Lutheranism facts for kids
Lutheranism is a type of Christian church. It's a big part of the Christian religion. It started in the 16th century. A German priest named Martin Luther led this movement. He was also a professor in Wittenberg. At first, Luther wanted to fix some things in the Catholic Church. He didn't plan to start a new church.
How Lutheranism Began
Lutheranism began when Martin Luther and his followers separated from the Roman Catholic Church. This big change is known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther's ideas helped to start this movement. Other church leaders also separated from the Roman Catholic Church. Some agreed with Luther, and some had different ideas. These leaders included John Calvin and Ulrich Zwingli.
What Lutherans Believe
Lutherans believe the Bible is the most important source for their faith. It guides their teachings. Like other Christians, Lutherans believe in the Trinity. This means they believe in God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit. They also believe that Jesus Christ was both God and man.
Lutherans believe that all people are sinful. This idea comes from Adam and Eve. They believe humans are saved by Jesus' death on the cross. A main idea for Lutherans is that people are saved by grace. This means God's undeserved kindness. They are saved through faith in Jesus Christ. This is called justification.
In 1530, the main ideas of Lutheran beliefs were written down. This document was called The Augsburg Confession. Philip Melanchthon helped to write it.
Lutheran Pastors
One difference between Lutherans and Roman Catholics is about their leaders. Roman Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. However, Lutheran pastors are allowed to marry.
Images for kids
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Martin Luther (1529) by Lucas Cranach the Elder
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Title page of the Swedish Gustav Vasa Bible. It was translated by the Petri brothers and Laurentius Andreae.
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The University of Jena around 1600. It was a center for Lutheran teachings.
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Danish Queen Sophie Magdalene founded a Lutheran convent in 1737.
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A meeting of the Haugean movement in the 1800s.
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The Olbers ship. It carried Old Lutherans to the Western Hemisphere.
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Young people being confirmed at Paavo Ruotsalainen's homestead in Finland.
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Luther's translation of the Bible from 1534.
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Title page from the 1580 Dresden Book of Concord.
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Lutherans believe faith in Jesus brings salvation and eternal life in heaven.
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A.C. Article IX: Of Confession.
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Lutherans practice infant baptism.
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Luther giving communion to John the Steadfast.
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A.C. Article 18: Of Free Will.
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The Broad and the Narrow Way, a popular German Pietist painting from 1866.
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A quote from Luther about Jesus' resurrection.
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Luther composed hymns, including "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott" ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God").
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Divine Service at St. Nicholas church in Luckau, Germany.
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Christ Lutheran Church, Narsapur in India.
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Georg Calixtus taught at the University of Helmstedt.
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Stormtroopers with German Christian propaganda in Berlin, 1933.
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A pastor from the LCMS church wearing a chasuble during communion.
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Confirmation in Lunder Church, Ringerike, Norway, 2012.
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A Læstadian lay preacher from Finnmark, Norway, 1898.
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Hallowed be Thy Name by Lucas Cranach the Elder. It shows a Lutheran pastor preaching.
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Nathan Söderblom being ordained as archbishop of the Church of Sweden, 1914.
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Lutheran Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in St. Petersburg.
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Schwäbisch Hall Church Order, 1543.
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This hymnal was published by the Pennsylvania Ministerium in 1803.
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Lighthouse Lutheran Church, an LCMC congregation in Freedom, Pennsylvania.
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A church of the Batak Protestant Church in Balige, Indonesia.
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View of the altar and pulpit in the Church of the Ascension in Jerusalem.
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Faith Lutheran School in Hong Kong.
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Countries with a member of the Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference as of 2013.
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See also
In Spanish: Luteranismo para niños
