In the United States, there are many branches of Lutheranism. Shepherd of the Hills is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the largest branch. The ELCA confesses the Triune God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. In our preaching and teaching, the ELCA trusts the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. For a quick view of Lutheran Theology, please see this video of Pastor Nadia Bolz Weber from the 2012 National Youth Gathering.
Lutherans are Christians
Like all Christians, we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We believe that divine and human natures both meet in Jesus, who is true God and true Man. Jesus came into the world to pay our debts, to redeem us and free us all to live in restored fellowship with God. Jesus died for us in the ultimate symbol of love, he gave His life for the sake of the world.
Lutherans are Protestants
Lutherans are one of the largest Protestant denominations today. Lutheranism is based on the teachings of Martin Luther, a German monk and professor who has been called the “Father of the Reformation.” He famously protested against the Roman Catholic Church and their sale of indulgences, among other things, by posting a list of 95 disagreements on the doors of the Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.
In his sermons and writings, Luther stressed the doctrine of justification by faith alone and the authority of scripture alone. We believe that we are saved by grace, this salvation was achieved by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and is not because of anything we have done or not done. Lutherans continue to recognize the importance of this message when we celebrate Reformation Day each year.
-Communion
Lutherans believe
that the bible is the Word of God but we don’t take the bible literally. it is the Word of God inspired by the Holy Spirit
in infant baptism
Lutherans are liturgical
we experience God in service as we sing and recite together. similar to catholic church and based on same ?
Creeds used
As Lutherans do throughout the world, we practice infant baptism. We believe that God is acting through baptism to create faith (where to put this?)
We are a national church
There are many different branches, we are ELCA.
The ELCA’s official Confession of Faith identifies the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (commonly called the Bible); the Apostles’, Nicene and Athanasian Creeds; and the Lutheran confessional writings in the Book of Concord as the basis for our teaching. ELCA congregations make the same affirmation in their governing documents, and ELCA pastors promise to preach and teach in accordance with these teaching sources. This Confession of Faith is more than just words in an official document. Every Sunday in worship ELCA congregations hear God’s word from the Scriptures, pray as Jesus taught and come to the Lord’s Table expecting to receive the mercies that the Triune God promises. Throughout the week ELCA members continue to live by faith, serving others freely and generously in all that they do because they trust God’s promise in the Gospel. In small groups and at sick beds, in private devotions and in daily work, this faith saturates all of life.
