Who am I? A baptized Christian who will not go beyond the authority of God’s revealed Word.
Well, as silly as I think this thread is… this post raised some unfortunate differences and misunderstanding of the faith. And no, I don’t think Martin Luther would be in communion with the Church today.
- The authority of Scripture.
Lutherans believe Scripture alone has authority to determine doctrine; the Roman Catholic Church gives this authority also to the pope, the church, and certain traditions of the church.
Scripture itself does not teach this assumption.
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter.
Doctrine is professed and upheld if the Church confirms it is based on Apotolic Tradition.
- The doctrine of justification.
Lutherans believe a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. The Roman Catholic Church, while at times using similar language, still officially holds that faith, in order to save, must be accompanied by (or “infused with”) some “work” or “love” active within a Christian.
The work which has justifying power comes from faith, and not because of any good works. What this community is doing, is attacking the very principle that St James delivered to us in Scripture.
What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him?..
… But some one will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith… Do you want to be shown, you foolish fellow, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered his son Isaac upon the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by works… You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so faith apart from works is dead.
The Catholic Church does NOT Teach that we are justified apart from assent to faith in the gospel. She does Teach what St James, in Scripture, has Taught… that faith without works is dead.
- The authority of the pope.
Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, Lutherans do not believe the office of the papacy as such has any divine authority or that Christians need to submit to the Pope’s authority to be “true” members of the visible church.
This is not Scriptural. Peter was given “first place” among the Apostles. And the first converts devoted themselves to the Teachings of the Apostles:
Acts 2
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Hebrews 13
Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you.
What do you think it means to be first of the Apostles?
- Differences remain about both the number and the nature of the sacraments.
Roman Catholics speak of seven Sacraments while Lutherans tend to speak of only two (or three). More important than number is how the Sacraments are understood.
Here are the 7 Sacraments with Scriptural references:
ewtn.com/expert/answers/sacraments_in_scripture.htm
Transubstantiation is rejected for several reasons: It is a philosophical explanation for a work of Christ’s almighty Word which we can only believe, not explain. (Scripture refers to the elements as both bread and wine and body and blood, 1 Cor. 11:26-27).
It is not a philosophical explanation, but a defined doctrine. We do not regard consecrated bread and wine as such, but His Sacramental and Sacrificial body and blood. It’s not just pretending. We also profess, “When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the death of our Lord, until he comes again.”
1 Cor. 10
I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
Transubstantiation leads to the assertion that the body and blood of Christ remain present “even apart from the administration of the Supper” and so encourages veneration of the elements apart from their sacramental use and detracts from the use Christ commands: “Take eat … drink … for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Eucharistic adoration is not done as a substitute for eating Holy Communion. It is an optional devotion to draw closer to the Cross in contemplation, meditation and prayer. It is setting yourself before the Lord’s gift, which is present but unseen without faith.
- Differences remain about the role of Mary and the saints.
Unlike Catholics, Lutherans do not believe it is proper or scriptural to offer prayers to saints or to view Mary as in any sense a “mediator” between God and human beings.
catholic.com/tracts/praying-to-the-saints
Ditto - but they say anyway that acknowledgment is the first step to recovery, right?
That is a big part of the reason for the separation, yes. On the bright side, you are part of a church that proclaims the Gospel and correctly uses the Sacraments, so you are Christians and the Holy Spirit does work through your people, as he does through ours. Yes, to arrogate powers that are to be kept for Christ alone is a work of Anti- Christ and a grievous thing.