Whats unique about the Lutherans?

Question

I'm baptized lutheran, and although my immediate family never went to church, my mom is actually quite religious (talks about faith a lot) - but she's also a flaming liberal. i really know nothing about my religion so does anyone know?

Answer 1

There is a big difference between being theologically liberal and politically liberal.

First I would suggest picking up a copy of Luther's Catechism or a copy of the Book of Concord (a more advanced read) to understand the beliefs of the Lutheran church.

There are a couple of books that I can suggest, to give you a good introductory survey into the Lutheran church in the United States/Canada.

WELS and Other Lutherans
http://www.amazon.com/Wels-Other-Lutherans-Lutheran-Church/dp/0810005433/sr=8-1/qid=1172290050/ref=sr_1_1/103-2686191-6701423?ie=UTF8&s=books

Fortress Introduction to Lutheranism
http://www.amazon.com/Fortress-Introduction-Lutheranism-Eric-Gritsch/dp/0800627806/sr=1-1/qid=1172290157/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-2686191-6701423?ie=UTF8&s=books

What is Going On Among the Lutherans
http://www.amazon.com/Whats-Going-Among-Lutherans-Comparison/dp/0810004275/sr=1-1/qid=1172290228/ref=sr_1_1/103-2686191-6701423?ie=UTF8&s=books

Of course, I would like to suggest that you get these books from Fortress Press or Northwestern Publishing so that they make the money. But they are good survey reads to get a better understanding of Lutheranism.


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mibandibee,
Show me in the Book of Acts where it says that children are exempt or not held accountable for their sins? Further more, I would challenge you to read Romans 1:18-20, Romans 2:12-16 and tell me how your concept can be reconciled with the fact that Saint Paul points out that the Law is written on every man's heart and God's existence has been made known in Creation so that man is without excuse.
Also, how does your concept jive with the fact that in Matthew 18, Jesus says that little children believe in him, and that you must be like a little child in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. These Apostles written about in the book of Acts were the same Apostles that were rebuked in Luke 18:15-17 by Jesus for keeping the little children (in the Greek the word children “βρεφη” indicates a child that has to be carried by a mother) from Him. Do you honestly think that the Apostles would deny the Sacrament of Baptism from these little children after Jesus rebuked them? Think about it, if Children are not held accountable for their sins, you create two ways to heaven (one that requires Jesus and one that does not) and you keep (just as the Apostles did) children from coming to Jesus. That is why we baptize and instruct children in the Lutheran Church, as Jesus has commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 (please note Jesus' words. Baptize then teach, not the other way around which you have indicated).

Also, remember Jesus’ word in John 15:16.
He chooses us, not the other way around. You need to realize that the doctrine of Decision Theology that you embrace is counter to the Soteriology that the Scriptures teaches.

Answer 2

I am in no way an expert. I never went to Church much when I was young and niether did my family. But when I got married and we had a child we wanted to give her the oppurtunity to decide for herself. My wife is Lutheran and we investigated seveal Churches and denominations until we found a local Lutheran church that suited us. We have never been asked for or pressured into any sort of donations and have never been judged for what we do. Unless you want to read some long stories or do a lot of research. There is a movie called Luther that gives you an idea about where the Lutherans come from and how the Lutheran denomination got started. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I'm lutheran also - I like it - not to high pressure - easier than Catholic that's for sure. Think of it as Catholic-light. Check out the story of Martin Luther for which we were named. As always, I think it's best to find a faith that works with you. There are a number of open churches now a day that are great for someone who just wants to know more about religion.

Answer 4

Lutherans are protestant Christians. The Lutheran faith was started by Martin Luther when he protested against some of the beliefs and practices of the Catholic Church. For example, he protested the sale of indulgences. Basically, it was a way for people to "buy" forgiveness for their sins by making a payment to the church. In a way, Martin Luther was a Christian rebel.

Answer 5

Lutheranism and Anglicanism are the two oldest protestant Churches and the most similar to Catholicism. There are a lot of different types of Lutherans though so you mom could be a more liberal branch. They are mostly in the Upper Midwest of the US and in Scandinavia and Northern Germany in Europe. Martin Luther died considering himself a Catholic so they are pretty much just Catholic without the authority of the Pope.

Answer 6

No, but from what you just said, I do know you need to get out of that denom. I know they baptize babies? I never understood that- for we need to "believe" first and then be baptized as it says in Acts, and babies are not accountable, for they do not understand salvation yet.