Lutherans are a Christian Body that follows the teachings of Martin Luther. We use the Bible, the 3 Ecumenical Creeds, and The Book of Concord as a guide to our faith.
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic monk and Doctor of Theology, fastened a document known as the "95 Theses" to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, in which he rejected the selling of indulgences (an indugence granted forgiveness of sin in exchange for payment) and asserted that God gives forgiveness freely to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
Soon afterwards, the "95 Theses" spread rapidly throughout Germany and Europe. This is considered to be the beginning of the
Protestant Reformation. Church officials considered him to be a serious threat and the Pope himself excommunicated Luther in 1521,
but he continued to speak out against errors in the Church.
Later that same year, Luther was indicted by the Emperor and called to an Imperial assembly in the city of Worms. When asked to repudiate his teachings, Luther responded, "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason... my conscience is captive to the Word
of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen".
Outlawed by the Emperor, Luther hid from the authorities at the Wartburg Castle, near Eisenach. In his exile, he began translating the Bible into German, striving to write in simple and clear language that could be understood by everyone. Luther's Bible helped unify the language, laying the foundations of modern German. In the years following, Luther wrote several books of Christian teaching, including the Large and Small Catechisms.
Then, in 1530 the Emperor again summoned him, this time to Augsburg, in an attempt to resolve the conflict between the Church and Luther. There Luther's supporters submitted to the Assembly a defense known as the Augsburg Confession, which was the first of many statements of Lutheran teaching and practice.
Luther married Katharina von Bora, an ex-nun of noble descent, and had six children. He died in Eisleben on February
18th, 1546 and was buried in Wittenberg Church. Music was one of his passions and Luther wrote many hymns, including one of the most famous and popular hymns of all time, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
(Text credit: source unknown)
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, a Catholic monk and Doctor of Theology, fastened a document known as the "95 Theses" to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, in which he rejected the selling of indulgences (an indugence granted forgiveness of sin in exchange for payment) and asserted that God gives forgiveness freely to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ.
Soon afterwards, the "95 Theses" spread rapidly throughout Germany and Europe. This is considered to be the beginning of the
Protestant Reformation. Church officials considered him to be a serious threat and the Pope himself excommunicated Luther in 1521,
but he continued to speak out against errors in the Church.
Later that same year, Luther was indicted by the Emperor and called to an Imperial assembly in the city of Worms. When asked to repudiate his teachings, Luther responded, "Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason... my conscience is captive to the Word
of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen".
Outlawed by the Emperor, Luther hid from the authorities at the Wartburg Castle, near Eisenach. In his exile, he began translating the Bible into German, striving to write in simple and clear language that could be understood by everyone. Luther's Bible helped unify the language, laying the foundations of modern German. In the years following, Luther wrote several books of Christian teaching, including the Large and Small Catechisms.
Then, in 1530 the Emperor again summoned him, this time to Augsburg, in an attempt to resolve the conflict between the Church and Luther. There Luther's supporters submitted to the Assembly a defense known as the Augsburg Confession, which was the first of many statements of Lutheran teaching and practice.
Luther married Katharina von Bora, an ex-nun of noble descent, and had six children. He died in Eisleben on February
18th, 1546 and was buried in Wittenberg Church. Music was one of his passions and Luther wrote many hymns, including one of the most famous and popular hymns of all time, "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
(Text credit: source unknown)
Luther's Morning Prayer
My Heavenly Father, I thank You,
through Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You kept
me safe from all evil and danger last night. Save me,
I pray, today as well, from every evil and sin, so
that all I do and the way that I live will please
you. I put myself in your care, body and soul and all
that I have. Let Your holy Angels be with me, so that
the evil enemy will not gain power over me.
Amen.
Luther's Evening Prayer
My Heavenly Father, I thank You, through
Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, that You have protected me,
by Your grace. Forgive, I pray, all my sins and the
evil I have done. Protect me, by Your grace, tonight.
I put myself in your care, body and soul and all that
I have. Let Your holy angels be with me, so that the
evil enemy will not gain power over me.
Amen.
Prayers From: Luther's Little Instruction Book (The Small Catechism of Martin Luther) Appendix 1: Devotions -Translated by Robert E. Smith July 11, 1994
About The Luther Rose This image, also known as the Luther Seal, is easily the most recognized symbol for
Lutheranism, and for good reason. Martin Luther personally oversaw the creation of this symbol. It provides a beautiful summary of his faith, a faith that is common to all Christians, of every place and every time. Here is how Luther explained the meaning of his seal:
"Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology...
The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. For one who believes from the heart will be justified (Rom. 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive.
"The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen."*
* Martin Luther, Letter to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530, as included in the translation by Amy Marga from "Luthers Siegel: Eine elementare Deutung seiner Theologie," in Luther 67 (1996):66–87. Translation printed in Lutheran Quarterly, Vol. XIV, Num. 4, Winter 2000, pg. 409-410. The text used for this translation is from Johannes Schilling, Briefe, Auswah, Ubersetzung und Erlauterungen in Vol. 6 of Ausgewaehlte Schriften/MartinLuther. The text of Luther's letter is also found in the Weimar edition of Luther's Works, Briefe Vol. 5:444f and in English translation in Luther's Works: American Edition, Vol. 49:356-359). (text from lcms.org)
Lutheranism, and for good reason. Martin Luther personally oversaw the creation of this symbol. It provides a beautiful summary of his faith, a faith that is common to all Christians, of every place and every time. Here is how Luther explained the meaning of his seal:
"Grace and peace from the Lord. As you desire to know whether my painted seal, which you sent to me, has hit the mark, I shall answer most amiably and tell you my original thoughts and reason about why my seal is a symbol of my theology...
The first should be a black cross in a heart, which retains its natural color, so that I myself would be reminded that faith in the Crucified saves us. For one who believes from the heart will be justified (Rom. 10:10). Although it is indeed a black cross, which mortifies and which should also cause pain, it leaves the heart in its natural color. It does not corrupt nature, that is, it does not kill but keeps alive.
"The just shall live by faith" (Rom. 1:17) but by faith in the crucified. Such a heart should stand in the middle of a white rose, to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. In other words, it places the believer into a white, joyous rose, for this faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose should be white and not red, for white is the color of the spirits and the angels (cf. Matthew 28:3; John 20:12). Such a rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing that such joy in spirit and faith is a beginning of the heavenly future joy, which begins already, but is grasped in hope, not yet revealed. And around this field is a golden ring, symbolizing that such blessedness in Heaven lasts forever and has no end. Such blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and goods, just as gold is the most valuable, most precious and best metal. This is my compendium theoligae [summary of theology]. I have wanted to show it to you in good friendship, hoping for your appreciation. May Christ, our beloved Lord, be with your spirit until the life hereafter. Amen."*
* Martin Luther, Letter to Lazarus Spengler, July 8, 1530, as included in the translation by Amy Marga from "Luthers Siegel: Eine elementare Deutung seiner Theologie," in Luther 67 (1996):66–87. Translation printed in Lutheran Quarterly, Vol. XIV, Num. 4, Winter 2000, pg. 409-410. The text used for this translation is from Johannes Schilling, Briefe, Auswah, Ubersetzung und Erlauterungen in Vol. 6 of Ausgewaehlte Schriften/MartinLuther. The text of Luther's letter is also found in the Weimar edition of Luther's Works, Briefe Vol. 5:444f and in English translation in Luther's Works: American Edition, Vol. 49:356-359). (text from lcms.org)