What religion or denomination would Martin Luther belong to if he were alive today?

[Jimmy_B]

There are three.

Who are the main three?

 

[BrianH]

In the USA
WELS - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
LCMS - The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

 

[universalist]

elca,lcms,wels

 

[Jimmy_B]

In the USA
WELS - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
LCMS - The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Thank you BrianH,

I have a lot learn. I had no idea that there was a Evangelical Lutheran Church. How long have they been around?

Peace

 

[BrianH]

They are a merger group I recall late 80’s or early 90’s. They are the more liberal of the three.

 

[SIA]

Well there’s the Luther World Federation (LWF) and the more conservative Internation Lutheran Council (ILC). But each of those is made up of dozens of small Lutheran denominations (at least according to the standard usage of the word “denominations”). Plus there are some Lutheran denominations that belong to neither the LWF or the ILC. So I have to disagree with your claim that there are just 3.

I think that the wrong perception is being focused upon here in speaking of denominations. There are only maybe 7 or 8 main denominations in the Christian faith. Many of the denoms. that are being spoken of here as if they all were completely separate are only actually differing in minor customary or behavioral issues the vast majority of the time and do not cite Scriptural interpretation differences between them.

 

[Jimmy_B]

They are a merger group I recall late 80’s or early 90’s. They are the more liberal of the three.

Thanks again BrianH,

Can you define liberal?

Peace

 

[gcnuss]

Thanks again BrianH,

Can you define liberal?

Peace

Jimmy,

Some of the things that would be set forth as evidence that the ELCA is liberal are:

• not having closed communion
• not being literalist in biblical interpretation, e.g., not insisting that the account of the creation is scientific fact although believing that it is an account of God’s relationship to his creation
• allowing the ordination of women

These are just the ones that jump into my head at the moment. Of course, there is an on-going discussion (struggle–or battle) within the ELCA over issues about homosexuality which threatens to divide the church. There is a definite liberal/conservative dichotomy on this question – the liberal side being those who accept homosexuality as a valid lifestyle.

 

[JonNC]

Jimmy,

Some of the things that would be set forth as evidence that the ELCA is liberal are:

• not having closed communion
• not being literalist in biblical interpretation, e.g., not insisting that the account of the creation is scientific fact although believing that it is an account of God’s relationship to his creation
• allowing the ordination of women

These are just the ones that jump into my head at the moment. Of course, there is an on-going discussion (struggle–or battle) within the ELCA over issues about homosexuality which threatens to divide the church. There is a definite liberal/conservative dichotomy on this question – the liberal side being those who accept homosexuality as a valid lifestyle.

Pastor,
I would add to your list a rather liberal altar fellowship with other churches, including the UCC. Also, a stridently liberal political POV, which is, of course, different than doctrinal liberalism.

Jon

 

[LutheranDK]

Jimmy,

Some of the things that would be set forth as evidence that the ELCA is liberal are:

• not having closed communion
• not being literalist in biblical interpretation, e.g., not insisting that the account of the creation is scientific fact although believing that it is an account of God’s relationship to his creation
• allowing the ordination of women

I’d just like to add that #2 can also be found to be the opinion of conservative, bible-believing Christians.
The literalist interpretation is one that I think we should be very careful with, although I do not exclude it entirely! However, having a literalist view of the Bible WILL cause headaches in Daniel and Revelation

 

[Peter_J]

In the USA
WELS - Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod
LCMS - The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
ELCA - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

For the sake of those are just hearing about these groups for the first time, I think a little note should be thrown in about the word “Evangelical”.

As I understand it (and I’m sure someone else can explain this better) it used to be quite common for Lutherans for call themselves “Evangelical”. Then over a couple centuries the term came to have a very particular meaning – you might say that it came to be “owned” by a type of Protestants who are very different from Lutherans. It is therefore rare nowadays to call Lutherans “Evangelical”, even though the word still appears in some of the denomination names.

 

[Jimmy_B]

For the sake of those are just hearing about these groups for the first time, I think a little note should be thrown in about the word “Evangelical”.

As I understand it (and I’m sure someone else can explain this better) it used to be quite common for Lutherans for call themselves “Evangelical”. Then over a couple centuries the term came to have a very particular meaning – you might say that it came to be “owned” by a type of Protestants who are very different from Lutherans. It is therefore rare nowadays to call Lutherans “Evangelical”, even though the word still appears in some of the denomination names.

Within the last 50-75 years or so …if I’m correct.

 

[mike00077]

Catechism of the Catholic Church

1463 Certain particularly grave sins incur excommunication, the most severe ecclesiastical penalty, which impedes the reception of the sacraments and the exercise of certain ecclesiastical acts, and for which absolution consequently cannot be granted, according to canon law, except by the Pope, the bishop of the place or priests authorized by them. In danger of death any priest, even if deprived of faculties for hearing confessions, can absolve from every sin and excommunication.