted to believe that faith in Jesus as Savior (or faith in the Gospel promise) is not enough. They have been tempted to believe that something WE do must be added to faith: our keeping of God's Commandments, our love, our holiness, our victory over sin, or something else that we do. But the Scriptures consistently teach that we are saved through faith plus nothing. NOTHING. We are faith alone.

The Lutheran Confessions
For a fuller discussion of what Lutherans believe one need only turn to a group of writings called "the Lutheran Confessions." Written by Martin Luther and others, these are historical statements of faith