Martin LutherMartin Luther

• Martin Luther was born in Germany in 1483.Martin Luther was born in Germany in 1483.

• He studied law in school.He studied law in school.

• He vowed to become a monk if he survived a He vowed to become a monk if he survived a terrifying storm.terrifying storm.

• He became an Augustinian monk. He became an Augustinian monk.

• Soon after, he became a professor at Wittenberg.Soon after, he became a professor at Wittenberg.

• He disagreed with Catholic Church indulgences He disagreed with Catholic Church indulgences and other practices.and other practices.

• He was excommunicated because of these beliefs.He was excommunicated because of these beliefs.

• Father of the Lutheran religion and the Father of the Lutheran religion and the Reformation.Reformation.

HistoryHistory• Lutheranism dates from October 31, 1517, Lutheranism dates from October 31, 1517,

when Martin Luther put his 95 Theses on when Martin Luther put his 95 Theses on the church door of the castle of Wittenberg.the church door of the castle of Wittenberg.

• However, he did not break with the Catholic However, he did not break with the Catholic Church until three years later.Church until three years later.

• Lutheranism is the oldest Protestant Lutheranism is the oldest Protestant denomination.denomination.

Book of ConcordBook of Concord

• Agrees with the Catholic and the Greek Churches Agrees with the Catholic and the Greek Churches in accepting the authority of the Scriptures and of in accepting the authority of the Scriptures and of the three most ancient creeds (the Apostles Creed, the three most ancient creeds (the Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed). the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed).

• acknowledges six specific confessions (writings) acknowledges six specific confessions (writings) which distinguish it from other churches :which distinguish it from other churches :– the unaltered Augsburg Confession (1530), the unaltered Augsburg Confession (1530), – the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531), the Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531), – Luther’s Large Catechism (1529), Luther’s Large Catechism (1529), – Luther’s Catechism for Children (1529), Luther’s Catechism for Children (1529), – the Articles of Smalkald (1537), and the Articles of Smalkald (1537), and – the Form of Concord (1577). the Form of Concord (1577).

Basic InformationBasic Information

• The Church is made up of bishops, pastors, The Church is made up of bishops, pastors, and deaconesses who are ranked and deaconesses who are ranked temporarily. temporarily.

• The Lutheran Church is composed of 35 The Lutheran Church is composed of 35 districts united in a Synod.districts united in a Synod.

• Third largest single Christian movement.Third largest single Christian movement.

• Nearly 66 million Lutherans world wideNearly 66 million Lutherans world wide– Most are found in EuropeMost are found in Europe

BeliefsBeliefs

• Salvation comes from grace of God and faith Salvation comes from grace of God and faith in Christ alone.in Christ alone.

• Reject some Catholic traditions such as role Reject some Catholic traditions such as role of the priests, priests not being able to of the priests, priests not being able to marry, Latin Bible and Liturgy, Purgatory, marry, Latin Bible and Liturgy, Purgatory, and Transubstantiation. and Transubstantiation.

• Felt the Scripture should be in everyone’s Felt the Scripture should be in everyone’s language.language.

• Lutherans believe that the Bible is divinely Lutherans believe that the Bible is divinely inspired and is the final authority for all inspired and is the final authority for all matters of faith and doctrine.matters of faith and doctrine.

Grace

Faith

Scripture

Differences between Catholics Differences between Catholics and Lutheransand Lutherans

• Some Lutheran churches ordain women to Some Lutheran churches ordain women to the ministry.the ministry.

• Lutherans accept the death penalty.Lutherans accept the death penalty.

• Lutherans reject purgatory, praying to the Lutherans reject purgatory, praying to the saints, and praying to Mary. saints, and praying to Mary.

• Lutheran churches are governed locally.Lutheran churches are governed locally.

Church where Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses

Martin Luther’s home in Wittenberg

St.Peter’s Cathedral was built with the money made from the church selling indulgences.