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 with Martin Luther. He wanted to change the Western Church to be more based on the Bible. His writings, starting with the Ninety-five Theses, caused a big split in Western Christianity. During the Reformation, Lutheranism became the official religion in many northern European states. This included parts of northern Germany, Scandinavia, and the Livonian Order. Lutheran clergy became government workers, and Lutheran churches became part of the state.
In 1521, the split between the Lutheran Church and the Roman Catholic Church became clear. The Edict of Worms condemned Luther and banned his ideas. People who supported Lutheranism could lose all their property. In Scandinavia, many Catholic bishops accepted Luther's changes. The church there became Lutheran, keeping its structure of bishops, priests, and deacons. Lutherans saw their church as the true continuation of the Catholic Church. They believed the Church of Rome had moved away from the true faith during the Reformation.
Lutherans saw themselves as different from other Protestant groups. They believed their church was very similar to the early Catholic Church, but without certain errors.
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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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.
See also
In Spanish: Luteranismo para niños
