Research Paper on Faith and Religion?

Question

I have a paper due that has to study a subculture of our choice. Being baptized a Lutheran, but growing up in a non-religious home, I am interested in exploring the Lutheran faith.

I've hit a kind of block, and was just wondering what kind of questions you think I should ask to get a good introduction and understanding of the Lutheran faith (or any faith in particular).

Thanks!

i know the background to religion - my history class focussed on the Protestant Reformation quite a bit.

I mean what questions or what thigns should I look at to examine the culture of the religion? As in what makes them a community, binds them together, etc. etc.

Thanks again! I see my inbox already filling up already! Keep it coming!

These are all good answers - however not the answers I am looking for!!

I'm studying the CULTURE of the religion, and will be taking a 21st Century angle.... so culture as in the following:

a) language
b) values
c) customs
d) material objects

and how these tie in to their collective behaviour that DEFINES them as being Lutheran, and binds them into a community.

Thanks! I will take some points here simply as background reference (if it becomes necessary within the context of my paper).

Answer 1

Well, I'm not Lutheran, but If I were investigating The religion, these are some things I'd look into.

What are the main doctrines? What do they believe in for a Deity, (Trinity, or otherwise). What kinds of scripture do they have?

Some simple facts about the church and its members, like: Do they do service for people? How many members do they have, and in how many countries? Do they pay tithes? Are their clergy payed, or called of God as volunteers instead? Do they contradict themselves in their own teachings (Like how in the Bible it says the God head is one in purpose but three distinct beings, but some faiths teach they are one being, and unknowable)? What are their values? Do they allow Gay people, or not? Do I feel good when I'm around the people? Do their doctrines make sense, and do I feel a burning desire to know more when I learn about it? do they have other activities outside of church?

Remember, By their fruits ye shall know them. If they are doing good, and are a people of Charity, that's what really matters.

P.S. I know this scripture isn't from Lutheran Doctrine, but it says what faith is:
Alma 32:21
And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

Hope that helps!

Answer 2

This might help you a bit.... It's a link to an excell file of You might be a Lutheran if... lines. It is very cute, but at the core a lot of it does really hold true. And thankfully, we're a group that doesn't mind making fun of itself!
http://www.lutheransonline.com/lutheransonline/files/ykyl.xls

As for cultures... the beginnings are obviously German, but you also have the Scandanavian countries. All of these were very key in establishing "Lutheran culture". Even until the 60's, there were places you could go in the states and hear a German divine service. There are a few still left that will hold them occasionally, but they are very rare.

A lot of the terminology we use you can find out their meanings on the LCMS website that Mark gave you. We do mean different things than some other groups and we do have special words for some things within the church.

You won't find a lot of "Praise" services with bands, overheads, and rock music. The Lutheran Divine service is a very serious service. We do follow a set liturgy that is all biblically based.

A lot of things vary from congregation to congregation. Dress can be anywhere from very casual to suits and dresses for all. The women may run things or the men may run things. You may be invited to jump in and get involved right away or they may feel you out for a while. But, once you do get involved, you will start to see the structure and see how things work. Again, different everywhere! My SIL was only allowed in the kitchen to help out with the dishes after being there for 3 years. I was immediately put to work in the kitchen, as I was much younger than most of the ladies. (elderly farm congregation) I wasn't allowed to make decisions, but they accepted my labor!

I hope this is allow the line of what you were looking for! Good luck with your paper!

Answer 3

Look to Confessional Lutheran sources, the non-confessional Lutherans are Armenians in sheep's clothing. A good place to start would be http://lcms.org.

A lot of your respondents are judging Luther as though we Lutherans look to him as a Deity, yet he was just a man. As all believers a saint and a sinner at the same time.

He was no better and no worse than those who condemn him. Scripture tells us that all have sinned and fallen short of the grace of God. And he who breaks one point of the law is guilty of the whole law. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Judge not lest ye be judged. Etc. etc. etc.

For the Lords work, he was the right man in the right place at the right time. Even the Roman Catholic Church admits that the Lutheran reformation was the wake-up call that it needed and resulted in the Counter Reformation and the Council of Trent.

Also look up Jan Huss, a reformer many years before Luther who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was burnt at the stake. The Church had deviated from scripture and was in need of renewal.

Your friend in Christ,

Mark

Addendum:

Sorry you have received so many negative and ill informed answers.
In historical context... All of Christian Europe were against the Jews based on the false belief that they killed Christ. Read your Bible we (all mankind were responsible for his death).

Also Luther married long after the Reformation began, and then reluctantly. His wife Katherine Von Bora was the only nun from a convent that was closed who had no Husband. Luther married her out of mercy. As time went on, he grew to love her, and admitted that he could not live without her. This is evident in his many letters to her that are still in existence. He also praised her ability to make beer!

Answer 4

Zoroastrianism may well be a rather interesting subject rely. Its an historical Persian faith that had a great effect on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It replaced into between the 1st religions that somewhat contained a reliable vs evil type of subject in its ideals. the three Magi that supposedly observed the celebrity to locate Jesus as a infant might certainly have been Zoroastrians. The Magi have been monks interior the Zoroastrian faith. They have been reliable believers in astrology, (this is in all threat why they might have observed a celebrity). The dazzling element is, because of the fact Zoroastrians did not worship Jehovah, why might they have been so fascinated interior the delivery of Jesus? Its a question the bible by no potential somewhat addresses.

Answer 5

Ask why do Lutherans follow a religion founded upon a man (Martin Luther) who believed that Jews should be imprisoned, and have their homes and synagogues destroyed - who provided the foundation for the Nazi party, Hitler, and the Holocaust. How would Jesus, a Jew, feel about this man - would he want a church based upon him? Does Martin Luther SOUND like he was emulating Jesus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther

Answer 6

I think a good introduction should include why Luther broke away from the Church to create his own. You should talk about the indulgences and the 95 theses.

Answer 7

Study the history, starting with the original Martin Luther, who was a Catholic priest that wanted to get married, but when the upper echelon of the Catholic religion said no, he started his own religion.

You may not like what you find when you start studying, though, just a warning.

Answer 8

Garrison Keillor used to be a Lutheran, and has a lot to say about them... look up A Prairie Home Companion.

Answer 9

How was the religion started, both for it's current form and ultimately?

What are its major tenants?

How does it differer from closely related denominations?

What sets it apart from other major religions?

For faith in general:
What evidence is there to show that the faith is well placed?
How does that evidence differ from any other faith?

Answer 10

Ask them how come Martin said "By faith alone" whereas Jesus said "Not everyone that saith unto me 'Lord Lord' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he that doeth the will of the Father which is in Heaven."?