Whats the difference between a Lutheran and a Protestant?

Question

Werent both churches started by Martin Luther?

Answer 1

All Lutherans are Protestant. But not all Protestants are Lutheran.

Protestantism is a generalized term that refers to any christian group not associated with the catholic church.

The Lutheran Church was founded in 1522, and the Church of England was founded 12 years later. Both had their grievences with Rome, but were completely unrelated to each other. They're considered the major sparks of the protestant movement.

(Protestant= One who protests or disputes)

Answer 2

Protestant or Protestantism is a division of Christendom. The other divisions are Orthodoxy and Catholicism. I might point out that the term a derogatory term used in the Western Church to define the members of the Reformation. The term was first used at the Diet of Speyer in 1529. Even though Martin Luther is credited with the founding of Protestantism, I think a better case can be made for some of the other people in history to be credited with this task. Remember, the whole purpose of the Reformation was to reform, not break away from the Catholic Church. Martin Luther was excommunicated by the Papal Bull Decet Romanum Pontificem and the Council of Trent condemned the Lutherans.

Lutheranism is a denomination of the church that traces its roots back through the Reformation tradition to the Western Church. Obviously, Martin Luther is a church father (in the Lutheran Church) but he is by no means the "Founder." The Lutheran Church(es) was established after the Apology of the Augsburg Confession was refused to be read and refuted by the Emperor during the Diet of Augsburg (1530-1548). Martin Luther also observed (around the 1530's),
"The deplorable conditions which I recently encountered when I was a visitor [in regional churches] constrained me to prepare this brief and simple catechism or statement of Christian teaching. Good God, what wretchedness I beheld! The common people, especially those who live in the country, have no knowledge whatever of Christian teaching and unfortunately many pastors are quite incompetent and unfitted for teaching. Although the people are supposed to be Christian, are baptized and receive the holy sacrament, they do not know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed or the Ten Commandments; they live as if there were pigs and irrational beasts, and now that the Gospel has been restored they have mastered the fine art of abusing liberty!"

After being cut off from churchly institutions, for more than 10 years, the Lutheran leaders saw the need to start establishing their own institutions. To point to the excommunication of Martin Luther in 1521 as the establishment of the Lutheran Church is a bit of a stretch. I prefer to look to the 1540's as the proper date.

Answer 3

Western Religion of today is divided into two distinct groups (there are several more but they are very minor such as LDS and eastern orthadox)---Catholic and Protestant.

Denominations such as Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Anglican, Baptist, and so on fall within this group.

Martin Luther was the one who posted the 95 thesis on the Wittenburg church door to protest the selling of indulgences by the Catholic Church. He also believed in the priesthood of the individual--that is that man could talk to God without having to go thru a priest.

He was one among many that were involved in the Protestant Movement---the invention of the printing press greatly aided in this process for them.

There were groups formed long before him (and still exist today) that had broken away from the Catholic Church for the same reasons. One that comes to mind is the Waldesnians from southern france and northern italy in about 1100....the also posted 16 thesis and those of Luther are similar. Their founder was Peter Waldo

Answer 4

Martin Luther was the idealist for the Lutheran church. But what many don't know was that all Luther wanted to do was point out to the catholic church it's flaws. He was excommunicated from the catholic church, but he ended up living his days wealthy as a widower, and a devout catholic! People took his ideas, and formed there own church from him. How do you think King Henry VIII thought of branching out? I don't doubt Anne Boleyn knew of Luther's writings and convinced Henry. But Henry created the protestant faith solely as a way to get out of his son-less marriage. Lutheranism (is that right?) was created because there were flaws and gaps, and just wrong doings in the catholic church and people wanted a change.

Answer 5

Martin Luther indirectly started the Lutheran church-one of many protestant churches- Others have founded other Churches outside of the Roman Catholics. King of England started the Anglican church--another protestant church. I believe John Knox started the Presbyterian church. etc. Later other denominations separated from these and others.

Answer 6

No, Luther saw the Catholic Church as a perversion of Christ's church, and he started a new branch of the same tree. The
Protestant Churches are as the word says protesting the Catholic Church as the one and only way to Worship.