Jesus | The Church | Martin Luther | Resources

Above all, the Christian Lutheran faith desires to be faithfully centered in Jesus Christ and strives to let the Gospel of His life, teachings, death, and resurrection from the dead be the center of all we profess and do. The name “Lutheran” indicates a confession within the one holy, Christian church, rather than a denomination. However, the name Lutheran is also used in the title of many denominations across the globe (e.g. The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod).

JESUS

In a nutshell, we believe Jesus is God. The Scriptures, in which we fully believe, teach that Jesus is both fully God and fully human. He died on the cross for us (on Good Friday) to make peace between God and man. Jesus also physically rose from the dead for us (on Easter) to show His victory over death. All this He did to grant everyone who hears and believes the forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Want to know more? Check out our Explore Christianity Class

THE CHURCH

We believe in the one holy Christian and apostolic church which consists of all those who hear the Gospel of Jesus and so have been called to believe and confess Him as Lord by the Spirit who works true faith through the Word and the Sacraments.

MARTIN LUTHER

First, it should be noted that Lutherans do not worship Luther. We worship none other than the Lord Jesus Christ through whom we have access to the Father by the Spirit. Christ alone saves us and is worthy of our adoration and praise.

Luther is someone God set apart as sort of our "patron saint" of Christ-centered, cross-focused theology (study of God). He's an interesting fellow if you'd ever give him a chance to speak to you through his writings. We believe God used him in his day to help reform the Western church, that is, to help restore the church's teachings and practices to orthodoxy (agreement with the Scriptures—God's Word, rather than the wavering and or faulty opinions of councils or individuals).

Dr. Luther lived from AD 1483 to 1546. He was a pastor and professor in Wittenberg, Germany, a former monk of the Augustinian order, a hero in the eyes of many German people of his day because of his teachings and convictions, and an enemy and heretic to those who took offense at the things Luther said and did.

Luther wrote many things we love (only 35 volumes have been translated into English), including but not limited to: The Small Catechism, The Large Catechism, The Freedom of a Christian, and his Galatians Commentary. His work and influence also appears in the documents written to defend the faith Lutherans boldly believe, teach, and confess. These writings are contained in The Book of Concord of 1580.

He also wrote some things that he regretted, as do we. Luther was but a man, not God—a man who readily admitted fallibility and was sure of his great need of Christ Jesus and the forgiveness He brings. But when Luther spoke the things of God, the truth rings loud and clear—the sheep hear Jesus' voice. Praise God for raising up men like Luther to declare boldly and give out the mysteries of God according to His Word. We continue to love the best from Luther, to promote His Christ-centered and cross-focused teachings, and to reject the things he and the reformers rejected for the sake of the one Christian faith. Want to read more about Luther? See our resources below or Contact Our Pastor.

Resources

Annotated Bibliography of Apologetic and Theological Literature and Film
Articles for College Students
Books Every College Student Should Read
Issues, Etc. (national radio program)
On the Physical Death of Jesus
The Book of Concord
The Holy Bible

Concordia Seminary
Concordia Theological Seminary
International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism, & Human Rights
Stand to Reason
Student Forums
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Why are there two Lutheran groups on Campus?

LCMS World Relief and Human Care
Lutherans for Life
Notes for Life
Tennessee Right to Life