Lutheranism Vs. Catholicism?

Question

I'm a Lutheran and wondering which is more thruthful, Lutheranism or Catholicism. I have always thought that Lutheranism is more truthful that Catholicism because I don't believe in praying to Mary because it says in the Bible to pray to God directly. But some Catholics have been saying that Catholicism is more thruthful because Jesus was the one who brought the 7 sacraments and Lutherans don't believe in them all. But on the otherhand, some of the sacraments that Catholics believe don't go with Bible. I'm so confused on which one is right, i just wish that Christians could just be Christians without any denominations like the first ever Christians. Please help!

Answer 1

Which came first? the egg or the chicken? There is no right answer. In the same way, neither the Lutherans nor the Catholics are wrong. No one individual or church can claim to have the whole truth. The Bible is the final authority. It is based on history. But people who interpret the Bible are fallible human beings.

For example, praying to Mary, mother of Jesus, comes from the human understanding that Jesus will not refuse to answer a request made by His mother. On the other hand, praying to God directly may mean that one feels confident enough to approach Him direct. I'm sure Lutherans will pray 'through Jesus' as they will end their prayer with "in Jesus' name".

As long as the individuals believe in the Bible and accept Jesus as Lord, they are Christians. The labels like Catholics, Lutherans or Baptists or Pentecostals do not matter at all.

Answer 2

The problem you are facing is not insurmountable. The significant difference between Roman Catholicism and Lutherans (Protestants) does not have to do with basic Christian Orthodoxy. It has to do with practice. The RCC has a dual magisterial system and Protestants have a system based in the Five Sola’s. The person above that compared sacraments to commandments obviously doesn’t have a clue.

Many Protestants believe that Catholics practice idol worship because of prayers to Mary, the Saints and submission to the Pope as religious authority. (That is the dual magisterial part).

Protestants believe:
• 1 Sola gratia ("by grace alone")
• 2 Sola fide ("by faith alone")
• 3 Sola scriptura ("by Scripture alone")
• 4 Solus Christus ("Christ alone")
• 5 Soli Deo gloria ("Glory to God alone")
Luther caused the second major split in Christianity (the first was between the church at Rome and the churches of the East now known as Eastern Orthodox.) Unlike the first this split has had a major impact on the Christian Faith giving rise to denominationalism. Ironically, that was Luther’s greatest fear and it has come to pass with a vengeance.

Answer 3

Lutheranism is more Biblical than Catholicism. One of Luther's contributions was a return to Biblical theology rather than systematic or philosophical theology , i.e. Thomism (Thomas Aquinas). His major contribution, however, was the re-emphasis of Paul's great doctrine of justification by the grace of God through faith in Christ as opposed to the Catholicism's emphasis on penance, observances of saints' days, pilgrimages, veneration of relics, and the like. The word "sacrament" is not used in Scripture, however, only Baptism and the Eucharist carry promises of forgiveness of sins in the Bible. Ordination, penance, marriage, extreme unction, and confirmation are properly understood in Lutheranism to be desirable and worthy rites. Finally, if for no other reason, Lutheranism is superior to Catholicism because Lutheran clergy may marry. For pity's sake: even the first Pope (Peter) was married! Now, granted, there are squabbles in the church, and everyone has his own ideas about things. But Christian churches agree on 98% of all the topics in theology. Focus on that...and do so from a Lutheran pew!

- Luther Guy

PS - Lutherans affirm that Mary is the Mother of God; she is held in highest honor. Regarding prayer: Jesus said, "Call upon ME in the day..." He is "the ONE Mediator between God and man".

Answer 4

The Scandinavian Lutherans are very close to Catholic beliefs and have even made an effort to maintain apostolicd succession. The Moravian Church (originally called Hussites or Unitas Fratrum) which is 100 years older than Lutheranism is also similar. Both lack some common Protestant heresies like believers only Baptism. The Moravians do not follow the heresy of Sola Scriptura and have a apostolic structure of leadership and have also tried to maintain apostolic succession. Technically the Moravians are not Protestants as they predate the Reformation by 100 years. God bless! In Christ Fr. Joseph

Answer 5

>>I'm a Lutheran and wondering which is more thruthful, Lutheranism or Catholicism.<<

My research led me to conclude that Catholicism is the One True Faith. I encourage you to study Catholicism a bit more, because you are laboring under some misconceptions. The Bible doesn't say we can't ask (which is one of the meanings of the word pray) others to pray to God for us, and what sacraments do we have that don't go with the Bible?

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/pray
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/

Answer 6

I'm catholic,hows it goin?

One thing that catholics think is uncrackable is what Our Lord said to peter about him being the rock with which he would build his church and what God does cannot be undone.

I often think its a shame when catholic and protestants squabble because most of it seems to be over little incidentals.
Maybe it was Gods wish,i dont know but when people argue people polarize and dig in,maybe this dynamic has in the great scheme of things helped christianity survive.
.

Answer 7

I'm Catholic ... biased towards Catholicism.

Martin Luther I believe had very valid points of discernment against the Church in the mid 1000's. He was crying for "Reformation" of the Church because the Governments and Church were too close causing spiritual harm. However, I believe Mr. Luther was too quick and rash in his separation from the Church. The Catholic Church did reform almost exactly to what Mr. Luther was asking for ... however those sheep who followed Mr. Luther never looked back to commemorate fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ, and it's resulting in individuals like you who have many misconceptions.

Additionally, the "Quick and Haste" decisions of Mr. Luther resulted in "Cafeteria" religion style ... each time a person comes up with an idea, theology about Christianity, their "Sect" of Christianity is split ... isn't the US proverb "United we Stand, Divided we Fall" ambiguous to religion too???

Answer 8

Actually, I thought the bible said that God said 'the only way to me is through my son".. I am Catholic, it was how I was raised, Methodist and Lutheran are very close to the same belief.. but I think the truth is in your heart... We worship God, he is our only God, one God.. the holy trinity.. God the father, Jesus, and the holy spirit. We do not worship Mary.. But acknowledge that God chose her to be the mother of his son. With all that said, what it comes down to is do unto others, love thy neighbor, be kind, caring, loving, forgiving, generous, selfless..... Lutherans are not getting into heaven any quicker than catholics, Protestants, baptists, Jews, .. all religions.. it don't matter what religion you are, the truth is in your heart.

Answer 9

Lutheran came from Martin Luther turning away from the false teachings of the Catholic church. We do not practice idolatry, the praying to statues , etc. etc.

Get a good King James Bible and go to bibleuniverse.com, many helpful links there.

Answer 10

this is why there are so many different religions, its all in the interpreting. they read the same bible,yet they see different ideas and truths. neither is wrong, its just how they interpret the information. it happens in all stages of life.
somone sees the glass half empty, some half full, all interpretation.