Ok, I am a catholic and am thinking of converting to Lutheran so my girlfriend and I can live our life happily together and raise our future kids with a solid base. I was wondering what is the difference between the two religions. How does one go about converting to be a lutheran. Any advice? Thanks!
2006-07-24 10:35:24 · 14 answers · asked by verime 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
as I understand it Luther had a bowling alley installed in the monestary for his very large family and frequent visitors.... sounds like a family friendly kinda guy to me !!!
why dont you go rent the movie Luther that came out a few years ago, I think its terrific I am more of a reformed baptists and so am neither Lutheran or Catholic. It is whether a person has saving faith that is the issue and the best environment ot cultivate it in your family. Most likely if you cant stand the movie you would be in for a tough time going to a Luthern church.
Frankly you may find a Lutheran service to have alot of the elements you are used to and it may be a good choice
the worship service will have alot of what your used to minus Mariology as Lutherans will not pray to or through saints or Mary and avoid alot of Jesus substitues that way In my book a good thing
I hope it isnt a liberal Lutheran denomination. I especially like Missouri Synod and Luthern Brethren as I knew some missionaries and was impressed with them
Some protestant churches veer off into liberalism and into radical skeptisism more than you may be used to. The scholarly liberal skeptical critiism of the last century turned into biblical vandelism in the Jesus seminar and into a loss of seanse of what is fiction vs what is scholarship in the Da Vinci crraze. (I spelled sense wrong but seanse might be a fitting description of the Da Vinci stream of conciesness)
If this is a liberal lutheran group I think you can find a better choice for your family. I recommend sitting down with the pastor and asking hiim man to man if ther is any part of the Apostles Creed the 12 line confession of faith of early Chrisitianity He does not agree with, and ask him if he believes in the virgin birth, does he believe Jesus is both fully man and fully God, does he believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus and the physical return of Jesus. If he disagrees whith any of these I think you can do better elsewhere. If you dont understand his answers just ask him what do you mean by that in a friendly way.
To better understand where he is coming from ask him who is Jesus Christ and why does it matter? Ask him what exactly happened on the cross? Does he believes Jesus takes your sins by faith at the cross and credits you with the righteous work of the cross in the traditional double imputation sense and what does he mean by that? Ask him to explain the Lutheran view of Consubstantiation and ask him to compare it to transubstatiation or to toher views like Communion being symbolic with the real actual spiritual pressence of Jesus in the reformed sense (AHEM I couldnt resist the last part...sorry)
Some issues will be forms of worhsip and style, and Christians do disagree on many issues not essential. It is essential a person has the gospel facts, believes them. loves and treasures the truth and leans on it, glorifying God, leaning on the work of Chrst on the cross, believing for eternal life. You can ask him, what does he feel essential and what is a style or form they feel unique to Lutherans
2006-07-24 11:04:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
The difference between any Protestant and the Catholic religion is the belief that salvation comes through faith alone (sola fida). One's belief in the atoning death of Jesus on the cross is sufficient for salvation. The Lutheran religion teaches that Jesus is the only begotten son of God, is one with God and is a part of the Trinity of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus is God and came to earth in human form to save us through His death.
Good works are expected by a true Christian, but those works come through belief and are the working of the Holy Spirit within us. Nothing can make our sins any more or any less (i.e. confession, Hail Marys, etc). God accepts us as the sinners we are and has forgiven us through Jesus.
The best way to convert is to find a Lutheran church near you and attend a couple of services. Decide if you like the pastor, the people, etc. If it's where you want to go, talk to the pastor and see if they offer new member classes. In those classes, usually the doctrine of the Lutheran religion is explained. Then tell the pastor you want to transfer from your church. He can tell you what else may be necessary.
Every Protestant denomination will vary in doctrine and ritual, but the underlying belief in Jesus' death on the cross for our salvation is the common thread through all of them.
