The short explanation is that I grew up in a Lutheran Church. However, I like to think that I would have become a Lutheran even if I was not raised as a Lutheran. I agree with the principles of the church and I share the same beliefs. I also think that Martin Luther was a great man who changed the world. So what is so great about being a Lutheran? Well I give a more detailed explanation below.
Conservative Reformation
I am generally a conservative person (although not necessarily in the political sense). I feel that change is important in any system, but there is a difference between wanting change and needing change. When Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses he was upset about the selling of indulgences, not at the entire concept of the Catholic Church. This eventually led to Reformation, but I believe the Lutheran Church is still the closest of the Protestant Churches to the Catholic Church. I attended a small Catholic church service once and I was surprised how close it resembled my Lutheran church’s service (although I should note that the large Italian Catholic services I have attended did not resemble my church). In 1999, the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation even made a Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification. Justification was one of the main issues during reformation and both organizations agreed that this document was exempt from previous excommunications between the two churches. I thought it was also interesting that the Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches both use the division of ten commandments established by St. Augustine It varies from the Jewish ten commandments and is not necessarily adopted by all protestant churches in that form.
Also, it is my understand that Lutherans are generally viewed as conservative with respect to monetary issues and current events.
Martin Luther Changed the World
I will admit that Martin Luther did go a bit crazy near the end of his life, but he still was the father of reformation and a very important man in the history of the world. He took on the largest church in the world and changed Western society. On top of that he translated the New Testament into German (eventually leading to the English King James version), no longer limiting the Bible to those who knew Latin and Greek.
Nowadays you always hear about the great wars and great discoveries that changed the world, but one man changed the world without war or new technology (although the printing press did help). Martin Luther’s story is inspiring even if you are not a Christian. He showed that if you truly believe something, fight for it, no matter how large your opponent may be.
So that is why I am a Lutheran. Why I am a Christian is for another post.
