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The
Lutheran Church
The Lutheran religion is a Christian worship group
that is based on the theological insights of Martin
Luther. Martin Luther was a German priest and religious
scholar who sought to reform the Catholic Church in
the 16th century. Luther attracted followers from
all levels of society, and attracted the animosity
of the Roman Pope.
Luther and his followers were the beginning of what
is known as the Protestant Reformation and a large
exodus from the Roman Catholic Church. Lutherans who
closely follow the Book of Concord, often refer to
themselves as Confessional Lutherans. Lutherans believe
that in death Christians are taken to God in Heaven
where they await the resurrection of the body and
the second coming of Christ. Lutherans believe that
faith in Jesus is their salvation. The primary governance
of a Lutheran church is usually a board of elders.
The
"confessions" or symbolic writings of the Lutheran
Church are contained in the Book of Concord. The Book
of Concord was initially published in German in 1580
and then subsequently printed in Latin in 1584. The
trouble with Lutheran central archives is that Lutheran
congregations are autonomous, and control their own
records. Some Lutheran churches limit communion, the
ritual sharing of bread and wine, to church members.
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