Lutheran -
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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