In the early sixteenth century, the papacy was completing preparations for the sale of indulgences in Northern Germany. At the same time Martin Luther, a university professor and former Augustinian monk, was beginning to raise serious questions concerning the authority of the pope as well as the legitimacy of indulgences. It was Luther's obsession with this issue that sparked the Protestant Reformation and led him eventually to establish the Lutheran Church.
Today as one of the oldest Churches in the United States, the Lutheran Church continues to follow the ideas of Martin Luther. Lutheranism in America reflects a wide array of ethnic groups. The Old Swedes established their Church approximately one hundred years prior to the Revolutionary War. The Germans also organized their Church in the U.S. as did the Danish and the Finnish.
Synods were eventually developed in the U.S. most of which were defined by language, culture, and geography. In the 1950s many of these divisions merged into the Lutheran Church of America (LCA). The leadership was centralized on the east coast though it was strong throughout the entire country. There was also the American Lutheran Church which was primarily in the midwest and the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod. All of these Churches worked together in colleges as well as in missionary pursuits. In addition, they all shared the Lutheran Book of Worship.
In the 1980's a movement toward the unification of the Lutheran Church began. During this time the Missouri Synod experienced a schism within. Part of the Church became an extremely conservative group while the other portion broke off and established an independent sector, the Evangelical Lutherans in Mission. In 1988 the Lutheran Church of America unified into the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). Today ELCA is still in its early stages. Its second bishop has just been elected.
The ELCA has very diverse roots. The many ELCA churches in Philadelphia alone demonstrate this variety of influence. For example, the structure of the liturgy at the University Lutheran Church of Incarnation is quite similar to the Catholic mass while other ELCA Churches may seem to be influenced more by the Baptists.
Unlike the Missouri Synod, the ELCA is a liberal denomination. The University Lutheran Church happens to be one of the most liberal--particularly in its understanding of gender roles and sexuality. It maintains a modern perspective on the role of women and allows them to hold positions within the Church. The pastor at this specific church was a woman.
Since women have never held leadership positions in the majority of organized religions, it was surprising to see that the pastor at the University Lutheran Church was female. The Churchs decision to ordain women follows Luthers emphasis on reform. Rather than reconstructing ancient catholic traditions Luther aimed to modify simply the conventions surrounding those beliefs. He looked to the Holy Spirit to point out a path of action that would bring his life closer to the ideals preached in the Gospel.
In many ways the ELCA floats between Catholicism and Protestantism. Lutherans are Catholic in that they are part of the Universal Church built upon Jesus teachings. They also confess the same creeds and use identical hymns and prayers. The ordinary mass (the kyrie, gloria, etc) of the Catholic Church is also employed by the Lutheran Church.
The Lutheran idea of the mass differs somewhat from the Catholic view in that the liturgy for Lutherans is considered to be worship by the people not worship for the people. Luther felt that the congregation was more than just a group of spectators. All were active participants in his eyes. At all times during the Mass, therefore, the congregation has the opportunity to be involved. The people offer praise in both word and song, they say the Nicene Creed, they offer the gifts and they share in the Eucharist. They pray directly to God, not to the priest or to Mary. This service organization is in response to a particular reference in Hebrews: all people who are believers are priests.
The Reformation itself was based essentially on the Book of Romans. Thus, the Lutherans treat the Scriptures with high regard, and their daily lives as well as their worship center around it. Children are taught the Scriptures in detail and the pastors almost always preach biblically.
The idea of the three solas, the sola scriptura (by scripture alone), the sola fide (by faith alone), and the sola gracias (by grace alone) which define Lutheranism, was introduced in the sixteenth century. God gives salvation freely to everyone. Knowing and understanding the Scriptures and having faith in God's will Lutherans understand what is meant by Gods grace. They comprehend the magnitude of Gods gift to Mankind that was embodied in Jesus and His promise of eternal salvation. Faith is more than just an intellectual acceptance of Gods will. It is a trust in God and His promises that persists no matter how difficult ones life may become.
As within any Church, there are problems and conflicts in Lutheranism. Because the entire Church is so diverse it is difficult for the different branches to discuss many controversial issues such as homosexuality, welfare, and abortion. With no pope to set down guidelines, the Church is faced with a major dilemma: how does it make a universally accepted statement on these tough issues?
Currently, homosexuality is being debated. Many gay leaders are interested in joining the ministry but the Church will not ordain them. These men must either lie about their sexual preferences or must accept that they cannot be ordained.
There is also a hidden conflict over the role of women in the Church. In 1970 females were finally permitted to be ordained. Although this decision was made over twenty-five years ago, it is still receiving attention.
Four hundred years ago, Luther was in search for a connection with God. He did not find this link within the Catholic Church whose teachings were based on institutional needs rather than the text of the Scriptures. Luther wanted a religion open to reform which was united under the Scriptures rather than under a governmental hierarchy. The Lutheran Church today remains faithful to its founder. Depending not on the word of the pope but on the spirit of the Bible, the various synods of the modern Lutheran Church have been able to evolve with the changing times while still remaining united in their faith to Luthers ideals.
Last updated March 19, 1996