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Rooted in the Spirit...
Growing In Faith...
Reaching Out In Love...
Lutheran Beliefs: A faith founded on good news.
Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther
(1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that
there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible
and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time.
On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of
Wittenberg University, titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological
issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practice and
preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained
in the Bible.
What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct separation
between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted
Luther’s suggested reforms. "Lutheran" became the name of the group
that agreed with Luther’s convictions.
Today, nearly five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of
Luther’s theological teachings, such as Grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. These comprise the very essence of Lutheranism:
* We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do;
* Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to trust God made known in Christ who promises us forgiveness, life and
salvation; and
* The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
Over the years, different Lutheran church bodies have been established and organized to meet the needs of Lutherans in
communities and nations all over the world.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran group in North America, founded in 1988 when three North
American Lutheran church bodies united: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the
Lutheran Church in America.
Learn more about the History of the ELCA. This link will take you to the home website of the ELCA.
Lutherans are part of a reforming movement within the whole Christian church; as a part of practicing their faith, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and its predecessors have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades. In
fact, the ELCA has entered into cooperative "full communion" agreements (sharing common convictions about theology, mission
and worship) with several other Protestant denominations, including
* the Moravian Church
* The Episcopal Church
* the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
* the Reformed Church in America
* the United Church of Christ
The ELCA has an ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, and in 1999, representatives of the Lutheran World Federation
and the Roman Catholic Church signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. This represented a historic consensus
on key issues of faith and called for further dialogue and study together.
Lutheranism is a faith tradition that is open to all, regardless of background. The ELCA alone is almost five million members strong,
with nearly 10,500 congregations across the
U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We welcome you to learn more about our church and find out how we can help you along
life’s path.
Lutherans are Christians who accept the teachings of Martin Luther
(1483 – 1546). Luther was a German theologian who realized that
there were significant differences between what he read in the Bible
and the practices of the Roman Catholic church at that time.
On October 31, 1517, he posted a challenge on the door of
Wittenberg University, titled “95 Theses” (to debate 95 theological
issues). His hope was that the church would reform its practice and
preaching to be more consistent with the Word of God as contained
in the Bible.
What started as an academic debate escalated into a distinct separation
between the Roman Catholic church of the time and those who accepted
Luther’s suggested reforms. "Lutheran" became the name of the group
that agreed with Luther’s convictions.
Today, nearly five centuries later, Lutherans still celebrate the Reformation on October 31 and still hold to the basic principles of
Luther’s theological teachings, such as Grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone. These comprise the very essence of Lutheranism:
* We are saved by the grace of God alone -- not by anything we do;
* Our salvation is through faith alone -- we only need to trust God made known in Christ who promises us forgiveness, life and
salvation; and
* The Bible is the norm for faith and life -- the true standard by which teachings and doctrines are to be judged.
Over the years, different Lutheran church bodies have been established and organized to meet the needs of Lutherans in
communities and nations all over the world.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is the largest Lutheran group in North America, founded in 1988 when three North
American Lutheran church bodies united: The American Lutheran Church, the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches and the
Lutheran Church in America.
Learn more about the History of the ELCA. This link will take you to the home website of the ELCA.
Lutherans are part of a reforming movement within the whole Christian church; as a part of practicing their faith, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America and its predecessors have engaged in ecumenical dialogue with other church bodies for decades. In
fact, the ELCA has entered into cooperative "full communion" agreements (sharing common convictions about theology, mission
and worship) with several other Protestant denominations, including
* the Moravian Church
* The Episcopal Church
* the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
* the Reformed Church in America
* the United Church of Christ
The ELCA has an ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church, and in 1999, representatives of the Lutheran World Federation
and the Roman Catholic Church signed the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. This represented a historic consensus
on key issues of faith and called for further dialogue and study together.
Lutheranism is a faith tradition that is open to all, regardless of background. The ELCA alone is almost five million members strong,
with nearly 10,500 congregations across the
U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. We welcome you to learn more about our church and find out how we can help you along
life’s path.
| The Seal of Martin Luther The Luther Rose |
The Seal of Martin Luther - The Luther Rose:
The meaning of the Seal as explained by Martin Luther:
The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. "For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness."
Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does not change the color of the heart, does not
destroy nature — i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive. "For the just shall live by faith," — by faith in the Savior.
But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose is white, not
red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits.
This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored ground, to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of
heavenly joy to come, as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.
And around this ground base is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and
treasures, since gold is the best and most precious metal. Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life.
Amen.
Martin Luther
The meaning of the Seal as explained by Martin Luther:
The first thing expressed in my seal is a cross, black, within the heart, to put me in mind that faith in Christ crucified saves us. "For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness."
Now, although the cross is black, mortified, and intended to cause pain, yet it does not change the color of the heart, does not
destroy nature — i.e., does not kill, but keeps alive. "For the just shall live by faith," — by faith in the Savior.
But this heart is fixed upon the center of a white rose, to show that faith causes joy, consolation and peace. The rose is white, not
red, because white is the ideal color of all angels and blessed spirits.
This rose, moreover, is fixed in a sky-colored ground, to denote that such joy of faith in the spirit is but an earnest and beginning of
heavenly joy to come, as anticipated and held by hope, though not yet revealed.
And around this ground base is a golden ring, to signify that such bliss in heaven is endless, and more precious than all joys and
treasures, since gold is the best and most precious metal. Christ, our dear Lord, He will give grace unto eternal life.
Amen.
Martin Luther