2006-07-24 10:52:59 · answer #2 · answered by auntcindy1 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Not much difference. You'll give up a few sacraments, will be able to get divorced without an annulment, and don't have to worry about Purgatory anymore. Mary is just a special person, but not a saint in the Lutheran faith. Otherwise, you won't skip a beat during the services and the only "weird" thing will be the way they do communion...and you'll be able to join in cuz it's not an exclusive club in the Lutheran faith.
I was prepared for a big difference when I went to the Lutheran church with my old girlfriend. Instead all I found was Catholic lite...all the same beliefs and only half the guilt.
2006-07-24 10:41:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 4⤋
You recognise, I've heard this "Catholics are not Christians" stuff round this Forum for decades now, and I'm establishing to consider possibly they have bought a factor. The purpose that I say that's seeing that Catholics generally tend to act plenty larger than one of the vital so-referred to as Christians right here. You seldom see a Catholic leaping right into a dialogue that was once supposed for Protestants and begin attacking their ideals. The Catholics that I recognise right here do not suppose so threatened via others that they have got to document any query on Protestantism that they do not like and use their sock puppets to get it deleted. And Catholics have a tendency to be open-minded: if anybody explains a factor of Protestant doctrine to them, they do not name that character a liar and refuse to consider them. If being impolite, obnoxious, thoughtless, and bigoted is a demand for being a 'real' Christian, I'll take Catholicism for $a thousand, Alex.
2016-08-28 18:40:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that being catholic is the most wonderful thing in the world! I am not trying to be like mean or anything but Catholic was the true faith and other people broke off I believe that being Catholic is the true faith! You really can recieve Jesus! I am only 11 years old but I know and mean what I am saying!
2013-10-02 08:15:05 · answer #5 · answered by Mena 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CatholicMom has no idea what she is talking about. Yes, Lutherans are Christian. Jesus is indeed in the services, in our churches, and in our hearts. Maybe she needs to do a little more reading before she passes judgement? Visit the Lutheran church in your area, talk to the pastor, he will help you with any questions that you may have. Congrats on your family to be!
2006-07-24 10:48:06 · answer #6 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Lutherans ARE Christians, man. Different denomination, but it's the same religion. You still consider Jesus to be the savior and all of that.
Check the official Lutheran website http://www.elca.org
2006-07-24 10:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by thekilierdonut 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋
Catholics believe in trans-substantiation (that the host becomes the body and blood of Christ when consecrated at mass.), in a monolithic church (led by one person, the Pope), in the intercession of saints (they pray to saints to help them), in the fact that they have to earn their way into heaven by performing good acts.
Protestants (including Lutherans) believe that communion is a testament to the memory of Christ and nothing more, in locally controlled churches (except for the Anglicans), that we need to form a personal relationship with God and that the intercession of the saints is unnecessary, that going to heaven is a gift given to us by the sacrifice of Christ and because it is a gift, all we have to do is accept His gift, not earn it.
These are the basic differences, and they are quite marked. You need to chose which set of beliefs you choose to hold as your own.
Good luck!!
2006-07-24 10:47:32 · answer #8 · answered by No one 7 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Lutherans are Christian as are all 2500+ sects of Christianity.
They broke away from the Catholic faith centuries ago because of corruption in the Catholic church of that time; much as people are breaking away from the Republican party today.
To convert to Lutheran simply ask one of their ministers.
May I suggest that you also look into the Baha'i faith? You might find what you are looking for there, I did.
2006-07-24 10:45:07 · answer #9 · answered by Ed M 4 · 3⤊ 5⤋
Being a Christian is not a denomination. Being a Lutheran is. Christianity is following Christ and what he believes. I don't know exactly what Lutherans believes, but I don't like the fact that the name of their Church is after a man and not God (just my opinion though and could be really wrong). I would say you need to find a bible believing bible following church. Not easy, but doable. God can guide you to the place that you are supposed to be. Pray and he will show you.
2006-07-24 10:41:08 · answer #10 · answered by trulyblssd 3 · 2⤊ 6⤋